Senior Centers & Dealing with Death

[Wisteria]

Hey, Normie -- you look great! Christmas time looks nice there -- I see you're above the city -- pretty nice. I like that tree -- I notice you have a "water" theme -- boats and fish! (Just need a few kayaks there, too!) Pretty cool!

[normie]

Originally Posted by Sgoldie

Guess I was going on your name. The internet is a fascinating place as we can get a feel for people and make friends yet still not have a clue as to their age, gender, color, nationality, locale, accent, or general appearance that may (or may not) cloud how we would relate to them in face time. I took a class in this when I went back to college and it was fascinating.

LOL, yes I have often found it amusing--people draw all sorts of funny conclusions. One guy asked me to suggest a temple in my town where the girls were hot! (Even funnier--I actually did know of one...)

I would love to take a class on this. Being judged on nothing but your words is such a freedom--and one reason I love the internet.

As for the name "normie"... well, there's a funny story about how I got that name.

Back during the Woodstock era I spent a few years as a hippie chick. I lived a bohemian lifestyle with a bunch of people who shared a rundown tenement and worked part time jobs as "activitists." Oh man, we thought we were so cool.

But I wanted something more, and I started following the beat of a different drummer. One day I got a "normal" job as a secretary. When my housemates learned about my "normal" hours and saw my "normal" work clothes, they were horrified. So they started sneering and calling me "normie."

As in "Don't be such a normie." It was an insult, you see.

But I've never been one to fall for manipulation games. The more they tried to embarrass me by calling me "normie" the more I embraced the name. I thought it was ironic that (considering the people I lived with) the most non-conformist thing I had ever done was be a normie. And that made me feel proud.

So one day, when the teasing had gone on just a little too long I made a dramatic statement. I told them that from that point on "normie" was going to be my name and "normie" was going to be my lifestyle, and they could all just learn to live with it.

I was joking, but it stuck.

And all these years later, I still have the nickname and I'm still living the normie lifestyle. Who'd a guessed??? But you know what--it's been a good lifestyle. I was able to start a successful business that is in harmony with my ideals. I've been able to make time to enjoy life, and raise a healthy & happy family. I'm financially comfortable (which is very handy when you want to retire).

And even my kids like to call themselves "normie." It's a family joke. You know, "normie" on City-Data was originally my daughter. She came to this site to research some properties... then lost interest after she bought a place. I was tickled that she used the name "normie" and so I took it over when she lost interest.

When your kids are proud of how their mom handled a derogatory nickname -- well, that's when you know that life is good (even if it does have it's bad moments). Thanks for reminding me of that.

[normie]

Oh, and I almost forgot...

There's another regular on this forum named "norm" and I believe he is a guy.

Confusing, huh!?

[Tesaje]

So, does that make you an exceptional normie?

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I'm not sure there is such a thing as getting over it when it is someone you were so close to. With time and processing, maybe it just won't make you go reeling as often.