iCovet

The word on the street is that this will be mine tomorrow.  OH yes.  It will be mine!!!!!

Geeks and Nerds Down Under. Yup. The Debate is Global.

The Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne were recently surveyed by Natalie Pestana on what exactly the difference is between geek and nerd.  I'm always fascinated by how people, specifically geeks and nerds, respond to this question so hearing the opinions of these learned individuals was of high interest to me.  Here are some of my favorite answers from the article.

Here at the faculty office we’ve been confused as to what the difference is between a nerd and a geek (or if there is a difference).  So we decided to ask our experts.   Feel free to add your thoughts.
What is the difference between a geek and a nerd and which category would you put yourself in?!

A geek doesn’t know they’re uncool,  whereas a nerd doesn’t care.  So I
guess  I must be a nerd.    Andy Gleadow, Earth  Sciences
 
A geek is someone whose fanatical enthusiasm makes up for their lack of social graces; a nerd is someone whose lack of social graces require them to take up some kind of fanatical enthusiasm.  Which one am I?  Probably a little bit of both, I suppose!    Dr  Danielle Clode, Zoology
 
Three of  the letters are different; this answer probably makes me a nerd.
Owen  Jones, Maths and Stats

Is there a difference?   Geoff Taylor, Physics

 You can read the entire article here.

Profile Photos ~ The Geek Rules

I found this interesting article by TechCoquette which presents common sense guidelines on the dos and don't of dating profile photos.  I’m not saying the advice in this column is flawed, it’s actually quite useful stuff if you are a non-geek.  From my perspective, however, many of the suggestions seem to be focused on appearance and and not on what other information that can be gleaned from an online photo.  

It’s not exactly applicable to the process of “nerd seeking nerd” where the rules of online dating are turned up on end so I would like to present an alternative view from the geek perspective. 

A few of the profile no no's according to the original article:

1)The Panorama. Hey, it's great that you love traveling so much that all your pics are you in front of world monuments (or just the local baseball stadium). But where are you? Oh that is you, in the sunglasses, the hat, and the big jacket, at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro? Funny, I can't tell a thing about you by looking at that pic.

Well...as a geek I would think "holy well traveled batman!"  I would know that you are adventurous, have a curious mind and have the financial means to travel. This also implies a steady job or financial security of some sort.  Very good things indeed.  I think travel photos tell a lot about a person.

 2)The Insecurity Crop. Most people aren't looking for a perfect body; they would, however, like to know what your body is like before they meet you. A super-close shot of someone's face usually says as much about how insecure they are as it does about how hot they are.

I will agree on this one.  Take eat least one picture of your just as you are....short, fat or bald.  I think you be surprised at how little it matters when the right person is looking at your profile. It’s not that geeks don’t care about physical attributes or attraction...it’s just that it isn’t the driving force behind why we pass or pursue a second glance at a persons profile.

 3)The Colorblind Pic. Using photo editing software to turn your picture black and white is great if you're going for a romantic engagement photo. In a profile pic, it's another form of an insecurity shot; we all know flaws show up best in full color.   

Yes, but knowing you can understand and utilize photo editing software is a very basic geek skill and something I would like to see demonstrated in at least one of your profile gallery photos. How else will we have hours of endless amusement if you don’t know how to crop Darth Vader into my class reunion shots.  Video editing is even more crucial and this is the springboard to that.
 

4)The Stock Photo. The picture your company takes for "Employee of the Month" is nice and all, but this isn't a yearbook. A standard blue background and business-wear sends a message that you're too boring to do the sort of activities where people actually take pictures.  

If you are employee of the month at some amazing high tech company in Silicon Valley then yeah...bring on the ID Badge pic.  The Woz had one of those once and his geek hotness can be seen from space.   That’s right...I said it.

 5)The Outdated Photo. If all your pics are you in college gear and college bars, rocking fashion from 2005, or simply looking way too fresh-faced to match the fact that your profile says you're 28, we're going to wonder what part of aging doesn't agree with you.  

See, I’m ok with the outdated photo.  Because as a geek it is very likely that you have improved with age.  Cheerleader and football players can’t say that.  They peaked early.  So the spazier your high school photo then I will know we can only go up from there.  I will also know that you won’t be judgmental about my own spazzy past.  That’s comforting.

 6)The Hipster Pic. Oh, girl, you're such an individual with your dirty hair in your face and your refusal to smile. Maybe other members of the doucheoisie are attracted to the "ironic" angle at which you snapped your pic ... enjoy your new boyfriend's mustache and loft.

