A Thank You.

LORD DOOM · Post by **LORD DOOM** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:30 am

Hey folks.

A couple days ago I attended BF with a couple of friends. It was awesome. (WHO BUILT THAT BLACKTRON STARSHIP? IT WAS SOOOOO AWESOME!) I met a few of you, TBK, Josh, Darkie, Remyth. Unfortunently I was only there for the last hour and a half of the entire show. (That's what I get for partying Saturday night.) I never got the chance to really get involved or to even converse much but I appreciated the welcome I did get. Hopefully next time around I'll have more time to spend and I'll be able to get involved more.

Anyway, to get to the point, about 'eh...11 months ago or so I was doing hard drugs, and I had been on and off for nearly 4 years. (MY REALLY DARK AGE) I did them to numb emotional pain from a really messed up childhood.

It wasn't untill I forced myself to focus my energy elsewhere namely LEGO's that I really had the push I needed to escape the feelings that would have me resort to drugs. LEGO saved my life, and the people that I've met here and become involved with have really reinforced my drive to stay clean and do what I love. Plus I get to reclaim a little bit of my childhood every day I spend indulging my imagination in bricks. So I wanna say thank you to all of you and I know it may sound corny but without you guys and my Lego guys. I don't want to think about where I'd be right now.

So yeah, thanks.

Emp.Justinian · Post by **Emp.Justinian** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:40 am

I don't thonk it sounds corney! It is a good lesson, and mabey we can sell the plan to the DARE program and make some money to!

But seriously I am glad that Lego has made such a difference in your life.

God be with you

Emp.Justinian

Recluce · Post by **Recluce** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:14 am

Lord Doom you're not alone in the reasons you turned to drugs, and also know you're not the only one who uses the brick as a diversionary addiction.

Appreciating childhoood for it's good things, and reliving those things you loved the most or perhaps didn't get enough of are perfectly good ways of keeping the dark beast at bay. After my tour in Iraq and resulting horrible divorce I had a lot of hard times, and though I never used drugs to deal with it I am familiar with the need of using something to help forget the pain.

I now use lego to keep me happy, and I tell ya, it works. It keeps your mind in that happy place it needs to be. It also really does eventually change you... playing with a child's toy starts to make you appreciate children and childhood, and their lighthearted approach to life. Although... I can't say that the need and desire for lego ever slacks off... just like any addiction it grows.

Just keep coming back, doom.

Post by **Bruce N H** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:23 am

Wow, thanks for the testimonial, Doom (and Emily). It's amazing the positive impact a creative hobby like LEGO can have. Keep on keepin' on, one day at a time.

Bruce

Quickblade22 · Post by **Quickblade22** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:34 am

Hey LORD DOOM,
Glad to have you on our side. I've often used the reasoning of my addiction to Lego, as the reason I've managed to stay away from drugs and other troubles that plague younger people. Lego is the anti-drug. This community is a great place for meeting interesting, good people. The Mods and Adms keep it great by keeping it about Lego. This is really a great escape from the "real world", I mean, the biggest arguments deal with gray and bley which is nice compared to the other crap out there. Stay true to Lego and you'll never fail. Keep building and inspire those around you. Can't wait to see more stuff from you.....Gee, I wonder when we'll see some more illustrations from you

DARKspawn · Post by **DARKspawn** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:44 am

Takes alot of courage to come forward like that. Never underestamate the power of the brick. Stick with it, man

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:49 am

Thanks for not being afraid to be real, Doom. I'm sure that there are others that share similar stories. I know that for me, Lego represents something simpler, purer, and less complicated in a very complex life, and I treasure that.

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you at BF (I was there, but didn't get to spend as much time just hanging out as I would have liked ...).

BTW, the Blacktron B-II capital ship was built by my good friend, Nathan Proudlove (proud love at g mail dot com - but with no spaces, etc). I know he'd love to hear from you.

Robin

Jargon · Post by **Jargon** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:53 pm

While I am new, I have seen you around these boards, Doom. As such, I appreciate your honesty and your candidity. By sharing your experience, you encourage everyone who reads it. So now you're sharing the positive effect LEGO has had on you and your life. Thanks for that.

- Aaron

wunztwice · Post by **wunztwice** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:48 pm

Wow! A super testimony there. It's great to hear that you've been able to break that hold. We all hope to see you stick around here!!!

BTW it's too bad I didn't get to meet you at BF, I was there, but running around crazy-like...

Dunechaser · Post by **Dunechaser** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:12 pm

That's a wonderful story, LD. It's great to hear about little plastic bricks having such a positive impact on someone's life.

And I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you there -- I was the one wearing the blue LEGO Ambassador shirt, if you happened to see me around. Be sure to say hi if you come to another event in the future.

Spongey · Post by **Spongey** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:31 pm

It's very brave of you to come forward. I'm glad that LEGO has put your life back on course- I wish for you to have a life filled with happiness and prosperity for years to come.

Maedhros · Post by **Maedhros** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:05 am

That is great (and sad in a way of course) to hear, LORD DOOM. But it really shows how great this hobby, and even more this community is. I´ve been there too, not with drugs, but I was in quite a deep depression and used to slit my wrists, and while I can´t say that LEGO alone saved me it sure helped a lot!

Keep on playing, and take care!

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:20 pm

Doom, you have a lot of courage to come forward like that. I imagine the hard times you must of gone through. Lego really makes mericals.

I am glad you feel safe enough to come forward like that. It tells that this community really cares.

Did you draw your avatar yourself.

P.I

Post by **JoshWedin** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:08 am

Hey Doom!

Thanks for the testimonial, I'm glad that you've been able to pull yourself together. It was great to meet you at Brickfest, I just wish we had more time to chat.

Take care,
Josh