if I turn up dead, someone please send this to my local police department...

[Kitsa]

I just had a really weird interaction with someone. I mean, weird enough to come inside and lock the doors.

I was out in the backyard spreading some pea gravel around my gardens, when I looked up and saw a guy walking through a backyard 2 houses away. I waved, thinking he was another tenant. They're always changing and I can't keep track of them anymore. He waved back, then he started beckoning like he wanted to talk to me.

There was a fenced yard between us, with yappy dogs, and when he shouted something I couldn't hear him. He gestured that he was going around. I walked around to my front yard and waited. The dogs from next door ran through the house and were barking at him through the front window. He said "Oh, they hate me, must be a personal problem."

I was thinking, okay, out with it.

In describing this guy I'm going to have a problem. He was tall, skinny, with a baggy white t-shirt and what looked like a Notre Dame jersey tied around his waist. The weirdest thing about him is that he was affecting these super-effeminate mannerisms. I'm not talking gay, I'm talking over-the-top Rupaul shit. He wasn't walking, he was mincing. He had one hand on his hip and one hand in the air like a Restoration comedy, like he was holding an imaginary cigarette. The effect was completely bizarre.

On an instinctive level, it was straight-up "I really want you to think I'm gay" Ted Bundy kind of stuff, and that was scary as hell.

He said something I didn't understand.

"What?"

"Are you ever THINGLE."

I was so busy trying to take in all of the weird sensory data that I didn't answer for a second. I said "Yeah.." before I realized what I was saying, stalling for time, and then I said "No, uh, I have a boyfriend."

Then he made some dramatic "oh darn" kind of gesture, and said something like "Oh well, had to athk. So what have you been doing?"

"Gardening."

I swear to god he actually did a little rah-rah hip swing and said, "Well, you go, girl!" Swear to god.

He started to walk off, and I said, "Sorry, I don't want to make it awkward or anything." He didn't answer.

The weird thing is, when he walked away, he walked in the opposite direction from which he came. I mean, he was walking through a backyard that must not have been his, and when he finished talking to me he continued down the street on the sidewalk.

I was so fucking weirded out by all this that I went in the house and closed and locked all the doors and windows. I'm glad I have a giant dog and a Harpy.

Thoughts?

[Dixie]

That is very strange.
Keep an eye out for him and call the cops if you see anything weirder.
Warn your neighbors.

[kahljorn]

he's probably been injecting liquid eyeliner. It enhances beauty and beauty awareness.

ps stab him. or throw acid on his face :lol

[Kitsa]

At the boyfriend's insistence, I called the cops. I just told an officer what was going on. I felt so damn stupid imitating the guy.

[Dixie]

Well, it's for the better that the cops know what to look out for.
That's a very odd encounter and you've every right to be concerned for yourself and other people in the neighborhood.
I hope he doesn't live there.


It kinda makes me think of people I probably should have reported but didn't.

[Kitsa]

Well, I kept thinking that the gay thing seemed very obviously fake. I'm not a lesbian but at the risk of sounding like one of those people who "has (minority group) friends", I know enough legitimately gay people to be skeptical about the over-the-top stereotypical stuff. And why would someone who was gay care if I was single or not?


I was worried for myself, yeah, but also there are lots of neighborhood kids whose parents let them out at all hours and who, I figure, are equally at risk when some weird stranger is wandering the neighborhood.

[Tadao]

It defiantly sounds like he was trying to distract you from what he was doing.

[Kitsa]

Well, cops were called, report (at least a verbal one) given, and I told all the usual neighborhood kids who hang around. In one case, I actually waited for parents to get home and told them. I don't know what else I can do, but seriously that guy scared the bejesus out of me. I hope he saw the cop car driving through and figured whatever he'd planned wasn't worth it.

[Evil Robot]

Hes probably just a wandering meth head or drunk or something.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

Do you have a safety hoe just in case you could hit him with?

[kahljorn]

I'm telling you guys he has been shooting up liquid eyeliner and going on CRIME SPREES. Just like Dawn Davenport.

