Behind the Blog: Five Random Facts About Me

Happy Friday!  Can you believe we are less than two weeks away from Christmas?  I sure can't!  In fact, this whole year has completely flown by.  I'm proud to say that I have finished all of my Christmas shopping, with the presents wrapped and under the tree to boot.  I'm kicking my procrastinating tendencies in the butt this year.  Speaking of procrastination, I realized that it's been a while since I got personal with you guys and just shared the most random things about myself.  Well, cue the discovery that I have a serious phobia that I didn't know about, and a new list of quirks was born. 

1.  You must be thinking, "Amanda, what is this phobia you have?  Could I have it too?"  My answer to your burning question is ... trypophobia.  Seriously, it gives me the creeps just to type the word.  Thanks to this lovely Buzzfeed article, I am now well aware of how serious this is for me.  Seeing these pictures literally makes me want to rip my skin off, but at the same time it's one of those things I don't want to look away from.  Weird, right?  Click at your own risk, and don't say I didn't warn you if in fact you have this awful phobia too.

2.  I drink like a Brit, and by that I mean I stick my pinkie out whenever I'm consuming a beverage.  It's an automatic reflex, I can't help it!  Ever since my friends were lovely enough to point it out, I notice it all the time and then get self conscious.  But hey, at least I can make a water bottle or can of beer look proper.

3. I can be the life of the party, emphasis on the can.  I'm the definition of shy around people I don't know, but with my friends I have no problem being the center of attention.  I'll rattle off jokes and sarcastic remarks like it's nothing.  Alcoholic beverages may help with that shyness, though.

4. I can't eat cold food right out of the fridge.  There's something about the cold that makes the food seem more, I don't know, bland?  It's probably all in my head but it's just one of those habits that I can't break.  Maybe I have sensitive teeth.  The world may never know.

5. I can't purchase items from the front of the shelf.  No, I'll move everything out of the way and grab the one in the verrrrry back.  But what if there's only one left, you say?  Then it becomes a question of whether or not I can live without it for another couple days.  Usually I suck it up and just buy it, but sometimes I wait.  Something about knowing that someone else could have potentially bought this specific bottle of shampoo wigs me out.


Now that you know what makes me a weirdo, what are some of your quirks?

xoxo,
Amanda

My Strange Addictions - Mexican Food and Other Weird Habits

Last night, my sister and I went to dinner and did some browsing for my new apartment at Pier 1 and World Market (be prepared for an overload of home décor posts coming soon).  I'll let you guess what kind of food we had.  Here's a hint - it's a certain Monday special.


If you said Mexican, you've obviously been paying attention to my previous posts.  Bonus points if you knew it was Moe's Monday.  Well, that got me thinking about other weird habits and obsessions I have and I thought, why not share them with the world!  So please, no judging.  Admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?....

1. Since I've already brought up the whole Mexican food thing, I might as well explain further.  Between Chipotle, Qdoba, Salsarita's and Moe's, I probably end up having Mexican food at least 3 or 4 times a week.  It doesn't really help that they're all in a 5 mile radius of each other - or does it?  I don't think it's possible that I'll ever get sick of it either.  They're all different, there's no denying it, which is why I don't get burnt out.  It's all about the balance and rotation of which one you eat on which day.  Duh!  Thankfully, Chelcey is my PIC with this one.


2. I love the clicking sound of the keyboard when I type.  Same goes for the turn signal in my car.  I don't know what it is, but it triggers some kind of magical endorphin release in my brain and instantly makes me happy.  Making a turn soon?  Better go ahead and signal 500 feet back to maximize the clicking potential.  Not really, but you get the idea.  I turn that baby on every chance I get.  You won't catch me not signaling a turn.  And with my keyboard, I'm sure my co-workers just love the sound of me clicking and typing away a mile a minute on e-mails.  It's like music to my ears. 


3. Making lists is another thing I might take a little too far.  So what, if I technically already finished something earlier.  I'm still going to write it on my list so I get the satisfaction of crossing it off.  And I don't just cross it off with any old pen.  I have an assortment of highlighters I use.  Color-coordination is the key to success.  But really, I have the short-term memory of a total spaz, so if I didn't write things down, I would get nothing done.


