Who Are You Callin’ Weird???

I was tagged/awarded over the weekend by the ever-so-lovely Jennifer at It’s All About Them. I’m not sure if I should be honored by the tag or insulted because I have been given a Weird Award, but under the rules of my New and Improved, Almost-40-Years-Old Attitude, I am going to smile and say, “Thank you Jennifer, Thank you very much! You’re so sweet!” And it is a really pretty color purple, too. Okay, it’s adorable.

links award
Basically what I have to do now is list (Surprised? Is there a meme that doesn’t involve some sort of list??) seven Weird Things about myself and then tag/award seven others. So, without further ado, my seven Weird Things in no particular order:

1. I am, let’s say, uneasy around people dressed in mascot costumes. I know I already mentioned it in this post, but I think it’s so bizarre that it’s worth another mention. I must say, my uneasiness has dissipated greatly over the years, and probably by the time I’m in my 60’s I will be able to stand next to–nay, let’s say HUG–some sweaty dude in a giant soup costume without having a panic attack.

2. I don’t like for the foods on my plate to be touching each other, whenever possible. If I have gravy on my plate, it’s all over. I actually prop one end of my plate up with a knife or other tool so that Mr. Gravy stays in his own area.

3. Although I mostly give the impression to those around me of being a goody-goody, well, I am. Sort of. But I really, really, really love twisted masters of humor like (NSFW ALERT!) Sarah Silverman and (Also NSFW!!!) Amy Sedaris (LOVE HER). In fact, Julesie and I rented the movie “The Aristocrats” (not the Disney movie about adorable kitties: stay with me, here!) and we enjoyed it immensely. If you are not familiar with this movie, it’s about this one joke that all/most comedians tell, putting their own spin on it. The joke has a few basic parts to it, and the funny is made by the embellishments that the comedians add. It is filthy, by the way. The king of this joke? Surprisingly, Bob Saget, former host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and Daddy to the Olsen twins on “Full House”. As we were rolling around my family room floor, crying from laughing so hard, we kept looking at each other with our mouths hanging wide open at what was being said on the television because it was oh-so-wrong and really not funny. But it was so NOT funny that it was hilarious. It’s so wrong that I can’t even bring myself to put a link to the trailer here, but I will put this entertaining, NSFW clip from the movie that features Jon Stewart. I don’t think it gives away too much yet is pretty funny and captures a teeny bit of the essence of this horrible (and funny) movie.

Hmm. Maybe I should have put that one last. Is anyone still reading? Well, for those of you who are hanging tight…

4. I am an extremely sentimental person. Not for “things”, really, but for people. I have been known to go looking for (and find) friends from my past who I have lost touch with. I use my Private Investigator skills and will usually send a letter or something to reconnect. I think my stalking skills add to my talent for finding people, because you really do have to be sneaky and smart in order to successfully stalk.

5. I can (usually) spot typos a mile away. I should have been an editor, and I definitely should have majored in English when I went to college. It absolutely drives me crazy to read publications or see print on television and then notice that somebody was sleeping when the final product was approved. Not that mistakes are 100% preventable, but I think that there is a bunch of carelessness out there! (yeah, yeah: I make mistakes too…I won’t deny it!)

6. I used to do custom picture framing. I really enjoyed my job, and could be very decisive when it came to choosing mat colors and frames for other people. However, when I brought my own stuff to work, to order framing supplies? Couldn’t make a decision to save my life. I still have a hard time with this: I can totally tell you what to do, but can’t decide for myself! (Now, THAT’S weird!)

7. I hate shoes. If I could walk around barefoot all the time, I totally would. It stems from the fact, I think, that I wear a size 11 shoe. No matter how you slice it, it’s hard to find shoes that make my “boats” look adorable. I’ve never placed a priority on cute shoes and therefore only own a few pair at a time. Of course, I can’t walk around barefoot for many reasons, especially now that I have this to worry about…

So, there you have it, seven Weird Things about me (some weirder than others!). Now I have to tag a few folks. I’m tagging/awarding folks who I have either never tagged or have only tagged maybe one time. Let me introduce the “lucky weirdos” for today!

