More OCD Revealed

Fine, I have OCD. The ever famous Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. You realize that when I was born 33 years ago (before the "disorder" was named) you would have just called me quirky. Let's stick with that. I'm quirky. I personally hate the term "disorder", as it implies a person's total helplessness in a situation. "Oh, poor me! I have this disorder that I can't control. Pity me!" Blah, blah, blah... You're just fine. You're just quirky. We're all quirky. Get over your bad self.

Nonetheless, the fact that I recognize that I have a "disorder" and don't let it own me is doing pretty well. Most of my OCD revolves around fire, and the fear of my house/body/dog catching on fire. On one hand, it keeps me out of harm's way, which is a good thing. For example, it's the very reason why I can't sleep naked. (Sorry for bringing up the thought of me naked... I don't like to think about it either. Eeek!) Anyway, I know people who do sleep naked, but I'm deathly afraid my house is going to catch on fire in the middle of the night, and I'll have to run out of the house, screaming like a pre-teen girl on her way to a Backstreet Boys reunion concert. Don't you think it would be traumatic enough to stand outside in the street watching your house and everything your own burn to the ground without having the added humiliation of being completely naked in front of 30 local firefighters? Think about it, people. Until they invent a fireproof house, I'm just fine sleeping in my Joe Boxers, thanks.

Well, sometimes my "disorder" doesn't make as much sense. And sometimes it gets me into rather embarrasing situations. Case in point, I have this habit of checking the coffee pot to ensure it's turned off - three or four times before leaving the house to go to work. Many times, I just cave to my fears and just unplug the darn thing. Well, yesterday I made breakfast for some friends (which is somewhat of a weekend tradition - you should stop by sometime) and this is an actual coversation which occurred between my friend Patrick and me.

Me: "Oh, you're having more coffee?"
Patrick: "Yeah, I made another pot."
Me: "What? How did you make another pot? I unplugged it!"
Patrick: "Uh, I plugged it back in. I do have a college degree. Wow."
Me: "Oh, nevermind..."

So I guess this would be one of those times when your disorders are better left NOT shared with friends (and here I am talking about it to countless people on the Internet. Great). Oh well. Long story short, I guess I'm just telling you to embrace your quirkiness, laugh about it, and for love of all things good, unplug your coffee maker.