How many 14-Missions does it take?

IMG00220
The 14-Mission, as seen through the back window of another 14-Mission, with another 14-Mission to its right. Photo by Tara.

Yeah, so Tara and I were lucky enough to have missed not one, but two 14-Missions on our way home from Bloodhound last night. We checked the NextBus marquee at Eighth and Mission only to discover that it would be seven minutes until the next bus arrived. It was a nice night out, windy but not too cold (or maybe our booze had us warm enough?), so we decided to walk up to at least South Van Ness, where we could catch a 49 or 14, whichever came first.

But miraculously, at Ninth, we noticed both 14s we had just watched fly by us, one parked at the stop, the other on the east side of the intersection, waiting its turn. We caught that second one.

Then, at Tenth, all hell broke lose when we lost the cables, sparks flying. Fine, typical enough event on an electric trolley in this town.

But by the time we recovered and made it up to Eleventh, we somehow (the physics of it escape me) passed that lead 14 (also electric), and then were soon tailed by a third 14. Three buses of the same route, all huddled a mere 15 or so blocks from the origin of the route. Amazing.

Manners — Muni vs. BART

BART / MUNI
Photo by Flickr user myelectricsheep

This post from BART and Muni rider “E” is cross-posted on Muni Diaries, which you should be reading also …

Because of a knee injury, this week I had to take the T line to Embarcadero BART station for my daily trans-Bay commute (rather than bike as I usually do because it’s faster, more convenien, and comfortable than riding Muni). While I’m thankful to have the public transportation option, I had to notice once again how incredibly rude Muni riders are in comparison to BART users.

1) Smoking marijuana right on the station platform
2) Spitting on the platform
3) Blocking the doorway
4) Talking extremely loudly on cell phones
5) Loudly telling offensive stories about drugs and sex
6) Urinating or otherwise soiling train
7) Putting feet on seats
8) Letting animals sit on seats
9) Calling me a “fucking bitch” and threatening to kick me when I asked the man to pick up his dog.

After the last incident, I walked up to a police officer in our car to ask for help and he just told me, “I’m getting off here”. Having to ride with the threatening dog owner after the police officer refused to help me was awkward, to say the least.

Why does riding Muni always feel like being taken hostage by rude, dirty, and threatening people while everyone else just looks the other way — including the police? BART doesn’t feel that way.

I’ll be glad to get back on my bike.

Weekend Photos — After the Storm

T-Third, Where Art Thou?
Photo by Troy Holden

It was an exciting week for new media around here. We saw the arrival of a New York Times blog for the Bay Area, titled cleverly enough: The Bay Area. This week also saw the unveiling of The Bold Italic, which bills itself as an experiment in local discovery. These come on the heels of the debut of Caliber SF, a great new San Francisco photography group site featuring some of our favorite local photogs. We’re thrilled to see these ventures take off, and recommend you add them to your readers and bookmarks now.

And to catch you up on transit news you might’ve missed:

*To Reduce Delay and Fare Evasion, Muni Considers All-Door Boarding — Streetsblog SF

*Hearing on Muni fare cheats and thugs — City Insider

*Second Teen Pleads Not Guilty In Muni Assault On Actor — SF Appeal

On to the choicest photos to arrive in our Muni Photos Flickr pool this week …

Turn off Don Chee Way
Photo by Flickr user franciscophile

CableCarDriver1
Photo by Flickr user mg7107

B-Side Images
Photo by Flickr user Shannon Claire ~ B-Side Images

One Day A Real Rain Will Come
Photo by Troy Holden

Stay safe, and have a great weekend!

BART Missed Connections — The Red Raincoat (and others)

red raincoat
Photo by Flickr user -{ thus }-

As we’ve done over at Muni Diaries a few times, today we’re inaugurating a new feature on BART Diaries — Missed Connections. We see it as doing our part to bring together potential sexy super-couples, thrilling threesomes, or just a one-night stand or fuck buddy. What have you …

We start things off with this MC, straight out of a grocery store romance novel …

The Red Raincoat on BART – m4w – 29 (mission district)

You smiled when you got on BART around Powell street in your red raincoat. You sat two seats away with your hood up while I read a book trying not to stare. I had a brown cap and headphones on. Then when you got up to leave at 16th street and Mission you caught my eye and smiled at me all the way out. The doors of the train stayed open longer than usual telling me to follow you. But I missed my chance. Perhaps I can have a second?

8:15pm Cutie pie on Powel ST BART Platform – m4m – 23 (downtown / civic / van ness)

You walked past me a little slow, I was talking with my classmate. I glanced at you, and my classmate said “excuse me” but you didn’t turn around. My train came up (Dublin Pleasanton Train) I stepped on and tuned around, and smiled and there you were, smiling right back at me. You’re such a cutie pie, please get back to me!!!!

Tan Cardigan: You had my Attention but the Cat had my Tongue – w4m (Bart 24th St. to Montgomery)

You: Messy blonde hair underneath a cap, long-sleeved plaid shirt underneath a tan cardigan, Sperry’s or some other kind of boat shoe. Me: Blonde hair, peacoat, plaid skirt, carrying too much stuff. I thought you kind of looked like a contemporary Kurt Cobain, which is neither here nor there, simply an association with your sweater and hair. You moved your bag so I could sit on the bench. There was enough room already, but it was a nice gesture. I should have said hello (or at least thank you); I don’t know why I am so damn shy, but my shyness accounts for my failure to be polite. I snuck a few glances, but couldn’t muster eye contact.

Boy in red sweater at Embar. Bart – w4m (Downtown Bart)

Last night at Embarcadero Bart we sat across from eachother around 7:30.

I just had left work in my coat, work clothes and running shoes. 🙂

Seen a potential mate on BART? Let us know here.

Trolley Dances 2009 (update w/more photos)

Giving the history of the J Church - Trolley Dances 2009

Last week, we told you of the then-upcoming event, Trolley Dances, set for last weekend around the city.

Sadly, none of us were able to catch the action. But we came across this post from Mariam In The City, in which Mariam recaps the action.

A choice bit:

As we approached 30th and Church the Muni driver announced over the loud speaker to look out the left side of the train for a special performance. Of course I was on the other side and couldn’t see much, but I did catch a few glimpses of the couple dancing on the sidewalk. Everyone on the train started cheering as the man lifted the woman into air with her puffy, black and white polka dot skirt. We all clapped and waved good bye to the dancers as the train moved on. It must have been quite a scene for people walking down the street wondering what was going on.

Read more at Mariam In The City. And if you witnessed any part of Trolley Dances, let us know in comments.

Journey through time in time because it is time, Deep Waters Dance Theater - Trolley Dances 2009

Blue Ramp - Trolley Dances 2009
All photos by Flickr user Steve Rhodes

Update (October 23, 10:30 a.m.): Here are some more photos we’ve managed to round up. First, from one of the dance instructors:

trolley_dances_1

trolley_dances_2

trolley_dances_3

Topless BART Train Voyage (SFW*)

* if your “W” is okay with male nipples.

BART rider Barb alerted us to the following: a video of a man walking shirtless through a series of moving BART cars, set to the tune of Scott McKenzie’s song, “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)”

Some of the riders’ reactions are priceless.

1 351 352 353 354 355 410