I'm a nerd, and I'm definitely not ashamed of it.

Being a nerd is freaking awesome -- all it means is that there's a topic that you enjoy and study passionately, whether it be a movie, a comic book, a television show, or a book. All those ideas and love of characters and story is developed, debated, and loved by a community (no matter how big or small) to create a "fandom."

Who in the HECK wouldn't want to be a part of that?

I'm not ashamed to say that I'm a Potterhead, a Whovian, a Hunter, a Cumberbitch, a Podcasthead, and more. No, not every aspect of each is perfect by any extent of the word, but they provide a world into which I can escape and a story in which I can become lost.

A bit poetic, but it gets the point across.

This brings me to this past week when it finally became seasonally acceptable to wear a wonderfully long scarf.

I try to be at least slightly fashionable in at least one aspect of my life, so while I go to bed in a graphic tee and boxers, I venture out into the real world donning a black peacoat and one of my many knit scarves. Most recently, my favorite has been one I purchased in Florida this summer when I visited one of the most magical places on earth: Diagon Alley. The maroon and gold of the Gryffindor scarf is perfectly subtle while still attracting the eyes of others who are also waiting for an owl to deliver their letter.

In the past week, 2 professors commented on it, 7 students stopped me in the street to compliment my "school spirit" (which was clearly not Husky-centric), and numerous knowing smiles glided across people's faces as they passed by.

A scarf is such a little thing -- it keeps you warm and requires no thought but a simple loop around the neck on the way out the door, but it reminded so many of their childhoods when they spent time staring at a window pane wishing it would disappear before their very eyes, imagined echoey stone hallways and warm common rooms, and flipped pages with a slight tingle of mystery on their fingertips.

All that came from a strip of knitted cloth worn by a stranger.

Many individuals find a certain thing to be passionate about; in this case, a book series brought a smile to many faces. Others may enjoy sports, cooking, animals, cars -- everyone is some manner of "nerd." We should all strive to bring those hidden joys into our lives in any way we can. By incorporating a hint of magic into our everyday lives, we can become more in tune with the creative and child-like side of us all.