Little Coloured Bricks

Mecha or mechs is a term used in science fiction to describe mechanical suits or robots with cockpits. Usually used in Japanese anime and western science fiction, this type of fighting vehicles or suits have made its way to the Lego community.

Mechs are already eye-poppingly impressive when we see them on TV or in colored Japanese comic books. But to see them in Lego form is even more jaw-dropping. Builders and enthusiasts all over the Lego world have been making their own unique mechs and piloted suits and they’re showing them off for the world to see.

Another mech from Mark Neumann’s flickr page! This mech, called the Archangel Michael, is a beautiful, gigantic piece of work. Although still unfinished, Michael is already fully loaded in its exterior details. Equipped with two gatling guns and missile pods up front, you might just think twice before getting on its cranky side.

The Archangel Michael stands about 22 inches tall, it is one of the largest Mark has on his display, and also one of the heaviest. The weight is owed much to its giant legs and arms, and its weapons. It is a fully-movable mech: the arms swing and is positionable, the legs are also movable at the joints. The torso can also swing left and right although some movement is constrained due to parts bumping on each other.

Mark Neumann hopes to finish the interior soon. Wow! With all that detail already on the mech, nobody would notice it needed an interior job. But a big mech like this only demands a beautiful interior to it.

Other notable part on this mech is a hatch that opens and closes and disappears seamlessly along with the other bricks that make up the body of the mecha. Also, the iconic orange stripes is done by incorporating orange bricks along with the grey ones makes for a beautiful finish.

You must not be from this planet if you have not yet heard of Lego. It is as much a part of our history as it is also a great part of our childhood -and adulthood. For most people, putting plastic, multi-colored bricks together is child’s play (although it used to be). But there are people out there that have turned child’s play into a more serious hobby, and some, even to a profession.

The passion or love for the bricks has grown into a vast community, composed of artists from all over the world and they are creating some of the best Lego creations you could set your eyes on.

Mechs and robots are some of the most popular types of Lego MOCs (or My Own Creation) that are popping up in the community. Aside from its detailed work put into one, the use of unique pieces for a part of the robot or mech is one of the noteworthy aspects of a build.

This “Wheevil” by Mark Neumann is one of the newest in the community and certainly a sight to see. A quadruped design, the tip of every leg is made of a fat tire -a unique use of parts indeed. Who could guess a tire could be used as feet for a robot? Also a piece to mention in this mech are the beady eyes. Looking at it, you would not guess if it is a friend or foe before it decides to spin that gatling gun.

The orange armor pieces are also very stylish. The choice of color resembles heavy machinery which makes this mech look pretty big in proportion. Also, the hydraulic tubes on each leg reminds you of the arms of a back-hoe. One can just imagine the lifting power this mech would have if it were a real one.

Children have lots of dreams and sometimes, they dream about the craziest of things like chocolate rain or maybe even a world made out of chocolate.

For Lego fans, eating a delectable piece of minifig made out of pure chocolatey goodness is not strange. In fact, it is a great way to munch on a piece of chocolate and an ingenious business strategy.

Since minifigs and your Lego blocks are not made for eating, there are now companies that produce Lego chocolate. These sweet little treats may threaten diabetics who love the bricks but its appeal to the general population is undeniable.

Chocolate Legos first started when a Lego enthusiast combined his two favorite things -Lego blocks and chocolate. The owner of chocablog.com lives in the UK. His chocolate ala Lego project came about when he discovered that there are such things as Lego ice cube trays. He later on found out that these were not sold in the United Kingdom but thanks to his prowess in research and to the infinite possibilities that the World Wide Web brings, he was able to find one on eBay.

His plan was pretty straightforward. He was going to melt his favorite chocolate and put them in the Lego mold (instead of putting water to make ice cubes) and to his surprise, his plan worked real nicely.

This is a picture of what he did:

All we can say is that those Lego blocks sure look amazing and they must have been really delectable.

For those who love Lego blocks and also have a penchant for something as sweet a treat as chocolate, this is something you can do as well. It is also a great treat for kids since kids love chocolate and they love the little coloured bricks too.

If you want to take it further, you can build with these chocolate blocks the way you use real Lego blocks but they won’t fit together though, you would need to put some more melted chocolate in between.

Here’s some news for those who love to visit Lego retail shops. If you are from Troy, MI, you should go to the Grand Opening of Troy’s Lego Store on September 17 to 19. Kids and Lego enthusiasts can help the master builder construct a mammoth-like Lego version of Buzz Lightyear. Those who visit the store and make a purchase during those dates will also get exclusive offers.

Those in Minneapolis, MN should be happy as well because the Lego Group is constructing a bigger and better store at Mall of America. The grand-reopening is on November but we are not informed yet on which dates this will be.

Other Lego Stores

Lego has new locations all over the globe and they are in the following cities:

Somerset Collection, Troy, MI

Barton Creek Square, Austin, TX

Chinook Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada

Wiesbaden, Germany

Aventura Mall, Mmiami, FL

Rockeffeller Center, New York City, NY

Queens Center, Elmhurst, NY

Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City, NY

Houston Galleria, Houston, TX

Other Lego News

In other news, Lego enthusiasts living near Westfield Annapolis Shopping Center can join Race Annapolis (LEGO) on September 18 (Saturday) 12 noon to 6 in the evening and since it’s a Saturday, you should make sure that you bring the kids as well.

Lego stores at Concord Mills and Arundel Mills are offering Lego Education Classes for children ages 4 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 and above and children with their family members. This education will last you a lifetime and will surely teach parents a thing or two about educating their children through the little coloured bricks.

Do not forget that all Lego stores also have monthly mini model building programs for children ages 6 to 14. Stores teach the kids how to build a certain creation and the kids can take that model/creation home for free. All you have to do is check with your local Lego stores for the date and time.

Are you excited about Lego Universe? If you are updated with the happenings in the world of Legos and minifigs, you probably have ordered your Lego Universe game. If not, here is a treat for you.

If you do a pre-order, you will be able to play Lego Universe for 30 days without paying for anything and you get to have a free minifigure too! And you will be able to see the game earlier than its official launch and get ahead of the rest.

Remember however that paid subscription is required to continue the game. You can pay monthly, semi-annually or annually.

Here are the specs needed for your computer:

You should have either Windows XP,  Vista or Windows 7 with the newest service packs. Your computer should have at least 1 GB RAM for XP and 2 GB RAM for Vista and Windows 7. Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz is needed (or Athlon XP 3200+).

For Mac users, you would need at least 1 GB RAM, 5 GB free HD space with either Mac OS X 10.5.3 Leopard or higher.

You should check your video card too. You can do that by going to Lego’s official website for Lego Universe.

Oh, here is one more thing, apart from the limited edition minifig for Lego Universe, those who will pre-order the MMO will also get an exclusive outfit for your character and a launch bonus shop. If you buy from non-Lego outlets however, these bonuses will not be given to you because they are only available in Lego stores and at the Lego Online Shop. To access the Lego Online Shop, you should visit www.Lego.com and click on shop.

If you are ready to go, get your credit card or PayPal ready and click on the Buy Now button or whatever button there is for you to do a pre-order.