Being a Nerd

I remember the first time I was embarrassed about being smart. I was in Junior High (of course) and a close friend told me I sounded like I'd swallowed a dictionary. It probably wouldn't have stung, except that the comment came from a friend.

Most of my friends growing up were nerds, too, so I generally avoided the whole "hide what you know" trap. We created an enclave of intelligence in a world that places a premium on mediocrity - at least until you're old enough to forge your own way. Fortunately, I also had parents who were heavily involved in my academic (and extra-curricular) pursuits and did place a premium on superiority. Education was something to be treasured and it was expected that we would attend university and seek life-long learning.

Getting older and having a successful career - and life - is certainly the sweetest revenge. But every now and then it's nice to see a glimpse of your nerd child self reflected in mass media. This MasterCard commercial is probably one of the best I've ever seen. It makes me smile every time I see it.



I have to admit, it's the ubiquitous backpacks that clue me to the true nerdiness of these boys - not the "Robot Dace." Although, let's be honest: while not exclusively within the purview of the nerd, a love of science fiction or outdated dances from the 90s are certainly indicators that you may get slammed by a gang of thugs on the way home from school.

The Left-Handed Conspiracy

Forget about Democrats and Republicans, the biggest political conspiracy involving the American Presidency over the last 30 years has nothing to do with party affiliation. It's the plot of the left-handed to wield power over the rest of us. Since Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in January 1981, we have only had one right-handed president: George W. Bush. Yes, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton are (or were) left-handed. And now, we are poised to have yet another southpaw in the Oval Office: Barack Obama.

The years before Reagan were also left-leaning. Both Harry S. Truman and Gerald Ford were among the left-handed leaders who tried to steer this country in the Way of the Southpaw. In the 150 years or so before them, we only had two other left-handed presidents: James Garfield and Herbert Hoover. Seems a little odd, doesn't it?

Consider that most studies estimate that no more than 10% of the population is left-handed, and you can come to no other conclusion than a conspiracy is afoot. The Left-Handed are attempting to take over the nation and they've been remarkably effective in doing so. Indeed, Al Gore, a southpaw, only lost the presidency through the astute machinations of the Supreme Court. If it had not been for their foresightedness, we might have been saddled with another left-handed president who would have led us down the wrong path for the last eight years. Close call, that one.

I'm sure the left-handed will just say they are higher achieving - or even smarter - than the rest of us. But don't believe them. Now that they are back in power, we can be sure they will use whatever means necessary to stay there.

Barack as President

The "Palin as President" Web site has been updated since Tuesday's election. If you're a fan of the President-elect or at least the Will*i*am song, you'll like the changes.
http://www.palinaspresident.us/

If you simply want to enjoy the bone-chilling terror that is the thought of a Palin Presidency, click on the link at the bottom to the "classic" version.

The Exclusive White Male Club Is Over

If you're a white man, you probably don't think about it a whole lot, but the American presidency has always been an exclusive club to which only you could belong. Until now. From here on out, everything is different.

Now that Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States, barriers have been shattered. It won't be more than two hundred years to shatter the next barrier. In fact, I don't think it will be 20 years before we see a female president.

When you break down walls, it becomes so much easier to break them down the next time. It will be much easier to fight the next fight and change perceptions again about what it means to be the leader of this nation. Obama said it best in his acceptance speech last night. "If our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?" More change than we can imagine - and many I look forward to witnessing.