Putting Off the Inevitable

So first I had this really great post about the lottery and how math teachers never factor in inflation when they tell you to take the 20 year pay-out. The I had this other great post about how democracy in a big country is different then small ones. And how the whole democratic process seems to be changing in our country because of the sheer numbers. But then I decided nobody wanted to hear it.

So the other day I was walking home from school. As I walked by the hotel I was surprised by a couple of ladies jogging on the other side of the street. I wasn't surprised that they were ladies but that they were jogging. Samoans don't jog. In fact I can't really think of a time I've seen a Samoan involved in any aerobic exercise. But then again these ladies weren't Samoan either. I hadn't seen them before. So then I had this conversation in my head:

Them: Hey, how's it going?

Me: Things are going well?

Them: So you live here?

Me: Yup for about a year. You?

Them: Yah.

Then they introduce themselves and I introduce myself. Upon our introduction they mention that they've run across my blog, as so many people here on island regularly flock to it. (not really). Then I was slightly insulted, in my own dream none-the-less.

Them: I thought you'd be taller.

Me: So did I. I was at least hoping for 5'10". But now I can never play professional football.

So in my own thoughts while walking down the street I began to think about how being 5'8" has affected me. It's strange. And maybe not even worth mentioning. I am what most people would refer to as "short." At least for a guy. In the US the average male is about 5'10" tall. That puts me at short. To compound matters I've always been short. In middle school the only person I was taller than in the 7th grade was the girl that was handicap. Yes that's right. By my sophomore year of HS I managed to just squeak over 5'2" tall. Ooooh.

It wasn't till I got to college that I realized that 5'8" was going to be it. I was kind of disappointed. On some level the whole being shorter than average thing hurts your self image. Now maybe Bland and Whit can disagree with me but it stunts you a little. I remember not really participating in sports in High school because I was short, and people reminded me more than I wanted them to. It begins to gnaw at you; especially after about 10 years of public education.

So what does it mean? I don't really know. I'd be lying if I told you it never kept me from doing something or even asking a girl out. I can remember one girl my sophomore year of college that I never asked out because she was like 6'1". I didn't think I'd have a problem but surely that would be weird for her. I actually had a conversation with a lady once in which she demanded that she would never date somebody shorter than her. Which was good because I didn't want her asking me out anyways.

But how shallow is that? I've heard a lot of people complain that guys can be vain, and only want to date "hot" girls. But "he's too short" is definitely just as bad as "she's got a big nose." It's not something you can really help. Oh crap I think I may have both. Crap.

So what does it mean. I don't know. But I do know that two of the best guys I knew in college, who's average height was 5'7" maybe, maybe had more than 10 non-function dates between the two of them. So ladies next time you get asked out by Branson Bridg3s or some other short guy don't write him off immediately. Just go out with him and God will reward you later for your kindness. You can ditch him later.

Paul "I'm shorter than the average KOREAN!" Murphy