Ok, this one I utterly agree with.  Plus, I’ve now been introduced to the word “doucheoisie” which I will use and abuse for a good solid week or so until my BFF rolls her eyes and tells me I am becoming part of the “doucheoisie” by using that word too much.

7)The Groupie Photo. Which one are you again? All I see is five guys with dark brown hair in button-down shirts. That one on the left is pretty cute ... oh, that's not you? Um, well is he on Match too??   

A geek would think, “Hey, that person has friends.  I’d like me some of that.”



Now here are some very specific Dos of my own for the geek seeking geek profile:

1)  It’s ok to dress in costume .  It's a badge of pride and if you are a hot fangirl then you've pretty much got it made in the shade.  If you own your own Storm Trooper costume (or any costume for that matter) then I know I am going to have many a good time with the boys of the 501st or my weekends will be filled with convention fun and geekery.  I also know that you are a social creature because no one dresses up like a Storm Trooper alone. I think.

2)Have a large math equation on a white board behind you.  My first thought? “ My my what a big brain you have there , sir.”  I’m sorry...to a geek girl that is just pure cerebral hotness.  The more you try to explain complex physics  to me the more I’m thinking about your “O” face.

3)Wearing a lab coat.  Clearly you have equipment and private space to conduct experiments.  A non geek may take a “Hannibal Lector” view of this and think you’ve got severed heads in cold storage (which you may if you are into cryogenics).  A geek will see it as an endless source of “fun with beakers” or be intrigued by the possibility of watching you conduct experiments or look at slides together.  How romantic!

4)In front of your mint condition collectibles.  Well that’s just planning ahead for a stable financial future. For retirement, for your children.  That’s the kind of person you know will make an amazing parent so you will want to make lots of little geek babies with them.  They are thinking ahead, have admirable restraint and also a childlike spirit.

5)Holding a light saber. A geek girl would think, “Now that's a secure guy.”   A geek guy would think, “She knows how to handle a space weapon!”

When I met my geek, years ago on Match.com,  he had some crazy close up photos of his eyeball.  Creepy you say?  Perhaps to a non geek. I was more taken with the amazing capabilities of his camera as well as the beautiful blue of his eyes.

On my profile I had posted some pics of my house and on my bookshelf he noticed "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" and my Opus the Penguin Yuppie doll. The fact that he noticed those details made me a smitten kitten.  That is how we got to email#2, #3, #35 and to happily ever after.

So be honest and trust that the people who will matter in your life will love you just the way you are.  Give people introduction points that are beyond your appearance.  Luckily, most profiles have galleries or photo albums so you have ample opportunity to give your viewers material that will draw them in to you.  What will start the conversation?  Make that your primary photo.  Don’t try to “sell” yourself.  Instead represent yourself with honesty, humor and post whatever pictures tell the story of you.   That’s the greatest story of all to the right reader.  

Touchscreen Technology ~ It's Magical IMHO

Erica Glasier, social media blogger and geek mom, wrote a brilliant post about the intuition of touch screen technology.
Her blog post: The Touch Screen: 3/4 of the Way to Singularity is well worth the read.  I agree with her that the touch screen technology has a "magical" quality to it.  It reaches the part of your soul that longs to shop for your first wand in Diagon Alley.
Her article directed me to this wonderful video or a lovely 99 year old lady who get's her first computer ~ an iPad.  

Feeling Ripe? Try Geek Soap!

Geek Soap...... The Game Cartridge Soap is the perfect gift for National Video Games Day, (September 12th Duh!)

This lovely arrangement would be a lovely remembrance for any geek for any occasion becuase despite the vicious rumors....we do indeed like to be fresh and clean.

Even Better! Geek Dad ~ 9 Ways to Celebrate Middle Earth Day

First I posted about Geek Dad's Earth Day Article which was fun and full of geeky ways to be greener.  Now they have posted a guide to celebrating Middle-Earth Day.  Now THAT's what I'm talking about!  Because every geek really wishes Earth were more like The Shire.  At least I do. That would be utter perfection.

FROM GEEK DAD:

So today is Earth Day, and that’s a fine and wonderful thing. But we are geeks, so we don’t need much of an excuse to take the celebration of a holiday to an extreme. We do this for the same reason we invent our own holidays, like Star Wars Day and Towel Day (both coming up next month!): we love few things more than our inside jokes.

