Nerdgasm #17: Fandom Tea, Yes, Tea

Adagio Teas: Fandom

Click the link above to be transported to the wonderful world of signature blend teas. Each tea is custom designed to fit each fandom. They have any fandom you could think of. They have everything from Mass Effect to Supernatural to Sherlock. I swear if fandom nerds keep going, every pokemon will get a blend. There are that many to choose from. Then it goes further to fandoms within fandoms. There is a Harry Potter set, and then a Potions class set, and to go even futher, they have a Lizzie Bennet Diaries set. No fandom is excluded in this Tea extravaganza.


ART WORK
Not only are the Teas great, but the art work created for them is pretty cool too. Check these out.

 

DESCRIPTIONS
Then the descriptions they have are really cool. Here are some samples

LOKI
So I am no more than another scorned idea, locked in your mental tea cabinet until you might have use of me? You could have told me it wouldn't happen from the beginning! Why didn't you? What, because I-- I-- I am the caffeinated blend parents won't let their children try at night? You know, it all makes sense now, why you favoured Holmes all these years, because no matter how often you claim to make tea, you could never have a Frost Giant featured in your signature blends!' [Thank you to the anonymous writer that left me this note, and prompted me to make a blend for Loki. Cool, refreshing, but just a bit dark, with a hint of floral undertones. This blend truly shines when iced.]

CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS
A smooth, timeless blend guaranteed to charm anyone off their feet. You can take it to bed, but it will probably keep you up all night

TEAmblr
A bit odd, a bit sweet, but all flavors that manage to work together. Even if they sometimes clash when in improper proportions. Accepts no responsibility if any resulting addiction to this tea ruins your life. Go to bed.

 DESTIEL
Yup


REVIEWS
But the fun does not stop there, my friends. Check out the reviews people give. They are almost as good as some of the the Tea descriptions. Some may be even better.

STEVE ROGERS
"Steve tea is like a warm hug when you most need it. I wasn't expecting to like it so much, but when I tried it, it was love at first taste. The tea can be either strong like Captain America or soft and sweet like Steve. Ironically it's just as good iced as it is warm. Though, I wouldn't suggest keeping in your freezer for 70 years." -Sarah H


SIRIUS BLACK
"LOVE IT. My roommate and I have decided that it smells just like we've always imagined Sirius would smell. Tastes almost like an herbal tea, with bright lemon and ginger, but has a strong base. Also, just... Sirius. Sigh."


So go off and buy, fellow nerds. You're bound to find something you'll love. Curl up with your fandom tea while watching/reading your favorite fandom.


 Make to Follow us as well.

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

Tumblr: Aaanndimatrainweck (official),  kahildreth (Katie), stillnuttypony (Nora)

And yes we did just re-read that and said, "Who let's us talk to people!?

#SDCC

If you know that hashtag, then you were one of the many that dealt with the Saturday morning choas, that was buying Comic Con tickets. If you do not, then you are lucky. I don't know about you, but I did not have a very pleasant time. I spent almost two hours staring at a blank white screen, waiting for nothing to happen. As I sat there, I just read how every badge was selling out and with each tweet from Comic-Con's twitter, my hopes were crushed more and more.

So this week, there will be no Nerdgasm. The nerds are in mourning from this evil experience. And if you're one of the lucky ones to get a badge, well that is your Nerdgasm. So everyone don't complain.

And what is the best way to mourn, you ask. I think it is through humor. So here are some tweets we compiled from that disastrous morning.

Chicklit ‏@chicklitwrites

Next year, instead of “Good luck” on the #sdcc landing page, how about “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” More accurate?

ashi ‏@ashiketchum

i feel like an insecure girlfriend with how many times i called #sdcccustomer service. why won't you take my calls?! is there someone else?

Casey KING ‏@HAILtooTheKING

#SDCC is trending like wildfire! When the day comes that I rule the world, the first thing I'll do is give everyone free 4 day passes.

Rob Salkowitz ‏@robsalk

#sdcc announces 2014 badge registration to be managed by C'thulhu. Why settle for the lesser evil?

