random observation

[cassidyrose]

I've realized that one reason I often feel very much on the outside of my greater social circle is that I have absolutely zero interest in RPGs and very little interest in sci-fi (save for my childhood obsession with Star Wars and my teen/adult obsession with Kurt Vonnegut). RPGs and sci-fi seem to be very common interests among the bay area bi/poly crowd. To add to that, I am one of those weird social science people and an athlete, two characteristics I have rarely seen in people in this crowd.

No value judgements, just an observation.

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I think one of the reasons that I meander in and out of several social circles is to touch all the areas that are important to me -- geeks, nature-people, kid-people, etc. That way I'm not so much on the outside as never fully in with one group or another, and that feels pretty good to me.

[cassidyrose.livejournal.com]

This makes sense.

I currently spend most my time with dance people mainly because that is what I am doing the most of lately.

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

Although I love SF, I'm really not into fandom; this year's WorldCon was the first con I was ever going to attend. I don't work, and never have worked, in what could be considered a "tech" job. I'm not really a geek. I have never understood the appeal of RPGs. Sometimes I feel so far outside I wonder that anyone finds me intersting at all (no, that's *not* fishing! :)). No value judgments at all - just a sort of "me, too". :):)

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

You're not a geek?

*looking around*

Who hacked Kathy's LJ account?

[cassidyrose.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I see you as one of those people more on the "outside", so to speak, like me.

[shaktiqueen.livejournal.com]

You aren't the only one. The closest I get to SciFi is Piers Anthony and Marion Zimmer Bradley.
I like my trashy romance novels, bestsellers and soap operas though. And all my scifi rpg friends think I'm wierd for it.

classic line in our house: me to James "What are you watching honey?"
James: "scifi channel"
Me: "I see that...but *what* are you watching?"
J: "I don't know, it's on Scifi channel"

I prefer to keep him in bed.

[cassidyrose.livejournal.com]

I prefer to keep him in bed.

;-P

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

That resonates with me. I am somewhat athletic. I have enjoyed some science fiction, but not lots any more, and I don't attend cons. I have no interest in RPGs. So I am slightly outside in some of the same ways you are slightly outside.

For me, a few others are noticeable too: I own no television, I watch very few movies, and I know nothing about music since Mozart; pop culture is just plain missing for me. I don't AIM or ICQ or chat or Usenet; I have no webcam; I have no scanner. I've never been to Burning Man and have no interest in going. Depending on the social circle, the fact I do not intend to procreate is a biggie. (But hey, depending on the social circle, the fact that I am female is the biggest "outsider" factor of all.)

[cassidyrose.livejournal.com]

That resonates with me. I am somewhat athletic. I have enjoyed some science fiction, but not lots any more, and I don't attend cons. I have no interest in RPGs. So I am slightly outside in some of the same ways you are slightly outside.

I thought this might resonate with you.

The only con I have ever been to was the North American Conference on Bisexuality.

For me, a few others are noticeable too: I own no television, I watch very few movies, and I know nothing about music since Mozart; pop culture is just plain missing for me. I don't AIM or ICQ or chat or Usenet; I have no webcam; I have no scanner.

Well, I have a TV and cable, but I few set shows I watch, and then lots of the food network. I have _no idea_ what is going on these days on regular broadcast primetime programming.

I like some movies a lot, but I rarely go out to the movies.

My tastes and interest in music do fall into some subset of mainstream-ish pop culture, though I am rapidly becomming one of those people "old enough" to have seen the dead while Jerry was alive and they were touring as the dead.

I don't AIM, ICQ, chat, or Usenet either.

On being female, I have certainly been an outsider as a female in many social situations as well.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*nod* Yep, we're similar in several of those ways.

I like Mary's point about visiting several groups instead of living in only one. (Poly-sociality? grin!) The one interest I have no social group for is the physical fitness stuff, which for me is hiking/backpacking/camping/climbing/running. In some ways those aren't social activities, but it would also be nice to have support and encouragement for fitness as part and parcel of hanging out with friends. I'll noodle on that a bit.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Good thought, thanks! Matter o'fact, I'm already there! I know a few of the people there from last year's Sierra Club backpacking course. Now if only I would get off my butt and organize a hike or two... seems it's been all bike rides lately.