#WTF: About last weekend ... can I get a rundown? (Playboy Mansion details)

OOOHHHH my goodness gracious acious nerderinos - what a weekend. First off, thank you room for the fact that you have now stopped spinning. That took a really long time, haha.

Alrite, first up - Saturday ... the Playboy Mansion. You ready?

Lemme get a song going ...

Perfect, and so true. 

Alrite, now a little bit of a backstory ...

I've been going to Playboy parties for years years years. I got invited to my first one in 2005 by a party promoter (I moved to LA in 2004), and after I got into that first party, and was apparently cool - they kept inviting me back (all via email, they have my super super super old school gmail addy). It's one of these things where if you don't suck all the "right" people will make sure you're taken care of - and pretty much give you full access to all of the cool shit going down at the mansion. Really fucking rad - and I'm really grateful (especially since that shit be free yo!).

(You can view my pics from Playboy parties over the years on Facebook here)

Every year though there is a judging of sorts to these parties, and if you're deemed "hot enough" you'll get in no problem.

For some god awful reason, I have always been the only one of my group of friends to ever get an invite and get a free sponsored ticket. (Anyone can go to these parties, but be prepared to fork over a grand a head.) It definitely pissed some of my friends off those first few parties, but now everyone is just used to it, and I'm used to going alone. Dudes, this is how I meet SOOOOO many new people. I do shit completely by myself and sort of throw myself at whatever I am given and no matter what I end up having a blast. I'm an extroverted loner, going to parties knowing no one and walking out with everyone's life story is my THING!

Alrite, that's my backstory, now we can move on.

So, Saturday I had my invite to the party, and this year just grabbed a spirithood, slutty black dress, my super comfy booties from Blowfish, put eye liner on my nose and managed to piece together a pretty solid costume ...

I'm a naughty red wolf ...

Dude, biking gives you the BEST. BUTT. EVER!!! That thing is getting so perfectly perky. So rad!

I am still not driving as I have yet to pay off my 5 parking tickets, so I had to take the city bus to get to the mansion. <tangent> Dudes, I'm totes not mad at it, but based on sheer principle I can't justify dropping $2500 to get them paid off, PLUS my registration, PLUS a tune up for my car since it hasn't been driven for a year. I'm giving myself a deadline of January - but for reals, after surviving off of $10 and only $10 for a year, it's a minor inconvenience, yes - but taking public transportation for 11 months has also taught me a lot about life, and I plan to write a thesis on it when I'm done. </tangent>

Before getting on the bus however, I set myself up with a loverly treat of some beer in my Vapur bag so I could pregame on the ride over.

I got this from speaking at the 20SB conference in Chicago, but it is LITERALLY the greatest thing ever. It's a water bottle that folds up completely. It's this bag thingie that is designed SO well, and can totally fold up in your purse after. It's definitely more eco-friendly than solos, and I'm not mad at it!!

I then started pounding back the brewsky while some rather interesting characters started to board the bus.

 

Directly in front of me is a slutty snow white, over in the front of the bus is a dark angel of sorts, and to my right (not pictured) was a 5 year old girl.

She was a really really really big fan of my costume.

She kept petting my fur, and talk about AWKWARD!!!

Dude, where's your mama? This dress is so tight and so short ... a little 5 year old girl should not be exposed to this!! I then quickly realize that her mom is actually sitting next to me. Would you like to swap seats, I ask pointing to her daughter.

Oh no, she's fine - she said. She just really likes your hat.

It's not a hat, it's a spirithood! I thought!!!

Fine fine, keep drinking Friel. The awkwardness will subside.

15 minutes later - it hasn't. The little girl is STILL poking/ petting me, but fortunately my beer buzz is increasing so I stop caring.

BEER BEER BEER BEER BEER!!! Why are you so wonderful??

I then get off a few more stops later, and walk over to the parking garage where the shuttle to the mansion picks you up.

<tangent> To get to the mansion, you pick up a shuttle in century city - and then you are literally shuttled in. You can get a drive on, but they're only given out to select peeps, and I have connections, but not that good. Besides, what would I drive on? My bike? No way. </tangent>

I stand in line for a few minutes, then check in officially opens and we all move in to our appropriate lanes. (They are organized by the alphabet. A-D in one lane, E-H in another ... etc.) I was in the lane for F.

