<editorsnote>Hi, I'm Jen Friel, and we here at TNTML examine the lives of nerds outside of the basements and into the social media, and dating world. We have over 75 peeps that write about their life in real time. (Real nerds, real time, real deal.) Sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the stories!!</editorsnote>
<editorsnote> Misti Dawn is the nerdiest girl working in porn. In this column she invites you inside of her world outside of the sets, and inside her heart. awwwwwwwwww </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @MeowMistiDawn
Hey There Nerdites,
Sorry I was MIA last week, I was flying back home from the New Jersey Exxxotica convention and I didnt get a chance to get online, but here I am now!
Last weekend was the New Jersey Exxxotica which is my favorite of all the porn conventions to sign at. I love the east coast and man it loves me I think. I met so many awesome people and got some awesome gifts. 4 Mario shirts, a digital camera, a book on manson, pac man pjs, and even comics! Best time ever! I signed for Dirty Diablos which was a nice change. They are one of the few porn companies that actually treat people well, and by well I mean REALLY WELL. Loved those guys.
Saturday I went in to the city and hung out with MC Lars for the evening. I drug him to a porno party at some club we stayed at for about an hour. I was supposed to walk to red carpet so once i did that we were out. We hung out in his friends back yard and watched lonely island videos all night. Man I Love that dude, hes so fun to be around and talk to. Such a talented young man.
Then I have to get up at 7am to get to the train in time to get back to NJ to get to my signing on time. Wow Early. But Andrew was nice enough to ride the train with me all the way to Penn Station.
Then I flew home. I got sick. which is no fun.
But SKYRIM came out!!! OMG as much as it sucks being sick it couldnt have came at a better time :)
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Rachel. I LOOOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE this chick. Like LOOOOOOOOOVVVEEEE her!! She's really rad, and totally down to earth. Pretty much everything a solid girl crush is made of. These are the thoughts inside her head, and her life in the realm of procrastination and productivity. Hit it Rachel!! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @IamRachelWho
I know, I know. Everyone works a lot in LA, but seriously, I am workaholic and I love, love, love what I do (most of the time).
During the day, I’m the accountant and office supervisor for a documentary production company, and any other free hour of my life I’m putting the finishing touches on my first feature film, developing scripts, meeting with writers and directors, scheming the next ‘big thing,’ networking any way I can, and ultimately planning world domination.
Oh yeah, and I have killer friends, a super amazing boyfriend, and watching Chris Pratt on Parks & Recreation to find time for so, I’m pretty much going non-stop.
Most of the time, I feel like I’m soldiering through my schedule, obligations and a never-ending to-do list. However, every couple days something great happens – I find a gadget or app or tool that blows my mind and gets me super pumped. #nerdalert#yaylife
For example, here’s a picture of me using the greatest lip-gloss ever -- Pure Illumination – it has an LED light and mirror for application. You can use it IN THE DARK. Bow chicka wow wowwww. For real though, every time I use this it makes me laugh.
So hang tight, and prepare to be bedazzled! I’ll be back with more.
Other things you should know about me:
• I’m a huge TV buff. I love making movies, but TV is my escape.
My favorite shows right now are MISFITS, Parks & Recreation and American Horror Story. All time favorite; Breaking Bad. DUH. • I love DIY projects. I’m currently making a shag rug out of old t-shirts. • My favorite books are graphic novels. I read the first Walking Dead Compendium in one sitting. #fact • Halloween is my favorite holiday. I gush all October long. Seriously. This year I transformed from Beetlejuice’s Lydia to Lady Gaga with the same red lace dress! Success!!
• My boyfriend is constantly trying to get me to watch football. His latest tactic was forcing me to watch the heartbreaking bio of 49er’s linebacker, Patrick Willis. #newfavoriteplayerintheNFL #iveneverhadafavoriteplayerbefore • I have a mad sweet tooth. Cupcakes melt my heart. • I run Nothing Rhymes with Orange on Facebook! Check us out! • I’m really competitive and I love board games; so watch out for that deadly combination at your next housewarming party.
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Layne. I forget how we first started talking ... I think it was on twitter, and then we totes became besties on Facebook, and then we started reading each other's blogs and like commenting and like and like and like ... this chick is RAD annndd she's a ginger. No, seriously. Welcome to the world of Layne and the thoughts that are inside of her head. HIT IT GIRL! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Layne Tanley
I in no way label myself a "gamer" since I am still an amateur, at best. I can't run in a straight line in any non side scrolling video game. No, seriously. It's a problem. I do love video games, but I only play games based on the following criteria:
1. Is it a side scroller? If yes, play. If no, continue to question 2.
2. How important is running in a straight line? If not important, play. If very important, do not play. If unknown, continue to question 3 or watch demo/someone else play first for further data.
