spade450

Great work, as always! Love the color scheme. Lots of detail packed into a what, 10 stud wide building? Looks bigger than it is. Also like the hairy fig in the business suit -- Jerry Garcia sells out!

Very impressive in 4-wide. This and your recycling truck show what is possible in the smaller width. Nice!

Nice work. The scale of the embassy fits in well with the rest of your layout. I love the Marine uniforms -- so simple yet I instantly recognized them. Actually, with the Marines out front, I would have known that the building was one of our embassies without you telling us.

Our little town here in Southern Italy recycles everything! Curbside collection for cardboard and paper is on Thursday mornings. That's where I "store" my boxes.

One of my favorite moves! I would have recognized the scene even if you had not told us what it was. You captured it very well and the suspended bike is beautiful. The only change that I would make (and it's a small one) would be the hair color for "Steve" -- maybe more blondish if you have it.

" I'm still having my doubts about the stadium. I don't think the scale fits nicely." I agree that a football/soccer stadium might be too big but those stands that you designed are too cool not to build. They would look great filled with minifigs. How about a smaller stadium -- for a tennis court maybe or a small equestrian arena, both more "upscale" than the football/soccer pitch. You could also build an outdoor theater or concert arena that could easily be adjusted for size so as not to overwhelm your city the way a larger stadium might. Go for it!

You have a great town with a lot of interesting detail. I like your explanation for the different scenes that are connected to your life. It helps us make better sense of the town. I really like the little three wheel maintenance truck. They are all over my town of Monte di Procida here in Southern Italy. It is difficult to believe that such a small vehicle can make so much noise -- especially when climbing a hill. A bit off topic: Your English language skills are excellent! As an American living in Italy for a few years, I am struggling to learn Italian. By the time I become comfortable with it, it will be time to return to the U.S. I am always impressed by how well forum members whose first language is not English communicate on this English speaking forum. I can just imagine how few Americans (including myself) would be able to post here if the forum language was Italian or German or French or Dutch or . . .

The first is a quote from the Bible and, taken somewhat out of context, is rather ironic for an AFOL discussion board -- but, then, I don't pretend to be a Biblical scholar. I just enjoy irony. The second is a quote from Vonnegut that sums up the fun of building while not wanting to sort, store, dust, etc.

This is an interesting topic and one that I ponder from time to time. In the past I have mixed modded Harry Potter sets in and plan to do so again in the future (my HP sets are in storage back in the U.S.). I recently purchased a second Medieval Market Village to mod with my first one for an old section of town where the first floors are maybe a bit more modern -- restaurant, pub, antique shop, etc. I also like the previously mentioned idea of a medieval fair (but all of my castle stuff is also in storage in the U.S.). Once I get done modding Brickbeard's Bounty, it will also be making a "tall ship" visit to my city (without any pirates).

Bachus, That is a great looking layout even if it is temporary. The fires station fits in perfectly. The pic with the cinema and pizza place in the distance make them look better integrated with the larger buildings than they do in real life (well, real Lego life). I also like how you used standard baseplates for the roads. They have a European cobblestone look that goes well with the buildings. I have no road baseplates and was debating which style to get (current style or older) but prices at both Bricklink and S@H were "disturbing." Now that I have seen your layout, maybe I won't bother with road baseplates at all. Thanks for the inspiration.

I had a chance to visit Legoland - Gunzberg back in June. It was great! Schools were still in session so the park was pretty empty no lines for anything and lots of great Miniland pictures with no (real) people in the background. There is a Pick-A-Brick at Fabrik. My recollection is that the price was 8 euros per 100g, which seemed expensive to me. Weigh your selections often as the grams add up quickly -- what I thought was about 100g was actually 400g when I checked out. Variety of bricks was better than at a Lego store but not as good as I would have hoped for Legoland. The Lego store in the park had some items on sale but most I could get cheaper at U.S.S@H. Good luck and have a great time!

Compared to "adult" hobbies such as golf, skiing and sailing (all of which I dabbled in at one point or another), Lego is a bargain! I am not a collector. I but what sets I like, mostly town and city themes, keep some as permanent models and part out others for MOCs. I often buy more than one of a given set if I like the parts make-up. I probably do not "play" with my Lego as defined by the original poster but I do use my Lego in the same manner as I did as a child. I was always interested in building things, plastic models mostly, and perfectly willing to let them sit on the shelf when done. While other boys were having wars with their model soldiers, I was painting mine in great detail and making dioramas with them. I went through a phase of model railroading but was mostly content to build the layout and scenery. I never really cared much about actually running the trains. That's how Lego works for me now. Cafe Corner, Green Grocer, etc., and MOCs of similar scale have really fired up my interest in Lego after about a 10 year layoff. They are perfect for me -- build a complicated city scene that I can add to over time and that is fun to look at. Just like when I was a kid!

U.S. S@H has it for $150 (about 100 euros) and free shipping. Also pushing Green Grocer for $30 off at $120 (about 80 euros). The price differences between countries are amazing (and somewhat perplexing). Anyway, my order is going off today. Just have to decide on another Green Grocer or not (have 2 now).

This is a good simple looking building. I like the use of the cheese slopes for decoration and the color scheme is realistic.

You spend about $12,000 a year at BL? Can I have you sit down and explain that to my wife? THAT would give her a new perspective on my Lego "budget."