They’re everywhere. They work, play and live among us on a daily basis. We are often in awe of them. They can confuse us as often as they make us smile. Sometimes they scare us. Sometimes we wish we could be more like them. And today, my friends, is their day – Wonderful Weirdos Day!

Who better to come up with such a day of celebration than the wonderfully eclectic and progressive folks of Austin, Texas. Ten years ago, T-shirts and bumper stickers bearing the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” became so popular around the city, Austinites decided to set aside a special day for celebrating inner-quirkiness.

Some may consider the word “weirdo” to be offensive, when really, weirdo is just a word to describe someone who behaves in a way that is regarded as different or unconventional. Yes, unconventional, unexpected, unusual, eccentric, odd, out of the ordinary – and can’t that sometimes be a good thing? After all, the word “weirdo” is just one click away from the kinder word “unique!”

There’s even a travel guide called, “Eccentric America” by Jan Friedman. It’s loaded with all sorts of oddball events, festivals, museums, tours, restaurants and both natural and unnatural attractions that grace our great nation. And, it’s no surprise that California and Florida top the list of states with the quirkiest stuff to see and do. New York, Texas and Nevada are right behind them with their fair share of out-of-the-box quirkiness. It’ll probably also come as no surprise that Utah and Nebraska have the least amount of weirdness going on.

Of course weird is in the eye of the beholder. Some folks are just wired to think and act in ways a little different that the average citizen. I got to thinking about the weirdos I’ve known over the years – the ones I’ve worked with, the ones I see about town on a daily basis, and the ones to whom I am related — and I’ve come up what I shall call the Weirdness Scale.

Like any human personality characteristic, weirdness comes in minor and major varieties – different “levels” of weirdness, if you will. Here’s how I break it down:

1. 100 percent Weird – this is the shirtless guy, in the crosswalk, scratching his back with a fork, right in front of you, at a red light.

I also put anyone who publicly flosses their teeth (saw it at a graduation), or applies deodorant (saw it in line for the Teacup ride at Disney World), in this category.

2. Adolescently Weird (also known as Peer-Pressure Weird) – This includes any kid in your household between the ages of 11 and 15. I chose 15 as the cutoff date for Adolescently Weird, as my boys seemed to regain their sanity as their driving age approached.

3. Dating Weird – We’ve all heard some sorry pick up lines during our dating years, but when some dude tried to pick up my best friend in Chili’s one night by showing her his pocket-sized “tip” chart when he overheard her wondering how much to leave – well — that guy was hovering near 100 percent weird.

4.Working Weird – Every family has a weirdo in it, and I’m thinking all of them are working where I work. You know the ones I’m talking about – the gossip mongers, the prank pullers, the rule benders – we have a blast every day!

5. Temporarily Weird – (sort of like Temporarily Insane, only no one gets killed) —

We’re all in this category at one time or another. Maybe a passing car gets mooned when it’s a little out of character for the mooner, or you “borrow” your boss’s letterhead and fire an annoying co-worker – you know, just small, temporary weirdnesses like that.

They say that it takes heightened intelligence to stray from the norm – to dabble in thoughts and deeds many fear are too far out of their comfort zone.

Albert Einstein slept 12 hours a night and often forgot to eat. Leonardo da Vinci was a procrastinator who didn’t like to bathe.

Ludwig van Beethoven had temper tantrums, slept in his clothes and left food out to rot.Thomas Edison’s sleep consisted of numerous catnaps as he thought sleeping was a waste of time that could be spent working. I guess that could be a new category for the scale — Genius Weird.

So, while every dog will have its day, weirdos get this one. Enjoy!



Peck is a local mother and grandmother who works in Enid Public Schools. She can be reached at peckaroonie@yahoo.com