THIS IS WHY WE’RE FRIENDS!
by Rachael Berkey
I get excited pretty easily. I talk fast, gesture with my hands and if it’s something really cool, I might accidentally slap your arm with enthusiasm to make sure you’re paying attention…if my bouncing around and chatter hasn’t already drawn your eye.
Don’t let my age fool you. I will freak out over something with the same enthusiasm, at nearly-30, that I did at ten.
It was May 2008, and I had dragged my little brother – who had stopped through DC to hang on his way home from college – to see Iron Man with me.
I’m a fan of superhero movies.
And there it was right in the previews. They were making a live action movie of G.I. Joe.
The theme music began.
I started to bounce in my seat, bringing forth loud squeakiness from its metal frame and old cushion.
Things started exploding.
I started smacking my brother’s forearm. He yanked it away and looked at me from the corner of his eye in that unique, “No, I’m not related to this crazy person” way that only siblings ever really master.
By the time the logo flashed across the screen, I was beside myself with excitement, whispering ‘Oh my God’ over and over under my breath. I had also attracted the attention of everyone within five seats of us… some were guys about my age and a little older who were also grinning like fools…but many were men, women and children rolling their eyes and scoffing.
I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s with two older brothers and no other girls except neighbors. I watched a lot of G.I. Joe, Captain Planet and American Gladiators. I played with toy soldiers probably as often as I played with other dolls. G.I. Joe being made into a movie was really exciting even 20 years later.
My little brother didn’t get it. Even after Iron Man was over, and I asked him if he was excited, he still didn’t get it.
I can’t help but think that this excitement – my capacity for pure joy over something so insignificant to so many others – is one of my geek-calling cards. It’s what I look for in my friends and how I know I’m going to connect with someone, sometimes even before we meet.
I am not a digital native. Even my “little” brother, who is only five years younger, has a different interaction with technology and a different history with the internet than me. But I live a fair amount of my life online. I’m on Twitter. I’ve been blogging in various places for more than a decade. And I have friends who I’ve never met in real life but who I enjoy talking to and interacting with online.
That geeky excitement I described above? That OMG excitement over a movie or a book or a ‘ship on TV? That’s how I know, in my gut, that I have found kindred spirits on a social network, in the blogosphere, anywhere really.
Instead of a name tag that says “Hello, my name is…”, I wear my heart on my sleeve, my favorite stories on the tip of my tongue and my enthusiasm at the tips of my fingers, knowing that the geeks around me are just as excited as I am about a fandom, an epic story or a dialogue reference so obscure it prompts “THIS IS WHY WE’RE FRIENDS” when I get it right.
I hope I never lose it. Life must be so dull for those afraid to let their “freak” flag fly.
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08.28.2011 |
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I know the feeling! Though I don’t have it with superhero-films but I do with the teenish films as Twilight and Harry Potter but also Glee and Pretty Little Liars on TV!
I love Castle!
that picture is what attracted me to this article lol
I love Castle too…took me forever to think of a picture for this post and then I thought of this and smacked my forehead in a “HOW did I not think of that sooner?!” moment.
I’m not the only one! I’m not the only one!
(as I’m bouncing around in my seat)
Rachael, loved your article, especially since I do the same thing. I squealed and clapped my hands in excitement during a movie preview twice on Friday night. My girlfriend says it’s an endearing trait. Let’s hope she continues to think so. Lol. Was super psyched to start following your blog, but the link wouldn’t work. Can you post the correct address? I look forward to reading it. Thanks!
Link is just misformatted – I’ll fix it! For now, it’s http://bookoisseur.tumblr.com
Thanks for following! I love finding other people who flip out like me!
You had me at the photo of Castle and Beckett alone. I can’t express how grateful I am for the people I’ve met – both online and in person – who I can totally geek out over things with without any fear of judgment. They are, as you so rightly stated, my kindred spirits.
Castle, Nathan Fillion, how awesome!! Then GI Joe? Hello? I follow the Rock on twitter and to see pics from the set is so cool!!! I cant wait!!! and they are bringing back Thundercats!!! eeeeeee!!! lol
UUmm…I loved your post
Umm… wow. This post is everything I would ever write about myself, if I could put it so eloquently. Amazing!!! Skipping off to follow you on Twitter, like NOW!
Thank you! I hope my twitter lives up to your expectations!
Someone on here needs to write an ode to Nathan Fillion… maybe I should get on that…
Perhaps you should suggest he be added to Mindy Kalling’s My favorite kinds of guys series!
I would write an ode myself but I might start giggling like a school girl in the middle of it and be unable to finish! http://hellogiggles.com/these-are-my-favorite-kinds-of-guys-part-one
The first paragraph describes me perfectly.
)
LOVE the photo from Castle. Nathan Fillion always lets his freak flag fly… And I pretty much geek out over everything he’s in. Sooo well done.
1) I can GUARANTEE we’d be friends
2) NATHAN FILLION, BE MY MAN!
“I wouldn’t kick him out the bed for eating chips.” – My mother, on nathan fillion.
This is exactly how I know who I connect with too. People who don’t let their freak flag fly miss out on so much joy and awesome times that “weirdos” like us live for! Woot!
I know, right? I have the weirdest tendency to start spazzing out about my favorite things in the whole world. Books, movies, tv shows, fashion, MUSIC,…you name it! I love fangirling and I really don’t want to stop doing it. So yes, I’m 24 and I’m all for that geeky excitement you described. I tweet, I blog, I tumblr.
And I love it.
I geek out ALL the time for the silliest reasons..but they make perfect sense to me
I love love this rave!!! No only do you have a picture of my fav couple on tv right not Castle and Beckett, but I felt when reading that I’ve found my kindred spirit, ” wear my heart on my sleeve, my favorite stories on the tip of my tongue and my enthusiasm at the tips of my fingers.” is my new favorite quote ever and also describes me perfectly. Because of this awesome article and will now have to twitter stalk you.