Amanda Blackman's Dark Place

Photo credit: Taelar Pollman · The Sentry

The meaning of it all

I’m actually impressed that I went a whole semester with nobody asking me, “Why did you name your column that?” I was asked about what I’d name it in general terms, and when I said “Amanda Blackman’s Dark Place,” I think I just got some confused nods. So to conclude this semester of riveting columns, I will explain.

I do not have a “dark place,” nor do I think that my brain is a “dark place.” Even though my goal this semester was to get into the nitty gritty of things I didn’t want to talk about, I don’t think that that means what I’ve been saying is dark. That would be like me saying that my vulnerabilities and insecurities should be hidden. In reality, this column was meant to be a space where I could talk honestly about what I’d been dealing with, whether it be traumatic experiences, my preparations for applying to law school, or not being able to sleep. I think I did okay.

But here’s where the name came from. In high school, I discovered a show called “Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace.” It’s a parody of an 80’s horror mixed with a soap opera, all set at the Darkplace Hospital where supernatural mysteries are solved. I don’t honestly know why I wanted to title my column that. It just popped into my head when I was first offered this position, and I decided that it would be funny. That’s really it.

And yes, I did just now realize that I’ve been incorrect in using the term ‘Dark Place’ instead of ‘Darkplace’ this semester. If I wanted to, I could have gone back and changed every column online to be correct, but you know what? This semester I learned to be vulnerable, which means that I will admit when I’m wrong. Ha! Looks like all along, the name of my column revolved around me being more ok with myself and my mistakes.

Now that’s some full circle bullshit.

Also, as an end of the semester treat, here’s the first episode of Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace.