Token Female Gamer

Ready Player One is the latest geeky book phenomenon by Ernest Cline and also the January book for the Geek Girl Book Club.

Set in a dystopian future; economic and environmental catastrophes have resulted in a huge worldwide resource shortage. Anyone who can afford it escapes his or her poverty stricken existence by plugging into the virtual OASIS, an immersive Massively Multiplayer Online Game.

Upon his death, the creator of OASIS, wills his entire fortune, billions of dollars and controlling shares in the OASIS Company, to the first person that can find the three virtual keys he has hidden inside the game. Massive treasure hunting fever sweeps the world.

Five years later, not a single key has been found. Until Wade, a young man who, like most of his peers, grew up plugged into the OASIS simulation. He discovers, through luck, tenacity and a bit of brains, the first of the three keys. Pandemonium ensues and we get to come along for the ride.

(more…)

January always inspires thoughts of new years resolutions. Whilst contemplating this year’s set of goals, it became apparent to me that my lists are very much the same from year to year, write more, get out more, dance more, play more, same old same old (boring!)

So I scrapped that idea, and thought, well what about a ‘bigger picture’ take on the whole thing. Which of course bogged me down into the realm of world peace, cure cancer, fight depression, and end world hunger. Scrapped that list also. These vital problems are too large and important for a mere January resolution list.

On the verge of abandoning the whole idea, it occurred to me that maybe I should think of this as a wish list. Pick ten really geeky and totally frivolous things I would love to see happen, however unlikely.

And so, with this post, I release my top ten picks into the geekaverse. May they show up on someone’s to do list, preferably someone who can make shit happen.

(more…)

Yesterday, the whole world changed. Steve Jobs died.

The news took me by surprise, I hadn’t known he was so ill. What surprised me even more was the acute sense of loss I felt.

Although I never knew Mr. Jobs personally, he contributed to my life in significant ways. He contributed to everyone’s lives in such incredibly visionary ways. It’s difficult not to wonder what he would have accomplished with more time.

His genius and charisma can never be replaced.

Ack I am slacking this month. Too much RL stuff planned.
Onward:

Stephen Fry Serenade – This cracks me up and gets stuck in my head all at the same time. If that talented lady wrote an album dedicated to Steven Fry I would so buy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGYEMXoVHUs&feature=player_embedded

Julia Sweeny – sex ed video! Tears. Laughed so hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry-LwxR746s&feature=player_embedded

How to make great female characters in games – OMG make them human, the secret is out! (DUH!)
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2868-True-Female-Characters

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s Star Wars (HAHAHAHAHAHA!) Then again they could be talking about dirty socks and it would be funny.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1949406

From the awesome Pokemon group: Set Pokemon free! – This is the current theme in Pokemon Black and White. Its nice seeing these guys explore the topic a bit. Hehe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YfWR438wkg&feature=player_embedded

I finally figured out how some people manage to post daily, hourly, minutely. My husband went off to PAX East this weekend, which resulted in my productivity shooting through the roof. It was so quiet at night that I had nothing better to do than be productive. =D

So basically either I get to post like crazy or I get to keep my husband/life. Thankfully its an easy choice. Too bad blog, your short lived top priority spot has been filled with husbands and stuff.

On a side note, the husband gave a talk at PAX to a packed room. According to online comments, his discussion was really well received. I’m super proud of him. <3

I find myself in snow ski land with only WoW to play at night, but no one wants to hear about WoW anymore. (My guild made level 6 and we have been going through all the old content getting heroic achievements plus guild achievements, lalalala!)

But thankfully FaceBook has been putting out.

Music created using youtube videos. Really entertaining!!
http://www.thru-you.com

‘Your Highness’ the Movie. Who wants to see Natalie Portman in a thong??
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1240982/

Marian Call Girl Nerd Anthem. Awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLBb58iHiRA
More of her stuff here: http://www.mariancall.com/listen.php

Dara O Brian Live at the Apollo – Comedian’s skit about video games. This made me pee my pants. Its so true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKIiUsbOO24&feature=player_embedded

Star Wars + Dr Who Trailer. Yes please. =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL5ud5_K-GY&feature=player_embedded

Doodles = Math. Love seeing smarts manifest in such creative ways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heKK95DAKms

I like intellectual boys – Song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktjx8umlaOI&feature=player_embedded#!

My blackberry isn’t working – British Comedy Skit, play on words. Hehe.
http://www.flixxy.com/my-blackberry-is-not-working.htm

Now back to my regularly scheduled WoW. =P

<3 TFG

Thanksgiving heralds in the winter holidays for me, which is probably why it is my all time favorite meal. Those mashed potatoes and slices of turkey slathered in gravy are merely a gateway to the cozy, snuggle by the fire with hot cacao, bundle up warmly against the chill, tree decorating, cookie making, present giving Winter Holidays.

There is so much too look forward too – good food, lots of cookies, some champagne (okay, lots), presents galore, and every computer game release under the sun.

All the publishers try to capitalize on the random “grandma” sales, which is understandable, LOTS of shopping happen during this season. But for those of us who buy games for themselves, its just a bit overwhelming and costly.

(more…)

As the Gamer Girl/Geek Girl phenomenon has taken off, more and more lovely young ladies have taken up the cry of nerdhood to ply their warez. And though I enjoy cheering them on from my very happily anonymous sidelines, one question does arise for me: are these really geek girls or are they just publicity hos?

(more…)

Look what showed up in my email the other day.

Thank you for being a valued member of Xbox LIVE. We want to let you know about an upcoming price increase for Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions. The new price for Gold membership goes into effect on November 1, 2010. The new prices are as follows:

Old Price / New Price
1-Month Gold Subscription $7.99 / $9.99
3-Month Gold Subscription $19.99 / $24.99
12-Month Gold Subscription $49.99 / $59.99

With an Xbox LIVE Gold membership, you can play blockbuster games such as Halo: Reach with your friends online, you can also stream movies from Netflix* and music from Last.fm right to your TV. You can even connect with friends near and far on Facebook® and Twitter™. Gold members also enjoy exclusive discounts and early access to game demos. And, this holiday, Xbox LIVE is adding new Gold features, including ESPN and Video Kinect, with Hulu Plus coming on Xbox Live in 2011.

(more…)

Its amazing to see what incredible work Ada Lovelace actually did. Imagine all the struggles she must have endured to even be heard. Imagine if more women had had her opportunities.

Thankfully, women now a days get far more encouragement from society. =)

Dedicating a day to all the women that have made the path into technology easier for each generation to come is a wonderful idea. They should all be celecreated, espcially Ada who as the very first programmer is a littler nearer and dearer to my heart.

Happy Ada Lovelace Day!

<3 TFG

http://findingada.com/
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/03/ada-lovelace-day/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace