The Last Day of the New Year

So it's the last day of the New Year. NWB has been going for almost two months and I hope we make it to the end of this year. We'd like to thank the handful of faithful followers and whatnot who actually read us. We hope to bring you videos of us, and audio podcasts over the coming year. (We're lazy and getting our hands on the organizational skills to do that will be tough) Anyway, we hope you enjoy what's to come. As for tonight, the NWB is going out to party all night long. Well at least a few of us are. Me, and Dann will be at one party, Badger will be at another down the street, and I think Rob will be watching some marathon of some sort, which in itself I guess it a party.

But I digress
HAPPY NEW YEARS
From all of us at NWB.

Lee "Beer is good, Beer is good, Beer is good, AND STUFF!" Baker

Lee's PC Hall of Fame: Maxwell Ashford

Okay, I've realized that I have way too many White Wolf books and the rest of my books aren't really THAT obscure. So I've decided to mix it up a bit and provide myself with some leeway (Get what I did there?). So I'm going to write about characters from games I've run that I believe needed special mention.

So here it is.

Character name: Maxwell Ashford
Game: Vampire: The Requiem
Chronicle: Voodoo Road
Player: Badger
Theme Song: Puttin' On the Ritz-Taco
Race: Vampire
Type: Nosferatu

Why they are awesome:
Well it may just the character's backstory, or it may be a single action, but to me it is a little bit of both.
First off, the player(Badger) somehow convinced me to let this piece of his backstory in because I found it so entertaining that saying no was rather hard. He had diablerized his sire. (Diablerie is the drinking of another vampire's soul thus consuming their entirety.) His sire was named Richard. He consumed a Richard. Incase you don't understand, He Ate a Dick.
But the real reason Maxwell is awesome is through his actions. First off when a member of the group joined late, they both rolled for Predator's Taint. (When the one with a high Blood Potency score rolls to see if he Frenzies and attacks the one with the lower score, and the one with the lower score rolls to see if he runs away in panic or not). Maxwell being of the higher potency lost the roll and was about to frenzy when I informed his player that he could spend a Willpower and try and fight it again. His response "No... no... I'll just go with it." The very first bit of combat in game, was PVP.

The second happened within the same game in which he crit successed a Nightmare roll and scared a Werewolf so hard that he passed out, thus negating an Epic battle that I had planned to take it's toll on the players. I wasn't particularly pleased with this, but Badger was sure proud of himself.

Lee "Wait... what?... You're kidding?!" Baker

Laff's TV show review show! Chuck it

Alright, my furry friends! (unless you're female, then I hope you don't have a beard...).  Once again, nothing of interest has been released trailer wise, so I thought I'd talk to you about my favorite TV show, CHUCK.  Okay, the main reason I'm reviewing a show that has been on for a few years now is because not everyone knows what its about (lookin at you, Lee).  This is the ultimate nerd spy show.  A computer nerd accidentaly downloads a bunch of government secrets into his brain, and now he is quite possible the greatest asset in the world.  Given, it may sound a bit dull, but every episode comes with action, comedy, romance, and the occasional subway reference.  There are characters in this show that anyone can easily relate to, as the character stories are vast, yet work together in a perfect balance.  I gotta give this a 9.9 out of 10... No show is perfect, but this is pretty damn close.
Laff- The Best Medicine

Ps, Lee, you and I are gonna watch the first 2 seasons, and soon

Lee's Obscure Game Collection: Umlaut: Game of METAL!

Tonights game is Umlaut: Game of Metal.
Just to prove my collection doesn't consist solely of White Wolf stuff.
Umlaut is a game where you and up to three friends play as battling Heavy Metal bands of various sub-genres. Such as Glam-Rock, Hair Metal, Death Metal, and Grunge Metal. The game can be played in three hours and no storyteller is required. Now I bet your asking, Lee doesn't that mean it's a sit down board game, and not an RPG, and to that I say, Shut up. I'm the guy writing, you are the guy listening. (Or girl as the case may be.)

Anyway you go through your respective careers and hope that other people don't win narration rights during your scenes. It's everybody elses job to Sabotage you to make sure their band comes out on top. At the end you've created an entire career for a few fictional bands. It's awesome.
Rob, let's get together next week and play this.

Lee "Read a book, Read a book, Read a mother#$@#ing book!" Baker

     Why hello loyal followers.  It is I, the newest member of the Nerds With Beards Media Squad:

CHUCK MAGNUSSON!

     It will be my duty, to entertain you, and bring you the newest in news from the Video Gaming, Music, and all things Nerd World, all in the span of ONE Saturday Evening.  This news will be varied, and hell, I may even not do any news at all, but thrill you with tales of adventure and intrigue from my journeys through Time and Space.  I look forward to thrilling you with my editorials on the Nerd World as it appears every Saturday night.  But until then, BACK TO THE LAB!

Stay Frosty True Believers






PS:  I also have a beard.  It IS a rule after all.

To Rob

Hey, I'm actually pretty sexy, and have had lots of sex with lots of lovely ladies. Unfortunately none of them can vouch for me right now because for some reason I've seemed to have pissed all of them off. Ask me next week when I have new Converts to the Lee way of life.

ha. ha ha...

oh, Lee... that was so funny I am beside myself... Sorry, folks, I can't find a sarcasm font.  And Lee, as far as sex goes, the twins don't count... the twins being your left and/or right hand

Re: I just had sex

Rob having sex.
That's a Laff!

See what I did there?

Lee "I'm funny, really I am." Baker

Best Music video ever

I have established that if I ever get married, chances are she will be the one to pick the music for the wedding.  But I want this to be the music for our honeymoon.

I can already hear the divorce papers being written up...
Live. Love. Laff

Trailer Trash: Now without limits!

Hey, folks! Your favorite trailer reviewer, here, coming at you with Limitless and True Grit. Now, I haven't exactly heard much about these 2, but lets see what we can gather from them, shall we?

First up, Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro.In it, Cooper plays a struggling writer... well, struggling until he get introduced to a drug that turns you into a super genius!  He quickly finishes his book and can get out of any situation.  Everything seems just peachy until his mind skips out days at a time and De Niro's character is after him, for some reason.  It appears to be a smart drama, but not so smart that you can't understand.  for that, I will give this one a 7.5 out of 10.

