Dark Ages my big behind?

[maiq the liar]

So, as fas as i know, the dark ages occur in the 12-14 age group, which i am in. so i should be having them, but i got lucky. if anything, my love for lego has grown, with all the great sets!

anybody else get lucky and never had a dark age?

*Pulls out E-tool kit and "HTML for dummies" so i can repair brickshelf. not really, all i have is my prized '95 and '98 for dummies and a real tool kit.*

[Starwars4J]

Well I never had one, thankfully, and I'm 21 :-D Definitely helps your collection. Most people have some sets from their dark ages that they really regret not getting.

[dillthepill]

It is hard to not have a dark age, I am 14, and if the kids at school knew I like LEGO I would be a laughing stock. I think you mean 12-18, BTW, maiq, I don't think it will get any easier in high school. ;-)

[Norrington]

Well, I just ignore what other people think at my school. If I am chatting with a someone who I want to be firends with, I mention it so they know wht they're getting into X-D Most of my friends have no problem with my hobby, so I've never really had a Dark Age. Maybe in a period when I was 5-9, which I stoped playing with Lego as their own hobby, only playing with it if it involved my other hobbies.

[Grand Moff Viceroy]

I'm 13 and my passion for LEGO is exponentially multiplying!! Death to Dark ages!!

[Brick Miner]

So, as fas as i know, the dark ages occur in the 12-14 age group

my first dark ages occured just about here, id say closer to 10-14... thankfully i got back into lego when i was 15. armed with a larger budget and more spending power, these were bigger LEGO collecting years... this phase lasted for 3 years, until i was 18. this time period included the tail end of the islanders, and the release of WW and adventurers... three of my favorite themes.

so id say, 15-18 i was real impressonable... you younger fans (below 15) might not have even found your favorite themes yet ;-) i know i hadn't.

then my second dark age ended in 2005, where i picked right back up collecting pirates/islander, WW, and adventurers... however, this time im exploring an expanded interest in aquaraiders and city. i think the adult income is allowing me to collect more than one theme at a time now :-D before it was very sequential... islanders, WW, adventuers... one after another.

id say i have three distinct "waves" of collecting... i's rather look at the times i did collect, as opposed to the times i didn't...

1987-1989 (ages 7-9)

1995-1998 (ages 15-18)

2005-present (ages 25+)

hopefully a third dark age is in the far future ;-) currently it seems like it will be *y*

- BM

[Mr Hobbles]

My dark ages occured somewhere between (13-15)-20. Somewhere between those I stopped thinking about LEGO and supposedly started thinking about my studies. Hehe, not likely. In fact, I dont know what it was that made me less interested in LEGO.

For the last couple of years I had started visiting LEGO.com just out of boredom. No other sites to visit? Yeah, I'd visit LEGO, just to see if there was anything new.

It wasn't until about Feb this year that there was a post on Digg.com about Cafe Corner. This was when I took notice. And I've been going strong since then (And making myself broke). :-P

[Corvus]

I don't have a lasting favorite yet. Right now it's Star Wars, but it's due to be dumped sometime or another...

I have not had a dark age yet (because I'm 15) but when we moved to Bend, I didn't want to pull everything out of the boxes. Whoever else has had to move their Lego has probably had the same problem. We're most likely to move again, but there are two advantages this time: one, We're only moving a short ways. We just want to get away from Awbery Glen (Awbery Glen is an expensive neighborhood full of overly formal people, to put it lightly), so we won't be going far. This means I can transport the fragile sets separately. Second, I look forward to getting my own Lego room built above the garage.

As for school, I have my small group of friends who don't laugh at me. A few actually even like lego. X-O

[Paradosis]

Apparently my dark ages began at the age of 13. I wouldn't have been able to remember exactly, but about a week ago I was on Peeron, looking back over scans of old catalogues, and trying to pick out what sets I wanted to try and get for Christmas. Once I got to 1992, I became unfamiliar with most of the sets, so I guess that's when I was removed from LEGO. I say removed because it was not my choice to stop playing with LEGO; unfortunately, my Mom thought I was too old for it, and made me stop. It was funny to see the look on her face, though, when she visited me and saw that her son (in his mid-20's) was again playing with LEGO!

