Hobby Thread - Sept 21, 2024 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. A spin of the Ace of Spades wheel of hobbies has come up with a theme of Legos (or other similar building blocks) for this week.

Did you build things with Legos as a child? Do you still build as an adult? Do you follow the directions or make your own creations or both? What are your favorite builds? Do you collect Lego sets? What are your favorites? Do you assemble and display? Have you spent absurd amounts of money on small colored interlocking blocks? Is your collection organized by set or has it become a giant pile of mix and match pieces? Do you give Lego sets as gifts? Do you seek collectible Legos?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbies. Politics and current events can wait for other threads. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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The Lego origin story is a good place to start:

More detail here from the corporate historian of Lego on the occasion of the founders 100th birthday.

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How Lego bricks are made:

Videos are usually not allowed in the Lego factory, but here is another if you are interested. The variety and complexity of parts being made was interesting:

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Lego broke ground on a new plant near Richmond, Virginia in 2023. They are targeting the second half of 2025 to start production. In the meantime, there is a small visitor center building (in the shape of a yellow Lego brick) with Lego history and a model of the future factory (made out of Legos).

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Apparently the most expensive Lego thing you can buy is not a Lego set. It is a three day tour of the Lego facilities in Denmark with a $3,000+ price tag. Spaces are very limited. In addition to a tour of the manufacturing facility (filming not permitted), the tour includes the Lego library which contains an example of every Lego set ever built. Packaging is done in Czech and Hungary so that is not on the tour. Check out more from someone who went:

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Full scale McLaren P1 Lego car driven by F1 driver Lando Norris around Silverstone:

Yes, it is a PR marketing stunt to promote 1:8 scale retail Lego sets at $450 a clip, but still fun.

If you like 1:1 scale Lego cars, you might like a Bugatti Type 35B (35,000 bricks, not operable):

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Lego fun facts:

The word Lego comes from the Danish phrase leg godt which means to play well.

There is a tiny three-digit number stamped on the interior wall of all Lego bricks. The number indicates which mold was used and where in the production line the brick was located. In case of a defect, Lego can trace the error back to its origin and fix the problem.

On October 24, 1961, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen was granted the patent for the LEGO TOY BUILDING BRICK, U.S. Patent No. 3,005,282.

Diagrams from the original US Lego patent application:

20240921-Screenshot 2024-09-20 221624.jpg

20240921-Screenshot 2024-09-20 221652.jpg

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James May builds a house (best when said out loud in Clarkson Top Gear intro cadence):

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Are you attending the upcoming Texas Moron Meetup? If you don't know what that is, check the Sunday evening Gun Thread for details and get thee to Texas. Cybersmythe is wise in the ways of 3D printing and is offering name tags to any among the horde who are interested.

For a limited time (as long as his enthusiasm lasts), Cybersmythe is making 3D printed name badges FREE OF CHARGE for Texas MoMe attendees. These badges will come with magnetic thingies to hold them on and will include your name and the Ace of Spades logo. They look something like this:

Think you need no stinking stinking badge? Think again. You need a stinking badge. Send a note to Cybersmythe to order yours now - cybersmythe at protonmail dot com.

3D printing is in the queue for a hobby thread theme, so stay tuned if you are into that sort of thing.

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Did you miss last week's hobby thread with a hobby spaces theme? The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Horde art and hobby space: Tankascribe sent photos of the latest painting project to emerge from the Tankascribe Studio:

This one is 12x16 inches on stretched canvas and took approximately 49 hours from start to finish. We belong to a medieval recreation group (the SCA, Inc.) and this lady was reigning as Queen of the Kingdom of the West at the time the photo was taken by a talented photographer.

The painting went through the three usual stages of: 1) block-in (9 hours), 2) refining (25 hours), and 3) detail work (15 hours).

This one contains much symbolic detail on the silver crown and carved wooden throne, all of it meaningful, so none of it could be omitted.

Full process:

20240914-Portrait in Oils of Ciar of Skye.jpg

Comparison of source photo and painting result:

20240915-Ciar -- photo and finished painting(1).jpg

Honoring the theme last week of spaces where hobbying happens, here is where the Tankascribe painting magic happens. What might otherwise look like an ordinary dining room is cleverly disguised as an art studio:

20240921-Screenshot 2024-09-21 091106.jpg

Thank you!

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Notable comments from last week:

20240915-Screenshot 2024-09-15 113850.jpg

20240915-Screenshot 2024-09-15 114028.jpg

20240915-Screenshot 2024-09-15 114306.jpg

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If Legos are are not your thing and you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, there might be something wrong with you. In that unlikely event, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different hobby next time around. Send thoughts or suggestions to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Ace of Spades medical coverage does not cover accidents caused by walking on Legos left on the floor in the middle of the night.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:31 PM (fwDg9)

2 I was a Lego kid from a young age, sadly they were basic blocks, couple windows maybe.
Lincoln Logs are another building block to play with.

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:33 PM (fwDg9)

3 I think when you tour the Lego factory, you should have to be barefoot.

Posted by: Oddbob at September 21, 2024 05:35 PM (/y8xj)

4 Erector Sets is another. I never hada set myself but a family friend there was a set so got to play with it often. Long story but some years ago that set was given to me so I have it.
Hundreds of pieces and been long time that I checked it but missing very few of the pieces.

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:36 PM (fwDg9)

5 I'd totally forgotten about the ElectraBoom guy.
Here's some great shorts.

https://tinyurl.com/yc6b72bn

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 21, 2024 05:37 PM (MeG8a)

6 I'm almost done with my Tamiya 1/35 Type 97 Chi Ha. The hobby thread actually inspired me to dig it out and get it done. I just have to do some weathering and she's finished.

I bought the kit many years ago but never even started. As a kid, my oldest son used the box art as a guide and built his own out of Legos. So when I'm done, I'm putting the model in a protective case and giving it to him.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at September 21, 2024 05:38 PM (QyT5w)

7 I think when you tour the Lego factory, you should have to be barefoot.
Posted by: Oddbob
------------
HotWheels factory tilts head knowingly in agreement.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 05:39 PM (gWfZo)

8 Lincoln logs. Erector set. Revelle models. Testors T. AMF Roadmaster bike. VW bug. 1967 VW Type III, 32 PICT carbs.

Dries eyes, blows nose.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at September 21, 2024 05:40 PM (QSrLX)

9 6 I'm almost done with my Tamiya 1/35 Type 97 Chi Ha. The hobby thread actually inspired me to dig it out and get it done. I just have to do some weathering and she's finished.

