I’ve come across several characters recently and had been struggling mightily to figure the impetus to write them up in a blog when my daughter came along and sparked my imagination. I’ve long since learned to take fickle inspiration whenever and wherever she strikes.
So I had dropped my daughter and her friend Jessica of at the watering hole. And by that I mean the lake and not the local dive bar. They were there just long enough for me to drive the ten minutes back into town when she called.
“Can you come pick us up?”
“What? I just dropped you off.”
“Yeah but the beach is covered in goose poop and the entire place is crawling with sketchy characters.”
I imagined a prison break and all the escaped inmates frolicking in puddles of grey-green goose droppings. Then the image in my mind morphed into Bill, the friendly neighborhood lunatic and The Walker, the Forrest Gumpian older gentleman with the flowing white beard that pops up power-walking all over town. Maybe they were the ones harassing her and swimming with the minnows out at the lake.
Normally, Bill can be heard slurping on a small coffee while amply filling out one of the wide chairs in the corner of Starbucks. He talks to himself incessantly and on rare occasion to the other patrons. But mostly he burps. Not ‘excuse me’-one-off burps, no, he averages a good solid five burps a minute. Kind of like a symphony of digestive genius.
In between burps, he also carries on rather interesting conversations with himself. I must admit to eavesdropping on occasion. While sometimes the topics range into the absurd, at other times, he scores good points in an intellectual debate with himself.
The Walker, on the other hand, is all over. It’s almost as if there he has four identical twin Santa Clause brothers ambulating all over town. He is everywhere. I see him traipsing resolutely by the hospital one moment and in front of Long John Silver’s the next. He always looks straight ahead, arms pumping forward, legs churning. Like a vagabond postman, he walks rain or shine (though I’ve yet to verify him in sleet). His long flowing silver beard hangs down over the same sweat encrusted white t-shirt.
I often wonder what motivates him. What drives him pace after pace? Is he running away from something or perhaps towards something, some destiny perhaps? Or does he simply walk for walkings sake?
Have you run across any sketchy characters of late? Care to expound?
Popularity: 13% [?]
Jun 23, 2008 at 11:51:43
Yes: most recently I ran into a sketchy character. He loves to bike everywhere though. He is quite odd. Preferring to bike vs. driving.
So enjoyed your blog. Found myself laughing right out loud. lrol…not lmao.. Keeping my ass.
Later.
Miss Fickle ’bout Pickles
Jun 23, 2008 at 14:23:29
there used to be an old guy who rode his flyer all over buckhead (that’s in atlanta) and he was affectionately known as the birdman of buckhead, because even at his advanced aged (he was quite advanced) he would ride around flapping his wings, ahem, I mean arms and weaving all over the place be it street or sidewalk. i’m thinking he is dead however, since he would have to be about 100 by now. sketchy? i don’t know, but certainly interesting. google him, i think he lives on in cyperspace.
Jun 23, 2008 at 14:24:29
wait a minute
i used to flap around buckhead …
Jun 23, 2008 at 14:25:59
In a little town here in Nevada (where we lived for 10-11 years) there was one man who walked and walked and walked and walked. Even in 100+ weather, rain, you name it. Turns out the guy was only marginally “all there” but as sweet as can be. He lives with his mother, who gave him a job… walk! Great shape and it occupied his day.
So there can be all sorts of reasons. Sometimes hard to figure out why, but there is usually a story behind it all.
You write very well, I enjoyed it (came via blogcatalog)
Jun 23, 2008 at 14:29:22
yes
i love that there is always a story
just below the surface
just tease it out
Jun 23, 2008 at 15:38:57
Your descriptions of the characters about town bring about laughs and vivid imagery. My town has it’s own cast of loons, too. But don’t they all? Heh heh.
Jun 23, 2008 at 22:25:45
Wow, it sounds like the walkers and bill might have a few second cousins at my local Starbuck’s. Loved the burping bit. Funny.
WC
Jun 23, 2008 at 22:26:22
thanks
Jun 23, 2008 at 23:20:42
She said “sketchy characters”??? With a straight face?
You must blog about that friendly neighborhood lunatic soon. Sounds like another good read.
Jun 23, 2008 at 23:26:11
yes
i know living in my family with me
that’s sketchy enough …
Jun 24, 2008 at 12:22:19
actually i’m a sketchy character or maybe a sketched character.
Jun 24, 2008 at 12:27:56
lol
yes dead ex first ladies
are sketchy to say the least
or sketched
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:37:08
Am I the only one who wants to know if you turned back around and picked up your daughter?!?
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:40:51
lol
actually that’s a long answer
i had been suggesting she go to the pool yet she insisted on lake so when she called i let her know i would only come after i had done my errands. in the meanwhile she and jessica canoodled jessica’s mom to pick them up. kids!
Jun 25, 2008 at 15:57:12
Reminds of this old guy when I grew up. A local bum of sorts. Knew everyone of the kids names and used to commit a crime just before it snowed so he could get free room and board for the winter LOL
He was comical and sure did get around.
Jun 25, 2008 at 16:09:47
ah
and had a head on his corrupt shoulders as well
Jun 26, 2008 at 16:23:29
I work across from a really dodgy Burger King, so we have our fill of colorful characters. The large girl with the shaved head except for two ponytails who rides an electric scooter… The shirtless dude except for a leather vest who seems to be waiting for some sort of deal… The mentally unwell guy who straps this teddybear to his leg with a scarf… Oh it’s a novel all by it’s little ol’ self.
So who were your daughter’s strange characters at the beach?
Jun 26, 2008 at 17:49:50
ah
several nights later we visited there for a bike ride and picnic. there were many sketchy - dark, marauding, vicious looking - characters there that night and a police cruiser doing the rounds.
shall think twice now before setting her off by herself there.
and sounds like you’ve got your share as well ….
Jul 20, 2008 at 00:23:13
Every time I look in the mirror, I see a sketchy character.
Wonderful blog!!
Thanks
http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/