odd little bean

1. pedestrians blatantly disregard crosswalks.  they cross wherever and whenever they want.  it’s fierce.

2. no one allows rain to fall on his/her parade.  much like crosswalks, rain is completely ignored.  it rained yesterday for a spell, and when i went outside, i was shocked to see zero umbrellas and/or raincoats.  i didn’t even hear ONE PERSON mention the fact that it was raining.  seriously?  in california (a place that desperately needs rain right now given the fact that it’s officially in a drought) one drop of rain is enough reason for people to leave work early, cancel parties, and bitch and moan for a week about it.

3. people are really friendly, and love to give directions to losties (people who are lost).

4. it’s not so much that people are racist, it’s just that they’re not politically correct.  in california, if you’re trying to point out someone to someone else and that someone is black, you would give every descriptor EXCEPT black.

california style: “do you see that woman over there?  the one in jeans and the t-shirt?  ummm…she has medium length hair and a small dog in her purse.  … no, not that one, a bit to the left.  she looks like a democrat.  her jeans are boot cut. … no, not that one either.  ummm…nevermind.  she’s too hard to describe.”

boston style: “hey, see that black chick over there?  the one with the big booty and apple bottom jeans who is next to the black dude in sean john and cornrows?”

it’s so much easier this way.  i asked for directions from an old white woman the other day and she struggled with trying to get me from the pru to the nearest T stop, so she said, “go down that street and ask a black man.  they all work at hotels.”  was she right?  yes she was.

5. heat and hot water come free with just about every rental property.

6. roof decks

7. high ceilings and fancy molding

8. i haven’t seen ANY skinny leg jeans held up by a studded belt and met at the bottom by ripped up old keds.  none.  zero.  THIS CITY DOESN’T HAVE HIPSTERS!  people dress like themselves!  it’s SOOO AMAZING!  to be clear, i do suspect that there are hipsters hiding out in jamaica plain with the lesbians, but i’ll be damned if i’m green lining to JP to find out for myself.  i am truly basking in the well-dressed glory of this fine city.

the only thing i hate so far is the smell of my shower water, but hey, a little toxicity never hurt anyone.

more on my first few days in boston in the next post.  right now i need to keep unpacking.  i still have miles and miles to go.  blah.