June 24th, 2008
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It’s time once again for the 2HT Summer of Love. Last year if you’ll recall, I had over three weeks of guest posts from an all-female superblogging cast. I was so surprised by the acceptance rate because 95% of the people I asked to guest post said YES. Had guest bloggers EVERY DAY for three weeks.
This year, it’ll be a bit different. There are still quite a few (24) that agreed to write guest posts. But I won’t be having guest posts every day. Instead, starting a week from today, there will be guest bloggers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays all through July and much of August. And there will be female AND male guest bloggers.
I’ve given them all carte blanche. They can write about anything they want, SAY anything they want, so it’ll be really interesting to see what they all come up with. I produced the schedule yesterday and still haven’t heard from about 10 people. If they get back to me (hint hint) then I’ll just tack them on in August.
And I’ll be blogging the other four days of the week, so no worries there, either.
OK, on to my 100 Things list, still in progress. I’ve been slowly putting the list together in 10-item segments. This is Part 9 of 10.
- I wear my heart on my sleeve, for the most part. I’ve been told many times in the past that I have a flat affect, meaning that much of the time you can’t read my emotions via my face. That’s probably true. But anyone who knows me personally (and to a large extent, anyone who reads my blog) will know I am a rather passionate person. Mix that in with being bipolar and you’ll see LOTS of emotion. Case in point: the recent blog drama that I’m done talking about. Hilly asked me if I thought I was going through a manic phase during all of that, and I’m pretty sure she’s right. Regardless, I care deeply for many people, and I care deeply about many subjects. You might not like me for voicing my opinion on certain things, but you WILL be sure of one thing: I feel.
- I have a difficult time crying in “real life.” What I mean by that is that it’s extremely rare for me to cry unless we’re talking about some stimulus that generates the tears, like movies, TV shows, and music. I’ll tear up from time to time. Funerals will do it. Sunday, on my way home from Britt’s, I actually cried just thinking about Lisa, praying like hell she’s not going to rip my heart out. One of my favorite quotes, though, I heard from Deacon Bill at my old church in Dallas. He told me, “The moment you say ‘I love you’ is the moment you begin to say goodbye to that person.” That hit me like a ton of bricks, so profound a truth. That’s what love is, opening yourself up and becoming vulnerable. I wouldn’t have it any other way, but the fact of the matter is that the older I get, the more and more I’m going to be saying goodbye to people I love.
- I’m smart. Apparently, genius smart. You’d never know it from my blog, perhaps, with all the naked blogging and silliness, but I have an I.Q. of 182. I would never say that to anyone because I’m not really about the bragging (but I’m running out of things to say about myself). I’m not a savant by any stretch of the imagination, but I know a lot of useless shit. Mensa asked me to join their little club, but fuck that. I’m not about mutual mental masturbation. PHYSICAL masturbation, maybe, but sitting around with a bunch of “smart people” who all KNOW they’re smart people and flaunt it around like Liberace did with his rhinestoned capes? Well, that really turns me off. My friends are smart…I love hanging around with them. But we don’t need to TALK about how smart we are.
- I want people to like me. Sometimes I NEED them to like me, but I’ve gotten much better at controlling that aspect of my insecurities. As a kid, being bullied quite a bit, I learned how to be funny. Funny works for me. Everyone likes funny, even bullies. Didn’t keep me from getting my ass kicked on a semi-regular basis, but SOME of the bullies backed off of me when I made them laugh. It used to kill me when someone didn’t like me. Now I realize that it’s impossible for everyone to appreciate the awesomeness that is me. And I’m OK with that. Still, it hurts on occasion. The recent blog drama wounded me in a few ways. Nothing permanent, mind you, but when you put so much of your raw self out there for everyone to see and critique (like I did a couple of weeks ago), you’re bound to get some people that have some not-very-nice things to say to you.
- I hate my teeth. It’s my Achilles heel. Yes, I’m the person responsible for them getting in such a sad and sorry shape, but I wish I could blink my eyes or wiggle my nose and create the perfect smile. They’re cracked, full of cavities, and yellowed. Because of that, I rarely smile fully so that my teeth show. Usually, it’s a closed-mouth smile. You want to hurt me? Talk about my fucked-up teeth. That’ll do it. My self-image is far from great and I fantasize that my life would improve a thousand-fold if I had a whole new pearly white set of choppers. Every time a girlfriend breaks up with me, I torture myself by dreaming that it’s because of my teeth.
