lol.
precisely my thoughts, dave, after reading this.
well i'm embarassed to say so, but i only became a more obsessive (or rather--compliant) handwasher in recent years. mainly because all that washing dries my skin out something fierce, and then you gotta spend extra time shmearing on the hand lotion.
when i was a wee one, i was gross. i mean really gross! i used to play in the mud, pick my nose, eat my poo, play with my spit. it drove my mom insane--she'd drag me into the bathroom and i'd make a huge stink coz she'd try to scrub my hands and face. i guess i liked being dirty. maybe some of that carried over into adult life? tee-hee.
now i pay more attention. riding the subway is an act of disgustingosity [that center pole is just totally gross and slimey], so i always wash my hands when i get to work. i wash them after a bathroom run [ahem. usually..but always after 2], after lunch, when i get home, or when they feel cruddy. but i don't really wash too much in-between, like after typing or a handshake (unless i see the person has a cold).
i am very conscientious about washing before and after i cook and before i play drums. cooking is obvious. the washing before playing thing is more ritual. it prepares me for playing, and makes my hands feel supple.
i refuse to use those hand sanitizers, though. a total sham. they installed a dispenser at the entrance to my job and i just balked when i saw it. i think they're the worse things you can use, and they leave you susceptible to greater disease.
i dunno. i realize that cleanliness is important, and i don't want to paint a picture of myself as a slob. but i never got too panicky about germs; i feel that our bodies do a decent job of warding off the main ones, and if we catch a cold, well...worse things could happen. i think it makes more sense to just boost your immune system overall, so when you do catch something, it's not as intense.
so remember: don't shake smoggy's hand if you ever meet her at a pasic convention.
