Hey Joe

Very cool, thanks for the news. Where will it be, the Galleria? Joe

Thanks for the review. Wish you had addressed the amount of snow on the roof which is something that bothers me about this otherwise beautiful set in a great series. Is it easier to remove some of the snow from this set or add snow onto the others (particularly the post office I think?) in the series? I'm guessing it's easier to add to the others.

A nice Oriental theme would be cool, some Chinese-style temples, forts and gates. Something along the lines of Ninjago but more reality-based.

Ok cool, I just wanted to make sure that I'm not turning myself into some sort of a pariah for supporting clone brands. They're so cheap here in China, especially if you can read Chinese and buy them online. I'd be foolish not to take advantage of it. There's an Enlighten pirate ship on its way to me now, I can't wait!

They've recently - within the last year or so - started putting a minifig into the Creator buildings, they are minifig scale. The other Creator offerings such as vehicles aren't minifig scale. I understand that the Creator line's mission is to make everything (including dogs) out of bricks but, like I said, they've started putting minifigs into the buildings. The lighthouse has one, does Apple Tree House, I forget?

Looks fit for a king (and queen). Very cool and impressive! Joe

I've been trying to figure out what exactly you mean by "good intentions" because if I'm going to take sides in an argument, I'd like to know what it is we're debating? What bad intentions are you thinking of? If it's not too much to ask and you've time, could you spell it out for me? Thanks a lot, Joe

Licensed stuff turns me off in general. I greatly prefer Lego's in house stuff. There's nothing specific that turns me off of LOTR and I totally understand those who are into it but it's just not for me.

Does that happen alot? Joe

I was never much into Lego as a kid, they were just simple blocks back then. I spent hours playing with them but I spent hours playing with lots of stuff, dirt and rocks for example. Recently, my son has served to interest me in them. It's a strength I think, not to feel so much nostalgia for Lego. My judgement isn't clouded.

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

Rick's suggestion is excellent, the reviews here are the best. Is there a Lego User Group near you? Might be worth looking into.

I have both of those Creator sets you mentioned, they're really great IMO, especially the lighthouse. My collection doesn't contain any City structures, yet. The Creator line does seem to be more model-ish, less play oriented than the CIty sets. I've not build a layout yet but in my mind the two could mix but they would have to be seperated a little? It wouldn't really look right IMO to have a badly planned street/layout that is a mish-mash of Modular Buildings, Creator, City and Friends as, like you said, they open differently. However, if you plan well I'm sure they could peacefully coexist.

There's some interesting reading in that Wikipedia article about the perceptions of pirates then and now. Check it out.

Normally I read the 'On This Day' section of Wikipedia, it's a good way to stay brushed up on history and whatnot. Anyway, like the title says, Blackbeard was killed in battle on this day (November 22nd) in 1718. I thought you scurvy sea dogs might be interested. This is the link to the Wikipedia article here. Blackbeard and JFK on the same day? Some connection perhaps? I wonder if Oliver Stone knows?

Awesome, many thanks!

There were some beautiful entries last year. Could someone post the link to it, I can't seem to find it. Thanks, Joe

Ok, great point. So, looking back at the posts I think maybe a consensus could be reached (if such a thing is possible with Lego fanatics)? How about this: Golden age; The 50's, the beginnings of popularizing and systematizing of the bricks. Silver age; Late 80's - early 90's, advent of Pirates, Space, etc. Bronze age; 2009-ish to now, how to categorize this age? What do YOU think?

Hey sorry, I've been hanging out on EB for awhile but just realized that I was supposed to introduce myself here. I thought 'registry' was someplace to brag about your collection or something! Anyway, my name's Joe and I've been living in Beijing, China for awhile but am originally from the Midwest in the US. We're hoping to go back home to the States fairly soon. I like it here a lot but have a young son now so need to go back for his education. I have a lot of trepidations about returning so hanging out here on EB allows me to relax a little and not worry about what sort of job I'll be able to find in the US (if I'm able to find one at all!). I've been here too long. I got into Lego just this past year because I was shopping for some Duplo for our son. I never got into Lego much when I was a boy as they were just simple blocks mainly. Primarily my interests were comic books and HO trains. So Lego trains are very interesting to me although I've not actually bought any yet as they are very expensive here. I have been stocking up on Enlighten cars here though and am hoping to get a nice Lego engine and get a layout up and running ASAP when we finally get Stateside. I'm hoping that Lego can be a great hobby that the whole family can enjoy and it's great to have a site like EB to get opinions, ideas and assistance from others. Thanks!

I didn't understand the jist of your postings at first but now do. Peterab's following post makes sense to me: Have fun, Joe

Looks great! Is it much of a mod (besides the cool wheels you've added, of course)? The cottage isn't a part of my collection yet so I'm not so familiar with the truck. I got the first three in the Winter Village series but the snow is a little heavy on the roof for my taste so I'm still on the fence about it. Nonetheless, I'd like to have the file, thanks.

Maybe listen to the wife on this one, build up some VIP points with her for the next time you screw up or want to go over budget (on Lego)?

Why not join the Reviewers Academy? There's some good stuff in there about how to take good photos with minimal equipment. I was allowed in (so just about anyone can get in!) a month or so ago, unfortunately I've not really had time to pursue it properly. Have fun, Joe

Does the Toy Story train have an undue amount of friction? I don't know. Maybe some of the wheels are gummed up, cat hair perhaps? Sorry I can't be of more help.

I'll 'walk the plank' and second Polish Guy. My son and I just like to build and play with models. Legos are nice but very expensive here, so we sometimes go the clone route. Some of the models are worthy of discussion IMO. That's my two cents anyway. Thanks for the outlet.