Now lets saddle up with True Grit.  For those of you who don't know (like me a few minutes ago), True Grit is another western movie.  Personally, I've already had my fill of this particular genre, but I will probably go see it. In this one, Jeff Bridges (you know, that bald guy from the first Iron Man movie) plays a man who proves to everyone that a one eyed guy with a gun can't shoot a damn thing.  All in all, it just looks a little better than average cowboy movie, so I'm gonna give this one a 5.5 out of 10... (Also, did anyone else see a bear riding a horse in that trailer?  That can't just be me...)

So there you have it, folks! a movie about a really really smart guy and a movie about a man with poor depth perception.  As always, questions and comments are welcome below.  Love you!

Live.
Love.
Laff.
(See what I did there?)

Bring it on

Dear Lee, read the title of this part... oh yeah, its on.

Robert Laff "The best Medicine"
ps, no cheating! I see your hand about to click on ask.com... no, not the hand in your pants...

I CHALLENGE ROB TO A NERDOFF!!!

This Nerd-Off is quite simple. In the comments leave a question. Any question in the history of questions and direct it to either myself "Lee Baker" or Rob "Robert Laff". In one week we'll count the correct answers. The person who asked the last winning question then suggests a pose and a picture they'd like to see the loser in and we do it.

Rob, you have no choice. You must participate.

Signed,
      Lee "You wish you were as pretty as me" Baker

Zombie: The End

Some called it Gehenna, Some called it the Apocalypse, Some just called it Ascension. Whatever it was called, it meant one thing. The end of the world as we knew it. Monsters, creatures we thought were only legend came out to the world. Vampires, Werewolves, Mages, Demons, faeries, and things of the like. People who hunted them. Large populaces of humans vanished as their minds opened to far greater things. Werewolves scorched the earth and spirit realms in endless battle with the spirits of the planet. The eternal struggle and war between the vampires wrecked entire cities. Before it was over, nothing was left the same. The world a barren wasteland. Purged of all evil, all good. Purged of everything but a few surviving humans and twisted beasts created of warped flesh. Individuals calling themselves the "Redeemed" and the "Once Damned" sought to destroy these beings. Many years later it was thought that the infections of the world before had been purged. It was safe for humanity to flourish again. So they did. Building small cities, and refuges. Unaware of anything trying to harm them. The world looked like it would once again prosper. They had survived the end of the world, and so the world would begin anew.

It turned out, however, that the Eldest  had another plan for humanity. Sure he had been destroyed, but his malicious presence could hardly be snuffed out. Then it began. Dead corpses began rising from the bowels of once great cities. The fortress city of Renewed York was the first to fall as the greatest number of these flesh hungry corpses began rising from the sewers where the remnants of the once great Cathedral of Flesh once rested.

And so once more the "Redeemed " took up arms against these creatures, and pushed them back to their sewer dwellings. The world rebuilt itself and the "zombies" were all but a memory. The Eldest, however, would still have the planet to himself. He'd all but forgotten the disease he'd implanted in humanity before it's downfall. Despite most the disease having been destroyed, a few carriers still existed. He activated his blood within them and they became the 'Heralds'. Creatures embedded with the Eldest's plans and portions of his power to command the vast dead that waited beneath the cities. The Heralds began waging a secret war with the Redeemed. For the soul of a new world.

This is that war.

ZOMBIE: The End

Zombie: The End is a fan project of mine. Set in the Old World of Darkness where the end of the world has come to pass. The year is 2200, nearly 200 years after Gehenna/Apocalypse/Ascension. The 'Eldest' in question is what remains of the evil Tzimisce antediluvian. Zombies aren't the walking dead, but merely the only thing he can create with the remainder of his power which is slowly fading. The Redeemed are Vampires who after Gehenna regained their humanity. They find themselves still immortal as long as they wish, and retaining a few of their vampiric powers.

In this game players get to pick the Still thinking servants of The Eldest called the Heralds who can summon and command zombies, or the Redeemed who they are fighting against. Again this is a fan project, and I would appreciate any help that is offered. A knowledge of the White Wolf system would be useful.

Lee "BRAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINSSS... Just kidding, I want your eyes." Baker

The perfect beard explanation

I am so happy I found this!

Laff "The Best medicine"

Lee's Obscure Game Collection: Vampire Translation Guides

Today's LOGC is going to be short and sweet. Because I'm tired, I wanna sleep, and I don't wanna seem like an  ass because I hound Rob to keep deadlines since it seems Rob and myself are the only regular posters. *Glares at the other NWBs*

Anyway, here it goes. I just bought the Vampire Translation Guide from White Wolf. It costs .99 cents and if you are a fan of both Old World of Darkness and New World of Darkness.. well buy the damn thing. You ain't got an excuse.  The art in it is a hybridization of both the Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Requiem books. The books explains how to run Masquerade clans and covenants in Requiem and visa versa.

Now some of you are asking What's this? Well Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Requiem are two iterations of the same game. V:tM is the old world line that ended in 04 and White decided to start a new line with a new world and revamped mechanics and everything. Thus V:tR was born. White Wolf has promised to do this for Werewolf: The Apocalypse/Werewolf: The Forsaken, and Mage: The Ascension/Mage: The Awakening if this guide sells enough and seeing as it's already a Gold Product on Drive Thru-RPG I'm sure we're going to get them soon.

Lee "Laziness is a disease" Baker

Trailer Trash- Gods, crazy chicks, and pirates

Alllllright, folks!  Robert Laff here, bringing you another week of pure movie magic... or crap.  This time I am bringing you three trailers!  That's right, Thor, Sucker Punch, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. (you can find the links in the names below)

First on the list, the next in line to the Avenger's movie, Thor.  Now, I have to admit, at first I wasn't as excited about this movie as I am with many others in the Marvel Universe, but after seeing the trailer, it doesn't look half bad!  Given, I'm a bit confused on why Thor is being portrayed as the bad son, but that will probably be shown in the movie (also, Loki seems normal... what's up with that?).  Anywho, The action sequences are fairly impressive, tho the hammer is smaller than I imagined.  The graphics don't look really good, especially for a Marvel movie (way to go, Disney!).  And, of course, they appeared to have done their homework when it comes to casting, at least in my eyes they did.  I'm gonna have to give Thor a 8.5 out of 10.

Next up is a movie that doesn't seem to be getting too much press, Sucker Punch.  For those of you who don't know, This flick is about Babydoll's (that's right... her name is Babydoll) life after her parents died.  Apparently, she can't stand reality while living in an orphanage, or something, so she tries to escape.  The only way to escape, is with her friends and power of imagination.  I know, I know, it sounds kinda gay, but guys, once you see this trailer... lets just say if you just had a vasectomy that you'd be poppin stitches.  There are a lot of martial arts, a dragon, for some reason, and lots and lots of guns.  Now, given, I'm not normally much of a gun guy, but hey, they make it look hot!  That being said, it looks like this flick could be pretty confusing, in fact it mostly looks like it would make a bad ass video game.  I'm still extremely excited about this one, but I think I'll have to give it a 6.5 out of 10, due to the randomness of the flow.

