Gameboy Camera went from revolutionary and cool, to outdated and lame, to finally retro and cool again. I’m pretty sure if you brought your Gameboy Camera out on the town, printing out everyone’s low-res pictures, you’d be the coolest hipster at the hipster bar. Polaroids are SO overplayed.


***Read more after the bump***

by Lindsey

There was so much crazy cosplay at SDCC this year, it's almost overwhelming.  Out of all the costumes, what really stood out to me was the promotion of CONsent.  Sexual assault and sexual harassment have been consistent features in the news media for years, but 2014 in particular seems fraught with geek stories.  

The next big convention coming up is a local one for GG, Inc. - Dragon Con in Atlanta! This Con is well known for being fan-focused and has a HUGE cosplay community. 

So, in response to what happened with Adrianne Curry, we need to help make Dragon Con a safer environment than SDCC this year.  It's a really difficult minefield to try and handle, even as a woman.   

So here are the easy-to-follow rules of CONsent for conventioneers.

1.  Be Polite
If this was a work/family costume party, what would you say?  Focus on basic costume compliments and keep it G-Rated. 

• “Your costume looks great.  Can I have a picture?”
• “I love that character! Did you make your weapon?”
• “That cosplay is spot on. Nice job!”
  

Remember, nobody asked for your lewd or critical opinion.

2.  Ask Permission
It's not difficult to ask for a photo. Ask before you get in someone's personal space.  Ask before you touch a prop.  Just like everywhere else in the world, ask permission before you do something!

3.  Remember Where You Are
Seriously, there are kids here.  Don't catcall to someone across a room.  Don't hump someone's leg.  Even if you are dressed as a furry - YOU ARE NOT AN ANIMAL.  There is a burlesque show for lewd behavior.  There are parties for nudity.  John Barrowman has many photo ops with groping.  The lobby is not the place for this!

4.  Don't Touch the Hair
Rocky Horror teaches a valuable lesson in the rules of conduct: Don't F**K with the hair!  Seriously, don't touch.  Don't put your hands on someone's body parts or accessories without EXPRESSED CONSENT.

5.  Photography Not Pornography
Take a picture of the whole costume or not at all.  You may take pictures of people in public, but not to use as an anatomy lesson or humiliation.  This is NOT the place to troll for Reddit body shaming or wardrobe malfunctions.  We're nerds.  We've been picked on for years.  Cons should be a safe place!

It shouldn't be that difficult to have a safe and enjoyable experience at CON.  We don't advocate violence.  We don't advocate aggression.  We advocate consent.

*However* if you turn this Con into some horrifying flashback of high school sexual harassment, be prepared for the most devastating virtual wedgie of your life.  We have over 100 female superheroes ready to protect geeks in distress.  

We know your boss.  
We know your mother.  
We know the management.  
Cosplay ≠ Consent.  
There will be consequences.

According to Urban Dictionary, Con Crud (also known as The Blorch) are illnesses which are spread around at science fiction and furry conventions due to the large numbers of people who gather and interact in one confined place. Lack of sleep, drama, stress, travel, and post con depression may also depress the immune system, contributing to con crud. Generally after the con is over, is when said illnesses has reached peak incubation time. Oftentimes, the larger the convention is, the worse con crud becomes.

We’re here to give you the top 20 pointers on how you can avoid Con Crud and enjoy your con during and after it’s over.

1. Avoid close contact.
Good luck with that. But that doesn’t mean you have to be rubbing up on everybody…furries we’re looking at you. This also means no glomping and you should probably avoid the creepy looking people walking around with the “Free Hugs” sign too.

2. Know the signs.
It someone is hacking and wheezing then stay away from them (unless they are wearing a DarthVader mask. Then congratulate them on their costume).

3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Also, if you’re not sick, it can help from smelling Con Funk, which probably carries all sorts of nasty stuff.

4. Clean your hands.
What happens at cons stays at cons, unless you pick something up and take it home. Wash your hands and PLEASE don’t be one of those nasty people that don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom.

5. Take Vitamins. Start the week before.
We’re not talking about the stuff people sell that look like health and stamina potions, we mean real honest to goodness vitamins. Pop ‘em, eat t’em, drink ‘em, heck bathe in ‘em but just make sure you get some - especially if you plan to give blood. 

*****Read More after the Jump*******

We had to beg and plead to get Wonder Woman on the slate for her own movie and that's ridiculous! It's frickin' Wonder Woman! Even Marvel hasn't committed to a female lead movie yet (though they are making some in-roads on TV with Peggy Carter and Jessica Jones.)

