Brick Miner

i would love to see this !!! i love that we AFOL use or professions to further fuel the hobby !!! as kids, this is something we had a hard time doing (no professions yet). its almost like we can enjoy the system so much more now that we have more life skills. i am a graphic designer and love making custom stickers for my MOCs !!! very similarly you are using your map making skills !!! sadly, you asked for ideas, and without knowing what it is you will do with the map, its hard to contribute ideas !!! lets hear more about it !!! brickminer

to be honest, i haven't looked at those specifications to see if they apply. but here is a sure fire way of telling... if the box says "wild west" in the top right triangle, its a north american version of the set. if the box says "western" in the top right triangle, its european. if i could get all of these from one seller, that would be great, so let me know !!!

i would love to see LEGO start caring about teaching kids about history and mythologies. both topics cary great educational value and provide morals and lessons within them. if LEGO released LEGENDS OF LOST ATLANTIS, and kids when "wha???" than that is a good thing right ??? if its done craftsful and artisitically, then LEGO has taught kids about a new facet fo their world !!! a facet which carries a multitude of valuable knowledge. if LEGO is to stick to only what kids already know about, then we will see things like batman and spongebob, with little valuable historic information. i know im not the only one on this board (briskster) would would love to see LEGO educate about history !!! - brickminer

ok, this is very untraditional for me, but im getting desperate. these sets are getting ridiculously hard to find !!! i am looking to add a couple sets to my SEALED IN MINT (OR NEAR MINT) BOX COLLECTION. this is different from a MISB set... note, the box must be mint or near mint. that means no price tags, or evidence of one being removed. no major dents, creases, color loss, folds, scuffs, pin holes, etc... minor color loss is acceptable (usually due to shelf wear). and slightly blunted corners are also acceptable. any slight wear and tear is acceptable (i am realistic). here is a list of sets i am interested in, along with a price i will pay in USD. wild west set 6769 (fort legoredo) = 200.00 wild west set 6765 (gold city junction) = 180.00 wild west set 6761 (bandits secret hideout) = 120.00 wild west set 6755 (sheriff

exactly... how i would love the wild west theme to be expanded on, but not in the realm of adventures... also, there is a reason why north american and europe were not explored in the adventures theme. the adventures (johnny and his crew) are presumably modled after the professor(north american, europe academia ) and adventurer indiana jones. a caucasian male anthropologiests who goes and discovers ancient cultures and treasures in lands far abroad. presuambly in cultures much unlike his own. for him to go discover treasues and jewels in his back yard from his own culture (and land) just isn't the theme. i think atlantis is the winner here !!! - brickminer

the river expedition is quite a good set with great minifigs, and lots of conflict and adventures to playout, the boat included is no exception. the emperers ship doesn't seam like an adventures set to me... it just dosen't fit with the theme. i always felt that the orient expedition should have been more like the desert theme... where the adventurers go and research old forgotten civilitations... even the jungle theme played on this well, as johnny went and discovered the ancient mayans. emperors ship and dragoon fortress seem more like they fit in the ninja theme somewhere. even the dragon fortress seems more like a castle set than an adventures set, therefore fitting into the ninja theme (a castle subtheme). let me explain... the orient expedition (and most definitely the emperors ship) are more like the civilization is still alive, and some how johnny went back into time to confront this ancient culture. they didn't really play up the discovering ancient ruins like in the desert and jungle themes. here is a good way to breat it down... their are three forces in the adventures themes... one is the good guys (johnny thunder, dr. lightning, gail storm, harry cane... so forth). then there is the bad guys (sam sinister, max villano, ect.). then there is the natural element force (hotep, achu, dinosaurs, or the emperor). the good guys vs. the bad guys play out very well in the desert, jungle, and even the dino themes... the good archeologiest discover the ancient culture and its riches by battling the natural forces that protect them (hotep, achu, snakes, scorpions, the very terrain itself), while the bad archeologiest try to capture the riches from the good guys, and try to work against their efforts. all the while getting plundered by the natural forces. well, in the orient expedition, the natural forces kinda out rule the bad archeologies. its kinda like the bad guys aren't even needed, cause the natural forces are so much more prominate (the yeti, tygurah, jun-chi, emperor, etc...) well anyway, i never like the dragon fortress, or the emperors ship for that reason... i felt they strayed to far from the original concept of the adventures... and i really like the indiana jones rip off theme !!! it had so many facets (the three forces, good, bad, and natural), with so much conflict, and lots of adventure to play out. i honestly thought the villians in the jungle theme were the best of all the adventures themes. that is the reason i voted for river expedition 5976 - brick miner

