On Muni, the Camera is Mightier Than… 08.12.10
Photo by Flickr user Jessie Johnson
Here’s what happened, from Julie’s blog:
I sat in the back … the middle seat was then taken by a young man with a large duffel bag. He found a way to really wedge himself between me and the other woman, touching our sides more than I am used to even on a crowded bus. He did not look at either of us. Did not apologize for sitting on my coat, the little niceties that people make when crammed together because that is the nature of public transportation.
He spread the long, flat, dirty canvas tote bag across his lap. … So I looked down, and under the duffle bag I could see that he was masturbating. That was the wiggling. That was why he flattened the bag and flattened himself against us. I don’t think the girl [next to him] knew what was going on. I looked straight ahead.
At the next stop, several people got off the bus and I moved to the seat perpendicular to him.
I took his photo.
He pretended not to see me and kept on with his activities.
I took another photo of him: zooming in on his face, his hand in his pants–and this time he looked at me.
I took another photo of him.
He got off the bus at the next stop.
When I asked Julie about the incident later, she said, “I have never pointed my camera at someone with the intent to make that person uncomfortable. I was uncomfortable doing it, just as I would have been if I would have shouted or drawn attention to him verbally. I don’t know if this person was mentally ill or what, and I am certain I didn’t stop his future behavior, but perhaps I gave him pause in turning the tables just a bit.”
We’ve documented more than a few instances of bad behavior on the bus, and technically the bus is a public space, so what Julie did didn’t seem so out of line to me. But everyone has a different opinion on photography on the bus. What would you do if you had to confront someone who’s behaving badly on the bus?
Three Travelers 07.21.10
Julie at Caliber took this photo on the 71 Noriega. I can never tire of new ways to look at the same transit system that we depend on every day. If you’ve got photos or art taken on the bus, don’t forget our Flickr pool or simply send it to us so we can share it here.
What Happens When a Chicagoan Gets on Muni 06.16.10
So how does a little culture clash between tough-as-nails Chicago and nice-as-pie San Francisco go down on Muni? Zore told us all about it at the the Muni Diaries Story Tent at Secession Art and Design last Friday. Check out another story we got that night and the wacky Muni Mad-Libs from the Outbound show.
Three Cup Shuffle Scam on Muni 03.30.10
Photo by Flickr user photine
Muni rider Adam saw a group of people scamming Muni passengers on the 24 recently with the infamous “three cup shuffle” scam. I’ve heard about this scam being carried out on tourists at Fisherman’s Wharf and in some other tourist-heavy cities, but Adam’s description of what happened seems more threatening:
Today a friend witnessed a group of people gambling/scaming passengers on Muni. One guy would do the ‘which cup is the bottlecap under’ and bug nearby passengers about money, while flashing cash. A nearby passenger refused to pay attention so two other guys came up and threatened the guy into giving up his cash on hand. This was on a 24-inbound. They jumped off in the Haight. Not 10 minutes later another friend texts me that this same group of guys (whom he sees all the time) are on the 71-inbound doing the same thing. They intimidated a guy out of $40.
Adam said he called 311 and was transferred to SFPD, who then transferred him back to Muni. Adam also reports that the 311 operator would not take an anonymous report, but on the 311 site I found that you can indeed file an anonymous report about Muni.
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Peeing bus driver 02.24.10
Photo by Flickr user skew-t
Muni rider Monica has this story:
On Sundays, I would need to take the 71 Haight-Noriega at Noriega and 46th Ave (going downtown). Twice, a Muni driver would begin the line about 3 minutes before he was supposed to. He would stop in the middle of Noriega and 44th ave to pee in the gas station. This was not in front of a bus stop by the way.
What the hell? Try to pee before you drive?
Heh. I sympathize with the bus driver. I’m like that before every road trip. Nervous habit, you know? Sorry. TMI? – Eugenia
Who’s the Muni Love Bandit? 02.01.10
Last year I spotted the same sign on the 47, and just this week rider Jeff Schwartz sent in another one that he spotted on an outbound 71 bus. I just want to know: who is this romantic bandit changing the signs and making our day just a little bit brighter?
A musical aboard the 71-Haight/Noriega 11.30.09
Seventy-One from memetic field on Vimeo.
Memetic (coincidentally, the winner of our “Be our 1,000th follower on Twitter” contest) sent us this poignant video. It’s called “Seventy-One,” and it’s neat.
