Tumblr, New Logo and the Goal of 1,000

We are now averaging 100 bloggers a day for this event and there’s already talk of making it an annual occurrence.

Thanks to A.J. Freemont and everyone who voted, we now have a logo. I uploaded it here. You are ENCOURAGED to take this on your website or blog and post about the event that takes place from Monday, September 12th through Friday, September 16th.

<Speak Out with your Geek Out

This logo has been uploaded to the Speak Out with your Geek Out Facebook Event and a new Speak Out with your Geek Out Tumblr account.

Today’s post is about my “wish fulfillment.” I would love to see us hit 1,000 strong. Next week, I’m going to need your help to spread the word and help others get some blogging ideas down. So if ANY of you want to write posts for the Tumblr account or my blog for this, the door is open.

Can We Hit 1,000 Bloggers?

A long weekend is on the horizon for many people, which is why I wanted to give you some food for thought:

I want you to think of this number —> 1,000.

Here’s why:

When I think of the “geek” stereotype, I think of that awful scene in the lunchroom where a bully is pestering a kid about his love of comics, video games, books, dice, Cthulhu or whatever. I think of the name-calling and all the crap that kid has to go through just because she likes to dive into her math books.

And then I think of what it felt like to be in school. How we feel very much alone, even if that’s not the case, because others around us are afraid to speak up. Are fearful that they won’t be as cool, because life is easier if they sit at that lunch table over there.

I think of those kids, and I think of how many of us have made our own cool later on in life. I think of every kid that’s ever been bullied — regardless of shape, color, orientation, culture, religion — and I think of what we can do for them.

And then I think of Speak Out with your Geek Out, where we’ve been averaging 100 bloggers a day signing on.

I think of an army of happy, positive posts about what we love and what we’ll encourage others to share. Of the topics we’ll write to show that we are not a stereotype, that we are something that transcends being stuck in a bucket and forgotten about or bullied for someone else’s amusement.

I think of us standing behind those kids and showing them that there is nothing wrong with being who they are, because we have 1,000 people who may not be just like them, but who share something in common and who have made it through.

Are you with me?

If you are, then let’s make this happen. How can we make it to 1,000 bloggers?

a) 1 big name celebrity

b) 10 popular blogs

c) 100 people tagging 10 of their friends

d) 1,000 people to post their love, their passions during that week and share it with all of us

What do we have control over? Right now?!?!

c) and d)!

MAKE IT SO.

Have a great weekend!

An Update on Working with Dork Storm Press

For the past couple of months, I’ve been working as a freelance consultant with John Kovalic, the cartoonist, illustrator, game designer and writer behind Dork Tower, Dr. Blink, Apples to Apples, and Munchkin. In July, I announced that I was working behind-the-scenes with Dork Storm Press, but wasn’t ready to share with you what that role entails. Well, today I am.

Since John is a high profile individual within geek and gaming circles, I felt that it was in both of our best interests to take things slow. Fortunately, we both share the same business philosophy which has really helped our discussions. Those conversations began with a series of questions designed to make John think about what he wanted out of his career. After the first couple of meetings, it was clear to both of us that he had outgrown his modus operandi and he needed someone to help him shape both his short-term and his long-term goals.

As John’s consultant, I’m not telling him what to do or cracking a ruler over his knuckles, I’m providing him with choices. At first, these options were to help him create a loose infrastructure for his business that fit both his original and contracted works. Now? I’m happy to report we’ve gotten the bare bones of processes and roles down that will accommodate the growth of his business along with developing a new web presence.

My role may adapt to fit the business as it grows, but right now I continue to fill the shoes of freelance consultant as his partner on the business-facing side. E Sophia will be managing the Army of Dorkness (which is what we call the fans of John’s artwork) where she’ll employ her endless enthusiasm to have fun with fans, run contests, etc. We are also exploring a mentoring opportunity for her, too, that John and I both hopes will be the first of many such opportunities.

