[Story] Pan Handlers of Oakland

Early in my college experience, I loved to hang out on Forbes Avenue in Oakland with the homeless guys.  Other than some spare change they never asked anything of me.  I could just sit there with them and not have to be a good role model or smart or responsible or inspiring or anything other than just some person sitting on the ground.

http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/pittsburgh/bill-dorseys-blues/Content?oid=1334782

Those familiar with the early 2000's Oakland streets would remember an older gentleman who was blind and would sit on a milk crate containing a boom box, singing beautifully as he rocked back and forth.  His name was Mr. Dorsey.  He wasn't homeless, actually.  He had an apartment that he received disability money to pay for.  He did, however, lack in funds for other things, like food and clothes, and in a place to go every day.  Mr. Dorsey was no sit-around-the-house type of guy.  He tried to get a job, but no one wanted to hire an old blind man.  Once some drunk preppy white guys spit on him.  Some really awesome other guys beat the crap out of them a block later.  He called me Princess Jennifer.
(More about Mr. Dorsey)

http://africatalan.wordpress.com/2008/06/

Another beloved character of South Oakland at that time was Sombrero Man.  Lloyd Hamilton could often be found on the sidewalk saying "Have any chaaaaaange?  Change?" He was difficult to have a conversation with because he was very focused on the "Change" part of the moment.  Sometimes he would sleep in Rite-Aid in the blood pressure chair, which made me like the Rite-Aid people extra, so I usually picked up what I needed there instead of any other local options. One Easter, he bought a bunch of Cadbury Eggs and had them in his sombrero.  I was sitting next to him, because why not, really, and every time someone gave him any change, he'd give them one of the eggs.  This was probably not too effective, financially, but it was fun to watch people deal with the surprise.  
(More about Sombrero Man)