ChocolateFrogs

A new collaborative display appeared at BrickFair VA 2012: The Pharaoh's Labyrinth! Led by a WAMALUG member, this display drew its inspiration from Indiana Jones and The Mummy (among other things I'm sure) as explorers led an adventure into the newly uncovered pyramid entrance that led them to a pharaoh's tomb, but not without first testing them with and endless amount of perils as they wound through the Pharaoh's Labyrinth! I brought a small addition to last year's display, Pharaoh's Scuba Tank, but I'm working on some more additions for this year. Take a gander: Wrong destination! Lined up with another section. A work in progress, this large 32x32 stud display has since been filled up with tiles along the floor and will house something larger than minifig baddies for our fearless explorers when it goes to a smaller display in a few weeks! I have even bigger plans for this portion come BrickFair in August. Everything lined up at a LUG meeting yesterday. Between this and a few other ideas, I'll be working on, and bringing, quite a few new MOCs to BrickFair this year! -CF

What might I be building‽ (More to come.) -CF

This is superb! I'm really digging (hehe) those claws and feet! But really, the flow of everything, especially the torso and shoulders, looks grand! -CF

Man, Captain America: The Winter Soldier was awesome! If you have any inclination to see what the best Marvel superhero movie put out (not counting The Avengers) looks like, you owe it to yourself to see it. For those that have, I present some commentary: -CF

Welcome! Always good to have another member go Premier! Such a grand account upgrade! Have fun! -CF

Oh man, I remember this! Had no idea where it came from or how to get it back. Nice find! -CF

I was really impressed with the Halo figures, but the Link MOC was just very clever in parts use and look. -CF

So shiny! Nice job adding to your collection! -CF

My point being: aside from lightning, the parts that come in that set aren't too luxurious. I mentioned the bat's head! -CF

Alright, let's get to it: 60006 Police ATV Because a getaway wheel-barrel is the best getaway vehicle. 76014 Spider-Trike vs. Electro Literally the only reason to buy this set is for Electro, for some reason; or if you haven't picked up a Spider-Man fig within the past ten years of Spidey sets, but even then the other sets are better. 2014 Hero Factory Three words: LEGO Pacific Rim 70128 Braptor’s Wing Striker That bat looks like a Ferengi. (If you like these I'll think of more. Have any of your own?) -CF

New York Times bestselling author, everyone. -CF

I'd be down for a Chima Constraction draft at BFVA. Once the new sets come out in the summer (if available). -CF

John and Hank also do vlogs weekly on a variety of subjects, from world politics, random musings, music and jokes, and anything in between. Woo! I just looked up that video. Now I want to memorize Shakespeare insults and get weird looks when I use them! -CF

IS ANYONE HERE A NERDFIGHTER? -CF (I've been figuring out this entry for years. But, I've been watching the Vlogbrothers since April 2011 and John Green is one of my favorite authors. I figure that now they're better known, but I could be wrong.)

Thanks! This will definitely return to BFVA for its 4th year! -CF

Great video review! I was writing off this set due to lack of Mixel joints and not looking too exciting, but you've made a good case for it deserving a spot on display in a collection. You're right, a little bit more dark green would be nice. -CF

I agree it doesn't have the exact feel of the Exploriens sets, but I think part of the spirit of the revamping a theme so it is "Neo" is to break away from the mere plate-as-wings and openness that a lot of 90s Space ships and Classic Space had and use some new techniques and shapes available now. It would be interesting to have a more in depth discussion about this with fans of Neo-MOCs. (I'd suggest the Neo 90s-Space Flickr group, but I can't seem to post pictures there....) -CF

I dunno, that guy sounds pretty sketch. You better watch out. Congrats on the move! Jason, I think he'd have to worry about you tolerating his LEGO collecting! -CF

