In Praise of Geek Girls

I cannot begin to tell you how much of my life I wasted trying to look like I was "cool". I think it is enough to say that looking back on it now, it was too much.

I wasn't born to be cool. My parents didn't care about keeping up with the Joneses or the latest fashion trends. They were into their families and each other. They had old fashioned hobbies that involved buying antiques, sailing old boats and reading. Pop culture wasn't on their radar.

I struggled to be cool.  I can remember begging my mom to buy me earth shoes because they were "cool" and the guy at the store talked her out of letting me have a pair and I got a facsimile of earth shoes. I wanted a clear plastic tote for school that could be purchased at Kmart. I got a boat tote from LL Bean. It was always close, but not quite.

It mattered so much to me that I wasn't one of the cool kids. Ever. And I honestly believed that I would grow out of my awkward years and become a cool kid as an adult. A "cool kid" late bloomer, as it were. Oh but I was wrong.

Once a geek, always a geek. I only wish it hadn't taken me so long to embrace it.

I am a geek. A nerd. A freak. Insert [your name here] for someone who doesn't blend. 

I like figure skating. I like reading books. I like gardening and I like cats. I have more in common with Amy Farrah Fowler than Amy Poehler. I have had more bad hair days than good. I have had zits so big that I gave them names. I have walked out of public restrooms with my skirt tucked into my pantyhose. I have commuted 25 miles from home to job with the buckle of my trench coat dragging on the freeway. None of these things will ever make you a nominee for the cool kids club.

So if you can't join them, you have to form your own club. I only wonder why I waited so friggin' long.

I am now accepting new membership applications for the geek girls club. You'll know if you qualify.

I love you just the way you are...

How's your Wednesday going? I know. It's the day after St. Patrick's Day – so you may be nursing a corned beef and cabbage hangover. And a bad Wednesday can be so much worse than a bad Monday. On Monday, you expect to be running a little behind and arrive to an email box full of nasty notes from your boss. On Wednesday, those same little missives of love can cut like a knife. And just when the world seems to be too much to bear, there's Bella and Tara. The most unlikely of BFFs.

I'm Half-Crazy All For The Love Of You!

Last summer I found myself helping to find a home for an adorable chocolate lab puppy. Her parents loved her, but they couldn't keep her. It was heart-breaking. I contacted my friend, Suzanne, who as the daughter of a veterinarian, I knew was genetically engineered to love animals. I thought she might know of some animal rescue organizations that might help me. I didn't know at the time that Suzanne had been sending photos of chocolate labs to her husband in an effort to soften him up to get a puppy. When we took Daisy over to Suzanne and Jeff's house for an informal get-to-know-you tea party, Suzanne greeted me at the door, "we want her." I think Suzanne loved Daisy before she met her. Daisy fell into a tub of butter when she went to live with Suzanne and Jeff. They call her their 'chocolate bunny' and while they might both deny it -- I'm certain that she has her own pillow on the bed. It might even be monogrammed. Now I'm blessed to get stories about Daisy complete with photos in my email box from time to time....from Daisy's first birthday party to Daisy's first swim in the pool. Daisy is living the good life. Unfortunately, not all puppies are as lucky...so in order to help other dogs that need to find cozy homes with loving parents, Daisy is taking Suzanne for a walk this Sunday, October 19.

Click here to help Daisy and Suzanne reach their goal.

Extra Tit-Bits

• When I was ten years-old, I wanted to go see "The Yearling" with my friends. My Dad, who could always be counted on to never say no, said absolutely not. I went anyway. I left the theatre right after the deer was shot in the head and ran all the way home with tears and snot streaming down my face. I take this trip down memory lane as a way of introducing you to this bittersweet animal story...and here's the happy ending that I wished had been in the movie.

• Friday is National Girlfriends Day! Before my boyfriend has a chance to freak out and hide his credit cards -- it's not that kind of girlfriend. It's a day to celebrate your female friends. The fabulous website, Girlfriendology, has created a list of ways you can let your 'girltourage' know that you love them.

• When I was twelve, I wanted to be an architect. When I was thirteen, I found out it involved math, thus bringing my career plans to a close. No worries, when I was fourteen, I wanted to be a rock star. I think we all know how well that turned out. I'm glad I left the architecture to the professionals -- here's a little something about one of the best.