Mariko McDonald, a.k.a. Gamerwife, is a blogger, indie game evangelist and general nerd-girl about town who lives in Montreal, QC with her husband, Rick and two cats, Gatsby & Kala.
The Nerdy Girlie: What is your 1st nerd memory?
Mariko: I’m not sure which is first, but my earliest nerdy memories probably have to do with my preschool OBSESSION with Star Wars. Either watching A New Hope after school, begging my parents to buy me the action figures (they never did, apparently they were against toy guns at the time) or dressing up as Princess Leia for Halloween. Needless to say, I still love most things SW (although I pretty much pretend the prequels never happened) and my nerdiness just sort of kept growing from there.
TNG: How and why did you start blogging?
Mariko: I have been blogging in some capacity or another for 10 years next February. I originally started blogging to promote my film column on Film Threat, but it also grew as a way for me to express myself and improve my writing. I started Gamerwife shortly after becoming engaged to my husband, Rick, since he was a big gamer and I was still learning to appreciate video games. I wanted to create a space where the partners of “lifestyle gamers” like Rick could explore their relationship to video games and make them less intimidating. Since then the blog has evolved to focus on and celebrate women in the industry, the innovation and artistry of the independent video game movement and let me express my nerdiness and my rather girlie aesthetics.
TNG: YOUR favorite blog?
Mariko: Oof. Too many to choose from. My daily read list is up to about 90 blogs. Current favs probably include Cazz Jenning’s Nerdburger, The Cat You & Us and of course, The Nerdy Girlie.
TNG: What is your favorite thing/things to nerd out about?
Mariko: Video games, obviously, particularly casual and indie games, although my favorite game series of all time is Mass Effect. As I mentioned above, I also love Star Wars, and I’m also a dyed in the wool Trekkie (5 conventions under my belt), a Whoovian, a Whedonite, and an indie comic fan. I also play a bad-ass fighting monk in a table top campaign my husband DMs.
TNG: Any tips for San Diego Comic Con?
Mariko: I’ve never been to SDCC, but from attending Fan Expo in Toronto last year and PAX East in March, I’d have to say my tips for any con are: 1) Wear comfortable shoes and 2) WASH YOUR HANDS. Con crud sucks.
Also, if you happen to be exhibiting at a con, see if you can sneak in a cooler full of healthy snacks to avoid getting boned by the limited options and exorbitant prices at most convention center food courts.
TNG: Girlie things you love?
Mariko: I’ve gotten really into makeup in the last year, which is kinda funny considering my age. I also love animals, especially cats and have recently opted to stop fighting my crazy cat lady tendencies and just go with it. I’m also really into deserts and used to run my own vegan cupcake business out of my apartment.
Thank you Mariko for answering our questions! I am so in love with her blog style and of course her Caturdays!! Cat ladies forever :) Check out her blog the Gamerwife and find her on Twitter @gamerwifeblog!
6 comments:
Yay! Thanks so much for featuring me!
I love Mariko. She is so much fun and her blog has taught me so much about video games. :)
of course it's my pleasure! xo
I totally agree Cazz!! xo
Love it! So glad I got to know you and your blog Mariko! xx
Ohh! We love Mariko! :) I enjoy so much her alternative approach to video games and her sense of humor! Well what's not to love?: Star Wars fan & cat lady ;) and what about that last picture in the interview: perfection! (specially the man on the back, sorry girls he steals the show, hahaha, just kidding!)
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