This week’s Shared Topic over at Blog Azeroth was suggested by Akabeko of Red Cow Rise and is about showing our Nerd Pride. The shared topic runs from Jan 22-28, so come join the fun! 😀
How do you express your geekery? Do you own obvious paraphernalia like a Horde-symbol bumper sticker, in-joke t-shirts like the dps/ups pun, or less obviously related items like a gift from a guildie? Rather than physical indicators, do you mix nerd lingo into your everyday speech or talk/post about geekdom in non-nerd spaces? How do you advertise your nerd tendencies? Does it help you to attract new nerd friends?
You wouldn’t guess I’m a Warcraft player if you saw me in real life—unless you happened to see the screenshots in my screensaver at work.
I don’t own any WoW t-shirts or stickers or mugs or figurines or themed computer peripherals. In fact the only thing I own that’s branded is the authenticator and since that never leaves my treadmill I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count. *pets Corehound puppy*
If you met me online, you’d probably figure it out pretty quickly. I have a link to my Warcraft sub-blog in my National Novel Wiriting Month signature, I post about the Troll Druid-themed model horse over on Model Horse Blab, and it’s pretty obvious from looking at my main blog that I’m fond of the game.
I’ll talk about WoW when conversation wanders that way, but I’m no more likely to use WoW-slang than I am any other meme. If you bring it up, I’ll be happy to talk your ear off… but it’s not my default conversation starter.
I’m not sure why I don’t own more WoW stuff, or heck, more Thinkgeek swag in general. I suppose it’s because it’s just not in my normal budget radar. I just don’t buy a lot of ‘toys’—although I now have the itch to design business casual wow-themed clothing. *ponders*
Elsewhere on the Internets…
So how do the other Blog Azeroth folks show their pride? Let’s find out!
Akabeko of Red Cow Rise has her authenticator on her phone and a tree necklace and ring that reflect the awesome that is Resto Druids. Not as big or as flashy as some of the other WoW-swag, but something that’s sure to catch another gamer’s eye! [Post]
Navimie of The Daily Frostwolf – Druid Edition has Horde-wear and is equipping her children with Heirlooms (good choice!). She even gets to play WoW at work, so there’s a wealth of opportunity to meld online and offline lives. [Post]
Logtar of WoW Stuck would like to point out that Alliance have pride too, but has more visual proof at home than at work. He does, however, mix wow-lingo with work-lingo– much to the confusion of his non-nerdy coworkers. [Post]
Karegina from The Reluctant Raider is the most obvious commuter, with a giant horde decal in her back window. (Covet!) She’s also got a resto-themed ring, hats, shirts, and a circle of friends who are fluent in WoW-speak. [Post]
Kamalia of Kamalia Et Alia is a giant Harry Potter fangirl (yay!) and has advertised that fact far and wide… but is more reserved about WoW-geekery. Unless she’s among other gamers, WoW is downplayed significantly and online her real name and WoW life have a nice solid ‘do not cross’ line drawn down the middle. I can certainly empathize, but I’m a little depressed that the game still has such a stigma. *sighs* [Post]
Matty from Sugar & Blood keeps their work and WoW life separate, much like Kamalia. I suppose my own internet obviousness might get in the way if I have to job hunt again, but I’m willing to risk it for now. … I’m really hoping I’m not forced to revise my opinion five years down the road. [Post]
Dangfool from Kallixta’s Notes has lots of geekery (wow and non-wow) at home as well as a WoW calendar and some Star Wars minifigs at work. They’ve got a much more relaxed workplace than I do, but the same sort of confused but uninterested coworkers. *sighs* [Post]
Frazzld of Among the Elements is slowly growing into their own outside-the-home geekiness and is building up their WoW-wear arsenal. They give a nod to Big Bang Theory and Chuck for helping mitigate the stigma of being the lone geek and standing out in a crowd. [Post]
Edenvale of The Gamer’s Fridge has done an awesome picspam of all their geeky swag and I must say I’m coveting those Atlases– after Cata they’re a great trip down memory lane! Add to that a cookie jar made of AWESOME and you’ve got one giant house of shiny! ^_^ [Post]
Syrco from Syrco Owl has lots of Azerothian pride, but hasn’t had a change to gear up at Jinx just yet. I had no idea anyone had WoW tattoos, but Syrco has a link to Lufitoom’s tat and it looks awesome (my inherent Druid-bias notwithstanding). [Post]
Saz of World of Saz rightly points out that not all geekery is WoW related and can play an amazing range of musical instruments… and could probably play The Hero of Canton if you snuck it into the conversation. (The world can never have too many Browncoats *solemn nod*) [Post]
Sil from Girls gone WoW has a wide fandom base for her geekery and isn’t shy about sharing it. The chibi Vader is the cutest thing I have ever seen– and now I’m wondering if I could sneak a windrider plushie in under the work radar. *ponders* [Post]
Tzufit from Tree Heals Go Whoosh has a beautifully in-depth look at what it means to be a geek and a gamer and why she is only comfortable adopting one of those labels. It’s something I need to sit down and really think about before I reply, but she’s made some very good points and I think it’s a conversation worth expanding on! [Post]
Effraeti of Effraeti’s RP doesn’t have a lot of gear, but like me she’s got a lot of geek in her life anyways. She’s even put together a Gamer Glossary so her friends and family can keep up! [Post]
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