July 1, 2005
Interview: Michael Maxfield
Color of America? Red, white, blue! Color of the Giants? Orange! Color of San Francisco? Hot Pink! Wearing a Unitard! Way back when SFist self-interviewed, we shared a special San Francisco moment that has been repeated many a happy time since. Walking down the street we hear a happy chirping noise and then spot a man wearing a hot pink unitard and riding a unicycle, flapping his hands and exhorting people to be happy. Trust us, there is absolutely no better introduction for out of towners than to have a Pink Man spotting, and then to point out that no one else is even staring at him. We love this town!
We’re proud to say that we’ve finally managed to track down Pink Man! Next time you see him out pinking, you’ll know he is the friendliest unicycle rider out there. He’d probably even be willing to pose for pictures, just the thing to send to the folks back at home!
Why the Unitard?
I thought it would be a great base for a funky spaceman costume.
Why Pink?
It was the brightest color they had.
Why the Unicycle?
Why walk when you can fly?
Best interaction you've had with someone while dressed up?
So many. Uh, one night in Santa Monica a women called out "Pink Man I love you!" She gave me a nice warm, consequently embarrassing hug- (skin tight suit) and a Hundred dollar bill.
Worst interaction you've had while dressed up
Drive-by punch in the head in Beverly Hills.
Best location for riding a unicycle
Flat. 73 degrees. Friendly people.
Had a Pink Man sighting? Share it in the comments.
Introduce yourself in one sentence
Pink Man is from the 13th dimension, dimension mmmm. He's here mostly to enjoy himself and to spread the pink joy. If I tickle you pink, mission accomplished.
Age and Occupation Age
None of your business. I'm your Super Folkin' Hero.
Home Town
Besides dimension mmm? I'd have to say Leominster, MA, home of both Johnny Apple seed and the Pink Flamingo ornament. (originally designed and manufactured there.)
How much time have you spent in the Bay Area?
Off and on probably about seven years. Mostly dancing and singing on the one-wheel and dodging close-minded slurs.
Favorite website
www.pinkman.net
Favorite local business
Couchsurfing.com
What I'm currently Reading
The Infinite Way by Joel Goldsmith
Best Deal in San Francisco
I like the BART
Favorite mode of transportation
Unicycle with BART
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
I like Green Day
Favorite local hangout
For riding, I think Haight Street
SF has the BEST:
Mexicans
You've never lived in SF until:
I got tired of Leominster
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present:
Gavin Newsom
Now that Gavin Newsom is single, who are you going to set him up with?
Parker Posie
You can tell someone is a local here IF:
They don't balk at Pink Man
SF would be soooo much better if only:
There weren't as many hills.
Best Burrito:
Roasted Chicken with good veggies, for where, go to the Mission of course.
Best Restaurant:
I can't afford to eat out all that often, so I'm not a good one to ask.
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF:
Bullitt
Best thing to do in the city in the summer:
Go to the bars on Valencia
Place you always tell visitors to check out:
Golden Gate park
Favorite Bridge in the area:
Golden Gate
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Maybe get high and dance on the wheel.
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist:
Used unicycles.
I want all the SFists out there to know:
They can donate to their favorite Superhero with Paypal on my website.
Tell us a San Francisco Story:
Once upon a time, I was pinking on Valencia on a Saturday night. I gave this cute girl a ride on my shoulders on the wheel. Afterwards her and her entourage found me and put me in a cab and took me to a great party. Good drink,good time.
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Ladies and Gentlemen, the best that SF has to offer.
I was drunk at 3pm in the Haight, calling friends on the East Coast, and I shout, DUDE, there's this great guy on a unicycle in tight shiny pink duds. And that friend...she hung up on me because she thought I was THAT drunk. The Pink Man made that buzz the ULTIMATE.
He used to work at the Gateway computer sore on Shattuck or something. My friend recognized him when she was buying a new computer. "Um, aren't you pink man?"
I am so in love with Pinkman. Does he have an e:mail address? I first saw him in Paris, France and I thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world. I love you pinkman!!!
I first saw Pink Man when I was having my holiday in Paris, I met him on the Metro of Paris. He was so sharp in my favourite color. So I took a picture of him.
Longing to see if he will PINK Hong Kong in the future.
:)
I saw him peeing in an alley.."he was wearing his pink outfit"..he cussed me out for yelling HEY PINKMAN cuz a bunch of people looked and were saddened by his urination.
" PINKMAN PINKMAN...!! MY NAME IS PINKMAN !!"
was he singing in the beautiful streets of Montmartre in Paris. I was with many friends for the national day of music and we were so astonished to see this kind of...man !!!
He started to sing with us "u can ring my beeeeell" and i can definitely say that he was the best music of the day !!!
please pinkman, answer to the poor little french people who asked u some questions.
Allez pinkman, et VIVE PARIS !!
I'm a cable car operator in S.F. and I've had only one Pinkman sighting so far. I must say he put a smile on my face. Actually, he made my day!
Pinkman, you should hang out on Powell St. more often!
Where are you now, pink man? Paris will never be the same. Thanks for entertaining me while I was there and even cooking me some dinner. That stay in Paris was the best... Im back in Australia now...Don't forget me...
the pinkman is a great musician,i jammed with him a few times. he actualy has a cd at cafe press.com,
Wow, this guy is famous. I can't believe that I was lucky enough to see him in Jacksonville.
Oh, and I have some pictures of him that you can see here. http://www.kostersphoto.com/gallery/1161430
We were driving back to SF from the East Bay. Since the conversation was about how great a place this is to live, I was in the middle of telling my sister and her partner about Pinkman. At the very moment I am describing what he looks like, what he does and how much he rocks, we drive underneath an overpass, I look up, and shout "It's Pinkman, it's Pinkman right there!" There he was pinkin' out and waving to the traffic. What an awesome and wonderful coincidence. It's one of my all time favorite stories. Keep on pinkin'.
You made our day in downtown SF today. We saw you right before we left town to return to Minnesota. What a great pose you have assumed in life. I wish I could do a documentary about you.
John K
We saw Pink Man in SF on 3-4-07 riding and spinning and flapping his arms saying "Pink-On!" We spotted him again at Union Square riding around the cable car. He was the best part of oud day in The City. PINK-ON! Mike S.
I grew up with Pink Man in Leominster, MA. He was always riding, even back then. He got me to try the unicycle once, but alas, I have no balance. Good to see an old friend!
P.S. I do know how old he is but will never tell.