WesternOutlaw

I'm afraid it will be just like the school yard, no one will pick me.

You know, I was just thinking that we should have had teams. I think it would have made this even more fun - maybe next year.

This should be a hoot! I can't wait to see your Whaker-Mobile. Get that sissy box opened and let's put it together. Edit: it's probably just lotion for your bottom after you hit some rocks and bushes on the way down the hill.

I don't know... That looks more like a heavy duty, high-powered Whacker kit to me (aka "the Hinck-O-Matic).

That's great to hear! I'm glad the contest sparked your interest. As moderators, we don't always get a chance to participate in these contests, and I think this one is a fun one. I'm also really looking forward to seeing the other entries. On the slopes man! Let's see what you got. Oh, I almost forgot: It probably won't make it down the hill! (They call it the "SNOW MELTER")

Nice job WhiteFang. Your Snow Box definately looks menacing. I'd hate to get in front of it on the slope! EDIT: Oh, I just noticed you're part of the Dragonator Clan - I'm taking you down to! Or should I say: Hlg xub olrto alst!

Well, it really was intended for the Fellows and Staff, but as an Academy Teacher, I think it will be OK. I look forward to your entry.

Still no entries. I can't wait to see some of them.

Snow Box Derby Entries Rules & Discussion May be Found Here. Live Coverage

This contest is just for "Fellows" and Staff, Strider, but you can certainly cheer for your favorite snow box designer. I thought it might be fun to share pictures of the more "memorable" Snow Box Derbies from past years: NOTE: Pictures are NOT of actual EB members. EDIT: that picture of Sinner and his snow box may have been WhiteFang's entry. I can't seem to remember much after all the fun we had!

This is really a great skin. I think you outdid yourself on this one Hinck. I love the combination of the blues and the green bar. The two colors really go well together. The little Christmasy text was a nice surprise as well. I feel like I'm in a Dickens Novel! But how's your sled building ability? I'm gonna take you down!

Snow Box Derby Building Challenge for Fellows & Staff Gather around the fire and have some hot chocolate. This winter is going to be a "doozie". There's something extra fun this snowy white winter in which the fellows, the moderators, and administrators will be challenging one another in a special Winter Event. It's the First Annual Snow Box Derby - Eurobricks Style! Participants will be building signature "snow boxes" in this highly competitive winter building challenge. What are the RULES, you ask? Well, there aren't any. Participants must simply create Lego snow box sleds that will fit at least one minifig (preferably their signature/avatar fig). Any theme is allowed, but only official Lego pieces may be used. No prizes or special gifts will be provided to the winner. Other EB members get to root and cheer for their favorite "snow box"! The race starts today and ends Christmas Eve. Who will be the fastest and most creative builder down the EB snow hill? NOTE: Brick-built snow hills are allowed, but not required. POST YOUR SNOW BOX ENTRIES HERE.

Indeed! But then again, would the 2nd cryptogram have been this easy? It may be a "Red Herring".

Wow! These are excellent. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to check out his other WWII creations.

I look away as I hear the sound of Beethoven's 5th in my head... EDIT (to prevent a double post) Does anyone know if there's a computer in the house?

I thought it would be interesting to discuss 10 Lego winter-related sets. All of these sets contain many useful winter, snow, and holiday pieces. Some of the themes include Harry Potter, Orient Expedition, Arctic, and even Star Wars. Without creating a poll, share your thoughts of these wintery sets. Perhaps you may even have a favorite not on the list.

I'd like to by a vowel.

I'd like to move the chair and the rug. Is there anything under the rug, like a trap-door perhaps? Also, I'd like to check the underside of each chair in the room, very closely. There's definately a lot to investigate in this room, so I suggest we do not leave until we "unturn all stones".