I'm a "90's Kid," so various LEGO themes from that decade are close to my heart. This most definitely includes the space themes, especially Exploriens. So without further ado, I give you my Exploriens Orion Class SHIP: The Exuberant. (Microspace. Minifigs would be so cramped in something like this.) You'll notice it looks different on the other side: This Neo Exploriens ship was inspired by the Orion of Stargate Atlantis, and boasts a length of 103-studs and about $140 in BrickLink orders as well as use of my own pieces (a SHIP has to be over 100 studs long). At BrickFair 2011 I even lit it up: (It's just taken me three years to finally take photos, but even with these I think I'll try another shot at it at the end of the month.) This currently resides at the LEGO Store at Potomac Mills in Woodbridge, Virginia, in WAMALUG's Window to the Community display for March: (See more.) You've seen the other Neo 90s Space ships I've posted these past few days, including Insectoids, Robo Force, UFO, and Ice Planet 2002. All of these Neo 90s MOCs pay homage to the original themes but explore building with pieces, colors, and techniques of the present. While I've built various space ships between this big guy and now, it still remains as one of my best works and a source of inspiration for me, making me want to build another, and better, SHIP. Those of you who knew this blog entry was long overdue, thanks for being patient. I hope everyone likes it! I've made a topic in the forums, but I don't mind if you post here too/instead. More pictures can be found on BrickShelf and Flickr. -CF

Thanks, everyone! I agree. Unfortunately, I don't think the trans-orange cheese slopes come in a brighter orange. And if they once did, I missed out on them. -CF

I adore the space themes of 90s LEGO sets. From Exploriens to Insectoids, I was all over intergalactic travel and battle. Not content to leave the 90s in the past, I took my ship building up a notch and built a SHIP (Seriously Huge Investment in Pieces) in 2011. The result is this piece of microspace, the Exploriens' Orion-Class starship The Exuberant: (See more on BrickShelf and Flickr.) (Yes, microspace. Minifigs would be so cramped in something like this.) You'll notice it looks different on the other side: This Neo Exploriens ship was inspired by the Orion of Stargate Atlantis, and boasts a length of 103-studs and about $140 in BrickLink orders as well as use of my own pieces (a SHIP has to be over 100 studs long). At BrickFair 2011 I even lit it up: (It's just taken me three years to finally take photos, but even with these I think I'll try another shot at it at the end of the month.) This currently resides at the LEGO Store at Potomac Mills in Woodbridge, Virginia, in WAMALUG's Window to the Community display for March: (See more.) Surrounding the SHIP are more microspace 90s creations from my favorite themes, updated to account for two decade's worth of pieces. These Neo 90s MOCs pay homage to the original themes but explore building with pieces, colors, and techniques of the present. (These were build last week. Not three years ago.) Neo Ice Planet 2002: Neo UFO: Neo Robo Force: Neo Insectoid: What's next? Hopefully some Neo Blacktron II and something smaller for the Exploriens. Once again, please see more of the Exuberant on BrickShelf and everything on Flickr. (Other ships' links above the image.) The Exuberant will be making it's fourth appearance at BrickFair VA in August, and I see no reason why I won't tote the rest along as well for a full-on nostalgia attack. -CF

Two more Neo Micro Space MOCs for a display! I have fond memories of both Robo Force and Insectoids and couldn't resist making some advanced designs in micro scale for them! I still have an Insectoid mask hanging on my wall and the Robo Raider is (99%) still built! So, joining my Neo Micro 90s Space fleet with Ice Planet and UFO are these two: And I assure you, there's bigger stuff coming! -CF (Gosh how can I take better photos? )

I really hope he comes in a set soon so it will be relatively reasonable to have all the original members collected! I'm surprised DC didn't ask LEGO to make something when the recent cartoon was popular. A Green Lantern Corps battle pack versus a Red Lantern Corps battle pack would have been good in my mind. -CF

Just like my Micro Neo-Ice Planet ship I made a few weeks ago, I have expanded my Neo-90s Space output with another starfighter: Neo-UFO! The goal of "Neo Space" is to create sci-fi designs (ships, rovers, etc) influenced by the shapes, colors and concepts of the old space theme being imitated while taking advantage of today's wider array of pieces, colors, and building techniques. I'll take some 360-degree pix once I find my UFO 2x2 tile for the center. Again, this is for an upcoming display of mine. I have a few more days free to build, so I'll be making some more revamped/updated 90s space themes in micro. -CF

For a Micro Neo-90s Space display I'm working on: Have to take advantage of this snow before it melts, right?! -CF