Bricks in my Pocket (BimP) BimPCast

LEGO trailer for this year's blockbuster film is SUPER

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:59:00 PST

Checkout the original and then the scene-by-scene LEGO recreation, by Antonio Toscano, of the trailer for this year's blockbuster, The Man of Steel. Original:

Now check out the LEGO version after the click below.
->> Click o’ the brick

LEGO Mindstorms EV3 in the Classroom

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:30:00 PST

We introduced EV3 yesterday and today we have video highlighting the educational aspects of the upgrade. Even more impressive.

LEGO Mindstorms getting upgrade to EV3

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:13:00 PST

This is a serious upgrade to our favorite robotics platform. Check out all the new functionality in the video below:

All 2012 advent; all the time

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 01:00:00 PST

Looking for a quick way to view all of our 2012 LEGO Star Wars and City Advent posts?

You can review them all by clicking the Advent 2012 link at the top of the BimP homepage. You can also visit the 2012 Advent Pinterest page and view them all without the extra verbiage.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from BimP and the entire 2012 LEGO Advent crew

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 22:00:00 PST

Day 24: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: The Odd Couple

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:16:00 PST

On this final edition of the 2012 Star Wars and City advent post (Merry Christmas Eve BimP Readers!), we conclude with a very unlikely couple to share the holidays. See our final advent post after hitting the link below.

->> Click o’ the brick

A great way to spend Christmas: LEGO Build Together

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:05:00 PST

We are not entirely sure how we missed this, but LEGO released a great site along with a TV/online marketing campaign to promote LEGO building as a family event. Of course, most readers of BimP don’t need this nudge, however, this might be a great thing to share with families whose children are huge fans; however, their parents are currently in their AFOL “dark period.”

After a click below, you will find a video from their online campaign as well as a link to the Build Together site that includes some great ideas for building together along with some additional instructions for those spare parts that parents jamming into their feet in the middle of the night.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 23: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Frosty the snow droid

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 10:48:00 PST

Merry Christmas Adam everyone! At least that’s what our family calls the day before Christmas Eve. Get it? Adam before Eve? I know...groaner; however, as we draw closer to Christmas, the models in the Star Wars and City advents are very festive and we must say, with regards to the Star Wars advent anyway, very unique. Check ’em out after the click o’ the brick below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Classic Photos in LEGO

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:21:00 PST

We just love when famous scenes from theatre, movies and books are recreated in our favorite building block, but Mike Stimpson takes this a bit further by recreating famous photographic moments.

You will find a couple of examples after the click below, but to truly enjoy his work, be sure to click the link to his site below the images.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 22: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Time for repairs

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 09:58:00 PST

Only two days left until the our final Advent and the fact that Christmas is only three days away is beginning to sink in. So we aren‘t to surprised that today’s models are not the best of the bunch and that LEGO is saving the good ones for the next couple of days. After the click below, see the Star Wars micro and City transport we received today. Then see how we had a bit of fun by combining them with earlier Advent models.

->> Click o’ the brick

LEGO® CUUSOO Summer Review Results in Back to the Future Set

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:26:00 PST

LEGO® CUUSOO is a chance for the LEGO fans everywhere to submit their own ideas/prototypes and vote on ideas for new models and sets. In the video below, Tim Courtney shares the winner from the summer submissions – Back to the Future! And it looks “all kinds of 80s nostalgia!”

Day 21: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Barriers

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:15:00 PST

Long day for us so not much in the way of narrative today; however, our Star Wars model does seem to have a bit of a logic issue. See why after the click below.

->> Click o’ the brick

LEGO® Holiday Story on the YouTube Channel

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:43:00 PST

Let’s face it, we here at BimP are HUGE fans of LEGO and no Christmas is complete without a few bricks under the tree each year; however, this short video from the LEGO YouTube Channel is a great way to add some holiday spirit to any home before the big guy in the red suit makes his delivery. Enjoy!

Day 20: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Haul me outta here

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:34:00 PST

Today, as in past days, the two models really don’t fit well together in a contrived scene. We tried to make it exciting, but just couldn’t come up with anything. So you will simply have to marvel at our photographic prowess, or lack thereof. So after the click below, if you have any ideas how to make the scene more interesting, drop us a comment.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 19: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Time to accessorize

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:33:00 PST

Whoever packed the City advent this year got a little carried away with the accessories. You can see what we mean after a click below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 18: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: The doggie deed

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:50:00 PST

It’s optical illusion Tuesday. We placed our models on the iPad mini with an image underneath and came up with an interesting photo for our combined Star Wars and City advent models. Check ’em out after the click below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 17: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Snowball fight time

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:14:00 PST

The LEGO City advent model today prepares us for a snowball fight and we get some easily recognizable Star Wars model that remains unnamed, mainly because we are learning that we truly are not the Star Wars geeks we thought we were. Since the two models don’t easily pair as past days have, we’ve taken a different approach to their presentation today. Check it out by hitting the link below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 16: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: The Force is strong in this one

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 10:09:00 PST

The title says it all. Checkout our “Force laden City maiden” after the click below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 15: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Hey, who used my hook?

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 04:30:00 PST

Another good combination of LEGO Star Wars and City today. We have a Star Wars minifig and a City wall. It's an interesting combination that has caused a potential conflict. Check it out after the click below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 14: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Confusion

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 03:00:00 PST

We are still without Internet connectivity in our home, so this is another mobile post with limited discussion; however, we will admit to being confused. After the click below, see if you are as confused as we are.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 13: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Tech run amok

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:33:00 PST

Very appropriate models from the LEGO advent calendars today since I am posting this from my iPhone as our Internet connection is kaput this evening (repair guy from Comcast to be here tomorrow). That will make sense and you will see the irony when you view today’s image.

Given our connectivity issues, this will be a short post with limited narrative. Enjoy the models the click.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 12: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Love Connection

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:58:00 PST

It’s a two-fer today. Two LEGO advent calendars and two minifigs. Will they make a love connection? Find out after the click o’ the brick below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 11: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Mission time!

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:08:00 PST

The LEGO Star Wars advent gets an aid from the City advent by using today’s model to knock out a very dangerous piece of equipment. You can check it out after the click below.

->> Click o’ the brick

Day 10: 2012 LEGO Star Wars & City Advent Calendar: Mechanic at work

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:49:00 PST

Yesterday in LEGO advent calendar land, a trusty mechanic prepared to assist an AT-AT Walker commander with future repairs. Today we learn that our mechanic may not be as trustworthy as we had originally thought. Check out today’s scene after the click below.

->> Click o’ the brick

BimP Book Review: The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide: Second Edition

steven@bricksinmypocket.org (Steven & Nikki Combs) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 14:31:00 PST

As most folks know, I am a huge fan of the first edition of Allan Bedford’s wonderful The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide. Back when Nikki and I were still hosting the BimPCast, we had Allan join us to discuss his new book in BimPCast 24. Wanna listen to our discussion? Click here.

Imagine my thrill when I learned Allan was in the process of updating the book to a second edition. Further imagine my thrill when No Starch press contacted me and asked if I would be interested in a review copy. “Of course!” I replied.

But what changes did Allan need to make to the first edition? The book was already a treasure trove of LEGO building goodness and although it was six years old, it was not a book I consider “out of date.” Turns out that there was room to make this book even better.

So after the click below, let’s take a look at the new edition, discuss whether first edition owners should upgrade and if the book remains the de facto standard for any self respecting AFOL’s bookshelf.

->> Click o’ the brick