1. Sarah, from Snarkilicious: I like Sarah alot. She is a fellow Chi-town girl, a Cubs fan, and BFF to my internet sista Melissa. And she’s snarky. Sarah saw the New Kids TWICE on their tour recently. She’s also doing NaBloPoMo and, though she seems to have an excellent plan for this month, I figure if she gets desperate she can use this tag for one of her “Suck It Saturday” posts.

2. Nukedad: Nukedad is Nukedad. I like him as much as I can like a man who I’ve never actually met and know probably very little about. His posts and his comments make me laugh like crazy. What do we have in common? We’re both beagle owners, we’re both fans of David Sedaris, and we both like cake.

3. Stacey, from 4evermom: Stacey is awesome. She is a super-nice mom of four children ages 5 to 24 (hence her blog name!). Her blog is full of parental reflection, recipes, and all sorts of other goodies. I like her down-to-earthness, if that’s even a real term: can you add “ness” to anything you want? I just did. I can’t wait to read about what she thinks is weird about herself. (She is apparently also a NaBloPoMo participant! So Stacey, you’re welcome for giving you something else to write about! 🙂 )

4. Momo Fali: If you are not reading Momo’s blog already, well, that’s just weird. Her tagline sums up her sense of humor very nicely: “Welcome to Momo Fali’s. Pull up a chair, grab something to drink, and maybe a book in case you want to read something other than this blog.” I find her (and her kids) hilarious. Her blog is about anything and everything, from funny things that her kids say to Cliff Notes on episodes of Oprah. She also remembers using one of these, so she’s my generational peer and that in itself is worth extra credit.

5. Movie Maven: I actually knew Movie Maven in person before I ever knew she was a blogger. She is a member of my temple, and–ha!–her son is in my religious school class this year. I had her older son in my class about 8 years ago. Her blog is full of–you guessed it–movie and entertainment info. (and sometimes, just for kicks, she’ll throw in some eye candy.) Very fun stuff!

6. Mags from Ms. Maggie Moo Talks 2 U: Mags lives in Beantown. I enjoy her blog alot: she writes about life in Boston, food (she’s quite the chef AND food photographer!), and fun with her friends. One of the things I like about Mags is that she really takes life by the horns and does her best to enjoy and appreciate everything around her. She also likes peanut butter & jelly crackers and randomivity: who can argue with that?

7. Astrogirl426 from Notes from the Bunker: Another NaBloPoMo participant, Astrogirl is definitely going to need stuff to write about this month. This’ll give her some material. She is a Twittermaniac and a Facebook addict. She is the momma to one youngster and lives near the bears in the wilderness of New York State. She is sarcastic and witty, and will no doubt be very, very excited that I am tagging her for this Weird thing.

EDITED:
8. I’m doing eight, because I’m a Maverick. I am also an idiot, and apparently old. (LOL) I went and tagged Weaselmomma too and forgot to add her to my post before I hit Publish. Anyhoo, Weaselmomma is also a Chi-town area blogger. She is currently sending around a Flat Weaselmomma, a’la Flat Stanley, and I think that idea is brilliant. I am absolutely certain that she will not disappoint on the list of 7 Weird Things, but I hope she isn’t too totally weird because we’re going out for drinks one of these days.

So there you go…tag, you’re it!

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19 Comments

  • Weaselmomma

    Ouch! Are you playing Lucy to my Charlie Brown? and I quote “Tag your it, come see what you’ve won”.
    More like “really, I am not going to pull the football away!”
    I am laughing myself silly.
    Sheesh, maybe I’ll win the “I’d rather read your blog than drink rat poison award” someday instead.

  • Melisa

    The good news is, you’re one of the only people I could accidentally and totally unintentionally screw over like that. 🙂

  • Sarah

    LOL For the record – this is totally not Suck-It Saturday material. 😉 There are plenty of things in life that get my panties in a bunch, so I’m sure I won’t have too much trouble there. hehehe Perhaps my next Suck-It should go out to the Cubs? A little belated – but hey — they broke my heart. AGAIN.

  • Weaselmomma

    I’m ready when you are. I am still laughing at the mishap. It takes a lot more than that to insult me!
    At least I made the revised list. Isn’t that kind of like the 1st runner up for Miss America after the reining Miss America’s Hustler layout becomes public?
    It’s an honor just to be nominated.

