Brick Bender

A LEGO free nursery

2009-07-16T09:13:00.002-05:00

The third bedroom is free of LEGO. This was a big moment because it means the room is ready for a baby. I suggested a LEGO crib, but my wife informed me that might be slightly uncomfortable.

Since we have not learned how to yet destroy matter, much of that LEGO has migrated to the second bedroom. And so begins the great LEGO shift, where bricks are shuttled around the house searching for a permanent home.

The MTT Federation, which has been silently mocking me since my 30th birthday, remains unbuilt. We have a date in August however and only one of us is coming out of that room intact.

Photo by myuibe.

Bricks, Bumps, and Bruises

2009-07-14T16:25:00.005-05:00

When you play with a bull, you're going to get bit. The same holds true of LEGO bricks- you'll likely sustain a minor injury at some point. That's why it's important to have Hello Kitty band-aids and Mr. Bump Cold Packs.

Although I've outgrown the ability to put a LEGO piece in my ear, over the past year I've managed to accumulate some scrapes from the bumpy bricks. And so here are my Top 5 LEGO-related injuries of the past year.

5. Studs in my feet. It's a classic, a cliche even, but it still hurts to step on an errant LEGO brick.

4. The pinch. Getting a fingertip caught between two bricks being snapped together. It would seem impossible, but the stinging sensation you feel lets you know it's all too real.

3. Web surfing. When raking my hands through a box, the sharp sides of LEGO have left a few scratches on the inner web between fingers. This must be what Jean Claude Van Damme felt when he dips his hands into the glass in Kickboxer.

2. Gimme Five. The palm equivalent of an ill-fated step, you can see stud impressions in your palm after pushing down on a brick.

1. Tongue Piercing. This one probably damaged my pride more than my physical being, but the edge of a slightly chewed LEGO element nicked my tongue and was all the reminder I needed not to put the plastic bricks in my mouth.

Photo by oskay.

The LEGO Olympics

2009-07-13T07:46:00.004-05:00

When news of the LEGO Olympics came across my desk, I had high hopes. Alas, it is merely an outstanding name for a children's building competition in New Zealand- which I would be ineligible to participate in for a myriad of reasons- primarily because of a blood doping scandal.

However, the idea of a LEGO Olympics sparked my imagination for what such an event might entail...

You could have a heptathalon involving a speed build, blind build, free build, speed chess, and team build (done in a relay style).

The olympic pool could be put to good use with a build-in-a-bag, wherein a set is built underwater inside of the plastic bag containing the parts.

Archery skills might be tested via fling-things; Mindstorms or non-motorized sets that can launch a projectile via a trebuchet style construction.

So break out your 8-bit Nintento Entertainment System and call up the good folks at Epyx, it's time to train.

Photo by wowwblog3.

A man and his accessories

2009-07-10T09:18:00.003-05:00

The problem with getting a new mug is you need to accessorize. You can't just have an amazing coffee mug inside your standard office- that's like keeping your moon rock in the bottom of your fish tank. And so in digging around for the virtual equivalent of the Mall kiosk that will sell me cell phone charms, I present some of the more interesting uses for actual LEGO products and knock-offs that I found.

*The Brick Calculator. The input keys look like studs and the screen is buried inside a molded slope. This would put my TI-82 to shame.

*The phone charger. With a cat who has a penchant for chewing electronics cords, this MacGyver-style fix is one I might actually use.

*Speakers/iPod dock. These are a bit clumsy, but the colors are pretty. And when it comes to accessorizing, color is everything. I think we need to turn off HGTV for a while.

*Forget candy. A LEGO-filled pinata is the finest idea I've read in a while.

Photo via Nerd Approved.

F is for...

2009-07-09T09:37:00.003-05:00

We're up to F in the Brick Encyclopedia- the semi-rambling and in no way comprehensive collection of LEGO-related ideas and parts that the average man needs to know.

F is for...Fans. An Adult Fan of LEGO (AFOL) is anybody old enough to drive and play with LEGO bricks (ideally not at the same time).

