Jeff Maher at Venice Beach promenade
Jeff Maher at Venice Beach
Venice Beach street performer
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I've been called a character. But I think I met my match when I made my first trip to Venice Beach. I must be a bit naïve, because I did not know that Venice Beach was so full of life, music, art, attractions, and people who could be considered a little different.
One of the first 'people' I came across on the boardwalk was a guy who appeared to be about 9 feet tall and was covered in green moss and leaves. He looked like a tree, but don't call him a tree.
"That's what people call me but I'm not a tree, I'm a plant-like amphibious celestial being from a place called Land 'O' sh.
....Land 'O'sh? It must be in a galaxy far far away yet to be discovered by our people at NASA!
Not far from the alien creature from Land 'O' sh, was a hat store manager who was dancing around the front of the store to techno music, and wearing a furry polar bear hat on his head where the paws came down to his waist. He told me the hat was $128.
I also saw a guy who was ready to shoot a dart into someone's neck; another who was wearing practically nothing on the beach; and a very angry-looking man with a large club pacing the boardwalk. There was also a very talented pianist, dancing roller-skaters, people flipping over people, rope climbing, human balancing, and an actual freakshow where you can meet someone named 'wolfboy'.
About the only thing normal was the beach itself, where hundreds of films and television shows have been filmed over the years.
It was an odd place, but a lot of fun, and definitely high on my list of places to revisit.
By: Jeff Maher
jmaher@news10.net
News10/KXTV