As of late my work has brought me to a somewhat intimidating area of town; it’s one of Toronto’s poorest neighbourhoods. Poverty stricken, the streets are riddled with those that are homeless, ongoing illegal activities and some sketchy characters to put it mildly.

Sketchy, like the older gentleman that approached me the other day to let me know of the damages inside the shelter he’s staying at (A Salvation Army shelter for men is adjacent to where I am working). As he shared his story of cracks and peeling paint (which I am actually looking for, just not a guided tour from the freaky old man), he smiles, baring his toothless grin before he turns to walk away, continuing his conversation - with himself.
Or the dear lady, tragically stuck in the 80’s with her multi-coloured florescent ski jacket, dirty pink jogging pants and ratty un-kept hair, walking towards me. I noticed, but not enough to realize that she was walking STRAIGHT towards me. At the last second, she frantically hits herself across the face and turns 90 degrees to cross the road, all the while having a conversation - with herself.

I’ve been around here long enough to be a little more comfortable with the drunk and/or high men standing outside the men’s shelter watching me while I fight the urge to yell at them: Take a picture, It’ll last longer! I can handle the police presence and the inordinate amount of sirens on a daily basis.

Today was a little different.

I started on my way, doing my normal thing but kept getting distracted. More sirens then normal, more police cars too. Strange, but not completely unusual. Shortly after my co-worker arrived, a police car patrolled by rather slowly eying someone across the road from us; he then quickly drove across the road blocking the man’s path with his cruiser.
Being the creeper (people watcher) that I am, I was loving this. A regular COPS episode right in front of me! Oh how I wished that the Tazer would come out as the officer approached the man asking him to drop his bag.
Assuming it was just another drug bust, we carried on our work. I kept peeking back, trying to see what was going on when the cop signaled us over. WTF!? I thought I was in shit for creeping.

Damn me being a creeper! Dammit straight to hell!

Apparently my co-worker fit the description of someone they were looking for - as did the man we assumed was being busted. The officer then called over back up. Back up?! What the fuck for? What the hell is going down, and what am I all of a sudden apart of!? Am I going to be Tazered?

After a brief questioning (Have I seen anything suspicious today? Um. Look around, what not suspicious?) from the H-O-T-T-E-S-T police officer I’ve ever seen (Talk about back up; he could back me up ANY DAY. I would have allowed a strip and cavity search (too far?) for sure; Yes, officer, you can cuff me. Please. And spank me too while you’re at it. Harder! Harder! ) we were sent on our way. I was hoping that he’d keep us around a little longer (well, me), why do I always find guys in uniform so. damn. hot.?

Turns out, there were two bank robberies very close by this morning.

Who needs money, I got all the eye candy I needed today.

:::

I know I said I wouldn’t whore myself out more, today I feel compelled to do so. (Everyone else is doing it, so I can too.) What can I say, I’m a whore for attention (and comments *ahem*). I am craving some (of both) today.Vote for me!

You know you want to.

And just because I nominated myself doesn’t mean I’m not worthy.