Magazine 01/15/2012 - The Boston Globe

January 15, 2012 The Boston Globe Magazine

Mass. voting maps reflect State House evolution

For the first time in decades, the Legislature managed to create new state legislative and US congressional districts that, by and large, put the voters’ interests above the politicians’. By Scott Helman

The man who crushed the Keystone XL pipeline

How a mild-mannered Vermont journalist derailed that $7 billion oil project, engineered history’s largest green protest, and became the environmental movement’s most unlikely celebrity. By Barbara Moran

Brian Skerry points his camera and strobes at a luminous moon snail, then captures this image of a vividly colored sea raven.

Brian Skerry begins long project to chronicle sea life in New England

With a frigid Cape Ann dive, the National Geographic photographer begins a five-year adventure in the world beneath the waves. By David Abel

A former model delves into the industry

A sociologist goes undercover in the fashion world — and comes out with her PhD and a fascinating book. By Alyssa Giacobbe

Perspective

Why New Year’s resolutions are so hard to keep

Moshe Bar, director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory at Mass. General and Harvard Medical School, explains that there’s more to the issue than willpower. By Moshe Bar

Miss Conduct

The dos and don’ts of thank you notes

Plus, advice on maintaining an old friendship in spite of an unruly dog. By Robin Abrahams

Coupling

Spending time away from your significant other

We’re not one of those couples that’s glued at the hip, and I’ve just realized why. By Todd Segal Washburn

Dinner With Cupid

Blind date between risk takers

Will these adventurous foodies share the same tastes?

Cooking

Recipes for grits

Savory or sweet, this Southern comfort staple sure does dress up nicely. By Adam Ried

Kitchen Aide

How to make fried grits

When hot grits cool, they become firm enough to slice, and frying those slices adds a golden crust.

Behind the Scene

Photograph by Stan Grossfeld

The Globe’s Stan Grossfeld caught this image of Paul Pierce grimacing as he hits the Garden floor when the Celtics faced the Washington Wizards early this month.

Tales From the City