She's enjoying the warm sunshine as she glides down the crowded sidewalk when suddenly she's jolted into harsh reality by a loud person wearing a dark pin-striped suit and holding a sleek handmade sign emblazoned with terms such as "WHORING", "FORNICATOR", and "JESUS". Shocked, she looks directly into the man's exploding firecracker eyes and is held prisoner by the intensity of his steely gaze. Suddenly without breaking eye contact, he bellows, "Wipe that damn lipstick off your face, you filthy Jezebel!" She averts her gaze and continues on her way. The smile never leaves her face as she reaches for the compact in her purse to quickly reapply a thick coat of raging scarlet across her delicate sinful lips. Market Street, San Francisco, CA.
I wanted to ask him what a COVETOUS SORCERER was, but changed my mind after observing him direct his maniacal wrath toward every single soul who happened to pass him by. Besides, I was a little drunk and proud - that would have set him off. Las Vegas, NV.
Sweet elderly Chinese man with big smile waves at passerbys while displaying signs encouraging the suicides (on behalf of God) of George Bush and Dick Cheney as he implores America to wake up. At least he was polite and asked nicely with "please". Chinatown, San Francisco, CA.
His mission in life is to stand on the same sidewalk day after day hollering unintelligible garble at passing traffic for hours on end. Apparently a local Seattle apartment complex, along with the Seattle police angered him so much that he's devoted his life to street protesting and has been at it for years. No one's really sure of the injustice the apartment complex unleashed upon him or why he considers the police to be "devil communists". He often carries a colorful handmade staff festooned with sequins and glitter. I tried to buy it off him once, but he refused to sell it.
Downtown Seattle, WA.
This is my very favorite San Francisco eccentric next to
The Brown Twins.
Frank Chu spends his days strolling the streets and is never seen without his mysterious and intriguing sign (which changes daily). Many of the phrases making appearances on his sign (such as
VATRODRUNIAL, UTTERCEDING OPACITY,or
APERTURES ULTRACOMPACTS) make no sense to anyone but Frank himself. His best known phrase is
12 GALAXIES, which has become his trademark. He loves his photo taken and was nice enough to pose for a few shots.
Market Steet, San Francisco, CA.
I'm endlessly intrigued by Frank Chu. It's been unsettling over the last two years as the number of Galaxies, which had been stable at 12 for a decade, started growing exponentially. 44; 257; 3,567; 4,677,999... He got up over 85 trillion and took all references to the galaxies off the sign for a few months... and then it was back on again, but a lower number... and then it was off again. It's all very confusing, but I think I'm getting closer to figuring it out.
It was cool to see other luminaries in the field.
Posted by: John U | August 25, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I love that the tag on the cuff of his suit is still there... Is he planning on returning it?
Posted by: Mintz | August 25, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Maybe this is why they say the "West Coast is the Best Coast"!
I can't wait to join you crazies out West. Make way for Jerms!
Kisses,
Jermy
Posted by: jerms | August 25, 2009 at 02:21 PM
One has to love such an equal opportunity Cheeses Freak, he has something for everyone. But as an 'effeminate reviler' (too clumsy to be a proud drunk) I have to ask two things"
What is the Malicious ---mongerers? I can't make out the word, and I might be that as well.
And, what is the 'process' for building these signs? Do you think they sit before the cozy fire place with a nice glass of Cabernet, like I do when I am fashioning books and cards for friends?
Thank you 14, for sharing such a fantastic slice of city life! Can't wait to see it in person!
love,
Vernifimongerer
Posted by: Vern | August 26, 2009 at 08:05 AM
As a long lost friend of mine, Denny once said, "Bitches are crazy."
Posted by: Sweet Subversion | August 26, 2009 at 08:17 AM
I need to get down there so I can see The Brown Twins first hand. They're my second reason for visiting of course, but still...
Hello, my future! I will be wearing a top hat instead of a cowboy hat and the hair will be red of course, but it'll be leopard print all the way!
Posted by: Tipsy | August 26, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Isn't San Fran just the best place in the whole world? Being only 15 minutes away, I have an opportunity to enjoy this magnificent place at my leisure, lavish myself (when my bank acct allows it) in great clothing from some of the most well known designer stores, choose from an endless selection of restaurants for a snack, learn about how God hates the proud and the drunk (or is that the drunk and the proud? I get them confused.), gain an understanding of new and unintelligible words to build my vocabulary with, and learn some astronomy without the troublesome hassle of going across the city to Golden Gate Park. Great pix, 14. You're the best!
Posted by: MJed Lance Von T. | August 28, 2009 at 01:31 PM
I'm with you tipsy! The Brown girls are HOT! Ditto the red hair & leopard print, but I tend to favor big straw hats.
Posted by: Vern | August 28, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Thanks for the laugh I totally needed it.
I checked out the twins too, how interesting they are.
Renee xoxo
Posted by: Renee Khan | August 30, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Loved the typography on the first two. Must be an out of work graphic designer.
Posted by: The Rural Modernist | September 17, 2009 at 02:51 PM
As an old, wise, raving idiot once said, "You are going to hell you fuzzy-eyed sodomite!"
Posted by: Suzanne | September 28, 2009 at 10:05 AM
The first sign looked very familiar to me, then I remembered where I saw it. It's just like the cover of a Boy George EP called Sweet Toxic Love. Here's a link to the cover art. http://www.rockofages.uk.com/stock/13221.jpg
What do you think?
Posted by: Leonard | November 16, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I wish this guy would just get off my back!!
Posted by: C. M. Croker | January 09, 2010 at 12:10 PM