Spreading The Nerdom

This quarantine has had interesting results on the spread of nerdom in our household. It has been contagious and effected each of us a little differently. Today I'm here to show the results.

There are four people in this house. Three were already nerds but have adapted in confinement, an evolution of sorts. One was not a nerd but has started a new journey. Let's check in with them for this Nerdom/The Mess hybrid of an episode in our lives.

The Sister:

Chase is no new topic here on My Mess. We had an entire installment on her titled "The Chase Appreciation Post". There is also a monthly update on her antics on the home page. But how is her inner nerd doing during these strange times? A couple weeks back I wrote an article called "Quarantining The Nerdom" and mentioned Chase's new found desire to play video games. Well, you are officially hearing it here: Chase is now a gaming otaku. She did end up, in a few short weeks unlocking almost every feature and side quest she could in Stardew Valley and has been looking for recommendations for new games for her to continue her new nerdy obsession. Let me just say: as someone who will never cut it as a gaming otaku, I am very proud of her. Our gaming otaku friends are also proud but mostly excited to corrupt, I mean assist, in her gaming future. Congratulations, and have fun Chase.

The Mother:

The only non-otaku in a house full of them. I mentioned a while ago in a Sunday article of The Mess titled "Family [Blank] Time" that James, Chase, and I had been doing some [experimental] bonding with my mother by showing and watching anime with her. I was very much aware that this was mostly just to please us. Now in quarantine, she is the one asking if it is anime time. She has completed Maid- Sama, Ouran High School Host Club and caught up on Fruits Basket. Two nights ago was the real turning point though when she made her own request. Unsure of the name, my mother's first anime request was: "Hero Academy". After much loving laughter at her expense, I am happy to report she is making her way through her first shonen: My Hero Academia. She reports that she is "excited because there are multiple seasons!" She had been feeling let down by one season stand-alone's and is happy that she will get more time with the characters. Who know's, maybe after she catches up in My Hero Academia, we can get her on to a longer running shonen to keep her happy. Naruto or Bleach should keep her busy, what do you think?

The Husband:

Look at that handsome face. James' nerd-adaptation is different from the previous two. James has not gained a new otaku title or even found a new nerdom to fall into. What James has done, is max out his stats in his existing nerdoms. He has beefed up his gaming and D&D time. Ready for some D&D at the drop of a dime, he should be every DM's dream player. Reading up on lore, drawing some D&D fan art to previously said lore. Yes, he's got an itch and he's got it bad. When not thinking about D&D, you will find James cozied up with his Switch trying to show Chase the way of the gaming otaku. Though Chase is ahead of him in Stardew Valley and usually ends up showing him some new tricks instead. I am the most happy to report that he's drawing more. I am currently waiting for him to complete a top 6 fan art challenge that I am eager to get my hands on. Overall, I'd say his nerdom game is strong.

The Me:

I am usually a whirlwind of comics and anime all day. And I can't say that, that's not still the case. But what I can say is, I have had an evolution too. As I was sitting waiting for some manga to arrive and I found myself all caught up on comics, I was at a loss and desperately needing some new content. It was then that my cousin Chelsea, descended from the clouds with links to some translated Chinese light novels. She picked one of her favorites that had been adapted into and anime and manga, so that I could read, watch, read, and compare. It was everything and more that my little heart could hope for. I am currently half way through the book and loving it. I can't wait to complete the series and hopefully, write a review for you all. Don't worry though, I didn't leave Chelsea empty handed. To spread the nerdom I recommended, you probably guessed it, some webcomics!

All in all I think the nerdom here is doing pretty well. Video games, anime, manga, the works! How is your nerdom doing? Are you wanting to try or find something new? Don't be afraid to step out and try a new nerdy adventure. You never know, you might think you're a shojo otaku and end up finding that you are a gaming otaku as well.

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Thank you so much for joining me here for this special look into our personal nerdom. I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. My Mess is here for you every Wednesday with some Nerdom and every Sunday with The Mess. Heck, start at the beginning of our website and work your way through, it is a journey you don't want to miss. And in the mean time, make sure you stay safe, stay nerdy, and stay messy, otaku.