Busy Backson

My mom might be the only one who gets that title, but it's from a Winnie the Pooh story if my memory serves me correctly. Just one of those stupid phrases that becomes ingrained in a family's vocabulary until it's almost meaningless.

After three interviews, errands, hours on public transportation, securing a "date" for my friend's wedding (thanks, Emily), and the typical mental anguish of a day in this city, I'm exhausted.

On my adventures I discovered something strange and amazing: a map vending machine at the AAA office. For months I've been wandering aimlessly or driving aimlessly, never remembering to pick up free city maps from AAA until I make a wrong turn and end up at Union Square when I'm looking for a store in the Marina. I finally remembered today and expected to walk into a AAA and be handed maps by an employee. Instead (I'm still gobsmacked by the idea) right inside the door was a machine you would typically expect to purchase a $1.25 bag of M&Ms from - filled with maps! AAA members need simply insert their membership card, select as many maps as needed by pressing A5 or D2 and the little wires uncoil to deposit a brand spanking new map.

I've noticed bizarre vending machines popping up all over the city lately. There's one that sells expensive perfumes in the mall in the hallway to BART, one that sells iPods and their various accessories in the Metreon center, and supposedly one that sells marijuana - I'll post a picture of if I ever find it.