Being Geek Chic is a blog for stylish geeks, sophisticated nerds and people who enjoy the musings of a complete dork. Join us as we dream of driving the TARDIS, cuddle with our eBooks and test out an iPad sleeve. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi and a team of brilliant lady nerds. Meet the team.
This week’s Lady Geek reached out to me to inquire about putting herself in the running for a Lady Geek feature. As I’m an aspiring public relations gal, I couldn’t help but admire her proactive self-promotion.
(Editor’s note: This also gets at a very important point I’d like to make about this community - REACH OUT! Say hi! Tell us about you! We can’t help each other build a community if we don’t know about one another.)
So this week, we’re featuring Mandy Curtis, a blogger, a nerd, a creative, and above all, a go-getter. Follow her on Twitter @mandyannecurtis, and then read her interview with Being Geek Chic!
PS: Still not wooed? Curtis has a dog named Mrs. Mollie Weasley…
Q: What has led you to your passion?
A: I’ve always been a quasi-nerd, having grown up with sci-fi loving parents. (Being named after Spock’s mother, Amanda Grayson, didn’t hurt either.) In and after college, however, my nerdy tendencies just grew. I got more into graphic novels, I began attending more midnight movie premieres, I started a blog on which I post a variety of nerdy things, and I got a seriously nerdy tattoo. I’ve long been obsessed with everything pop culture, but only recently have I realized that that obsession truly is a passion.
Q: What inspires you in the world?
A: People who are doing what they love and making a living doing it. I enjoy my day job a whole lot, but there’s a distinct lack of geekiness in it; I would hope to someday be able to say that I’m a geek in all aspects of my life. What, exactly, that means, I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve got plenty of time to figure it out.
Q: What are you up to when you aren’t blogging?
A: By day I’m a copy editor/writer for an educational nonprofit, by night I’m a DIY-, TV- and movie-loving dog mama and wife of my high school sweetheart.
Q: If you could take any fictional character out for a drink, whom would you choose, and what would you drink?
A: If Agent Phil Coulson and I were to go out for a drink—because I couldn’t really choose anyone better to go out for a drink with—we’d likely go out for a beer. It would be something imported and somewhat traditional, but nothing too common. But we’d only have one, since remaining vigilant and being able to go into action at a moment’s notice is essential for all S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel.
Q: What would you tell you 13-year-old self?
A: Keep doing what you’re doing. I know you’re often torn between your individuality and fitting in, but being you is what makes you awesome. Keep reading, keep dreaming and keep being passionate, even if people tell you that what you’re passionate about isn’t cool. You’re going to find a great community of people in the not-too-distant future who think and love the same way you do. Also—You’re not fat.
Q: What would be the title of your memoir?
A: A Small Town Girl Living in a Nerdy World
Post by Emma Bauer, who works as BGC’s official intern. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, history scholar, tea drinker, fashion devotee, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic.
Follow her on twitter: @emmalynnbauer
“Have you ever tried shawarma? … I don’t know what it is, but I want to try it.”
Among the first thoughts that entered the mouth of newly conscious Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, in the penultimate scene of this summer’s blockbuster, The Avengers.
If you stuck around til the end of the credits (the very end!), you know the Avengers assembled once more after the big fight to save Manhattan for a bite to eat at the shawarma joint.
(If you missed it, check out the scene here.)
It turns out, an authentic shawarma sandwich is not easy to make at home. Most of us don’t own a giant conical spit to continually roast large cuts of lamb or chicken. This recipe is, however, a very good substitute. I used lamb chops removed from the bone. Feel free to use whatever cut of meat you like: a mix of pork and beef, chicken or turkey.
To make the Shawarma-Style Lamb Meat, you need:
Got your ingredients? Here’s your steps:
* In a small bowl, mix together the spices until fully combined.
* Remove meat from bones, if needed. Use a meat tenderizer or heavy pestle to pound the meat to half it’s original thickness.
* In a shallow baking dish, toss meat with vegetable oil and 3 tsp of the spices. Mix with your hands until fully coated. Allow to marinate 30 mins to 1 hour.
