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!