Cluetrain

So glad Lego caught it... and thanks to all the work behind the scenes that Jake did to get them there. Way to go Community Guy!

This presentation is really worth a watch. (If you are clueless when it comes to the Cluetrain... this article will set a few things straight... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluetrain_Manifesto).

I love some of the points he makes (been trying to make a few myself over the years) "5% of the audience... but the powerful message they make", and laughed and nodded along with things especially around "secrets" and "NDAs".

"Oops, sorry, cant talk about that"... "$250 spectrometer" ...OMG too funny!

So Jake, 3 guys walk into a bar.... errr I mean BrickFest... the CEO, the Lawyer, and Marketing Manager... (wink!)

Honey, I shrunk the Town Plan...

Happy Birthday Lego...

For the 50th Birthday (Anniversary) of the "Brick" (1958-2008) Lego released ....
The Town Plan ...

From the S@H website...

Celebrate 50 years of LEGO bricks!

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the modern LEGO brick with this special-edition update of the classic Town Plan set! Completely redesigned with the best of modern bricks, details and design, the all-new Town Plan features a 1950s-style gas station with pumps, carwash and garage, a town hall with a newly-married couple, a movie theater with ticket booth, seats and posters, 2 automobiles, 8 minifigures, rare LEGO colors and elements, and more.

• Includes a letter from company owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, who appeared as a kid on the original Town Plan box and returns on this one!
• Includes 3 gold bricks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the LEGO brick!

I purchased this set recently, and enjoyed building it with a good friend of mine (non-afol). I built the Town Hall and Theatre, and she built the Gas Station over an afternoon of gossip, coffee and building.

Anyhow, the box is cool (at least for an AFOL) because ...
not only is the gas station based on an old set...
but as you can see... Keld STILL loves plaid!!!!

Although the box art did had a bit of an impact on my family. Prior to building it, the glorious box sat upright on the kitchen table so I could enjoy its beauty at a glance. My youngest walked in and said "Woah, OLD GUY on a box of Lego, weird!" and my eldest walked in and said "Hey, dont I know that guy???" (Yes, he does, he met him at a Brick Event in 2004)

In the mean time, I have also been working on my latest Micro Layout, (phase three) for an upcoming show in April.

So without further adieu...

I present... Honey, I shrunk the Town Plan!



More pics can be found here.


I also shrunk .... this most recent impulse set which was pretty small to begin with, but way to big for the new layout. It still needs some work on the front grill.

As well, an Robinson 44 (tour guide Heli) which needs its tail extended and will have its propeller rotating on the display over the cable cars taking is power from the cable car run.

You can find the rest (both old and new) of my micro here.
Note - Many buildings have been rebuilt and tweaked for my most recent layout. I have finally designed a modular system for laying out my micro. A standard which I hope to document in the near future.

Favourite all time sets...

An email discussion prompted me to list my top 10 favourite sets that Lego has issued....
(in no particular order)















And the last one, while its not really a set, still my favourite thing Lego has issued, Idea Book 6000, LEGOLAND



Now I would love to know, what is your favourite SET?

Few Mocs in the Making...

I currently have a number of unfinished Lego projects on the go. Sadly most of these were SUPPOSED to be done last November for the Hobby Show but I just ran out of time, and then put them away for the holidays.

Well, Im back at it, and I have a bit of preview of one project.

BETA hand Version 1.2



This project is far from complete, and currently I am not even sure how I will complete it (by low tech or high tech means) but I am happy with my progress. Over the years I have seen many other hand models presented, and some look amazing, and others work amazing, but my goal is to find a middle line somewhere between those two extremes.

Upon completion I will post to Lugnet, but for now, we will just keep it between us, wink.

A Few Great Men... errr I mean... Blogs

Many Lego blogs have come and gone, and some seem to be able to stand the test of time.
I have updated the blog roll list to reflect the ones I actually read to a select few, most of these are updated regularly.

Recently I was lucky to be recognized for my micro Layout on 2 of my top favourite blogs.
So I encourage you to spend time at both...
Brothers Brick found here and Microbricks found here.

Thanks Dunchaser and Bruce.

Toronto Star Box

Last fall I was commissioned by the Toronto Star to do a live one day build as part of a promotion (new sales feature they were launching) at a conference hosted by Strategy Magazine at the Sheraton Hotel (downtown Toronto).


More pics here. Back story at Lugnet here.

Micro Train Layout

This is my micro train layout, with working cable cars, train, windmill and gristmill... featuring many of the Brickfest keepsake models, a few Lego sets and many MOCs all in Micro Scale.



Stills of layout here. Lugnet post here.

Nintendo Characters

by Alex "Green Brick"


Folder here, posted by a proud mom.

Hobby Show - 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Its that time of year again...
Time for the OBB to gather at the International Centre and display our Lego Creations.

I am happy to announce we will have a special guest with us this year, but Im not letting that cat out of the bag.

And... as I posted to Lugnet...

I am very pleased to invite YOU to participate in the Hobby Show, this Nov 2nd,
3rd and 4th, located in Toronto at the International Centre on Airport Road
(Dixon Rd).

The OBB, (Ontario Brick Builders - an informal group of Lego builders) will be
displaying once again this year.

Please consider this your formal invitation. Whether you are a seasoned
builder, new to the hobby, or just want to come out and talk some brick talk,
EVERYONE is welcome.

So... if you are an ADULT builder located within driving distance to the
International Centre, please mark your calendar now, and start building whatever
you want to display. No Moc too big, no Moc too small.

This year we are offering up a challenge "Mocs that MOVE!" Of course, we are
willing to display Mocs that just sit there and look pretty.

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces, and hoping to see new faces as well.

For more info on the show .... billed as “North America’s Original Hobby Show
and Canada’s Largest National Trade and Consumer Hobby and Craft Exhibition”
check out the official link here http://thehobbyshow.com/

We have also set our after hours plans (where we will dine and chat into the
night) so if you are interested in just meeting us after the show...

Friday - Zets
Saturday - (our traditional) Lone Star
Sunday - Boston Pizza

All these restaurants are just down the road from the International Centre on
Airport Road.

So if you cant join us for the show, please join us for a late dinner (particularly the Sat. night)

Cheers! Hope to see y'all soon!

Elegant Walker...

Posted by Chris Magno...



Check out this post here for more info