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Well, check out my profile pic. I was 25 at the time, but one woman said jokingly that I looked like I was 12. I may not look geeky, but I guess I am. I work as a programmer/analyst, I was league high scorer in high school Math Team, score 99+ percentile on the SAT and GRE, and won intramural college bowl two years in a row. I guess geek is as geek does. But I'm more of a renaissance geek -- not really a master at any one thing, but good at several.

I have thought on occasion that I'm in trouble if there are ever any crimes in my area that bring back the 'lone white male loner-type' profile. I don't own a gun, but I have a bunch of true crime novels, am a Republican, and live in a rural area, among other things.

"I was 25 at the time, but one woman said jokingly that I looked like I was 12. I may not look geeky, but I guess I am."

HEY bud...if you looked like you were about 12 when you were 25, then take it from me, the voice of experience: when you're....uh...my age....you will embarras the heck out of people who think you're younger than you are. I got carded when I was 35...hadn't brought my license with me, because I was just along for the drive. The bartender gave me "The Look" (I was one for 10 years...I'm very familiar with The Look, but from the other side of the bar) I knew it was coming and YEP, she carded me.

Place was packed. Good thing I'm tall for a woman and was able to scan the crowd. I saw two people I've known for years and...uh...hailed them (I can rattle windows when necessary) without ever leaving the bartender's side. They came and vouched for me. I got my revenge...still managed to embarrass her. She got off easy. Male bartenders get a TAD more embarrassed.

Moral of the story: when you're a LOT older, you'll be a LOT more grateful for looking a LOT younger than you do. Things always even out in the end that way.