Brickblog

Part 1: I do a lot of surfing on the Lego Flickr group. One thing that I’ve noticed is very often someone will post a photo of an excellent MOC and someone will call them on not having the entire thing smooth, or not using enough SNOT (studs not on top). It’s something that has started to bug me.

Part 2: Blacktron is entering a Neo stage (NBT), much like Classic Space enjoyed a few months ago. I thoroughly enjoyed the Neo Classic Space movement (the term still makes my wife giggle when I say it), and look forward to a darker, more violent theme to Blacktron. Of course like everything, people have set up a series of rules regarding what is and what is not NBT. Which brings me to the final part of this title.

Part 3: Adult, Teen, and Child Fans Of Lego all use these different Lego related groups on Flickr. Recently there have been discussions right down to how to refer to Lego, and how to interact with non Lego fans… Even though I fully agree that it is never cool to correct someone unless they ask. I’m beginning to wonder why do we need so many rules?

To me, Lego (as a kid, I called them Legos so bite it) were about freedom. Sure I built sets from the instructions, but they never stayed together. I always took them apart and enjoyed building My Own Creations (MOCs) more then most any set. I don’t know, maybe I’m in the minority, but I buy most of my sets now based on parts, minifigs, and finally sometimes if the model is really cool. I admit I follow some building trends, like hopping on and trying out some steam punk, or the NBT craze. For the most part however, I just enjoy being creative, I keep a box of Lego (plural bricks here) in the living room most of the time to build with while watching tv, or whenever.

I really enjoy seeing how new and creative ideas result in awesome looking stuff. There are certainly much more proficient builders out there then I. However, when these new techniques are shown, how and why do they become the new rules to build by?

Which brings me to the model way up at the top of this rant. Scroll up if you forgot what it looks like, I have. I was surfing again last night thinking I would like to explore the NBT movement. Blacktron, after all, was one of my favorite themes as a kid. Then I got thinking about it, and made a ship intentionally using SNOT techniques to get Studs on all sides of this Blacktron fighter. My intention was then to compile a short comic with it. However, by the time I finished this fighter, and figured out how to successfully photograph it, it was time to interact with the family. So the comic will be on hold until this weekend. Until then, please enjoy this fighter, which uses all the ‘rules’ to break them.