I was standing there for a moment, and something struck me. I don't know how else to describe this feeling, but without thought, I instinctively turned around standing DIRECTLY behind me was a guy I used to work with when I worked in movie marketing. (It was a super super super small company, and this dude and I used to flirt pretty hardcore.)

OMG!! It's YOU I scream ... I then put my hands on my chest, Jen Friel!!

WOW! He proclaimed. Holy crap!

Mind you it's been 5 years since I've seen the guy, and a chick at 21 is very different at 26. I then also remind myself that I am half naked, hahaha so this all just got interesting.

This is my girlfriend, he says.

Hello! I say introducing myself. He then asks what I've been up to.

I started a website, I replied. Pretty pleased with it! Are you still at the same place?

Yep! He said. Love it.

Great, I said - next is then called by the check in lady.

Hi, Jen Friel, I say as she checks my name off the list and as she places the bracelet around my arm.

Great seeing you I say to my former co-worker as I walk away.

Great seeing you too! He said. Have fun!

Oh I will ...

I then get on the shuttle laughing. Only in my life would I be half naked and bump into a former co-worker. City of 8 million, and I KNEEWWW someone I knew was standing behind me. I didn't even think about it, I just reacted - so effing gnarly.

I sit down on the shuttle next to a dude dressed as Rocky. Hello, I say introducing myself.

Hello! He says back introducing himself.

Wow, thick accent you got there, I say. Where are you from?

Oklahoma.

Nice! First time at the mansion?

For this kind of party- yes.

Nice! You're going to have a lot of fun I say.

Luke warm conversation is then had as we waited for about 15 minutes for the shuttle to actually take off.

What do you do out here in LA, he says.

I run a website.

That's great! Wow, didn't expect you to say that.

Who do you run it for? he presses on

Me. I work for myself. I created the site, manage the brand, all the SEO, it's my baby and my little piece of the world. I talk about nerds, sex and tech.

He then stares at me INCREDIBLY puzzled asking yet again for clarification purposes. 

You ... (his eyes move down my body) created a website?

Realizing I should have been insulted that this guy from Oklahoma could very literally NOT wrap his brain around a chick running a website, I simply smiled and said - yep! And I'm damn proud!!

Not knowing what else to say to me at that point, he motions over to his friend and asks him to pass him his iPhone. He pulls up a picture from earlier in the evening of him standing with Hef, and a few playmates.

This was taken earlier tonight, he says. The girls were great.

I stare at the picture and smile. Is this supposed to get me wet, I wonder? Wow, you're friends with Hef. So are a lot of the guys here - and if I'm not going to fuck Hef, I'm DEFINITELY not going to fuck them, and I'm REALLY not going to fuck you.

<tangent> I don't get it, man. I think Hef is very very very literally a genius, and I TOTALLY admire what the guy did for equality and the sexual revolution as a whole - but I have ZZZZEERRRROOOO desire to ever sleep with him. Like literally, the only thing I would ever clear out of Hef is his cache, and maybe a few viruses. (As I'm sure he might have a couple OOOHHHH ::ZING::) Never ever ever ever ever. I am totally grossed out by this thought right now, and need to move on. OH! Look a squirrel ... </tangent>

So that happened. I amused the guy for the ride over, and by the time we reached the grounds I was ready to get my D-R-I-N-K on from the buzz kill of a ride over.

I head over to the bar, and fortunately there isn't a line.

Champagne, I say! (Dudes, it's the mansion. I can't drink beer there ... oh yeah, and it's open bar. YAY LIFE!)

The bartender stops, and motions for the other bartenders to turn around.

WOW! You. Are. Beautiful. he says.

You have to be hands down the most beautiful girl here, the other bartenders smile all nodding in agreement.

I then get COMPLETELY frazzled and say uh, thank you?! AHHHH awkward, what to reply, what to reply, sound cool Friel - this is the Playboy Mansion, the mecca of the most BEAUTIFUL women in the world, and this guy is saying you're the fairest of them all. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

Take a few steps back he says - I want to see your whole outfit.

I then stand back, do a little twirl.