We’ve already covered the serious side of Earth Day today, so now we invoke the spirit of geekitude and take it to an extreme. So, then, how should Middle-Earth Day be celebrated by its residents? We have nine (like The Nine rings of men) humble suggestions …
9. Install a solar water heater atop your Hobbit hole.
8. Switch to the Thrush Communications Network. Tired of messages taking days or weeks to be delivered? Trust a thrush to quickly deliver your important dragon-slaying tips to all those who need to know. It saves the resources a journey by foot or steed would consume, and the thrushes are glad to help.
7. Learn the ways of the elves. You think it’s tough providing for your family for a few decades? Try 10,000 years sometime. Imagine how good they must be at conservation!

Read More http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/04/top-9-ways-to-celebrate-middle-earth-day/#ixzz0lq2p583B

Geek Dad ~ 10 Geeky Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

From Geek Dad:

We geeks like to do a lot of the same things non-geeks do, just with a bit of a geeky spin to them. Lots of people like to put stickers for the college(s) they attended on their cars — geeks do that, too, only they’ll sometimes add one for Miskatonic University or Starfleet Academy.

So we want to do our part for Earth Day, too. After all, Earth’s the only planet we’ve got — for the time being, anyway — and as The Tick said, it’s where we keep all our stuff. Here, then, from all of us at GeekDad, are ten ideas (in no particular order) for how to celebrate this 40th Earth Day, each with a bit of a geeky spin.

1. Charge your handheld devices in a greener way - The site localcooling.com has some good suggestions.

2. Install a programmable thermostat in your home - It’s really simple, not that expensive, and is pretty well guaranteed to save energy, and to reduce your utility bills drastically. It can be a bit of a chore to get the programming just right to keep your family comfortable, but the prospect of doing some experimentation has never yet scared off a true geek.

Read More http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/04/10-geeky-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day/#ixzz0lpuwDzGj

Diane and James ~ A True Geek Love Story

It was July 2008 and I had just lost everything I loved in life. Due to major changes I had to quit my three-year job of managing a comic shop, left my closest friends and moved back to my hometown of Artesia, NM where I had nothing but my parents.

It wasn’t easy, I started to get depressed, was very bored and restless. The thing I missed the most was having an easy outlet to geek out. I missed the conversations about the things I love; comics, video games, sci-fi, the usual geek stuff. I grew up in Artesia and was constantly bullied and misunderstood so I knew there wouldn’t be an outlet for that mental craving I had so I turned to surfing the Internet, a lot.

As I was surfing I remembered a link a friend sent me right before I moved and didn’t have the chance to check out, to http://www.sweetongeeks.com. I thought to myself well at least I can find a few people to geek out with, maybe satiate my deep cravings for expressing my geekiness. So I set up an account. I wasn’t looking for love, just friends.

After a few days and sending several tribbles, dilithium crystals and towels out through the wink system I met a few interesting people and my cravings began to be appeased. I spent a lot of time on the site, meeting new people, checking profiles, seeing who was on there.

One day when I was on the site, checking my mail, I saw a picture of the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen in my life in the random profile spot. The first thing that struck me about her was her smile, the kind of smile that would have launched the entire Starfleet on a mission to destroy the Borg for just her. Then there was her profile name, Dirty Dee, a mixture of sweetness and a slightly wild side. I immediately clicked on her profile and read the whole thing. When I got to her interests and saw Guitar Hero I immediately sent her a message with my Yahoo Messenger name asking her to chat with me sometime.

The next day, August 22, 2008, I was online and she added me. I freaked. This was the first time I was nervous about talking to someone from SOG so I definitely knew I was attracted to her. I was so nervous I sent her a few messages and hopped offline. The next night she was online so I took a deep breath and messaged her. We talked for five hours straight just about Guitar Hero. I was amazed with this woman.

Over the course of the next week we chatted online every single night, one day for 13 hours. We never ran out of things to talk about, and we got to know each other quite well. I found out her name is Diane, she prefers DC Comics over Marvel, has a large collection of geeky t-shirts, loves South Park, a fan of Hello Kitty, loves the band Kiss, is an uber-science geek, and is a beautiful person in the strictest meaning of the word.

We both knew we were falling in love, yet we were both leery of getting into a long distance relationship. A 1,330+ mile distance is difficult in any relationship, especially in a new one. As hard as we tried to fight it on September 2, 2008 we gave in to what felt so natural and started dating.

Diane and I have been together for over a year and a half now. We’ve grown together as individuals and as a couple. We both passionately work on my 5,924 issue comic collection. When we started dating, she enjoyed DC universe but hadn’t read much. For her first Christmas gift, I bought her a copy of the JSA: The Next Age, Superman and Legion of Super Heroes, and Green Lantern: Rebirth TPBs and she’s been in love with the DCU since. We share a mutual passion for Geoff Johns writing, Adam Hughes art and the Green Lantern. I remember when she saw Hughes’ Real Power of the DCU poster she had a complete geekgasm, snagging a copy of it as soon as she could. She absolutely loves that poster, and I can’t help but find it totally sexy.

