1. The mean popular people.
2. The nerdy* nice people.
3. The smart cool people.
4. The people who think they're popular but are really losers.
5. The funny people.
*smart, but uncool
Perhaps not surprisingly, I new exactly what each description meant. It was a refreshing change from "liberal" and "conservative."
I asked her which category fit her best. "Sometimes I'm a two or a three," she said, "but mostly I'm considered a five."
I asked which category she would assign to me. "You're a three and a five," she said without hesitation.
Then I asked her which category best fit her dad. "I hate to break this to you, Mom," she said, "but I think dad would mostly be a two."
Kid's got a point.
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Photo inserts: Erin O'Brien circa 1972 and husband Eric circa 1971.
Further reading: Archives chronicling the life and times of Erin O'Brien's husband, frequently referred to as "the Goat" in these pages.
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11 comments:
She left out the important category of nerdy and NOT nice people.
I seem to run into those a lot.
But maybe it's an adult thing, like they need time for their bitterness to fully blossom.
I'm pretty sure the "nerdy not-nicers" wind up fixing our computers. Or working at the Lakewood Public Library.
Otherwise, daughter-much sounds as if she has a grip on it (even though we're "not supposed to label people". But who doesn't?)
I'd like to reach category 3, but I'm afraid I mostly am a natural 2.
(well, except maybe for the "nice" part).
I LOVE this! I was just thinking of your daughter this AM. My oldest is 9, and I remember when your girl was 9. I have known you for longer than I realized.
When I went to school back in the early 80's it was the jocks, heads, brains and dweebs. I floated around the periphery of all four.
"Sometimes I'm a two or a three," she said, "but mostly I'm considered a five."
Isn't that the most awesome answer a child could give? You're doing good, E. You're doing good.
I feel like a 2.
My fear is that I'm a 4.
While I would like to think I am a 3 or 5 I think the 2's are equally as valuable. Without them I doubt much would get done. We'd just sit around and laugh and joke and discuss truth and beauty. On the other hand...
RJ
I didn't realize they had a goat category in middle school.
I've known liberals and conservatives that fit each of those five catagories, so something else must be at play.
I guess I'm a 6 ... I think I'm funny. You guys are welcome to use my side door anytime. Hey...I found Stephenson. (you just said "oooooh god!")
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