iPhone thefts, other crimes on Muni

iPhone on muni on my way to the Apple Store
Photo by Flickr user Steve Rhodes

We were reminded yesterday via Twitter that there seems to be an increasing number of iPhone and other smartphones being stolen from people on Muni trains and buses.

Here’s maryspecht‘s tweet:

@munidiaries have you noticed uptick in phone robberies on Muni? Mine was stolen last night & ppl tell me it’s been happening lots recently.

That jogged our memories of this story, on SF Appeal in mid-September, about the arrest of two young men for allegedly stealing cellphones on Muni.

Today, the Examiner online has a story about the city and SFPD’s eagerly awaited new measures meant to combat Muni-specific crimes, including the violent sort. The post discusses how crime has remained steady in the transit system, while ticking down for the rest of the city over the first half of the year.

Be careful out there. And always reports crimes when they happen.

Hacky Sack at Lake Merritt Station

Riders Matt and Dawn told me that they have separately both seen a group of Chinese people playing Hacky Sack inside the Lake Merritt BART station. Hacky Sack? Inside the station?

A little sleuthing unearthed this video:

The poster on YouTube reports that this was actually a Chinese game called jianzi, what some would say is the “original hacky sack.” But unlike hacky sack, jianzi is played with a shuttlecock (yeah, I had to look up that one too). I actually saw this game played when I was a kid. But why inside the BART station? I wonder if it’s some kind of a pick-up game.

Anybody got more information on this bit of morning fun at the Lake Merritt station?

p.s. This is not to be confused with the footbag practice held by the Chaos Footbag Club at Lake Merritt – the lake, not the BART station, according to Jack H. at Chaos. Jack asserts that his sport (like “volleyball with your feet”) is also way cool.

A Match Made On BART

Lisa_Nick2

Riders Nick and Lisa were generous enough to share with us the story of how they met…on BART! They were BART commuters who, conveniently (dear readers, you will see the importance of this fact later in the story), parked their cars at the station.

The story goes:

Nick and Lisa both rode the BART train to work everyday. Too shy to say hello or even smile, they continued for months quietly admiring each other without a peep.

Nick told a few close friends about the “BART girl,” while Lisa decided to keep everything about the “BART boy” a secret.

Then one day, as Nick was heading down the escalator, Lisa happened to be walking up the adjoining staircase. Lisa decided to casually look up to catch a glimpse. She found Nick looking back at her with the cutest smile on his face.

Blushing, Lisa smiled back.

After this brief encounter, however, their schedules seemed to conflict, and they did not see each other for several weeks.

Lisa proposed to herself a bold plan sure to capture Nick’s attention. She decided to leave an anonymous note on Nick’s car that read, “YOU ARE A CUTIE. HI.” Simple. Honest. Bold but not scary. She wrote a note and took a chance.

Two days later, as Lisa was walking to her car at the BART station, she noticed Nick sitting in his car. He smiled. He waved. He took off. Lisa got to her car and discovered a note on HER car that read, “No, I think YOU’RE the Cutie. And TAG, You’re IT. 219-0398. Nick. P.S. And if this is the wrong car, please disregard.”

Nick waited patiently for a call from Lisa, hoping she was the one who put the note on his car, and not some crazy stalker.

The conversation lasted four hours that first night. After an amazing first date, a lick of approval from Pixel [the dog], and a wonderful two-year relationship replete with secretly stashed love notes, Nick surprised Lisa by proposing to her on July 8th, their two-year anniversary.

Lisa and Nick got married in August, 2005. They shared the story above in their wedding invitation.

All together now. “Aww! (Sigh!)” More happy BART stories? We heart it ever so much.

Don’t Miss It: Muni Missed Connections of the Week

Jogger
Photo by Flickr user Kanaka’s Paradise Life

Ah, Missed Connections. How we love thee. We peruse thy pages with flight and fancy, and come away bemused or enthralled (throttled, even, perhaps), filled with blush and bluster, enamored and amused.

Our picks for Muni-related missed connections of the past week:

Thanks for helping me find the N this morning (Sunday) – m4w (downtown / civic / van ness)

I wasn’t trying to hit on you this morning in the civic center muni station, but after I talked to you I realized that I should have been. I think you’re beautiful and would love to know what you do when you’re not running races or marathons. I was the guy in the white shirt, trying to think of something good to say to you while waiting to see if the N line was still running.

Ha! “wasn’t trying to hit on you” is, like, the oldest one in the book.  Go, bro!

Blonde girl on the muni, got off at Montgomery! – m4w – 26

What’s up!

Saw you on Muni; you wore a white v-neck shirt with jeans at about 1:30 PM – we rode a few stops together and got off at Montgomery station together. I didn’t notice how awesome you looked until we both got off and started walking upstairs!

Me: fit Hawaiian kid with orange long-sleeve shirt and black jeans with black sunglasses

Just wanna chat over coffee 😉

Okay, two things here: Nice unintentional (I think) double-meaning in the title, dude. And the enthusiastic, “What’s up!” is really endearing.

I see you everywhere in your sweatshirt and shorts – m4m – 24 (nob hill)

It’s hilarious at this point how many times I’ve seen you all over the city– Duboce Triangle, Nob Hill, downtown, muni.

We both clearly enjoy the flirtation of it all, but I have to ask when it’s going to happen.

Let me know. 🙂

Hmm. Sweatshirt and shorts, huh. This could be anybody!

Send us your Muni Missed Connections. And stay tuned as we pick out the best Missed Connections of the week.

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