For those who are interested in learning more about Club 33 - we are having an “Open House” this Friday night! Many of our members will be chatting in our chat room, waiting to welcome you and answer any questions that you have – about our team or Nerd Wars in general.

Be sure to join us from 7:30 p.m. until around midnight, EDT. Club 33, the happiest team in Nerd Wars.

Faith, love, and pixie dust,

PprmntMochaMama

There were a few modifications that will be put into place for this tournament so here’s the place to learn about them and hold any discussions so we can keep it all together. Don’t worry, they’re all great!

1. No more team spheres - I know y’all are cheering over this one. We now have full use of Disney – that includes items that are being used by other teams, like the Muppets and “Once Upon A Time”.
2. Rounds will run from the 1st to the 28th - this will allow for more uniform crafting time and speedier end of round score calculations. 11:59 p.m. eastern on the last day is still the normal cut off for posting.
3. No more skill based bonus points - You’ll earn a flat 10 for project submission and a possible 3 for team spirit tie-in. That’s it… plain and simple.

So those are the changes thus far and I must say, they are all for the better. We have more options, concrete time frames and simple scoring for faster results. Nothing but good times ahead!

- PprmntMochaMama

As NBlakemore said in a post:

I am so very excited to be able to use the Muppets for Tournament 5!

Today is the first day that people can sign up for a Nerd Wars team.  You will pick a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice.  People mostly get their first choice, however sometimes their first choice is full.  This will be Club 33′s 2nd tournament, and we are ready to go.  If you don’t know much about our team, we are a very friendly and supportive group of Disney lovers.  You can come on over to our ravelry group to say hi and ask questions.  Our team Captain is PprmntMochaMama and our team Manager is Melody635.  I am KristyRecycles, your humble team blogger.  We came in 12th place in tournament 4, which is fantastic for our first year as a team.  If you are unsure of how a project would fit into a challenge or how to tie it back into the team, people are more than happy to help you out.  There are a few limitations to what we can use for team tie ins, like the Muppets.  The Muppets belong to Team Fraggle.  You can learn more about the rules and what we can and can not use for team tie ins here.

Our team unity challenges for tournament four were Disney Villains, Disney Park Attractions, and Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival.  Every month we were able to vote on what we would like the team unity challenge to be, as well as make suggestions for new ones.

Let me tell you a little bit about our blog during Tournament 4.  Sunday’s were all about the stats and badges earned.  PprmntMochaMama would do some math magic and give us some percentages for us to ooohhh and ahhh over.  Tuesdays are Trivia Tuesday.  Anyone can submit a trivia question for the blog by PMing me in ravelry.  Mondays and Thursdays were team member interview days, where a different team member would be featured.  Wednesday’s in the blogging world is Wordless Wednesday.  In the beginning of tournament 4 I would feature a different dissertation submission on Wednesdays.  Friday’s is Friday’s Fibers, which contains ideas and patterns for projects that fit into Club 33 and/or the the challenges for that round.  Saturday is the biggest blogging day of the week, because it is Show and Tell Saturday.  If it is to much for you to keep up with everyone’s submissions, this blog post allows you to see what your team mates have submitted for the last week.  It includes a brief summary of their submission, a photo, and links to their project page and their Nerd Wars submission.  It’s my favorite blog post, because it is full of inspiration.  This basic weekly blog line up will stay the same for tournament 5, but a few changes might be made here and there.  Also anytime there is an important announcement for our team, there will be a blog post for it here.  Also feel free to go and look at past blog posts.

Occasionally we have some fun quizzes, like the Disney Princess quiz.  In round 3 for the team unity challenge Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, Melody635 (our team manager) went to Epcot and took pictures for us.  That is something really cool and special about our team, both our team Captain and our team Manager live near Walt Disney World, and to top it off they are friends (they get together often).  In fact they use to work at Walt Disney World together.

We are a wonderful supportive team who like to have fun and make cool things.  If we sound like the team for you, please ask to be on Club 33 when signing up for Nerd Wars.  Until then, faith, love, and pixie dust!

