On Being A Geek

Let me start by saying that geeks are fantastic!  Felan was a geek of MMORPGs (that's Maniacal Man-stealing Online Really Pathetic Game, thank you Becca) among other things.  It always amazed me how much information he could retain and apply at a moment's notice.  He knows everything about the table-top game of Battletech and probably 95% of the World of Warcraft universe as well.  This doesn't even include Diablo or Diablo II which was his previous obsession.  I swear someone should give that boy a job doing something with these games, he'd blow the pants off those already working.

Connor was a geek as well but in a more general sense.  Connor loved Indiana Jones and Star Wars and many types of games.  He introduced me to my obsession with Joss Whedon and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog (if you haven't seen it, you don't know what you're missing).

I don't know why I love geeks so much, I really couldn't tell you.  Maybe it's because I've been immersed in that world for so long.  I don't play games, I never have, but I like watching them be played, I like learning about them.  Geeks are comfortable to me.  I recently attended PAX (the Penny-Arcade Expo) and loved it.  While I am sure I did not get the full experience since I don't play, I enjoyed myself immensely learning about all of the new stuff coming out.  I have big plans for next year!!

Being a geek means that I'm privy to jokes about Dr. Who (<3!) and WoW and LOLCats   I enjoy things like Cake Wrecks, The Guild and Ctrl+Alt+Del.  I desperately want a hoodie that says "Talk Nerdy To Me". 

Connor recently posted a question on Facebook about whether to show his children the Star Wars set in order or show them 4-6 first.  At first I thought this a silly question (who cares, right?)...but then I thought about more.  The reaction of our children (and by that I mean my generation's) to Star Wars may very well determine the future of geekdom.  Our children will be responsible for creating the next round of awesomeness.  If they are shown the Star Wars movies in order, they may decide they want nothing to do with them before the end of the first one.  Better to show them the original 3 and let them decide whether or not to subject themselves to the newer, less awesome movies.  We got along just fine with the middle of the story for so long, did George Lucas really have to go and ruin it?*

My heroes are people like Kevin Smith, Felicia Day, Joss Whedon and Wil Wheaton. People who dare to create something for those of us who aren't afraid to be geeks.  Being geek is cool now (you can ask anyone).  If the man I marry turns out not to be a geek, rest assured that he will be converted.  I will make it my life's work to teach him about the glory that is Geekdom.  

  *Please note that Ewan McGregor is permanently excluded from anything derogatory I might say about....anything.