"Just 'cause you do math doesn't make you a nerd..."

[apple_pathways]

My students: SO PRECIOUS! No, doing math doesn't make me a nerd: there is a whole HOST of reasons why I am a nerd, and they have nothing to do with my current profession as a math tutor. (Though I am so very glad he's taken that lesson to heart! Kids: it's OK to be smart! Jocks can do math! Hooray!)

All of this is a roundabout way of me making a sort-of introduction post. I've never made a proper one, and since I have new friends, I may as well! But before I get down to that, I would like to announce a general DE-FRIENDING AMNESTY for anyone who feels we just never really connected. I understand, really: we were young and foolish, and we just got caught up in the moment! We don't have as much in common anymore, and now we just don't know how to make time for each other...it's not me, it's you, etc. It's OK! If we don't talk at all, and you'd like to de-friend, by all means do! If we don't talk at all and, for some reason, you would like to remain friends, then do let me know here, because in a few days I am going to be conducting a minor friends cut. IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ME, etc.



UPDATED: 5/29/11. UPDATES are made in red!

My name is Amy. It's ok to call me that! My last name, however, is a closely-guarded secret that only about 50% of my flist, plus several random members of other comms I belong to, know. I am, apparently, terrible at keeping my own secrets. (I'm pretty good at keeping them for others, though.)

I am 28. I will be 29 at some unspecified time in the near future. That 'unspecified' time which (I believe) is actually listed on my profile has passed! I am 29.

I am graduating with my bachelor's degree in social work in (looks at watch): I dunno, a few days! One more exam to take today, and then I'm DONE! It took me ten years to get to this degree, due to a combination of financial difficulties, mental health difficulties, general inability to figure out what I want to do difficulties, etc. I have the degree now! Hell of a lot of good it's doing me, though. I plan on getting my Master's degree at some unspecified time in the future soon!

I chose social work because I'm truly passionate about it. I love people, I want to help people, and I want to make a change...for once in my life. Want to feel real good, wanna make a difference...wanna make it rigggght.

(So apparently I never got around to explaining what I do do! I am a math tutor. I teach math (all kinds) to kids aged 5-18. I love my job, but often complain it. Because I'm usually talking to two different students, shushing a third, actively ignoring a fourth, answering the phone, printing out a worksheet, finding a calculator, and changing the toilet roll in the bathroom all at the same time, my short-term memory is shot and I often forget what I'm doing in the middle of doing it. If I told you I was going to do something for you, it's Ok to remind me!

I have difficulties being serious for prolonged periods of time without resorting to self-deprecating and/or ridiculous humor. I try real hard when situations warrant it, though, and if you're ever feeling down and want a sincere compliment, just drop me a hint, and I'll shove down my embarrassment and let you know what an amazing person I think you are.

I am honest and direct to a fault, and I'm constantly trying to teach myself how to balance these traits with the expectations of polite society. (If someone says, "Tell me what you really think", why aren't you allowed to tell them what you really think?) While I'm occasionally clueless, impatient, and irrational, I am rarely ever mean. I apologize when it's warranted. (Just ask the cashiers at Lane Bryant...)

I am an atheist, and I suppose that's important to me. I am, in general, a skeptic and an all-around non-believer in things that require "faith", i.e. psychics, ghosts, gods, angels, demons, alien abductions, out-of-body experiences, karma, reincarnation, and other such mystical forces. I'm generally not rude about it, though, and I won't take it personally if you believe in such things; in exchange, I ask that you not take it personally if I don't.

I'm politically and socially liberal. In terms of "how liberal", it depends on what scale you're using: on the scale of American politics, I would come up "pinko commie liberal"; one the scale of many European countries, I would come up as "moderate". So, if you're wondering about specifics, it's best just to ask. ;)

I welcome respectful discussion of any and all things: just because I've said I think a certain way about something, doesn't mean I don't want to hear your view, even if it's the opposite.

