The Blender

I'm a blender.

Not the kind used for mixing smoothies.  Rather, I'm the type of person who prefers to blend in.

I think I've known this for most of my life, but it's just recently come to the forefront of my thoughts. Everything I've been doing lately proves that I'm a blender.



*  I've been needing a haircut for a really long time.  I'm looking a little frumpy.

Thinking it's time to make a change, I've been contemplating who I want for a stylist, and whether or not I should be trying out a new style, color, etc.  I toyed with the idea of actually changing to an upscale salon with a cutting-edge stylist.

 

When it all came down to it, I couldn't bring myself to make any kind of extreme change.  After all, I'm a blender -- I don't like drawing attention to myself.

*  When asked to give a talk in church a few weeks ago, my main goal was to just blend in.  I didn't want to give the worst or most boring talk the congregants had ever had to listen to. 

 On the other hand, I didn't want it to be the most riveting one they'd heard, either.  

That would draw undue  attention to myself -- something a blender doesn't feel comfortable with.

*  I was talking with some friends recently about our purchasing habits.  We discussed the concept of being "over-buyers" 

or "under-buyers". 

 One of these friends concluded that I was an under-buyer, thus verifying my thoughts that I did not enjoy plunking down money just to stand out as the one setting the fashion trends.  

*  While in the midst of home renovations, my thoughts always turn to, "Will this fit in with everyone else in the neighbourhood?  Will it look too ostentatious?"

"Will they think we're bringing down the property value?"

"Is it too original?"

I just want to blend in.

*  Several times a year I attend wedding receptions.  I make a very concentrated effort to make sure my gift for the happy couple is neither too extravagant ...

or to chintzy.

Far be it from me to draw attention to myself.

*  Handing out Halloween treats is no different.  I don't want the kids to think I'm a cheapskate for only giving one mini chocolate bar.

Nor do I want to appear overly-generous for handing out a king-size bar.  With a can of pop to boot!

Blend in Blend in.

*  I always want the car I drive to blend in with the other vehicles on the road.  Nothing too "show-offy" for me.  

On the other hand, I don't want to turn any heads by being the loudest or rustiest car either.

So I choose to drive something somewhere in-between.  

Of course mine is never this clean and shiny.  That would be too show-offy for a blender.

*  A few times over the past few years I've had comments from people about the possibility of turning Showbiz Kids into a "real big deal".  

I always reject their ideas because I'm quite content with the mediocre type of program that it is.  (Okay, that's a lie.  I would love for Showbiz Kids to be a big deal -- for the kids benefit, not mine -- but that would mean I'd have to let other people help run the show.  And I love it too much to want to relinquish any of the fun.  But I digress.....)



In talking with Daughter #2, I came to the conclusion that this desire of mine to blend in comes from growing up with a mother who definitely did NOT blend in.  As a child, all I wanted in life was to go unnoticed, for good or for ill.  I guess I still feel that way today.

Except when it comes to costumes.

When it comes to dressing up my theory is, "Go big, or go home."

Wanting to wear a great costume may seem inconsistent with wanting to blend in, but I've always felt that when a person wears a costume, they are putting that character in the spotlight -- not themselves.

Anyway, enough about me  -- it's starting to feel like I'm seeking attention.

Definitely not something a blender would do.

Dixie