Monday, March 21, 2011

We Are Ever Lovin' Geeks


We love reading aloud, and dreaming up two and a half story storage sheds topped with Viking long boats. Our magazines Robot, Make, and Popular Science are dog eared and care worn. We have pressure gages, surgical tubing, and text books on our dining table... most days. We turned our picnic table into a chicken coop, and we drove to Oregon, and back, with chickens in our mini-van. Our summer plans revolve around Comic-Con, Siggraph, Da-Vinci Days. We had a release party for Little Big Planet II, and all three BIONICLE movies. We sing along when we watch Pirates of Penzance. Bow ties, fez, vests, leis, and real cowgirl boots are not costumes. We watch clouds, follow the moon, save pumpkin seeds.


I think we are happiest when we are our own truly Geeky, natural selves. Exploring our world, delving into the science, and fantasy, of what we believe, and what we make-believe.

I suppose this is why I cannot stop sharing my robo-ness. My nearly zealous passion for FIRST. You may have noticed? You may be nauseated? I go back and forth between feeling apologetic for caring so madly-deeply about high school robotics, and that guy on North Dumpling Island, and feeling really crushed that I cannot get everybody madly-deeply passionate for high school students embracing science, technology and math!


Ah, come on!
You wouldn't really want me to apologize would you?
For being excited about smart, responsible students... motivated young people pursuing their dreams, hoping to find a place where their passions and ideas are respected?

Okay. So. I admit, I do feel ineffectual and sort of uncool, when only two people are inspired by my team spirit. And then I remind myself that not all dreams have to be shared, have to be appreciated on an equal scale with my own passion. But, gee wiz. Wouldn't you think more than two people would want to have a try at winning a new book? A free book?! Hello? Maybe toss a little "w00ts" for teenagers that spend their free time in metal shops, and making plans to visit middle schools to promote science and space exploration?


No worries.
I am going to stay true to my ever lovin' geekness, to my passion for play and learning, for exploration, for reason, for creative expression, for chcikens for chickens! Yes, I would like to think that I can motivate hundreds, even thousands of people to go to an FRC event, to skip the hero worship of empty celebrities, and instead celebrate teachers and their students, mentors and their dedication, math, science, art, and Geeks!

My faith in FIRST 2102 Team Paradox is sincere, and it is validated by their goals and accomplishments. Even when tragedy befalls the world, I know that real and lasting solutions are, and always will be, in education, in supporting determined and inspired young people. Their ideas and good work are going to make headlines. The good headlines. The stories that makes us proud.

Yeah. Pretty much. That's what I believe.


Cheers!

Cheers for Geeks!
Cheers for Safari parties and good friends, for play. Cheers for tools on the dining table! Cheers for designing, for building, for wiring, for painting, for singing, for thinking of new, better ways for doing old things. Cheers for rediscovering the beauty and worth of old ways and embracing them today.


We found a new restaurant the other night, and with the wind blowing a big storm into town, we sat comfortably together, and relaxed. We shared songs, and thoughts, and smiles. It was wonderful.

It seems kind of silly to point to any particular hardships we may be enduring, but it seems like we were overdue to enjoy some wonderful. Sometimes the good stuff is there, waiting, but we can get so caught up in other business that we fail to see the little, and big, bits of full wonder waiting to be enjoyed.


Mini-Bots! Even with a good mama taking care of them, we have to check them every day. They grow so fast, and change quickly. It'd be a shame not to witness the wonder of them.


Now, these... these do my soul good!

Is this random?
I am trying to remember if this post had a point, or two?
Never mind. A nice advantage of blogging is exploiting the fact that blogging is so loosely defined, such a new, and personal genre. In fact, I reserve the right to be quite pointless indeed.


Here.
I believe this is just the spot for a bunny nose.

We moved some things around in our office,and we found we have a fireplace! Lo! Well, I guess I am about through here, so I think I will join the children in the next room. We'll build a warm fire, and see what sparks we want to fuel.

7 comments:

judy in ky said...

Pointlessness has never been so charming! Actually, you do have a point; that is, everyday family fun and creativity. I love the great safari photos, and the baby chick photos. So much great stuff going on at your house!

Tracy said...

Oh, I love this, Natalie! I've been a geek all my life, and proud of it! So I love all geeks! ;o) The Safari photos are such fun. And thank you for the bunny nose...*sigh*...Happy Days to you all ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

I am excited about your FIRST team, and I can't wait for my kids to be old enough to participate! However, I live in the worst state (MI) and haven't been able to catch up on my morgage for the last 2 years. So when it comes to donating I have to put my kids first :(
I'm sorry I can't help those bright talented young people! I felt it would be extremely unfair to enter in a book give away when I couldn't contribute. I do wish them well and I enjoy reading all of your "geekiness" :)

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Dear Anonymous... get back here! *Family first* is one of my mottos, and it was a FIRST robotics student that made me realize just how important it is to put our families first! You are awesome. You have made me jump up and pump my fist, because all I want is to get people excited, and in whatever capacity you can find to participate; it's fantastic! The only contribution I want is for people to recognize FIRST, give a shout out for 2102 Team Paradox. The crises we all face, the natural disasters, the financial disasters... it is horrible and devastating, and I am sorry it has hit you so hard. You are doing the right things... thinking ahead to when your young children can participate in FIRST, and do not let anything interfere with that plan... good teams are for everyone! You are perfectly entitled to taking a book, to having your name in the Fez. Our purpose is to share encouragement and inspire people! Thank you for your support! You are a valued team player.

Tracy... geeks stand proud, all over the world! Thank you for your support. Alex had a lot of fun preparing for a special Safari party, and Maria and I had fun taking his picture.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Judy... ((hugs)) Thank you for the sweet words. I am not always sure I am doing a good job, but when I hear from you, at least I feel like I might be on the right track.

ArtyZen said...

I love the photos. You inspire a lot more than two people. What FIRST does is still quite alien to me - sadly there's nothing much like that here in Spain. Education seems to be memorising textbooks and then being tested on what has stuck! England was more hands on but where you are sounds fantastic. I know my children would love it. We must try harder to remember that learning is fun.
Your blog is still a real inspiration to me!
Axx

Oiyi said...

Luv that bunny nose!