Nerd Factory - EPIC THEME SONG

Check out my new EPIC Theme Song!

Thanks to IMDENNIBO for making this intro.

The challenge is still open if you wish to make a theme song for me to use, but in the meantime this one will reign supreme until dethroned.

Nerd Factory Returns: Season 3 Episode 1

It has been a few years, but time has come for me to bring back Nerd Factory. Here is episode 1. I promise they will only get better.

Where Have I Been? What Is Going On?

I have been absent from this blog for quite some time now. I have been trying out some new things online and trying to figure out what is best. As I continue to explore some new options I have decided to stick with what I know and what I know is very little.

I created a new blog in which I was focusing on all things strictly educational. However, there is always that fine line between what is educational vs. real life vs. entertainment. I kept writing blog posts and having to decide do I post here or on the education site? Today I decided to just import all the posts from the education blog and go back to one blog for all things in my life. This is going to make my life much easier.

In doing this little experiment I decided to bring back Nerd Factory. These are the stupid nerdy videos I made about 2-3 years ago for students at BMS. Many homerooms would watch them for something to do and it was a great way to connect with a lot of kids quickly. I have not made videos in forever and will be bringing this back simply because I am full of nerdy ideas. I watched a few from years past and I forgot about some of these classic clips.

Even more important is where I have been with my training? I did not run the QC Marathon. I will be honest in that it made me feel like a lard for not running. However, I am mentally drained from training. I am not going to lie about this at all. I completed the half Ironman distance triathlon on August 19th and have ran just a few times since then. I have done zero exercises. Some of this due to simply not wanting to. Some of this due to the school year starting and being so busy that I don't see my wife and kids together until the weekends. Some of this pursuing some other goals.

I have not missed getting up early and training. I have not missed long training sessions. I have not missed going to bed at 8:30 instead of staying up to read books and play video games.

I HAVE missed feeling good about myself. I HAVE missed being in great shape. I HAVE missed how great you feel when you eat properly and stay fit(I feel like crap most days). I HAVE missed meeting up with great people and making myself a better person by being in their presence.

I had to step away. Mentally I just was not enjoying doing any of the training. This was  bummer because I was in shape to shatter my marathon time from last year. I was feeling the best I have felt coming off of Pigman where my recovery was literally a day. I had my body in peak conditions. My mind was in the gutter.

I have not given up. Rather I have plans. I have big plans. Starting October I begin a new training season. Not just any training season, but a season to get me ready for a full Ironman. I will be ready. It is going to be a slow process back to the shape I was in. 5 weeks off I have gained some serious weight, formed bad habits, and lost a lot of endurance and stamina. However, mentally I think I am about ready for another 9 month training cycle.

So, I have been absent, hiding out at home and at school. I will soon emerge again and be ready to take things on. It will be difficult as I know where I was and where I want to be and how far away I am from both. One step at a time.

Be ready to follow my training. Be ready for me to share all things nerdy back to this blog. Be ready for Coffeechug to get back in his groove and GET IT DONE!

New idea for the next school year

What if I straight up make a nerd club? Maybe use my group name "Nerd Factory"?

We could call it something different, but a place for us folks to share our love of great things like

• John Green
• Science Fiction
• Game of Thrones
• Board Games
• Video Games
• Unicorns 
• Robots
• The list goes on and on

I know another idea for me to soak up more time. However, this would be so fun. Plus, I would love to learn more from my students.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Alright, back to listening to Boing Boing Gweek podcast and some Game of Thrones reading.

Feel free to add more ideas to the list. The list is here on a Google Doc

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 14

Much to comment and vote on in this episode
1. Book Tournament Judge
2. Book Tournament Book Nominations
3. Coffee For The Brain T-Shirt Voting
4. PE Music iPod music selection playlist
5. Mint Coffee

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 13

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 11

What do you do with 8 ingredients and less than $10? Build a VOLCANO!

Being the nerd that I am, I love to build and make different things with my kids, especially when I am home alone with them to avoid and fighting and not worrying about making a mess with mom around!! Over the course of the last week we(Aiden and I) decided to take one of our science experiment books and choose an activity. We went with the volcano. Here is all you need: flour, water, cardboard, newspaper, paint, paintbrush, diet soda, and Mentos. The video below is a recap of everything we did together and even Addy jumped in and got involved(yes, the Cat make-up artist).

