Today, I made a fort in my living room.
Hail to the nerds! For this fine day before the kick-off of second semester may very well be one of the few days we can fully enjoy geeking out and completely wasting our time by: reading comic books, playing The Legend of Zelda, watching Godzilla and, of course, browsing through favourite anime shows.
That’s right: I’M that kind of nerd. Nothing pleases me more on a day off than to indulge the comic strips, video games and certain movies that are sadly considered less than worthy to respectable sources like IMBD. I’m definitely an indoor girl. So for today’s act of spontaneity I wanted to build myself a kind of refuge for all my favourite things to celebrate being a nerd. January 8: National Nerd Day. It’s weird what we do in praise of our own interests but if it makes us happy, why not! 
I can feel the heat of glaring eyes, cocked eyebrows and quiet huffs from a hundred respectable individuals channeling my way, however. What? Just because I’m a 20-year-old girl in college working for my Culinary diploma with an awesome boyfriend and a crap load of financial responsibilities means I’m not allowed to geek out once in a while? Oh, I disagree. In fact, those are exact reasons why I should geek out – as much as possible, for as long as I please.
We all need our occasional release from life no matter what it may be. Everyone has the right to feel stress-free and unchained by their responsibilities. Too much do I see teenagers and older adults burdening themselves with obligations; feeding their souls to the machine instead of taking an opportunity to change their situation. Sometimes we forget that while we all have our cross to bear we also have our own lives to look after. Even the simplest things on earth can offer loads of laughter and new outlooks for the ones who appreciate them.
Yes, comics, video games and far-fetched fantasy thrillers are, by default & popular opinion, for male consumption. However, there is a steady growing population of female comic-lovers out there and it’s NOT illegal for us to enter a store and purchase these these items anyway. Sexism can kiss it.
I don’t see the problem with me (or any other girls for that matter) geeking out over otherwise trivial things and materials. After all, some of them were part of my childhood. I’m still sitting here on the ground in my little world under the fort, reading The Sandman series, Batman, Johnny The Homicidal Maniac, Swamp Thing and The Crow. Semi-playing Zelda: Ocarina of Time. An escapist at her best; sucking down the fun to prepare for a day of hell.
HAIL NERDS!
- J.
