These probably aren’t my worst bad habits, or even close to a comprehensive collection– but they all came up today and I thought I’d list them because lists are awesome! Plus, it gives me an opportunity to share a song from one of my favorite local musicians.
1. I’m incredibly biased towards people and things I like.
I’m always impressed by people who say things like, “My best friend has a band. They’re alright.”
Because if my best friend had a band, even if they were just “alright”, I’d be wearing the t-shirt, selling the swag, and telling people to listen to all their songs immediately. I never feel like I’m lying either. In fact, I only noticed this trait recently when Dave asked if any of my loved ones were ever mediocre or bad at the things they enjoy doing. Statistically, probably yes. In my mind, absolutely not. They’re awesome– all of them. I guess it’s possible that I just befriend talented people.
2. I bite my nails.
I know. Gross. I cut them short, I’ve put bad-tasting things on them. I even painted them blue once because I’m so grossed out by even accidentally consuming blue, but nothing works. I wish I could blame this one on anxiety, but it’s mostly just that I like my nails to stay short all the time so I can type.
3. I say things that sound inappropriate. All the time.
mccready/flickr. Please note that Popular Mechanics does not suggest “punching” your sandcastle. http://bit.ly/14tFdH6
You know that scene in a movie where the main character walks into a room, and his crazy great aunt is saying something like, “And that’s the last time I let someone put their fist in my hole.”* And the main character just awkwardly walks backwards out of the room? The comment conjures inappropriate beginnings, and the prim nature of the great aunt just makes it worse.
You’re the main character. I’m the great aunt. Every time.
* I was telling Dave about my sand castle building experiences. My little sister convinced me she could punch a window-hole in my castle rather than having me carve it out gently from the small hole I had already made to mark the spot. She said her fist was the same size of window that I wanted, and it made sense. She punched and my sandcastle collapsed. And that’s the last time…
4. I break into “Muppet voice” at random moments, whistle, and meow.
You could never possibly know when it’s going to happen, because I never know. But regularly, for no reason at all, I feel the need to answer questions in a Muppet voice. Usually, it’s followed by a short rendition of Mahna Mahna.
I meow a lot, too. I don’t even know when it started, and it often means different things, but the sound is pretty similar.
I also whistle Christmas and patriotic tunes all year long. This habit is appropriate for roughly 2 weeks out of the year.
Is “Being generally disruptive” a common bad habit, or is it just me?
5. I love numbers.
I count everything. I know how much money I make every minute. I know how much gas it takes to get anywhere. I know how fast my hair grows and how many calories I’ve eaten every day in the last few years. I know how often people I work with sneeze, on average, per week. I’m also curious about numbers that I don’t have access to, which can sometimes lead to uncomfortable questioning. I want to know how much YOU make, how many calories YOU eat, what YOUR daily food budget is, how often YOU get a hair cut, how much traffic YOUR blog says my blog sent your way, etc.
I’m not trying to judge, and I happily accept the answer that it’s none of my business– I’m just curious, like a cat.
Meow!
“Dagnabbit, why’s it have to be that bad habits always get the best of me?”
Do you share any of my bad habits or any bad habits with Danny (in the song above)? Have any of your bad habits made an appearance today? How many bad habits do you think you have?