An update on Peter Hartlaub’s 77X-Candlestick Express story

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Back in 2014, journalist Peter Hartlaub took the stage at Muni Diaries Live to talk about the now-defunct 77X-Candlestick Express, a.k.a., the Muni Booze Cruise. That story is featured in this week’s podcast, and for that reason, we reached out to Peter to see if he had any “episode extras” he could send us. Boy, were we (and now, you!) in for a treat.

Here’s what Peter sent us:

Hello, Muni Diaries friends,

An update since my Muni Diaries tribute to the 77X Candlestick Express:

After the Muni Diary, I ended up going to the last game at Candlestick Park with my dad Phil Hartlaub, sister Toni Kam and aunt Susan Leal. I thought that would be my closure, but I was assigned to cover the last big event at the ‘Stick, Paul McCartney’s concert. I had seats on the field, but snuck up to Upper Box Section 32, and convinced an usher to let me sit in my family seats one more time – even though they were roped off. I listened to “Live and Let Die” and “Hey Jude,” then left.

Our Candlestick seats sit in my parents’ backyard. I’ve already retained a lawyer for the legal fight for them that will ensue between me and my sister when my parents are gone.

I haven’t traveled on a Muni Van Ness line since.

Wow. I love everything about this!!! (I’m willing to overlook the football parts.)

Thanks, Peter!

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Muni Diaries Live: 6 stories, 2 street birds, and 1 incredible evening

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Photo by Justina Wu

Last weekend we experienced what can best be described as a love letter to San Francisco when we saw more than 200 of you pack into the Elbo Room at Muni Diaries Live. I can’t say that we’ve recovered from election results, and perhaps we never will, but it warms my heart just knowing that there are still people who will cheer for your bus line and root for your success in getting a late-night transfer! Let’s count down the many ways that we celebrated getting from point A to point B.

The photo above is one of the surprising and awesome moments from the show: Grand News Stand owner Courtney Riddle shared her dream of becoming a streetcar driver one day. Look closely and you’ll see that she’s embroidered the Muni worm on her cardigan, and her dress is made from fabric that has streetcar prints on it! That’s some serious dedication. When she shared her streetcar dream with her partner, he won the Best Boyfriend awards by writing a rap song in her honor.

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Photo by Melvin Wong

I mean…how much more awesome can people get?

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Muni Diaries Live Nov. 5: Who’s in?

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Twice a year, we, the hamsters behind the MD machine, bring you Muni Diaries Live: our chance to come together IRL for laughter, tears, and to commiserate over the “Oh, SF” that is our public-transit system.

Wouldn’t you know it, our next show — our 16th one in a lucky seven years — is coming up Nov. 5 at Elbo Room. Get to know our stellar storytellers, who can’t wait to share the best and worst of their journeys from Point A to Point B in the 7×7.

Are you down? Let us know on Facebook and buy your tickets on Eventbrite today!

Pic by Right Angle Images

Video: When the 38-Geary is your lifeblood

Storyteller Jesse James and his mom visited San Francisco years before he would eventually moved to the city, and Muni was a large part of the impression Jesse was left with. “All of my stories are on the 38, because it’s the lifeblood …”

Put on your earbuds and enjoy his story over lunch…or on your commute home. This story was recorded at Muni Diaries Live on April 16, 2016, at the Elbo Room. Did you know we’re always looking for storytellers much like yourselves? Pitch your own Muni story at muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com.

Want more transit stories in your ears? From our April show:
BART efficiency expert Mandy Hu
ChrisO’s chance encounter with a thief
Wonder Dave with transit sex stories you can try at home

Video: Wonder Dave shares transit sex stories you could try at home

Last month, Muni Diaries Live audience members were delighted by Wonder Dave‘s various tales of his sex life as it has intersected Muni and BART life. Perhaps these are “do try this at home” types of stories? You decide.

You can see more of Wonder Dave’s storytelling and emceeing skills at Seduction Feroce and Tourettes Without Regrets. This story was told at Muni Diaries Live on April 16, 2016. If you missed the show, check out storytellers Chris O and Mandy Hu‘s videos! We’re always looking for your slice of life in San Francisco, so if you have a story to tell or know a great storyteller, email us at muni.diaries.sf@gmail.com.

Video: BART efficiency expert Mandy Hu learns to let go

Storyteller Mandy Hu had it down to a science. Not only could she perfectly time walking or running to catch those evening BART trains back to San Francisco. She also had a catalog of other passengers she could reference in order to best navigate the crowds.

Then one night, working late, she was thrown off-schedule by a coworker whose immigrant experience really struck a cord.

Mandy delighted the audience at Muni Diaries Live in April. Watch the video of her story above.

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