Greetings from the Big Giant Head

by Lauri Vickers

Stealing a line from “3rd Rock from the Sun” for my column’s title seemed oddly fitting.  I’m sure we’ve all felt like strangely intelligent aliens to this planet at some time or another!  And much like that crew of bumbling sitcom aliens, while we may be able to come up with the answer to life, the universe and everything, we’re not all living in Paradise Valley in multi-million dollar homes.  And that’s why I love Mensa.

As nonsensical as that last sentence sounds, it really is the reason.  I think there is a special kind of humbleness and kindness that comes with being a Mensan.  After all, we are more aware than most of the distinction between thinking, knowing and doing, yet we still haven’t taken over the world.  The kindness is developed from growing up different.  With the exception of a few notable members such as Geena Davis, I don’t think most of us were in the running for Prom Queen/King.        

Our intelligence allows us to really think through most prejudices and realize that they are based upon fear, uncertainty and doubt.  However, it is our experience of being an invisible minority that breeds the kindness and tolerance I have been shown again and again by other Mensans.  Case in point, my best childhood friend from back east came out to visit this spring and we had a week-long gab fest as we drove all over the state.  Inevitably, the comment, “You think too much!  How do you fit it all in your head?!”, came up.  While I’m glad she meant it nicely and that I amuse her, that kind of comment can make you feel isolated.

But that never happens at a Mensa gathering!  Invariably, if someone hasn’t already thought of it, they can at least appreciate and discuss whatever it is you’re mentally gnawing on.  And you can spend all night doing it before you have any idea how much time has passed!  So enough of my pseudo-philosophical ramblings on the finer qualities of Mensans.  Let’s get down to business!

The AG is here!  Run!  Hide your children and your beer!  Seriously, do three things for me at the AG:

1.   Say thank you to anyone you see who was involved in making this happen!  Say it repeatedly!  Feeling recognized and appreciated is the best thing you can give our intrepid volunteers outside of cold, hard cash.

2.   Volunteer at least 1 hour of your time at the AG.  There are typically sign up sheets to fill the last-minute gaps located near Hospitality.  When enough people do it, 1 hour of time apiece goes a long, long way.  Please help to make this the best AG ever!

3.   Party your socks off the other 95 hours!

The only other news of note, is that Ex-Com will be moved to the second Sunday of July because of the AG.  Join us at the La Madeliene at 32nd St & Camelback on the 14th for the first meeting of your new board.  We’ll be brainstorming on what we want to accomplish during this term, so the more ideas, the merrier!