only two streets over, about half a kilometre away from my house, the neighbourhood improves dramatically. i found a small park that i hadn't known about because it wasn't on google maps, and the houses and apartments along magazine street seemed to me much more like those in the brattle area. i am backed up in this by my friend casey, who ordinarily shares my prejudice ("i'm not a fan of central square; it's grungy," says he) but agrees this feels pleasant, feels more like a street in the harvard square vicinity.

(there were faded pink roses in the park)

i'd like to live two streets over.

further evidence that i live in the wrong neighbourhood: there are three fine stationers in harvard square, two in porter square, and none in central square. that is a disadvantage quite insurmountable, i wring my hands and think.