2D Paper Art - The Legend of Zelda Dungeons

Here's a little something I made for Zach for the Zelda subreddit gift exchange a few months ago. It was fun! And challenging. And you know. Maybe it wasn't that fun. There are so many geometric shapes, you know? But I think it's pretty cool, and I think the recipient really enjoyed it.

-MJ

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Midna - Twilight Princess Paper Art Video

A paper piece made for the lovely Rachel for her birthday! Enjoy watching Midna fromThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess come to life!







-MJ

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Why it's a Great Time to be a Geek

Part of appreciating what you have is about taking stock of how far you've come. It's a way of honoring the steps you've taken to get where you are and the ones who've helped you get there.

So without a hint of doubt, I can say this: there hasn't been a greater time to be a geek.

I mean that in all seriousness. Right now, in the 21st century, is the thriving time of the geek.

Now, I was born in the late 80's. Which means that by the time I had arrived, a lot of well geeky foundations such as comics, video games, television and film were already pretty well established. A lot of phenomenal contributions had already been made, but I would argue that being a geek hadn't quite hit its stride.

Liking Star Trek, reading comics or playing video games was still somewhat looked upon as juvenile interests or, at worst, the strange hobbies of the geek outcast.

But I would argue that that sentimentality really started to change in the 90's with the rising advancement of technology, more specifically in the refinement of computers and the enormous connecting power of the internet. Suddenly, everything was different.

With better and better computers, mediums across the board were growing in quality.

Video games went from this:

To this:

To this:

Witnessing this from nearly the start, this was huge. I remember playing through Zelda or StarFox on the Nintendo 64 and being amazed at the graphic world I was presented. At the time, it was the most advanced, immersive worlds I could conceive. But if you had shown me the things that were to come, I would have been blown away at your wizardry.

And I was not alone in this excitement. Millions of other people joined me in this wondrous process, following along each step of quality progression. This staggering amount of people did not go unnoticed, which is primarily how the video game industry has continued to grow.

As more and people paid attention to video games, seeing them no longer as childrens' fancies, so did the production companies, who in turn started producing better quality games for the masses.



But video games were not alone in this. Films and television, too, were growing.

The introduction of CGI(Computer-Generated Imagery) in the 90s brought a whole new world of world creation that brought deeper immersion to audiences.

The Lion King, considered a masterpiece in animation and visuals, was the direct result of computer animation. It became so popular, it still holds the record for third-most grossing animated film.



Another major contributor to the geek film culture was the introduction of superhero movies.

Now, Superman had already come out in the late 70's, followed by Tim Burton's Batman movies in the late 80's. And while these were necessary predecessors to superhero movies, I would go as far to argue that they never really hit their widespread popularity until the 2000 movie, “X-Men.”

In its opening week, X-men grossed $54,471,475, convincing Marvel Studios to begin making adaptations of their other products. Eventually, this would lead them to begin their expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with Iron Man and culminating in The Avengers(where they brought in all the characters/actors from the previous movies and grossed $1,518,594,910 by itself worldwide).

 

My inner 9 year-old is STILL freaking out.

In response to Marvel's success, DC launched their own modern film series with the 2005 movie “Batman Begins,” Christopher Nolan's take on the Batman legend. His triology(“Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises”), is widely considered one of the best film adaptations of Batman with an average rating 0f 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing nearly 2.5 billion dollars.

 

It's Bat-tastic.

These two titans of superhero films, Marvel and DC, would create a culture of popularity in geek films, spawning other adaptations from other mediums, such as “Hellboy,” “Scott Pilgrim” and many more.

Suddenly, not only was it popular to be a geek but it was profitable for the industry as well. And while they gained off exploiting our interests, it also led to more numerous, better quality productions.

All by the dawn of the 21st century and the rise of technology.



All of this growing technology, while it may not have seemed like it at the time, was all cultivating the culture of the geek. Everything that we as passionate fans hold dear started in these early beginnings at the start of the century. The growing availability of computers and the staggering connecting power of the internet brought us closer together as a species, bringing our unified interests to light.

This brought a whole new level of acceptance to geek culture as we found kindred spirits in our respective interests all over the world. Online gaming, geek sites and more united us together, creating a global culture of gamers, comic enthusiasts, crafters, writers and everything else under the sun.

What was once considered obscure interests is now commonly accepted, even celebrated for its uniqueness.



Comic-cons are more popular than ever.

Fans are able to tweet their favorite creators.

Films and television are streamed online.

Digital comics are on the rise.

And Joss Whedon rules us all.



The geek is at his most thriving time. It's truly a great time to be alive.

The future only holds greater promise and I cannot wait to see what it yields.

-Tom

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Ben Wyatt's Top Nerd Moments

Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation is one of the best on-screen nerd representations in existence. For me it's a great joy to see someone who is an absolute, total, unapologetic geek who ALSO has people skills and a stable relationship (and personal hygiene). It's good to break the stereotype and show that being a nerd doesn't make you an outcast (a common misconception and trope in TV and movies), and that nerds are, in fact, very happy to be able to express their emphatic love. The show runners wrote being nerdy in such a positive way!



