Monthly Archives: June 2009

Pelican Class Cargo Shuttle

Attentive readers may have noticed that I haven’t posted for about a month. My father recently suffered a severe stroke, and I’ve been very busy and distracted as a result. I only bring this up because it has lead me to really think about the role that LEGO plays in my life. My friend Gary McIntire suggested that it was worth putting some of my thoughts in writing, and I thought I’d share.

I’ve realized that for me, and I expect for others as well, LEGO is more than just a hobby. It’s a distraction from the stresses of everyday life, a release. There’s something therapeutic about diving in to a bin of plastic bricks and creating something that is heartening, regardless of what may be going on in other aspects of life. I’m hoping that some of our readers share the same experience with LEGO as something more than a toy, and that they may want to share as well.

I’m actually posting a LEGO creation, while I’m at it. This is small cargo shuttle, that I’ve been building over the last five weeks or so. This ship is intended to be the space equivalent of a box truck, like this. I imagine this particular ship as having a lot of light-years under its belt, used for longer journeys than originally intended, so there’s a hammock in the cargo bay. As I explained above, I had a lot of time to think about this creation, even if I didn’t have much time to build or blog. I also imagined the that it might not always have been docked in the nicest of space neighborhoods, so I built after I took some photos, I covered it in graffiti.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

All aboard the ST LEGO Express to Seattle

Inspired by the King County Metro and Sound Transit buses we both see around Seattle, Leigh Holcombe (worker201) built this great city bus. I’m particularly fond of the doors and the bike rack on the front.

If any of you out there are bus riders like me, I’ll see you on the 555.

Shannon goes to the moon in retro style

Shannon Ocean takes us on a ride to the moon with this study of lunar architecture in micro-scale. I really like the lines of that house!

Cole caught throwing up a piece

I’m fascinated by tagging, though I’ve never done it myself. And as a person who is well-aware of the impact it has on business people, property owners and taxpayers, I have really mixed feelings about featuring any tagging here. But this vignette by Cole Blaq isn’t at the expense of anybody else (I hope), is quite visually simple, clever and full of action.

I’m really enjoying seeing tagging in the background of train and town scenes, because I don’t think I ever walk, drive or ride anywhere without seeing some tagging in the background. It adds atmosphere to an otherwise clean and blocky LEGO world.

Peter Piper’s pink eye

Though Bodo Elsel has not been specifically featured here before, he has been the source of inspiration for others. He he has an ongoing series of mini robots and this is only one of many that has caught my fancy. It just popped off the screen for me.

Hancock, though less colorful, is another robot with great expressiveness that I just had to include.

Kotaku previews LEGO Rock Band at E3 2009 [News]

LEGO Rock Band logo Kotaku spent some time at E3 playing the upcoming LEGO Rock Band game and reports some early impressions:

The problem with this game is all in the name. LEGO Rock Band makes you wonder “why LEGO?” Maybe “Rock Band: Play Rock Band With Your Kids” would have been better.

Because if you don’t have kids, this game is largely pointless. It’s Rock Band, except with a more pedestrian songlist, and no real changes to the way the game is structured, or plays.

But that’s if you don’t have kids. If you do have kids around, and want a game to play with them, well. This looks pretty damn good.

Read the full article on Kotaku.

And in case you missed it, here’s the game’s trailer:

Prices and specs on LEGO camera, boombox, and MP3 player [News]

Digital Blue has released details of their upcoming LEGO-branded electronics. The site lists four upcoming products:

Digital Camera: 3 megapixels, 128 MB memory ($50)
Boombox: CD player, AM/FM radio ($40)
MP3 Player: 2 GB, 8-hour battery ($40)
Bionicle Digital Cameras: 640×480, 40 photos ($20)

The camera and MP3 player look like they’re going to be available in LEGO’s traditional primary colors as well as shades of pink and white. All four products are due out later this summer, so look for a massive increase in truly horrible LEGO photos to wade through starting then.

Thanks for the tip, Bunbrick!

