I’m loving Jonathan Coulton‘s “Code Monkey.” It reminds me of my days in college, when my tech geekiness was in full young bloom. And I thought: but the song is about a guy. Which is okay.
But what if I switch the lyrics to something about my college life, and one of my various jobs during this time? And something a little vulnerable, which is when I was first in love.
Heck, why not!
“Sys Admin”
Sys Admin get up, get Pepsi
Sys Admin go to job
Sys Admin have annoying meeting
With annoying professor Rob
Rob say Sys Admin very diligent
But her security stink
Her night response not quick enough
What do Sys Admin think?
Sys Admin think maybe professor
Ought not to sneak his software in
Sys Admin not say it aloud
Sys Admin not stupid, just proud
Sys Admin like dumplings
Sys Admin like tea and Mountain Dew
Sys Admin is simple woman
With great big warm secret heart
Sys Admin like you
Sys Admin like you—
Sys Admin hang around grad office
Tell your sweater look nice
Sys Admin offer buy you Chinese
With Tso’s chicken and rice
You say no thank you for the dinner, ’cause
Chinese make you fat
Anyway you busy with the grading,
No time for chat
Sys Admin have long walk back to her office
She sit down, pretend to work
Sys Admin not thinking so straight
Sys Admin not feeling so great
Sys Admin like dumplings
Sys Admin like tea and Mountain Dew
Sys Admin is simple woman
With great big warm secret heart
Sys Admin like you
Sys Admin like you—a lot
Sys Admin have every reason
To get out this school
Sys Admin just keep on working
See your nerdy sweet face
Much rather wake up very late
Skip class, take nap
Degree fulfilling in creative way—
What a load of crap
Sys Admin think some day she have everything—
Even pretty partner like you
Sys Admin just waiting for now
Sys Admin say some day, some how
Sys Admin like dumplings
Sys Admin like tea and Mountain Dew
Sys Admin is simple woman
With great big warm secret heart
Sys Admin like you
Sys Admin like you.
Spontaneous ∂erivation 
I was just reading an article on The Border House about one of Jonathan Coulton’s songs and gender issues in nerd culture, so this pleases me greatly.
I hadn’t known about The Border House; a new blog to add to my reader!
I’ve only recently started rewriting guy-orientated songs in my head so that they become female-orientated, usually making sure that any mention of “the girl” one is in love with can refer to someone of any gender identity.
I wish Jonathan Coulton would write songs about geek women. Or heck, songs that include all geeks, not just the “typical” (I would say stereotypical, actually) straight unmarried guy geek.