F is for...Fleshies. The minifigures with paler hands and heads- sometimes known as "peachies," for their peach-colored hue. They are often found in licensed sets, like the Harry Potter, series, wherein the young wizard minifigure was flesh-colored, rather than the traditional yellow.

F is for...From Bricks to Bothans. An online forum that hosts the critical ideas that lay at the intersection of Star Wars and LEGO. Who doesn't need a little more Lando in their life?

F is for..Flex. A member of LEGO's Alpha Team- Flex is known for his ability to climb and his mastery of ropes. No word yet if he's made Webelo.

Photo by Steam Pirate.

What my coffee mug says about me

2009-07-08T08:06:00.003-05:00

Happiness is a warm mug....of coffee. Today begins as so many others do with a cup of Roasterie Coffee- the only difference is that I'm drinking it out of an outstanding minifigure mug with my name printed on the side.

Fresh from the LEGO store at the Mall of America, a friend has bequeathed me the finest gift I've received in quite some time. Tiny cartoon, pirate minifigures exhort me to drink more caffeine.

Today is one of the days I wish for colleagues as my canine and feline coworkers do not yet possess the capacity to ask me about the quirky new mug, thus allowing me to launch into a soliloquy about the world of LEGO.

But you can trust that coffee without sugar has never tasted so sweet.

Photo via Peeron.

The Brick Round-Up: July 6, 2009

2009-07-06T09:35:00.004-05:00

In talking with those who are not adult fans, I've realized that some people are not aware of all of the amazing building that is happening as you read this. And so, another new semi-regular feature will be added to the lineup, The Brick Round-Up, in an effort to direct those interested towards other blogs that highlight great builders and outstanding LEGO creations.

If Stormtroopers had day jobs... [via The Brothers Brick].

There are sets, and then there are motorized carousels that feature riders moving in a circle and up and down [via BrickJournal Journal].

A review of the set, Ole Kirk's House, a gift for those who took the Inside Tour at LEGO in Billund, Denmark [via Brick Town Talk].

A periscope is just the tip of a submarine [via VignetteBricks].

Photo by rongYIREN.

Fetch, Kiki, Fetch

2009-07-03T07:34:00.002-05:00

Just like vitamin intake, it's critical that humans ingest a regular serving of incredible or inane animal videos. It's a scientific fact along the lines of birds actually dancing to the beat (which appears to be a bonafide fact).

Thus, it only seems apropos to kick off a holiday weekend with Kiki- a bird as talented as I suppose birds can be. Kiki is a parrot, who has been trained to fetch a yellow 2x4 LEGO plate. You will be mesmerized by Kiki's ability to scamper across the white-tiled floor with a LEGO plate in her beak.

Our dog also likes to fetch LEGO bricks; however, unlike Kiki she enjoys chewing and reshaping them. In my heart, I suspect Kiki is just waiting for her owner to throw a valuable minifig or rare piece, which she will then set upon like a tiny bird wolf pack. But if Kiki is truly good-hearted, perhaps she could get a job at LEGOLAND as a brick parrot, fetching bricks for the Master Model Builders as a replacement to the traditional brick monkey.

Photo by Chrispockster.

A book update

2009-07-02T09:25:00.004-05:00

Welcome to those of you coming here from Twitter.

We interrupt our regular scheduling of brick ramblings with some news about the book. The manuscript and accoutrements have been accepted- the latest in a series of steps that lead to the book being published in 2010. I now understand the joy that a UPS man (or lady) must feel when a person signs for a package they are delivering. Prior to this the closest trait we shared was a desire to drive an automobile without the restraints posed by doors.

Some joy is too large not to be shared. As such, when there is relevant book news, it will be sprinkled virtually across these blog pages. Feel free to share suggestions and ask questions, this is when it gets fun.

Photo by Moonlight Bindery.

Before the resistance, there's beta testing

2009-07-01T07:53:00.003-05:00

For those of you out there who are waiting to battle our future robot overlords, I've got an idea for how you can spend your time, in addition to getting jacked on pull-ups.