- I still love to read a newspaper. A physical, paper newspaper. I love the way it feels in my hands, I love the printed word. I even love that newspapers make your hands dirty from all the newsprint. Yes, I get a LOT of my news from TV and the InterTubes. But there’s nothing like a newspaper, especially on Sunday. Mmmm, a hot cup of coffee and the funny pages. Doesn’t get much better than that…unless I’m getting fellated while drinking coffee and reading the funny pages. I’m kidding, of course. I wouldn’t drink coffee while getting a blow job.
- I suffer from occasional Attention Deficit Disorder. I bring this up because there are times that I cannot READ a newspaper. Just can’t do it. It frustrates the hell out of me, too, because I love to read so much. In those times, I can’t read the novel(s) I’m working on, either. It’s very difficult to read anything, including blogs, which are a daily part of my life. It’s like my brain races too fast a lot of the time…a million thoughts (often diametrically opposed) running through my brain and I can’t process all that shit at once. Hate it. Without meds, I’d never get to sleep. And oftentimes I’ll almost mentally collapse into sleep, all those thoughts racing in my head.
- At the same time, I have a terrible habit of multitasking. I say “terrible” - it’s really a blessing AND a curse. There’s so much shit going on in my head at times that I simply CANNOT focus on just ONE thing. Even now, as I write this, I’m typing and watching Anderson Cooper on CNN. I also often carry on conversations while I’m writing AND watching TV. This annoys a lot of people because they feel like I’m not paying them the full attention they may deserve. But I AM. It’s just that I can’t sit still doing only ONE thing. Seriously, I need like five or six more Karls.
- I think Donnie Darko sucks. The movie. I heard nothing but raves about it for YEARS and I finally watched it earlier this year. It blows. Big chunks. It’s not clever or riveting. It’s just stupid and weird. I’m all about the independent films. Love ‘em. Well, a lot of them. Donnie Darko is just awful. Now Harvey. There’s an invisible rabbit I can believe in. I guess there are a lot of people that appreciate movies simply because they’re different. Not me. I like movies that are different and GOOD. Jacob’s Ladder? Now, THAT’S different and good.
- I hate when people slam doors or cabinet doors. Or drawers. What the fuck is wrong with you people? How much effort does it take to quietly shut a door behind you? Or to gently slide a drawer shut instead of letting it BANG closed? It’s like they have absolutely no consideration for other people in the house. My sister is like that. When I lived with her, she’d slam the cabinet doors shut and I’d hear it all the way upstairs with my bedroom door closed. I don’t get it. Bugs the ever-loving shit out of me.
Whew, only 10 more to go and I’ll be finished.
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Filed under 100 Things, Memes, Uncategorized |42 Responses to “100 Things About Karl, Part Nine”
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Wow… I have a genius-level IQ of 142 and was pretty happy with that considering Einstein is estimated to have an IQ of 160! But here comes Karl with an IQ level rating of “Highest Genius” at 182! I am totally humbled. Fuck Mensa… you need to join the one-in-a-million Mega Society!! There are only 26 people on earth that are currently qualified to belong, so you should absolutely embrace your uber-genius ego and become #27!!
And yet… you don’t like Donnie Darko?? Normally I’d say it was because you don’t understand it but, with an IQ of 182, I’m guessing you not only understood it, but was able to invent a new form of plasma coherence to stabilize a fusion reactor during the boring parts! Rock on!!
Some serious self revelation here… You are among the worlds elite at 182! I joined Mensa with 140, but the difference between me and 182 is like… GOD. I bow in your cyber presence.
Sometimes I WISH I had a hard time crying. Not only when I’m very sad (when my grandfather died I cried so much that my eyes were swollen almost shut for 2 days) but also when I’m happy, when I’m pissed (that is THE worst time to cry), when I’m tired, at books, movies, songs, when my iguana died, whatever. But, I think maybe what is worse is that I haven’t felt an emotion strongly enough in the past few years to cry at all.
My family owned small newspapers for a few generations so I’ve been involved with one since I can remember. Even after they sold the last one I still can’t get away from it. I freelance 2 mornings a week to help the local newspaper with the physical part of getting the paper ready. That will really get your hands dirty from the newsprint.
