draliman on life

Daily Prompt: Standout – When was the last time you really stood out in a crowd? Are you comfortable in that position, or do you wish you could fade into the woodwork?

I’ve had to struggle to remember the last time I stood out in any crowd. I think we’ll have to go back over ten years to “the dark drinking time”. Emboldened by Dutch Courage I was MC at a work pub quiz. I was the fill-in act – told jokes, gave away prizes, that sort of thing. Apparently I was quite good!

One year for a university Christmas party I wrote a song (a spoof on the university to the music of the Eagles “Hotel California”) and got together some backing singers and some amateur musicians (physicists are less boring then one might expect!).

I then dressed up as a woman, called myself “Alison” and belted the song out. I figured that if people hated the song they’d at least have a laugh out of my high heels. After seeing some of the shots of myself on stage, mind, I was very glad I’d worn swimming trunks under the skirt.

Who is this sexy man? Woman? Man!

I have concealed the faces of my partners in crime to protect the innocent.

Things have changed. Drastically. I’m now back to my “normal” self, if anyone can be considered normal.

Ninety-nine percent of my clothes are coloured in amazing shades of black, dark grey and blue. I sneak around in the background. I’ve been called “Ninja Ali”.

I had to think very carefully about buying a white car earlier this year. I finally gave in when I decided that when I’m driving, I actually do want people to see me coming.

I hate crowds. When I go into the teeming metropolis of my local city (population a little over 20,000 – eek!) I go in early, do what I gotta do, and am gone while most people are still finishing their Cornflakes.

There are very few pictures of me at work functions. “Spot the camera” is one of my superhero powers.

How will you fare spotting me in a crowd?