WOOOWWWW they all say in stereo.

Look at that face, good god, where did you come from? One of the other bartenders pipes up and says - you look like you'd be a naughty librarian too.

Librarians wear slutty black dresses and fuck me booties? I think - sure I'll go with this.

Actually, funny you say librarian - I do run a website for nerds.

Oh, I'm sure you do coos the bartender.

I thank them sincerely for the compliments as they hand me the champagne and say ... anytime.

AAHHHH!! I say with a little extra glee in my step. AHHH half naked women everywhere here, and just like that - the nerd comes out on top. ::jigga jigga jigga::

I then start a one person dance party walking around the mansion grounds. No, like literally - every step I took was a dance move of some sort, and somewhere around the third moonwalk, I wound up bumping into yet ANOTHER person I used to work with in movie marketing.

WHHHAATT!! I say touching her arm. It's Jen Friel.

Holy crap! She responds! How are you?

I'm amazing!!! Great to see you!

I then realize that at least she is half naked too so the awkwardness that should have been present from this interaction was immediately negated.

We caught up for a minute, and then I went back to my dancing.

HIGH-LARIOUS! I thought. I have definitely lived in this town for too long. TWO people I haven't seen in 5 years at the same party? Bananas!! BANANAS!! I SAY!!!

A monkey then appears out of the corner of my eye ... (he must have smelt the bananas) ...

DUDE! You're the monkey from the Bad Touch video, right?

He looks at me ... shocked.

YES! I am! You're the only person that got this!

RAAADDD!! I say! Awesome costume.

I then continued my solo dance party, and six electric slides later, I wound up at a tent with a fortune teller.

Fortune teller? Oh shit, this is going to be good.

I waited for my turn in line, and see a demure, cute woman dressed as a stereotypical fortune teller (creative).

Next up, she says.

I sit down.

Hi!

Hello! She replies back mimicking my enthusiasm.

Don't tell me anything. Say your name and DOB to the cards, she says placing a deck of tarot cards in my hands.

HAHA this is going to be fucking good, I thought. 

She then places some perfume on my hands, and then tells me to breathe.

I can't shuffle the cards. You're very tense right now. Take a deep breath.

Fine, I say, settling more into my buzz taking long deep breaths.

Much better she replies now shuffling the cards with ease.

She asks me to cut the cards as she then starts turning the deck over. 

Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

Wow. she repeats over and over with each card turn.

I say nothing, mostly because I was trying to stay calm (fortune tellers give me a bit of the heeby jeebs. I just don't buy it, man).

You're the creator she said.

You're doing INCREDIBLY well for yourself. Wow. wow. wow. she repeats.

Wow.

wow.

wow.

I am not even kidding you, I couldn't even COUNT of all of the "wow"s and "omg"s that escaped this woman's mouth. She barely even said a word to me.

I don't worry about you. I just want to say congratulations and that you need a vacation soon.

I laugh. Yes, you're right.

This is going to be incredibly successful for you, but you're already successful - understand that. It's okay for you to enjoy it, it's not going to go away. You created this, you're the creator.

She kept saying that over and over, you're the creator - wow, this is powerful stuff here, she says looking at the spread.

She then turns over another card. There's a guy coming your way.

I laugh, thinking this is the only thing she's said so far that she got wrong.

No, I'm a professional dater. There are always guys, I went out on 103 dates in 9 months.

Yes, she says. I can see that, but you've been doing a lot of work on yourself, and it is about to pay off. Someone is coming into your life, and it is "going to knock you on your ass."

Interesting choice of words I thought. EVERY SINGLE GUY that I've ever dated has done the same thing to me - "knocked me on my ass."

He's here or is coming VERY soon, she said. You've done the work, and you continue to do it. Remember to enjoy, it is very important. You manifested this guy, and only you - be proud of yourself. It is VERY much deserved. 

Thank you, I say.

She then asks if we can stay in touch. I get her email.

This was incredible, I say. You said nothing, and everything - I've never had a reading like this before. You're very good.

It's just in the cards, she said. Thank yourself, you created it.

I smile standing up as I walk away wondering, but which guy is she talking about?

