People tend to have different passions in life. What bakes one person’s beans might not, in fact, bake someone else’s beans to quite the same level of bakedness and/or bakeosity. Some people don’t even like beans. Some people eat beans and get all gassy and smelly. The point is, beans are pretty awesome, especially if you put hot dogs in them. Wait, no, that’s not the point.
Allow me to start over.
I see people obsessing over sports and don’t really understand what the big deal is (see: Color Commentator). I see people loving cars, and think, what a waste of time and energy. Just like some people may not understand why I know so much about obscure zombie films (see: Zombie Hall… no seriously… If you’ve been wondering where the hell I have been, I have been writing there lots…). Some people try to keep up to date with all of the newest gadgets and iDildoes, learn about fine wine, or eat all sorts of soft cheeses. I sort of get it, but who has the money for that?
Some people go bird watching. No comment.
The point is everyone wants to be a buff of some kind. I fancy myself a music buff, and a bit of a film buff, but if you are looking to be a buff and have not yet chosen something to buff on, allow me to present you with a buff list (which I guess makes me a buff buff), of what I feel are underrepresented hobbies and passions that surely must exist in the world today, somewhere. Be a buff like these, and you’ll really stand out as a one-of-a-kind buff.
The Urinal Buff
I would imagine life as a Urinal Buff would be exciting and full of non-stop action, especially if you’re a woman. Imagine being able to stop at a random rest area somewhere like southern New Hampshire and come out cheering.
“Honey, they have the new Falcon 4000! Limited edition! What a swirl! Get the camera!”
Sure, people might look at you funny when you enthusiastically piss, but every public urinal pee would be an educational experience. You’re probably thinking that there isn’t much to know about urinals. Maybe the Urinal Buff could also have vast toilet seat knowledge. You don’t know.
You don’t know because you’re not a Urinal Buff. By the way, the Urinal Buff prefers to be called Whiz Kid. I bet the Urinal Buffs would have all sorts of inside jokes slagging guys that sit down to pee, or prefer the comfort and privacy of a stall.
Other types of buffs along these lines could be Toe Nail Clipper Buff (“I just got the new model Trim”), Shower Curtain Ring Buff (think John Candy in “Planes, Trains”), Ceiling Fan Buff (“It’s got eight speeds!”), or Late Eighties’ Microwave Oven Buff (“You can cook a whole turkey to the max”) just to name a few.
The Crayola Connoisseur
Outside of the weird kid who ate crayons in class, few people seem to have a real appreciation for crayons, and I think that’s a shame. I think a true Crayola Connoisseur would be able to take a crayon that is missing its little rolling paper and still be able to name which color it is, likely based on its smell and texture. They’d probably get confused between Mahogany and Shit, though.
“Smells like Magenta, but has a bit of a Fuchsia aftertaste.”
They’d actually understand the purpose of that built in sharpener on the box too. Also, let it be known, that the Crayola Connoisseur wouldn't respect people who know a lot about markers, because, markers and marker experts are bullshit. You ever smelled those smelly markers?
“Uh, yes well, the last time I checked, the color pink does not actually smell like bubble gum” said the Crayola Connoisseur, quite condescendingly.
The Firework Enthusiast
Fully grown humans enjoying fireworks have always, to me, seemed a little bit ridiculous. I often like to blurt out things like “classic Pinsky formation” or “I wasn’t sure if they’d bring it home, but then BAM, double Fapperwheel!” because I’m so silly like that, and to me, that joke never gets old. But imagine someone who actually knows the terminology of fireworks. You’re probably thinking that there isn’t a terminology. Well, probably not. But I’d assume that the fireworks enthusiast would invent his own glossary of firework related terms and maneuvers. I bet ‘bouquet’ and ‘finale’ would totally mean something.
I know you’re out there and I’m dying to meet you. Probably you’re good friends with someone who knows all the techniques for making various styles of paper snowflakes.
“Check this one out! I only used three scissor cuts.”
Dental Hygiene Assistant Fanatic
If you think that they would only know about the famous ones, you’d be wrong. They’d know about the local up and comers too, and they’d have trading cards, like baseball cards, that have their stats printed on the back. You know, like Cavity Assists, Cleaning Time Average, and Drool Handling?
“I’ll trade you a ‘Melinda from Springfield’ for your ‘Peggy from Rochester’ rookie card.”
Seriously, if we throw other healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, the person that operates them fancy machines in the hospitals, etc…) into the mix, we could have whole talk radio channels centered on them. I’d listen to that.
“Welcome to ‘You Can’t Handle the Tooth’, I’m your host, Barry Jogbar, let’s go to the phones.”
“Yeah, hi Barry, long time listener first time caller, what do you think Portland Charlene’s chances are at being called up to big show this year?”
“After yesterday’s veneer performance, I think they are pretty strong. Pretty strong indeed.”
Honestly, they are already wearing colored uniforms. We might as well organize the color scheme a little more and make them form teams. Besides, they’d certainly be better role models than people in ‘US Weekly’ (see: Keepin’ it Real). Think of the children, people.
Cigar Aficionado Aficionado
I’ll leave it up to you the reader to decide what exactly this would be. It’s kind of like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, minus the horrific cover art and the fact that I always die on purpose.
“To jump off the cliff and end your adventure, turn to page SET BOOK ON FIRE.”
Most likely a Cigar Aficionado Aficionado involves some kind of parallel universe. I believe that it has very little to do with cigars.
I wanted to add Muzak Lover to this list, but when I did a quick search on that there Google thing, sadly, it turns out that this type of buff exists already and will therefore not make this list. In any case, don’t feel the need to follow something on this list necessarily. I’m simply trying to get your brain motivated to get out there and be creative. Go become the first SOMETHING Buff. The world needs buffs of all kinds. Except illegal stuff, or stuff that involves a lot of eating. There are enough of those buffs as it is. Also, don’t confuse Buff with Fetish. You should like something, not like-like something. Big difference.
That’s it. My office building got the new Falcon installed and I need to go try it out.