3. How important is running in a straight line at top speed? If not important or mildly important, giv'r a go. If important, do not play.
In the case of my all time favorite non-side scrolling video game(s), Fatal Frame, the main character can't move very quickly, and your weapon is a camera. Also, it takes approximately 14 seconds to open and walk through any door. So, standing still is how you spend a large portion of the game play. I love Katamari. I adore Okami. I play the shit out of Legos anything, because I find the entire concept and camp behind that franchise to be amusing and the overall game play is basic enough that my poor steering abilities do not matter. Also, the fact that when weaponless, several characters have the ability to slap someone to death is hilarious.
I play lots of games that fit the criteria, and believe me I have tried to play games where running in a straight line is super important… it's never pretty. Ask my boyfriend about trying to teach me how to play World of Warcraft. I only made it to level 9 with my blood elf hunter, "nowyrhangrs" (Mommy Dearest, anyone?), before my inability to FIGURE IT OUT resulted in a very unceremonious flounce (if you don't know what a flounce is, please google it!). Now I add "if the number of important buttons exceeds what you'd find on a PS2 controller", as a do not play to my above criteria.
True story: my college roomy and I used to play Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX in our dorm room, screaming at the tiny TV perched on top of the dresser, while trying to complete challenges via co-op. I did a lot of the jumps and flips, and she did anything that required being able to move in a straight line or balance (grinds, stalls). Other stuff we'd split up, trade off, whatever. It was a team effort. During any one of our epic sessions, we would be interrupted at least once by a fellow dorm dweller, inquiring if we were okay, and she was only checking because she heard some shouting, and what the hell does "grinding the bend" mean? When they saw the cause of all the noise, they'd either look at us like we were from mars, or ask if they could join us.
I remember the glazed over look guys would give us when we'd admit to our obsession, that look of girls who play video games? They DO exist! When we moved into an apartment for sophomore year, we had an NES and about 30 games, so there were always boys knocking on our door, asking if they could play Contra or Super Mario 3. Good times.
It was also sophomore year of college that I discovered the Sims. I was OBSESSED with that game. I had every single expansion pack. Then when the Sims 2 came out, I specifically purchased a computer to play it, and almost died of a vitamin D deficiency. Now, I play Sims 3. I am a diehard fan of the Sims, and not just because running in a straight line is not required, but the creation aspect of the game is pretty addictive. (Read also: I may or may not have a smidgen of a God Complex.)
Then, there was my Star Wars phase. I loved and played all things related to Star Wars. Battlefront was probably my favorite, and while I desperately tried to be a badass at Bounty Hunter, there was a lot of importance on running in a straight line, so I had to stop playing that game in order to reduce my risk of an aneurysm.
Over the years, I've played games less and less, but I still really enjoy them. I grew up with video games, I still have my GameBoy and my Game Gear (the blue one!), and my boyfriend has the big 3 consoles (PS3, xbox360, Wii), so I get some good rolling crap up with my katamari in as well as my Lego-whatever fix.
Sometimes I think about what it will be like to play video games 20 years from now. When I think about how far things have come in the last 30, it boggles my mind. Hopefully, they'll figure out how to keep this nerd running in a straight line without much effort, otherwise, I may end up the only person on the planet still trying to figure out how to get past level 3 of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Game Gear.
<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Julie. You may already know her as Confessions of an Unwed Bride, but she has finally decided to begin to venture out into the dating world and is asking for your help and support as she goes through step by step of this life altering decision. Dudes, this is a BIG deal! She's never dated before ... like ever!! Well, I'll let her tell you more ... HIT IT JULIE! </editorsnote>
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Julie Wilson
First things first: Happy Dance Time! I completed the challenge! Woot woot! Go me! Go me!
Before I even went on Date #2 I was talking to this guy on OKCupid and he gave me his number in the thread. I asked Jen if this meant I should continue talking to him in the thread or if I needed to text him. "Text him!" Jen said. Okay, okay, being aggressive here I guess, need that third date. So I do and we talk. It drops off and I don't hear from him for a bit. He randomly texts me while I'm getting ready for Date #2 and then again, nothing.
