Don’t like Muni? Then don’t ride it

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Muni rider Vira has had enough. She overheard “Startup Douche” (term of affection) dispatching a plea for help from aboard the 38R recently. Her recollection:

“Dear Startup Douche, I overheard your phone conversation on the 38R this morning. Couldn’t help it since you talked so loudly. You how you despise MUNI [sic], how you’re probably going to get a staph infection from holding onto the pole. For some people, MUNI [sic] is the only form of transportation. I’m sure we’d all like to take a private car from A to B. But most of us can’t. I would tell you to take your privilege elsewhere. But since you’re also riding MUNI [sic], you don’t have any. Nice try acting like you’re above us.”

Perhaps Mr. Douche mistook the cardinal rule of being a regular Muni rider: Ride, but complain. Love to hate; hate to love. That, or maybe he has an Android phone and therefore can’t use Leap. Wait a second!

The Sounds of Muni

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Nope, not talking about the sounds that the buses make. This is more a symphony that we bring to our commutes. Using headphones to drown out what’s happening right in front of us. Having someone bust into song spontaneously. The good, the bad. You know the drill.

  • Guy on bus says to girl next to me: “let’s pretend I was your next boyfriend.” Headphone volume: up 5 notches.
  • Got on #SFMuni, accidentally made eye contact with old man. He started singing Wizard of Oz at me.
  • While #SFMuni installs a new bus shelter in #NoeValley, I’m blasting out The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” to get in the mood
  • ppl the J is not ur personal office where u can take speakerphone calls during ur ride to work!

This week’s Things on Muni is brought to you by fellow riders @mariazilberman, @mamcart, @karlsf, and @SuperDee75. Be like these folks. Follow Muni Diaries on Twitter and let us know what’s happening in your corner of the transit world.

Photo by Jim Maurer

Iguana on Muni thinks he’s a cat

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My insider knowledge tells me that this is how all cat ladies wake up in the morning, with their felines on their head. I had no idea iguanas behave the same way.

This iguana hitched a ride all the way from its house onto Muni, and both the iguana and his owner seemed extremely relaxed about it. I can’t be sure that this is Charlie, or Charlie’s cousin, who is not to be confused with Skippy, the iguana of Wall Street Journal fame. But his athleticism is none the less impressive.

More of the Muni zoo this way, everybody.

Photo by @snacks_in_the_grass

Oh, the things people do and say on Muni

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My favorite way to talk about odd shit that happens on Muni is to pass it off as though it were totally normal. Apparently, I am not alone in this:

  • This man gives zero fux. Farts, keeps his leg up🙊 I’m trapped in a corner w terrible ventilation
  • That moment when you’re hungry, and someone gets on the bus w/ 🍕. Can I have a slice or two?
  • That moment the dude next to you is in the process of breaking up with his g/f on the phone. #munidiaries
  • I love when people talk about their jail time and legal strategies on #SFMuni.

This week’s Things on Muni is brought to you by your fellow Muni riders @iemSandy, @ldeap3, @DaneYoshida, and @JeanPodrasky. Contribute your verse by following Muni Diaries on Twitter.

Photo by Lynn Friedman

Giant Bubble Wrap Dare on Muni

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Muni rider Kim is on his way to bubble wrap all the things! I ran into Kim on the 38-R as he boarded the bus with his enormous cargo. He was nice enough to let me take a photo of his bubble wrap, but I didn’t ask him if I could pop a bubble because that would just be creepy, right?

Turns out someone else on the bus was equally impressed with Kim! Here’s a shot by Muni rider Lorena from the back of the bus.

bubble wrap on muni by lorena

Congrats, Kim, you have officially entered the Muni Diaries Strange Cargo Hall of Fame. You’re in good company with this styrofoam mountain and taxidermy deer head.

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