A lot of people know that, sometimes, I can have some pretty goofy quirks. Some people think I’m just plain looney. I, dear readers, appeal to your sense of propriety and fashion. I throw my self upon the mercy of the court of public record and leave it up to you to decide whether or not I’m nuts.

It is quite simple, really – I have issues with clothes. It falls slightly beyond the realm of what is and is not fashionable. I can’t wear something that resembles what someone else is wearing. If, like today, I’m wearing a gray suit, purple shirt and purple tie and my colleague who sits next to me is wearing the same color or pattern combination then I have to change my clothes. Lucky for me I have an emergency stash of clothes at work.

It all stems from episodes from my past. I always dreaded wearing something that resembled what my sisters were wearing. Come on! I’m a guy! What guy wants to look like his sisters? This is especially try when you consider that I am the youngest and that the clothes would be hand-me downs. Sure, wearing bell bottoms were horrific. Wearing girls bell bottoms was down right tragic.

This quirk followed me into high school. It is amazing to look back on your life and realize that, yes, you were a dumbass. I had a girlfriend at the time named Marissa and we did all those mushy things that young puppy love compels you to do. We talked on the phone for hours, went for drives to the airport to watch the planes take-off and land (Ooh! Romantic!) and…and…

…and…

…we wore color coordinated outfits to school. Ugh. Son of a bitch that’s embarassing now. Seriously, there were the phone calls of “what are you wearing tomorrow?” and then, lo and behold, I’d wind up with my girlfriend wearing coordinating outfits. Let it be known that this type of behavior is only acceptable when you’re really, really old and you can blame such a fashion faux pas on insanity.

Since those episodes I’ve avoided wearing the same color combinations and styles as anyone that I’ll be seen with. Ask Angela. If, by coincidence, we’re getting to go some place and we’re both wearing khaki shorts and a white t-shirt I’ll be sure as heck to change either my shirt or my shorts so we’re not matching.

So what. Chastise me. Ostracize me for this legitimate quirk. I take pride in my individuality…

…and not looking like a dork.