She opened a comic box at her local shop and started reading several titles, including Blackest Night. Anytime a new issue of BN came out, it would prompt a long geek out over the awesome moments of the issue, discussions of what’s going on, speculation as to what’s happening next and talks on the metaphysical aspects of the story.

We spend a lot of time online together via Skype and Facebook. We’re always sharing links of things like fire hydrants painted like Mario, Hello Kitty schwag, the newest news on the DCU, cool Kiss merchandise, all varieties of geekdom.

We’ve discussed the future. We know we’re going to get married; we exchanged Promise Rings the first day we were together in person, February 14, 2009. We’re going to make the move eventually to where we can be together always. We want to have children, and we’ve decided to name them after DC Comics characters. To this day I still can’t believe she agreed to that one, it takes an amazing woman to agree to something like that. I look in my future, and see her.

The one thing I can’t wrap my head around about her is she isn’t the woman of my dreams. The woman I dreamt about all my life, my ideal perfect relationship, falls so short of what I have with Diane. She is my universe. There are so many things about her I love: her smile, the way she looks me deep in the eyes and says nothing yet at the same time telling me I love you, her laugh, her amazing personality, how she fills everyone around her with hope, the way she is totally unashamed about being a geek and totally flies her geek flag high for all to see. She doesn’t let the world tell her who she should be, she carves her own path, her own destiny.

As I said in my SOG profile, all I was really looking for was understanding and I found it in Diane. I know I’m going to be with her for the rest of my life and I couldn’t be happier.

I love you Diane, I always have and always will.

James

Late Night Blog Prowl

 So I should be in bed so I can be all ready for another day of beta bug squishing. But nooooooo. I have to stay up and creep around on the internets until I find some blog that sucks me in and traps me. Tonight it was TechCat.

This amazing gear ring was the bait and then an hour zinged by without warning. I HATE when that happens.

Oh and they had this.
Darth Maul Double Ended Lightsaber Chopsticks.
What the holy crap of awesome???
AWWWWWWESOME.

Vader Rap

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

A Sexy Little Sumpin Sumpin to Light Off the Weekend

Star Wars Geek Love

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

RockingSquid Found Love

Sent to me from RockingSquid.  Happy geeks in love make my world so much brighter.

I don't know how many success stories you get, so I thought I'd tell you ours. My boyfriend, Tim, of 4 months saw my profile on SweetonGeeks (which, I must admit, I'd practically forgotten I had) and put my AIM sn on his buddy list, but never IM'd me. Months later, he had completely forgotten who that sn belonged to and sent me a message to the extent of "Who are you?" and I replied similarly. It took us several weeks of talking before we figured out how he'd gotten it. We spoke daily, laughing almost endlessly, and playing (for shame) World of Warcraft. Two months later, he made a trek from North Carolina, where he lives, to Florida, where I live. A week or so after he returned, we decided to date. Now, almost 5 months later, and several more trips between NC and FL for the both of us, we're a very happy (fully geeky) couple. So thanks (: ~ RockingSquid

Facebook + Klingon + Love = SweetonGeeks.com

4/13/2010 ~ New Hampshire

SweetonGeeks.com announces it’s reincarnation as the new "Facebook for Geeks".  Started out as a dating site, SweetonGeeks has evolved into a social network that brings geeks together for friendship as well as love.  Facebook has become a colossal, black hole of time suckage because of it's sheer size. Geeks find themselves friending people just because they happen to share a few keywords, like "Yoda", but in reality they have little else in common.  Many censor their wall posts, omitting their true geeky pursuits, because their mom or boss or 10th grade bully might read it.

This is where SweetonGeeks can rock your galaxy. They are a geek social network with a mission to increase the world supply of geek love which, according to them, is the answer to global warming.  Members can create events, find local CONs or gaming nights, join or create groups,  make live v-dates (oooo...the pressure of a v-date), IM/chat, blog or simply post clever things to the collective wall in the hopes of creating a nerdly stir.  In essence, SweetonGeeks is a perfect fusion of social networking and dating sites......except with more math jokes and emails written in Klingon.  After all, geeks aren't just looking for wookiee nookie.  They are looking for meaningful interface with people who know the pain and joy of being a real geek.

