What is unconventional about yourself?

What isn’t unconventional about me? XD

But seriously… I’m the guy that people go to when they need shit done that most other people can’t do. I have a lot of random skills, everyone knows it, and they take full advantage of it, not that I mind at all. That’s why I learn them. I’ve bandaged ankles, identified military patches, cleaned self-inflicted wounds, built furniture, fought off rabid animals, carved tobacco pipes, hoisted cargo, and so on.

I guess you could say my versatility is what makes me unconventional.

My religious and political views are unconventional too, I guess, but I’ll get into that later.

Ever since I was the age of 10 I would observe people and watch their mistakes and evaluate the consequenses. I would then draw my own conclusions about life and people. I never went with what the mass group was doing. I always did my own thing if it suited me. I didn’t care who would like me or not like me because of my ideas. In the end, its my life and no one else will live it for me and I intend to do what is right for me and for the people I love. I also recognized since 10 there was no way to make everyone happy all the time.
Being a girl raised in a very conventional home, I think that makes me some what uncoventional.

Penguin reading books on an iceberg – you have to ask?

Pierced, getting ink soon. Need to get some holes repunched.
I teach wilderness schools part time to homeschooling children and teens.
I write a blog, hopefully editting into a book, about anti-civilization and general revolutionary post-left politics, and consider living in a neo-primitive band of hunter-gatherer-gardeners ideal.
I eat wild plants and animals, sometimes including roadkill. Bugs are next on my list.
My TV isn’t hooked up to anything except a VCR, an SNES, and a non-functional DVD player. Therefore, I don’t really watch what’s on TV, which is a growing rarity.
I’m genuinely prepared for the zombie apocalypse. Almost ready for robots, too.
I’m a co-founder of a local congregation of neo-druids.

And this one might just be funny, depending on perspective: despite being generally identified as an anarchist, on weekends I get paid to dress up in a cop-like uniform, badge and all, and even with an American flag on it.

[NSFW?]

I’m not at all sexually aroused by pleasant scents.

My ultimate sexual fantasy is to be overpowered and raped by a huge, incredibly powerful, invulnerable, and stinking woman.

However, my wife doesn’t fit any of the above descriptions and I am flexible.

@Vunessuh It’s funny that you reminded me about your love of spatulas. I too have an un-natural desire (in other people’s minds) about a different kitchen item: strainers.

I especially love going to Asian markets because they often have an entire aisle devoted just to strainers. I have some little itty bitty ones for straining tea and I have a couple of giant ones that you use for fishing stuff out of a big stock pot or wok, and every size in between.

This particular one, that I adore, that has retractable arms, and fits over your kitchen sink.SL500_AA300.jpg

I especially love this set of strainers They almost made me go weak in the knees when I saw them.

Well, the most obvious thing is that I’m an asexual panromantic genderqueer person. After that, the rest of my myriad quirks seem pretty normal.

I guess it sort of depends on what you consider unconventional/atypical, but I have an intense love of office supplies, like paper clips. I’ve had people give me large strings of them as joke gifts before. I just love the aesthetic of office supplies, and having neat little compartments for everything, I guess. When I go to places like Staples and they have the model offices set up, I sometimes squeal with excitement when I see a design I like.

What makes me unconventional is pretty much what makes @Pandora unconventional. I observe everyone and everything and then make conclusions about things. I wanted to do a people watching experiment for my science fair project this year but my teacher wouldn’t let me. I told someone else my idea and they called me a stalker. I still did a project in the social sciences department, which is the science taht I want to study and make my career about, and got first place in the department.

I’m an extremist. By this I don’t mean I run around the middle east blowing things up, It simply means that my mind favors extremes.

For example, If I opened up a coffee store, and so did 2 of my friends. My friends would sell about 8 types of coffee, they would charge $3 a cup, and they would have a place that can hold about 20 to 30 people. If I opened a coffee store, my store would sell at least 101 different coffees, I would charge $1 a cup, the cups would be large, and I would have a place that can hold 500 people. My mind would automatically make me try and make the end all of coffee stores. This applies to more or less everything I do.

Does this make me unconventional? I think it maybe does. Other people tend to be a lot more cautious, and willing to start things small.

This aspect of my personality is a constant source of friction between me and my business partner. Whenever we are working on a project, he always wants to start with 10, I always want to start with 1000.

Do you have an unconventional approach to life? I think all mistakes can be avoided. “I couldn’t help it” is a lie. Apparently this is weird and uptight to a lot of people.
Your way of thinking? I am the queen of tangents when I get excited or am just happy. My thoughts are all over the place.
Your mindset? I’m not career-oriented at all. I go to school for psychology, but have interest in working in that field. I put my relationships before money and jobs. People think that’s weird as well.
Something you stand for? I really hate it when people don’t do right by their children. I would gladly step in if I saw a child being mistreated.
What about your hobbies? I like to read the backs of things– nutrition labels, the writings on the backs of toiletries, ingredient lists, etc.
Talents? I’m very good at harmonizing with melodies, yoga, and rolling joints.
Skills? I’ve competed in the following areas, none of which I do now: Gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, diving, roller skating, vocals, and cheerleading.
Favorite things? I guess it’s unconventional not to have a favorite anything.
Other random things:
I’m the first one on either side of my family to get a college degree. Yay me =)
I’m sexually attracted to women, but only want relationships with men.
I don’t get intimidated much at all.
I’d help my best friend get away with murder.

