Growing up, I was not a Barbie girl. This most likely stems from two reasons: I was a tomboy, and both of my parents worked for toy companies. Therefore (and yes, I’m only bragging a little bit here), I had no lack of toys, dolls, gizmos and games to keep me busy.

Barbie sat on the periphery; a known entity, but not one I was very interested in getting to know better. I was aware of her spectacular outfits and handsome boyfriend Ken, but at the end of the day I was far more interested in my Crash Test Dummies set or my Micro Machines.

My interest in technology, I feel very strongly, was incubated in part because I grew up in a house that encouraged it. I was allowed to tinker with my toys (usually destroying rather than enhancing) and to spend hours playing with my Nintendo or Game Boy. Kids are always going to make their own decisions about what they like or don’t like (and clearly not all of them have the advantage of a surplus of toys around the house), but I believe that one of the main reasons more girls don’t become interested in technology and IT is because they’re taught (or shown) that this is the realm of the boys.

Now, getting back to Barbie. Read the rest of this entry »

The Zerg Overmind must be smiling down on me, because a few days after I received my StarCraft II beta invite another key popped into my inbox! The first must have been for press, while the second came from attending BlizzCon a couple of years ago. To any extent, I have one to give away!

What do you need to do to get it? Not much! Just become a Facebook fan. The winner will be picked randomly on Friday night!

There is a TV station/media company (I think) in The Netherlands called Veronica. As a result, I get a lot of tweets directed at me in regards to their programming. The FriendFeeders had a little fun with the concept, and made some suggestions as to my potential network shows. Here are my favorites:

Crazy Cat Lady Hour
WoW for Fun and Profit
Find the Right Cable!
I’m on a Larp!
CSI: Hartford (Nothing ever happens)
America’s Next Top Shaman
Man vs Wild vs Belmont
Chuck’d (Each week a dumpster dive reveals what gadgets V threw out to make room for her new ones)
Deadliest Glitch
The Cat Whisperer
Bacon Today
Homemade Hipster Ham… and Friends
Devo’s Bird Watching Hour
The Awkward Situation Room
Mr Littlejeans Goes to Washington But is Tricked into a Bath
Connecticut Shore

In the most recent episode of Tekzilla, you’ll learn that I have incredible… eye-mouth coordination? Something like that. Stick with it through the credits, there’s plenty more where that came from.