Are we eccentrics?

[Graham]

I thought I would spend this "special" post on a question, call it a doubt if you like, but a thought I had today.

Let me first say that like many of you, my committment to the kilt has been growing considerably of recent times.
There was a time just a few months ago when I thought it special and wonderful that I managed to spend a whole day in a kilt.
Of course it is still as special, except that now the days have grown to many days kilted, to the extent that the times I spend out of a kilt are quite rare and brief.

This forum has been a huge part of the encouragement to do this and I am more comfortable than ever in myself being seen in public, by clients and in most situations kilted.

However, I am human and the greatest resolves and committments are occasionally interrupted by doubt. Our Lord Jesus in His human form also doubted for a time before facing the agony of the cross. For this reason I feel justified in occasionally asking myself this question:

Am I eccentric?, lot the plot, a weirdo, a misfit...enough nasty terms for now

How do those who are close to me see me when they find I wear a kilt most of the time? It's easy to say 'I don't care what others think' and in many ways that is true, but I do care for people I love.

My wife still has some concerns about me, she's used to me doing whacky things, but this has her worried now and then. she cares what others may say about the one she loves.

I'm not saying that eccentricity is wrong or bad. Some of the worlds most amazing people have been considered eccentric.

What kind of person makes this decision to depart from the norm of our society and go to some length (and expense) to appear very different to everyone else?

So after one thousand posts, some long some short, discussing the many aspects of kilts, a subject I feel I have some considerable knowledge on thanks to this forum, I thought I would just stop and look back and think about this whole wonderful, challenging, motivating, thrilling, adventure that is....

wearing the kilt.

I'm now having a dram to mark the occasion and I lift my glass to you all, my kilted brethren!

[GMan]

Graham,

It truly is an adventure to wear a kilt. Most people do not understand what we are doing, like you stated earlier great men through out history were considered a little bit off. Being human gives us doubts, but I like you get charged up by this forum. It gives me the push I need to continue on in this wonderful kilted world. You have inspired me more than you know by your kilt wearing starting out as the lone Tasmanian kilt wearer to organizing a Tartan Day Celebration all within a brief time of a few years. You have the support of not only all of us, but more importantly a loving wife who may not quite understand but is attracted to you for the free and adventurous spirit that you are.

Congratulations for 1000 posts! You are definetly a kilted noble.

Glen

[bubba]

Eccentric? Maybe. But does it matter? We hurt no one and we certainly stand out in the crowd. Our individuality is the reward for not being just like everyone else. Honestly, I think we're admired to fair degree for following our own piper unashamed. I'msure you've noticed that with the increase in your personal confidence you've gain a degree of respect from others. Wearing kilts has been good for us in our personal development and we now stride like men rather than shuffle along like serfs. The word Bravehearts says it all I think.

[elijah]

Yes, I am eccentric and proud of it. ;)

I mean I can be extremely, gravely serious at times, but at others I can be very spontaneous. I'm politically and religously conservative, but also have quite a sense of humor and have tried some other "fashions" before kilts. The bandana on the head for instance was one thing I tried back in my Sophomore year of College.

It's part of being a writer or am I a writer because I'm eccentric? We writers are strange folks in general. We're the type of people who let imaginary people run around and live their lives inside of our head. Compared to that wearing a kilt isn't eccentric at all. ;)

[Casey]

Graham,

I am reminded of a quote from Thomas Edison: Invention is 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration.

We on this forum have the idea (inspiration) that it would be beneficial for men to readopt a style of dress. We are now working to put that into effect (perspiration).

All innovative people have be called some sort of negative name.

Casey

[bubba]

Eccentric isn't negative. Now, if they called us nuts or crazy.......

[The Kilted Chef]

Graham, when your poor, it's called crazy. When your rich, it's eccentric...

Larry

[Xcop]

Graham,

In your case eccentric has also to mean inspirational and rich of character. You are an inspiration for many of us, eccentric as we may be. I firmly believe that if someone is talking about me then they are leaving alone someone who will be hurt by their tongues.

David

[g koch]

Me, i'm a humorless delusional and i'm fairly sure this kilt thing is a phase i'm going thru. I get VERY little in the way of positive feedback, usually just smirks and sniggers. Thats right, it dont look good on me!
And let's face it these things are expensive, awkward and impractical.
Most the folks that wore skirt-like garments in the past have stopped doing so. (and dont give me the 'English Oppressor' thing--the 'Great' kilt was a garment of the poor, those damn thieving Highlanders--clan chiefs wore trews when going into town).
Even women have reduced skirt and dress wearing to a special event. Even for them it has become costume.

JUST KIDDING!
(well sorta)

[bikercelt1]

ec-cen-tric (ik sen'trik) adj. 1. unconventional, as in behavior[style of dress]; odd 2. not having the same center. 3. not situated in the center. 4. having the axis away from the center. 5. deviating from a circular form. -noun 6. an eccentric person.

Yep, that's us. Ain't it grand?

Jamie