Nerdgasm #18: GameBros WebSeries

Okay, confession time. And this is something that a lot of people don't really know about me. I feel like I've managed to keep it hidden really well, and for a long time. See the truth is...

...I'm not a gamer, whew. Glad I got that out there.

Much like my music knowledge, my video game knowledge stops somewhere around the Game Cube....Mario Kart Double Dash is my game. But while I may not game myself, so many of my friends do, and I've had the pleasure of sitting in on a game or two....or 100. Which is why I love this Nerdgasm so much.

This is the Game Bros Web Series brought to the world by Tim Ryder (@TimRyder on the Twitter) and Daniel Strauss (@DanielStrauss) who is associated with Team Starkid (for all of you Starkids out there).  The web series really delves into what it means to be a gamer as well as the places that being a gamer can take you. And it's hilarious, did I mention how funny it is?

Here is the trailer:

And one of my favorite episodes (Thus far):

So whether you game, or just know 100 people who do (just kidding, I definitely don't know 100 people period, let alone who game), I"m sure you'll find something in this web series to connect with. I sure did.

Also, make sure you follow Tim and Dan on all of the social media outlets:

Twitter: @DanielStrauss, @TimRyder, @GameBrosSeries

Tumblr

Facebook

YouTube

And their official website

And 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!"

New Year's Eve Nerdgasm: Youtube Nerds in Review

In honor of the new year, here is a video compiling all the top youtube videos of 2012 into one. Mostly you should watch it for the amazing Felicia Day appearance, but it is pretty funny anyways.

What were some of your favorite nerdy things of 2012? We would love to watch, read or just see some of your favorites.

Here is some of ours

Star Wars Sings "Call Me Maybe"

"I'm Nerdy and I know It" Parody

The Guild Cast sings "I'm the One that's Cool"

Mr. Blobby on Big Fat Quiz of the 90s (Not so much nerdgasm as comedygasm)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope 2013 brings us even better, nerdier things to share!

Make sure to follow us too on:

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

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

Nerdgasm #9 and #10 kinda...

So, the first nerdgasm is the one we had on our own. Sorry, viewers this one is pretty much just for us, but you can also enjoy the wonderful face that is Chris Hardwick. Yes, below is a photo of the #Trainwrecks with one of our heroes, the nerd overlord himself, Chris Hardwick! Nora could barely formulate words because the nerdy-ness was just too much to take! It was wonderful!

And then he signed my Comedy idea book!!! and the drawing I made of him for Nora's Christmas present! He drew and arrow to his face and then signed his name like "that's me!" The night was just too good to take. Also, the opening comedian Nate was hysterical as well. All in all, it was a night I will never forget!

And in true Nerdgasm fashion, something for everyone to nerd out over! This is a crossover video of the Avengers, Supernatural, Sherlock and Doctor Who. So it has all the awesome-ness and it's funny!

Make sure to follow us too on:

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

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

A Very YouTube Concert!

(Sorry for poor quality. My phone is dumb)

We are aware that the title makes it seem like we are writing about Starkid, but that is not the case this time...I did meet Brian Holden...maybe that's why I have Starkid on the brain. This is actually about our adventure to see Alex Goot and Friends.

Let me tell you it was an adventure. Joliet is not Chicago and GPS should have spellcheck. Just sayin. So we'll start there. We got lost. Terribly lost, and it was mostly my fault and by mostly I mean all. I typed in Mojos thinking that's how you spell Mojoes. Well, it's not, and that took us 45 minutes past our destination. So we would have been 20 minutes early, and instead, we were 20 minutes late. Oops. So the car ride was our other friend (yes, it's true there is another but he lives a 1000 miles away so it doesn't really count.) sitting in the back ignoring the two of us yelling that the GPS is right and the GPS is wrong and neither getting anywhere but further from our destination. Finally, Nora spoke and said the address and I said that's not what is currently in the GPS. Thanks Mojoes. So we re-routed with a legal u-turn and got back on track. We finally made it! Woo!

