Inspired by this post. What is your most distinguishing physical trait?
I have very large hands. They are more than eight inches long from my wrist to the tip of my middle finger. Therefore, I need large or extra large gloves. Draw no other conclusions from this.
I have pretty big feet. Size 13D. Big shoes. Again, no other conclusions.
My tongue is pretty long, but I have only managed to touch my nose with it once or twice. Draw whatever conclusions from that as you wish.
Even more astounding is my wing span, or distance from the tip of one middle finger to the other with arms outstretched. This length is 2 metres, or about 6 feet 7 inches. They say that it is supposed to be your height, roughly, which means that I have 3 and a half extra inches on each arm. It's my favourite party trick.
But my most distinguishing physical trait? It probably depends on where I am, but it's the colour of my skin. The fact that I am black. People don't draw conclusions about what I am like because I have big hands. I don't think that anyone stares at me, looks at me askance or obviously and deliberately looks away because my arms nearly touch my knees. I have never heard of anyone flirting with me solely because I have a long tongue (although that might actually make sense, if they could knew somehow that I had a long tongue without me telling them).
That dark skin surely marks me as something else as surely as a giraffe that's only two feet tall. I am not complaining, necessarily, it's just, you know, true. I wanted to illustrate that certain things are completely different when you are not what is considered "normal", or "like everyone else". I am generally only considered that way AFTER someone meets me. Most people are considered that way BEFORE. And you should never, EVER underestimate how important that is in life.
I have a scar that goes from the base of my ribs to just below my super-sternal cavity. Also a scar that goes from my right elbow to my shoulder (never arm-wrestle someone much bigger when you're flying on tequila).
But! Your wingspan is actually called your ape factor. Therefore, you have an ape factor of 3 1/2. This, of course, makes you the envy of many climbers.
I forgot about all those scars all over my body. I have sensitive skin, so scratching often creates scarring, especially when I was younger.
Michel: Ape factor? I guess that's all right if you are a climber.
My mistake, it's called ape index: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape_index.
A positive ape index is a good thing. It allows you to reach high in the cupboards and everything.
I'm 6'3" and have very long legs. I don't really look out of proportion, but when going for a bike fitting it becomes an issue. Sitting down I'm sometimes shorter than those I tower above.
Although the other week I was the shortest person on the elevator up to my office... felt odd.
...and climbing is fun, perhaps you should consider it.
Matthew, if YOU were the shortest person anywhere outside of an NBA practice session, that has got to be strange. You should have tried finding out who those other people were!
By the way, Matthew, as a mathy person who likes to blog, I LOVE your blog title and URL. Awesome.
Hey JP... remember me from the land of poorly written diaries? Ah yes... I stopped by to catch up, but I have a lot of catching up to do. I particularly liked this blurb and distinguishing features - though it's hard to choose for oneself. How can we? We can never look at ourselves the way others do. I suppose, though, from what others tells us we get an idea. I, personally, have no idea... I imagine people notice the obvious first... My small size, the big eyes and the stupidly large breasts on a very small girl. Then, perhaps the way I walk... though I am not the only short girl with big brown eyes and long lashes, nor the only one with big boobs... and I'm probably not the only girl with a limp, either.... mmm so what feature ever makes anyone stand out from everyone else? Well, I can lick my own elbow... but that's not a trait. Draw no other conclusions from that, either. I hope you're well... you've been missed. xox.