BrickCon 2010 -- What did you think?

[eilonwy77]

I've noticed that after a LEGO convention, there is an abudance of pictures and a deficit of written information about the event. I mentioned to an online friend that I had gone to BrickCon, and he asked for me to tell him more "about the people, creations, atmosphere, impression that the whole event made on you, and all the other things that come to your mind about this Brickcon". I also wonder what people who attended think about it. How did it compare to past years? What did you like? Etc., etc. I also was trying to figure out who won for the Best in Show and for People's Choice. I couldn't find the information in any of the places I looked on the internet.

Thank you!

(edited to fix embarassing typos)

[Formendacil]

Although this is a different take on a convention than we usually see, I think it is still mostly appropriate to the Displays and Events forum, so I am moving it there.

The admins may, of course, overrule me and move it back, but for now, that's where it is.

~Michael A. Joosten - Moderator

EDIT: Now, having done that, I would like to chime in with eilonwy, since this is a question I've had before. I have to admit, when the pictures start cropping up, I tend to skim through looking for faces I recognise (now that I've had two brothers attend), and the first account I want when they get back is "what were the other Classic-Castlers like?" and other things of a non-Lego, more personal, nature.

[eilonwy77]

I debated where to put this, too, but didn't really see any threads like this in the Castle Events section. But maybe there ought to be!

[pijani]

There could be a new thread "Put a face behind a castle" where we will all take one picture of our selves with our MOC

[Bruce N H]

Hey,

Agreed, I'd always like to hear more stories about these events in addition to seeing the photos. Lots of times I'm left wondering who built that cool MOC that I see in a table full of creations. BrickJournal has stories of these events, but they're only a skim across the surface of all the great people and creations. Anyway, BC attendees, use this thread to share your stories and links to your galleries (after you get some sleep, of course).
I looked all through Joe's photos of the awards presentations and was unable to find the Best in Show and Peoples' Choice awards, btw.

Bruce

[plums_deify]

Oh, Brickcon. Stories? Sure. I'll share a few.

People are fantastic. They make the show for me more than anything else. The friends I see once a year, the gathering of everyone together, and the camaraderie surrounding a single plastic toy is amazing.

Iain (Ochre Jelly) had pictures of Tommy up everywhere, since he's on contract in London right now and couldn't join us. Josh freaked out a teenage girl who was abusing a photo by providing more info....and totally mortifying her. It was hysterical.

Getting food was always time for memories since each group had different experiences--Iain and Guy Himber (V&A Steamworks) joined the CC dinner and much fun and stories were had. I heard great stories about assault rifles.

I can't remember who got which, but People's Choice and Best in Show were Port Brickton (pirates) and Paul Hetherington's Mardi Gras.

I'm sure as I digest the the last week I'll remember more, but that will have to suffice for now.

[Aliencat]

I'm reporting from Seatac airport now. I just reluctantly handed in the keys to the pretty red Dodge Challenger to the Alamo people, and am waiting for my flight back to Denver.
BrickCon was super aewsionme! It was so great seeing everyone again, we'll definitely be back next year (this time I won't forget my MOCs I promise).

The highlights, it all started with a great barbecue at Josh's place, followed by picking Beckie up from the airport before pulling up to the convention hall in a red Challenger packed with AFOL and LEGO.
Buildup day started a bit slow for me, because I, embarrasingly but hilariously, forgot all my MOCs (yeah, you know when you drive up to an airport you always have that feeling you're forgetting something). So I just went around and helped whoever needed an extra set of hands.
As more and more familiar faces started to come in, it just got busier and busier for me, catching up with everyone. Lunch was had at the Center House pretty much each day, where we all got to talk to Dan (Robin Hood)'s friend again (photos of this will follow )

Public hours were deliciously busy with a line as long as 4 blocks of just people waiting to get in. It's so great hearing all those reactions from the audience and talking to all these super enthusiastic kids and parents and general LEGO enthusiasts alike.

I was (only partly proudly) quickly dubbed the Queen of BrickCon after Bruce's partially executed idea from last year to have me show up in drag (I only went as far as wearing Caylin's tiara though, her pink boa was in storage).

The sad part was of course sunday evening. Saying goodbye to people I probably won't see for about another year (you guys need to come to some European cons at some point to change that!)