You ridiculous fellows.

[10,000 Volt Ghost]

"I love every fucking one of you!"

[Zomboid]

You sound like one of those weird stay-at-home neighborhood ladies that is always peering out the window.

The guy sounds nuts, but really? Calling the cops?

[Colonel Flagg]

Zom, WADR, I'm inclined to disagree. You never know who will be the next Natalee Holloway. It's entirely appropriate to report the encounter and let the cops sort it out. But then stop worrying about it.

[Evil Robot]

Buy a gun from walmart

[Kitsa]

The way I look at it is this. Random guy walking through someone's backyard...could be anything. Landscaping guy, relative, new tenant, not a copworthy thing.

Random guy waving/gesturing to me...not particularly welcome, but not a real problem. Not copworthy.

Random guy approaching me, making an effort to interact with me, and being completely creepy and bizarre as hell, asking inappropriate shit for walking up to some random woman....copworthy.

If I was out in a bar or something and someone asked me if I was single, I'd think nothing of it.

If I'm out in my yard, minding my own business, and some random stranger I'd never seen before comes up to me from several yards away and asks if I'm single/alone before continuing down the street in the other direction...that's weird and copworthy.

I'm perfectly willing to mind my own business if everyone else will.

[LordSappington]

Actually, a gay friend of mine acts exactly like you just described. Still, better paranoid and alive.

[Kitsa]

But I bet he doesn't give a shit whether some random woman in her yard is single or not.

[Zomboid]

Zom, WADR, I'm inclined to disagree. You never know who will be the next Natalee Holloway. It's entirely appropriate to report the encounter and let the cops sort it out. But then stop worrying about it.

I'm 21 and used to seeing sketchy characters, so maybe I'm just having a hard time seeing things from that point of view.

Thing is, though, I can appreciate someone being worried about a really odd character and calling the cops, but going up and down the neighborhood to inform everyone, going inside, locking the door and hiding with a big dog seems pretty over the top.

At my old place, my roommate's grandparents lived next door and they were forever doing shit like that. I just find those really introverted people that act like the neighborhood watch hilarious.

Edit: And dwelling on the "single" thing to the point where it was "the thing that tipped you off" just reeks of one of those people I described.

"There was... Jus' somethin' odd 'bout that fella. He walked very odd. I think he was maybe carrying a gun or drugs or something. Or planning to murder us all. Dear God! Harold, get the gun in case he comes back!"

[Kitsa]

fuck if I care what you think. He creeped me out and I called the cops.

[Tadao]

Yeah but I believe Michael Moore went to Canada and checked to see if everyone left their doors unlocked there. And yes they did. You guys have a better neighborhood feeling than we do here. The problem we have is that most people here won't do what Kitsa did and a lot of bad shit happens because we are nosey but not vocal.

[Zomboid]

fuck if I care what you think. He creeped me out and I called the cops.

Yeah? Well you're a soulless ginger.

Edit: Yeah, my mom always leaves the door unlocked in my hometown. I live in a shitty neighborhood, so I lock my door and keep a machete next to my bed in case any mincing homosexuals decide to prance by the front of the house! :O

[Tadao]

That reminds me, I need to see his movie on healthcare.

[Kitsa]

Did you even read what I said? I don't think he was actually gay. It was more like someone doing a bad act of what they thought "gay" looked like.

[Zomboid]

Yes, that's quite perceptive of you. It's a good thing the neighborhood has you to look out for its interests. Heaven forbid anything should happen to old Mrs. Mcleary's lawn gnomes.

[Kitsa]

How long can I keep you going on this front?

I'll reiterate some point of my story that has been discussed at an earlier point in the thread.

You imply my latent homophobia and make some sort of colorful speculation about me being the nosy bitch in the neighborhood, making things difficult for hardworking, flaming passerby.

No, really. Because it's so entertaining for you, me and everyone.

[Zomboid]

Isn't it getting late out? Shouldn't you be monitoring the garbage cans or something?

