Buccaneer Brawl

If I got to pick any "job" in history it would definitely be that of a swashbuckler. I mean think about all the cool things pirates get to do - sword fight, ride on ships, drink rum, visit cool places, watch the sunset over the ocean, etc. I mean, yeah, life expectancy wasn't that great and I don't even want to think of all the diseases a pirate had to deal with. But hey why not have a little fun before you leave this earth, am I right? The great scene below by Brother Steven and his brother Mark is exactly what I'd expect the life of a pirate to be.

NERDvember update

NERDvember is going strong as we end the third week and I continue to be absolutely floored by the quality of the submissions. Who knew the Star Wars universe would inspire so much creativity. You still have over a week to build so break out those bricks!

I'd like to send a huge shout out to some more sponsors. First there's Cooper Works, makers of fine decals and stickers. They are providing a sticker pack that will be divided between the winners. Next is EclipseGRAFX and customBRICKS, brick printers and customizers extraordinaire. Both are sending assortments of custom printed parts that will blow your mind.

And lastly is Brick Loot, monthly subscription box for brick lovers. They are providing custom LEGO models including the one designed by yours truly, Nerdasaurus Rex!

View fullsize

Thanks to these and all the sponsors of NERDvember, you all rock! Now if you haven't started building you better get on it, time is running out!

Frankenstein

Hotwheels, Classic monsters, and LEGO, it's a match made in heaven. This latest wheeled offering from Lino M makes my heart go pitter patter. I spent many a happy hour as a child playing with my Hotwheels, and I was a fan of Universal's classic monsters. Combine those with Lino's top-notch building skills, and you have this awesome hot rod MOC.

Imperial Pew Pew

One of George Lucas' strokes of genius on the first Star Wars was to use real weapons and blanks as the basis of the blasters. The recoil and power were evident as the actors shot, and with the addition of Ben Burt's sound design and ILM's optical, it was a convincing illusion. The E-11 Stormtrooper Blaster was based on a Sterling sub machine gun, and this version by Nick Brick is the best brick-built version I've ever seen, and the quality we've come to expect from Nick. It even has a foldable stock, which while never used in Star Wars, is still a testament to the accuracy of this build.

Largo's Lair

Oh Largo...You've got a sweet pad in the Bahamas (seen here perfectly recreated by Mark of Falworth), an awesome yacht and a bitchin' hydrofoil. You seem to have it made, why did you have to go stealing nuclear bombs and threatening everybody? You could have spent your remaining years lounging in luxury, now you've got 007 on your trial...good luck with that. 

Punk's Not Dead

I'm always had an eclectic taste in music. Listening to my iPod is a case study in abrupt gear changing. You're likely to jump from the theme from Raiders to RUN-DMC to Bass Nectar to Oingo Boingo to Phutureprimitive to Suicidal Tendencies and so on. Speaking of Suicidal Tendencies, the first memory conjured up when I saw this brilliant MOC by black.zack00 was that time me and my high school buddies went to see them live and all got beaten to a pulp in the mosh pit, good times, good times.

We've Spotted Imperial Walkers!

One of my favorite Star Wars vehicles in one of my favorite Star Wars scenes in one of my favorite Star Wars movies built out of my favorite construction toy. I still vividly recall seeing this for the first time with my grandmother, who kept asking who the bad guys were. All we need is a large painted backdrop, a snowscape (with trap doors) and some patience and we can animate an epic battle, who's with me? Nicely done dmaclego.

Spaceman Spiff

I've always been a Calvin and Hobbes fan, in fact I still have my original copy of Scientific Progress Goes Boink around here somewhere. So when a C&H MOC shows up I'm always delighted. And when a MOC as cool as this one from Si-MOCs shows up, well it gets blogged. This one also celebrates the 30th birthday of them, which makes me feel pretty old.

Best Buddies

I love my collection of geek culture shirts, it's my way of saying "I am nerd, hear me roar" (or at least mumble semi-enthusiasticlly). By far the one I get the most comments on and questions about is this one. It's an awesome mashup of Calvin and Hobbes and Star Wars. Today it's back on Tee Fury, so now's your chance to nab one for yourself.

