(photo--complements of Curtis Thompson)Ok! I confess. I have quirks! Who doesn’t? For a while now I’ve thought it would be neat to sit down and list my peculiarities that sort of….well….define me in some way. I hope you will enjoy these.
For the brave, I’d love to hear about your own quirks so leave a comment, if you dare!
Quirk 1: TIME--I simply must know what time it is or I cannot fall asleep. I can be comfortable and in that place of pre-dosing, almost gone, and remember I forgot to look at the clock, and then I must roll over and look. Yes, I will check the time regardless of the inconvenience to my comfortable position. I simply must know.
Quirk 2: POSITION & TOE HUGGING--When turning in for the night I must first lie down on my left side. (Of course--my clock is behind me.) My right foot big toe and the toe beside it part ever so slightly and proceed to hug the heel of my left foot. I don’t know why I do this. I guess it feels good. But…whatever the reason, I find myself consistently doing the whole toe-hugging thing as part of the sleep ritual!
Quirk 3: TOE FLEXING--I use toe flexing--or toe wiggling, whatever you want to call it, to put myself to sleep. But, I also use it as a form of relaxation and contentment as well as an expression of anxiety. I haven’t always noticed this about myself so am not sure how long I’ve had such a quirky habit. I have noticed that my dad has a lot of fancy moves going on with his feet as well—perhaps a family quirk?
Quirk 4: THIGH PRESS—I cannot--and absolutely despise--sleeping with my thighs touching. This is a newer quirk which developed while I was pregnant, thanks to all the advice to sleep with a pillow between my knees. Well apparently the pillow and my knees have formed quite a relationship. I now cringe if my thighs touch…even slightly….so hello pillow!
Quirk 5: WATER—I never leave home without it! I generally carry a plastic thermal cup (because they don’t sweat) filled with iced water, complete with a straw. I carry it from room to room at home. It sits faithfully by my bedside at night. I’m a wateraholic! When I am out and about and my water glass is close to empty, I begin to panic. It doesn’t matter that I can stop and buy more or that I’m only a few minutes from home. I panic. My son has developed this same habit. Strange, you say? Why yes--that’s why it’s called a quirk!
Quirk 6: THE NUMBERS GAME--I like to---need to—add numbers together. A lot. I add my house number, phone number, birthday, social security number….if it’s a number, I’m going to add it up. My intention, or the object of the ‘game’, is to add or reduce so that everything equates to the numbers 1 or 7 or a combination of the two. If I simply cannot make this happen honestly, then I allow myself some cheats. For example, I will allow numbers to be reduced to equations that consist of equal numbers (no odds) with our without the use of 1 or 7. Here are a couple of examples:
*My age is 47….. (4+7) =11…..two ones is perfect!
*My house number is 3520….. (3+5+2+0) =10…..which is reduced to 1 since zero doesn’t count.
*My son is 6….. (7-1) =6…..Swell!
*Or the number 19….. (10+7+1+1) =19…..here I use my cheats!
I know this does not make sense…that is why it is so quirky. But I admit—I just love it! And oddly enough, I will remember a room number if I have ‘crunched’ the numbers better than just trying to remember the room number as it is. Go figure….
I am sure you see the senselessness of this little game, but beware—it does seem to be a bit contagious. Ask my friends!
Quirk 7: HANDWRITING—my handwriting has multiple personalities. Seriously! I write so many different ways, all depending on the mood I am in. While I generally prefer a keyboard to pen and paper, when I use the latter method, I must write with whatever pen just happens to fit my current mood. If I fail to meet this requirement, I simply cannot write worth a flip! There will be no flow and the handwriting will look terrible. Sometimes it is a particular color of ink that is demanded—as if my hand had a mind all its own. Err; make that ‘minds’ of its own! I have often been amused to see the differences in my handwriting. Sometimes I’m amazed at how neatly I can write, and frustrated that I cannot just sit down and duplicate that neatness at will. Noooo, I must wait for the hand to decide it wants to write neatly. Go figure!
Quirk 8: PERFECT PEN FIXATION (as my friend calls it)—It’s true. I am pickier about pens than you know. I hate fat pens. Can’t even wrap my fingers around them without recoiling inside. I don’t know why! They make me almost anxious. And then those thin and slim pens—forget it! Too thin to even take seriously--why bother! A perfect ‘June pen’ has to be the right thickness and the right weight—slightly heavy. I prefer blue ink—dark blue ink. Well, most of the time--unless I’m craving green or purple and once in a while….black! My demand of perfection toward pens changes from time to time and with mood, but for now I like the dark blue super fine rollerball ink. I even like super fine Sharpies, but their blue ink is not blue enough. Bummer! On a side note here, I also don’t want to have to spend a lot of money on a pen. I think $80 is the most expensive pen I own and it was a gift from my husband. I prefer the cheaper pens. I change my taste for pens too frequently to make a high dollar investment in just one, solitary pen. And, finally—I am on the lookout for a good fountain pen. Any suggestions?