Posted by: PA Dutchman at September 21, 2024 05:38 PM
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Hooray! Send me a photo of the finished product and I'll post on a future thread.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 05:40 PM (IQ6Gq)

10 Kids had Legos. I just remember stepping on them in bare feet...

Posted by: It's me donna at September 21, 2024 05:41 PM (IyPmt)

11 A question for all you painter types:
You all know what is a camera obscure?
Is that considered cheating?

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 21, 2024 05:42 PM (MeG8a)

12 My most impressive LEGO projects are my Star Wars Ultimate Edition Millennium Falcon and Super Star Destroyer. Both are around 3,000 pieces each and took around 20 hours to build (each).

Unfortunately, the Millennium Falcon wasn't a very sturdy build. Penny jumped on top of it one day and it collapsed. It could possibly be salvaged as I think I found most of th pieces, but not without a tremendous amount of time and effort.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2024 05:43 PM (BpYfr)

13 My step-grandson lives with me and I've bought him both Legos and Lincoln Logs.

I just got back from a work trip to the Kennedy Space Center where I bought him yet another building toy at one of the NASA gift shops.

Did you know that there are LEGO conventions? Texas's Brick Rodeo is a big show that moves around amount Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio and is run by the Texas LEGO User's Group, if which I'm not a member but I know somebody who is.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at September 21, 2024 05:44 PM (iZEhM)

14 Lincoln logs.
Posted by: Hokey Pokey
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Learned some things about construction. We would keep a one slot log, a three slot log, and a flat stick. Launch at each other's house and see who built best.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 05:44 PM (gWfZo)

15 A question for all you painter types:
You all know what is a camera obscure?
Is that considered cheating?
Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 21, 2024 05:42 PM (MeG8a)

Yes, I do. There's no cheating in painting, whether you do free hand, sketch out, or paint by number.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2024 05:45 PM (0eaVi)

16 Legos were not part of our household growing up, but thankfully I had friends who did have them. And I loved them...As an adult I baked a Lego cake for a friend's birthday... I do have a Lego Ferrari kit that I'm supposed to assemble for TRex (shhh, don't tell him).....

Posted by: Grateful at September 21, 2024 05:45 PM (IQ6Gq)

17 12 Unfortunately, the Millennium Falcon wasn't a very sturdy build. Penny jumped on top of it one day and it collapsed.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2024 05:43 PM
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Sounds like Penny channeled the dark side of the Force.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 05:45 PM (IQ6Gq)

18 12 Unfortunately, the Millennium Falcon wasn't a very sturdy build. Penny jumped on top of it one day and it collapsed.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2024 05:43 PM
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Sounds like Penny channeled the dark side of the Force.
Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 05:45 PM (IQ6Gq)
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Well, she is an all black cat...so yes.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2024 05:48 PM (BpYfr)

19 When my nephew was growing up would get Lego sets for Christmas and always built them then give them.

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:48 PM (fwDg9)

20 We have a Lego room. Formerly the guest room. We have spent and continue to spend absurd amount of $ on Legos. Now they have graduated to the professional sets. And my utube feed is filled with the Lego pros.

Posted by: Sassy at September 21, 2024 05:49 PM (xSICi)

21 The portrait by Tankascribe is so damn impressive. Besides the realism of the model, the level of detail in the jewelry is amazing.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 05:50 PM (yTvNw)

22 ScampyJunior has a high threshold for repetition. Legos were aplenty in his youth. Accountant now.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 05:50 PM (gWfZo)

23 You all know what is a camera obscure?
Is that considered cheating?

I have not seen it myself but as I understand, the film "Tim's Vermeer" posits that Vermeer used one. If that's cheating, then it's the best kind of cheating.

Posted by: Oddbob at September 21, 2024 05:51 PM (/y8xj)

24 Haven't watched one in awhile, Lego stop animation videos are awesome

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:51 PM (fwDg9)

25

I never had Legos. I had Elgos.

https://t.ly/Nf6pM

Also Lincoln logs and Erector set.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 21, 2024 05:52 PM (63Dwl)

26 I have often wondered, did the likes of playing with Legos make me a carpenter or was it already in my DNA so was something I really enjoyed playing with them?

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:53 PM (fwDg9)

27 Guns and bourbon are getting damned expensive as hobbies.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2024 05:55 PM (QicIc)

28 Looking for tops on this:

I have a carrying case that is foam padded inside.
How do I cut out shapes so zI can exacttfot some specific items, without cutting completely through the foam?

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 21, 2024 05:56 PM (Wx316)

29 26 I have often wondered, did the likes of playing with Legos make me a carpenter or was it already in my DNA so was something I really enjoyed playing with them?
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:53 PM (fwDg9)

Legos, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys... a number of metal build sets, some even motorized... HO scale Race cars... HotWheels... then line controlled gas airplanes (a LOT)...

But it was the Electronics build set that Dad got me that somehow got me started to become an Electronics type.

Posted by: Romeo13 at September 21, 2024 05:57 PM (xaFKb)

30 KTY loves legos

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 21, 2024 05:57 PM (Wx316)

31 Good evening all you wonderfully talented people

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 05:58 PM (I1GXe)

32 Guns and bourbon are getting damned expensive as hobbies.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2024 05:55 PM (QicIc)
------------
Finally sold one of the former. Felt odd. Always acquired.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 05:58 PM (gWfZo)

33 Glad someone mentioned Tinker Toys. Haven't thought about those for years, but those were very fun.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

34 Bourbon and cigars.... not only a hobby, it's a lifestyle.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 21, 2024 06:00 PM (Q4IgG)

35 We had Tinker Toys that came in cans.

And legos and lincoln logs. And a mess of tracks and Hot Wheels. My brother and I would spend DAYS creating an entire universe.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 06:00 PM (RHVJl)

36 I had Legos as a kid, but just the regular blocks. My boys were Legomaniacs and had all kinds of kits, and Bionicles, which I think were a Lego thing too. There is a shelf of about 40 of them upstairs. I don't know if they are worth anything.

We even made the trek to Legoland. Did you know that Legoland Florida is built on the site of the old Cypress Gardens? They still have a lot of the plants and trails there and you can wander around and see the Florida flora.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 06:00 PM (vFG9F)

37 Hello Ben Had! Glad you're here.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

38 Tinker Toys was a big playtime I had, can't believe I forgot them.

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 06:02 PM (fwDg9)

39 35 My brother and I would spend DAYS creating an entire universe.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 06:00 PM
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This. Building the picture on the box was one thing, but creating entirely new worlds was the magic stuff.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

40 I don't recall having Legos around in the 1950s. Maybe they were too expensive for our neighborhood. The closest I came was Lincoln Logs which I loved as a little kid. I didn't realize that the way they were assembled was the same way logs for real log cabins were cut: notches cut to fit together as closely as possible to minimize the amount of chinking and daubing needed to keep out drafts.

