Meet the Eccentric Neighborhood Wonders
My first encounter with Miss Tutu was eye-opening. She was a collision of color and texture‒ Wildly curled blond hair, bleached almost white, strangely mismatched to her Asian complexion; generous amounts of pink, in her scoop-neck leotard, stretched over her stout and lumpy frame, and in the bright spray of tutu lace at her waist. She was Marilyn Monroe gone mental, blankly staring with her feet dangling from a bus stop bench.
She had one companion as she waited for the bus, a teddy bear that she held closely at her side. He looked floppy and forlorn as she chatted away. Who knew what was worse for poor Teddy, the odd looks from people walking past, or listening to his companion’s stream of consciousness ramblings.
Teddy and Miss Tutu
I passed by this sight often on my way to work. After I moved to a different town, I made a discovery about my new neighborhood. I heard a “gggrrgrrr” of plastic wheels on pavement from the street outside and went to my second story window to find out what or who was passing by. I was surprised to catch sight of the unmistakable blond mop of Miss Tutu, as she dragged her rolling backpack. Uh uh! Of all the streets to move to, I’d found hers.
Miss Tutu maintains an active lifestyle, toting teddy and her rolling backpack up and down my street and bouncing around the local bus stops. This proximity affords me the opportunity to keep up with her latest crazy styles. In the summer, she sports tights and a one-piece bathing suit, and in winter, sagging wool leggings and a leopard print coat. Whenever I hear the grating of plastic on concrete I pop over to the window to see what’s new in her world.
I can’t help but be fascinated by this regular sidewalk fashion show. I spend my own life burying my weirdness from public view. What would it be like, to wear whatever I wanted? Normally I simply sigh and throw on a Target t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and tennis shoes. Anything with personality languishes untouched in my closet: my dark red, patent leather “Dorothy” shoes, a fuzzy pastel scarf that an older relative knitted me one Christmas; even my fairly inoffensive, brightly colored sundresses. To wear anything out of the ordinary, to attract attention to myself, seems too difficult to be worth the effort.
Once I was walking down to the store when I heard the noise: ggrrrgrr. She was behind me, quickly approaching. I felt trepidation and curiosity; Would we say “hi” when she passed, like the other neighbors? Would I finally get a chance to hear what she was talking to Teddy about? But it was not to be, the noise of the plastic wheels and sound of her voice veering away as she took off across the street to continue down the opposite sidewalk. I guess she liked to keep her conversations to herself. Possibly this incident revealed a glimmer of self-conscious modesty, but I’d like to believe she was trying to maintain her aura of mystery.
Writing off an eccentric like Miss Tutu as a tragic figure is overly simplistic, I think. Her life, in many ways, is probably enjoyable: She doesn’t work and gets to hang out all day with her bestie in one of the most beautiful parts of the state. The average “normal” person is often so miserable, it’s not so farfetched to think she could be happy with her oddball self.
In fact, maybe I should wear something fun tomorrow. Something pink.
Linking up with Yeah Write this week. The grid opens Tuesday if you’d like to check out the submissions, or enter your own!
Since we are on the subject of crazy neighbors… that is, my wonderfully funny bloggy ones:
I wanted to say thanks to both Natalie of The Cat Lady Sings and Irene of Left of Plumb for nominating me for a Liebster award. Nat, who was one of the very first to comment on this blog (giving me much needed encouragement to keep going when I was getting five page views a week) sent this to me a while back. I was feeling shy about answering questions and passing this award along, and still am ’cause I’m insecure like that. So instead of the traditional re-gifting, I’ll make a recommendation: If you haven’t checked out their blogs yet, please do! They are both sweet, hilarious and know how to turn a phrase.
Fascinating woman. Are you sure she isn’t a ventriloquist putting words into the mouth of her teddy? Maybe you should approach with her your own teddy and try to make conversation with her one.
Gorilla Bananas recently posted…Language lessons
I’d love to find out what she is talking about. She always has a look of concentration on her face when she talks, as though the subject is important.
How does she pay the bills? Gub’mint assistance I assume, right? I’ve come across many neighborhood eccentrics and have always given them a wide berth. They’re like time bombs. It’s only a matter of time until they let loose, and you don’t want to be the one in their path when it happens. They only look innocent.
This is a pretty nice neighborhood, so she is doing alright for herself, however she is managing. She seems pretty harmless- I mean, she didn’t want to even walk on the sidewalk next to me. This seems like a far cry from our city crazies, who constantly try to make us uncomfortable and invade our space. Still, I maintain a non-engagement policy to be safe
haha sounds like quite the show. But yeah watch from afar is the best course of action.
Pat Hatt recently posted…What Is The Perk If You Are Not At Work?
I’m not brave enough to do otherwise!
It’s all fun and games until you talk to Miss Tutu and she says, “My teddy tells me to BURN THINGS.”
