Many moons ago I became good friends with a member of San Francisco's officially-anonymous avant garde cult band The Residents. Like many Residents fans I had a t-shirt bearing the band's then-iconic mascot, a man with an eyeball for a head wearing a tuxedo, a top hat adorning the eyeball-head. My friend "H" told me "if you're wearing that t-shirt in public and some stranger recognizes it, you know you've got a friend."

The comment came back to me today during my lunch break. I was on Market Street in SF in front of the Westfield mall when I noticed some dude wearing a Bemon t-shirt. How often do you see that on the street, even in SF? I don't think I've ever seen a Bemon t-shirt before. I did a double-take and realized that I was looking at Skullbrainer Jay and his family, who return to the Philippines this evening. I hadn't met Jay before but recognized he, his lovely wife and son from photos posted to SB. Totally charming family ... Jay's young son was so cool. He asked "are you my dad's friend?" and kept putting out his hand to shake mine. I told him that I knew who he was because I'd seen photos of him playing with his dad's monster toys. He and his mom laughed.

I usually have my "blinders" on when walking on crowded city streets, so the serendipitous chance encounter probably never would have happened if my eye hadn't caught that Bemon t-shirt.

It was great to meet Jay and his family, if only for a few moments. BASK has several honorary members who don't live in the Bay Area but visit now and then.

Three cheers for BASK International!

Cool story. thanks for sharing.

Haha...Jay just told me about this.

That was an awesome story.

that's awesome! this is the great thing about this hobby, how many people would be wearing a bemon shirt out and about? small world for sure!

BASK International indeed!

Wow! Dean, it was so surprising to run into a Skullbrainer, by merely wearing a Bemon shirt on Market St.--my wife was so shocked that it was that connection that "linked" us almost instantly that day. Toys work magic sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

Anyways, Let me take this opportunity to thank Toybot Studios and the other BASKERS who took time to hang out one night during our stay in SF, venue and food, courtesy of K's family abode. Always awesome to hook up with fellow boardies.

Thanks guys! See you again next time...

yeah Jay it was great to see you again and meet your lovely wife and son. We all had fun hanging out, eating pizza, playing Red Dead Redemption and talking toys.

now we have to plan a skullbrainer field trip to Manilla..!

I'd be more than willing to have you guys at our place, anytime!

Plan the trip soon!

BASKI? Is that like Ralph Bakshi?

Great story. I ran into Jay somewhat randomly on Melrose in LA once.
A trip to Manila sounds fantastic.

Alex, a side trip to Manila maybe worth your while since another FP store (which specializes in Japan only stuffs) is due to open sometime this month. That makes 3 retail shops in one city--not bad for a place where there's so very few Freds around.

Yeah, BASK + LASK + others are welcome anytime to come visit Manila!