So, a few days ago, I made a comment on a front-page Armando thread that was kind of funny, and Armando replied, "Heh" and gave me a 4. As embarrassing as it is to admit it, I was thrilled. It felt like the cute, popular guy in my high school civics class had smiled at me. Then my comment got sixteen other "4"s and made the most highly-rated comments list, which also felt way cool. I know it's silly, but I felt like I had finally arrived. I was on the map, hanging with the in-crowd. And it all made me think how much Daily Kos reminds me of high school.
Yeah, yeah, we're adults talking about serious issues, mostly, but still, doesn't it sometimes feel that way to you? The flame wars, the rumors, the gossip; the TU status that defines you as in or out; the member numbers that let everyone know if you're a freshman or a senior; the clubs (C&J, pastordan's crowd, e pluribus media ...); the in-jokes and you-had-to-be-there moments (pie, bob johnson's dog...)
Plus there's the kids:
Kos - the student council president who makes things happen
Armando - the cool guy who everyone knows and everyone's got an opinion on
Hunter, Meteor Blades, Kagro X, the Susans, plus a bunch more - the smart kids who always get A's and ruin the curve for the rest of us
Bill in Portland Maine - the slacker who invites everyone to come to parties at his house when his parents are away
MaryScott O'Connor - the tough-talking girl who argues with the teacher and wins
Plutonium Page - the one who'll lend you her notes for the science mid-term
Jerome a Paris - the exchange student
Kid Oakland - the creative writing magazine editor
DC Democrat and Carnacki - the great guys who live in your neighborhood (well, my neighborhood, anyway)
And of course, thousands of others...
And then there's the faculty:
Harry Reid - the principal, busy with his stuff but still looking out for us
Dean - the popular teacher, a carpe diem kind of guy who helps you figure out just how much you can actually do
Cheney - the nasty teacher, sneaky and backbiting to his colleagues, who fails you so his own private tutoring company can convince your parents that you need extra help
And Bush - the dumb, mean teacher who picks on kids he knows can't get back at him, who teases and gives embarrassing nicknames and thinks he's a big deal and everybody's hoping he'll get fired soon
Give me a "K" for Kos High
