30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 1
I thought it would be fun to do one of those blog challenges. (So 2013, right?) This is one of the lamer questions, but that's the point... right?
[Mike] - Weird Things You Do When You're Alone.
No, not "that," creepers. I guess the spirit of the question is one's little; let's say, "eccentricities," or foibles you do. The question is what weird things do you do when you're alone? And I guess I'm up first...
Always wearing sunglasses outside and sometimes in.
When I was young, I was nocturnal. When I was a young man, I was hungover. These days I'm inside a lot staring at a screen or reading, and my shades are prescription. The reasons for always sporting shades is long and storied. I think it had been years at one point since my eyes saw unshaded light during the day outside. In fact just yesterday I went outside briefly with my regular computer glasses. I retreated to the house shielding my eyes and hissing in protest. I reentered the house eyes stinging and watering with a feeling akin to sunscreen in the eyes, or too much swimming in a chlorine pool. In all the haste, I didn't hear Crystal right behind me or knock and incurred wifely scorn. So, not too cool for school or hiding sullen eyes, just light sensitivity from years of being inside. Totally not a vampire, alien or cybernetic organism.
Listening to Tones.
Often strange warbling bass notes or weird sustained frequencies can be heard emanating from our home. I'm really into these audio therapy tones called "Binaural Beats." There are supposed to be all these benefits such as being able to focus or relax. I guess there's a whole lot of overpromising the benefits, and hippie-dippie pseudo-science hocus-pocus. But in fact, there's nothing to back up any claims and any benefits might be totally psychosomatic. However, I find I am more relaxed or able to focus or meditate, so hey, whatever's clever.
Talking to the cat.
I've written about the special bond between Poof and I. And I thought I could help him be understood more by doing word association and talking to him often. At risk of sounding crazy(ier), I don't want to say he talks back, but he makes his wants known vocally. As I type this, I'm snickering on how insane that sounds, but with the joy and peace that lil' critter brings, I don't even care.
That's about it for me. I'm weirdly vanilla alone; it's around people I get goofy. Crystal poops in the shower, so there's that.
Ugh.... Crystal here now. Let's clarify one thing right up front - I DO NOT poop in the shower. Geez, Mike! You are disgusting. But.... I do sing in the shower! So thanks for the helpful segway.
Singing in the shower.
I honestly don't get a lot of time to myself. So the one place I am always guaranteed some "alone time" is in the shower. Typically when getting in, I have a song stuck in my head. Some call this an "ear worm," but that sounds super gross to me. But often it's a catchy song that I may have heard on a commercial, on the radio, or based on a phrase or feeling I have. A popular favorite lately has been "I can't feel my face when I'm with you. Cause I love it, cause I love it!" or Pharrell's "Happy". I must say, I don't have a great voice - but the acoustics in the shower are excellent!
Listening to Kevin and Bean.
Another place I find myself able to enjoy some alone time is in the car on the way to work. For years now, I have been listening to the morning radio show on 106.7 KROQ hosted by Kevin and Bean. I find myself "laughing out loud" two or three times just on my short commute, laughing over funny impressions done by Ralph Garmin or the way they make fun of Kevin for his dumb Twitter facts or mistakes he made on air over the past week.
Laughter is the best medicine, and I try to get my morning chuckle in between 6:30 and 7am.
Watching cheesy romantic comedies.
So when Mike goes to sleep before me (which rarely happens) my guilty pleasure is to get on the computer (usually to work on Photoshop or the Website) and put on an old cheesy romantic comedy. Some of my recent watches have been "13 going on 30," "What Women Want," "50 First Dates," "There's Something About Mary," and "The Princess Bride." I know almost all the lines by heart to some of these favorites, but it still brings me so much happiness to see the characters find one another and seemingly fall head over heels, with so much laughter along the way. Reminds me of Mike and I sometimes... cue annoying "awwwwe!" lol
So I guess that's it. Day 1 of our blogging challenge done - and 29 days to go! Hope you all get some alone time yourselves to enjoy some blog reading!
Thanks,
-Mike & Crystal Olguin
July 29, 2017
