BS: Truly Strange People

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Mickey191
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 07:56 PM

Not all the nuts are in the nut house it seems. You've all hidden your weirdness rather well.

My cousin told me the other day that he cannot stand rain on his hands. Drives him crazy. Never heard of that before. He may be the only one with that affliction.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 06:53 PM

Every now and again I bring myself up short because I have found myself obsessing on something. For instance, left sock first (fast foot, you see- right foot is stronger thus making the other foot faster. lol) or when I went walking, going down the alphabet inserting beginning letters. (for instance, 'ale'; bale, dale, gale, hale, male, pale, rale, sale, tale, vale, wale. Or 'ark', bark; dark, hark, lark, mark, park) That way lies madness. So I stop.

Perhaps it has to do with when I was a kid, in a very religious household, and I noted that my prayers often resulted in the opposite outcome. So I started praying for opposite what I wanted (For instance, if we kids were told that "if it didn't rain on Saturday, we'd go to the Coast" I prayed for rain. If there is a personal god he must mourn his children.) *g*

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 06:36 PM

I talk to crows. That isn't weird. I also do the steps thing Liz does. And it really bugs me if one foot is on a different surface than the other one. Say, grass and concrete.

I also hold up one hand when walking with hot pizza. It is supposed to stop people from running into me, and me dropping the pizza. God knows it wouldn't help. Pizza and pans are nearly 500 degrees F. Like I'm going to catch it???? With one hand even????

I don't sing to my chops tho.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 06:24 PM

Stonewall Jackson also sucked lemons which were sent to him by someone, nobody knows who, in Florida.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: 282RA
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 05:59 PM

Sometimes weirdness can be a sign of genius. Look at Tesla. Talk about a weird cat.

He wouldn't eat from serving cup whose cubic capacity was not evenly divisible by 3.

He wouldn't touch the hair of another person's hair because other people's hair disgusted him--even women's.

Hated to pass under bridges because, he said, the air pressure was greatly increased under the bridge causing his scalp to hurt unbearably.

He continued to send checks to his friend, Mark Twain, three decades after the man's death.

Stonewall Jackson was weird. Among his many idiosyncarasies was his habit of walking with his left hand (could have been his right, I forget) held up in front of him as though greeting someone. He claimed this was essential for his balance. As a boy, I once saw Confederate paper currency that showed Jackson topping a wall as Union soldiers opened fire on him. Jackson had his saber drawn in one hand and the other was raised similar to the way Hitler would return a Nazi/Roman salute--arm bent at the elbow, palm flat facing forward, fingers extended straight up. It looked like Jackson was greeting the soldiers that were trying to kill him and I never understood that etching until years later when I read about his weird walking habit.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 05:51 PM

I can cope with Jacqui growling at pit bulls, it's the way she insists on treating the fire hydrants I can't get....

I'm not crazy.. I do have a problem where I feel all wrong-footed if I don't tread on similar road surfaces with both feet - for instance, where there's a red asphalt surface for the cycle lane that crosses the pavement I'm walking on, I have to tread even steps on it, and will actively shuffle up to make sure it comes out even. I have to take the same number of steps on both sides of the road and if I tread on the white line, I have to do it again with the other foot...

But I'm not crazy.

















Mad as a box of frogs though!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 05:41 PM

What Scoville said. We're all crazy in some respect or another.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 05:29 PM

Mickey, you can't blame singing to your chops on me. I simply won't allow it. It's quite quite OTT.

Now, what shall I say to the broccoli? Is there a song to sing to dying broccoli???? And the pasta! Pobre pocita La Pasta!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:40 PM

My sister is an emergency room nurse. She worked with what apeared to be a normal doctor if there is such a thing. But every time he touched someone he would go into an empty exam room and wash his hands with the lights off. Always by himself and never with the lights on. But that's not strange - just an obsessive compulsive disorder.