Rescue Chopper Set #: 7044 Theme: World City - Police & Rescue Year Released: 2004 Piece Count: 201 Minifigs: 2 List Price: $20 (USD) One of my personal favorites sets of the World City theme was this wonderful Rescue Chopper. In fact, I have to say that it's also my favorite Lego helicopter set. It's design is very nice complimented by two figs and a small gurney for some great sea lifting fun. Starting with the box, the World City boxart is nice with the water and the background city: No alternate models on the back, but some nice action rescue scenes: The set includes a small/medium sized sticker sheet, but I think the copter looks fine without them: I like the orange jump-suits of the figs, some very nice torso designs; and the faces: The set also includes a rescue gurney that can be attached to a small hook. With the hook hanging from the wench, the gurney can slide toward or away from the copter: I love the helicopter: The cockpit fits two figs and has a nice moveable dashboard with controls: Probably mu only complaint with the helicopter's design is the use of these two engine turbines that covers the windshield. It makes the windshield a little difficult to take off: Like with other Lego rescue choppers, the middle section is left open for the placement of a gurney: I like the design of the amphibious landing gear. It looks like it can land on water, but also has wheels underneath (pictured later). Also interesting is a slanted/hinged arm that reinforces the landing gear. This makes the helicopter very sturdy: The pulley/wench mechanism works well and the arm can be moved in or out for added play: The back section has a nice blend of yellow and black: A moveable back section opens to allow placement of gear or the gurney: Here's ashot of the tail section: And the end of the tail with rotar/blad and red light: Turning the chopper over, you can see the set of three wheels. I like having helicopters with wheels: Here's the top section with blade: The blades are nice and long adding realism to the design: Here's an action shot with the gurney sliding down the rescue rope: And lastly, the complete set: Final Thoughts As I mentioned above, this is my favorite Lego helicopter. I love the design, the choice of colors, and the two orange minifigs. Cons include the windshield piece that is difficult to remove for play, and perhaps the lack of additional accessories. A third minifig to rescue would have also added to the overall quality of the set. All things considered, this is a great set, and it sold for $20 (USD). I purchased this set on sale for $16.98 (USD) not long after its release in 2004.

That is a neat story Alice. Thanks for sharing. Toys were really heavy back then, when they still used metal. I remember playing with my friends' Tonka toys that were heavy as well. I shared one of my favorite gifts on EB last year or the year before, but here's one of my more memorable Christmases. I was around 10 years old. My mom or dad had asked me to take a walk around the block on a Christmas Eve. It was very cold, but for whatever reason, I agreed (you do these things as a kid). When we got home, my family had told me that Santa had come. Set up by the Christmas tree was a toy that was not on my list; but when I look back, one of my all time favorites: I no longer have it and tried to buy it on Ebay a number of years ago. It was well over $200 (USD) before I gave up on the auction. I played with it for weeks creating many imaginative scenerios surrounding the "Curse of the Mummy".

In the spirit of the holiday season, I thought it would be fun to share memorable Christmas stories. While Christmas isn't just about gifts, so much of what children remember are those "special gifts" they received on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. What holiday gift(s) did you receive as a child that really bring back great memories? Who gave you the gift and what was special about it? Was it Lego, or was it something else you "always wanted"? Share you memorabe gifts.

This a clever creation! It has the look of an old Wild West hotel, but still the metropolitan-style of a four star hotel. I really like the cover over the red carpet giving the appearance of a "ritzy" place. My only suggestion would be perhaps to use some tiles on the HOTEL sign to smooth things off. I really like the cherckered bedspreads. They look really good. Overall, very nice KD!

I've been meaning to comment on this creation for some time now, but never got around to it. Sorry KD. You have really improved on your ability to design these LDDs KD. Compared to some of your earlier Wild West creations, these look even better! I like this one in that the snack bar reminds me of something out of a very early (70s/80s) classic town design. The little extra details like the soda machine and exterior hooks to hang the broom and light look great. I also like the black and white gate/wall combination. Nice use of the black antenna pieces. The addition of the tables and lamp post top off your nice creation. Having seen a number of your LDD creations, I'd like to see some of these brick-built.

Thanks for sharing a review Sne. It looks like this has some great new construction-type pieces. They'll work great for building other construction vehicles. Blogged!

No it does not.