Your place to share stories on and off the bus.
We reported the shall-game scam on Muni late last month. @dblake just tweeted this video he got of the scam in action:
Just watched a guy lose $12 in an obvious shell-game scam on Muni. Everyone tried to warn him but he didn’t listen.
Careful out there, folks. Healthy skepticism, always.
Photo by Thomas Hawk
Ed. note: Okay, lately in the land of Muni news, things really suck, for Muni, for the victims and their friends and family, maybe for you… But we’re a story-telling site after all, and we received this charming story from Muni rider Daishin on Wednesday just before the tragic accident at Mission and Beale. It perfectly encapsulates why the show here must go on. See for yourself.
Occasionally I’m forced to take the 14 into La Mission. The last time I did this BART was having problems from Powell Station to 24th Street so I hopped a 14. At the second stop at Mission and 8th Street a gaggle of Mormon Missionaries boarded the bus. They were fresh-faced boys looking a little out of place with their dark suits, white shirts and ties. They were a little noisy for Mormon kids, laughing and poking each other. Three lovely transgendered ladies dressed to the nines got onto the bus right behind them. For a second I was concerned that maybe there would be some altercation between the two groups, being that the Mormons had just put so much support behind Proposition 8. But instead the trannies plopped themselves down in the middle of the Mormon boys, and started talking with them. Soon the level of the conversation was quite loud and humorous. They were exchanging ipod tunes lists, discussing fashion and make-up secrets. The trannies got off at 16th and Mission said goodbye and hugged all the Mormon boys.
I have to say it was one of the most interesting interactions I’ve experienced on Muni. I guess this is what people mean when they say there’s a lot of diversity in San Francisco.
Got a slice-of-San-Francisco-life story to tell? Tell it here.
Tee hee. A little something to get yer day started.
Rider James snapped this picture at the Powell Street Station. Perhaps the vandal was referring to the MTA board’s latest vote Tuesday to continue service cuts (Streetsblog SF) well into the 2011 fiscal year, which begins this summer, and 2012. A 10 percent service reduction will affect all Muni routes beginning May 8, 2010.
Photo by Flickr user SFNoob
We’ve posted about sleeping on the bus before — in fact, rider Kelsey reported that there is a special jacket to help you sleep on public transportation and even a Facebook group. One of my favorite sleeping on the bus moments was this adorable post of Muni Love. You know what, I love this picture so much that I am going to post it here again:
In any case, rider Alexia caught a picture of a rider who took sleeping on the bus to the next level (see her picture below). We really hope this passenger was just getting comfortable and not feeling unwell…
Photo by Flickr user Neil
Saw this item on the reader this morning: Mission Mission points to a post on Hidden Host (now we wish our site’s name was an alliteration), which gives us a fine helping of what teenagers talk about on the bus.
For example:
Your cousin already got an iPad.
She keeps calling and like, asking if she can meet your cousin. NO.
You went to your cousin’s house and saw his new pair of sneakers, and you are able to readily attest to the fact that they are “dope”.
Reminds me a bit of this OH gem from just the other day:
Overheard on Muni, spoken by an early 20-something: “She’s doing old person stuff today. Like sending emails.” – @karenmckevitt
So, naturally, we turn to you: What nuggets of wisdom have you heard spew forth from teenage lips while riding the bus lately?
Anyone who spent the tiniest amount of time online this weekend was surely bombarded with some combination of “iPad” … “Easter” … “iPad” … “iPad” … “Final Four.”
The more cynical of us are wondering if when the first iPad theft on Muni will happen. We know that iPhones were getting snatched out of people’s hands on the bus last year, so these lightweight, pricey iPads might be just begging to be lifted. In fact, Jim Herd of SF Citizen bet on tomorrow at 5 p.m. in his office pool. Good luck?
But reader Mary has just the solution for you young and oh-so-connected types: Yes, it’s the urban camouflage iPad case. Mary found this via Makezine.com (pictured above). Mary has this to say:
It’s such a funny combination of cheap, scruffy and old + shiny, new and expensive. I would totally use this to conceal my iPad (my hypothetical iPad) on Muni so no one steals it!
Because, really, what would-be thief would hover above you to see what you’re reading before yanking your Precious away from you?