Geek and geek! What is geek?

Jolan Tru, and welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley. Since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.

It’s been almost two months exactly since the Bitter Trolley took its last run, and in that time there’s been a lot I have wanted to comment on, but just have not had the spark, the gusto, if you will, to actually put pen to paper (AHHHAHAHAHAHA I’m so old!) and share my nonsense with the world. Today I read a wonderful post from my Twitter and STLV friend @ernie_five, Geek Closet: From Squalor to Spaceship: Wherein I question my status as a geek http://geek-closet.blogspot.com/2011/11/wherein-i-question-my-status-as-geek.html, and he’s inspired me to share something I have been thinking about.

I have proclaimed my geekdom to the world, and am proud of it. I said it before and will say it again: I like who I am, I am so happy with the people I associate with in my geek life, and, while my coming out of the geek closet cost me in some major ways, I know “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.”

But I have been doing some geek self-appraisal lately and asking myself just what kind of geek I am, and how deep does it run for me? Maybe some of you riding the Bitter Trolley are rolling your eyes or shaking your head, but hey, these are the thoughts I have.  So how do they relate to Ernie’s blog and the spark he gave me?

Well, Ernie says, “Inside the subway train, and in borderline crisis mode, I seriously doubted my geek credentials: I don't go out to see all of the latest comic book movies, I'm not familiar with names of the recent major scribes and artists, don't recognize anime characters, and, if I were pressed, I couldn't spout out credible Treknobabble if universes were in jeopardy.”

(SQUIRREL! I love the word “Treknobabble” he uses there, and indeed, I am replacing “technobabble” with it from now one. Thanks Ernie!)

There is so much there I recognized right away. While I have seen the Iron Man films, Thor and Captain America, and am waiting for The Avengers, I see few comic book films.  When I look at sites like Tor.com or IO9.com, I rarely recognize names of sci-fi or horror authors, and to be honest, my geek reading is mainly in the Trek lit universe. I couldn’t tell you the names of any anime characters – except the crew from Star Blazers – and honestly, have only played one MMO or MMORPG, Star Trek Online. Even that is being tested because of all the changes and destruction of the Star Trek universe going on, but that is a whole other rant.  (For an excellent read on what is going on with STO, read These Bootz Were Made for Bloggin' by TerilynnS http://blackbootedblogger.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html)

But here is what I am a geek about:

• Star Trek (TV, film and lit)
• Battlestar Galactica
• Firefly
• The Walking Dead
• The Big Bang Theory
• Being Human
• The G and T Show (every Sunday morning, 9 a.m. EST http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms) [@SundayGandT, Sunday G and T on Facebook, #SundayGandT]
• Impressions of Sound (9 p.m. EST every Wed. http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms) [#ImpressionsofSound]

(Ok, I am co-host and host of the last two, but damn it I am working in a cheap plug where I can!)

That’s just a few things. So does the fact that I am only geeked about a small amount of Geekdom lesson my geek cred? Maybe. It always strikes me as funny when fellow geeks are stunned I have not watched and love (insert show here), but they have never seen something I love and go on about.

But here is where the family bond is strong: we tell the other what it is we love and maybe even get the other interested in watching or reading it, and then compare thoughts. Rarely is it lacking civility and humor, and even if we don’t agree we can still find things we can nitpick together.

So while I share Ernie’s angst about my geek credentials, I realize that it’s ok to not have to love everything geek. We all have our niche and what makes the community special is, THAT’S OK.

So Ernie, and any other geeks who have been navel gazing recently, I guess what this is all about is just one geek saying to another, it’s ok. Love what you love and love it with passion. I know the Bitter Trolley will always be glad you are riding with us, and it is that diversity and universe spanning difference among us that makes us all the better.

I hope this hastily written and totally stream of consciousness rambling made any sense to you.

Well, we are approaching the station, as always, thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels. Jolan Tru.

My Geek Life, It Just Gets Better

Welcome aboard the Bitter Trolley, and since I’ve collected your tickets and everyone is comfy, let’s get the Bitter Trolley underway.

Jolan Tru Trolley Riders! It has been a hectic and sometimes frustrating last few weeks, and about to get even busier! But want to know something? I wouldn’t want my life to go any way but where it has been headed at the moment.

