Nerd Nite 2: truck stops, scotch and spirits is coming up on January 10 at Pachamama’s.
featuring!
Caffeine, Public Showers, and Howling Wolf T-Shirts: Exploring America’s Truck Stops by Stephanie Day
Truck stops have captivated the imagination of casual motorists since their inception during the early 20th century in the US. However, these 24-hour dens of diesel fuel and stale coffee play a much more tangible role in the lives of long-haul truck drivers. This presentation explores the attitudes, perceptions, and relationships these truckers have in regards to the American truck stop.
Bio: Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, Stephanie Day is a PhD student in the Department of Geography at KU, as well as a daughter of a former trucker. Her interests include American cities, particularly in the Rust Belt, perceptions of place, and snuggling up with her dog, Penny.
An Introduction to Scotch Whisky by Kevin Freese
A Scotch whisky enthusiast will explain the basics; how its made, what it is and other nerdy Scotch facts.
Bio: Kevin is currently a credit analyst at US Bank on Mass St. Originally from upstate New York, he lives in Lawrence with his wife Emily who currently attends KU. Kevin has been exposed to the world of scotch for over a decade and has been sharing his passion since college when he gave a presentation on scotch and religion.
Let’s Get (meta)Physical!: How to dip your toes in the Neoarchaic Revival without getting wet by Nick Ray
2012 has been touted as the end of times by zealots; and it is, of sorts. Moreover it is a marked beginning: a collective resurgence and embrace of ancient understanding. Learn how to effectively balance self, spirit and pseudo-science without being “Neu Age” and safely explore the nuances of your humanity.
Bio: Nick Ray is by profession an optician who facilitates clarity in people’s lives by the way of fashion and function. He also seeks clarity on the Great Mystery through his fervent consumption of literature and media relating to the occult, consciousness studies, and the current paradigm shift. Besides practicing kundalini yoga Nick fills his spare time traipsing alongside the Kaw with his canine companion, Sonny Boy.
Nerd Nite – Lawrence had its successful beta test with Nerd Nite 0 in November.
We are ready to go live!
Nerd Nite 1 will be Dec. 14, 7:30pm at Pachamama’s (8th and New Hampshire)
Speakers will be:
Paphiopedilum Dreams: Confessions of an Orchid Freak by Brian Donovoan
Brian will discuss the joy of orchid shows, the agony of orchid death, and why there’s no such thing as a “green thumb.”
Brian Donovan is an Associate Professor of Sociology at KU, Co-Editor of The Sociological Quarterly, and author of White Slave Crusades: Race, Gender, and Anti-Vice Activism, 1887-1917. Brian is an active member of the Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City and the MidAmerica Orchid Congress, and he’s the creator of the orchid blog Cats and Catts.
Attunement- 4 Steps Toward Making A Connection by Sam Bunnyfield
Have you ever wondered how to better tune in to how others are feeling? The holidays are coming up and with that comes the joys and terrors of interacting with our families! Your children, your partner, your siblings, your family, and your co-workers all need attention, especially during these stressful holiday times! Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to interact with your family and friends in a positive and loving way? I am going to teach you four easy steps to help you better connect with the people in your life.
Sam was a preschool teacher and now she is a graduate student at KU getting a Masters in Social Welfare. When she is not studying or working with kids, she is usually playing kickball or dodgeball or spending time with friends and her partner Nate. She is a nerd for cross stitching, the Joss Whedenverse, Lost, and Torchwood. She lives in Lawrence with Nate and their cat and bunny.
Superheroes as Symbols of Justice by Blake Wilson
If I were to say “Batman justice,” what image pops up in your head? Does it differ than Superman’s justice? How do these concepts of justice translate in the real world? Find out in our next issue! Excelsior!
Bio: A law librarian and an all-around geek, Blake has been a fan of comics since he first started getting an allowance. Blake holds a BA in Philosophy, a Masters in Information Science and a Juris Doctorate.
The inaugural Nerd Nite – Lawrence event will be on Tuesday, November 8 with doors at 7:30 at Pachamama’s (8th and New Hampshire).
The theme is Nerd Space. We’ll be exploring how the space around us influences us and how influence it. Yes, that does sound nerdy, doesn’t it?
Presentations:
“Animals and Zombies! Africa and the Media” by Emily Fekete
Bio: Emily is a PhD student at KU in the department of Geography and a self-proclaimed nerd. She loves anything to do with theoretical geography and enjoys spending time drinking and philosophizing. When not being an academic nerd, Emily can be found watching movies and television shows, playing video games, and creating a virtual identity on practically every social networking site available. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, she has moved around the country from New Hampshire to Ohio, Washington, D.C. and finally Lawrence for her scholarly pursuits and has enjoyed every second of it.
Presentation: “Animals and Zombies! Africa and the Media”
The perceptions that people have about places across the globe are based on a variety of factors including education, tourism, marketing, and the media. Often times, our understanding of place comes from news sources such as newspapers or television news. However, the way that people are aware of specific places can also stem from cultural media such as movies, television shows, and video games. Content presented in all forms of the media have a powerful impact on our understanding of place. Misrepresentation of places in these mediums influence the way we think about these places. To illustrate this point, I will discuss traditional news media in relation to the continent of Africa. I will then use specific examples from the video games Resident Evil 5 and Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2010 to reiterate the fact that all images, whether real or not, have the power to shape interpretations of place.
“How I Learned to Start Worrying and Make a Map . . . of Bike Accidents” by Germaine Halegoua
Bio: Germaine is an Assistant Professor researching the relationships between people, place, and new media technologies in the Department of Film & Media Studies at the University of Kansas. In addition to her academic research and more professional projects she can add: backup vocalist, graphic novel protagonist, and being featured in a video on MTV to her list of media-related accomplishments. (Although she would never list those on her CV. . .)
Presentation: How I Learned to Start Worrying and Make a Map . . . of Bike Accidents
Sometimes a series of unfortunate events can lead to a greater understanding of how public records, municipal government, and transportation infrastructures work (or don’t work) in a particular city. At least that’s what happened in this case. This presentation focuses on a collaborative mapping project (currently in progress) that incorporates official and vernacular knowledge of bike accidents taking place in Madison, WI from 2008-2011. While the maps presented depict information about bike accidents, they also illustrate how the average person can use new media technologies and DIY platforms to effect change in their local communities and augment citizen knowledge of their city.
“Walden Pond, Speakeasies, and Revenge of the Nerds: Temporary Autonomous Zones and Poetic Terrorism in American Life.“ by Michael Black
Entry is free, but limited to the first 50 people.