After date #2 a bit of anxiety kicked in. I was worried that I wouldn't actually get 3 dates in the alloted time. On Halloween, with one week to spare, I decided it was time turn it up. This dude goes skydiving as a hobby and I really genuinely wanted to talk to him. I texted this guy and asked him if he wanted to meet up for drinks:
Way to leave a girl hanging dude! Is this what I get for being forward and being the one to ask him out? Not sad or anything but kinda confused by that. Why did he say yes? And then actually pick a day and add a smiley face? Weird. Oh well, on to the next!
Luckily, the same day I realized I had been blown off by the other guy, another OKC guy asked to meet up. I got free concert tickets for The Roxy on Friday and figured that could be a fun date. We met outside of The Roxy an hour before the show was supossed to start. Every time I meet someone from OKC I am always so pleasantly surpsied when I actually recognize them in person.
I go in for the Confident Hug and then I suggest that we go next door to the Rainbow Room. I ask him if he knows who Lemmy from Motörhead is (you better fucking know dude I think). He says he does and I say, "He's always freakin here, but I think it's kinda late for him, he's a day drinker."
Lemmy is no where in sight. But this insane Elvira looking old lady is working behind the bar. You can tell this bar has been around for a long time. This lady has probably worked there since day 1. He orders the same beer as me and we stay here for an hour and 15 minutes talking. There are a few awkward pauses, which I didn't have on date 1 or 2, but still going okay.
We head over to The Roxy and like good little hipsters, order some PBR. The first band is on and they suck. We start making fun of them, which is cool. Second band is much better than the first band. At some point, either when the second or third band is playing, I realize that I like this guy and then soon after I realize that I have had too much to drink.
I get a water. When the fourth band comes out and the lead singer has on silly eyeliner, I can't take it anymore. I have left my goth days when I was the one in silly eyeliner behind. The best part about free concert tickets is that if it sucks, you just leave and you don't have to worry about wasted money. I say let's get outta here and we leave. We head down the street to another bar. There are some more awkward pauses, the music is super loud, it's after midnight and I'm exhausted. He walks me back to my car. Confident hug!! Confident hug!! Thank you and goodnight!
I sit in my car and as I watch him walk away I start laughing. I'm sure that I actually liked this guy more than he liked me, unlike on Date #1 and #2 where I can safely say they were both more into me than I was into them. I laugh and think, "This is what dating is all about! Of course the one I like wouldn't like me as much."
I was wrong. I got the standard "I had a great time" text at 4:00pm the next day. Followed by some more texts, followed by a phone call on Sunday. What the hell ever happened to playing it cool dudes? Not one of these three guys did. I'm super emotionally unavailable so I scare easily and I understand that but, geez, give me a day to breath. I called him back a few hours later. He wanted to see me before I head down to Fort Lauderdale for a long weekend. I told him I was busy, which I am. I have another date tonight!! Haha. I'm going for extra credit y'all! But I would certainly hang out with this guy again.
I am really happy that I went through with this. Jen actually first put up the challenge 2 weeks before October 7th and I freaked out and she took it down. I had to commit to overcoming my fear first. I was beyond scared in the hours leading up to Date #1. By Date #3 I felt like a pro. It was a big help in moving on and getting some fun dating experience under my belt.
Wow. Wow. Wow. I had like the funnest date ever last night. Seriously ... I'm going to be conservative in my estimate, but I'd say top 5 ever. Yep, true story. Here's the song that goes with the post ...
YES YES YES YES YES! This song is winning on so many levels it's an entirely new gameee!!
Okay, so first up ... I have to give this duderino a nickname.
Nickname ... nickname ... nickname ... Ah yes, Hot Startup.
This duderino is not only gooooorrrrrggeeeouuuuussss but works at a super popular startup so it has a double entendre. huh? huh? See what I did there?
So I've known this dude for a while, we've been friends on all appropriate social networks. Then we bumped into each other at a geek event not too long ago, he gave me his personal number told me we should kick it, I texted him ... we went out, had a great date, then he asked me out again earlier in the week and we arranged to go out Friday.
Now, it's Friday aka last night.
He texts me in the afternoon, I know nothing about what we are doing or anything.
::text:: Do you like red vines?
::typing:: Sure.
::text:: good! see u at 830. pick u up
::typing:: okay!
