Corvus

V-W-1A I was inspired to make this after reading Cap'n Green Hair's quote from the "What's in a name ???" thread in the Community forum: This reminded me of a time that my dad and I went sailing in our Thistle, a type of small sailboat, about a sixteen, seventeen footer. I haven't been sailing in at least nine years, and I've forgotten about it. We used to sail in a small catamaran, a Hobie Cat catamaran, in Puget Sound in Washington, where we used to live right on the shore... Anyway, we live in Bend, Oregon, which is nowhere near open water. We've since sold the Hobie Cat, but we do own a Thistle. So, we hauled it out to one of the larger lakes, and gave it a go. Most sailboat-savy people know that a Thistle is a great racing boat, and gets going pretty fast, for a sailboat. Also, it can give novices quite a scare, if they've never capsized before... So, here we are in our Thistle, which is eloqently named "mx" X-D . It's named after a type of ballistic missile, which went by the name of "MX missile". So, "MX missile", "mx Thistle". Ha ha. Anyway, when pointing or reaching, which is at a ten or ninety degree angle to the wind, a boat will heel, or lean as the wind is pushing on it. A sailboat capsizes when it doesn't do this right... And, when you heel, a novice will get a bit unnerved because the flank boat is at a steep angle to the water. In most sailboats, the sailors will need to lean back to keep as much weight as possible on the side that's heeling up. More pics: My lights are out of service for the moment...Two weak bulbs and one strong one. :-X When I went into the garage to look at the real Thistle, I was dissapointed with my lego version. The real Thistle is wider, and has curves that I just couldn't do. It's my first attempt at a sailboat, though. The tiller (handle of the boat) on our thistle has a hinge attached at the end, and a peice of wood attached to that. This way, when the boat heels, and the sailor is leaning out, he can still hold on to the attachment while leaning. I'm pretty sure this is common to most small boats. This MOC is lacking in some detail. It needs a lot more lines, and more, but that would require cutting and tying very small peices of string, which I completly fail at. :-D Then, a sharp-eyed observer may notice that there are no sails. :-P I made some nice brick-built sails, but they weighed more that the boat( :-$ ), and obscured the view of the sailors. This MOC is meant to be viewed from one angle, because the backs of the torsos are reversed. :-$ The sailors. On the left, my dad, wearing jeans, a blue shirt, and a vest. I tried to imitate the smile he wears when sailing, but it's somewhere between joyous and manic insanity. :-P Then, there's me, wearing my trademark khaki pants. Note- I didn't actually scream. :-P My dad used to be something of a sailor- he's owned a total of six sailboats and raced five of them competitively. A comparison shot of an actual Thistle: Your rear tends to get a little wet when leaning. :-$ Will EDIT: Note to actual sailors: This is coming from a landlubber, so feel free to correct me on certain things. I asked my dad about some of it, but if I missed something, let me know. :-)

Mmm mmm mm! *sweet* We baked our first batch of Veta (vet-tha) bread today! It's a type of swedish sweet bread. Our family has roots in Sweden, and we celebrate that every Christmas. Will

Wahooo! *sing* This may be an expensive year, but it's going to be worth it! :'-) Will

Hmm, good point. If we don't get any imperials, I might have to defect. ;-) I don't think commanding a space force is for me, though, since the Dawn Rose isn't exactly what I'd call "highly manueverable", more like "three legged rhinoceros". :-D Do you see the "Post icons" above the "add reply" button? That's it. ;-) Will

You know, now that I think about it, I don't know... :-$ I think I'll be.... A rebel! X-O Trying something new this time. Though, I'll still be a Mandalorian, with my co-pilot, Jaing, and my flying armory, the Dawn Rose.. Will

I'm in. ;-) Since no one other than the current members look here anyway, why not post it on the frontpage news? Will

Not a pleasant moment in history, to be sure. :-( This MOC is good. I like the part of the Crusader slopping his wine. X-O I'm not sure what they're setting fire to, though. You said it was a building, but I just can't figure out what part of the building. Will

