Geek Parenting Geek Parenting Geek Parenting is a blog for pop culture junkies who have spawned, yet refuse to give up their geeky obsessions. Articles
LEGO Indiana Jones Versus, Er, Some Guys...
2008-02-19 20:57:00 I've been staying up-to-date on the coolest stuff to hit Toy Fair 2008 this week. What really caught my eye was this amazing life-size Indiana Jones rendered in LEGO (see right). Not only do we have a new Indy movie to look forward to this year, LEGO is also releasing tie-in playsets and a video game!There is one catch to the latter products, however. The Interweb has been all aflutter ever since it was announced that both the game and playsets will be Nazi-free. Well, that certainly does change things, doesn't it? I'm not sure how I feel about this, frankly. I mean, Indy kicked a lot of Nazi butt in two of the three original films! Does this mean we won't see a LEGO minifig's face get melted off by the Arc of the Covenant? Nein! Apparently, Traveller's Tales (makers of the LEGO game) are keeping their story lines faithful as far as baddies are concerned. LEGO has merely "replaced them with an anonymous genocidal, occultist, trenchcoat-wearing master-race."Er, okay. So, there ... More About: Indiana Jones , Pop Culture , Nostalgia , Lego
Kota The Triceratops, Destroyer Of Pleo
2008-02-18 11:20:00 What happens when you combine a Butterscotch Pony with a Pleo ? If you said "financial ruin," you were only half right. Playskool has just revealed Kota the Triceratops at Toy Fair 2008. All joking aside, this beast is amazing. Designed for ages 3 and up, this toy triceratops measures over 3 ft. and reacts to touch/sound. Like Butterscotch, kids "ride" Kota and it moves its tail, head, horns and mouth. It also eats Pleos for lunch, so keep yours away from Kota's ferocious jaws! If you saw my children's lackluster reaction to Butterscotch last Christmas, then you probably think I've learned my lesson with these kinds of purchases. Ha! If you ask me, they were just waiting for Kota. My husband shares my optimism. He just saw a picture of Kota and, channeling Sherriff Brody, replied: "We're gonna need a bigger house."Kota will be available in the fall for the low, low price of $300. More About: Destroyer
Lil' Geek Of The Week
2008-02-14 06:37:00 This week's lil' geek is Casey... er, Commander Casey to be exact. Whoa, three pips already?! What are they feeding this kid? I can't even keep my son's hands out the toilet. Kudos to Casey's parents! Aww... that is the sweetest smile I've ever seen! What a charmer- he'll be wining and dining green women in no time, I'm sure.Do you have a pic/video of your kid(s) geeking out? Send it to me at and we'll put him/her on the site! More About: Geek , Week
Brought To You By The Letters P-I-M-P
2008-02-13 11:50:00 Did you happen to watch Sesame Street with your geeklings this morning? No, you weren't hallucinating. That really was Ice T, former pimp and Original Gangsta. It's no wonder they asked him to make an appearance. I mean, most preschoolers love Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Don't yours? In case you missed this charming segment with Ice T, it's about two minutes into the video below. He spells out the word "rhyme," which is pretty weak. I was really hoping he would spell "Cop Killer." My kids love that song. If you're like me, then you found this to be an inspired choice in casting. Why don't you let Sesame Workshop know what you think here? While you're at it, send your kudos to PBS. More About: Pop Culture , Letters
Send Your Geeky Love A Web 2.0 Valentine
