F is for...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.