<tangent> The ONE thing I can't talk about on this site in real time is when I actually find a guy I like. I'm actually dating a handful of guys right now, and they are all SOOOOO RAD!!! I had two great first dates this week, and one guy I've been dating for a few weeks now. Actually funny story with him ... 

A few weeks back, my parents were flying celebrating their anniversary - and on the plane my mom picked up a Vanity Fair. She's flipping through the pages, and ran across this crowd that I had mentioned to her I had been dealing with.

Jen! She says to me on the phone, those people you were telling me about were just featured in Vanity Fair.

Yeah, I said mom, I know. Open the spread, the one on the FAAARRR left in the XXX shirt, I went out on a date with him on Sunday, and he's a pretty rad down to Earth dude.

WOW! She goes, he's HOT!

And just like that, my mom was able to open up a Vanity Fair and see the guy I had a great date with earlier in the week. Tell me that isn't the COOLEST THING EVER!!! Plus, my parents worry about me. They worried about me starting this business, and they REALLY worry about me dating wise. To be able to tell her to flip open a magazine to check out a guy I had a great date with was pretty much one of the coolest moments of my life. HANDS DOWN!!

So, the bottom line to this story was that by giving up casual sex, I very very very genuinely have been attracting different guys, and they're all rad in their own right, but I can't write about them since it gives the dudes too much of an upper hand and an unfair advantage. </tangent>

My thought process wasn't in, where is this magical duderino going to come from - but a more grounded approach of, rad! One of these things might actually work out! YIPPEE!!!

It was really weird too how much this woman picked up on. The fact that she mentioned how much work I have been putting into bettering myself ... this wasn't a typical, surface reading. This woman knew, and was VERY good. If anyone wants a reading hit me up, I'll give you her email addy. I think she's based here in LA.

So, that happened.

I then went back over to the bar with my favorite bartenders and filled up my champagne glass.

Before I could even get to the front of the line, one of them came around and handed me a glass of champagne.

Really? Really? Are you guys REALLY this amazing?

Thank you, I replied sincerely.

Oh no, thank ... you ... he said with a smile.

OMG I thought, I am having the GREATEST. NIGHT. EVER!!!

I then see the Bad Touch monkey reappear.

BAD TOUCH MONKEY!!! I scream!!

Honey Badger, he replies back.

No, I'm actually a red wolf, but thank you.

Here, he says - smile. I turn and someone is taking my picture ...

Hi, I'm Jen I say out stretching my hand.

Hello! I'm couch surfing Ori, he replies.

Wait wait wait, couch surfing Ori! I've heard of you!!

Yeah, he says, I'm a couch surfer/ adventurer.

OMG!!! People have been telling me for WEEKS we needed to meet. This is INSANE!!!

He then hands me his card.

Screw the card, I say - I'll lose it, gimme your twitter handle.

We then swapped twitter handles.

Dude, I bartered social media to live for a year launching my company. I traveled all over, people have been telling me that we needed to connect - I just kept forgetting. This is very literally the most INSANE thing ever.

That's life, he replied.

Alrite, I say. I have to get back to dancing, but I am going to tweet you. Remember me, k?

He smiled, oh - I'll remember you.

I then fox trot it off back to the dance floor and somewhere along the way I got stopped by a teenage mutant ninja turtle.

Hi! He says.

Well hello hero in a half shell, I reply. (BIG BIG BIG TMNT fan growing up!! Dudes, I SOOO wanted to be April!!!)

You're adorable, he said as he grabbed my arm assisting me the rest of the way to the dance floor.

I'm from Liverpool, he goes.

Amazing! The accent is hot I say. How long are you here for?

Til Tuesday.

That's great!

He then takes my phone, I want your number. Let's get into trouble later.

Okay! I say. (Again, pretty buzzed at this point, and me and trouble go together like mashed potatoes and jalapenos.)

I then give him my number, and use that as an out saying I have to use the restroom.

I look down at my phone and realize it is close to 1, and the parties at the mansion get shut down around 2, leaving the shuttle area to be a COMPLETE clusterfuck. I always always always leave early to never have a problem getting back.

I hop on the shuttle pretty proud of myself for a successful evening.

