Dork is the New Black?

So my friend Jenn raised an interesting point on my post about people claiming they were dorks growing up:

"I tend to make this claim every now and then. I was a dork in H.S. But the fact that I was a dork then, doesn't mean I have transformed into something else now. I'm content (and maybe sometimes proud) that I was, am, and forever will be a dork. I guess the shock factor in my case is that I was even MORE of a dork in H.S. It's hard to believe. Could I beeee any more dorkier?! (I dropped that 'Friends' reference for you. ;) ) "

Thank you for the comment, Friends reference and new blog topic all at once, Jenn.

Now, in my previous post, I was moreso referring to people who say things such as "OMG, I was the biggest dork in high school. Can you EVER believe it?!" in the sense of 'I'm so good-looking, likeable and have so many friends, how could any group of people have ever misjudged me in such a way?!?!'

However, the more I think about it, there are a LOT of people who claim dorkhood (if you will), but not in a "BUT LOOK AT ME NOW!" kind of sense. In fact, I can think of a lot of good friends who make such claims in a completely matter-of-fact sense. The more I think about it, the 'I am/was a dork' claim is really rather pervasive all of a sudden.

Why is that? Are there more dorks out there than we anticipated? What percentage of the population is/was once a dork? It would seem as though it's like 75% of the population. Is 'dork' developing a positive connotation? I personally kind of think people started publicly proclaiming their 'dorkhood' because a) it was different and b) relays some level of being comfortable with oneself ('I might not go with the flow and people might judge me for it, but that's OK'), but I think now it's reached a point of being the trendy thing to do. Is being a dork the new hot thing right now?

That, and what does it really mean to be a dork? Is it having an interest in academics? Is it having an interest in some odd niche subjects? Is it abstaining from bad behavior? Is it being shy/quiet? Is it not being popular?

Please people. Elaborate on this.

Weird Dream, Part 893

Ok, so I had a dream last night that I was shopping for art (perhaps for my new apartment). This isn't odd in the least of ways because I was just thinking about the fact that I really have no artwork whatsoever and I'm going to need to put SOMETHING on my wall. So I have been thinking about buying a piece or two. Anyhow.

In the dream, right before I woke up, I was holding a piece that was bright pink and purple and glitterly - highly, highly gaudy. Actually, I personally thought it was pretty, but not appropriate for an adult apartment. It kind of reminded me of something I would like back in high school.

Now, again, the only thing about this dream that really stuck with me was the fact that I remember it very clearly. I decided to do some research on dreams about art. Here's what I found (per google).

Art Gallery

To dream that you are in an art gallery (well, it was a place with multiple pieces of art, so close enough), represents your past experiences. Something in your past is having an impact in your current situation. Alternatively, the dream may be telling you that you need to capture some moment and preserve it.

HMM.

How Facebook Has Changed Things....

Ok, so the other day, a good friend of mine mentioned her upcoming 5 year college reunion, which got me thinking....

(Editor's Sidenote: I do not know if my college has a 'five year reunion', but even if so, I won't be going, unless a group of my college friends plans on attending all together. I cannot imagine my graduating class of, say, 7,000 all running around bumping into each other saying 'oh, hey, how's it been?' or, more likely 'do I know you? have we ever met?' Anyhow.)

I will, in the semi-near future, have a high school reunion coming up. (I do, at this point, fully acknowledge it hasn't been 10 years since I graduated. Just sayin'.)

However, at this point in time - with facebook, I pretty much know what everyone from high school (and basically, the past, in general) is up to because of facebook!! Granted, all the people I was actually close to, I am still in touch with and could see if I wanted to, so I don't need a 'reunion' to get reacquainted with these individuals. My main motivation for going to a reunion would be to find out what all the other people I'd lost touch with are doing these days. However, based on facebook, I know this already! So, I ask this - what, really, is the point of the high school reunion any more?

Yet Another Pet Peeve...

Ok, this has got to be one of my biggest ones....

When people say 'I was the BIGGEST DORK back in high school'. Why do I hate this? Well, apparently, some hollywood bigshot superstar(s) years ago thought this was a clever/kitchy thing to say for some reason, and now pretty much EVERY FAMOUS PERSON has claimed this. The uniqueness/shock factor has worn off - I am actually ready for a famous person to claim she was the prom queen and be shocked at this point.

Anyhow.

I guess what irritates me the most, per se, is that when a person says something to the extent of 'you might be surprised to learn I was a huge dork growing up', the implication is "I think I'm REALLY hot shit now!" I've heard this not only from hollywood bigshots but also from everyday people I see and meet. In fact, for quite a few of them - and I don't mean this in a bad way in the least of ways - but I'm really NOT surprised. In fact, there's a couple people I've heard claim this where, to be honest, I couldn't really picture it any other way - yet they still made the statement blatantly looking for some 'shock value'.

In fact, I think I've officially decided that the next time someone says 'I was a huge dork growing up, doesn't that surprise you?', I think my response is gonna be 'No, I can so totally see it".

For Illinois Tollway Drivers....

...ok, I'm just curious - we all heard the threats on the news/in the newspapers/in email forwards - in the new road construction zones on I-294, I-90, etc., if a person is caught driving OVER 45 MPH, the magic cameras will catch him/her and he/she will be the recipient of a $375 fine the first time, a $1000 fine the second time and possibly jail time the third time!! Supposedly, if one is caught going ONE MILE OVER 45, he or she will receive a ticket - NO EXCEPTIONS!! A big freakin' deal has been made out of this.

Now, let me tell you, I have been on said interstates multiple times since when this law went into effect (July 1, I believe). I have TRIED to slow down to 45. However, I have noticed that when I do, ALL OF THE CARS around me are passing me like I'm sitting still. In fact, I haven't really even been able to get it all the way down to 45. However, I can tell you that every car around me was going MUCH MUCH faster, so I can't imagine my having been singled out for a ticket under these circumstances.

Anyhow. Is this being as strictly enforced as they once threatened? If yes, I imagine the state of Illinois is making a FORTUNE off this. If not, why the empty threat? I mean, I get it, but why was such a big deal made out of this moreso than anything else? Has anyone been on the receiving end of one of these supposed brutal tickets? How long will these 45-zones be going on for? Please do share.

Jaime's Top 5 Dances of SYTYCD, Season 5

Ok. #1 - Kayla and Kupono in the addiction piece. (see below).

#2


#3


#4


#5

Can Guys and Girls be Friends? Part 2

Ok. So I've decided to re-explore this subject, since it seems to be one of my posts that got a good amount of feedback. The feedback got me thinking some more. I think I may have changed my answer (and the question, a bit).

Another potential complication has come to mind. Here's the problem I see - do I believe a guy and girl can get close to each other, emotionally, and enjoy spending time with each other without necessarily wanting to be more than friends? Yes. I mean, if one of them can, then why can't both of them?

However, I think, also, people having fragile egos comes into play. For example - I think both a girl and a guy can be fine with their own not wanting more than a friendship with the other, however, they might both be offended at the notion that the other party doesn't want them.

Now, I don't mean this in a funny way, but when I think of the hypothetical completely platonic guy friend, I am perfectly comfortable with my not wanting more than a friendship with him. And, in theory, it's ideal for him to feel the same way I do - to not want more than a friendship (otherwise, things can and would be awkward).

However. If I were to stop and think of the fact that this person enjoys spending time with me and feels comfortable confiding in me - to stop and think that this person, for some reason, doesn't want me in that regard can be a slight blow to the ego (for some people, at least). Is it that this person simply isn't attracted to me? That's totally fine - I certainly wouldn't expect a guy to be attracted to me just because he's a a guy and I'm a girl. However, even though I might not be attracted to him, even though I probably don't want him to be attracted to me, there's something a little frustrating about having to stop and think that this person, for some reason, knows me well and specifically doesn't want me.

Anyhow. I think at the base of a lot of these male/female friendships is:
a) one person is in a relationship so the complication of 'why aren't we dating' doesn't come into play
b) the two, at one point, dated and it didn't work out for some reason - so neither party can be offended that one deems the other 'undateable'
c) one member of the friendship suspects (or flat-out knows) the other party wants more; therefore the insecurity of not being wanted doesn't come into play
d) one member of the friendship flat-out wants the other party so much that the whole basis of the friendship is trying to transition it into more

Anyhow. Your thoughts? Is it possible to not only not want your opposite sex friend, but also be ok with your opposite sex friend not wanting you?

Editor's sidenote: As I've said before - I have a couple good guy friends (who read this blog, at least I hope). I do believe guys and girls can be friends, and I have enjoyed said friendships so much that I have not let my fragile ego and the point I raise in this blog get in the way. Anyhow.

My Favorite Dance of the SYTYCD Season

I Drank the Kool-Aid

I joined twitter. Please follow me.

Drama!!

So Paula's out and Kara's in.

I don't think this was a wise decision. Whether or not Paula "made this decision herself", it's pretty obvious her hand was forced. And I don't think the 'puppermaster' on this one is thinking.

Both of these woman are equally worthless in the charisma department. Kara is supposedly some music industry seasoned-veteran, but Paula Abdul is better known. And more importantly, Paula has more entertainment value. One can laugh at (not with) her. Right now Kara's just plain blah and boring. If she starts saying 'listen dawg', she might as well be Randy Jackson. She needs to start taking drugs or something to up her humor ante, otherwise she might as well not be there.

So You Think You Can Dance...the Finale!!

My favorite remaining dancers....


Brandon.
I've never REALLY been able to 'connect' with him, I guess you would say, but of these four, he's far and away the best.


Kayla.
Good. Something about her bugs me. Maybe it's partially the judges shoving her down everyone's throats. And her mediocre solos. But really really great in the addiction and affair pieces.


Jeanine.
I just don't like her. I don't know why. I'm sorry. She's nicely versatile but not an outstanding contemporary dancer. She certainly isn't good enough to win, in my opinion. She should NOT finish ahead of where Katee Shean finished last year. Just sayin'.


Evan.
Nice but does not belong in the finale. And I think America realizes that.

New Home?

Ok - so so very very very sorry - I know I am way overdue to update this blog and that I have not done a good job this past weekend. I have been apartment shopping - in my defense. It has taken up a large quantity of my time. In my defense, I have somehow unfortunately missed out on a lot of the things that take up my time - refreshing facebook compulsively, emailing Emily, checking up on celeb gossip, etc. So it wasn't just this blog that got neglected.

However, fingers crossed - it looks like I might have a promising lead. It was, ironically enough, the first apartment I looked at. I guess, after seeing what was out there, I didn't realize how great it was. Anyhow, somehow, it was right there waiting for me. It's like running back to your first boyfriend or something crazy like that. The more I think about it, it was perfect in every way (price, location, size), but I'll probably have some complaints about it in nothing short. Anyhow. The right one was there the whole entire time - funny how it works out that way sometimes. Sigh.