Also, as the others have said, these are always best to watch from afar, because if you actually spend time getting to know them, you will be disappointed. Guaranteed. Either they’ll be violent and volatile, or they’ll be completely boring and just happen to dress a little weird.
That’s why I prefer to not know and I can invent some amazing backstory for her instead. Like maybe she used to be an artist in Paris and drank too much absinthe, causing her to lose her mind. Or the love of her life died tragically in a shipwreck. But holy crap, I’d be missing out on a good story if anything like this was actually the case
I <3 you.
Also, I find myself dressing more and more like Miss Tutu the older I get. For instance, today I am wearing a pretty dress, wild and crazy socks, tights, and a loud cardigan, and I feel fan-tabulous. I attribute it to my rise in WTF levels with each passing year. I'm hoping homelessness is NOT the next step, however.
Natalie the Singingfool recently posted…Thank Goodness I Don’t Look Like Keith Richards Yet
I applaud your style. I was watching New Girl last night, and thought I wantz to wear a poofy red skirt and a blue lace bra, mrawh. Why am I such a chicken?
I tend to not worry about what people might think about the way I dress or, well, anything.
Andrew recently posted…Anger, Laughter, and Chocolate
I get a little better about this each year
Here’s the thing . . . I’m pretty sure you can venture out into the world of color and uniqueness without immediately becoming the crazy tutu teddy bear whisperer. It’s a matter of degrees, mah dear. Wear the colorful sundress and kicky red shoes. Venture out into the world of crazy. Just don’t go quite as far as rolling suitcase wacko.
Misty recently posted…This Should Perk You Right Up!
I’m waaaay too self-conscious to ever go full Tutu. Still, I have this weird feeling that if I don’t learn to stop caring so much, I could end up walking around babbling to my very own teddy
I love when people have there own unique style that spits in the face of conventional fashion. I like it even better if they wear it with a “I’m so different that it makes me cool” such as the case of Zooey Dechanel. However, the older one gets (and that word older might as well be branded on my forehead at this point) the more likely people aren’t going to think I am being so different because it is cool but more I am being different because dementia has set in.
But as you point out, perhaps some people enjoy losing touch with reality. Maybe it is a pleasant place to be.
Cheryl P. recently posted…Eye On The Prize
I admire people who just go for it and wear whatever the heck they want! However, I do try to only talk to my teddy bears in private.
It’s a good thing no one knows how often I talk to myself and my cats in private. Oh wait… opps.
I am so jealous of tutu lady. Oh… The freedom to wear and act how I please without giving a damn what society thinks!! I mean, I’m still pretty crazy, with the reins pulled tight. If I let them go, I’m sure I could fly!!
And finally have the pink hair I’ve always dreamed of!
Hugs!
Valerie
Valerie recently posted…Oh. Dear. God…. Tomorrow is Monday!!! Bum. Bum. BUUMMMMMMMM.
Very nicely written! I thoroughly enjoyed this post! I think we all have a lot to learn from Miss Tutu. If only we could all just let go sometimes and completely enjoy life without worrying about anyone else. Sounds fantastic.
Ericamos recently posted…Alien Project-In Which You See What Sort of Nonsense Runs Through My Brain
But what’s in her suitcase, I wonder? It’s tempting to say just “street junk” or some random stuff but imagine it was a sweet whole other wardrobe of sparkly excellence?
Jade recently posted…Tombowling
Sparkly excellence? I’ll go with that!
I have a neighbor similar to yours! I often wonder about her too.
Dawn Beronilla recently posted…Decisions, Decisions
Miss Tutu sounds like a wonderfully eccentric neighbor. I wish my neighbors had personality like that. Maybe I need to move. . .
Jared Karol recently posted…The Continuing Re-Education of a Privileged White Dude
I live in a strange town. I’ll have to write more about it someday
I like this portrait of Miss Tutu. As someone who avoids flamboyant clothes myself, I totally get where you’re coming from.
Marcy recently posted…Laughter from a Bright Yellow Sweater
I was giggling reading your story about the yellow sweater, as I completely sympathize
Great post! Makes me think of the bicycle guy in my town who rides his bike on the highway wearing one of those faux mohawk hats. Everyone knows who he is, but no one knows his story. And you’re right, the oddballs are probably the happiest people out there.
Dana recently posted…Family is my heart, but girlfriends are my soul
she sounds so interesting. i’m intrigued. she must have some story. maybe some day you’ll find out what it is. and yes, to the pink. some days, we should all just wear a tutu!
icescreammama recently posted…OMG – Feels Like Teen Spirit!
Awesome. I love to see people like that, that are odd but happy! I recall “Little Bo Peep” in college. She wandered the streets near the university at night, dressed in full little bo peep garb, with a white baby stroller. No one knew her story. Another person, well, pair of two, wandered the streets in top hats and high end zoot suits. They were brothers who did vadeville and some less vaudeville things in their past and they loved their past job. When such a drive for that kind of thing died, their love did not so they would wander around hoping to sing someone a song. They told my friend and I the story once and it was neat to hear it.