2008-02-12 07:12:00 Trying to figure out what to give your geeky love for Valentine 's Day this year? I have a solution that is fast and free, yet sweet and oh-so-nerdy. You should create a Valentine wiki in your sweetheart's honor! Wetpaint currently has Valentine templates so you can quickly build an online shrine to your beloved. If you haven't used a Wetpaint wiki before, they are extremely user-friendly. (Not that a geek like you isn't Web savvy!) I made one for my husband tonight and it was really fun. You can add pictures, videos and other little widgets. I put my limited Photoshop skills to the test and made a cute, personalized logo for the banner, too. (Not to mention, an allusion to the best Simpsons episode ever - Ralph Wiggum rules!) Go here if you want to make a Valentine wiki for your honey bunny. You can also click on the screen shot below to check out the one I made in Brian's honor. (No, it isn't your real Valentine's Day gift, honey. I still have a super secret surprise on its... More About: Love , Nostalgia , Send , Geeky
College Funds Are For Wimps
2008-02-11 01:43:00 If you've been wondering why it's so quiet on the Geek Parenting front lately, that's because I've been helping my husband with his new business (not to mention, I have several jobs and two toddlers!). I'm so proud of Brian - he never ceases to amaze me with his creativity and devotion to gaming. I'm in the midst of developing an ecommerce site for What The?! Miniatures, my husband's new line of wargaming miniatures. Here's a sneak preview of his first two pieces:The above soldiers are carrying something called a Luftfaust, which were close-range, anti-aircraft weapons used by the Germans during late World War II. Pretty cool weapons, though not many of them were made, so they fit in perfectly with Brian's Weird War II stuff. I'm really excited, so wish us luck! Yes, we are both professional geeks, my husband and I. Our families think we are crazy, for sure. As I said, though, college funds are for wimps! More About: College , Funds
Lil' Geeks Of The Week
2008-02-07 08:48:00 Yet again, we have siblings to showcase as our Lil' Geeks of the Week . Below, you will find 10-year-old Emily and 9-year-old Vincent battling their way through Azeroth during a particularly tense World of Warcraft session. Are they cooperating or are they members of rival factions? Hard to say, though by the looks of Emily's comfy cushion, she's there to stay for a while. I think these two little gamers are adorable, don't you?Do you have a pic/video of your kid(s) geeking out? Send it to me at and we'll put him/her on the site!
New Iron Man Trailer!
2008-02-05 12:20:00 Okay, so over 90 million people saw this before me because it debuted during the Super Bowl. Still, I just had to put it on the blog. I'm really excited about seeing Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man . Downey can be so cool and snarky at the same time. Heh, Tony Snark. That was lame. Sorry, it's early for me. Check out the new TV spot:And, just because I'm now on an Iron Man kick, here's the original trailer that has been circulating for months:Wow, I'm so syked for this movie. Though, I do think it's strange that they paid for Gwyneth Paltrow to co-star, yet don't prominently feature her in any of the trailers. Could it be because most of us yawn at the thought of Paltrow as Pepper Potts? Or Paltrow in general? Yep, that's probably it. Still, I can't wait to illegally download dutifully pay $11 for a ticket come May. More About: Trailer , Pop Culture
What Is This "Super Bowl"?
