The Geek Within

Fanfics are huge nowadays and some of them are particularly entertaining. One particular fanfic that stood out to me was The Shoebox Project, introduced to me by a fellow amazing HP fan (and a brilliant friend).

So, The Shoebox Project is a fanfic based on the Marauders from Harry Potter set during their years at Hogwarts. The reason why I mention this is because, as you've probably realised I am a huge HP fan - books and movies!

This blog is about the extent to which I loved HP and it was just not me. While I was working at Sky, I met two of the most amazing girls who happened to share the same level of geeky passion for HP as I did. As with any geeks, we characterised ourselves with the Marauders - Moony, Padfoot and Prongs (Sorry no Wormtail, spoiler he's a rat!).

Just a little backstory, these marauders were mischief-makers and got up to all sorts during their time at Hogwarts. Moony, was unfortunately cursed as a werewolf and as loyal friends do, the others practiced the art of transfiguration within the confines of the Gryffindor boys dormitories to become animagi, taking the form of a dog and stag respectively, to keep this friend company during his moon-inflicted change. While Moony was the one who tried to keep the others in line with the rules, he could only resist the urge to get up to no good oh-so much.

Anyway, we took the idea of The Shoebox Project and implemented into our normal working days (Yes, we are weird and such geeks, but we love it). Our geekishness took to new levels and a chain of emails (much like the letters from The Shoebox Project) began.

Here's an example:

A reply from Moony (one of the amazing friends) to Prongs (myself):

Beautiful Brown-Eyes Prongs, 

I grow weary in these hot summer days, they make me ever so prickly, I must apologise for my foul moods for the past couple of days. The moon, she is not kind at all. Why must she plague me in all her glory when she is full? I cannot enjoy her for I go into darkness. But alas, I must go away so as not to cause any harm. Fret not, four days away will be but a thought of the past by the time I get back to my Marauders.

I shall try and follow both your paths of mischief but I fear that the good-two-shoes part of me will always hold me back for I cannot cause any mayhem. 

Oh, manizing ways? I suppose I could try bringing it out a bit more to help cover our tracks. However, I think I have more to learn from you dearest Prongs and the ever mischievous Padfoot, than you have to learn from me. 

I do hope this reaches you safely, I am off to find a peculiar muggle treat. They call it ice cream and it comes in different flavours, shapes and sizes. It's frozen and they have a chocolate version of it... If I do find it to be extremely good for my werewolf senses, I shall endulge thee with it on Thursday...

Looking forward to the reunion ^_^

Messr. Moony

Reply from Prongs (myself) to Moony:

Most Esteemed Messr Moony, 

After leaving your company yesterday, I felt a certain emptiness that I was not expecting and I must say it took me back a little. It seems that your attachment has become rather official and it would be painful to shake you off so, I am to hold you closer to my heart. 

So, as I sat in my room awaiting a response from you my until-now frivolous buddy, the sun began to sink and the moon took its place in the sky, it was nightfall. I came to realise that the mailbox would not shudder alerting me of your response. The disappointment... and soon sleep overcame me and I had forgotten. 

With a dreaded feeling that my hairy-backed friend would not be here today and the absence will be a gaping hole, I made my way to work and sat where you once sat (or at least I think you did). The gloomy feeling came to an unimaginable end, for the mailbox gave a happy little ping and dear Moony had sent owl. And as if that was all it was, the length of the note and the content was precise, for if I had not received an essay with fancy-schmanciness from Moony, it would be something else entirely. 

How can I stay mad at that annoyingly adorable face? I cannot! Moony, you know how it affects me so, when you talk of the pain the moon inflicts upon you. Be strong old pal! We'll have a good chase about. 

Four days will indeed be a thought of the past as I know I am to expect more notes from, telling us of your happy time in the sun and doing the typical nerdily Moony thing and gaming away! So relax now and do as much good things as you can do, because once you're back I'm afraid there won't be much law-abiding. 

Fear not dear, if my troublemaking does not have much effect, then me and Pads combined and nothing shall keep you from coming over to the world of mayhem and fun. 

Manizing must definitely re-surface, and your monogamous attachment to the musically-captured Flitwick must be concealed during our frolicking runs. Do not sell yourself short wise ol' Moony, for you have the raw material for what is to make a true mischief-maker and with amazing and beautiful company like Padfoot and myself, there is no mistake!

Safely, but untimely Moony, but I guess that is to be expected when such effort was put into this. A muggle treat? I've heard of such a thing. Different flavours? Why Moony? Why would you need any flavour other than the luxuriously mouth-watering taste of chocolate, that in this case will melt in the warmth of your mouth and cool oozingly down your throat?

Oh dungbombs! Why are you torturing us, while we sit here in this office with no sunshine and staring at computers? Thursday you bring this frozen cream and enjoy it with your favourite pals. 

Careful now Messr Moony, sounds like it's not just the moon that will grow the fur on your back, your wolf senses heightening with the taste of this ice...cream you say? Hmm looks like you've already begun taking risks and having a good time with it. Told you my honourable friend, that you are a natural. Well eventually! Haha!