So, that was our adventure, and now on to what you actually came here to read. Our thoughts and awards on the concert!

1.  The window. So we were on the second floor because that is where you can drink. We ended up sitting right across from this window that looked into the green room. Now there are shades there to allow the artists privacy backstage, but some artists did not want the privacy. They preferred messing with their friends who were currently on stage. And by "they" I mean Corey Gray and Alex Goot. And by "friends on stage" I mean Chad Sugg. During his set both Alex and Corey kept going to the window and causing the crowd to clap, cheer, fist pump, or whatever their puppet master wanted. It was too amusing to watch. I feel like it was a competition between Goot and Gray to see who could get the crowd to do what. Whenever the crowd played along with one of them, they would do a little cheer dance in celebration. All of which, we were able to see. Eventually, they closed the blinds because Corey had to go on stage and he was probably having the most fun with it.

2. Joliet is NOT Chicago. Every time they said, "What's up Chicago?" or "How are we feeling, tonight, Chicago?" Nora had to say, "Technically were in a different county than Chicago. This is a completely different town that is not Chicago!" She has issues. She knows it and is working on it. (Lies)

3. If you are a parent dragged to a concert where you are lucky enough to still be able to drink, don't sit anywhere you're in the way. You don't want to be there, and we don't want you there either; but you have children and have to be. So get your six Coronas and vodka tonics and sit at the bar away from everyone who wants to see the show. Don't make me play the-I-lean-forward-because-you-leaned-back to-see-game and then switch every 30 seconds. This is not a fun game because I don't win and then I don't get to see my favorite performer there which is Chad. The evil woman left after his set. At least, she didn't interrupt Corey Gray or Nora would have punched her....(Nora: Bitter? Me: Why of course not...lies).

4. All the artists ran their own merch tables. This led to many wonderful things. Mainly, it led to fun with Corey Gray! He told us all the shenanigans happening backstage like free haircuts, messing with the audience, and what not. He was really chatty and it was really nice. We bought his and Julia Sheer's CD which he immediately asked for our names so he could personalize the CDs. We then got pictures with him. Mine was normal. Nora's was awesome. While getting into the photo, she flipped her hair back, knocking her Starkid sunglasses off of her head. He then grabbed the sunglasses, put them on, and made a gangster like face for the photo. It is priceless. He is too amusing! And since the merch was run by the artists we also got to meet Luke Conard and Julia Sheer. (Photos below illustrate how Nora gets cool photos)

Katie and Julia (Normal Photo)

Nora and Corey (Awesome Photo)

5. We'll start this one with Nora almost told Chad Sugg I was Canadian. It might seem odd to you that I  can be shy and not say everything I am thinking. So when Chad came out to meet fans and take photos, he was immediately surrounded. So I patiently waited. I was twice the age of half of them which is weird enough. So I was like, I can wait, I don't have a curfew. But Nora, known for her patience (Not) was not having it. So she just kept yelling lies behind me, pushing me forward so I could then get my photo.  She yelled things as small as "We have an appointment to make at 10:30 at night" and then they just progressively got weirder to the point of "She is Canadian and came all the way down from Canada to see just you, Chad." Granted right after that, I got my photo. Luckily, he did not ask me if I was Canadian. I don't think I could lie to him. I did get to say, "Don't tell, Alex but I came to see you." Which he responded by saying, "Thank you" and giving me a big hug. So it was all worth it and it all worked out in the end. (No, thanks to Nora's lies....she says Bullshit to that)

Katie and Chad (I am not Canadian) 

AWARDS

Best Solo Performance: Alex Goot, but that's kind of a given since he is the headliner. You can't beat the headliner.

Favorite Voice: Corey Gray!!!! He could sing to us forever and ever and ever. You understand.

Best Solo Stage Presence: Luke Conard. Even though, it was just him and his red laptop (which we tweeted about), he was able to really draw the audience in and make them listen to his wonderful tunes. The Vlogmas helped. That was pretty cool.