We kids quickly learned to put the pieces away after playing with them since dogs loved to chew on the soft wood.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 06:03 PM (yTvNw)

41 My cousin had the neatest erector set and a bunch of really fun Tonka toys. We would spend hours playing with them.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 06:04 PM (I1GXe)

42 I think the Lego kits take a lot of the fun and creativity out of legos. It's kinda boring to just make the one thing. And to have to follow directions.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 06:05 PM (RHVJl)

43 I had an erector set when I was pretty young. That's how I leaned about electricity, when I stuck one of those little steel beams in an electric socket.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 06:05 PM (vFG9F)

44 When I lived overseas as a youngster, my parents took me up to Denmark and one of the sights we did get to see was the Danish Legoland. It's pretty cool. I'm sure it's even more amazing nearly 40 years later...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2024 06:06 PM (BpYfr)

45 Hey there Ben Had...just 24 days and a wake up!

Posted by: Grateful at September 21, 2024 06:06 PM (IQ6Gq)

46 Mid 60s was when I was playing with Legos

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 06:07 PM (fwDg9)

47 I think the Lego kits take a lot of the fun and creativity out of legos. It's kinda boring to just make the one thing. And to have to follow directions.
Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 06:05 PM (RHVJl)
---
On the contrary! I made quite a few elaborate space ships and castles, combining lots of different sets into larger sets.

Each box also had pictures of alternate variations of the sets so part of the challenge was to create those versions *without* any directions.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2024 06:08 PM (BpYfr)

48 Trex and Grateful, thank you for mentioning the MoMe. I can barely contain my excitement for seeing all of you.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 06:08 PM (I1GXe)

49 43 I had an erector set when I was pretty young. That's how I leaned about electricity, when I stuck one of those little steel beams in an electric socket.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 06:05 PM
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Shocking!

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:08 PM (IQ6Gq)

50 Finally sold one of the former. Felt odd. Always acquired.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 05:58 PM (gWfZo)

I did that once. I felt...dirty.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 21, 2024 06:09 PM (X6hcS)

51 38 ... "Tinker Toys was a big playtime I had, can't believe I forgot them."

Same here. I did forget about Tinker Toys. Erector sets were for slightly older kids. This was when they still used sheet metal parts. Do they still come with a little motor?

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 06:09 PM (yTvNw)

52 Another great thread TRex, thank you. I made the front page...I feel so honored!

I know there are pictures of me in that cast setup, and it would be neat if I could find one of that desk, but that might be asking too much.

Posted by: haffhowershower at September 21, 2024 06:10 PM (NMT5x)

53 2 I was a Lego kid from a young age, sadly they were basic blocks, couple windows maybe.
Lincoln Logs are another building block to play with.
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 05:33 PM (fwDg9)

Me too Skip. I had one little box of Legos with very few specialty pieces. I used to like making planes and since the kit didn't have wheels, I used to make a ski or float plane. The kit had long thin 'planks' so I used those in place of landing gear. It was fun!

Posted by: haffhowershower at September 21, 2024 06:12 PM (NMT5x)

54 44 When I lived overseas as a youngster, my parents took me up to Denmark and one of the sights we did get to see was the Danish Legoland.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2024 06:06 PM
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In the research for this thread, I learned that the Denmark Legoland opened in 1968. I had no idea the Legoland concept went back that far. I was only familiar with the one in CA which opened in 1999.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

55 My brother and I had a HO scale A/FX race track on a piece of 4X8 plywood my dad painted grass green. We'd use our allowance monies and buy some add-on pieces of track and make new layouts.

I had a banger orange and black Dodge Daytona car that smoked the field. And a L&M Cam-An car that was probably one of the most detailed HO scale racers I've seen.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 21, 2024 06:13 PM (Q4IgG)

56 Hello, Hobby folk,

Mid 60s was when I was playing with Legos
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024

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I saw them first at a W.T. Grant (remember those stores?) in about 1963. The starter set was not much: red, white, black, and clear blocks. All you could do was build blockhouses or cabins. Clearly they've mushroomed to take over the niche that in '63 was held firmly by plastic assembly kits from Aurora, Pyro, and Revell among others. And those required paint, plus brushes and thinner, and glue. These modern eye-wateringly expensive kits have many more parts, apparently, that snap together and don't require paint.

On the other hand, let's see Lego try to model a '64 Corvette Sting Ray that actually *looks* like a miniature of the real car. From what I've seen, Lego is best at things that are more rectilinear; they don't seem to model curves like those in '60s GM sheet metal. I could be wrong, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:15 PM (omVj0)

57

My favorite hobby is farting in public elevators.

I hope to go to space someday, so I can fart in an airlock...

Posted by: Jack Mahoggof at September 21, 2024 06:15 PM (00IUw)

58 Got tinker toys, don't recall ever getting Legos but have been to Legoland.
The odd builder toy I did get was Micronauts.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at September 21, 2024 06:18 PM (/lPRQ)

59 I did that once. I felt...dirty.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
-----------
Mixture of that feeling and the do-gooder thing. Employee, his dad, his dipshit bro-in-law, and an M1.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 06:19 PM (gWfZo)

60 Thank you for this fascinating topic. Love the portrait as well.

Posted by: Gouverneur Morris at September 21, 2024 06:20 PM (J8OCH)

61 So... I do recall there being tinker toy windmills. Green plastic fins to attach to the hub.

The rot was invasive, even then.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 21, 2024 06:21 PM (Q4IgG)

62 As for other hobbies: I guess exercising is a kind of hobby for me. Today I bought a new pair of Saucony running shoes -- my old ones were worn out after four years. Almost $200 with the ridiculous sales tax we have around here. I can hardly wait to try them out in a track run tomorrow.

Pipes and tobacco: There's a new 1960s German short billiard with a meerschaum-lined bowl and horn stem on eBay; I'm very tempted to put in a bid. And this morning I finished up a packet of leaf I bought in 2021. The closet holds two other blends I bought around the same time and have never opened. Maybe tomorrow I'll open one after the aforementioned run, and during the Book Thread.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:21 PM (omVj0)

63 I love to build Legos with my grandsons. They are 8 and 4. These are memories that I hope they will cherish. I know I will.

Posted by: RetSgtRN at September 21, 2024 06:23 PM (eTkTC)

64 Also Lincoln logs and Erector set.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

The Hydro-Dynamic Erector set was my absolute favorite kid toy. When I left home after HS, I lost track of all those things.

