Tomorrow we start our October contest. This time around our sponsor is Reasonably Clever Regular TK-1420 - and he's brought some really big fun to the site.
Not only are we looking at rare and out-of-print sets as prizes, we're also looking at our highest-caliber celebrity judges yet.
Look for the big reveal tomorrow, but in the meantime, let me taunt you with one word.
Lucasfilm.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Episode 529
Read the comic here.
Those heart shaped pieces are "Clickits" - an abandoned LEGO make-it-yourself jewelry line. I didn't realize the blue pins used to hold the transparent ones up would show so badly in the final photographs. Oh well.
This set, my "ye olde strip mall", was a quick scratch build just for today's strip.
Those heart shaped pieces are "Clickits" - an abandoned LEGO make-it-yourself jewelry line. I didn't realize the blue pins used to hold the transparent ones up would show so badly in the final photographs. Oh well.
This set, my "ye olde strip mall", was a quick scratch build just for today's strip.
Monday, September 29, 2008
BRICK SCIENCE: The Winners!
The Winners have been posted!
It should be noted that all the races were closely contested - in three of the cases the winners were separated by less than a point in aggregate score! (The Diorama one had a larger margin, the MythBusters were loved by two of the judges and took a strong lead.)
Winners were notified by email earlier today - and prizes will be shipping out later this week.
Stay tuned tomorrow for a very exciting announcement about our October contest!
It should be noted that all the races were closely contested - in three of the cases the winners were separated by less than a point in aggregate score! (The Diorama one had a larger margin, the MythBusters were loved by two of the judges and took a strong lead.)
Winners were notified by email earlier today - and prizes will be shipping out later this week.
Stay tuned tomorrow for a very exciting announcement about our October contest!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
BRICK SCIENCE - Mad Scientist Award and Comments, too!
There's been an update to both the Entry Grids and The Winners.
First up, let me announce the winner of the MAD SCIENTIST award. Graviton selected a model that he enjoyed the most, and unsurprisingly, it's a very nice MOC indeed:
Konrad Zuse and his Z3
By: nolnet
Graviton added:
For his efforts, Nolnet will receive LEGO set 8112: Battle Arachnoid. Better yet, he's still in the running for the major awards!
Major awards that will be revealed at noon on Monday!!
In the meantime, take a minute or ten and cruise the entry grids. Both Graviton and I had comments on several of the models, and they've been added to the entry grids. Do they contain hints as to the winners? Maybe - but don't let Graviton's frequent use of "total win!" throw you. There can only be ONE per category!
First up, let me announce the winner of the MAD SCIENTIST award. Graviton selected a model that he enjoyed the most, and unsurprisingly, it's a very nice MOC indeed:
Konrad Zuse and his Z3
By: nolnet
Graviton added:
Loving that rendition of the old school computer!
For his efforts, Nolnet will receive LEGO set 8112: Battle Arachnoid. Better yet, he's still in the running for the major awards!
Major awards that will be revealed at noon on Monday!!
In the meantime, take a minute or ten and cruise the entry grids. Both Graviton and I had comments on several of the models, and they've been added to the entry grids. Do they contain hints as to the winners? Maybe - but don't let Graviton's frequent use of "total win!" throw you. There can only be ONE per category!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Castle Advent in the USA - sort of
For those of you who don't read the other LEGO fansites, there is a way to get the CASTLE version of the advent calendar...if you act quickly.
Check out this post at The Brothers Brick for more information.
Good luck!
Check out this post at The Brothers Brick for more information.
Good luck!
BRICK SCIENCE - not an update...
No update to The Winners yet - the last judge is still finishing up his totals. (Since he's the one who paid for the prizes, I think we can cut him some slack!)
Look for the next prize announcements on Monday if all goes well - Along with a NEW contest announcement on the 1st!
Look for the next prize announcements on Monday if all goes well - Along with a NEW contest announcement on the 1st!
Episode 527
Read the comic here.
Now that we're past yesterday's "shocker", I just wanted to say that aside from poking some fun at Blog-Geoffrey's posting history, Geoffrey the Troll is meant to be his own character, not an in-strip avatar.
To quote the bard: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" - this is a Storybook Character...that he has a name we recognize is a *cough* complete coincidence.
Anyway, a grateful nod to Blog-Geoffrey for taking the ribbing in the lighthearted way it was meant.
