What do you have to do?

PrunellaFarquar

Posted: May 26, 08 6:52am

This doesn't happen so much anymore now that the department of Homeland Security has cracked down on smokers, but I remember years ago, sitting at a table chatting with a friend who was smoking a cigarette. He had that cancer cylinder in his hands and he was waving it all around, talking about microcosms or jelly donuts or a 1958 Impala hardtop with a gold and copper interior...or something.

As he was talking, the cigarette was slowly burning down and despite the vivid gestures, that little bit of burnt ash on the tip kept getting longer and longer. Pretty soon he put it in his mouth and kept talking and it was bouncing around on his lips looking ever so precarious and starting to droop at the end, but it was still hanging on! I don't know what he was talking about at this point, but I just couldn't help myself. I had to knock him upside of the head just to try to get the damn thing to fall.

I just couldn't stand it!

I wouldn't call it compulsive, there are just certain things that some people have to do even though, it might not be considered "proper behavior".

Some people have to dig their fingernail into candles. I'm not sure why...maybe they don't believe they're really wax unless they do. Maybe its really a hunk of plexiglas...with a wick in it.

Are you one of those people?

Are you the lady behind me on the escalator who tucks my tag in, even though you have no right invading my personal space much less thrust your fingers inside my clothing?

Do you have to break wind in crowded elevators...or pee in the pool just because no one will know (yes, I've heard of people who do this).

Do you have to bite that hangnail even though you know it's going to hurt like Holywater when you finally rip it (and half your cuticle) off of your finger?

Touch the wet paint?

Rip that piece of tape off the wall despite the fact that it's not hurting anybody?

Break the surface of the peanut butter?

Finish someone's sentence when they've left a participle dangling on?

Time to fess up. What do you just gotta do?

106 Comments // 38 Members

Posted: May 26, 08 7:04am

This doesn't happen so much anymore now that the department of Homeland Security has cracked down on smokers, but I reme...

Nothing is more lovely than a freshly opened jar of peanut butter. It smells heavenly and looks so smooth and perfect. I like to dip the knife in just so and twirl the knife so it makes a cool pattern. the rest of the jar is downhill after that.

Posted: May 26, 08 7:29am

This doesn't happen so much anymore now that the department of Homeland Security has cracked down on smokers, but I reme...

i compulsively wait for other people to post first on a new discussion.

i do fix tags, but only on people i know.

i compulsively pick up pieces of dog hair fuzz from the carpet.

i compulsively worry about things i have no control over.

Posted: May 26, 08 7:39am

This doesn't happen so much anymore now that the department of Homeland Security has cracked down on smokers, but I reme...

What I HAVE to do is tell you how incredibly well you described that ash and your friend's gesturing. I was there at the table with you wanting to flick the ash or watching in fascination as it waited to fall.....................................

Posted: May 26, 08 7:44am

What I HAVE to do is tell you how incredibly well you described that ash and your friend's gesturing. I was there at th...

Whew. Then you see my frustration!

Posted: May 26, 08 7:48am

This doesn't happen so much anymore now that the department of Homeland Security has cracked down on smokers, but I reme...

Oh, Pru, I have so many my family affectionately (I think) refers to me as Mr. Monk! The one that quickly comes to mind is my eternal mothering - even of strangers. I went out to dinner with my family for my college graduation on an extremely hot evening and there was a line outside the restaurant. There was a "healthy" young woman standing behind us, unaware of a nasty little bug on her bosom. Without thinking or hesitation, I reached over and brushed it off her boob! Every one was stunned, including me, and she became the most beautiful and interesting color of crimson. My sweet hubby - to lighten the uncomfy moment - pointed out that it was one of those blood sucking evil un-dead bugs and one bite would have turned her into a flesh eating zombie and how lucky she was that I was there at the right moment to save her!

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat - I can't help myself! Do I need a 12 step program?

KesBowl
KesBowl
Founding Member

Posted: May 26, 08 7:52am

This doesn't happen so much anymore now that the department of Homeland Security has cracked down on smokers, but I reme...

If there is a particularly good headline in a tabloid newspaper at the grocery store, I have an overwhelming compulsion to read it out loud and then comment, such as, "Wow! Cannibals Shrink Alien's Head. Can you believe that?!" It makes my wife crazy.

Posted: May 26, 08 7:53am

Oh, Pru, I have so many my family affectionately (I think) refers to me as Mr. Monk! The one that quickly comes to mind ...

You're okay Jo. Keep protecting us from those blood suckers.