Weird obsessions you have (no, not those kinds)

[Luder]

I have OCD, one of my oddest compulsions is counting the "ticks" on a digital clock until they equal 12. For example:



After the first pass, the total is 1, I will count that bugger until it ends in 12.

[BigBrodieFan]

I am completely obsessed with books. It was extremely bad until I got a Kindle, and now the piles of new books (that I read few of) have remained the same. The bookshelves are crammed. Now, I just buy books on my Kindle. I want to read them and I have every intention of reading them, but I buy more because they sound good. If I were to read all of the books in my house and on my Kindle, it would probably take me the rest of my life, yet I keep buying more.

I also always have to have either a book or a my Kindle in my purse everywhere I go. I'll hold it like a security blanket but will rarely read it. If it's a basketball tournament or a trip, or a hockey game even, I always have a book. I guess I think 'Just in case I get bored' which really never happens.

Also, if I am watching the Broncos/Leafs/Jayhawks and this past year Calgary or Abby play, I have to turn off the tv and turn it back on if they are losing, because I think that somehow I am affecting their play, and 'maybe if I am not watching, they'd win.' Then, the next day I find myself thinking that the team would have actually won if I had done something different, like walked out of the room/watched the game someplace else/didn't watch. Ridiculous? Maybe... but what if I am right??

[Pacem]

Originally Posted by photon

Heh I'm a bit like this too, so I go to extreme lengths to try and avoid buyer's remorse, spending FAR more time on shopping for something than I could ever save finding a deal sometimes, or spending days researching options to make sure I'm getting the best receiver / TV / video card / phone plan / couch / whatever.

I can't stand shopping for things like mattresses where they intentionally create millions of models unique to each chain making it impossible to compare them directly.

Im the same way with shopping, and yeah 2 years ago we bought a new matress and all the different models for each chain infuriated me. I like comparing apples to apples and just couldn't do it. I think I got a good one, but I wouldn't know cause I can't compare it to other models, lol. Thought of calling the manufacturers themselves and sorting it all but I didn't, lol.

My wife is the exact opposite and hates how I shop for items. She enjoys the savings of course, but she gets embarassed when I ask for deals. I had to pester the salesman to get our matress for the price I wanted to pay. She had to walk away cause she was so embarassed. She thinks you can't ask retail outlets for deals on items. She's slowly starting to learn you can.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

I am completely obsessed with books. It was extremely bad until I got a Kindle, and now the piles of new books (that I read few of) have remained the same. The bookshelves are crammed. Now, I just buy books on my Kindle. I want to read them and I have every intention of reading them, but I buy more because they sound good. If I were to read all of the books in my house and on my Kindle, it would probably take me the rest of my life, yet I keep buying more.

I also always have to have either a book or a my Kindle in my purse everywhere I go. I'll hold it like a security blanket but will rarely read it. If it's a basketball tournament or a trip, or a hockey game even, I always have a book. I guess I think 'Just in case I get bored' which really never happens.

Also, if I am watching the Broncos/Leafs/Jayhawks and this past year Calgary or Abby play, I have to turn off the tv and turn it back on if they are losing, because I think that somehow I am affecting their play, and 'maybe if I am not watching, they'd win.' Then, the next day I find myself thinking that the team would have actually won if I had done something different, like walked out of the room/watched the game someplace else/didn't watch. Ridiculous? Maybe... but what if I am right??

It's like when you are watching that game at home and somebody says shutout. I don't know how it happens, but the goalies can hear them say it.

[Pinner]

All of you are weirdos

[Itse]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Thank you to the thread starter! This has made me realize I'm not as crazy as I thought.

My thoughts exactly.

I'm not sure I'd call then obsessions, but I do somehow enjoy OCD-like behavior. I pick up habits, keep them for years, and then just one day decide to forget them. That's propably weird.

Propably my most long-lasting one (10+ years) is taking eggs out of their package. It must be balanced, you can't just pick two eggs from one end, you have to pick one from the each end and one from the left and the other from the right row. (I don't know if you have the same kind of packages, but I think you get the idea). Otherwise someday someone will drop a package of eggs for that reason. Makes absolutely no sense, I know.

I do a similart thing with medication or candy that comes packaged in those... I don't know what you call them either actually. Those foil or foil+plastic thingies which usually have a ten pills/candy in a pattern of 2x5. I always take pills/candy symmetrically (what ever you call them in English), and always in the same zigzag-pattern... Unless someone else has meddled with The Pattern, in which case I have to figure out a way to start picking them based on a whole new Pattern.

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by Komskies

It's like when you are watching that game at home and somebody says shutout. I don't know how it happens, but the goalies can hear them say it.

