Thursday, 4 June 2009

oc-dc

"it seems that for success in science and art," hans asperger wrote, "a dash of autism is essential."

i recently witnessed someone very dear to me boiling and ironing 20 of her son's handkerchiefs. it was a beautiful day outside. she was being exorted to come outside, put her feet up, and enjoy her beautiful garden and a glass of wine. no, she said, i have to finish these, clean out a cupboard and properly store these cashmere pieces i have just laundered. then i have to polish the bannisters. no, don't worry, i want to do it. i know what i'm doing, so i'll have it done in a couple of hours. no, go you and sit down.

it was her birthday. swear to god.

seems to me, for perfect housekeeping, a dash of ocd is essential.

i don't have ocd.



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6 comments:

  1. The requirement for perfection is a disordering obsessive compulsion. I want a salt pig for my life. As I rather tend to live it as a sponge.

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  2. ... how about one of those floatation tanks?

    i don't think le creuset do them though, which is a minor blow.

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  3. I guess my husband and I are exhibit A - totally compulsive, and yes you could eat off of our floors.

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  4. i'm one of those frantic underpant ironing types with shined surfaces, but appaulingly disorganised cupboards.

    and on my birthday i am generally drunk from 10am, and the bannisters can just hang, frankly.

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  5. I have ocd, but my house ain't floor eating clean, not that I would do that being ocd!!!

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  6. oh, hang on, does trichotillamania count?

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