Craigslist is a fascinating phenomenon in the life of the modern city - a very vivid virtual space of social, intellectual and economic urban activity parallel to the life in the physical space of the city. The most insteresting section for me in this virtual layer is Missed Connections: a documentation of the innumerable random meetings, momentary interactions and lost fantacies happening constantly in every corner of the city.
What is the chance that a person whom you have met for a moment will actually read your post? Does the person who writes the posting actually believes they will trace their lost romance? Or is the post more of a blog, a diary note about a fantacy they had?
The project is a podcast for a walk on Market Street. It consists of readings from Craigslist's Missed Connections posts, collected from the website over a month.
The route starts at Market and 1st, facing west, on the left side of Market, and goes on Market down to somewhere between 4th and Powell (depends on traffic lights and pace of the listener).
My voice is used for male readings and the computer’s (Vicky) for feminine. This way the podcast becomes a dialogue between a person and the computer - rather than between people - which I feel is the case in Craiglists' Missed Connections.
The podcast reveals to the listener the many unseen romantic losses happening on the street every moment.
Some of the posts (in their play/walk order)
From the last ones I use only the beginning of the post (as I increase the rhythm of reading). In the last part of the podcast I use fragments of more posts.
start point m4w
Every morning around 6:30 I use to see you...haven't seen you for several weeks.
Hope you are doing ok...I'm the guy that makes eye contact and says hello.
You arrive from 1st street to Market, cross the street, suit and tie.
Let me know if you are still around...maybe we can meet up one morning!
bus w4m
I was the pateete brunette that got on the bahss, at market and 1st around 5:30. You were the tall man standing next to the back door and bumped into me. You apologized and later offered me an open seat a few stops later. You were standing with your friend talking about a long plane ride. I purposely turned the volume down on my Ipod to eavesdrop on your conversation. You said something about Australia and how if you were going to take a 16-hour flight. You were casually dressed. I would give more details, but I could only sneak peeks at you... Anyway...I thought you were beautiful and I want to leave work early every day if it means sharing a bus with you...
555 market m4w
i find it funny that i am actually writing this but it felt nice to turn around and find you-were doing the same.
i tiptoed passed someone sleeping on the street near the 555 market building and i think you noticed and smiled at how funny that was. i had a red long coat, i think you were wearing an orange coat.
anyway, i liked smiling with you, so if you're reading this, let's do that again sometime.
575 market w4m
i saw you when you passed by 575 market with the cyclamen garden. i am pretty sure there was at least 5 seconds of eye contact while we were passing each other, but it could just be fantasy on my part. i'm hoping you'll reed this and prove me wrong, and tell me that there indeed is some interest and chance to meet together.
stacey's book store w4m
In Stacey's book store, behind me in the line. You were wearing jeans, and a white jacket. You had brown hair, beautiful smile, your nose in a book ....I was going to say hi, but I just figured someone as beautiful as you had to be attached.
montgomery bart m4w
So we have noticed each other twice now at the bart, I can't help but gaze into your eyes when I see you. I know you saw me too cause you held my stare for a few moments. I wanted to say something as we were getting off of the SFO train at the montgomery station. You seem to like hooded jackets, and this time you had a black hooded jacket with brown fur trim.
I hope you think to look here for me.
2nd and market w4m
I was wearing a red sweatshirt and white pants. I fell on the corner of 2nd and Market in the Rain. You tried to help me out, twice, and I refused in stubborn embarrassment. I want to thank you for your kindness.
--> 2nd Street
607 market m4w
you entered the the 607 market building, you said hi and i said hi, i didn't get a chance to meet and greet you but i wish i could've, you were dark, tall, a bit clumsy, if you know who you are email me, hopefully i can run into you again.
mcdonalds w4m
Dark hair beauty at mcdonald's. You looked so familiar. You came in around 4 pm on Saturday and ordered a big mac. You waited at the counter. We had few glances.
atm m4w
You were looking for a deposit envelope at the Bank of America "A"."T"."M". on Market last week. I was rushing to the bart and we exchanged hello's. I must meet you again
driver m4w
We drove alongside each other for a minute on market street, you smiled and waved. You have a pierced nose. You are cute and it looks like there's a lot of personality behind that smile. If you'd like to go get a drink or have coffee, write back and we'll talk. Hope to hear from you!
new montgomery muni station w4m
I saw you as I was walking up New Montgomery to the Muni station... You looked back at me and smiled. You then crossed the street and walked parallel to me for four blocks. You turned and smiled at me several times.
You: blondish brown hair, great eyes... maybe a dark coat?
