My Sins against Gender Stereotypes

There is this tag that is going around. I read Shimmer's, Usha's and Snippets' takes on it and thoroughly liked the idea of doing it myself though no on tagged me yet! The thing to do here is to make a list of all the things that you think makes you go against a stereotype for your gender. e.g. if you're female, then make a list of things that you feel are not 'typically female' and vice versa. So here's what I feel are the 'manly' qualities in me.

1. I love reading the newspaper first thing in the morning. I have to have a cup of tea and read my newspaper as soon as I get up. That's my 'me-time' that's very precious. I particularly look forward to the Sunday Times that now comes with the delightful Crest edition!
2. In the same vein, my day feels incomplete if I leave the daily crossword undone. Sunday's cryptic crosswords are particularly interesting. I save the previous Sunday's paper and check each response for correctness in the next Sunday's paper. Not sure if solving crosswords is a male prerogative, though.
3. I can be extremely calm and collected in times of crises. My brain immediately goes into a 'what needs to be done' mode rather than panic over what has happened.
4. I am the official 'bug-killer' of the family. Both Sr. and Jr. shout for me the moment they see a bug, any bug. Just don't call me if you see a lizard, though!
5. I love watching crime-based shows on TV. CSI, Law & Order, Raising the Bar, Leverage etc. were some of my favorite shows when we were in the US. Here in India, I stay far far away from the Saas-Bahu sagas.
6. I also love to watch news on TV.
7. Though as a kid I wore a lot of pink, it's not such a favoured colour now. In fact, deep blue is one of my best-loved shades.
8. I can change a fuse.
9. I have assembled a queen bed all by myself once.
10. I hate high heels. Still haven't learnt how to walk in them; probably never will. In fact, I'd be happy with just one pair of comfortable chappals to wear everywhere.
11. I have no passion for fashion or designer tags. I look for comfort in my clothes. I'd gladly lounge around in a cotton salwar-kurta all day.
12. I feel totally lost when I hear women discussing designer handbags. I have very specific needs as far as my handbag goes and as long as I have just one that satisfies those needs, it could be from the corner shop on the street, who cares! I'd carry it everywhere - to the mall, the vegetable market, a party, someone's house. . . I could never understand how some women change purses to match their outfits.
13. When it comes to child-rearing, I am more easygoing than my hubby. I don't mind my son getting wet in the rain or bringing in mud-soaked shoes while hubby would be paranoid about it.
14. I am adventurous when it comes to travel. There was a time when I would grab a map and walk all over a new town to explore it!

And I hereby tag the following bloggers to carry this on:

• Pitu
• Kavi
• Shruti
• Swaram

Anyone else is also welcome to do it!