The Struggle Is Real

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I would argue that it's been a very, very long time since I've stepped on a brick. Mostly because I'm so particular about storage and proper care of the precious. Then again, I stepped on a pip just yesterday during the LiveBuild (with shoes on, does that count?). But as a parent, with two boys that were once quite into LEGO, I've suffered my fair share of nighttime ABS induced foot trauma. Now our friends at Tee Fury have a shirt to recognize the pain we've all shared. Act fast, it's today only!

BattleSHIP! Brickworld 2016

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BattleSHIP! Brickworld 2016

You may have already seen pictures of the ships.  You may have actually been witness to the destruction.  But this will be the full story on the glorious and gut-wrenching concept that was BattleSHIP at Brickworld Chicago.  Simon Liu, the evil genius behind the idea, started a group just after SHIPtember, 2015.  "Hey, you guys interested in playing? Ask your buddies to see if they're crazy, I mean, interested, too. "  And so it began. 

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New Creator Beetle Coming

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I normally leave stuff like this to the sites that concentrate on news, but this makes me so giddy I had to share. The family car when I was young was a beetle, my first car was a beetle and my car  now is a beetle. I've always had a deep affection for these round little wonders, and now LEGO is hooking us up with a fantastic new model. I love the retro styling and studless design, it's beautiful. The 1,167 piece set will retail for $99.99 (US). VIP members can get their grubby little mits on it July 14 and the general public can on August 1.

Countdown To BrickSlopes

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BrickSlopes is only three weeks away, I hope you have your travel plans all buttoned up. There's going to be amazing MOCs on display, games to play and friends to make. All that and for some reason they want me to make the keynote (I really should finish that). I haven't been to Utah in almost 20 years so I'm looking forward to being back and I hope I'll see you there!

Attention Sports And LEGO Fans (Especially You Boston)

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Sam Berns (Of Life According to Sam) loved sports, and he loved LEGO, and the world loved Sam. His inspiring words have uplifted millions and he will be forever missed. This year for the auction to benefit the Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) and to honor Sam the master builders at LEGO and the sports teams of Boston have partnered up to offer an absolutely awesome one-of-a-kind LEGO mosaic. And as if that mosaic wasn't cool enough check out the frame SIGNED BY EVERY SPORTS TEAM IN BOSTON! The Night of Wonder 2016: Score for the Cure auction is this Saturday, April 9th at the Renaissance Waterfront in Boston, MA. For more info click here.

AutoSort 2600

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LEGO Unveiled an unexpected product this morning, the AutoSort 2600. "It's the holy grail of LEGO enthusiasts world wide" claims LEGO CEO Jørgen Vig Knudstorp. "We realize that sorting LEGO bricks is a time-consuming activity, we see that here every day in the workshops. That is why we perfected this device." According to the press release this thing will sort by color and part in record time. Just dump your bricks into the hopper at the top, select which theme is the predominate product and sort. Within minutes your bricks are sorted. "We realize the price point of 60,000 DKK (a little over $9,000 USD) is a little high for the average consumer, but we built this for the real fans. Besides, we're known for being a little pricy, but we're better known for quality". The AutoSort 2600 is expected to be available the second quarter of 2017. 

UPDATE: April fools! Sorry folks, this thing isn't real, so the dream lives on...

Bricks & Boilers

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Attention steampunk and LEGO enthusiasts, it's time to compete. Announcing the Bricks & Boilers Exposition, brought to you by the dapper gentleman and lovers of chuff Ted Andes and Guy Himber. There are three categories to enter:

Strut Your Stuff - "Build a Walker for the Grand Parade" - minifig piloted, no size (or leg) limits.
"Hall of Wonders" - "Make a Display Model for the Royal Museum". Free-build category. The device/invention must fit into a 16x16 stud area, but it can unfold into anything larger (build to any scale)
Amusement Gardens - "Create a Moving Carnival Ride/Attraction" - limited to 32x32 stud base area (overhang permitted above the base); “You Control the Action!”

BrickNerd is a proud sponsor of this event so get building, you have until the end of April!

The “Bricks & Boilers” Exposition – Steampunk Competition 2016

LEGO Gaming Computer

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Mad scientist and customizer extraordinaire Mike Schropp is back with another mind-blowing custom computer, this time it's for gaming. This isn't just a matter of wrapping an existing system with a LEGO shell, this is a ground-up, highly customized monster. He even modified the power supply and uses a custom machined heat sink! I won't go into the specs and details here, because there's too much to share. Luckily Mike has an excellent website that breaks down the entire process.

Get Building!

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There's two new contests that have been announced. First for you car enthusiasts out there LUGnuts is having it's 100th challenge! They're asking you to take on the task of building a randomly assigned car based on the number you give them between 1-100 and they have some killer prizes. Next up is Space Chefs, where you are being challenged to build either a "Cosmic kitchen" or a "Space Chefs on the go" vehicle. Also with some fabulous prizes.

Oh, and as if that wasn't enough, it's also FebRovery.

Bricks LA Is Coming

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Did you know there's a LEGO convention in Los Angeles? it's true! Bricks LA is a fairly new con, having celebrated it's first one this year in May and he next one is just around the corner in January, so you better get hopin' (I better get hoppin' too!) The deadline to register as a VIB (very important builder, con attendee) is next week, December 12th so get your travel plans set. I'll see you in Los Angeles in just a few weeks!

- January 8-10, 2016
- Public Hours are Saturday January 9 and Sunday January 10 from 10am to 5pm
- Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA (300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101)
- Deadline to register as a VIB: December 12th, 2015
- Deadline to register MOCs for MOC cards: December 20th, 2015
- VIB Registration cost: $55
- Admission to public show is just $5, kids 5 and under are free.
 

We Have Winners!

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The judges have weighed in, the votes have been counted and we have clear winners. But before I say anything else I have to say what an incredible group of MOCs from an incredible group of builders. Judging was supremely difficult this year not only from the sheer number of entries, but from the staggering quality, creativity and diversity of all those wonderful Nerdlys. I am blown away and while I wish I could give everyone a prize, there can be only three, so without further ado, the NERDvember 2015 winners...

1st place - Nerdogorth by Paddy Bricksplitter

One of my personal favorites (it should be noted I wasn't a judge) so it makes me happy this is first. A wonderful mashup between a classic Star Wars moment and Nerdly, love it.

The Nerdogorth

2nd place - Nerdly in carbonite by KOS brick

Another personal favorite. When this MOC was posted it gave everyone pause, and upped the ante. A brilliant concept perfectly executed and photographed.

Nerdly in Carbonite

3rd place - Nerdcrawler by Captainsmog

This entry will forever make me imagine that under those dark hoods, Jawas are wearing Nerdly glasses around those glowing yellow eyes.

NERDvember: NERDcrawler

Congratulations to all our winners, you deserve it. And a huge thank you to everyone that entered, you're all awesome. And of course I wish to thank all our sponsors this year, we couldn't do it without you. Until next year, build on and nerd out!