Laurie: Just came in off the streets, and although it was not a unique idea on one of the sunniest days of 2010 thus far, it was definitely frightening.  Where do all the freaks go in the winter?  Is there a housing place where they lay in wait for good weather?  Today there were out in full force.  Knobby-kneed men in Bermuda shorts, knee socks and sandals already made their appearance in February so today the under-buttocks-look-at-my-underwear jeans were all the rage for the guys.  The females have found yet another way to confuse men looking for hookers.  They go straight to the Look at my Ass Wear with low-rise I-dream-of-Jeanie-pants, no underwear, and sequined bras.  Conservative apparel, no doubt, because this is Sunday.  Can’t wait to see the Saturday outfits.

elizabeth: Sounds like someone’s country roots are taking hold of her. We need to embrace our inner freak and come up with new terms for the un-freaky out there. When I was a freak, I wore that title proudly. I stood out. I made people uncomfortable because they never took the time to know me and my dress made them think that I was out to overthrow the government or date their sons. They called us freaks.  I did date their sons.

Knobby-kneed men in Bermuda shorts, knee socks and sandals does not make a freak. It makes for someone who winters in Florida. Under-the-buttocks look goes under “President Obama would like to speak to you” category.

Laurie: And it’s not just what they wear.  A group of drunk men shuffling along stopped to speak to a lady waiting for a bus.  After several attempts to communicate, they finally made it clear that she should step aside so they could retrieve a half-smoked cigarette from the sidewalk.  She decided to walk to her destination.  A few blocks later a picnic was going on in the recess of a door.  Pizza and beer seemed to be the dietary fare.  And further down on the same street a man slept with a cup prominently sitting on his chest, just in case you wanted to make a monetary contribution to his nap.  Bands of folks talking to themselves passed in droves, and there were no electronic gadgets protruding from their ears.  They were obviously plugged into another world altogether.  It was an obstacle course of bad taste, trashy appearances, and unwell people.   Hunker down – text on your cell phone, turn up your iPod, and move briskly.  The Freak Show has come to town.

elizabeth: When I lived in the East 80s, they released a lot of people from a hospital who had no business being on the street. Our neighborhood turned into “The Day and Night of the Living Dead.”  You didn’t know if these people were dangerous to themselves or us, and it was so upsetting to see the faces of lost potential going through your garbage. Freaks, I don’t think so. Thrown away, perhaps. Just a black eye for all of us. Except the guy in the Bermuda shorts. Obviously nothing bothers him.

© 2010, Coaches on the Edge ™

If you would like to learn more about Laurie, please go to her site: Empowered Life Journeys.

Stop by at elizabeth’s site at: Branching Out Life Coaching