Now that we're past yesterday's "shocker", I just wanted to say that aside from poking some fun at Blog-Geoffrey's posting history, Geoffrey the Troll is meant to be his own character, not an in-strip avatar.
To quote the bard: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" - this is a Storybook Character...that he has a name we recognize is a *cough* complete coincidence.
Anyway, a grateful nod to Blog-Geoffrey for taking the ribbing in the lighthearted way it was meant.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
BRICK SCIENCE - Evil Scientist Award
Here's today's update to The Winners.
Today: GEM (Good/Evil/Mad) Awards - The Evil Scientist
Today I reveal my Evil pick of favorite model. It was a tough choice, but I had to go with the one model that really stood apart from the others - one that, once again, saw the contest in a slightly more pure light.
Dave will receive LEGO set 4916: Mini-Animals for his troubles - and he's still in the running for the Class Two grand prize!
Check it out.
Today: GEM (Good/Evil/Mad) Awards - The Evil Scientist
Today I reveal my Evil pick of favorite model. It was a tough choice, but I had to go with the one model that really stood apart from the others - one that, once again, saw the contest in a slightly more pure light.
The Blow-Up-The-World Button!
By: Dave Rapp
Dave will receive LEGO set 4916: Mini-Animals for his troubles - and he's still in the running for the Class Two grand prize!
Check it out.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Seagirl who saved Christmas
Thanks to a very helpful online friend, an international shipment arrived at my doorstep today.
Here's a picture of Whiskey with one of the transatlantic passengers:
LEGO die-hards will recognize the wizard from the non-US Castle impulse set.
And...if the UK Wizard has arrived...you can bet there were some other UK goodies in that parcel as well.
Perhaps it's a good thing that Whiskey and Co are already in the Castle theme as we approach the holidays...
Here's a picture of Whiskey with one of the transatlantic passengers:
LEGO die-hards will recognize the wizard from the non-US Castle impulse set.
And...if the UK Wizard has arrived...you can bet there were some other UK goodies in that parcel as well.
Perhaps it's a good thing that Whiskey and Co are already in the Castle theme as we approach the holidays...
BRICK SCIENCE - Good Scientist Award
Here's today's update to The Winners.
Today: GEM (Good/Evil/Mad) Awards - The Good Scientist
Bruce N H ( MicroBricks/VignetteBricks) selected the following for the Good :
SirNardoj will receive a cool Batman Magnet set for his efforts - and he's still in the running for the Class One grand prize!
Check it out.
Today: GEM (Good/Evil/Mad) Awards - The Good Scientist
Bruce N H ( MicroBricks/VignetteBricks) selected the following for the Good :
Dr. Able Tosplice, Ph.D.
By: SirNadroj
SirNardoj will receive a cool Batman Magnet set for his efforts - and he's still in the running for the Class One grand prize!
Check it out.
Episode 525
Read the comic here.
That's what I like to call a MOUSE. (Minifig Of Unusual SizE)
Personally, I don't think they exist.
That's what I like to call a MOUSE. (Minifig Of Unusual SizE)
Personally, I don't think they exist.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
BRICK SCIENCE - The First Winner
There's a new link on the Entry Grids screen: The Winners.
Over the next few days at Noon EST I'll be post one of the winning MOCs. We'll start with the GEM awards (Judge's Favorites) and then move into the big prizes later in the week.
Today: The S-Team Crossover Award
Webcomic Author Ian Healy offered up a signed copy of his novel The Milkman for his favorite use of the Science Guy character from the Adventures of the S-Team in this contest!
The winner?
Marshmallow roasters
By: Wyrdness
Ian comments:
"Well, it seems pretty clear which is my favorite use of Science Guy. There are only two entries that used him and only one who did so more or less correctly. Wyrdness’s Marshmallow roasters easily wins the signed copy of The Milkman. It’s hilarious."
Check it out.
Over the next few days at Noon EST I'll be post one of the winning MOCs. We'll start with the GEM awards (Judge's Favorites) and then move into the big prizes later in the week.
Today: The S-Team Crossover Award
Webcomic Author Ian Healy offered up a signed copy of his novel The Milkman for his favorite use of the Science Guy character from the Adventures of the S-Team in this contest!
The winner?