Muni Mind Reader: Haight-Bus Punker and ‘Service Dog’ 08.28.09
Photo by Flickr user Mat Honan
It’s summer. It’s hot. Muni Mind Reader took the week off last week. But never you fear — she’s back and in fine form this warm August Friday. For this installment, Tiffany (aka, Muni Mind Reader) checks in with that colorful character you sometimes see on the 6, 7, or 71. Any of the Haight Street lines, really. He or she is known by many names and aromas, but enough of this intro. Take it away, Mind Reader!
Hey, what are you all looking at? You’re all just a bunch of society-lovers, aren’t you? Oh I’ve seen this before. You look at my duct-taped pants, weather-beaten trench, and standard-issued Doc Martens, and think, “If only he’d shop at The Gap or Banana Republic, he’d be such a nice boy!”
Well, listen up SOCIETY, I refuse to conform to your capitalistic, material-obsessed, world. Lucky for you, I’m not going to try to sit next to any of y’all. Instead, I’ll just sit up front where I can spread out a little bit, have more space for this radio, trash bag filled with other trash bags, sleeping bag, tarp, and duffel bag. The last three items I just picked up from the army surplus store on Haight Street. Incidentally, it’s where I do all my shopping. These pants are really just second-hand army ACU pants. I added the duct tape myself to enhance durability, cred, and had absolutely nothing to do one Wednesday afternoon. If you’re going to be a middle-class, early-20s, homeless-by-choice punk in this city, freakin’ army surplus stores are the bomb.
This is my dog, Warrior. Come here War! We’ve been together a long time. I got her at the SPCA. Now, anyone who has tried to adopt a pet from an animal shelter can sympathize with me over the long-ass process. Originally, I lied and said I had a job, thinking the key to having a pet in this city is to prove you have daily responsibilities and income to provide for the health and well-being of my furry friend. But then they worried I’d be out of the house all the time. So then I fessed up. Hell no man, I don’t live in your conformist world. My job is to let passers-by know they are the enemy and my decision to live under a few bushes in Golden Gate Park is a passionate statement on what’s wrong with the world. That’s when everyone realized I’d be “home” all the time. She’s been really instrumental in helping me carry around all my belongings. That’s why she always gets free passage on Muni. Cuz she’s a SERVICE DOG! Haaa! Stupid society.
Nah, he ain’t got no muzzle. What the hell do you want me to do? Conform some of the time?
So I know you’re wondering why it is I don’t smell quite as bad as I usually do. Usually you can smell the potent blend of my urine, my dog’s urine, weed, BO, and compost before I even get on the bus. I saw you all look up horrified when you heard all the plastic I was carrying rustle. But then you thought, Well that’s weird, I don’t want to throw up in my mouth. FOOLED YOU! I had my monthly visit with the folks. STUPID PARENTS. Nah, I’m just kidding. I love ‘em, and even though it can be pretty embarrassing to be picked up by your parents in the Panhandle (especially when they show up in their vintage Mercedes-Benz) I think they’re proud of me. Yeah, we headed up to Sonoma for the weekend. I got to take a shower, wash my clothes. I gave Warrior a bath too. It’s real pretty up in Sonoma, have you ever been? YEAH YOU HAVE BECAUSE YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM MY FRIEND!
All right, I’m ready to blow this joint. I promised my parents I’d at least fill out one college application today, though really, I’m just doing a 40 run for the kids at camp. Smell me later!
Photo Diary: 71-Haight: 77 Minutes 08.18.09
Photo by Flickr user andy54321
There’s something about the number 7 that I’ve always liked. Maybe NextBus likes it, too. The photog notes:
Probably a NextBus error, the 77-minute wait soon shifted to 12-minutes. But the ad, which I think was for something Muni-related*, promises “extra time in your day.” Haight & Fillmore outbound.
* the ad is actually for 511.org
If you’ve got Muni stories, we wanna hear it! If you’ve got Muni photos, add them to the Muni Photos Flickr group.
Brokeback Bus 07.26.09
This delightful bit of Muni FAIL arrived in our inbox today from Stefanie Kelly (@sfseen on Twitter):
Broken down 71 Noriega on Page @ Gough.
Worst part: Gough Street shut down @ Oak – all southbound traffic being diverted east on Oak.
Cheers!
If you’ve got Muni sights, sounds, smells or FAILs to tell, this is the place to do it.
