I consider myself a nerd. A cool nerd. Last night someone asked me to explain why...so here is my best attempt.

I'm a nerd because I stayed up until 2 am this morning to watch Nicholas Nickelby...and I cried because I loved it so much. I love Shakespeare, Eliot, Austen, Dickens, James, Wharton, Hardy, the Bronte sisters, Byron. I've watched every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I've seen the five-hour Pride and Prejudice four times. I've read classics at my desk at work when I should be working. I've bonged beer with my boyfriend while playing chess. I love indie rock, but get out of my way when I hear Eminem or Marilyn Manson because I tend to start fights or break things. I listen to punk like Rancid, Goldfinger, Social Distortion, and Pennywise and I jump around my living room and scare my beagles. I've blown three sets of speakers in three years. I've worn combat boots to work. Beethoven makes me cry. I have books, cds, and dvds piled haphazardly across every surface in my home. I've actually finished a cross-stitch "sampler." I try not to play new video games because I get obsessed, can't eat or sleep until I've finished, until I've won. I have lists for everything...books I want to read, movies I want to see, things I want to buy, body parts I want to pierce, and tattoos I'm considering. I've seen Shakespeare's grave. I can outdrink any girl I know. I have a kayak and a mountain bike that I love to use. I have boots for the sole purpose of camping, and I love to get them dirty. I love fast, souped-up cars and motorcycles. I dye my hair dark red because I'm convinced it was supposed to be that way. I love vacuuming. I'm a terrible cook. I can walk into any bar alone and walk out having met people who will remember my name when I say goodbye. I will make a complete fool of myself in order to make someone laugh. I'm a great dancer. I spend more money on Amazon.com than I spend on groceries. I've studied eastern religions and can tell you the different between the GDP and the GNP, but I can't use a drill.

Guess that's why I think I'm a nerd...but still a cool one.