Impressed with gobricks factory direct so far

 Impressed with gobricks 

After ordering from webrick.com I thought I'd try gobricks factory direct.  So far I've been happy with it although there's a few things I'm confused about.  I got a notification that a refund occurred but my invoice doesn't reflect it.  However there were 2 minifigs that they added..I guess to compensate for 1 missing.  

Some pieces were carefully wrapped in bags but most bricks were just in a large bag

The real time delivery tracker was kept up to date

I really believe the pieces were handpicked vs computer driven ordering fulfillment 

I ordered quite a few minifigs accessories and brackets since these are newer pieces

Again although I had a positive experience, the availability and prompt customer service and timeliness was and I think will always be the best.

Reasons why I'm not on Lego masters!

 Reasons why I could never be on lego masters 

1) no clue how to do power functions and gears i.e. roller coaster moc

2) difficulty thinking in 3d

3) wouldn't begin to know how to make a full size lego race car or real life size car

4) wouldn't know how to make the blue wave model

5) would have trouble making structure stability for taller buildings 

6) difficulty planning/visualizing finished projects

7) lack of SNOT knowledge incorporated into models

8) difficulty making 1 part of a model move distant from where the motion would be i.e. a steering column or differential 

9) difficulty planning ahead to create attachments for i.e. decorative elements done on a Christmas sleigh

10) hiding structural bases under the visible model part

11 Difficulty making lego figures and faces

Makes me really appreciate the lego masters..I'll leave it to the pros!

Egyptian moc

 My wife plans to see the pyramids next year.  I gave her a sneak preview

Final product above: skeleton is wedged...pith helmet attached to curiously wandering insect!  And umbrella for afterlife!

Beginning before additional pieces to anchor skeleton in.

I tried to use lego masters ideas..color, tell a story (I was going to have an explorer zip line in because of a broken ladder but didn't have parts) and. Layers with a focal point.  I used trapping of the skeleton so that it isn't connected but stays in place!

Trying webrick

 I have just received my first order from webrick.com and am delighted.  They kept me informed literally to the minute.

I only have 2 issues with these bricks

1) The exact precise fit of Lego wasn't as present in the pieces, when I stacked two motor parts together, there was a gap and when fully pressed together, the top tube of the motor was bigger on the right side (below) and the 2 tops of the motors when stacked were slightly uneven until I gave firm pressure to connect the two.

2) the color was slightly uneven with streaks of darker area mixed in with the silver as seen in the radar dishes below

Below is the whole list of what I ordered-great for greebling on a spaceship! (sorry it's so small!)

The company (Webrick..which carries "Go Bricks") kept myself informed of where the delivery was and when it left China, when it cleared in customs and when it was shipped to each of the mail service areas in the U.S..  I would buy from them again.  I was so afraid my order wouldn't come because the bricks I initially wanted came to $144 approximately on Amazon vs. approx $35 in the Webrick site. Some of the pieces I wanted were less in cost than the shippping cost on Amazon. (Webrick acquired "Go Bricks" from what I understand which might be part of the reason for the savings?) but with Pick a Brick at Lego affected by the tariff issues, it seemed\reasonable alternative with even different pieces than Pick a Brick.  

I feel bad "cheating" on Lego and I definitely acknowledge quality of "Go Bricks" vs. Lego quality is not comparable with Lego winning hands down.  However, at the time when Lego is introducing $1000 sets, it's getting to where I can't afford Lego even when sets are on clearance or sale like I could in the past.  Unless I've found pieces I like at the store in the Pick a Brick Wall, the online version doesn't seem like a good value at all which puts people who don't live near a Lego store at a disadvantage.

Lego Loch Ness monster with random bricks

 I found a 2024 lego creator set at the mall for $12.99.  Thought I would try making monsters from creator set #31145

 I put the pieces in a bag from the set:

So here's my results from random brick combinations.

Cat???, below 

Loch Ness monster (eating a mouse and paper) below

Some type of crazy animal (above)

Even though these are stupid MOCs, they gave me joy...20 mins of blocking vision and noise of TV and turned on creativity and tactile sense with just joy and being happy with just Pieces I had!  True fun and spirit of lego!  The eyes definitely made the model come together and use of perspective i.e. front legs of Loch Ness monster were an idea from Brickman's creating better models book.

Weekend at the Hilton

 I was greeted at the Hilton this weekend by this:

Then I was able to get to the Lego store where I got to do pick a brick which let's you do boxes now vs. cups except that they're smaller than the cups.

I then got to Macy's toys r us where there was polybag sales-3.99 each. (Toys R Us store in Macy's)

x4

Pretty good lego day!