Time to Sport Those Leopard-Printed Undies (UPDATE) 01.09.09
Update: Please send in pictures and stories if you participate or witness the ride tomorrow.
Original post: This one is totally up my alley. Tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 10, is the 8th annual “no pants” subway day. If you’re like me and keep your fashion gems hidden under antiquated garb, then tomorrow is your day to expose (literally) your fashion prowess. Show off your cool undies and socks while going totally pantless without a hint of guilt.
Brave partakers rendezvous at Dalva in the Mission at 2 p.m., then head to the 16th Street BART at 2:30 p.m. and ride around for what will surely be a crowd-arousing event. You’ll get off at Embarcadero, take the N, and finish the revelry in the Castro.
You’ll never guess who sat next to me on the N … 01.09.09
Photo by Flickr user Bkusler.
On a random evening last week, I was sitting on a fairly empty N, spacing out as usual, when someone came to sit next to me. I glance over to do my usual inspection: you know, to see if he’s a) hot or b) serial killer.
The answer was, none of the above! He was, in fact, a man in a dress. But not just that – he was in a long black habit and incredible, theatrical makeup: white face make-up (like a geisha) and his eyes and lips were an iridescent green. That’s right – I was sitting next to a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence on the N! His full regalia also included two blobs on the side of his head like Princess Leah.
I complimented him on his beautiful makeup and he told me that he was promoting his roller disco party (Holy Rollers) to benefit homeless gay youths in SF.
he invited me to the disco, and we chatted for a while about the program, which helps gay homeless youths get back on their feet. Soon, I had to get off the the train, but it was a great encounter with a delightful (and fabulous) sistah!
Mass Transit Decor via Apartment Therapy 01.08.09
San Francisco’s transit stations get a spotlight at Apartment Therapy this week in the Commuter Decor post by guest blogger Jessica, who writes:
If you take the time to look around as you run for the next train, you might notice some amazing architectural details, or perhaps an interesting combination of colors that might inspire your next accent wall!
A few months back we posted Telmo32′s cool black and white photos that I think can translate to a sleek industrial-inspired loft. And I just realized that the tiles on my bathroom floor mimic the tiny beehive-like tiles at the Powell station.
How has our beloved mass transit inspired you lately?
Muni Scofflaws, Beware! 01.07.09
The SFMTA is crackin’ down on yer ass. The Chronicle‘s Rachel Gordon reports on a near doubling of Muni’s catching fare evaders.
Photo: lukewho
Stacey’s Perishes … But There Are Others 01.07.09
Muni Diaries was, like many people, sad to learn that a souring economy and sluggish book sales in the electronic age have forced the imminent demise of a downtown literary wonderland — Stacey’s.
But we are quick to mourn, and we believe in picking up and moving on. Therefore, we’d like to take this opportunity to remind readers and riders that Green Apple in the Inner Richmond, our favorite librarie de la ville, is very much still open for business. You can get there on many Muni lines, including the 1, 2, 4, 38, 31, 33, and 44. Let us know if we missed any.
And let us know your favorite place to buy books in the city.
Photo: Raymond Yee
UPDATE: N-Judah Derails Near 48th Avenue 01.07.09
Update: KPIX reports that service has been restored to the N-Judah following this morning’s derailment.
Original post: CBS has the report of this morning’s N-Judah derailment. We’ll update as necessary. Anyone experience this? Let us know in comments.
Outside Lands/Muni History Lesson 01.07.09
You never know what you’re gonna learn when you take a leisurely walk in San Francisco.
Tara and I headed out to the ocean from 28th Avenue and Balboa the other day. We took Balboa, but decided to walk back up Cabrillo to see what was in a mixed-use development neither of us knew about. As we approached La Playa, we noticed some large signs behind a group of trees, topped by clown faces. Once we overcame our indignation that clown imagery would be so wantonly employed in public, we decided to inspect. It turns out the signs serve as a marker, a written history of Playland, which used to exist at that spot. That part we already knew. What we didn’t realize was the extensive street car and steam bus circuits that served the amusement park back in the day.
The new order: Putting the 20 Questions Ball in charge of TEP 01.06.09
With Muni’s TEP program threatened by the city’s budget cuts and awash in the inevitably complicated process of citizen input, it’s time to consider applying technology to the problem. Specifically, the magical technology of the 20 Questions Ball, which turned up in so many stockings this holiday season. Otherwise bound for thrift stores within the month, this sophisticated device can make beeping noises, ask questions and react to the answers, thus placing it ahead of your typical SFMTA manager by at least two out of three.
Before inaugurating our new oblate spheroid masters, it’s essential to allow for an orientation and transition phase, where the new rulers can confront the problems first-hand and to establish strategic policies. To frame the public debate, we’ve chosen two different problems confronting this great municipal transit system, namely the 38-Geary and the 12-Folsom. It’s often a leader’s job to help shape the discussion, so the 20 Questions Ball’s rapid Q&A approach seems ideally suited.
Random Kindness Not Allowed 01.05.09
Early in the morning I walked to a bus stop at an S.F. street corner that’s one of those “go this way and you’re safe, go that way and you could be in deep” types of street corners at yet another border between gentrified neighborhoods.
I approached the bus stop with my usual degree of learned city-awareness and caution, seeing only one other Muni passenger standing next to the stop. She was dressed decently, possibly headed to work. We acknowledged each other cordially but with distance and waited for the next bus to arrive.
I saw her again another morning, and again, and we would nod and acknowledge each other each time. It was formal; I got the impression that she was traditional.
I grew to appreciate being at the bus stop with her — a bit of familiarity and wonder and respect.
Running late one morning I literally ran to our bus stop to make it on time; the class I was destined for was very important that day. I made it with only a minute to catch my breath before I realized I forgot my Fast Pass and money.
She boarded ahead of me. I fumbled through my pocket and told the bus driver I had forgotten my pass and money, faintly hoping he would give me a ride.
She was walking back up to the bus driver as she began reaching into her purse to pay my fare when the driver closed the door in my face and pulled away.
On the Poor, Cars, and Public Transportation 01.03.09
Matt Yglesias, prominent blogger of politics and public transportation, takes on what it means to be poor and the question of car ownership in our nation’s capital.
It’s a good, quick read. Many of the arguments Yglesias makes apply to our situation in San Francisco. I especially liked this bit:
The progressive move isn’t to keep subsidizing cars, but the reverse — to use congestion charges and performance parking fees to raise funds that improve the quality of service on the bus lines that poor people rely on.
I am starting to come around on tax incentives for folks to buy hybrids and other ultra-fuel-efficient cars. But even with such lures, the poor will be left out. Similarly, I’ve been a fan of congestion pricing for dense, urban areas, but not without adequate public transit already in place. That caveat prevents such a system from being just here in San Francisco under present circumstances, as Muni/BART are ill-equipped to deal with so many people choosing not to drive.
As I’ve said before, I’m hoping governments (especially federal) will reprioritize public transit and give it the funding it demands. True, more money alone won’t solve Muni’s problems. But shoring up the agency’s deficit can prevent fee hikes, a terrible idea in our current economic state. I’m excited that the incoming Obama administration is talking of exactly this kind of infrastructure funding. Now our new local government needs to get serious about overseeing big changes at SFMTA, and to help fund those changes.
Ride Muni like a boss. Our Fast Pass Clipper card holders and Muni Diaries T-shirts are all on sale 
