Atomic City Talk

You see him all over town: in blazing heat, in the rain, even when it's cold, walking briskly and with purpose. Sometimes he's carrying a couple of bags of groceries, sometimes an umbrella, or sometimes just swinging his arms in his characteristic gait, long white beard parting in the breeze.

There's got to be a terrific story there, but I don't know it. Do you?

There is also Sauntering Shirtless Man who often makes appearances at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays.

Yes. He is an Alien, visiting from another dimension. Local Legend says that if you can touch his long white beard, you get one free wish. No one has been able to keep up with him. If you watch him carefully when he walks, you will see that he has the ability to levitate over crosswalks, and sidewalk obstructions. His plaid Shirt, Khaki pants, and hat are all part of his Uniform, required by his Military, in the other dimension. he also has a holographic image projector, that he uses to project himseldf all over the city. That explains why you might se him on different parts of town, going in different directions at almost the same time. He was also a student of Dr. Steven Hawking, who shared with him the secrets of Black Holes. Oak Ridge has so much residual excess energy from the Manhattan Project, that Black holes are plentiful, and make his travel between dimensions very easy.

Emile:

Perhaps it's an acquired taste, but I like your sense-of-humor.

On the other hand, someone in another recent thread mentioned microdot. I remember those times ... and I gotta wonder if LSD's making a comeback.

Wait a minute - check out Emile's avatar. Remove the bowler hat, slip on some walking clothes, and look closely.

It's the Walking Man!

When my nieces were younger, they nicknamed him "The Mad Walker". Every time they saw him they would yell "Mad Walker! Mad Walker!" That was probably 15 years ago, and ever since then I've found myself chanting that same phrase whenever I see him. Even The Spouse has started saying it.

Ya know, I'm starting to think he's Oak Ridge's own version of the Energizer Bunny...

Perhaps RG, though i have not witnessed as much by todays youth as say 30 years ago.

Thanks Beav. My Avatar has been compared to Kate Smith, and now the Walking Man. Both Honorable people.

Also known as "The Crazy Greek." He's been around almost as long as the Mad Walker. A few years ago he had to quit after suffering a stroke, but he's back in full force now.

Actually, he was hit by a car near the Civic Center.