2008-02-04 06:18:00 That's what General Zod would ask if he heard you talking about the game yesterday. Likewise, I was oblivious to the fact that a major sporting event was taking place. In fact, I was so clueless that I held a small birthday celebration for my daughter. One by one, my guests were quietly slipping out the door to catch a few plays or innings or whatever the heck they call them in football. (It's the one where the players wear the big shoulder pads, right?)Note the operative word "small" when referring to the party, as in this wasn't a big production. If you know me personally and you weren't invited, it's only because you frighten small children I wanted to keep it low-key for the baby's sake. How does a true geek parent throw a first birthday party, you ask? I will explain below.InvitationsA great party starts with fun invitations and it helps to have a lovely subject. Mine was my beautiful baby girl, Lois Lane. I figured I should run with the Lois Lane theme while she's still... More About: Super Bowl , Super , Nostalgia , Bowl
Here Come The 123s
2008-01-31 12:10:00 They Might Be Giants are releasing their newest children's album next week, entitled "Here Come the 123s." I just thought I'd let everyone know, as geek parents should definitely have a complete They Might Be Giants catalog! This is a really fun way to teach your little ones about numbers. Playhouse Disney has been showing previews from "Here Come the 123s" recently and we are all loving it. (I'm gonna make my husband a TMBG fan if it kills me!) In fact, I just preordered the CD/DVD combo from Amazon, which features some bonus stuff. It's on sale here if you're interested! The CD/DVD comes out on Tuesday, which just happens to be Lois Lane's first birthday. She claps and rocks whenever she hears one of the songs on Disney Channel and it's so adorable. Here are two of their new videos, "High Five" and "Apartment 4": More About: Education , Pop Culture
Lil' Geeks Of The Week
2008-01-30 20:54:00 It's time again to showcase our Lil' Geeks of the Week ! We're going with another sibling theme today, but this one's a little different, as the youngest geekling is still in utero. (At least, she was the last time I checked in.)First up is Pearce, a three-year-old gamer with a penchant for Nintendo Wii and Mario games both old and new school. Check him out in his little rocket jammies, playing the Wii! Like I said, Pearce is a hardcore Mario fan. Here he is with his daddy on Halloween. Adorable!And finally, here's little Pearce all tuckered out while playing on the PC. Gaming 'til dawn? This kid is awesome!He is going to have to set those games to two-player pretty soon, as his sister Hero is due any day now. She looks like a tough competitor, too.Wow, Pearce and Hero are already a dynamic duo. Much luck to their mommy and daddy in the future!Do you have a pic/video of your kid(s) geeking out? Send it to me at and we'll put him/her on the site!
"I Heartily Endorse This Event Or Product"
2008-01-28 08:10:00 Those are the famous words of Krusty the Clown, who will gladly lend his stamp of approval to any mass-produced piece of garbage. (Though, I must admit that Krusty Brand Imitation Gruel lives up to its promise. 9 out of 10 orphans really can't tell the difference!) Please believe me when I say that this random product endorsement has a much more altruistic motive. I just think it's cool is all. Geek parents must remember their childhood days when they toiled away on an Etch A Sketch, trying to draw dirty pictures that always resulted in square bosoms. (Don't play coy with me. I know you tried that, too!)Just in time for the 20th 21st century, Etch A Sketch has designed a plug-and-play device that allows you to draw directly onto your television screen. Yeah, it's kinda low tech, but also pretty brilliant - don't you think? You can even shake the controller when you want to erase your masterpiece. I know Christmas is long gone and my kids are probably a bit too young to enjoy it... More About: Event , Product
Top 10 Weirdest Google Searches That Have Directed People Here
2008-01-27 03:27:00 Thanks to Google Analytics, I can see the exact Google searches people are making that lead them to my humble site. The most common phrase that brings people to my blog, believe it or not, is "Amy Cottrell." Many of those searches are being made by potential clients who, no doubt, are probably trying to verify my resume.(By the way, if you are checking up on me, yes I went to Harvard University and have won three Pulitzer Prizes. Yeesh.) Without further adieu, here are the 10 weirdest Google searches that have directed people to Geek Parenting (with my commentary, of course): 1. "speed racer erotic s&m" (No lie, I'm the very first Google search result for this exact phrase.)2. "rectal hygiene"(Okay, this one actually makes perfect sense, as I famously wrote my senior thesis on rectal hygiene. Or was it Native American poetry?)3. "anime on toilet" (Again, slightly disturbing. I'm sure they found this entry, but was that what they were really looking for?)4. "kid bath... More About: People , Top 10 , Rect
Lil' Geeks Of The Week
2008-01-25 19:29:00 It's time again to showcase our Lil' Geeks of the Week . Here, we have three adorable sisters who are modeling their many creative costumes. I should note that their parents met while playing Dungeons & Dragons, so they probably come by the dramatics naturally. I introduce you to Rebecca the Knight, Wonder Woman Melanie and Princess Olivia. That's quite a cast of characters - looks like a busy house! ; ; &nbs p; &nb sp; Do you have a pic/video of your kid(s) geeking out? Send it to me at and we'll put him/her on the site!
