The Next Crazy Cat Lady

My dad brought up an interesting point to me today. He not-so-subtly implied that people don't like me because I'm a weirdo.

He said that when I talk about my more unique interests and pursuits, people are turned off because like is naturally attracted to like. So when I talk about all the crazy things I do, like attend pagan festivals and make historical costumes and speak Gaelic and things like that, I'm alienating people by highlighting how I'm NOT like them. What I SHOULD be doing is talking about how much I love watching "The Office" and "House" and how great Lady Gaga's new album is and how I'm super-psyched to see the new Star Trek film. Because that's what people know and are comfortable with. Joe Q Public knows nothing about ancient Celtic history or Korean social customs or needlepoint, and it's much easier to walk away, and brand that person a weirdo than try to learn about them. Sad, but true.

Not that I have to completely hide my strange unique self. Around good friends and people who know me, it's okay. But when I'm trying to meet new people, I should focus on the mainstream. Like who's ahead in the play-offs, and what celebrities are doing what.

There's nothing wrong with being openly unique, Dad says, if you're trying to be the next crazy cat lady.