Finally, yet another movie with rum jokes.  That's right, kids, Johnny Depp is back with Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides! *holds for cheering*... what, no cheering?  Well, in all honesty, I don't blame ya.  This go around, our favorite alcoholic pirate is off to find, ironically enough, the fountain of youth.  I say ironic, mainly because the running jokes in these movies are becoming old and predictable.  However, I do have to admit I did laugh when Penelope Cruz implied that Jack gets a boner every time he sees her.  That being said, The movie looks, well, decent.  Nothing really goes "wow" to me in the trailer.  Sure there are zombies, but in a way that was already used in the first movie.  The only 3 things that make this different is the fact that there is no Will and Elizabeth, Blackbeard is in it as the villain (only a matter of time, considering they already used Davy Jones... though they never showed his locker...), and there are friggin mermaids.  With all this in mind, I give the movie, based on what I've seen, a 6 out of 10.  Everything seems pretty normal for the franchise, other than the mermaids, which everyone knows can be pretty hot.

So there you have it folks! A fallen god, a hot and crazy chick, and another drunken Jack (sorry... Captain Jack).

Patient J

Elder Scrolls 5 Skyrim...Oh Fucks Yeah

Dann here with a prerelease assessment on Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. If you haven't played any of the Elder Scrolls games you have to. Oblivion is by far the best released so far, but this is about TES 5 and how i think its going to turn out. If Betesda does the detail they did in Oblivion it will be just as good or even better then any of the previous TES games. Not much has been said on where it will take place, but since the title is Skyrim and we already know the TES 3 Morrowind took place in Morrowind I think it is safe to assume TES 5 will take place in Skyrim. If you want to check it out here is the official link www.elderscrolls.com/.

My overall expectation is: Effing Awesome

Lee's One Hour Reviews: FFXIII

So last night I was given Final Fantasy XIII as a gift by a friend of mine. Yes, I realize this game has been out for months. Yes, I realize that XIV is already out. Yes, I realize you all suck. You see, despite the Classic Gaming Project I'm not a video gaming nerd. The CGP is Nostalgic to me, and if anything I'm a Nostalgia nerd.
So I thought, I play alot of games an hour in before I doom them. I know it's not a fair chance, but I'm Lee. I'm fickle like that. So here is my one hour review of FFXIII.

I run, I switch characters, I press one button to fight.
It's a storybook in game format. I see no strategy and there are no consequences for any choices I make. Simple because I have usually one choice, Go this way, as my path is frequently blocked by falling debris. Overall it's an engaging enough story and it has the FF name on it, so I may keep with it. However, if it keeps me at this death trap pit for ten more chapters I'm going to kill someone.

Well that's my short review for my short time playing the game.

Lee "Foreshadowing is a good thing" Baker

Lee's Obscure Game Collection: Mummy: The Resurrection

Now I know what you're thinking. Lee, you do alot of White Wolf games. Well, yes. I do. Why? Because I'm an avid White Wolf fanboy and thus I have alot of White Wolf books. Wanna fight about it? Thought not.

Today's book is Mummy: The Resurrection. This game is pretty awesome in it's own right. The best thing I think, about Mummy is the fact that you get to play a guy who cannot die. You heard me. You're character just gets put down and gets back up again. Now to be fair you have to spend some pretty important stats to rez and even then the roll to get back up might fail and you have to sacrifice those stats again, but it's still pretty useful. The powers in the game are okay and as far as White Wolf powers go, they are not the best, but when you just can't stay dead they are a helpful addition. Mummys feel to me like stand alone characters. They work best in a group of another type of WoD character. Why? Because they have powers to compliment others.

I'm currently playing in a World of Darkness mix and match game with two Werewolves, A Werespider, a hunter, and I was playing one of two mages. However, because the storyteller felt me and the other Mage were cheating because he didn't know the system well enough, he has asked us to play other characters. My partner in Magey crime chose Changeling and I'm going Mummy. My character is statted to be a freaking tank, and you know what. I'm awesome for it. I'll even let you know after tomorrow how I fare in my first combat as a Mummy.

Lee "Brains suck, give me your internal organs." Baker

Laff's TV show review show!

Seeing how none of the trailers that came out this week were any good, I have decided to review a new TV show!  This time around, is "Raising Hope".  This little gem is about a family raising a little girl while they barely know how to take care of themselves!  I have seen every episode, and I have to say, I'm laughing through every scene.  The cast is absolutely outstanding, including Lucas Neff as Jimmy (a slacker who knocked up a serial killer and is now the single father of Hope), Martha Plimpton as Virginia (Jimmy's mom who had Jimmy when she was 16), Garret Dillahunt as Burt (Jimmy's dad with a mind of a child) Cloris Leachman as Maw-Maw (a crazy old grandma who very well might try to breast feed you), and Shannon Woodward as Sabrina (witty cashier and Jimmy's crush).  Put this group of people together and you can pretty much expect to be laughing until you can't breathe... and is that such a bad thing?  All in all, I think I have to give this show a 9 out of 10.  I'm not sure if many people are watching this or not, so be sure and tune in while you still can!


Laff

I Challenge Your Classic Games eith my Classic rock Project

This is Daniel D.J. Pate. I am making a friendly challenge to Lee 'holy crap this is infected' Baker's Classic Game Project with my Classic Rock Project. any music in any rock genre in the last 20 years leading back to the 90s. Give me a band or album from anywhere in between 1990 and 2010 to listen to and do a review. The band cannot be less then 10 years old and had to be unified at least 5 consecutive years.

The Classic Gaming Project

The Classic Gaming Project or the CGP is something I've been working on for a few months. It started when I found Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and when I managed to track down all the games and play them, I was satisfied. And then I came across Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. So now I've decided it'll be a regular project. I've even purchased a Dreamcast to further expand the CGP.

You see, here is my philosophy. Back when I was growing up games were good. Why? Because graphics sucked and gaming companies had to rely on good story and gameplay in order to make a game good. Now we have amazing graphics, but mostly games suck ass. Now, I will admit some games are pretty good, but mostly overall the quality of games is going down.