Why do I post this and why did I make a video? The answer is simple. I wanted to show people that it does not take much to be with your kids and do something fun. There is nothing more rewarding then spending time with your kids. The hardest part is not getting too involved and doing everything for them. I did not help in anything except cutting cardboard strips to form around the 2-liter to begin the framework for a volcano. The kids did the rest and they did an amazing job. I really cannot believe what they actually created. It just reminds me as both a parent and teacher that kids are capable of many things if we just give them a chance to shine.

This was awesome and fun and easily gave us 5 nights of things to do. Enjoy the video, please post your thoughts, and if you have a suggestion of something you would like us to try and do, then please leave a comment. Maybe it is something you have done or maybe something you want us try first and let you know how it turns out. I will tell you that we are working on two projects soon. One involves a garbage can and smoke and the other is painting with milk. Stay tuned......

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 10

That short video of the week. Please don't forget to vote for Teacher Mystery Challenge and please help with one of the two challenges presented in the video.



Here is the picture. Leave caption in the comments. Voting will begin next week.

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 9

This video is all about camel jumpers, say what? Check it out





Smithsonian Article

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 8

The video for today is loaded with random facts and a link to a very cool website. Check them out and enjoy!



Here is the link to the cool video

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 7

Short Video #3 of the week. Check it out and let me know what you think. Leave comments. I love comments.

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 6

For those that don't check the blog over the weekend, I am mixing things up this week. I will be posting a short video under 2 minutes each day of the week instead of one long one. I just want to try something different. Please let me know what you think. Teacher Mystery Challenge #4 is up and the answer from last week was posted in the first short video on Sunday. Enjoy this video and have a great week.




The first cheesy song on my ipod while running Sunday


The second cheesy song


Yes, they have been removed...or have they?

Last here is the link to check out all the blogs registered for Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Check them out and post your favorites.

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 5

A very short video in which all I provide is the answer to the Teacher Mystery Challenge 2.0 Week 3. Enjoy

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 4 - Teacher Mystery Challenge - Week 2 Answer

This episode is devoted to answering the real teacher behind Teacher Mystery Challenge 2.0 Week 2. I ran out of time to get this in during episode 3 so I had to make a special episode. Pay attention to the background and you could win something!!!



I have also added Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 3 below in case you missed the post over the weekend. Enjoy!

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 3 - Shout Outs

Nerd Factory - Season 2 - Episode 2

Topics discussed this week.
1. Make up artist named Cat
2. Teacher Mystery Challenge 2.0 - Week 1 answer
3. T-Shirt Challenge
4. Shout Out opportunity for the video next week.
5. Don't forget to vote for favorite books of the year in sidebar

Nerd Factory - Season 2 Episode 1

Here is the first video of the year. As always, if you have ideas and thoughts for a video please let me know. Still compiling a question and answer video so please continue to submit your random questions for me to answer. Enjoy!

Nerd Factory - Random Thoughts 6.10.10

Time for your help again

I am in need of your help. I am working on redesigning and decorating the Nerd Factory(my office where the magic of this blog happens). I am a huge fan of Rhett and Link and there latest post features their new office along with two super cool rugs. Upon viewing their video I have decided that I am going to create some custom rugs also. So......here is where you come in.

I am compiling a list of ideas for the following concepts

1. I already know that the name of my office is the NERD FACTORY, but I need along with that a
2. Slogan - some catchy phrase to use in my videos, put up on my wall and my rug(s). I will also need a
3. Symbol or icon for the NERD FACTORY. We can always infuse the whole Coffee For the Brain or better yet let us do this.

Rug/Decoration Contest Idea #1: Nerd Factory
1. Slogan
2. Symbol/Icon

Rug/Decoration Contest Idea #2: Coffee For The Brain
1. Slogan
2. Symbol/Icon

We will create things for both. I will also gladly take any other ideas/suggestions such as things to hang up on my wall, maybe paint colors, etc. Feel free to offer me some guidance. If I like your idea I will send you some slap bracelets. Sound good? Alright, then be on your way to offer me advice. It is summertime and I plan to have this unveiled by the beginning of the school year.

Here is the Rhett and Link video to give you an idea of what inspired all of this.