# Nerdy Things You Admit to Doing **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 1, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878 "2003-09-01T00:10:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![buckgully](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@buckgully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buckgully)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/41 "2003-09-02T04:26:19Z")
I am, as I type this, making molds to vacuum form Colonial Marine body armor. It’s to go with the [pulse rifle](http://www.m41amodelkit.com/) that I just built. I also do the Gauntlet “Red Buck needs food badly” thing, as well as quoting Starcraft and Warcraft. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/42 "2003-09-02T05:06:52Z")
I collect dolls. I make [cartoon dolls](http://players.gamernic.com/Guinastasia/mydolls.html). I have conversations with celebrities I admire in my head. :o ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/43 "2003-09-02T05:09:59Z")
I write and sing songs to soothe my dog in the bath. I celebrate (and answer) my [300th post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=3924461#post3924461). ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/44 "2003-09-02T05:13:41Z")
> [@](#): > > I make cartoon dolls. Guin, you **are** a nerd. A steamy, naughty nerd. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/45 "2003-09-02T05:19:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TheFunkySpaceCowboy \* > \*\*There are more computers than people in my apartment \*\* Same here. Each of us has a computer and a laptop, plus the closet is full of enough parts that I could probably build another two or three with a few minor purchases. I dream about rearranging my desk so I can use my laptop and my desktop at the same time! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/46 "2003-09-02T05:26:19Z")
Ryu: I have a fancy switchbox, two system units and three monitors. Plus a docking station and PCMCIA video card for my laptop. And that’s just at work. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/47 "2003-09-02T06:17:19Z")
Upon hearing a comedy commercial that was simulating a voicemail box and instructing you to hit various numbers, when they said ‘If you wish to repeat this list please press the square root of five’ I immediately said Isn’t that like 2.5 or something? and was disappointed to learn it was 2.236… I was off by .264 When bored I like to watch movies and pick out fallacies in the scientist characters statements, or even list reasons why certain people really _should_ be dead at the end of the movie and not survive like they did. (One good one for this I found was Dante’s Peak. Oh and with that one when they were on the lake that was turning to sulphuric acid because of the stuff bubbling up beneath it, well I was mentally turning it into the scientific equations…) ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/48 "2003-09-02T06:22:28Z")
I count things. I worked at a bowling alley once – as a bartender, I transferred 1976 scoops of ice during my tenure. I’ve seen David Lee Roth on TV exactly 23 times. ---
**Author:** ![SnugTheJoiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@SnugTheJoiner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnugTheJoiner)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/49 "2003-09-02T06:56:10Z")
I weave potholders with loops of fabric using one of those little toy looms. I had to buy several of those little looms on eBay before I found one that was just right. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/50 "2003-09-02T07:02:12Z")
Yes, your nerdery is looming, I’ll give you that. ---
**Author:** ![sundog66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@sundog66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sundog66)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/51 "2003-09-02T07:56:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spellbound \* > \*\*When I can’t sleep, I picture a keyboard in my head and type out the words to different songs with my feet.:smack: \*\* Why did you HAVE to put that idea into my head? 😃 Let’s see… I have talked to my roommate online when he’s sitting five feet from me. I delighted when I achieved the top score in an online tetris game. I use a trackball instead of a mouse. I’m surprised I can’t think of more… ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/52 "2003-09-02T08:03:02Z")
**Spellbound** , that’s neat! I actually have a chemistry lab I can step into as I lay in bed. It’s a dotted-line hole in the wall that I climb through – and always manage to snag something. It’s got a hood and my titration tubes and a few coffee filters… SNGGGGGGHHHHHHHHZZZ ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/53 "2003-09-02T09:55:21Z")
I find out what each LOTTO’s payoff is, then figure out what the “cash value” will be, deduct expected taxes and dicide in advance how I will spend the net. I imagine how much I will give to siblings and feel just wonderful about myself because I am so generous. This repeated pipe dream is very satisfying, even though I haven’t won even a dollar in months. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/54 "2003-09-02T13:01:44Z")
[ul] [li] I can do relatively simple math in my head (I seldom reach for a calculator or a scratch pad in these instances).[/li][li] I get annoyed at commercials (as well as people) who make the distinction between VHS and DVD by referring to the former as “video”. :rolleyes:[/li][li] I count in binary on my fingers.[/li][li] I mostly use keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse for routine operations.[/li][li] I can identify the key in which a song is played and I can identify any note by its pitch. I can also identify the time signature in most songs.[/li][li] Seeing an underlined word in print gives me a compulsion to want to click on it.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/55 "2003-09-02T14:05:46Z")
