Quirks are in the eye of the beholder

So, recently a good friend of mine came and spent some time with me and we had a great time, as we usually do.  But during this visit, I noticed that she was using the word 'weird' to describe me, which isn't totally out of the blue, but she seemed to be using it a lot more than usual, and finally it got to the point where I couldn't just let her label me as 'weird' without arguing my case a little.  Now, I must say that every time she called me weird, she followed it immediately with a hefty laugh, which didn't hurt my feelings, but rather made me want to enlighten her a bit on just how not weird I really am.  Turns out, I pretty much accomplished the exact opposite and not only got her to laugh at me more, but I actually now believe that I AM WEIRD!  In order to soften the blow of this new found 'weirdness', I decided that I can't accept THAT term and I must insist that from this point on we will refer to my 'weirdness' as quirks.  It just seems more endearing that way don't you think?  Me too.  So, all this to say that I now am acutely aware of all my quirks, and it when I think about them I can't help but laugh at myself while simultaneously thinking of all the quirks my future husband will have to have in order to find all my quirks endearing.  As I was sitting in my living room, I started to make a mental note of all my endearing quirks and I felt that for some odd reason I needed to write them all down on paper, magical internet paper that is, ie a blog.  (P.S. I am using 'endeering' repeatedly in order to make sure you realized that my quirks are in fact that, endearing). I am not sure why I felt the need to write them down, maybe it's just so that I can appreciate all the little things about me that will set me apart from all others.  So with that, here are some of my quirks that you might find aren't that weird at all and some that you can relate to, which in that case, you are also probably weird, oops... I mean quirky.
      *First awesome fun fact about me, I make it a personal goal every time I peel an orange, to get the peel off in one whole piece.  I don't know why, but it makes me feel so accomplished.  My own little 'Rocky' moment you might say.  Although, I don't hear 'Eye of the Tiger' while I'm peeling my orange, I'm not a total freak, geesh.  I actually feel a little disappointment when my peel breaks apart before I'm done peeling.  Why is this?  I'm not sure, but it's cute right?  Right?
     *Second, I cannot stand to eat ice cream if it's it's not near frozen solid.  I mean, my ice cream goes through a test of sorts before being opened.  I do this thing where I squeeze the container, and if at any point I can feel the ice cream move or soften whatsoever, it's back to the freezer!  There are those people who sit their ice cream out on the counter before serving in order to make it easier to scoop, and this is what I like to call blasphemous.  I mean at that point, let's just call it what it is...sugary milk soup.  I choose sweat and blisters on my hands over soft mushy ice cream any day.  Ick.  But, I also have an aversion to lukewarm things, like soup for instance.  My soup better be sweltering hot or get it away from me.  Same goes for coffee, tea, hot cocoa...etc.  Tell me I'm not the only one here.  I tried convincing my friend this does not make me weird, just simply....right.  She wasn't having it though, and personally I think she's just jealous of how this aversion to lukewarm things obviously make me super spiritual (See Rev. 3:16).
     *Endearing quirk numero tres, I refuse to have smelly feet.  I mean, you might be thinking, "okay Rylie, this isn't weird, this is just good hygene," and I would agree with you, but it goes beyond that.  I live alone, and I could get away with just coming home and kicking off my shoes and relaxing, but  nope.   If there is any hint of oder coming from the footal area, it's a quick rinse in the tub with soap for my feet.  I don't care if nobody else is around, it's happening.  And, I'm proud of my non smelly feet:)
     *Okay, it's time to risk being completely made fun of, if I haven't already, and share with you my fear of moths.  Yes, you read right...moths.  I know, I know, it seems crazy to you.  But, what if I told you I thought you were the crazy one because you WEREN'T afraid of moths?  Seriously, they are hairy and they flutter all up in your face and they are hairy.  I will dodge and weave like Mike Tyson whenever a moth comes anywhere near me.  And don't give me that "they are just like butterflies" shpeal.  I don't see butterflies attacking unsuspecting people who are out for a romantic walk and stop for a moment under a lamp post to sneak in a quick kiss.  I mean, that's never happened to me, but I imagine that would pretty much ruin the moment, and I don't want to have to see the look in that persons eyes when they realize that I have a fear of moths.  Don't judge me!
     *Something else that I feel I should share with you...I secretly beleive that I am partly responsible for the succes of the band Hanson. I know I know, it sounds crazy but it's true.  I distinctly remember the moment I was at my dads house during one summer and the song 'Mmmbop'  came on the music channel on tv, and I pretty much thought it was the greatest song ever, and I danced my socks off to it.  That was also in the days before itunes and instant song gratifacation, so I would literally wait all day for the song to come on again.  You might be thinking to yourself, "Rylie, that song is lame and the word 'career' is debatable in relation to Hanson," and to that I would say you are wrong.  Clearly that song is AWESOME and Hanson went on to have many more hits like.......um......you know that one.....um...... Anyways, all that to say that at the time I heard that song, no one had heard of Hanson and the geniousness of 'Mmmbop'.  I returned to my hometown at the end of the summer and I feel like I brought that song to the masses....of Lakeview.  I played it for all my friends and made them believers.  So, CLEARLY I had some part in the super succesful career of Hanson.  I'm still waiting for my name to appear in the credits of their 'greatest hits' album.  I might be waiting a long time, but I believe it's worth it.
     *And the last quirk I have to share with you is this, I still think the song 'Mmmbop' is one of the greatest songs ever written, and it makes me incredibly happy whenever I hear it.  Again, don't judge me.

Well there you go, a short list of all my quriks.  I am choosing to celebrate them and be proud of my uniqueness, even the thing that makes me unique also makes me weird.  I hope if nothing else, you got a good laugh, and can pinpoint some of your own quirks and take a minute to appreciate them and maybe share some in the comments section.  Us weirdos need to stand together.

Oh one more thing, this quote is most definitely my take on love:

    

 “We’re all a little weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone 

whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into 

mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.” 

― Robert Fulghum