I love kids, books, Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes (the books and the BBC series), writing, poetry, cheese, ice cream, animals, my cat, my family, intelligent discussion, rational debate, absurd humor, and music of many, many kinds.

I am irritated by: my family, people who wear shorts in the middle of winter, traffic, not being able to find things where I put them, shouty people, people who hate Americans, Americans who hate other countries, general intolerance, Facebook, and Twitter.



Any quibbles? Any questions? WANT TO SAY 'HI'???

Comments

[hrymfaxe.livejournal.com]

I'm politically and socially liberal. In terms of "how liberal", it depends on what scale you're using: on the scale of American politics, I would come up "pinko commie liberal"; one the scale of many European countries, I would come up as "moderate".

This is so funny, because I have watched many American friends unsuccesfully try to classify me who, in Europe, sometimes move on the extreme left of the spectrum. It's like your system has no room for someone like me. ;) One guy advised me to never ever talk about politics if I was trying to get a job in the States, LOL.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

There is no proper classification for me on our spectrum, either! Though there is more political diversity in the U.S. than our government and the media would lead you to believe, there just isn't any acknowledgment or representation for people who fall far outside of the two main parties. (Scratch that: there is no acknowledgment or representation for people who fall far to the LEFT of the main parties...) This is what frustrates me most about American politics: it's a tug of war between two parties, and issues are reduced to a debate over whether or not a policy is going to be pushed a few inches to the right or left, when in reality the discussion needs to be picked up and moved to a different field altogether! (Did my mixed metaphors make sense there?)

Also: the "liberal" party in this country is so frickin' conservative I want to SCREAM! There IS no proper liberal voice in our government, as far as I'm concerned.

Oh jeez, I'm all het up now...who's for rioting????

[hrymfaxe.livejournal.com]

We have something like 7 or 8 parties in the parliament, so you would think that should allow for some representation of your opinion, but seeing as they are all pretty much whoring themselves out for the lowest common denominator in order to win the power to either just left or just right of the middle, there isn't really.

And the fact that the extreme right (out there where you get a sniff of national-socialism and want to run away screaming) party is so strong nearly everyone has to make deals with them to get their politics through just makes me want to cry, pack up my stuff and leave...

[curlybeach.livejournal.com]

HELLO. We have chatted a little, but I have been awful at keeping up with Livejournal lately, so I have been somewhat absent. However, I would like to DENY this defriending amnesty (which is a cracking idea, by the way), and say that you interest me and that I really like your writing, so I would very much like to keep you on my flist. Is that okay? :D

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Of course! Totally fine. I don't mean to punish people who have gotten busy in their lives! (No worries about being "a bad LJ friend"--it's all about fun! You put what time into it you can.)

Thanks for speaking up. :)

When I started this new journal, I went on a mad and aggressive friending spree, and there's a ton of people on my flist I haven't spoken to since! (And since I'm paranoid and insecure, I KNOW I'm getting on their nerves with my incessant posting, and they're just too polite to de-friend me.) ;)

[sabriel75.livejournal.com]

So if I was there I would be jumping up and down with glee and going OMG... only three more days... THREE MORE DAYS... OMG... what are you going to do to celebrate?!

Also, so doing math doesn't make you a nerd?! Does it make you a geek? Uhm... I'm not sure my brain can compute. I'd rather the jocks who can do math/maths would admit to being geeks and freaks and out themselves so that all the cool kids would realize that you can be both popular and smart and read and do geeky things. I dunno... somewhere I have a point in all of this. I think it's that we shouldn't have labels period because it leads to stereotyping but since we do, I'd like some popular people to identify with geeks/nerds/whatever else the smart but unpopular kids get called today so that they can have their chance in the sun.

Eh... I'm rambling and showing my tiredness.