There is a lot of Dork Storm Press-related news in the works and a lot more planned — but we’re tackling the new website first. I can’t wait to share with you what that will look like when it’s all said and done.

Until next time… Or better yet? Go read Dork Tower.

๐Ÿ™‚

Comment on These Logos for Speak Out with your Geek Out

It’s been almost a day since we really started pushing this idea and already we have well over a hundred people signed up on the Facebook event to blog about their geeky hobbies and vocations during the week of September 12th. WOW.

Today, I need your help to comment on these logos provided by two, different individuals. The logos will be used to identify the event and will be free to share with everyone. We’ll probably set up a Facebook fan page and a Tumblr account where people can aggregate their posts the week of, too.

The first is this one graciously provided by Suzanna Reeves.

Speek Out with your Geek Out Option One



The second and third are variations on a theme benevolently given by AJ Freemont from transcendingpixels.blogspot.com.


Speak Out with your Geek Out Option Two



Speak Out with your Geek Out Option Three



Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

Calling all Geeks: Post about Your Hobbies September 12th to the 16th

It seems like there’s an internet gaffe every so often where geeks are the butt of all jokes. This time, the article was written on a site where the author gets paid-per-click. Do I understand that garnering negative press increases page views? Sure, but the writer’s initial point — that we stereotype and make judgments as humans — was completely lost.

But alas, enticing so-called “nerd rage” inspires me to do something else. It reminds me of all the fun I have, of the fact that properties like Magic: the Gathering and World of Warcraft are incredibly financially successful and a huge part of the overall community, of the friends I’ve made and the hobbies I’ve shared. It makes me want to play Vampire: the Requiem in public or have a Doctor Who marathon. It forces me to put as much awesome as I possibly can in my next game-related assignment or story to make it that much more fun for readers and players alike.

And it encourages me to reach out to others who are passionate about “an” interest, to listen to their experiences, too. There is no one I’d rather reach out to right now than the demographic that bucks the stereotype, my fellow female geeks. (Edit: Based on feedback, this call is all-inclusive.)

Here’s what I propose:

SPEAK OUT WITH YOUR GEEK OUT

Sometime during the week of Monday, September 12th to Friday, September 16th post about what geeky hobby you love. Then, tell us why we should try it, too. Leave your fears (and edition wars) at the door. Forget about your latest rant. Tap into that well of positive energy and share in the excitement of all things geek.

Let us invite those who would stereotype us to sit at our table and share our interests.

Thoughts? Complaints? Observations?

Sadly, I lack the graphic design skills necessary to come up with a small icon or logo, but I wish there was a way to “light up” the internet with this and truly see how far the rabbit hole goes. There is so much negativity online, that I’d love to see one entire happy week of the shiny, meeting new friends, and really tapping into that well of positivity and exuberance I know is out there. Sure, I’d love to solve something like world peace or get something for charity going, but we have to start somewhere… Right? ๐Ÿ™‚

I leave it to you, my fellow coordinators and commenters… What say you?

UPDATE: Thanks, Angeli, for coming up with the tagline. ๐Ÿ™‚

UPDATE: While the concept about a girl geek week was enticing to many people, several commenters have said we should take the idea of being positive and throw caution to the wind. So if you’re a geek, speak out!

UPDATE: The Facebook event is public and live! When we get a logo, I’ll update the event with that picture. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=190025581068159

A New Munny… Because Art is Awesome

Monkey NinjaPicked up the last Munny from a local shop today. The accessories were fantastic. Hair, a cape, huge axe and a teddy bear. Just in time for Halloween.

Here’s a picture of the one I did before. I had help with the basic lines from my friend Leanne Buckley, which was sorely needed since it was my first one and I was getting used to the materials. Pretty excited about this one because once I get a good design going, I can work on the one I REALLY want to paint… My blank My Little Cthulhu!

I’m really enjoying the opportunities I’ve had to dive into my artwork again. It’s nice to catch a break from words every once in a while and have fun.

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