I'll bet every town has one of these. In south Ft Worth there is a dilapidated house along a well traveled road. It's covered with stuff. Bits of black plastic trash bags, tin foil, crosses, you name it. I can only assume she's trying to keep out the "signals" being beamed into her house. By "them".

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Becca72
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:31 PM

I don't want to be there when said pit bull challenges her authority...yeesh!

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:27 PM

If you want "Truly Strange People," I just read through a couple of political threads started by some pretty paranoid folks (GUESTs, incidentally) that I can direct you to.

Whoo-Weeeee!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:24 PM

I don't find the reading to someone's left behind shell odd at all...just touching and probably a more honest way of dealing with grief than some people I know. Also, like Little Hawk said, his spirit may have been hovering, esp. drawn by her last act of kindness to him.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: MMario
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:22 PM

Sins - what is strange about that? perfectly normal and practical behavior as far as I can see.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:09 PM

lol- Sins, I visualise you joining Jacqui.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:56 PM

You have not seen "strange" until you have witnessed Jacqui in Alpha Male stance growling at any dog, including Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, who dare to intimidate Seamus. I just pretend I don't know her.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:48 PM

lol, Rap. I understand you.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:10 PM

Not me! I am rational and logical in everything I say or do. YOU might have a problem following the logic, but I'm fine.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Scoville
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:56 PM

I've learned that everyone is crazy if you just get to know them well enough.

Seriously. Everyone has something about which they are completely inexplicable. It's just a case of finding out what it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:43 PM

{{{{{{Peace}}}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Mickey191
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:10 PM

Don, point well taken-I didn't giggle. I was just amazed that someone would do that. I just can't shake off the creep factor.

House Cat,
Wish I had an interesting neighbor like that. My neighbor (german born) keeps watching the history channel when Hitler is on a rant--I told him - no matter how many times you watch it-Hitler does not win.

Liz You Are A Sketch!

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:09 PM

"Truly Strange People"

The people I find to be truly strange are those who 'invent' different weapons of mass destruction. Particularly those who develop biological weapons that may have the potential to kill billions of people somewhat indiscriminately. We hire them and support their research through our taxes, and wander off thinking all is right with the world.

People handle grief in ways that may seem strange to others, but it's their grief.

I recall vividly when my grandfather died. I was 12 at the time and I sat and rocked back and forth saying "No, no, no . . ." for hours and hours. I did the math on it once and it came to over fifty thousand repetitions of the word 'no'. It changed nothing of course. My grief was inconsolable. After that day I spoke not one word for over six months--not at home, not to friends, not at school. Looking back 47 years I still don't understand it. I expect to die still not understanding it. We all of us handle our realities in ways that may not be understandable to others--and sometimes not even to ourselves.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: HouseCat
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:07 PM

Well said, Don. I sing at alot of funerals, and whatever makes the loved ones left behind feel better, that's what I try to do. I've sung some off-the-wall stuff over the years, but you never know what's going to help someone heal.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:54 PM

In the spirit of the idea that "funerals are for the living," I'd say that reading to her deceased lover's body was her way of dealing with her grief. If it helps her find closure and move on, then who are we to shake our heads or point and giggle?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:24 PM

Of course we ALL know some 'strange' people. Some are harmless...some are not. And some are borderline.

Those of you who have attended the FSGW Getaway have met or observed at least one....and that case got a bit awkward briefly.

Some folks just have problems adapting to interactive social situations....and it is often difficult to know why. I can remember 6-7 people...at least 3-4 of whom I still know, whose idea of a conversation is to 'tell you things'...often in short,declarative sentences. They just have difficulty discussing feelings, sharing experiences and being aware of their effect on others.

I suppose some of them feel that OTHER people are strange...but it's hard to get far enough into a conversation to ask...

