“Fabulous Weirdos”: a term I heard the other day applied to Trent Radio Programmers. I opened my mouth to object, I made a few guttural sounds, mentally reviewed several of our hundred-some programmers, and wiggled my eyebrows. Ultimately, had to admit that there was some truth there. But it’s an encouraging truth.
As programme director at Trent Radio, I encourage our programmers to pursue only the most selfish artistic visions. I simply facilitate their voice towards a dreamy, vague, horizon-like goal. Like Buddhism, starship voyages, and perfection itself, this goal is certainly unattainable—assumed so at launch—but you are ultimately better for the journey.
It is only sometimes that all these tunnel visions align into a juncture, and we at Trent Radio come together en masse to accomplish some broader artistic goal.
One of these is happening the day this issue circulates, Wednesday February 25, “Geek Day”. You can tune in to 92.7 FM all day today and hear your fellow students and community members ramble on about everything from cat breeds to Doctor Who to Archie comics. The day is notoriously popular among our programmers, and it doesn’t stop there, goodness no.
Later that day, there is a Geek Day Afterparty at the Spill (414 George St N) featuring the music of Bloody Boy Blue (the keytar avenger), Math Jarvis (who dances like a caveman), and Big Damn Heroes (and their rollerskatin’, bustin’ rhymes).
As well, there shall be various old video game systems (NES/SNES/N64—if you know what those nonsense letters mean, good for you) on different screens around the place, all night long.
Now, I’m an utter shut-in, and like the common mole, my ears are too sensitive to bear loud music. However, were I not already committed to programming that evening, to the prospect of playing Nintendo at the Spill I would say: “Press Start.”
Not enough geek for you? Then—because the geek goes on and on—the following day, February 26, Trent Radio is hosting one of the Jolly Hangman Pub Nights at Sadleir House (751 George St N) starting at 9pm. Please consider yourself invited, whatever your interests. There will be board games, if only to help us all overcome our minor social stigmas and interact in some way moderately meaningful.
The point is—and there is a point beyond all this shameless self-promotion—we’re all in our own little heads. Rather than shaking yourself violently and screaming, “Get out of your head!” and being generally frustrated with yourself and the obscurity of your passions, I suggest instead finding a way to make peace with your inner love of Pokemon, origami, alphabetising or Star Trek. Bring it into a social atmosphere. Your enthusiasm is more intoxicating in others than you expect.
I don’t personally enjoy talking about the wonders of the pre-1989 Easy Bake Oven, but I understand some people do, and will do so at great length—the wonders of cupcakes, cookies, and more!
If you listen in to Trent Radio 92.7 FM on Geek Day, you’ll hear people being passionate about their interests. That night at the Spill, students and community members will be literally rocking out to those interests, and at the Pub Night at Sadleir House the following night we shall be socializing among those interests, and beer.
Maybe I’ll come to love the Easy Bake Oven? Maybe you’ll come away being interested, too. Ultimately, there is some geeky interest alive in each of us, however obscure, and that’s okay.
Being a Fabulous Weirdo is pretty nifty.
