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Mopeds and red hair: Beezer’s delivery man is the essence of alternative living BY CHARLES TOMLINSON THE GAMECOCK I When'the dining choices on USCs campus fail to appeal to the meal plan-purchasing student, many often turn to Beezer's on Sumter Street. And as much as Beezer's sub sandwiches are a part of Carolina student life, so is the red-haired guy who delivers them on his purple Honda moped. He's James Carter, and he's 47 years old. He has been delivering for Beezer's for two years and nine months now, and he has been de livering in the Columbia area for seven years. Though Carter said hospitals such as Richland Memorial place the biggest orders to Beezer's, he said USC probably generates the largest number of total orders. "During school time... most of our business is on campus," Carter said. In all of the years Carter has been working in restaurant deliv ery, he can immediately call to mind a visual image of many of the places to which he delivers. "I picture where it is and what it looks like," he said. He has even grown to recognize several familiar student faces that order on a regular basis. And, ap parently, they have learned their manners and proper tipping eti quette. "Most of the time, they're very nice," Carter said. "There's only just a few that don't tip. I expect that." The most popular on-campus delivery spots, according to Carter, are the Towers, McBryde, Patterson, and South Tower. Surprisingly, Carter said the more distant dorms such as Capstone don't have a significantly higher number of orders. Before working at Beezer’s, Carter delivered for several other Columbia-area restaurants. He has delivered for the Public House, Sammi's Deli, two Papa John's locations and Roadrunner Pizza. When Roadrunner Pizza closed, its manager referred Carter to Beezer's. But Carter hasn't always been in the delivery business. In fact, 'he's not even a South Carolina na tive. He ^ras born and raised in Detroit. He joined the Air Force in 1968, He moved to f ive Points, dyed his hair bright red, got a purple moped and a leather jacket, and started delivering all over Columbia. "Five Points is kind of alternative, (with) all the rock bands. I sort of wanted to fit in," Carter said. He explained that he isn't really involved in the Columbia rock scene. But _ through his appearance, ^ he strives to | be different. ^ He said it's "just an image kind of thing. It's something unique that stands out." And people in Columbia recognize him for his hair and moped, then Carter said his second career is a fulfilling one. "It's a recognition of my thinking," he said. "It's like an expression of myself, my I creative thinking." B And he's achieved a large pr amount of that fame here on jr the USC campus with his ubiquitous presence. mere s even a picture ot him in a collage of "cam pus life"-related photos behind the desk in McClintock, safely sealed and pre served in a plastic frame. "I'm a part of campus life,” Carter said. PHOTOS BY CHARLES TOMLINSON/ E GAMECOCK HOROSCOPES || ARIES Think out your plan carefully before taking action. Measure three times, cut once.. And postpone a trip until Sunday. TAURUS There’s not enough to get everything you and your loved ones want, not all at once. Spread it out. Set priorities. Don’t give up. GEMINI You’re under more pressure than you realize. Recent changes require clear thinking in order for you to make decisions. Don’t be hasty. CANCER You have a lot of the answers, though some are unpopular. Continue to warn those who are thinking about bending the rules. LEO You hate to turn down your friends and loved ones, but sometimes there’s no other choice. Pull rank, if you must, to keep them from squabbling or from depleting your assets. VIRGO There’s no doubt that things are changing at home and in your career. Will the results be what you want? That’s up to yoq. Stay involved in the debate. LIBRA Can you delay your excursion till tomorrow? You’ll avoid all sorts of problems if you do. Replace a visit with a long phone call, and you’ll have more intimacy, too. SCORPIO Neither a borrower nor a lender be. Those options aren’t viable now. Instead, think of a way to make more money for doing the same amount of work. This is possible. SAGITTARIUS You can find a way around a conflict, but not by breaking the rules. That never works for you anyway. Accept criticism, and put it to good use. CAPRICORN The pressure you’re under is getting intense, f and this could actually be good. It generates the inspiration you’ll soon need in order to take a risk- maybe on Monday. AQUARIUS Ever hear of tough love? It can help promote bonding after the conflict has been resolved. The point is that the parent prevails, even if the child is upset. The wise, loving parent, that is. PISCES Stay calm and cool. You provide balance for those whose nerves are on edge. Don’t worry about how things will work out; just keep believing they will. THE GAMECOCK: 1. that thing you do the crossword in during really boring classes; 2. where you read about movies, bands and fun stuff to do; and 3. a place in the Russell House that needs your input! Write for The Gamecock! Come by Russell House room 333 or email gamecockeditor@hotmail.com. I — I Student I.D. Where Carolina shops for • Greek Monogramming • Gamecock and Palmetto Jewelry INCORPORATED Sterling Silver and Unique Gift? Monday- Saturday 10am- 6pm 1101E Harden St. (in the Bazaar) 803-252-2121 150C Harbison Blvd. (by Publix) 803-749-6024 which brought him to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter. -in 1974, he left the Air Force and took a job as a computer tech nician for the South Carolina National Bank. He remained there until 1993, when the job market in the computer technician field de creased and companies started downsizing. It was then that Carter decided to start over. "I felt that delivery in restau rants was starting to expand com pared to that," Carter said. "I want ed a second career. So this is some thing I created for myself as a sec ond career.” We can outfit you for campus, the beach, the mountains & Europe ... wherever you're headed, we've got you covered! quality gear v*»-i * ■■ Shorts & Shirts Camping NORTH Equipment FACE III Trail Runners Jackets .» BIRKENSTOCK Sandals Special Orders patagonia men and women's sportswear Sport sandals & Flip Flops VASQUE Waterproof Boots for Men & Women *r ► Travel luggage, Passport Carriers & Accessories — We rent backpacks, tents, sleeping bags & climbing shoes. "" Full blown Flyfishing and Rockclimbing departments. www.backpackerqualitygear.com Come in and Shop our 29th Annual Summer Blow Out Sale! Selected items 20-40% off