The GeekDads

With 2011 now behind us, I can't help but reflect on all the musical goodness that we enjoyed over the course of that year. Sadly, it saw a pair of my longtime favorite artists say goodbye to their previous projects, but it also introduced listeners like me to many amazing new acts only just beginning their meteoric rise!

It's the ciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiircle of liiiiiiiiiiiiife!

Um... And now on with the show:

"It is Your Turn Now" by Pixelh8

Back in November, famed UK chiptuner Pixelh8 officially retired from the scene. His musical legacy includes a half-dozen phenomenal albums and EPs, not to mention his custom-built music-making software. His parting gift to fans and fellow musicians alike was this inspired (and inspiring) tune.

"Mega Man Forever" by Random

Similarly, hip-hopper Random has announced that, with the release of his Mega Ran 10 album, he is turning in his helmet and arm cannon. It's a sad day for nerdcore, but let's not forget that Ran has made equally amazing music about many other video game characters and franchises.

"No Easy Way to Say This" by The Doubleclicks

While some of our favorite established artists are (sadly) moving in new directions, Portland's nerd folk duo The Doubleclicks are only now starting to garner the attention and respect that they truly deserve. Combining contemporary geek rock with a classic filk lean and a proper helping of cello, they are difficult to resist. So I recommend that you just stop trying.

Ken, Matt, Jonathan, and James talk about the Hobbit trailer games we got for Christmat, and more. Enjoy!

GeekDad.com is the parenting blog at Wired.com, edited by Ken Denmead, Matt Blum, Jonathan Liu, Z and Chris Anderson. It is a community of like-minded geeky parents writing about our experiences raising our kids in the digital age, and about our obsessions with technology, family-friendly projects, and pop-culture. The GeekDads podcast is a biweekly discussion of anything and everything that impacts us as geeks and parents.

Up for grabs is our last Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, a device that streams content wirelessly from your desktop or laptop directly to your HDTV. It’s provided by this year’s 12 Days of Geekmas sponsor, Philips.

Also included in today’s giveaway are a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, an iPad 2 from the fine folks at Target, a Steel Series gaming bundle (including a SteelSeries Sensei laser mouse, a SteelSeries Siberia v2 headset with Cross-Platform Audio Mixer, a SteelSeries 9HD mousepad and a pair of SteelSeries Desmo glasses), a specially-styled Voltron watch, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, the Logitech Harmony Link, a Captain America and the Avengers Hallmark keepsake ornament, an iCade iPad arcade cabinet and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.

Yes. Yes we do.

Of course we're including the Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, which will get you one step closer to a life without cords. It's provided by our sponsor for the 12 Days of Geekmas 2011, Philips.

Also included in today's giveaway is a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, the LEGO Collection (containing The LEGO Book and The LEGO Ideas Book ) from DK Publishing, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, a solar-powered Logitech Wireless Keyboard K750 for Mac, a Thor Hallmark keepsake ornament, a Portal coaster/cookie cutter set and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.

Up for grabs today is the Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, a handy device that streams content in the unmatched clarity of 1080P. It's provided by our 12 Days of Geekmas sponsor, Philips.

Also included in today's giveaway are a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, a honeycomb ring from Jeff Bare Design, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, a Logitech Mini Boombox, a Green Lantern Hallmark keepsake ornament and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.

Of course we start off with the Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, a great gadget that's sure to help with your holiday entertaining. It's provided by the sponsor of the 12 Days of Geekmas 2011, Philips.

Also included in today's giveaway are a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, a custom kid-size super hero cape from Power Capes, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, a LEGO Darth Vader Hallmark keepsake ornament, a Yoda Nutcracker, a Lightsaber Candlestick and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.

Up for grabs today is the Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, the perfect holiday gift for that media-minded loved one. It's provided by this year's 12 Days of Geekmas sponsor Philips.

Also included in today's giveaway are a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, a LEGO Star Wars Collection (containing the LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia and LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary ) from DK Publishing, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, a LEGO Darth Vader Hallmark keepsake ornament, 30 postcards from the innovative Postagram App, a Darth Vader Nutcracker, a Lightsaber Candlestick and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.

We start off with the Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, a simple wireless solution that lets you stream media from your laptop to your HDTV for the whole family to enjoy. It's provided by this year's 12 Days of Geekmas sponsor Philips.

Also included in today's giveaway are a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, an Evil Genius pack (containing The Alien Robots Kit and The Science Kit ) from DK Publishing, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, a Thor Hallmark keepsake ornament, a special TechShop Holiday Sampler, an Air Swimmer Shark and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.

Today's offering starts with the Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, an incredibly simple way to share your life in high definition. Special thanks go out to 12 Days of Geekmas 2011 sponsor Philips for providing yet another of these great little devices.

Also included in today's giveaway are a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, a custom iPad2 wrap from Jeff Bare Design, a Logitech Fold-Up Keyboard for the iPad2, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, a Captain America and the Avengers Hallmark keepsake ornament and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.

Now that I've met my annual quota for Rebecca Black references: prizes!

We kick it all off with the Philips Wireless HDMI Net Connect, a fast and hassle free way to watch your favorite online shows on your high definition television. Special thanks go out to 12 Days of Geekmas 2011 sponsor Philips for this one.

Also included in today's giveaway are a copy of Book Creator for iPad from Red Jumper Studios, a custom kid-size super hero cape from Power Capes, a positively enormous prize pack (featuring four shirts, four posters and two beanies of our winner's choosing) from the crew at 604 Republic, a Kre-O Transformers set from Hasbro, a "Blazing Sword" Voltron action figure, a Green Lantern Hallmark keepsake ornament and a bonus $10 off $30 coupon code from our friends at ThinkGeek.

Giveaway rules:

Open to North American residents only.

One entry per physical address.

Must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen at random from a given day's entries.

Winners will be notified via the email supplied at time of entry, and in the following day’s giveaway post.

Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.