So, without further ado, I want to share the best of Ben Wyatt's nerdy outbursts. I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that really made an impression!



Season 4 Episode 4 - Batman







Season 4 Episode 4 - Game of Thrones







Season 5 Episode 3 - Star Trek 







Season 6 Episode 9 - The Cones of Dunshire







Season 6 Episode 10 - The Bridge from Inception



http://youtu.be/kVBTA3-Q0ZU



Season 6 Episode 14 - Iron Throne

The official Parks and Rec youtube channel has the extended deleted scene (shown below), but here's a shorter one from the actual episode.



http://youtu.be/mS_CvXj21uk



Season 6 Episode 21/22 - The Forest of Endor







It has been announced that season 7 will be the last for Parks and Recreation, which makes me pretty sad. They've had an amazing run though and seven seasons is nothing to sneeze at! I hope that it'll be chock full of deliciously dorky outbursts from Ben.



What are your favorite Ben Wyatt moments?



-MJ

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Being a Geek Parent: Year One

About a year ago, my wife gave birth to our firstborn son and we began a new chapter in our lives.

 

Obligatory picture of said brood: check

It was a surreal experience and I could not truly grasp how much it would come to impact my life for the better. Because not only did I become a parent, but I also became something else. A relatively new brand of dad known only as the “Geek Parent.”

Yes, all my years of comic book reading and video game playing had not deterred my lovely spouse from me and together we brought into this world a beautiful, nerdy offspring. I'd become the kind of father most likely to play Super Mario with his son or teach him the mantra of the Green Lantern Corps. It was something I had come to expect, but what I hadn't counted on was how being a father would change my geekiness itself. How it would refine and change my perspective on everything I held dear and near to my two-timelord-hearts.

So for all of you expecting gamers and prego nerds, here's a bit of a heads up on some of the things I've learned in my first year as a geek parent.

Your Friends And Family Do Half Your Geek Introduction For You

When your child first comes into the world, you're going to feel the impulse to gather all the geeky related things you can for your darling Level 1 Human. Superhero onesies, Star Wars Pacifiers, the works. But what you'll soon come to find out is that the people closest to you are going to be more than willing to help you in this. Your loved ones, knowing how geeky you are and caring for their new relative, will shower you in enough geeky goodies that it will be impossible for your child to not be exposed to your interests. It's really awesome, actually, because when all of their clothes are options of Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, there's never a shortage of geek that's adorned onto your child.

You'll Learn Time Management And Which Of Your Geek Loves Most Deserve Your Free Time

It kind of goes without saying, but children take up your time. I'm being completely serious when I tell you that you're going to not have a lot of free time to yourself. But while some might get gloomy about this, it also helps you prioritize what interests you really care about. No more mindless wandering on reddit, no sir/madam, you're going to be crazy focused on what you really want to do. Want to finish that fantasy novel? Organize a new Magic deck? Complete the final campaign in the latest installment of your favorite video game? You're going to be more motivated than ever to do it! Because now you have a little one that depends on your time and attention, you're going to be less inclined to waste your free time on idle interests. So like a geek lightning rod, your true interests will come to focus and you'll be a better for it in the end.

Your Geeky Upbringing Will Not Be The Same As Your Child's, But It Can Be Similar

There was a lot that happened in your life to bring you to the wondrous form of nerd you are today. For me, it was the combination of the Frieza Saga, “The Spider-man Animated Series,” and lots and lots of video games. And while all those are well and good for me back when I was growing up, some of it might sadly be dated for me to expose my son to. Sure, I could attempt to recreate my own childhood for him, have him play on the N64 or gather old Pokemon cards for him to trade. But it wouldn't hold the same magic as it did then because that was the past, and geek future is moving forward. He's got to experience his own moments on the road to geekdom, ones that are better fit to the times he is raised in.

But that doesn't mean that you can't share anything with your child. If you want to get your kid into D&D, then by all means, do it. It's a part of who you are and even if it's dated to your time, your child will still take interest in it because it's something you can share together. Which leads into my last point....

Your Excitement To Share Your Passions With Your Child Will Reignite Old Flames And Bring You Closer

Being a geek, in its truest form, is about finding joy in something. Whether it's movies, video games, or whatever, it's all about having passion in something. And when you can share that passion with your new reason for living, it only enhances your interests. Suddenly, you'll be racing to think of all the things you want to introduce to your child. Old books you loved, video games worth talking about and board games that demand playing. You'll remember a lot of things you used to love in your pursuit to bring it to the attention of your loved one. Because now you have someone new whom you can bring your joy to and have them become just as invested as you are.

Not only will this make you both happier, but it will also bring you closer together as a family unit. A geek family is a happy family because you're united in a common interest.





