In the early 70s there was one traffic light in town. It was maintained by a City Council member in his spare time. It was out for a couple of months because he couldn't find a part or was on vacation or something. It was a big deal to some people. Most didn't care.
oh god, you aren't one of those people that needs a button to cross the street are you? there is nothing that separates natives from new comers more than the inability of the later to make it across a street with out help...
I only grew up in a city three times the size and density of Newburyport. Spent many days visiting family in the North End. Traveled to Boston with my friends since I was 11. Lived, got schooled and worked in Boston.
But it wasn't until I arrived here, that I saw a man crossing without the assistance of crosswalks or signals.
I recall thinking, "WHO is that crazy mad soul traversing this busy thoroughfare without the aid of a button? He must be the direct descendent of a mighty Sea Captain?!"
Then I saw dozens of people - with YEAT and TOWNIE stickers plastered on their back sides - staring death in the face by skipping across Merrimac and State Streets as if the Gods themselves couldn't hurt them.
Oh, what a day that was....the day I learned how Newburyport natives crossed the street without help. I still tremble at the memory....
Hate to break it to you anon, but the only thing that separated natives like you and newcomers like me is natives like you care too much about what separates us. Newcomers like me tend to look for common interests because we know, in the end, people are people.
Oh, and if you really are one of those cranky-type of natives, than I'm sure you complain continuously about the tourists coming to town. Those are the folks I'm thinking about, not those of us who live here.
anonymous is right, learn to cross like a clipper or pay with your life. If we're lucky they'll die before the breed so as to save future generations from inheriting their stupid " can't use a cross walk like a Newburyporter " gene
17 comments:
why?
Because it's a broken cross walk button.
Cars aren't accustomed to stopping without the red light. People aren't accustomed to waiting. And it's a busy intersection.
It's been broken a while too. Seems like it should be a priority.
In the early 70s there was one traffic light in town. It was maintained by a City Council member in his spare time. It was out for a couple of months because he couldn't find a part or was on vacation or something. It was a big deal to some people. Most didn't care.
You'll concede the old town has changed a bit since then?
In the mid-1970s I used to go sledding down my street in Revere with zero fear of getting killed by a car.
Q.E.D.
oh god, you aren't one of those people that needs a button to cross the street are you? there is nothing that separates natives from new comers more than the inability of the later to make it across a street with out help...
Damn you got me.
I only grew up in a city three times the size and density of Newburyport. Spent many days visiting family in the North End. Traveled to Boston with my friends since I was 11. Lived, got schooled and worked in Boston.
But it wasn't until I arrived here, that I saw a man crossing without the assistance of crosswalks or signals.
I recall thinking, "WHO is that crazy mad soul traversing this busy thoroughfare without the aid of a button? He must be the direct descendent of a mighty Sea Captain?!"
Then I saw dozens of people - with YEAT and TOWNIE stickers plastered on their back sides - staring death in the face by skipping across Merrimac and State Streets as if the Gods themselves couldn't hurt them.
Oh, what a day that was....the day I learned how Newburyport natives crossed the street without help. I still tremble at the memory....
Hate to break it to you anon, but the only thing that separated natives like you and newcomers like me is natives like you care too much about what separates us. Newcomers like me tend to look for common interests because we know, in the end, people are people.
Oh, and if you really are one of those cranky-type of natives, than I'm sure you complain continuously about the tourists coming to town. Those are the folks I'm thinking about, not those of us who live here.
the tourists are adults right? i think they'll manage to make it across the street without getting hurt.
Most of them should, yes.
anonymous is right, learn to cross like a clipper or pay with your life.
If we're lucky they'll die before the breed so as to save future generations from inheriting their stupid " can't use a cross walk like a Newburyporter " gene
But who will buy our knick knocks?
Knacks
hey, it's a way to help the environment!
A car uses far more energy to stop and start versus a person.
I never understood the concept of people having the right of way, under Newton's law the heaviest has the right of way.
a person emits far less pollution when waiting than a vehicle. so i just wait until the cars go by and pick my places to cross.
There are only 3 (or so) traffic lights in Gloucester, so crossing streets is sort of a spectator sport. Namby pambies.
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