Quirk 9: THE ‘HIGH BROW’---I have an unconscious habit of raising one single eyebrow—my left. I have received numerous comments about it—even from strangers. I seem to have no control over it as people ask me to do it again and I seldom can. The eyebrow seems to have a bit of attitude going on! I try to control it. I really do—especially in pictures…but more often than not—there it is—raised in attention and smirking in the way that only a lone eyebrow can.
Quirk 10: HOARDING—I am a packrat. At least that is what my husband would say. I prefer to think of myself as a collector of…well…almost everything. Even when I don’t mean to, I collect! I’m not like one of those certified hoarders you see on TV that can barely navigate their homes save for the narrow path they’ve made. No. I’ve not reached that level—yet! I find I seem to be unable to throw things away without anxiety issues. Take pens, for example. I have pens that are several years old stored in cigar boxes. It matters not that the ink has dried up or that lids are missing (and no way do I use pens with missing lids. Ever!!) Even when I know they have outlasted their function, the anxiety builds at the thought of tossing them. Sometimes I have to leave them out and tell my husband to toss them later, when I’ve forgotten about them, and not mention it to me. I have this problem with magazines too. Honestly, I try to throw them out, but as soon as I glance the cover I just know that I might want to read one of the articles featured there. I might...Really! (OK. Probably not!) This is my husband’s biggest sore spot with me, I think. The magazines. And then I have paper and notepads and crayons and markers and…well…oops—boxes. I love those decorative cardboard storage boxes. And indeed I should….I’ve got to keep all my collections—somewhere! Final thought here….you’d be surprised how many things come in handy when you keep them around. If you can find them, that is! (I was able to share special seashells with my son’s classroom this past year. I have had them for a good 20 years packed away in a box…and never used them…before now!)
Quirk 11: DOG-EARING—I have an obsession about people not dog-earing pages in books (magazines are okay.) I cannot stand it and will make it clear to my dog-earing friends (you know who you are) that under no circumstances will I lend them a book unless they give me their word that they will not dog-ear my pages. Books must be shown respect! My friend, Christi, pointed out to me how odd it is that I obsess over dog-earing but frequently highlight and write in my books. It’s simply not the same! Markings such as these merely enhance a book’s worth and beauty. Of course, I am precisely picky about which highlighter is used and how neatly things are written in the margin of my books! And…my book loving friend has a totally different approach on the subject. She has been known to tear out an entire page of a book to send someone. She does it in a most sacred way. If she ever sends me a page from a book, I will know it is an honor above all honors. Alas, I cannot embrace this action in spite of somewhat understanding it. Books are just…almost…sacred to me (not to be confused with idols, however.) Please, please---use a bookmark!
Author’s note: Notice I listed 11 quirks! Two ‘ones’=perfect numbers! I suppose I could have gone on to 17……
For the brave, I’d love to hear about your own quirks so leave a comment, if you dare!
Quirk 1: TIME--I simply must know what time it is or I cannot fall asleep. I can be comfortable and in that place of pre-dosing, almost gone, and remember I forgot to look at the clock, and then I must roll over and look. Yes, I will check the time regardless of the inconvenience to my comfortable position. I simply must know.
Quirk 2: POSITION & TOE HUGGING--When turning in for the night I must first lie down on my left side. (Of course--my clock is behind me.) My right foot big toe and the toe beside it part ever so slightly and proceed to hug the heel of my left foot. I don’t know why I do this. I guess it feels good. But…whatever the reason, I find myself consistently doing the whole toe-hugging thing as part of the sleep ritual!
Quirk 3: TOE FLEXING--I use toe flexing--or toe wiggling, whatever you want to call it, to put myself to sleep. But, I also use it as a form of relaxation and contentment as well as an expression of anxiety. I haven’t always noticed this about myself so am not sure how long I’ve had such a quirky habit. I have noticed that my dad has a lot of fancy moves going on with his feet as well—perhaps a family quirk?
Quirk 4: THIGH PRESS—I cannot--and absolutely despise--sleeping with my thighs touching. This is a newer quirk which developed while I was pregnant, thanks to all the advice to sleep with a pillow between my knees. Well apparently the pillow and my knees have formed quite a relationship. I now cringe if my thighs touch…even slightly….so hello pillow!
Quirk 5: WATER—I never leave home without it! I generally carry a plastic thermal cup (because they don’t sweat) filled with iced water, complete with a straw. I carry it from room to room at home. It sits faithfully by my bedside at night. I’m a wateraholic! When I am out and about and my water glass is close to empty, I begin to panic. It doesn’t matter that I can stop and buy more or that I’m only a few minutes from home. I panic. My son has developed this same habit. Strange, you say? Why yes--that’s why it’s called a quirk!
Quirk 6: THE NUMBERS GAME--I like to---need to—add numbers together. A lot. I add my house number, phone number, birthday, social security number….if it’s a number, I’m going to add it up. My intention, or the object of the ‘game’, is to add or reduce so that everything equates to the numbers 1 or 7 or a combination of the two. If I simply cannot make this happen honestly, then I allow myself some cheats. For example, I will allow numbers to be reduced to equations that consist of equal numbers (no odds) with our without the use of 1 or 7. Here are a couple of examples:
*My age is 47….. (4+7) =11…..two ones is perfect!