So there you have it. This is only the tip of the things you'll learn as a geek parent and of the joys you'll experience along the way. It'll be a trying journey at times, but it will ultimately bring you to a happier place of togetherness and serenity between you and your little one. Because being a geek parent isn't just about telling your kids all the comic trivia you know. It's about presenting your passion to someone you love and watching in wonder as they take your hand and join you on the nerdy path.

-Tom



Header Image Source, Source

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Ten Moments of Solid Proof Joss Whedon is a God

Okay, so maybe my title is a bit dramatic--so what? Joss Whedon is, in my opinion, the geek to surpass all geeks. You're probably thinking, "Uh, what about Stan Lee? George Lucas? Alan Moore?" and yes, okay, there are a plethora of geeks to choose from for the role of THE geek god. But hear me out; Joss Whedon is it. He is the final frontier. This man is our pop-culture geek Messiah, and with this top ten (of about a MILLION) list of his greatest moments, I will make a believer out of you.



SPOILERS ARE PRESENT WITHIN THIS ARTICLE! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! 



10. Toy Story



Did you know Joss Whedon co-wrote Toy Story? You do now. That's right, he is partly responsible for what I'm sure is one of your favorite childhood movies. And, although it's very different from the genres he normally sticks to, there's definitely still that same quirky, realistic dialogue present in the script that JW is so well-known for.







9.  The Avengers: The Cunning Black Widow



JW's involvement of Black Widow in 2012's The Avengers was no different than his portrayal of any strong female character: a bad ass, hard-working woman with an agenda. Natasha Romanoff is a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with particular talent in undercover work. In this film, we're treated to plenty of scenes where she shows us how well she matches up to the rest of the boys, including battling The Hulk and flying an alien spacecraft to help stop an invasion. My personal favorite, however, is her first scene, where she completely destroys some less-than-gentlemanly Russian mobsters.







8.  Cabin in the Woods: The (Intentionally) Campiest of All



2012's Cabin in the Woods is a brilliant take on the generic horror film genre that we're all too familiar with. The jock, the (slutty) cheerleader, the deadbeat/stoner, the good guy, and the virgin, all thrown together in either a very empty suburb (where are all the adults?) or--well, a cabin in the woods. Enter: the villain. Could be a murderer with mommy issues, a demon, zombies, a ghost, any number of things, really. Kids go into the woods to have sex (why?) and are murdered. The rest are picked off one by one, leaving the virgin for last, who will inevitably destroy her sanity by having to murder the murderer, and thus the movie ends with a very pretty girl covered in blood and weeping.

JW, like us, wanted a film that analyzes the horror films we all know; and Cabin in the Woods was born. We see a behind-the-scenes view of where this repetitive, generic horror plot originates: in a lab, full of employees who monitor the victims (who are under surveillance) and control the monsters, hormones (explains all that forest sex), locked doors, and any other convenient plot device. Why? To appease the Gods, of course. Sigourney Weaver will explain it all to you, don't worry.







7. Dollhouse: Apocalypse Now



This particular episode (officially titled, "Epitaph One") of JW's conspiracy-theory science fiction series came literally out of no where. In the finale of season one, we are thrown into an apocalyptic future, where the imprinted and non-imprinted are at constant war. There is complete anarchy abound, and we are left to guess that the "Tabula Rasa" technology of the Dollhouse has gotten loose and taken over the world. This episode stands alone until its second part in season two, confusing the viewer, but making it no less intriguing. Joss decided to hook us in that future plot early on, perhaps as a way to tease us: was it all a nightmare, dreamed up by Echo or Topher? Or are we actually getting a glimpse of the future? Joss doesn't leave questions unanswered, but there was a period of uncertainty until season 2. Well played, Joss.







6. A True Feminist



In May of 2006, Joss Whedon delivered a speech for Equality Now. In it, he addresses the issues of equality as it is seen in pop culture. He presents a question that he's been asked "over and over and over" again, "Why do you write these strong female characters?" Out of the numerous and wonderful answers he provides, the final answer is my favorite (and perhaps the thing that convinced me to worship this man): "Because you're still asking me that question."

Here is his entire speech, I highly recommend you watch it:







5. Serenity: River's Turn



If you read my last article (and if you did not, here it is), you know River Tam from Firefly is one of my favorite characters of all time. In the feature film Serenity, fans get a long-awaited continuation from the single-series run of JW's space cowboy science fiction magnum opus. In one of the final scenes, River proves that her brain-washers may have turned her into a killing machine, but that doesn't mean they've turned her into an evil one.







4. Nominated for an Emmy: Hush



Okay, this is my least favorite episode of Buffy, not because it isn't good (it most certainly is among the best, actually), but because it scares the living shit out of me. Hush is a brilliantly written (heh) episode about a new kind of monster; they are called the Gentleman, and they're assholes. They glide around town stealing everyone's voice, then glide into your bedroom in the middle of the night, and cut out your goddamn heart. All with perfect gentlemanly poise. Congratulations, Joss, you've managed to give me nightmares for the rest of my life. (I still love you).

