The Workin' Man

Danny is a very unique and interesting member of the Queen and Bathurst community, one of my favorite to observe as he goes about his business. With his construction attire, tool belt, and if you get closer look his impaired right eye make him impossible to miss.



Although generally in a great mood he is known to occasionally have what appear to be Schizophrenic fits consisting of yelling at nothing in particular throwing things around. On a good day he's some sort of one man clean up crew, often carrying a rake and a garbage bin around until it's filled to the brim with various waste he's collected around the neighborhood.



Danny is notorious for offering various items he's found to lucky passerby's which reminds me of by far my best experience with him yet. One afternoon he approached a friend and I saying he'd found something we might like as he pulled a stack of trading cards form his pocket, each one with a different horse on it, including their names and a bio. After gladly accepting his gift we thanked him and we parted ways.



On another note I also recently enjoyed watching him jam out on a guitar hero video game remote guitar, completely in his own imaginary happy place, without a doubt playing a sold out ACC. He never asks anyone for anything, takes pride in keeping his neighborhood clean and adds some much appreciated entertainment into the mix. All I half left to say is go, Danny!

Dude, Where's My Beer?

These environmentally friendly little people assumed by many to be husband and wife are a great addition to the blog in this time of giving thanks. Where they reside nobody knows, they can be spotted with their grocery carts anywhere from Trinity Bellwoods, Little Italy, The Annex, Kensington, China town, and of course at the Beer Store.



Not only are they probably earning plenty of well deserved dollars but more importantly they keep the side walks clean, the parks green, and even our own recycling bins empty. They're polite, far from shy and will rush to the scene of any public consumption of adult beverages. They always mutter a "thank you" accompanied by a semi-cigarette occupied smile, each time you put a can in their weathered little hands.



Just don't leave your beer unattended because they have no problem dumping it and turning it into 5 cents, or you could swallow a bee and that just would just suck on a whole other level. If you see them coming your way, you better start chugging! Happy Thanksgiving and a gentle pat on the back to Toronto's hardest working senior citizens.

Red Tie Affair

Meet Howard, usually around the intersection of Queen and Bathurst as well as in Alexandra park at Dundas and Bathurst. In the warmer weather he's notorious for often being shirtless wearing only a red neck tie. One afternoon this summer he passed by me with his shopping cart full of empty cans and bottles as I relaxed on a bench in the park.

I happily spared him a couple of bucks so he stuck around to to tell me a couple jokes and rant about his ongoing adventures some of which made more sense than others. I think I heard the word "jail" once or twice, but we won't get into that. Howard made my day with his enthusiastic demeanor In between talking he would impulsively burst into air guitar solos with sound effects included. Before he took off he offered me his protection should anyone "f#*k with me". I feel at ease knowing we have Howard around to lighten the mood in the neighborhood and keep things a little greener, he is a true rock star of the streets!