During a recent phone conversation, I was basking in the unbridled adoration of my boyfriend, who was extolling my numerous lovable qualities. As he spoke, I could hear the faint sound of harps being gently plucked in the background, angels hummed in melodic unison and there was a golden glow emanating from above. My shower of praise was abruptly halted when he mentioned that one of his favorite things about me is that I am "slightly quirky."
When the words left his mouth, I am sure they were meant to be a compliment but by the time they had traveled through the hundreds of miles of fiber optic cable and bounced off a couple of satellites, it had been transformed into, "I love you but you are a grocery cart away from being that homeless woman who talks to herself and takes up residence in bus shelters." (This interpretation may very well be Exhibit A in the case against me.)
Whenever my friend P. and I would catch the shuttle to go see my favorite NBA team play, she would always remark that everyone on that bus was a weirdo, including me. I had always assumed she was joking so I never paid much attention to her comments but now I'm beginning to wonder. What is it about my personality that earns me the quirky label?
Admittedly, I have a rather strange taste in movies. After watching films like Happiness and The Piano Teacher, most of my sane friends usually hurl in disgust or at the very least go, "Huh?" I, on the other hand, revel in the dysfunction that is prevalent in these movies. That's not to say that I don't enjoy a good blockbuster. On occasion, I'll allow myself to be herded along with the masses into a theatre to watch the latest chick flick or action film. But I would much rather spend the majority of my entertainment dollars going to see Indie movies. And the sicker and more twisted the story line is the better.
According to The Boyfriend, I also have a penchant for making oddball comments, usually after noticing something that most people would simply ignore. It seems this skill manifests itself most often while watching television. Personally, I can't think of one thing I've said that fits into this category. Every comment I make seems normal and appropriate. To me. Of course the inability to recognize one's own weirdness may be the very definition of quirky.
Dictionary.com defines quirky as "strikingly unconventional". I like the sound of that. And it's a good thing too because I don't think I could be normal if I tried. Hell, I thought I was already being normal. How can I rid myself of the quirky aspects of my behavior if I have no idea what they are? So I've decided that if I can't buck the label, I might as well wear it like a badge of honor.
Besides, I've always been very fond of bus shelters.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
I like bus shelters, too. You can find some of the best half-eaten hotdogs there, not to mentioned almost half empty bottles of Thunderbird (smell them first to make sure it is really wine and not…) Personally I enjoy talking to myself. At least I know what I am talking about. More so that those “NORMAL” people looking at me.
Anyone can be normal, Giz. It is endearing to have someone that marches to a slightly different drummer. It keeps things refreshing. So enjoy your uniqueness. And do you want the hotdog with the onions or the relish?
Come on over girl friend! You and I could watch movies together for days! I love nothing better than curling up with a dark twisted Indie movie.
LMAO! Wow, you really showed off your colorful personality in that post. I like when you write more personal things like this because your writing is so fun to read. I've known a few "quirky" women in my past, but as long as you don't have a secret website where you're naked or something, then being a little off is fine. Besides, you're just being you. There's no better way to live, so be proud.
Oh, and The Boyfriend seems to have good taste.
in the words of the great billy joel, "i love you just the way you are."
so, dont go changing.
i like quirky. i like intelligence. sometimes, you cant be one without being the other.
Then "Blue Velvet" with Dennis Hopper and Isabella Rosillini must on your all-time favorite movie list, huh? "Quirky" isn't a bad label; but it could be a code word for weird.
Hey, there are some really comfortable bus shelters where I live.
And the key to that definition is "strikingly." I'd take that as a compliment.
It's good to be quirky. We've got too many dull people out there already, as it is.
that's one of my favorite things you've written - it flows so nicely, it's tight, and I laughed so hard at the first couple of paragraphs, my dog looked at me like I was the eccentric one. sheesh.
why did I think you didn't have a boyfriend? weren't you bemoaning that state of affairs last summer? have I been such a horrid and inattentive reader? I beg of you a thousand pardons, GB.
I suppose quirky is why you have fit in well at For Your Success. I noticed the link needs updated by the way.
Seems like quite awhile has gone by sine we've been in touch. Understandable from the ups and downs at work and now life with the boyfriend. 8-)
Here's to greater success for your favorite NBA team come the second half of the season.
Cheers!
Maybe I'm quirky too, since I enjoyed Blue Velvet. Actually, I know I'm crazy. There's no question about that.
Coffeypot - it appears that I have been marching to the beat of my own drummer for quite some time without my knowing it. And I'll take the one with the relish.
Old Lady - I'll bring the popcorn!
Dre - Oh, did I fail to mention my website www.seegrizzbabenaked.com? Must change profile
Srchngformystry - Thanks! I'm trying to learn to embrace my inner quirky.
Jr'sThumbprints - I haven't seen that movie but if it's dark and twisted I'm sure I'll love it. I must add it to my Netflix list.
James - Do the bus shelters where you live come in double-wide?
Kissyface - Thanks so much for complimenting my writing. That means a lot coming from you. You got skillz gurl! I don't write about my boyfriend much on my blog because the things I would like to post about would mortify my mother, who reads my blog occasionally.
Kilroy - I keep forgetting to update that link! I promise to do so as soon as possible. I'm afraid there is no hope for my team. Greg Oden Sweepstakes, here we come!
Grizz, the shelters where I live come with their own cabanas.
Quirky is good. I hope you didn't open up a can of whoop-ass on him.
Post a Comment