Jackie ‏@Tadandader

Four day with preview night acquired. And at such a low price, too. Who needs a soul anymore these days? #SDCC

Dani Figueiredo ‏@maxsummers

Just got informed relatives are arriving at my apt in a bit. Place is a mess & I can't do anything about it cause I'm stuck in #SDCC hell

Robert Gilpin ‏@robertgilpin

I felt a great disturbance in the internet, as if millions of nerds suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced #SDCC

Ian Del Rosario ‏@myiangination

Things were supposed to get better after twilight left #SDCC

Trevor Morgan ‏@TrevorImmortal

I am Leonardo Dicaprio and #sdcc tickets are my Oscar.

SublimeRubbish ‏@palomaf

Think its over? Now the Hunger Games style death match for#SDCC housing begins. May the odds be ever in your favor, fellow#nerds.

Katie Hughes ‏@MsKatieHughes

#SDCC tweets are starting to look like the Titanic. I don't like this at all :( *nerdhugs!*

Devan ‏@vivaladevann

Whoever got the EPIC page to load...who did you have to sell your soul to? Crowley? Lemme know. #sdcc #comiccon @Comic_Con

lina krueger ‏@adjectively

Like I say every year, there has GOT to be a better way to do this. Unfortunately that probably involves a blood sacrifice. #sdcc

So there we are. Some of the best tweets we found from that morning. If you found any better ones, post them please. We all need a laugh. 

Also make sure to check out some of these twitter accounts. I bet these cannot be their only good tweets. 

Make to Follow us as well. 

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

Tumblr: Aaanndimatrainweck (official),  kahildreth (Katie), stillnuttypony (Nora)

And yes we did just re-read that and said, "Who let's us talk to people!?

The Post Where We Apologize

Dear Readers, (Hi, mom!)

No, we're not apologizing for what we wrote previously. It's too late for that. We're actually apologizing for what we have not written.

So, I don't know if you have noticed, but there have been barely any updates to the blog lately, and if we have posted, we have posted super late. (like now!) We apologize. We have just started working on a Theatrical Show, school is getting more demanding, and I actually have a somewhat of an adult job. It also does not help that we are both addicted to a new show (Primeval, go watch it. It's awesome. There are dinosaurs and cool sci-fi things! It's our new fandom drug.) Sorry, got distracted. It's blog time, not TV time. Focus!

Because of these various activities, we have decided to downgrade the blog for a little while. There will always be our typical Monday Nerdgasm post. (Please send in any ideas you have for Monday's Post or maybe something you have created. We would love that! Send to andimatrainwreck@gmail.com) Then we will do one other post a week. It will probably be a Friday post, but you may get it sooner. Obviously, we will spam social networks when there is a post, so you won't miss a thing. Again any ideas, rants, musings, or subjects you want us to discuss please send in. Or, if you just have questions, we can start to answer those. If you do something like this and we use your submission, we will give you a thank you/mention on some social networking medium and probably a follow. Just make sure you include your twitter/tumblr handles.  Extra press for each other is always nice!

So I hope you accept our apology, and in case you don't, I have one more trick up my sleeve. Here is a funny video starring Andrew Lee Potts. It's a preview of what I hope to be writing about soon! So now there is intrigue and you must return! If you are a movie enthusiast, you will enjoy this. (But even if you aren't...just watch this. How could you say no to that face.)

Sincerely,
Your very apologetic #Trainwrecks

For updates on all of this and more, feel free to follow us at:

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

Tumblr: Aaanndimatrainweck (official),  kahildreth (Katie), stillnuttypony (Nora)

And yes we did just re-read that and said, "Who let's us talk to people!?"

Nerdgasm #16: Video Game Hospital

So Cracked.com is full of wonderful, a lot of wonderful, things that sometimes you miss some great videos or articles. Here is one you should not miss.

The setting: A video game hospital full of your favorite characters from Pac Man to Mario. The bit that sets this video apart is the fact it is done in one shot! The action of the scene flows continuously to make a very funny and interesting to watch video.

So please enjoy and share:

Also follow our friend who showed us this wonderful video Sarah @barret11

and of course us at:

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

Tumblr: Aaanndimatrainweck (official),  kahildreth (Katie), stillnuttypony (Nora)

And yes we did just re-read that and said, "Who let's us talk to people!?"

Fandom is My Anti-Drug...or Drug?

We have all been there. One of your friends says, "Hey have you seen/read/watched this?"

And you say "No."

Then they give you that stare like, how could you have never seen/read/watched this before. You'll love it.

