I’ve started a new YouTube channel for Bill Ward’s Brickpile. I’ll be adding videos from LEGO events, and maybe even some original content, tours of my MOCs, etc. So far I’ve just published two videos, which form a 2-part walk-through of Brickworld from 2011:
Category: Conventions
LEGO fan conventions such as Bricks Cascade, Bricks by the Bay, etc.
BrickCon 2014
As I’ve done every year since 2008, I went to this year’s BrickCon LEGO convention in Seattle. But this year my trip to BrickCon was a part of an extended vacation which included my trip to the LEGO Fan Weekend 2014, Skærbæk Denmark.
LEGO Fan Weekend 2014, Skærbæk Denmark
As I mentioned in my last post, I attended the 10th and final LEGO Fan Weekend in Skærbæk, Denmark, on September 26-28. I say “final” because it is the last time that it is being run by the LEGO company, but the local LEGO fans will be taking over running it as of next year, so the event will continue. However it was my first time there and I had a great time!
Going to Billund!
I’m going to Denmark tomorrow! Flying from San Francisco to Frankfurt, then on to Billund, for my first-ever visit to Denmark and LEGO HQ! I’m going to the annual Fan Weekend in Skærbæk Friday through Sunday, then visiting Billund on Monday, and on to Copenhagen and Hamburg before flying out of Frankfurt on Thursday.
Bricks by the Bay 2014
Our annual LEGO convention here in the bay area, Bricks by the Bay, just happened! I was so busy organizing it that I’m afraid I never got around to posting a blurb on my blog about it – hope you heard about it through other means and were there! It was a huge event, expanding to add a second ballroom, and adding an extra day (Thursday) for a new workshop program. We almost doubled last year’s attendance on the public day (about 4500 vs 2500 last year) though our convention attendance was down.
Trip Report: Brickworld 2014
I went to Chicago a couple of weeks ago to attend the Brickworld LEGO convention, one of the largest such events in the world. As you probably know I am the president of Bricks by the Bay, our local convention here in the San Francisco bay area, and it’s good to get out and visit other conventions to network, pick up new ideas for our event, and just see what the rest of the AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) world is doing. This was my third Brickworld; I had gone in 2009 and 2011.
Back Online
You may have noticed this site has been down a lot lately.
Slides for BrickCon “Brick Geometry” Presentation
The slides from my Brick Geometry Presentation from BrickCon 2013 (PDF) are now available online.
Bricks by the Bay 2013
The 2013 edition of the Bricks by the Bay LEGO convention has come and gone. A fabulous time was had by all, as far as I can tell anyway. Here’s a report of my experiences both running and attending the convention…
Last chance for Bricks by the Bay convention registration
I just posted this on the Bricks by the Bay site: “The Bricks by the Bay 2013 convention is almost here! I’m so excited – and busy!”
Bricks by the Bay is 75% sold out
We just posted an announcement on the BBTB blog that Bricks by the Bay 2013 is 75% sold out.
Greetings from BrickCon 2012
I’m in Seattle for the BrickCon LEGO convention this weekend. It’s a really busy weekend for me, though, because I’m also here for my other hobby, dancing – I’m attending the Seattle Fusion Festival which is taking place at the same time. Luckily the dance classes are held right at Seattle Center, which is where BrickCon is, so I can bounce back and forth between the two events, as I have been doing all weekend. Actually it’s not just this weekend that was so busy – I’m at the tail end of a two-week road trip. Last weekend I was in Colorado at the Aspen Alt. Blues Recess, another dance event, and have been exploring the western US in my van in the week in between. After BrickCon I’m heading home by way of Portland; I should be home by Wednesday.
Bricks Cascade 2012
Last weekend, I went up to Portland, Oregon for the first-ever Bricks Cascade LEGO convention.
Bricks by the Bay 2012 Wrapup
Our third annual Bricks by the Bay LEGO fan convention was a huge success! It was held just over a week ago, March 16-18, in Santa Clara, CA. Months of hard work planning and preparing for the convention finally paid off as over 400 attendees came to the convention, and over 5300 members of the public came to see our stuff on Sunday.
Bricks by the Bay is less than a month away!
We just had another planning meeting today to go over the various things that need to be done for Bricks by the Bay 2012. Things are coming together, but there’s a lot more work to do.
BrickCon 2011 Photos
I’ve uploaded all the photos from BrickCon. There are 833 photos and 2 videos. Enjoy!
BrickCon 2011 Trip Report, Part 2
This is a continuation of the trip report which I started while I was waiting in the airport, interrupted by the boarding of my plane….
BrickCon 2011: Blogging Panel
I am at BrickCon, writing this in a classroom in the Seattle Center, in the audience of a panel on LEGO blogging. Josh Wedin and Andrew Becraft from The Brothers Brick (TBB), and Ace Kim from TBB and From Bricks to Bothans (FBTB), are talking about their experiences in the LEGO blogging community.
Registration is now open for Bricks by the Bay 2012
The 2012 Bricks by the Bay Convention registration is now open!
Brickworld Trip Wrapup
This is the rest of my travel journal from Brickworld 2011 LEGO convention in Chicago. I’ve been home from Chicago for two days now, but it’s time to wrap up the journal. My previous installment took us up to Friday afternoon, before I even started taking photos of the exhibits. Carrying forward from that point:
Brickworld 2011: Lake Michigan Ballroom Pictures
I’ve taken photos of all the LEGO creations on display at Brickworld 2011 in the Lake Michigan Ballroom.