I read printed books and wish for a search function. I play D&D, Magic: The Gathering and computer games. I review computer games, which means I even play _bad_ games. I paint miniatures, play with cardstock building cutouts and play with Castlemolds products, all for D&D and other pen-and-paper RPGs. I can do simple math in my head (as long as I’m not too sleepy), including multiplying most 2-digit numbers. I’ve AIM’d my husband at home when he’s all of 5 feet away from me. ---
**Author:** ![happylittlevegemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@happylittlevegemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happylittlevegemite)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/56 "2003-09-02T17:56:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dwc1970 \* > **Seeing an underlined word in print gives me a compulsion to want to click on it.** I do that, even when I’m reading something on paper. Ooh Ooh! I just thought of another one. Even when I’m reading print material and I’m nowhere near a computer, I still think “ROFLMAO!” if it’s funny. Sometimes when I’m reading my textbooks I think “WTF?” hmmm… I guess that just tells me I spend to much time on the net… after all, I have worn letters off my keyboard. oh wait, there’s another. I have worn letters off my keyboard. (I even have an amusing key. I have worn some of the writing off my left shift key. The t and the top, curvy part of the f has worn off. I’m a bit scared to press it now, I don’t want to do _that_ at my computer! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/57 "2003-09-02T18:48:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by USCDiver \* > \*\*I give enough dimes, nickels and/or pennies so that I only get quarters back for change. > > “That’ll be $4.87.” > “Here’s $5.12 for ya” > > Confused look…punches it into the machine…eyes light up. > > “Twenty-five cents is your change, thank you come again” \*\* I do this. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Shemem_ > **I use magic to open automatic doors. It’s especially fun to do when I’m with someone who might be embarrassed by this display of my powers.** Yep. That one too. My kids hate it. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by green\_bladder_ > **When I’m in a good mood I talk like Niles Crane in Frasier.** I sound more like Frasier. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by dwc1970_ > \*\*I get annoyed at commercials (as well as people) who make the distinction between VHS and DVD by referring to the former as “video”. \*\* Me too. And one more that I havn’t seen anyone mention: I am 6’ 5", and have unusually long toes, so I routinely pick items up from the floor with my feet and transfer them to my hands. To me this is as natural as breathing, and it’s easier than bending over, but almost everyone who has ever seen me do it tells me how weird it is. (The other day I saw my son do this, and I thought “chip off the old block!” He’s 10 and just moved into adult shoe sizes…) ---
**Author:** ![qwanderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ea924/32.png) [@qwanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qwanderer)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/58 "2003-09-02T19:22:48Z")
I am a **Metanerd:** I study the habits, characteristics and divisions of nerds. One of the best places to support this habit is [SD.com](http://SD.com). Among the said divisions (I almost typed sad divisions; wouldn’t have made much difference) I fall into the following nerd categories: **Most general:** smartass **General:** math geek science geek bookworm gamer **Specific:** Trekkie X-Phile Star Wars fan Potter fan spatial geometer 3rd ed. D&D player proofreader fan fiction writer mouse potato Manga artist anagrammer ambigrammer My methodical nature would like me to sit and stare at this screen until I come up with all of them. But alas, it asks the impossible. And I haven’t even come up with any particulars yet. Like the time I grew my nails out almost to an inch, so I could know what it was like to have claws, as research for a fantasy novel I’m writing with my friend Spaghetti who carries a wooden sword around with him on campus and who is writing a novelization of FFVII with, I am forced to tell him, woefully inadequate punctuation. He was introduced to me by my friend Peaches, who goes to Ren faires and who I once had a conversation with about the parallels between Star Trek and Hamlet, which by the way, I own in the original Klingon. And, while I have not the human calculation skills to be the kind of geek that my uncle the computer professor and scrabble enthusiast is, I do have a power of observation so keen that I did a real-life Where’s Waldo at a picnic once, when my mother was convinced that we would be late if we did not find my sister, and similar feats of geekiness that I cannot recall now. Well, maybe my sister is easy to spot because of the tesseract permanently embedded in her skull. Well, that kind of thing is hard to see. ---
**Author:** ![qwanderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ea924/32.png) [@qwanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qwanderer)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/59 "2003-09-02T19:40:36Z")
Oh yes, and I also have, out of necessity, learned how to do most things on Windows without a mouse; however, I do not claim to be any sort of computer know-it-all; I know a very eclectic some. And I like thesauri. Sometimes, for fun, I look up all the synonyms of a particular color or something. I like collecting random bits of information. I will probably be making more posts later, when I remember all the _really_ geeky stuff I do. Oh, wait. When I was reading the 3rd ed D&D PH for the first time, I noted all the typos and told the person I was borrowing it from what pages they were on. And of course, when I was ten, my best friend was Spock. Now my best friend is Spaghetti. Hopefully, I am done posting on this thread for this twenty-four-hour time unit. Now. I swear. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878/60 "2003-09-02T19:50:10Z")
I write _Star Wars_ fan fiction. NAUGHTY _Star Wars_ fan fiction. I prefer libraries to parties. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nerdy-things-you-admit-to-doing/198878.md?page=4)