April 4, 2002

Back On the Wagon

As you might have noticed, I haven't been updating my journal recently. Well, I've fallen off the wagon again. That's right -- I'm back to playing computer games.

I had been so good for months -- no TV, hardly any computer games (well, an occasional round of Titan). But last week 3do released Heroes of Might and Magic IV. Let's just say I haven't been getting much sleep this last week. I'm totally geeking out. But look -- if Pat, Nancy, and Mike can quit and then come back to EQ, surely I am allowed my small vices? Remember kids: EQ kills...

Honestly, it's a good thing that I'm buried in this computer game, because I was really starting to worry about my geek credentials. It started when Rachel called me a "jock" back in Santa Barbara (indeed!) Then my physics and mathematical knowledge started fading away. And just the other day I stumbled across the old Wired Magazine article about the relationship between Asperger's Syndrome and mathematical aptitude. The article included a test to see if you might have Asperger's. Yes, I know, the test has about as much validity as an "How hard do you crush?" test in Seventeen magazine (my score: "It's Just...A Little Crush..."). But I took the stupid Wired test anyway. I scored a 16. I'm perfectly "neurotypical". What a disappointment.

M'ris took the test and got a 19. Like me, she answered with extremes -- she likes math, likes focusing on problems, but she also likes people and social chit-chat. I suggested that maybe we were some kind of hybrid advanced super-nerds. Math skills and social skills. Like Blade! "All of the nerds' advantages, none of their weaknesses." M'ris demurred, however, saying that after all, she had 20/200 vision. And I have my computer game thing, of course. Ah well, another perfectly good theory spoiled by the facts.