I’m also a multi-tasker. Sometimes it isn’t always better to do more than 1 thing at once, but it is hard for me to do less than 2 or 3 things at once. I’ve been trying to take control of it but I am easily distracted.
My IQ is 155 and I bow to your 182.
Oh, and I think Donnie Darko sucks, too. I thought it was just me. I tried watching it a 2nd time but couldn’t get through it. Which is pretty bad because I can watch just about anything, even more than once.
What I like about your great big IQ is that you don’t wave it around like a badge of honor, therefore rubbing others’ faces in it. That is half of the reason that I don’t always speak correctly and/or correct others when they are wrong. I like to mix it up with the commoners ;).
And dude, with my anxiety disorder, there is no amount of medication that can take away from how anxious and disturbed I get when someone slams something. In fact, people being loud to be loud? Irritating.
Wait wait….your IQ is 182? It’s THAT high? Me and my paltry 136 will just be over here chewing on our own tongues and such.
Dave2 - Meh, the Mega Society. I can only imagine they’d be even worse then Mensa. Plus, I don’t like their logo. Seriously, don’t they have any genius graphic designers in their mix? Donnie Darko, I was just talking to Adam about that at dinner on Saturday night. That’s why it popped into my head for this list. I know a lot of people that love that movie. I just don’t understand why.
Willie G - Nah, I’m just a dude. And I’m easy. Buy me a Guinness and I’ll be your friend for life. Or until the Guinness is gone.
Penny - It’s one of those “grass is always greener” situations, I think. I still have a great deal of trouble emoting. I spent quite a large period of my life shutting emotions OFF. Turning them back on is really difficult. I doubt I’ll ever master that. I had a newspaper column for a few years, but got fired a couple months back. Because of the blog.
Hilly - Yeah, I’m pretty embarrassed I mentioned it here, but shit…I really am having trouble coming up with stuff for this list now. And I’m with ya, I spot errors all the time in other people’s writing or speech. Rarely do I correct them. That’s just obnoxious.
Karl,
I enjoyed your post today and was glad to see that your headache was better!
My IQ is 596.
Of course that is according to a test of my own devising. Everyone else in the world scores 8.
I think we can blame the multitasking on the ADD. Sorry about that. Can’t be fun.
But am I the only one who was reading a few of these and started thinking of the old Stuart Smalley sketches?
intelligence is sexy.
The idea that you are that insecure about your teeth makes me want to cry. Seriously.
I’d do ya.
So, next time I see you, I should walk around quoting Donnie Darko while I slam cabinets shut and talking about how awesome Mensa is?
1,2,4,8,9,10 - I’m down. : )
Sorry, I know you hate referring to your list. This fact was in Part 8 wasn’t it? Please go back and check. See, I pay attention.
Just thought I’d confess to you that they apparently think I am smart too. I was accepted to college when I was 11, after extensive testing. (No, not kidding.) But it only made people trying to fling all those blonde jokes at me a little more vicious.
I have never seen Donnie Darko. I was toying with the idea of renting it, but now I think I’ll just stick with Witless Protection.
You are pretty uncommon, I’d think, being a multitasker and a man. My husband cannot do two things at once, and it drives me insane! Multitasking is a way of life for me!
I know you’ve got me beat on the IQ front. Not even gonna touch that.
But I, too, am not a crier, so when I do, I either have PMS or I am super, duper sad.
Donnie Darko was awful. AWFUL.
You? Are pretty cool.
So, what you’re saying is you’re smarter than all of us put together?
NICE, REAL NICE, KARL.
*giggle*
Charlene - Thanks. I’m glad it’s gone, too.
Dan - Ha!
Kapgar - Yeah, it is the ADD. Haven’t heard Stuart Smalley in quite a while.
Hello - I agree.
Britt - I’d totally do you, too.
Avitable - Sure, you could do that. And I could shoot you.
John - Funny. Veeeeeery funny. :p
Kyra - Damn, girl! College at 11? Are you Doogie Howser?
Blondefabulous - Yeah, I’d say don’t waste your time on Donnie Darko, but hey, some people like it.
Sybil Law - Thanks. Glad I’m not the only one who didn’t “get” Darko.
Poppy - I’m not smarter than all of you put together. Just separately. KIDDING!
*SNORT*
I just hurt myself laughing at your comment to me.
