This couple took several pictures of him, and when the girl in the overalls wanted him to stick out his butt for a shot, he did it after asking for -and receiving- one of the Polaroids for himself. I was surprised he posed like that, and I'm only sorry I missed the shot. It was hilarious.

This group of about 8 little boys came up and caught sight of him and started a loud, raucous chorus of "Aw, man!!" I wouldn't let my (future) kids go to this parade, I don't think. There's a lot of nudity and adult themes, and I don't think kids belong there. Not that seeing a furry, bare ass is going to mortally offend a child, though, I'm sure. The Chaps Man looked funny, but I don't think he was indecent.

However, this little old Ruth Gordon lady disagreed with me. (The thought of her crying, "Come back here with my Oreos, you hairy ass!" to The Chaps Man made me snicker out loud.) She walked by him, tut-tutted and stopped to inform me that he "should be ashamed of himself." Then she told me about the woman marcher last year who flashed her "boobies" at the judge and was later arrested. Then she sighed loudly and said, "'Course, she just paid the bail and they let her right out!" I wasn't sure how to react to that ("Did you think they'd give her a life sentence for pulling up her blouse?" came to mind) so I said, "Huh."

That always seems to be a safe response when you're dealing with people of questionable mental stability. And if that outfit is any indicator, this woman is guilty of violating few fashion laws, too. She's a fine one to talk. What's up with that belt? And how old are those glasses? I haven't seen frames that big since I was in 7th grade. I'm not even going to get started on that sweater. Or those necklaces. Or the hat. Or good Lord, those earrings. Pot? Kettle.

This is when shit started getting really crazy. The red haired guy on the right came up to The Chaps Man and started making out with him. I assume they knew each other, but I really have no way of knowing that. Also, I have no idea if the guy on the left is gay or straight or if this display bothered him or not. After a moment, he turned his face and pretended like they didn't exist.

The make-out session lasted some time and culminated in ass grabbing and groin thrusting. Then they wiped the spit from their faces and parted ways. Without a pause, the stoic parade viewer turned back towards the street and The Chaps Man made his unsteady way up the street. I crammed my camera into my pocket and hustled after him, apologetically dragging my bike through the crowds. It wasn't easy for him to get through the spectators, either, so I only lost him once.

Fortunately, he got waylaid by some women getting their picture taken with Loincloth Boy. As I waited, too, I realized Loincloth Boy was The Chaps Man's arch enemy: LOINCLOTH BOY VS THE CHAPS MAN white   black fur   leather youth   age tight, toned muscles   sagging flab (complete with cellulite) hairless   very, very haired desired   ridiculed kinda sexy green cowboy hat   balding I suppose I don't have to point out that Loincloth Boy was pretty darn cute. Rootin' tootin' cowboys, indeed.

After such a dressing down, poor Chaps Man slipped past Loincloth Boy and headed for the 90 degree turn in the parade route. In a break between two floats, he lurched his way across the street, brazenly ignoring the police officers who watched on in amusement. I wasn't willing to risk their ire (plus, I wasn't wearing anything amusing/scanty to distract them) so I had to race down the street and around the parade in order to catch up to him.

I found him in the parking lot behind Hollywood Video. He approached several people and talked to them for a few seconds, then staggered off. Everyone in the parking lot gaped at him. I can only imagine how surreal it would be to drop off your overdue movies and have to deal with HIM when you went back to your car. Ha. By this point we were only about a block past the parade itself, but the mood downtown was decidedly different than in the midst of the crowd. Men glared at him, hostile, and women gaped but hardly anyone laughed. They just seemed shocked. I wondered where he was going and if he noticed the new attitude.