Living and working around JP has proven to be a double edged sword when it comes to mode of transport. When I finally have to hoof it to work, class or internship, I've discovered a strong appreciation for my Honda while also fostering a great frustration with pedestrians and drivers.
Thanks to the ancient lineage of Boston's city planning, many of the city's streets were once horse paths strewn willy nilly, and defy all logic as the paved streets they are today. Take Shawmut Avenue in the South End for example, which is a one way street which suddenly reverses direction for two blocks, and then goes back again. Streets like these mean very tightly cramped cars going down single lane roads with zero wiggle room.
Pedestrians see how short of a skip it is to cross the street to the coffee shop and often decide to strut--aloof--across the street without looking. I have to kick my brakes to avoid running over no-look, suicidal pedestrians every single time I drive through Roxbury. Pedestrians in Boston are immensely too trusting, putting all responsibility for their life in the hands of the driver hurtling toward them. They know the cars will stop for them, because vehicular homicide charges are a bummer.
We'll see how much of a safety handle I have on things when I'm zombied through finals week and my two thousand pound car is purely an extension of my calcified and burnt out brain.
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