Marshmallow roasters
By: Wyrdness
Ian comments:
"Well, it seems pretty clear which is my favorite use of Science Guy. There are only two entries that used him and only one who did so more or less correctly. Wyrdness’s Marshmallow roasters easily wins the signed copy of The Milkman. It’s hilarious."
Check it out.
Nifty Swag
I received a neat little item in the mail yesterday - a customized LEGO keychain brick with "Reasonably Clever" etched into it.
The donor was a bit disapointed with the legibility, but I say it's the thought and effort that counts in a case like this. I am well and truly touched. Thank you!
They also included a blue "Male/Female" brick - not sure what the significance of that is, but look for it in the background of a set in the not-too-distant future.
They also included a blue "Male/Female" brick - not sure what the significance of that is, but look for it in the background of a set in the not-too-distant future.
Episode 524
Read the comic here.
Ah, finally Whiskey loses that jacket. I was getting really tired of touching up the neck color every strip. (And, yes, I'm sure I missed some along the way.)
Ah, finally Whiskey loses that jacket. I was getting really tired of touching up the neck color every strip. (And, yes, I'm sure I missed some along the way.)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Episode 523
Read the comic here.
It's awfully tricky to show something as "stopped moving" in a still image without labeling it as such.
It's awfully tricky to show something as "stopped moving" in a still image without labeling it as such.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Brick House Turns Two
I should have mentioned this back on Thursday, but it completely slipped my mind.
September 18th marked the two year mark on the Brick House comic strip.
I didn't make a big deal out of it for a few reasons. First, there was a big ol' hiatus in the middle there, so it hasn't been a solid two year run. (Although I've done enough "catch up" episodes to fill the gap) Second, well, like I said,I got busy and didn't even think about it.
You may be wondering about the fan art contest mentioned in the strip - well, I only received one entry, and it was of a bat-man universe character who's never appeared in the strip. So that was canceled quietly and without fanfare. (heh)
That didn't stop Ian from making a very nice Saturday-Special tribute, though. Go check it out. Thank you, Ian. I like it muchly.
On Thursday I also received my first real critique of the strip - not the daily abuse I put up with/encourage here in the blog, but a well reasoned letter from a fan who didn't realize there was a blog. (I guess I need to tweak the site design a bit, eh?)
The fan took issue with the lack of direction things have had since strip 371 or so. He missed the more "plot driven" story arcs of the past, and the characters who (apparently) were left behind.
I think most of the disappointment sprang from the "episodic" approach I was trying out. When Whiskey "walked off the set" back in the day, I wanted to see what sort of strange adventures the characters would get into without the "man and frog on the run" plot to keep pushing them around. That lead to last year's advent madness, the return of the Brick House, the death of Donut I...all good things, I think, but more random plot lines than any overarching "story".
Well, as I move into year three I think we'll see more of a return to a plot-driven storyline. I have things marked out through early 2009, and all through that span the characters have firm goals and work towards them at a fairly steady pace. Sure, there are the usual distractions and throwaway jokes, but overall it's a much more coherent storyline.
And, yes, you'll see the return of many "abandoned" characters, in some very unexpected ways. There are new friends on the horizon as well. Good thing the Brick House is bigger on the inside - they're going to need a lot of guest rooms.
Anyway, thanks to all of you for reading so far. I hope I can enourage many of you to stick around to see how year three unfolds.
-Chris
September 18th marked the two year mark on the Brick House comic strip.
I didn't make a big deal out of it for a few reasons. First, there was a big ol' hiatus in the middle there, so it hasn't been a solid two year run. (Although I've done enough "catch up" episodes to fill the gap) Second, well, like I said,I got busy and didn't even think about it.
You may be wondering about the fan art contest mentioned in the strip - well, I only received one entry, and it was of a bat-man universe character who's never appeared in the strip. So that was canceled quietly and without fanfare. (heh)
That didn't stop Ian from making a very nice Saturday-Special tribute, though. Go check it out. Thank you, Ian. I like it muchly.
On Thursday I also received my first real critique of the strip - not the daily abuse I put up with/encourage here in the blog, but a well reasoned letter from a fan who didn't realize there was a blog. (I guess I need to tweak the site design a bit, eh?)
The fan took issue with the lack of direction things have had since strip 371 or so. He missed the more "plot driven" story arcs of the past, and the characters who (apparently) were left behind.
