Steve’s Update 10/5/2015

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Hey gang, had a busy time speaking at all sorts of events –  Con-Volution then PMI Silicon Valley 2015.  Know what?  I think I’m gonna take a break from anything big for now.  That was pretty exhausting.

The PMI panel was interesting as I spoke about the role of creativity in the profession – and discussed my theories of creative types.  I may just do a book on that.

Speaking of books, let’s get on to that . .

Sailor Moon Book – We’re back folks!  Bonnie and I put our heads together this week to look at our analysis of the first interviews – which were very revealing.  This book keeps surprising me.

Still looking like it won’t be done until fall next year.  I hope we can speed it up, but this is worth taking time on.

“Resume Plus” – Yep, my guide to jazzing up your resume, my first ebook-only in awhile, is coming.  I’ve got it in the hands of my editor right now, and I hope to get formatting it soon for release late October/early November.  It was actually fun to write, and encouraged me to mix small books with large.

Way With Worlds – I’ve got a big push this week to get it ready for my pre-readers.  So if I’m not that active, you know it’s because I’m busy cursing my own mistakes.  If you want to be one, let me know!

Gonna keep this short, since it’s been a long weekend – and tomorrow you get more Civic Geek . . .

  • Steven Savage

 

 

Activities For The Civic Geek: Support The Troops

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Being in the military is challenging, as many people know.  Support the geek troops by supporting your mutual interests!

Being stationed away from home and loved ones, moving around when required, tough training, unexpected surprises – being in the military, simply, isn’t an easy job.  We’ve all known people in the military life, know the challenges – and know supporting the troops is one way we civilians and current civilians can help our.  If we’re geeks, gamers, and so on, we can help out our geeky brethren who wear the uniform.

After all we’re geeks.  We know the importance of games, comics, literature, anime, and so on.  We know what our fellow geeks in the service like.  Let’s make it easier to get it to them.

You could:

  • Join any number of groups (I’ve got a few listed below) to help out.
  • Your events, club, and conventions could support groups that help out geeky troops.  Imagine a manga donation marathon!
  • You could invite current and former members to speak on their experience to your supporting group or club so people know exactly what they experience.
  • Find ways to get care packages of appropriate material to those in the service.
  • Work with current military charities in your own geeky ways.

You get to make a real difference in the lives of people, you’ll learn more about what military service is like (or show people), and you get to do good for people in uniform.

In your own, geeky way.

 

Comics

Literature and Technology

  • United Through Reading – Connects US military personnel with their children by video-recorded book readings.

Literature

Technology

Video Games

  • Military Gamers – A community and support network for military and former military gamers from the US military. Promotes healthy gaming and support.
  • Operation Supply Drop – A military gaming charity that delivers video game care packages for American and American allied soldiers in both combat zones and military hospitals.

 

 

Activities For The Civic Geek: Promote Accessibility

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Access to geeky pursuits can be challenging for some people; but you can help with access for people and even do more!

We take it for granted that people can enjoy the same geeky stuff we do.  It’s out there, right?  Accessible, right?  Not quite.

Some geeks suffer from assorted challenges.  It may be temporary, like a broken leg or reaction to a medical procedure.  It may be far more permanent in the case of disabled limbs and color blindness.  If you’re an able-bodied person who’s ever been seriously injured, you know exactly what it’s like to not be able to do the things you love, if only for awhile.

However we geeks are inventive folks and are at our best when more people can enjoy our community.  It’d be time well spent to help geeks who have some challenges, temporary and permanent, enjoy the same things we do.  You could:

  • Work at a convention and advocate for accessibility policies.
  • Work with groups that make video games, books, and more accessible to people who have limits.
  • Promote awareness of just how geek communities can be more open and accessible to people who have their limitations.
  • If you’re really technical, perhaps your geek group could get involved in charities, fix-it-shops, repurposing/refurbishing technology, and other ways to provide accessibility to people – geeks and more.

These activities aren’t just good for geekdom and the people benefiting – they’re good for you and your communities.  You learn how other people live, broaden your horizons, open your hearts and minds – and learn ways to help others.

Here’s a few geeky activities to look into to get you started:

Cosplay

  • CosAbility – A group focused on helping cosplayers work their physical challenges/disabilities into cosplay!

Video Games

  • Able Gamers – A charity that works to improve the lives of people with disabilities through video games, including charity work, consultation with gaming companies, and more.
  • Special Effect – Helps people with disabilities play video games with special technology and a variety of fundraisers. Takes donations and runs events.