Joan Liu
@joanliu.bsky.social
I walk and bike a lot. Product manager at the MBTA.
Reposted by Joan Liu
Aided by AI, California beach town broadens hunt for bike lane blockers
Aided by AI, California beach town broadens hunt for bike lane blockers
Hayden AI's cameras will scan for violations from 7 city vehicles.
arstechnica.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Aided by AI, California beach town broadens hunt for bike lane blockers
Arrrgh the sofa delivery company somehow forgot to actually schedule us for today
February 16, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Arrrgh the sofa delivery company somehow forgot to actually schedule us for today
Well, we tried to get our sofa delivered on Friday but the truck couldn't turn down our street because of cars parked too close to the intersection and too far from the curb. They're trying again tomorrow but the situation doesn't look promising. City doesn't tow for these violations. What to do...
February 15, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Well, we tried to get our sofa delivered on Friday but the truck couldn't turn down our street because of cars parked too close to the intersection and too far from the curb. They're trying again tomorrow but the situation doesn't look promising. City doesn't tow for these violations. What to do...
I do mean to brag: when my husband and I talked about moving in together, I told him I wanted to be able to get downtown, without a car, in 30 minutes or less.
He didn't want to leave Somerville, and so here we are in East Somerville. It's really a public transit paradise.
He didn't want to leave Somerville, and so here we are in East Somerville. It's really a public transit paradise.
February 14, 2026 at 5:20 PM
I do mean to brag: when my husband and I talked about moving in together, I told him I wanted to be able to get downtown, without a car, in 30 minutes or less.
He didn't want to leave Somerville, and so here we are in East Somerville. It's really a public transit paradise.
He didn't want to leave Somerville, and so here we are in East Somerville. It's really a public transit paradise.
I have so many bus options I'm literally turning around in the middle of street as I try to decide which coming bus and the following connection would be better for getting home. One seat ride between Porter and Sullivan would be nice!
February 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I have so many bus options I'm literally turning around in the middle of street as I try to decide which coming bus and the following connection would be better for getting home. One seat ride between Porter and Sullivan would be nice!
Two bus routes with the same destination appear at the bus stop at the same time (a kind of bus bunching), which one does each waiting rider take? Fun for me as an observer, probably less fun for the bus operators. (We all took the second one, meaning the first one pulled over for nobody)
February 14, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Two bus routes with the same destination appear at the bus stop at the same time (a kind of bus bunching), which one does each waiting rider take? Fun for me as an observer, probably less fun for the bus operators. (We all took the second one, meaning the first one pulled over for nobody)
Reposted by Joan Liu
Residents above 65 years old can defer their property taxes and they don't come due until the estate is handled by the next of kin.
Apparently only 4 families took advantage of this last year.
Seriously, tell your local elders.
26/?
Apparently only 4 families took advantage of this last year.
Seriously, tell your local elders.
26/?
February 13, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Residents above 65 years old can defer their property taxes and they don't come due until the estate is handled by the next of kin.
Apparently only 4 families took advantage of this last year.
Seriously, tell your local elders.
26/?
Apparently only 4 families took advantage of this last year.
Seriously, tell your local elders.
26/?
Got a new computer. Now time to restore all my Chrome tabs...
February 13, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Got a new computer. Now time to restore all my Chrome tabs...
Reposted by Joan Liu
Fascinating and deeply satisfying resolution to why adenovirus-based vaccines produced blood clots in 1 out of 200,000 people.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Five years after the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines started, it seems the mystery of why the Astra-Zeneca and J&J vaccines led to a rare but deadly side effect of unusual blood clots and bleeding has finally been solved.
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained
“Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people
www.science.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Fascinating and deeply satisfying resolution to why adenovirus-based vaccines produced blood clots in 1 out of 200,000 people.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Reposted by Joan Liu
The council has already approved acceptance of a grant, for I think the fifth year in a row, to pay overtime to police officers to "educate" cyclists on safe behaviors.
Overtime is a wasteful way to provide services, and it exhausts the staff besides.
7/?
Overtime is a wasteful way to provide services, and it exhausts the staff besides.
7/?
February 11, 2026 at 12:48 AM
The council has already approved acceptance of a grant, for I think the fifth year in a row, to pay overtime to police officers to "educate" cyclists on safe behaviors.
Overtime is a wasteful way to provide services, and it exhausts the staff besides.
7/?
Overtime is a wasteful way to provide services, and it exhausts the staff besides.
7/?
Want to work for the T? www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mbta...
Deputy Director of Software Engineering
The Deputy Director of Software Engineering in one of three program areas: Rider Tools, Transit Technology, or Fares Technology in the MBTA’s Technology Innovation Department (TID) plays a pivotal rol...
www.governmentjobs.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Want to work for the T? www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mbta...
Sofa delivery day is here. Our plan is to unpack in our driveway and carry it indoors via our front door.
Plot twist: neighbors had a pipe burst sometime last night and now our sidewalk is a sheet of ice. 😓
Plot twist: neighbors had a pipe burst sometime last night and now our sidewalk is a sheet of ice. 😓
February 10, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Sofa delivery day is here. Our plan is to unpack in our driveway and carry it indoors via our front door.
