Last year I wrote a letter to Harvey Pekar.  In it I thanked him for writing such realistic, open and fluff-free stuff.  I wanted him to know what an impression his work left on me.  His portrayal of the everyday man, the faceless blue collar worker — the lost soul — was both hilarious and heartbreaking, and it made me realize that no matter who we are, how much money we have, or how well liked we are, we’re all trapped on the same merry-go-round.  I never mailed the letter, and now I never can.  R.I.P. Harvey Pekar.  (latimes)

The 2010 Comic Con is rapidly approaching, and if you wanna know the best way to cosplay, do yourself a favor and check out this list.  Also, if there are any semi-naked weirdo babes that need help putting on/taking off their costume, gimme a call.  (ugo)

Hulk News Item #1: Boohoo McTantrumbaby (aka Edward Norton) isn’t going to reprise his role as The Hulk because nobody likes him.  (hitflix)

Hulk News Item #2: Sir Crazybonkers Looneynuts (aka Joaquin Phoenix) may just take the role of The Hulk because everyone is afraid of what’ll happen if he doesn’t get it.  (chud)

If this rocket-propelled chainsaw ever gets made, all you zombies and demons are totally fucked.  (juliasegal)

6 completely legal ways the cops can (will and do) screw you over.  Down with the pigs!  I say that because I’m a vegetarian.  Also, I hate cops.  (cracked)

10 creative ways to smuggle drugs.  Me?  I prefer the old-fashioned way the best: up the ol’ ass.  Oh, we’re still talking about smuggling drugs?  I guess, hiding them in a shampoo bottle or something.  (thesharkguys)

Hmm, a strange trend has developed…girls associated with Disney grow up to be empty-headed whores.  I expected more from Disney.  Like this or this.  Or this.  Or this.  (uproxx)

First Mel Gibson, now Steve Urkel?  Oh, how the mighty have fallen.  My two biggest idols accused of the most debatable crime: beating their wimmins.  (warmingglow)

Hilariously awesome: a car full of people dressed as zombies crashed, confusing all onlookers.  I wouldn’t a-been confused, though.  As a self-proclaimed “zombie expert”, I know for a fact zombies cannot drive cars.  Bicycles and longboards, however, are a different story.  (msnbc)

The Expendables is now an 8-bit video game that you can play.  In unrelated news, my back hurts.  (screenjunkies)

You guys know how much I love posting about balls, so here’s another one: the Fushigi ball!  What exactly is it?  Who knows, but as I watch this terrible infomercial, I can feel my blood pressure rising.  (youtube)

Congrats, BP, you just killed the entire world.  I’m officially defriending you on Facebook.  (dvice)

If you’re wondering what to get that porn star you’ve been planning to stalk and kill, why not check out her Amazon wishlist first?  If you get her something she already has, you’re gonna look like a real dummy.  (gunaxin)

There are a couple mottoes I regularly live by, “sweep the leg” definitely being one of them.  Print this out and hang it up on your wall.  And then sweep the leg, Johnny.  (thedailywhat)

Let’s face it: kids today are pussies.  Whiny little pillow-biters with fucked up haircuts and no idea of what it is to have to rewind a VHS tape.  Kids of the past, though, knew what it was like to work.  Here are 6 of the worst jobs ever that were performed by children.  Crybabies of today: take note.  (cracked)

Much to my sorrow, Colton Harris-Moore, “The Barefoot Bandit”, a 19-year-old modern day Jesse James, was captured Sunday.  But at least it was during a high speed boat pursuit.  Crime pays; otherwise there would be no crime.  (necn)

Nerds and porn go together like peanut butter and (KY) jelly.  So it’s no surprise the adult industry has tapped into the geek market and released so many nerd-inspired films.  Here’s a list of the top 50.  (ugo)

“Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.”  One look at these rock stars then-and-now, and that saying becomes an understatement.  Time (and hard livin’) ain’t been so kind to them.  Can’t wait for the day that I look like a bloated, saggy and broken-dicked version of my current self.  (xtremehumors)

5 impractical parts of a superhero costume.  You know, like horns, chains, utility belts, platform shoes, capes…really anything except for a skintight leotard.  (cracked)

