BrickCon 2017!

BrickCon 2017

So the annual Seattle LEGO Convention, BrickCon, happened last month, and I attended for the second year in a row (and fourth year total.) This year, the con began on Thursday. Unfortunately, I couldn't really take both Thursday and Friday off work, so I had to miss the first full day.

I left Portland at about 4am on Friday morning, arrived in Seattle around 8:30am, and after briefly stopping by my cousins' house (where I'd be staying the nights) I headed to the convention hall. I got my nametag, picked up my swag bag (chock full of "free" LEGO!) and set up my MOCs.

Here's what I brought this year:

My "Fisher-Price" buildings, which were also at Bricks Cascade this spring: School House, Merry-Go-Round, and the little blue and yellow house....

Below you can see Scrooge McDuck... he came to BrickCon in 2013 as well.

"You Have Chosen..." is my next MOC. The scene in the middle came to the con last year, but the two grails (false and true) are new this year. Cookie Monster there on the right was also mine, though I didn't get a good picture.

And finally... my Kitchens. The 70's one on the lower left was new to this con, and several of the others received upgrades since their last con appearance.

After I set up my MOCs, it was about time for the one game in which I was planning to participate, Round 1 of the Master Build. (Master Build is my favorite game, and the only one that doesn't make me want to throw bricks.)

This year, we were given a bag of pieces that appeared to include 4 sets, those $4.99 Classic sets that come in red, green, yellow, and blue. I do see some orange in there, too, so I dunno...

We were told we had to build at least 2 of the following 3 things: a living thing, a building, and/or a vehicle. We had approximately an hour to build.

This was mine final creation... castle, waterfall, ship sailing away, and sea monster.

Here are some of the other builds...

I was super impressed by all these (and more). I had no expectation of making it to the semifinals (top 20).. but, surprise!, I did, actually!

After the Master Build, I headed out to get some lunch. There's a food court at the Seattle Center, and one of my go-tos there is Mod Pizza.

Evidently I'm not the only fan of the Mod. Hey, Bird!

Games were happening all day Friday, and that afternoon they held the Team Speed Build. Even though I wasn't registered for this game, I got in line for the lottery picks for a chance to participate. I was lucky enough to squeak in.

Our team didn't win, but I got to take home several handfuls of maroon and light grey pieces, so yay for that.

Also that day, I attended two workshops/seminars, one on collaborative building and one on Technic creations. The first was inspiring and the second was very informative! (I am such a dunce when it comes to Technic, though I do like my MOCs to have moving parts if I can. I really did learn a lot from this seminar... especially what not to do (anymore.))

That evening, my fellow AFOLs and I gathered in this nearby theater/auditorium to listen to the keynote speech. I was so tired (I'd been up since 4am after all) that I'm afraid I didn't get much out of it... it took a lot of effort just to not fall asleep. I headed straight to my cousins' house afterward and crashed.

At some point between Friday and Saturday I laid out the bricks I'd gotten just on Friday, and oh my..



So... many... shiny... LEGO....

The next morning, I was as ready as I could be for the influx of people... Public Day #1...







I did spend a bit of time behind my MOCs this year... specifically, by my Kitchens. But after a few hours, I needed a break from the mayhem, and headed to the nearby Museum Of Pop Culture, mainly to see the Jim Henson exhibit.

The JH exhibit was great. I love those Muppets.



Elsewhere in the museum, they had this room full of indie computer games/apps you could play. One was called Mini Metro. I liked it so much, I bought it for my iPod and I play it regularly, now. Check it out if you like puzzle games!

I returned to the convention hall around 3; that's when they were going to close to the public... but they then extended the hours till 4. 4:00 was also the time for the Master Build semi-finals, so I headed to the place where that would be taking place.

We (me and the other 19 semi-finalists) were given this set...

...and were told that this time, we had to build all three things (building, vehicle, living thing.) And, if we could, we should follow the con's theme, which was "Old School."

Naturally, I took that literally...

Get it? Cuz it's an old-fashioned school?? Hey, I'm a teacher. What.

As soon as they called "time," I looked at the guy to my right, saw what he built, and gasped...

The other builds were insane, too. Besides the one above, these were my favorites...

^I think this one ended up winning.

That evening, they had the Awards Ceremony and gave away door prizes, as they do at each of the whole-group gatherings. 

At BrickCon, they draw people in groups of 5 (for smaller prizes) or 1 (for larger sets.) 

I was drawn in a group of 5, and got the Prince Of Persia set "Quest Against Time." I was actually really happy about that. It's an older set, circa 2010, from my early AFOL days. (Ahhh....) I'm happy to have an opportunity to re-build the set. (And, of course, that's another Jake Gyllenhaal minifig to add to my rather impressive Jake Gyllenhaal Army.)

After the awards ceremony, I joined in a game of Dirty Brickster (think: white elephant or a yankee gift exchange, but with LEGO). Due to the number of participants, they broke it into two groups. I had items stolen from me a few times before I managed to steal, and go home with, a LEGO City: Fun In The Park set. Yay!

Before I knew it, it was Sunday....