Apart from MOC photos I also took a lot of people photos, but with 900 photos altogether, you guys will have to wait until my brain wakes up so I can go through them all and separate the good photos from the blurries and duplicates.

(by the way, it was People's Choice that went to Port Brickton, and Best in Show that went to Hetherington's Mardi Gras)

[eilonwy77]

So: what on earth was the deal with those pictures of Tommy (I gather)? It was rather confusing for those of us not in the know.

[Lewa Rocks]

Brickcon was a lot of fun for me. I only went Sunday for exhibition hours but it was a blast! So many good MOCs and even more people. getting good pictures was definitely hard due to the crowd. I will have them uploaded soon.
Most of the fun was meeting people. Weaving in and out of the crowd finding faces I recognized from con photos or names I remembered.
From Classic-Castle I met AlienCat, Bluesecrets, Elephant Knight, and umm can't remember the other names. Oh, Josh I was the guy that came up and wanted to meet AlienCat. Sorry I didn't introduce myself to you. I didn't know you were from CC and didn't see your name tag
I also met Profound Whatever and Nannan from Flickr.

Brickcon was awesome!

[plums_deify]

Well, you managed to hit half the the Brothers Brick then.

I was apparently not at Castle when you drifted by. Sorry to have missed you!

[JoshWedin]

Oh, Josh I was the guy that came up and wanted to meet AlienCat. Sorry I didn't introduce myself to you. I didn't know you were from CC and didn't see your name tag

No problem! He is way cooler than me anyway. Just so you know, Tedward and I were the two talking to each other when you asked him to find AC for you. I was wondering how some random person would know that AC was there, but my brain was so shot I wasn't thinking straight. I should have figured it was you.

Josh

[Aliencat]

Good thing Josh has a tracking beacon on me at all times, so you can always ask him where I am.

From Classic-Castle I met AlienCat, Bluesecrets, Elephant Knight, and umm can't remember the other names.

I know you also met HeavyWeather and Jubal who are both not very active here but I know they lurk here. I know this because I introduced them to you who else you met, I don't know.

[eilonwy77]

Well, AC, you are Josh's minion, so I suppose he really ought to know where to find you, so that you can do his (evil?) bidding.

[wunztwice]

Man, this year was crazy for me! I wasn't even sure I would be able to go till several days prior (good thing I had registered early!) I had small-ish MOCs spread all over the displays, and had to keep track of the TR-57 TV.

Even though it seems as though

I got to room with Carter (non-CC), so it was cool to meet him. I think besides my very first 'Fest, this was the most people I've ever met at any single LEGO convention. That is definitely the major draw for me, getting to see all my friends again, and meet more cool folk. I am always super surprised by the the camaraderie within a group of people who only see each other a max of two times any given year, if that.

I got to meet Blue, Aliencat, Ji, Trevor (again), EK, Guy, Iain, Tyler and MANY more! In addition, it turns out Bigger Jim and I only live several hours apart! It was a pleasure meeting him, and hopefully we will be able to carpool to 'Cons in the future!

One other very cool thing was getting pulled into the relay team build at the last second! THAT is a fun time. Working with Proudlove and the others was great, and we ended up winning!!! Too cool for school. (That and Nathan's great castle)

On that topic, Nathan and I were at Starbucks waiting for out delicious beverages when a barrista exclaimed "You guys do the LEGO convention! Man, I wish I could go, but the line's so stinkin' long." [and it WAS! Clear around the building and up the hill!!!] We went down and got him a guest pass.
That guy melted. His knees got all wobbly, and his mouth --- I have never seen a jaw drop that far. EVER. True story.

And, of course, the MOCs. HOKEY CARP there were a ton of excellent builds! I don't remember seeing and (serious) MOC that wasn't, at the very least, quite good. That means the rest were even better! I gotta step up my game, methinks.

Me-also-thinks this post is becoming lengthy, so now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

[BiggerJim]

Along the same lines as wunztwice, the best part is meeting all the great people at the con.

BlueSecrets, Aliencat, Plums_deify , Republic, eilonwy, Elephant Knight, Jubal, wunztwice, Tedward.... just to name a few. It's nice to put a face to a MOC! I was a little unsure of myself my first few times going but these folks have been friends to me and made me feel very welcome in person as well as here on CC.
On a related note the Castle display had two major builds by rookie builders. Bob's large castle and Dennis' award winning "Universal" castle. Both were great additions and I hope to see more from them both.