This past weekend was the 9th edition of Bricks by the Bay, the bay area’s local LEGO convention. I was a co-founder and President from 2010 through 2015, until I resigned and skipped the 2016 event. I returned last year to repair my relationship with the local LEGO community and am feeling very happy to have been accepted and welcomed back into the fold.
As I posted yesterday, I gave two talks at the convention, Brick Geometry and Studs on All Sides (aka Studs in All Directions). I also participated in some games such as speed builds and Dirty Brickster (similar to a white elephant gift exchange), and exhibited a number of models. I was thrilled to be selected for the Best Transportation trophy in the Town & Train section for my amusement park train! (I’ll be posting about the train in the next few days.) My final version of my other newest model, the Short C-23 Sherpa Smokejumper was also on display.
Having been through the experience of running the convention for six years, and then sitting back and watching others do the work I used to do, facing the same challenges etc., I really wanted to jump in and offer advice/help, but I know that’s not the right thing to do… it would be the equivalent of back-seat driving (which anyone who’s ever driven me around will attest, is also something I have trouble not doing). But I did my best to keep my opinions to myself, and I was incredibly happy to see that the people doing the work I used to do were doing an excellent job – and truth be told, overall a better job than I would’ve likely done. And to all the directors, staff, and volunteers of Bricks by the Bay, I say: Keep up the good work and I can’t wait for next year.
I took over 600 photos of the MOCs (“My Own Creations”) on display at the event. There were many very impressive creations on display and I am feeling inspired to build more than I have in years! The photo above is one of my favorites, a spray-painted “RESIST” on a dystopian MOC.
My friend Rosa also took photos at the event:
!– BBTB 2018 Photos by Rosa –>
Great work getting around to all the different MOCs Bill. Glad to see such thorough coverage
Thanks! I try to be thorough, even the Bionicles!