I think the likes of Tommy Cheesbits often become 'characters' in retrospect, and that's probably for the best. Sadly, today, the label is all too often pinned to social misfits. And I cringe when I hear members of the caring professions using the word to patronise those whose needs they don't fully understand.
If I was still working, I would be joining you on 30th.
I met this character in the Union Cross in Halifax once - he was a real character (we must meet up for another pint soon Tony). There was an old chap who used to have a pitch just outside Lewins, grand old fellow who used to tell me tales of his time tramping the road. And then there was Lilly Fogg!
Two points. Firstly is the "Join Labour" sign satirical? I mean, if it was pre 1997 Labour I would consider. Newsnight tells us there is sweet F.A between Miliband & Camergoon on economic policy, but, hey, as Blair said, we all knew that. Characters? If I had more time I'd regale you of one from my Dad's youth. Some thought of him as a village idiot. Today we call it Shell Shock.
Alan...Lilly Fogg!!!!Is The Internet Ready For Lilly ?:) Yes, Alan, A Pint Would Be Cool.I Will email you with possible dates.... Ciaran.No ,the Labour Sign isn't satirical. Sometimes its supporting what should be rather than what is. Lord knows,Labour has destroyed & wasted many opportunities.....But I don't see or feel any alternative . Martin.I had never thought of it before.Maybe 2 kinds of Character ? (1)a label given by lazy observers. Or (2) a persona created (like an Artist!)by the person themself.... to either illuminate or disguise [or both] Brian! We Are all Characters ,But Such Guys Are Oscar-Winners!
Tony, I have a very wonderful 'character' in my life right now whose tales I love to hear. I use character in the very best sense of the word - those wonderful folk who march to the beat of a different drummer.
Thanks for the reminder to take a photo! Now, how to capture him on film so that all his charm shines through ...
The Liberals are probably the sole left of centre party. But could do with de Clegging. As for Labour, you plough a lonely furrow, give me a shout if they ever regain their soul.
"In Los Angeles earlier this week, approximately 10,000 people lined up for free turkey dinners.
10,000 people."
this is from here: http://www.blacklistednews.com/The_Global_Economy_is_in_Big_Trouble/16717/0/38/38/Y/M.html
things are gonna get scarily shitty in the next 5yrs or less, tony...i am v.frightened....i suggest buying lots of dried goods that can sustain for 6 months, a gas cooker and plenty of those big water drums you see in offices.
i believe that when those who 'run the world, behind-the-scenes of common times' have their gameplan enacted we might all be characters then - particular the peculiar, our bare raw ids, the confectionery concealment of which was afforded by the 'system', laid bare, and...hopefully...it will be greater than the sum of its parts...great song, too
I believe that everyone has a story to tell if we can engage and listen....your first photo of the woman looks like something from the John Steinbeck novel, "Grapes of Wrath" I think missing mass to talk to the "character" was a good tactic
Pat.....The Photo has been photoshoped in order to superimpose British Prime Minister's Head....! Danny.....It's Back-To-The-Future but not in a nice way.Thanks for the link I will put it on the main body of the post.People Are Sleepwalking in a Stephen King-Fashion.It's very Real.It's Very Dark.The Depth is scary....I Dropped a coin in The Well 5 minutes ago...& it still hasn't touched the water.
I remember one of the 'Characters' in my town was the looney, as we called him, who chased us all just to hear us scream. Now he was shell shocked, PTSD, we call it now. When I was in Jamaica there were what looked like beautiful flowers and bushes along the side of the road outside of the town where we took a road safari, after we passed by we looked back and there were dozens of folks taking off the top of the outfit and walking away. They would come back when the next safari was due. Nothing is sacred anymore. Not even the natural sights of a tourist town. Great post. QMM
Love the clarity of photo No 1 :-) and I'm with you on the pensions thing. As a child growing up in Edinburgh, we had many local "characters" one of whom hung around the school gate at Home Time. He always had a lit cigarette in each hand and smoked them alternately. We knew him (from the older kids) as "The Convict" and we were afraid of him. He was probably just a lonely man and I wish I had taken time to speak to him a little, but was too frightened. Jo
I read an article about eccentrics in Britain and why the British culture engenders eccentricity, but I no longer remember the reason. Maybe it's 'more repression=more eccentricity"?
Kurt ,I'm not sure The Brits are more eccentric than Johnny Foreigner.It's just we take a peverse pride in it! Marilyn.I Like Him! Dominic.I'm not if sure I have met/seen Joan? Yes, truly wicked what those 2 men did..although heartening to read the support she got....It reminds me of a facebook page last year that was set up ridiculing a bloke from Halifax.He has a learning disability.They even posted Google map photos with him in view (how creepy) .Loads of people complained & the page was taken down. My place of work is closed,so i probably wont need to picket....But ,no doubt, I will be waving flags somewhere! QMM... you've given me ideas should Halifax ever get invaded by tourists! Thanks sunny,FrankandMary imagespast....."The Convict" is a pretty Cool name to be known by! Bob,Jinksy .Thank You.
