Monday, December 13, 2010

My "coming out" as a bi-nerd

Most people are nerds straight out of the womb. I can say that my nerdism developed at a slow pace, mainly thwarted by what I felt would be social backlash of my ever-budding nerdy tendencies. Before I get into my coming out story, I should define what I mean when I say I am bi-nerdual. I mean that, while I do experiment what some would classify as"nerdy" activities, I have not completely gone over to the darkside. I can also still cover up much of my nerdy tendencies because I still participate in many non-nerdy activities. 
Many could sense my bi-nerdism from a young age. I suppose my joining band at age 8 or being super excited about being let into the GATE program a year early were the first tip-offs. However, elementary school nerdism is often shrugged off. So despite these nerdy accomplishments, I was still able to acquire a high social life that would continue with me through-out high school.
My life at home is where my nerdism was able to really take flight. Having a full blown nerd for a brother, I was able to be myself and let all my bi-nerdy tendencies flourish. I spent hours playing video games with him. I practiced my flute for the mandatory hour, usually more, set forth by my teacher. I loved Star Wars. I got straight A's. I immersed myself in literature, rather than learning how to use make-up or practicing kissing on my hand. 
High school turned out to be the most difficult age for me to keep my bi-nerdism in the closet. I decided I would quit band and join a sport. I finally discovered make-up, cleavage, the art of flirting, adn quickly discovered how choosing a sport like swimming where you show off your budding womanly figure was highly more acceptable than the boxy marching band uniforms. And although I ended up loving, and becoming quite skilled, in waterpolo; every football game I went too I felt myself longing to be on the field with the band.
Then it was time to leave for college. Junior year. I met a fellow nerd and fell madly in love. I can honestly say I owe my coming out to him. We shared many nerdy things in common from reading to our the way we excelled in music (he was 1st chair oboe). And he introduced me to my most naughtiest nerd fetish, World of Warcraft.
Now even as a bi-nerd, I knew WOW was on a whole ther playing field. I mean, i pictured Southpark, fat pimply Cartman yelling at his computer and at his mom for more hot pockets. I admit, I judged at first. Then he made me try it. At first, I still didnt get it, nor was I willing to give into being someone who played WOW (again, thinking of what my friends would say, they still had no idea of my nerdism). But, watching my nerd play, I was horrified to find I actually found it sexy! What was wrong with me?! Maybe it was that fact that he was so good at it. That he had WOW titles that made him respected by other players. Either way, I wanted a character of my own. It was all over from there.
I could no longer hide it from my roommate/ best friend, I played for hours. I could not hide it from my family, they saw the $14.99 a month on my statement. I was out. And it felt good. And Giles (my gnome death knight) became a second me. Did I ever fully crossover to playing all day everyday? No. I still cant let myself be that nerd. I still have the other me, the socially accepted, partying, flirting girl. But at night, I still get to come home to my lvl 80 Giles the Argent Champion

2 comments:

  1. I played trumpet in band in elementary school and water polo in high school! WOA! Haha I guess I am a bit of a bi-nerd myself. It wasn't until high school that I found out what having a social life/procrastination were. Even then, I still got really good grades and was super into my world lit and english composition classes.
    Freshman year in the dorms I spent an entire day playing BioShock as my metal nerd of a boyfriend at the time watched in awe... I skipped class and only left the room to go get In-N-Out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Where to start...
    My coming out was not quite as ..decided as yours sounded. I actually never knew until people told me! I was in denial for years until all of my arguments were demolished and I as forced to accept my fate.
    WoW sounded like the end of all in-person interaction when I first heard about it. And it turned out to be just that in my case (my ex was addicted and it was all I heard about). Of course, I heard that it was a game where you could "do anything." I went from loving my crazy little pets to hating the game because of him. I'm glad you aren't feeding WoW your entire life :)

    ReplyDelete