We ended up in 12th place – we didn’t gain any ground but we didn’t lose any ground either. For our first ever showing in NerdWars, I say we did an amazing job! I am so very proud to have played Tournament 4 with all of you. You have been outstanding and I just know that we are only going to get better with time.

Great job, Mousketeers – I am so proud of each and every one of you.

- PprmntMochaMama

For Mouseketeers who not only gleamed the cube but completed their dissertation as well, this one’s for you!

Congratulations KristyRecycles and Disneyette!!

For those who, against all odds, managed to get their projects posted despite everything else going on.

Hale
NBlakemore
LilAngelDesigner
KristyRecycles

Because you were always there – lending a hand, cheering others on, going above and beyond while always wearing your ears with pride… you’ve brought honour to Club 33 with all the extras that you have done for Club 33 this tournament. This badge is for you.

Disneyette
KristyRecycles
LauraBozeman
Lauramay67
LilAngelDesigner
Melody635
MyaLMG
NBlakemore

BethC - Nerd Culture Post #443
Disneyette - Intellectual Post #174
Hale - Intellectual Post #260
KristyRecycles - Nerd Culture Post #326
LauraBozeman - Geek Pride Post #543
Lauramay67 - Intellectual Post #121
LilAngelDesigner - Intellectual Post #411
Melody635 - Intellectual Post #122
MyaLMG - Scientific Post #322
NBlakemore - Scientific Post #303
PprmntMochaMama - Intellectual Post #129
Shelbad - Intellectual Post #297

PprmntMochaMama - Post #19
KristyRecycles - Post #98
Melody635 - Post #99
LauraMay67 - Post #215
LilAngelDesigner - Post #594
LauraBozeman - Post #543
MyaLMG - Post #537
NBlakemore - Post #496
Disneyette - Post #458

KristyRecycles ~ Post #42
PprmntMochaMama ~ Post #83
LauraMay67 - Post#140
NBlakemore - Post #224
MyaLMG - Post #233
LauraBozeman - Post #237
Melody635 - Post #215
Disneyette - Post # 293

Melody635 - Post #122
LauraMay67 - Post #121
Kristinayarn - Post # 139
PprmntMochaMama - Post # 129
Disneyette - Post # 174
KristyRecycles - Post # 156
Akatara - Post #252
Hale - Post #260
BethC - Post # 298
LilAngelDesigner - Post # 411
MyaLMG - Post # 462
NBlakemore - Post # 341
PprmntMochaMama - Post #182
Melody635 - Post #189
LauraMay67 - Post #308
KristyRecycles - Post #326
Jennibean65 - Post #442
BethC - Post #443
Disneyette - Post #469
LilAngelDesigner - Post #585
LauraBozeman - Post #540
Akatara - Post #640
MyaLMG - Post #642
NBlakemore - Post #517

PprmntMochaMama - Post #33
Melody635 - Post #35
KristyRecycles - Post #83
LauraMay67 - Post #110
jonboy1987 - Post #34
Jennibean65 - Post #237
Disneyette - Post # 340
LauraBozeman - Post # 320
LilAngelDesigner - Post # 372
NBlakemore - Post #303
MyaLMG - Post # 322

PprmntMochaMama - Post #95
KristyRecycles - Post #121
LauraMay67 - Post #134
MyaLMG- Post #142
BethC - Post #237
Disneyette - Post #281
Melody635 - Post # 295
Akatara - Post #436
NBlakemore - Post # 311

Kristinayarn
Hale
jonboy1987

Jennibean65

BethC

Akatara

LilAngelDesigner
LauraBozeman

PprmntMochaMama
KristyRecycles
LauraMay67
Disneyette
Melody635
MyaLMG
NBlakemore

Opening Rambles
- Congratulations to Team Rangers and Team Squints!

