Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
The past 12 months have been an insane transition for me. I left a major daily newspaper, went to work for a cooking magazine, spent some time freelancing and consulting, and ultimately landed working as a data journalist. In June, I left behind my cozy, historic St Paul neighborhood and have spent the past six months adapting to a smaller, apartment kitchen in an developing neighborhood of Washington, DC (we currently have a rice cooker stashed in a writing desk, casserole dishes in the bookshelf… you get the idea).
My nerding, if measured by midnight showings, was at an all-time high and I saw Hunger Games, Twilight, and the Dark Knight all during midnight showings. It was during that Hunger Games midnight showing back in March when I first reconnected with Being Geek Chic’s very own Liz Giorgi.
I took my work nerding to the next level in 2012 when I attended a 2-day workshop for journalists who wanted to learn how to code called Code With Me. Now I’ve been putting my fledgling coding skills to use at my new job by building small, interactive charts like this one. I’ve embraced the women-in-tech community by joining the Tech Lady Mafia and subscribing to Skillcrush. I’m also continuing to work as a consultant for Webbmedia Group and encouraging smart women who like to date to join the conversation about raising their standards in dating (we call it Team Data, after the book Data, A Love Story).
1. My first BGC post
When my first post for BGC went live back in October, I was beyond excited. I loved growing my cooking skills during my last job at The Cooking Club of America. My primary job was working on digital things, but I loved every minute of hanging out in our test kitchen and working with our food editor. I never dreamed I would be able to develop recipes semi-professionally, but Liz’s brilliant idea for us to collaborate made that dream come true.
2. The team
My next top BGC moment was Liz’s post over Thanksgiving, where she listed Emma B and I as one of her “Thankful Fours.” I really felt like I had joined the community and I felt a great deal of pride in being able to contribute to this site.
3. Internet + Career
I also had a strong reaction to Liz’s recent “Is The Internet Ruining My Career?” post. Working in digital media and working as a freelancer and consultant, I’ve run into many of these same thoughts, and I was incredible impressed by Liz’s ability to articulate her points so clearly and confidently. Thankfully, I’ve never had to work for free (not even as an emerging journalism intern), and I continue to have a personal policy of never promoting unpaid internship opportunities.
I’m looking forward to an even nerdier 2013 with all of you!
Well, 2013 is officially here. I even managed to wake up at 11:59 last night to give Teej a smooch to celebrate. And then I promptly fall back asleep. Before we officially say goodbye to 2012, how about we celebrate the top 3 most popular posts of the year.
It’s been a year of DIY loving indeed! With that in mind, I’ve got lots more up my sleeve.
I would be totally remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank all of you for being so supportive. For tweeting and pinning and sharing and reading and commenting.
Happy New Year’s! I have a feeling 2013 is going to be pretty, pretty good.
If you are anything like me, you look back on a year and you think, “It went by so fast… what the hell did I accomplish exactly?” It’s not meant to be harsh or frustrating - it’s supposed to clarify. Mainly, I’m trying to determine what I did that was worth doing. Having a blog is a great way of figuring it out:
I took more pictures. I promised myself a little over a year ago that I would spend the time to take more photos. I wanted to feel comfortable in Manual mode again, but I also wanted to have more memories. Smart move.
I visited NOLA for the first time and fell in love with the people. Wasn’t so jazzed about the humid, humid air though.
I lost weight. Of all the things I’ve done in the last year, somehow, this one has been the weirdest thing to talk about. I have this weird fear that if I say I’ve lost weight, I’ll be punished for my lack of humility and wake up with it back on my body.
I fell in love with Doctor Who. And the TARDIS. I can’t even believe there was a day when I didn’t know the genius that is Time Lords and Cyber Men and Companions. Thank goodness I took care of that this year.
I invited my college friend Emma Carew Grovum to write about nerd nosh twice a month. I am in love with every delicious morsel of these nerd recipes.
I started writing for Apartment Therapy. When I graduated from college and was in that weird phase between internships and full time employment, I would read Apartment Therapy in its very earliest form (before all the other extras were added on…) and I would think: “Someday, I want to do that.” I can’t believe it actually happened. Can I just say for myself and everyone else: Don’t be afraid to want things. If you work hard and keep making steps towards those things, it can happen.
Without fail at the close of every December, we reflect on the previous year. “2012 in 20 Patriotic Photos,” “Funniest YouTube Cat Videos of 2012,” you name it. I had to join in.
Here are my favorite Being Geek Chic posts of 2012:
1) Feeling loved… #LizHumbled
Liz and her ex-co-worker Drew (pictured in this post) were my very first bosses. Liz’s
assignments for me ranged from creative to tedious to positively embarrassing. She once had me pick up a used (but no longer needed…) prosthetic leg, carry it on the Metro bus from St. Paul back to Minneapolis, and schlep it through the U of MN campus to its destination. I also had to make the return trip. The leg was creepy, strange, and heavy. But I survived. Liz knew I would.
Liz wrote this post bidding adieu to her job at the U of MN.
2) Don’t lose your sense of wonder
When she’s not busy being a blogging mastermind, Liz holds a part-time job as my life mentor. In that vein, this is one of my favorite posts. “Make it a priority to hold tightly and passionately to your sense of wonder,” she says.
3) Lady Geek of the Week: Jamie Frevele
My favorite 2012 Lady Geek is Jamie Frevele of The Mary Sue. She was one of the first ladies I actually interviewed for the feature, and I’m still bemused that I was able to gather the chutzpah to engage with the Associate Editor of one of the largest geeky blogs around.
Honorable mentions:
Lady Geek of the Week: Emma Sherlock
Writing about this British scientist was so fun. She’s so enthusiastic about earthworms! Go back and re-watch her video. What a doll.
Be the ultimate hipster with my DIY instagram Halloween costume (video)
My co-workers and I absolutely loved Liz’s 2012 Halloween costume. Plus, this post gives us the rare TJ sighting – Liz’s adorable boyfriend.
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
Another year is almost through, so why not take a moment to recap the good, the nerdy and battery powered?
Check out my Tech Top 10 of 2012 over on Apartment Therapy.
