the following post is a rather large excerpt from the book Eccentrics: A Study of Sanity and Strangeness by Dr. James Weeks & Jamie James (Villard, 1995). my folks gave this to me as a christmas gift a number of years back, and i finally got around to reading it the summer before my senior year of college. the book is an interesting mixture of 'psychology' and the authors' interest in the qualities of 'eccentrics'. i am using lots of quotes because these terms (although the authors are very well intentioned) can be used lightly. the book is based on an elaborate scientific study, but there is just something about the book (possibly its often too-humorous style) that disqualifies the scientific basis of the text. however, it served as an interesting quick read full of humorous and eye opening anecdotes, and worth my time...mostly because it inspired me to create the handbound book (thank you sudler funding!) titled eccentric stiles highlighting the more eccentric and colorful residents of ezra stiles residential college (did you know that green pants and annabelle matheys both made it into the book!)...it was indeed a joyful project to work on.

the most worthwile section of Eccentrics is the list of 15 characteristics which most eccentrics posses. it's a fun quiz to take for yourself and a good test to secretly judge others with (because it's always fun to judge others, right?...just kidding). the list published in the book is not numbered, but i think numbering helps make it a little clearer. if you feel like it, shout out below with your results. i will if you will. to shout out, just click on the little 'shout out' words right below this post, and fill in your name and info, it's easy as pie.

and yes, just so you know...i am pretty darn eccentric, i just don't fit 2 of the following (any guesses...if you read the blog you know i qualify for #15).