50 best racing video game tracks.  I mean, seems like a logical list to make.  Hell, if there’s 50 tracks from racing video games that you like, you might as well make a list.  (complex)

And lastly, the champagne of beers, Miller High Life, has gotten a new look.  A sleek, nostalgic redesign.  My liver, however, has not gotten the makeover it so desperately requires.  Seriously, someone call a doctor.  (smokingsection)

Direct Link to Youtube Video

A couple months ago, Nerd City (and, well, everyone) caught wind of the internet short Pixels by French filmmaker Patrick Jean, wherein old-school video game characters wreak havoc on New York City.  It blew everyone’s mind, including, apparently, Adam Sandler who is now in works with Jean to make a feature length film out of it with his Happy Madison production company.  The plan is to make it a Ghostbusters style action/comedy where…characters come out of video games and wreak havoc on New York City.  The whole article is over at Heat Vision.  One can only hope they decide to somehow fashion this into a loose sequel to Billy Madison, as I’ve been waiting 15 years for one.

Check out this amazing new release from Thinkitem, the limited edition orange resin aK-aT Driver figure! Props to our friend ITEM for releasing this, his first official figure.  This piece is a natural extension from ITEM’s other 2-D work that featured fashion photography mashed up with icons from the Star Wars universe.  You should really try to get your hands on one of these, because they’re one of the coolest resin figures that I’ve seen in quite some time.  Besides, who doesn’t love a toy that comes with an overcoat/ape accessory?

From ITEM:

My first official figure!

These resin figures which were based on my aK-aT Driver mashup character was manufactured by The Sucklord.

I had an earlier run of 12 black versions produced for my HERD exhibit. These orange follow-ups were made for distribution.

Only 10 were produced for sale.

thinkitem.com/section/157475_SHOP.html

More pics/links after the jump! (more…)

I don’t know if you’ve used a Windows Mobile powered phone recently, or ever (lucky you!), but Microsoft looks like they might have finally gotten the memo that their mobile OS was a little behind the times.  Unfortunately they’re a little late to the party, and not the fashionably late that makes you cool and attractive.  Microsoft has been on a bit of a role here lately after the disaster that was Vista.  They have a hit with Windows 7 (despite the god-awful commercials); the ZuneHD, while not an iPod killer, is a nifty little PMP; the Surface projects have shown that Redmond has an eye on the future; and of course the Xbox 360 is still holding strong gaming wise.  But their mobile line has been horrible for almost a decade.  RIM took over their business marketshare with Crackberries and Apple destroyed them on the entertainment front.  Yesterday Microsoft finally hung the mobile 6.x series out to dry.  Then shot it.  And then used C4 to put that horrible OS to death, MythBusters style.  We’ll have to wait for Xmas ‘10 for the Windows Phone 7 (and you thought the iPad was a bad name) to officially arrive, but this preview and demo unit should be a wake-up call to Apple, Google, and RIM that the dragon is stirring after a long slumber.  A lot can change in 9 months, like a name for example, but I’m predicting a hit out of this.  The design and UI is so radically different from what Microsoft has been pushing down our throats for the last 20 years that it’s actually hard to believe that it’s really from Redmond.  And unlike Apple, Microsoft already knows how to take on gaming.  The integrated Xbox 360 functionality could be HUGE depending on how it’s pulled off.  If you’re looking to buy a phone in the next year, hold off.  If you HAVE to buy one, for the love of God don’t buy anything Windows Mobile.   Here’s the demonstration video they showed off at the Mobile World Congress in Spain yesterday:

Apple has gained quite a lead from nowhere in the past 3 years, the Android guys from Google are showing a lot of promise, and Blackberry’s rule the workforce…but I’d like to think that Microsoft has been the guy just standing there in the video below.

Microsoft has taken quite a shot in the mobile department lately, but from what Windows Phone 7 looks like they’re just wiping the sweat from their brow.  Hopefully this will get Apple back into the innovative designing that brought us the iPod and iPhone and not just yearly updates to existing products.  Google’s not a direct threat in Apple’s eyes…but Microsoft?

Begun, these phone wars have….