Some of these 'strange' people are truly bright, competent folks in certain areas, but just aren't wired for complex social interaction.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 11:40 AM

So am I the only one who talks to her tits?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: HouseCat
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 11:14 AM

My neighbor is odd and sort of disturbed but harmless, I think, and very kind as long as he's not disputed on any point.
He told me that God informed him that he could get off drugs by drinking beer and watching porn. Apparently it worked, but he can't buy a DVD player to replace his VCR because the government plants devices in them to spy on everyone. He's also fond of sitting on his roof in a folding chair so that when folks walk down the road he can make noises to confuse them.
One day I was working in my front garden and he crossed the road to ask me, "You don't live in outer darkness, do you?"
"No, I try not to," I replied.
"That's a relief," he said, and went back home.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Mickey191
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:38 AM

Sorcha, I have lamb chops defrosting on the counter now. I find myself singing "baa baa black sheep....... and you are the inspiration. Too funny!

Ebbie, I know only that she paid someone to get in. AS for the state of the body-I couldn't bring myself to ask. As she related the tale--I was not up to asking questions.

Bert, your singing is a totally different action. It makes total sense-it was loving and a way to still feel a close connection to a dear loved one. When my Mom was in a coma I talked & sang to her also. Just thought on some plane I might be connecting with her.

Joe, did anyone ever engage the mystery man in conversation? Three hours of writing weekly--he must have had some tale to tell that ignited such passion. Or he was just loony tunes.

leeneia, you ask how rational is it to make decorative birdhouses-why not make something which birds can live in? How rational? I make both - but the decorative ones are the money makers. They raise money for the local SPCA & Habitat for Humanity. And I happen to enjoy painting & adorning them. Okay ??

Donuel, After I looked up the alien(to me) words-I've deduced that I'm not in your league. You may be the Christopher Wren of bird sanctuaries!

Cheers!

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Michael
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:23 AM

As an old man I worked with many years ago used to say: " If we were all going 't same road we'd never meet nobugger"

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:05 AM

Hey Mickey I am building a birdhouse decorated in contrasting colored stained tesellations of 4 different birds in an Escher fashion. You are welcomed to have the template I made.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:01 AM

Well, my staff would tell you that there's me.... Something about having fencing epees delivered to the Library or putting a sign on the wall that reads "Caution! Dry Paint!" or punching a hole through a wall to see what was on the other side (a nice big area which is now a lovely large storage area and which will be Harry Potter's bedroom-under-the-stairs on July 16 or maybe 21, a vision magically transported to Idaho by judicious use of magic, theatrical lighting, and scrim).

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:00 AM

I read a book once by a woman who was the chaplain at a Lutheran hospital. She said you can expect "crazy" behavior from people who have just lost a loved one.

When her own fiance (about 50 years old) died suddenly, she spent many hours at his grave. Within two weeks, that craving was over.

Conclusion: you can expect behavior like this from people around you and even from yourself. It may not be logical, but it's normal.

Meanwhile, how rational is it to make decorative bird houses? Why not make something in which birds can live?

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 04:48 AM

Back when the U.S. Governmet actually hired people through Civil Service processes, my agency, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, ran the Federal Job Information Center in downtown Sacramento.
The center was always busy, and there was usually a crowd of people waiting outside when the doors opened at 9 AM. Every Wednesday, there was a distinguished looking man waiting at the door, and he'd come in at 9 AM and leave when the center closed at noon. He always wore the same three-piece pinstripe suit, which smelled of urine. He had an Afro hair style with a little tail hanging down the back. Every Wednesday that he was there, he would stand at the counter for three hours, writing on a yellow legal pad. When the office closed at noon, he'd hand in what he had written, and our clerk would file his writings in a folder. This went on for years.

Sometimes, I'd read what he wrote. Most of what he wrote was in English, long treatises on government and what was wrong with it. Sometimes, he'd write in German or Spanish, and his grammar and vocabulary in all three languages were quite good. He never wrote anything threatening, but it was part of my job as an investigator to make sure he wasn't a threat. We had others who were.

