Well I didn't have to wait until FanExpo for some more stereotyping. This time it was at an EB Games store and the accused was another female. *Sigh* I never thought it would come to this.
So this incident actually took place before Rob's birthday, but after the Comic Con: Fan Appreciation event. I walk into EB Games hoping to find a used copy of Dragon Age: The Awakening. A girl my age was running the store and a male mall cop was there chatting with her, (awesome security in this place.) She helped me find the one and only copy (Hazzah!!!) We all started talking about how awesome Dragon Age is, and I throw down language like, "I'm surprised this game isn't an MMORPG." She got to the counter and I got out my Edge card, BAM 10% off used items and you gotta PAY a membership fee for that bad boy. She rang me up, asked if I wanted a 2 year warranty and I said sure. She asked if there's anything else.
Me - "No, but do you have any listings for upcoming game releases?"
Girl - "No. sorry, we don't."
Me - "That sucks, my boyfriend's birthday is coming up. I wanted to check and see if there's any gift ideas for him."
Girl - "Oh that's too bad, but it's a great idea that you're getting him the warranty on this game."
Me - " ..... Oh no. This game is for ME."
She then put her head in her hands and slumped her shoulders in shame. When she looked up, she had, what I'm assuming, was a look of regret on her face. She must have known I had just caught her stereotyping me. She apologized profusely, but the damage was already done. I couldn't believe that after the conversation we had just had, the gamer language I had just used and the Edge card I had just pulled out, didn't clue her into the fact that I PLAY VIDEO GAMES!!! Ugh, I knew I was probably going to have to live with this for the rest of my life. I just never thought I would get it from both men and women ... said the lady.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Taking the Next Step
A few weeks ago, I posted "Why I Bother". This is a continuation of that post.
If you’ve accepted your boyfriend for who he is, maybe it’s time to take it a step further: Getting involved. I know this is going to seem intimidating at first, but it could be a lot of fun, and you getting involved can score some major brownie points with your significant other.
For all the women of comic geeks, ask your loved one for his opinion on what to start you off with. Believe me, if you've ever been to a comic store, you'll know just how overwhelming it can be to pick out your own comic. The subject matter shouldn't be a problem because there are so many topics to choose from. I guarantee there is something you're going to like. I also recommend that you ask him to start you off with just an issue, (this is a small, thin, magazine-looking thing,) it's a quick read, 30 mins. tops and you can decide quickly if you're interested in continuing.
Playing your boyfriend’s video games can be a little tricky. Guaranteed your boyfriend is going to laugh at you, especially if this is one of your first times picking up a controller. Now, once he's able to contain himself, one of two scenarios is going to take place. He’s either going to get frustrated that you’re taking away his console for your stupid “girl games”, or he’ll be so ecstatic that you’re getting involved, he’ll want to show you how everything works, (still be prepared for uncontrollable snickering and patronizing comments.) Ask him what’s a fun and easy game to start with. Or better yet, get a split screen, multiplayer game and you two can play together. Rob and I have had successes and failings when we’ve played together. Most times we’ve had a lot of fun and I just brush off some of the snooty comments. Other times, we can’t get in sync and we end up frustrated and angry at each other. So far, in my books, the best game we’ve ever played together was “Stubbs the Zombie”. Ignoring the fact that it's for Xbox, it's a fun zombie game where YOU get to play the part of the zombie. I recommend this one if you’re just starting out, it’s fun and the controls are simple and easy to learn.
If you even want to take it a step further, conventions are where its at. Yes, you will be bored, there will be some funky smells and you may get scared. Just make sure you stay close to your boyfriend. Don’t worry, most of those nerd trolls won't talk to you anyway. They barely get any sort of social interaction and women, in general, terrify them. The up side to going to these conventions is that you will see just how good your boyfriend is, in comparison to these animals. Also, if you go to a convention and are patient and kind and don’t complain, your boyfriend will owe you huge. He will also hold the bragging rights with his friends to you being the coolest of all girlfriends just for attending one of these shindigs.
So go out there, find your inner geek and let it loose. It may be silly to you, but just remember, you participating in these things will mean so much to your significant other.. and he'll owe you big time! Can you say "free back massages for a week"? Have fun you two!
If you’ve accepted your boyfriend for who he is, maybe it’s time to take it a step further: Getting involved. I know this is going to seem intimidating at first, but it could be a lot of fun, and you getting involved can score some major brownie points with your significant other.
