Growing up “Nerd” – Volume 1
When I was asked to join NerdSpan, my first concern was that I wasn’t “nerd” enough, but then I remembered what my child-hood was like. Middle-school was a veritable hell. I used to be one of the cool kids when I first started, but then I noticed a kid that was constantly getting picked on by my “friends.” I felt bad for the kid, so I talked to him, and it turned out we had all manner of things in common. He was cool in his own way, he just looked, and dressed awkwardly . . . and this was the 80s, so that took some effort. I became his friend, and the next thing I knew, I was a “nerd.” Wait, what happened, I thought? I just wanted to hang out with my friend; he showed me Paranoia (the RPG), Gammarauders (a strategy board game) and I showed him Axis & Allies (also a strategy board game).
See this little clip from Sesame Street with Cookie Monster? I loved this bit when I was a kid, and I haven’t seen it in years, probably 25 years to be exact. Watching it today, it still makes me laugh. I think that is what being a nerd is all about, admitting that something makes you happy, even if it isn’t cool to own up to it.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ZHPJT2Kp4&w=380&h=290]I was a nerd; I still am a nerd, so I guess I am qualified to write for NerdSpan. I’m thrilled that the nerd is finally having his day!
If you are a nerd-in-training, i.e. stuck in middle-school surrounded by bullies and thinking you are trapped . . . know that those battle-scars will someday be a mark of honor. And never let fear stand in the way of being who you are and expressing yourself. As Morgan Freeman says in that VISA commercial, let your freak flag fly!
