Comments on: How To Be A Local Character: Five Basic Examples

By: Julie gc3160-thtuk

Julie gc3160-thtuk — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:34:00 +0000

Marvin the moonshine guy committed suicide recently. He didn’t want to go back to prison. Anyways search google for the story of his death since I can’t post a link to any here. Laters.

By: rjb

rjb — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:35:00 +0000

I’ve also seen the walking lady in St. Augustine. Her story is quite facinating in a “Delta Dawn” kind of way. I haven’t heard about the small dead animal thing, but she has been walking for years.

She has to be in her mid 50s now based on what I’ve been told by people who knew her back in the day, so to speak. Evidently, she was absolutely stunning when she was younger and before mental illness basically took over. Sad stuff…

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:54:00 +0000

Here in St. Augustine, we have the “walking chick” (Also known as “the gray-haired lady”). She logs countless miles everyday walking and arguing with herself. She’s even been spotted in Jacksonville and Orange Park (a good 45 miles north of town. You can’t come within three feet of her or she’ll shriek to the high heavens.

Her real name is Maureen Thorn. Noone I know can guess her age as her hair is completely sun-bleached and her skin is a leathery tan. All we know is she’s not quite right and has a thing for dark poetry (She leaves disturbing poetry on the churchs’ doorsteps around town, usually with a small dead animal inside).

By: joeb

joeb — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:22:00 +0000

In Sacramento, CA we have Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is recognizable by his large head and bizarre grin. He’ll shake your hand and pose for a picture if you give him $3.50.

By: TM

TM — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:20:00 +0000

In Adelaide, South Australia, we have the great Johnny Haysman, adored by the public wherever he languidly strolls in a state of eccentric undress.

By: John

John — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Santa Barbara (actually Isla Vista) in the 80s had Tommy the puppet man, a tiny, wizened old fella who would put on unintelligible puppet shows. Saw him once in San Francisco later.

By: Buffalove

Buffalove — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Mike Wolf didn’t give Buffalo, NY enough credit:

White Ninja – this lady walks around the Allentown area shrouded in white from head to toe, usually cradling what looks like a baby (also in white) or carrying white bags.

Eric Starchild – drifts around the city trying to sell jewelry that he keeps in a purse around his neck. He also has a flashlight that he uses to show how the jewelry glitters.

Jeanne – schizophrenic who seems to spend most of her time on Elmwood ave cursing everyone out.

By: Tripp

Tripp — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:27:00 +0000

As Mug mentions about Madison, WI; there is “Orange Guy” and “Scanner Dan,” but Mug forgot to mention the most famous of them all (in Madison), Art Paul.

Art isn’t homeless, but he makes his living as a street musician and artist. While strumming his guitar and singing about “Pink Pants” he occasionally breaks out into kazoo solos.

My personal favorite though is Dot Dot Dot (or as he intends it “…”). Dot Dot Dot is an incredibly intelligent homeless man who often wanders the Capital rotunda by day.

Finally, the “Marijuana Research Guy” is pretty funny. He stands near Concrete Park on State Street, panhandling with the clever line, “Donate to Marijuana Research?” I cannot pass him without throwing him some change.

By: Alec Petunia Holmes

Alec Petunia Holmes — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Spandex Guy represents. Photo (not mine) @ my name.

By: DC

DC — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:15:00 +0000

DC HAS BLEVLIS! BL(ACK) ELVIS