Hey Joe

Yeah it's the perceived simplicity and cleanliness that makes it a winner in my mind. If you had put one more thing inside of it, it probably would have totally ruined it! Awesome stuff, hope I can do something as well someday.

I was having similar problems trying to change my avatar. Kinda gave up on it.

Great stuff. I was thinking a better name might be Stabbinton, what do you think?

What was the name of that evil next door neighbor kid from Toy Story? Who knows what he would do with it, blow it up I guess?

It's possible that they've never really thought that it was necessary? If enough people request it I'm sure they'd do it, wouldn't they? There's a 'wish-list' floating around the site somewhere, perhaps add it?

Really awesome layout. I'd like to see a photo or two of that train station and turntable. Youtube doesn't work here in China unfortunately. I've been laying in some Enlighten train cars and tracks while here in the Middle Kingdom and am hoping to get a big layout set up when (if?) we get back to the States, after getting some quality Lego motive power, of course. Hope it looks half-as-good as yours. Being a Lego newbie (with a strong HO background) it's all a little daunting of course so posts such as yours really help a lot, thanks! Joe

Let's hope it finds a good home. One where the owner takes it apart from time-to-time to clean it and doesn't let his dog chew on it. I'd try to bid on it but have got too much on my plate presently, plus the wife would totally freak.

Thanks for the hospitality, appreciate it! Joe

Could be possible? The CMFs are partially meant to tie into themes, correct? Chinese girl w-snake = Legends of Chima Mr. Freeze = rumored arctic theme Race car driver = Speedorz The others don't sound so offbeat compared to what's been made so far, i.e.; babysitter w-baby is similar to a sleepyhead? I vote yes, solid, done deal. What's up for Series 10?

Hi, I've never introduced myself on a website before (maybe I don't get around so much?) but we're requested to do so and I noticed others doing it so here goes. My name's Joe and I'm from the States originally but I've been living in Beijing, China for awhile. We'll be moving back Stateside pretty soon though. I recently got interested in Lego because I was shopping for some Duplo for our son. The models they're coming out with these days are really top-notch IMO. THE model that brought me out of a long dark age was Angler Attack from Atlantis. What a quirky and imaginative model and minifigs! The themes that interest me, in no particular order, are; - Modular buildings - Winter village - Trains - CMFs - City - minifig-scale Creator sets (houses) - Atlantis Perhaps I could take this opportunity to state that none of the licensed sets attract me very much. For example, I'm a little bummed that LotR has displaced Kingdoms. I'd like to have a nice castle but I don't want Helms Deep. Don't get me wrong, I love the movies but I don't need them in Lego. My primary interests in the past were HO trains and comic books. I guess my wallet was pretty occupied with those so I never paid too much attention to Legos out of economic necessity. It really seems like a perfect hobby to have now that we've got a child. Hopefully it's something that we can enjoy as a family for a good, long time. I think the wife likes them too!

Beautiful collection and nice site. One thing though, I've read of people having trouble with the fine folks in Billund if the web site's URL contains the word LEGO. Perhaps research it before you get too attached to the URL? Don't shoot the messenger. Joe

Angler Attack 7978 from Atlantis would have to be my favorite set. It's so quirky and the barracuda minifig is so bizarre. It recently brought me out of the dark ages so I don't have a lot of the other famous, iconic sets that have been mentioned but in any case I might still choose this set. Any set that opens one's eyes to the magic of Lego is worth mentioning, even if it's just an impulse or polybag set, right?

Many thanks for the excellent review, I'd been searching for one for quite awhile. It really looks like a great set and I'm hoping to get it the next time S@H has Double VIP points with free shipping. It will be my first Castle set (LotR doesn't do much for me although I love the movies) and I think it will look great alongside MMV.

Maybe they'll bring back Cafe Corner, Green Grocer, CMF Series 1 and the Carousel too? I wish!

Years ago I almost sold my underground comix collection but by the time I found the right buyer (a month or so), my monetary problem had been alleviated. Hope that helps. Have fun! Oh, I still have the comix.

That's gotta hurt, parting with something like that... Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what the retail price of those sets would have been?

Maybe you can't answer this question but; are those extra pieces (drum kit, speakers, etc.) included? There's no set number on the packages?

Stupid question time (as I'm living in China where YouTube is blocked and have a hard time opening the unwieldly backdoor to access it); What exactly is the name of the channel (so I can search for it)? A link would be highly useful. For the record; I wish Lego would use their own sites but I guess getting Google to pay for your bandwidth is a shrewd decision. Thanks in advance.

Dying Lego? Is that legal? The horror...

Great review of an interesting set. I always enjoy your professional reviews and appreciate them, thanks! The roofless structures and vehicle look a little odd to me, is that typical of the Friends series? It is easy to see why they do it but I hope that doesn't crossover into other themes. Imagine a Winter Village Cottage with a foot of snow on the bedroom floor, ha ha. I'm not a Friends fan personally but if I had a daughter would definitely get it for her.

10182 Cafe Corner for me as well. Is the set part of the prize as well? Ha ha, just kidding, getting the book would be enough, thanks.

When is the next Double VIP points with free shipping? Anyone know? Thanks in advance, Joe

There's a new Lego shop in Beijing at a mall not too far from my home. Actually, it's connected to a KidsLand (which is a TRU Joint Venture I think) so, strictly speaking, it may not be a true Lego shop. A new TRU store is opening at another mall near my home here. This is new I think, a true TRU store in China (in Beijing it's new anyway, maybe not in Shanghai?). Previously they worked with KidsLand I believe. Sorry, I'm not so much up on the business-side of it (I'm a lot more interested in the bricks!) but it's very exciting to have these new outlets, even though the price is double US prices and I refuse to buy anything in the shops. It's fun to browse and my son and I can play in the piles of Duplo! So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that Lego and stores that sell Lego are expanding here in China.

Hi, perhaps you should read my post a little more carefully? The reviewer asks in the review what the letters on the license plate stand for and I was answering their question. I just said nice review to be polite.