Bus Report #1104

 Saturday morning, bright sunny sky and Muni on time - curious, but you won't complain.

After a stop at your garden plot (44 O'Shaughnessy to 7 Haight) you skip (and yes, you truly do skip, it's that kind of day) down to Hayes Valley to drop off your glasses for lens replacement.

Along the way, a man rolls down his car window and shouts, "You have beautiful hair!" 

The nicest thing anyone's shouted at you lately. You thank him, walk on.

Two blocks later you see him leaning out of his car window again to call out to a young couple, "You have a great day now!" 

Hayes Valley is busy. People lined up for a new coffee spot, tourists dragging suitcases en route to their accommodations. Outside Nabila's, huge bouquets of sunflowers. The blooms are the size of dinner plates, and the most beautiful orange yellow color.

The street between Gough and Octavia is blocked off for a carnival and there's a circus performance in the Proxy space. Circus Bella with their burgundy and gold stage set. You love to see it. Little kids try the carnival games while their parents take photos. 

Glasses dropped off, you wander back down the street and get on the 7 again, towards downtown.

Your seatmate is a woman with huge plastic eyeglasses and she's dressed like you used to, circa 1997. Five rows up, facing you, is another woman who looks identical to her, down to the glasses. Are they twins? You think they are, even though they probably are not. 

And that's when it happens - you feel an overwhelming sense of happiness and pure love for San Francisco today. So much so that you choke up a bit. Stare out the window at all the good and bad and confusing things that make Market Street what it is. 

People milling about outside the theater, kids on scooters and bikes, tourists near the Main Library and the Asian Art Museum, the sun glinting off of City Hall's gold dome. And the drug market near BART. Three people folded over, so still, like off-putting modern statuary. Someone passed out amid a pile of rags and trash. Market Street Ambassadors in bright T-shirts offering assistance to everyone.

Near the new IKEA, a band is setting up, part of the city's program to refresh and activate downtown.

You visit Liz at her art kiosk and hang out for a while, chatting and admiring her art, enticing others to come over, you don't bite, have a look at the art for sale.

Later, headed home, spot a new Vacant to Vibrant storefront activation. Cowrie Collective has beautiful wares for sale and you can't leave without a new candle and a bold pair of earrings. 

A regular Saturday. A beautiful Saturday. A reminder, really - of how to love your city.