Feeling blue, 'blue man' bolts from Bend
http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=7528600
I live about 50 min from bend... this is what was on the news here

fft:
Ex-Bend 'blue man' moves to greener pastures (12/20)
Friends, neighbors back in Bend say Paul Karason was well-liked, though he decided to move and says he was uncomfortable
Ex-neighbors offer only praise
By Eric Rucker, KTVZ.COM
It's fitting that on a snowy December day Santa himself would approve of, the man they call "Blue Santa" is making national headlines, having left Bend behind.
Until six months ago, Paul Karason lived in the Healy Heights Apartments on Bend's Eastside.
Those who knew him best said Thursday night that the only thing different about Karason was his superior intellect.
"Paul is an extremely intelligent person," said former co-worker Jerry Rahner.
Karason's friend, John Livingston, agreed: "Very intelligent, very nice guy."
Karason's skin turned a bluish color from colloidal silver, known in the medical world to increase one's immune system.
Nylissa Rodriguez occassionally had dinner with Karason, and although he didn't like talking about his skin, he told her how it started.
"He put it on his skin when got sunburned, then he turned blue or gray - whatever you want to call him," she said.
John Livingston works at the apartment complex dealing with transitional housing.
Not wanting to approach Karason themselves, others would ask Livingston about his blue friend.
"Sometimes when he and I were chatting, people would come in and ask what had happened," he recalled. "I wouldn't know what they were talking about, initially, then realize they were talking about his skin pigment."
In the interview with a Fresno TV station, Karason said it was those questions, stares and glares that drove him out of the Bend area.
He says people here didn't accept him.
"This is a different kind of community here," he said, now living in Madera, Calif.
Jerry Rahner, who worked with Karason in Bend, thinks his interpretation of how people treated him is a little exaggerated.
"I caught a glimpse of what he said on the news where he is living now, and I don't totally agree with him," Rahner said. "Paul was a bit of recluse, but a very fine fellow - very fine fellow."
Physical appearance aside, those who knew him have nothing but good things to say about the famous blue man.
"He was actually an awesome guy," said youngster Eli Rodriguez.
"He was a nice guy and he come over to do a lot of stuff for us," said Eli's sister, Delaey. "He came over to have dinner and we spent a lot of time together."
Their mom, Nylissa, may have said it best: "Don't judge him by the color of his skin, judge him for who he is."