diane and I got To Boston around 9 PM last night.… We took a nice walk around cambridge… And then went back to the hotel . It felt nice to be down in Cambridge again.… We woke up early and went for a run along the Charles. It was one of my favorite things to do when I was working down here. We ran back through Mit campus which was fun. It’s amazing to think I’ve been walking around on this campus for over 44 years

we went back cleaned up checked out of the hotel and then walk over to the Prudential. My boss and a few of my close colleagues we’re having a really nice retirement lunch for ‘Diane and me. It was really wonderful… We had a good time… Felt good to I’ll be back face-to-face

as soon as lunch was over we drove over to the Trillium bar down by the support for the annual lab Christmas/winter celebration.… We had a great crowd of people… I think they might’ve actually been 60 people there. I was really surprised to find that they had done some really nice things in honor of my retirement. there was this wonderful “Yoda” cake… It had Yoda, our group icon which is a parrot… And a ton of science decorations around the side test tubes Adams etc. it was so cute (and tasty too!)

They also had a special beer menu Which included a “mad scientist” beer in honor of me… It was even a Munich beer. Super fun and super  Tasty… I was really choked up that they had Turn all this for me.

It was so nice also catching up with so many of my colleagues. Everyone looks great… Many of us have never met each other…Face-to-face due to Covid. It was really a wonderful afternoon !

There were a few speeches were each of their group leaders got up and told about their stories. David made a special point of congratulating me for my 40 years and pseudo- retirement. He said some really nice things…Which I truly appreciate it… It also felt a little funny being the center of attention.

Then we cut the cake and eat it… It was really pretty tasty I even got the eye

Around 4 o’clock it was time to go… ‘Diane and I Uber back gotten our car and drove back to Vermont. It’s been a quick trip but it felt good. I really appreciate my friends David, Mark, Kate, and Jesse for arranging this… And I really appreciate it Diane for coming along..

nite all, nite sam

-me