Fortune teller, amazing bartenders, new friends, seeing old ones, connecting with a guy I've been meaning to connect with. Kinda not mad at life.

The shuttle drops me back off in Century City, and my phone starts buzzing - it's one of my oldest friends, and he wants to make out.

OMMMGGG after being around half naked people all evening, ANNDD being sexually frustrated to begin with after giving up casual sex, I could TOTALLY go for an 8th grade make out session.

I tell him to be at my place in an hour, and one wrong direction city bus, plus a taxi cab driver ride refusal later - I did manage to get home (how I'm still not entirely sure), and my friend came over with a bottle of scotch and we proceeded to drink and make out like 8th graders.

So hot.

So innocent.

So ... perfect.

Just what I needed, I thought.

We pass out in my bed, and a few hours later I am awoken by the BIGGEST headache I have had in recent memory.

Oh fuck my life.

I.

am.

hungover.

I look over, my friend is gone - and the room won't stop spinning.

ROOM!! STOP SPINNING!!! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY!!!!

I fall back asleep, and a few hours later, still hungover, I realize the only thing that will cure this feeling is more drinking.

Cue one more round in my costume, and a Facebook places checkin at the Abbey here in West Hollywood.

... and drank away the pain I did.

GENIUS!

Happy people, happy faces. DUDES!! The Abbey has the BEST. NACHOS. EVER!!

Amazing on so many levels of life-ness.

So, there you go! That was my weekend.

Now tonight, I am off to Meltdown Comics to appear on a podcast, you all are totes invited ...

I'm pretty excited.

Now, what do I do with the rest of this scotch??? HMMMMMMM!!!

#kthxbye

#NerdsUnite: Confessions of a videogame journalist (Realizing what you've got when you've got it!)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy John. We started talking on the twitter not too long ago, and then he reached out and asked if he could write for us regarding his journey through the nerdy realm. I was all DUDDEEE!! That's so raaaddd!! And now, here we are. Like right now, in real time, this is happening. Pretty cool huh? HIT IT JOHN!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's John Sollitto

It’s one thing when you’re friends and family tell you that you’ve got it going on, it’s another thing to see it for yourself. To have real, tangible proof that you’re on the right track for where you want to go is something that gets you at your core. However, I want to make it clear that those family members and friends who tell you that you’re the bee’s knees? Those people see in you what you do not, and this article is for those lovely people who stand by us all and try and get us to see in ourselves what they see.

I first became aware of how things were going for me when I was speaking to the founder of the Vault one day over Facebook. For those of you who don’t know, let me give you some background on the Vault. The Game Creators Vault is this pretty awesome resource for students and game fans on YouTube and Facebook. I work on content, videos, and some articles for the Vault as the Editor-in-Chief.

Now I’m still in college, juggling the Vault and working part time for my father. That’s a lot of plate spinning and often times I feel like a carnie but I put my heart in the Vault as much as Jen puts her heart into this site and as many of you put your heart into your dreams as much as you can.

Mark (our founder) and I were chatting and I was outlining some videos we had in the works. Mark’s a great guy, a true visionary who wants to help others get into the industry he loves so much. It’s honestly a pleasure working for him and helping him realize that dream. Also, the fact that he kind of lets me run without boundaries is a pretty sweet gig too. I mean, when you and your boss essentially agree on the direction of the company and he basically says, “Go ahead, just keep our name out of the mud, stay on track with our vision and have fun,” I felt like I grabbed the star in Mario and that crazy invincibility music started to play.

The day he called me his #1 though, the day he told me I was the Saul Tigh to his Admiral Adama almost brought a tear to my eye. It was a small thing, just a little comment on FB given in terms I would understand completely as we were both die-hard Battlestar Galactica fans. I knew he appreciated the work I did and he trusted me. I mean, that was a totally no-homo bro-moment and I would have man-hugged the SHIT out of him had we actually been face to face.

It was kinda surreal to think that he would allow me to take control like this while he did other business and took care of his family, and I felt that my inexperience and youth meant that I wasn’t ready for that kind of responsibility. But there I was, running a web-show manned by four other individuals and working a Facebook page while still ensuring my life was still on the rails academically and personally.