*sigh*

Posted by: Tonypete at September 21, 2024 06:24 PM (WXNFJ)

65 This thread brought back an old memory. Every little boy in our neighborhood had a set of Lincoln Logs. They were an affordable gift from grandparents back then. We would come together and build 'frontier' forts and villages with stockade fencing, made from twigs stuck in the dirt, to repel the enemy. The enemy might be Indians or pirates like the fort in Treasure Island.

Just looked up Lincoln Logs on Amazon and got sticker shock. The price for a basic set has risen a bit over the last 60 or so years.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 06:24 PM (yTvNw)

66 We've also been told that the name "Lego" comes from the Latin, "I assemble." Since it's a Danish company, it makes more sense that its origin would be from Danish.

"Volvo" also happens to mean "I roll" in Latin. But I'll bet the name really came from something in Swedish.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:25 PM (omVj0)

67 Legos and Eddie Izzard: Death Star Canteen:

https://t.ly/uHaEE

Posted by: Tonypete at September 21, 2024 06:26 PM (WXNFJ)

68 "Volvo" also happens to mean "I roll" in Latin. But I'll bet the name really came from something in Swedish.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
------------
Nova.

Posted by: Latin Countries ain't buying at September 21, 2024 06:26 PM (gWfZo)

69 Because I grew up on a farm and Dad's favorite tractor was a John Deere that he bought in high school, my wife and kids got me a Lego JD silage chopper for my birthday.

I've completed phases I and II and have decided that fancy Legos are just a 3-D jigsaw with instructions. It's fun.

I grew up with Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, and just plain blocks. Tried Dad's Erector set -- once. Those pieces were tiny!

Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2024 06:27 PM (p/isN)

70 65 We would come together and build 'frontier' forts and villages with stockade fencing, made from twigs stuck in the dirt, to repel the enemy.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 06:24 PM
***
Excellent memory. After the action concluded, was it easy for everyone to sort out which pieces belonged to them or did everyone have the same sets which had the same interchangeable pieces?

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:27 PM (IQ6Gq)

71 My basement is PACKED with LEGO. I am big-time into GBC (look it up on utube) which is basically making kinetic builds that move little balls from A to B. I always say old guys need an expensive hobby and this one is right up there with HO trains or a classic car in the garage.

Posted by: Asko at September 21, 2024 06:28 PM (NFGpg)

72 My cousin had the neatest erector set and a bunch of really fun Tonka toys. We would spend hours playing with them.
Posted by: Ben Had

The big Tonka toys were great. You could ride on them down hills.
Used to tow each other riding them behind bikes.
One day a lady driver hit the towline and took out both there tow bike and neighbor kid on the Tonka. Jacked up both the bike and Tonka. No serious injuries. Good times!

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at September 21, 2024 06:28 PM (/lPRQ)

73 "Volvo" also happens to mean "I roll" in Latin. But I'll bet the name really came from something in Swedish.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

I think the root word is: "Trademark that sounds very similar to a lady part but whose icon shows the symbol for a male".

Posted by: Tonypete at September 21, 2024 06:28 PM (WXNFJ)

74 My memory of first seeing Legos in '63 matches with the fact the system was patented in 1961.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:28 PM (omVj0)

75 I agree with Gouverneur Morris, I love the portrait too.

Excellent job Tankascribe! I appreciate the pictures of the progress too. Very nice and very faithful to the original photo...that is talent!

Posted by: haffhowershower at September 21, 2024 06:29 PM (NMT5x)

76 I was really into Hot Wheels when I was a young pup.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 06:29 PM (mH6SG)

77 Queen of the Kingdom of the West?

I seem to have missed this post in my historical readings. Can you elaborate?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 06:31 PM (RdGct)

78 Legos, Lincoln logs, erector sets , tinker toys and Tonka toys were all great imagination builders. My OFI (old fart indulgence) anymore is flying a kite on a Spring day.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 06:31 PM (I1GXe)

79 I was really into Hot Wheels when I was a young pup.
Posted by: Notorious BFD
-----------
I was devastated at 20 when I came home and discovered my mom gave my collection away. She said, "you know you're 20 and have not touched them in years?"

Posted by: Latin Countries ain't buying at September 21, 2024 06:31 PM (gWfZo)

80 "I grew up with Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, and just plain blocks."

So did I. Loved my Tinker Toys.

Posted by: Tuna at September 21, 2024 06:32 PM (oaGWv)

81 I was devastated at 20 when I came home and discovered my mom gave my collection away. She said, "you know you're 20 and have not touched them in years?"
Posted by: Latin Countries

A buddy of mine was drafted and went off to do his time in the Army. He mom gave away his Lionel set to the kid next door. Buddy came home on leave one day and the kid was playing with his set in the sandbox.

Not a happy buddy!

Posted by: Tonypete at September 21, 2024 06:33 PM (WXNFJ)

82 43 I had an erector set when I was pretty young. That's how I leaned about electricity, when I stuck one of those little steel beams in an electric socket.
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 06:05 PM (vFG9F)

------------

Did your education in electricity amount to anything more than "don't stick a metal erector set part into the damn electrical socket"?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 06:34 PM (RdGct)

83

I had an erector set as a teenager.

She lived next door, washed her car in a bikini. Magnificent pair...

Posted by: Jack Mahoggof at September 21, 2024 06:35 PM (00IUw)

84 Nova.
Posted by: Latin Countries ain't buying at September 21, 2024

***
I've heard that story. It's a little hard to believe that GM, with its enormous global resources in the 1960s, would have failed to research the name and to find Spanish speakers would interpret "Nova" ("no va") as "doesn't go" or "don't go." They'd have had their legal department researching any potential conflicts in a name, the way the TV networks had departments that would research intellectual property infringements in scripts.

Such a thing could have slipped through the cracks, though. Or some top executive insisted on the name and ignored the research. But did GM then rebrand the cars for sale in Latin America and Spain?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:36 PM (omVj0)

85 79: I was devastated at 20 when I came home and discovered my mom gave my collection away. She said, "you know you're 20 and have not touched them in years?"

My mother did the same to me. Came home one day and she sold my Lionel trains for a pittance.
Told me they were for children.

I still have my Matchbox cars though.

Posted by: RetSgtRN at September 21, 2024 06:36 PM (eTkTC)

86 Sum of my leggo experience is the half dozen or so I've stepped on in the dark over the years.

Posted by: Eromero at September 21, 2024 06:36 PM (LHPAg)

87 69 Because I grew up on a farm and Dad's favorite tractor was a John Deere that he bought in high school, my wife and kids got me a Lego JD silage chopper for my birthday.

Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2024 06:27 PM
***
Outstanding. Love this. Didn't realize how much Lego JD stuff was out there.

You might enjoy this: https://tinyurl.com/ynuhaxxm

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

88 My mother did the same to me. Came home one day and she sold my Lionel trains for a pittance.
Told me they were for children.

I still have my Matchbox cars though.
Posted by: RetSgtRN

It's important for moms to know what can be touched and what can't be touched. We're clueless other wise.

Posted by: Tuna at September 21, 2024 06:38 PM (oaGWv)

89 Chemistry sets and wood burning kits were big when kids weren't raised in a safety bubble.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 06:38 PM (jNAzB)

90 Sum of my leggo experience is the half dozen or so I've stepped on in the dark over the years.

An experience well-known to elicit some of the choicest profanity known to mankind. Heh.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 06:38 PM (mH6SG)

91 70 ... " After the action concluded, was it easy for everyone to sort out which pieces belonged to them or did everyone have the same sets which had the same interchangeable pieces?"

Hi TRex,

As I recall, we each built a structure from our own set, keeping them separate, and worked together to build the non-Lincoln Log fencing and other stuff. Made it easy to track who the pieces belonged to. Childhood pragmatism. I see there are different sets these days but only remember one basic version back then.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 06:39 PM (yTvNw)

92 But did GM then rebrand the cars for sale in Latin America and Spain?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:36 PM (omVj0)

----------

IIRC, after numerous LatinX focus groups, the name of the car was changed to the Pinche Madre.

Okay, maybe the focus groups had an ulterior motive.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 06:39 PM (RdGct)

93 "Did your education in electricity amount to anything more than "don't stick a metal erector set part into the damn electrical socket"?
Posted by: Cicero"

I embarked on a long career of getting shock by a variety of things. Spark plug wires, CRT fly backs, corona wire transformers, bare 120v connections, punctured extension cords, hot electric tools, you name it, I probably got shocked by it.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 06:40 PM (vFG9F)

94 I was devastated at 20 when I came home and discovered my mom gave my collection away. She said, "you know you're 20 and have not touched them in years?"
Posted by: Latin Countries
*************
Similar experience, and I recall those feelings....

Posted by: Grateful at September 21, 2024 06:41 PM (IQ6Gq)

95 79 I was devastated at 20 when I came home and discovered my mom gave my collection away. She said, "you know you're 20 and have not touched them in years?"

Posted by: Latin Countries ain't buying at September 21, 2024 06:31 PM
***
Yikes. Double yikes. Sub-optimal.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:41 PM (IQ6Gq)

96 Wolfus, the story i heard was that GM whiffed on Latin America and Nova. They quickly renamed/rebranded it for sales down south. Makes a fella wonder if some recently ended their careers at Boeing.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 06:41 PM (gWfZo)

97 My mother gave away all my old Superman family DC comics from the Silver Age. They'd be worth some dough today.

She did, however, keep my Hartland Western TV character figures -- rigid "action figures," they'd be called today. One line had them on horseback, Wyatt Earp and Cheyenne and Roy Rogers & Dale Evans. The other line, "The Gunfighters," had the character (Paladin, Bat Masterson, Bret Maverick, et al.) standing, with arms that swiveled and hats and guns that detached. They were beautifully molded and painted, and even resembled the actors to a degree.

She'd kept them in boxes in a cabinet. When she passed away, I could have taken them, but didn't. She'd also kept my Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent plush toy; I've regretted not taking that at least.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:41 PM (omVj0)

98 War gamers often show off Match Boxes and Hot Wheels, I could almost cry seeing them and all the cars I lost

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 06:43 PM (fwDg9)

99 Estes rockets had a certain appeal. Like expensive bottle rockets the mom and dad could afford.

About that one time we shot one into the community pool....

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 21, 2024 06:44 PM (Q4IgG)

100 Are there military-themed Lego kits? Tanks, Jeeps, Volkswagen Schwimmwagens (the car VW marketed once upon a time as "The Thing")?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:45 PM (omVj0)

101 When I had Lego sets as a kid, they were just assortments of bricks--not model cars or spaceships. The most exotic bricks in the ones I had were the ones with wheels.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 21, 2024 06:46 PM (CHHv1)

102 ar gamers often show off Match Boxes and Hot Wheels, I could almost cry seeing them and all the cars I lost
------
"Somewhere" I have a shoebox full of hot wheels and the Corgi brand of cars.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 21, 2024 06:46 PM (Q4IgG)

103 98 War gamers often show off Match Boxes and Hot Wheels, I could almost cry seeing them and all the cars I lost
Posted by: Skip

Oh. I dunno. Giving a kid a gift of a toy and then forbidding them from taking it out of the box seems cruel. Sure, we would all be wealthy if we had our toys still in boxes. I had a beautiful collection of Madam Alexander dolls. They would be worth $$$ now. But I took them out and messed with them a bit. I wasn't really a dolly girl, but still. If they were in their original boxes, they'd be worth a bit.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 06:47 PM (xqTwd)

104 89 ... "Chemistry sets and wood burning kits were big when kids weren't raised in a safety bubble."

Loved my chemistry set. Every town had a hobby shop that sold them and individual bottles of the chemicals (and a lot of other cool stuff), even bottles of (GASP!) mercury. Somehow, we all survived.

I'm sure science has yet to catch up with some of the substances we brewed back then.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 06:47 PM (yTvNw)

105 I have no one to blame losing my childhood toys as I would throw them away every few years after I stopped playing with them.

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 06:47 PM (fwDg9)

106 Wolfus, the story i heard was that GM whiffed on Latin America and Nova. They quickly renamed/rebranded it for sales down south. Makes a fella wonder if some recently ended their careers at Boeing.
Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 06:41 PM (gWfZo)
-------------
Urban legend. "Nova" is a perfectly good word in Spanish and means exactly the same thing that it does in English.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight, Concertina Czar at September 21, 2024 06:49 PM (VdhcA)

107 JTB , The demise of the local hobby shop. still brings me sadness.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 06:49 PM (I1GXe)

108 100 Are there military-themed Lego kits? Tanks, Jeeps, Volkswagen Schwimmwagens?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:45 PM
***
Lego founders were reticent to have war-themes for toys designed for children, so not much from the Lego stores. Other makers make things like Schwimmwagens but most "Lego" military stuff you see on-line are custom aftermarket builds.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:50 PM (IQ6Gq)

109 I have a portrait of myself when I was in my forties. I didn't have to sit for it. The artist took a photo of me and presented the oil painting to me a couple of weeks later. Very realistic (similar to the example above, but not nearly as detailed).
Anyway I asked him how the heck he did it and he showed me his camera obscura set up.
They've been around for hundreds of years, I guess.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 21, 2024 06:52 PM (MeG8a)

110 I don't think Lego hit the marketplace until I was beyond the age that kids play with building blocks. I had a Meccano set (Brit counterpart to the Erector sets sold in the USA).