For all the women of comic geeks, ask your loved one for his opinion on what to start you off with. Believe me, if you've ever been to a comic store, you'll know just how overwhelming it can be to pick out your own comic. The subject matter shouldn't be a problem because there are so many topics to choose from. I guarantee there is something you're going to like. I also recommend that you ask him to start you off with just an issue, (this is a small, thin, magazine-looking thing,) it's a quick read, 30 mins. tops and you can decide quickly if you're interested in continuing.
Playing your boyfriend’s video games can be a little tricky. Guaranteed your boyfriend is going to laugh at you, especially if this is one of your first times picking up a controller. Now, once he's able to contain himself, one of two scenarios is going to take place. He’s either going to get frustrated that you’re taking away his console for your stupid “girl games”, or he’ll be so ecstatic that you’re getting involved, he’ll want to show you how everything works, (still be prepared for uncontrollable snickering and patronizing comments.) Ask him what’s a fun and easy game to start with. Or better yet, get a split screen, multiplayer game and you two can play together. Rob and I have had successes and failings when we’ve played together. Most times we’ve had a lot of fun and I just brush off some of the snooty comments. Other times, we can’t get in sync and we end up frustrated and angry at each other. So far, in my books, the best game we’ve ever played together was “Stubbs the Zombie”. Ignoring the fact that it's for Xbox, it's a fun zombie game where YOU get to play the part of the zombie. I recommend this one if you’re just starting out, it’s fun and the controls are simple and easy to learn.
If you even want to take it a step further, conventions are where its at. Yes, you will be bored, there will be some funky smells and you may get scared. Just make sure you stay close to your boyfriend. Don’t worry, most of those nerd trolls won't talk to you anyway. They barely get any sort of social interaction and women, in general, terrify them. The up side to going to these conventions is that you will see just how good your boyfriend is, in comparison to these animals. Also, if you go to a convention and are patient and kind and don’t complain, your boyfriend will owe you huge. He will also hold the bragging rights with his friends to you being the coolest of all girlfriends just for attending one of these shindigs.
So go out there, find your inner geek and let it loose. It may be silly to you, but just remember, you participating in these things will mean so much to your significant other.. and he'll owe you big time! Can you say "free back massages for a week"? Have fun you two!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Descrimination
Ok, I don't want to sound over dramatic. Being that I'm a woman in my early twenties, I actually haven't been descriminated against or touched inappropriately to the same extent that a lot of women have. Sure, there's been the occasional drunk that gets a little too friendly and some rude comments from douchebags, but I thank my lucky stars every day that I've never actually been sexually or verbally abused by anyone simply because I'm a woman. I think this is why these latest events stick out for me, simply because I've never experienced anything like it before.
So now that I got that out of the way, I can continue with describing to you some of the more memorable moments of comic and gamer geeks, (all men,) being prejudice towards me, because I am a woman. This summer, back in early June, my boyfriend and I travelled to Toronto for the annual "Comic Con: Fan Appreciation" event. This was my fourth convention, so I knew what to expect, but this trip was a little different. For some reason, I was fully aware of the things people were saying to me. Here are some of the statements I received:
#1 Rob wants to get a sketch from J. Bone (this guy did some ink work for a couple "Spirit" hardcovers.) Bone says, "I've got a few sketches to do right now, are you ok to wait a couple hours?"
Rob - "Yeah, that's not a problem. Even if we get bored, we'll go out, see the city and come back. We'll be here all day."
Bone (looks at me with suspicion) - "ARE you guys going to be here all day?"
Now to give you a better understand of who he was talking to, here's a picture of me from that day.
As you can see, I'm sporting the Marvel t-shirt. I certainly don't look like a girl who doesn't want to be there (if you can believe it).
#2 Ok, so maybe you're thinking that last one isn't so bad. Well we keep walking and Rob bumps into a friend of his who's running a booth, promoting a few different comics. He points to one in particular and says, "Now this one's kind of interesting. It's written by a Canadian actor. He's kinda famous BLAH BLAH BLAH, do you know him?"
Rob - "Nope, never heard of him."
The guy turns to me - "Well, YOU probably know him."
Me - *inquisitive look*
The guy - "He's a soap opera star."
Me - (low mumble growl) "I DON'T watch soap operas"
#3 If that isn't enough, I'm walking down an aisle WITH MY BOYFRIEND, and I notice a guy gawking at my chest. I catch him. "Oh! sorry. I was just reading your shirt!... hehe, at least this time I have an excuse for staring!"
