I share a driveway with one set of neighbors and we chat whenever I see them. The neighbors on the other side I didn’t know at all, even after having lived at my place for a year. These were the ones who’s yard I raked and I thought I might see them at some point – even if only to tell me to stay out of their yard.
One of my friends came over the other day and one of the neighbors was driving past and thought that he was me. I came out and talked to her for a bit about how we hadn’t met yet and she mentioned off hand that she and her fiance thought I might have been a killer.
I was a little taken aback – not thinking I was that “off”. When I thought about it later, I realized – from their perspective – I might have seemed a little odd based on a collection of harmless behaviors.
1. I keep my curtains closed on the first floor much of the time. It helps with the heating and cooling and affords a little privacy in a house in the city. Still, I did have them open – windows too – in the summer.
2. I don’t use my front door much since I park my car in the garage in the back. Though I do leave from that door if I’m going for a walk or when I’m getting my mail.
3. I don’t leave a lot of lights on. I prefer a slightly dim environment when I can get it – much more peaceful after a day of work. I like little pools of light where I’m working and don’t like to waste the energy. Still, there are some lights on in the evening – it’s not like the house is always dark.
4. I’m quiet. I don’t like loud music and don’t have loud parties at my place. I would think this is a good thing.
5. If I’m outside, I’m usually in the backyard. It’s bigger and there’s more to work on back there. I do keep my lawn mowed in the front and I’ll sometimes sit on the front porch in the summer and read.
I ended up telling her that I was just really quiet (“it’s always the quiet ones”) and said it was good to meet her. I was considering baking some cookies and taking them over to their place – but I’m guessing they wouldn’t trust them now. Odd.
Yesterday, I was out to dinner with some friends and jokingly stole some food off of other people’s plates. It’s really more for the mind games and test of speed than actually keeping the food, but people usually see the humor in it. One of the kids we were with followed my lead and “stole” a piece of pizza – still on the fork – right out of my friends hand. Everyone laughed – but not as much as when the same kid picked his pocket and took his car keys.
So, I’m apparently perceived as a killer and a thief. I had no idea I was so bad-ass.