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2024 06:53 PM (ZO20Q)

111 I hate USC. But I hate Michigan more.

Why can't both teams lose?

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 06:54 PM (Mvmps)

112 My saddest loss from my childhood collections were my baseball cards. I had some really valuable keepers. Sigh.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 06:54 PM (mH6SG)

113 One thing I never had and never wanted as a kid was a lunch box.

Very collectible now.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 06:55 PM (jNAzB)

114 AOP, I find it not at all surprising that you would have an erector set.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 06:55 PM (I1GXe)

115 Loved Corgi toys in the pre-Hot Wheels days. That was what my allowance went for.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 06:55 PM (RdGct)

116 71 My basement is PACKED with LEGO. I am big-time into GBC (look it up on utube) which is basically making kinetic builds that move little balls from A to B.

Posted by: Asko at September 21, 2024 06:28 PM
***
Looked it up. Looks fun with a lot of room for creativity. Looks like a close relative of the Rube Goldberg device. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 06:55 PM (IQ6Gq)

117 Tankascribe picked a pretty lady to showcase, she’d fit right at Corsicana this year.

Posted by: Eromero at September 21, 2024 06:56 PM (LHPAg)

118 112 My saddest loss from my childhood collections were my baseball cards. I had some really valuable keepers. Sigh.
Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 06:54 PM (mH6SG)

-----------

Mickey Mantle rookie card, hermetically sealed in plastic?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 06:57 PM (RdGct)

119 For those who regard reading as a hobby (raises hand), tomorrow is Hobbit Day. September 22 is the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo. I'll have more to say on the book thread.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 06:58 PM (yTvNw)

120 They've been around for hundreds of years, I guess.
Posted by: gourmand du jour

Vermeer supposedly used one.

Posted by: Tuna at September 21, 2024 06:59 PM (oaGWv)

121 We would walk 5 miles to a hobby shop a town away, often through a train tunnel. Went through many times when a freight train was going through at same time. Then walk 5 miles back with our bag of models.

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 06:59 PM (fwDg9)

122 Notorious BFD, that is an ouch.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 06:59 PM (I1GXe)

123 Student Science Service had mad scientist glass labware, and a kid could buy sodium metal in kerosene filled jars for great small fireworks. Years after saw a guy who somehow obtained a pound of sodium metal. Of course the whole chunk was tossed into the surf. Hilarity ensured.

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at September 21, 2024 06:59 PM (lyYfb)

124 Mickey Mantle rookie card, hermetically sealed in plastic?

Nah, but I did indeed have a Mickey Mantle and more than a few autographed cards.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 07:00 PM (mH6SG)

125 In 1990, Meccano bought the Erector brand. The two brands are now sold under the Meccano brand name, with the Erector Set being marketed as "Erector by Meccano", having the same parts as Meccano.

Who knew?

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 07:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

126 I was really into Hot Wheels when I was a young pup.
Posted by: Notorious BFD
----------
Weekly lawn mowing money went to Hot Wheels, a candy bar, and piggy bank.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 07:00 PM (gWfZo)

127 Such a thing could have slipped through the cracks, though. Or some top executive insisted on the name and ignored the research. But did GM then rebrand the cars for sale in Latin America and Spain?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2024 06:36 PM (omVj0)

I am pretty sure that Nova, coming from Latin, would be recognized as such by Spanish speakers, given that it is a Romance language descended from Latin.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2024 07:02 PM (ZO20Q)

128 126 Weekly lawn mowing money went to Hot Wheels, a candy bar, and piggy bank.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 07:00 PM
***
Who taught you that part of your loot should go into the piggy bank?

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 07:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

129 Idle thought but how did the things you played with as a kid shape the things you do as an adult?

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:04 PM (I1GXe)

130 I hate USC. But I hate Michigan more.

Why can't both teams lose?
*********
This, 100 per cent.....

Posted by: Grateful at September 21, 2024 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

131 Actually, my most treasured card was signed by Ernie Banks. My Pop met him on a flight and they ended up being causal friends for years.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 07:04 PM (mH6SG)

132 Who taught you that part of your loot should go into the piggy bank?
Posted by: TRex
------------
Ha! Youngest of six. Mom taught me that. And the lesson of collateral for the siblings that spent vs saved.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 07:05 PM (gWfZo)

133 In Latin, va means "go".
Same in Spanish, but more often said as "vamos" or "vamanos" (let's go).

Posted by: gourmand du jour at September 21, 2024 07:06 PM (MeG8a)

134 They've been around for hundreds of years, I guess.
Posted by: gourmand du jour

Vermeer supposedly used one.
Posted by: Tuna at September 21, 2024 06:59 PM (oaGW

Tim's Vemeer is an interesting documentary by Penn though I think it was just another of his fooling his audience project.

Even with the obscura you have to be able to properly mix paint, lay down the correct values, shades and tint and properly blend . Also oil paint takes a long time to dry for one to do layers.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 07:06 PM (jNAzB)

135 On the topic of hobbies, I spent the morning scrubbing the sea lion shit off the side of my boat. Do sea lions engage in projectile defecation like the penguins? Oh yes, my friend, they do. They do.

After a long morning of scrubbing, the clouds broke and I was rewarded with a stunning SoCal Fall day. I shared it with the lovely and vivacious Ms. Cicero over a delightful lunch in the cockpit as we watched the paddleboarders and dinghies go past.

It didn't suck.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 07:07 PM (RdGct)

136 In 1990, Meccano bought the Erector brand. The two brands are now sold under the Meccano brand name, with the Erector Set being marketed as "Erector by Meccano", having the same parts as Meccano.

Who knew?
Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 07:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

I did not know that. In my day, Meccano and Erector (made by A.C. Gilbert, IIRC) were very similar, but had different screw threads, among other details. Meccano screws were strange, and had a thread that was unknown to Science at the time.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2024 07:07 PM (ZO20Q)

137 When crime meets hobby

Japanese police are still looking for two men who broke into an online auction house and stole about 10 million Yen in trading cards.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 21, 2024 07:07 PM (nuxDz)

138 Cicero, life is good.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:08 PM (I1GXe)

139 I had number of Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas football cards that went into my bicycle spokes.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 07:08 PM (jNAzB)

140 129 Idle thought but how did the things you played with as a kid shape the things you do as an adult?

