Update 10/21/05 " The Matta"

A man was slowing walking down the street, mumbling the words:
The Matta, the matta, the matta. As I was walking directly behind him, and couldn't get around him due to the throng of oncoming pedestrians, I was made to wait for about a block before I found an opening to pass. The man kept repeating the phrase "the matta". Now I have to say, that although I don't usually "evesdrop" or get into other's business, I have to say that I was intrigued. As I started to pass this man, I noticed that he was an older man...about in his 60's, and his body looked beaten down.

Even though I was now walking right next to him, I still couldn't make out his face, as he was looking down, and away from my glance. Figuring that maybe something was wrong, and that perhaps I could help this elderly man, I placed my hand gently upon his shoulder and said "Excuse me sir. I've been walking behind you for the past block, and you keep mumbling about 'the matta'. Good sir, can you tell me what is THE MATTA?" The elderly man stopped dead in his tracks; turned towards me, looking up at me with his eyes shinning, and with the biggest grin on his face, said "Nothing is THE MATTA...What's the matta with you?!"