Obviously, since their voices have been stolen, almost the entire episode is acted without any lines. The characters have to figure out how to communicate with each other and defeat the Gentleman. This episode is brilliant, beautiful, and hilarious. So it's no wonder why it was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (ironically).







3. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog



Written during the 2007-2008 Writer's Guild of America Strike, Dr. Horrible has received high praise and reviews, and plenty of awards to accompany them. A genius, heartbreaking musical about a man with aspirations to be a super-villain, this web-series is a fun, hilarious, and quirky addition to Whedon's ever-growing list of brilliant material.  But the best part of the series? This scene, when Nathan Fillion makes his gloriously handsome entrance:







2. "You can't take the sky from me"



When Firefly was canceled, JW and everyone involved was crushed. Fox didn't have enough faith in the show because it didn't have enough viewers to survive another season, even though it received endless praise from reviewers. Not hours after he got word of the show's cancellation (while they were still filming an episode--the nerve) Joss was on the phone with the president of Fox. In an interview on the fan-made film "Done the Impossible" (a wonderful film, available to stream on Netflix), Joss describes the simple interaction in which he thankfully gained the rights to his space-cowboy baby.

"I talked to the president of the network and all I said was, 'Will you let me take it somewhere else?' She said, 'Yes.' That was our entire conversation. I believe it was our last. And they did, very graciously, let me take it somewhere else. And so it did not die, but it was close." Source







1. Death Scenes



This isn't just one moment, because there are multiple deaths involved in the Whedonverse. But allow me to explain: Joss knows how to convey real grief. His most gut-wrenching, heart breaking character deaths are those that happen so suddenly and naturally within the chaos of science fiction. These deaths come out of no where, like most in the real world. Sometimes someone is shot by some dickhead with a gun; sometimes, someone is impaled through the heart; and other times, someone died in their sleep from a brain tumor. These deaths are Joss's way, I think, to keep us checked in; the story is taking place on Earth, with humans. Humans are not immortal. The monsters and aliens and Gods he writes may be, but humans are humans. That grief, while devastating, gives us strength; it gives us the fuel we need to fight the enemy as one. Like Phil Coulson says in The Avengers, "This was never going to work...if they didn't have something...to..."









Like I said, this list is really endless, but I tried to pick the top ten most unique ones that stuck out for me. Are there any Joss Whedon moments you'd like to add? Let me know in the comments!



-Rachel



header image credit

teaser image credit

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Glasses as an Identity, or, Why I’m Afraid of Lasik.

I have worn glasses since I was eight or nine, and it all started with a vision test. I remember that day in elementary school so clearly! Every year eye and ear doctors would come to the school and we'd get free hearing and vision testing. As a child, I thought glasses were cool. Just like I thought braces, casts,and crutches were cool. Spoiler: I have had all four of those things, and none are cool. On this particular testing day, I decided to wreak havoc and intentionally do poorly on the vision test. I giggled internally to myself, thinking I was so clever; I'd get more time out of class and a little extra attention. Obviously the doctors were concerned, and I was sent home with a letter informing my mom to take me for a full exam. Well, surprise surprise! Turns out I wasn't fibbing all that intentionally.

Fortunately I wasn't as bad as poor Andy.

I was immediately geared up in a pair of glasses with lenses the diameter of a soda can, so they essentially took up half of my face. I realized that I had made a huge mistake. That night I went to the school with my mom for the science fair (ahh, the science fair), and as I walked down the corridor alone I encountered two boys from my class. Right away they set into making fun of me, calling me names and laughing at my new facial decoration. I turned around to find my mom, and as soon as I found her the boys shut up. I didn't tell her about their rude comments until I was much older.

The rest of my bespectacled schoolcareerwas largely free of taunting. I was only ever called "four eyes" in exaggerated jest by my closest friends (and this was only when they asked if anyone ever seriously called me four eyes), and no one stole my glasses. I didn't find that they deterred friends, or boys, or... anything, really. They had shockingly little impact on my life, serving only as a nuisance when swimming or when needing sunglasses. Or if someone touched the lenses, because there are few things more annoying than smudges in my field of vision (my sister was the worst offender for this one).

How will I do cat things if I can't see? Source.

Fast forward to the end of high school. I'm going to comfortably go on record here and say that I was ahead of the internet curve. I fell in with a group of techy, geeky guys, and spent lunches and after hours time in the server room with them cruising around online. We'd laugh at memes, grouphug.us, and ytmnd.com. I remember, as the years crept past after graduating high school, I started to see funny pictures being posted from my friends, and I realized I had already seen them years ago. But, back to my last year inhigh school. It was around this time that the whole... geek girl thing swam into my field of vision. Suddenly, in my group of friends, nerdy and geek girls were cool. Wearing glasses and liking computers was valued. I had a group of people that were impressed with my computer and video game knowledge, and associated my glasses as a visual indicatorto my geek alignment.

