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MineralMan

(151,265 posts)

11. Excellent! I'm sure I drove my parents nuts with my nerdery,

Wed Sep 24, 2014, 11:05 AM

Sep 2014

but they encouraged it. That Heathkit radio was just one example. I'm sure they questioned my ability to assemble that radio from parts, but they got it for me anyhow. I took my time, learned the necessary skills, and did it. I'm sure they shook their heads on a frequent basis over me, but it didn't matter. They wanted me to succeed.

Another great story, from even younger days. I was forever bringing small animals home that I had found while wandering in the undeveloped area around my small town. One time, I found a Western Alligator Lizard, almost a foot long. I walked into the house with it. It had its jaws locked on my thumb. Didn't hurt or anything, but I just had to show this amazing lizard to my mom, and figured I'd get a rise out of her. She said, and I quote her exactly, "That's very nice. When it lets go, wash your hands for dinner." That was it. By then, the unexpected was expected from me.

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I'm an Unashamed Nerd. [View all] MineralMan Sep 2014 OP

There's nothing wrong with being a nerd. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #1

Sputnik flashback Ptah Sep 2014 #2

Yup. That was it. MineralMan Sep 2014 #3

My older brother was 13 then and had just got his Novice License. Ptah Sep 2014 #7

Did you launch rockets? A few days after Sputnik, Eleanors38 Sep 2014 #43

Nerds have BO LOL, I would rather be a Geek snooper2 Sep 2014 #4

The distinction is very difficult to make. MineralMan Sep 2014 #5

Watch the video and it will be explained snooper2 Sep 2014 #6

There is a wonderful movie that starts with the "Sputnik" event. Stuart G Sep 2014 #8

isn't that one of those action movies hfojvt Sep 2014 #36

+1 daleanime Sep 2014 #37

That reminds me of a student I had in the mid 90s... tk2kewl Sep 2014 #9

I am the proud mother of Skidmore Sep 2014 #10

Excellent! I'm sure I drove my parents nuts with my nerdery, MineralMan Sep 2014 #11

Your mother sounds like a treasure. Skidmore Sep 2014 #12

She still is a treasure at 90 years of age. MineralMan Sep 2014 #13

Lucky you. Skidmore Sep 2014 #14

There will be hugs, for sure. MineralMan Sep 2014 #15

As I remember that time period, the nerd label was given to those that rhett o rick Sep 2014 #16

Miss Weaver. She was quite a character, and a great MineralMan Sep 2014 #19

Very cool. I am glad you have good memories. Having good teachers at young ages rhett o rick Sep 2014 #23

I remember going out in the evening packman Sep 2014 #17

Yes, that too. It was amazing, to be sure. MineralMan Sep 2014 #20

I'll bet that there are people in that class who remember that thanks to you! logosoco Sep 2014 #18

"Nerds are just cool people in a different way." MineralMan Sep 2014 #21

Unapologetic science nerd here, too! ColesCountyDem Sep 2014 #22

Radioactive Boy Scout meets The EPA seveneyes Sep 2014 #24

The times they were a'changing... Crash2Parties Sep 2014 #25

Me too, just a different generation. riqster Sep 2014 #26

I was always a popular girl secretly in love with the nerds. smirkymonkey Sep 2014 #27

Last year, I went to my 50th HS reunion. MineralMan Sep 2014 #28

I'm so nerdy that I make my own beer Nye Bevan Sep 2014 #29

... MadrasT Sep 2014 #34

I was a radar repairman in the Army upaloopa Sep 2014 #30

I remember it well, was in boot camp at Parris Island. CK_John Sep 2014 #31

May as well post the OED definition and usage examples muriel_volestrangler Sep 2014 #32

You might want to get a new calendar ... GeorgeGist Sep 2014 #41

The OP was all about the 1950s muriel_volestrangler Sep 2014 #44

Me too, and I do it for DU as can be seen here... scubadude Sep 2014 #33

I am nerd in a family of nerds Gothmog Sep 2014 #35

Guess I have to admit to being a nerd, also. meti57b Sep 2014 #38

Nice story. Good on you. dipsydoodle Sep 2014 #39

Sputnik really spurred science and research in the USA BobbyBoring Sep 2014 #40

Now we kill people better. GeorgeGist Sep 2014 #42

I Built a Tesla Coil Around that Age AndyTiedye Sep 2014 #45