* Brush a grill pan with cooking oil, then heat over medium-high heat. Grill strips of meat, about 3 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
NOTE: If you are not going to serve all of the meat immediately, consider cooking some of the meat only to medium/medium rare so that the meat doesn’t get overcooked if you reheat for a second serving.
To assemble sandwiches, you need:
Got your ingredients, now you can:
* Mix the Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic and shawarma seasoning in a small bowl; cover and place in the refrigerator until time to serve.
* Start with a warm pita and slather 2 TBS yogurt sauce and 2 TBS hummus in the middle. Layer lamb, then top with onion, tomato and lettuce, if you wish. Fold and enjoy!
Emma Carew Grovum is a digital journalist working in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as the Digital Editor for The Cooking Club of America and blogs at kitchendreamer.blogspot.com Emma loves Star Wars, pandas and all things Joss Whedon. Find her on twitter at @emmacarew.
This was honestly one of those psycho weeks where my messes got messier and my to-do list went unchecked. But you know what? I’m jazzed, because there are many exciting things afoot. Also, Moonrise Kingdom was as good as everyone promised it would be and that gives me hope for filmmaking.
I’m also moderately to very obsessed with the fact that Jeremy Renner used to be a makeup artist. How the hell did that get passed me until this week!?
OK, onto the good stuff. Here’s the things that made me happy this week. (Besides these adorable knit molecules. What!? So CUTE!)
Desk of my dreams
I have a white desk in my home office and in my work office. I don’t know why this happened - but it’s highly impractical and a real annoyance that I’m constantly, accidentally writing on my desk. Sometimes, I honestly can’t tell where the paper stops and the desk starts. It’s weird. And I need this desk.
Will Joss Whedon release an Avengers director’s cut in theaters this August?
Rumor has it that Marvel and Disney want to make even more of my money by doing this. I don’t mind. Please, take my money.
In other, more personal news…
I started writing for Apartment Therapy!
I’ve been trying to think up a creative way to announce to all of you that I’m now a tech contributor for Apartment Therapy, but instead of going the artsy route… I’ll tell you a story.
In 2007 when I graduated from college, I went to London as an adventurer/traveler to take a time out and think about what I might do for a career with a journalism degree. When I got to my new flat in London, I was shocked at the small, teensy-tiny space that I had to share with three other women. It was absurd and couldn’t have been more than 600 square feet. It was then that I first came upon Apartment Therapy and fell in love with the mission. And I remember thinking - you know, my journalism degree might actually help me write for a company like this someday. I can’t believe it actually happened!
Moral of the story: go live in cramped apartment for a while. No, not really. I think it’s more like: put your dreams out in the universe and let them come back to you.
Happy Weekend!
These Fake Avengers Slip-On Shoes Are Based In Reality
I’ve mentioned before that I write for The Mary Sue now and again. This week, I wrote this piece on the magical creations of Tumblr user Tom Hiddlestunned (GREAT name!) - who mocked up these incredible Avengers TOMS shoe in Photoshop. They’re not real, but they should be. For those who fancy themselves expert crafters, the Hawkeye and Black Widow designs might be easy to DIY with the TOMS leather and sequin shoes.
Sherlock’s Molly on season 3 & Benedict Cumberbatch
I don’t think it will surprise any of you that I’m mildly obsessed with Sherlock. In fact, I can safely call myself a Cumberbitch. (If you follow me on Twitter, I’m sorry. I know, I never shut up about Benny Cumber.) But I just had to share this story with you, because if you are even 10% as invested as me - you’ll love it. If you haven’t seen the last episode of Season 2 - move onto the next item - THIS IS YOUR FORMAL SPOILER ALERT!
Ok, still here. This is what Loise Brealey, who plays Molly on Sherlock said about the cast watching The Reichenbach Fall together: “Everyone was at Martin Freeman’s house, and Martin was there and his wife was sat at his feet and Amanda [Abbington, Freeman’s wife] was crying and so was I and I tried to laugh it off but that turned into this enormous sob in front of everyone and I just thought, oh brilliant.” I admit it: I CRIED TOO.
Ray Bradbury: In Memoriam
I teared up a little when I heard Ray Bradbury died. He was a gem and an idol and a hero. Neil Gaiman posted a touching tribute to him on his blog and I’m telling you - take the ten minutes and go read it.