Best Originals: Chad Sugg. C'mon no one can argue with me. He is fantastic. Everyone can relate to his songs and they all have his unique signature. You can always tell if it is a Chad song.

Best Backstage Shenanigans: A tie to Corey Gray and Alex Goot. Granted it leans more towards Corey just because when he went on stage, all the shenanigans stopped. So he was fueling the crazy.

Best Fan Interaction: Julia Sheer off stage and Alex on stage.  Juila was super personable at the merch table and gave her fans individual attention. It was really nice to see.  Alex really got the audience to play along with him at every turn. Everyone sang 1000 Miles by Vanessa Carlton and Everytime We Touch by Cascada.

Cutest Looking: Here is where Nora and I cannot agree. We're fighting. I say Chad and she says Corey. So that one is up to you. You can watch all their videos and give us feedback. You will not change our minds though. But we admire someone who accepts the challenge.

Overall we had a splendid time. We drank, we watched amazing music being performed, we laughed, we fan girl-ed out, and obviously mocked each other the whole night. And we also accidentally live tweeted the event. Granted, live tweeted poorly because we were wrong about a lot of things, tagged the wrong people and did not send thaaaat many tweets. So yeah. A usual night out with us when you add famous people we love and alcohol.

Sorry this is late. We were a bit busy and Nora broke her foot. It has been an interesting few days. But the post is here now and that is what matters!

Make sure to follow us on:

Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

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

Nerdgasm #5: Ermahgerd!

So yes, we have been a little Nerdist obsessed lately within our posts. But is that really a bad thing?? Yeah, I didn't think so. Here is one of their latest videos. Watch it all the way until the end. You will not be disappointed.


In case you are not yet following us on the Twitter and the Tumblr, feel free to @andimatrainwrec or @npalmerco08 (or both, your choice) on the Twitter and aaanndimatrainwreck (official) or stillnuttypony or kahildreth on the Tumblr. That'd be super awesome.

Trainwrecks and Nora's Infinite Playlist

I do not know who Chris Brown is. I cannot pick him out of a line-up nor name even one song he currently has on the radio. I also cannot recognize Justin Beiber songs and sometimes I'm convinced that Nikki Minaj and Jesse J are the same person.  I haven't listened to the Top 40 radio stations since Chamillionaire was popular. Do you remember Chamillionaire? I do, and if we're ever in a situation where someone needs to know the lyrics to Ridin' Dirty, I got this. Sorry- got distracted.

Now where was I, right. Music. I want to make something clear, I love music. My iPod is the soundtrack to my life (when I'm not listening to the Nerdist Podcast of course), music gets me through my morning ritual where I either try on 8 things before I commit or throw on the first three things I see, it gets me through my 45 minute commute three times a week and on my night to cook it helps me navigate through my kitchen. I've also got a great respect for people who can get up in front of a million (or hell, fifteen) people and sing out their deepest feelings. And I grew up listening to those Top 40 stations, but really in the last four years, unless it's on the country station, I've got nothing. My true music peak was between '98 and '05 and then that stuff entertained me until I went to college, where I picked up more musical soundtracks as well as hits from the '80s and '90s.

Thinking about it now, a normal person would probably be terrified at the look of my iPod as it's all 90's pop, early noughties rap and 80's classics...with a lot of musical theatre thrown in. Luckily for me, there's no normal people here, just us #trainwrecks.

My point here (in case it wasn't glaringly obvious) is that I know next to nothing about popular music today. But in these last four months, I've found something new to help me learn. I've discovered, with the help of my friend/co-writer on this very blog, a hidden (okay, hidden to me) world of young people, 18-25ish, who are recording covers of popular songs and uploading them onto YouTube.

I know what you're thinking "Why do I care? They probably just sound like the overproduced originals." You'd be wrong. 

