7 quirks

I've been tagged. (a long time ago, I know)

7 of my quirks

- When I see a digital clock, I manipulate the numbers mathematically until they equal one. I can use any operation. I can introduce negatives and repeat numbers ONLY if all other attempts to equal one fail.

- I am equally left and right brained. I score equal on tests that try to determine what you are, and I scored about equal on verbal and math on the SAT and GRE. This might help explain why I have a lot more than seven quirks.

- I am addicted to reading. I will read ANYTHING, books, magazines, things I have read a hundred times before, boxes, commercials, recipes, trash, prescription bottles, etc. My idea of a perfect afternoon would be sitting at my kitchen table with my feet up on another chair, eating a variety of delicious things and reading a variety of equally delicious things. Give me some chicken curry with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, my mother's parap with spinach with some Tagore, then let me end with strawberry cheesecake and an article about public health or fashion - perfection.

- I like to imitate people, usually loved ones. But I can do a pretty accurate Smeagol/Gollum too.

- I am not grossed out by blood or guts or bodily fluids. However, repetitive patterns on skin, like clusters of insect bites or patterns left from leaning against, say, a ribbed couch cushion - that is like nails on a chalkboard for me. Give me a full out autopsy or an intensive surgery over a scraped knee or heat rash any day.

- I hate being photographed or videotaped. So much so that if I know a camera is around and on, and it is not in my hand, my body language, my speech, everything will change. It takes a lot of self control not to throw my hands in front of my face and say, Don't take my picture!

-When I smell something bad, I pinch my nose like anyone else. But I don't breathe through my mouth either - because I don't want molecules of the odorant settling into my olfactory chemoreceptors. So I just don't breathe until I can get away, or I start breathing with my nose again. Because I figure I'd rather have foul molecules in my nose than in my mouth, even if I have to deal with a bad smell.

I tag whoever blogs. The vast majority of you who read about us wild things don't blog, I know. That's ok. I tag Marei too. We're all quirky in this family! (Though I admit, I may be the quirkiest thus far). Maybe he'll do it if you all help me and request a Marei quirk-list.