Blog of Josh Hall

The same person that wanted the Pittsburgh Penguins logo asked if I had anything for the pirates or the steelers. I mentioned the pirates mosaic and the steelers helmet in lego, but he wanted it in less than a week, and I wouldn’t be able to recreate either in that time. We settled for a simple Steeler’s logo at the same scale of the Penguins logo. I think it turned out well. The curved brick really matches the original font well, I think. Still looking at about 1,000 pieces. I didn’t take a picture of it, but I took the time to make sure the back is solid white with the gray border. It looks very sharp with all the SNOT and diamonds not showing from the back.

 Someone had found my previous version from a few years ago and asked if it was for sale. I tore it down shortly after it was built, but I said I could recreate it pretty easily. I fixed a lot of the problems the old one had, and ALMOST had its weight centered on that 2×4 on the bottom.

As soon as we had an agreement to have it done in a couple days, I remembered the big problem with the first version was that it was too front heavy and I had to build this big cantilever system out the back…I do my best work under pressure.
 
It’s the same scale as the previous version, but I attempted to make it balance just on the 2×4 bottom brick. I WAS SO CLOSE, but the right side is just a little too heavy/extended with the foot and it wants to fall that way. The 8×8 brick base works well for a stand though.

It’s about 1,000 pieces and took a couple of hours to put together. I tried very hard to stick to the original version as a template and just diverted when I reached a problem I wanted to correct, like the head and hand being in front of the yellow triange instead of above it. I also made the triangle 4 studs deep to help shift the weight to the back.

Help.  I’m registered to run the Pittsburgh marathon’s 5k this Saturday, May 4th for The L.I.V.I.N.G. Ministry.  Fact is, I’m terribly out of shape.  When I signed up, I didn’t know we’d be expecting another baby in November.  I didn’t know we would be moving into a new house.  I didn’t know we’d be getting the old house ready to rent out.  I didn’t know Juliette weighed so much when I’d take her out for a run in her stroller!  I need your help to give me excuses why my running time will be so bad.

•  If I get $100, I’ll run in jeans.  Whoever breaks the $100 threshold decides whether those jeans are cut offs, and if so, how short.
•  If I break $200, I’ll wear a suit and tie.  I have no idea what the weather will be like.  But i’ll be the best dressed runner, I assure you.
•  If I break $300, I’ll skip the entire last mile.  No, not bail out, I mean skip like in hop scotch.  For a mile.
•  Guess what, I’m on call for work next weekend too.  It’s only fitting then, if I break $400, I’ll open a conference call and give all donors the info to dial in and I’ll give live progress updates for the duration of the race.
•  If I break $500, I will do ALL OF THE THINGS.

To donate, use this link and just put my name in the comments section – https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/TheLivingMinistry/OnlineDonation.html

You all have heard me talk about the ministry before.  It’s one of the best ministries to the homeless, struggling, hungry, and forgotten public in Pittsburgh.  Not only the mission, but the staff are by far the most focused, compassionate, and  passionate people I’ve ever encountered.  Yes, I really want your help with excuses for my own selfish purposes, but know, it’s just partly about my pride.

Thanks, and May the 4th be with you…and me!

Fellow Steel City LUG member, Greg, pointed on a contest for classic movie vignettes on a 16 x 16 base plate using a collectible minifig.  He did a great version of Tangled, but realized it wasn’t a classic movie.  I jumped in with E.T., after googling what movies were released in my birth year.  I fell in love with it right away because I knew I had a red bike and I FINALLY had a justification for having multiple hazmat minifigs.  I think they’re my favorite CMF.

So, here’s my entry.  It took all of 5 minutes to throw together. First, a view of the iconic moon shot, then a view where you can see E.T. under the blanket.

It has no chance of winning the competition, but here’s a list of all the amazing entries! http://toysnbricks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=8465

I saw this set on LEGO.com and I thought the front didn’t look quite right, especially using the white bricks. It’s also less functional since it’s only 1 brick deep. Here’s my modified version with instructions – http://joshuadhall.com/lego/Building%20Instructions%20%5Bheartshapedbox%5D.html

those 72 parts will run you less than $3 on bricklink.com. Here’s an inventory file if you’d like to try to save it.

I’ve only ever seen 1 guy ever do it at work.  I don’t think he was American.

I’ll admit, I have a toothbrush and toothpaste at work.  I’ll also admit that I’ve never used it.  It’s there in case I know I have some bad breath and need to take care of it.

Logically, it shouldn’t be weird.  It should be standard health protocol to brush after lunch.

Some might get all germy scared about the public bathroom situation, and I’d get it, if it didn’t get cleaned once a day.

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