The Moai of Rapa Nui

Dirk has created some really lovely sculptures of the Moai of Rapa Nui (aka Easter Island). Like many people, I’ve always been very intrigued by these giant statues. The Lego renditions made me smile.

LEGOLAND California to host Star Wars Days – June 13 and 14, 2009 [News]

This coming weekend, June 13 and 14, Legoland California is hosting Star Wars Days. The park, located in Carlsbad, CA just off the I-5 freeway, will be open from 10:00am to 6:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Single-day ticket prices start at $53 for children and $63 for adults, though membership, multi-day and “hopper” packages are also available.

Members of my local LEGO user group (SandLUG) and I will be manning a display table or two of our own creations. From Bricks to Bothans (FBTB), a LEGO Star Wars special interest group, will also be partcipating. We have many skilled builders (Right: John Cooper’s “Cantina Band”) in Southern California and this is a chance to see their creations, or more importantly meet the builders, in person. You are all welcome to drop by our display and say ‘hello.’

Though SandLUG has been around for a couple years and we have done displays in the past, this is our first effort at a cooperative display, so it may be interesting to see our starting point, so you can be stunned by our slickness in future years and say with authority: “I remember when Sandluggers couldn’t fit two base plates together.”

Here’s the full press release from LEGOLAND:

THE FORCE RETURNS TO LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA FOR STAR WARS™ DAYS

Special two-day event features Xbox 360 gaming, Droid Hunt, daily costume contests and a special visit from Darth Vader himself

CARLSBAD, Calif. (April 20, 2009) – The Force returns to LEGOLAND® California on June 13 and 14 during LEGO® STAR WARS Days. Darth Vader and his 501st Legion of stormtroopers will invade the family theme park to interact with fans all weekend long, and LEGOLAND guests will also be able to take part in out-of-this-world activities like the Droid Hunt, video game battles, trivia competitions, building activities, scavenger hunts and daily costume contests.

For the first time ever during LEGO STAR WARS Days, fans of all ages can experience the new Xbox Family GameSpace, where they can play LEGO STAR WARS games all weekend long. The Xbox Family GameSpace features 13 game stations, providing an optimal gaming experience. Xbox Family GameSpace is a new permanent feature at LEGOLAND California where guests can experience LEGO STAR WARS and other family-friendly games year-round.

One of the most popular LEGO STAR WARS Days events is the Droid Hunt. Guests of all ages receive “droid badges” if they are among the first to stop by a specially marked table in The Beginning of the Park, where they will learn a special droid quote from within the STAR WARS Saga. When guests wearing droid badges are “caught” within the Park by members of the 501st Legion, they must recite the quote to receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win fantastic LEGO STAR WARS and LEGOLAND California merchandise.

Other features and attractions include the LEGO STAR WARS Fan Gallery, highlighting LEGO STAR WARS creations built by local fans and LEGO Club members; Jedi Trivia Contests, which allow guests to use their STAR WARS knowledge to compete for fabulous prizes; and a Miniland U.S.A. scavenger hunt to discover scrambled letters hidden by clone trooper mini-figures. Those who locate all the letters and unscramble the secret phrase will be entered into a contest to win a family four-pack of LEGOLAND California tickets and exclusive LEGO STAR WARS merchandise.

Also, guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite STAR WARS characters and participate in daily costume contests. Prizes will be awarded in two age categories: 8 and younger and 9 to 15. Each prize is valued at more than $500 and includes exclusive LEGO STAR WARS toys, collectible gear and tickets to LEGOLAND California.

When I revealed the following at my last SandLUG meeting, I was almost kicked out: I have lived in San Diego for 8 years and have never been to Legoland.

Sava builds a Monster

Tony Sava just finished his latest locomotive and its a big one! The H8 “Allegheny” class locomotives were the biggest steam locomotives ever built. Sava really did justice to them with his version.

Fire Skull

This burning skull by Billy McGill is quite striking! I’ve seen a lot of interesting shapes made out of the flame pieces, but this is something special.

ObedientBot waits to do your bidding

This sad, tall robot by Alex Eylar represents a definite departure from his usual LEGO creations. Different, but still excellent.