#4 I'm checking out a Zatanna statuette, Rob is somewhere else, (not guarding his woman,) and a random guy walks behind me. Now this one was interesting, because it wasn't what he said that freaked me out, but HOW he said it. "Mmmmm, that's beeeaaauuutiful." It made my skin crawl. JIBBLY jibbly jibbly ji-buh-ly!!
What confuses me with the treatment I received is where it was coming from. I mean, stereotypically, these devoted fan/geeks have serious social issues and as a result, wouldn't have very many friends. So you would think, with that in mind, they would want more friends, ESPECIALLY a girl friend. Instead, I'm talked down to, objectified and suspected of being a pissy "I don't want to be here" girlfriend. Funniest part was I walked out with a sh*t load of comics and a statuette, and what did my boyfriend buy? ... NOTHING.
Seriously, it was funny at first, but I'm starting to feel offended. Does it ever end, or am I just going to have to live with this? Ok, I think I already know the answer to that question. I mean, I can PROVE I read comics, but that only gets me as far as, "CRIKEY!!! Look at that! It's the majestic female comic/gamer geek READING a comic! This is a sight to behold. RARELY are they EVER seen in the wild! Lets try to get a closer look at 'er, but we're gonna have to be very quiet, these animals spook easily..."
Toronto FANEXPO 2010 is coming up. Hopefully I'll have a lot more stories.
So now that I got that out of the way, I can continue with describing to you some of the more memorable moments of comic and gamer geeks, (all men,) being prejudice towards me, because I am a woman. This summer, back in early June, my boyfriend and I travelled to Toronto for the annual "Comic Con: Fan Appreciation" event. This was my fourth convention, so I knew what to expect, but this trip was a little different. For some reason, I was fully aware of the things people were saying to me. Here are some of the statements I received:
#1 Rob wants to get a sketch from J. Bone (this guy did some ink work for a couple "Spirit" hardcovers.) Bone says, "I've got a few sketches to do right now, are you ok to wait a couple hours?"
Rob - "Yeah, that's not a problem. Even if we get bored, we'll go out, see the city and come back. We'll be here all day."
Bone (looks at me with suspicion) - "ARE you guys going to be here all day?"
Now to give you a better understand of who he was talking to, here's a picture of me from that day.
As you can see, I'm sporting the Marvel t-shirt. I certainly don't look like a girl who doesn't want to be there (if you can believe it).
#2 Ok, so maybe you're thinking that last one isn't so bad. Well we keep walking and Rob bumps into a friend of his who's running a booth, promoting a few different comics. He points to one in particular and says, "Now this one's kind of interesting. It's written by a Canadian actor. He's kinda famous BLAH BLAH BLAH, do you know him?"
Rob - "Nope, never heard of him."
The guy turns to me - "Well, YOU probably know him."
Me - *inquisitive look*
The guy - "He's a soap opera star."
Me - (low mumble growl) "I DON'T watch soap operas"
#3 If that isn't enough, I'm walking down an aisle WITH MY BOYFRIEND, and I notice a guy gawking at my chest. I catch him. "Oh! sorry. I was just reading your shirt!... hehe, at least this time I have an excuse for staring!"
#4 I'm checking out a Zatanna statuette, Rob is somewhere else, (not guarding his woman,) and a random guy walks behind me. Now this one was interesting, because it wasn't what he said that freaked me out, but HOW he said it. "Mmmmm, that's beeeaaauuutiful." It made my skin crawl. JIBBLY jibbly jibbly ji-buh-ly!!
What confuses me with the treatment I received is where it was coming from. I mean, stereotypically, these devoted fan/geeks have serious social issues and as a result, wouldn't have very many friends. So you would think, with that in mind, they would want more friends, ESPECIALLY a girl friend. Instead, I'm talked down to, objectified and suspected of being a pissy "I don't want to be here" girlfriend. Funniest part was I walked out with a sh*t load of comics and a statuette, and what did my boyfriend buy? ... NOTHING.
Seriously, it was funny at first, but I'm starting to feel offended. Does it ever end, or am I just going to have to live with this? Ok, I think I already know the answer to that question. I mean, I can PROVE I read comics, but that only gets me as far as, "CRIKEY!!! Look at that! It's the majestic female comic/gamer geek READING a comic! This is a sight to behold. RARELY are they EVER seen in the wild! Lets try to get a closer look at 'er, but we're gonna have to be very quiet, these animals spook easily..."
