i am weird.

nine weird things about me

• i am weird when i get into a hotel room. first, i put away everything promotional, those tacky in-room advertising tents, the menu of services, even the notepad. then, i unpack. i feel more settled this way and it's relaxing for me. and sometimes, i take a nice, long bath if it's been a particularly arduous trip.

• i am weird about my mail. i don't like anyone to pick-up our mail when we're on vacation, so i always put it on hold. also, for environmental reasons, whenever i receive a catalog, a piece of mail i don't want from a company or any other form of junk mail, i immediately contact that company and have them place me on their "do not mail" list. i have also registered my address with the direct marketing association to have my name removed from prospecting lists. with this step, i have reduced my mail by at least 90%. why is this weird? i have a background in marketing.

• i am weird about my tea. i have to start my day with peet's masala chai and unsweetened soy milk, preferably in my own mug. which i travel with. actually, i have two identical mugs, one which is slightly dented that now accompanies me in my checked bag. i also pack tea bags and immediately search for little coffee shops that may offer non-vanilla, thankyouverymuch, soy milk to steam for me in the morning. i have even been known to buy my own soy milk at a local market and keep in on ice.

• i am weird about ironing. a little obsessed maybe. all items of clothing must be ironed before leaving the house. unfortunately, my better half doesn't share this passion and is perfectly fine with being wrinkled in public which drives me nuts.

• i am weird about collecting spices, oils and vinegars. i estimate that i have about 20 bottles of various oils and vinegars in my kitchen and a completely overflowing spice cabinet. i love to cook, so i suppose this isn't super-weird, but do i really need double-strength vanilla extract and three kinds of single-strength?

• i am weird because i love crushed ice. i go out of my way to find it — and believe you me — it's tough to find good crushed ice. something about the soft texture; it's just awesome.

• i am weird because though i can kinda speak two other languages, i get too nervous around native speakers to do so. i need to boost my confidence in this area, this i know. it's ridiculous.

• i am weird because sometimes i go to bed at 8:00 (but i get up really, really early!).

• i am weird because i'm a vegan and i like to eat at steakhouses. they have delicious, filling sides. and great wine.

thanks for the tag, my marrakesh! anyone else care to join in?