I haven’t posted in quite some time, I know. I have been trying to focus on university, stalking bands and painting my fingernails – all things of great importance in the universe of Nikki. However, I managed to drag myself away from the nail polish and band websites for long enough to attend Supanova. No, a star didn’t explode, but my mind was blown. See this ‘pop culture’ event is an invitation for all nerds, Geeks and fanatics to walk in pride (and extremely complicated outfits) without the threat of wedgies, ‘swirlies’ or the beheading of their dol- I mean, action figures. The outcome of an event like this is attendees of many different level’s of Geekdom. However, I, in my magnificent wisdom, and great desire to anything other than my actual assessment, have decoded the Geek-Con Nerds, and will help you identify them by mere appearance. After all, it takes one to know one.

1. The ‘Whatever is Popular’ Geek.

This Geek comes for the comic books, and stays for the wrestling match and leaves after buying a cool shirt.

Costume: Whatever shirt is clean, if it has a superhero on it, all the better.

2. The ‘The Fewer People that Understand This Reference, the Cooler my Costume Becomes.’ Geek

This Geek varies, from genre to genre, but usually is a fan of the one particular show or movie franchise and not much else.

Costume: Spock’s second cousin Phillip, only mentioned in an Easter Egg on the special edition, Director’s cut version of the DVD.

3. The ‘That’s right, I have a Boyfriend/Girlfriend’ Geek.

These Geeks have managed to master the more complex social interactions, or have found someone as equally geeky as themselves. Always travel in pairs. Make other Geeks feel awkward.

Costume:

Sailor Moon/Tuxedo Mask

Obscure Anime Character/Another Obscure Anime Character

Zombie/Deader Zombie.

4. The Cosplay Geek.

These Geeks go ‘there’. They go there, shop around, write home, see the sights and come back with a vengeance.

Note: To the untrained eye may appear as a weirdo with a sewing machine and too much time on their hands. To members of the Geek community who know better, they are heroes. (Except for the ‘Save the Cheerleader’ bit, they don’t do that.)

Costume: Elaborate exact depiction of a character, usually including replica weapons bigger than their person.

5. The Twi-Hards.

The Bane of all pop culture and speculative fiction, Twilight is only a part of such conventions because, a) it ‘classifies’ as Fantasy and b) it brings in every tween and teen in a 14,959 mile radius (and their monies). Travel in packs. High pitch voices. Usually female.

Costume: Blindingly pale skin, a shirt with a picture of a shiny actor on it.

6. The ‘I thought this was just a costume party’ Geek.

Any excuse to dress up is enough for this person.

Costume: Anything. Usually a full costume, without any explanation e.g. Barney the Dinosaur, Polar Bear or Road Kill.

7. The Epic Win Geek.

Just looking at this Geek makes other Geeks want to cry, take pictures and tag themselves in it. Extremely rare.

Costume: Very involved and possibly expensive. Maybe something like this.

Geeks are an ever-changing species, so this isn’t an exhaustive list, but at least you will know not to offend a Cosplayer by referring to him or her as a Twi-Hard. And you won’t offend the rest of the Geek community by referring to Twi-Hards as even a subterranean level of Actual Geekdom.

Peace, Love and Doctor Who,

Nikki.