LEGO 9463 The Werewolf

Probably one of the finest parts packs this year, the 9463 Werewolf is a neat little diorama set for the new Monster Fighters theme. Features some dark tan mortar bricks, plenty of Dark Brown elements, and the new olive green leaves. I reviewed it. Not crazy about the whole line but I guess it has some appeal with the kiddies.

CSX Tampa Street Running and MORE

Element at night in this one :D... I will be putting in PF lights, possibly, when the GFLUG comes to doing a lights out display like they have at BrickMagic

The Itch to Build a Skyscraper

With the LEGO hobby, sometimes you have to be an economist. I like to cater to areas compatible with Greater Florida LEGO Users Group Layouts, because my opportunities to head up that way are increasing with time. Needless to say, in 2011 I have hit my first Festival of the Masters in three years, hit the Tampa Train show being the first display in a year, etc. (It's funny how I wasn't too easily recognized over at Tampa probably due to one year's physical and active changes). Anyway, now I have matured to which I shall be finally capable of offering display pieces, and as such have been communicating over ideas.

A rendition of Plant City is my current long running project. It encompasses the Depot, parking lot, Car show details, and about 4 -> 5 buildings. Yet, these are small town sized. I have also ventured into modern suburban buildings probably since that's the environment I have been living around my whole life. But then, these small typical structures have a very limited effectiveness.

To suit the craving for a large, massive, and iconic building, I have turned to two skyscrapers.

Hollywood Station is out of place for the LUG, and takes up immense real estate. Located a good 200 miles from Downtown Tampa, yes, out of place is right, but it has appeal with me and pretty much I can relate to it having railfanned the area since 2008.

It's a monstrous building and will make for an aesthetically pleasing centerpiece. Though, what it could do is distract attention from the Downtown Tampa skyline. It will be nice to have two opposing downtowns, or "West" and "East" Florida, and as such, the LEGO rendition will be finished by the end of 2012. This will aid in completing Hollywood, FL in the brick which will in turn have its 3-year renovation. This calls for Firestone to be rebuilt in Nougat/Tan as the building was just painted, the construction of the Hollywood Building (which houses a Gyro place), and the furnishing of the (former) Magic Shop, now Orale and another restaurant on the NE corner.

I did more soul searching around Tampa. This is where I go by efficiency; I want a building that can fit that hasn't been done yet. Apparently Channelside and around are the domain of the LUG. But, this beast isn't. Element, a new 34 story tower is located at Franklin and Polk Sts, completed 2009. Currently on that area Sam Gibbons is the only replicated model; this one hasn't been touched. I hereby announce that with no regard to any outside circumstance (ie. this model is taken) that this will be constructed and complete by Summer 2012 in the LEGO brick. Element was chosen since it has that Miami feeling and since it's quite easy to model. I will just wind up having a bit of an issue with the windows, but otherwise it's fine. I also like how the tower sandwiches the garage, as that will make for a cool effect. Enough talking, off to engineer these behemoths.

Note: images found on the internets

Pick A Brick 2012

Now's that time of year. LEGO Pick A Brick's palette usually changes around April of the year for the summer season. A refreshing look is what I totally approve of. While we sadly moved away from dark colors in Spring 2008, we did move back into these interesting pieces last year, and now Mike Huffman of BrickBuildr reported that purple and trans-purple had to be added to the iPickABrick directory.
I write this to ask around. Aside from the TransPurple cones and the purple 2x3 plates, recent discoveries, what else do you guys expect?

New E-Book

Over the course of the next few months, I will be writing an E-Book. A LEGO City The Right Way will demonstrate all of the aspects of a functioning LEGO town, the ideal aspect of it, how to procure it, and simply put the hobby into writing. Not much more to say here than that certain models will be instructed or shown accordingly through YouTube.

FEC Heritage Unit

I love reverse engineering. Sometimes it makes certain engines a lot easier, yet it leaves a lot of room for you to customize your works.

The FEC heritage unit is one engine where you can't put the one piece backbone that the Maersk train has. I also made headway for A/Cs, a true K3H (I accidentally called it an RS3L), and a couple other things. This thing will be truly done the day white strips are added where SNOT doesn't permit, and the same for the FLORIDA EAST COAST graphics.

Just like LH's continuing commitment to Boeing with their order of B748s, I continue to commit to FEC models with this beauty.

Town Hall Out

A friendly reminder to our modular fans that the Town Hall (10224) is now out. I am having a nice long list of Modulars to get, lol. I need to get the GE fast as I am skipping the Fire Brigade, which is out of stock now (clearance, LEGO?) First, Grand Emporium by Summer, then Pet shop by Christmas (parts packs only since I had the leisure of building it last year) and then this beauty by late next year. I am not that crazy about the TH due to its simplicity though it is nice seeing the huge size of it. It is truly a dark orange parts pack and I may just sustain it elsewhere.
Though, if you guys get some LEGO by March 15th, you get double VIP points, and everyone loves those double VIP points!