One of my favorite phrases is “Live your (or My) Geek”. I feel like it perfectly states my philosophy of what being a geek means. The short definition of being a geek is that you’re an extreme fan of something, but there is so much more to it. Let’s face it, the people who are car nuts, music fans, or sports enthusiasts do not apologize for their love of their respective obsessions. Society says that it is completely acceptable to go to car shows and look at each others vehicles that we may or may not drive, follow a local band to every gig in the tri-state area to show your support, or join a group to play the sports version of an RPG, fantasy football. But yet, how many of us downplay our love for comics, books, action figures, or whatever you’re into because either we don’t want to be ridiculed of we’ve been told that what we like is odd or weird? I’m here to tell you that it is not. It is what you’re into, it is what brings you enjoyment in your life, so don’t hide it. If it’s ok for someone who has never stepped foot on Heinz Field to wear a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey, then it is ok for you, who has never stepped foot on the SHIELD Helicarrier to wear your SHIELD agent’s tee. And, for that matter, it is more than ok for you to read as many of the Dragonlance novels in public as you want. And, while you’re at it, get down with your bad self to that nerdcore group that puts a smile on your face because they’re rapping about your reality. Seriously, you only have one life, live it to the fullest, without apologies, without regrets.

I hope that I don’t sound like I am attacking any of the previously mentioned fandoms – I’m not. I am a huge Steelers fan (since 1976), I love classic cars, and my music collection is bursting at the seams. I’m simply speaking as someone who hid his extreme geekiness for the longest time. Once I embraced my true self and began living my geek, I became a much happier person. It may mean that you need to be honest with yourself and change your crowd, but that is ok, too. Trust me, you will be much happier in the end.