Andy D

When do you use Technic panels? 1. Only for models that have a "real life" counterpart (planes, trains, automobiles, trucks, tanks, etc)? 2. Anytime, maybe to conceal construction details. Or maybe you purposely leave panels off to show the construction details. Note to Mods: This may belong in the Technic general discussion, if so,feel free to move. Andy D

Your flying saucer is the best! The second scene is super creepy! But that flying saucer.... Wow! I must try to recreate it! Andy D

I need to get two copies! One to leave as a closed TARDIS and one showing the TARDIS opening into the control room as the front of the box shows! Andy D

I think we need to remember that we have people (moderators too) from all over the world. What may be rude in one country is "just the way it's done" in another country (not rude). I believe we need to be more tolerant of each other (remembering country differences). Some people are just "matter of fact" while others are more sensitive. Some folks in a rush to get said what they want to say may not think before they press the "post" button. Many times, things in print sound much more harsh than they do in person... This is because you cannot tell a person's real feelings in print the way you can when you hear a voice or see an expression. Also how harsh things may sound can depend on our own state of mind when we read things... If I've had a bad day, things may sound more harsh, if i've had a good day, things may not sound so harsh. All that said, I know that sometimes in a rush, I may not consider all these things, I try, but I sometimes fail. If we all try to be nice to one another, we all have more fun! Andy D

This is a very ambitious undertaking! So far it looks great, I am looking forward to more. Andy D

Yep!

Yes! Yes! Yes! Your Winter Killer is great! It should be the B model. The only thing (not your fault) is that LEGO did not give you enough bright green panels. If where you used black panels could have been green... It is also amazing that you made a front engine model out of a rear engine model! Overall, there is a lot to love (and I don't say that very often about things). Andy D

I am going to have to abandon all my previous year's "plans" and just get organized! And maybe watch my spending, (a little) and I'm not sure I can build all the sets I want to in my lifetime. I can' t imagine living 3 hours from a LEGO store. I live 20 minutes from my local store, 1 hour from the Downtown Disney (Anaheim) LEGO store and 1.5 hours from LEGOland CA. I am surrounded by LEGO, and it can sometimes be very costly, so maybe living 3 hours away wouldn't be so bad after all. ;);) Andy D

If you paid for it... It is not really "free of charge". It is just LEGO correcting their error.

Never happened to me from LEGO, however I did have a lamp arrive with a severely damaged shade. Photos are your friend. Repack the box with the sets you received and bubble pack to show that all sets would not fit and take photos. Also take photos of the contents being removed, like an unboxing. This will help in case there are questions. IHTH Andy D

My problem is the local LEGO store, I go in there and come out with things I had not planned on, but that's OK, I guess. Anyway, I decided to go to my local LEGO store yesterday for 2 sets I wanted, the Scooby Doo Mansion for next Halloween and the Technic Artic Truck. I picked those up,got to talking with one of the sales people, we were talking about how the Scooby Doo Manson would be great for Halloween,and he said he missed the seasonal set "Trick or Treat" but he wasn't going yo miss the Christmas small seasonal sets... I said huh? He produced 2 sets that just came in Tuesday, so I added them to my pile and $210 later I left the store. Oh, yeah, I got another Christmas Train! Decided to save my points to pay for "Doctor Who" when it gets here in Dec. So much for spending less... The only way I can spend less is to stay out of LEGO stores. ;);) Andy D

Yeah, I thought about this... But I am trying to cut back on spending on LEGO. The question I have now is... do I spend $175 cash now (and get 10% cash value points on $175) or spend $50 cash to get the same product (and 10% cash value points on $50). Decisions, decisions... Andy D

Terrific! Somehow my first thought was that it is kind of Picasso-ish. I mean that in a good way. Andy D

It looks interesting for something I am doing right now, but... How well do the 2 bevel gears mesh? A problem I am having is incomplete meshing of bevel gears. Thanks, Andy D

Thanks... dr_spock to the rescue (again) Well, it was a nice try. LEGO is currently experiencing difficulties processing orders using VIP points as payment... I'll try again later.

I have a question: I have $100 in VIP points. The current give away requires an order of $100. If I place an order for $175 and use my $100 in VIP points and $75 cash does this qualify for the freebie, or do I have to spend $100 cash and use $75 in VIP points to qualify? The free shipping also may be affected here, you need to spend at least $75 to qualify for free shipping. Does LEGO distinguish between points and cash? Thanks, Andy D

Actually there are fewer Halloween decorations this year, but I imagine it could be due to finishing several permenant projects. It's not Just Carlsbad that I avoid in the summer, it is all SoCal parks (during the day). I don't go to the SD Zoo or Safari Park (member of 25 years) during the day in the Sumer. I frequent Disneyland resort, but only early AM or evening time. So yes, we SoCal's are spoiled. Enjoy Brick or Treat! Andy D I am glad you enjoyed the pictures, I hope you can make it to LEGOland someday, it is a wonderful outing. Andy ad

