Quirky, but unspectacular
The writer of Book Calendar, a blog about books (among other things) from an American librarian and keen reader, tagged me with one of those memes which encourages bloggers to reveal random facts about themselves to the world. So, first the rules of the meme, and then the results chez Singing Librarian.
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell six unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag six bloggers by linking.
5. Leave a comment for each blogger.
6. There is no sixth rule, but I feel there really should be.
So. Unspectacular quirks. That’s an interesting one, as I tend to think of quirks as being fairly remarkable things, but remarkable does not necessarily equal spectacular. I also need to make sure that I haven’t mentioned them before, as that would break the spirit, though not the letter, of the meme.
1 – Although I really don’t like tomatoes (or tomato sauce, or tomato soup or even Heinz baked beans), I am very fond of pizza. Chicken, or pepperoni, or mixed meat, or ham and pineapple, or even vegetarian, pizza is great as long as it doesn’t have actual slices of tomato on it. I’m told that the vile fruit contains some important nutritional thingummies, so I even feel vaguely virtuous when I eat it.
2 – I can survive quite happily in a messy office or bedroom, but there are certain things that just have to be tidy. CDs for instance. My cast recordings are arranged alphabetically by composer, then by show, then (if necessarily) chronologically by recording date for multiple recordings of the same show. Releases by individual artists are filed alphabetically and classical recordings are arranged by composer. Sometimes Sir Arthur Sullivan causes a minor problem as I try to define a line between classical and musical theatre, but otherwise my mind feels much happier with everything in the correct order. I even rearrange CDs in shops if somebody has carelessly put something back in the wrong place. It is important, though I have no idea why, when my general environment is approaching a state of entropy.
3 – I hate being late for anything, and have been known to make my watch run a few minutes fast in order to avoid this possibility. Work, church, rehearsals, parties, it really doesn’t matter. I will arrive early, and if necessary take a walk or three around the block until the appointed hour has truly arrived. I am gradually managing to acclimatise to lateness, though, and will no doubt become spectacularly unreliable in a decade or two.
4 – My general male inability to remember what clothes people may have worn recently is quite pronounced. A few days ago, I was wandering through the supermarket and realised that I had no idea what colour shirt I might have been wearing, as it was hiding underneath a jacket. I don’t think this was a typical senior moment, just a demonstration of just how little impact clothes make on me.
5 – On stage, my most notable quirk is that I’m not a fan of either curtain calls or follow spots, which are often beloved by most performers, whether amateur or professional. I find both of them rather embarrassing, perhaps because they are impossible to explain within the world of the show. Singing and dancing can, if you accept the conventions, flow from heightened emotions, but follows spots really can’t. I was very pleased that my ‘Soliloquy’ performance lacked a follow-spot – the lighting man and the director decided that it would ruin the song, which it certainly would have done. Curtain calls are also odd things, particularly if a solo bow is called for – I always feel awkward, as it feels as though I am rudely demanding applause from the audience. And yet, as an audience member, I generally appreciate the chance to clap my favourite performers loudly, and even give a cheer if I am particularly excited. Double standards…
6 – I am far too indecisive. It has taken me a very long time to post this because I could not decide what to put as my sixth unspectacular quirk, so in the end I decided that indecision itself had to go here. Some people could argue that my inability to make a decision is actually a rather spectacular quirk, and I will indeed sometimes go out of my way to avoid making a choice. I’m not talking about the really big decisions in life, though they don’t come easily. I’m talking about the little ones. Which book to read next, or what to have to drink. Even whether to have anything to drink at all. These things can bring me to a dead halt as my brain refuses to work with me, so a meal out can be a strange form of torture to my soul, albeit one that has a delicious aftertaste.
So there you have it, six quirks which may or may not be unspectacular. Now for the tagging.
1 – Aphra, because even if the quirks are already known to readers of her blog, her explanations will be highly readable. ‘Danger of eclectic shock’ is her tagline, and readers can certainly expect eclecticism.
2 – Helen. I always enjoy reading her blog, but don’t comment as much as I should. Musings here are generally concerned either with the act of writing or the actions of young Kiko, who I feel I know better than I know any toddlers that I actually encounter in everyday life. Kiko certainly has quirks (in a good way!), so I can’t help wondering what Helen’s may be.
3 – mrspao. I suspect that some, if not all, quirks could well be connected with either cats or knitting, but I’m interested regardless of whether this prediction is true. I should confess that I know mrspao in real life and knew her in a non-internet context before an internet one.
4 – Reed, who is one of the most articulate, amusing, readable writers I’ve encountered. Her writings are often on the subject of writing, and although I know she hasn’t blogged recently due to the perils of work/study/life balance, I’d love to see her do so again. With no obligation, of course. Feel free, Reed (and anyone else) to ignore my tagging. I’ve ignored a meme or to in my time.
5 – Music Man. Another currently silent blog, belonging to a fellow amateur thespian, though one further North than I.
6 – You, if you feel that you wish to share six unspectacular quirks with your readership. I’m certainly interested (or is that nosy?) enough to read what you might like to write…
The Singing Librarian Talks 