After that begins the slipperly slope to a new fandom. All it takes is one suggestion and all of a sudden your waving around anything that looks like a wand, carrying salt everywhere, and planning to murder the man who cancelled Firefly. (Okay the last is a stretch, but you understand.)

All obsessions begin with as something small as reading a book or watching one episode and then they grow and mutate into this monster that steals all of your money and emotional stability. This is the Fandom Drug. BEWARE

There are helpful warning signs for you though. Certain stages that everyone goes through. Look for these signs and maybe you can help someone before it's too late. Remember they start small and escalate

Common signs and symptoms of Fandom Abuse

• They're neglecting their responsibilities- Instead of studying for that exam, they are on their 4th hour of a Buffy Marathon and it does not seem to be slowing down. 
• They’re using Fandoms under dangerous conditions or taking risks while under the influence of their Fandom- They are not only wearing a cosplay costume out but contemplating fighting crime.You may have found ninja throwing stars in their room.
• Their Fandom use is getting them into legal trouble- They are illegally downloading all 10 seasons of Smallville at once while also downloading all the Harry Potter Audio Books.
• Their Fandom is causing problems in their  relationships, They start losing friends because those friends think Community should be off the air or that Donna was a bad Companion.

Common signs and symptoms of Fandom Addiction

• They’ve built up a Fandom tolerance. The show or book itself no longer quells their hunger. They start going onto fan fiction sites just to get a bit more.
• They find more things to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If they have to wait too long for the next book or episode to come out, they start watching YouTube videos depicting their favorite parts, and not just reading fan fiction, but writing it too.  Anything that can give them more of what they desire.
• They’ve lost control over their Fandom use. - They leave parties and outings because they have just had the best idea for the new fandom podcast they are developing.
• Their life revolves around Fandom use. They can no longer come over on Thursdays because Community is back on and they cannot miss it. They also need to cancel their camping trip because there is a convention that weekend.
• They’ve abandoned activities they used to enjoy, The once star football player is now practicing archery and the person who ran French club is now starting up a club for future detectives.
• They continue to use Fandom, despite knowing it’s hurting them. They are constantly crying over some characters misfortune. You find in the corner on the floor just muttering the word "feels"

Physical warning signs of Fandom abuse

• Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual from staring at a computer screen too long.
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. All they eat now is weird things like chocolate frogs and they never sleep due to marathons that keep them up all night. Their mantra is "just one more episode" or "just one more chapter"
• Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits. They now have grown a beard because the Hobbit is coming out. Also, they never leave the house so why groom anyway.
• Style changes. They no longer are the t-shirt and jeans person. They now wear flannel or bowties all the time or are completely steam punk. 
• Speech changes. You start hearing phrases repeated like "Such fun!" "Run" "Wibbly wobbley timey wimey," and "Have you tried turning it off and on again." They also may start to referring to actors or fictional characters by just first name like they're really friends. 

Behavioral signs of Fandom abuse

• Unexplained need for money or financial problems. Yet, their room is now covered in things from The Noble Collection and ThinkGeek.com. They also have a plane ticket to San Diego.
• Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.You find them in the hanging out with people you've never met, drawing runes, and wanting desperately to go to a train station in Britain.
• They have become secretive. They start sentences but then stop them, and all they say is "spoliers"

Psychological warning signs of Fandom abuse

• Unexplained change in personality or attitude. One day they have a gruff voice and act like the world is ending and then the next they are pulling funny pranks and saying "mischief managed."
• Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts. One minute they are jumping up and down saying their OTP is finally together, and the next on the floor crying because some guy named Moffat killed someone again.
• Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason. You ask why and they say, they are not sure if they can handle the next Clockwork book because of fear for Will and Jem.

So look these over and see if your friends are beginning to show any signs or maybe even you are. If you use tumblr, I am sorry but it is too late. You have some fandom addiction but it's okay. I have completed these lists many times. 

Remember having an addiction is nothing to be ashamed of. You can't help it. These shows/movies/books get under your skin and detox is almost impossible. Moffat and Whedon don't help the matter. They kind of encourage the behavior. But there is a community for you, and it's not just Greendale. It's the internet. Thank you internet for the support of fandom addiction. It would be tough to get through without it.

