Different Kind of Valentine Blues
Most of my habits, likes and dislikes fall under the category of “fairly rare” in general polls. I feel a little isolated sometimes, often landing in the “3% of Americans think/do/believe..” category in regards to such ideas and activities as Valentine’s Day, reading habits, sport programs, heck, just about everything.
I guess Valentine’s Day is more specific, but the date is almost here, so I just had the pleasure of reading that I’m not normal in thinking it’s a bogus holiday. Recurring reinforcement that one is odd builds character, I suppose.
It’s always better to look at the brighter side of things. Like the fact that 9,259,980 people agree with me. That sounds much better than knowing that 299,406,020 people don’t.
I wonder how many t-shirts I could sell to that group of 9-million that say “Still excited about talking to each other every day: $0. Would rather go nowhere with each other than go someplace cool with someone else: $0. Knowing I don’t need jewelry to know he loves me: Priceless.” Sure, “My boyfriend bought me a bigger bouquet than yours,” would be more popular, but it might sell enough to justify the printing.
It really doesn’t matter how many times I read things like:
- “To be normal is the ideal aim of the unsuccessful.” ~ Carl Jung, or
- “Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.” ~ Jodie Foster, or even
- “The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.” ~ Joe Ancis.
I do hope sharing provides other “3%ers” some empathy. Always holding the minority opinion makes me feel disconnected sometimes: alone, misunderstood… Of course, it never lasts long enough to make me “normalize” myself, so it can’t be that bad!
Are you a 3%er? Do you enjoy it? Hate it? Cheat on polls to hide it? And most importantly, would you buy my proposed Valentine’s t-shirt?? Share with a comment, please!
Valentine Fun Fact Update
So my hubby reads my article, laughs and lets me know that, as part of his wonderful quirkiness, those events that I don’t expect anything from seem to be triggers for him getting me things!
It was funny enough to him that I posted this on the day the gift he bought me was delivered that he even gave me my Valentine’s present early.
Wow, I’m totally a 3 percent’er with you. I was totally befuddled last night when I tried to take my lovely Bride out to dinner… just something different for a Saturday night… only to find that the shortest wait was over an hour! I had to ask around to find out what the deal was! I’m totally out of the loop… and she doesn’t mind a bit!
Awesome post!
@jtrigsby
jtrigsby´s last blog ..The Untech Show
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Joani Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Hah! Most cool :) Don’t tell Dave about your wife, though. He thinks I’m unique in that area :)
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Hi Joani! Thanks for your comment on my blog, it actually pushed me into posting a new article lol! I’m totally with you in the 3% (I’m probably even in the 1% inside those 3%)… It is really hard sometimes, but when I see what people around me go for in terms of normal, I’m actually glad to be strange… I’ll add a quote to yours: “Never conform…Define yourself The world worships the original.” That’s from Mia Michaels, one of the best and most crazy choreographers out there right now… I agree. The difficulty is to really stick to who you are long enough and fully enough to be recognized for it… Good luck with everythin! L.
Laure´s last blog ..Incredible! A blog post!
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