Aliens, Octopi, and Flying Monkeys

Ever felt like you’re different? I still do.

As a kid I thought it was because I lived on a farm and went to school with the townies. Or maybe because my mom had a thick Scottish accent and we lived in England.

Now I know the real reason: I’m simply wired differently than the average Joe. I’ll give you a couple of examples:

Recently I went to a software workshop called Tips and Clicks. My first thought when I saw that title was  of tentacles and aliens, not computers.

And at the office Christmas gift exchange?   

My gift was a monkey slingshot. He had a little hat and a cape and — according to his tag — could fly up to fifty feet while shrieking. He could definitely shriek, though when I tested him out I never got him to fly more than twenty feet. Still, I thought a few of these flying monkeys ala Wizard of Oz would really liven up Cubicleville.

My coworkers all brought chocolates and booze.

Yup, definitely wired differently. But you know what? I think that’s an advantage for a writer.  Now let’s have a glass of wine and hand over those chocolates.