Let me start with a shameless plug: if you haven’t tuned in during the live broadcast of The G and T Show on Sunday mornings (and because I am a shameless plug whore, that’s at 9 a.m. EST/6 a.m. PST/1400 GMT) – well, what are you waiting for?  You can find it at: http://www.livestream.com/cerberusfilms.

You can find the archived shows on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMo7VXxfpLA&feature=youtu.be

Terilynn and I have had some really spirited discussions, and even when we are agreeing with one another we know the people in the chat room will have points of view to get us fired up! And for those who have been tuning in, I cannot thank you near enough. We love doing the show, but knowing there are so many that have made it “appointment listening” – I just cannot find the words to express my thanks.

A final quick aside about The G and T Show (and you can follow us on Twitter: @SundayGandT and find us on Facebook: Sunday G and T Show) – I am truly blessed to have a lady who not only is one of the most fun people I have known, but her sense of humor, her incredible knowledge on so many things and her willingness to speak up about her convictions on topics as varied as the rainbow, make her the perfect foil to my idiocy.

Yes, I love Teri to the end of time, and just wanted to say publicly: Thank you for being in my life and making me work harder in the pursuit of my passions. You are the best. *Hugglez*

It has also been a productive time for me in my fanfic writing (and once again, thanks to Teri for kicking me in the fourth point of contact and encouraging me and spurring me on). I have had a few short stories put up on the Star Trek Online forums, and actually sat down and started writing the grand Star Trek opus I have wanted to write for years. It is so frustrating, but also a great feeling of accomplishment when I get through another section of the book. I just need to make myself sit down and actually write a whole lot more.

Speaking of Star Trek Online (STO in shorthand for those who don’t play), my journey with the Caspian Division continues, and one thing that always makes me laugh out loud is the irreverence of this group. We can be in the middle of a brutal and overwhelming battle with the Borg, but turn around and sure enough a fleet member is dancing on a platform or in the middle of a firefight. I love it. The open willingness of the core fleet members to share tips and help others improve their characters is always something that has me shaking my head in sincere admiration for the quality of people we have. It is a joy to know these people. Oh, and the conversations going on in Vent as we are fighting to save the universe….we really could have our own reality show.

On a non-Trek note, I have really been enjoying the Syfy airing of Star Blazers. I’ll have more to say about that later.

If you enjoy Trek fan productions, I implore you to watch Star Trek: Reunion, and marvel at the hard work, dedication and sheer joy the creators put into it. Star Trek: Reunion is a fan-made Star Trek Online machinima (look it up because I’m not explain it) that you have to see to believe. You can view the first episode, "The Gathering Storm," at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BONOjubY48&feature=youtu.be&a


Major props, kudos and a heartfelt, “HUZZAH!” to Oliver V. Smith and so many others for this gem of Trek fanfic. Amazing job to all of you.

Before we reach our final destination, let me say how utterly and completely excited I am that a week from now I will be in Baltimore for Shore Leave 33. I am looking forward to seeing some old friends, and meeting others I have talked to online in person for the first time. I’ll be broadcasting The G and T Show live from the convention, and several Trek authors have already agreed to appear, either live, or sit down to tape an interview for later airing. How frakking cool is that? I mean really!!!!!

I will blog from Shore Leave, so I hope you check in for that.

Then, a month later, I am….*taking a deep breath to calm down*…GOING TO VEGAS BABY! Going for Star Trek Las Vegas Convention!!!

Am I excited?

Really?

Are Vulcan women just too damn sexy???

And again, Teri and I will do a live show from the Rio in Vegas. That’s 6 a.m. in Vegas, so if you want to hear two very tired; possibly still drinking Trek fans on the air, that’ll be the show for you.

I cannot tell you how wonderful my life has been on a personal level since I met so many of you, since I decided to accept my geek. I am in your debt for the kindness, love and support you show daily. So many of you mean so much to me.

A final note: T’Pring – I miss you. A lot.

Well, we are approaching the station, as always, thanks for reading. And as always, thanks for riding the Bitter Trolley, and please, remember us for your future travels. Jolan Tru.