Sadly I can't be counted among you, unless there is room for an accidentally successful sidekick along the lines of Shia Labeouf in "I, Robot," or Jar Jar Binks in the recent "Star Wars" trilogy. Computer meltdowns end me and another Christmas has passed without receiving the Perfect Pullup. Also, I'm fairly certain that blogging won't be a skill that will help the human resistance- since the Internet will be co-opted by the same robots we're fighting.

But back to how you robot-resistance-fighters can spend your time productively. Wired brings news that LEGO is looking for new members for their Mindstorms Community Partners. This is the chance to discuss product development, bugs, and everything else in the popular programming brick. The application deadline is the end of this month, July 31.
So Mindstormers and robot fighters alike, start training.

Photo via Wired.

LED-ing the way

2009-06-30T09:43:00.003-05:00

LEGO lights up my life and soon, it will apparently light up yours. Re:creation and LEGO are teaming up to produce a series of products that incorporate the iconic minifig and LED lights.

Although a glowing keychain or lamp is impressive, they still fall short of the Iron Man minifig I saw for the first time at Brickworld 2008. Brickmodder together with Fine Clonier Decals turned a simple minifig into a shining, robotic version of awesome.

LED lights have been behind some of the most interesting LEGO MOCs (My Own Creations) in the past several years. LifeLites are LED kits that can power the internal lights of a MOC- like Joe Meno's Bond villain ray gun. LEDs are just AFOLs doing their part to go green.

Photo via The Brothers Brick.

The business of amusement

2009-06-29T10:12:00.003-05:00

With a baby on the way, you start to think about important things like what will be the first amusement park we visit? Thus, it's heartening to hear small tremors in the cup of water that is the Internet about the possibility of a LEGOLAND park in Florida.

The rumor is based off a survey inquiring about a Florida locale for a new LEGOLAND park. The website, Screamscape, looks at the history of a second LEGOLAND theme park in the United States, covering the previously rumored sites in Lees Summit, MO, and Olathe, KS.

Photo by Narwal.

Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and Me

2009-06-25T09:06:00.002-05:00

It wasn't until I picked up LEGO bricks again that I realized I might still have an affinity for toys in general. But that has become abundantly clear while trying to cram LEGO sets and plastic brick storage into the built in bookcase in my office.

A brief tour through my brick habit reveals a Tyrannosaurus Rex in a miniature shopping cart- a stuffed animal from the Museum of Natural History that I've had since the last time I played with LEGO sets. A barrel of monkeys that hasn't been opened in years- I'm fairly certain the monkeys are dead. They haven't made noise for several months.

A hula girl wobbly figure and miniature Tower of Pisa sit amongst my office supplies in an old Coke crate. A miniature ninja from a bubble-container vending machine continually appears and disappears among the spindles of a shelf. I suspect he had something to do with the monkey's demise. Ninjas are a jealous bunch, even if they hide it well. And finally, A Greg Maddux bobblehead, the closest thing that adults get to toys.

What's in your toy chest...err...office?

Photo by Krush!

Rudy had dreams, so should you

2009-06-24T15:29:00.004-05:00

My two ideas for Invent America- the grade school competition that encouraged adolescent Edisons to come up with life-changing products- were volcano ice cream (vanilla that would erupt w/ hot fudge after being microwaved) and shades with scenery that could change for people in hospitals. Someone put the second idea into production, I'm still waiting for Mt. St. Vanilla.

But word comes down the pipe via Wired's GEEKDAD, that 7-year-old Quaid Guarino has signed a non-disclosure agreement with LEGO and is in development talks for a completely new use for LEGO bricks that he has discovered. I'm always excited when children work with companies, like Joseph Gordon-Levitt helping the California Angels win the pennant.

The photo is of a maxifig poker game from the Toy & Plastic Brick Museum in Bellaire, OH.

On celebrities and LEGO

2009-06-23T15:54:00.002-05:00

This blog has finally been overrun by celebrity driven news. We held out against the siege as long as we could. But like Helm's Deep and other dork fortresses before us, the walls have come down. I guess this blog entry will stand as a testament to what Brick Bender once was... Some would say it was inevitable. I would say is a factor of sloth.