- T4 Winners’ Circle
- Top Five thread

 
A Chat with Bluroux

 
Closing Rambles
- A discussion of the origin of that phrase.
- Ravelympics 2012, Nerd Wars-style
- Tour de Fleece 2012, Nerd Wars-style
- Movie Night
- MCA supercut

 
The Musics
- Fight for Your Right (to Party) by the Beastie Boys
- Flute Loop by the Beastie Boys
- Brass Monkey by the Beastie Boys
- Sabotage by the Beastie Boys

 
Contributions and comments can be sent to nerdwarscast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
Nerd Wars Podcast, S01 E07
 
Subscribe to us on iTunes or Stitcher!

————————————-

How do you find the time to do all those projects? Do you knit on the bus, waiting in lines, in the car, etc.?

peygann

I am a full time carer and when I am working on craft projects my daughter is doing hers, crafting helps with concentration, motor skills and hand eye coordination among others so we do a lot of things together and sometimes she wants me close but doing something different. She also loves Nerd Wars and seeing the projects get submitted. I also knit on trains and while I am waiting on things. A lot of Pax was done on the train in one day. I love sitting back and relaxing on the train but if I have something I need done then it nags at me until I have to do some.

Ali: That’s great that your daughter loves to craft and is into Nerd Wars! Did you teach her how to knit and crochet?

peygann: I am teaching her to knit and crochet but she wants to learn how to quilt so I am going to find a teacher for her as that is not something any of us ever got into, although she does pick things up from youtube so I may look for videos.

wakawakamama

I have an aversion to sitting still. I always have to have something going on with my hands, especially when watching TV in the evenings. I squeeze about 1 ½ hours out for lunch at work; always knit during little league games; and even manage to take my knitting to work meetings!

Ali: Knitting in work meetings? That is very cool! What do your co-workers think of that?

wakawakamama: Yep, I knit in work meetings. I spent twenty years in the Navy, so at my current job, they understand my eccentricities. I have no patience for long, drawn out meetings, and they know as long as my hands are busy, I won’t open my mouth and insert foot! My co-workers love the stuff I make, and they know that I always donate something when we have charity fundraisers at work. Some of my shawls, (never give away the fancy lace ones though) have made as much as $100 for the various charities we sponsor throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

Why and when did you decide to join Nerd Wars?

peygann

I joined at the start of T3, just missing the sign ups so I ninja’d the round, which worked out well as Mythology was only formed then and I had no team loyalty when it came to signing up for T4. I saw Nerd Wars being talked about in a couple of other groups and everyone seemed to be having a great time so I came over to see what all the fun was.

wakawakamama

After the last tournament. I have a friend that I met in a weekly knitting group that plays for team Tardis. Sounded like fun, so I signed up this go around.

What do you like best about Nerd Wars?

peygann

I love the people, I hit a bit of a rough patch in RL and everyone was so great with listening, then there is the encouragement to finish projects that you get. It is such a large group that there is always someone to chat to, now all I have to do is get the new internetz running properly so it had enough speed so I can hang out in the chat room

wakawakamama

Trying to decide what projects fit the challenges! I thought I knew a lot about Mythology, but trying to find tie-ins definitely stretched my imagination! The only deterrent is when I really want to do a specific project, but can’t make it fit the challenges!

Ali: I would have said the exact same thing!

What drew you to Team Mythology? What is your favorite creature/fairy tale/myth?

peygann

I have always been a history nerd with a particular interest in myths. My favourite stories are the grimms and Aesops. I love the Irish Mythology too as evidenced by my overuse of celtic myth tie ins. My favourite legend is the story of Setanta and how he became Cú Chulainn. But I also love Tír na nÓg as well. It is a very sad story but very beautiful.

wakawakamama

I thought it would be easier to find team tie-ins than using some TV show or such. I have always been a big fan of Greek/Roman myths, and have relied on them a lot for this tournament. I don’t have any real favorites, I just love all things mythical and fantastical.

Ali: I agree, it is a lot easier to find team tie-ins here than on a more specific team.

What was your favorite challenge (not project) this tournament? Why?

peygann

Shakespeare, without a doubt. I couldn’t stop myself writing a sonnet for the submission. I am challenging myself to write a poem a day for April so they came together very well. Also I completely ignored the battle aspect or I would have wanted to do 2 to represent both men. But we did have to pick a favourite so I went with the Iambic Pentameter. I may be a little nerdy about that. I love the rhythm.

