I'm an Unashamed Nerd.

[muriel_volestrangler]

32. May as well post the OED definition and usage examples

since some people seem to think that people in general don't mean anything bad by it.

slang (orig. U.S.). Mildly derogatory.

An insignificant, foolish, or socially inept person; a person who is boringly conventional or studious. Now also: spec. a person who pursues an unfashionable or highly technical interest with obsessive or exclusive dedication.
1951 Newsweek 8 Oct. 28 In Detroit, someone who once would be called a drip or a square is now, regrettably, a nerd.
1957 Sunday Mail (Glasgow) 10 Feb. 11 Nerd—a square.
1971 Observer 23 May 36/3 Nerds are people who don't live meaningful lives.
1983 Truck & Bus Transportation July 129/1 When loose-brained nurds crack up the top arrangements of a man o' my calibre, I got no union t' thump them nurds with.
1993 Sci. Amer. Apr. 96/1 ‘Nerd’..is movie shorthand for scientists, engineers and assorted technical types who play chess, perhaps, or the violin.
2002 Chicago Tribune 20 Jan. iv. 7/1 Among Silicon Valley nerds, chip engineers..are the geekiest of all.

Note that the original meaning is entirely negative; you might get away with saying "exclusive dedication to a highly technical interest" can be complimentary. However, I think people should admit that 'socially inept' does denigrate the desirability, including sexually, of the person. Similarly, the American Heritage Dictionary:

1. A foolish, inept, or unattractive person.
2. A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept.

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary:

an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; esp : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits