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Let’s face it. There’s a part of all of us that want to believe we’re in the cool crowd, one of the “in” people. For many years I wanted to believe I was a happening chick till indisputable facts got in the way.  Do you ever wonder the same?  Then you must ask yourself the following hard questions. If you answer yes to even one, you may be hipster-challenged. Here they are…

Do you play more than three online scrabble games per day?  If so, you’re on your way to  geekville. I’ve become so fixated on “Words with Friends” my family accuses me of not talking to them anymore. “How many o’s am I going to get in this damn round? What’s that fancy Q word that’s worth 800 points? I’m sooooo close to that triple score. C’mon baby. Oh sorry, honey, you were saying something? The house is on fire?  Okay, I’m coming.  Oops, wait a minute…”

Would you rather spend an evening watching a PBS special on the British Royal family than listening to a cool local band? Yes? Then welcome to my club. This one’s really embarrassing since my husband Randy plays bass in that cool local band. I’ve wrestled with this part of myself for years. I love going out. I love music. I love seeing friends with music playing.

I just have a low threshold for it. I get antsy.I want to catch up with William and Kate.

Do you sing along to show tunes in your car, belting out tracks from “West Side Story”, “Cabaret” or “Chicago”? Then you might be a dork.The other day I was driving, performing a stirring rendition of “Some People” from Gypsy (“Some people sit on their butts, got the dream. Yeah!  But not the guts. That’s peachy for some people, for some hum drum…”) when my worst nightmare happened.

I had pulled up to a stoplight beside Brenda, one of our town’s perfect women. She sat in her gray SUV, cool and blond and saw my performance, no doubt wondering if she should dial 9-1-1.

It must be noted, Brenda’s the consummate anti-nerd. She would never play online Scrabble because she’s too busy running her thriving mortgage company.  She always looks crisp and perfectly-coifed. Her children make the honor roll every time.

Unlike me, she would be the perfect band wife, not only showing up to every gig but bringing fresh-baked brownies for the guys (she used to do that for every boys’ soccer game, which annoyed me).

As for singing corny show tunes in her car? Brenda no doubt listens to tasteful jazz with bluesy horns and upright basses.

The light changed. Brenda gave a curt nod. I gave one back. We drove away. Oh well, I thought turning Rosalind Russell back up. We are who we are.

In short, there will always be Brendas in this world. And there will always be nerds — as there will always be yin and yang, hot and cold, war and peace.

Still, as they say, knowing and accepting ourselves is the true path to happiness.

By the way, how’d you do on the quiz? If you hit one, not bad, you’re okay, maybe even close to Brenda. But if you said yes to all three? Oh dear. Welcome to my world.

You, my friend, are a nerd.

 

Where do you fall on the spectrum?  I’d love to hear.  Comments are always welcome and thank you for sharing!!

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Comments(44)

  1. Laurie, I must take exception with the delusional notion that you are not a "happening chick" From the day I was blessed to have met you, as I am sure others will attest to, it was apparent you were indeed "happening". Having read your blog (which as always is amazing) I did some research. I found a foundation which publishes a rating of "happening chicks" called the HCI (happening chick index) I'm sure they got your permission for this, but I was smiling when I saw your face as the one to strive for in the HCI! I am proud to know you, love your writings and marvel at the wonderful family you guys have. Miss you and love you.

  2. Wow Jeff, what an awesomely sweet thing to say. I remember you as one of the funniest guys I ever met. Thank you for the kind words.

  3. It is great to be a nerd! Enjoy!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Shari, Us nerds have to stick together!

  4. Don’t be a Brenda! (no offense to actual woman named Brenda lol)

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Christina, Don’t worry. I’ll never be a Brenda!

  5. I don’t sing show tunes in the car, but I’m afraid I’m about as nerdy as it gets

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Yes, Jeremy. I actually like being a nerd. Its much more interesting.

