In my MySpace profile, I quoted my hastily written Friendster profile, which in turn is a rip off of my hastily written Orkut profile. Or did I write the Orkut one first? Who gives a shit? The point is that I write these things hastily. Perhaps it is a function of my opinion of myself, or my perception of others’
Those profiles usually say something like “people say I’m strange, and they never say why.”
Today Kyle commented on my MySpace (sounds redundant doesn’t it?) and said “I don’t think you’re strange, so there.” I got to thinking… I don’t think I’m strange either! And so what who complains about whatever might be unusual about me — That’s their problem.
From now on those stupid things will say “I am unapologetically myself”, and I’ll write one of those profiles less hastily, as soon as I have the time….
Oh, but Dylan~! I DO think you’re strange:-)
But that’s NOT a complaint. Being strange is unusual, isn’t it? And isn’t that better than not being unusual?
“unapologetically” sounds a bit too defensive and stubborn. And saying you’re “myself” doesn’t really describe you to those who don’t know you! Perhaps you don’t have to describe yourself so literally? Perhaps you can just mention what you do, what you like, and let people get to know you that way?
Something like “I’m the cooolest new media writer of today. I frequently drop to the bottom but am always saved by the bungee rope. I’m a Poetry freak and you can be one, too. I’m Dylan, your new favorite blogger. Pleased to meet you!”
Well Glinda, as it happens, my least favorite word in the english language happens to be the word “Quaint” — which only means a harmless “pleasingly odd” but which is levied upon certain people and palces in my life with a painfully negative connotation that perhaps I’m just biased against being called strange. I do agree with you that its certainly better than being boring, usual, etc.
Perhaps you’re right “unapologetically myself” doesn’t really say anything at all, does it?
I really like the paragraph you suggested. Mind if I steal it? I sat down to try my hand at a similar paragraph this morning:
I’m working up a new “about the author” page here at Noategories. Take a look
Dylan,
I think miss Kyle might be right. Anyway the strange part of you is what makes you interesting. “Normal” people do not make poetry or paintings and generally seem to have no real fun. I think it was Mae West who said “Figure out who you are and exagerate it” something along those lines anyway.
Oh yay! Steal ahead:-) You rock!