Lego and Liquor

[Soulgem]

Some of you may remember a picture I posted last year, comparing the size of a bottle of whisky and the 10213 booster. Well, today, when it was time to write the Wednesday installment of my blog, I continued that story. And those good memories associated with building the Lego Space Shuttle is the base of this blog entry. Instead of just linking you the blog, I'm posting the entire article. And I really appreciate comments and constructive critique right here on eurobricks. I expect some may find it slightly controversial, some may enjoy it, while others may just look at the pictures.

Some of you will find other stuff in my blog that is worth reading too, including frequent appearances by minifigures, in which case the address is http://toysandbacon.blogspot.com/

Now, onto the topic for today.

Single Malt Space Shuttle

I believe that the good things in life should be combined, no matter how unlikely the combination may seem. This is the story of when Lego Space Shuttle and the Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky merged, as well as some amateur-level philosophy.

I'll easily admit that one thing with Lego that always fascinated me was the fantasy element, and in particular the science fiction sub-lines. The space themes were incredible back in the day, and I will try to rebuild some of my old sets. At the same time, I also enjoyed the more "realistic" sub lines like trains and city.

So when I saw the Lego 10213 Space Shuttle - basically combining my favorite Lego themes - it was not only a toy that I wanted to build and play with. It was also reigniting my interest for Lego, an interest that had been dormant for 15 years.

It was like being reminded of something that you loved, but almost had forgotten. Like being reunited with an old friend. Like remembering a good feeling.

The Lego Space Shuttle was released in 2010 with the Lego number 10213. I bought it the same year while I tagged along with my extended family in Legoland. The same space shuttle was re-issued in 2011 as number 10231. This year, Lego also restarted their Lego City Space line, which included a smaller scaled space shuttle, among other cute creations.

I'm not someone to open my toys right away, specially the bigger and more elaborate toys. I usually feel there should be a reason - a moment. Like last summer, when I had some friends over at my summer house. But I'll also admit that opening the toys can create such a moment in itself.

Just like opening a bottle of good scotch whisky can be such a moment.

Now, imagine combining these moments, adding even more things that you consider good.

The thing is, since we are humans, we are bound to be sad and down. More than often it will feel like we are born, we live, and we die alone. And sadly, for some, it will actually be like this. Most of us - and in particular those visiting Eurobricks - can certainly have reasons to feel sad on occasion. But we are actually extremely fortunate, and we will hopefully also have more than enough reasons to feel good.

I usually tell my students that they have won the lottery.

Not once.

Not twice.

But three times lottery winners.

They won by simply being born, being able to experience, being alive, breathing, and hopefully have a health and working mind. You have no idea how lucky you are if just your mind is working. You can actually produce thoughts, ideas. And if your body is working, you can put those ideas into motion.

My students won the lottery again, by being born in the western world. I usually don't need to explain this further to my students, but some of you may not realize this: All you who can read this blog are extremely fortunate. You have roof over your head, clothes on your body, water to drink and food to eat. You have Internet access. You can speak your mind. If you love or hate my writing, you can comment. If you love or hate your government, you can say so. You can pursue your own goals and happiness, with the only obstacle being the amount of effort you're willing to put into it.

My students won for the third time. They won because they have someone that cares about them. I see you already doing the Batman quote: "My parents are deeeeaaaaad!" That's truly sad, but you realize there are still persons who care about your existence. And my students could have no relatives, no friends, and there would still be a persons who cared - starting with the person right in front of them.

Batman gets told in one of the new movies that his parents may be dead, but there's always someone that cares. Either his old friend from his childhood, his trusted butler, or the endless army of gimmicky villains that has nothing better to do than challenge the dark knight.

I'm getting a bit off topic here. My point is that we have good things in life, even though we may not always be aware of them. We may feel sad on occasion, but we are able to bring back good memories, or simply create new ones.

I'm fortunate enough to have toys, whisky, a summer house by the beach, and good friends. Combining these things seems natural, but it's also smart.

The good things in life can create a synergy effect. They reinforce each other, creating a massive ocean of good that sends rivers down to their respective groups. I'm not really a fan of whisky, but I can appreciate this bottle of Laphroaig. Mainly because it was opened in good company, doing an activity I really love.

When I today pour myself a glass of Laphroaig, I get instant flashbacks of last summer, but I also have to admit that it's a damn good drink. It has powerful smoky taste, but it's also surprisingly sweet, with a touch of salt. It smells a bit like the ocean. If that's because how it was made, the location where it was made, or the location where I first drank it, I'm not sure... A combination maybe?

Now, I already have a massive amount of good memories building Lego, but I'll admit that our Lego sessions at my summer house are exceedingly memorable (we built 5 big sets this summer).

Combine the good things in life, people.

Edited August 31, 2011 by Soulgem

[Modulex Guy]

Yes, two fine things indeed, LEGO and Liquor, good times... *cough* Brickworld afterparties *cough*

[lightningtiger]

Ah, two of my favorite things - scotch and Lego, oh they go so well together !

I might have a scotch today sometime while working on something.

Brick On Drink On (but don't drink and drive) !

[jamie75]

I am more of a beer guy, but, I do like drinking beer and building new sets!! My wife laughs at me, an adult drink and a kids toy??? Interesting combination, she says.

Jamie

[lightningtiger]

I am more of a beer guy, but, I do like drinking beer and building new sets!! My wife laughs at me, an adult drink and a kids toy??? Interesting combination, she says.

Jamie

Ah, but how many six packs does it take to build something.....correctly ?

[wtfbbq]

My wife and I love a glass of wine and couples building time. It's our escape frome being new parents.... no matter how rare the opportunity is.

[jamie75]

Ah, but how many six packs does it take to build something.....correctly ?

Now, that was funny! Honestly, I don't know. Nothing I have build while drinking has fallen apart, so, not sure, yet. YET!

[Eldervampire]

I myself, though it's been a while now, prefer to build with a smoke and a glass of spiced rum.

[obsidianheart]

I used to drink a glass of scotch while sorting every Friday and Saturday night for a long time. Then I got my collection of parts sorted, and now I just drink.

It's not the same, though.

[Soulgem]

I used to drink a glass of scotch while sorting every Friday and Saturday night for a long time. Then I got my collection of parts sorted, and now I just drink.

It's not the same, though.

aaw...

Get a new hobby to serve as your drinking buddy :D

[lightningtiger]

My wife and I love a glass of wine and couples building time. It's our escape frome being new parents.... no matter how rare the opportunity is.

Gee, I wonder if I can convince my wife to join me in building......yeah, right......oh, a glass of port would be nice right now !

Brick On Drink On !