I think most of the disappointment sprang from the "episodic" approach I was trying out. When Whiskey "walked off the set" back in the day, I wanted to see what sort of strange adventures the characters would get into without the "man and frog on the run" plot to keep pushing them around. That lead to last year's advent madness, the return of the Brick House, the death of Donut I...all good things, I think, but more random plot lines than any overarching "story".
Well, as I move into year three I think we'll see more of a return to a plot-driven storyline. I have things marked out through early 2009, and all through that span the characters have firm goals and work towards them at a fairly steady pace. Sure, there are the usual distractions and throwaway jokes, but overall it's a much more coherent storyline.
And, yes, you'll see the return of many "abandoned" characters, in some very unexpected ways. There are new friends on the horizon as well. Good thing the Brick House is bigger on the inside - they're going to need a lot of guest rooms.
Anyway, thanks to all of you for reading so far. I hope I can enourage many of you to stick around to see how year three unfolds.
-Chris
Friday, September 19, 2008
Episode 522
Read the comic here.
Today's strip points out just one of the many eerie connections between the worlds of Dr. Who and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Others are left to the reader to discover as an exercise.
Also: There's no software, cooking, or engineering problem a giant pipe wrench can't solve.
Today's strip points out just one of the many eerie connections between the worlds of Dr. Who and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Others are left to the reader to discover as an exercise.
Also: There's no software, cooking, or engineering problem a giant pipe wrench can't solve.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Episode 521
Read the comic here.
"Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble" is actually a (deliberate in this case) misquote from Shakespeare's Macbeth. The real line is "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble." Here's the context for the interested.
The system error is a parody of the classic error "Abort, Retry, Fail"
"Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble" is actually a (deliberate in this case) misquote from Shakespeare's Macbeth. The real line is "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble." Here's the context for the interested.
The system error is a parody of the classic error "Abort, Retry, Fail"
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Episode 520
Read the comic here.
Donut's humor falls flat because, as we all know, Castle is one of the HUGE themes as far as fans are concerned. Curtis scores a point in that many on-line LEGO communities look down on the Bionicle line, despite the ginormous fanbase it enjoys. They really are two seperate worlds most days.
By the way, I bet Curtis is a big fan of the long-vanished Western theme.
Of course, you have to start talking about LEGO Webcomic authors before you get *really* niche.
Donut's humor falls flat because, as we all know, Castle is one of the HUGE themes as far as fans are concerned. Curtis scores a point in that many on-line LEGO communities look down on the Bionicle line, despite the ginormous fanbase it enjoys. They really are two seperate worlds most days.
By the way, I bet Curtis is a big fan of the long-vanished Western theme.
Of course, you have to start talking about LEGO Webcomic authors before you get *really* niche.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
BRICK SCIENCE - Final Grids Online
The Entry Grids have been finalized.
As expected, I received a few entries after the deadline. I've put them in the grid as non-competing models. (A nice break for those who entered on time; some of those late creations were quite nice.)
The final tally:
33 Class One Models
38 Class Two Models
32 Class Three Models
28 Class Four Models
That's a grand total of 131 MOCs! Once again the judges will have their work cut out for them.
As expected, I received a few entries after the deadline. I've put them in the grid as non-competing models. (A nice break for those who entered on time; some of those late creations were quite nice.)
The final tally:
33 Class One Models
38 Class Two Models
32 Class Three Models
28 Class Four Models
That's a grand total of 131 MOCs! Once again the judges will have their work cut out for them.
BRICK SCIENCE - Contest is Closed!
Well, if you've been waiting to submit your entry to the BRICK SCIENCE contest, you've officially waited too long. The deadline for entries passed quietly this morning.
Well, not "quietly" - I was on-line and watching and had four entries arrive in the last 30 seconds. Talk about cutting it close...
Anyway, I'll try and get the grids updated by tonight. Judgment Spreadsheets will be mailed out shortly after that. I hope to announce the winners by September 30th.
Well, not "quietly" - I was on-line and watching and had four entries arrive in the last 30 seconds. Talk about cutting it close...
Anyway, I'll try and get the grids updated by tonight. Judgment Spreadsheets will be mailed out shortly after that. I hope to announce the winners by September 30th.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Guest Starring at S-Team...me! (Sort of)
Ian warned me about this, but I didn't want to wreck his reveal by acknowledging it too soon. The "Mysterious Guide" character appearing recently in S-team is indeed meant to be a quasi-cameo of yours truly.