SweetonGeeks was founded by Joyce Dales, who is a girl who understands what it means to be a lonely, cyber dweller.  At age 30 she decided to stop dating cavemen and finally found her geek in shining armor through online dating.  As a result of her own online experiences she decided to make ending geek isolation her life's work and enjoys her new role as a geek "yenta" of sorts.  The site currently has over 25,000 non-cyborg members and they have had tremendous press, like ABC World News, CBS Sunday Morning, APM Marketplace, Cosmo and more.   While still a small site,  they hope to swiftly grow their collective into a powerful hub of all things geek.  Membership in SweetonGeeks is 100% free, because they don't believe you should have to pay to connect with other humanoids.  Many happy geeks have found friendship or love through SweetonGeeks which brings them just a little bit closer to their larger goal, a goal that is shared by all geeks.....world domination.

SweetonGeeks  ~ A Space Where Gray Matters!


***If you would like more information or would like to schedule an interview please contact Joyce Dales at Joyce@SweetonGeeks.com.

                                                                ###

Tron Legacy - I can hardly wait

Okay, so Head Geektress Joyce has been on me to post to our blog more. While I've had good intentions to do so, I've been just busy out of control.  I finally sit down determined to write and what comes in my email but a link to these:






Growing up, I was a huge Tron fan and let's just say my student loans would have been a lot smaller if I had been putting quarters into my piggy bank rather than Tron machines (someday I really need to pickup one of these things and put it in the living room). 

Please, just take a minute to watch the videos.  They got Jeff Bridges back and it will be released in IMAX 3D.  The effects show how the first movie should have been if it hadn't been done back the fx dark ages.

Jeff

(note from Joyce : I prefer Head Geek Mistress. That's right...SAY IT. Say my name!!! ***slap***)

The New SweetonGeeks ~ Be a Master Beta

Beta. Is there a word that conjures up more sense of wonder for us non-alpha males and females? To geeks, it's more than mere Greek. It's a star, a particle, a ray, a caste in A Brave New World, software (certainly), our favorite carotene, the ratio of collector current to base current in a bipolar junction transistor ... well, you get the idea. But here at Sweet at Geeks, what really gets our hemoglobin pumping is the beta site we've been working on the last few months. And we invite you to become a part of it. The beta site is a revamped version of SweetOnGeeks.com with new features that let you totally get your geek on. After all, the purpose of Sweet on Geeks is to give you the social networking that let's you be yourself. Find that special geek or geekette. Chat (in Klingon if you like). Find an event in your area. Discuss books, movies, cloud computing and so much more. New features include: Multi room video chat Enhanced profiles with walls, newsfeeds, improved galleries and blogs Groups and events with galleries and discussion walls Post your own event and issue invites Video comments on all walls Enhanced forums Better tools for abuse reporting and spam filtering Auto export your status updates to Twitter Traditional social networking friends system Full content searches and tag system throughout External User URL's And more! We continue to be a free site made by three very real, highly caffeinated geeks. Why pay to meet fellow geeks? That is illogical. Log back in to explore the new Sweet on Geeks and make it your own. To help us test the Beta, simply visit www.sweetongeeks.com. Please let us know what you think! Tell a friend, tweet us or join our fan page to help spread the word. Write a nice blog about us and be entered to win an iPad!  Bribery? Perhaps. But hey, the site's free :) May the Force be with you, Joyce, Jeff and James ~ Head Geeks

And Now For Something Completely Different ~ Organic Local Food

So to take a temporary departure from my usual geekery I want to talk about something that the green geek mom in me is obsessed with ~ organic, whole food sources.  Not all geeks eat just Mountain Dew, Fritos and Twinkies.  Well....not as much as when we were younger.   We SOG-ers travel quite a bit for work and for family so knowing where I can obtain reasonably priced organic produce and meats from a humane source is an endless quest.  Being a new geek mom brings a dedication to this which was severely lacking when it was just Jeff and I.   I mean, when it was just us two I would half-ass it at best.  Now I have to get serious.



So just to share with any other geek peeps who are into this like I am or want to start exploring it, here are some handy dandy guidelines.

Organic produce costs a butt-load right?  Well, here are the items that are most worth seeking as organic because they have the highest pesticide loads.   The EWG reports that more than half of our total dietary risk from pesticides comes from just 12 foods:

1. Nectarines – 97.3% of nectarines sampled were found to contain pesticides.
2. Celery – 94.5% of celery sampled were found to contain pesticides.
3. Pears – 94.4% of pears sampled were found to contain pesticides.
4. Peaches – 93.7% of peaches sampled were found to contain pesticides.
5. Apples – 91% of apples sampled were found to contain pesticides.
6. Cherries – 91% of cherries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
7. Strawberries – 90% of strawberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
8. Imported Grapes – 86% of imported grapes (i.e. Chile) sampled were found to contain pesticides.
9. Spinach – 83.4% of spinach sampled were found to contain pesticides.
10. Potatoes – 79.3% of potatoes sampled were found to contain pesticides.
11. Bell Peppers – 68% of bell peppers sampled were found to contain pesticides.
12. Red Raspberries – 59% of red raspberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Now, on the flip side, here are the items that are safest to buy non organic.

