...of high heels. I live in Latin America, and it seems like everyone with a double X chromosome wears them here. And judging from fashion posts all over the Internet, women in other parts of the world have them pretty high on their fashion must-haves list, too.

I own one pair of shoes that make me look taller. They're a pair of platform Mary-Janes with a 2 1/2 inch, fairly wide heel. I've had them since I was 17, and I have them more because they're gothy, not because they have heels on them. Other than that, I just don't do heels. I'm nearly 5'8", so I don't need to be any taller. And I don't feel like being ridiculously uncomfortable all day would make me sexy.

But my guy friends' girlfriends all wear these 4-5 inch, spiky little things that look like they'd only feel at home on a stripper. All I can think when I see that is, "That poor girl is going to break her leg...or she must at least be incredibly uncomfortable!" "Damn Sexy!" is the farthest thing from my mind.

But then, I'm not a man. I am starting to wonder if men actually find that sexy, or if they just play along because they happen to be dating slaves-to-fashion Barbie dolls. But they're the ones with boyfriends, not me. So maybe they're on to something.

In my typical, melodramatic, overreacting manner of thinking, I'm wondering if I've somehow forever dismissed my chances of romance by refusing to risk breaking my leg every time I know I'm going to be in the same room as an attractive male. To paraphrase Alice in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Movie, it makes about as much sense to me as wearing a codfish on my head just because it happens to be in fashion. But am I seriously lessening my chances at romance by refusing to wear a codfish in my head? If I truly am, then wouldn't I be better off single if most of the men in this world require a woman to wear one? Or should I just give in and consider it the price I have to pay to have a special someone at my side?

So, what do you all think? Ladies, do you like wearing heels? Men, do you care if a woman wears them or not?

That's me. The one who hangs out more with men than with women, to the point where in some ways, she practically is a guy, except with breasts and her own tough/artistic/gothy- but still definitely girlie- stage wardrobe. The one who likes a beer (or two or five) with the guys and gets told she's not a typical girl, whatever that means. A woman in a man's world, who doesn't really fit the mold for either gender. (But then, does anyone, really?)

It's a position I like, most of the time. I get to hear and see a male perspective that I don't think a lot of women get to see first-hand. Unfortunately, that doesn't help me much with my love life, but it's still interesting. I feel like I often get the best of both worlds, both male and female. I get to be one of the guys and still be treated like a queen. I get to feel beautiful without being treated like "just a pretty face".

It gets odd, though. I always feel a bit strange around the girlfriends at first. I always wonder, are they afraid I'll try to steal their boyfriends? Do I make them uncomfortable? Will I ever get invited to their girls' nights? I usually like most of them later. But just for the record, to me, band code is stronger than girl code. If you and my band-mate fight, I will probably not take your side. So don't come to me. Even if you still have a legit grievance against one of my bandmates, I will probably resent being put in an awkward position.

I jam with these guys. I am creating music with them. When I create something beautiful with someone, to me, that is, in a way, an intimate experience. So naturally, I will often feel very close to those I have that experience with. So I will admit my opinion on any situation involving such people may be a bit biased.

Unfortunately, that also can sometimes mean I get crushes on different people I play with. Incredibly awkward position to be in. Acting on my feelings could ruin the dynamics of the band. Feelings do have an odd way of coming out when there is enough alcohol involved, but alcohol is also a very handy excuse. ("Did I really do that? Wow. I must have been pretty drunk!") And I guess I always figure I'll get friend-zoned anyway, that he probably wants someone a bit more "girly", so why ruin band dynamics over a silly crush?

As strange a position as it sometimes feels like, it's at least one I've figured out how to navigate, one I love, and wouldn't trade for anything.

As some of you know, I'm a singer. Not a famous one by any stretch of the imagination, but I am a singer.

And I guess the fact that sometimes my music is on the local radio here and once in a blue moon I get interviewed on the radio or on TV means that a few people have heard of me, and on rare occasion, I get recognized when I go out.

Which is fine.

Until it happens in the doctor's office. I had a routine test done, and I went to pick up the results and get another test I needed. As I was talking to the nurse, I showed her my receipt, and she said, "Oh! So you're Cheryl!" My first thought was "Were my test results that bizarre that I am now the talk of the entire nursing station?"

Then, I suddenly remembered that I'm the singer in a local band and it occurred to me that she had heard my music. So I asked her if she had. She said, "Of course! I've just never seen you play live. When's your next show?"

So I told her. Then...

"Can I have your autograph?"

You just finished discussing the results of a rather personal procedure with me and now you want my autograph?!!?! How exactly does a person respond to that?

Feeling rather flustered, flattered, and somewhat unsure of how to proceed, I just said, "Sure! I guess I'm just not used to being asked that in a doctor's office!" And I signed her agenda for her.

I walked out laughing. Because seriously, how often does that happen?