Idiosyncracies



Once again, I heard a word on NPR today that got my brain a-movin'.

Claire Danes, a person from several of my most lasting childhood memories, was interviewed discussing some new TV show she's on (Sorry Claire, but I highly doubt it will ever compare to My So-Called Life. I just don't see that happening.)
 

argh, I miss that show.

Anyhow.

She used the word "idiosyncratic," describing Temple Grandin's physical mannerisms as a person on the spectrum of Autism.  I thought, "Hmmmm there's a word I've never used!" I guessed what it could possibly mean, but having never used it I actually wasn't sure.

Sidenote: I'd HEARD this word several times before, just never really thought about it; for the record.

So, I looked it up.

I looked it up in several places, and came to the conclusion that it can be used to mean "quirky" (which I view as a positive descriptor) or "peculiar" (not always used so positively.) Sure, those two words are pretty closely related, but in my brain there's a very big difference between the two.

I began thinking of what might be construed as some of my idiosyncracies...
...and I made a list:

My rate of speech.  Is it an idiosyncracy to talk so quickly that your own mother sometimes has trouble understanding you??

My inconsistent grooming habits. A solid handful of my friends seem to be grossed out intrigued by the fact that I don't shave my legs/armpits on the daily. or weekly. or.... monthly. Idiosyncracy? Maybe.

My enjoyment of kid company more than grown-up company. We understand each other more than I understand some adults; what can I say?

My obnoxious fear of bees. No, I'm not allergic. Whoever said fears have to be be rational?!

My less obnoxious (but slightly quirkier) sensitivity to people touching my neck. Don't ever touch my neck without warning me. You might get punched in the face, and it won't be my fault.

This list could go on and on for each of us....

So, do all of the "quirks" listed count as idiosyncracies?

...and where does the word come from??
((When I can't figure out words' roots I get nervous.))

So many questions about one word.  Imagine how many words are out there that you've never used....

my brain is full! must be time for a new blog entry.

I fear this blogging attempt may begin to resemble my journaling habits.  I'm a notoriously inconsistent journal-er (yep. it's a word.)  For years I've gone on month-long journal binges, then put it down for an entire month, then picked it up twice in a week, and then ignored it for two more months;  usually in exactly that order.

I give you my word that I'll try really hard to be a more consistent blogger (I'm pretty sure that one really is a word now.)

As I sit in my sky chair and watch my younger dog eat the older dog's poop (what, your dogs don't do that?!)  I realize that if I wrote things down more often I wouldn't come home after work with a brain that feels like my stomach did after Davo's birthday dinner @ our new favorite restaurant, Pizzicleta (if you live in or plan on visiting Flagstaff anytime soon, please do NOT miss this little gem)

I'll breeze through some of the oodles of super fascinating goodies that have been on my brain recently:

We're getting married in our backyard. Our day will be full of love, friendship, family and togetherness and I'm so excited to plan it just that way.

...interested in helping paint candleholders or make fabric streamers? let me know.

what else have I been thinking about.....

oh, wait. that's it. we're getting married.  that's what's been on my brain.

HA!

Seriously, though.

Our wedding...
...and babies.

I don't know if the whole "biological clock" thing is legit, but something switched in me over the last few months and I have some serious baby brain. 

Davo's got it, too.
.... I hope he's not trying to keep it secret. oops.

At this point the baby brain isn't so much a desire to have a child tomorrow as it is a sense of elation that we are, in fact, ready to consider it as a realistic option.

Pretty cool.

Davo likes to say that I've known I wanted a baby since I was nine years old.  He's not very far off.

There was a time in college (like, two weeks) when I thought "No way, I never want kids," BUT I'm pretty sure I was listening to too much Ani DiFranco (pre-Petah Lucia) and didn't really know what I was talking about.

So, yea. I'm getting married and I want babies.  I'm so predictable.

That's all for today.  I thought this one was going to be full of wisdom and inspiration, buuuuuut I guess my brain had other plans.

Sending lots of inspirational, loving thoughts your way,
~*la*~