An incredible post again by you! Thanks... I too say long live those charming (and sometimes not so charming) characters that grace our lives and are never forgotten, not for long anyway!
First, be careful on wednesday if your day of action means public manifestation. since the "occupy' movement, cops are itchy to hurt someone...
I like charaters, even if they impress me much usually. In my district, there was an old man who dressed as a king, with the crown and the hermine coat and all. The king of what? I never knew. Another one dressed as an orthodox priest of some kind but I suspect he was a fraud, though there is an orthodox church near by, but my building back then was not the place for a priest being a place of ill repute. It's now changing but back then... Oh boy!! Like a brothel with a monthly fee, with laundry room and garage... the homeless folks are less scary. :)~ HUGZ
I remember in Eynsford, there was a man who we all used to call the bucket man. Whenever there was a hot day all the kids used to bundle to Eynsford for a paddle in the ford. The bucket man used to provide us all with... er... buckets and then a massive water fight would ensue. It was great fun, he was always there. He looked a bit like Mr Bean. Sx
there are at least 20 good reasons why that top photo of Dorothea Lange's is a revered classic. photo-journalism = 1000 words.
Robert Morley (English actor, deceased)is infamous for saying: "I like the working class. I like to sit in the window of White's and watch them outside in the rain."
30 comments:
very cool...i like talking to characters actually...they always have rather entertaining stories....
I think the likes of Tommy Cheesbits often become 'characters' in retrospect, and that's probably for the best. Sadly, today, the label is all too often pinned to social misfits. And I cringe when I hear members of the caring professions using the word to patronise those whose needs they don't fully understand.
If I was still working, I would be joining you on 30th.
I met this character in the Union Cross in Halifax once - he was a real character (we must meet up for another pint soon Tony). There was an old chap who used to have a pitch just outside Lewins, grand old fellow who used to tell me tales of his time tramping the road. And then there was Lilly Fogg!
Two points. Firstly is the "Join Labour" sign satirical? I mean, if it was pre 1997 Labour I would consider. Newsnight tells us there is sweet F.A between Miliband & Camergoon on economic policy, but, hey, as Blair said, we all knew that.
Characters? If I had more time I'd regale you of one from my Dad's youth. Some thought of him as a village idiot. Today we call it Shell Shock.
Alan...Lilly Fogg!!!!Is The Internet Ready For Lilly ?:)
Yes, Alan, A Pint Would Be Cool.I Will email you with possible dates....
Ciaran.No ,the Labour Sign isn't satirical. Sometimes its supporting what should be rather than what is. Lord knows,Labour has destroyed & wasted many opportunities.....But I don't see or feel any alternative .
Martin.I had never thought of it before.Maybe 2 kinds of Character ? (1)a label given by lazy observers. Or (2) a persona created (like an Artist!)by the person themself.... to either illuminate or disguise [or both]
Brian! We Are all Characters ,But Such Guys Are Oscar-Winners!
Tony,
I have a very wonderful 'character' in my life right now whose tales I love to hear. I use character in the very best sense of the word - those wonderful folk who march to the beat of a different drummer.
Thanks for the reminder to take a photo! Now, how to capture him on film so that all his charm shines through ...
The Liberals are probably the sole left of centre party. But could do with de Clegging. As for Labour, you plough a lonely furrow, give me a shout if they ever regain their soul.
The Old Liberal yea......Ummm A Politician with A Soul!Now That's A Radical Concept!
"In Los Angeles earlier this week, approximately 10,000 people lined up for free turkey dinners.
10,000 people."
this is from here: http://www.blacklistednews.com/The_Global_Economy_is_in_Big_Trouble/16717/0/38/38/Y/M.html
things are gonna get scarily shitty in the next 5yrs or less, tony...i am v.frightened....i suggest buying lots of dried goods that can sustain for 6 months, a gas cooker and plenty of those big water drums you see in offices.
i believe that when those who 'run the world, behind-the-scenes of common times' have their gameplan enacted we might all be characters then - particular the peculiar, our bare raw ids, the confectionery concealment of which was afforded by the 'system', laid bare, and...hopefully...it will be greater than the sum of its parts...great song, too
I believe that everyone has a story to tell if we can engage and listen....your first photo of the woman looks like something from the John Steinbeck novel, "Grapes of Wrath" I think missing mass to talk to the "character" was a good tactic
Pat.....The Photo has been photoshoped in order to superimpose British Prime Minister's Head....!