Plot twist: neighbors had a pipe burst sometime last night and now our sidewalk is a sheet of ice. 😓
Plot twist: neighbors had a pipe burst sometime last night and now our sidewalk is a sheet of ice. 😓
Can someone who knows stuff about computers help me pick a PC from Costco? I use my computer to see how many chrome tabs I can have open at a time and TurboTax. Should I just get this: www.costco.com/p/-/acer-asp...
www.costco.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Can someone who knows stuff about computers help me pick a PC from Costco? I use my computer to see how many chrome tabs I can have open at a time and TurboTax. Should I just get this: www.costco.com/p/-/acer-asp...
Reposted by Joan Liu
After the article the other day about the UK uninterested in making jaywalking illegal to accommodate Waymos, I truly want to see the aggressive defiance of jaywalking laws in Boston win out here
If you don’t want to get murdered by a Waymo car that ignores Boston’s long and proud tradition of pedestrian first street culture, call your reps and senators and say no thanks to this bullshit www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/05/m...
Waymo is returning to Boston for testing, urges legislators to clear path for autonomous vehicles - The Boston Globe
As the robotaxi giant continues to train its cars on Boston's confounding roads, political and legal obstacles remain.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:01 AM
After the article the other day about the UK uninterested in making jaywalking illegal to accommodate Waymos, I truly want to see the aggressive defiance of jaywalking laws in Boston win out here
Someone tried to turn into a one way street the wrong way, realized their mistake, and tried to correct it by using the crosswalk curb ramp that I was standing on. She tried to apologize but like, unable to back up is not my problem. Would I be the AH if I had continued to stand in her way?
February 6, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Someone tried to turn into a one way street the wrong way, realized their mistake, and tried to correct it by using the crosswalk curb ramp that I was standing on. She tried to apologize but like, unable to back up is not my problem. Would I be the AH if I had continued to stand in her way?
Well this is disturbing. Trucks running into the pedestrian signal in front of a daycare and across the street from an elementary school is a normal occurrence.
![311 response with closing comments of "we have again straightened out and secured this signal pole. This pole is constantly be stuck [sic] by over sized trucks trying to navigate the narrow roadways in this area.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:oxr624xztuhyht3an4ykh4kn/bafkreiggxzgwmzytnefpv5erj3g2w74mf6vvzlegybtgicjltrkpkjv7ky@jpeg)
February 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Well this is disturbing. Trucks running into the pedestrian signal in front of a daycare and across the street from an elementary school is a normal occurrence.
I went on a 311 logging spree for my walk today, and I only logged egregious things. I didn't log anything for under 3' clearance, except one place where I had to stop and let someone else pass first. Maybe on my next walk.
February 5, 2026 at 1:07 AM
I went on a 311 logging spree for my walk today, and I only logged egregious things. I didn't log anything for under 3' clearance, except one place where I had to stop and let someone else pass first. Maybe on my next walk.
Having a sofa delivered in the next week. Should I get a moving permit?
Normally I'd say no, but the snow has restricted parking and people are definitely finding alternatives to using their car.
People currently parked in front haven't moved in at least a week.
Normally I'd say no, but the snow has restricted parking and people are definitely finding alternatives to using their car.
People currently parked in front haven't moved in at least a week.
February 4, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Having a sofa delivered in the next week. Should I get a moving permit?
Normally I'd say no, but the snow has restricted parking and people are definitely finding alternatives to using their car.
People currently parked in front haven't moved in at least a week.
Normally I'd say no, but the snow has restricted parking and people are definitely finding alternatives to using their car.
People currently parked in front haven't moved in at least a week.
I am at a (Charlestown) neighborhood meeting about the Rutherford/Sullivan square redesign.
February 4, 2026 at 12:06 AM
I am at a (Charlestown) neighborhood meeting about the Rutherford/Sullivan square redesign.
"just like when you're working in Excel, add rows!" - workout instructor 😂
February 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
"just like when you're working in Excel, add rows!" - workout instructor 😂
Reposted by Joan Liu
February 1, 2026 at 5:47 AM
Reposted by Joan Liu
Maybe with the next storm, #Boston can concentrate just a tad more on crosswalks in what is allegedly America's most walkable city
www.universalhub.com/2026/maybe-n...
#snow
www.universalhub.com/2026/maybe-n...
#snow
February 1, 2026 at 1:16 AM
Maybe with the next storm, #Boston can concentrate just a tad more on crosswalks in what is allegedly America's most walkable city
www.universalhub.com/2026/maybe-n...
#snow
www.universalhub.com/2026/maybe-n...
#snow
@311.boston.gov the walk to Sullivan along Cambridge St in Charlestown is unshoveled.
January 31, 2026 at 8:52 PM
@311.boston.gov the walk to Sullivan along Cambridge St in Charlestown is unshoveled.
Reposted by Joan Liu
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
January 28, 2026 at 7:52 PM
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
Reposted by Joan Liu
no fan of jeffries, but holy shit is this article misleading. in the press briefing he calls for "a prohibition that DHS cannot *detain* or deport American citizens", and his focus throughout the briefing is on the detainment part
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:34 AM
no fan of jeffries, but holy shit is this article misleading. in the press briefing he calls for "a prohibition that DHS cannot *detain* or deport American citizens", and his focus throughout the briefing is on the detainment part