HMMM where does one eat red vines? I wonder. AHHH!! yes, he must be taking me to a movie. Really? a movie I thought? Can't be - why didn't he ask me what I have seen. Alrite well whatever, just prepare for an adventure Friel, you're going in blind on this one.
8:30 rolls around, I finish getting ready topping off my outfit with black leg warmers over my Blowfish shoes ...
<tangent> Dudes it was SOOOOOOOOO cold in LA last night!! Like for reals! Being from Connecticut I used to make fun of people for thinking 50 degrees is cold, but it for real for real is. Your blood thins, man. </tangent>
I inhale as we embrace. UGH! He smells so yummy, he smells like a dude - which is totally a good thing because he is one.
We make small talk in the car before I finally ask, so where are we going?
To an 8 bit art gallery, he says. They're doing a red vine celebrity portrait exhibit.
WHHHAAAATT, I say.
Yeah, it seems pretty cool, thought you'd enjoy it.
Um, this sounds AH-MAZING!
We then laugh like in a cheesy romantic comedy as I place my hand on his arm initiating the touch barrier. Good job, I think.
<tangent> I can't handle planning dates. I just can't do it - I don't plan anything in my life, but it doesn't mean that I don't want someone else to do it!! My added value in the world is getting people excited about things, being a bundle of energy, and having fun anywhere I end up. Planning how I got there is never ever ever my value add. I don't do it with my friends, and I DEFINITELY don't do it when it comes to dating. The fact that this dude planned the date = big big big brownie points. </tangent>
We head over to the gallery and OMMMMGGGGGG it was the coolest thing ever ... look!!
That is made entirely from red vines - I shit you not.
Well red and black vines technically speaking, but you get the idea - the entire portrait is done in licorice.
REEEDDIIIIICCCC!!!
We then both start talking about the marketing opportunities for the red vine brand in general.
More artists should reach out to brands if they have ideas like this, and obviously can execute accordingly. I'm sure the artist could get a really rad sponsorship from red vines.
Oh totally, he said.
We then toured the facility, all of the portraits, finished our drinks and headed towards the door.
I forget exactly how the conversation started, but one of us mentioned Little Tokyo, and I started FREAKING out going omg omg omg they have the most EPIC arcade there!!!
I know! He exclaims. The one inside the mall!!
YEAH! And it's open super late!! So rad!
What's your favorite game?
Skeeball! I say. I grew up a skeeball MASTER!!! Used to play it at Scooters in Bristol, CT. Rocked the tickets out of those machines!!
He laughs, I love skeeball, skeeball and pinball.
I then think, hmmm ball joke is in there somewhere ... like balls there, do ya buddy? Meh, no that sounds lame. Note to self brush up on comedy, say nothing, and finish conversation.
We walk towards the car.
Next up is this place downtown called Bordello. One of my favorite bars.
Perfect!
He then puts on his glasses to drive, and I coo at how sexy it is.
He laughs showing slight embarrassment. Dudes, glasses are effing HOT! I lost my last pair in Vegas, but I'm a big big big fan of 'em, and refuse to get Lasik just so I can still wear them!!!
We pull up to Bordello, and hot startup looked confused.
They must have moved the door - oh no, worse - it looks like they've changed owners. It's now called the One Eyed Gypsy.
Sounds good to me, I say! Let's go have an adventure.
Alrite!
We then park the car and head into the bar.
Really really really cool ambiance, very gypsy-esque. He then tells me how it is similar to how Bordello looked, but Bordello was a bit ... darker.
It's still cool though, he says as we walk up to the bar.
We order a round of drinks (I get the riddler's punch - which is their version of Sangria).
We stop to listen to the live band, and he then stares me up and down, stops and says, you look REALLY hot tonight. I just have to say.
Well thank you, leg warmers are sexy and practical. RAWWWRRR!! You don't look so bad yourself I say with a cheesy wink.
We move over from the live band and walk into the back.
I then hear a game of some sort go off.
As we round the corner, I then see two skeeball machines RANDOMLY in the bar.
SHUT. THE. FRONT. DOOR. I scream.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS!!! We were just talking about skeeball. This is INSANE!
Let's play, he says! He then goes to the bar and gets some quarters.
This is literally my new favorite spot. Are you FOR REALS?!?! Skeeball in a bar?!?! Whaaattt!!! I then look over at the other team playing, and spot a familiar face.
OMG OMG OMG OMG!! I think!! It's suck and blow from Clueless!!
