Java Jolt for a VIP Muni Driver 02.09.12
Photo: Jeremy Brooks
Rachel at Fog City Notes runs an important errand for her favorite 22 driver. I’d need something stronger than coffee to pilot a 22-Fillmore, but this guy’s clearly a pro.
“Dear,” said the driver, “would you mind getting me a coffee when we get to Starbucks?” He smiled and pressed $20 into my hand.
“Of course,” I said. “How do you take it?”
He stopped the bus in front of Starbucks and I hopped down. “I’ll wait for you across the street,” he said, and pointed to the bus stop up ahead. I bought him his coffee — black with two sugars — pocketed his change and walked back out into the fog to meet the bus.
“Here you go, sir,” I said, handing him his coffee, change, and napkins.
“Thanks, my dear,” he said.
“You’re welcome,” I told him.
It felt strange and routine at the same time, an errand for a friend who’s name I don’t know. A $20 test of trust. I hope the coffee kept him warm and focused on this damp, foggy morning.
If only everyone asked for their coffee this nicely. Hope you enjoyed it, 22 driver. Make like Rachel and tell us all about your commute.
‘You’re Already Dead!’ 02.07.12
Photo by MetaGrrrl
Pull your chairs closer to the campfire, kids. Ariel‘s got a doozy for us.
I’d been on the bus for one stop and already had a lady with face tattoos spit in my face.
She spun around and gave me an evil look and said, “You’re already dead!”
I told her to get off the bus and she spat in my face. I tried to keep cool and told her again. She got off and made a big fuss about her bags, then the lady she first spat on had the operator call the cops. Then I saw the spitting lady handcuffed with a mask over her mouth, led into the cop car. We all had to get off the bus, probably so the operator could file a report.
As I told Ariel, the whole “You’re already dead” bit is already giving me nightmares. And I haven’t even gone to sleep. Got a fireside chat to share with your Muni-riding brothers and sisters? Do it here.
Conversation Bubble Over Bubble Shoes on Muni 01.10.12
Between one guy asking if they were comfortable (A: yes) and my friend wondering about the traction (A: surprisingly traction-y), the 22 shined as a mix of kind, curious, and fashion-forward. Shoe Gal was also a great sport, entertaining questions from four strangers and granting this photo op.
The deets on the footwear: plastic shoes from Brazilian company Melissa. Its proper name is the Melissa + Gaetano Pesce II Shoe, named for the Italian architect and designer.
Bold statement for sure; hot or not? They didn’t float my boat, personally, but these copper versions are growing on me.
Muni Ray Charles 12.07.11
Photo by Andy Callahan
Mr. Eric Sir, take it away …
Who says Muni isn’t worth $2?
Last Thursday night I was in a foul mood and in desperate need of some cheering up before the ohGr show at Bottom of the Hill.
The bus cleared out when we hit 16th and Mission and that’s when I spotted the source of the sound: Muni Ray Charles.
Make no mistake, Muni Ray Charles is a black man wearing a suit and sunglasses (at 9pm, no less) who “sings” in his own unusual way.
Passengers kept their distance as Muni Ray Charles rocked himself out like an overwound wind-up toy. Like most other passengers, I was ultimately unsuccessful in suppressing my laughter. His performance was so vigorously impassioned it was impossible to stay in a bad mood for long.
A few stops after Mission, Muni Ray Charles finished the performance, fist-bumped a few passengers, yelled “BACK DOOR!” and was on his way.
Oh, the places you’ll go on the 22-Fillmore 10.10.11
Photo by Ian Fuller
Sadly, we just didn’t have enough time at our Muni Diaries Live reunion/open-mic show to have everyone who signed up to share their slice of Muni life onstage. So, we reached out to those individuals to tell their stories here on the website. Enjoy Ellie’s roller coaster chariot of a 22-Fillmore story.
I had just moved to the city and a friend told me that if the opportunity arouse, I needed to go see a movie at the Kabuki. When she told me this, I had a sudden feeling of nostalgia. So that night, I stuffed a king-sized Kit-Kat in my bag and headed for the corner of Mission and 16th.
After seeing a slew of 14, 49, and 33′s slither by, I decided that it must have been during a stay in San Francisco that the band Whitesnake coined its name. My thought was stopped short by a woman with red-stained jeans, hunched over, and mumbling, “I got my period…I got my period…,” while walking back and forth in front of me.
“Umm…I — I — I’m sorry,” I muttered.
Muni in song: ‘Rendezvous on the 22′ 07.13.11
Photo by Jack Lukic
Specifically, this song, “Rendezvous on the 22,” is about how the lead singer met his girlfriend on the 22. We love stories of love at first sight aboard Muni, we do. Put to song, even better.
A tease:
“i walk block by block
walking is no longer a thought
whoa whoa whoa
if i make it there some way
a lousy no good fare i paid”
Lyrics by C. Wu.
Sweet Muni skateboard deck 04.22.11
Bhautik Joshi brings our attention to:
A sweet Muni skateboard deck, as seen on the 22 while on 16th St, Mission District, San Francisco. The anonymous skateboarder who cheerfully posed for this had some seriously awesome threads too.
We’ve seen Muni skateboards before. But the addition of threads here seals the deal.
Nice Guy in Fast Pass T-Shirt 04.13.11
The other day, I saw Muni mider Arun wearing a cool Fast Pass T-shirt from Upper Playground. This guy was so nice, he even said he loves Muni!
Oh, and if you’re in the market for Fast Pass T-shirts or Clipper card holders with authentic Fast Passes in them, get thee to the Muni Diaries Etsy store!
Michael Jackson Tribute on the 22-Fillmore 04.13.11
Photo by amandagroe
Muni rider Chloe, take it away:
“YOU KNOW I’MMMMMMM BAD, I’MM BAD.” Over and over. From Church and Duboce all the way to Bryant. I wish I had a tape recorder so I could have shared.
Recently, I was lucky enough to be on the bus with him again and got an encore. Yay!
Thanks, Chloe. What did you see or hear on Muni today? Share.
Disco Nap on Muni 03.22.11
Muni rider Susan says:
This guy was napping on the 22-Fillmore on Saturday. He was taking up four seats and was oblivious to the disapproving glares.
Tired is tired. But I have to wonder which seats his cajones occupied.
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