Edited July 16, 2007 by Paradosis

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

I had one bout that age, too. You see, 'round 'ere, Legos are thought of as being, well, toys. We are involved in so many things, most of which are - and I will concur - far bigger then Lego. But, I figure that as long as I move forward on other fronts, I can spend some of my money on Lego and entertain myself once in a while :)

[Atlack]

It is hard to not have a dark age, I am 14, and if the kids at school knew I like LEGO I would be a laughing stock. I think you mean 12-18, BTW, maiq, I don't think it will get any easier in high school. ;-)

Well the way i see it

There really isn't anything to be ashamed of. You probably would be surprised about just how many high schoolers would be amazed at some of yous guys mocs here. I got to say, i'm impressed.

Also, i think that being a lego fan rather than lets say, a video game fan for example is a lot cooler. I mean, how many video game fans can say that they actually used their free time to create a model that's physically real instead of sitting there by the TV pressing buttons. At the end of the day, your lego mocs will be cherished and most importantly they will last.

Sorry - i really hope i havn't offended anyone

I just hate it when people make fun of others about the way they are and what they do

Edited July 16, 2007 by Atlack

[iamded]

My dark ages... hmm... I'd say around 0-5. Or maybe 0-4. I haven't really stopped liking Lego, I've just stopped playing with it and started displaying it. Okay, I still play with it when I get new sets, but it's mainly display. Okay, so it's like 50/50, but what can I say, Lego is awesome! Regarding themes, I usually pick one and strive to get as many sets of that theme until I have 1 of each. Sometimes I will stray away to pick up a small set from another theme, or find a cooler theme and switch to that. Now I collect Castle Lego and will probably pick up the small Indiana Jones set and maybe the small Mars Mission set.

I was born in '92, so unfortunately I missed out on all the awesome Lego, the 'old stuff'. Sets have got less pieces and larger pieces as time goes on, if you compare this to this, for example. I have both and frankly prefer the first one, as it's more detailed and plain awesome. :-P :-D

[JINZONINGEN73]

Age 5-7 Played with brother's Lego.

Age 8-26... NOTHING.

Age 27 Bought an insectoids Sonic Stinger, a buncha' discount sets in the summer, then Bionicle, Throwbots & RoboRiders.

Now almost 34, going strong. *sweet*

[highlandcattle]

I think i went out of LEGO when I was 12 -13 the last catalog I have is from 1997 and then I was 14, but I don't have any sets from that period. I think my last big purchases (train stuff) was in 1995. And it was this one that I found in Aix-en-provence on holliday:

[Brainbox]

I don't think it will get any easier in high school. ;-)

Not really, no.

Most of my friends have no problem with my hobby, so I've never really had a Dark Age.

Same here. All my friends know, and quite a lot of other people know too. My friends think nothing of it, as a true friend should. One occasionally gives me a bit of jip about it, but he doesn't mean it, and it's all done with humourous intent. When I first started high school, and people started to find out, some people thought it was a bit 'sad.' But as we got older, it started to become less odd, as people got to know me, and came to realise that it was me. Besides, a few of my friends secretly think it's kinda cool ;-) .

At the beginning of September I'm starting college, and already a few people know. I went for a day there the other week, and told a few people about it. Nothing more, nothing less.

I don't make any attempt to hide my love of Lego either. It's all over my room, I carry two Lego keyrings (Snowtrooper and The Joker), and have an ice cube tray. Yes, Hinckley, I do like it.

So, no, I've not had a Dark Age. I got my first set(s) when I was about 4 or 5. They were two promos from Ready Brek, a Pirate raft and a Castle catapult. Unfortunately, my mum didn't keep the boxes or the instructions, and I can't seem to find any trace of either set. It doesn't really help that I don't remember them that much.

I'm now nearly 17, and still going strong. And hopefully I'll continue to. The only problem that may arise, is when I come to move out and go to Uni or whatever. I don't know where I'll put all my Lego... Still, that's not for a few years yet. Plenty of time to buy even more! ;-)

[Lt. Col. Thok]

Heck. People know i like Lego and they have (in the past) made fun of me for it. Now, I just go along doing my thing. And nobody bothers me. Either that, or they're too afraid that i'll through my 60 pound backpack at them.

[Grand Moff Viceroy]

I know people whom have had dark ages, and I know they will never come back. There was only one fan of lego in my area, but he is long gone.

