Category: Places

Liberal senator from Massachusetts bla bla bla. Will you lay off the Commonwealth? This state is right in the middle of the tax burden list, and even then gets less back in federal spending than it sends to Washington.

Vomitola points out that Billerica is not actually where I thought it was– it’s near Lowell, and is served by commuter rail. When I said “Billerica” I should have said generally anywhere out past Revere, which is not at all where Billerica is.

Plus, I totally forgot about commuter rail. It’s good. We need more.

I went to Beverley once on the commuter rail. Trains run too infrequently for my taste except during rush hours… hence the name “commuter.” It is good though, and it is useful. It’s better maintained than the regular subway, too, which makes regular-subway riders kind of jealous– newer trains. Functioning air conditioning. Bigger trains, since it’s a full-on railroad. Anyway, it would be cool, in my fantasy world, not to have to switch trains, and for trains to go really far. The DC Metro is basically my vision of a proper subway system– I know it has flaws, but it’s got a lot of advantages.

Earlier I noted Florida’s reputation as a center for corrupt politics. New Jersey is another one, of course, as are Louisiana, NYC, Vegas, Rhode Island, Boston…

But what has a reputation for clean politics, really? I mean, come on. It’s politics.

Lies my teacher told me indeed. We’ll leave no pregnant teen behind!

San Francisco: much bigger than Boston. I got lost heading home from the ultra-swank Redwood Room (try the mango mojito) and within a few blocks stumbled through open-air drug markets and weathered-looking streetwalkers. Boston keeps itself better-dressed, I think, or just freezes all its street people to death in the winter.

I’m glad the conference is over and I’m free to wander about it and explore and understand it a little better. I’ve got a whole week off now and I’m looking forward to being able to set aside work-related thoughts like Miguel’s latest profile in Technology Review or some random whining about mergers and rumors.

Will you people quit it with the intrigue? I keep telling you, there is no cabal!

Felipe’s in Harvard Square has tacos al pastor, apparently. Those who love that dish should be informed. I still have that cowboy hat and those Jon Franzen books, and I should give them back to you at some point. I often wonder where everyone I once knew has gone. But then, once I find out, I often lose interest. Where did you go? Where did I go?

A friend writes: “I’m living in the Castro, a vibrant, cheerful part of the city.”
Marge says: “Isn’t your friend a little… festive?”

Business travel is bad for you? I guess, but I kind of find it fun. The most stressful part of this week so far has been the “high speed” internet access that takes fifteen minutes to even load the login page for webmail….

OK, I’m out for the weekend, back part of Sunday, out til Thursday, back for Friday, out Saturday and Sunday, and back in June. Expect intermittent posting. Also, expect me to get around to posting some pictures.

Good news: Michael Pollan has an article in the NYT today.