Ep.101 – We’re Back! Oh, what a difference a year makes.

If only I had more logos to put on this background!

http://traffic.libsyn.com/matinghabitsofthemoderngeek/Ep101_MHMG.mp3

It’s been a whole year since we Mating Habit-ed, but never fear! The show is basically the same as before: We ramble on about geeky things and useless facts well into the first hour, and casually discuss random dating topics eventually. I even fix The Business, LLC’s mic 50 minutes into the recording, so what better way to assure you that we’re still the same lovable, ASMR-style whispering goofballs that you remember from years past!

The show is going to go monthly, and possibly change format multiple times before I make up my mind about how I’d like it to go – much like my real-life dating habits – so please bear with.

Happy to be back with you again, and excited about the future!!

Ep.74 – Strange Dates: A Mixed Bag of What the Actual Fuck?

MHMG_MixedBag


http://traffic.libsyn.com/matinghabitsofthemoderngeek/Ep.74_MHMG.mp3

Sean Ryan saves my bacon and joins me to share weird and awkward dating stories – Sean’s story list consists of famous cousins, dangerous almost-cholas, and disappearing Nigerians. My stories include an in-date level-up and being held hostage at a farmer’s market – and strange dating customs from around the world.

The universe hates Sean’s new car – a lot, and he has Last of Us frustrations…still. We can’t get drunk, even at my birthday party; and Wil Wheaton ruins EVERYTHING! Destiny: The Taken King has come out, so basically, my life is suddenly too busy to get a podcast out on time.

Tables get flipped over literal “Party Poopers,” and how no one on Last of Us has any muscle memory after years of surviving in the clicker-filled post apocalypse.

Could you take fewer than 5 minutes to load that bullet?!  Could you?!!

Could you take fewer than 5 minutes to load that bullet?! Could you?!!

Or two...or a damn half-dozen!

Or two…or a damn half-dozen!

Check out MoatCon4!
Fathom Events – Doctor Who in 3D!
There’s a Batman Day?
Crazy Dating Practices
Empty Sheathes and more!
13 Weird Dating Practices from Other Countries

Ep.55 – Social Justice and Dating: Navigating the Minefield

NameBadges


http://traffic.libsyn.com/matinghabitsofthemoderngeek/Ep55_MHMG.mp3

We try Galahad, have thoughts, and live to tell them.

Galahad

Sean buys a new Skeletor-indorsed car for his family, which transforms the show into Car Talk for a few minutes.

Kevin and I (and Paris) have fun NCComicon-style, there’s a small Interstellar review, and I finally buy a PS4 so I can play Assassin’s Creed Unity.

Lately, everyone’s upset about one thing or another, and we’ve collected our thoughts about one slice of the “Offensive Pie” – How to not piss off folks who don’t fit in the gender binary. There are several ways your conversation can go wrong when speaking with someone who is transgendered, non-heterosexual, et cetera. The good news is that your intent can be a life saver.

We also discuss things from the other side of this “divide” as folks who fit the binary, but who also want to educate themselves, make everyone feel welcome, but also don’t want to be yelled at for trying 🙂
youarenotspecial

Tables are flipped over “Surprise Christmas,” corporate speak, and mismanaged convention spaces.

Oh, and we invent a mascot for the argumentative geek – “Will Actually.”

Links!
Glossary of Terms
Too Many Cooks!
Straight Guys at the Gay Bar
What to Say Comic

Ep.51 – Enduring the Loneliness: “Ticket for one, please.”

ticket1


http://traffic.libsyn.com/matinghabitsofthemoderngeek/Ep51_MHMG.mp3

On the heels of two busy convention weeks where Sean and I ran rampant all over Dragon*Con and tiltEXPO, we get together to discuss loneliness. Your happy host had a spell of loneliness over the convention weekend, and Sean helps me figure out ways to calm the panic and resolve the issues.

Since this was recorded, I’m happy to report that I have signed up for some events and I’m well on my way to taking my own advice 🙂

We get excited about new video games coming out next month, how we both still like this new Doctor, and we fill you in on all the fun stuff that happened at all the conventions we attended since the last episode.

Tables get flipped over #GamerGate and Apple Hate – see what I did there with the rhyming?

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1409767571-GamerGate

Ep.44 – Animazement 2014: The Panel in Review

animazement14

WARNING: This may be a compilation of the absolute worst audio you’ve ever heard on this show. Aside from the echo chamber that is the Animazement panel, my headset mic bumped my glasses for the ENTIRETY of the show, and all I can do is apologize and remind you that this is why podcasts are free 🙂 I promise to get new equipment soon.

We did it again! With the help of Sean Ryan and William Bloodworth, we rocked the stage late into the wee hours of Animazement 2014. There were questions, buttons, a mic-hijacking, and sandwiches mentioned during our hour-long Mating Habits of the Modern Otaku: 2nd Date fan panel.

As always, I forget that I’m technically the host and I leave Sean hanging and checking my phone (just to keep track of the time – swear!), William is dressed as Kiruto and gets engaged to a small plushie Bulbasaur, and a rave happens elsewhere in the convention center that is so thunderous, the stage shakes the whole time. Oh, and we answered questions about dating.

Also in this show, I come up with some half-baked schemes for making money (patent pending) and Sean suggests we free all the caged autistic children from their neighborhood internment camps, only to make them available for cock-fighting style Yugio Tournaments – what a jerk!

