Thursday, June 21, 2007

I'm Stooopid Smart

I consider myself to be a smart person. I take pride in my ability to understand concepts and intellectual theories that some people might find difficult. I’m the kind of person that can spit out random, useless data or facts in a futile attempt to impress strangers at parties or social functions. Not in an annoying way, though. Honest.

I took physics and passed. I took Calculus I and II in college. Despite several headaches and mental breakdowns I passed the course by the sum of the limit as it reaches zero. I’ve taken Accounting classes and Philosophy and Cognitive Psychology. I’ve had some schooling. I have a 4.0 GPA in my business program right now.

I will debate topics with you like religion, politics, social standing, or even the less dramatic ones like wine or movies. I know 13 decimals of Pi. I play chess. I have never stuck my finger into a light socket.

I’m reading A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn and so far I understand every single bit of it.

I do smart things. I am smart. I know I am.

But today I feel like a complete fucking idiot.

I brought it on myself, too. I was sitting here in the office this morning, being bored because there are currently no projects on my desk, and for some reason I was even the first one in the office. So while I sat here being bored, I tried to better myself by doing a little “brain quiz” to help wake me up, and keep the neurons firing.

I tried to name all 50 states.

Oh. My. God.

I totally couldn’t do it. I am currently at 41 total states, and I know there are more than that. At least, I’m pretty sure…I’m starting to doubt my sanity, at this point. I can’t effing believe I can’t think of the other 9 states I’m missing.

Argh.

I only stopped so I could clear my head, and write this blog post so the whole world (and yes, I’m lame enough to think the WHOLE world reads this blog) can know how stupid I am.

Wait! 42! I just remembered Delaware!

Woot!

I will find all 50. You watch.

I’d better fucking find all 50.

11 comments:

Penny said...

I remember this from a Friends episode (yes, I watched Friends). Ross had to name all 50 states before he could have his Thanksgiving dinner. He ended up drawing a huge-assed map of the US on the floor and still couldnt' do it. Joey offered to help and said, "Dude, if you're going to make up states, at least give them believeable names: I mean, 'Utah'? C'mon who's gonna believe that."

So? Did you get all 50?

This is why I like living in Canada:

Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
New Brunswick
Quebec
Ontario
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Alberta
British Columbia
Yukon
Northwest Territories
Nunavut.

(Whew!)

FG said...

Thought I would help you out with a little quiz... have fun while you learn... or hammer your computer screen in, either way...

http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf

Anonymous said...

I can do it. I also know all the state capitals. It's crazy. Pierre. Columbia. Albany.

LittlePea said...

What?! Didn't they teach you that song in kindergarten where you sing all the fifty-nifty states in alphabetical order? Hee hee. For one second I can feel superior to a math person. woot! I don't know ALL the capitals though so maybe I'm an idiot too.

Callie said...

Dude - don't feel bad. I have the same problem. I was never taught that song, either. :-(

Shanshu said...

I'm ashamed to admit that I did NOT get all 50. I gave up at 49.



Fuckin' Idaho.

Arlene said...

I don't think I could sit down and name all 50, but I know my 9 year old could...sad! Geez, makes me question the 4.0 I carried through high school and college!!!

Kay said...

I also never learned this song everyone's going on about... So I bet I'd be in the same boat as you. The east coast is where I have problems...

Spinning Girl said...

It's OK, you know them, you just have a brain bubble. It will pass.

Kay said...

Guy, you doin ok? You haven't posted in a while...

Crabby said...

Well crap. Now I feel like I just HAVE TO sit down and see if I can do it. Ya had to start with me, didn't ya? Geez, and you know how I hate to think.