BTW... your package of most awesome Christmas things arrived. I have eaten the peppermint truffles into oblivion and my children thank you must ardently for the candy canes because I refuse to buy them. And I wore the bracelet today to work to be festive. :D THANK YOU.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

First: you are welcome! Happy holidays. :)

What I am doing to celebrate: fancy dinner with my family on Friday, going out for dinner and then prolly dancing with friends on Saturday, and (gleefully!) skipping my commencement ceremony on Sunday to go my mother's family's Christmas party. I think I'm also doing a celebration dinner next Tuesday with another friend.

Re: Nerdery
I take it as a positive sign that my student is willing to concede that math is not, in and of itself, a "nerdy" thing to like or be good at. Personally, I have reclaimed the word "nerd" and happily self-identify as such, but to him, it's a negative thing, so I'm happy he's broadening his definition of what is and is not acceptable social behavior! (He's a good kid--very sweet and funny, and nice to all the kids who are there the same time he is. Of course, I have not seen him on his own with his friends at school, so I can only hope that he is a "nice boy" there as well! I have a feeling he is.)

You're right that labels are bad, and not at all useful. It was my own fault for bringing it up, because I think I said the word "nerd" first, not remembering that it still carries a negative connotation for kids. I think I got it across, though, that I was quite happy to be nerdy!

[housemaid79.livejournal.com]

...general inability to figure out what I want to do difficulties, etc.

I understand this almost too much.

*and I would officially like to request to stay friends - I enjoy your posts far too much to give them up! :)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

OF COURSE we are friends! (I need as many Amy/Rory fans on my list as I can get! Even if they're not your OTP...) ;)

I am thinking more of people I haven't spoken to at all in the months since we first friended each other.

[katyscarlett76.livejournal.com]

people who wear shorts in the middle of winter
lol! The postmen around here have some kind of competition about wearing shorts the longest into winter, they have sponsorship and everything!

not being able to find things where I put them
THIS. And I find it's getting worse (getting old now lol!) I can never find my keys!! I'm always wanderinga round the hosue muttering about my bloody keys! I swear someone sneaks into the house and moves them!

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

GNOMES! I swear to Bob, it's gnomes who move my stuff... (Key-hiding gnomes are the only supernatural beings who are completely exempt from my general stance of non-belief, because CLEARLY they are the only scientific explanation for why things are not where I remember putting them!)

Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (At least, it's still your birthday in my slice of the globe...) Hope it was lovely. :)

[jesterjoker.livejournal.com]

I am also 28. Gonna be here for a while, though, even if 29 and 30 scare the living !@#% out of me.

I have a bizarre approach to faith and paranormal things. This likely is a big element of why I'm a /huge/ Scifi nut but I read loads more occult detectives and fantasy. Everything ALWAYS needs more conspiracy theories that isn't trying to ahemgovernahem.

I've fairly recently turned into a complete liberal and it still feels pretty raw. Likely going to for a long time, too. I voted in the last election as a Joke candidate because all the candidates are such intense, wretched conservatives. Look up Collin Petersen. I wonder if you can find where he drew a line.

And as for European politics, when I first found a big taste of them, they completely O_O! me.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I was all about everything paranormal and the occult when I was a teenager! Which is why I know far much more than is healthy about witchcraft, astrology, ESP, aliens, ghosts, etc. I didn't really believe it was real--I just WANTED it to be real. (Still do, frankly: psychics are my Santa Claus!)

And I still love paranormal fiction: especially stories set in the Victorian/Edwardian spiritualism craze! And anything to do with Mesmerism. (If you ever have any recs, do pass them my way! As for my own: have you read Alias Grace, by Margaret Atwood? The spiritual element isn't the main focus of the story, but it's very well done in a "is it/isn't it real" kind of way that leaves events open to interpretation.)

What are some examples of "occult detective" stories? Sounds intriguing...(I like the occult, and I like detective stories!)

Welcome to the liberal side of politics! It's...a bit frustrating in this country, I'm not gonna lie. We really need to get out act together and re-claim the Democratic party as the LIBERAL choice for gov't.