*My house number is 3520….. (3+5+2+0) =10…..which is reduced to 1 since zero doesn’t count.
*My son is 6….. (7-1) =6…..Swell!
*Or the number 19….. (10+7+1+1) =19…..here I use my cheats!
I know this does not make sense…that is why it is so quirky. But I admit—I just love it! And oddly enough, I will remember a room number if I have ‘crunched’ the numbers better than just trying to remember the room number as it is. Go figure….
I am sure you see the senselessness of this little game, but beware—it does seem to be a bit contagious. Ask my friends!
Quirk 7: HANDWRITING—my handwriting has multiple personalities. Seriously! I write so many different ways, all depending on the mood I am in. While I generally prefer a keyboard to pen and paper, when I use the latter method, I must write with whatever pen just happens to fit my current mood. If I fail to meet this requirement, I simply cannot write worth a flip! There will be no flow and the handwriting will look terrible. Sometimes it is a particular color of ink that is demanded—as if my hand had a mind all its own. Err; make that ‘minds’ of its own! I have often been amused to see the differences in my handwriting. Sometimes I’m amazed at how neatly I can write, and frustrated that I cannot just sit down and duplicate that neatness at will. Noooo, I must wait for the hand to decide it wants to write neatly. Go figure!
Quirk 8: PERFECT PEN FIXATION (as my friend calls it)—It’s true. I am pickier about pens than you know. I hate fat pens. Can’t even wrap my fingers around them without recoiling inside. I don’t know why! They make me almost anxious. And then those thin and slim pens—forget it! Too thin to even take seriously--why bother! A perfect ‘June pen’ has to be the right thickness and the right weight—slightly heavy. I prefer blue ink—dark blue ink. Well, most of the time--unless I’m craving green or purple and once in a while….black! My demand of perfection toward pens changes from time to time and with mood, but for now I like the dark blue super fine rollerball ink. I even like super fine Sharpies, but their blue ink is not blue enough. Bummer! On a side note here, I also don’t want to have to spend a lot of money on a pen. I think $80 is the most expensive pen I own and it was a gift from my husband. I prefer the cheaper pens. I change my taste for pens too frequently to make a high dollar investment in just one, solitary pen. And, finally—I am on the lookout for a good fountain pen. Any suggestions?
Quirk 9: THE ‘HIGH BROW’---I have an unconscious habit of raising one single eyebrow—my left. I have received numerous comments about it—even from strangers. I seem to have no control over it as people ask me to do it again and I seldom can. The eyebrow seems to have a bit of attitude going on! I try to control it. I really do—especially in pictures…but more often than not—there it is—raised in attention and smirking in the way that only a lone eyebrow can.
Quirk 10: HOARDING—I am a packrat. At least that is what my husband would say. I prefer to think of myself as a collector of…well…almost everything. Even when I don’t mean to, I collect! I’m not like one of those certified hoarders you see on TV that can barely navigate their homes save for the narrow path they’ve made. No. I’ve not reached that level—yet! I find I seem to be unable to throw things away without anxiety issues. Take pens, for example. I have pens that are several years old stored in cigar boxes. It matters not that the ink has dried up or that lids are missing (and no way do I use pens with missing lids. Ever!!) Even when I know they have outlasted their function, the anxiety builds at the thought of tossing them. Sometimes I have to leave them out and tell my husband to toss them later, when I’ve forgotten about them, and not mention it to me. I have this problem with magazines too. Honestly, I try to throw them out, but as soon as I glance the cover I just know that I might want to read one of the articles featured there. I might...Really! (OK. Probably not!) This is my husband’s biggest sore spot with me, I think. The magazines. And then I have paper and notepads and crayons and markers and…well…oops—boxes. I love those decorative cardboard storage boxes. And indeed I should….I’ve got to keep all my collections—somewhere! Final thought here….you’d be surprised how many things come in handy when you keep them around. If you can find them, that is! (I was able to share special seashells with my son’s classroom this past year. I have had them for a good 20 years packed away in a box…and never used them…before now!)
Quirk 11: DOG-EARING—I have an obsession about people not dog-earing pages in books (magazines are okay.) I cannot stand it and will make it clear to my dog-earing friends (you know who you are) that under no circumstances will I lend them a book unless they give me their word that they will not dog-ear my pages. Books must be shown respect! My friend, Christi, pointed out to me how odd it is that I obsess over dog-earing but frequently highlight and write in my books. It’s simply not the same! Markings such as these merely enhance a book’s worth and beauty. Of course, I am precisely picky about which highlighter is used and how neatly things are written in the margin of my books! And…my book loving friend has a totally different approach on the subject. She has been known to tear out an entire page of a book to send someone. She does it in a most sacred way. If she ever sends me a page from a book, I will know it is an honor above all honors. Alas, I cannot embrace this action in spite of somewhat understanding it. Books are just…almost…sacred to me (not to be confused with idols, however.) Please, please---use a bookmark!
Author’s note: Notice I listed 11 quirks! Two ‘ones’=perfect numbers! I suppose I could have gone on to 17……
