Freddie

It's an interesting display, and is far more than what I thought would be when I saw Vestas-branded WPPs from First Lego League (you know, the Mindstorms competition?). Matija got a few of those and had them motorized for our display at LEGOWorld this May. I did on the other hand not expect a set with cottage, van and all that. Maybe a (motorised) Wind Power Plant, but not a full set.

A good way to convince anyone that LEGO is a real hobby, is to go to conventions, like Brickfest and LEGOWorld. I'm thinking that the problem is that your mother sees you building with it, but not doing anything else, hence she doesn't see it as a hobby - my own father considered LEGO as a toy until I rebuilt one of my (static) technic cars into a remote controlled one; it was rubbish and unreliable, but he was amazed and instantly understood what it was about. You also said you were going to start driving at the end of the year, am I right? A car costs money; not just a bit, but a lot. And they cost money all the time, not just when buying it, or when using it, but also when it stands still -> Repairs, insurance, fuel, maintenance. I can understand your mother's concern of you not being able to afford one, because cars are essentially a bottomless hole in the pocket, if you're not careful. I think; If you can prove you can afford to buy and drive the car; she probably will ease on holding back the money you earn towards other things as well.

Mmmm, cheese. I've got several favourites, depending on their use; for hamburgers, I use cheddar. In the final stages of frying the meat, when I'm done with turning it around, I lay the cheese onto the meat while it's still in the frying pan/grille. Gives by far the best result. For ham and cheese sandwiches, I prefer Jarlsberg. For pizza, I prefer swedish Gräddost. Unless it's frozen pizza, where I'll use Mozarella if I'm not satisfied with the amount of cheese on it. And finally, for other occasions or just as a snack: The Laughing Cow cream-cheese. Very good, but also very un-healthy.

50 Years of the LEGO® Brick Author: Christian Humberg Publisher: HEEL Verlag GmbH ISBN: 978-3-89880-887-3 Well, where do I start? Since this isn't a set, but rather a book, it isn't just straightforward to snap pictures of its contents, so I've been a bit restrictive with those so I can claim fair use and avoid stepping on anyone's toes - and violating any copyright laws. With that out of the way; here's how the book arrives (more or less, I've removed the shrink-plastic it was packed in). There's no extraordinarily fancy packaging or so, but there's no hiding what this is about. The cover is in true scandinavian style very simplistic and straightforward, with studs designed into the front of the cover. At the side we have the six, red, 2x4 bricks - included as a symbol of the many possibilites and versatility of even the simplest brick: the hardcore LEGO-fan will know that with these six bricks, there are 915 103 765 different ways to put them together. These are encased in a sealed plastic tray, with indents for replacing the seal when done with the bricks. The book itself is printed on the type of glossy, slightly plastic paper one would expect this type of book to use. Same goes for all the extras inside. The book is divided into six chapters - each of these focusing on differents aspects of the company and its products and customers, i.e. end-users. Each of these chapters also have some extras, which I will come back to. After the contents-listing, the book opens with the blueprints for the 2x4 brick, as we know it today, and a foreword by Kjeld himself, where he "looks back" and reflects on the devolpment of the bricks themselves, and some thoughts of what is to come. First chapter is called "Toy of the century", which could be summed up as an in-depth story of how it all came to be. Interestingly, the chapter immediatly after its introductory page, we find a page with a pocket, designed to imitate the LEGO studs - here we find a copy of the original patent from 1958, which details the bricks and their tubular connection system. Later on, as the story finally reaches '58 (this is an in-depth story, remember?), there is yet another page with a pocket of similar design to the first one. Here we find a copy of the first catalog depicting the bricks with their new binding system. And this isn't a cheap copy either, oh no. A part from being a reproduction on new, glossy paper, there are no shortcuts taken. Below you can see the front and back illustrations, but when fully unfolded this is the real deal, apart from being a reproduction that is. There's also been shed some light on some of the challenges behind designing the products, what the designers, or the creatives as they are referred to in the book have to do from the point they get their task to a completed model. Dissapointingly, it's not as in-depth as say, Brickjournal, might have. It does go more in-depth on the Serious Play aspect, however, with it's own chapter dedicated to it. Here, who, how and why LEGO is used in different enviroments other than in the home, and the FLL and Creation Nation are highlighted here, altough stories with other uses are also mentioned. Spesific users have also been gathered in a dedicated chapter about them. With the exception of one, they're all AFOLs. Two of these are already well known: Nathan Sawaya and Sean Kenney. In the sixth final chapter, Kjeld's influence has been highlighted, along with the influence from fans and some of the ideas and thoughts revolving around the future; LEGO Universe among those ideas, and by which principles LEGO will continue to work. Of course, only half of the book is written on the pages themselves. There are plenty of pockets in this book, most of them contain reproduced catalogs of significance (i.e. first Technic catalog), plus the gold-metallic anniversary stickers - a scan will not do these stickers justice, because these are actually 3D with modelled studs in them. A recommendation? Let me be clear on this - this book is excellent as a gift. The enthusiast will purchase one of these nonetheless, but it really is the type of book one buys as a gift. It's not cheap, it doesn't reveal anything fantastic or something we probably didn't know already, but I did find it a nice read - plus it looks good on the shelf too. The old catalogs are full reproductions as noted above, and it really is nice to have one in the hand opposed to clicking through the pages on Peeron. Perhaps it's easier if I illustrate exactly what type of book it is: I know I won't regret buying this. I did find the book enjoyable, and I do recommend it as a gift to the enthusiast. If you like this type of books, then it's recommended - if you like more dense reading, then get a novel instead. But then you'll miss all those old catalogs, which is some of this book's charm.

