History

A brief history of my LEGO building...

(I've provided direct links to some of the key sets mentioned. For the others, go to this link, and type in the set number)
Approximate Date Event
1972??? Apparently, I enjoyed playing with wooden blocks for hours on end - at least this is what I'm told.  Since I was only about 2 at the time, I can't remember.
1975?? First simulated LEGO experience.  I got a BrixBlocs set for Christmas.  These blocks were not LEGO compatible and were about 20% larger.  The plastic was cheap and the styles were limited.  Never-the-less, this provided a stepping-stone to future LEGO nirvana.
   
1977 LEGO building hobby begins at age 7 with set 404.  Take a look at this link.  I'm pretty sure I got the set for Christmas.  I can remember playing with this set endlessly.
1977 I bought my second set numbered 442.  This was a small LEGO space plane.  Take a look at this link.
1977-1979 I began to get as many LEGO sets as possible.  Memorable early sets include 452, 493, 376, and 588.
1978 I got my first Expert Builder set numbered 956.  I spent all day trying to build this ridiculously complex auto chassis.  I have NEVER since encountered such a difficult to build set (although I here the new Star Wars Destroyer Droid sets are quite a challenge).  I actually gave up a few times, but eventually I got it.  At this stage of development, LEGO didn't really have enough special parts to get such a large, complex model working reliably or to stay together in some sort of stable condition.  Later auto chassis sets were far better.  Anyhow, after this, I bought almost all the Expert Builder sets available for quite a while.  I learned a great deal about mechanical and structural engineering from these sets. 
1980 I got the BEST LEGO Idea Book ever produced.  It's set (book?) 6000 and is lovingly reproduced at the following link.  I still have my original copy, but its in tatters.  Luckily, I bought another copy about a year later and its in near-mint condition.  I keep it right next to my desk and look at it at least once a week! I can hardly believe that the book is almost 20 years old.
1980 I got my first LEGO train set.  Actually, I think we got it as a present for my younger sister, but let's just say that I liked it better than her!  The set number is 7720 and can be seen at this link.  Despite the unending fun I had with my sister's set (which was quickly integrated into my own collection), I recall being highly frustrated at having the batteries run out of power and not being able to control the train remotely.  Oh how I longed for an electric train.  Later, I found out that LEGO was producing and selling wonderful 12V trains, but ONLY in Europe (how stingy of them).  I wrote LEGO in Britain asking if I could purchase some 12V train stuff, but they said that company policy (or perhaps trade agreements, I can't recall) prevented them from doing that. 
Early 1980's This time period was split between mini-figure scale town and castle building and Expert Builder building.  Also, at some point, I began creating LEGO train layouts around the tree at Christmas.
1986 I went to England and France with my parents.  As you might guess, my greatest interest in this trip was to buy 12V train LEGO sets that LEGO refused to sell me in the US!  Anyhow, the first day we were in London, we went to a large toy store called Hamleys (www.hamleys.com) and I got a 12V controller, track, and an engine.  I wish I had more cash on hand so I could have gotten some of the wonderful train sets available at that time.  Anyhow, when we got home I began constructing a much improved train layout for next Christmas.  The 12V stuff was so much better than the battery operated junk.  My favorite creation was a French TGV engine.  I think my version looks a lot better than the LEGO one sold in Europe at that time.  I'm hoping to find a picture of my engine.
1992 FINALLY - LEGO began selling electric trains in the US.  At this point, I was beginning to think I was too old for LEGO building, but I still used Christmas as an excuse to buy more.  Luckily, one of the few sets I bought during this time period was the absolute classic LEGO train set 4558.  You can see it at this link. It is the only set I own that still remains in its stock condition to this day.  This train serves as the secondary rail line in Lego City 2.  Unfortunately, the engine is now starting to get a little warn down and runs much slower than my newer engines.
Early 90's My LEGO building was further hindered when I moved out from my parents house into a condo.  I figured that I'd leave my LEGO stuff at my parents house to give to my future children.  I still worked a bit on Christmas train layouts.  For some reason, I felt really inhibited whenever I would try to build.  I figured I was just too old.

Many cool sets came out around this time and I really missed out.  What an idiot I was.  I recall seeing the Paradisa sets in a catalog somewhere and thinking how silly and "girly" they were.  Now, I would kill for those parts.  Eventually, I'll get up the guts (and cash) to buy one of these sets (for a lot more money) at auction.  If only I'd been a little more forward looking.
1998 My career was going well and I moved into a new 3 bedroom house.  I had 2 rooms to fill up with junk, so I thought that I might as well get my old LEGO stuff from my parent's house.  I figured that I'd just keep them in storage or something.

Slowly, but steadily my interest metamorphosis from curiosity to mania.  I realized that my lack of interest in LEGO had been because I lacked enough room to spread out all the parts for proper building.  Once this problem was addressed (with plenty of space in the new house), I was ALL OVER LEGO.  I began buying sets like crazy, and the result was LEGO City 1.  You can see LEGO City 1 on this web site.
1999 I met Shelly, the love of my life on an internet dating service.  We fell madly for each other and were engaged within 3 months.  Eventually, she moved in, and I decided to give one of the free rooms to her.  Unfortunately, this required the demolition of LEGO city 1, but man cannot live by LEGO alone!  Anyhow, by reorganizing some other furniture, I actually cleared an even larger space in the other spare bedroom.  This formed the foundation of LEGO City 2.
2000 LEGO City 2 continues to grow.  I created this web site and began advertising to various LEGO user groups.  I want other folks to enjoy my creations as much as I enjoy seeing those of others.
May 20, 2000 Shelly and I were married.
July 2000 In order to assure space for future children (and to also guarantee the continued availability of a LEGO room), we purchased a new house, but had to move into an apartment temporarily while it was being built.
December 2000 We moved into our new (larger) house, and I moved into my new LEGO room.  My new city, Bricktopia began to form.  The room is about the same size as the previous one, but because there are more rooms in the house, it is guaranteed to remain available even after we have children.  Speaking of that, Shelly is pregnant with the first one on the way!
August 2001 Our little boy, Austin, was born and my LEGO building had to be seriously curtailed for a while.
March 2002 Austin is 6 months old and can finally play a bit on his own. He even begins to play with his own baby LEGO blocks.

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