Thus far I have covered a decision-based quirk and a mental-based quirk. Today’s unusual trait is physical. I have abnormally distinct control over my facial muscles. Sure, some people may be able to do some of what I can, but rare are those that can do all!
Now obviously, this article is going to be fairly short, more or less a list of what I can do. So I’m going to try my best to fill this space with halfway relevant commentary.
To start the list, a fairly common trait: raising one eyebrow. I believe that Steven Colbert does this best. Not everyone can raise both individually, however, and with practice I have been able to create a sort of ‘wave’ effect from one side of my head to the other.
Secondly, I can wiggle my ears. Wow, ‘wiggle’ is such a weird word to actually type. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before. Anyway, I can also wiggle (hee hee) each of my ears individually, something I’ve only seen one other person do. Then again, I don’t usually go around asking people if they can wiggle (hee hee) their ears. I should do that now.
On the fairly common side of things, I can wink either eye. Interestingly, I can’t wink one eye while raising the corresponding eyebrow. At least, not without half-squinting the other eye and altogether creating an appearance of one who has either had too little sleep or too many drugs.
Moving lower, I can both flare my nostrils and wiggle (hee hee) my nose. In fact, I can wiggle (hee hee) each side of my nose separately, though the left side is harder than the right. Currently working on flaring on nostril at a time. Slow going there.
Finally in the distinct ability section, I can touch my tongue to my nose without external aid (such as hands). Not so rare, but it’s something else in my repertoire.
In general, I do have excellent facial control for making expressions. Give me an emotion, and I can probably get a convincing expression to match it. If not, then you’re bloody out of luck, now aren’t you?