Yup, without lego I'm definitely crazy. :-D Luckily there's an elevator to use for the trolley, I'd hate to shuttle books down the stairs. :-X Will

Sneaky. :-P Today, I helped Exobuilder with his avatar. Can you see the resemblance? X-D Though, tommorow holds promise- The last day 'til Christmas break. *sweet* First, I need to play my trumpet in the school assembly, we're playing "Waltz of the Flowers" and March of the Nutcracker" with the orchestra. Sounds really good, IMO. I would've liked to play "Trepek" in the assembly, but... Also, I get to look forward to carting mass amounts of textbooks from the second floor textbook room to the first floor library... Definitely my idea of fun. X-D Will

Please watch your language- It's not a nice thing to say, even though it is widely used in the U.S. |-/ They really hurried the release of these sets- not even in a proper catagory? For shame, TLC. Why put it out so early? It's on preorder. :'-( Will

You're good at this! They look great, and I think they really look lego-ized. :-) Do your friends like lego too? Better than me- I can't color to save my life. I dabble a bit in drawing, but I'm a novice, really. I draw on standard notebook paper during my free time in school, so my only tools are a pencil and eraser. Also, it takes me a bit to get used to drawing certain things- first, it was eagles, specifically the Harpy Eagle of South America. Then, it was sci-fi- Star Wars ARC troopers, or similar. Maybe I'll figure how to use my family's scanner... :-$ Will

Hee hee, excellent! Gullible me, expecting some snowman making or some other nonsense. Just love the ice- perfect. Picture angle-perfect. *y* Will

I like this ship. It's a bit blocky, but there's just something about it... *wub* Still, the Admins don't know that, and even if they did, they still wouldn't like it. :-/ Don't double post- try editing it into the earlier post. :-) I'd suggest Starfox partly because your name is Greyfox, partly because...You'll have to get back to me on that. X-D Will

What? A katana is always seasonal. You like it...or else. But, it's not hard to do- just zoom in, outline the decals and edges, and then color. That's about as technical as I'll ever be. X-D Will

:-D Easter Pirate... That's great. :-D Will

It's great! Nice solid build, and drop pods..I'll have to try that. Though, it looks more like a bomber from it's shape. Will

Okay, here he is, Xmas-ified: Will

Uh oh.. I've been found. X-D I use Paint.NET, it's free and doesn't kill your computer, as far as I know. It's a bit easier to use than Photoshop, which is good for computer skill-challenged people like me. X-D I go to- EFFECTS - ARTISTIC - INK SKETCH, and that's it. Really, really easy. And, apparently it looks cool. X-D Here it is, because I've just changed my Avvie: Will

Has there ever been an event without *yoda* ? It's like a lego stud without the LEGO printing on top. :-P Good to hear. :-) Will

I finally bought the Viking Double Catapult vs the Armored Ofnir Dragon. Took me forever to get it. -First, I order it off of S@H on sale for 19.99. -I check the order status two days later, and it reads "CANCELLED". -Call TLC, and an employee told me it was a mistake, they had plenty, and it would be shipped right away. -I check again, a day later, and it still reads "Cancelled". Now it's getting annoying. -I figure that since it's been reordered, maybe the status is messed up. So, I wait two weeks. Nothing comes. -I call again. Another employee says that it's sold out, and that I should check a Lego store. Yeah right. :-| -I don't bother to check a Lego store. No way it's there. -So, I check the TRU in Yakima, WA, on the way to our meet family for thanksgiving. -They have one. Just one, about twenty feet up, beneath about a dozen other boxes. I'm still suprised I spotted it. 8-

...and it's excellent! 8-

That's funny! (By that I mean good! ;-) ) I like how it has different parts of the ships sticking out of each other. *y* Will

Thanks! Heh, I never made a vig for it, I was too busy. I had an idea or two, but I never had time. :-$ In particular, the Chesterfield sofa in the third book. Will

A comment? Excellent. >:-) I know no one's going to read it, but meh, what the heck. I thought this was about the "five star rating" thing, which has no effect... Will

Hmm, a certain admin that shares the same birthday as me is starting to read the Guide. :-P Will