At this point I had already been wearing glasses for ten years, and I had long since accustomed myself to seeing them on my face. It didn't take long for me to feel uncomfortable and semi-naked without them. I grew embarrassed when it came time for someone to see me sans glasses for the first time. I was convinced that I didn't look like myself, and that people would somehow be horrified by my face alone.

As long as I can remember, you just didn't know because you were covered in glasses. Source.

This was the same year that my mom had eye surgery. She, too, had worn glasses (well, contacts) from a very young age, and was finally tired of their oppressive role in her life. She immediately gave me an offer: eye surgery for my 18th birthday. My response was to freak out and clutch my glasses defensively, claiming that I didn't mind them, they were a part of me, I looked weird without them, and also fuck surgery on my eyes, was she crazy!? (I'm very sensitive about my eyes. One time I unintentionally slapped the ophthalmologist's hand away while she was trying to touch them. It was awkward.) Meanwhile, my glasses wearing friends oozed with jealousy, hating their own visual shackles, and wishing their parents would offer the expensive and life altering treatment. I felt weird, uncomfortable, evenrude at not taking my mom's offer. But, surgery on my eyes? Looking different thanI had for the majority of my life? No, just no.

She has continued to put eye surgery on the table as a birthday gift every year since then. Each year, I refuse. Initially it was because I believed myself incapable of handling the surgery. She assured me that patients were drugged out the wazoo and therefore had little care for their eyes, but at that point I couldn't even touch my own eyes! Getting an eyelash or fuzzy on my eye resulted in a meltdown of epic proportions.When it did happen,I could be found sobbing inconsolably, screaming and swatting at anyone who tried to come near me, with my palms pressed to mytightly shut eyes, wishing and willing that the tears would remove the offending item. It was very embarrassing, andone time definitely happenedwhen I was 19 in front of my (ex)boyfriend's mom.Slowly over the years, I wore eyeliner, then eyeshadow, and then used an eyelash curler. Through these slow steps I eventually reached a point where I could calmly remove a lash from my eye. I no longer collapse into hysterics. I can even allow another (very trusted) person to hold my eye open and look at it for me. At this point, I am confident that I could handle the surgery.

Until recently, this is what I would have needed to put in eye drops. Source.

And yet. I refused my mom when my birthday rolled around earlier this year. "Why?!" I demanded of myself. I am tired of wearing glasses. They're heavy, and expensive, and I have to worry about them all the time. There are scratches on the lenses in my field of vision, and they get dirty constantly. Prescription sunglasses are really expensive, so I wear cheap, huge, regular sunglasses over my real glasses. Yes, I do get made fun of. I can't get into a great hug with someone without their face skewing my glasses (and covering them in face grease), and I can't lay down on my side to watch TV or a movie. I can't lay facedown, I'm afraid of physical activities for fear of breaking my glasses or having them snap and poke me in the eye or face. Rain drops are a huge nuisance. My cosplay options are severely limited.

So, why?

I realized this year that it's because I fear losing my identity. The internet and geek girls are in full throttle. Hello Kitty t-shirts everywhere showcase a bespectacled cat wearing black framed glasses with the phrase "Talk Nerdy To Me." Websites and advertisers slap a pair of thick framed glasses onto anything and call it 'nerdy' or 'geeky'. Anyone who puts on a pair of glasses says, "I'm such a geek/nerd." Geek icons wear glasses. Nerds are always portrayed with glasses. Glasses mean you're a geek. And what am I? Well, I identify as a geek. Who will I be without my glasses? Will I lose my credibility? And, what if I get the surgery and then miss my glasses? "Well Miranda, you can still wear them as an accessory!" Yes, this is true, but then I will suffer the cries of "Fake! Fake geek girl! Those aren't real glasses!" Will it matter that I used to wear them, but then had corrective surgery, and then discovered that I missed wearing them? No, probably not. I would most likely be classified as some... weird.. poser? Say, what if I no longer needed glasses, but I chose to wear them for my vlogs because I felt they matched that side of me more? I can't shake the feeling that I would be condemned as a fake. Those evil, evil fakes (there is sarcasm here).

Even Barbie wants to hear about gigs, processors, and mbps. And look! She's wearing glasses!

Nerds became cool, and the phrase became nonsensical. Source.

This realization was a tough one for me. I had no idea that steadily, silently, my glasses were becoming part of my identity not just as a person, but as a geek. Yeah, people that have known me fora long time do a double take when they see me without my glasses. I get remarks of, "I've never seen you without your glasses! Weird!" pretty much non-stop. Literally the only time I take them off is when showering or sleeping. Those are the only times. Is it believable that I run a geek and gaming website because of my glasses? Does someone look at me and go, "Seems legit."? And will that change if I take my glasses out of the equation?