Yep. Exactly. If I am watching a hockey game at a pub around here, NO ONE knows hockey etiquette. So they all say 'Oh, he's going to shut the team out, he's not letting in a goal.' At that point I am usually ready to dump my beer over someone's head, but I don't because that would be a waste of beer.. But yeah, makes me sooo mad!

[Canada 02]

I like to watch my cars odometer advance at large round numbers (1000, 10000, 20000 etc). I keep an eye on it as it gets close, and if i miss it, I'm disappointed.

I rotate my CDs and DVDs in the case so that they are upright

[malcolmk14]

I do the candy/pill/egg pattern thing too.

And I love watching my odometer to see it get to stuff like 99,999 or 101,010 or 123,456.

[jonesy]

I hate losing my pen at work. I label it and have to use it until the ink runs out. If i leave it somewhere in the office, I can ususally find it b/c of the label. I have a drawer full of pens with empty ink tubes.
I had to use one mechanical pencel at University for all my tests and exams. I used one for 2 years until it broke, then got another for the next 2 years.
My wife/kids go through dozens of pens at home, I don't understand where they go, but I keep mine hidden away.

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by Luder

I have OCD, one of my oddest compulsions is counting the "ticks" on a digital clock until they equal 12. For example:



After the first pass, the total is 1, I will count that bugger until it ends in 12.

That is weird.

[BurningYears]

Mine is definitely anything in my mind that could cause a fire, I will ensure all of my electronic devices that arent holding info (alarm clock) are turned off or unplugged, the biggest culprit of this is the stove/oven I will check it at least once before I leave the house even if I havent used it in a couple of days. another smaller version of this is anything that locks, I have to check a couple times to make sure I pressed the button on my remote for my car or the door to my condo building.

The worst feeling is being on your way out and thinking "Did I lock the door? Did I turn off the Stove?" I've been getting better at limiting the amount of times I check but do a once over of my place on the way out to give my mind peace.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by robocop

I count the number of letters in words. Been doing it since I was a kid, I break them into parts of 3 letters and count the sets of 3 and add any remainders. I can count the letters in most words in under a second.

I count or tap the syllables in words and sentences. I like when the end result is an even number.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Not really obsessions, but I have a lot of weird quirks, with some that are similar to what others have posted already...

1. Phobia of poo

- Most disgusting thing ever and I get uncomfortable when people talk about it. I always take a shower after taking a dump at home. I don't have issues going in public, but I don't feel right about going and not showering immediately afterwards.

2. Take forever to buy something

- Like others, I dwell for way too long when making purchases.

3. Clean surface tops

- I can't stand cup rings on surface tops and I need to have surface tops clear of items unless the items "make sense" to me to be there and there needs to be minimum clutter. Stapler on desk? Fine. Empty, clean bowl on desk? Get rid of it.

4. Object alignment

- Things atop surfaces need to be aligned so they are parallel with edges. General chaotic placement makes me anxious.

It's tough being me...

[Luder]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

That is weird.

I do the same thing with letters too

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by troutman

I count or tap the syllables in words and sentences. I like when the end result is an even number.

27 syllables. Odd.

[malcolmk14]

I count stairs as I'm going up or down them, and about halfway up (or down), I start to look at how many are left to determine what I need to do to finish them with my right foot. I don't remember the last time I finished a flight of stairs with my left foot.

When I take a drink from a clear bottle, I like when the level of the liquid lines up with the top of a label or a marking on the bottle. Sometimes I'll take an extra little sip just to make them line up.

If I'm using a cutting board, the edge of the cutting board needs to line up parallel to the edge of the counter top.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Reaper

In 2009, I saw them play in Calgary and travelled to Regina for another show.

In 2010, I saw them twice in Toronto and twice in Winnipeg.

I says pardon? I had no idea they were still doing shows.

[socalwingfan]

I can't stand even numbers - if I microwave something the time is odd number, alarm same way, monetary donations, everything has to involve odd numbers. I will trade tickets with my wife at concerts/games to get the odd number seat

[parch]

My favourite one is probably the organized closet. I love that other people do it too as it makes me feel less crazy. Everything facing the left, organized by style and color. I also hate having different kinds of hangers. I've got so many clothes that I've just got cheap metal hangers, and some of my shirts hang higher than others, and I hate that the hangers aren't all the same color. I should really invest in some nice, matching hangars. Sometimes when I'm hanging up my laundry and re-organizing my closet I space all the hangers evenly (excpet for hoodies and jackets of course because they're thicker)... it was friggin' beautiful.

I also have my shoes lined up perfectly by the front door. Then whenever my best friend comes over, she kicks them and messes them up and thinks it's hilarious... b****!

Edit: Also, when I'm cooking, I HAVE to clean everything up as I go. I can't stand leaving it 'till after I'm finished. There have been times when the food I've cooked has gotten cold because I had to clean the kitchen before I could eat it.

I'm starting to think I'm a little crazy...