So I'll be posting here on the weekly basis my updates to the CGP. The list currently includes

The Legacy of Kain series
(Completed)

Oddworld
Abe's Oddysee
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath

Legend of Dragoon

Galerians

N64 Legend of Zelda Games
(Complete)

These are the games I'm currently working on. Complete will be added as I finish the series and collection.
I'll go over reviews and updates as I advance through the CGP.

Lee "8-bit is better" Baker

The Rob-yssee (or Robert's Odyssey)

It all started with a craving.  No, not a craving for adventure, tho that is what it turned out to be... it was a craving for Mexican food.  My cousin Zach and I have had this craving all week long, tho neither one of us could tame it.  Zach is a trucker and constantly on the road, and I ... have no money what-so-ever.  I had 2 beef tacos, rice and beans, and more soapapillas then I have ever seen in my life!  This part may not seem that important right now, but trust me... it will come back up later.

After our Dine and dash (kidding... we paid!), we decided to go to the mall to christmas shop.  Well, ok, I went with to help him find gifts.  Anyway, among some things, he bought an Air-zooka (in case you can't figure it out, this is an air bazooka). We stayed at the mall for a while longer, as I was still laughing about this Lady Gaga sex doll and Zach was trying to figure out how to aim his new air cannon, until he decided to go to the bar.

Ah, yes... backyard Beach Bar. friendly faces, dart boards, and the occasional naked old man... luckily he wasn't there that night, I just felt like putting him in the story.  I'm not a real big drinker, so I just had some shots:  one "backyard fuck", 2 "Jaeger bombs" (my drink of choice), and one "Lemon drop" (a close second).  I also had some Tru: Blood (aka, really expensive orange soda in a cool bottle), and a Dr. Pepper, but I'll get back to the Pepper in a little bit.  That night, I learned something pretty cool about myself... I'm pretty decent at darts!  However, I have to throw them "blue rajah" style (for those of you who have seen Mystery Men), and I have to have a bit of a buzz goin.  It was my first night playing darts, and I actually ended up teaching a couple people how to play!  Anyway, it was 3 in the morning, last call, and I decided to order my Dr. Pepper.  Our waitress/ hostess/ thingy (a good friend of Zach's)  kept forgetting my damn soda, so I spend 10 minutes following her, making sure I got my drink.

Then we left... 3 AM seems like a good idea to go home after a night of drinking, right?  well, I guess not!  It turns out that Zach met this one personal trainer chick who, and I still have no idea how she pulled this off, managed to take us to the gym and forced us to work out.  Now, those of you who know me know that I pretty much refuse to drink water unless its a life or death situation... Well, it kinda was, that night.  I felt my throat, not only dry up, but start to close, as well (any doctor can tell you, this is not good).  Thus I began to drink water.  Now, I thought I was done with the work out, but then I somehow found myself on a stair master for 20 minutes.  I got off and had an encore presentation of my mexican food and booze.  (I still say that piece of taco shell looked like a llama).  Then we all proceeded to go get a bite to eat... and what do you think of when you think food after a workout?  that's right, kids!  We went to Denny's.

Now its 3 days later, and I am still in pain...

Robert "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" Laff

GUEST COMMENTS ALLOWED

So as I was tooling around with this thing, I realized I could add guest comments. So.. go crazy. If you don't have an account you can now comment anyway. Aweshome. Just don't spam us.

Lee "Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spam Spammity Spam" Baker

Celebrity Man-Crushes

I thought, for fun, since we're all men, and we all know we're straight, that I'd play a little game with the guys. It's called Celebrity Mancrushes. I've asked each of the NWBs who their celebrity Man crush is. Everyone has one. Now I bet your asking what a celebrity man crush is? Well it's simple. Only men can have Celebrity Man Crushes, though women can have Celebrity Girl Crushes. A Celebrity Man Crush is a celebrity you would go gay for.

I'll go first.

Lee Baker's Man Crushes
Liam Neeson
Willem Dafoe (Yes, I have two. Why? Because both of these men are awesome incarnate.)

Rob Laff's Man Crushes
Heath Ledger (May his soul rest in peace)

Dann Pate's Man Crushes
Johnny Depp (Pre-PotC)

Will Matthew's Man Crushes
Tyrese Gibson
Sam Worthington
Jason Statham

Badger's Man Crushes
John Borrowman (The dude who plays Captain Jack in Torchwood and Dr. Who)

Now, I would like to note that none of us are actually gay. We are just comfortable enough with our sexuality to discuss things like this. I know that me, Dan, and Badger are especially not gay. Rob is just asexual from what I can tell, and Will isn't gay at all either, he just has the looks, but not the game. The point being we are all totally hetero....
Nice Ass...

Lee "I like boobies, I like boobies, I like boobies" Baker

Lee's Obscure Game Collection: BESM

Today's Item is BESM

Now this is a picture for third edition. Admittedly the only one I have in my collection is 2nd edition revised.
But it still gets the point across.

BESM, which stands for Big Eyes Small Mouth is an Anime RPG. The game itself is set to be played in any Anime universe, whether original, or canon. It's a relatively simple game with only 2 D6s being needed for play, and everything focusing around three stats. Mind, Body, and Soul. Sounds like a song to me. Now Badger first introduced me to the system. Well he didn't introduce so me so much as regaled me with stories of his time playing the game. It was quite amusing, so much so that when given the opportunity to buy it, I did not hesitate. I've already got big plans for this game. It's easy, it's simple, and even a complete idiot can understand this game.

It has the potential for alot, and I mean ALOT, of comedy. To me the entire game seems to be a complete mockery of the Anime genre. The fact that I love making fun of anime, made this immediately appealing.
So this game is awesome. If you get the chance to get it, do so.

Tangled- The "trailer trash review" review

Alright folks! So last well, remember how I reviewed the trailers for Tangled last week and gave the movie a 9 just based off of what's seen in the clips?  Well, I gotta say, I was dead on for the rating!  Lee and I went and saw it this past saturday (totally not gay, btw) and HE even enjoyed it (he gave it 2 out of 3 man tears... don't tell him I told you that)  Yes, there is a lot of singing involved, but hey, its a Disney princess movie, what else would you expect?  The singing was absolutely outstanding, the animators were incredible, and the voice actors, even more so. I laughed, I cried (well, held back tears), all in all I enjoyed every minute of it.

