Lessons in Geekdom

Being a geek wasn't always cool. Not that it is cool, but it's cooler than it was. Did you know there is something called 'geek chic'? There is. Google it. Or check this out. It's pretty cool. Or neat. Whatever. Also, Big Bang Theory has done a lot to elevate geek-dom.

Back in the 80's geeks were not looked on favorably. They were often portrayed as social outcasts and misfits. I mean, look at Revenge of the Nerds. Wow, even as the protagonists, you still cringe. You do NOT want to be one of those guys.

Lucky for us Weezer came along. Man. These guys made it so much better to be a geek. They are geeks and they are rocks stars. In the Garage is for me, an anthem. It's as if their dulcet tones said "there are others of us Josh. You aren't alone." After the 'Great Wedgie' of '89, that was good to hear. It was a long and lonely time; being picked on.

But our time is now. Spider-Man was one of the biggest movies of all time and has spawned 2 sequels and a veritable rash of superhero movies. Lord of the Rings won Oscars for pete's sake. Oscars! AND there was a good Star Trek movie. A good one! Amazing! And all of these things, all of them, are geeky. Incredibly so. I mean, the new Star Trek movie even talks about the disruption of the space time continuum and alternate dimensions, and people (normal everyday people) liked it!

That's because, deep down, everyone has an inner geek. It's a universal truth. Everyone has something they 'geek out' over. I mean, look at what Twilight did to MOMS. Everyone is a geek about something. But for so long, that had to be hidden. People were ashamed.

But like Frodo bore the ring to Mordor, we bore the weight and shame of your indignity. And have brought you freedom. It's ok. We know. We understand that part of you that goes "glee" and jumps up and down. And's all right.

You see, geek-dom is a subculture. We have our own language, our own manner of dress and interests. For a long time, that was how it remained. Geeks were marginalized, ostracized and ignored when not being abused. But we have strengthened, grown and we have influenced and changed culture. We are smart and influential. You don't need to fear us.

Geekianity

Let me take a moment, if I may, to tell you something.

Spelling and grammar are important.

It is important to communicate clearly, concisely, and succinctly. Without proper language we are monkeys, beating our chests and grunting. Remember 1984? Language is a powerful tool, and we must wield it as we would a sword, with precision. Otherwise we run the risk of doing immense harm to our persons.

Which is why you must not call me a nerd. I am a geek. Not in the strictest sense. I do not now, nor have I ever, bitten the heads off of live chickens, but I am a geek. If you know me at all, you know this to be true. If you don't know me that well, allow me to illustrate.

Please note that I have used a Venn diagram. That in itself is pretty damning. Additionally, I am a geek because I'm moderately intelligent: I can spell and use grammar relatively well and I was/am in National Honor Society.

As for obsession, I can work the Simpsons or comic books into almost any conversation. My comic books are bagged and boarded and in alphabetical and numerical order, and I've seen every Batman cartoon made since, well, ever.

I've also taken this geek test, and the results were fairly conclusive. I mean, you should get points just for completing it.

I also say that I'm a geek because I'm not socially inept. I mean, I got married didn't I? She's not a geek. In fact, she hates most of the things I like, so I think the fact that she married me and allowed me to reproduce with her says something for my interpersonal skills.

To my credit:I love me some SciFi and Fantasy. I've seen every Star Trek movie, the Star Wars movies (including the Christmas special) and have even read some of the expanded universe novels for both. I read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings once a year, have read Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms, and almost anything in graphic novel form. I've read the Foundation series by Asimov and know the three laws of robotics. I've read the Dune series and seen the moves, both the Sting version and the SciFi miniseries. I've read Harry Potter.

I have played almost every game system released in the United States since the 1980's. I played MMORPGs pre-World of Warcraft, and I've been a beta-tester. In high school I stayed home from a party so that I could rescue Zelda from Ganondorf. I know that Samus is a girl, and I can sing the closing theme song to The Super Mario Show. I have played video games for more than 24 hours straight.

I play Dungeons and Dragons. I've played Rifts. I know what GURPS stands for, and have run a d20 campaign based on a novel series by Robert Jordan. I play Warhammer Fantasy Battle and have played 40k.

I listen to National Public Radio. I listen to podcasts about science and Roman History. I listen to shows about video games, modern culture and role playing games.

I love superheroes.

I am Batman.

and so I walk

The trumpet sounded early again. Earlier than yesterday. I struggle into my gear as we hurry to our positions, the men around me my brothers, cousins, uncles, and friends. We were called.

So we walk.

It is the sixth day since our leader came to us. Since he told us his great plan for defeating our enemies. He explained in detail what our goal was, that victory was assured and that our enemies would be annihilated.

So we walk.

In the heat of the day, under the beating of the sun. We walk.

Into the shade of the wall, so high that the tops cannot be seen and the darkness appears to our watery eyes like death itself; we walk.

Under the jeers and shouts and taunts of an army so vast and powerful that we cannot hope to defeat it; we walk.

In exhausted silence, with gritted teet. We walk.

I sweat, and I ache. My feet and face blister. My lips chap and bleed. And yet I walk.

As I have walked since that day. The day my Lord spoke. The day my Lord called.

I do not know why or for how long. I only know one thing. I was called. I was chosen.

So I walk.

the quiet death of dreams

what happens when, by following Christ, it becomes necessary for our dreams to die? for the most part, many people are perfectly happy giving their time and money. these things are or can be, inconsequential. money can always be made and time can be found, and they can be easily faked. so we commit our time and money. but when it comes to dreams...

the commitment of our dreams to the will and hope of Christ will cause us to hesitate. to balk at walking the path that He's laid out before us, because it is not the path that we would have chosen to walk ourselves.

dreams are powerful, motivating and intrinsic to the concept of identity. The loss of dream is the loss of person, of self. The loss of identity.

which is why it scares me so.

and yet i cast off the old dream, like a man stepping into a sauna sheds his heavy coat. he has no need of it. i immerse myself in the dream that was given, i cling to the hope that was born and died for me. and yet i still am afraid.

the fear holds me, this fear of failure. it grips my broken heart. so my dream is unborn, untested and untried. because i am afraid.

this is not the legacy i want to leave my children, my wife. that their father/husband was afraid.

so i beg you, Father. not for my sake, but for my family. bless me. help me overcome my fear. give me the courage to walk the path set before me.