Nerd News in Brief

Apologies for the scant number of posts over the past couple of weeks, folks. It's crunch time at the old day job, and that, unfortunately, means cutting back a bit on other activities. Essentially I had to choose between scaling back my writing here at the blog or dropping one of the final four podcasts of the year.

Suffice it to say I elected to reign in the blogging a bit as opposed to denying you another opportunity to hear my delightful voice. ;)

• Technological Singularly: Congratulations to my Sea-town homies Southside, the winner of Scrub Club's Versus Mode competition. It was a hard-fought victory, but one that I feel will truly be beneficial to both camps.
• Our Glasses Are Too Thick (to Get Laid): The Amplified Bard recently directed me to this interesting piece from OK! Magazine. Apparently gamer guys are far less likely to cheat on their significant others than our non-gaming counterparts. Monogamy like whut?!
  
• TeacherRapperHero: Late last month Random got a nice write-up in the Phoenix New Times. Give it a look to learn the importance of "Freestyle Fridays."
• The Other Mr. B: From Matt comes a link to this blurb from Boing Boing about chap-hop pioneer Mr. B. While it's not entirely unexpected to find that the Gentleman Rhymer has charmed BB staffers, it is a pleasant turn of events.
• I am Your Neighbor: From reader Joshua comes news of a series of chip covers of pop songs by YouTube user bobbyfish1029. Check out his take on "Hey Ya!" and then peep the rest.
• 8-Bit Dreams: On the new release front, I highly suggest checking out the newest project from chip artist Jay Tholen. Danny's Incredible 8-Bit Voyage, Jay's 2nd concept album, describes itself as "an epic prog-tinged psychedelic chiptune extravaganza." Give it a listen, and embrace the inconceivable.
• Shit Gets Real: MC Lars recently announced that a track from his This Gigantic Robot Kills album has been licensed for use in the new season of MTV's The Real World. In related news, who the fuck knew that show was still on the air?!
• One of Us: Church brings us news of Wade Yandall, a 6 feet 4, 295 lb Carson High School football lineman who is also a self-avowed nerd. How's that for defying conventions?
• Think, Geeks!: Among Church's latest geek chic roundup comes a nerdy affirmation from another high school student, news of Central Piedmont Community College's recent Geek Fest and the announcement of the movement's ultimate demise… which we can assume has been greatly exaggerated.
• Ghay'cha': For the record, I fear the Klingon youth brigade. For reals.
• An Honor: Big up to Lance for making me the subject of his latest sketch request from artist Bob Raymond. You'll likely remember both Lance and Bob from the previously discussed piece of nerdcore fan art. Also, someone please make me a giant "NC" ring!
  
• Mine, Yours, Ours: For an interesting take on ownership culture within the confines of the nerdy music community, I'd like to point out Grace "Snidget" Kendall's "On media ownership, and sort of on Wrockstock." It's available at Snidge's Facebook, and it's proven itself worth multiple reads from yours truly.
• I'll Take You There: In case you missed the release of their stellar covers EP Jokey Jingles Ultimate Dance Party Mix Volume 3, Uncle Monsterface has also released a companion video. It features Marty's interpretative dance routine to the Monsterface version of Madonna's "Like a Prayer." (NSFW due to brief instances of a boxer-brief clad angel.)

Be Prepared

I probably don't need to remind you of this, but I will. I mean, it's kind of what I do.

This very weekend, Pensacola, FL will play host to Nerd Invasion, an event that (I at least hope) is the first of in new brand series of geek culture events. Combining the music, gaming and socializing aspects of Nerdapalooza with the fast-paced, perpetual madness of an old school lock-in, the Invasion looks to tweak the accepted formula of nerdy gatherings in a manner most divine.

Helming the event is the Scrub Club family and merch man extraordinaire Jason Rockstar of NerdRockStar.com. But that's just the beginning.

Additional sponsors include tabletop giants Wizards of the Coast and White Wolf, Florida's own Homefield Sports and Games, California's Asahi Brewery, Bawls energy drink, sci-fi psychedelic-funk kid's show Gongafunkadine and nerdy music staple Radio KOL: a motley assortment of nerd-friendly businesses to be sure.

Add to this musical performances by Shael Riley, Schaffer the Darklord, Marc with a C, Dual Core, ZeaLouS1, Krondor Krew and the Scrub Clubbers – not to mention the final round of the Club's Versus Mode competition, which will take place live on-stage – and you've got something special.

Sadly, I won't be there myself, but my buddies Matt and GeekDad Curtis have pledged to rock shit up on my behalf. If you spot 'em in the crowd, be sure to give 'em some love. 'Cause that's what Nerd Invasion is all about.