wow, that is really cool brickster... i've been interested in ancient egyptian mythology for over a decade now... and have never thought to look up the glyphs on LEGOs to see if they reveal anything. i just figured LEGO never dug that deep... i guess i underestimated them, however, i don't know why i would have... these are excellently designed sets !!! i have a two volume set of egyptian to english dicontaries buried in the basement somewhere... maybe i'll have to dig them out and do some translating... that sounds fun !!! this does bring up a point, i have wondered about before... why was LEGO so interested in anubis ??? there are multiple statues of him in the adventures sets (5938, 5978, 5988)... however, he was not the most important deity in ancient egyptian mythology... not at all !!! i would have thought i would see more osiris, ra, amen-ra, and horus iconography ??? those were the primary gods. even though i always though thoth was the coolest looking... great topic !!! BM

i voted for oasis ambus 5938... this is my favorite medium/small set LEGO ever produced. their is plenty of conflict with this little set... and its eye appeal is compelling. its also very true to egyptian monument architecture, with the anubis dog-god on top of a chamber... unlike the pharoah's forbbiden ruins (very historically incorrect.) the forbiden ruins is probaly my least favorite set for this reason... but i have to admit, that truck and air baloon in the set are ingenious !!! the oasis also makes a great add on monument to another larger structure. the sphinx comes in a close second. being a well designed play set with many facits... but i just have to vote for the underdog in this situation, 5938. oh, plus it is not a vehicle, all the other small sets are vechicles !!! - brick miner

i gave this set a 5 also... for this same reason. adding a tavern to the pirate theme was a step in the right direction. this set also accomplishes the core value behind LEGO, "to inspire and imagine." so many great MOCs can come out of this set. thanks for stating it so well sting - brick miner

thanks for the suggestions... i can't seam to find the downloads that help you create pieces though. can i find this "apo" in the members section of eurobricks ???

even though LEGO uses sterotypes in telling their historic stories, i still think that adds an eductional aspect to their toys. kids get inspired by things they like (are entertained by), and thus peaking their curiosity about the subject. i remember being a kid and becoming curious about pirates after builing the shipwreck island !!! those curiosities have stuck with me until today... consiquently because of LEGO i have now done extensive research reguarding pirates, wild west, south pacific islanders, and others... i never would have gone to the library for such topics with out this wonder toy !!! teaching kids about history themes is important, even though the postive effects maybe in the far future, they are long lasting. - brick miner

i got his message, yet i noly got a 93%, missed one ??? first try, no reference (like brick set). i also got this message: thanks phes, that was fun !!! brick miner

wow, really great thing being said in this thread, and i AGREE with all of it. doesn't seem like there is much left to say here but i can give this insight into the LEGO company and how it works... set sales are only have the equation when calculating if a theme is going to be continued. a good friend of mine works for LEGO, he draws the new bionicle comic series (not released yet). his work goes through numerous reviews between two child groups. one young group (under the age of 10) and another older group (pre-teens). these focus groups direct his art and the product. from what i can gather, these focus groups determine a lot of what happens with the product. im sure LEGO uses these same focus groups when determining theme and set design. this could be responsible for themes being cancled, even though the product seems to sell well. also, lego has been heading toward more of a "action toy" than a building toy for the past decade (starting with things like the falling mast on the red beard runner and most recently the space-age looking medieval knights that shoot and throw things)... an action toy is entertaining rather than teachful. so it seams teaching kids about history is not somthing that LEGO is interested in. sad. - brick miner

ah, i had not read the 2006 reports yet... excuse me its still early in 2006 !!! for the past couple of years i have been reading that lego sales were headed no where, as with the company. however, i still have an overwhelming fear that lego is not going anywhere. one year of prosper is only a start, after years and years of losses. i guess the argument is over in the other direction, right ??? i mean we have proof (per the post by gylman) LEGO is doing well as of 2005 !!! great news !!! and thanks for the info - brick miner

ah, thanks... now i can find it !!! again, thanks so much for the info - miner

those color choices are just terrible !!!

