Popular

Popularity is a strange concept. From a musical perspective, it means little more than trendy. Popular music today may not be popular next month or even next week. Popular fashion has a slightly longer time line; often lasting an entire season. In a social context, however, popularity seems to have much more staying power. The popular kids (that's a link to a musical and with that, I relinquish my man card....I wasn't getting much use out of it anyways) in school are, oftentimes, popular from middle school through high school and their popularity is directly related to their coolness. Seven years (longer, maybe, for you over-achievers out there) is a long time to be anything. A few years ago, I was dreamy for a week and it was exhausting. I couldn't imagine trying to pull that off any longer.

Abstract as it may be, I'm determined to get to the bottom of popularity. I mentioned the direct link between coolness and popularity which seems to be strongest during the years of primary education. Something happens post-graduation that breaks this relationship and, as age increases, the correlation between coolness and popularity begins to decrease. What proof do I have? Well, I've got this graph and as toasting sensation (something that my tens of fans continually remind me of), I've got popularity in spades yet I haven't been cool since that incident in 1987. (Seriously though, they don't give away blogger.com accounts to just anyone. Trust me, I know a thing or two about it) However, I do know some cool people whom I would label as popular (even though they aren't regular toasters) so coolness may not be the most important variable. I would suggest something less superficial such as beauty but I haven't always been popular so that can't be the missing link. Ideas? Shoe size, wealth, bicep diameter, baseball card collection, deluded self-view? Nope, nope, nope, nope, and nope. They all help but none of them are causal variables. This may go down as one of the world's greatest unanswered questions.

My search will continue. In the mean time, here's some things to do around Augusta this weekend because as the old saying goes, all work and no play sucks.

The Big Mo: It's a drive-in movie theater and it's in the middle of somewhere. More specifically, it's in the middle of the metropolis of Monetta, SC. Why should you go? Well, it's cheap. $6 for a double feature. Also, I'll be there and it's hard to put a price tag on that. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Wild Hogs. Shows start at darkish, gates open at 6pm. Call me if you're interested...there is a carpool leaving around 5:30.

First Friday: I've been sending these out for a year and I still haven't found a good link for First Friday. Despite that fact, First Friday deserves your attention if only because it is sponsored by Checkers and I lovingly endorse everything Checkers does. If you decide to go, be sure to stick around 'til dark and check out the fire people. Need more reasons? Well, it's also the first day of June and the first day of Hurricane season and First Friday maybe the only way to celebrate such an occasion.

Commissioning: Yeah, I know...this is hardly something anyone gets very excited about, but I'd be remiss to ignore it. If you're a regular here, you know that I'm headed to Nicaragua with a group of the finest people Augusta has to offer (I'm not sure how I got invited, either) and our official commissioning is Sunday night at 6:30pm at Warren Baptist Church. If you're not already booked, come on out and let us know you'll be thinking of us and we'll let you know the feeling is mutual.

Blah blah blah, Insert something remotely related to the rest of the post here, blah blah blah. It's Friday so stop reading and get out there any enjoy it because it will be seven days before the two of you cross paths again. Relationships that rare deserve celebration.

-Jake