1)Asparagus
2)Avocados
3) Bananas
4) Broccoli
5) Cauliflower
6) Corn (However, almost all corn is genetically modified)
7) Kiwi
8) Mangoes
9) Onions
10) Papaya
11) Pineapples
12) Sweet Peas

To find great local farms to get your locally grown organic produce check out
http://www.localharvest.org/.  The map is great, includes meat/cheese/dairy as well as produce and I'm sure you will be shocked at the amount of resources there are.  I'm a carnivore with a serious soft spot for the animals that provide my family with food.  So to deal with that particular guilt complex I make every effort to buy meats from humane certified butchers or farms.  They are often organic as well so it is a serious win win from a moral and health standpoint.  Find certified humane businesses at http://www.certifiedhumane.org/ .

So here's one for the Green Geeks!  :)  Back to our regular scheduled geekery.

Note- Amazing Google Chrome Bento created by AnnatheRed

Oh My Holy Awesomeness ~ Big Bang Theory

Found this on the Star.com.   According this article this will happen tomorrow night:

OH My God I am so happy.

I may have to have some sort of a special snack baked for this episode (spoken like a true fatty).


Wil Wheaton will be returning tomorrow night as well.   I seriously adore this show.  Chuck Lorre is a comedic genius and without a doubt...a true geek.


Apparently the Big Bang Theory is Canada's most watched comedy.  This proves my theory that Canadians are all geeks.  Brilliant. wonderfully polite geeks who have given us the gift of William Shatner  at the Olympics, the anti-gravity suit, the first electrical car in North America and a beer innnnn aaaaaa TREE!

Chad Vader Vs. Felicia Day

Bullies

I came across this brutally honest and moving article about bullying and the terrifying impact it can have on young peoples lives.

The Culture Club Blog on Boston.com

Pheobe Prince, Bullying and Me by Kara Miller

Ms. Miller delves into the more subtle aspects of bullying that can, over time, destroy a young person's self esteem and sense of safety in the world.  Like the tragic story of Miss Phoebe Prince who was subjected to vicious girl bullying until she took her own life.   Ms. Miller also talks of her own experiences with bullying.   They were so familiar to me that I felt my stomach go into knots while reading it.   The memories of being being bullied are sharp and bitter.  They make me feel filled with embarrassment, even to this day, even though I was the victim.

Ms. Miller also acknowledges the truth that those of us who were bullied would then often find someone lower down the food chain to either pick on in order to somehow feel better.   I guess that's human nature.  I know I was guilty of this as well.

When I think of my bully I find it impossible to believe she was simply picking on me because she, too, was bullied.  She was the top of the 1980's popularity food chain.  There was no one above her so what drove her to be so cruel?   My bully was a stunningly beautiful girl.  She was tall and thin with long gorgeous dark hair.  I envied every inch of her.

In the younger grades she was in my class a couple of times and those years were brutally hard.  I feared running into her in the hallways,  I feared going to school at all.  The things she mocked were my weight, my lack of cool clothes,  my general nerdiness, my family who was poor and lived in an old farmhouse and so much more. It only grew worse as my self esteem took a nose dive.  She rode my bus which extended my daily personal hell by two hours. Usually her friends were like monkeys, chattering and egging her on.  I endured shoving, tripping, shoulder punches and taunts every day from about ages 7 to about 15 when we reached high school and the building was finally big enough to avoid her.   One day even her best friend, a beautiful blond girl who seemed less cruel, told her to leave me alone.  She could tell that things had gone too far.  I will never forget pretty blond girl for that act of kindness.

My bully's treatment of me was a green light to other predatory bullies over the years, but they came and went.  She, however, was ever present.   In the end though, I came out ok.   I did the classic maneuver of channeling of my insecurity into humor and, oddly, wound up pretty popular by graduation, although still a total spaz.

