Informed Traveling: Boston

This is a no brainer. Right on the water, next to the North End. I stayed here and I sent my parents there for their anniversary. The rates are great compared to the hotels in the area and the experience is something you can’t get walking around in a conventional hotel. There is a back deck for wine sipping in the summer, and if you ask nice they will work out trips into the bay.

540 Harrison Ave.

ABC News is reporting that republican Scott Brown is Massachusetts new Senator, replacing the late Senator Kennedy.

This is a major deal people. While I'm an independent, most of my friends from Massachusetts are democrats, I think, though I know a few are republicans.

I happen to believe the vote came out not because of local politics, but because of the national effect. Massachusetts found itself in a unique position to have an impact on national politics - is that the reason they voted for Brown? Do the Massachusetts voters have something to say about government run health care?

Remember, this is a progressive state when it comes to health care. Massachusetts has not only had "Mass Health" for years, it was also one of the first, if not the first, to require its citizens to have health insurance or face fees in the form of taxes.

Massachusetts is also a state with some strong labor unions. Could the labor unions be turning against the democratic party due to the recession and lack of jobs?

Or is it simply a sign of discontent with Obama? Obama inspired the country during the presidential election, but even his trip to Boston and stumping for Coakley didn't have the intended effect.

Wow. Wow! These are serious election results!

With the passing of Edward Kennedy, an important seat in the Senate has opened up. Thankfully Blagojevich is not from Massachusetts!

Anyway, the race has been going on for awhile and these days mostly involves Scott Brown and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. It should be wrapped up on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010.

I first learned about Martha Coakley with regard to the Sullivan Courthouse in Cambridge. She had her office moved from the building due to her concerns about asbestos. As far as I know, the asbestos is still in the building, as are other workers and prisoners.

I don't know much about Scott Brown, other than the headlines that Coakley has generated lately saying that he opposes contraception for rape victims. Regardless of who is the better person for the job, I really don't like that type of politicking. I also don't think its appropriate for the President to travel to Massachusetts and campaign for Coakley, as reported in the New York Times. I think his attention would be better focused on our economy or on rescue efforts in Haiti.

Apparently this race has more to do with national politics and the debate about public health care than it does Massachusetts. I'm not sure what to make of that.

UPDATE: Obama did in fact travel to Boston to rally for Martha Coakley.

I have been interested in scoping out UMASS Boston for quite a while so today I decided to check out their campus.  I left from my office which should have taken around fifteen minutes but with the traffic is was more like a half hour or so.  Still not bad at all considering.

I’m not a big city driver, but luckily once you get off the Boston exit its very straightforward.  Wish I could say the same thing about the ride back, but that’s a whole different story.  Navigating around campus was very easy.  It basically just brings you in a huge circle around campus with various parking lots along the way.  There seemed to be plenty of parking spaces around although parking isn’t free unfortunately.

Aesthetically the campus was very pleasing.  The building architecture looked well kept and modern.  They had a few art sculptures in front of a few buildings.  The campus buildings seemed very big, but that could just be because I previously went to a college with only around fifteen class rooms total.  But despite the size, or perceived size it was still easy to navigate because like I said there’s only one road that brings you around the entire campus and it runs in a circle so its nearly impossible to get lost.

I checked out one of the buildings and grabbed a few pamphlets and campus maps.  The main building, at least I think it was the main building was bustling.  Like the outside it was very well kept and modern.  Towards the back there was what seemed like a student lounge/study area.  It was very big with comfortable chairs and plenty of tables.  The only thing was it seemed a bit too loud to study, but I could have just come in during a very busy time.  I’m not sure if the campus is always crowded like that, or if I got there just as people were getting out of class or something.

So all in all, I definitely got a good first impression.  Getting there was very easy, finding my way around was easy especially considering it was my first visit.  I think next I’ll check out the courses they offer.  Judging by the size, I’m sure I can find something that peaks my interest.

I’m going to post some pictures I took below.  I had to use my camera phone which isn’t that great, so please excuse the sub par quality.

Anthony Galluccio, a Massachusetts state Senator, has hit the headlines for alleged drunken escapades, even involving a hit-and-run accident.

If true, this news is disappointing, to say the least.

Huh, looks like this news is about five weeks old. I wonder why its hitting the headlines again.

Here's a picture of Harvard Square in 2003. Definitely one of my favorite places.

Sorry, I'm not buying into this idea. Although Schilling may be a great ball player, I can't think of why he would make a good senator.

It reminds me of why I would never have voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ironically, I do think that Ronald Reagan was a good president, but I might be biased because as a child I sent him a drawing of a horse and received back a nice letter from the White House. :-)

Boston politics have been nothing but colorful, so perhaps Schilling would fit right in. Would he get anything done in Congress? I doubt it, but not for his sake. Mainly because Congress needs fixing!

The Fort Point Channel is one of my favorite parts of Boston. Its right near the financial district and Boston Harbor, but is much more industrial. Since there isn't much heavy industry left in Boston, the buildings have been re-purposed as artist lofts. Since then, the area has become "cool", and so there are also residential lofts and commercial office spaces available. Even with the gentrification, its still a great neighborhood.