Monday, January 2, 2012

Confessions of a Full Time Nerd

I have always been a nerd, geek, dweeb, whatever you wish to call it. I remember picking up my NES controller for the first time to play Bubble Bobble and the feeling of home that came with it has been unmatched. Since then I have played everything from Magic the Gathering, to World of Warcraft. But there is one game that has been a staple in my life. Its a weekly event that I refuse to miss.

Every Saturday night I grab my dice bag and my Energy Drinks and I head to my Best Friend Harold's house where he sets up his DM screen and I allow myself to enter a magical land where I have pointy ears and a Morningstar that is deadly to all that cross it. Thats right every Saturday night I play Dungeons and Dragons. Now I know what you are thinking, that I am sitting in a dark basement were we all have pimples and no friends. But it quite the opposite actually! I like to think I have a copious amount of friends, and I see plenty of sunshine. Its these stigmas that stop people from unleashing their inner nerds! So I proudly shout from the rooftops I AM A NERD!

For all those illusive female nerds this book is a necessary addition to your bookshelf. Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress by Shelly Mazzanoble gave me an insight into the gaming world that was unlike any other book I have read on the subject.


Shelly goes deep into the games mechanics and also shows the decorum needed in certain situations during your gaming career. She also puts a spin on the little things a girl gamer can do to entertain her male counterparts. Such as nerd recipes that are puns on rolls needed to survive in your dungeon masters imaginary world. What I liked most about the book was how the author shows you how to survive anything your DM throws at you, from orcs to dragons, she teaches you how to dress and stay one step ahead of the game. What you will need to bring on your next quest and what monsters you may encounter on the way. The best way to play this game is to be well informed, and Shelly definitely makes sure you are.

It was such an entertaining read as I was already a gamer before reading it, but since reading it I have feel more of a equal with my male gamers and less of an outside party. So for any girl who is looking to get into Dungeons and Dragons I highly recommend picking up this book and proving to your male gamer friends that you can hold your own!

6 comments:

Jessica said...

I read part of that book a while ago under the influence of my equally nerdy husband and what I read was quite good. I couldn't finish though because my book loan was up lol

Rebecca T. said...

Fun post Jess! I've often been curious about the gaming world, but 1. intimidated 2. too busy :)

Unknown said...

Very fun read, Jess. Although not an online gamer, I've spent countless hours (and in the olden days, quarters) in the male-centric world of video games. I go back to the original Pong, which I used to play by myself (and no, that's NOT a euphemism).

Jenn N. said...

Great post and this reminds me that you have to show me how you know what side is up on that 20 sided die.

Jennifer P. said...

I read this book a long time ago to try and understand what was going on when I watched people gaming. At the end, I was amused, but still didn't understand what was going on. I think it's just me, though, because this book is well written.

Unknown said...

I will have to find this book, as my friends here are trying to get a group of us together to play D&D and I know next to nothing about it. Looks good.