Slime, stingers and brainless, gelatinous goo

[Sea nettle jellyfish, New England Aquarium; 11/13/09]

My day off on Friday was rainy due to the outlying remnants of Hurricane Ida, so we took advantage of a quiet weekday at the New England Aquarium on Boston's waterfront. We'd considered going a couple of times this summer while wandering in the vicinity, but the long lines (and no doubt crowds indoors) kept us away.

I was there a few years ago with my former housemate K while she was in vet school and considering career options, so this time I was more interested in trying out my camera settings than just enthralled with everything as I was the last time (see my photo set here). But there were still surprises and the unending fascination with the fish swimming in the giant ocean tank as well as the amazing jellies: "Dive into the realm of slime, stingers and brainless, gelatinous goo..."

[Moon jellies]

While Friday was drizzly and gray, Saturday saw torrential downpours until late afternoon, when it returned to drizzly. So we decided to go to the movies. We went to see This Is It, the movie of backstage rehearsal footage for Michael Jackson's would-be final tour. It was sad to see such talent wasted -- Michael Jackson's, of course, forever, but also the efforts of so many creative and talented people -- singers, dancers, choreographers, set designers, etc. They were certainly going to give the crowds their money's worth on tour. It is fortunate that so much was recorded that they were able to get mileage out of all that effort by producing this film.

On Sunday, the clouds finally lifted around mid-day, preventing us from turning into brainless, gelatinous goo. We made a nice brunch and then headed out to enjoy the day.

[Sunday brunch at the apartment; 11/15/09]

[Wet leaves plaster the Comm Ave Mall; around 3pm, 11/15/09]

Comments

[marja-leena]

Great photos of jellyfish! Glad your 'long' weekend turned out so well. Instead of hurricanes we've had repeated waves of the Pineapple Express here so we too try to make the most of the nice periods in between.

[Mouse]

Does that sad-faced turtle still swim in circles round that huge tank?

I really wanted to set him free but it's rather difficult to smuggle a turtle out under one's jumper and where would I take him?

[sky]

I became far behind in my blog reading but had a visual treat here when I returned to catch up!

[Jean]

Oooh, your aquarium photos are seriously gorgeous!

[Leslee]

Marja-Leena: Thanks! It was very hard to go back to office on Monday morning!

Mouse: There were a couple of sea turtles swimming around. Did you ever see the movie, Turtle Diary with Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson? I adored that little movie. They try to set a turtle free from the local aquarium.

Sky: Glad you enjoyed it. I often don't have time to keep up with everyone's posts, especially in NaBloPoMo month. I've come to appreciate slow bloggers and photo bloggers. ;-)

Jean: It was really fun. I discovered that I have an "underwater" setting on my camera.