A Bout of Unpopularity

After a year long hiatus from medical school, I've quietly returned to school with a new 2nd year class. I've been blessed throughout life with exceptionally brilliant, funny, and kind friends, and I suddenly realize how much I've taken them for granted. I now go to school every day and don't have anyone to talk to, save for the friends I made from my 1st year (seeing Josh is usually the highlight of my day). Between lectures, I twiddle my thumbs and wait a 10-minute eternity for the next lecture to begin. When the last lecture ends, I hurry out of the lecture hall, while my classmates hang around to socialize.

In grade school, I was always jealous of the new kids who were granted instant popularity without having to prove anything. Other kids introduced themselves to the new kids and begged them to join their friend groups. But things work differently in med school. Very few people introduce themselves, and the ones that do already seem to have a solid, impenetrable group of friends. People look at me inquisitively, probably wondering if I'm having to repeat a year of school that I failed. They don't want to ask why I'm in their class, fearing the awkwardness of me admitting failure. So, today in class, I answered questions asked by the professors in hopes of convincing other students that I'm smart (Note: I rarely answer questions in class or sink to such levels of manipulation, but this situation called for it).

The good news is that I have friends like Freddie. He invited me to a Third Eye Blind concert, which turned out to be the best show I've ever been to. They played all their hits and crowd-favorites. They weren't one of those self-indulgent bands that only plays their personal favorites and songs from an upcoming record (you know the type-- hipster bands that Jason probably listens to). Anyway, throughout the show, I called friends with whom I shared personal stories for particular songs. I called Jon during "Wounded" because we discovered that song together. I called Michael during "Blinded" because he irrationally thinks it's the best song on their newest CD. I called Elaine during "Motorcycle Drive-By" because it's about New York City. I called William during the hit "Never Let You Go" because he stubbornly refuses to listen to any Third Eye Blind song that isn't a single. I called JD during "Can't Get Away from You" because he had it playing in his truck on repeat for an entire month. I called Rob during "Faster" because it's his favorite song from the new CD (side note: Rob is a dong). I called Leeker during "Semi-charmed Life" because she has a staggering lack of pop-culture knowledge, and I assumed it was the only Third Eye Blind song she had ever heard.

At the end of the concert, I thanked God for giving me the best friends in the whole world. I left the show in as good a mood as I've had in years.



***Learn more about the importance of good friends by reading the most recent post on the b-log. There, you will also discover that Trevor rarely updates his blog, thus luring you back to whyjustinwhy-- a blog that produces quantity, often at the expense of quality.