Ali: Were you able to accomplish your goal of writing a poem each day?

peygann: I have very sketchy poems right now. I think the next goal will be to edit one a day until the 29 are polished up. It would be 30 but I already did the sonnet.

wakawakamama

I think it would have to be the Magnetism challenge of Round 3 (scientific). This one required the most thought for me, and that made it more fun! Of course, I didn’t have time to make what I wanted to for this challenge, but I did whip out an easier project to satisfy the requirement.

Ali: What did you originally want to knit?

wakawakamama: Originally I planned to knit the Beltane Shawl by Renee Leverington of Goddess Knits. It was a 1200 yard project, and I only had about 4 days to get it done. So I did Easy as Pie instead! I have managed to cast on the Beltane now, because my bro bought me this gorgeous Eos yarn from Unique Sheep for my birthday. Colorway is Raven’s wings, and I highly recommend it as it combines subtle hints of purple and green! I have made it to the third chart already, so it shouldn’t take that long! No beads in this one, so that shortens time considerably!

What’s the favorite project you completed? Why is it your favorite?

peygann

I did love the corsage for the battle but the favourite thing I made was the little heart for Follow the Leader. I made a small one that is reminding me every day to make the full size cushion but it lifts my mood every morning, as well as reminding me to love what’s happening now and not worry about tomorrow.

Ali: I love the I <3 Me cushion! It’s such a great thing to remind yourself of every day.

wakawakamama

My Aeolian Shawl I made for the technical challenge in Round 1. This has to have been my best work, and turned out very gorgeous! Quite a lot of work completed in less than 3 weeks. Many have tried to claim it, but I REFUSE to let it go!

Ali: That shawl IS gorgeous! I really don’t blame you for hanging on to that.

What are your plans for Tournament Five? Do you have any projects you hope to make?

peygann

I have things I want to make but it’s not as heavy on the projects as this tournament was. I tend to make the things I need to make and then fit them into the challenges. I have been lucky so far that things have lined up to be 18/18 both times but the summer is usually light on crafting for me so I may not need to make so many things next time. Although I am toying with selling some Irish Crochet pieces like the corsage so I may make some to go online and see what people think.

Ali: Good luck selling your pieces! They’re very beautiful. Do you think you’ll open an Etsy store for them? Please keep us Mythology Nerds in the loop!

peygann: I was going to see what the interest is before I open a shop but don’t worry I will be seeking you opinions and spamming….I mean showing off when things are made:)

wakawakamama

I already have my dissertation picked out – an Inishturk sweater for my husband. I have started sweaters before, but never seem to finish! That is my goal this go around. As for other projects, I think I am going to start looking for smaller projects than all my queued shawls. Those can take a lot of time, for only 10 points after all!

Ali: Good luck! The other Mythology Nerds and I will be rooting for you to finish that sweater!

When did you learn to knit and crochet?

peygann

I learned to knit when I was seven from my mother and then my Sister in Law got me crochet lessons a couple of years ago because I couldn’t translate the tension to my left hand. The women who taught me how to crochet taught me how to hold the tension and the hook in my right hand so it is closer to knitting and more comfy for me. It works and I love it:)

wakawakamama

Probably about 3rd or 4th grade for crochet. Knitting, the basics around 6th grade, but have only really gotten proficient in the last 5 years or so.

Ali: Who taught you to crochet and knit? A family member, or in school?

wakawakamama: My mother taught me, now I teach her. She was great for the basics, but I used books and such as I got more advanced. These were the days before youtube! Now when I read something in a pattern that I don’t quite understand, I jump on youtube, and there is a video. Someone has a video made for any stitch or technique you want to learn! Occassionally I take a class, but that is more for companionship than to learn anything new.

