Monday 28 January 2008

Am I a Geek?

Dictionary.com

geek Slang.
–noun 1. a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual.
2. a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders.)
3. a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Origin: 1915- 20; prob. var. of geck (mainly Scots) fool < D or LG gek]


*chuckles*
Well I certainly have never bitten the head off a chicken, but I was wondering about my relative geekieness the other day.

I was attending a parents meeting at my kids primary school, and when chatting to a couple of other mums, mentioned that I spend some of my time in Second Life. After briefly describing the place to them, I got a look of complete bafflement, and a polite smile.
Most 'normal' people I meet and chat to about this can't understand it, and god forbid what they would think if I were to mention dragons, hobbits and elves being friends. My husband would term me as a geek I guess.
I have always thought of a geek as a young adolescent boy, who spends his time quoting Star Trek, doing difficult maths, reading comics and playing computer games. I never considered that I might fit this category too.

I do play computer games and always have, but not obsessively.
I have watched Star Trek in the past, but I cant speak Klingon and have never attended a convention.
I used to read comics, and still seriously respect certain comic artists and writers.
I have read many Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels, although I have read many other kinds of books too.
My maths is awful, although I do have a very logical brain and enjoy puzzles and codes of all sorts.
I am certainly shy and awkward in busy social situations, and have always been a little 'odd' (in a nice way)
and now I spend my evenings playing with Gods and Goddesses, fairies and orcs, in a virtual world.

I blame it all on my mother making me a Wonder Woman costume for my 6th birthday

Perhaps I should be termed Geek, embrace the geek in me and declare it proudly. But I really wish that others could understand and not look at me as if I am not quite right *grins*

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

As "Queene of Faeria", I can assure you that you are not alone in the world of geekdom. :) In fact - there are normally close to fifty thousand people logged on to SL at a time now - what does that tell you? :)

malakyte said...

Ahh i am a geek and i freely admit it! *grins*

Anyway i will be sending you a copy of the history of the gods i have been working on for discussion when i get in world.

Parlamay actually plays a rather dominant role. But of course this is subject to your approval.

I also mentioned this in the Triskele forums but im not sure how often you check them.

Anonymous said...

There's no point blaming your mother. You were a wonder woman before you got the costume. OC

Anonymous said...

But the question is, are you a good geek, a bad geek or a neutral geek?

Alphonsus said...

Don't deny your inner geek. Embrace it. It is the source of your power, your wisdom, your cool toys. Become one with your inner geekedness, and soon you will be a master geek! There is no prouder title, in my book.

Anonymous said...

Can we see Wren in the Wonder Woman costume please?

Camilla said...

We are all geeks. There are just different categories. Check out my blog post, and be sure to click the link to take the test and define your inner nerd. Personally, I was a Cool Nerd Queen! Be sure to post your results on my blog!

Princess Ivory