Many of the covers are done acoustically, and can change the way you look at a song (I'm looking at you, Starships by Madilyn Bailey and E.T. by Tyler Ward). They also mash songs together by the same artist (Adele Medley by Justin Robinett, Michael Henry and Alex Goot, the video that actually started this entire new obsession for us) & the artists are all friends! Good for the fans because that means we get to hear awesome collaborations (One More Night by Alex Goot and Friends). 

These videos are mostly well produced and cover all genres. So if you don't like Top 40 stuff (although, seriously, you should try them because they're awesome) but country's more your thing, Justin Robinett and Michael Henry's version of If I Die Young gives me chills every time.  I'm also newly in love with Corey Gray's cover of (Kissed You) Good Night. Seriously awesome. And we cannot forget Somewhere With You by Tyler Ward. If you happen to love acapella as much as I do (which would be a lot so, I'll just challenge you to do so. ), try I Won't Give Up by Peter Hollens. So many chills were had by this song, and he does this all by himself! Oh how I wish I had the skills.

Okay, so you're on Youtube and you're out of Chad Sugg covers to listen to. What are you to do (besides listen to Begin Again until you know it by heart and then some)? Why not try some of his originals? This one mentions Harry Potter! 

 One of my favorite things about these artists is that the majority are giant nerds who just want to share these things that they love with the world. Sound like anyone we know? Also: go watch Alex Goot, Chad Sugg and Dave Days sing Call Me Maybe you won't be disappointed, promise.

I'm assuming you're all anxious to go listen to all of these covers that I've linked you to, so I'll wrap it up. Since becoming exposed to these videos I've definitely come to realize that not all of today's pop music sucks and the songs that might not be to my favor can still be songs that I enjoy...they just have to be sung by different people.

If all else fails, at least you can maybe start to recognize the originals on the radio. Maybe you'll even sing along and pretend you don't only know the song because you heard Madilyn Bailey cover it (Wild Ones, look it up).  Or, maybe you'll own up to it and turn your friends onto the wonder that is the YouTube artists. Whatever, it's all up to you. But whatever you do, you'll always have us #trainwrecks to come talk to (or read about).

Okay, I've taken forever to wrap it up, I know.  I lied! (Amy Poheler anyone? Really? No one? It happens) But I couldn't write a post about my favorite Youtube artists without mentioning that I'm going to see them in person. Alex Goot and some of his very best friends are currently on tour and later this month my fellow #trainwreck Katie and I are going to see them. Cue fangirl scream.

        And yes, I'm well aware that I could in fact have written this post with out mentioning that but it just didn't feel right. You understand me though, right?

To hear more about my Youtube findings/read the ridiculous things that we tweet/tumble you can follow us here: Twitter: Andimatrainwrec (Katie), npalmerco08 (Nora)

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

Nerdgasm #4

We've met right? You know that I love everything to do with the Nerdist? Watch this video because it not only takes nerdy stuffs happening around the internet this week, the show is formatted in a sports center type thing. Katie calls it SportsCenter for Nerds.

Just watch it.

The 12 Step Program for #Trainwrecks

12 Step Program for #Trainwrecks (Fandom Nerds): How to be a Good and Respectful #Trainwreck

1. We admit we were powerless over our Fandom - that our lives had become #trainwrecks.

2. Come to believe that actual interaction with people other than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our personal Fandom as we understand them.

4. Make a searching and fearless inventory of all the knowledge we have of our fandom including; quotes, behind the scenes, goofs, and much more.

5. Admit to our Fandom, to ourselves, and to another human being or fellow social networker the exact nature of our #trainwreck-ness.

6. We're entirely ready to have our fandoms remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly allow fellow #trainwrecks to ignore our shortcomings. Not everyone can know everything.

8. Make a list of all persons we have harmed by using our fandom to condemn theirs, and become willing to make amends to them all.

9. Make direct amends to such people wherever possible; re-blog their fandom, like their post, except when to do so would injure them or others or your personal fandom.