  6. I discovered I was a technical nerd because I love figuring things out like setting up websites and other online stuff. I guess there are differences between nerds, geeks, weirdos and, dorks. I DO love a good PSB show and have now satisfied my Downton Abby fix with The Crown.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Rebecca, OMG. I devoured “The Crown.” Now I’m hooked on the PBS series on Queen Victoria. So wonderful. I love the way you have so many nerd categories. Sounds like a blog post!

  7. Not news but still funny!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 7 years ago

      Anna, I still maintain nerds have more fun.

  8. haha cute! I take Scrabble way to seriously, thus Scrabble causes much stress and I have moved over to the world of Boggle where I have atleast 10 different games running everyday <3

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jess, I can also take Scrabble too seriously. I’ve moved onto Jeopardy, which is similarly demoralizing, but fun.

  9. The Brenda’s of the world are not having as much fun. Yes. I’m a nerd although I prefer geek.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jennifer, Interesting that you prefer “geek.” For some reason, I’ll take nerd. But either way, you’re right. We’re having more fun.

  10. I don’t play Scrabble, but I do play Solitaire. More than a few games. Does that count? Soooo yes to all three! (On a side note, my son, he of the six-foot-eight height was driving home from the army base, dressed in his green fatigues and sitting in his monster truck. Looking every inch the soldier he was. He was grooving to the sounds of Sugar, Sugar by the Archies blaring through his opened windows from his truck speakers. He stopped at a light, still grooving. Sat there a moment, then realized the truckload of young teenage boys next to him were all staring up at him. Their expressions . . . interesting. When the light changed, he drove off. They didn’t. I think he scared them.)

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Diane, So funny. I was just playing that song in my car the other day. Its a catchy little tune, even for a big strapping soldier!

    1. Nerds Unite!

        • Laurie Stone

        • 4 years ago

        Diane, Laughing. Hear! Hear!

  11. This is so funny! Thanks. Perfect for this word nerd’s end-of-day blog read. 🙂

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Lisa, Glad you like it. Us nerds need to stick together.

  12. LOL @ Laurie! You had me from the beginning but after reading your lil blips there, maybe I’m not such a nerd but just a “weirdo”. Whatever you want to label it, at least we are all unique. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

    Thanks for the giggles!

    B

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Bren, Glad you liked it. Yes, there might be too fine a line between “nerd” and “weirdo.” I’m sure I’ve crossed the border many times.

  13. My name is Diane and I’m a nerd.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Ha ha!! Hello, Diane. Welcome.

  14. I don’t think I’m a nerd (according to this), but I married one!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 5 years ago

      Lauren… laughing.

      1. I might be a nerd. I have a nerd side and I embrace it. What is cool anyway?

          • Laurie Stone

          • 3 years ago

          Lauren, A question for the ages.

  15. I alternate between being a nerd and a girly girl in my various habits. Just not easy to caregorize!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, I can’t picture you as a nerd at all!

  16. Just recently discovered online Scrabble. I blame you…
    😉

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Diane, Laughing. Guilty!

  17. When I saw this article, I thought, no I am not a nerd. Then you asked about more than two online Scrabble games. I am not going to say how many I am playing, but it is in double digits. I am a nerd.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Janeane, I’m afraid you’re a nerd.

  18. I embrace my inner nerdness. And my outer nerd, too!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Carol, Laughing. Good for you!

  19. I think you’re a happening chick. I definitely prefer finding out about William and Kate and have spent almost every night watching some type of 19th or early 20th century English TV series.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Rebecca, I think we’re some sort of soul sisters. Very much alike!

  20. Nerds rock! I am a member of the nerdy tribe, and for a long time denied the fact. But finally embraced my true self!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Meryl, It’s probably hard to be an introvert and a non-nerd. Sometimes I think they’re linked, but oh well…

  21. I think when Brenda saw you, she was jealous because she’d be too embarrassed to be seen being so free and cool!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 3 years ago

      Jennifer, Laughing. Yes, I want to believe that…

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