Early one semester, I was going over the Policy Sheet with one of my new classes.  I noted the phone number among my contact information, giving them permission to use it, if needed, during reasonable hours (reminding them of my age).  As I often did, I pitched out the line, “the number’s easy to remember because the last four digits form the 4^th perfect number! I actually requested that number” 
I waited for the groans and eye-rolls I knew were coming, and, of course I got them.  But this time, I also heard a young lady on the front row mutter, “GET a life!”  I couldn’t help inwardly grinning.
It’s true that, in those classes of mostly math-phobic future elementary teachers, I partially cultivated that persona. The goal was to get them to lighten up a little, as well as to see that some folks DO love math – or at least numbers.
On the other hand, I am aware ‘number enthusiasts’ can sometimes go over the top and become ‘number weirdos’.  So, as a service, and a hopefully humorous diversion, I thought I’d help us delineate that difference.  I have prepared a Top Ten List, entitled Top Ten Signs You Might Have Become A Number Weirdo. 
A quick detour (skip if you must).  You should know there is also a distinction between ‘math type’ and ‘number enthusiast’ as well.  Certainly, they are often the same.  (I am both, e.g.)  But not always. Some math lovers aren’t particularly that fond of boring numbers themselves.  And, conversely, there are folks who love numbers and their properties, but who aren’t all that into more serious mathematics.  It’s really an important distinction (related to my frequent ‘math and arithmetic are not the same’ screed) but there’s no need to digress further today.
So, without further ado, here are the Top Ten Signs You Might Be A Number Weirdo. 

10. Your personalized license plate reads MATH-4U

9. When practicing social distancing, you insist on ‘two meters’ space rather than ‘six feet’.

8.  You tee off in golf, and instead of yelling “FORE!”, you yell “ROOT 16″

7.  As a conversation starter, you ask folks how many digits of PI they’ve memorized.

6. If you’re male, one of your favorite pickup lines in your younger days was “You look just like Sonia Kovalevsky” (one of the earliest women mathematicians).

5. When someone passes age 23, you say they are past their PRIME.

4. You’ll drive 5 miles out of your way to watch the odometer reach a palindrome. And then you stop to take a picture to send to your ‘friends’.

3. You work with Santa to leave “I Love Math” pencils in all the Christmas stockings. Every year.

2. You rake all the Autumn leaves into a huge symbol of PI, then burn them like that to emblazon PI it into your lawn.

And the number one reason you may be a math/number weirdo:

1. You ask your doctor to report your cholesterol numbers in base 12 because it looks better.

My wife said I should add ‘Your favorite day of the year is Pi Day (3/14)’, but then, that’s not really weird, is it?  Isn’t everyone’s?!  (Actually, it’s only my second favorite day).
Minor confession:  From the list above, I am or have been guilty of four of the items. Ouch.  So, your parting quiz for today:  Which four?  (Bonus quiz:  My favorite day?) Responses welcome.
Hopefully, today’s thoughts have provided a nice diversion from the real world for a while.  Please stay safe.  And, in the meantime, keep an eye on that odometer!