And I did look up this Collin Peterson. Holy Crap! I thought the Dixiecrats died out with the Old South, but I guess at least one of them lives on in Minnesota...

[jesterjoker.livejournal.com]

This is me going Yes! :D

I will remember to when I find more. XD Spiritualism would be a whole lot fun to explore. I haven't heard of Mesmerism! Alias Grace is RIGHT up my alley. Sounds bizarre.

Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and the Angel (Investigations) TV series got me into the genre. It merges pretty well with Urban Fantasy, but there's a lot more spookout creepy horror in it. I read Mike Carey's "Dead Men's Boots" and it /completely/ pwned me. I have his next in that series on my TBR. If it's as good as the reviews say, I'll end up reading all of them. :)

Oh oh, at least the first volume of Hellblazer is pure occult detective, too. Couldn't hurt to look up some Gaiman, either; American Gods is my favorite of his that I've read.

The Democratic party is the reason I call myself "liberal" and not "Democrat". o_- This nation is so messed up that I have more fun talking international politics. But I always have. That interest reaches a long way back.

Ohhh yeah. I have a good idea what the Dakota states, Montana, Iowa, Nebraska etc look like. Better to stay away from that subject. X_X Back to more British, South Asian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese politics. o_-

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Mesmerism is a sort of precursor to hypnosis, but made of pure quackery! For a good time, do some reading on Franz Mesmer--he was a delightful character from the period where you didn't really need to know stuff or do things to be considered a "scientist": you just made something up, and as long as your twisted logic had its own internal consistency, people said, "Yeah, that sounds about right" and WENT WITH IT! (At least until a new, more exciting theory came along.)

I need to check out the Dresden files! They sound really good. I'm gonna have to make a request to the library.

And you DO NOT need to sell me on Neil Gaiman! That man can do no wrong, in my eyes. (He's written an episode of Doctor Who for next year's series! I may die of excitement...)

People who think Gaiman is "over-rated" can GET OFF MY LAWN. :)~

I don't call myself a Democrat, either, but I've been forced to register as one to vote in the primaries! This makes me angry. I hate our election system.

Yep, back to watching the politics of other countries...at least I can do so with a certain level of detachment as a spectator and not a direct participant!

[jesterjoker.livejournal.com]

Sounds about as insane as phrenology. I love quack science. Love love.

Dresden rules. The series gets stronger around the third book, Grave Peril, keep that in mind if it doesn't click right away. :D

When Gaiman is good, he is good. He's too /slow/ for me sometimes, but I cannot argue for I love American Gods. :)

Registering as a Democrat would creep me out. On the optimistic side, the representative up in the district of Minneapolis where I'm probably going to move is a BIG nut for international relations. It kind of boggles me that I could actually have /fun/ having a chat with a politician. It would definitely be a weird adventure. :D

[seramercury.livejournal.com]

people who wear shorts in the middle of winter

LOL!! My cousin's husband does that and you should hear my dad make comments without being very subtle about it. XD

Anyway, nice to "meet" you, Amy. I'm Michelle. You can find my intro post here if you haven't seen it.

I'm sorry I haven't commented much, but that doesn't meant I haven't been reading. I enjoy your entries.

Happy Holidays! :)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

You know, I have no earthly reason to dislike people wearing shorts in winter, other than the sight of them gives me sympathetic chills! But I'm glad so many others agree with me. ;)

Hi Michelle! It's good to re-meet you. :) Commenting is a two-way street, so I have to apologize for not interacting! One of my weird insecurities is that I'm always afraid that I'm pushing myself on people and irritating them! So, if there's not a rush of communication at the beginning to reassure me, I start to worry.

Anyway, I now resolve to remedy the situation, and start commenting! (I will warn you, though: I am rubbish with sports. I tried to care about football for awhile, but I've since given that up.)

Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noel!

