LUGNET News : ~3233/


Matthew Crandall /

Hi!

This is where I’ll be telling you more about me and LEGO. Memories, stories...my set list is listed in the database, so you can see what I’ve gotten over the years. It’s not as much as some, I know...but it’s still a fair amount. It’s all in there, except for the loose bricks. (If you’d like to see what’s there, go here: http://guide.lugnet.com/set/mlist.cgi?m=3233). I’m not afraid to show my collection; I’ve worked hard to get it together, keep it all together, and keep it in playable shape over all these years!

A little about me--married 15+ years, no kids, 4 cats, and don’t let the “official” name on my profile scare you...I’m really just a big kid at heart! I currently work for a distance-learning Bible School in Evansville, Indiana as the Dean of Students, but live in Springfield, Oregon. I telecommute! How cool is that?

My wife (and her Mom) often buys me LEGO for my birthday and/or Christmas. (Now, that’s love!)

I’ve gotten the nickname “The Brick Detective”, because I’ll get a bunch of bulk elements and then track down what sets they came from. (Then I fill in the missing pieces and enjoy the satisfaction of having tracked it down...as well as getting a new set to enjoy.) Some sets I’ve done this with (or am working on) are: 8566 Bionicle Ouna Nuva, 8356 Racers Jungle Monster, 7153 Star Wars Episode 2 Jango Fett’s Slave 1, 8567 Bionicle Lewa Nuva, 710 Wrecker with Car, and 8561 Bionicle Nuvok--amongst others. (The funny thing is, I get more Bionicle sets this way...!)

LEGO and I go way back. It’s been more than a “we grew up together” thing, though. (Can one be friends with a brick?)

I started building with LEGO in 1970, and haven’t looked back much since. The binding-brick toy that let me build whatever I wanted became a favorite very quickly.

I still have that set (#205), and a set from 1972 as well (#005). I’m deeply indebted to Gary Istok, who helped me track down the numbers for those sets! His help is greatly appreciated! Go buy his disk.

My first model was #410--the Payloader. I still have it, the directions, and the box insert, which I’ll scan and upload as soon as I get a chance. No, I don’t have the box anymore. It’s long gone.

In 1984 I sent off to LEGO US and got two knight minifigs as some sort of promotion. I’m looking to see if LUGnet has any information on those. Not that there’s much to tell. It had to do with getting the 1984 Mail Order Service catalog. I have the catalog, if anyone’s interested I’ll scan that as well. I suspect they were part of a Castle Minifig pack, though.

I went to the first US Imagination Center at Mall of America in 1993; went back in 1994, and have been back a few times since then. That was a big deal--there wasn’t anything like it in the US at the time! I have also been to the LEGO Outlet in Denver, and the LEGO stores in Chicago, IL; Schaumburg, IL; and Tigard, OR. I like the store in Tigard; they are very friendly there!

I joined the LEGO Builder’s Club in 1993 as well, and have been a member ever since. I still have my membership package, and all but one of the Club magazines. I also have a lot of catalogs and inserts--again, I’ll be glad to scan them on an as-needed basis and share with you all! (This includes some of the DACTA catalogs, but I’m not about to scan the Pitsco catalogs...I do have to work, after all! :)

I have had only one disappointment over all these years...the loss of the 4.5 volt battery train. I was able to secure some parts from LEGO UK; I had to promise that I wouldn’t order from them again (unless I moved to the UK) but now have enough track to set up a nice layout. (Not huge, but nice.) All has been long forgiven since the cancellation of the 4.5 volt train--there’s just too much cool stuff coming out to hold a grudge.

I have been to Legoland California twice--in 1999, and in 2006. Maybe I’ll post some of the pictures!

Joining LUGnet in 2007 seemed like the logical next step--I wish I had done so years ago, but I am here now, and happy to join you. I’m looking forward to getting to “know” you. I’ve also started a Brickmaster membership--just to check it out--and was at BrickFest 2007. I’m planning to go to NW BrickCon as well in 2007. Other places you’ll find me: Peeron/PICSL, Brickset, Bricklink (I have to get parts to fill models out somewhere!), Brickshelf (My files may be found at http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=matthewcrandall9), and Classic-Space...in addition to LEGO.com.

To me, LEGO is an old friend. Always there when you need it, with happy faces (Yes, I actually like the minifigs) and the ability to inspire the very best creativity in you.

Play Well and Prosper, friends--

Matthew 1/26/07

Page update: 5/10/07

(Back to my member’s page: http://www.lugnet.com/people/members/?m=3233)

Primary content in this document is © Matthew Crandall. All other text, images, or trademarks in this document are the intellectual property of their respective owners.