That was fun!

@Kardamom

I was interested in seeing the kitchen sink strainer, so I fixed the link.

I guess I’d be considered a bit unconventional.

I’m an opera singer with piercings and bright red hair, a huge gun fanatic, and an artist. I’m not the typical sorority girl that prances around campus like a slut, basically.

Oh, @Kardamom I love your posts! Weak in the knees over strainers, priceless!

Nope, can’t think of anything.

I, too, get weak in the knees from a good strainer.

I’m not really sure what unconventional means anymore. No trait, characteristic or thought is truly unique. Maybe it’s the way that it’s all put together that makes people unique.

I don’t mind when people talk loud on their cellphones and I think people have the right to smoke. Those seem to be unconventional nowadays. Betcha thought I was gonna say I’m queer and have tattoos. Didn’t ya?

@Brian1946 Thank you for fixing the link. Isn’t that a nifty strainer?

@seazen_ Now if only I could find a photo of Patrick Stewart wielding a strainer, now that would really push me over the edge! ;-p

I am color blind.

I have pretty sharp math and verbal skills, but zero artistic abilities.

Some fantastic answers here. Thanks everyone!

Oh yea, I also sometimes wear a kilt.

@Vunessuh have you seen the new McDonald’s ad where this sweet little spatula that lives in a store (like Williams Sonoma) across the street from the McDonald’s restaurant is longing for a better life flipping burgers? Although I despise all that Micky D’s stands for, this is one of the cutest commercials I’ve seen in a long time. No one has posted it on Youtube yet, so I can’t post a link.

@incendiary_dan Wearing a kilt isn’t un-conventinal, it’s just awesome!

@Kardamom I haven’t seen that commercial, but it sounds adorable! lol

I used to think I was unusual, but it seems that just about everybody does the things I do. I was going to say that the only unusual thing is that I write about it. But that doesn’t fly here, does it?

My ex husband is still my best friend, 25 years later.

I loved my ex in-laws and love my soon to be in-laws.

I’m in my 40’s and have never had children.

My fiancée and my mother actually respect and enjoy each other.

I don’t have a credit card and haven’t used one in more than a decade.

Being an Aspie leads to all sorts of unconventional behavior and traits like non-linear thinking, odd perspectives/viewpoints, an odd mix of OCD and ADHD, and a rather odd sense of humour.

@poisonedantidote Only 1,000? You think small :D

Everything.

I think unconventionality is rather in the eye of the beholder. I don’t consider myself to be terribly unconventional (unless you count sticking green lolly snakes up your nose and looking at people in the cinema unconventional?) but some might consider me so at least some of the time and some definitely wouldn’t.

However, looking at the categories you have listed my approach to life is very much (as my profile suggests) live and let live. As long as people’s actions aren’t hurting others, I really don’t care what other people do and saying “you can’t do that” when I want to try something is pretty much guaranteed to get me to try. I think people allow rules and norms to confine them. I would rather go with the flow and if I want to do something, I do it and if I feel something needs to be said, I speak my mind. This tendency has led to me being pretty much outcast by my family and I am sure I have irritated many a colleague because I won’t just go with the flow if I think something is wrong.

I work in academia, so there are many far more unconventional people within my sphere. I write and have written professionally for organisations from outside the mainstream public sphere, I draw, paint and will have a go at anything that takes my fancy.

In saying all that though and going back to my original point, reading between the lines here, I think Fluther attracts and retains many unconventional types. Here, I don’t think I am unconventional at all and would probably lean towards middle ground. It seems Fluther attracts those who are a bit out there in some ways and those who are liberal in their thoughts and actions which is a brilliant thing and I feel very comfortable with that.

Great question @Vunessuh.

I really don’t know. My love of horror movies isn’t anything unconventional. (this is the first thing that popped into my mind) Sure, everyone around me thinks I’m a freak, but horror movies wouldn’t keep existing if there weren’t others like me out there. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who likes them to this level amidst thousands who watch them casually.

I am kind of a hoarder, and I like my environment to be neat and organized. I’ll freak out if you move my pens. Some people here know about my pillow obsession.
But these last two things are probably attributed to some psychological thing. I guess that kind of counts, but besides that, I’m not entirely sure that I can call any part of me unconventional without it firstly being tied to some greater factor that I really have no control over to begin with.

Guess I’ll stick with the pillow thing. Whether it’s psychological or not, it certainly is one thing about me that people all go, k wtf.
Pillows aren’t just something soft for me to hug and cuddle with. They’re not just cute and comfy. I love how they feel, how mine smell, and the sounds they make when I move them, fluff them up, scratch them with my fingernails or when I stick my face in and make high pitched noises.
But my obsession or whatever is beyond physical, although what lies beyond is always conjured by the physical aspect, kind of like some eternal cycle of goodness.
They’re like a haven for me. I have six pillows in my bed plus two big cushions. (that’s just on my bed) They make me feel secure all the while being enjoyable. I know they’re not real security or comfort, and they don’t lie to me about it.