[seramercury.livejournal.com]

You're fine! If I didn't want people commenting I would either have no friends or no LJ. LOL!!

I am not huge sports fan either except watching baseball and playing softball. I hate football, for the record. LOL!

Thanks, hon! :D

[faery-fall.livejournal.com]

people who wear shorts in the middle of winter

I've pretty much lived in an uncalled-for state of rage when I see people in shorts (and often flip-flops) between November and February. Granted, the weather lets you get away with it sometimes in eastern North Carolina, but NOT when I was in New Hampshire. Just... no.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I am honestly glad that other people feel disproportionate rage at summer attire in winter! For Bob's sake, the temps have been in the single digits (FAHRENHEIT, NO LESS!) here for the last week! PUT SOME PANTS ON, FREAKS!

;)

[jacknjill270.livejournal.com]

(If someone says, "Tell me what you really think", why aren't you allowed to tell them what you really think?)

YES. THIS. My friends and family all know to be careful when they ask my opinion on anything. Because once they ask, then I'm going to tell them, though I try not to be so brutally honest if they haven't asked for it. Also glad to know I'm not the only one who finds Facebook and Twitter annoying. How can you possibly put anything that interesting in the space of a text? UGH.

(P.S. I saw your wishlist you posted a few days ago and I'd love to send you a book, but I'm not sure what you like! Giving people a new book is so fun for me, especially if it's one that I loved when I read it, but I'd hate to send you something that's not your thing/something you've already read.)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a lot of people, when they ask what you think, just want you to reaffirm what they think. People close to me have learned not to bother.

Yay, book exchange! Let's do it. (It is nerve-wracking trying to choose a book for someone else, though: I sent one to nahara, and it was a touch decision!)

We can narrow it down a little. I like all kinds of books, really. If you would like whatever I send to be a surprise, then let me know what sorts of books you like and I'll pick one for you. If you don't mind knowing ahead of time, then I can come up with a list of books, and you can pick one. Your choice!

[jacknjill270.livejournal.com]

Ugh, I'm so sorry this reply is so late, my internet has been wonky for awhile and then went out completely a few days ago. But I promise I didn't forget that I said I'd send you a book! We can say it's a New Year's present. :)

I like all kinds of books, really.

That's narrowing it down? Lol. But I think I know what I'm going to send you - how do you feel about a murder mystery?

Go ahead and surprise me! I like pretty much everything as well, so go crazy. :)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I LOVE murder mysteries! Sounds perfect.

HI!!!!!!!!!!

[alt_universe_me.livejournal.com]

NEVER LEAVE ME.

I mean, ha, um, stay on my flist? :P

I think I pretty much knew all of that about you, except maybe--wha? People wear shorts in the winter? I'm not sure that would irritate me, but it is kind of mind-boggling :/ As long as people dress their kids warmly enough, I'm okay with whatever adults want to wear, even if they choose to freeze :P

Re: HI!!!!!!!!!!

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

OF COURSE! There is no doubt my dear!

Yes, I talk about myself enough that it doesn't take long to get a good snapshot of my personality! I just thought it would be nice to have everything condensed in one place. ;)

The "people who wear shorts in winter" thing was a direct result of this guy I kept catching staring at me while I was eating my lunch; it could have been the staring more than the shorts I was reacting to! ;) As for why he was staring at me, maybe he thought I was cute, or maybe it was the fact I was eating tapioca pudding out of an old cream cheese tub. Who can say? :)~

But looking at people in shorts when the temp is below freezing just makes me feel cold!

[rewindclunkplay.livejournal.com]

I AM GOING TO DEFRIEND YOU BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'VE ~CONNECTED.

...JK. BUT TO BE ANNOYING I'M GOING TO REPLY IN ALL OF YOUR ENTIRES IN CAPS. BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'VE MISSED MY CAPS-Y SELF.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I HAVE MISSED YOUR CAPSLOCKED ENTHUSIASM, my darling! BRING IT ON!

