The cover of the May 2010 Reader’s Digest beckoned me: “Normal or Nuts?” it screamed. “Your habits, quirks, and fears explained.” I immediately had to read the article because I think I have a lot of weird habits, quirks and fears and I hoped the article would prove there are folks with far weirder habits, quirks and fears than mine.
Unfortunately, it didn’t. Despite the intro comment that “… it’s a sure bet that your nutty quirk — the one you think is freakishly unusual — is shared by plenty of other people …”, the habits highlighted by the readers were pretty darn normal, if you ask me. There was fear of speaking in public, flying in an airplane, loving one child more than another, talking to oneself, being depressed about layoffs at work, blah, blah, boring blah.
Okay, yeah, there were two truly weird obsessions highlighted in the article: One in which the person didn’t like to have his or her feet touch the ground … except for when they’re in motion; and another in which the person pulls out stray arm hairs to ensure all the arm hair is the same length. Yep, those two are weird.
But I was hoping for some enlightenment, actually, hoping for some companionship when it comes to the quirks that make me feel like I’m crazy. Comments from my daughters such as as “You’re so weird, Mom” are a regular occurrence, and after years of trying to fit in, I’ve come to accept that I don’t really fit in much of anywhere in any way. I follow the beat of a different drummer, a lone drummer, one that plays a song not many understand. Or so I think. But maybe I’m wrong.
Which is why I’m coming to you all. Because Reader’s Digest couldn’t help me out, I’m hoping you can. I’d like to propose that today we all fess up to one or two of our quirkiest quirks, our craziest thoughts, words and deeds that we think we’re alone in conducting. Then we’ll see what the consensus is. Are we all weird? Are we all crazy? Or are we just quirky enough to be charming … and interesting.
So I’ll go first. Then I’d like you all to comment with something that similarly worrisome to you, that you think you may be the only one in the world doing. Nothing too dark, nothing too revealing, nothing so bat-crap crazy that I block you from commenting ever again … just something that you wonder if others do as well — or if others think that’s just too far outside the spectrum of normal human behavior.
We’ll comment back and forth and together we’ll see what happens. Who knows? Could be crazy, could be quirky, could be an utterly idiotic thing to ask of my readers. We’ll see …
So here I go with mine:
I absolutely must cover my neck with the covers in bed each night, regardless of how hot the weather may be. If my neck is exposed, I fear a vampire will claim the fleshy space between my head and my body. It has nothing to do with Twilight or True Blood; it goes farther back than that. I’ve done it since I was a kid … a kid who grew up unable to take my eyes off the TV when Barnabas Collins had his way with the women and more in the original serial called Dark Shadows. The show was kind of sexy (to a kid, at least), definitely scary … and obviously quite scarring, as you can tell by my neck-covering obsession more than 40 years later!
Now you tell me: crazy or quirky? And, what crazy or quirky confession do you have to share so we can all weigh in on your obsession?
Today’s question:
See above …!
**Oh my! In researching to verify what year Dark Shadows ran on ABC, I found on Wikipedia that Johnny Depp will play Barnabas Collins in the 2011 movie from Tim Burton. Aack! The neck-covering continues!
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p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
thank you so much Lisa, that helps a lot. I know he tried to blame me for so much stuff, but like I told all of his family and mine none of that added up to a divorce. I do realize it's his needs, it just hurts so bad to think how many years he's
if someone leaves the bedroom closet door open I have to get up and close it. never know who might be hiding in there. just in case lol
although it doesn’t bother me in the slightest if the patio door is hanging open.
That’s funny. I actually do the same thing. You need to keep the monsters locked up … no matter how old you get!
yup thats me too, the closet door must be closed or the boogy man will get me! and funny, my dh feels the same way!! lolol! we are SOOOO in deep doodoo if the boogyman ever shows up!!! and yeah, if its hot out, the slider is open. go figure. and the lock doesnt work… !! haha!
If I do not go through my morning routine in exactly the same way every morning, I am positive that I am going to forget something important like my keys – or my pants – or wearing two different shoes – or no shoes.
By the way, loved, loved, loved Dark Shadows.
On days when my routine *is* distrupted, I find myself looking down at my shoes real quick before entering a store or such, just to make sure I grabbed two of the same and am not walking around with one brown and one black shoe!
I think my only true “quirk” is needing to knock on my head (aka wood) any time I make a statement that my brain suddenly tells me could cause bad things to happen. Wood works best, of course, but I’m immediately okay with the world if I at least knock on my head.
On the other hand, I also can’t sleep with a sheet covering me to SOME degree – just nothing to do with my neck or vampires, LOL. I’ve never known why, but the sheet is definitely necessary no matter how hot I may be.
Yep, I’m with ya on the sheet. With as warm as it’s gotten lately, it’s the sheet covering my neck.
I get headaches too easily to do any head knocking!
)
LMAO!!! I have migraines, but only when the weather’s going to change. Tension headaches, yeah….. But I’m pretty sure they’re not from knocking on my head. I don’t. Well just great - now you’ve got me wondering about that! 0_0
That’s funny, I actually do a quick patdown everytime I leave the house because I still have nightmares about being on the school bus missing things.
And nightmares about being unable to get your locker open? THAT one plagues me!
Vampires? I actually have no fear of those toothy creatures, but I am somewhat afraid of a home invasion. I probably watch the news too much, sooo, I have a good lock on my bedroom door! This may be a little weird.
I definately don’t like anything on my neck, no turtlenecks, scarves, necklaces, etc. I feel like I am suffocating. Perhaps as a Dark Shadows fan as well I was hoping he’d come for a visit and I want to be ready. My daughter absolutely hates feet. Doesn’t like them to touch her or for hers to be touched.
I don’t like to touch other people’s feet but I LOVE a good foot massage!
Before I go to sleep I make sure the bathroom door is closed. Ever watch Stephen King’s the “SHINING”, when the ghost comes out of the bathtub strait to the little boy. Well I don’t want no ghost coming after me! LOL
I also keep all my covers up to my neck!
Isn’t it funny how we can get to this age and still be big ol’ chickens! But at least we’re not alone in our chicken-ness!
As we were growing up my Mom would tell us to go to the bathroom just before we went out the door to go somewhere. She didn’t want to have to stop for us to go to the restroom . And here i am the last thing i do before going out the door ??? YEp to the very day i go to the restroom . Doesn’t matter if i need to go
Some of mom’s training is hard to shake! Especially when it makes sense!
)
OMG, I thought I was the only one who had this habit. My mom made us visit the restroom everytime too! Still do no matter where I am. I’m in there before we go ANYWHERE! LOL
Well, first, if Johnny Depp is the next Vampire, you may want to leave that neck exposed…yummmmm
Okay confession time I have a few what I call “Monk” traits. My hangers must all hang in the same direction. The shirts must be hung in order of sleeves – sleeveless, short, long. Work shirts on the top row; casual shirts on the bottom row so I don’t waste time choosing and deciding, is it work appropriate or not. Before leaving for a trip, my bed must be made, no matter how early the flight, and my house must be in order. I don’t want someone coming in while I’m away and thinking I’m a slob. I live alone so I have no idea who the “someone” would be.
As far as the really freaky stuff, I’m a parrothead, and our motto is fly your freak flag. So, enough about that.
Read my post from 4 weeks ago, same subject. “What do you do?” Lots of fun comments on there…
i know its off- topic, but Johnny Depp can bite my neck anytime!!!
Ha! Good point!