Friday, June 02, 2006

Brought to you by the letter “F” and the scary monsters under my bed…

I once made an "Encyclopedia of Fear" in which I listed everything I was afraid of, in alphabetical order, with drawings and an index. Great project for kids, right? I actually stole the idea from one of my nieces’ school projects — when I was 30.

In honor of my upcoming trip to NYC (fear of flying is the one I promised myself I would overcome this year), the “F” page from my Fear Encyclopedia:

Failure. Everyone will find out I’m not really as smart/talented/amusing as they think I am and that I’ve been faking it all this time.

Father. He taught me everything I ever need to know about being afraid before I was 10 (see also “Rage-a-holics”)

Feelings. Many past and current self-destructive habits are the direct result of trying to create a barrier between me and my own emotions. (see also “Weakness”)

Flying. I flew occasionally despite my fear for a long time. I was scheduled to fly to NYC on September 13, 2001. My flight was canceled. And that was that. (see also “Planes”)

Food. If I could take a pill three times a day and never have to think about calories, carbs, or chocolate again, I’d do it. (see also “Love/Hate Relationships")

Fragments. I used to date a writer who thought he was Hemingway reincarnated. Maybe he was, but he followed the pattern so authentically that no-one will ever know. (see also “Sentence Fragments”)

Frogs. I won’t leave the house if one is on the sidewalk. I don’t swim in pools at night unless someone has done a frog check first. However, I am not afraid of snakes. (see also "Ranidaphobia")

10 comments:

  1. I think Frogs are adorable, but I'm scared of them to. I think it's because they jump at you.

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  2. Did you draw the frog? It is quite a clever picture.

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  3. I didn't draw the frog! I'm a better draw-er than that. I just think it looks evil, like all frogs are.

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  4. I'd add farts and foot fungus to the list.

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  5. Don't lie. You are not scared of farts OR foot fungus.

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  6. I haven't alpha sorted my fears but I once figured out that I especially suck in the "D" categories - dancing, diving, drinking, dusting....an don an don...

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  7. But what KLo doesn't say in this post is that she's really one of the few truly fearless people I've ever known.

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  8. Heh, yeah. Sept. 13, 2001? I would probably never fly again either.

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  9. Charlie, I love you for believing my bullshit. I used to be afraid of everything. I'm only afraid of some things now. I'm still afraid of frogs, but I think I've crossed pretty much all the others on this page off, including flying now that I'm back safe and sound.

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  10. Okay - once I was at a winter jacuzzi party, got drunk, and jumped into the cold, dirty swimming pool to retrieve a dead frog because someone said I would NEVER do it.

    I guess I don't have frogophobia...

    8-)

    M

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