Megan Fox can't believe that Shia LaBeaouf won't play "LEGO Star Wars," with her. I am flabbergasted myself.

"I tried to get Shia to play “LEGO Star Wars.” He wouldn’t even tolerate getting past Start. He has no idea what an awesome game it is," Megan told The Wrap.

You say slow news cycle, I say poor Shia.

Ladies and gentlemen...BrickWorld 2009

2009-06-19T10:07:00.002-05:00

What's all the fuss in Chicago? It's not a Cubs-White Sox subway series that ended yesterday in the proper fashion with a walkoff Cubs win.

The excitement making the city of mustaches quake is BrickWorld 2009. The first day of the adult fan convention was yesterday- over 400 attendees are expected to descend on the North Shore Westin this weekend. AFOL Bill Ward, has photos of the Serious Play session held on Thursday- the consulting arm of LEGO that uses bricks as part of corporate training and team building exercises. And Joe Meno, editor of BrickJournal, continues to take far more (and better) pictures of LEGO than just about anybody on the planet.

If you've got a calendar, mark it for 2010 and the third weekend in June. I'll meet you there.

[via The Brothers Brick].

For all you zombie and LEGO lovers out there

2009-06-18T08:07:00.003-05:00

Zombies have always been catchy. Those who read books and watch movies are often smitten with the lumbering, blood-thirsty ridiculousness that once was a human being. While those actually being chased by zombies can be caught and thus, "catch" zombie-ism through a series of bites.

So, I have to believe that my zombie farmer vignette, in some way, inspired this series of zombie paintings by artist Brian Colin. Although perhaps they were inspired by these oversized LEGO zombie minifigs.

For those of you who can't get enough zombies, might I suggest BrickCon, a Seattle adult fan of LEGO convention that is expected to feature the second annual Zombie Apocafest group display.

E is for...

2009-06-17T10:45:00.003-05:00

Like party kids everywhere, I have neglected "E" for too long. So, here it is, your fifth installment of the brick-based encyclopedia.

E is for... Eurobricks- an international forum for adult fans of LEGO, covering everything from MOCs to building techniques to the latest sets.

E is for... Elsa Schneider, the Nazi vixen and one of the minifigures expected to be included in the Venice Canal Chase set slated for release by LEGO in August of this year. You are expected to drop her minifigure from the edge of your desk, while shouting. "Elsa. Don't Elsa. Elsa. Give me your other hand honey, I can't hold you!" as a tiny glove begins slipping from her minifig hands. Ideally you will then be saved from falling out of your chair by your dad, who suggests that you "let it go, Indiana."

E is for...Ewok- the Star Wars characters that call Endor home. These tiny cherub-teddy ruxpin hybrids are even in their own LEGO set, Ewok Attack. If you've never witnessed an Ewok attack, I'm happy for you. Trust me, they fight dirty.

E is for...EXO-FORCE. Think Manga meets LEGO. A line of sets in which humans battle robots on the slopes of Sental Mountain. Two words for you: spinning buzzsaw.

Prepare for battle men

2009-06-16T15:30:00.002-05:00

Who would have thought the joyous battles between castle fans and space guys at adult fan conventions could have been captured so well in LEGO Battles, a game for the Nintendo DS?

Spacemen have scaled castle walls and knights on horseback from brought down moonbases as builders have sacrificed dozens of Mountain Dew cans and endured severe pinches on fingers to maneuver bricks in place. Also, you never want to look directly into a trebuchet- it is as dangerous as the sun itself. Let's just say it's best that themes have some table distance between them.

I'm just glad that disputes can be settled virtually and no MOCs will be hurt in the process.

Photo via Kombo.com

The great LEGO storage caper

2009-06-15T08:15:00.005-05:00

I left no storage option unturned. It is time for the great LEGO reorganization that is needlessly expensive, unnecessarily agonized over, and ultimately will need to be replaced.

