A New Face

     Here at STH, I'm taking a webdesign class. Today, because I have finished building that website, I am here, with something new to show you. You see, part of this class is about how to design a logo, which I have done. So here I am to share with you the "new face" of Life as a Starving Poet*:

     Image Copyright December 2010, MPK.

Unauthorized use is prohibited. All rights reserved

Yup. So there you have it folks- the official logo for this site. I hope you like it!

Thanks for listening,
Maggs

Dream Era of the Nerds

     Today, I would like to dedicate this post to all you nerds/geeks out there. Whether you spend your spare time practicing for the ACTs, taking computers apart and putting them back together again, or marking time to the songs on the radio, I want to congratulate you. You have made it- welcome to the dream era of the nerd.
     Ever since Bill Gates, who was possibly the nerdiest kid on the planet when he was growing up, nerds have become more respected. Yes, little Billy G. was picked last for dodgeball games in gym. Yes, he had dorky glasses fixed with tape (probably).Yes, he most likely spoke completely in computer jargon (if you know what jargon means, good for you- that's ten geek points. Congrats.). But now look at him- he's one of the richest men in the world. People use his products every day! In fact, right now, I'm typing these very words on my Microsoft software (thanks, Bill). 
     Because of Mr. Gates, nerds today have it better than anyone else out there. Yeah, it's still not completely sociably acceptable to be a band nerd or a math geek. But we're getting cooler as the years progress. It is now considered relatively cool to be a drama dork, and choir is becoming more normal as we speak (write. read. type. produce ATP molecules. whatever. And by the way, if you know what ATP is that's 15 geek points. If you can tell me exactly how it's made, that's 5 more geek points.).
     So here we are, nerds, geeks, and dorks everywhere. We have finally arrived in the Dream Era of the Nerd. So what are we going to do with it? Are we going to sit at home on our butts and play Zelda? Well, yes, we are. It's part of being a video game fanatic, which is a key part of being a geek. But aside from Zelda and the other afore-mentioned geeky pastimes, we are going to do something that geeks for centuries have feared to do- we're going to be ourselves.
     So, my geeky friends everywhere, I encourage you! Wear that saxophone neck-strap with pride. Rejoice when you beat the final boss of your latest video game. Get rid of those contacts and wear your glasses joyfully. Use words like "fortnight" in public. Carry your AP Calc book without shame. Find isosceles triangles in modern architecture and point them out to your friends. Read in public. Feel free to brag about the new robot software that you just designed. Correct people's grammar in public. Talk about how fun your algebra homework was. Outsmart everyone around you. Read through the adds at stores and tell the manager when you find a copy-editing error. Point out the teacher's mistakes. Admit that you watched Star Trek all weekend. Doodle maps of Middle Earth on your homework. If someone asks where your dream vacation is, tell them of how you long to journey to Magrathea. And lastly, be grateful that you are who you are. 
And now, geeks everywhere, I must bid you adieu. Au revoir, sayonara, auf wiedersehen, ciao, goodbye. 
Thanks for listening,
Maggs