[UniqueBuilder]

I'm 14, and I haven't been through a Dark Age yet. Unfortunately, I think it's due to come soon.. :'-(

I really don't wanna lose my love for LEGO, but it's just a feeling.. I know I will sooner or later. I believe it's inevitable. :-/

As for the problem with friends and school I see you fellow TFOL's have, you're not alone on that. :-(

I've had my problems, but a few of my friends know it and one of them like it, too. ;-)

The worst problems are when "The Chosen Ones" just out of a sudden plump out something about my hobby to all the others.. X-D

But anyways, I'm trying to show it in a sublime kinda way. I use a LEGO Catwoman keychain, and I'm proud of it. ;-)

I also often wear my famous "EGO" t-shirt (the letters "EGO" written in the same format as the LEGO logo, get it? X-D ) and they often ask; "Where's the 'L'? Did you peel it off?"

Dark Ages OFF!

[ZeekyBoogeyDoog]

I got my first Lego set when I was 4 years old. (I liked rattling the box, I guess). I played with lego until I was 11.

I had a dark age from 2001 to 2006. I quit buying Lego because I did not care for the sets Lego was producing; I didn't build much during this time either. I got back into Lego one day because I was bored and decided to rebuild my old sets. Since then I have been making lots of little things or dioramas.

[Dark Brick]

All right another great topic to sink my teeth into.

As far as the dark ages are concerned I think it depends on the person. Most of us that were born in the late 70' or early 80's have had at least one Dark Age for one reason or another. Personally I believe that mine began in Junior High (7th-8th grade), up until about a year or two ago (27 now).

Interests changed during those years. Video games and school were priority. In 1994 I was in High School and started playing Magic: The Gathering, this is where most of my money went to for the next decade or so, along with the occasional video game. Had a girlfriend that took up most of my time for about 4 years (Senior year of High School till about Junior year of College). I also became a video game collector during my college years (GF disapproved of video games and eventually Magic). Then it comes to now.

I recently decided to start selling off my Magic collection due to lack of people (mainly friends) playing and the amount of money it costs to keep up with the hobby. I know LEGO is relatively expensive too, but I do not have to compete with others for any of the sets or have to win them at a LEGO tournament. ;-)

I guess being out of school and having a surplus of money helps, but even I sometimes do not have time to go to the LEGO store to get what I want (current budget is around $500US a month). Work takes priority sadly and video games have even become an almost everyday thing for me lately, playing online with friends is great fun.

Otherwise I came back to LEGO by accident and went all the way by making an Ebay purchase of this set about 2 years ago and it has been more or less nonstop ever since with the most recent purchase of 3 of these at a local TRU.

DB

[SirNadroj]

Hmmm... I never had a dark age, thankfully. I have been building as long as I can remember. Sometimes people think it is an immature hobby when I tell them legos are my life (basically) but it sure beats the heck out of playing those senseless, mind-numbing, horrible video games that are instilling a sense of violence in today's youth. (unless its a lego video game, of course ; ))

Edited July 16, 2007 by SirNadroj

[Widdi]

I didn't have any dark ages. I only had one almost complete collection break in 2003 only, but since 2004, I'm still going strong, although brickshelf is dead for now (or ever?) and this won't stop me. The only bad thing, that my brick collection isn't that great, lacking greys etc. But I'm a CAD-Moccer, where I have some my best works until today (reuploading-process getting ON tomorrow).

mFg Widdi

[alex54]

Not dark edge for me!

I remembered some years with a low interest in LEGO, it was during LEGO

[Doctor Sinister]

My descent into my Dark Ages began when I was about 13 or 14, this would have been around 1984-1985. I had a LEGO Moonbase - it was huge, loads of Classic Space sets. It all got destroyed in a story I really don't want to relate. :-( I never bought any new LEGO after that for years. All I had left was three storage tubs of basic LEGO - I made spaceships out of it, created stories, a whole universe around these ships, in my head and in writing, made technical manuals of the ships. After about 4-5 years, that tailed off and Real Life intervened, lots of disruption, my empire destroyed.

My Dark Ages ended with the first Star Wars sets - I went mad, snapping up the entire wave of initial releases, then I was hooked, I had to build, build build, so I collected nearly an entire set of Wild West sets, a bunch of Town stuff - Tabletown was born in its very small first incarnation.

And now...look at me! I'm 36, still going strong...

Dr. S.

[Ickelpete]

I think my dark ages started when I was 15-16 when I was doing exams and going to college.

While I was at university I concentrated on my other hobby building scale military models.

Even though I was not buying Lego I did ocasionally look at the latest sets in the toy shops.

Then I got married bought a house had kids and was completly broke for a long time.

My dark ages came to an end when my wife bought me a RC Racer for my birthday one year and we bought some Lego for the Kids.

I was 35 when they ended so to all you young members out they dont worry about dark ages Lego will be with you for as long as they sell it :-D