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:04 PM
***
Correlation isn't causation, but I'd bet a lot of rocket engineers played with model rockets, a lot of professional designers did a lot of drawing, and a lot of builders did a lot of small-scale building.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 07:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

141 138 Cicero, life is good.
Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:08 PM (I1GXe)

--------

Yep. The world sucks, so savor the pleasures as you find them.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 07:10 PM (RdGct)

142 Nah, but I did indeed have a Mickey Mantle and more than a few autographed cards.
Posted by: Notorious BFD
--------------
Damn. Can relate. I thought baseball cards belonged in the spokes on my bike. If one only knew.

Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2024 07:10 PM (gWfZo)

143 Well, time to go hang the laundry on the line. Sunny and breezy, a good drying day.

I am in the midst of trying to fit new seat bottom covers on a '99 Suburban. Got the ratty old cover off, and the foam needs some help.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2024 07:10 PM (ZO20Q)

144

What did pimps play with as kids?

*types, deletes*

Posted by: Jack Mahoggof at September 21, 2024 07:11 PM (00IUw)

145 Good know that a day that starts with sea lion poop has a chance to end well.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 07:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

146 As for Legos, I do not want to hear from any of those who put modern Lego kits together that model building is hard.

There is on the shelves of Wal-Mart a Lego Peugeot kit. It is over 1,700 parts. And it costs $200.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 21, 2024 07:11 PM (nuxDz)

147 If we can't afford a border wall can we scatter legos randomly at the border?

Posted by: 18-1 at September 21, 2024 07:11 PM (oZhjI)

148 The portrait by Tankascribe is so damn impressive. Besides the realism of the model, the level of detail in the jewelry is amazing.
Posted by: JTB

Here, here!
I agree completely, beautiful work!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 21, 2024 07:12 PM (5JBBX)

149 "Meccano screws were strange, and had a thread that was unknown to Science at the time.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon"

BSF?

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 07:13 PM (vFG9F)

150 Sports were my main hobby as a kid as well as prepping . I loved fiction and non-fiction survival books

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 07:13 PM (jNAzB)

151 147 If we can't afford a border wall can we scatter legos randomly at the border?
Posted by: 18-1

Exploding legos?

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 07:14 PM (vU47R)

152 Meccano? I was thinking Whitworth ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at September 21, 2024 07:15 PM (UWgy2)

153 Exploding legos?

Well, it would certainly make going through my child hood stuff more interesting.

Posted by: 18-1 at September 21, 2024 07:16 PM (oZhjI)

154 129 ... 'Idle thought but how did the things you played with as a kid shape the things you do as an adult?
Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:04 PM (I1GXe)"

Hi BH, (Thanks for keeping us informed about JT),

The actual toys didn't end up influencing me as an adult but reading did. Even in early grade school I formed a love of words which ended up with a career as a business and technical writer and as a writer for a local newspaper. Appreciating words and how they could be used effectively made the difference.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 07:16 PM (yTvNw)

155 150 Sports were my main hobby as a kid as well as prepping . I loved fiction and non-fiction survival books
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 07:13 PM (jNAzB)

--------

When you hear the pounding on your hermetically-sealed nuclear bomb shelter, open up. That will be me.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 07:17 PM (RdGct)

156 I say stuff I did as a kid laid the foundation for what I do now. It was a natural progression.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 07:17 PM (vFG9F)

157 Eh, it's form Wiki but what the hell...

Ernest Banks (January 31, 1931 – January 23, 2015), nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player who starred in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between 1953 and 1971. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team in 1999. Banks is regarded as being one of the greatest players of all time.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 07:17 PM (mH6SG)

158

Hey Achmed, why does this pager smell like Semtex...

Posted by: Muhammad al Camala at September 21, 2024 07:19 PM (00IUw)

159 Sitting on my rocking horse with my cap gun watching "Roy Rogers" made me what I am today !

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:19 PM (I1GXe)

160 I preferred playing with the boys as opposed to the girls when I was young. The boys didn't mind getting wet or dirty, we're busy climbing trees and hitting rocks into the water with sticks. Sometimes we'd throw rocks at each other. I think it prepared me to raise boys. I think I may have understood what interested and amused them better.

Or not.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 07:20 PM (GhFyc)

161 159 Sitting on my rocking horse with my cap gun watching "Roy Rogers" made me what I am today !

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:19 PM
***
Hey there little Buckaroo!

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 07:21 PM (IQ6Gq)

162 I should go look at my Erector set, remember it's bolts and screws missing and see what else was missing. Don't think it's unavailable parts

Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2024 07:21 PM (fwDg9)

163 When you hear the pounding on your hermetically-sealed nuclear bomb shelter, open up. That will be me.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 07:17 PM (RdGct)

Life got in the way and don't have one. Yet.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 07:21 PM (jNAzB)

164 159 Sitting on my rocking horse with my cap gun watching "Roy Rogers" made me what I am today !
Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:19 PM (I1GXe)

------------

LOL

Somehow, I totally believe this.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 07:21 PM (RdGct)

165 nurse, it absolutely did.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:21 PM (I1GXe)

166 Only if you scatter a strip of Legos about 12 ft wide and six inches deep.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 21, 2024 07:21 PM (nuxDz)

167 I can see you doing that as a little girl, Ben Had.

And it makes me smile.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 21, 2024 07:22 PM (GhFyc)

168 I just now saw a commercial for the show "Collecter's Call" on MeTV, Sunday 6:30, and this week they will be visiting a Lego collector.

I am not making that up. They do visit some pretty interesting collections on that show.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 07:22 PM (vFG9F)

169 Today's hobby was taking a 100 mile cruise on a bike I picked up last week. yeah I needed a 4th harley like harlem needs another crack dealer, but it was too cheap to pass up. I spent all week going over it and rehabbing it since it sat for a bit, but is in beautiful condition. Big full dresser thing. Runs beautiful. Heavy as a tank though. I could barley lift it off the kickstand with Mrs B on it. Not liking that. I guess driving it to texas is out of the question lol.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at September 21, 2024 07:23 PM (VwHCD)

170 I guess driving it to texas is out of the question lol.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division

Heavy when parked is way different from heavy while moving. If it's like the HDs I've been around it has a low center of gravity and probably is smooth as butter on the road!
Go for it!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 21, 2024 07:25 PM (5JBBX)

171 I also wanted to be a cowboy when I was a kid. Wore only cowboy boots until I was 8 and participated in Little Britches Rodeo events but then sports took over my interests and time.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 07:25 PM (jNAzB)

172 "Sitting on my rocking horse with my cap gun watching "Roy Rogers" made me what I am today !
Posted by: Ben Had"

Did you ever have a horse named Trigger?