More Lois Lane Autographs!
2008-01-24 17:25:00 I finally received my last two Lois Lane autographs in the mail. I've been collecting signed pictures of all the actresses who have played the character so that I can pass them down to my own little Lois. Both Margot Kidder and Erica Durance complete my collection. Check 'em out: I'm really happy with these and the Margot Kidder picture is huge! Now, I'm thinking about collecting autographs of the actresses who voiced the character in various cartoons, particularly Dana Delany ("Superman: The Animated Series"). Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Until then, I'll consider the collection complete.
You're Still Funny To Me, Zombie Kid
2008-01-22 16:44:00 One of the great things about catching on to a viral video after everyone else is that you can get the t-shirt on eBay for dirt cheap. Jason is so proud of his that he's shining his favorite flashlight on it!I still find you relevant, Zombie Kid, wherever you are. (Psst... watch it again here!) More About: Funny , Pop Culture
Top 10 Websites For Geeky Kids
2008-01-20 20:47:00 Though my kids have yet to do anything with my computer other than rip off the shift keys, I do try to keep my eye out for cool sites for children. I actually write for a few, so I make a mental note whenever I see something interesting. Mind you, this list is far from exhaustive and I urge you to suggest more below, but these are my picks for the top 10 Websites for geeky kids. BrainPOP - This is actually an educational site, but your geeklings won't ever notice. The award-winning games and fun, animated videos make this a popular choice with school teachers and homeschooling parents. In fact, many parents prepare their children for standardized tests by using BrainPOP. NASA Kids ' Club - There's something romantic about space, which is why many of us probably wanted to become astronauts when we were kids. I think a child's interest in astronomy should be heartily encouraged, which is why NASA Kids' Club is high on my list. Here, kids will have access to amazing photographs, ... More About: Education , Top 10 , Geeky
Lil' Geek Of The Week
2008-01-18 08:56:00 Excelsior!This week's geekling is Ari, who recently met Spider-Man at Universal Studios. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous, as we've been dying to meet the Marvel crew over in Orlando. Check out these awesome pics, true believers:Isn't he adorable?! This was Ari's conversation with Spider-Man, as transcribed by his mother:Ari: Hi Spidey Spiderman: Hey buddy. Did you go on my ride? A: Yeah, but I didn't like it. S: Why? A: Too many bad guys. S: But I took care of them for you. A: Yeah, you webbed them. S: Are you going to be my sidekick? A: Yeah, I'm gonna web the bad guys. S: Now we just have to arrange for you to be bitten by a radioactive spider. A: Can we do that, Mommy?Do you have a pic/video of your kid(s) geeking out? Send it to me at and we'll put him/her on the site! More About: Geek , Week
For Your Amusement, A Pleo Autopsy
2008-01-15 08:41:00 Last week, I discussed Pleo , the amazing new robotic lifeform that has warmed hearts all over the world. This week, I'm going to show you iFixit's cold dissection of the little dinosaur. Hey, I'm not morbid. This is in the name of science, I tell you. Science!Warning: If seeing exposed circuits and servos makes you squeamish, turn back now. If you've developed a close bond with your new Pleo, this is not for you. If you are currently pregnant or suffer from a heart condition, do not scroll down! You've been warned.From the mad geniuses at iFixit, I offer you a glimpse of the world's first Pleo autopsy:Want to see more? Oh come on, you know you do. Click here for a detailed account of iFixit's wicked little experiment. More About: Amusement
Pleo VS Butterscotch: Who Will Reign Supreme?
