I'll freely admit the schedule around here on the NXT Desk has been a little off for a few weeks. But it looks like we're getting back to normal, and there's no better normal than the weekly Scanner.
On tap today: Nerd Merit Badges, Bacon Camp, Segway races and unicorns.

Thank you Internets. Thank you.

Local blogger Joshua Christie creates this inspired scene based on a question from Videoport: "You run into Netflix in a dark alley, what do you do?"

Finally, because we all demanded it, Nerd Merit Badges. First off, the open-source badge. What's next the Dungeons and Dragons badge? The "make your own storm trooper uniform" badge?

Mark your calendars now, this May the first Maine Comic Arts Festival will be held in Portland.

Did anyone know there was an official White House Record Library? Sounds like a pretty sweet collection.

Of all the questions to ponder on the new administration, The Bowdoin Orient's sex columnist is is wondering if the Obama presidency will feature a sex scandal of its own.

Combine everyone's favorite '60s era advertising TV show and a classic game of fill-in-the-blanks and you get "Mad Libs". (Note - the video is a tad bit saucy, just like the show.) [Vulture]

An umbrella that keeps me dry and a light saber to battle the sith? Sign me up. [Geekologie]

A toy for little geek boys and girls My Little Stormtrooper. Awwww, so cute.

It's official - An A-Team movie is in the works for 2010. Be afraid. [The Feed]

Order NOW: Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. "It couples everyone's love of early 19th century British romance with the brain-eating good time that only an infectious outbreak of zombies can bring." That I can get behind.

How soon till this is remade for American TV: A sitcom revolving around a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost sharing an apartment. Hilarity and bloody mayhem ensues. [Io9]

Someone demanded it, so here it is: Shave The Baby dolls. Yeah, it's what you think it is. [Urlesque]

Also, a a digital camera made out of socks. That is not a joke. [Geekologie]

This week in bacon: In March BaconCamp is coming to San Francisco. A place to share dishes, recipes and meet other bacon lovers. Sounds like heaven.

Also, because so many of you emailed it to me, here it is: The New York Times investigates the Bacon Explosion. Thanks guys. How come no one sends me info on preventing heart disease?

A head up - Thriller: The Musical may be in the works. You were warned. [Urb]

Attention 2001: A Space Odyssey fans you may want to take notice of the HAL Project.

See if you can follow this chart and Choose Your Own Star Trek Adventure! Odds are Kirk will end up taking his shirt off most of the time. [Io9]

The next evolution of Twitter, "Twestivals?" The festivals in more than 100 cities will help raise money for charity. Noticed there was not a Portland Twestival in the works. [Laughing Squid]

Not cool: Someone broke into the Mythbusters truck and snagged a lot of their myth busting tools. [SFist]

This, well, it just makes me laugh. When Segway races go wrong. I want a Fox special on this. [Gizmodo]

When unicorns barf at least it's all rainbows and hearts. [Boing-Boing]

A place for all the real victims in the financial mess to vent. And by real victims I mean the women who dated/are dating bankers going through tough times. [Daily Intel]

Best prank ever - hacking a traffic warning sign to read: "Zombies Ahead." Brilliant.

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