Tow Rod

Sure you've seen hot rods before, maybe even some unusual ones. We've seen a popcorn truck, a beer truck, even the Munsters hot rods, but have you ever seen a tow truck hot rod? Well now you have, thanks to the mad skills of Norton74. This thing looks capable of not only leaving the competition in the dust, but he can tow them back to the starting line after winning.

Mecha Beasts

It's possible for something to be awesome, intriguing and terrifying at the same time right? These mecha beasts from builder d' Qiu Brick are kinds just that. Fascinating to look at, but if I came face to face with one of these I'm pretty certain I'd freeze in terror, and probably need some clean shorts.

Exploring Color

Every once in a while you need to change things up. Try building in a genre you haven't, use those 1250 blue slopes that were such a deal, dust off the Bionicle, branch out. Builder Rogue Bantha is doing that by exploring color, and I have to say the results are impressive so far. This cruiser is so clean and appealing, with an unusual combination of colors.

Wheels Of Steel

I've always wanted to play with one of these, but the opportunity has never been there. I cut my teeth on early hip-hop and electro, with the likes of RUN DMC, Newcleus and Sugar Hill Gang (yes, I used to break dance too, that was a LONG time ago). This half-scale twin Technics setup by delta.triangle makes me want to break out my vinyl. 

NERDvember update

It's the end of the second week of NERDvember and the MOCs continue to blow me away. So much incredible talent!

View fullsize

I check the group multiple times a day, and it seems like once a day I squee like a little girl. I do not envy the judges for this, it's going to be supremely difficult. I'd like to send a shoutout to a few more sponsors. First, there's BRICKSTUDS, who will be providing some packs of the coolest collector cards on the planet, STUDS collector cards!

View fullsize

Next up is the definitive magazine for AFOLs and fans of the brick, BrickJournal Magazine. Twomorrows Publishing will be providing a one year subscription to BrickJournal. 

And finally those illuminating geniuses at Brickstuff will be providing a Pico Light Board starter kit, so you can get started in the wonderful world of MOC lighting.

View fullsize

A huge thanks to these and all the sponsors of NERDvember, you all rock!. Stay tuned for more updates and if you haven't already started building, you better get on it!

Voltron: Defender of the Universe!

Okay, team:  Activate your interlocks, connect your dyna-therms, and up your infra-cells.  Never knew what that last one meant, but anyway... Let's go Voltron Force!  Check out this detailed and functional LEGO reproduction of a classic 80's cartoon robot by승훈 이.  He's got all the poses, too, not only for Voltron, but all of the individual Lions.  "Form Blazing Sword!" 

Wet Nellie

I don't recall if I went to see The Spy Who Loved Me at the theater or not, It came out the same year as Star Wars and I did see a lot of movies back then. What I do recall is watching Bond climb into this lovely machine and speed away, and the collective jaw-drop as it turned into a sub later in the film. That was the very first time I remember seeing a car on screen and thinking "oh I gotta have me one of those". It's still one of my favorite 007 moments, and now it's one of my favorite MOC moments thanks to EROL.

BrickNerd Episode 302 - Millennium Falcon / WALL-E

I managed to make a new episode! Featuring the Millennium Falcon, WALL-E, BrickStix and Brick Builders Box. Check it out!

Mr Robot Boom Box Dude

I hope you have your dancing shoes on (I'm gonna break out the parachute pants too) because Mr Robot Boom Box Dude is here and it's time to do the Rick Dance! Fans of Rick and Morty might recognize this, and anyone who's ever laid down the cardboard for a battle wishes they had one of these. Nicely done onosendai2600.

Bad Robot

If someone told me you could convey the logo for JJ Abrams' production company Bad Robot in around 22 parts I would have been skeptical. Yet here it is courtesy of builder Takamichi Irie. I love it when so few parts can come together to create something instantly recognizable, very clever. I've been wondering how this and the Disney logo will factor in to the classic Star Wars film opening, I guess we'll find out in just over a month (!!!)

Jurassic Park III

You just have to wonder about theme park operators and giant, dangerous, prehistoric beasts. Haven't those guys seen those other two movies? Anyway, feast your eyes on this truly epic MOC by markus19840420, it's part of a collaboration with Disco86 and absolutely jaw dropping. Normally I would wait until everything was posted and then feature, but I was so blown away by this I had to share. Stay tuned for the whole collaboration coming soon.