Geek Credentials

Jaquandor did this meme, and there was no way I could resist it. You just put an X next to the items which describe you. So here we go.

(X) You spent a day watching all of the Lord of the Rings/Star Wars/Star Trek movies. -- Yes, I still do this occasionally. In fact, since we bought the big screen TV, we've decided we have to do this again. We did do a day watching all six Star Wars movies--the day I really became a fan again--and plan to do it with Lord of the Rings and several other films series. We've also done it with Back to the Future and Indiana Jones.

( ) You spent next two days after watching commentary, outtakes, and behind the scenes footage.

(X) And you bought the soundtrack. -- I have the soundtracks to a LOT of fantasy and science fiction movies.

(X) You went to a midnight release of a movie. -- Not a new movie, though, so does this still count? I have been to a lot of midnight showings of cult movies, though. That was how I saw Bubba Ho-tep the first time.

( ) You camped in front of the theater for more than 12 hours to get tickets. -- I've never stood in line longer than 90 minutes for tickets, but I did do that for all three Star Wars prequels and all three LOTR movies.

( ) Camping did not prevent you from being in costume.

(X) You can have an entire conversation with friends consisting of quotes from your favorite movies.

( ) You own at least three game systems. -- Thanks to Becca, yes. I still have my Atari 2600 and my original Nintendo Entertainment System. Every time I think I can't play video games anymore (because of how easily I'm frustrated by stupid things), Becca comes home with a Nintendo 64 or a Playstation 2. Also, Becca still has her old Sega Genesis.

( ) You have lost weight because you forgot to eat while trying to reach the next level in your game. -- Lost?

( ) You own more than four game controllers (of any kind). -- Not for any one system.

( ) You have existed on 3 hours of sleep per night so that your "Sims" get 8 hours and are refreshed for work.

( ) You upgraded your computer because you wanted to buy a new video game/expansion pack.

( ) You have dressed as your game avatar, or as a npc in that game.

( ) You achieved level 60 on World of Warcraft.

(X) You have played "Dungeons and Dragons" or any other RPG. -- Those were fun times.

(X) You know what "RPG" stands for.

( ) You dressed as your RPG character would dress.

( ) You own dice with more than six sides.

( ) You have been accused of having a "gamer" scent. -- No, but I've done my share of gamer-bashing at cons. (One of my favorite lines ever, via Paul T. Riddell, who once discovered a petting zoo at, I think, Armadillocon: "Oh, look, they brought animals for the gamers.") I remember Carl and I getting some dirty looks while waiting in a line at WizardWorld and passing the gamer tables; we said, simultaneously, "You sunk my battleship!" Pissed off gamers.

( ) You can identify a Black Lotus.

(X) You can identify a Charizard. -- And I can admit that he's my second-favorite Pokemon (after Bulbasaur).

( ) You have bought any of the "Harry Potter" books after standing in line until midnight. -- Luckily, Becca works at a bookstore, so I never had to.

( ) You waited to get your "Harry Potter" book in costume, quoting favorite lines.

(X) You have attended any function with "con" in the name. -- It's a sure way to get me somewhere.

( ) You stood in line at said "con" for more than 4 hours to have an item signed.

( ) You spent more than $50 on a costume to wear to "con" because you wanted it to be authentic.

(X) You own more than 50 comics.

(X) You collect your comics in longboxes.

(X) You know what a "longbox" is.

(X) You've met and had your comics signed by the creator(s).

(X) You know how many "Robins" there are. -- I think.

(X) You know that the portrayal of Rogue in the movie "X-Men" is completely wrong. -- I don't like the word "wrong," but it is different. I liked Rogue in the movie, though. I knew way too many fanboys who just seemed to think Rogue was their imaginary girlfriend.

(X) You have chatted online more than in person.

(X) You chatted online enough to learn the time zones.

( ) You think that when the Mythbusters say "Don't try this at home," they really don't mean YOU.

( ) Have participated in a movie/tv marathon that involved a drinking game.

( ) Can sing along with the Buffy Musical Episode.

(X) You know Seth Green from more than just the "Austin Powers" movies.

(X) You can name all 8 Kevin Smith-directed movies without referring to IMdb. -- And I liked Jersey Girl, too.

(X) You have participated in a "Clerks"-esque discussion about Star Wars (or any other movie).

(X) You have participated in a Kirk vs Picard discussion.

(X) You have participated in a Star Wars vs Star Trek discussion.

(X) You have participated in a Babylon 5 vs. Star Trek:DS9 discussion

(X) You know who jms is.

( ) You have ever corrected anyone who called you a Trekkie. -- I don't care either way, "Trekkie" or "Trekker."

(X) You have worn a Star Fleet Uniform. -- One year when I was in elementary school I went as Mr. Spock for Halloween. I did the TV show uniform, so it was really just black pants and a thin sweatshirt.

( ) You own a Star Fleet Uniform.