Best wishes,
Robert "Can't wait for the Blue ray" Laff

Mustelid Musings #1: Of DMs and Dickery

So, I was participating in a semi-regular meeting of GMs I know around the web. No, I will not tell you who they are. We are a secret cabal of faceless megaloman- uh, I mean delightful fellows. Anyway, it was one fellow's turn to tell a story about an argument with a player (yes, our discussions are themed). His story involved a player whose character (a paladin of unwavering, but untested, goodness) facing a large moral dilemma. Well, large for a level 5. The dilemma was thus: The paladin had to choose between two entirely innocent nations of people. Whichever he chose would live in peace for a millennium. The other would be wiped off the face of the world, even from memory. The only people who would know the nation ever existed would be the gods, and the paladin himself. Basically, the only way for the paladin to do something big enough to atone, and thus regain his paladin abilities, would be to build a new nation. Which, coincidentally, was what the GM wanted the campaign to be about.

Now, I immediately called him out. What were his other options? None, said the Speaker (what we call the rotating host of each discussion).

Me: Well, what about offering his own life instead, or just walking away?

Speaker: The gods put him in limbo, and made him immortal.

M: What about his powers? If he fails at rebuilding a nation, or refuses, or doesn't even think to do it, does he remain a powerless paladin?

S: He can multiclass.

3rd GM: So, it's "Do what I say or pay the price"?

S: Yeah, pretty much.

3: That's a dick move, man. Why choose the paladin? You essentially just made his choice of character completely moot, just to satisfy your own whims. That's not GMing. That's railroading.

S: Nobody asked you, 3 (real name withheld due to mutual agreement). You don't get to judge me (cue "I'm better than you and you are jealous" rant)

Anyway, it escalated from there, and ended with myself and several others removing our names from the mailing list. This kind of "DMing" infuriates me. This guy basically masturbates at the gaming table, and makes the others participate. It's bullshit. No decent player should have to put up with something like this. Hell, even a poor player shouldn't have to. They'll never learn this way. It's a good way to turn people away from the table forever.

Anyway, this has been bugging me, so I had to let it out. Happy gaming, and always keep the 1-side up.

                                                                                                        Love and kisses,
                                                                                                                           Badger

Young Justice... Oh hell yes.

When I was a kid I loved comic books. My mother would let me pick out one comic when we went to 7-11 and I loved her for it. Yes, when I was a kid 7-11 sold comic books. Sad days that this no longer happens. But I digress. The comics I used to get most often were "The Flash, X-Men, and Young Justice." Why? Because Young Justice was awesome. Admittedly YJ was a bit later toward the end of 7-11s comic store run, but it doesn't really matter.

When I moved in with my grandparents permanently I never really read comics much after that. They lived out in the country and no place out there sold comics so I was pretty much screwed. When I saw my dad he'd buy me a comic or two, but it was never really enough to get any understanding. The golden day, however was when I was sixteen and got my car. Which I call Morgan. Why Morgan because despite being an old used car it was bought at a Freeman Oldsmobile dealership and the car itself is black. Yes, my car is Morgan Freeman. The first series I started reading after I could get my hands back on comics was Teen Titans, since sadly Young Justice had literally just ended a week or two beforehand. Mostly the same characters anyway.

The point I am trying to make is I grew up on the DC Universes Teen Superheroes so I feel I have the authority to talk about them. Well I feel I have the authority to talk about anything I please, but my arguments on the practicality of putting in a Nuclear Power Plant to power my small bodunk country hometown would not be anything more than "But.. I want superpowers?!"

Now onto the meat of this article. Young Justice is a new Cartoon that will airing on Cartoon Network in January. Yesterday Cartoon Network aired a two part Pilot for the series. Now here is my first thoughts on the show without doing any research into it, just based on my observations of "Oh hey, I'm a Comic Book Guru so I know this." First off, it's clearly evident that this is not set in the main DC Universe, but when it's a cartoon that's a bit obvious. No Cartoonverse is going to live up to my high standards, so I usually lower them quite a bit. The animation is breathtaking, the action scenes, gorgeous. My first complaint "What the hell is Black Manta's son doing as Aqualad? Granted the character was just introduced in Brightest Day and he has a slightly different look in the comic books, but still mostly the same. My second observation was the way Robin was acting it was definatly Tim Drake. No way around it. The outfit matched, and the personality and computer skills were right on. Tim was always the Brain of the four Robins. (Yes, technically there were five, but I won't count Stephanie Brown if you don't.) Next observation was Okay, Kid Flash has the hair of Wally, but definitely the costume of Bart, plus the goggles which were a cool nod to his Impulse persona. I figured they wanted to do KF instead of Impulse so the fans could follow easier. I thought it was cool they got the look of Speedy down pat, but then immediately threw him away. Made me sad, but maybe he'll come back later. Then they threw in Superman. I liked the suit, but at the end of the pilot he was wearing his Teen Titans costume. This was my first bit of confusion. My final observation, was Okay Miss Martian is post One Year Later Teen Titans. Not Young Justice. This is freaking Teen Titans. Not Young Justice.

Now after my research I found out they actually named this Universe, Universe 16, so it's possible we'll get to see this in comic books. Why they did this, I have no idea other than to make a Comic Book off of it. Who knows. I should've known that by Having Roy (Speedy) in it that of course Robin and Kid Flash would be Dick and Wally. Who were never in Young Justice. Ever. Infact the only member of the entire group was ever in Young Justice is Superboy. Also they made up a new Aqualad for this cartoon. You know what, I forgive them. That's all technicalities that are to be expected in a cartoon adaptation of anything. I can also forgive the name change because of that rather silly Teen Titans cartoon years back.

I am all for exposing kids to new superheroes. Years ago before the Iron Man movies were announced I asked around my High School and found out no one knew who Iron Man was. That made me sad, since then I've been all for Superhero Cartoons. Why? Because I also grew up on those, and I love the ever loving bejesus out of them. The fun facts they threw in their too, like the Hall of Justice is just a media front for the Watchtower? Awesome. Also I saw two Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan, and John Stewert, respectively near the end. They are also going to be adding a Young Justice member Artemis, though she will be going under the name Arrowette.

In conclusion, despite my ranting and raving, I love this series. I've dated a lot of girls and told many of them that I was in love with them, but after watching the pilot for this series, I honestly think I understand what true love really is. I want to cuddle with this series at night. I want to make love to it for hours. I want to grow old with this series and have children with it. It's that good.

But for further representation of all the differences, photos are in order.
The Cartoon, Young Justice.

Young Justice, The Comic Book

And last but not least. Teen Titans.

Alright, and for some Miss Martian action, Teen Titans post One Year Later

In addition to all this, I'm going to try to get Rob to watch the Pilot and give his, "Okay, I know nothing about comics, let's see how I feel" look. Until then,
                 Lee "YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!" Baker

NWB Thanksgiving Special

Welcome dearest viewers. We here at Nerds With Beards, (Okay, Just me, Lee) just want to say thanks to our.. what five avid readers? Well anyway, to those of you who like what we do here, and don't think we are a bunch of losers with no writing talent who post in a blog that has no substance whatsoever, thank you.

