We are all unique – OK, some more than others – and I think we all agree that it’s the uniqueness that draws us to each other. Finding people that are your kind of weird is the most fulfilling feeling. But isn’t it odd how we think of ourselves as strange, weird, damaged, or deficient because of our quirks? That’s why we feel so validated when we find others with the same “flaws.” What if we could learn to love our quirks? In my opinion, the recent movement to love the bodies we are born into does not go far enough. We have to love ALL of our quirks, physical, mental and all.
I love Rueben’s quirks so much that I wrote a song about them! (“I Know,” off the second album, Unpacked). Yes, he really was obsessed with Root Beer. He thinks clowns are scary. He’s always using the wrong word for things, but I know what he meant. And he really does look yummy on that Harley.
It’s not really fair that Rueben should have to be out there like that. So I am outing myself! Because 17 is my favorite number, here are 17 things about me that I consider odd:
- I am ridiculously organized – I mean really really, OCD level organized
- I work out like a fiend! Weightlifting, running, yoga, dance. But I do it mostly out of a fear of one day being incapable of doing my favorite things.
- I’m obsessed with cheese and ice cream. There’s an ice cream shop here in Purcellville called Gruto’s (another reason why I work out so much – OMG Grutos!)
- I had no piercings until I was in my 40s
- I’m in a hippe phase: I make my own granola, write folk music, rarely cut my hair, and make my own moisturizer and deodorant. (thank you, college chemistry!) TMI?
- I think math is fun – enough to get a PhD in it. And I really like Chemistry too. (hence making my own beauty products).
- I like old nasty cars. Yep – I don’t like new or nice cars. I like them cheap and a little bit ugly in a charming way. Our oldest car is more than 20 years old.
- I’m allergic to corn syrup. Sucks.
- I’m allergic to gluten, but only when i’m stressed out.
- Sometimes I stress out about how stressed out I am. (I’m working on that)
- I’m afraid of spiders, and big snakes, but I love to be out in the woods or on the river so go figure.
- I don’t have TV because I don’t like it, so I don’t want to pay for it.
- I’m constantly worried that there is something I have not thought of, that is going to bite me in the rear in the near future. So I am always trying to think through every detail of everything.
- I don’t like it when plans change – it feels like chaos and stresses me out. (I’m working on that)
- I am far too truthful and blunt with people – but if I am not, it feels like I am lying.
- I revel in time alone – in fact, if I don’t get it, I lose my creativity.
- I hear songs (or pieces of songs) through white noise like air conditioners, washers, car engines and bathroom fans. That’s right – I hear things. Then I just write them down and record them.
Wow! That was a lot more than you really needed to know. Maybe I will learn to love my stranger qualities.
: )
Love,
~KC