What is it about the fiber arts that appealed to you?

peygann

I love the feel of the yarn or thread, the idea I can make what I want to when I want to and trying to put the designs in my head down on paper doesn’t work, I find it easier to design as I go. Also there was so much yarn around when I was growing up I didn’t really have a choice about becoming a yarnie.

wakawakamama

Taking a ball of string, and manipulating it into a beautiful garment. I love to watch how a project develops over time. I become impatient for the finish!

Are there any other crafts you do?

peygann

I paint a little and write poetry if that counts as a craft

Ali: I definitely count writing poetry as a craft!

wakawakamama

Quilting, baking, cooking, used to do cross-stitch.

You did a lot of knitting in the past three months. Are you going to spend the month before T5 resting or do you still have projects you want to finish before Nerd Wars starts up again?

peygann

I am making a bag to go with the corsage and I am making Venus by Aoibhe Ní because I fell in love with her Tunisian lace when I made Pax so I bought the eBook. I may have also acquired 2 skeins of Malabrigo today… what, who was shopping, me no never

Ali: I’d promise not to tell, but I AM posting all of these answers on the blog…

wakawakamama

I couldn’t keep my fingers quiet for even a day! Have already started the shawl I wanted to make for the Round 3 Scientific challenge (looks terrific by the way), and have at least 8 others sitting around waiting. Not to mention, I really need to catch up on my postings for some of my other groups.

Ali: I can’t wait to see your finished shawl! Most of my other groups have been neglected since the tournament started, too.

On top of doing all six challenges in every round, you also completed a dissertation. Was it a goal this tournament to do as much as you possibly could?

peygann

As I have said I made things I would have been doing anyway and the blanket was supposed to be a gift for my mother but my daughter wanted it instead and the goal was to get everything done. I hate to say that Nerd Wars seems to be more of an incentive to finish things than the fact they need to be done by a certain date. If I didn’t have to turn things in for points then some of the things would have missed their deadlines so basically I am using the game as a motivational tool.

wakawakamama

I have always been an overachiever! I can’t face the idea of not completing everything. Hence, why I did a shawl I hadn’t planned on in place of one I really wanted. Plus, the more I do, the better our team does, and I have always been a team-player!

Ali: You were a terrific team player! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next tournament.

Sdhsmc86 knit these fabulous socks:

SMyles1 knit this pretty sweater:

kcatt79 knit this gorgeous beaded cowl:

SweetPetunia897 spun this beautiful wheelspun:

greenethumb knit these very pretty socks:

WonderWhyGal knit these beautiful mitts:

Greenethumb knit these awesome socks:

Calenith knit this adorable little bear:

JoAnnaSpring knit this pretty cowl:

Karenna knit this pretty little egg:

Sdhsmc86 knit these pretty cabled socks:

Skookumgirl knit this cool shawl:

twinkiesmom5 crochet this pretty afghan:

ktutcher crocheted this lovely shawl:

Opening Rambles
- Jack’s Chattanoggins
- ScienceMonkey’s Derby Hat
- ScienceMonkey’s half-finished Daybreak
- ScienceMonkey’s sweet bison hat from Stitches:

A Chat with Adeona
- Adeona’s Portal project
 

Mass Effect 3 review by TheLostSkeleton
 

Closing Rambles
- Ravelympics 2012, Nerd Wars-style
- Tour de Fleece 2012, Nerd Wars-style
- Movie Night
- Magicpoints

 
The Musics
- “Dropping Out of School,” by Brad Sucks
- The closing theme is “Paul Valery” by the Blue Scholars. I have been informed that the very opening bit is sampled from “Fireflies” by Owl City.

 
Contributions and comments can be sent to nerdwarscast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!
Nerd Wars Podcast, S01 E06
 
Subscribe to us on iTunes or Stitcher!

Last week’s question came from PprmntMochaMama.  It was:

Which Walt Disney World landmark icon was recently named one of the Top 100 Buildings in Florida by The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects?

The answer is:

Cinderella’s Castle

Since tournament 4 is over, I am going to take a break from Trivia Tuesdays until tournament 5.  I hope that everyone enjoyed these.  Have a great month off!