The idea of a glasses free life is extremely appealing. I constantly worry about breaking them or losing them, because I would be rendered useless. My vision is bad enough that I can't drive without them. Thinking of a life with less of an immediate connection to geek culture, however, makes me sad and confused. What I look like should have no bearing on my hobbies, yet I know that it does. I want to be taken seriously, and not doubted because I'm a woman, and I believe that my stereotypically thick, black glasses help with that. Actually, I have no idea if I'm currently taken seriously. Perhaps it's media brainwashing that makes me think I'm being taken seriously, when really, glasses or no, it won't make a difference at all? Glasses don't stop people from being sexist, obviously.

In case you're wondering, I've decided to take up the lasik offer for my birthday next year. I've been letting someone else check my eyes for me when they're bothering me (as a form of practice), and Iwant to buy some eye drops for practice as well. I have to remind myself that my glasses are simply something that people see, and they don't have any bearing on who I am or my hobbies. I have plenty of geeky and gamer friends who don't have glasses, and I don't doubt their interest in the culture. If I ever want to wear my old frames for comfort's sake, and I get grief for being "fake", I can really only smile and say, "I wore glasses for twenty years. Fuck off." Ultimately, being free of a stereotype will be nice! I know that being glasses-free will have zero affect on my passions, and I can simply step back and allow my work to speak for itself.

-Miranda

*I totally made that header.
** The 'fake geek girl' thing is a whole different can of worms, and I will not be opening it in this article.

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Summer Items Roundup

With summer in full swing, it's time to take stock of my wardrobe and outdoor accessories. Do I have what it takes to stay cool, and still be cool? (ahaha... ahem) The answer is no, so I figured I'd take a look around online and find some amazing summertime items that I'd desperately love to own.

Allons-y!

1. Parasol

I'm generally not a heat person. I wither and whine and basically become a sweaty nuisance. I'm thinking I am in desperate need of this Kaylee inspired parasol, made by KarenMcBrowncoat on Etsy. She offers up a variety of hand painted paper parasols spanning many fandoms! There's a rather gorgeous Totoro one that I'm currently eyeing, too.

2. Sunglasses

If this isn't enough to make me want lasik then I just don't know what is! I am seriously freaking out over these hand painted Super Mario Bros. sunglasses from KRaeShades on Etsy! She has a fun variety to choose from, including Spider-man and Nyan Cat, and she even does custom work! I need to fan myself, I'm feeling faint.

3. Bathing suit

Now that I've picked out some sunglasses and an umbrella, I guess I need a bathing suit. I would absolutely wear this awesome TARDIS one from Fit2btiedclothing on Etsy. This place has TONS of prints, as well as a variety of styles. They're all fit to your size (requiring bra and pants size upon order), which is awesome. They're reasonably priced as well (this one is only $60!).

4. Beach towel

My Roundup list accidentally turned into beach wear, so I'm just going to go with it. So far my items are all pretty mismatched as well, which got me thinking that I should add some cohesion in the form of an amazing TARDIS beach towel! Only $19.99 from ThinkGeek! If I had this I might actually lay down on the beach for a full five minutes without complaining about the heat. Just kidding, I would sit in the car with the AC on or go under a shadypier.

5. Flowy items

Alright, so what if I'm not going to the beach? Maybe I want to go out to eat or for a walk and I want something just breezy and comfortable to wear. Fortunately, Her Universe has been pumping out tons of new products lately! If I were a bigger fan of StarWars, then the R2-D2 dress would be great. The Star Trekshirt is very cute though, so that would be my preference for sure! So feminine and comfortable looking, mmhmmm.

6. Water bottle

What's more important than hydration during the hot summer months? Nothing, obviously! I am rarely seen without my own stainless steel water bottle. It has been a faithful companion for years, even traveling with me across the pond, but stillI wouldn't say no to this sleek blue Doctor Who TARDIS water bottle from ThinkGeek.

7. Slip on shoes

I always wear Cons. Size 7 ladies Converse, mm mm mmm, my total shoe of choice. However, this is generally considered a bad idea when it's hot outside. But I hate sandals! What's a girl to do? Buy some hand painted NES slip ons, obviously. Made by ScreeneShoes on Etsy, andavailable in pretty much any size, with your preference of background color. I don't own any pink shoes, soI would definitely take these. They'd make those summer days much more comfortable.

8. Skin/lip care

Lastly, skin care is of theutmost importance in the summer time! It's good to be aware all year long, but in the summer especially! Since I'm not aware of any geek branded sun block (someone please tell me if it exists and what it would even look like), I'll go to the next best thing: lip balms! DOCTOR WHO lip balms, from Earthtastic on Etsy*! Only $20 for this five balm set, which comes in a nice little gift box, even! Make sure your lips stay healthy, and not all cracked and uncomfortable, while galavanting around doing whatever it is people like to do in the sun. I'm usually out there for a few minutes before complaining and finding shade.