See? You ARE smarter than us individually! But… only just as smart as my big brother.
Poppy - Glad I could entertain.
There’s really nothing a dentist or orthodontist can’t fix with a little time and money. Ok… a LOT of money, but still.
I think Dave2 or Adam should write a post explaining the whole Donnie Darco fascination! I’m with you, I just don’t get why that movie is so acclaimed..it did nothing for me…
As for the IQ scores..yeah. That’s {{{{insane}}}} - and I don’t ever want to know mine, I think it would seriously hurt my ego.
I’m absolutely with you on the crying thing. I can not cry when something real happens, only much later and absolutely in private. Put “Steel Magnolias” DVD on and oh my God I can’t stop bawling!
That is quite some IQ score! You really are King Karl huh? ;o)
i HATE my teeth too. and my best friend is a dentist…i’m always nervous to smile big around her…
(and i’m secretly hoping she’ll offer to veneer them up for free…)
I am SO with you on number 10 (the slamming things one…so you don’t get mad…I do remember one of your previous things was that you don’t like when people refer to numbers). My husband does it all the time and I am constantly asking him if he could just relax and close things quietly. It really does grate on my nerves. I try really hard to not tell him he’s doing it wrong each time because I could see how THAT could get on HIS nerves and make point someday for a list he might make, but seriously…drives me insane. If it happenes once in a while, maybe you slipped, but every single time? Doubtful.
Yup, I’m doogie houser… want me to take your temperature?
“I wear my heart on my sleeve, for the most part.”
I’ve been told I do.
And I tend to be attracted to those who are too.
There’s an ‘open-ness’ there. And a strength.
~ZZ
Jeff - and therein lies the problem. Money.
Glenda - I never wanted to know mine, either. I suppose I was curious, though.
Penelope - Haven’t seen “Steel Magnolias.” But “Beaches” made me cry like a little girl.
Ali - Hook a brother up!
Tori - Yeah, grates on my nerves, too. Grown-ass adults slamming door and cabinets. Ugh.
Kyra - Will you wear some slutty scrubs for me?
ZZ - Yeah, I tend to be attracted to those people, too.
You’re one cool dude.
Dragon - I really am.
I hide my feelings. Apparently, all too well. I don’t like the newspaper because I don’t like inky fingers. I haven’t seen Donnie Darko. Everything else, I’m pretty much like you. You have 4 whole points on me in the IQ thingy. Mine’s 178. I did Mensa for a couple of years in my 20’s. It sucks ass. Booooring. I think that’s when my occasional ADD showed up. I couldn’t pay attention to those snotty ass nerds. Crying… I need an catalyst, usually a book, but lately, I can’t read. I get too antsy.
Everything makes me cry. If I’m happy…I cry. Sad…cry. Mad…cry. I’m also not going anywhere so I’m not going to make you cry. At least that’s what I have to believe so I DON’T CRY!
My youngest daughter has an IQ of 146 but I have no idea what mine is. Yours, however, is the highest I’ve ever heard.
ADD and multi-tasking go hand in hand for me. What was that I was saying? I was busy doing something else.
well i have an IQ of about 78 i love my stupidity lol coodles to all you 142 and over peeps lol
Haha…your 100 things crack me up! PS–started writing a book, but I’m going to need someone to look at the first part (or hear about my general idea) to give me some constructive criticism. No pressure, but was wondering if you would have some time to look over a few pages for me. Still VERY much a work in progress, but would appreciate it.
<3 Ash
Winter - I usually don’t like my hands dirty, so I always wash them after I’m done reading the paper.
Lisa - Ha! Yeah, the ADD is a bitch.
Mark - Something tells me you’re lying. Still have to check out the Fubar thing.
Ashley - Of COURSE I’ll look at it for you. My head has been pounding for days. I’ll try calling you tomorrow if you’re going to be around.
I really don’t know what my IQ is. The last time I had an IQ test, I was 20, and I know I’ve gotten much smarter since then. Or that much wiser?
Martymankins - Well, theoretically, your IQ doesn’t change over time unless you have brain damage somewhere along the line.
karl - I did a good amount of my brain damaging activities before I was 18. I’ve just been more moderate since then.
Marty - I did most of my brain damaging activities AFTER I was 18.
I used to think I was really smart with my 125. *sniff*
Nina - You ARE smart. I’m just a hair smarter, technically. :p
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