Everybody’s grandmother 10.05.10
Photo by joe.moore
My toddler and I were riding the 43-Masonic on Monday afternoon to go check out an exhibit of Norwegian black metal photos on Haight Street. When we got on the bus, it was full of students just out of school for the day, and I asked one of them sitting in the front seats if he could let us sit in his seat. A few stops later, an older woman got on the bus.
She stared incredulously at the teenager sitting next to me, who didn’t get up until she said to him directly, “These seats are for seniors.” As she sat down she repeated it more loudly, loud enough that the driver barked at any youngsters in the front section to move back.
She then started to argue with the teenager she’d just ousted. “I moved,” he said. “Yes, but you need to move more quickly than that,” she said. “Older people don’t have the ability to balance easily and we need to be able to sit down before the bus starts moving.” “Okay, then,” the boy said.
Then, to no-one in particular, she started ranting: “I don’t know what’s the matter with kids today. They don’t get out of the seats when they see a senior citizen coming. What’s wrong with them?”
I worried she would want me to move, but just then she nudged me companionably and pointed up at the vent on the roof, where a small frond of a tree had gotten stuck. It looked like it was sneaking its way into the bus. We shared a laugh about it, and then she complimented me on my daughter’s hair. For a while we rode in silence, and then it came time for me to get off the bus. When I stood up, she saw that my sweater had ridden up in the back, so she grabbed it and started tugging it down — while I was in the process of making my way off the bus.
It was just like riding the bus with mom. Someone’s mom, anyway.
Muni and my bike 06.02.10
Photo by Flickr user meligrosa
Meligrosa from Bikes and the City understandably rarely rides Muni (she does blog about bikes, after all). But here’s photographic proof of the day she went over to the dark side:
Though I almost never ride Muni, this pic of the rose was from when my knee was not well, I gave in to climb the crazy Presidio hills via the 43. I was ok with that. ;-)
Looks like the bike quite enjoyed the ride too, Meli. Got more pictures of your ride on Muni? Send it our way please!
Lost with the dogs 09.10.09
All photos by Flickr user/post author tdogpics
Muni rider Axel sees hella dogs:
I’ve noticed a lot of dogs riding Muni lately. The 43-Masonic seems especially popular with them. Last Saturday afternoon I got on a 43 with a guy who had 2 dogs, then a blind woman got on with her guide dog. This ride was also notable for the fact that the driver got lost going through the Presidio, & we ended up exiting out on Arguello instead of Presidio Avenue. I guess the driver had never driven the route before. An old man seated near the front tried to direct her back to the route.
I think I could start a blog just about dogs on Muni. Here’s a few from other rides I happened to capture with my cell phone:
Seen any animals on the bus lately? Let us know: muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com.
Suspected Animal Cruelty on the 43 08.05.09
Photo by Flickr user Corgi_T
After the failed mob that I had planned last Saturday, I decided to go to the Aloha festival. I took the F, 30, and the 43 there, although the F I rode was a bus. But what was more interesting was when I was on the 43.
Anyway, this guy with a skateboard and a dog gets on at Divisadero at around 2:10-ish. His dog figures out on how to take off his muzzle, and when his owner finds out the muzzle was out, he screamed at the dog and forced the muzzle back on the dog. He then proceeded to literally pick up the dog on his back, as if a person was getting a wedgie. After that, they both proceeded to the back, the dog went and took up two seats first – and this was the most shocking thing I have ever seen done on an animal – the owner literally shoves the dog into the window seat on the very back of the bus. The owner takes the aisle seat, with a skateboard.
Sad. If you’ve got Muni stories, whether they’re uplifting or depressing, send them to us …
Muni Mind Reader: The Tourist 07.10.09
We know them, we loathe them, but really, where would we be without their daily, monthly, yearly fiscal contributions to the livelihood of our little burg? Let’s face it — San Francisco is a tourism magnet, so best to suck it up next time you get annoyed during your probably-already-annoying Muni ride. Here’s the oh-so-insightful Muni Mind Reader‘s travel log from her journey far into the inner neurological reaches of the Tourist.
Excuse me, driver? This is the 43-Masonic yes? The 43? That’s what it says on the front of the bus.
DRIVER: Yes. 43.
Driver? This is the 43-M-A-S-O-N…I-C.
DRIVER: Yes.
And this goes to the Inner Richmond? We need to get over to 16th and Balboa. Will this take us to 16th and Balboa?
DRIVER. Yes. Just get on the bus ma’am, we need to go.
Okay! Come on everyone, this is the bus!! How much is it? How much do we need to pay to get on the bus? Oh honey, it says right here we need $2. Do you have $2? We’ll need $8 total. Driver, can I get change for a $20?
Photo Diary: Early Morning Brewski (w/update) 05.07.09
From Muni rider Blake:
So I’ve seen cans, tall boys, 40′s, and even handles of booze on the bus before… but you hafta hand it to this guy for really steppin’ up the game. Yes, that’s two kegs, and yes, this was at 7 a.m. this morning. God bless San Francisco.
UPDATE: This came in from Blake later in the day Thursday:
I would have followed him off had his terrible stench not deterred me! This occurred on the 43 — outbound this morning. He was just hanging casually in the back when I got on at California and Presidio. I snapped the pic, sat down and was promptly drawn into my book. A few stops down the line a nasty funk crept up my nostrils and almost pushed my Clif bar back out the wrong way. I looked up and watched him lumber towards me, and then out the door at Haight and Masonic. Looks like the bum/punks had a great day!
What did you see on Muni today? Send us your pics at muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com.
Picky Kisser 11.04.08
Boogers on the bus seem to be my thing. I’ve seen entire fists get lost in the olfactory glands, and I’ve have even witnessed a woman on the 38 show hers off to fellow passengers. But last night was a new one for me. Some high schooler was smacking on his girlfriend on the 43-line. Thereafter, he went for it – not second base, but for his protruding muzzle. I didn’t watch long enough to see what he produced but I can’t imagine it was kissable. His cute high-school appendage didn’t mind though. They went right back to kissing like nothing happened.
It’s been a while since I was in my teens, but I don’t care how horny you are. Picking and kissing don’t fly – even on Muni.
- Jenny
Driver of 8366 on 43-Masonic, You’re Pretty Cool 10.16.08
Rarely do you have that driver who, after shutting his doors and cranking his diesel-hybrid engine, stops for you. Rarely do you have that driver who answers whether or not his bus passes Lincoln and 14th – and goes a step further with suggestions on how to get there. Rarely do you have the driver who waits for the 80-year-old lady with a cane to take her seat before pulling the clutch. And rarely do you have the driver who smiles at you – during rush hour. Thanks, man. What can I do for you? Does screaming “thank you!” upon exiting really help in showing my appreciation?
If so, THANK YOU!
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