You must've gotten a newer version, I'm guessing. LEGO sometimes updates their parts without second thought (like that grille used for the forklift, which clearly should've been the old variant, since the new grille is "illegal" to use like that according to LEGO's engineers), and now also the trailer-hitch - I've got the old hitch, and I'm guessing that if I buy another one of this set, I'll get the new one. Otherwise the parts match what's written in both the instructions and Peeron, altough Peeron will probably soon get an update on the newer pieces.

Peeron's telling me that I own 247 sets, 206 of those unique, with a total value of $6 400 US. Herein lies 347 minifigs and 64 659 parts. Which is not enough, because I haven't indexed my PaB findings (plenty of bricks and figs). I'm guessing it's a few hundred dollars more, but not much more. Plus it's calculated with US prices; with EU prices the monetary value of all my sets would be way higher. The sentimental value on the other hand, is infinite.

Yoko Kanno feat. Origa - Inner Universe <- Theme tune to GITS: SAC 1st GIG, but extended; fantastic tune!

A bank. A bank with bank robbers! Honestly, as little crime there is in LEGO City, one'd be surprised at how large the police force is! Hmm, someone said a smugler boat, that would have been great. A car chase set (a police car and an escape vehicle) would also be nice.

That is just fantastic! I like those stairs, will probably copy those when I get around to build something that will need them. I'm working on my own CC-type building, and I have nowhere near the amount of interior detail in mine that you have in yours, all I that I have is walls, and maybe a bed or two. That interior is just fantastic! Will be ste...loaning ideas from it!

I was thinking of writing a review of it once I receive mine in a week or so; that's it if anyone's interested. The Collectors' Catalogue is just that what it says it is, a catalogue of all sets the past 50 years.

GET THOSE BOXES!!!!! Oh, and welcome to EB. I know for sure some guys who will appreciate the presence of another swede, after a recent flooding with norwegians! :P

Or check the parts tracker; that database usually holds the newest pieces, some of them quite new. Just make sure you get all the files you need for each part, and place them in the correct folders.

Since there's no link: Vintage MF Collection Vol. 1 I am debating with my wallet wether I should get it or not, since it's 179 SEK, which is rather steep yet cheap for its nostalgic value.

Sorry for my n00biness, but exactly what does "Float" mean here? The other three are obvious, but "float" tells me nothing - I'm curious because the new trains are going to use these sequences when they're released next year, and I want to know what sort of effect "float" will have on the movement of the train. Edit: Also, in the video, I'm hearing a beep-like sound whenever the motor slow down to a halt or when it starts. I know the current RC-trains makes this noise as well, so I'm guessing this noise is the motor starting/stopping?

6373 for me, because it's bigger, flashier and it's got a three motorcycles, one of them in ultra-rare yellow. Well, it's the one I would have preferred if I could buy either one. I'm also going to point out that 6426 isn't present in the poll, which (trikes aside) really isn't that bad.

*raises hand* I also like the TTs. So far I own, well, all of them actually, including the bigger sets. And despite how small they are, when owning all they become a considerable fleet of cars that needs their fair share of space. The bigger sets even more so. I also like the fact that the set "Bridge Chase"'s gas station is mini-fig scale, despite being a humble 16x16 studs large. Makes it more flexible. So a direct answer to your question, would be yes.

Fantastic looking instruments and fantastic looking uniforms. I expect to see them perform at LWN09 ;)

Well, naming laws are liberal up here in the north, but naming a child Lego? Hmm, not sure if I agree or disagree if it's appropriate. I mean, I've heard people name their children after cars, items and astrological objects, such as Luna (Moon), but Lego could be a bit embarrasing if it's not supplied along with another name as well, such as Marie -> Lego Marie Henriksson, for example. Then it sounds better, and the child can use Marie if she finds Lego embarrasing.

I recall that somebody said the molds for the monorail-spesific parts had been destroyed. That's destroyed as in "mixed-with-the-foundation-of-a-major-building"-destroyed. No way to extract those out without ruining the molds. Haven't got any source for it, though. Sorry. Voltio: The more hellish a set is to restore, the more proud you can be when it finally is restored. And then you'll treasure it above other sets as well. I say keep it up.

Ha ha, yeah. Maybe they should start recruiting - I've noticed Copmike is in the process of starting up something like that at SweLUG, altough he wants to make sure they register here as well if it's going to be any help. Anne, I know for sure you're going to enjoy it here. People on these forums have the exact same type of humour as you do.

No But it's very close. Converting it shouldn't be much of challenge. BTW; When was the last time LEGO had a ferry of this kind. I don't recall them having one of these before.

If you wish to construct the 501st Legion, I would advise you to do a little research. Wookiepedia I would believe is a good source, seeing how it's maintained by SW-enthusiasts. And look, they just happen to have an article on "Vader's Fist"! I'm getting the impression that at least the larger vehicles and such were deployed by different legions and squadrons, while enviroment-spesific vehicles were again supplied by different squadrons independent from 501st. So I doubt the 501st had any vehicles at all.

You know what? I had to do a double-take on that road of yours, because at first it registered in my mind as a regular road plate, until I noticed the incline. That is a very nice road! The rest is very nice as well. I suspect your father does this sort of thing, marathon-cycling and such, no?

Hah! What a hilarious vignette! I bet the coast-guard wants her all for himself - that's why he's got those cuffs for her.

Evil pineapples are always welcome! Obviously. Double-check the specifications of your desired avatar. Size-limitations vary from forum to forum, and just because it works there doesn't mean it works here. If that doesn't solve it, try asking the question in the "website & forums" forum. Somebody with more insight is more likely to spot your question there.