Studying errands is no small task. Everyday people are faced with the necessary errands – grocery lists need to be checked, tires need more pressure, credit cards need to be paid, new phones need to be acquired, broken things need to be fixed, dogs need their vitamins, sailboats need a specific polish, gifts need to be purchased, and everyone needs new underwear.

Common problems that can occur while fulfilling errands include: loneliness and alienation, boredom, impatience, anxiety, frustration, lethargy, hunger, flatulence, humming a Neil Diamond song, encountering stinky children, head bumps, and thoughtlessness.

In an effort to solve some of the aforementioned problems and create new and exciting ways of running errands, I have designed a two-part feasibility study:

Phase I: Running errands with others
Phase II: Running errands on a pack mule

Phase I: I run errands with strangers. I offer advice on which brand of cereal to buy, help folks fold laundry, determine the best quote on auto body repair.

Phase II: I do the same thing as Phase I, but now I’m on a donkey.

My studies determine that, if one desires to be spiritually fullfilled, errands need to be more than just a menial task. This can be achieved in many ways: go on your errands with another person, or in a group, wear some silly shades and a wig while doing your errands, walk backwards through the store, carry a really big boom box playing your favorite music, dress-up in a tux to go to Walgreens, if you don’t take the bus, take the bus to do your errands.

Go out and start an errand support group in your neighborhood or initiate group bill-paying sessions. The possibilities to make errands more communal and more appealing are endless.

This is a project I did a bit back, but it’s such a classic, I had to “re-release it”
Click here to read the San Francisco Chronicle Story

RESEARCH:
PHASE I

2_13_04 went on my first errand with Mary Burnham. We got two estimates on her damaged car and attempted an oil change.

2_16_04

went to drop of a zip disk and library book, get some eye-glasses, and look at a room wih Cory Bernat

did Laundry with Natasha.

2_20_04

Errands with Merideth Taluson.
Send an e-mail if you’d like to be a part of this sensation!

PHASE II

That’s Doug the mule trainer and Audrey the mule (right) whom will accompany me on my errands!!

On the morning of June 12, 2004, San Francisco will continue to live up to its reputation as the most expressive and experimental place on earth. I will complete my errands atop a pack mule in an effort to complete Phase II of my errand feasibility study. I will drop off my dry cleaning, process film, make photocopies, return some things to REI, do my grocery shopping, and make a deposit at the bank – all the while riding a pack mule and being escorted by a bicycle cop.

ROUTE

On June 12th, 2004 from 10am – 2:30pm, Audrey the mule, Hail the donkey, Doug the trainer, me, and the motorbike cop will be running errands. We will start at my house, located at 1343 McAllister at Steiner, then follow the rest of the route:

We will go down Mcallister to Fillmore,
LEFT on Fillmore,
LEFT on Herman
RIGHT on Church
LEFT on Market,
RIGHT on 12th street
LEFT on mission
RIGHT on 11th street
LEFT on Bryant
RIGHT on 9th going toward civic center
RIGHT on Larkin
LEFT on Hayes
RIGHT on Steiner
LEFT on McAllister

The Process to get this together:

Initially, I contacted at least 12 different city departments about riding a pack mule through San Francisco to do my errands. Below are the responses I got back. Below them is a solution I finally reached.

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From: “sfpd public affairs”
Date: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:40:57 AM US/Pacific
To:
Subject: Re: Public input for Police

check our website and goto the …how do i get a permit area or contact the
permits unit at 415-553-1115

—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 12:51 AM
Subject: Public input for Police

I need to ride a pack mule through SOMA to Mcallister at Steiner. Where do
I get the necessary permit to do this?

thanks,
marc

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Hello:

Thanks for your inquiry. A pack mule, huh? I’m not sure where you’d get
the necessary permit, but I would try either the Department of Parking &
Traffic or the Police Department in whatever precinct(s) you’ll be riding
through.

Good luck!

-Khan Wong
for Grants for the Arts

Submitted on: 2/23/2004 12:50:23 AM
name: marc

phone: 510.872.7326

comments: Good Day,

I need to ride a pack mule through SOMA to Mcallister at Steiner in order
to complete a video project. Where do I get the necessary permit to do
this?

thanks,
marc

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Marc,

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has no jurisdiction over
this matter. I would contact the San Francisco Police Department.