[girlingoldboots.livejournal.com]

I'm friending you, if you don't mind as we have some f-listers and interests in common.

I hate people who wear shorts in winter as well. And they always wear them paired with a sweatshirt. Why?

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

hi! Yes, friending is most lovely. Glad to have you on board! (If you named yourself after the movie that was featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000, then we will have much to talk about!)

I hate people who wear shorts in winter as well. And they always wear them paired with a sweatshirt. Why?

I HAVE NO IDEA, but I like it when other people share my petty gripes. It makes me feel less...petty. :P

[girlingoldboots.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am named after the MST film. It's one of my favourite episodes.

Petty gripes are meant to be shared!

[temporaryage.livejournal.com]

hey, so I am wondering whether you wouldn't mind being LJ friends! I just read this intro post today and you just seem so interesting and so much of what you've written resonates pretty strongly with me. plus I always appreciate more social-work-y type folks on my flist :D

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

But of course! I don't know how interesting I really am...these days I have very little time to be interesting. But I am always appreciative of more friends. :)

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

While my political views are probably precisely opposite to yours (though probably equally hard to define/unusual... in part because my first tenet of politics is "I hate politics can we just for a moment pretend they don't exist?") we share a lot of fandomly interest, as I discovered through "It's a Gift." Which is my roundabout way of saying Let's Be Friends! (or I'll friend you, but I won't be offended if you don't friend back. :-D )

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Oh my! Well, no worries: agreeing with me is not a pre-requisite for being my friend. I came to terms a long time ago that not everyone thinks the way I do, and I'm largely Ok with that. I'm curious: when you say 'the opposite', how do you mean, exactly?

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

Well, you said you were politically and socially liberal, and I'm politically and socially conservative. (Well, one weird thing is that I'd like to say I'm libertarian because as far as I have thought about it my political philosophy might be described as libertarian, but when push comes to shove, there is no libertarian I'd like to see in office and I disagree with most libertarians on a lot of stuff... And then I regularly say I'd rather have a monarchy, and I try to make myself clever by quoting... someone... who said something along the lines of "I'd rather have one tyrant than one thousand." I haven't decided if I really think this or I'm just being a curmudgeon.)

But like you, I don't make friends based on agreement. (In fact, if that were a prerequisite for me on lj, I'd have none, since it's generally not a right-leaning social medium... unless I'm just in all the wrong comms! :-) ) I mainly pointed it out as a sort of fair warning, because while I don't get political on my lj, certainly my Christianity comes out at times, since it informs who I am. I like to know where others stand, and I tend to assume others do as well.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Yes, LJ is very left-leaning! ...unlike the rest of the country, much to my woe. :P

Opposite views are fine! I'm just a bit curious when someone admits to fundamentally disagreeing with me on a very basic level and still wants to be friends. But I'm glad that you do!

There are plenty of religious people on my flist, including fundamentalist christians. (Or at least one: I can't imagine many more tolerating me for long!) I don't get political very often, but it does come up, and yes: I am very liberal. (And also LGBT, so I do tend to take homophobia personally, even when I don't try to.)

Now, if we haven't scared each other to death... :P (Welcome!)

[eanor.livejournal.com]

Hey there, Amy. :)
I've just friended you - then I saw this and thought it might be polite to introduce myself properly, in case you want to friend me back. :)

I am almost ridiculously happy to meet other people who call themselves nerds and are proud of it. Because why shouldn't one? It's just so awesome! ^^ No, really, most "nerds" I know (aka all my friends) have much broader interests and knowledge than the average person and most of them are very open-minded, too. So if that's negative, I don't know what the ideal would be...
And you are a math tutor - hurray! ^^ I am a physicist (or rather a physics Master's student) and I enjoy maths, too. And I like people who do. :)

So, to keep it short. I am looking forward to getting to know you better (and I'll start by reading random stuff from your journal. :-P). :)