I love you all.

Really.

Even you.

You right there. With the face. Yeah. That's right. I see you.
From the bottom of my heart, I say, Nice Ass.

Love,
        Lee "Okay, that's a bit too close" Baker

Lee's Obscure Game Collection: Werewolf: The Wild West

One of my favorite books in my game collection is Werewolf: The Wild West. It's the historical game setting for Werewolf: The Apocalypse. Now, it's a pretty good book, but honestly I've never run a werewolf game and I don't think I ever will. Werewolf just isn't my game, but hell this book has a ton of useful for information for just running World of Darkness games in the Wild West. A game I'd like to get my hands on more though for this sort of thing, however, would be Deadlands, but this game works too.

Let me get to the inside of the book. The artwork.. well it's artwork you'd expect from White Wolf. Their same ol' Same ol'. I must admit, as much as Werewolf is at the very bottom of the World of Darkness games I'd run it's always had the best artwork. There is a picture in here of a guy transforming into a werewolf in a black duster coat and hat and he looks like Wolverine, but much more badass. As for the system, it's pretty standard White Wolf and no changes from Werewolf: The Apocalypse, but it's good.

Now some of you may be asking, Lee, what the hell is Werewolf: The Wild West about? Well it's Werewolf: The Apocalypse set in the Wild West. Now what's W:tA? Simple. You see, apparently earth is inhabited by three spirits, known as the Triat. They consist of the Wyld, Gaia's servant, the creator of all things known as the Weaver, and the destroyer of all things known as the Wyrm. The Wyrm went mad first and became a spirit of chaos. Now Gaia's creations, the Fera were tasked to taking out the Wyrm.. However, the Fera's warriors known as the Garou, or Werewolves, decided that they needed to be top wolf. They launched a war, they lost it, now they are alone in their struggle against the Wyrm. It's complicated, it's awesome, and it's fun for everybody but the whole family. Why? Because Werewolves always end up killing someone to meaty chunks.

And yes, there is a hole in the bottom left corner of the book. When I first bought it I thought the guy before me had done it, but no. It just happens to look like that. Bullet hole I guess. Great book, but unless you're into Werewolf: The Apocalypse, don't bother picking it up.

Trailer Trash- "Don't call me a Fairy... tale" edition

Hey folks, and welcome to week 2 of Trailer Trash!  This week I will be reviewing the the trailers for "Your Highness", and (as a shout out to my fellow Nerd Machine cohorts who might be reading this) Disney's "Tangled".

Alright, first up today is the restricted trailer for "Your Highness".  The movie about 2 princes (or at least a prince and a half...) on a journey in mid-eval times to rescue the woman who James Franco's character wishes to marry.  That's right ladies, James Franco is in this one!  He stars opposite of Danny McBride... you know, that guy who blew shit up in "Tropic Thunder".  Now, considering the fact that this is directed from the same guy who brought us "Pineapple Express", I imagine drugs were involved in the process.  As a matter of fact, in the trailer you can find below, I'm pretty sure it shows them getting high with a Muppet... Anyway, even though I'm pretty sure majority of the staff was stoned during the process of the movie, it looks like its gonna be pretty good!  With a nice mix of witty, albeit vulgar lines and pretty decent visual effects, I think I'll give this one an 8 out of 10!

Next up, is the next (and according to Disney right now, final)  Disney Princess movie, "Tangled"!  And Disney is going out with a bang, from the looks of it!  Zachary Levi plays Ryder, a thief on the run (and not too bad a singer, as I've been hearing!).  Rapunzel, in case you couldn't figure out that this is a Rapunzel movie, is voiced by Mandy Moore.  However, the 2 characters I'm most looking forward too are Maximus (the horse in charge of taking Ryder down and ends up on this crazy adventure right along side him) and Pascal (Rapunzel's chameleon sidekick).  Once you see the trailers and character profiles with the link below, you'll figure out why.  Lets be honest... who doesn't want to see a horse punch a guy?  Disney has rarely let me down before, and this one looks like it's gonna pull out all the stops!  and i hear it is highly difficult to make hair in a cgi, what with the individual strands and all, let along 40 feet of it!  With that in mind, I will have to give the trailers for this family film a 9 out of 10 (I was thinking 8.5, but I like to round)

So there you have it, folks!  A movie for adults and one for the whole family!  I'm going to try my best to go see Tangled some time this week, and once I do I will re-review it.  Best wishes to all, Happy Turkey day, yadda yadda yadda...
Robert Laff "The Best Medicine"
R trailer for Your Highness
Tangled trailers (thats right... more than one!)

Japan is winning the war

Japanese culture has been pouring into America for as long as I can remember. From the first time I ever picked up a Pokemon card to today, I've seen how our Youth flock to this culture. Anime, Manga, ect. I have personally tried to avoid falling into the stereotype of Anime Nerd simply for the reason that everyone and their mother is an Anime Nerd and being labeled as such is so common that it's no longer a novelty. That, and I have no interest in Anime or Manga for the simple reason of I like superheroes goddamnit. I have been speculating for a while that Japan is just brainwashing the youth of America into their ways so they can take us over. I, however, have never had any proof until now.

Rob ran into something on the world wide webs and the technology level to do this must be nothing other than mass hypnosis and hallucination. That or really good holographics. While the latter seems more logical the former allows me to be paranoid and thus I'm going with that one. 

Without further hesitation, may I introduce Japan's newest secret weapon against Western Culture... Hatsune Miku

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTXO7KGHtjI

We're screwed...

Lee "I'll sell my soul three times for that" Baker

Dear Santa...

I want this for christmas!  I am a HUGE green Arrow fan (well, archery, in particular).  And yes, I did only learn about him from watching Smallville, but still... Kevin Smith creating a Green Arrow graphic novel?  I might cry, now...
Rob "In Hood" Laff

Send us your thoughts!

So I've been looking at our statistics more and more, and while no one really comments on our posts, people are reading our stuff. I'd like our readers to send us their opinions and thoughts. Ideas for topics, things you'd like to see, things you'd like to talk about, fan art, personal reviews, personal articles and whatnot. Those that get the NWB seal of approval will be posted on this site and full credit will be given (If I get to the e-mail first.).

Our E-mail is Nerdswithbeards@gmail.com

Have at you!

