Public Mingling

My goodness, isn't this great city just a melting pot!. Or do I really mean a noodle soup of oddballs?

I ventured onto public transport today for a change. There was a weirdo sitting opposite me on the way in. You know the type? Slightly suspiciously clean, but note. Not shiny. He kept staring at the woman opposite him in a scary way whilst pretending to read the Metro. Fine I thought (as I assume, did she), there's my one for the day.

But no! I got a proper, good value one on the way home.

This chap was actually a giant. You may think that if you were at least seven feet tall to start with that may be enough? But no!. Are you sitting comfortably? I shall describe him.

He was as wide as he was tall.
He took up two tube seats.
He was wearing a blue boiler suit.
he was perhaps late forties.
He had grey hair.
He was wearing glasses. But not ordinary ones... These were like dentists goggles with big clear shield sides.
Where his boiler suit was open, if you looked, you could spy spandex.
He was dressed underneath (I believe) in a big daddy style wrestling suit (in faux leopard)
He was carrying a large grey sack (like Father Christmas might have)

He kept pulling out books wrapped in paper bags and reading a page here and there. He would then snort in derision before returning the book to the sack and (after a pause) rummage for another.

And! - he smelt very, very odd. (Of libraries?)

To cap it all he muttered loudly, but sadly unintelligibly.

He didn't look stupid, nor did he give the impression that he wasn't aware of his effect on others. I think he knew that his presence was noticeable, and he was proud!

Normally I like to chat to people like this but even I felt slightly odd (or even nervous). So instead I broke the spell by chatting to the lady next to me and discussing her extensive collection of photographs of leaves.

You think I'm joking? Move to London and enjoy as I do if you don't believe me. These were just the notables.

There's a drink somewhere around here and I'll find it, just give me time...

If you are either of these people please email me as I have a screenplay that I could use you in funnily enough.

Fireworks

Last night I was heartened on the way home. Whilst driving through the East End I noted a particularly heavy Judge Dredd style firework war between two hulking tower blocks.

Obviously the local newsagents had done a good job in arming the warring clans and volleys of powerful starburst rockets and shells shot back and forth between the twin towers with serious intent to maim

I'm truly pleased that today's youth haven't gone all soft. It brings back good memories.


thegardener1969@msn.com