This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Jesus attended the Prop 8 rally in West Hollywood earlier this month | Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist
One of the best approaches to blogging is obsessively sticking to one sole and unique subject. Some take on a city neighborhoods or regions like blogdowntown or The Eastsider LA. Some track issues such as city billboard and signage laws. Others take on more quirky roles. LAist contributor Jeremy Oberstein documents alleys in Los Angeles. Another contributor, Peggy Archer, photographs abandoned couches found throughout the city. And on Sunday, a new entered the blogLAsphere: I Saw Jesus in L.A.
Now, this isn't about visions or finding an image of Christ on your plate of Manicotti at a Valley restaurant. This is about a 6 foot 5 inch man who dresses like Jesus and wanders the streets of Los Angeles, mostly West Hollywood, where he says he lives. Oh, and his name is Shorty.
"I recently moved to L.A. and found a lot of my friends were posting pictures of him on Facebook and thought it would make for a great blog," explained Gretchen Schneider who started the Tumblr blog and accompanying Facebook page on Sunday. "The blog is a journey to discover more about Jesus in L.A. and a place for people to share their stories. I feel like it's a true L.A. experience."
Schneider, who is also known as Greta Wells to friends, said she met him during her second week here in front of Sky Bar where took a photo with him and left it at that. "It's kind of a mystery to me about his purpose. I didn't get into it then, but I am now," she said, noting the What we know about Jesus in LA section of the blog.
In that section, we learn that Jesus has been spotted driving a Bentley, but also is frequently seen riding public transit.
Have you seen or spoken to Shorty? Schneider is taking submissions.