  • Melisa

    Weaselmomma: I only insult the BEST. 🙂 And I think it’s probably more like being SECOND runner up to Miss America. That chick never gets a break. 🙂

    I blame the menopause article I slaved over for the past few weeks. I think it did a job on my brain. That, and the fact that today is the first Monday in about 4 months that I don’t teach a class OR work; I’ve been sitting here at the computer for the last 2 1/2 hours and I think my brain is slowly frying.

    If you want, you can send me Flat Weaselmomma when she’s all hungover, ungroomed, and in need of new clothing. I’ll bring her back to life.

  • Kat

    Love the list of weird things…Especially that you don’t like your foods on your plate to touch…Guess who else doesn’t like that? 🙂

  • Momo Fali

    Don’t listen to Weaselmomma. She’s weird, and she knows it! I own my weirdness.

    And, are we separated at birth? I thought that movie was so, so wrong on EVERY level, and thought it was hysterical. I wear an 11 shoe too. I never thought my longing for bare feet was because of it, but now that you mention it…

  • Melissa

    Hey, hey…looks like Suck It Saturday is going to be a hit!!

    I hate to wear shoes, too. And how is this for weird. I love David Sedaris but I’m not a fan of Amy…strange, huh?

  • Jennifer

    You should so NOT be offended by the fact that I nominated you for the weird award. Look at the source…I’m the Queen of weird!

    Thanks for playing along!!!

  • nukedad

    Are you trying to make me get in touch with my feminine side? I’m the ONLY guy on this list! Is this a set up? Should I call my Doctor for a Testosterone gel prescription? I’ll do my best; my therapist is faxing me a list of her top 10 favorite weird things about me. 😉

  • Melisa

    Kat: Umm, you? I can’t wait to someday see our twin-ness (see? I did it again with the “ness”!) in all its glory when we’re having a nice meal together in Munich. 🙂

    Momo: Maybe you’re another long-lost twin? I’m glad that somebody who reads my blog liked that movie…I will now own MY weirdness. 🙂

    Melissa: Not strange at all, actually. I think there are a lot of people who only like one or the other. Of course, I bet if Julesie and I got you to sit down with us and watch “Strangers with Candy”, we could MAKE you like her, ’cause sisters are bossy like that. LOL

    Jennifer: I wasn’t offended at all, promise! (I thought it was funny, and a GREAT twist on a meme that gets tired now and then. Nice job!) And I do love the purple award, too. 🙂

    Nukedad: Ha! The man stands alone! I wanted some token testosterone, and you’re it, Baby! 🙂
    Can’t wait to see your therapist’s list! (I’m curious about her 10 least favorite weird things about you too, if you must know!) LOL

  • Mom24

    OH the pressure! But you’re right, I need inspiration for this month. I’ll have to think on this one.

    I enjoyed hearing your weirdnesses (word??? I think not!). I always meant to see that movie, then I forgot all about it. I’ll have to see it now.

    It’s always easier to make decisions for other people and with other people’s money!

  • Mags

    Aw! Thank you so much! This made my day. I’ve not really been interested in blogging lately (as I’m sure you’ve noticed) and this just makes me smile to know that someone like you likes my crazy weird self. 🙂

    Thanks again-you rock!!

  • Michelle

    Oh I am SO with you on food not touching. yuck yuck yuck. Salad ALWAYS has to go in a separate dish. Always. Oh, and do you have to eat your food in order, too, or can you eat a bite of one thing then a bite of something else?

  • Huckdoll

    LOL…I think that is the coolest award/meme I’ve ever seen in the blogosphere 🙂

    I am so with you on the costume weirdness.

  • Melisa

    Stacey: Maybe that’s what it is, the money thing. You’re right…it IS alot easier to spend someone else’s! 🙂

    Mags: Of course I like your crazy weird self! Who doesn’t? 🙂 And you rock, too!

    Michelle: Yes, I’m with you on the salad in the separate dish! Eating my food in order: nope, I can eat a bite of one thing and then something else.

    Huckdoll: I know, pretty different, right? That Jennifer is a genius.

  • devilish southern belle

    I’m the exact same way about food and typos. But the older I get, I find a typo escapes me now and then. Not good!