So last night I attended a farewell party for Jeremy Knowles, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, at his residence on at 7 Bryant Street. This is actually his second residence, the one given to him by Harvard, for being Dean. It was an old house, very well maintained, with lots and lots of expensive art pieces. Someone pointed out a Rembrandt to me. The party was fun and interesting. I talked with the staff assistants mostly. The deans and department chairs mingled around each other and did their thing. Deans and department chairs talk about big issues and concern and make it a point to talk to everyone on their level, while the staff assistants stay in their own group and talk about the deans. I find this all pretty interesting, because I love watching social occurrences, especially at bars, clubs and parties. I find it intriguing the social patterns people evolve to depending on their power, money, position, even marital status.