If you are one of our regular Girl Guide readers, you are probably aware of a big event  happening this week. As a matter of fact, it is this Friday, March 18th. But before I get into details, allow me to give you a bit of an intro of what that event truly means…

St Louis is a gorgeous city. The ones that were born here say that. Me as someone coming from another country say that. People coming from other states and living here say that. We all dearly love St Louis.

But, just like any other “midland” living in between dominant territories like South, East, and West Coast, St Louis, and Mid-West in general, has experienced type of peer pressure so common for territories with similar geographical position — the pressure to adopt culture of one of dominant sides. The problem arise when things don’t happen that way.

In the case of St Louis or Midwest, the midland wants to stay just that — the midland. All along with its personality and cultural distinctiveness. And the dominant Coasts — leave us alone: we are just fine.

Coming from someone who grew up in Europe’s midland, Former Yugoslavia, in most other countries of the world, the conflict of cultures would mean war. In America however, it means something quite more cultural, educated, and intellectual – a “cold disagreement” as I call it. This means that no one is trying to win over another; everyone respects each other’s right to live and prosper; no acted upon aggressiveness among dominant coasts….. I repeat: among the coasts.  However, by still unexplained rule of nature (more or less), the negativity usually turns toward the one in the middle, in this case toward us in Midwest. And further more, we become that dredged party. Someone different than them. Someone to be different from.

The pressure is felt among all, including us living here. Individuals, businesses, foreign residence, you name it.  We all feel pressure under piles of questions asking us Why we live there. St Louis has become a “great place if you have children”. If not — why in the world would you want to live there???

Why? …………………………………………………………….. (silence)

Because very few on the other side, St Louis side, actually responds to that question. At least not in a manner that I think we should.

Why live in St Louis? Well, where do I begin?

Aside from the fact that the place is as economical as can be, it is also one of the spots through which metropolitan style and trends flow. Look at how many art galleries there are… how many international artists open their first exibits on the streets of St Louis. Oh, and have you heard that there is some pretty wild night life out there? DJs like Tiesto, Christopher Lawrence, or Paul Van Dyke, have spin their best tracks in St Louis clubs. Oh, and btw, one of the stopping spots for U2′s tour is — you’ll never guess — St Louis!! AND our Zoo is free and the only one in the US that is.

I get it.

We are tired of all that attitude and questions coming from our neighboring Coasts. “Fine — if you don’t like how we live, don’t look at us.” Oh my Lord, you don’t even know how much I understand and can relate to that attitude. But, in the end, it becomes counter productive. If you push people away, they move further. And I believe, we are doing just that — acting as if we don’t care and cutting conversation short. “We are happy, and we don’t need you. Go away”. And they do go away. But we need them. And they need us.

And with that said, I now go back to my opening paragraph…. the reason of why this post was created in the first place. The chance for all of us to speak up and show that we are as contemporary as they are — residence of Cyberland, non-tech background tech experts, scientists, educators, PRs (I heart my editor:), music bands… home of some of the most honored minds of today’s world.

This Friday, March 18th, is the closing date for St Louis Sexiest Cybergeek nomination, and we need your VOTE!! We need to sign up as many of our darling, sexy geeks out there as we can, because if this year’s success, next yea we’ll make it even bigger and better. So, take a second and fill out the form nominating your favorite geek. You can vote for more than one. Just make sure you do actually fill out the form, or otherwise your votes won’t be included.

Please tell all your friends as well, and let the coundown begin. After Friday, your votes will remain only candles in the wind…. waiting for that breeze…. The Perfect Breeze…. to take them all away…. to neverland……………

So, stay here with us because we need you, and your votes. Until then — rock out our beautiful St Louis and keep sharing and spreading the news!

Submit Your Sexiest Cybergeek v3.0 Nominations Here!

Korina Bogdanovic is an alien coming from the future, year 2099 to be exact. Her mission on this planet is to teach Earthlings about Technology, the invisible enemy about to take over the Earth.She uses Twitter to send out secret codes and messages targeted for humans as well as her planet’s HQ.  For direct questions or comments, you can email her at korina8765 [at] yahoo [dot] com.