As it’s a lazy Friday night, one when I’m feeling a bit grumpy I must admit, it’s a good time for a frivolous post. BettyBetty has tagged me for the “seven random things” meme, otherwise known as the “seven weird things” meme, although I prefer the word “random,” as I’m not sure I can think of seven things that are weird about me. Or maybe I should say, I’m not sure I can think of seven weird things I’m willing to share. I’ve done this kind of list before (see here for example), so I’ll try not to repeat myself.
- I have had and still have, although to a lesser degree, an intense fear of being upside down. Gym classes where we did tumbling were absolute nightmares. I couldn’t do a somersault, much less a cartwheel, much less anything more complicated than that. I lied to my gym teacher on those days, pretending to have injured myself or pretending that I was sick. Looking back on it, I wonder what she would have done if I’d told her how petrified I was. She might have understood, but I’m not entirely sure. And there was no way I was going to risk it.
- I didn’t learn how to whistle until I was in college, and even then I didn’t learn very well. I can whistle one note, maybe two if I work really hard.
- I’ve known so many English-major types who are terrible at math, but I’ve always loved it. In fact, I always did better in my math classes in High School than I did in my English classes. One of these years I might take a math class at my college, just for the fun of it.
- Although I’m not exactly the bungee-jumping, parachuting type, I can be a bit reckless. I’ll walk by myself down city streets at night when I know my female friends wouldn’t. I’ll go hiking by myself and not tell anybody where I am. I’ll take a walk with wet hair when it’s 10 degrees out. I’m just not very cautious. This is something I learned from my mother, who is much the same way.
- I have a high tolerance for dirt and clutter. My housekeeping standards are execrable. Were I to hire a house cleaner, I would need to clean up the house before that person came over. This I also learned from my mother. Her high tolerance for dirt and clutter used to drive me crazy when I was young, but now I understand completely. There are so many better things to do than clean house.
- I eat hardly any vegetables at all. In this respect I haven’t yet grown up; I eat exactly what I want when I want with little thought for nutrition. I do think about my weight, but this doesn’t actually influence my eating choices very often. I tell myself I’m going on a ride later, and that will burn off the calories from the bag of chips or the cookie or whatever.
- I fantasize about spending the summer backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. I’d like to see if I could last a entire summer, or if I’d get sick of it and want to come home after a week or two. I’m pretty sure I could make it though. I’d spend the time climbing mountains and swimming in ponds and visiting small towns. I think it would be lovely.
If you haven’t done this yet, give it a try!
Of Books and Bicycles 
“I do think about my weight, but this doesnβt actually influence my eating choices very often.”
Ha! Love it. Best quote of the week.
LikeLike
Heh. I think we already had #4 figured out, Miss I-have-a-bad-thyroid-I-think-I’ll-go-ride-a-century-in-the-snow. π And I thought serious bikers were all healthy eating nuts? I see them at the farmer’s market, proudly displaying their sculpted calves as they buy a huge pile of veggies.
#7 sounds wonderful. Why not?
LikeLike
If we’re picking best quotes of the week, I think this one ties with Snackywombat’s choice: There are so many better things to do than clean house.
I’ve done the clean before the housekeeper arrives routine and learned there is no point in having a housekeeper if you need to do this. In fact, I think some expect the house to be perfect when they arrive. I do not understand this.
I’m with you on hiking the AT. I think it would be so much fun. At one point in my life, it was a goal of mine to hike it before I turned 40. I misplaced that goal at some point, although I know I inspired at least 2 people to do it, one who finished it. Maybe at some time in the future I will think about doing this again, though I’ll need to revamp that age thing. Not that it matters.
LikeLike
Dorothy, this was so wonderful! I found myself agreeing with you on a lot of these….cleaning the house (in my case apartment/room/kitchen) is always a mess, and cleaning is such a waste of time, I agree!
I also still have no idea how to whistle…i can even attempt to…my sister and brother always make fun of me for this.
I also did better in math in high school than in english, isn’t that ironic?