The next moment came when I was at an annual mixer a friend of mine hosts for those in the game industry. Funny coincidence is that at this mixer over a year ago I met Mark and we essentially reinvented that Vault in a two hour conversation on an outside patio in Tustin. The Force is strong with that patio, I’ll tell you that.

My friend and I were catching up and he was giving me a pep-talk for an interview I was going to conduct with some big names. I was a little nervous and to be honest not so confident. Now, my friend Jim is kind of a big deal at this mixer because he has a habit of getting people on the right track for the profession they want. He’s the Fonz there and everybody wants a piece of him.

 A young up-and-comer strode over and sort of politely interrupted us by standing creepily by and waiting for a break in our conversation to shake Jim’s hand and thank him for inviting him. Jim gave him a small lecture on what he needed to prep for his resume and what programs he needed to get familiar with. But, Jim was leaving a crucial bit of information out. He hadn’t told this kid (kid, he had to be my age, why am I talking like I’m older than him?) that he needed to look at the current market and see what games were selling.

So I told him. I told him to get familiar with what was out there and study what was selling so that he could make samples that companies would see as marketable. Surreal moment number two: this guy was looking at me and nodding like I was some kind of professor. It didn’t strike me until after he thanked me for the advice and I introduced myself to him, but it kind of hit me when I looked at Jim and he had this sort of wry “I told you, man” smile on his face. He was right. I was ready for this. I could do this.

The last sign came a few days ago on the Vault’s FB page. A new fan asked what it took to be a videogame journalist. Now, I didn’t answer right away, I maybe let it sit for a couple of hours and hoped Mark might pick it up and I told myself that I’d come back to it. Mark, that loveable sonuvabitch, called me out saying, “Ok Sollitto…this one's all yours!” Fuck. Now, I couldn’t let this guy down, this was exactly the type of question we encouraged at the Vault and there was no way I was going to flake out on a direct question. I laid down all the information that I had, everything I had been told or taught from anyone and everyone in the industry.

It rounded out to be a two paragraph response, and after I read it all back to myself I had a “Damn…” moment. I kinda knew what I was talking about, didn’t I? I mean, as I said, I’m not an expert but having interned at G4, freelanced for PC Gamer, and working in the industry in general I had some perspective and I got the gist of it. Enough to give some advice to someone who was just as passionate as I was. And he thanked me for it! Like I was someone with information he didn’t have!

Now, this whole piece is not to jack myself off and I know it looks like total ego-fellatio right now, but let me get to the point. You may not think you know enough to do what you want to do, or it’s too early for that, or you’re not ready. That’s bull. Grade A, farm-fed bull of the highest magnitude.

If you’ve got heart, and you’ve got a will, you’ve got a way. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too young, you’re inexperienced, or you’ve got to wait. There will always be time, but what you do with that time and how you use it matters. Sooner or later, you’ll realize that you’re really an industry professional, or an expert in your field, or a freaking star at what you want to do. And as soon as you realize that, you’re ready to kick ass and take some names. You’re ready to be a force of nature that no one can stop. And once you get going, don’t you ever let up. Be like Mario when he gets that star and blast through those turtles, snag that flag, and save the princess. Most important? Don’t be afraid to be unapologetically awesome, just like Jen says. Own what you are. Don’t be a dick about it, but don’t hide it either. That self-assurance will go a long way, and will carry you through whatever obstacles rears its ugly head. So nerds, unite; because as John C. Reilly said in Step-Brothers, “We’re here to fuck shit up.”

#nerdsunite

Want more from John? Click here to follow him on the twitter!

#GeekSpeak: The sometimes random misadventures of @Abby_Cake

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Abby. I met her in Chicago at the #20SBSummit, and this chick is raaaddddd!! She considers herself more of a nerd than a geek - but I think she's just all shades of random and awesome. Oh and FTR, the TNTML stance on nerds versus geeks are that nerds are products of a genetic predisposition, and geeks are raised. BOOH-YAH!!! I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT ABBY!!!</editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @Abby_Cake

Sometimes I party with NBA stars -- no big deal.

By ‘party’ I actually mean eat too much of my Mom’s paella on a fold out table in the living room. And by NBA star I mean Chris Andersen (aka Bird Man, aka that-one-player-with-a-lot-of-tattoos).   

