Madge's Weblog

Field Guide to SF Muni -- Muni Karma

Muni Karma is a lot like parking karma.  It comes and goes on it's own whim.  If you don't have any Muni Karma built up you'll find yourself standing at the bus stop waiting for a 33 for half an hour only to find that as soon as you start to walk away one roars by without stopping.  One way to build up your Muni Karma is to thank your bus driver.  You put your life in their hands every day -- think about how many times you have crossed in front of a bus without thinking twice not to mention how many times you ride in one -- so saying thank you now and again isn't too much to ask.

Best Food in North Beach -- Update

I thought I'd do a little update to a post I did awhile ago on food in North Beach.  The Helmand, my favorite restaurant in North Beach, has been closed since a landslide in the spring.  My second favorite is a little spot called House.  They serve asian fusion and its a great place to go for lunch during the week.  Try the Lychee ice tea and the warm soba noodles with salmon. 

Field Guide to SF Muni--Common Cry of Riderus Veterinus

While riding Muni you will be able to clearly distinguish between species Riderus Veterinus and Riderus Novitus by the distinctive cry, "Step Down".  Only Riderus Veterinus knows this cry and uses it when Riderus Novitus is in distress -- such as when Riderus Novitus misses three stops and angrily pounds on the Muni exit door.

Field Guide to SF Muni -- 33 Mythical

The 33 Mythical, otherwise known as the 33 Stanyan, travels from the Richmond to the Mission. Don't expect to ever actually ride this bus. Its like the unicorn and can only be seen by the virtuous and even then, only from far away.  Yesterday, from a distance of four blocks, I saw two go by, one right after the other.  I must have been extra virtuous last week.

Five Airports in Four Days

I love to travel, but I hate the traveling.  I've had to find little ways to make long flights bearable.  I pack bottles of fruit flavored water, chapstick, moisturizer, and snacks in addition to the typical entertainment necessities like magazines, books, needlework, and music.  Right before my flight I slather on an extra layer of moisturizer on my face and hands then a thick glob of chapstick on my lips, otherwise when I climb off the flight I'm sucked dry like a crusty flaky prune.

My biggest secret to surviving plane flights is chocolate.  I buy a bar of organic lavendar chocolate and eat it during the trip.  Now you've discovered the biggest problem with my most recent excursion, on a multi-city trip I never remember to bring enough chocolate!