BennyEast.Com/Blog The official blog of Kenny West

I’m an unconventional computer guy

I actually randomly thought of this topic today and decided it wouldn't be a bad thing to post about.  I think of myself as an "unconventional" computer guy.  This is kind of maybe a little bit of a rant blog... but I mean it was a crazy busy day at work and so I feel like blowing off some steam...

I'll promise to keep the ranting to a minimum.

Soooo as a computer person I get jokingly and I think accidentally stereotyped when people say things like "oh, you work with computers! So you are like that comic book guy from the simpsons!  Do you collect comic books? and watch star trek and all that nerdy stuff?"

(insert comic book guy immitation voice)

Or sometimes people will say oh so you like to play video games right?

My answer is... I don't like Star Trek, or Star Wars... and I actually don't play video games at all.

I don't know... I mean... this bothers me a little... it's almost like I'm being looked at as a "certain" type of person because I fix computers for a living.  But actually, computers are mostly just a source of income for me so that I can then put that money into what I truely love... creative outlets... such as music!

I've met a lot of other computer people over the years and they come in all shapes and sizes... etc. etc.  I mean I've known computery people who love to play all different sports when they leave work.  Or play in jazz bands... or they like to do theater and act I mean... my boss rides up to work in his kick-ass motorcycle!  you name it.  Tons of different things.... that aren't "nerdy" at all!

I mean ok... so here's all the things i've been asked if I like because I work in computers:

Comic Books or all those comic books turned into movies

Video Games

Anime

Starwars

Star Trek

Dungeons and Dragons

Magic the gathering

Going to conventions related to any of the above things

Of that list here are things that I enjoy:

... none...

 

Here's a list of all the things I totally love doing that no one ever asks if I like:

Writing and producing music

Playing drums/guitar/bass/keyboard and playing at open mics

Enjoying and finding new craft beers and breweries

Cycling

Swimming

Running

Snowboarding

Camping/hiking

Photography

Traveling

Theme parks

Going to Comedy clubs

5 years ago I started learning spanish... I still try... and fail... ha... but I'd love to travel to spain one day and be able to speak fluently.

 

Actually here's a little quick story: I went to a comedy club in 2004 in Maine on a night off from working at a summer camp and the comedian asked what I did... I said I was a student... he said "ah ok and what's your major?". because so many people had previously said things like what I talked about above I just told him "computer stuff"... he went to TOWN with that answer totally ripping into me.  "stuff?!  You sound like you are really learning a lot of "stuff" at this "stuff" university..." etc. etc.

haha... I walked out of there all embarrassed... if you ever go to a comedy club don't sit up front.  Or at least make sure you have a witty answer.

Actually cross comedy clubs off the list... I just like comedy on TV... and watching movies that are comedies.

Although, I went to one more recently about 2 years ago and it was pretty awesome... so i'd go again if anyone wanted to go to a comedy club with me.

But there ya have it... people have a lot more to them than just what they do for a living...

So I'll close with... Just because I type on a computer doesn't mean I'm a certain type of person!