Toronto FANEXPO 2010 is coming up. Hopefully I'll have a lot more stories.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
A "Firefly" Birthday!
Rob's birthday just passed and this year I thought I would throw him a "Firefly/Serenity" themed birthday party. For those who don't know, "Firefly" is a terribly underrated Sci-Fi TV show that aired for only one season. Just like Arrested Development, most of the "Firefly" fans showed up after the show was cancelled. "Firefly" has now sold over 500 thousand DVDs, has an awesome fan organization called "The Brown Coats" and fans were able to fund the movie "Serenity." Seriously, if you haven't watched the show before, go find your geek and ask him or her for their copy of the show. So for those who have seen "Firefly" and know what I'm talking about, here are a few pictures you may appreciate.
So I thought I'd start off by making a couple signs to decorate my boyfriend's apartment. The infamous "Blue Sun" logo and the Fruity Oaty Girls!
Rob's gift bag, complete with the Chinese characters for "Serenity."
I even made him a card thanks to Microsoft Paint!
Rob's appartment after I took over. As you can tell, he was very impressed. I think the bullet holes add a nice touch to the place.
I even dressed up! Thought I'd go for more of an "Inara" look.
Rob's presents. All "Firefly/Serenity" themed.
Dinner was even based on the movie. For appetizers I made Char Siu Bao and Apple Cider from the "Our Mrs. Reynolds" episode, and strawberries from the pilot episode. I didn't get a picture of the entrée, but we had broiled tomatoes with rosemary, (also from the pilot episode,) and beef stir fry, (I figured since they were transporting cattle at the end of the "Shindig" episode, they must have had some beef.)
So I thought I'd start off by making a couple signs to decorate my boyfriend's apartment. The infamous "Blue Sun" logo and the Fruity Oaty Girls!
Rob's gift bag, complete with the Chinese characters for "Serenity."
I even made him a card thanks to Microsoft Paint!
Rob's appartment after I took over. As you can tell, he was very impressed. I think the bullet holes add a nice touch to the place.
I even dressed up! Thought I'd go for more of an "Inara" look. Rob's presents. All "Firefly/Serenity" themed. Dinner was even based on the movie. For appetizers I made Char Siu Bao and Apple Cider from the "Our Mrs. Reynolds" episode, and strawberries from the pilot episode. I didn't get a picture of the entrée, but we had broiled tomatoes with rosemary, (also from the pilot episode,) and beef stir fry, (I figured since they were transporting cattle at the end of the "Shindig" episode, they must have had some beef.) And finally, the birthday cake!!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Why I Bother
Being that I'm a girlfriend to a comic/gamer geek, I'm asked constantly (mostly by women) why or how I can support these kinds of hobbies. I like to turn it around on them and ask, "Why can't you support them?" Like it's unthinkable to even allow an adult male to take part in something he loves. But why? Because it's stupid? Because it's embarrassing? Maybe to you, but not to your significant other. And because of that whole "unconditional love" thing that you two are supposed to have, you’re basically obligated to let him enjoy his hobbies. If you don't, you’re a pretty terrible girlfriend (sorry, but it’s true.) Why would someone even let it bother them so much? There are so many other hobbies he could be into that are 100 times worse… like picking his boogers, wearing women’s lingerie, cutting up dead hookers… Honestly, it’s time to get over it and let him do his thing!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you actually have to take part in his activities. That is a totally different ball game. Just stop with the bitching, and the eye rolling. Let him have at least one space in the house for his geeky collection and give him some time to himself for his hobbies.
I guess what I’m trying to convey to you here is: Accept your man for who he is. And these hobbies are an expression of who he is. As a general warning to all women of comic/gamer geeks, if you try to force him to quit and make him put his toys away, buried deep in the basement, not only will he hold a serious grudge against you, but you run a serious risk of loosing him. So do yourself and your relationship a favour: Let him play!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you actually have to take part in his activities. That is a totally different ball game. Just stop with the bitching, and the eye rolling. Let him have at least one space in the house for his geeky collection and give him some time to himself for his hobbies.
I guess what I’m trying to convey to you here is: Accept your man for who he is. And these hobbies are an expression of who he is. As a general warning to all women of comic/gamer geeks, if you try to force him to quit and make him put his toys away, buried deep in the basement, not only will he hold a serious grudge against you, but you run a serious risk of loosing him. So do yourself and your relationship a favour: Let him play!
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