(X) You think "Twilight" is lame because everyone knows that vampires burst into flame in the sunlight. -- Well, I do think Twilight is lame, but it's mostly because of the vamptard fans.

( ) You have written fanfic.

( ) You have watched Bizzare Foods and thought "I'd try that."

( ) You can pinpoint the moment at which "Lost" jumped the shark. -- That show has so many other problems, frankly.

(X) You know who Stan Lee is.

(X) You know who Jack Kirby is.

(X) You know who Geoff Johns is.

( ) You have built a website.

(X) You have started a blog.

(X) You maintained a blog for over a year.

( ) You know what the Genie SFRT is.

( ) You have a Twitter account.

( ) You have over 500 followers on Twitter.

( ) You purchased a smartphone just so you could check Twitter on the road.

( ) You forget your family members' birthdays because they aren't your friends on Facebook. -- No, I forget my family members' birthdays because I'm a selfish dick.

( ) You have given virtual gifts on Facebook.

( ) You have Superpoked your boss on Facebook.

( ) You have gotten a date through Facebook (and we're not talking dinner and movie with your buddies).

( ) You have broken up with someone/been broken up with through Facebook. -- This doesn't make me feel like I'm missing anything on Facebook.

( ) You've reached level 30 or higher in Mafia Wars.

(X) You know what Mafia Wars is.

( ) You participated in more than three social networks.

(X) You've spent more than 200 hours playing the same video game. -- Sometimes I forgot to go to classes because I was on the computer plating Civilization III.

(X) You've seen any movie in the theater more than three times.

(X) You can name the episode of MST3K where Joel was replaced by Mike. -- One of my favorite episodes ever: Mitchell. Baby oil!

(X) You've argued why the comic is way superior to the show/movie when discussing "The Tick," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "X-Men," "Fantastic Four," "Spider-Man," etc. -- Especially TMNT, when you mention it.

( ) You have the soundtrack for "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" on your MP3 player.

(X) You are willing to defend the Star Wars prequels. -- And have.

( ) You openly disparage the Star Wars prequels because they don't live up to "Empire."

( ) You're openly concerned about the time line ramifications that J.J. Abram's "Star Trek" movie presents to the canon. -- I wouldn't say concerned so much as disappointed that Abrams didn't have the spine to just straight up remake Star Trek.

(X) You own anything written by Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore or H.P. Lovecraft. -- Many by all three.

( ) You have a flying spaghetti monster on your car.

(X) You've seen a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show with live actors in front of the screen. -- Yes, when I was 16. My cousin who took me was really weirded out. Somehow, she'd never heard of what Rocky entailed. I wanted to come back to the same theater (Billy Joe's Pitcher Show in Des Moines, IA) the next week to see Heavy Metal for the first time, but she didn't want to go through the same thing again.

(X) You know the REAL reason Spider-Man had a black costume.

( ) You know the NCC numbers of at least two starships other than the Enterprise. -- I used to, but now I can't recall them. I used to at least know the Excelsior.

(X) You know what "NCC" stands for. -- Is it still Naval Construction Contract?

( ) You own an original Star Trek Concordance, Technical Manual, and Blueprints. -- Used to have the Concordance.

( ) You own at least two medieval weapons.

(X) You have participated in battles with foam-covered swords. -- Still do, occasionally. Hey, they're only a buck at Le Mart du Wal.

(X) You know who "Major Matt Mason" is. -- But only because of the recent film announcement.

(X) You have seen bootleg copies of the original Fantastic Four and Justice League movies. -- Yes, and I have a really shitty tape of the Corman FF. And, honestly, I don't think it's that bad. It's certainly better than the crappy movie with Jessica Alba.

( ) After having had children you realize there's now more people to costume and relish it.

( ) You've managed to turn four days at Euroquest* into nearly eight because, who needs sleep?

( ) You've spent more than $1000 on your "spot-on" costume. (and it's still not quite right...)

( ) You've made a fan film.

( ) Your fan film has been seen by more than your immediate family.

(X) People know you by your online name instead of your mundane name.

( ) You know what Pennsic is.

( ) You've camped at Pennsic.

( ) You have/had personalized plates on your car proudly proclaiming your fandom. -- No, but I always thought about getting one that said "Red 5."

( ) Your spouse and/or friends do as well.

( ) You yell at your kids when they try to open a toy/book/comic/figure etc. that you're collecting. -- Does it count if it's younger cousins?

( ) Your kids have broken your Hallmark collectible Star Trek/Star Wars, etc. ornament. -- I don't have to worry about it since I don't have kids. But I do have Star Trek, Star Wars, and DC Superheroes ornaments.

( ) You've traveled more than 500 miles to attend a con.

( ) You have a tattoo related to your fandom of choice.

( ) You met your spouse at a fan-related event or con.

( ) You got engaged (to be married!) at a sci-fi convention.

( ) You are publicly willing to defend Dollhouse, because Joss Whedon must be trusted.