#NerdsUnite: Confessions of an Unwed Bride
<editorsnote> Julie Wilson recently endured an agonizing break up with her fiancé after being together for 8 years. She is now in her late 20s and confused about what to do next. These are some of her frustrations, and ways she is attempting to heal from her loss. </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Julie Wilson
"You Read Comic Books? Seriously? That's So Hot."
Kevin Herman's recent posts about geek chic got me thinking about mine and how it really does help in the dating scene.
I first realized this a couple months back. It's March and I'm about 3 weeks out of my 7 1/2 year relationship. I'm at a bar in Silverlake and I've found myself talking to this guy (Yay! First out of the relationship bar chat with a dude). The topic finds its way to Hayao Miyazaki films (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle), which are some of my favorites.
<Seriously, you need to see these beautiful and always well done movies!>
I could see the surprise in this guy's face that I was a girl AND so honestly enamored with these films. It was right then that I realized my ex had given me a wonderful gift, he had made me into a full on nerd!
I was already pretty nerdy in my own right before him; loved Neil Gaiman, The Sandman series, Sailor Moon, Æon Flux, The Max, Star Wars, Star Trek (yeah, I like both - deal), Syfy channel, Sliders, watched the BeastMaster series on Saturdays, was a huge book worm and even bigger music lover.
My older brother is my original nerd sensei. I grew up watching Star Wars with him and played Dungeons & Dragons (my character was an Elf, btw).
My dad, brother and I would watch Star Trek and Next Gen together all the time. I may even have had a tiny crush on Commander Riker (so manly!). And LeVar Burton!! I would have followed that guy to the ends of the earth after growing up watching Reading Rainbow (ultimate childhood bookworm show). I loved Next Gen so much that after it ended, I never watched another Star Trek series. I can recite the opening credits in my sleep and know the slight differences between the two.
I think my ex made me into a well rounded nerd when he introduced me to comics, anime and Japanese culture, the bliss of Mario Kart, Marx brothers, Woody Allen and Bruce Campbell. He taught me the difference between Marvel vs. DC and rewatched so many movies with me to catch me up to speed. I can't tell you how many of our conversations went like this:
Him: "You've NEVER seen ______?? How have you made it this far without having seen this?
Me: "I dunno, I spent a lot of time watching weird indie movies as a teenager."
Him: "I just can't believe you've never seen it!"
When I first signed up for OkCupid I was so amazed by what dudes chose to pull out of my profile and comment on. The majority of messages I've received comment about all of my nerdities:
Both dudes are referring to the shirt I'm wearing in the pic above, and yes, my Pembroke Welsh Corgi is named Ein, after the data dog in Cowboy Bebop (which far and away gets the most comments).
Note the master shield from when my ex and I were Link and Zelda.
Speaking of my dog...
Ooohhh I feel bad just rereading this one. This is one of two (haha two! I'm the biggest chickenshit ever [the other dude was dressed in a Harry Potter costume and I more or less told him that was hot]) guys that I actually wrote back. He even wanted to hang out with both of our dogs. I felt so bad using the dog as a connection with someone. I felt like a liar. He thinks I named my dog Ein, but technically my ex did. Yes, I was 200% onboard, but not my idea. My cat's name however was my idea. Her name is Luna. And then we tacked on Faye. Luna Faye's a bit more Faye than Luna, she used to scratch us a lot.
Back to Bebop:
FTR: "Tank!" is the best opening theme song. Ever. I was anti-anime when my ex started watching and it was this song that first piqued my interest (big music lover, remember?). And I love the ending, even though it's sad. Every piece of that show is genius.
Remember what I said about Miyazaki?
It's a toss up between Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away.
General anime notes:
I was stoned when we watched this and I can barely remember it.
A couple celebrate the "Just Julie" interests:
Finally, comics! Prior to my ex the only comics I read were Garfield and The Sandman.
I'm currently reading The Saga of Rex (or technically looking at pretty pictures since a fox is the protagonist and there is no dialog) and I need to get back into air.
Ahhhh, the age old question: Marvel or DC? The only possible argument greater could be Star Wars or Star Trek. I'm gonna say as far as old school comic heroes go, Marvel, baby. Nerdy love = saying to your man "Go get 'em tiger". I also really dig Anita Blake. But I'm a goth at heart (no really, I wore all black in high school) and I just love, love Vertigo, which is DC.
It's almost too easy. All I have to do is mention comic books or anime and dudes lose it. Their eyes get all wide and they look at me in amazement.
Obviously, I wear my nerd flag on my forehead. I got a sad letter from a dude about this topic in the vice-versa, which I guess explains all of the above comments:
It bums me out that guys can't be out there about this kinda stuff. But yeah, I guess lots of chicks aren't into anime and comics.
I feel guilty that my geeky qualities, accumulated through my years with my ex, are a huge part of what attracts men to me.
But I know that a girl out there will meet him and think, "Wow, this guy has great taste in music!".
I guess we made each other better people, culturally speaking that is.
See you later Space Cowboy...
#nerdsunite
Click here to follow Julie on Twitter