At time marker 1:47, we come back after the panel audio to have a serious discussion regarding the recent tragic shootings and deaths in California. The tables are less flipped, and more firmly pounded as I discuss why the hashtag #YesAllWomen is a great thing, if fully understood, and how misogyny is hurting everyone…most of all men who aren’t misogynists.

Links!
Why It’s So Hard for Men to See Misogyny
Your Princess Is in Another Castle: Misogyny, Entitlement, and Nerds

Ep.43 – Cosplay and Web Comics: Making Connections Through Geek Art

*Audio should be fixed. If you downloaded the episode to a device before 7:30 pm EST, you may have to download it again. Sorry for the inconvenience.*

Cover Model Cassandra Cosplaying as a Phoenix!

Cover Model Cassandra Cosplaying as a Phoenix!

http://carbon-comic.com/

Carbon Dating by @CarbonKyle

I survived the Warrior Dash in time to bring you Episode 43 – Cosplay and Web Comics: Making Connections Through Geek Art. In this *Mega-Packed Episode* William and Cassandra join me to discuss cosplay, cosplayers, and making connections through geeky artistic endeavors.

BONUS CONTENT: I interview Kyle Saunders, the webcomic artist/creator of Carbon Dating, A Comic About Science, Pseudoscience, & Geeky Relationships. If you’re not reading this comic, get into it!

Cassandra talks about being a D20 Magazine Covergirl, and what it’s like to be a single cosplayer in the convention world. William tells of the trials and tribulations of a new cosplayer; and I panic over not being ready for our Animazement panel (Mating Habits of the Modern Otaku: 2nd Date, Friday Night/Saturday Morning at MIDNIGHT!).

We flip tables over and why I’m getting all the wrong kind of attention lately, William spouts knowledge about book-to-movie gripes, and Cassandra continues the MHMG tradition of telling us all about her worst OKC dating experience.

NB – No one wants to see your magic tricks. Don’t be a dick, and don’t do magic.

Links!
http://carbon-comic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CarbonDating
https://www.facebook.com/D20GirlsProject
http://www.emaaknights.com/

Ep.38 – The Tao of Jackass: Fuck Her Like a Fish!

Come inside my little castle!

Come inside my little castle!

Hello Sexy Goldfish!

William gets deep about his cosplay, we discuss a new way to figure out which pictures are working for you on OKC, and I bribe friends with beer and pizza to come to my house and build stuff.

Thankfully, William followed a link called “How Understanding Goldfish Can Get You Laid,” and discovered one of the absolute worst examples of how marketing and assholery can take advantage of those of us marooned on Lonely Geek Island. They’re lying to you when they tell you there’s something wrong with you – I promise.

This sort of marketing preys on guys with low self-esteem, and reinforces the resentment against women that is prevalent in our society (see Cracked.com link below). It’s not going to get you what you ultimately want, which is love and acceptance.

We flip tables over the misunderstood high-fashion magazine and the photoshop found therein, and the tragedy of Irrational Games closing shop – also, WTF, Sochi?

Propinquity!

Propinquity!

Show Note Links:

Triad Anime Con

OKC Photo Comparison Link

Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer

The Tao of Jackass…I mean Badass

Five Ways Men are Trained to Hate Women

Ep.36 – Effective Communication: No Battle Plan Survives Contact with the Enemy

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William and I get detailed when we explain the difference between showing interest and being over-eager after that first date. Ignore all the rules and bad messages from movies like Swingers and learn how to make sure that special someone knows that you’re interested, without seeming desperate.

I give big props to Wicked Radio Network for their support and affiliation, and we get a timeslot on Radio FUBAR!

There’s talk of the final episode of Sherlock, William shares his adventures at Ichibancon 2014, and I reveal another terrible OKC message in this episode’s installment of Dating Horror Story: Online.

Tables are flipped over the reaction to NC’s new Amazon.com sales tax, and I rage over the misunderstood Alpha Male and why you might be one and just not know it.

We’ll be back on Feb 17th with new episodes chock full of helpful advice, dating blunders, and geek rage over things that don’t actually matter.

ALL THE LINKS!

Wicked Radio Network
Radio FUBAR
Man Poses as Woman on Online Dating Site, Barey Lasts Two Hours
How to Hack OKCupid
Amanda On The Edge: The Definition of an Alpha Male

Ep. 29 – Face Your Fears: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

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Ep. 29 – Face Your Fears: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

 

This week, William and I discuss the benefits of taking a step or two outside your comfort zone. Since nothing new happens when you don’t do anything new, turn your life into an adventure! Find other things you might be good at, and have opportunities to meet new people and/or have more things to talk about in conversations with strangers (see: Lesson 2!)

We discuss Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., learn that the young women of America look up to William, and I was completely wrong about the government shut down – whatever.

Tables don’t stay “Flipless in Austin” when we take a look at every thing you should NEVER do when trying to find your soul mate. Bastards be crazy. You can check out all that magic below:

http://www.sleeplessinaustin.com/

Homework for Lesson 3! Do something that you would normally avoid because it makes you feel vulnerable or alone, like go to a movie by yourself, eat at a restaurant alone, go to that MTG tournament, or that board game night at your local game store – not to look for mates, but to just get out there and do something!