In an effort to confine all of the LEGO in the house to one room, it's time I got a better system of organization beyond stolen Tupperware containers from the kitchen and oversized tubs filled to the brim. So goodbye LEGO in the third bedroom and living room- you had your time to shine there, but now you must be caged and put on display like any domesticated polar bears or tigers.

In addition, you'll be separated, but kept with your own kind. I can't have a 1x4 red brick and a 2x2 blue brick, giving me a 2x3 purple brick- it's just not natural. I hope you understand.

It turns out the LEGO hobby might just be the man equivalent of scrapbooking or crafting. You need to put a series of tiny accessories into tiny compartments. I wish I was less excited about plastic tubs with adjustable dividers, but these are the facts and thus must be reported as such.

Photo by Doctor Sinister.

LEGO of my MP3 player

2009-06-11T09:10:00.003-05:00

Getting back into LEGO feels a bit like waking up and discovering that you entire life has turned into a White Stripes' video.

But the reality is we're one step closer to that world today with the unveiling of the LEGO digital camera, MP3 player, alarm clock, stop motion video camera, walkie-talkie, and boombox. The blocky, primary colored electronics are set to debut this fall and they had me at click wheel.

They look a bit clunky, but considering my relationship with technology, I'll take clunky any day.

Photo via dvice.

When clone bricks attack

2009-06-10T11:25:00.003-05:00

It doesn't get better than Toybox of Fail- a review of knockoff LEGO toys by Christopher Doyle, the voice behind Reasonably Clever.

Each review is the joy of unboxing combined with a bit of LEGO snarkery. Doyle takes the time to break down each of the accessories and included structures- including great details in both pictures and written description.

The only bothersome aspect of Chris' latest review of a police truck set is that it bears a striking resemblance to the first delivery truck I built when I was coming out of my Dark Ages last year. Blocky roof? Check. No doors or steering options? Check. Unclear use of Color? Perfect. At least I wasn't asking anyone to buy my sets.

Photo from Reasonably Clever.

This week in LEGO...

2009-06-09T09:50:00.002-05:00

When you can't find the words, why not say it with LEGO? The bricks continue to be a cultural touchstone and a reference point for people unsure how to explain a given event or project.

-Radiohead has just tipped a big LEGO box out on the floor...

-Red Bull builds impromptu airplane hangars just like LEGO in Windsor, England...

-An analysis of dew formation systems draws a comparison to the clickability of bricks...

-"The Early Show," discussed their favorite LEGO memories and the new Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture sets...

LEGO...helping people relate since 1932.

Putting the sleep in sleeper-sofa

2009-06-08T09:58:00.003-05:00

It's a bizarre thing to wake up from a dream where you've been building with LEGO bricks. Your hands are slightly cramped and you keep wondering why you wanted to build an oversized LEGO candle. Maybe this is what Frank Lloyd Wright felt like all the time.

I keep a notebook by my bed in an effort to remember story ideas or sentences for whatever I'm writing. Ledes and transitions always seem to come in the few minutes before sleep.

Somewhere in my subconscious is the intersection of design blogs, LEGO ideas, and Flickr. The result is LEGO home goods from a conceptual brick stapler to plant holder. It's the real mid-century modern look from Denmark.

Photo by Duckingham.

Instructions for everyone

2009-06-04T09:09:00.003-05:00

For a toy that is built on infinite play, there is something comforting in the illustration-based instructions that come with LEGO sets. Each step requires some deciphering and a bit of trial and error, but ultimately provide enough guidance for nearly anyone to complete a set.

And now word comes, via Wired's Geekdad, that LEGO has filed a patent application that would allow people to generate printed instructions for the creations imagineered online via the LEGO Digital Designer.

So in the future, someone could log on to LEGO's website- design their own kit virtually, order the parts and have a complete set with instructions delivered to their door. Or, people could begin ordering creations made by other fans, which included an illustrated guide of how that Tyrannosaurus Rex or helicopter was built.

Customized sets seem just around the corner.

Photo by Joakim Lind.