The Philly Geek Awards have been running for four years now. This is the third time I've attended.

The Awards were co-founded by Tim Quirino, a former coworker of mine at P'unk Avenue. He's since gamboled off to design things at Facebook.

I have to say, they do an outstanding job seeking out nominees from outside the average white male Philly programmer's bubble.

Every year I come home with a program full of stuff I need to check out immediately:

Jason Richardson and the Black Tribbles, origaminc's These French Fries Are Terrible Hot Dogs, Jason Osder's MOVE documentary Let the Fire Burn, and Kid Kazo's Philly street art are all high on my list.

Of course I've been enjoying Kazo's work for years without knowing whose it was. One of the perks of living in the city.

Kyle Cassidy, with whom many of you are familiar, was nominated in the photography category this year after serving memorably as a presenter. He was nominated for his famous photographs of librarians. Which are the centerpiece of a touring exhibition narrated by Neil Gaiman. And he didn't win. Whaaaaat!

Well... since P'unk Avenue is twice nominated and never a bride in the website category, I can relate.

And did I mention the Geek Awards are held at the Academy of Natural Sciences? Where they roll out the red carpet and let you hang with the tortoise? On said carpet?

Without question, one of the sweetest things that happens in Philly any given year. If you live in town, make a point of snagging tickets next time.