Btw I am a yeah write poster/lurker
These are great descriptions, it seems like every town has their characters
Sometimes I wear a tutu around the home when I’m feeling down because I saw how happy my two-year-old daughter is prancing around in hers. Actually, I’m wearing a tutu in my blogger and twitter pic. No judgment. Ha.
I saw that! I’m not judging
Great writing, I can totally picture her….
I love that you didn’t paint her in a way that we would feel sorry for her–that’s always where my mind goes first. Whatever else she has going on, she sounds like she’s happier than a lot of people out there! Thanks for sharing her with us.
TriGirl recently posted…Pre-Run Calisthenics are Pretty Dynamic
I agree. I appreciate how you don’t mock her as you carefully describe the details of her appearance and demeanor.
that cynking feeling recently posted…Whee!
I certainly don’t think it’s right to assume she’s unhappy just because she is different.
I’d like to meet Miss Tutu. Wouldn’t you?
Stan Faryna recently posted…When your best is suck. And other social media DOHs
Gotta love quirky neighbors!! Sounds like Teddy is a good friend to her, too.
Michelle Longo recently posted…I Have A Decision To Make.
I love how curious you are about her — how she is a mystery, but not someone you pity or put down. I once came across a bag lady with the reddest lipstick I had ever seen. She just seemed to radiate a smile because of it.
IASoupMama recently posted…Crash
oh my word, you’ve just described my three year old if she had blond hair.
while i’m not a fan of pink, i do hope you wear it if you want. why not?
christina recently posted…Play-doh’ing
Whenever I see people like that I wonder how much of their lifestyle is by choice and how much is by oblivion to their eccentricity. Is Miss Tutu thinking, “Screw this, I’m putting on a tutu because why the hell not?” or does she see herself as just like everyone else? I wish there was a polite way to ask.
Larks (@LarksNotesThis) recently posted…Here’s the hard truth, kid.
She’s part of the KGB. I just know it.
I wonder the same thing Larks does. Too bad she didn’t want to chat. I might have been interesting
And why not wear something pink tomorrow? Love the last line. Go for it.
Stacie recently posted…The Silence
I’ve always loved people like that because I wish I could fearlessly be myself too. If you ever do speak to her, you must write about it and share it with us!
Dana recently posted…Boomerang
I live in a town that has a large number of small home type care facilities for special needs adults. Some of the more eccentric resident’s are firm fixtures in our town, instantly recognizable, each with their own daily routine.
My Half Assed Life recently posted…Homosexuality. You Are Or You Aren’t, It’s That Simple
I like different people. Sometimes I think people who try to hard to be normal are really the crazy ones
I love people like that. Granted, it’s probably mostly mental illness, but the un-selfconsciousness of it is appealing. (I’m going to be un-selfconscious right now by not worrying about that probably made-up word I just used twice.)
work in a bank building, and there is a woman who is always in the bank lobby, several times a day, taking pictures of her $1 bills with her cell phone before she deposits them. I’ve tried to talk with her, to learn what is going on in her head, but she does not seem to want to talk. So I’m not sure which one of us is the weirdo.
Go for the tights and the one-piece bathing suit! Just once.
Katy Anders recently posted…Skusting.
I have many OCD behaviors that make zero sense and I wouldn’t consider myself crazy. I mean I wouldn’t ever snap pictures of dollar bills in public, but in a way I can relate
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The award is here.
Brett Minor (@brettminor) recently posted…The Awards Fairy Gets Even
I love Miss Tutu! And I’m dying to know what’s in her rolling suitcase. You need to follow her and take notes.
Kathleen recently posted…Class of 2017
There’s a guy who wanders around my neighbourhood with a handlebar moustache and a gold trilby who high five’s anyone who comes within a foot of him… I think him and Miss Tutu could be great friends xx
Scarlett recently posted…Pancake Tuesday… and Other British Celebrations
I choose to look at life your way. That miss Tutu is lving life on her terms and not on anyone else’s. Very nice and reflective post.
bill dameron recently posted…The Not So Friendly Skies
This makes me want to wear something wild someday soon. I usually just do the jeans and tee-shirt things as well, just blend and don’t draw attention. But maybe I will try doing something wild and feeling the freedom of it. Cool!
Punky Coletta recently posted…How to Get Your Mother off Your Back
I miss my pink tutu. Wore that thing until it fell apart. Yep – I was a neighborhood tutu kid too, except it was accessorized by a blankie which doubled as my Underdog cape. I still like to dress “weird” but can’t get away with it as easily in rural Jersey as I once did in NYC. Viva la tutu!
I used to have some strange outfits as a kid too
Thanks for some other great article. Where else could anybody get that kind of information in such a perfect way
of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the look for such information.
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