This past week concluded the world-famous Comic Con in San Diego, an event to which I clearly have absolutely no interest in since I don’t partake in things of such geeky nature.
That is until I was on Facebook the other day and saw that the fanpage for “Doug” (you know, that old show from the 90s on Nickelodeon…you have to know what I’m talking about right?!) posted a picture of this guy dressed up as Quailman (Doug’s alter-superhero-ego, obviously) at Comic Con. Instead of a normal person’s reaction of laughing uncontrollably to seeing a grown main dressed in a cape and with a belt around his head, I had the reaction of “OMG THAT IS THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN.”
Look- in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a random guy dressed up as Quailman!
After a few moments of excitement and forwarding the picture to all of my fellow 90s-kid friends, I started to wonder just exactly what my reaction meant (especially to my sanity). Was I not just scoffing at all the crazies at Comic Con for being ridiculously nerdy? Do I not laugh during the “Big Bang Theory” when Sheldon and his friends dress up as the Justice League on New Year’s Eve and spend their night toasting to new beginnings in tights and masks? How exactly am I any different than all the other geeks of the world if I feel fellowship with the Quailman guy?
I suppose it’s time to admit that I’m actually not different than the rest of them. Yes, I have watched all three extended editions of “Lord of the Rings” in a row. Yes, I own several of the “Hunger Games”-inspired nail polishes and did paint a mockingjay on my toes for the movie premiere. And yes, I’ve been to Harry Potter world, I’ve made homemade butterbeer (in my souvenir mug of course) and I’m still waiting for my Hogwarts letter to come in the mail (it’s only 10 years late, it happens).
It’s time to stop pretending, or at least stop pretending that I’m hiding the geek in me well.
I, Laura, am a geek and I am proud.
So, readers, since I feel like I have to have a point to the rambling thoughts of my mind, here’s the moral of this story: whether you’re heading off to college for the first time or you’re just entering into another year of school, don’t be afraid to act like you truly are. Embrace your inner geek or jock or drama queen or Quailman. It’s what you do best.
With that, I say take that, “cool” people. May the odds be ever in your favor.