LikeLike
I always wished I was good at math, but I think I was always too lazy to really buckle down. And I’m still too lazy. I can sort of relate to #4. I live in a not so great neighborhood (well there are good streets and bad streets), but as someone who walks I have no choice but to go out on my own in the dark where I am sure my friends would never venture. And if my mother knew how much dust accumulates in my house before I dust she would be aghast–so you’re not alone! π
LikeLike
How strange, I always did better in math than English as well. I find it fun, like a puzzle. And as for cleaning house, well, I completely agree. It’s a good thing my husband cleans around here or I’d never notice the mess until the dust bunnies began walking around on their own.
LikeLike
I would also love to do a months-long hike sometime. This has always appealed to me so I do hope I set aside the time at some point.
LikeLike
I applaud the unbothered approach to housecleaning. I do it, I turn around, it’s untidy again. I mean, that can just be depressing, right? A month-long hike sounds like a wonderful way of not needing to worry about it at all!! I rather like your fear of being upside down. Sounds a perfectly reasonable fear to me!
LikeLike
You know, on the GRE, I scored higher on the analytical than I did on the verbal – I’m actually much more successful at analytical and reasoning problems (ie, Betsy had five shirts in five different colors, if she lends the red one to susan, and the yellow to…) than I am with words. I stuck with the MFA instead of law school anyway!
And, eat your veggies! They have antioxidants and vitamins and minerals and…okay, I’ll stop now :-).
This was so fun!
LikeLike
I, too, like math and always did well in it in school, until I got to calculus, and like Courtney, I did better on the logic section of the GRE than I did on the English (I love that stuff!). And I’m completely with you on dirt and clutter — so many much better things to do in life than to clean. Maybe there’s a link between math and clutter :-)?
LikeLike
We are on the same wavelength regarding the clutter and cleaning. Oddly enough, I usually know where everything is. I guess I just organize things in my mind – ha,ha.
LikeLike
Thanks Snackywombat! π
Sylvia — well, I should be a health nut, but I’m too lazy … perhaps if I become a better rider I’ll start eating better — but it should work the other way, shouldn’t it? Yes, it should.
Cam — the people I’ve seen out on the trail hiking the whole thing tend to be young people between college and a job, or older people, in their 60s or so, after retirement. It’s being in those middle years that makes it so hard, with a job and family and all that.
Hepzibah — we’re quite alike, aren’t we? π
Danielle — I think it’s terrible to be stuck indoors because of fears of safety, so I’d much rather take a risk now and then. I really don’t like to be governed by fear!
Melanie — quite a few of us are good at math, it seems — I guess I shouldn’t generalize about English types not being able to do it!
Verbivore — yes, doesn’t it sound lovely? I’d like to do some hiking in Europe; I think that would make a fabulous vacation.
Litlove — oh, yes, I know just what you mean about the depressing aspect of housekeeping! Sometimes it feels SO pointless (although what would thinks look like if I never did it??)
Courtney — I did really well on the logic part too — I used to do logic puzzles when I was younger, which I’m sure helped (and proved how dorky I was …). Yes, I know about the vegetables … it’s truly terrible.
Emily — I’m so not alone with these things, am I? Good to know.
Iliana — I can be that way about organization too. Who needs organization when you know where everything is?
LikeLike
I could have put #5 in my list of seven things. I used to feel the same way about my mom’s housekeeping and now, well, I’m not much better. As you say, there are more important things.
LikeLike
I think you took the best course of action with the gym teacher. Normally I abhor lies, but I’m sure a gym teacher would use the truth to torment you. π
Don’t worry about the whistling. I once saw a quote that went something like: “Whistling is a habit that brings joy only to the doer.” With attitude like that, it was probably Schopenhauer who wrote it.
I am hard pressed to stay on top of cleaning; however, living in hot, humid, roach-friendly locations has taught me to keep food sealed and dishes clean. Apparent dust allergies are starting to work on my vacuuming skills.
Loved your biking/eating habits bit. Unfortunately, I keep eating like I did when I rode hundreds of miles a week, even though I am doing a hundred a month now. Very dangerous.
I’m committed to do this meme, but haven’t made the time yet. Soon… soon.
LikeLike
Stefanie — it’s funny how things change when we grow up π
Bikkuri — I think you’re right about the gym teacher — I don’t think she was the type to deal with weakness and vulnerability very well π
I can never stop riding because I’d balloon up, I’m afraid — It’s so hard to change one’s eating habits! Much harder than changing cycling habits.
LikeLike