10. Continue to take personal inventory of our Fandom knowledge, and when we are wrong, promptly re-blog the correct info. We can't be known for being wrong.

11. Use youtube and tumblr to improve our conscious contact with our Fandom as we understood it, blogging only for knowledge of its will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other #Trainwrecks, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

The 12 Traditions for #Trainwrecks

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal victory depends upon Fandom unity.

2.For our group purpose there is but one ultimate Goal—a loving fandom in our group conscience. Our sponsored bloggers are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

3.The only requirement for Fandom membership is to love the fandom.

4. Each fandom should be autonomous except in matters affecting other fandoms or the genre as a whole.

5. Each fandom has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the fellow #trainwrecks

6.A Fandom group should endorse, finance, and lend the Fandom name to any related facility or outside enterprise, use the power of the group to create change for the greater good. 

7. Every Fandom ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. No crappy ads or doing things just for more followers.

8. Fandoms should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers to keep the fandom going strong.

9. Fandoms, as such, ought to be organized;  we must create  cons, blogs, fan pages, youtube videos directly responsible to those we serve like Whedon.

10. Fandoms have no opinion on outside issues; hence the Fandom name ought never be drawn into public controversy of another fandom

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction and promotion; we need to always promote our fandom to others in a positive way. No hate

12. Nerdy-ness is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place good over evil.

Extra Post: Read and Watch All About it!

As many of you know, Community was slated to begin Friday, October 19th, but sadly did not. NBC for some reason seems to be taking their cues from FOX and we all know how that goes...FIREFLY!! Sorry, didn't mean to get so emotional. However since we have learned from the past, we can help the future. And we should, considering how amazing this cast is, look at what they did for us:

So fans, we must pull together to help this amazing cast and crew continue their amazing work. How? I am not so sure but, the more we promote and are vocal about it, the better chance it has. #sixseasonsandamovie. So fellow internet-ians repost this, reblog this, retweet this, re-tumblr this (not sure that's how you say it), re-whatever this and keep this show alive!

LIttle Things to Cheer Up a #Trainwreck

Little Things That Cheer Up a #Trainwreck (in no particular order)

-Call their little white jacket sassy (One of my bosses did this and he wears bow ties so you know it's legit.)

-Live Tweet something. I did that for the debate. Never felt better. Should I be worried about that because I only have 6 followers?

-Eat Food. Make it anything that is a carb or a sweet. Nothing fills a void like something delicious and fattening.

-Have a TV marathon with friend(s). The show should be something of a fandom that you can then sit there and discuss for hours after the fact and argue over it. (Ex: Doctor Who, Supernatural, Joss Whedon anything)

-Drink!... Gin!... Tequila!... Wine!... Rum! Anything....No, I am not a drunk. I am a lush. It's soo different. It means I don't drink every day. I am not my mother.

-Watch Youtube videos of your favorite shows. Then you just get the best bits, and then you can create playlists of all the ones you liked; so they are easy to find next time. Then you can find ones that cross over your favorite shows with your other favorite shows and make a playlist with those. Then it's like all your shows are in one universe, and they all know each other. Dean could date Buffy. Claudia could be best friends with 10. Then even you can be friends...no wait they still remain fictional. Damn so close. Sorry, tangent there. Fangirl moment.

-Watch Miranda, the British TV show. Seriously! No, seriously. C'mon it's only 12 episodes. You are not that busy. Who needs sleep? Oh you weren't arguing with me. Sorry

-Tell others your #trainwreck stories. Trust me even them laughing at you feels pretty good.

-Surround yourself with other #trainwrecks. Misery always loves company and so does insanity.

-Go on tumblr and follow popcultrainbrain. It has all the latest news on your closest friends and by friends I mean fictional characters.

-Read fan fiction. Even if your favorite shows, books, or movies end, your friends still live in really weird stuff made up by people with poor grammar and very advanced sexual imagination.

-Create a blog. In hopes to find others like you. I'm not doing this for more friends...