Meet Sue Chastain, Head Geek in the Forest

Sue and her doglet, Homer

Thanks for your interest in Geek in the Forest! I’m Sue Chastain, and I have a love for gadgets, technology, design, and writing. Since 1998, I have lived in a very rural area near the Ocala National Forest in Florida. While I enjoy living in the country, the rural lifestyle sometimes conflicts with my craving for cutting-edge technology. Hence my title for this site.

Since my first computer, an Apple IIe my parents bought the family in 1984, I have always enjoyed using computers and gadgets and exploring software. I’m also one of those wackos that actually reads user manuals, and I have become the go-to tech help person in my circle of friends and family. Now that most of my family has upgraded from Windows XP, I have extra time to devote to this website!

I have a degree in Interior Design, which I never pursued as a career. Instead, I became fascinated with software, graphic design, desktop publishing, web design, digital photography. What I know of these things is entirely self-taught. And that’s another thing that contributes to my geek cred–when I find an interest in something, I am compelled to learn about every single aspect of that thing, whatever it is.

I became a tech writer in 1999, when I started producing the graphics software site on About.com. It was a great gig, and I loved it, but after 15 years it was time to move on. Since parting ways with About.com in 2014, I have been doing more working with graphics software rather than writing about it, and I’m enjoying getting back to that. In between custom graphic design and photo editing jobs, I’ve opened up four stores on Zazzle and launched a new website at SuziQCreations.com.

Russ and Sue Chastain

When I’m not designing or writing, I can be found enjoying my back yard oasis (if the bugs aren’t too bad), listening to music and reading (usually at the same time), doodling on my iPad, playing with my dogs, or researching my latest obsession.

I live with my husband, Russ Chastain, who produces the hunting and shooting topic for About.com in addition to other online writing.  We share our home with Homer, the smartest, funniest dog in the world, a Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier mix. Delmar is our boxer mix who keeps our home and property safe from two- and four-legged intruders. We are so blessed to be able to maintain a self-employed, no-commute, work-at-home lifestyle for nearly two decades!

My aim for this site is to write about technology, rural living, and other things that interest me. I hope they interest you, too!

Here are some fun facts about me:

• I could live without a TV, but not music.
• My hair is naturally curly. (Since I get so many questions about my hair, I created a Pinterest board for my hair products.)
• I have been married to my high school sweetheart since 1989.
• My Meyers-Briggs personality type is INFP.
• My favorite color is red.
• My second toe is shorter than my big toe.
• Dean Koontz is my favorite fiction author.
• I like iThings, but not Macs.
• I don’t touch type, despite many attempts to learn.
• My husband and I are both Florida natives.
• I have four siblings–three older sisters, and a younger brother.

Homer loves to play! When no one can play with him, he’s usually moping.

Sue’s hubby, Russ.

Delmar the clown.