I’ve been called many names in my life, but recently 2 have stuck out more that others. I guess they affected me more because they targeted 2 of my biggest passions, cooking and photography. A while back I was referred to as a culinary coward because of my unwillingness to try some new dish. Now, not liking certain types of food isn’t a big deal, but I’m constantly cooking up new and odd dishes and making others try them, so I guess there was some grounds for the insult. Since then I’ve tried to squash that new name by trying new foods that this person was referring to. I think I’ve done well, but the name still floats out there.

But very recently, in my excitement about being invited to participate in an event that deals with my largest passion of late, photography, I was met with laughter and ridicule. At that time I was called a “Nerd”. Recently I’ve become very fond of a new TV show, Big Bang Theory, and if you haven’t watched it, go do so, very funny stuff. The show centers around 4 guys that are obviously very smart, but have no social skills. Now, I don’t think I would have been a candidate to be one of the actors, but I do think I know quite a bit about certain subjects and I do value my time outside large social gatherings. Not to say I’m anti-social, but if I had the choice to either stay at home and play with my photos or go out to a party with some friends, I’d probably stay home.

Well, amongst other events over the last 2 weeks I seemed to have proven myself to be a “nerd”. I think I’m accepting this fact that I’m knowledgeable in some areas in which I have passions as that has allowed me to be the expert for others to look to when it comes to these areas. So, from now on, I’ll be your photography and culinary “nerd”. I’m OK with that. At least I’m passionate about it and others seem to enjoy that fact.

Signed,

Nerd