Okay, so lemme give you the full story. My Dad is a basketball coach by trade. First, imagine his disappointment that I played YMCA basketball for four seasons and scored two points... total. Answer: it was passing. Next, imagine how many lives he has changed in 28 years. Answer: a lot.

About 12 years ago, he happened to coach a player who went on to play in the NBA. Which means sometimes (like when there are pesky NBA lockouts) he hangs out with my Dad.

Over the years, I have read a lot of cruel things about Chris on the internet. My initial response is to bristle and defend the guy who used to hang me on the regulation basketball rim post-win. But I have learned that trolling is not attractive, and in turn typically attempt to avoid reading negative things online in general.

Allow me to tell you some things that are true about Chris Andersen:

He has a blue pit bull that is undeniably adorable, and even my Mom enjoyed it’s company. 

He can quote movies like no one’s business -- anything from Tommy Boy to Tombstone. I know several people who find inserting movie quotations into conversation to be a borderline competitive hobby. Word of advice, he will beat you. He will also beat you at a dunk contest.

He can palm a milk jug, jar of sun tea, oh... and a basketball. So if you have tiny hands, like yours truly, and struggle to pour tea, it can come in handy.

The tattoos are aesthetic. He is genuinely a very nice person. And respectful -- because he’s a country boy, specifically a Texas boy. :)

Also, my Mom makes some pretty badass paella -- so if any other people (famous or otherwise) would like the recipe, I will share.

xx, @abby_cake

#nerdsunite

Want more from Abby?? Check out her blog over yonder - and don't forget to drop her a follow on twitter!!

#NerdsUnite: @ItsMeJoolie 's big dating adventure!!!

<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

Date #2

Me getting ready for Date #2I was worried there for a week. After I came down from the high of going on my first date in 8 years I realized I didn't have anyone lined up for date #2. There were some emails coming in, but none that I really wanted to follow up on. I knew it was again time to step outside of my comfort zone and try harder. This equals not just sitting back and waiting for the emails to roll in but actually taking the time to look at people's profiles and add people to my favorites. I still haven't initiated a conversation on there (girls have it so easy with online dating). It paid off; I got date #2 because we "chose" each other.

I was hoping that I would have some more music, TV and movies in common with this dude than date #1, who was really nice and I had a good time with on our date, but I kept waiting for him to be in to any of the things I am into. From this guy's profile, I was hopeful that this would be the case.

Earlier in the week, we had talked about meeting up on Thursday but he wasn't sure if he would be able to. We didn't even solidify our plans until the day of. Which was cool because it didn't give me time to stress over it.

The Surly Goat is mentioned by him as a place to go. Sometimes the music is really loud there, but I'm okay with that choice. I respond saying that's cool or we can go to Barney's Beanery, Jen and I's local hangout. He responds with "8:30 at Barney's". I regret this immediately. I think about the fact that there are a bunch of people that go there that I kinda know. Like the dude that I gave my number to 2 months ago before I was actually ready to date. Oh well, I think, no worries, it'll be okay.

I get home after work and immediately notice that Jen is dressed up. Before I even ask her what she's doing I already know the answer.

"Hey, what are you getting into tonight?"

"I have a date tonight."

"Cool, so where are you going?" I know what she's about to say.

"Barney's." Yep, there it is.

"I too have a date tonight."

"Rad!"

"And I too will be at Barney's tonight"

We both start laughing.

Her eyes get big as though she is a kid being offered candy. "Can I be a fly on the wall for your date?" She would die to be able to spy on someone's first date in order to write about it. (Anyone brave enough to let her do this? Write to her. This would be like a Christmas present to her. Seriously.)

"No! Number One: You have your own date to deal with. And two: I'm already nervous, there's no way I could act normal if I know you are listening."

She leaves and I have an hour and a half before my date. I try to eat, am too nervous and abandon my burrito, dance around to music, get dressed, hair and makeup, more dancing and then I call my mom. While I am on the phone with my mom, I get a text. "Hey Mom, I gotta respond to this, it's my date." I hang up and read the text and realize that it is not my date but another guy I met through OKCupid. Amazing! Is this really my life?

