superluminous velocity

The Venture Bros is a show near and dear to my heart.  It showcases the kind of pan-generational pop culture collage mentality that is so crucial to modern nerdiness, and for that I give it my undying respect.    A few weeks ago, it was brought to my attention (by fellow NYC nerd Molly) that the show’s creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer would be speaking at the Museum of Cartoon and Comic Art (MOCCA) near Houston St.  Seeing as I love the show, and visiting the museum was on my list of things to do anyway, I was immediately sold on the idea. 

Cut to the night of the event.  Molly and I arrive to the ‘Museum’ to find about 250 of New York’s Nerdiest lined up inside the winding hallway.  Apparently, the massive turnout was just as much as a surprise to the museum as it was to us; we were the last people allowed to enter, which turned out to be lucky for them. 

The space itself was extremely claustrophobic, a medium sized gallery space with every surface coverd by framed comic and cartoon works from all eras (think mickey mouse - hellboy) and crammed full of nerds.  We immediately saw the two animator/voice actor/directors sitting at a table with a laptop and a plasma screen tv in front of the crowd.  The excitement in the air was palpable, and agitation was visible on the face of the interviewer.  After a few minutes of idle audience chatter, the Doc looks out into the crowd and asks:

“Does anyone know Vista?”

Now, I am a computer scientist, and a bit of a microsoft advocate, so I certainly fit the bill, but, not wanting to be the tool to get up and try to show off, I kept my mouth shut, at first.  However, it soon became apparent that out of this small enclave of nerds, I alone was capable and willing to deal with whatever the issue was, so I stepped up.  Popping a squat between the two talented dudes who have entertained me so much over the years, I began to tool away (it was a dual display issue).  To my amazement, they began the panel while I was actually up there working! 

It turned out that they just had a mismatch on the resolution of the tv and the display out, so I fixed it pretty quick.  As I got up to leave, Jackson Publick said to me that I was now an honorary member of Team Venture!  I wanted so badly to interrupt the whole show and try to get him to do the V finger “Go Team Venture!” bit, but I restrained myself. 

The rest of the event was pretty standard, but informative.  We all got to see some sneak peak clips of season 4 (which I await with bated breath) and I got to briefly talk to the guys and shake their hands and get photos.  After it all, a woman who I presumed to be running the gallery and event comped me a membership to the museum too.  Double score.

And that my friends, is how I became a part of a fictional animated super science crime solving team.  

Tonight’s adventure is an open mic night/poetry slam at a cool cafe and bar called Smooch in Brooklyn.  I checked this out for the first time last week (it occurs every Tuesday).  In fact, last Tuesday was my first time performing something public in about 10 years.  I read a poem written last year during my visit to NY/NJ, and one that’s a bit more convoluted as well.  I think tonight I’ll go with ‘Ode to the Little Things in Life‘.

The  event itself is very chill; a few people (fifteenish) show up, some sign up to perform, and the whole thing gets started between 9 and 10pm.  Smooch itself seems to be Australian owned, or themed, because they have a variety of Australian beers, and I saw some vegimite on the counter.

Wish me luck!

So I have once again relocated my life.  This time, to the fast -paced bustle of New York City- that’s right, I live in Manhattan now, in the Financial District.  My inspiration to move was in no small part my current geographic freedom, all my work is done remotely so what reason did I have to remain in or near the silicon valley?  I’ll probably be back there soon enough anyway.

I arrived at the begining of October, and had an appartment by the beginning of November, and now that I’m a little bit settled, I’m really ready to begin exploring in earnest.  Enter this new column “A Nerd In New York.”  Working from home makes it really difficult to meet people and make friends, also, it’s boring and stuffy in my appartment, and I was starting to go a little stir-crazy (you’d be amazed how easy it is to de-socialize one’s self).   To combat my isolation, I have set out on a mission to find enclaves of nerdy awesomeness in NYC.

Nerd is a term often bearing a derogatory connotation or stereotype, that refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests that are age-inappropriate rather than engaging in more social or popular activities. Therefore, a nerd is often excluded from physical activity and considered a loner by peers, or will tend to associate with like-minded people.  –Wikipedia

With the exception of the derogatory  aspects, this is basically what I mean when I say nerdy.  However, I tend to place a bit more emphasis on the Japanese concept of Otaku aspects of nerdiness: that one can be a nerd of anything, a band nerd, a sports nerd, etc.  What makes a person a nerd is a veritable obsession with the information about a thing.  I don’t care with what a person is obsessed, the fact that they may or may not be is suitable for my liking.

So where can I find my brethren amongst 8.3 million people?  Stay tuned to find out.