That was exactly my experience on the express bus. If I had an early meeting I’d have to wake up at the crack of dawn to make sure I was in on time.

An express/HOV lane on the Pike and removing a couple closely spaced stops in Waltham/Newton could revolutionize those 500 buses and actually make that commute attractive.

Waltham is a couple infill apartment buildings away from being a popular spot for people in their 20s. Lived their for a year and while I couldn’t bear the commute into the city, it was impressive how little I used a car.

It’s got the colleges, the restaurants and bars and commute not bad to 128. Just needs that bit extra density of people to make it feel alive past 8pm.

Literally a system where the least productive members of society control the city’s development.

A well-adjusted person doesn’t have time to show up and debate every time a parking spot is added or removed, a bike path installed, a liquor license awarded, or a building refurbished. They elected a representative to make those calls. This just rewards the 10 people radically against something in the face of the 1000 people moderately for it. And many of these people’s identities revolve more around what they are against than what they are for.

The local residents protested insomnia cookies of all places staying open later.

I can’t imagine the progress they will have if the local cookie shop is considered a den of debauchery after midnight.

I don’t even know who lives in DTC. They could put a 24 hour circus there and 10 people would notice. Walking around at night feels like I am Legend.

Sarma is a great rec. Great menu both food and drink wise, and starting to collect awards and recognition. Not fancy for boomer tastes but would be a neighborhood favorite even in NY.