Do you have a favorite piece of geeky attire for the hot days? Let me know!

-MJ

*All images taken from their respective linked site. Doctor Who lip balms are made as a collaborative effort between A Bit of Geek and Earthtastic.
**header image source

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Geek Prize Pack Giveaway!

We did it! 200 'Likes' on Facebook! Thank you to everyone who follows our updates, reads our articles, and shares the love with their fellow geek loving friends. We are humbled and touched, and want to thank you all so, so much! We've come a long way since launching the new site and adding more contributors, and it has just barely been two months!

As was stated earlier in the week, we are commemorating this absolutely fantastic milestone with a prize pack giveaway!

So, what are we giving away? It's pretty awesome, actually:



The prize pack includes the following: Doctor Who Dalek mug (1), Mega Man plushie toy (1), Mass Effect playing cards (1), Mass Effect sticker (1),Spider-man Web Ball Shooter(1), Three comics (1 Iron Man, 1 Amazing Spider-man, and 1 Dr. Strange), and Avengers temporarytattoos.




We thought it would be fun to provide a gift that reflected each of our personal interests and specialities! The Doctor Who mug is from Miranda (that's me!), the Mega Man plushie is from Zach, the Mass Effect items are from Rachel, and the comic book/Spider-man items are from Tom! We're all very passionate about these subjects and our hobbies, and being able to share them with like-minded readers is a true joy!

BUT WAIT! How do you enter?! It is simple,I promise. But do please read the instructions carefully!

1. If you haven't already, LIKE the A Bit of Geek facebook pageandFollow @abitofgeek on Twitter(if you havea twitter account)!
2. Tweet about the giveaway (I entered to win a geek prize pack from @abitofgeek ! Find out how you can enter at http://tinyurl.com/lsx9uqu) or share our giveaway announcement from the A Bit of Geek facebook page (we'll keep posting about it, so it won't be hard to find)!
3. Comment on THIS ENTRY and tell us that you have liked/followed/shared, and in that same comment tell us your favorite video game ever!
4. If you already Like and Follow, then don't worry, you can still enter! Just leave a comment saying you already Like/Follow, that you shared, andthen also tell us your favorite video game!
5. One entry per person, and don't forget to leave a way for us to contact you! Twitter handle, e-mail address, etc.
6. Open to US residents only, so we apologize to any international readers!

You have until 10:00 PMPST onSaturday, August 3rd, 2013 to enter! The winner will be chosen via random number generator and contacted the next day (so be sure to leave a way to contact you!!). If you win the giveaway then we will need a mailing address for you, so please be mindful of that fact!

Good luck, and thank you again for your support!

-A Bit of Geek

*header image present icon found here

***CLOSED***

Thank you to all who entered! The lucky winner is....

comment number six, Lily!!



Thank you again!

P.S. Please know that we are aware of the fact that only the four most recent comments are showing up. We are currently working on a solution to the issue and we appreciate your patience and understanding! All of the commentsdo show in our backend.

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Geek Yo Self

I adore my geek identity, and I want it on and with me whenever possible. I can't always wear it via my clothes or jewelry, but there's one surefire way to make sure everyone that I pass knows of my proud and beloved interests: my car.

I have had the Nintendo dice since 2004 or 2005. They were purchased at Hot Topic, and so far I haven't been able to find another pair on the internet. There are some Mario Party, Wii, and Mushroom offerings, though!

The triforce sticker has more of a story behind it. Originally I had a white one on my old car, given to me by a friend. In 2007 I got into a car accident, which took away the sticker. I was more upset over the loss of the decal than the car, truth be told. But, to my good fortune, Christmas that year a different friend gifted me three triforce decals; this time in gold!One has rested merrily upon my vehicle ever since. So, yeah, please excuse how dirty it is (washing has proven that it now possesses a dirty gradient. Oh well)! I also have a Horse Power bumper sticker from Sanshee, but I really love it so I don't want to put it on my car and have it get ruined. Such problems I have.

My wishlist for my car includes the following items:

TARDIS car emblem from Empira on Etsy My Other Ride Is Epona license plate holder from MNM

I really think it'll complete my geeky car experience, don't you?

How do you geekily treat yo self? (+5 parks and rec reference, aww yiss)

-MJ

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10 (Geeky) Things on my Wish List

I don't know about you, but when I'm stressed, tired, and in need of some excitement, sometimes the only thing that comforts me is some good, old-fashioned shopping therapy. Of course, I don't always get to buy everything I want (okay, I never get to buy everything I want, because I could bankrupt Bill Gates in an hour) but the act of picking things out and thinking about owning them is usually enough for me. This is why the "wish list" function on any given website is my go-to on a rainy day. I have a wish list on almost every website I've signed up for. It's so much fun for me to just sit on my laptop, browse through all the new arrivals, and click that delightful little "add to wish list" button so conveniently located on the product's information page.