My wife and I went to LEGOland CA yesterday (the day after BTTF day) to see what they did for Halloween. We usually go at least four times per year, October to see what they did for Halloween, December to see what they did for Christmas and a couple of times in the Winter and Spring (avoiding the hottest of Summer) I took a few photos and videos (with my GoPro, which I will publish after editing). Anyway, here are the photos and some things we liked. First we went to Miniland (a favorite of ours). First we noticed that they removed the farm area and replaced it with a campground and a “Build a Boat” area. In the campground they had a couple of Halloween themed scenes, the first I noticed was a troupe of Boy Scouts whose campground is being attacked by a giant spider. Boy Scouts by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr The next, not Halloween themed but just a nice family outing with an RV and a Turkey on the grill. It seems to me that folks who “camp” with an RV take a lot more of home with them, such as the baby stroller (in the rough), the grill, and the golf cart for getting around... Wow, that’s really roughing it! RV Camping by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Next to the RV area is a group of Porta Potties (outhouses) which a mischievous bear is trying to overturn and a guy inside screaming “OCCUPIED” as if the bear understands. Porta Potty by MyPlasticBricks, on Flick Towards the end of the campground is an area for rock climbing. It seems that this guy has found some friendly mountain goats to help him out. Rock Climbing by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Across the river as part of the view for the Coast Cruise ride is a scientist trying to bring his creation to life using jumper cables, maybe to be attached to the solar light fixture on the ground. Frankenstein by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Something I think was a good use of some of the MiniLand space is the “Build a Boat” and boat race area. There they loan kids a boat hull and LEGO pieces to build a boat then have it race down the flue. Build a Boat by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Something I always look for in the Halloween decorations is the Alien ship crash landed just outside Las Vegas. I don’t remember 2 shops last year (maybe there was) but they have 2 flying saucers, one crashed, one just landed, supposedly to help their crashed friends. Alien Invasion by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Over at the New Orleans area, they have a “Jazz Funeral”. This year there is a zombie procession. Not sure why a zombie procession at a cemetery. Why would the “undead” be in a funeral procession? I included a couple of photos just in case someone want to see how to build a MiniLand Zombie. Zombies Jazz Funeral by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Zombies More Zombies by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Time for lunch! We decided to try the “Knights Smokehouse”. It was great! The food compares favorably with the smokehouse down town here (Lucilles BBQ), and the brisket was more tender and flavorful. The restaurant appear to be guarded by a friendly dragon. One thing I found odd... A smokehouse in the Castle area for Knights playing Country and Western music (I notice the oddest things, my wife hadn’t noticed the disconnect). Just little off theme for a Knights dining area, but the music was at a good volume and there was a good choice for songs. Knights Smokehouse by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Then back to Miniland to finish Washington DC and VA area. In Georgetown there were kids (Miniland figures) Trick-or-Treating.I always enjoy seeing the Trick-or-Treat area in Georgetown. Bonus points if you can identify the big green Trick-or-Treater. I think the guy (prisoner) with his leg stretched from the Ball-and Chain is quite humorous. Trick-or-Treating in Georgetown by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Then there is the party next to the Georgetown locks. Party by Georgetown Locks by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Something I always look for is the witch on the Washington Mounment. It appears that she is walking along a ledge, but I think she went **Splat** and is trying to recover. Witch on Washington Monument close-up by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Overview of Washington Monument Witch on Washington Monument by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Next it was time to go to “Fun Town” to see what was in the PaB area. They did some nice theming here. Two that I noticed was the big spider above the Laundrette (next to the Clubhouse (where the PaB area is) and a church a little ways down. The PaB area was nice (for me) today, they had green plant stems, white door and window frames, and some white 2x3 slopes, perfect for my Christmas layout, and a few other pieces I could not live without. I got out of there only spending $45. Spider above the Laundrette by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr And the Church in Fun town Spider on the Church by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr It was now about 1:30 PM, time for us to leave to “try” to avoid the traffic for our 2 hour drive home. On our way out I noticed a great spider web with a spider hanging down. Upside-Down spider by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr I know I missed some things here, I didn’t see it all, I just did not have the time. We had a great day! But our normally less than 2 hour trip home wound up being close to 3.5 hours... Wow the traffic! But it was our only chance to get to LEGOland for Halloween this year. I hope you enjoyed the photos. Andy D

If you set up a seminar at my local LEGO store, I will be there! ;);) Andy D

This sounds great! I can't tell you how many times I've looked at a PaB wall to not find any elements I need for current MOCs. I hope thi is successful an expands to all LEGO stores. Maybe a few technic elements would be nice as well, maybe gears and differentials and other items found in small quantities in sets. Andy D

Wow! Sounds like a fun day, like something I would find fun. Since I retired 2 years ago (also a prof.) the one thing I miss is the opportunity to teach those who want to be taught. Andy D

Something like that, as a one-time deal, but it kind of got buried. Andy D

Last year someone started putting "Old Timer's" badges on those of us who identified as "over 50". Thanks very much for that, it is nice to be recognized. Every now and then I run across a Eurobricks member who is in that category. Since I think it is nice to be recognized, I would like to know who and how to contact to get the person badged up. The ladies have a group, where they post and get badged, is it possible for the "Old Timer's" to also have a group/thread to announce themselves or where I can go to "rat them out" to be badged. By the way ---ToukoJapani -- just came out and admitted to being in the over 50 club. Can somebody badge him up? Thanks, the original Old Timer -- Older than Dirt Andy D

Welcome Old Timer! Somebody get this guy an "Old Timer's" badge (Please and thank you) Andy D