Lee "OHMYGODI'MONFIRE" Baker

Would that not make it better?

So every story nowadays starts with angst. The lucky ones get powers and learn to deal with their shit. But why make it easy? The best superheroes aren't super at all, right?
Batman, Ironman, Scott Pilgrim-yes, I threw him in there cuz let's face it, who doesn't want to greet their friend with a fight like that?
Well, what do I do? I'm Will by the way, call me the Fantasy Nerd. Youngest of the group, most fit, smallest beard...heh, but by no means the least of these. I read, and my passion is for poetry and writing of the fantastic fashion. Nothing would be more of an escape for me to defy gravity and fly, or to clash blades in a gladiatorial arena, or ride amongst a host of the armored and brave on green fields to...well, whatever you want.
Point is, imagination is the shit.
NOw, what am I getting at?
Live a damn comic book.
Today this girl drew me as an anime character. Weird right? Cuz I'm black and those anime artists never seem to get it right -_-
Buuut on the other hand, how cool would that be? You can do anything, and it's all based off of reality in some form or fashion. I defy gravity cuz i jump over stuff and have long legs, I'm so into medieval culture that I practice swordplay and martial arts and can default to old speak on a whim.
So heres a question: how do you turn the everyday drag into something epic?

Think about it. This coming to you from Will Matthews, that Token but-not-really Black guy

Holy crap!

01001001001001110110110100100000011100110110010101100101011010010110111001100111001000000110001001101001011011100110000101110010011110010010000100100000001000000100100001100001011101100110010100100000010010010010000001100101011011100111010001100101011100100110010101100100001000000111010001101000011001010010000001101101011000010111010001110010011010010111100000111111

For a translation, click here.

Rob "In hood" Laff

Sellouts

So we thought that in order to get a few dollars in order to earn money in hopes of one day purchasing our own web domain and other stuff that we'd sell out to google adsense. Since we don't have that many followers to begin with we hope those of you that do loyally read us do not leave because we sold out, but we do hope that since we did so early in our career that it will not be the black spot on our careers as it is with so many. In order to make our readers feel better, I will be making a hollow promise that I will never follow through with to post nude pictures of Pamela Anderson on our blog. I hope you can find this a suitable compromise.

Lee "ZOMBIES?!?!" Baker

Lee's Obscure Game Collection: Aberrant

Hello, Gaming fans. It's time for the first install of Lee's Obscure Game Collection. For people who know me, I like to go to Half-Price books and if I find a rare or unusual Pen'n'paper game I will usually impulse buy it. Then again, as Badger can attest, I impulse buy the coolest stuff. 

Today's item is Aberrant!

Aberrant is a Superhero roleplaying game by White-Wolf. It's pretty awesome and is part of the Trinity Universe in White Wolf's old line of games.

The Trinity Universe has three parts. Adventure!, Aberrant, and Trinity. Adventure is set in the past and covers pulp type heroes, Aberrant is set in the present and covers people gaining superpowers after a satellite with radioactive material explodes in the earths Atmosphere, and Trinity is what those people become and how they take over earth or something of that matter.

The fact is, while I would love a copy of Adventure! and Trinity, all I have is Aberrant. 

At first glance, Aberrant is all one could ever want in a Superhero game, set to the Advanced Storyteller System. I love White Wolf's systems and as I opened the book and read through it's pages it seemed like a dream come true, and if I were any less of a storyteller it would be anything but.

The system in short, is a nightmare. Well not so much a nightmare, and more a powergamers delight. The ability to abuse the system and just powergame is way too easy. Just toying around with it I've made some straight out level one characters (A term I use lightly with White Wolf, but use to convey to people who've never played White Wolf) that can take out some of the Signature characters of the game. Which is odd, because they should all be overpowered. 

Then again, I'm the guy who took out an Elder True Brujah with a Malkavian and one level of Dementation, but that's a story and a game for another day. The good things with this system is that it's just so easy to create whatever superhero you want. Want to emulate an already existing hero? Easy. Want to create something new and original? Done. It's just such a lovely system that I'd love to one day run a game with it. Unfortunately I'm in and am running way too many games to pencil this in. So it sits on my shelf, as I read it so lovingly.

Lee "I did it for the cookie" Baker

Trailer Trash- The Green Lantern/ Red Riding Hood

Alright folks! welcome to the first blog installment of "Trailer Trash".  Don't let the name fool you, this isn't me just talking about bad trailers (in fact I imagine most of the trailers will turn out pretty cool!).  No, Trailer Trash is me basically doing a movie review based on what is shown in the first trailer I see.  Once the movies are released, I will go see them and do a new review and compare the new points with these  You can find the trailers to both movies at the bottom of the blog.
First up, in case you can't tell from the title, is the Green Lantern.  (By the way, I will admit right now that I know very little about the superhero universe, at least comic book wise, so I'm sure Lee will bitch and moan about what I have to say).  Upon first glance, it just seems to be DC's answer to Iron Man.  Ryan Reynold's take on Hal Jordan, to me, seems dead on with Robert Downey Jr.'s take on Tony Stark... well, attitude wise, at least.  The alien makeup I didn't find to be very realistic (I know, I know, but you know what I mean).  In fact, as far as the alien who gives Hal his ring goes, I'm pretty sure I saw that mask in halloween stores, and not for very much.  The special effects seem to be decent, but not mindblowing.  While I am still looking forward to this movie, I am going to have to give my first glance rating at 6 out of 10.
Next up, the girl from the hood... Red Riding Hood, that is.  In this film, Amanda Seyfried is torn between 2 loves and is being stalked by a werewolf.  Getting a Twilight feeling, yet?  You should be.  They are both Directed by the same person (and one of the guys' hair seems to remind me of Edward's... but not in a gay way).  Anyway, I really wish I could comment on the special effects and makeup on the werewolf, but there was no actual werewolf to be seen during the entire trailer!  So, with the lack of that, and being beaten over the head with the twilight stick over and over again in the trailer, I will have to give the movie at this time a 4 out of 10.
So there you have it folks!  Reviews for Iron Lantern and Twilight Riding Hood.  After you watch the trailers and form your own opinion, I'd love to hear it!  So post it in the comments below.
Much Love,
-Laff "The Best Medicine"
Green Lantern Trailer (under the poster)
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=71620
Red Riding Hood (also... under its poster)
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=71704

Here is Dann

I am by all means a music and Video Game nerd. I am a Halo junkie, I love Square Enix games, and I don't give a fuck. On the topic of music everything but rap, in my humble opinion, is music, that is not including hip-hop and R&B. Rap is more verbal rhetoric such as poetry, there are exceptions.