I've got a old pair of cap guns I retrieved from somewhere. I wonder if I could find some caps for them.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 07:26 PM (vFG9F)

173 The few "tomboys" I was acquainted with growing up were a hell of a lot of fun. They got to experience things that most girls didn't. Man, those were good times.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 07:26 PM (mH6SG)

174 You can make a business out of Legos

I have encountered one person who bought several shopping buggies of Legos on clearance out of my store because he could then part out those boxes and sell on eBay to people who lost a part.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 21, 2024 07:26 PM (nuxDz)

175 Thinking about it, I guess my enjoyment of toy cap pistols led to my hobby of target shooting. That Roy Rogers two gun set with holster (one of the best Christmas presents ever) still echoes in my Ruger single action revolvers. (My favorite handguns.)

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 07:27 PM (yTvNw)

176 Heavy when parked is way different from heavy while moving. If it's like the HDs I've been around it has a low center of gravity and probably is smooth as butter on the road!
Go for it!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 21, 2024 07:25 PM (5JBBX)

very smooth, but this one feels pretty top heavy. It has a tour pack which isn't helping. I can throw my other bikes around with no effort, but THIS thing, damn. Its a whole different level.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at September 21, 2024 07:28 PM (VwHCD)

177 Rumor has it that a movie thread is inbound at some point. Not sure when, so a hearty Thank You to everyone who joined and to all those lurkers who are reading along or catching up with the thread later. Tune in next week for another edition of The Hobby Thread! Write anytime at the email address in my nic with stories of your latest hobbying or just to say hello.

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 07:29 PM (IQ6Gq)

178 Thanks much, TRex.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 07:30 PM (mH6SG)

179 Bers, looking forward to seeing you and the lovely Mrs B soon

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:30 PM (I1GXe)

180 172 ... "I've got a old pair of cap guns I retrieved from somewhere. I wonder if I could find some caps for them."

I believe Tractor Supply and Cabela's sell caps. When percussion caps for muzzle loaders were scarce, some folks started making their own from soda can and toy caps.

Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2024 07:30 PM (yTvNw)

181 @111 --

They damn near did.

Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2024 07:31 PM (p/isN)

182 TRex, thank you! The hobby thread is also a fun trip down memory lane .

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:32 PM (I1GXe)

183 Coed intramural teams were my favorite because nothing better than good-looking ,straight tomboys.

We won the state Louisiana college intramural coed flag football championship . My greatest college accomplishment😁

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at September 21, 2024 07:33 PM (jNAzB)

184 173 The few "tomboys" I was acquainted with growing up were a hell of a lot of fun. They got to experience things that most girls didn't. Man, those were good times.
Posted by: Notorious BFD

----------

Yes. My five year-old g-baby daughter is being schooled in the minutiae of line-handling, compass-reading, dinghy-driving and small engine management, without forgetting for a minute that she is a GIRL. She won't need any crybaby feminism to convince her of her self-worth.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 21, 2024 07:33 PM (NIiyt)

185 I can throw my other bikes around with no effort, but THIS thing, damn. Its a whole different level.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division

I've ridden big bikes like that... too bad.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 21, 2024 07:34 PM (5JBBX)

186 "I believe Tractor Supply and Cabela's sell caps. When percussion caps for muzzle loaders were scarce, some folks started making their own from soda can and toy caps.
Posted by: JTB"

That sounds like it would be the cheapest way to do it too.

Posted by: fd at September 21, 2024 07:35 PM (vFG9F)

187 Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels!

Doesn't anybody remember Johnny Lightning?

Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2024 07:35 PM (p/isN)

188 Cicero. Bless you. What you are giving that baby girl is a world of self worth.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 21, 2024 07:35 PM (I1GXe)

189 She won't need any crybaby feminism to convince her of her self-worth.

As it should be. Congrats.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at September 21, 2024 07:35 PM (mH6SG)

190 I nooded.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at September 21, 2024 07:38 PM (asXVI)

191 She won't need any crybaby feminism to convince her of her self-worth.
******
And this will positively impact her relationships with boys/men.

Posted by: Grateful at September 21, 2024 07:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

192 I found a hosting site for pics of Dad's antique photo album... pics will auto-delete after 2 weeks though.

1-- Album unopened. Velvet faded to purple, but is dark blue behind the book part. Book is hinged at the bottom, is actually upside down when stowed.

https://ibb.co/dg8xh43

2-- Little drawer for calling cards, accessible when book is in stowed position.

https://ibb.co/2Z35Pgn

Posted by: JQ at September 21, 2024 07:59 PM (njWTi)

193 cont'd..

3-- book folded down for viewing, reveals another mirror and unfaded fabric

https://ibb.co/8KF9TDr

4 & 5-- pages with large photos

https://ibb.co/QPRhh0g
https://ibb.co/0hTtpj5

Posted by: JQ at September 21, 2024 08:02 PM (njWTi)

194 ...final...

6-- pages for smaller photos

https://ibb.co/5KNVR2K

7-- side view of fully closed unit

https://ibb.co/dg8xh43

Posted by: JQ at September 21, 2024 08:03 PM (njWTi)

195 TRex:

You have my permission to copy those photos for use in a future thread, if you like.

Posted by: JQ at September 21, 2024 08:11 PM (njWTi)

196 JQ - Wow. Thank you!

Posted by: TRex at September 21, 2024 08:24 PM (IQ6Gq)

197 I am a surgeon and pretty sure model planes and cars as a kid helped my dexterity. Also being a bit of a perfectionist with no glue showing. Just like with a total knee.

Posted by: jimmymcnulty at September 21, 2024 08:24 PM (iOilV)

198 When I was very young, I wanted the King's Castle lego set. My parents resisted, thinking that a little kid didn't need a toy that big and expensive. I would probably grow bored with it soon enough anyways....Joke was on them, I built, tore down and then rebuilt castles until the day I left for college. And then started doing so again when I had room in my budget and room in my house after college.

I really miss those early 90s days, when there were multiple factions for the castle and space stuff. Collect sets for just a few years and you'd end up with enough figures for all-out-wars between Black Falcons, Lion Knights, Forestmen, and Dragon Knights. Or Futron vs Blacktron, vs Space Police vs M-Tron... Good times...

Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2024 08:34 PM (Lhaco)

199 You had Legos?

Weren't invented when I was a kid.

Lincoln Logs; Tinker Toys and an Erector Set.

I believe the Erector Set taught engineering the best. Better than the results I see today from a childhood of Legos -- kids can't build much of anything.

Posted by: Dan at September 21, 2024 09:35 PM (3Zhyn)

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