We can’t protect you from shitty decisions you make, the repo man or your failing health, but while you’re with us, all will be fine. And should you die in bed, we’ll be there until the very end.

That’s what they say. That I have limited time being in my pillows may give this explanation its truth. Pillows and blankets and comforters are the only things that have never lied to me, that have never hurt me, and that will never leave me.
And they’re not even alive. But in my mind I seem to have this relationship with soft things that give them life. My dad had a theory about it, maybe he was right, maybe not.

But I think this is all I have.

As for my approach to life, well like many people, just paying the bills and hoping that all my work will eventually lead me to better times. Just trying to do what I feel is my calling (besides boozehounding lol) and pay shit while I’m at it. My narrow view of what every day life is frightens me, because I know it can be much more, but eh.

My ideals and opinions, on the greater scheme of everything, are extremely cold and cruel. I believe Darwin was on to something, and many don’t seem to appreciate my views. It’s like they think I’m Hitler or something. I believe this is how things are, but nobody understands the part of how I don’t believe this is how it should be.
But wtv I don’t give a shit. I’m not sure I’m entirely different than most when it comes to harsh convictions on people, society and what have you. Difference is, I don’t try to shit out as much sunshine as I can to protect my image from my darker, truer thoughts. There again however, I am not unique. We just happen to live in a world where a certain type of person is overshadowed by what the media says we’re supposed to be, along with their legions. But that doesn’t make the overshadowed all that unique. Punks get drunk offa cheap booze, politicians get drunk offa wine that would take me seven years to save up for. But they both get drunk. Example.
I’m having a hard time finding something about me that is truly unconventional, because to me people are really all the same, they just go about being the same through different roads.
Damn interesting question though, my head scratcher of the day, my self seeking of the week. :)

Absolutely nothing. My personality is basically an amalgamation of bits of personality I’ve taken from others.

I’m unconventional because I’m incredibly distant and contradictory. How that compares to the rest of the world, I don’t know yet, but I know that as far as my peers go, I don’t relate to more than a handful of them:

My political and philosophical views are essentially the same thing, which is a naive variation of Dharmic philosophy. I’ve yet to go into any further depth than “Life is Suffering” and basic meditation, though.

I have an affinity for random facts, and love obscure references to anything, so long as I recognize them.

I don’t believe in logic, but at the same time realize its necessity at times for the world we live in now. Certain things have got to be done in certain ways, and that’s just how it is. There’s nothing left to do but accept it.

Older books, movies and music are my passion. Anything new is merely a variation of those, and I much prefer the source.

Sports bore me, along with any other form of competition. Any sort of competition strikes me as a microcosm to war, and I’m a pacifist.

Being in a romantic relationship bores me, of all the girls I’ve liked (now granted, that isn’t many since I’m still frightfully young) have bored me into disliking them before I’ve dated any. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t concern me much, yet. I blame the insecurity girls have as teenagers; once they get over that, it’ll be right as rain. But I could always get a girl like Marlon Brando had Maria Schneider in Last Tango In Paris…

I take most of my comfort from solitary conversation or forms of art such as books, movies, music, et cetera.

My interests go in shifts a lot. For a few days I’ll obsess over a book, then for a few days movies, then a few days music, then for a few days my own solitude, and it repeats in a cycle.

I would love to disappear. Not off the face of the planet or anything, but go out my door and leave, only to return several years later a completely changed man.

I read too deeply into everything. Nothing is simply as it is (except when it is, which isn’t often), but for each thing, it is always a different question. The why will matter in certain instances, the what in others, et cetera.

I have a total man-crush on Jim Morrison, despite thinking he was a complete asshole.

Mental disorders fascinate me. I want my own copy of the DSM and casebook, but can’t afford it, and the library’s copy only gets you so far before you need to return it.

I use my dictionary and thesaurus like crutches, so maybe one day I can verbally walk on my own.

Unconventionality is still, like most other things, out of my levels of true comprehension, as things will be for some time, until I become more world weary, but I do realize that compared to my peers I am unconventional.

@ddude1116 You’re one impressive individual. I hear that cycle and disappearance thing at times myself. And the rest, especially this; I take most of my comfort from solitary conversation or forms of art such as books, movies, music, et cetera

More power to you, man.

@Symbeline thank you! :} I really dug your pillow notion, by the way. I’d never thought into their significance, but when you mentioned it, it totally rang true, like they’re the massive crystals in our own Fortress of Solitude..

I consider myself unconventional in the form of my personality. I love knowledge and sports SO MUCH! I can hammer most people at Jeopardy and can love hammering others on courts, fields, rinks, pads, and pitches!

@Schroedes13 I always thought that hammers were pretty cool. :)

@Symbeline Thanks, Hammers are actually my best topic on Jeopardy! :P