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Hey Reader, Dad called me “weird” often. From my blue spikey hair, to my cut-off jeans over white thermal long-johns and combat boots, I got this comment often. Always, drawing instead of doing my homework. Skateboarding when I should have been playing soccer. Messing around with my trusty Pentax K-1000 35mm film camera when I was supposed to be studying. I never fit in. Whenever I was away during college, on a trip, or as an adult on my own, I always made a point to swing by dad’s practice first when coming in to visit my parents in North Carolina. I had come in to spend a weekend with the folks after I had recently moved to Athens, GA. I had my trusty sidekick Rushmore (a scrappy Cairn Terrier mix that I had adopted from my dad’s practice after some bozos abandoned him) with me, pleasantly curled up snoozing in the passenger seat. The last hour of the trip was easy going with hardly any traffic. I tuned the radio to NPR and to my delight there was a wonderful Iggy Pop interview with Terry Gross of Fresh Air. In the interview Iggy talks about his fascinating beginnings, life, and the early days of garage and punk music. I felt a close connection with some of his experiences. The interview continued as I pulled into the parking lot of dad’s office. It was almost lunch time and there were a few clients getting various services (rabies vaccination, heartworm treatment, general checkup, etc). I made a point to walk straight to the back to see if there was anything I could do to help out (clean some cages, sweep or mop, etc.) When much to my enjoyment, I heard over the sound system, the Iggy Pop interview. We were serendipitously listening to the same program! When dad finished up with his clients he came to the back. We hugged and after some quick pleasantries, he immediately asked if I had ever heard of Iggy Pop. With a big grin on my face, I said, “Indeed, I have. I’m a fan.” He then laughed “He’s weird!” It was the same tone he used when calling me weird. It wasn’t an accusation or shun, but an endearing interest and intrigue. It ironically made me feel normal. He told me he thoroughly enjoyed the interview (as did I) and I was absolutely thrilled that we had come together via Iggy Pop. By listening to that interview, Dad made the connection that one can choose an unconventional path and still be happy (and successful). He saw that in me. He realized that the commonality between different paths was what he called my “stick-to-itiveness”. The perseverance. The dedication. The passion to what I love to do. Dad calling me “weird” was a term of endearment that I wear proudly. Add Sprinkles, P.S. Do you have any “come together” stories? I would love to there them!
THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOWThe word “weird” comes from the Old English word, “wyrd” meaning “fate” or “destiny”. Over time, it has evolved to meaning something supernatural or someone able to control their destiny (like a witch or sorcerer) and thus has taken on it’s modern definition as something odd or strange. Upcoming In-Person Events and ExhibitsSeptember – October – Sweet Cinema Sunsets, Curo Cocktail Lounge, Athens, GA October – Annual Halloween Group Art Show, Flicker Theatre, Athens, GA October 12th, 4-8 p.m. – Oconee County Bat Festival, Heritage Park, Watkinsville, GA Are you loving these letters and want to help?
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