Danny.....It's Back-To-The-Future but not in a nice way.Thanks for the link I will put it on the main body of the post.People Are Sleepwalking in a Stephen King-Fashion.It's very Real.It's Very Dark.The Depth is scary....I Dropped a coin in The Well 5 minutes ago...& it still hasn't touched the water.
I remember one of the 'Characters' in my town was the looney, as we called him, who chased us all just to hear us scream. Now he was shell shocked, PTSD, we call it now. When I was in Jamaica there were what looked like beautiful flowers and bushes along the side of the road outside of the town where we took a road safari, after we passed by we looked back and there were dozens of folks taking off the top of the outfit and walking away. They would come back when the next safari was due. Nothing is sacred anymore. Not even the natural sights of a tourist town.
Great post.
QMM
I could listen to men like Donald John all day. I'm so glad you spent time with them.
Politicians, all colours, I wouldn't give them time of day.
Fascinating post and pictures...
Love the clarity of photo No 1 :-) and I'm with you on the pensions thing. As a child growing up in Edinburgh, we had many local "characters" one of whom hung around the school gate at Home Time. He always had a lit cigarette in each hand and smoked them alternately. We knew him (from the older kids) as "The Convict" and we were afraid of him. He was probably just a lonely man and I wish I had taken time to speak to him a little, but was too frightened. Jo
My sepia roots are coming in.
Oh, yes. Much nicer.
It is awful hard(for me) to hate.
I read an article about eccentrics in Britain and why the British culture engenders eccentricity, but I no longer remember the reason. Maybe it's 'more repression=more eccentricity"?
Agree about the focus thing. Are you picketting? There are many people like me (an MU member, so not directly involved) who could be picketted out.
Talk of Halifax characters reminds me of Joan Ellison who sits (does she still?) on the wall outside the garage on Boothtown Road.
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/thugs_film_joan_s_soaking_and_post_it_on_youtube_1_1911916
Interesting post. My husband's 97 year old uncle is very much a character, he is one of a kind.
http://mymagpiecollection.blogspot.com/2010/10/outing-with-elderly-person.html
LIKE THE POST MR TONY.
Kurt ,I'm not sure The Brits are more eccentric than Johnny Foreigner.It's just we take a peverse pride in it!
Marilyn.I Like Him!
Dominic.I'm not if sure I have met/seen Joan? Yes, truly wicked what those 2 men did..although heartening to read the support she got....It reminds me of a facebook page last year that was set up ridiculing a bloke from Halifax.He has a learning disability.They even posted Google map photos with him in view (how creepy) .Loads of people complained & the page was taken down.
My place of work is closed,so i probably wont need to picket....But ,no doubt, I will be waving flags somewhere!
QMM... you've given me ideas should Halifax ever get invaded by tourists!
Thanks sunny,FrankandMary
imagespast....."The Convict" is a pretty Cool name to be known by!
Bob,Jinksy .Thank You.
I remember characters like that in my own home town.
The guy on the horse emerging from the fog on the moors must have really looked like an apparition! :0
An incredible post again by you! Thanks... I too say long live those charming (and sometimes not so charming) characters that grace our lives and are never forgotten, not for long anyway!
First, be careful on wednesday if your day of action means public manifestation. since the "occupy' movement, cops are itchy to hurt someone...
I like charaters, even if they impress me much usually. In my district, there was an old man who dressed as a king, with the crown and the hermine coat and all. The king of what? I never knew. Another one dressed as an orthodox priest of some kind but I suspect he was a fraud, though there is an orthodox church near by, but my building back then was not the place for a priest being a place of ill repute. It's now changing but back then...
Oh boy!!
Like a brothel with a monthly fee, with laundry room and garage...
the homeless folks are less scary.
:)~
HUGZ
Spectacular picture! I really love the post, you amaze me.
Sample Letters
I remember in Eynsford, there was a man who we all used to call the bucket man. Whenever there was a hot day all the kids used to bundle to Eynsford for a paddle in the ford. The bucket man used to provide us all with... er... buckets and then a massive water fight would ensue. It was great fun, he was always there. He looked a bit like Mr Bean.
Sx
It seems like you have met a few characters in your life Tony.;)
The first image made me chuckle, hehe.;)
xoxo
If our hair all turned sepia when we got older we'd be wishing it would turn grey instead.
there are at least 20 good reasons why that top photo of Dorothea Lange's is a revered classic. photo-journalism = 1000 words.
Robert Morley (English actor, deceased)is infamous for saying:
"I like the working class. I like to sit in the window of White's and watch them outside in the rain."
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