Hobbes

I think it's good it's over. Season 9 was pretty bad, Season 10 got better, but it was obvious that crew and writers were kinda "finished". It ended quite ok and that's how it's supposed to be remembered :-)

I already asked that before in this thread, I'm asking it again: Can anybody confirm that TLG is in the black, or are they "just" posting annual profits? I ask this because those are two totally different things. Public financial reports are usually annual reports. They show the result of one financial year - not the overall financial situation! If you're $1000 in the red and make an annual profit of $500 the next year, you're still missing $500. Know what I mean? I can't really translate all those links and sources on the net in a language I understand. All I do know is that those reports are usually annual reports. So, it'd be nice if someone could clarify that or post an understandable link ;-) Until that I "only" believe that TLC makes annual profits...

I noticed that last week. I could spend a fortune - can't afford it right now, though... :'-(

I saw every episode, I have every episode *sweet* Don't ask me any trivia, though, I'm not that hard core...

Isn't that a bit harsh? ;-) Yeah, but TONS of it, big, huge, almost majestic! Nothing better than a looooooong intermodal train with lots of locomotives in front of it, GPs preferrably :'-) It's probably because Americans see "their" trains everyday and Europeans "theirs" and the human being tends to be more interested in "new" stuff than everyday stuff...

I've noticed that, too... I got the telehandler about two weeks ago. Nice set, again I was impressed by how they managed certain functions. Especially the steering was new to me. And it's a set were the alternative model also looks good... IMHO...

Nice :-) Then I saw "Man" and "Space", although not everything from "Space". "Life", I think, was never aired here...

I agree. But the wrong perception of constructive criticism often has to do with how that comment was made. More than often I read comments like "You should have used blahblah". No "greeting", no comment about the MOC itself, no nothing. And that, without seeing the writer and his "body talk", can easily lead to a wrong perception. I think a comment like "Nice model/MOC. It could use..." or "Nicely done. I would have used..." would be much more appreciated than a blunt unpersonal comment. That's the disadvantage of the "written word"...

Ah, I know "Space" but somehow haven't seen "History". Can't remember it airing here... Pfff... tell me about it...

Save 9V Trains! A LEGO Ambassadors' website... now I know what them ambassadors do ;-)

Anybody remembers/knows this series? (Thumb clickable) It's an animated series that tells the story of the evolution of humans, from ancient neanderthals up to today (well, the 1970s). I found it very entertaining back when it aired. It featured the same main characters (pictured) throughout the entire series and just puts them in different eras (26 episodes covering an era each). The bearded guy was the narrator. Wouldn't that be a nice theme? Every year a different era, and those eras which you could get more out of stay for two years. The figures don't have to be the same, though (although that bearded guy sure would break records on ebay and BL as a MF). That'd be a theme that'd stick around for a good 20+ years - and I'd buy every set of it ;-)

The only question will be if those chrome parts are really chrome (which is not being produced anymore) or that "dull silver"-ish color which comes off pretty easily. Other than that a definite buy.

4896 pics Nice! *sweet* PS: As far as I understand the pics are exclusive to 1000steine, hence the link only.

What was the item number?

We've had this discussion(s) already...

That's because LUGNET actually is a usenet platform. What you see is not a message board but rather a webinterface for newsgroups. With a news reader it's a bit easier to read (Outlook Express suffices, although many don't see it as a real news reader)...

You don't read LUGNET, do you? I agree. A bit OT: Reading the online community (not just LUGNET) now for almost 2 years I've noticed that there actually are two sort of AFOLs: those who enjoy LEGO as an adult, period, and those who you could call "model designers". I have a "problem" with the latter, though, especially some American LUGNET members: the better they get the more "intense" they get and the more serious they take their hobby. Too serious. I see discussions that, IMHO, have nothing to do with "LEGO as a hobby" anymore. It's all about professionalism - which in their opinion isn't without SNOT. I'm not saying that their work isn't interesting, on the contrary, they build some fantastic models. And I understand that if your skills evolve you just want to build better models. But somehow their "personality" changes with it... I dunno. That's the impression I got... Then there's places like EB where there are ppl who "just" enjoy LEGO - in any way... Back on topic: I voted for #2. Edit: Talking 'bout SNOT, how about that: http://news.lugnet.com/build/schleim/?n=299. Sure looks interesting...

I think that's another example/proof of how small the AFOL market actually is :-/ There are many fans of Adventurers here and they all have bought numerous sets over time, yet the theme didn't/doesn't sell well...

Added two more 10170 to my rolling stock yesterday. I just love this set for it's simplicity and yet good looks *wub*

Problem is, track is pretty expensive here (€17.49 compared to US$12.99). I kinda rely on ebay already where I got all my current track a lot cheaper than in stores. And buying 100 straight track packs still is an expense of €1749.00 (or US$1299.00 if I happen to be in the States again with a huge empty suitcase)... Edit: I just saw that curved track are sold out at S@H Austria. Now, I don't need that many but how am I supposed to show "support" when it's already gone? It's not even fall yet...

Careful: They made profits in 2005, that doesn't mean they were black, though. Public financial reports reflect one (financial) year, rarely the entire financial situation. So, if TLC says the made profits again, they mean they had more "income" in one year than expenses. I doubt they have fully recovered from their losses they had cumulated over the past. Doesn't mean it won't happen, though...

Someone on 1000steine said, "Why worry? I always built 12V. That system's been gone for 15 years and it's still available." Well, there's some truth in that: ebay.de is full of 12V stuff. I think 9V will disappear as an "official line", but secondary channels won't seize that soon. However, it might be a good idea to start stocking a bit, especially track, motors and base plates, so that if there are nice new play train models one can convert them into real trains...

Exactly! The problem many AFOLs have is that TLC just won't admit that. They don't dare say "Alright, we made a decision. If we keep a train line it has to be more accessible to our customers. And unfortunately we have to cancel 9V." That would make a HUGE stir in the AFOL community - but it would be honest (what TLC said they wanted to be with the community). And AFOLs would know where they stand and what to do and where to look for their train stuff. Right now it's been vague, vague, vague, contradictions, lame excuses, vague, vague. And that pisses ppl off... PS: As far as I remember reading somewhere the AFOL market is way below 10 %...

Yep: 7740 for $1350... at least it's MI(S)B... Both sellers from Germany.... hmmmmmmmm...... >:-)