Like I had on the previous day, I sat near my Kitchen MOCs and spent some time talking with fellow AFOLS who were sitting nearby. When the noise from the public got to be too much, I escaped to the nearby theater lobby, where fellow AFOLs were doing a Mega Draft, and I helped sort pieces. They were drafting the Brick Bank. 2382 pieces per set!!

That afternoon, after Public Hours ended, we gathered for Closing Ceremonies. This is where they announce Best In Show, People's Choice awards, etc. They also have been doing Honorable Mentions the past few years. I was absolutely floored to hear my name get called for a special brick for "Details in a Small MOC." Yes, I put a lot of detail into those Kitchens! I was even adding things to them during the convention. :) I got a 1x8 engraved brick as well as a LEGO City set.

 After the final ceremony, I packed up my MOCs, hopped in the car, and headed home, exhausted but happy after a fun weekend.

Before you go, check out some photos of my favorite MOCs from the convention. And if you want to see even more, check out my Flickr Album.

^Winner of Best In Show!

Okay, now I'm finished. Until next year...!

A 1950s Child's Scrapbook

I picked up this scrapbook (or, "Scrap Book") at an estate sale a few years ago. I can only guess at the child's age (maybe 8-9?), where they lived (maybe California?), and their gender (uh...?) but I do know a few things about what he/she liked, thanks to what's presented here: Animals, books, comics, coloring pages, and, oh yes, glorious food pictures! Also, the date on the stamps and a few other items = 1954, so I'm going to assume that's when this was constructed. 

Roman numerals! Classy.

You aren't supposed to eat cigarettes and toothpaste, kid... you do know this...?

Augh.

"Come quickly," Harold called. "The bears are coming."

I can't imagine this story ending well for anyone.

Speaking of endings... in true kid-scrapbook/diary/notebook fashion, the last half of the book is completely empty.

If only...

An 1880s Autograph Album

In July I posted an 1890s Autograph Album that once belonged to a young lady named Millie. I love the album's illustrations, and, of course, the quotes within are delightful. Since then, I've run across more autograph albums. One belonged to my grandmother and is circa the 1930s. Most people simply signed their names in that one. A few people posted quotes, but there was none of the creativity and flowery prose that Millie's album had. A second album I found belonged to my grandfather. It had no quotes, just people's signatures and addresses. 

Not long ago I came across yet another autograph album. This one belonged to my great-great-grandfather, Frank (born in 1866). While lacking the colorful illustrations of Millie's, it did have some great signatures and notes. I'm posting it below. Enjoy!

* * * * * 

* * * * * 

To Frank   -   Kirkville Iowa

Passing through life's field of action

Lest we part before its end

Take within your modest volume

This memento from a friend

August 2 1885

* * * * * 

* * * * * 

Remember well

and keep in view the

pleasant hours I've spent

with you 

the grave will soon

be my bed 

remember me

oh when I'm dead. 

Remember me when far away 

remember me on your wedding day 

think of me when half awake 

and when you get married 

send me a piece of your wedding cake

Your friend,

Ella

* * * * * 

* * * * * 

The Green Leaves will wither

and the roots will decay

and the beauty of a fair maid

Will never die away

-Thas Green

* * * * * 

* * * * * 

Dear Frank:

Fall from the ship

fall from deck 

fall down stairs and break your neck 

fall from the starry heights above 

but never never fall in love.

D.W.

* * * * * 

* * * * *

Where's the small and simple four 

that twines around the humble colt(?)

 and in the stillness of the hour, whispers

low forget me not

I will rite by the roses 

The girls loves posies

and I do the same 

so here is my name

-Wm. Shirman

* * * * *

* * * * * 

Dec the 24 1884

To A Friend - 

[?] in your happiest hour

when sorrows are all forgot

take one lingern(sic) glance at this

and oh forget-me-not

Bettie C. Harris Lisbon

* * * * * 

* * * * *

Dear Frank,

Remember me

For Gods sake

And sent to me

Your wedding cake

Norah Huffin

* * * * *

* * * * *

To Frank - Feb 2, 1885

Forget me not forget me never

Until the golden sun has set

Forever

-Leonard Schroch

* * * * *

* * * * *

Remember me when this you see

Though I am out of sight

And I will do the same

By you with pleasure and delight

Your friend,

Annie Gardner 

(1 -30 - 1889)

* * * * *

* * * * *

Jan the 3 '83

When the evening sun is setting 

and your mind far from care is free 

when of absent friends you are thinking 

won't you some times think of me

Yours truly, Fannie A. Bailey

* * * * *

*Sarah Rigsby was Frank's fiancee at the time; they were married shortly after this was penned.

* * * * *

The air is soft

The sky is blue

Honey is sweet

And so are you

Frank

* * * * *

* * * * *

To Frank,

When you are sitting

All alone reflecting on the past

Remember that you have a

Friend that will forever last

Your friend,

Katie Barnes

Feb the 5th 1883

* * * * *

* * * * *

To Frank - 

Long may you live happy

May you be sitting on a wood pile drinking onion tea.

-Mollie Wills, Kansas City, Dec 31

Fin.