"That's the man!"

There is a program in DC called "Street Sense" (www.streetsense.org). Basically, Street Sense is a monthly newspaper that educates people about homelessness and local poverty issues. They hire "vendors," who are typically homeless people, to sell the papers. They pay 30 cents per paper and sell it for one dollar, making about $50 bucks a day, or more, depending on which area of the city they claim.

It's a great cause, and many of the issues raised in the coverage are worth reading. Plus you feel good contributing. The vendors work hard, sometimes in really cold or really hot conditions. And they never complain. After all, this is part of their livelihood and their attempt to get back on their feet.

So I'm walking to work yesterday, and I see a vendor on the corner of 18th and K. I've seen this guy before, an older gentleman probably in his 70's. Wrinkled black face and hands, not many teeth. But always a smile. And a big, "STREET SENSE! GET YOUR STREET SENSE! NEW COPY! STREET SENSE!"

Only this time he looks different. Ah ha! I figure it out. He’s wearing a suit! And not your typical suit ... this one is from way back in the day. It was light tan and would've been perfectly complemented by a top hat, bow tie, cane and a flower in the lapel. And maybe some big band music. No, wait, blues. Yes, blues is much better. This guy has style.

He looks so cute all dressed up that I have to buy a paper.

I grab a dollar bill and make my way over to him. This is the clincher right here. As he hands me the paper, he starts saying, repeatedly, "That's the man! That's the man right there! Mmmmm hmmmm. That's the man alright."

Now, I'm thinking, I'm a girl. I mean, I know I have short hair and everything, but I think I'm undoubtedly of the feminine gender. So I'm confused. I almost say, in my defense, "Sir..." And then I was hoping he'd recognize a girl's voice and let it go at that. I'm also thinking, well, maybe he thinks I'm SO cool that he can include me in his super cool circle of friends, who all, by default, call each other "man?" Sometimes I call my friends man or, more likely, dude so that would've been ok.

So he continues saying, “That’s the man!” Just as I convince myself that I am, in fact, “the man,” I almost reply, “Thanks, man! Just trying to help you out, you know how it is.” But then I realize…

He’s pointing to a picture of himself in the paper itself. He’s the man! He had been featured in the “vendor spotlight” and was so proud to see his picture in print, it was adorable. He just wanted to share his excitement with me.

So, I felt like schmuck, but I was so happy to see his face light up like that. Also helps to explain the special suit. Deep down, though, I feel like he was talking to me. I feel like we have a bond. And I AM the man.