Actually, that title is misleading. It should really be more of a "GeekDad Perspective".
We just got back from our GeekGirlCon 2011 weekend in Seattle early, early Monday morning. It was a wonderful experience and will probably be the Geek highlight of my year. My kids (ages almost 7, 4.5, and pushing 2) are still talking about it, even my toddler ("We rode the train and SpAAce need!")
I wanted to write this yesterday while the Con was still vividly fresh in my mind, but my brain just couldn't pull itself together out of the mushy state it was in. So what you will get is a slightly more reflective version of the weekend as I have had more time to think about it in a tired reflective kind of way. My wife has already posted three times about the Con, so a lot of this might be familiar.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
What they're saying
Not only did we have an amazing time at Geek Girl Con, but we were noticed by lots of people. If you follow me on Google+ you know we had a bit of a paparazzi issue once the kids were in costume. People coming up snapping photos (although many asked if they could - and I generally allowed it), people talking with my daughters - which they opened up to a lot more than I thought they would. Well, I guess we made impacts on others as well. Several bloggers have mentioned the "little girl in the white Leia dress with a giant blaster and a baby doll", well that's our beloved Ver2 there, who just by being herself seems to epitomize what it means to be a geek girl. You are both a geek and a girl, you don't have to give up the girl side.
When my kids made fast friends with "Star Wars Girl" Katie (a person I was really hoping they'd get to meet, and was amazed by), it was inevitable that we'd be highlighted on her blog space. Go ahead and look, it's a great picture! Here's a great photo with a lot of the kid cosplayers from the con too, we played with all of them and a pair dressed as Dr. Horrible and Captain Hammer.
EDIT: Another picture :) I knew this was coming when I was asked to hold a pink flamingo named Verne. We are at the end. You will notice Ver2 is missing. She is hiding behind me because she was done with people asking for her picture.
EDIT: Another picture :) I knew this was coming when I was asked to hold a pink flamingo named Verne. We are at the end. You will notice Ver2 is missing. She is hiding behind me because she was done with people asking for her picture.
Just thought I'd share :) Picture post here when I get the camera downloaded.... It will be a first on paper napkins :)
KtC
Monday, October 10, 2011
Geek Girl Con: Reflections
Geek Girl Con was amazing! It wasn't just amazing for the couple of panels we got to attend. It wasn't cool because I had Cherie Priest sign my Kindle. It wasn't even amazing because I got to hang out in Seattle dressed as a jedi and feel perfectly normal about it. It was amazing on a completely different level.
I've discussed a few times the idea of culture, community, and our place in society. Where exactly I fit in to all of that is still a bit of a mystery to me. Being a 10+ generation American of European decent means I have no ties to Europe to speak of. My friends in the Asian community were nice enough to include me in their culture, but it will never be home (especially now that they are so far away from us). Being in God's house and in the church is great, and it gives me a family that I know will be there for us, but I also know I will never fully fit in there, like the black sheep I am - I will never fully relate to my brothers and sisters there. But at Geek Girl Con, I felt safe.
I've discussed a few times the idea of culture, community, and our place in society. Where exactly I fit in to all of that is still a bit of a mystery to me. Being a 10+ generation American of European decent means I have no ties to Europe to speak of. My friends in the Asian community were nice enough to include me in their culture, but it will never be home (especially now that they are so far away from us). Being in God's house and in the church is great, and it gives me a family that I know will be there for us, but I also know I will never fully fit in there, like the black sheep I am - I will never fully relate to my brothers and sisters there. But at Geek Girl Con, I felt safe.
Geek Girl Con: Day 2 - All Good Things Must End
Day 2 of Geek Girl Con was a post drizzle morning with just a bit of chill in the air. My kids were a little sad I didn't want to wear my full costume again, but I did bring my cloak. The girls opted out of their geeky woot tees and returned to the con in their full Princess Leia garb and I'm happy to say my skill with their hair was better the second time, by Halloween it'll completely rock!!!!
After breakfast we made it out of our hotel room and into the con (well the girls and I did) just in time for the Women of Science panel that we have been looking forward to since the panels were listed. The kids missed out on making Labrynth sock puppets since Orcrist had to take care of the hotel room and moving the car to public parking, but at least Ver1 liked hearing from the scientists and they eagerly talked about not only getting into the sciences, but stuff even elementary school kids can do. One of the panelists even gets contacted about having her research used at elementary science fairs. Since we loved the science fair last year, we may start asking some local scientists for ideas and to use their research, I guess I never thought of that. On my own personal mission to figure out if what I should do now that I have to grow up (at least enough to provide for our family), I was encouraged to take advantage of Mom's return to grad school scholarships and to harass professors to find where and what I really want to do. Apparently, most professors don't find this annoying, so that's great news!