I also like to think I'm a very good shopper, with a keen eye for great deals on unique, quality products. I'd love to share some of my great (and geeky!) finds with my fellow ABOGS; maybe you'll find something in this list that is an absolute must-have for your collection!

10. Doctor Who Yahtzee (From ThinkGeek, $24.99)

Everything you love about classic Yahtzee, plus time traveling in the Tardis? Yes, please! Featuring the Doctor's worst enemies as the dice and the Tardis as the dice cup, you're sure to have a Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey game night with your friends and family!

9. iDuck (From ThinkGeek, $29.99)

I found this in the "Geek Kids" section, but I want it for my adult self! Having to touch my iPhone while I'm in the bath or shower is not relaxing; I am constantly paranoid I'm going to cause water damage. This convenient little ducky will solve all those first-world woes! Just hook your iPhone up to the egg, and set it somewhere safe and dry. Then just toss ducky into the tub and let him swim around while blasting your favorite band!

8. Li'l Wil Wheaton Plushie (Hijinks Ensue, $19.95)

Every once in a while, we all need a reminder not to be a dick. That's when you'll be glad you have your Wil Wheaton plushie handy. This cute little guy will go with you anywhere, and happily remind you to embrace your inner geek, do nice things for people just because, and always be awesome.

7. Mass Effect Omni Blade (Unicocustoms via Etsy, $180)

Listen, if you're a fan of Mass Effect, and you DON'T want to buy this Omni Blade, go get your head checked. This is one of the most amazing cosplay pieces I've ever laid eyes on. These beauties are made of plexiglass and attach to the user's arm with velcro. They appear to glow under normal lights and have a definite glow under black light (watch a video of the product's details here). This is a must have for anyone's Shepard cosplay.

6.Dr. Who Adipose Zipper Pouch (DisturbinglyAdorable via Etsy, $14.99)

Partners in Crime is one of my favorite Doctor Who episodes, and the adorable little Adipose children are partially responsible. They are the cutest darn things to ever come from love handles and they look even cuter on this zipper pouch. Use this pouch to collect one dollar for every pound that you lose on your diet, and then buy yourself something nice to wear when you've hit your goal weight! But please, do it without the assistance of alien technology.

5. POW! Comic Book Hair Barette (JanineBasil, via Etsy, $18.68)

I love me some old-fashioned comic book pop art, so when I found this Etsy shop I was in heaven. This POW! barette is sure to grab some attention at the next convention you attend, and looks as though it will match almost any outfit! Be sure to visit JanineBasil's shop to check out her other geek-inspired accessories.


4. Art of the Mass Effect Universe Hardcover book (Bioware, $40.00)

The world of Mass Effect is visually spectacular. From planet terrain to character details to spaceships, this trilogy will have you holding your breath through gorgeous cinematics, honing your sniper skills during firefights, and crushing on hot aliens for hours on end. Take a deeper look into all that Mass Effect has to offer by picking up this Art of the Mass Effect Universe Hardcover (it's the perfect addition to your coffee table).

3. Skyrim 8-Bit Dovahkiin (Animenace, via RedBubble)

Now, when it comes to RedBubble, my wishlist is never-ending. It was very difficult for me to choose one thing to include in this list, so I just picked one of my absolute favorites. This design features our favorite dragon-slayer as an 8-bit sprite, available to purchase on t-shirts, hoodies, and stickers. Now open an account on RedBubble and see if you ever get up from your computer again.

2. Serenity Independents Flag (Tfaw, $19.99)

You can't take the sky from us, especially when we've got our Independents Flag flying high! Be a Browncoat year-round or raise it at half-mast on the anniversary of the Battle for Serenity Valley to show the Alliance that we aim to misbehave.

1. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Boxset (Amazon, $46.73)

A must-have for every geek collection! Read along as Scott Pilgrim battles seven of Ramona Flowers' evil ex-boyfriends in order to win her heart, despite the interruptions of his slew of ex-girlfriends. Bryan Lee O'Malley's awesome illustration and hilarious pop-culture references make this a really fun read, even for those who don't normally take part in the world of graphic novels. (Bonus: This box set comes with a poster!)

-Rachel

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The Legend of Zelda Dungeons 1-4 Photo Gallery

Some detail shots of the Zelda dungeon silhouette piece that I made in August 2014! You can watch the making of video here :)

-MJ

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Those Precious Coins

With our Governor of Geekdom feeling a little under the weather I've whipped together this little ditty for ya.

It's kind of been done, sure, but this is a slightly different angle. I don't claim to be the first person who thought of this, but hell, I had fun making it and it's always nice to think back on the little guys you crushed on your way to the Big Bad. Back when I first saw Bowser that's what I thought he'd look like if ever we were to meet in a dark dank dungeon. At the end of the game I also kind of expected something to happen with the coins, I mean, extra lives are great but a plumber can only use so many extra lives.


Get well soon MJ, the Geeks are restless without you.

En Taro Adun,
Andrew

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