[Kitsa]

I don't care enough about US-Canadian Asshole Relations to uncall the cops, so I'm afraid we're just going to have to leave it at that, zomboid.

Say something else clever to leave a really good last-word impression.

[Zomboid]

Eh!

[Emu]

I get threatened by psychos on a daily basis, and I'm still here. You'll be fine.

[Zomboid]

Also, what the fuck? I make fun of your old lady habits and you assume that I'm making fun of you for being American? I believe I mentioned, a couple times, that I've seen people around here do that, too.

Yeesh, you people.

Not Americans; gingers.

[Fathom Zero]

:lol

[Evil Robot]

OK look, if the fucking guy was tresspassing in your neighboors yard, acting in a way undefitting of people in the area, aproaching you and basically asking if you are alone, you did the right thing. We have a saying in NYC, if you see something, say something. There are so many bad neighboorhoods that would be great places if people would accept the fact that THIS IS WHY COPS COLLECT PAYCHECKS. I'm going to guess from previous posts that this is not normal for where you live. Bottom line is you saw something that didn't fit and it raised an alarm in your head. I can't think of any reason this situation would occur unless the guy was looking for a way into a dwelling for god knows what.

Being nosy is complaining about cars being parked in front of mailboxes, or dogs shitting in the wrong place. Being nosy is NOT notifying the police about a stranger to the area milling around the backs of peoples houses when thier not home. Living in the NYC I've seen a great deal of weirdos, but this is strange for any location. YOU DID EXACTLY WHAT YOUR SUPPOSED TO DO. Imagine if you were explaingin this to the police when they questioned you about your nieghboors 4 year old son going missing? Then who face would be red?

[Zomboid]

Her's, cause she's a ginger.

[Evil Robot]

I should mention that anyone who contradicts me is a terrorist as well as gay.

[Womti]

well then you can consider me queer, you fag.

[Evil Robot]

Sherlock Homeless, I don't understand, I have been on this board for close to a decade and I have never seen you post anything that would lead me to belive otherwise. BTW from the looks of your previous posts you have an unhealthy obsession with Guitar Woman. You are also one of those people who have been here a while but this is the first I've ever heared of you. What the fuck board have you been posting in, that stupid art shit forum? Is this your first post in general blabber? One more outburst and youll be on my shit list of people who are quickly defeated/banned.

[Womti]

I was previously known as *****, in case you dont remember. :rolleyes

[Evil Robot]

No I don't and now I hate you.

[Emu]

hahahah womti womti womti

what the fuck you bleeped yourself

[LordSappington]

Dude, here in Austin, this shit is fairly normal. Suck it up; if he really WAS gay, it's not like he'd rape you.

[Kitsa]

I don't think he was gay. I think he was being strange. I called the cops, the cops came, I told them, end of story. It's over now.

[Pub Lover]

Kitsa, you initiated contact. In the faux-homosexual community, of which I'm a well respected member, waving means that you wish to copulate vigorously in public. :themoreyouknow

[Kitsa]

Well, fuck, where were you when I needed you? I could have set you guys up.

[LordSappington]

I don't think he was gay. I think he was being strange. I called the cops, the cops came, I told them, end of story. It's over now.
Then why are you bawwwing to the forum about it?

[kahljorn]

DIDNT TED BUNDY OR SOMESHIT HAVE A LISP AND SHOOT UP EYELINER BEFORE HE KILLED PEOPLE?

WHAT A COPYFAG

[executioneer]

lordsappington would you care to actually read this thread once please

[LordSappington]

Of course not; I'm far too important to actually read her posts.

[Colonel Flagg]

:rolleyes

[Kitsa]

I just realized I left out a really, really important component to this story.

There's a halfway house within 5 mins' walking distance from here; minimum security. There's also an apartment complex that serves as some sort of halfway house for sex offenders about 10 mins' walking distance from here.

[Evil Robot]

So is is in fact a mixed up meth head then.

