Bus Report #1100

 This morning Clement Street smelled like rosemary and spices - someone preparing something savory and delicious. Sausage? Something Italian, maybe? Strangely, your first thought was matzah balls - fluffy ones spiked with rosemary, which is not a THING, unless maybe it is now? Maybe you just invented it?

At the donut shop, early morning Eric is sipping his coffee and eating a donut, and he sees you, and waves in a frantic and overly excited way. It's lovely, of course. You are two people of routine who move in opposite directions. You always say good morning when you see each other on the street, chat for a minute.

The weather, the holidays, your travels, his travels, his bad knee, coffee. You were acquaintances for almost a year before you exchanged names. You like it that way sometimes. Keeps an air of mystery.

Of course he is as much an Eric as your brother is, as your coworker - you can see the similarities in their collective mischievous smiles, their eyes that crinkle with laughter. So since he is your third or fourth Eric, he'll be early morning Eric from now on.

The street is so dark. You don't mind when it's quiet. Even the crossfit gym next to Schubert's is closed. The kids who open up Pixlcat café haven't arrived yet either.

There are some hot new Jang wheatpastes up on Dr. La's office and near Pasta Supply Co., you'll have to remember to tell E. about them later.

As you wait for the 33 you notice the moon today. A bright white horizontal crescent worthy of the Cheshire Cat. You try to snap a photo of it but it doesn't do it justice, so never mind.

Right on time the bus arrives and you step on, call a 'thank you' to the driver, and slide into your seat to sip your tea and listen to another crime podcast. 

Happy Friday, and have a good weekend!

Bus Report #1099

I love Muni, you know that. I love transit in general, but Muni is San Francisco to me, and it always will be.

I'm back in the office five days a week now, and it is strange how quickly you can get used to things again. Back to having regular drivers and regular passengers. Back to the rhythms of traffic.

The building that was under construction at Haight and Stanyan for so long is finally almost ready to welcome its tenants, and I think it is beautiful.

I greet J. at her bus stop each morning and instead of walking from the bus to my office alone, most days we walk together, as we work in the same building, on different floors.

For the first time in a long time, my mornings feel easy again. Mostly unstressed. As though I'm sliding into my day instead of barreling into it head on.

So, maybe I'm back here, to tell you more tales of my longest and most complicated relationship here in San Francisco. My on and off, love and hate but mostly love relationship with Muni.

And by extension with everyone on it, and with you, dear readers.

Are we good? We're good.