Felicia Day embraces her geek stardom status in ‘ Weird’
Felicia Day fills her memoir with stories of her wacky childhood and a handful of bizarre circumstances that led her down the path to becoming an online media mogul.
“You’re Never Weird on the Internet ( Almost)” chronicles her life from the time she discovered video games to the launch of her digital entertainment network. Through her many ups and downs, one thing has remained the same: Day has always let her freak flag fly.
Day considers herself a product of homeschool education, albeit a non- traditional version. While her parents worked, Day and her brother taught themselves important life lessons by solving math puzzles, reading countless books and playing Ultima on her grandfather’s old laptop. Her love of technology and her online social life grew. She cherished the make- believe worlds and her online friends who embraced the cyber lifestyle.
Along with the rare label of “girl gamer,” Day was also a musical prodigy. At 16, her violin teacher arranged for a full scholarship to the University of Texas. After earning math and music degrees, she moved to Los Angeles to become an actress.
Day’s resume boasted an eclectic background. As she grew tired of being “the quirky” decorative character in commercials, she would escape her mediocre life by reigning as queen in a digital one. Unfortunately, her gaming pastime quickly became a full- blown addiction.
A combination of depression and peer pressure resulted in Day creating a comedy Web series known as “The Guild.” When executives refused her scripts, Day decided to produce the show herself using borrowed equipment and various friends’ talents. A unique niche was born. In 2006, “The Guild” was uploaded online, backed by social media, and took the Internet by storm.
“You’re Never Weird on the Internet ( Almost)” is quirky, uplifting and full of stories about embracing your inner nerd. Day has proven herself to be as talented in front of the camera as she is behind it. It’s evident that she’s a brilliant businesswoman whose avatar has secured a residence in digital media past, present and future.