Gizmodo Full Story here.  Hands On Video here.

Check it! Very good friend of Nerd City and insanely talented guy, Adriean Koleric, aka Item, has contributed some amazing designs to the upcoming Star Wars Galaxy 5 Trading Cards from Topps.  You’ve got to love Item’s approach to these designs, which incorporate his now iconic blend of Star Wars characters with super sharp design and fashion imagery. What is really additionally impressive, though, is the decision that he made to give each piece the look of slightly weathered street art, which adds an interesting organic element to the overall feel.  Well played, sir.

From Item:

I was lucky enough to be invited through the almighty Sucklord to contribute to the upcoming Starwars Galaxy 5 line of cards via TOPPS. The task was to customize 56 blank cards to how I see fit.

I opted to go with a gel transfer approach to try and mimic the feel of a sticker or gig poser you’d see on any street corner. Weathered…..peeled…..etc. More images can be checked out over here.

Release date is February 2010.

More pics/links after the jump. (more…)

Through Nintendo’s virtual console, Excitebike: World Rally will be available today as a WiiWare downloadable title. This game was announced a few weeks back with minor gameplay shown, but as we saw this game will play and look (with updated graphics) just like the original. As all my fans out there know, I am a huge 2D game fan so this will be an instant download for me today. For only 1000 Wii points, you can download this game and begin creating and sharing your own levels, race friends on and off line, and just have a good ol’ fashioned time with what should be an exciting and fun game. For those that may not be ready to jump to this new game, you can always download the original NES version for 500 Wii points.

At some point, the tri-wolf tee shirt (original seen HERE) became a nostalgic, hilarious staple for hipster apparel.  Since then, several witty, hipper homage tees have popped up all over the internet (my personal fave being the “Three Keyboard Cat”).  However, this newest release is pretty kickass.  So, if anyone at founditemclothing.com is reading this, the Nerd City crew will take a couple mediums, a couple large, and a small for me.  

I met the gang from Furthermore Beer @ The Autumn Beer Review in Minneapolis, and their product, and company, ruled. For our Nerds in Spring Grove, Wisconsin, they are throwing a rollicking good time ol’ fashioned barn party this weekend. I highly recommend checking it out.

Get all the details here.

After Monday night’s weekly Nerd City podcast, Max and I attended this year’s Lebowskifest which was being held at Diversey Rock N’ Bowl (pics and video to follow). And while we were there we happened to make friends with some pretty cool ladies who perform burlesque around the city under the name Vaudezilla. Now, for those uninitiated with burlesque, it’s basically an old-fashioned variety style show with handfuls of striptease tossed in for good measure. They’re always a great, fun time. And the lovely ladies usually have a killer sense of humor. So we’re pleased to have met a few of the Vaudezilla crew; it only makes sense we’d fall in together. We hope to hear (and see *wink*) more from them in the future.  But for now, here are some upcoming shows and dates!

Thursday, Sept 17 – Red Hot Annie in Redhead Revue @ Redhead Piano Bar

Saturday, Sept 19 & 26 – 11:30pm Shows – “Rollin’ Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque” - http://vaudezilla.com/biglebowskiburlesque.htm

Wednesdays thru Oct 14 – Learn Burlesque with Red Hot Annie - http://vaudezilla.com/burlesqueclasses.htm

Friday, Sept 25 – BROADZILLA! The Burlesque Beast - http://vaudezilla.com/broadzilla.htm

Saturday, October 31 – Vaudezilla’s Monster Burlesque Academy - http://vaudezilla.com/halloween.htm

I can’t tell you how many times during blackouts in my neighborhood that I’ve gotten a craving for a cocktail.  It happens more than you’d think – but every time it does, I’m pretty much screwed.  You ever try to make a Tom Collins (or Sidecar or Old Fashioned, whatever) in the pitch dark?  It’s impossible!  You know how many Oriental rugs I’ve ruined?!  Too many!  Anyhow, some people (I’d like to think cool scientists) came up with a bottle spout with a built in LED light which eliminates any possibility of an embarrassing spill (unless, of course, you’re suffering from the DT’s.  In that case, this spout is the last thing you need).

Direct Link to Youtube Video