2008-01-14 20:29:00 Recently, we presented our indifferent children with a pricey, robotic horse named Butterscotch. Well, faster than I could apply for a second mortgage, along comes Pleo the baby dinosaur! Pleo is the newest interactive "lifeform" that has geeks and their spawn drooling the world over.Pleo is probably more similar to a Furby than a Butterscotch, as it adapts a unique personality from the moment it leaves its box. In fact, Pleo "hatches" out of a box and behaves like a newborn dinosaur at first. It's really amazing.Though a Pleo is much more sophisticated than Butterscotch, it has a $350 price tag, which is why I made the comparison to our (already dusty) robotic horse. If it's any consolation, the baby dinosaur is being hailed as the smartest artificial pet on the market. Want to buy a Pleo of your own? Amazon has them on sale here - with free shipping! Heh, as if you're concerned about the shipping at that point. Money aside, I do find Pleo to be very endearing. Check out the vi... More About: Supreme , Reign
How Many Five Year Olds Could You Take In A Fight?
2008-01-14 04:27:00 First, let's start with my disclaimer: I have a serious problem with this site. However, this may be something that interests or amuses you. Click on the image below to take a quiz that seeks to answer, "How many five year olds could you take in a fight?"By the way, my issue with this site is not its message, but the fact that my score is so inaccurate. Even if they're unarmed, I still don't think I could take out more than a dozen kindergarteners. I mean, I can barely pin my two-year-old down long enough to brush his teeth. That's why my husband is on shotgun duty in the event of a zombie apocalypse. I need to focus on driving, as I'm terrible with swarms. (If your family doesn't have a zombie escape plan, then I would suggest you work on that tonight.)Update: If you tried this earlier and it took you to a dating site, sorry about that. What a shame that the creators had to take something as altruistic as beating rabid children and use it for personal gain! I've fixed the UR... More About: Fight , Year
Gaslight Justice League Mods!
2008-01-12 22:01:00 I'm so bummed that these are just action figure modifications, as I'd love to buy them for my collection the kids. Inspired by the graphic novel Gotham by Gaslight, Sillof's Workshop has given the original Justice League of America a steampunk treatment. Gotham by Gaslight is an awesome book that sets Batman in the 1880's, where he fights Jack the Ripper. It's a very cool concept and I love all that neo-Victorian stuff. Be sure to check out Sillof's Workshop for close-ups of these mods. Aquaman wears a deep sea diving helmet full of water and Hawkgirl has wings made out of wooden planks and metal gears. So awesome! More About: Pop Culture , Mods , Justice League
Lil' Geek Of The Week
2008-01-10 09:08:00 This week's lil' geek is a bit of an Internet celebrity. That's right - none of you ingrates mailed me a pic of your kid this week, so I've resorted to a six-month-old viral video! Still, it's a pretty good one. Behold, Jonathan the zombie kid. He likes turtles! Heh, that's pretty good. Check out what happens when Jonathan enters the No Turtle Zone:Do you have a pic/video of your kid(s) geeking out? Send it to me at and we'll put him/her on the site! More About: Geek , Week
Vote General Zod In 2008!
2008-01-09 07:12:00 As citizens and parents, we Americans will reach a difficult decision in November. Who should be the next President of the United States? Well, I can only think of one candidate who is tough enough to whip this country into shape and he comes from Krypton. Think I'm joking? General Zod has been campaigning for years. Go here to check out General Zod's official campaign site. There, you will learn more about his platform and discover why he should be supreme ruler of the entire Planet Houston, not just America.No word yet on whether or not the general will keep his promise and give Australia to Lex Luthor. Details to follow. If you're interested in showing your support for Zod, you can swear your allegiance with stickers available from I-Mockery.com. Don't be fooled by the name of that site, however. Mocking Zod will result in a slow and painful death.Why am I voting for Zod? I'm voting for Zod because he's strong in his resolve and stands out from the crowd. All politicians ... More About: Vote , 2008
Baby Shower Gifts For The Pregnant Geek
2008-01-06 09:18:00 Looking for a baby shower gift for a geek? Not all women collect Snowbabies and designer diaper bags, you know. I would have been elated to have received an alien chest burster baby shower cake when I was in the family way, but it never happened. Trust me when I say that unorthodox gifts are much appreciated by geeky women. I was pregnant from 2004-2007 (phew!) and one of the following items would have definitely alleviated the monotony of spawning: Sci-Fi Baby Names Book This awesome baby name book was just brought to my attention by a friend. It features over 500 ideas for geeky baby names, from A to Z. Or, as the cover reads, "From Anakin to Zardoz." I think we secured our geek legacy by naming our daughter Lois Lane, but mad props go to the couple who name their baby Zardoz. I once suggested to my husband that if we have fraternal twins, I'd like to name our children Luke and Leia. He wasn't as keen. "Geek Inside" Maternity Shirt Most "Intel Inside" spoofs have been pl... More About: Gifts , Pregnant , Shower
Bad Moments In Comic Book Foster Parenting
2008-01-03 09:19:00 I was just perusing one of my favorite sites, Cover Browser, which features nothing but large scans of classic comic book covers. Man, those Silver Age comics were the best. They had the most hilarious expository dialogue! I couldn't help but laugh at these shining examples of bad comic book foster parenting:Yeesh, how many super kids are the Kents hoarding over at that farm house? Do they get a bigger cut from the government when the orphans are meta-human? As we all know, abuse is a learned trait. See how Superman handles a brief stint as foster parent to Jimmy Olsen?Ouch, that's harsh, Supes! Of course, one of the worst foster parenting slip-ups is legendary. Behold, the "Speedy shoots up" cover that rocked the comic book community in 1971:Yeah, Green Arrow, what's your answer for that?! Should have taken your ward out to play catch more often, huh? Tsk, tsk. More About: Comic , Parenting , Book , Pop Culture , Nostalgia
Here Comes Speed Racer... There Goes Human Dignity
2008-01-01 08:15:00 Many geek parents grew up watching "Speed Racer " as a child, so a live-action family film based on the cartoon isn't a completely awful idea. I was even more intrigued when I heard that The Wachowski Brothers Siblings were directing. After all, the first Matrix was pretty amazing, even if they did muck up the franchise with two unnecessary sequels. Yes, I was looking forward to this film... until I saw the trailer. Now, I'm fairly certain that this movie is either a) The most elaborate, expensive prank ever pulled or b) Irrefutable proof that the Wachowskis are one-trick ponies.What do you think?I would rather watch Chim-Chim sling his own filth for two hours than sit through this film. More About: Human , Pop Culture
Lil' Geeks Of The Week
2007-12-31 08:00:00 This week, we have a dynamic trio to showcase! Though Halloween is long over, these precious geeklings are still climbing into their superhero costumes and fighting the good fight. Sounds a lot like our house, where costumes are welcome any day of the year! Meet Issac, Rachel and Esther:Aren't they adorable?! They're smart, too. Each one created their own identity and superhero powers, which you can read about at their mommy's blog, Graced by Christ. Do you have a pic/video of your kid(s) geeking out? Send it to me at and we'll put him/her on the site! More About: Geeks , Week
Vintage Geek Parenting... From Japan
More articles from this author:2007-12-29 19:28:00 Here is some vintage children's programming at its finest, compliments of our friends in Japan . Entitled "Johnny Sokko And His Flying Rocket," I think you'll agree that this is 10 times better than any episode of "Power Rangers." Enjoy:I can vaguely remember something like this being played on a UHF station on Saturday afternoons when I was a kid. You remember, after the clock struck noon and "Soul Train" brought your network cartoons to a screeching halt? That's when the bizarre, Japanese fun began! Lois watched this with me and kept raising her arms up like the flying rocket. It makes a mother proud, you know. *sniff*Nothing beats the amusing insanity of Japanese game shows, though. Check out my other pet project, Game Shows In Japan. More About: Parenting , Pop Culture , Vintage , Nostalgia 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
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