You want more female lead action movies? Vote with your dollars. Prove we'll go out and see these movies. Go see Lucy this weekend and imagine what a Black Widow movie might be like someday!

Dear Jitterbug,

Always. Just like Severus Snape or Katniss Everdeen, the answer is always.

Worrying about how you look isn't just a muggle problem, self esteem is an issue for grown-up geek girls too. First, remember that half the convention population is overweight and struggles with it. The other half is insecure about dozens of other body issues. You are not alone. Seriously, you're not going to Nerdy-Gras because you won a Miss America Pageant, you're going because you are a SUPER FAN.

That being said, here's how you can rock a plus size costume:

1. What makes you feel pretty?
Start with an outfit that you feel good in and boosts your self confidence. Maybe your favorite LBD or killer pair of leggings. Use what makes you feel best and don't focus on the "barely a bikini" costume ideas.

2. Dress for your body type.
There are plus size characters in multiple universes and you already look the part. Work with what your mama gave you! Ursula is not a skinny twig and Velma is not flat chested. Crossplay offers even more character options.

3. Do it well.
You don't roll out of bed for a date or a party, so don't do it for a convention. Wear well fitting pieces and practice your makeup/hairstyle ahead of time.

4. Bigger is better.
Big hair and bold makeup will kick up your costume to the next level. A corset to play up your curves or sleek eyebrows will really really help you get in character. This is your chance to be over dramatic, so really make a strong statement.

5. Act the part.
You probably became a fan of a character because of their tenacity, loyalty, confidence, etc. Emulate that in your cosplay! The Lumpy Space Princess doesn't limp into a room - she stomps in. Fiona doesn't blend in to the background and neither should you!

Hopefully, this helps you get ready to cosplay at your next big event. Please believe that other geek girls will support you. You are not alone. We're with you. Always.

Sincerely,
Your friends at Geek Girl, Inc.

I’m stretching the definition of “you aren't playing” here, because this title is crazy popular in my social circle for some reason, and I’m 60% certain at least one of them is playing it right now. Nearly all of my friends, coworkers, and random passerby have stopped to inform me of their upcoming crops. Farmville? 

No - Banished! 

A Simcity-esque strategy game where you help a small group of the titular banished people create a thriving town, you’ll be facing harsh climates, dwindling resources, and the occasional disaster.

The media coverage on cosplay tends to be focused on the sexuality of costumes. The "top ten sexiest sexy sex slave Leia cosplayers" are one facet of the convention community, but that's not why we geek out over costumes.

This year's Anime Expo was full of fun examples of why geek girls LOVE cosplay.

1. Crossplay - Doing your own take on a character of a different gender is really empowering. Plus, you don't have to show your underwear. Unless you want to.....

2. Mashups - Disney + Star Wars = yes please! Mixing two popular genres is always a nerd favorite. Also puns, gosh do we love sci-fi puns.

3. BodyCon - Embracing what you actually look like and using it to your cosplay advantage is AWESOME. From plus size Ursula to scrawny street fighter, body confidence is the best way to pull off a successful character.

4. Flashbacks - Who doesn't love a childhood fantasy? Whether it's vintage video games or classic cartoons, you earn major creativity points and probably some care bear hugs.

5. Gratuitous Male Nudity - There is plenty of corset cleavage to go around at conventions, so some ab action is a nice treat for the ladies (and some of the gents). Plus, this geek girl loves her some bronies.

Thank you Anime Expo Cosplayers for giving us such inspiration!
-Lindsey

Dear New Geek,

This is a pretty common issue for any adult moving to a new place. Making friends outside of school or work can be a frustrating challenge. A great resource to find people with the same interests as you is meetup.com

Using either the website or the app, you can search by interest and area to find a group that's right for you. If you don't find one, you can always start a group of your own - you may be surprised by how many people are in the same boat!

Finding a group of friends you can really relate to and go out with is a great way to adjust to and explore your new home town. Good Luck!

-Your Friends at Geek Girls, Inc.

Have a question you'd like to ask? Need advice? Send us a message here:

In this semi-regular column, I plan to provide a new-comers view to tabletop games (other veteran GG Inc, gamers will have their own columns for the already initiated.)

This week's game is The Monty Python Edition of the card game FLUXX!

Harrison Ford has gone on to play cops, spies, presidents, cowboys, soldiers, good guys, bad guys, romantic leads - all while keeping his soft-spoken, rugged swagger.

To see him return to the role that launched his career in the upcoming Star Wars sequel makes my inner seven year-old squee with delight.

So, Happy Birthday, Mr. Ford!
You are definitely aging gracefully!