for some reason these images remind me of "the brick testament". has anyone ever heard/seen this ??? its a book retelling the bible's exodus and other stories using legos !!! it a pretty close resembelance to what you are doing brickster... telling stories with your legos !!! here is a link to the website: http://www.thebricktestament.com/ - the miner

i sware no one read my post... it had straight number facts in it for the past 4 years. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS in this situation. THERE IS NO DEBATE !!! LEGO has been loosing money for many years now... so, if it is true (that the stocks were higher than ever) then LEGO must have promised something to the investors... if they can't deliver, the company is in big trouble. LEGO hasn't proven anything in the past couple years, except they loose money. investors will drop out once the company can't meet their promises. here is a link to anyone is interested in the actually financial state of the LEGO GROUP: http://www.edinformatics.com/inventions_inventors/lego.htm - brick miner

i can't seem to find "sony 2.1 cybershot" or "sony 5.1 cybershot" on ebay anywhere !!! it seems that all the cybershots list there have names as follows: SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-(followed by a LETTER)(followed by a NUMBER or NUMBERS). for example i can find: SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-S60 SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-W1 SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-T7 and others like them. they all seem to have 1 letter in the name, and no points in the numbers,... can you specify which version you like ??? thanks so much for the information !!! i really appriciate it also, if anyone else has a digital camera type and model they love for taking close up shots of their legos, i could use their feedback !!! my budget is around $135.00 USD. thanks again - brick miner

wow, those gold brick look GOOD !!! why didn't LEGO use more metallic gold in this theme ??? i wonder, cause it fits so well. so, how much did those brick set you back ??? - brick miner

yes, i am new on this lego board, so who am i to say what is enjoyed here !!! sorry for coming off like that !!! let me explain the idealogy behind my commment... personally, i have stories and characterizations about my minifigs just as anyone else, but i can't imagine sharing them with anybody. only because i can't imagine anyone would enjoy them !!! i believe that its up to the viewer to create and imagine that. this theory roots in going to the store as a little kid and looking at all the legos on the shelf, and just imagining what adventures the minifigs could have if i owned the sets. LEGOS are about imagination, and i wouldn't want to take that away from anyone viewing my MOCs. but LEGOs can be enjoyed in lots of way, so enjoy !!! - brick miner

i agree... this is a very inspiring minifig MOC !!! great job!!! he has lots of character. i would like to see the glow-in-the-dark version of the head though !!! this head and the the glow-in-the-dark ghosts make an appearance in my ghost town !!! it a glow in the dark theme :-) can i ask, what type of camera are you using to capture such a great images ??? what is the price range and specs ??? im in the market. - brick miner

i love the "ghost town" sub-theme of western MOC building... i think its great you have given it an identity here on this forum. you should keep doing it... i have a couple concept i have developed, but have no camera to capture and share them (yet!!!) i do not understand the mysteries thing though... i fall into this category: i would like to see "ghost town" be simply a group of well crafted MOCs !!! not a "mystery" game. its cool you want to tell stories with your legos, but im not sure a public venue is the most correct fashion. however, if board members enjoyed them in the past, i respect that. - brick miner

i've just started to dabble with LDRAW and its a lot of fun (im shock at how much fun it is). however my play time ended when i couldn't finish my western themed sets. see, i can't find the decorated tiles with playing cards and money pattern. these pieces can't be found in the initial download, and i can't find them in the piece updates either. does anybody use LDRAW ??? have any suggestions, on where to find these pieces, or how to create them ??? - BM

wow, i read this whole post with replys for the first time !!! lots of good discussion here. first of all i have to say wild west/western theme is my fav. i as well think it should be included in the castle/pirates forum. however i can see the argument otherwise... the problem is not which forum to include the theme, but the name of the forum itself. as a solution, i have a better idea... rename the castle/pirates forum so that it includes western and adventures also. adventures take place way after 1900, but are still based on a historic time period, and should fall in the same category as castle, pirates, and western. the forum should be titled something giving more of a "historic themes" feel. renaming all the forums might be a good start... something as simple as PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE would suit me fine, and be all inclusive of the "traditional" system themes. keeping "THEATER" of course for the non-traditional licensed sets which lego produces today. anyway, back to the point of this thread... my fav is gold city junction. it has a slice-of-western-life feel. its the only set to include everyday western people (the general store owner and a banker). this is the same reason i choose imperial trading post as my fav pirate set... you get an independant merchant, and a more neutral setting. wars (soldiers/cannons/forts) are great, but they have to be fought over something, right ??? i need the everyday people and merchants, gold city junction delivers - brick miner