Ian and I have a long history of sharing characters with each other, but this is certainly a first for me...
Now, why I'm apparentlydead and dressed in tacky white, that's another question entirely. Something you're not telling me, Ian?
(Ian says I'm NOT dead, just Meta.)
Now, why I'm apparently
(Ian says I'm NOT dead, just Meta.)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Episode 514
Read the comic here.
Today's joke is a variation of a term I use all the time in my day job working with computers. Of course, on that side of the fence the term is "Pebkac" - "Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair"
Today's joke is a variation of a term I use all the time in my day job working with computers. Of course, on that side of the fence the term is "Pebkac" - "Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair"
Monday, September 8, 2008
BRICK SCIENCE - Updated!
Just finished posting the latest batch of entries to the grids - if you've submitted something it should be in there.
I'd also like to point out that we lured in yet another celebrity in the LEGO community as an entrant. Too cool!
I'd also like to point out that we lured in yet another celebrity in the LEGO community as an entrant. Too cool!
Episode 513
Read the comic here.
Alton Brown's hair is just about impossible to match in LEGO form - but the new hairpiece from the Agents line does an okay job. Maybe someday there'll be an ideal wig for him.
I'd be happier with more official LEGO faces with glasses, too, just in case someone is in the mood to grant wishes.
Alton Brown's hair is just about impossible to match in LEGO form - but the new hairpiece from the Agents line does an okay job. Maybe someday there'll be an ideal wig for him.
I'd be happier with more official LEGO faces with glasses, too, just in case someone is in the mood to grant wishes.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Crap in a hat
You know that cool Castle version of the LEGO advent calendar I was hoping to use this year?
Not going to be released in the US.
The fan community is trying to change this, but honestly, I don't see that happening.
Not getting the Wizard impulse set was bad enough. I was ready to buy six or seven of these.
Damn damn damn.
Not going to be released in the US.
The fan community is trying to change this, but honestly, I don't see that happening.
Not getting the Wizard impulse set was bad enough. I was ready to buy six or seven of these.
Damn damn damn.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Episode 511
Read the comic here.
This strip changed while being photographed. The script called for the last two panels to be Donut and Whiskey just looking sadly off to the left, with Donut's head in his arms, crying, in the final panel. It was tragic, really. And sad.
So I went with the advertising malfunction instead.
This strip changed while being photographed. The script called for the last two panels to be Donut and Whiskey just looking sadly off to the left, with Donut's head in his arms, crying, in the final panel. It was tragic, really. And sad.
So I went with the advertising malfunction instead.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
BRICK SCIENCE - Updated
I've been a bit lax in reporting the updates to the entry grids, but they've been going up pretty regularly.
With just a week and half left to build, the grids continue to expand with some high quality entries. Right now there are a total of 66 models - with just under half of those in the Class 2 "Evil Scientist" category.
Exciting times!
With just a week and half left to build, the grids continue to expand with some high quality entries. Right now there are a total of 66 models - with just under half of those in the Class 2 "Evil Scientist" category.
Exciting times!
Hell Freezes over: Also, MiniMizer Updated
It only took me the better part of a year, but I finally found a few minutes to put a few new parts into the Upgraded Mini-Mizer.
Recently I've received several requests for Joker and Robin parts, so I put those in there. Along with some simple Iron Man-ish armor.
Now that I've cracked the code open again I'll probably update this a few more times before I put it back on the shelf. If you want an item added, now's the time to ask.
Enjoy!
Recently I've received several requests for Joker and Robin parts, so I put those in there. Along with some simple Iron Man-ish armor.
Now that I've cracked the code open again I'll probably update this a few more times before I put it back on the shelf. If you want an item added, now's the time to ask.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Episode 509
Read the comic here.
I already gave you an Alton Brown wiki link, so here's his homepage and the Feasting on Asphalt wiki.
I already gave you an Alton Brown wiki link, so here's his homepage and the Feasting on Asphalt wiki.
Comics delayed (slightly)
Brick House will be going up late today - sheer laziness...um...technical difficulties on this end.
Don't worry, you'll still get a full fix this week.
Don't worry, you'll still get a full fix this week.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Episode 508
Read the comic here.
Yeah, like you need it: Labor Day Info
The sad thing? I still had to make today's strip about skipping today's strip.
Yeah, like you need it: Labor Day Info
The sad thing? I still had to make today's strip about skipping today's strip.
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