Ha! Congratulations. I remember soda bottle rocket competitions (just our class) in tech/shop, and a second egg drop/protection competition in physics. Thing was, we didn't really learn aerodynamics or impact cushioning ahead of time, so we just sort of winged it (heh).

And as for your college tale, I think many of us who congregate in fandom are sadly used to not fitting in anywhere, for whatever reasons. You definitely have my sympathy! That's cool that you've ended up surpassing your peers, though. What sort of peculiar films do you like? Or is it more a peculiar combination?