I couldn't think of her name off the top of my head, but you know the scene in Clueless where they play suck and blow - she was the asian girl that initiated the game. She was actually the token asian chick there for a while, also appearing in Bring it on and Can't hardly wait.
She appears at :34 minutes in ...
<tangent> I have a very very very freaky talent being able to recognize people. For reals, household name celebs don't really do anything for me, but obscure B and C listers are totes the cats pajamas!! For reals!! Dudes, I dated David Lipper aka Viper from Full House. Not mad at the dude, he's an INCREDIBLY talented actor - but I sought him out on Mypspace, and then he made the first move by commenting on a photo of mine - hahahaahhaahaha! I love love love me some random obscure celebs. </tangent>
Hot startup then comes back. OMG OMG OMG OMG I whisper in his ear. It's the chick from Clueless!!!!!!! He then hands me quarters to put into the machine.
I grab the balls as I think to myself, this is a life moment Jen Friel. You are now playing skeeball (THE GREATEST GAME EVER) next to the chick from Clueless. Take a deep breath, and let it all sink in.
I play the game scoring a mesasly 170 and continue sipping my sangria. We then walk out of the game area and into the back.
Flashes of light break through the darkness of the club.
OMG, I say - it's a PHOTOBOOTH! This place is for reals the coolest bar ever.
Let's go in, he says.
He gets change from someone in line as I sit down on the super small stool.
Big butt + super small stool = not fun.
He sits down and puts the three dollars in.
You ready?
Yep! I say with a smile.
First two pics I smile, third one I turn my head to kiss his cheek - he grabs my face kissing me passionately.
The third and fourth picture snap.
OMG OMG OMG, we are making out I think.
Good kisser ... nice pressure ... solid tongue action. Not too shabby.
The photobooth ends, and we get up to walk out.
I am woozy for a second.
WOW! Great fucking kisser, I'm kinda dizzy.
We then wait for the pictures, and about five "I'm now smiling like a 5 year old on Christmas" minutes later the pictures develop.
We stay at the bar for about another hour, chatting away. We both have a ton of weird and random LA stories - so the conversation flows very naturally.
He then closes out the tab, and we walk outside. While waiting for the pedestrian light at the crosswalk, he grabs me and kisses me again .. even more passionately.
OMG OMG OMG OMG! Life moment again Friel. This feels AAAHHHHH-mazing. Breathe breathe breathe.
The light turns and we walk over to the car. We stand by the car and start making out next to the car, then inside the car.
Let's go back to your place, he says.
AHHHH no, I say. I can't. No casual sex.
I break from the sexual haze and say, dude! It's totally working too!! I'm attracting super different people - from an energetic perspective I really feel like I'm about to knock it out of the park.
I then realize I am talking way too much and say, I can't take you home, but let's find a parking lot.
He smiles as he puts the car in drive and we round the corner.
We find a lot (well lit, but isolated. For reals man, be careful when it comes to make out sessions in cars. You don't want to be in TOO isolated of a place or peeps can try car jacking you. Gotta be smart about that, man. We were in downtown!!), and he pulls me into the backseat.
OMG OMG OMG, I think. This. Feels. Amazing. The song Animal from Nickelback starts playing in my head.
UUUGGHHHH this song turns me on.
We then proceeded to make out like 8th graders in the backseat of his car.
When I say that, btw, think back to ALLLLL of the shit you did when you were in the 8th grade. Mind you this was the late 90s for me - but I'm talking first base, rounding second.
A few minutes later he whispers something in my ear and suddenly we became 11th graders and as my head flew back in ecstasy I think ... OMMMMMMMGGGGGGGG this is the greatest date ever.
The things he did to me should not have been legal. HOLY SHIT that felt amazing.
I then returned the favor, and one fully steamed up car later - I open the car door crawling out of the backseat one satisfied chica.
OMG OMG OMG OMG. Life - you do not suck.
He then drives me back home, and we kiss goodnight.
I get out of the car pulling my barely there dress/ shirt thing down strutting my stuff in my leg warmers and Blowfish shoes.
I don't turn around to wave, opting instead to play it cool.
I am so. so. SOOOO proud of myself for this date, nerds! I didn't have sex with him!! YAY for self control!! Albeit, we did more than I have been doing on most dates - but it would have been REALLY easy at that point to say yes to bringing him back to my apartment, but I didn't and this morning it felt REALLY good waking up by myself.
Good job, Friel and good job Hot startup!! Amazing. Amazing. Amazing date!
Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:37AM
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @MeowMistiDawn 
