I like doing stuff

Ladies, meet Craig. He's 35, has an extensive DVD collection and is looking for a girlfriend.

He likes fancy dress but draws the line at men in tights. He's keen on "doing stuff", but not stuff that includes cheese or kites. And he's pretty sure he's invented a time machine.

Whether he's a prankster or a prodigy, there's no doubt Craig has the people of Windsor captivated.

Craig has posted a series of signs on street furniture in Chapel Street in Melbourne's south-east, but his real identity so far remains a mystery.

The posters are now making their way across the internet, earning Craig a mention in Time magazine, on a radio station in Seattle and at least two Facebook groups, 'Mystery Man Craig from Windsor Appreciation Club' and 'We love Craig!'.

Keen web-watchers are already pointing out similarities between the work of Craig, thought to be Facebook identity Craig Dick, and a New York man named Chris.

There is also conjecture that Craig's posters may be a marketing ploy for online classifieds site craigslist.com.

But Craig has shunned the spotlight, calling instead for secrecy as he boldly ignores threats of $500 fines for hanging posters ("If you see me putting this up, can you do me a favour and not tell anybody'') and organises rendezvous to visit his grandmother ("she's a bit deaf so you'll have to speak up''), discuss cake decorating ("please bring photos or sample cake ... as proof of experience'') or give away a queen-size mattress ("it's like new except for some small burn marks'').

But he's not just a lonely guy with a printer and a penchant for caps lock.

Craig is a good Samaritan ("Did you walk past here at about 5.30pm last Tuesday? I may have your copy of Metro that you dropped ... the crossword is only half-filled in so you should be able to identify it").

He's also an entrepreneur ("For sale: this lamp-post. As is where is") and, like many of us, he's concerned how the global financial crisis will affect him ("If you know and would like to tell me then meet me here at 4pm tomorrow").

But perhaps most important for prospective girlfriends, he's well-mannered, even during time travel: "I'm pretty sure I've invented a time machine. All going according to plan I'll materialise right here at 11.37am on Friday. This is just a courtesy note to make sure you're not standing in this spot at the time."

Craig-watchers are on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment.

In the meantime, if you're a woman with a big TV, Craig is waiting for you in Windsor.

He'll be wearing one white thong and one brown thong so you can recognise him.

Just bring 50 cents to cover his stationery costs.

Craig who?

x

JAG