I get to Barney's and find a place at the bar and order my favorite, Newcastle. I scan the place for Jen, don’t see her, although I’m sure she’ll see me. The bar is pretty busy because the Rangers/Cardinals game is on. He shows up a minute after I get my beer. Confident Hug! Confident Hug Julie!

We snag a table and start talking about music and concerts. We're into the same kind of music and he's gone to some pretty awesome concerts. 15 minutes into this date and this guy and I have more in common than I did with date #1.

At some point it gets even louder than it already was. To the point where we can no longer ignore it. We look around and realize that the baseball game is in the ninth inning. There are Rangers fans to my left and Cardinals fans to my right. We start doing sports commentary on the game. He's actually really good at it and I find out that he has a podcast he does with some friends. Cool. Then he looks at me and asks, "Should we choose a team to root for?" I laughed, "Yes, we totally need to choose a side!" "Well, The Rangers are winning right now." "No! Let's go with the underdogs! Plus, I'm wearing red!" We start cheering for the Cardinals, who end up winning. Now we are high fiving the Cardinals fans because they think we are one of them. It was hilarious!

We close our tabs and decide to walk down to The Surly Goat. As we are walking he puts his hand on my back, like half putting his arm around me. Umm, no. Not a deal breaker but I just met you!

We stay at The Goat for about an hour, he tells me about his job as a TV producer, which includes some funny stories. It is now 12:30 and I'm tired. He has to be on set at 7:30 (the time I wake up!) so we call it a night. When it's time to part ways I go in for the Confident Hug. We actually talk for another 30 seconds. I go in for another hug and he kisses me on the cheek. Whoa. Eek.

The next day I got a I had a good time, would like to see you again text. I told him yes. And thankfully, I have not received more texts (date #1 did not know how to play it cool and just kept.on.texting.me).

Overall: good conversation, had common interests, not very physically attracted to him but we had a lot of fun. I was very proud of how less nervous I was this time around.

Time to get back on OKC as I only have a week left to get a third date!

#juliesdatingadventure

 Click here to follow Julie on Twitter

#NerdsUnite: I just graduated college!! But um, now what?

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Megan. She recently just graduated from SDSU and is now entering the world with a fresh pair of eyes in a stinky economy. In these series of posts she will discuss her thoughts and discoveries as she ventures out into the real world. Hit it Meg!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @MegCorbs

TRUTH- I. Hate. Halloween.

I'm sure you nerds are all screaming 'WHAT?!" 

I know I'm a bad nerd.

Let me explain. Ever since I was little the smallest things would legitimately scare the crap out of me. I had nightmares almost nightly about being chased by some scary man and it didn't help that I was almost kidnapped once (a story for another time).

I've always had a hard time separating reality from fiction. I blame my overactive imagination and the LARGE amount of books I read.

One of my most vivid childhood memories is having my friends hold me down and pry my eyes open to watch Chucky. I shudder even now thinking about it. I used to lock up all of my dolls every night and treat them EXTRA nice just in case they decided to come alive and kill me.

At every sleepover I had my friends would want to watch scary movies and would joke about having to put newspaper down under me. No, I did not pee my pants but that was because I would either curl up in a corner and read a book while they watched these movies or "watch" 90% with my eyes closed. My favorite part? The beginning when everything was all happy happy still.

Even today I can't see any images of Michael Myers (not to be confused with comedian Mike Meyers, though that would be a hilarious fear to have) without having a visible reaction. My bf has had to change the channel VERY quickly a couple of times because he's witnessed how badly I freak out.

I just HATE being scared. I'd rather laugh at a comedy or cry at a drama. Being scared isn't fun to me. I refuse to EVER go to haunted houses or all the theme parks out here in LA during Halloween. I can't even tell you the last scary movie I saw. The trailer for Paranormal Activity 3 scared the SHIT out of me.

While it is fun to get all dressed up, I can't help but dread a holiday that is centered around all things scary. As I get older the fear of failing is a WAY more intense and legitimate one but I still can't get over someone coming at me in a creepy clown mask. #gofigure

But don't get me wrong…this candy addict lovvvesss all the treats, just leave your tricks to yourself!

#thatisall

Click here to follow Megan on twitter!