[Evil Robot]

Perhaps you could put out a havahart trap around the garbage and if you catch him just let him go somewhere else.

[Tadao]

Nah he would just take it and try to sell it for 10 bag of crystal.

[Kitsa]

I don't know if he was a meth head or not, I just know he was weird and I'm glad I haven't seen him since.

[Tadao]

I'm almost positive he was. Meth heads tend to belive that property doesn't exist and we all share what we can when we can. He probally left his half broken walkman in the backyard while he was looking for something new to tweak on.

[LordSappington]

Well, now he's just starting to sound like a hardcore hippie.

[Tadao]

PPlease stop pretending like you know about hippies.

[Colonel Flagg]

PPlease stop pretending like you know about hippies.

:lol

[LordSappington]

I live in Austin, for Christ's sake. If I haven't gotten my share of hippie sightings, I haven't been paying attention.

[Tadao]

Hell, I've been to dozens of Dead shows and I don't even claim to have seen a hippie.

[Kitsa]

I know children of notorious hippies but no actual hippies (personally). I've spoken with a big 60s drug figure but speaking to them isn't the same as knowing them.

[Colonel Flagg]

Hell, I've been to dozens of Dead shows and I don't even claim to have seen a hippie.

I knew plenty of hippies, mostly by sight, occasionally by stench, almost never by name. I tended to run and hide when confronted by long unwashed hair, smelly drugs and "make love not war" protests. I was indeed born without a spine.

Growing up in the 60's sucked balls, at least if you're me. :( I guess the only thing I can look back on fondly is that most of them are dead now, and I'm not ... or so I'm told. :\

[Tadao]

Yeah, I wasn't born till right after Vietnam ended. After the war, there were no hippies in my opinion. There were only stubborn people who refused to bend and believed that trying to force there way of life on someone was less evil than the other guy.

[Babs]

You made a thread about a gay Notre Dame fan?

I mean I thought fags were were explained in the early 90's. He's not going to be the only queer wandering around in your garden.

[Kitsa]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn199/kitsa_for_imockery/readingcomprehension.gif

[Babs]

CONGRATULATIONS YOU LEARNED HOW TO USE PHOTOBUCKET

[Kitsa]

are you PMSing or something? Have you completely forgotten that I'm one of the few people here who's usually on your side?

[Tadao]

He's at that rebellious stage, next he's gonna get a motorcycle.

[Sam]

He probably just doesn't want a homophobe on his side. :rolleyes

[Kitsa]

I happen to be of the school of thought that going out of your way NOT to mention that someone had a weird, over-the-top effeminate manner is more homophobic than going ahead and mentioning it.

People add in their own connotations.

[Babs]

Watch out for Kitsa, SHE might fag you to death.

[LordSappington]

Your train of thought derailed somewhere along the way, it would seem.

[Babs]

I want your body

[kahljorn]

bablity was prolly the gay guy in your neighbors yard.

Now you've hurt his feelings :(

he was only on a JURNEY to find the most important beauty product of all time.

[ZeldaQueen]

Wow, that must have been freaky Kitsa.

I'm betting the guy was either crazy (or drunk or something similar) or possibly just trying to freak you out. Like he was some idiot who thought "Well, I'm cutting through here, might as well screw with this person's mind a little".

[Tadao]

You should get a job as a reviewer.

[LordSappington]

Maybe you should start a video blog, so the world can hear your nervous breakdowns straight from your mouth.

[Kitsa]

Shit, I hadn't thought that it might have been Babs. He lives closest to me. This might go a long way toward explaining why he suddenly started being a dick.

[Skulhedface]

It's the internet. The only reason anyone has to be a dick on the internet is because it's the internet. It's almost like the chicken and the egg, "Which came first? The anonymous, consequence free assholery or the ISP?"

[kahljorn]

al gore came first dude :rolleyes

[Skulhedface]

That's what Tipper said :rolleyes:

[Nick]

See. This is why I don't talk to people.

Or leave the house.




It's scary out there. :(