Whether it be conscious, subconscious, or pure luck of the draw I have surrounded myself when pretty intelligent people. People who have the ability to shut me up and make me think. People who I converse with on a daily basis are hardly lacking in what he or she brings to the table. But, I, for some reason or another do not think I'm an intelligent person. Not because I was ever called stupid as a child, not because I was ever discouraged by my parents. I don't know what it is. I think. I think a lot. I really do. It's just the whole putting it down on paper or verbalizing it where I tend to fumble. I've got a friend who is pretty patient with me (usually during an intense debate or half-fight) and tells me to "just talk it out" and to "keep going, you're almost there"--and once I'm there I'm good, he and I will continue with our debate. It's just getting there where I have a problem.
But, ok, really, what is intelligence? Going to school, getting a college+ degree? I know a few college educated people who should be shipped to idiot-island. Working his or her whole life and having experience be his or her education? Well, again, I've encountered some who would conflict with that theory. Could it be watching the news and just keeping up with topical information and past events? OR...what about this...a marriage of all three? Well, I just don't know.
I know that my friends, my family are incredibly smart and on more than one occasion have surprised me with what they say and it excites me in a way that I can't describe. Weird? Probably.
Example 1. October 2005--Pam, David, Ben and I went to dinner one night. Also tagging along, a friend of David's named Stephen. Now, I'd never met Stephen before, heard a couple of stories, but nothing too in depth. We're sitting at a round table, eating, talking, having a good time when Stephen notices me t-shirt with an equal sign on it. He asks and I tell him it's an HRC t-shirt and kind of give him the 411 on it. That starts a discussion and as I'm having a side bar with Ben I hear Stephen say something not too flattering about Feminists-the whole table hushes and looks at me. Stephen's new. I don't like to give myself away too quickly in new relationships because I don't want to scare anyone off. I'm not crazy, I'm really not...just...passionate? So I ask why and listen to him speak, careful not to interrupt. I think about what he says and before I retort Ben and David step up to the plate. Not for me, mind you, but step up none the less. I listen to them somewhat shocked. Two guys, who in the past have hassled me for being so passionate are now saying what I've been saying all along and then some. Bring to the table (haha-because we really were at a table, forget it.) what they both have learned in their classes and using it to contradict Stephen. Oh, and as a sidebar, I'm not telling this story to imply that Stephen is not smart, I've heard what he has to say and it's impressive, too. But, ever since then I've just had a new kind of respect for the boys. I'm proud of them.
Example 2. December 2004-Mom and Dad came to Dallas to spend Christmas with the kids plus a few more. So, Kenneth and Dad-wait!--those who know Kenneth ::sigh:: love him, those who don't are probably jealous that they don't. Gay, straight, young, old-I don't think I've met someone who didn't have a little crush on him after meeting him. Yes readers, he's THAT great. (I don't think he reads this, and that's probably a good thing because he might be a little freaked out right now). By this time Kenneth had just graduated from college and was looking at GradSchool. A fairly educated guy to say the very least. So, Kenneth and Dad-wait!--ok, so Dad...MY dad, is this guy who with just a few hours shy from graduating college went to work to support his family and has worked nonstop ever since. Always in the union, always proud to be in the union. A hardworking man to say the very least. So, Kenneth and Dad are talking after dinner about unions, democrats, current events, both bringing to the table (again, haha-I don't think it needs to be explained this time) their education. One from text and one from experience. It was fun to see the combination of both into one conversation. And where was I? Well I sat there, listening to them. Soaking in their conversation and being proud of my Dad-wait!--MY dad.
So, why anyone of these persons and the other intellectuals I am friends with/related to would ever think he or she lacks in smarts is strange to me. I just don't get it. I've surrounded myself with pretty intelligent people. So really, I guess what I'm trying to say is, you better feel privileged you get to be friends with me because it just means you're smart! hehe.
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5 Tell me what you think!:
Ang, Im kinda sad that you didnt talk about how intelligent I am, I see how it is. . .
Aw, what a good post & certainly, you 'verbalized' it in an excellent way!
You need have any problems verbalizing. It all sounded good to me. Why do you refer to your Dad as Dad-wait? He sounds like an interesting person, I would like to meet him.
oops should have read "you did't have..."
for what it's worth - i don't think its about having an education - formal or informal - i'd say intelligence comes from being able to think critically about what you do see/hear/read/find. being able to look at something and figure out what, if anything, you think about it.
rather than taking everything for granted, or at face value, make thoughtful assessments and determinations about what you believe to be right or wrong, and have reasons for them.
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