Geek Summer Explained

    This summer I will be embarking a new journey: Geek Summer. I have been sitting on the sidelines for too long. It is time for me to know,

    This whole journey began back in my childhood, really. My oldest brother was born in 1980, making him 27 years older than me. When I was really young, he was great! He'd let me watch his video games over his shoulder, show me all these cool toys and games from when he was younger, and sometimes he'd even give me some to keep! I remember most distinctly his Choose Your Own Adventure book that he gave me. Number 21, Hyperspace. Being an "advanced reader," it did no good for me. I couldn't read any books below my level in school, and especially not one that I couldn't take an AR test for. Being a girl in post 9-11 America, I couldn't show interest in things that were "meant for boys." Still, I graciously took the gift, and put it right on my little bookshelf. 

    It never stayed on my bookshelf for long, I took it off constantly. At least once a week I would take it from my shelf and try to find a new way to save Professor Zinka, and the world. Despite there only being 15 endings in this book, I felt that I found a new way around the book every time. I was in love with that book, but if anyone asked, I hadn't read it yet.

    I'm not sure why I hid it, nobody ever explicitly told me that I wasn't allowed to have these interests, but still it felt wrong to admit. Maybe some little subtle nugget of sexism had found its way into my brain, and it stuck there.

    Hyperspace wasn't it; I had many things my brother introduced me to that I fell in love with. My Hot Wheels collection was to die for. Unfortunately, as my brother's mental health declined, my positive interactions with him also declined. There were suddenly no more Minecraft nights, no more watching him play some beta MMO, no more Dungeons and Dragons pieces to play with, and eventually, no more him. No, he didn't die, he just got kicked out. But he was my only guide into that world.

    I've always still wanted a piece of that world. I want to know what it's like to still dream. I just haven't had anyone to help me navigate all there is to it.

    This summer, I've planned Geek Summer. 20+ movies and TV shows that will let me in on the paradise I've only dreamed of. If this goes well, then I will truly be a geek and not just a poser.

    I also think that guys who like geeky things are hot and I would like for them to stop infantilizing me for not knowing their culture.