So the other day I was thinking about my 20th reunion and whether or not I want to go.   I don't.  Of course I want to see all of the beloved faces of my childhood classmates but I'm filled with apprehension.  Just like in the movie Romy and Michelle (which I  love) I dread the potential kick in the self esteem that I may take if I choose to go.  You see I have good reason.  At the ten year reunion she pulled out the classic "whisper behind hand and giggle while staring at me" trick.  It was brutal.  Inside I was ten all over again.   She clearly hasn't changed.  Why should I subject myself to that?  No matter how confident you are as an adult....no matter how much you have accomplished....it's hard to go back.

My bully actually sent me a friend request on Facebook.  My only thought was "Are you F*#king kidding me?"  I thought that clicking "ignore" would provide some sense of satisfaction but it didn't.  Even clicking it hard, with gusto, didn't help.

I guess I need to say a big Thank You to Kara Miller for her article.   Writing about my bully is embarrassing but also cathartic.   I can't help but feel mortified that I am admitting such a weakness still exists in my armor but that is what bullying does.  It leaves cracks and dents.  I guess the measure of me as a person is how I choose to heal them.  Yeah, I still hate my bully and hope she contracts some jungle fungus on her ass right before the reunion.  However, I am proud of who I am now.  Proud of my little geek family and where I am in life.  I can't continue to hand this person control over my self esteem and at this stage of life that really is my choice.

So no point this post, really.   I have no neat way of wrapping it up except to say....bullies suck.

Geek Love at First Sight~ A Song by Schroedinger's Cathouse

I love this song by   Schroedinger's Cathouse.



They're out there. You just gotta look: Geek Goddesses.

When I first met you, you were working at a little used bookstore
You were cute and you were nerdy and I couldn’t ask for more
With your short brown pixie haircut and your horn-rimmed glasses
I couldn’t help but chat you up and make a few passes
In your leather biker jacket and vintage clash t-shirt
Scuffed up old Doc Martens and schoolgirl mini-skirt
You were the cutest thing
That I had ever seen
And I fell for you that night
It was geek love at first sight
When I learned that you were into Linux, well my heart skipped a beat
And that you had built your own computer, made it even more sweet
When you said that you liked Star Trek better than Star Wars
I knew then and there, you were a girl to be adored
With your comic book collection and Anime DVDs
I couldn’t imagine someone else better for me
You were the cutest thing
That I had ever seen
And I fell for you that night
It was geek love at first sight
Now my life is so complete, I found something so rare
A cute, funny, smart, nerdy girl whose life I get to share
I’m so happy sometimes I wonder if I’m only dreaming
But if I am don’t wake me up I don’t want to lose this feeling
You were the cutest thing
That I had ever seen
And I fell for you that night
It was geek love at first sight
You were the cutest thing
That I had ever seen
And I fell for you that night
It was geek love at first sight
from A Crocheted Roguishness, released 01 January 2010
Lyrics by J. Ross Goforth, Music by Joseph Scott              

A Craigslist Post ~ I think I can help her. :)

So I see this post on Boston Craigslist today.   I have to resist the urge to contact her like some crazy spammer to offer SOG.  After all....Boston is our geek stompin' grounds!   I love her ad.  I hope she finds her Nerd (or geek) in shining armor. 
SEE THE ORIGINAL POST HERE 

  Nerds -

I love nerds! I do! 

Nerds spend a lot of time on computers - so the best place to meet a nerd is probably on a computer. Hello craigslist. (I've got this nerd thing all figured out. I even

like the word nerd. word. nerd.)

Please don't spend ALL your time on a computer. You also like to be outside, maybe you have a dog or go for runs. You take care of yourself, you're healthy, you eat well, don't smoke, drink occasionally. You're curious, like to travel and try new things. You're smart, like to read and yet have some modicum of social aptitude. You're creative, positive and kind. Gentle, trustworthy and interesting. Loyal, loving and fun. You love and are close with your family and have strong friendships.


I just described myself in what I'm looking for in you. I'm actually not looking for my clone, but we should have a lot in common out of the gate.


Full disclosure: I may chicken out and take this down after thinking it through and realizing it's full on creepy to meet someone this way. But in the meantime, looking forward to hearing from you! ;-)


* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1681662003

The UK Geek Candidate for the Pirate Party

Yet again.....for the umpteenth time in my life I wish I was a citizen of the UK.    Now, don't get me wrong....I'm ridiculously proud of my new President and support him wholeheartedly.  However,  this is just brilliant.

The recently-launched Pirate Party UK has copyright reform, free speech and open data at the top of its list of priorities.
This video features Pirate Party candidate Tim Dobson,  one of youngest people running for Parliament this year.  You can read more about Tim and the Pirate Party HERE.  I applaud and support our geeks across the pond.   Mr. Dobson....you have my virtual vote. 