4. Three letters - OCD.  I go into minor freak-out mode sometimes if my bangs aren't perfectly swooped, necklace isn't perfectly centered, or my lashes aren't perfectly coated and separated with mascara.  Ok, maybe I don't literally freak out, but it definitely bugs me.  I've given my friends permission to smack my hand if they see me messing with my bangs or adjusting my necklace.  Now that I think about it, maybe it's just the perfectionist in me.  Either way, it can't be good for me to constantly obsess over this crap. 


5. I have a problem letting things go.  I don't mean figuratively here.  I have a bad habit of "collecting" things that I will never use.  For example, the massive stash of shopping bags that accumulated in the corner of my room for the first year I lived in my apartment.  Also, the stacks of empty candle jars taking over the cabinet under my sink.  I couldn't bring myself to throw these things out, because what if I finally got around to that Pinterest project I pinned 6 months ago?  When I finally did get rid of them, it was a weight lifted off of my shoulders.  Progress.

So, now that you know a little bit more about my inner crazy, I'd love for you to share some of your strange habits or obsessions.  I promise, this is a judgment-free zone.  And as the Cheshire Cat would say, "We're all mad here".


xoxo,
Amanda

10 Random Facts About Me

1. I've never broken a bone in my body.  I did have to get stitches on my head when I was three from hitting my head on a brick fireplace (ouch), but that's about it.  And now I must go knock on wood to keep it that way.
2. I have a fear of left-hand turns and will avoid them at all costs when driving.  At a traffic light I'll be fine, but crossing six lanes of traffic - no thank you.  I'm pretty sure this all came about when I almost got in a wreck from attempting a left turn on a busy road.  Scary stuff.
3. I have two very best friends that are more like sisters to me, Chelcey and Whitney.  They knew each other in high school, but the three of us met at our previous job.  I can't believe it's already been five years since we first met.  We're creating our own business, The Brunch Club, to help up and coming creative entrepreneurs and I am so excited for this venture.  Check it out!
   
4. I have a little bit of OCD when it comes to numbers and certain electronic devices.  Specifically, the number of the volume level cannot end in a 1, 4, 6, or 9 (so basically, the number cannot be adjacent to one that ends in 0 or 5).  I swear I'm not crazy, I think it's just the accountant in me.  At least, that's what I tell myself.
5. I'm addicted to British reality tv.  Chelcey got me hooked on a fantastic show called The Only Way is Essex and I've binge-watched all 11 seasons on Hulu.  It's the best guilty pleasure ever.  If you love the Hills, then you'll love TOWIE.
6. I've traveled outside of the country once, to Paris for a trip in high school, and it is my dream to go back.  I studied French for six years through middle and high school and into college, and I still find myself silently translating random phrases and things in my head.  I'm not fluent by any means, but I can understand things for the most part.
7. I'm a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen, and I've seen him in concert six times.  His show here in Louisville a couple years ago is actually my favorite concert that I have ever experienced.  There is nothing like it - over three hours of music with no openers or breaks.  If the Boss is playing anywhere around here, you can count on me being there.
   
8. I love supporting locally owned shops, businesses and restaurants.  Here in Louisville, we have a couple of great neighborhoods that I frequent to do just that.  If you ever have a chance to visit, you must check out the Highlands and Crescent Hill areas.
9. My memory is pretty impeccable, and they even call me a "steel trap" at work because I remember every little detail.  This is also beneficial for trivia nights with friends, something we want to do more of.  On the other hand, if you ask me to do something and I don't write it down, I'll forget instantly until something reminds me of it hours later.
10. I have a terrible case of road rage, and I hate sitting in stop-and-go traffic.  I'd rather take back roads and the long way than creep along on the interstate.  And I'm definitely not afraid to use my horn. 

Am I alone with my number OCD-ness?  Does anyone else have road rage that just comes over them and can't be stopped?  What are some other random facts about you?  I'd love to read all about them!

xoxo,
Amanda