Muni Diaries Anniversary Favorite: Putting the 20 Questions Ball in charge of TEP 04.04.09
Our look back on the first year wouldn’t be complete without a word from Beth, proud new momma and our No. 1 contributor from Muni Diaries’ own infancy. Here’s what Beth had to say about her favorite post: “I could be accused of picking this as my favorite because Devin’s my partner, but I thought his ‘interview’ with the 20-questions ball — in an effort to uncover any sense behind Muni’s grand TEP — was just about the funniest thing I’ve ever read on this site. Given how mad and frustrated Muni makes us, it’s nice to look at the funny side now and then.”
The new order: Putting the 20 Questions Ball in charge of TEP (originally published on January 6, 2009)
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.
Muni Diaries Anniversary Favorite: Humanity on Muni 04.03.09
As we wind down our weeklong look back at our first year online, we’ll shift to an uplifting, poignant tale. Here’s Suzanne on why this is her favorite diary: “This diary is the perfect illustration of how even in the muck and yuck of humanity’s underbelly (Muni), beautiful moments can still arise. Some call 16th and Mission the armpit of the city, but it’s cool to think that even in the unlikeliest of places, you can still run into something that makes you smile. Traversing the city on Muni is like being on a safari tour of the human condition. We’re all just trying to survive the jungle, and not be mistaken for one of the exhibits.”
Muni Diaries wouldn’t be here without your submissions, photos, comments, and tweets, and we want to thank you all. We look forward to more of your wacky, wild, and touching tales of life on Muni.
Humanity on Muni (originally published January 22, 2009)
Homeless people on Muni span the gamut – you get the crazies, the smelly, the mean, the drunks, and any combination therein. Rarely have I encountered a benevolent and respectable bum. But I’m a cynical optimist, so I try to keep an open mind.
Riding the 71 from the Haight downtown last week, I plopped down beside a musty, white-haired gentleman who looked neither mean nor crazy. In fact, his broad, bear-like physique and mitt-size hands reminded me a bit of my pops, who can crack pistachios in his fists.
The ride downtown was ordinary – I was able to read my book relatively attentively. Every once in a while, though, I caught my grizzly, mitt-handed seatmate suck in large gasps of air, a seeming chest or cardiovascular problem. And I also caught him taking quick glances at me. Nonetheless, I was unperturbed by his mild behavior, and even felt a little at ease beside him.
Muni Diaries Anniversary Favorite: A Muni Diaries First: A Song for the 38-Geary 04.02.09
Today marks the fourth in a five-part series of our favorite diaries from our first year on the web. Jenny’s pick, Shane Papatolicas’ song “Sometimes on the 38,” came to us quite by surprise. Needless to say, we were thrilled at this, the first audio diary to run on the site. Jenny on why it was her favorite from year one: “Shane’s song for the 38-Geary is a culmination of emotions, characters, and behaviors we encounter daily on Muni. His observations about bus culture elucidate a larger picture about the beauty of life in general and San Francisco in particular. Plus, I still get tingly all over just listening to his song.” Be sure to listen to the song below. And check back tomorrow, our official birthday, for Suzanne’s favorite diary.
A Muni Diaries First: A Song for the 38-Geary (originally submitted on November 24, 2008)
San Francisco musician Shane Papatolicas shares a song about a ride on Muni, specifically along the famed 38-Geary line.
We haven’t had the good fortune to see him perform yet, but here’s an excerpt of a review of Papatolicas at San Fran Voice:
Shane simplifies his feelings: “Sometimes I read the paper and I get depressed. Sometimes I stand and stare at the ground”. Either way, whether waxing poetic or putting it plainly, Shane’s lyrics grasp the truth of what he’s trying to say.
If you have Muni-related audio, video, photographs, or art you’d like to share with the world, please let us know by emailing Muni diaries.
Photo by Flickr user juicyrai
Tara’s fave ran yesterday, Eugenia‘s on Tuesday, and Jeff‘s on Monday. Submit your Muni story and maybe it will stand out from the crowd when we look back on our second year.
Muni Diaries Anniversary Favorite: Don’t piss off the Pregnant Lady 04.01.09
Tara’s favorite diary got quite a response in the comments. We’re not taking sides, of course, and we do love a spirited debate about bus behavior: “I actually really like the pregnant-lady-trips-girl for a few reasons. It (along with a lot of our ‘what should you do in this situation?’ kind of Seinfeldian posts) generated a lot of debate on what we as non-pregnant, non-disabled people have the responsibility to do on public transit. Also, it’s just plain hilarious to picture a pregnant lady shifting from passive-aggressive to aggressive-aggressive because of some kid.” Visit the site tomorrow to read Jenny’s favorite diary as we wind down toward our first birthday Friday.
Don’t piss off the pregnant lady (originally posted February 19, 2009)
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Pregnancy is making me mean
Today the muni was crowded. I had to wait forever for the L. I had the smarts to take whatever train to West P. and then wait for the L so most of the train ride wasn’t so bad. However, when I got on the L it was super crowded. I unbuttoned my jacket, stuck my pregnant belly out as far as I could and no one gave me a seat. In fact, most of the other Sunset residents on the train closed their eyes and pretended I wasn’t there.
Muni Diaries Anniversary Favorite: Visual Rapists, Thieves, and Prada 03.31.09
Today’s installment of our five-part look back on our first year is Eugenia’s favorite diary: “I like it because we see mentally disturbed people on the bus and on the street all the time, and the way we react to them is always so awkward. It feels like nothing you do is right or compassionate, and the way this guy accused the woman of stealing his wallet just really showed the kind of fear that can make you act really…ugly.” Tomorrow we’ll be running Tara’s favorite diary of the year.
Visual Rapists, Thieves, and Prada, by Joe (Originally posted February 19, 2009)
So I’m riding the 6, heading outbound, up Haight Street when i hear this woman having a conversation. She’s young, well-dressed and wearing a pair of dark dark sunglasses. And at first she’s just talking to herself, quietly, saying things like, “I know who you are, I know who you are.” She’s repeating it over and over, rocking from side to side while doing so.
I notice peeps are starting to look around, trying to figure out who she’s talking to, maybe it’s them, maybe it’s herself, it’s tough to say because of those dark glasses. It’s then that the bus makes a stop at Divisadero and a few passengers get on. This guy in a blue button up and navy pants sits in the open seat next to the woman. I see everybody kind of look around at each other, knowing this guy just stepped on a land mine.
The bus driver closes the door and with one big jerk the bus chugs up the hill.
Muni Diaries Anniversary Favorite: Livin’ the dream, for at least one night 03.30.09
Muni Diaries is gearing up to celebrate our first anniversary this Friday. What started out as an idea at SF State has grown into a community of lively transit tales and spirited discussion of our beloved bus system. Below is the first of a series that looks back at our favorite diaries over the last year. Today’s favorite diary was chosen by Jeff: “I love this post because it’s the ultimate tale to be envious of. A lot of us dream of doing the most extraordinary of ordinary things, like driving a cab in NYC or a bus in San Francisco. Tony was fortunate enough to take a stab a that ‘dream,’ and he tells the story like a true master storyteller.” Check back tomorrow for Eugenia’s favorite diary.
Livin’ the dream, for at least one night (originally posted on July 31, 2008)
When I was kid growing up in this burg, I never wanted to be cowboy. I didn’t want to be an astronaut, either, or even a rock star. I kind of wanted to be a baseball player and I was a pretty good pitcher, but not that good. Anyway, what I really wanted to be was a Muni driver.
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