Steampunk Art out of Dead Animals ~ EWWWWW

But yet again. I can't NOT look. As a person endlessly fascinated by Steampunk art and an animal lover this one really pushes my boundaries. I suppose that is the point. But still.....a baby DUCKIE??????
You can read more about it at Nerd Salad.

iPad in a Blender.

My feelings are so mixed.  First, curiosity.  I can't NOT look when things get blended.  Then fear and disgust at what I am sure is a toxic mess.  Mr. Blender man is going to get a nasty case of Silicon Lung (a disease I just invented) if he keeps this up.

NERDGASM ~ What is it and how to achieve one.

A confused straight asked me, "What is a nerdgasm?"
Well little Jimmy...that's a very good question.

A nerdgasm is a state of mental bliss that nears sexual ecstasy when you participate or witness something that stimulates the nerd pleasure center of the brain.  It does not involve any bodily fluids unless you happen to drool or spit during the climatic moment.

It is very hard to give yourself a nerdgasm because there is an element of surprise that seems necessary.  The most intense nergasms sort of sneak up on you.  The right stimulation has to be present so it's more of a right place, right time kind of phenomenon.    You can be reading in a coffee shop, surfing the web, at the movies or having a great conversation when suddenly...WHAM!  You are in full blown nergasm and people are staring.

I suppose you could TRY to give yourself a nergasm but it won't be as satisfying.  The best way to up your chances is to simply expose yourself to the right elements.  You'll click on a link or be watching TV and suddenly it will happen....like magic.  Some wonderful new thing will send your brain spiraling into bliss.  Honestly though, the more control you try exert over the event....the less likely you will be to have one.  Don't pressure yourself.   Just relax and let it happen TO you.

What does a nerdgasm look like?  No two are alike so that is hard to say.   Unlike other "gasms", which have a fairly standardized physical response, the nerdgasm is a cerebral event that stuns some people into utter silence while sending others into fits of nonsensical, over excited chatter.  You may babble, sigh, moan, flap your arms, point emphatically, inhale sharply, get dramatic lemur eyes or all of the above.   It's a highly personal experience. Yes, if you have one in public it can be quite embarrassing but if this happens to you just put your hands in your pockets and try to think of something non-nerdy, like Rock of Love or dental hygiene.  This should be effective unless you're a dentist or suffer from odontophilia.

Now, nergasming alone is all fine and wonderful....but shared nerdgasm is the height of intimacy.
A truly loving relationship involves sharing this experience or better yet....giving your partner good nerdgasm by exposing the person you love to new experiences.  This is an amazing way to build a strong bond and increase your chances of spontaneous mutual nerdgasm, which again, are the best kind.  If you don't nerdgasm at the exact same time don't worry.  It only matters that you both are capable of having them at all and support one another in the pursuit.

As you age your nergasm triggers will likely evolve.  Things that appealed to you at 18 may not appeal to you at 40.   Don't worry about this natural process otherwise you will find yourself constantly trolling the internet, at the Mac store or the local comic shop spending your paycheck trying to force one.  They must occur organically. Also, you may not have them as frequently but they will likely become more powerful.    At 18 you may giggle with nervous, nerdy glee when you see the words, " In a galaxy far, far away..."scrolling across the big screen.  At 34 it will make your eyes roll back in your head and set your nerve endings on fire.  Enjoy it.  Let it wash over you.  Take the hand of the nerd next to you (if you know them) and enjoy the moment together.    You may need to nap after.   I enjoy a light snack.

If you aren't sure you have ever had one............ then you haven't had one.

As for what gives me nergasms?  At the moment only my husband and Steve Jobs know.

Happy Easter

GeekDad reviews the iPad

GeekDad rocks my world.
Here is the latest post to amuse:  Geek Dad Review the iPad

On a side note (which you will understand after you read the GeekDad review) I adored the Trapper Keeper. I wanted one so bad.  But being a poor dork child I was only permitted your traditional three ring binder.  I still to this day lust after school supplies.  Every August I can' help but buy tons of composition books and fresh pens.  I rationalize that somehow I'll use them in my everyday life.  Shiny binders , Spiderman folders and mechanical pencils all make the world feel fresh and new.  Like anything is possible.  Like I WILL get my life organized.  The best part is that I don't actually have to go to school anymore.   Usually by October I'm using them for To Do lists for work and by January my office is littered with half used composition books and forgotten projects.  I start hating the brand of mechanical pencil I bought because the lead squeaks and the eraser sucks and I begin to long for next August....when I can start anew.   I can't wait.  Next year I'm going all Vampire.