Make sure to follow us on:

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

Tumblr: Aaanndimatrainweck (official),  kahildreth (Katie), stillnuttypony (Nora)

And yes we did just re-read that and said, "Who let's us talk to people!"

Traffic, an Angry Rant

Okay, yes everyone hates traffic. This is nothing new to anyone. However, we have to live with it...or do we? No, we do, but can we make it better? Yes, we can. There are certain parts of every highway ( I am going to use Chicago's Dan Ryan as my example) where if people just did the courteous thing, traffic would not be half as bad. Let me explain.

See there are parts of the highway where lanes change into on ramps or just end because of reasons. Many act surprised when these things happen, but they should not be surprised because right before that happens there are these really amazing things called signs. (I know, crazy!) They are bright and green. You can even see them when it's dark outside. They are really quite cool. Those signs say "Hey this lane here is not where you want to be. So get over to the other lane now, so others who wish to use this road, may do so. Then there will be no back up when you get to the final part of this lane because no one is hurrying over." I mean they say it in less words, but that is what they mean. And if people listened to those signs, traffic would actually run so much smoother. They don't have engineers deciding where to put signs for their own fun. They use engineers because they can do all those wonderful math things to know where these signs need to be in order to keep traffic moving. However, no one ever follows this very simple instructions and the remain in the wrong lane until the last minute. Hence the evil traffice back-ups that turn me into a ball of rage.

Now there are certain things I know about everyone behind a wheel of a car.

1. They can see (If they can't, that is a cause for concern and they probably got there license in
Lombard...(yes that joke is very specific sorry, but I had to do it)).

2. They can read. (In order to get a license you must pass a written test and that test proves you either can read or you're a really good guesser.)

3. The driver must be looking forward (Driving backwards on the highway is dangerous. DO NOT ATTEMPT!)

Now, I do not know why people remain in these lanes when they have all the proper tools, stated above, to do the correct thing. I do not know whether its because they think they are too good to be in the slightly slower lane, they are just dumb, or they are generally always lost. So I have decided to give all of them the same reason. I decided that they all want to be in that lane. (I like to show a little optimism in this dark, dank world with this reasoning.)

Yes, they all want to go to Indiana. I am not sure why they wish to go to Indiana. It seems odd to me, but I do not judge.  I know they wish to go, so I am going to help. So when I reach that inevitable point on the highway, where everyone must change lanes or go to Indiana, I do not allow them in  my lane. (No, this is not me being petty and mean. Didn't you read above. This is me showing optimism. Just let me live the lie, okay!) I am just helping them keep their life choices. They obviously knew what they were doing. They have all the tools to do what needs to be done and haven't done so. That means they must have just forgot they wanted to go to Indiana. And by me not allowing them in my lane, I am doing them a service. I am just helping them remember that they wished to go to Indiana. I mean there is can't be any other reason for them to be in the white lined, not-supposed-to-drive-here, part of the lane, trying to squeeze over into my lane; because that would just mean that they are just a bunch of self-serving assholes, who think they are above following the traffic laws and guidelines, so they can shave a total of 4 minutes off their 45 minute commute home and ruin the entire commute for everyone else!  (Sorry, got a little angry there.) And that just seems like ridiculous way for anyone to behave to me. Considering if they did not do that at all, they could definitely shave more than 4 minutes off their commute. I mean it would eliminate one whole part of the traffic problem. So they must have all just forgot they wanted to go to Indiana and need reminding. So please allow me to remind you.


That is my rant on traffic. I needed to do it. It was a catharsis thing for me. Hopefully reading this helped you get out a little traffic rage as well.

Make sure to follow us on:

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

Tumblr: Aaanndimatrainweck (official),  kahildreth (Katie), stillnuttypony (Nora)

And yes we did just re-read that and said, "Who let's us talk to people!"

Nerdgasm #15: The Workaholics Bowl with Split Personality Hardwick

I know, I know. It's the Nerdist again. Chris is on a team by himself playing as four different versions of Chris Hardwick. I can't not share this. Don't judge, embrace!

For those of you not Chris fans (Do you exist? I like to think of you as Unicorns....non-existent) he bowls against the guys from Workaholics! Entertainment all around.

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

Tumblr: Aaanndimatrainweck (official),  kahildreth (Katie), stillnuttypony (Nora)

And yes we did just re-read that and said, "Who let's us talk to people!"