Geek Chic

There's never been a better time to be a geek. After decades, if not centuries, of persecution, ridicule and never, ever getting the girl, geeks are on the ascendant. They are scientists, programmers, artists, musicians, actors, skateboarders and architects. They have risen above unimaginative educational systems, hostile social environments and employers to develop the most liberating, most global, most inventive and most democratic culture on the planet. They are the geeks, and their time has come. Geek Chic is the story of their lengthy rise to power, told in language and a method that they have helped to pioneer. The book is a lively combination of text, design and images, and takes us all the way from Zeus to Dr Seuss, from Copernicus to Einstein, from Tesla to Tarantino, from computers to duct tape and from Space Invaders to Star Wars. Divided into three distinct parts, it can be read from start to finish or just as easily dipped into and surfed at leisure. The first section is an introductory essay tracing the rise of geek culture, particularly in film, television, music and media. Zeus and takes us right up to the present. Included in this timeline is a series of sidebars spotlighting the best geek films, TV programmes, books, robots, computer games and fashion. The third part of the book comprises short biographical sketches of 'O.Gs' (original geeks), such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Spike Jonze and Tony Hawk. Irrevererent, light but substantive, Geek Chic is a manifesto for the generation that has already changed the world. It will have a natural appeal to geeks and to the people who know, live with, love or are just confused by them.

Capture the spirit of the sixties and seventies with these 35 patterns for scarves, skirts, tank tops, turbans, and more. Do you have a passion for vintage fashion? If so, you're guaranteed to love the 35 patterns in Geek Chic Crochet . With a combination of cute, quirky and cosy items, you will find clothes suitable for any occasion, all inspired by retro designs. If you're meeting for coffee with friends, the tank top in orange and black is perfect teamed with jeans and flats. Heading out to see a band? Opt for the crocheted skirt and brogues. And for a winter walk, wrap up in the granny-squares scarf. For the summer months there's a cute crop top to wear to the beach and cool cover-ups to put on when the sun goes down. You'll also find accessories to complete an ensemble - the collar is perfect for giving a new lease of life to last year's favourite dress or adding detail to a coat. Finally, there are brightly coloured pillows for your bedroom and an oversized hoodie that's perfect to relax in the day after the night before. Making your own clothes is also fun and rewarding. Even if you have never crocheted before, you'll find easy patterns to stitch, plus an extensive techniques section explaining everything you need to know.Nicki Trench is one of the leading figures in the revival and promotion of home crafts. She is the founder of Laughing Hens , the UK's leading online yarn store, and Rooster Yarns . Some of her books include Cute & Easy Crocheted Baby Clothes , A Passion for Quilting and Super Scary Crochet . Visit her website at www.nickitrench.com and blog at nickitrench.blogspot.com.

Mainstream society has often had a deeply rooted fear of intelligent women. Why do brilliant women make society ill at ease? Focusing on the US, Sherrie Inness and contributors explore this question in the context of the last two decades, arguing that more intelligent women are appearing in popular culture than ever before.

In Lisa Simpson’s Guide to Geek Chic, Springfield’s most sensitive student reveals the secrets of being a misunderstood geek goddess. The geeks have inherited the earth . . . And Springfield’s most outspoken and overlooked middle child, Lisa Simpson, is here to tell you why! So what does it matter that you don’t run with the popular crowd? You control the trends and tastes of popular culture. Who cares if you aren’t part of a clique? Your idiosyncratic style is now très chic. So what if you’re not very social? You’re tech savvy drives all social media. There’s no need to lay low in nerd anonymity. You are the smartest person in the room, and it’s time to fulfill your dork destiny! Copyright © 2015 by Matt Groening Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. The Simpsons™, created by Matt Groening, is the copyrighted and trademarked property of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

From the author of the bestselling The Bag Making Bible comes a collection of twelve inspiring bags for you to make at home—includes photos. Lisa Lam brings you a stunning collection of sewing patterns to make your own bags. The book features twelve bag designs with full photographic instructions, as well as a link to print-at-home patterns so that you can get started right away. A Bag for All Reasons is filled with Lisa’s in-depth advice, from the tools and equipment you need, to understanding and interpreting patterns, to choosing, preparing and cutting fabrics. A comprehensive techniques section explains some core bag-making techniques such as how to insert a zip pocket and how to use magnetic snap closures—everything you need to create professional, practical and great-looking bags. With projects ranging in complexity from the beginner Compact Groceries Tote to the more fully featured Too-Cool-for-School Satchel, you can progress with each new creation. You can make your own iPad case, sew a child’s backpack, create a pretty purse using a metal purse frame, and so much more! The bags all have style and substance and are designed with real-life practical uses in mind. Within each project Lisa gives her hints and tips for success, along with advice on how you can customize the patterns to create your own version of the design. “Lisa has created another, spirited collection of gorgeous bags that are fashionable with an added higher purpose of being incredibly useful! This information rich book will elevate your sewing know how with versatile techniques and inspiring suggestions for making these bags your own.” —Amy Butler, author of “Style Stitches”

When Silicon Valley engineer Nicholas Atwood donates two years' salary to charity, he is unwillingly thrust into the limelight. Aware of his social awkwardness and terrified of publicly disgracing his upper crust family, he seeks the help of a highly recommended image consultant. Maybe she can turn him into the perfect son, ideal brother, and articulate, gregarious foundation spokesman. Doctor Kate O'Connor has transformed dozens of nerds into self-confident, socially successful men. Her foolproof method takes months, sometimes even years to work its magic, but Nick has just one week. Kate knows she's accepting the biggest challenge of her career to take on a project of this magnitude on such short notice, but as she helps uncover Nick's inner-hunk, can she handle the challenge to her heart when her feelings for him turn personal?

"I WISH SOMEONE WOULD KILL YOU!! I WISH SOMEONE WOULD POISON YOU!! I WISH YOU WOULD GET CANCER!!" Thus starts the dramatic flashback retelling of the auther's key life events in From Geek to Chic. In raw and gripping detail, the author recounts the harsh verbal and emotional abuse that he experienced as a child, its life-lasting effects and its impact in the failure of his marriage. Despite the harsh and explicit language and the very honest discussions of sexual, psychological, and spiritual issues, there is a level of humor and gentleness that contrasts with the frank subject matter being discussed. From the depths of despair, through depression, job loss, divorce and fueled by his exquisite emotional agony, the author embarks on a frantic search for meaning and relief from the pain, and tries to discover, through tears and song, a part of himself that he had lost many years ago.

The geek look (casual, comfortable, and just a little offbeat) is in And Chic Geek is the online magazine that teaches today's geeks (and geek wannabes) how to achieve it. Marcus Jaye, men's style guru for the magazine, takes the guesswork out of achieving geekness in this comprehensive guide, covering all matters of fashion and grooming for every occasion, from an all-nighter in the cube to a formal wedding. Includes up-to-the minute advice from leading designers, a Geekipedia (glossary of fashion terms), and lots of photos to show how it's done.