Thanks,

Tim Chee
Webmaster
City and County of San Francisco
Recreation and Parks Department

Submitted on: 2/23/2004 12:53:31 AM
name: marc

phone: 510.872.7326

comments: Good Day,

I need to ride a pack mule through SOMA to Mcallister at Steiner. Where do
I get the necessary permit to do this?

thanks,
marc

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. Horowitz,

Thank you for contacting SFGOV Online Services. This support is intended
for users of the transactional services provided by SFGOV Online Services.
SFGOV Online Services facilitates internet payments for city and county
departments and agencies. Please visit
http://www.sfgov.org/site/mainpages_index.asp?id=7695 for a directory of
City and County Departments and Agencies.

Anne Kim
SFGOV Online Services
email: myservices@sfgov.org

Original Message
good day,

I am new to the city. Can you please tell me the laws regarding riding
a pack mule through the city. I need one to do my errands, it is in my
religion – do I need to obtain a permit from the city? i cannot walk
and i cannot ride in motorized vehicles.

thanks,
marc horowitz

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Marc,

Our library director forwarded your question to me for an answer.

The most likely source for the answer is with the San Francisco Film and
Video Arts Commission. Here’s how to contact them:

1. Log on to the City website: http://www.sfgov.org
2. On the left of the page click on “Mayor’s Office.”
3. On the right of this page click on “Offices under the Mayor.”
4. Scroll down the list to “Film and Video Arts Commission,” click on
‘website’ (end of the paragraph).
5. This is the SF Film Commission website. Click on “services” on the
right side.
6. This is the page titled “Services offered by the Film Commission.”

These people should be able to tell you if you also need a permit from the
Police Department.

Hope this helps!

Sincerely,

GERALD H. CLARK
Reference Librarian
San Francisco Law Library
401 Van Ness Ave., Rm 401
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-554-6837

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2_20_04

I talked to Cindy Shamban in Traffic Engineering. She referred me to a few different people.

Depart of Public Health – Sheldon Lew (special events) 252-3828. Cindy said he may have some answers about riding around on a Mule. I’ve yet to call.

I immediately called Sergeant George Carrington of the SFPD at 415.553.9764. He was very helpful and took kindly to the project. He considered the project an “Industrial Project,” meaning that it would be used for “business” purposes in that I would show others to generate interest in myself. He sounded very optimistic and said that he was going to do a feasibility study about riding a mule through the city. He is the big wig, so if he gives it the thumbs up, in my opinion it’s almost in the bag.

I would have to hire a police escort on a bike and make sure there were no major parades or festivals the day of my mule riding. The bike cop costs $70/hr for a 4 hr. minimum. He would stop traffic, help in dealing with the public, and make sure all is safe. He’d probably get a nice tan as well.

Vikki from Animal Care and Control called on 2/24 and said the Mule would not be a problem as long as I have the necessary permits through SFPD. She said to call though and notify her of the date and route – 415.554.9402.

I have much confidence that this will happen, but keep your fingers crossed just in case. I’m shooting for June or July.

3_2_04

I just got a call from Sergeant George Carrington. I can get the permits for riding a mule through the city from the SF Film & Video Arts Commision!!!!!!! I’m sure this project will not come cheap as I need a police escort, permits, a pack mule, and a video crew. It’s well worth it though! If anyone has a hot lead on a pack mule – let me know as my source dropped out. I called the American Mule Association to find a mule in the area. I talked with Marsha Arthur, masmules@aol.com, who works there and she told me 1) you don’t ride the mule, you lead it. Who knew? It carries the packs, not the people. 2) She said that there is a club in the bay area – California donkey and mule association – and Doug and Paula jones (BOD) lead it up. She had me contact them at 650.879.0711 and at Dougj@mccue.com. There are offices Pescadero or Saratoga. Doug has a pack mule, but I’ve yet to talk with him in person. Marsha warned me that the Mule Show Season starts soon – animals start getting packed up and heading into the backcountry – so I better secure the dates. There is a Mule Show in May at Clovis,CA. The biggest is the “Bishop Mule Days” (parade), may 26th – 30th. Marsha said that parade mules can be the best because they are used to people and traffic – she said “you can’t just take mountain mules into the city.” Again, cross your fingers.

3_10_04

Doug Jones comes through! I have a mule that is traffic safe, and her name is Audrey. She comes all the way from the Pescadero area with all the trimmins’ – traditional packing gear, a lead, and snacks. I’m shooting for Sunday May 23rd. Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed.

5_10_04

Pushed date to June 12. Finalized.