He rarely spoke more than a timid "hello." I never was sure what his name was. We addressed him as "Doc," because he carried himself like a professor. We closed the center in about 1988, and I didn't see him after that. I wonder what happened to him.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:43 AM

Perhaps she used to gig in restaurants - she would have been used to that sort of response.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: GUEST,Rog Peek
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 03:02 AM

My Granny used to say "There's none queer as folks!"   What a boring old life if they weren't.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 02:19 AM

snort

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:43 AM

Sorcha, here's a thought. I agree that his body was just a piece of meat by then...but...if his soul was still around in the ether (so to speak), then he might appreciate the gesture and be drawn in by her focusing on reading to him...so maybe she had an audience after all, even if he wasn't literally in the body. ;-)

Tremors is a darned funny movie, and means to be. I liked it.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Bert
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:22 AM

Do you know any really strange people?

Of course - this is MUDCAT, we're all a bit strange here.

Seriously, it is not something that I would do, but I would say it was more sad and lovely than weird.



When Lou was dying of lymphoma and she was in a morphine induced coma I would sit by her bed and sing to her. This went on for a couple of weeks before she finally gave up. I didn't think that my behaviour was strange but evidently I was the talk of the hospital.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:22 AM

"I'm sorry, but to me, you could just as well read to a steak on the counter."

What's weird about THAT?

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 01:19 AM

oh dear..rof here.....I KNOW I have a warped sense of humour but this is ridiculous....I think I have just been really really stressed out lately in order to find so much stuff just soooo funny.

I'm sorry, but to me, you could just as well read to a steak on the counter. There is nobody home there, it's just a piece of meat. If she wants to read to a steak, well, OK......but I do admit it's a bit strange.

We just watched the film, Tremors, Aftershocks...I must be very weird because I thought it was just so much funnier than nearly any so called comedy I've seen latley.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:57 AM

This from the lady who coined the phrase about the 'flush of a distant toilet' (?) completely unaware that she'd done so, thereby inventing a phrase that baffled even Mr Google.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:46 AM

I agree with Peace. Anywhere else would imply she had a hand in his death. :)

People talk to their dead loved ones all the time, so I don't suppose that reading to one is all that different.

I don't understand, however, how she got into the morgue that often. Or are we actually talking about a mortuary? Which would imply an embalmed body.

As far as deteriorating condition goes, if the body weren't embalmed, wouldn't the body be on ice?

Eccentricity is interesting and as long as no one is harmed, it bemuses and amuses me. I have known and enjoyed eccentrics all my life- not that I am one...

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:37 AM

I'd say it was weird if she'd been reading over his dead body anywhere but the morgue.

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Alice
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:28 AM

Reading in the morgue over a dead body.
weird, I say

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Mickey191
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 12:26 AM

Sorcha-Touching Yes-But it's weird to me. We'll see how many think my take is weird for thinking as I do.

Does it turn weird if it goes on for a week-a month-a year?

Subject: RE: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 11:57 PM

Oh, Mickey, I don't find that the least bit odd. I guess I'm kinda warped. I think it's touching and generous. Kinda funny too, I guess.

I'm sure I'll think of some odd things, but can't right now.

Subject: BS: Truly Strange People
From: Mickey191
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 11:46 PM

Do you know any really strange people? Perhaps I should say people who do strange things. This is my tale on strange behavior:

I make lovely, decorative birdhouses. Read an ad in the local paper that a lady was selling 20 of her creations., so I rang her up. We had a great talk, she was intelligent & funny - someone I'd like to get to know better. She & I had 4 or 5 phone talks- each getting more personal as she related that she was getting over a case of depression.

It seems her married lover had died the previous year and there was a battle going on between his wife (they were in the midst of a divorce) and his parents over where the man would be burried.

Somehow this lady was able to go into the city morgue and view his body. They both had a great love for classic literature and often read to eachother. So for 3 nights & some afternoons she would go in and read to him. Each session lasted an hour atleast. I hid my shock but the conversation gave me the creeps. To see your love deteriorate - I could not, would not ever contemplate anything like this.What say you? Know any strange & true tales?