March 31, 2014

I've made Bookmarks!

I seriously love Welcome to Night Vale. It gripped my attention from the first second I heard Cecil welcoming me to the friendly desert community and has not let got of me yet.
If you haven't listened to it yet, take a break, look it up, and enjoy. Then come back here.








March 22, 2014

Spring's Arrival

Every year, as the first breath of fresh spring air hits my lungs, I feel an urge.

The things is, in my 19 springs of life, I have never been able to pin down exactly what that urge is. The urge to create? Possibly, as I feel my hands shake and tremble in their need-to-be-useful-ness. The urge to get out, to move? Very likely; the sun has never felt so good as it does that first day.

I feel like a plant, sitting in waiting all winter, who feels the first rays of sun on its leaves as an wandering man in the desert feels the life that water brings to his parched throat. The sun touches my skin, gentle, yet leaves it electrified and hot. This surcharge of energy boils up within me until I feel as if I need to.... I need to...

I never get farther than that. I feel a yearning, a craving, but I cannot know what. All I know is that spring is its source. And, until summer bursts in with its wave of heat and salty sweat, every day I will feel this calling to the sun. I will dread every moment spent inside, and suffer every moment out, as the yearning intensifies and mystifies me more.

What do you want me to do?

The confusion is physically painful, like a fist around my heart, getting tighter and tighter every single day. It clenches and forces my heart to race. My feet no longer stand still, they hop and skip in place, eager to go places, do things, do more.

Be more.

So I will strive for more.






March 6, 2014

Fake Nerds

I recently read this blog post online:

http://fakenerdguys.tumblr.com/post/78735300537/down-with-fake-nerds-a-rallying-cry-to-real-geeks

I have a few problems with this post. Not that I disagree that fake Nerds are the annoying jocks of the geek world: seriously, clambering for attention, trying to take advantage of a niche they think is somehow both inferior to them and something to be objectified is incredibly wrong, not to mention rude.

But the handling of the situation is something we can improve on. We cannot stoop to their level. Running up and quizzing them about every aspect of a fandom only to knock them down? That’s something they do. Not us. We’re better than that.

Being a nerd is being passionate about something that matters to you. It’s not some exclusive club which only allows membership to men or women who can recite every plot line of every show deemed to be in the realm of Nerdom, or only validates the aspirations of those who live and breathe extended universes.

I am a nerd, a proud one, a scientist who loves well written sci-fi and brilliant shows that make my mind wander and dream. I love to meet with people who are as passionate as I am about the future of mankind in space, or who enjoy discussing the implications of some thought provoking shows.

But I have never stepped inside a comic book store. Why? Because I’m afraid of getting treated as people suggest we treat fake nerds. I’m afraid of getting quizzed on subjects I don’t know of because I’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy them before. I’m afraid of being bullied because I’m not what you would call a nerd.

When you talk about harassing people who you call a ‘fake’, you’re a bully. And I’m pretty sure most of us know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of bullying. I know I do. And yes, some of those ‘fake’ nerds are only here to bully us, but we are adults now. Is our only response really doing to be bullying back?

So here’s how I suggest we deal with the problem. Instead of calling them out, making a scene, making them feel bad about themselves, why don’t we instead show them what we are about. We teach them. We share our loves with them. No shame, because that’s not what we do.

Some of them only want attention. Fine. Don’t give it to them. But don’t you dare mock them or ridicule them. Don’t you dare bully or harass them. It is your job to try and stop that kind of thing, not encourage it!

If you encourage bullying, then I think you may be the fake nerd. Please consider treating everyone you meet with respect, and remember that shame and mockery are never the answer to any problem.

We are nerds. We are real geeks. Let us act that way.

March 3, 2014

Enough flakes to shut down a government

You know, I'm flattered to be called an 'essential' employee of the Smithsonian. This means that when all else is closed, when all other museums shut down, when all scientists are sent home, when all Imax and gift shop personnel re off work, security and I (as well as handful of other essentials) defy the seasons to come to work.



And man, was it cold out! My entire walk to work was an experience. Not every sidewalk was clear, and just walking in a straight line was difficult to say the least.

The walk home, however, was beautiful, as always. I think i do love this city!