The Nerd I Was
7/22/2005
I never really looked like a nerd. In fact, I had a mullet when it was COOL to have a mullet. And I wore Izods - if only because my sister kept pestering me to dress 'cooler,' like a Preppie. But I was a nerd, nevertheless, until much later when I could afford a computer (and instantly developed an obsession for gaming, comics, anime, low-budget British television and really awful movies).
One vivid memory of my nerdliness was created on the evening of June 19, 1988. I had just turned 14 and was starting High School in the Fall, which loosely translates to: "I didn't have much to do with all the raging hormones coursing through my bloodstream, so I stayed inside and fiddled around in my bedroom."
And when I say 'fiddled,' I don't necessarily mean the obvious, though there was plenty of that going on in those days. I did have cable in my room, after all, and the mid-80's softcore boom was all a brat like me needed for some inspired, erotic 'eyelid movies.' No, what I discovered on that evening, sitting all alone in a strange new house in Columbus, Kansas with absolutely no friends at all, was simply magical. I picked up my radio, 'fiddled' with the dial, and an amazing new sound crawled out of my boom box speakers. The strange, smooth, reassuring alien voice of Doctor Demento.
And that was all a lonely, friendless nerd like myself needed to keep from brooding in loneliness. Dr. Demento saved me on at least one evening of poutiness. His set was something to laugh at, to enjoy, to record on crappy little cassette tapes and listen to over and over. To impress friends and gross out sisters.
In just one lonely evening at home, I discovered the joys of PDQ Bach, Pinkard & Bowden ("Doggie Doo! Doggie Doo!"), & the incomparable Dr. Dave ("Get me a ticket for an aero-plane. Got to get on the wheel of fortune game."). My life was changed forever. For the better? Who knows.
Perhaps in 30-40 years, and Dr. Demento Clone #3 is spinning up his memory crystals for the night, I will be able to say "heh heh. I was there. I was 10 years late, but at least I got to hear the ORIGINAL Doctor Demento show." And the nerds who care will look up at me with gleeful wonder. And for a moment, just before they realize that old people suck and are not to be trusted, a thread of common understanding will have been established. A twinkle in our eyes.
posted by Edward Svengali @ Friday, July 22, 2005,
1 Comments:
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At 2:51 AM,
SlobJones said...
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A whole new generation of nerds have discovered Dr. Demento. Surprisingly, they're the new artists.
www.kenturetzky.com/index.php?entryid=62
