I Spy

My office space isn’t working for me and it’s driving me crazy!!!

Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest… it’s just that I don’t have the storage/counterspace that my old office had, and I am struggling to get organized. I guess that will be part of this weeks to do list (le sigh as Pepe Le Pew would say 😁). Ok, I’m done with today’s rant, I promise.

I felt vexed this morning. I had started two possible topics, hated how they were going, erased them, and stared at my computer in frustration. And then, like and angel from heaven, the plumber showed up to fix two of my three issues. He also gave me an idea for today’s blog 😊.

Let me start by saying he was a lovely gentleman and was in and out in just over half an hour. He tightened my loose kitchen faucet and replaced the inner workings of my non-working toilet. Unfortunately, the sewer clean out pipe has to wait another day (which is the problem I started with 🤦‍♀️).

But what gave me pause was watching him in his truck before he entered the house. He was 15 minutes early but because I saw him arrive, I was waiting to let him in (after I put the dog up – she is sooo not friendly 😆). Now, I have very little patience when I know a technician has arrived and takes his/her time coming to the door. I realize this is my issue (one of many, I’m sure 🤪) but it bugs me to no end. Therefore, I stood watching out the front door, so that as soon as he got out of his truck, I could greet him. And then I waited.

It was probably about five minutes before he exited his truck, so I watched the “rituals” he performed while preparing for the service call.  First, he seemed to review his notes, then moved on to drying his hat with the air vents. Next, he shook out his mask for about a minute (or maybe it was his gloves) puts everything on and finally exits the truck only to continue prepping at the back of the truck 🙄.  Now I’m really getting annoyed (again I lack any sense of patience 😬) but also fascinated by what he was doing. So when he finally arrived at the door, I was over being annoyed (yet still fascinated) and graciously greeted him, because that’s who I am.

But after he left, it hit me – what if someone spent any amount of time surreptitiously observing me (like I was him), what “rituals” or weirdness would they see me doing? What subconscious habits have I developed that would look odd to someone secretly watching me? 😳😳

I know of one habit I’ve developed over the last few years that might make people wonder about me. Sometimes, after running errands I’ll sit in my car, in the driveway for 20 minutes or more because I’m not ready to deal with my dog. So I hide in my car for a while as it’s the only place, besides the shower, where I can be totally alone. And I relish those moments. 

I haven’t done it in front of my new neighbors yet, but it’s only a matter of time, and I’ll wonder what my neighbors will be thinking, when they catch me doing this 😆😆.

And that’s a habit I know about. I can’t even imagine the subconscious tics or rituals I’ve probably developed.

So, what is the point of this writing exercise? None – I just enjoy people watching. And sometimes I learn something about myself in the process.

Your turn, sound off on what habit or ritual might look odd to someone secretly watching you?