Before I bid you farewell, I would like to introduce our very illustrious and grammatically-grounded friend, Padfoot. 

Messr Padfoot, welcome to our little life of Shoebox in the real world. Let us hear your thoughts on this and whatever wild ideas are bubbling inside your head. 

Until the mailbox rings...

~Messr. Prongs


This was a little snippet of what these email exchanges looked like and they went on for a while. We threw in references from Shoebox, the original HP books and twisted it with our daily routines but mostly it was a lot of nonsense made to entertain one another during those really dull or crappy days at work. As you can see work can be made to be rather enjoyable. Any reference to other HP characters, was most likely a reference to a colleague or friend who was assigned that character due to their uncanny likeness.  

This was just to present to you 'sane' people that being geeky and dorky shows passion and one can really have a good time with it. For those of you who are hiding your geekiness (as I once did), no need... unleash it and have fun with it!

15 Fictional Men for the Marriage Minded Modern Woman

Book lovers like me have a hard time finding a man in the real world, not because we're bores or plain-Janes, but rather because we know the man we want to marry. Alas, he's fictional. Ladies, the following is a list of 15 fictional men (in no particular order) who I think epitomise our ideal man. Men, take notes!


1.

Bravado, dominance and masculinity all equals to this one man, Petruchio, who is 'man-enough' to get you in order. Dash the modern day BDSM (and the Christian Grey overload), you can have yourself the classic tamer. 

2. 

Another devoted man on the marriage list, and most definitely so. Staying true to what he believes in right to the end, Sirius Black is most certainly loyal, rebellious and as we know pretty reckless. But what's the harm in a little mischief and adventure when this man has an immense capacity for affection.

3.

While the Duke may be fickle, the rest of him is pretty damn fine: handsome; noble; wealthy; loyal; ardent, but mostly the Duke of Illyria is a true romantic, a man in love with love - 'If music be the food of love, play on'. In short, everything a woman wants, all in an exquisite wrapping. 

4. 

A new thing with vampires and sexiness, and Edward Cullen is it. Extremely handsome with super-speed and the ability to read thoughts, this sparkling vampire knows he's not always perfect and is ready to admit it. 

5. 

Middle-earth inhabits a man who most certainly makes the cut. Tall and dark? Check. Lean and rugged? Check. Refined in using a blade? Check. Leader of men? Check. Aragorn undoubtedly turns many heads and not just in Rivendell or Rohan. 

6. 

Every girls wants a house built for her, to be cooked seasoned crabs with hot sauce and to be rowed into romantic secret lagoons - there's only one who has the determination in all he does and that can give his unconditional love, and that's none other than the poor country boy; Noah Calhoun - the perfect marriage material. 

7. 

While the perfect pretty boy is what we all should want, it's the mysterious bad-boy who we fall for. Not afraid to make tough decisions and a closet sweetheart, Damon Salvatore makes love look thrilling and dangerous. 

8. 

Being born from one of the most acclaimed literatures of time, Jay Gatsby's stance alone is enough to draw you in. Behind the faux image of the extravagant lifestyle and profuse wealth, Gatsby's devotion to his love is the true essence of him.


9.

Edward Fairfax Rochester. Many things could be said about this rich, dark and brooding man but it all comes down to two words, he is ultimately the Byronic hero. Simple as that. 

10. 

Austen did it again and she nailed it. This time he is protective without being possessive. He can advise without being domineering. He is a gentleman to all the ladies and not only those he deems worthy of respect. To sum it up Mr Knightley is simply and utterly the nice guy. 

11. 

The man who never fails to surprise you and continues to show his love even after he is gone. The man who helps you get beyond the past and strive towards the future. The man who isn't quite ready to say goodbye to you. Gerry Kennedy, the man that we couldn't have dreamt up. 

12. 

Not only exceedingly easy on the eyes, but a man with intelligence who can challenge your thoughts with his own. Mr Thornton is worthy of great respect, to be able to remain gentle and family-orientated despite his tough experiences of life. 

13. 

The Hogwarts professor holds the perfect resume for the husband role. Being an official Messr, co-creating the Marauder's Map and with a certain regard for chocolate, for most that would be enough to seal the deal. If not, then it should be known that the compassionate, considerate Remus Lupin has a furry side. 

14. 

His title alone is a great appeal. This Count has ascribed his status in society, and while he may have held bitterness for the wrong done against him, it's Dantes' redemption that truly shines through and makes him a man deserving of being loved. 

15. 

He comes across as proud and arrogant, but when they are so well-educated and finely dressed as this man is, a little arrogance and pride is just what you'd order. Conveniently, a glance at his fine grounds of Pemberley is enough to sway even the most headstrong of women. Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, the true gentleman, the man known to be the standard to which all other men are held against. The one to hold your heart like an iron vice. 

Those of you who read it, would you agree with me the list above or do you have someone else in mind who you think makes the cut?

This is a piece I wrote some months ago for a specific audience, so I thought I'd post it on here and share it with everyone.