The Geek Path: Next Chapter
September 03, 02:20 PM
I’m a bit of a geek, so it is only natural that my geek journey leads me to new reaches. In my spare time, I’ve developed an interest and career in networking. Time spent studying binary and routing protocols helped me achieve my first of hopefully many Cisco certifications. I am a network analyst – providing support to the technicians who monitor the devices that facilitate my company’s global communication. I get to interact with people who are 5,000 miles away or 13 hours ahead of my time zone, so that we can work together to find ways to improve cost efficiency, time management and process oversight. I occasionally work on projects that require investigating whether or not my company’s network is at risk. I could ramble on and on about the diversity of my job description, but I will spare you. Basically what I am trying to say is that I have opened up new geek doors – and this new path is filled with opportunities. That being the case, I am closing a chapter in my life that I never thought to part from so soon. Just 2 years ago, I tried out for this team and was embraced with open arms. I planned for many many years of conventions, tournaments and Frag Dolls Fridays, knowing in my heart that my geek dream had been achieved. But when conquering new ground, eventually the size of that land grows …
September 03, 02:20 PM
I’m a bit of a geek, so it is only natural that my geek journey leads me to new reaches. In my spare time, I’ve developed an interest and career in networking. Time spent studying binary and routing protocols helped me achieve my first of hopefully many Cisco certifications. I am a network analyst – providing support to the technicians who monitor the devices that facilitate my company’s global communication. I get to interact with people who are 5,000 miles away or 13 hours ahead of my time zone, so that we can work together to find ways to improve cost efficiency, time management and process oversight. I occasionally work on projects that require investigating whether or not my company’s network is at risk. I could ramble on and on about the diversity of my job description, but I will spare you. Basically what I am trying to say is that I have opened up new geek doors – and this new path is filled with opportunities. That being the case, I am closing a chapter in my life that I never thought to part from so soon. Just 2 years ago, I tried out for this team and was embraced with open arms. I planned for many many years of conventions, tournaments and Frag Dolls Fridays, knowing in my heart that my geek dream had been achieved. But when conquering new ground, eventually the size of that land grows …
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XBOX LIVE GAMERTAG: Pyra FD
GAMES I'M PLAYING
Halo 3
Quake 4
Rainbow Six Vegas
HEIGHT: 5'6"
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Dark Brown
LOCATION: Texas
HOMETOWN: New Orleans, LA
FAVORITE GENRES: FPS, RTS, MMORPG
FAVORITE GAMES: Unreal Tournament 2k4, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Counter-strike, Halo, CoD4
FAVORITE SNACK: Popcorn from the movie theater
FAVORITE CHARACTER: Lion from FFXI!
FAVORITE EMOTE: /joy
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Love, peace and chicken grease."
FAVORITE MUSIC: Jason Mraz, Jude, Regina Spektor, Metric, Radiohead, A Perfect Circle, Madeline Peyroux
FAVORITE TV SHOWS: Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, Rome, Dexter, Buffy, Angel
FAVORITE BOOKS: A Light in the Attic (Silverstein), Where the Sidewalk Ends (Silverstein)
FAVORITE COLOR: Pink and Black (whoa!)
FIRST GAME ADDICTION: Super Mario Kart, my brother knew to stay away
FIRST CONSOLE: SNES
GREATEST MOMENT: Winning first place in my very first tourney (Halo) at GameRiot Dallas
LONGEST SPREE: 72 hours straight on Unreal Championship for Xbox (Love at first sight.)
OBSESSIONS: Video games, Photoshop, Photography, Box Set DVDs, My dogs, Travel
I HATE: when my camera, cell phone, or DS run out of battery life! (/cry)
I LOOK LIKE: someone you’ve met before
GAMES I'M PLAYING
Halo 3
Quake 4
Rainbow Six Vegas
HEIGHT: 5'6"
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Dark Brown
LOCATION: Texas
HOMETOWN: New Orleans, LA
FAVORITE GENRES: FPS, RTS, MMORPG
FAVORITE GAMES: Unreal Tournament 2k4, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Counter-strike, Halo, CoD4
FAVORITE SNACK: Popcorn from the movie theater
FAVORITE CHARACTER: Lion from FFXI!
FAVORITE EMOTE: /joy
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Love, peace and chicken grease."
FAVORITE MUSIC: Jason Mraz, Jude, Regina Spektor, Metric, Radiohead, A Perfect Circle, Madeline Peyroux
FAVORITE TV SHOWS: Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, Rome, Dexter, Buffy, Angel
FAVORITE BOOKS: A Light in the Attic (Silverstein), Where the Sidewalk Ends (Silverstein)
FAVORITE COLOR: Pink and Black (whoa!)
FIRST GAME ADDICTION: Super Mario Kart, my brother knew to stay away
FIRST CONSOLE: SNES
GREATEST MOMENT: Winning first place in my very first tourney (Halo) at GameRiot Dallas
LONGEST SPREE: 72 hours straight on Unreal Championship for Xbox (Love at first sight.)
OBSESSIONS: Video games, Photoshop, Photography, Box Set DVDs, My dogs, Travel
I HATE: when my camera, cell phone, or DS run out of battery life! (/cry)
I LOOK LIKE: someone you’ve met before
With a mouse in one hand and keyboard in the other, Marcella Fernandez – now known as “Pyra” of the Frag Dolls – took on the virtual world of monsters and avatars at age eight. Learning how to use keys and controllers to combat digital vice at a young age, she started gaming in a breeding ground for fierce competition.
At the launch of Xbox Live, Marcella was able to translate this experience into a true passion for online multiplayer games. As one of the original recruits dubbed “Co-founder” of Pandora’s Mighty Soldiers (PMS), one of the largest Xbox Live clan communities, she learned from predecessors Athena Twin and Athena (now teammate “Valkyrie” of the Frag Dolls) the first-hand responsibility of competing with and supporting other female gamers.
Marcella’s track record of gaming hours during the early years of Xbox Live ran between 40-60 hours per week. With this experience under her belt, she went to the big leagues known as CPL (Cyberathlete Professional League) in 2005 to prove her place among the male ranks. As a result of her team taking 6th place in Halo 2, the highest an all-female team had placed in the league’s history, she discovered a hidden passion for in-your-face competition and girl gamer support. She has since competed in games like Quake 4 for PC, Gears of War and Rainbow Six Vegas.
Seeking to branch out into other arenas of gaming and still hold on to tournament team play, Marcella tried out to be a member of the Frag Dolls, a long-standing aspiration for both her career and personal life. Alongside long-time friend and teammate, Tart (now “Mischief” of the Frag Dolls), she was one of the two new recruits in the 2007 Casting Call. Now as a member of the team, Marcella hopes to dispel the mystery and uncertainty toward women gamers and take on contenders in upcoming next-gen game tournaments.
When Pyra isn’t stuck on her computer or mashing down her trigger button, she can be found dabbling with classes at her local community college or working in a medical setting like a pharmacy, her second ambition in life.
