For a number of months now there's been something strange going on in my neighbourhood. It might not strike you as odd at first, but when you consider the weather north of the 49th parallel in January and February, you might also become suspicious. At different times of the day, there is a man who stands outside the apartment building across the street. It doesn't really seem to matter how cold it is outside, he will be out there with a scarf wrapped around his face, a dark long jacket on, and some type of computer-ish device held up close to his face. Sometimes when returning from work, or an evening pursuit (usually curling), you can stand on the corner across the street and watch him for a while. He never seems to get self-conscious and never looks at you. This strikes me as a bit strange because you know that feeling you get when somebody is watching you...it feels like somebody's watching you. Well, I don't think that this guy gets that feeling. Anyhow, I've been trying to build up enough nerve to go and talk to the guy and find out what he's doing, but I thought that I'd put it out there and see if anybody had words of wisdom about this type of thing. If I go talk to him and find out what he's doing, maybe I'll get sucked into the goings on of the underground (gasp!). Maybe he'll start text messaging me all the time asking for hot beverages, or one of those hot packs that you can put in your mittens.
I have narrowed it down to three and three only potential activities that this man may be undertaking. Do you think he's: a) hacking the open neighbourhood wireless connections and making a fortune on ebay while avoiding paying for internet service to his home, b) using this computer type device to conduct surveillance of his own on any of the surrounding neighbours - including Katherine and I, or c) arranging drug deals for our super duper sketchy neighbours downstairs, who we highly suspect of running drugs from our apartment.
5 comments:
Geez - get a better picture during daylight.
Don't you have a telephoto lens?
Seriously, I would not approach him directly, as he could be a whacko. You could "casually" walk by him and find out what the device is. The next step would be to call the police to report a suspicious character. Then see what kind of reception they give him.
Don't worry, I'll be keeping an eye out for this fellow and then next time I see him in the daylight I'll get out my telephoto lens and post some more pics so that the anonymous public can give me some more informed feedback. I like the "casual" walk-by approach but I'm still scared he might use his electro-thing to "casually" read my credit card information from my wallet and charge up big expenses at the local Super-8.
I think he's doing D) all of the above.
Be careful!
imnotchris, I think that this electronic device may in fact be a vaporizer, a vaporizer that his partner won't let him use in the apartment. So, he's confined to a life of standing outside, regardless of weather conditions, to consume his illicit substances of choice. I suspect that his demeanor is quite phlegmatic and uninspiring, and he will cause you no trouble if approached as a brother of the leaf.
I think I've got this guy figured out. I think he's performing "sousveillance" - you know, keeping an eye on "The Man" for the greater common good. Do not bother him. His work is important.
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