After breakfast we made it out of our hotel room and into the con (well the girls and I did) just in time for the Women of Science panel that we have been looking forward to since the panels were listed. The kids missed out on making Labrynth sock puppets since Orcrist had to take care of the hotel room and moving the car to public parking, but at least Ver1 liked hearing from the scientists and they eagerly talked about not only getting into the sciences, but stuff even elementary school kids can do. One of the panelists even gets contacted about having her research used at elementary science fairs. Since we loved the science fair last year, we may start asking some local scientists for ideas and to use their research, I guess I never thought of that. On my own personal mission to figure out if what I should do now that I have to grow up (at least enough to provide for our family), I was encouraged to take advantage of Mom's return to grad school scholarships and to harass professors to find where and what I really want to do. Apparently, most professors don't find this annoying, so that's great news!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Geek Girl Con: Day 1 - Nerves -> Geekvana!
Day 1 Geek Girl Con is over for us. Wow what a day! We had a rather rough start, while Orcrist had a blast designing a game, they made a little squares based board game called Farmers vs Killer Bunnies. They had one overly analytical team member, but the team leader (industry volunteer) kept her from running away with the game. A little bummed I couldn't compete too, but Ver3 was a handful and the girls would have gotten bored.
We made it to a whopping two panels and regrettably missed the steampunk panel, but I did get my Kindle signed by Cherie Priest, who wrote Boneshaker, which was awesome! My daughters also shot her with their blasters.
We made it to a whopping two panels and regrettably missed the steampunk panel, but I did get my Kindle signed by Cherie Priest, who wrote Boneshaker, which was awesome! My daughters also shot her with their blasters.
Geek Girl Con: Day 1
Up and moving with just enough time for a quick hotel breakfast. I have butterflies! I hope our Orcrist does well in the game design contest this morning!!! I also hope his hearing aids aren't a problem.
Last night was fun and relaxing, although my nerves about being surrounded by a mob of women, even geeky women had already settles in for the event. We were able to walk to an Irish Pub by Seattle Center where we all shared some dingle pie. Afterwards we watched the fountain in the dark (including a silly guy who went down to smack the globe only to get drenched as the show started over - much to the amusement of the kids). The leisurely stroll through the park was just what I needed! Now if I can just handle the kids in a foreign environment all morning! Wish me luck.
I'll report back in when I can!
KtC
Last night was fun and relaxing, although my nerves about being surrounded by a mob of women, even geeky women had already settles in for the event. We were able to walk to an Irish Pub by Seattle Center where we all shared some dingle pie. Afterwards we watched the fountain in the dark (including a silly guy who went down to smack the globe only to get drenched as the show started over - much to the amusement of the kids). The leisurely stroll through the park was just what I needed! Now if I can just handle the kids in a foreign environment all morning! Wish me luck.
I'll report back in when I can!
KtC
Friday, October 7, 2011
On Our Way
We are on our way to GeekGirlCon!!!
The costumes are finished, and I even managed to make a cloak for my outfit. All of the kids are excited and there is talk of a trip up the space needle if the weather is good. Only minor cuts and a few headaches on the crafting injury report.
My husband was selected to participate in a game building contest. It starts first thing on Saturday. During that time I'll be solo with the kids. We are really excited for him though! He figures it will be the most he gets out of the con because we didn't think to ask for a captionist, and he doubts he will be able to hear the panels. Maybe next year he will know enough sign language to understand an interpreter.
We will be showing off our costumes at the Mascarade, so if you are at the con loom for the Jedi with Yoda and two little Princess Leias!
I'll try to post from my phone as time allows. You can also follow me on Google+ and possibly in Facebook.
The costumes are finished, and I even managed to make a cloak for my outfit. All of the kids are excited and there is talk of a trip up the space needle if the weather is good. Only minor cuts and a few headaches on the crafting injury report.
My husband was selected to participate in a game building contest. It starts first thing on Saturday. During that time I'll be solo with the kids. We are really excited for him though! He figures it will be the most he gets out of the con because we didn't think to ask for a captionist, and he doubts he will be able to hear the panels. Maybe next year he will know enough sign language to understand an interpreter.
We will be showing off our costumes at the Mascarade, so if you are at the con loom for the Jedi with Yoda and two little Princess Leias!
I'll try to post from my phone as time allows. You can also follow me on Google+ and possibly in Facebook.
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