All my life I’ve felt like I operate outside of the “normal” of the rest of the world.  In a family of 13 siblings, I was a loner.  That upbringing is probably the genesis of my ability and desire to sit back and observe what goes on around me, all while seeing the absurdity and humor no matter how bleak.

After a three year stint in the Army and four years in college, I went to work at a major public accounting firm.  None of that would lead you to believe I would be operating outside the norm.  You don’t do or say anything in the Army unless you want to clean latrines for a living.  My college life consisted of being married and driving from Fairfield to Oxford and back again, followed by studying most of the rest of the day.  I was a “serious” student!  When you think “accountant,” you don’t think “funny accountant.”  That’s an oxymoron if I ever saw one!  However, I met quite a few “not-normal” accountants over the next few years.  I still tried to fit in as best I could.

I didn’t always speak up.  When I was young, I was hesitant to say what I was thinking because I didn’t want people to see how weird I was.  Today, I have no such qualms!  I have absolutely no filter and I will say what I think as soon as I think it.  One nickname I had while working as a loan officer was “The Silent Assassin.”  When I asked why, the nickname giver said, “you don’t say much, but when you do you come out of nowhere and say some things that hit the bullseye!.”

Nothing I say is meant to hurt, unless I mean to hurt you (which is rare).  Sarcasm mixed with a dry sense of humor are tools I’ve honed to a sharp edge.  Writing this blog may help you begin to understand how I see the world.  It won’t always be abnormal, but I’ll try.