Geeks on Camera

                I was interviewed for a Youtube video sponsored by Radio Shack. I had gone to the New York Maker Faire a couple of weeks ago; it was pure Geek Heaven. The Faire takes place on the grounds of the New York Hall of Science, originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair. The Maker Faire takes over several sections of the interior as well as the entire parking lot and adjoining lawns for two days. There are exhibits, stuff for sale, things to do, shows to watch, and talks to hear. I’ve been twice, now, and although some things are the same (the shows by Arc Attack, for example – Arc Attack has giant Tesla coils that they use to make music with their lightning), there's always something new, too. It’s fun. This year, there was a giant vehicle shaped like a skeletal metal dinosaur that shot flames but was safe enough for kids to climb on and in. Last year, there were chariot races with Steampunk chariots. 

                Radio Shack was a sponsor and their social media expert was wandering around with a camera crew. I was in the Make Magazine tent – they sell all kinds of neat stuff there – and was asked if I would mind answering some questions on camera. I shrugged and said, “OK.” I peeled off my volunteer credentials and T-shirt (I’d been warned that, if anyone wanted to interview me for any reason, NOT to represent myself as anything official), then stuck a microphone onto my T-shirt with the cable dropping inside and the mike pack in my pocket. No big deal, I told the audio guy that I’d worn a similar set-up when I was on “Millionaire.”

                So, the social media guy asked me questions from off camera and I was supposed to turn them into a part of my statement. I’m not sure how well I did with this order, but the whole crew’s ears perked up when, in response to “What was the neatest thing you built as a teenager?” I said, “When I was a teenager, I worked for KISS and built the lit guitar that Ace Frehley still uses in his videos!” I answered a couple of more questions and then had to leave quickly, as I was supposed to work crowd control for Arc Attack (I gotten into the fair for free on the promise of my volunteering). Since I was going to be outside directing people for a couple of hours, I had worn my favorite archaeology hat to shade me. Of course, I was wearing the hat for the interview, too, because I didn’t want a weird red mark from the tight hatband running across my bare forehead on camera. I didn’t hear the interviews of my friends who had come to the fair, too. Ken apparently talked about building a flame thrower as a teen. We both made it onto the final video.I think they were looking for cute kids and really weird but mild-mannered adults - archtypical mad scientist-types.

                I had no idea that I looked so autistic on camera. I never looked at the camera; my eyes rolled and wandered like the Chippendales were strolling past! Trust me, there was nothing happening to distract me like that. I just couldn’t look at the big eye of the camera lens. It has been a while since anyone taped me; when I was a kid, I never let anyone take my picture. My friend Mike says it’s because I knew that cameras steal your soul. I thought that I had gotten over it but sometimes, I need to see what I look like to other people. What I look like is me, just not the me that I want to look like. Sigh.

Here’s the link to my big Youtube debut. Maybe someday, I’ll post my “Millionaire” appearance. Leave a comment if you want me to.