The Things We Do (And Why We Do Them)

[HoopyFrood]

Quirks and habits that you notice about yourself.

I'm moving house next week and I'm trying to keep everything in order. So I was writing a note to myself and I realised how ridiculously detailed I make them when I do this. It's proper step-by-step, full sentences and complete explanation type of note.

But it's also just made me realise that I do this not really as a reminder, but more to just make myself feel better by telling myself "you know all this. See?" Chances are (and going by experience) I'll probably never look at this note again, but it was the writing it that was the important bit.

Any quirks you've noticed about yourself? (And did you realise the reason behind them -- this part isn't obligatory, which is why it's in brackets).

[Harpo]

(this reply is in brackets too, because it wasn't obligatory)

[Dozmonic]

I have a penchant for starting notes, revisions, ideas etc with "so"... pages and pages of writing with each paragraph starting "so, ..."

[Mouse]

Knives. Forks. Spoons.

Whenever I'm trying to remember something (which is most of the time as I have a terrible memory) my brain helpfully offers me, 'knives, forks, spoons.' Which is of no help. Worse, sometimes when I'm thinking of other things and get distracted and lose my train of thought, my brain'll offer up 'knives, forks, spoons' again.

[Ursa major]

It would save a lot of time, Mouse, if your brain offered the response, "Cutlery."

(Having said that, there are still three syllables.)


So there you have it: my habit is posting** slightly odd comments (and puns) with the hope that somewhere out in the world, someone might almost smile.

And why do I do it? Because I'm probably that person. (So yes, I laugh at my own 'jokes'. )


** - And saying, in "real life".

[Venusian Broon]

When I leave my flat, I go through all the rooms and make sure all the windows are shut and that all electrical items are switched off. Then I have a "routine" for locking the door.

But practically every time I actually leave and lock up the front door, I get a mild OCD attack and invariably open it up again and go through all the rooms checking...

...then 5 minutes down the road and closer to my bus/train than the flat I get another OCD attack and start to wonder if I actually left the front door unlocked and ajar as a result of some bizarre brain malfunction.

Once I get passed that though, I don't worry at all. I think it's just my security routine for sensible housekeeping that has gone mildly out of control.

[allmywires]

I write notes to myself in embarrassing slang. Helps me remember it better, also amuses me when I have no idea what the hell Past!Me was banging on about.

[fishii]

I happen to be a world class loser of glasses**. I also happen to be the kind of person who when they have no clue what they're talking about will work as hard as possible to make you believe that whatever I say is true.

**One time I lost my glasses and spent seven hours looking for them and I was wearing them the whole time. Another time I lost them and didn't find them for eight months.

[Rosemary]

I seem to do a lot of things 'back to front'! Like reading the newspaper, starting from the back page. I also hand sew from right to left and also put my knives, fork and spoons in the cutlery drawer with the knives being on the right hand side.

[hopewrites]

Organized clutter! I feel most at ease when I could be lost amidst a stash of treasure or work, but the stash I'm to be lost in must have order. So I go through life like some kind of organized magpie.

I think I do it because I prefer to go unnoticed or at least feel I have the option of disappearing at will.

Tiedy rooms make me nervous, like they're not meant to be lived in. Whenever I stay in a hotel I have to spread my carry-on bag's contents out as much as I can, but keep my carefully organized suitcase as is.

[pyan]

In the evening, I can't sit down and eat a meal before I've thrown out all the packaging or whatever, washed up and put away the pots and pans, etc, that I used to make it, and wiped down the worktop...

Originally Posted by Ursa major

It would save a lot of time, Mouse, if your brain offered the response, "Cutlery."

(Having said that, there are still three syllables.)

You could save a third of that and call it "flatware"...

[Galacticdefender]

Well, I play Warhammer 40,000 (a tabletop wargame for those who don't know), and every two days or so I will go to the table my miniatures are sitting on, and just re-arrange them, trying to make it look like they are being staged for war or something. :P

Also on occasion I find myself trying to strike an epic pose while listening to epic music. Then I feel rediculous and try to look like I was spaced out.

[fishii]

I still play pretend, it's really fun to make up a story then put on a one-girl production of a scene for my stuffed animals. I can't believe I still do that at 16 oh well.

[HoopyFrood]

Originally Posted by Venusian Broon

When I leave my flat, I go through all the rooms and make sure all the windows are shut and that all electrical items are switched off. Then I have a "routine" for locking the door.

But practically every time I actually leave and lock up the front door, I get a mild OCD attack and invariably open it up again and go through all the rooms checking...

...then 5 minutes down the road and closer to my bus/train than the flat I get another OCD attack and start to wonder if I actually left the front door unlocked and ajar as a result of some bizarre brain malfunction.

Once I get passed that though, I don't worry at all. I think it's just my security routine for sensible housekeeping that has gone mildly out of control.

I was getting to the point where I'd have to touch all five gas knobs on the cooker before I left for work, even though I could see they were all off. I stopped myself doing that before it became more than a habit.

I also have a tendency to pause before I close the front door to make sure my keys are in my bag. I do this even though two minutes ago I'd already checked.

Originally Posted by pyan

In the evening, I can't sit down and eat a meal before I've thrown out all the packaging or whatever, washed up and put away the pots and pans, etc, that I used to make it, and wiped down the worktop...

I wash up most things as I go along, and then the rest before I sit down to eat. It's good sense! Nothing to do afterwards so you can eat in peace without having to think about the washing up (though judging by some people I've lived with, they don't actually give such a second thought anyway...)

As someone pointed out at work the other day, I employ a fair amount of concentration to eating bananas. I peel each side down to the same level, eat down to it, then peel them all to the same level again. And so until all gone.

[HareBrain]

Originally Posted by HoopyFrood

I also have a tendency to pause before I close the front door to make sure my keys are in my bag. I do this even though two minutes ago I'd already checked.

Same, except for "bag" read pocket, and for "two minutes" read two seconds. Once bitten, 1437 times shy.