Personally I am with Lee "does this look infected" Baker on the OCD nerd, but I have to add a nerd has to have a bit of social inadequacy. Just like me.

Dann "I make Asians feel good about themselves" Pate

Well played, sir

I would shake your hand on that one, Lee, but I don't know where its been

Rob "dot dot dot" Laff

Lee's Counter-Counterpoint

I can see Rob is purely jealous in his attempt to make my pre-trailer review look foolish. This is an immature tactic and I will be the bigger man by pitying Rob in his pathetic endeavor. To quote the Badger, Rob, you may consume a Richard. And in case you didn't understand "EAT A DICK!"

With much Compassion, Life, and Death,
           Lee "Neener Neener Neener" Baker

Rob's counterpoint (Suck it, Lee!)

Ohhhhh, so you wanna play THAT way, Lee?  Have you even seen Ryan Reynolds in "An Amnityville Horror"? The remake... clearly he wasn't in the original.  Sure he was goofy in a few scenes, but he has proven that he can pull off serious (and psychotic, but I digress).  Sure, he tends to follow the jokester line, but I have no doubt that he will do just fine as Hal.

And by the way, at least I CAN choke on my own beard...  it just shows how purely awesome my multi colored facial hair truly is.

Rob "Should I get this looked at" Laff

Green Lantern's Light!! A Pre-Trailer-Review by Lee Baker

So I know Rob is supposed to be the movie guy, but if there is one thing you must know about me, it's that I love Green Lantern. I love Green Lantern more than... well a lot of things. It's honestly a compliment when I tell someone that I love them more than Green Lantern and it's not something I give out lightly. Tuesday a Green Lantern trailer will be coming out, and Rob will be giving his opinions on that. I, however, am not going to be outdone by Rob. So let's get started shall we?

    Here is a brief few scenes from the trailer to be aired and I must say, despite the fact that it is blurry as all get out, I'd say it looks wonderful. I'm giddy. I am going to be the first to say it. I am VERY skeptical about Ryan Reynalds playing Hal Jordan. Mr. Reynalds has never played a serious minded character, and while I admit Hal does have his moments, he just doesn't seem to be in Ryan's range. I, however, have an open mind. Ryan Reynalds seems to be playing his usual role of the overtly silly girl chasing guy. While this really only sums up halfway Hal, I must again reiterate it just doesn't feel like he is pulling off Hal that well. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, however. Another thing that pleased me greatly was Kilowog was clearly in the trailer. This makes me happy. This makes me happy indeed. I can't wait to see the Green Lantern Corps drill instructor whip Hal into shape during the movie.

    Another character I thought I saw in the video was the Green Lantern villain Hector Hammond, in a brief scene at about 0:23 seconds into it. Rob informs me that Parallax is going to be the villain for this installation and has provided me with links to prove it, though, so this may as well be Parallax or even an unnamed thug. I can't be sure however, due to the blurriness of the video. Blake Lively, I think makes a lovely Carrol Ferris. I hope we get to see a Star Sapphire somewhere in the movie, but that does not seem a hundred percent likely.

    This concludes my viewpoints on the Green Lantern trailer. Now if you'll excuse me, Rob and his epic beard can go choke themselves on my epicness.
With much Avarice, Fear, and Rage,
                     Lee "Yeah, I made an Orange, Yellow, and Red Lantern Reference" Baker.
                    

Coming to a screen near you

Hey there, folks!  How are you doing?  well, that's great! (or too bad, depending on your answer...).  My name is Robert Laff, I am a nerd, and I have the best beard of the bunch (fact, not opinion).

What makes a nerd?  Well, the best way I can explain it, isn't even in my own words, but the words of a hero of mine, Mr. Zachary Levi."Nerd: One who's unbridled passion for something, or things, defines who they are as a person, without fear of other people's judgement." While many of my friends are video game nerds or music nerds, I myself find myself to be a TV/ Movie nerd.  That's right, I enjoy Movies so much, that I capitalize the word.  The way I see it, the real world is getting very, very depressing, so I much rather watch people have adventures and/or get into shananigans "damnit, Farva!".  Pretty much every time you see my name pop up here, chances are it will have to do with something I just watched.

Live long and prosper (unless you're a complete douche),
Robert Laff (king of the couch)

Badger, here.

Greetings! Name's Badger, and I am a nerd. I like to think of myself as a multi-purpose nerd. A utility nerd, if you will. I've identified as such for quite a while now, and I do so with pride. I never was upset when people sneered and called me dork or nerd, or what-have-you. I just kinda made it my own. Used it to become a part of something. Never once regretted it, either.

This mantle of mine, I am proud of it. I won't ever deny it, I won't ever be ashamed of it. It's who I am, and I kind of love it. I know the grooviest bunch of mooks around, and they're my nerd crew. It's good to be a part of that. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Anyshwar, that's me, and that's how I feel about my nerditude.

                                                                                                            -Badger

A Blog about Nerd Culture

Welcome to Nerds with Beards. A blog about Nerd Culture written by multiple nerds. All of whom have beards. My name is Lee Baker and I've been a nerd as long as I can remember. I read comic books, I play tabletop games such as Dungeons and Dragons and World of Darkness. I play video games, I love music, and I'm into Classic Literature and Opera. I am one of several nerds who, in the following days, will contribute to this  bit of chaos crammed into a certifiable giggle.

     Now, what constitutes a nerd I think is the first thing we should all ask ourselves, because to understand this blog you must understand what we see as Nerd Culture. Well a nerd is someone who is into nerdy things, such as comic books, video games, or even school subjects such as math, or English. At least, this is the common conception. In my personal opinion, a nerd can be someone who is waaaaay too into anything. For example, that guy who can list all the quarterbacks for his hometown team dating back thirty years without missing one? Sports nerd. The girl who can walk into a store and tell you all about those designer handbags? Fashion Nerd. These are just a couple of examples. The point is, if you know it intimately and it is a great passion of yours, you are probably a nerd of that type.

     So I encourage you, as over the next few weeks we introduce ourselves, put up our opinions on Nerd Culture, and overall just have a good time, send us your passions and stories. Send us your opinions and give us things to talk about. Hell ,even when we've finished telling you about ourselves We'd all love to heard your opinions on being a Nerd in general. Our E-mail address is Nerdswithbeards@gmail.com. Send us your stories and if we like them enough, they may get a mention in our blog here.

With much, love, hope, and willpower,
               Lee "I've got too many nicknames" Baker.