[Aviator1211]

Originally Posted by Davonu

I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but if he ever lets out one of his blood curdling screams unexpectedly right near you, you may not think his antics are so cute.

Yes. An individual with a supposed medical condition (no blood curdling screams off the square or at Walmart) is welcomed at the square and even celebrated, but someone with PTSD who is sensitive to sudden unexpected blood curdling screams has to go elsewhere. If you feel this is wrong, please say something to the security guards.

[Marmaduke]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Except - that doesn't happen. Unlike many people, Mark has very astute situational awareness. He watches constantly, and is much more considerate of the space around him than the average fungus-toed, cigar-smoking, drink-spilling, loudmouth buffoon who stumbles into you on the square perimeter.

(seriously, fungus-toed guy, whoever you are - put some socks on those hushpuppies, that's DISGUSTING. And lower your voice, and stop using your hands to animate your conversations while holding your drink, and blow that cigar smoke away from the rest of humanity, please and thank you.)

Me thinks thou doth protest too much.

[Iowagirl2]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

That's a gross misstatement of the facts.


The 4 or 5 times I've seen him, he was completely in a daze and unaware of anyone around him.

I see him in the grocery store every once in a while and I say hello to him. His reply is thank you my friend. He is a very nice gentleman and like they said he takes care of his mother. Try saying hi to him sometime.

[kendi]

Just looks like a guy enjoying TV like the rest of us. Don’t know why some have to be so cruel.

[Whitley]

Originally Posted by kendi

Just looks like a guy enjoying TV like the rest of us. Don’t know why some have to be so cruel.

He is different than most. In my mind, it is upon me (the one who would be considered "normal" for this purpose) to be considerate and make adjustments for him. I am not saying others should agree, or I am right, just my opinion. We are all in this together. Most of us know life can be cruel and hard. Try and make it better for each other. When I was in my 30's with two little children I got st3 c. I was angry at how unfair it was, then one day I wandered into the pediatric section of Sloan.

[joshgun]

Agree.

[Escape Artist]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

That's Mark. He's awesome. Takes care of his mom in one of the attached villas (townhouses) next to the square. Whoever shot the video, probably would've seen him being much more energetic if they'd waited for a different song. The conductor's wand was given to him as a gift from another regular there. Mark is very intelligent, doesn't drink alcohol. He's high-functioning on the autism spectrum. A nice guy, full of energy and love, gives kick-ass hugs, and smells like patchouli.

I’ve ever seen him there. Does he go there often? Or maybe I wasn’t paying close attention to my surroundings which happens!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Escape Artist

I’ve ever seen him there. Does he go there often? Or maybe I wasn’t paying close attention to my surroundings which happens!

He seems to prefer the earlier sets, shows up some time after 6pm and is usually gone by 8. He used to come every single night, but then he was away for awhile. I think his mom had taken a turn for the worse and he needed to stay home with her. She's in a wheelchair, but he doesn't bring her out when he comes to dance. We don't go to the squares regularly at night but when we have, in the past couple of months, he's shown up.

Mark is definitely a "regular" and has been a fixture of Spanish Springs Town Square for a long time. All the other regulars know him, the employees in the tiki huts and the Community Watch folks know him. Everyone who's ever spoken with him is on friendly terms. He doesn't seem capable of making enemies. The only people who have a problem with him, are people who don't understand.

And for those who say "oh he stands next to me with blood-curdling screams" - they're not screams. They're shrieks. They're very loud, sharp, short-lived, and they come in sets of three. When he finishes, he walks away. He is responding to the music. Which is very loud, can be sharp, with each note short-lived. Most of the time he's shrieking out the beat count.

Situational awareness might be useful in this situation, for people who aren't used to him. Look at every one else's expressions. "Read the room" in other words. Most people are either smiling at him or completely un-phased by him.

He walks from somewhere past the Marriott hotel; he doesn't drive (so no idea how anyone could've seen him at Brownwood).

[Chi-Town]

Went to see Paisley Craze, and the baton guy kept circling the stage occasionally screaming something out. I figured he was crazy as a loon, but no matter what he is a distraction from the entertainment.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

Went to see Paisley Craze, and the baton guy kept circling the stage occasionally screaming something out. I figured he was crazy as a loon, but no matter what he is a distraction from the entertainment.

He is (supposedly) a very nice, gentle, good to his mother, guy, that, due to his medical condition, cannot control his actions in certain settings. But you are correct in stating that he is a distraction from the professional entertainment, to the extent that some (me) choose other venues as we choose not to be subjected to his uncontrollable behavior when out for an evenings entertainment. Not his fault, so I will leave. Let him have his fun. I have other options.

[Davonu]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

…And for those who say "oh he stands next to me with blood-curdling screams" - they're not screams. They're shrieks…

Pretty fine distinction.

And if he lets either go right near you when you’re not expecting it, it can be very annoying, or worse…regardless of how nice a guy he is.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Pretty fine distinction.

And if he lets either go right near you when you’re not expecting it, it can be very annoying, or worse…regardless of how nice a guy he is.

Which is more startling? A scream, or a shriek? I vote "shriek". Startle someone enough that they loose their balance. Well, it's all fun until someone falls and breaks a hip.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Davonu

I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but if he ever lets out one of his blood curdling screams unexpectedly right near you, you may not think his antics are so cute.

Not antics. The man has autism. Autistic people sometimes shriek. Big difference.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Not antics. The man has autism. Autistic people sometimes shriek. Big difference.

Concern, accommodation and acceptance of someone's quirks, disability or craziness, ends at the edges of my personal space. All this talk of him being fairly inconspicuous and innocuous, is nonsense.

The guy is a menace and if he can't control himself and behave in a civilized manner, he should be tossed out of the Squares.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

That's Mark. He's awesome. Takes care of his mom in one of the attached villas (townhouses) next to the square. Whoever shot the video, probably would've seen him being much more energetic if they'd waited for a different song. The conductor's wand was given to him as a gift from another regular there. Mark is very intelligent, doesn't drink alcohol. He's high-functioning on the autism spectrum. A nice guy, full of energy and love, gives kick-ass hugs, and smells like patchouli.

I can usually smell Mark before I see him due to the patchouli. One night someone who rarely comes to the square complained about him. Gladly, the staffer did nothing. Mark is an interesting character and very friendly.