Me: blonde hair, black coat, black, red and white scarf.
pay phone m4w
You were on the pay phone by the bart exit with your friends, totally gorgeous, wicked style - you made me smile for the rest of the day. Cheers for that!
bus w4m
You were the handsome brown-haired guy who tossed on a grey hat as you exited the bus. We were sitting across from each other. I was the curly haired brunette with a black jacket/big green bag on my lap. You actually got me to smile (sort of) which is a rarity with strangers. Especially good looking ones. Thanks for adding a bebop to my step this morning. write me if you catch this.
flight m4w
You were on my flight to San Francisco this morning from Paris. You looked impatient as you were boarding this flight and I smiled at you, you looked so adorable in your red shirt and little black hat. I'm not sure if you smiled back. I lost track of you after we boarded, you were probably in the front of the plane, but I wanted to come over and say hello. I looked for you after we got off but couldn't find you. Email me if you're interested, I'd love to meet you.
bike messenger w4m
bike messenger with packet of mayo you look so creamy and squishy standing in front of our building at market street with that gentle lost look on your face. like you didn't know if you should pull your chaps up or bend over again. just please shave. the stubble is unbearable.
coffee shop m4w
You came into the coffe place for a cup of coffee and pretty much sent me the nicest smile. I kinda froze and you kept it up. Didn't really want to throw you and pickup line..."What's your sign?!" but wish I'd said something other than "um, Hi"
Me dirty blonde with a black sweater. See you soon I hope.
Michael
car ride w4m
We got together for one night a year ago. We drove around and then never left my car. I had fun, you had fun. Dark Parking lot near third street.
Are you out there?
going into a building m4w
saw you walking into the central tower building. You had a bright yellow shirt and a smile that would stop traffic. I know I stopped. oh wow.. I would love to follow you inside. hit me up if you thought i was cute.
ups guy w4m
Looking for the HOT White U.P.S. guy who delivered this morning to my office on Market street. He is about 5 feet 7, brown hair and was wearing sunglasses. Nice Legs!!! If you see this and are OPENMINDED hit me up!
bus m4w
For some reason...I cannot stop thinking about you. I met you on the bus Friday when your phone rang. I asked you what ring tone that was (I've never been remotely interested in things like that, but I was compelled to ask). "Black sweat" you told me...and then that was it. If you are reading this...let me know. I'd like to take you out for some coffee one of these days
cab w4m
Jason,
What happened? Last Thursday, you came back in the mart to buy your 'redbull,' and then intrigued me with your alter boy story. Once, I hopped in the cab you hailed me...your number had disappeared from my phone. Would love to see you again!
J
boutique store m4w
short brunette girl at the boutique store - well, I think all the girls are brunette there...But you have a tattoo on your neck and left arm. You helped me with my jeans for the second time this past sunday and I think you are beautiful!
Dont worry, I will be back.
food place w4m
Ryan, I think, I'm glad to stopped in the cafe to eat. We giggled at the drunk people late night. I thought you were adorable...
We should hang out sometime when I'm not at work.
-The dair haired waitress
law office m4w
miss K from the Market Street SF law office. Your brief co-worker attorney Edward would like to say "Hey" to you. Please get in touch. Edward
driver w4m
To the handsome guy in the silver truck turning left next to me this morning - thank you for your smile and wave. You totally made my day! Shall I look for you tomorrow??
bus m4m
Riding the number 6 bus downtown, I was the younger white guy wearing a green "hoodie". You were the older man, dark hair and features, slim, sitting toward the front of the bus. We looked at each other many times throughout the trip and then when I got off, you waved to me from the bus.
You are a sexy man. I'd love for you to respond.
gym w4w__
I talked to you at the gym, you mentioned you'd recently moved here from Georgia. I should have known, you're much warmer and friendlier than us jaded San Franciscans. :) If you're looking for a pal to show you around the city, email me. I'll buy you a Jamba Juice.
coffee shop m4m
Asian on laptop at the coffee place you are really cute...would love to meet you. I was there at 3:30
walgreens w4m
At walgreens you helped me pick out a few things, and pointed out the jams in the corner. Frankly, I didn't really care for the jams - it was just nice talking to you. I'm now drinking the Marco Polo tea I just bought.
I wanted to ask for your number, or ask you out for... tea... but it seemed rude/tacky to ask while you were on the clock. So on the off chance that you see this, and happen to want to grab tea, shoot me a note! At the least, I have a reason to go back to the store.
drugstore m4w
This is a rave for the amazing cashier at the drugstore. I'm not going to write what's on her nametag in this space other than to say it starts with J, you look to be korean, in your 20s, with a metal necklace, and always working hard at all the odd hours I go there for knicknacks. Today it was a gallon of milk. only.
If this is you ... too bad you have to spend all your time in that place - drop me a line sometime when they unchain you from the register.
lost umbrella at 4th w4m
I dropped my umbrella while rushing to the bus at market and 4th and there was a cute guy on his skateboard who followed the bus around for three blocks and handed me my umbrella through the back doors when the bus stopped at a red light.
I thanked you but didn't get a chance to get your name. Who are you?????????
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