Meet a member: Darthnorman
Posted by Huw,
Our meet-a-member subject today is Norman, aka darthnorman, an IT specialist in Saxony, Germany:
What is your first LEGO memory?
Playing with my parents when I was 4 or 5 years old. Right after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, they bought me the 535 Basic Building Set, 5+ and I can't tell you how often I built the windmill!
Did you have a dark age and if so what caused you to emerge from it?
Yes, I do! It lasted for 9 years (2001-2010), the last set in 2001 was original Tahu (8534). I didn't get or buy any set at all. I was more into computers, playing video games and creating multiplay maps for games, so building was still a thing in that time, just on a different level.
I emerged from it in 2014 when my mum got me a small technic set 8045 Mini Telehandler for Easter and a friend of mine got me my first Lego Star Wars set: Ewok Attack for my birthday the next year.
From there on I usually get a big Star Wars set from my friends on my birthday. Other than that, I love building mechs nowadays, something my 10-year-old self did was build big robots and pretend these were Power Ranger zords. I own 70612 Green Ninja Mech Dragon, 70676 Lloyd's Titan Mech and of course 21311 Voltron and I love every single one of them, they are a childhood dream come true.
Which set or theme has been most influential upon you, as a LEGO fan?
Hard to tell, I used to love Castle and Pirates as a kid, I remember playing with 6264 Forbidden Cove, 6038 Wolfpack Renegades and 6044 King's Carriage but the coolest set I've ever had and played the hell out of must be 5978 Sphinx Secret Surprise. I still have it in the box at my parent's house - it is great!
What are you building right now?
I am constantly trying to improve what I have. The last thing I worked on was 75257 Millennium Falcon, it's interior is so easy to modify. I added more crates, improved the hyperdrive and added more clips for accessories. The last set I bought and build was 71702 Golden Mech and I am looking forward for the new Ninjago mech(s) that will arrive in this year's summer wave.
How do you store your LEGO?
Mostly built and displayed at home, the older stuff is at my parent's house but will eventually find its way back to me one day.
Do you build MOCs? If, so what?
The only real MOC I did recently was a full-circle carbon chamber by combining two 75137 Carbon-Freezing Chambers
What is your favourite part?
There are so many great parts that Lego built over the years... if I had to pick one, I'd say it is the ratchet ball joints system, a bunch of parts to create and pose mechs. Something I would have killed for as a kid.
What set/theme/part (take your pick) would you like LEGO to produce?
Power Rangers for sure, I'd like to see another Voltron-like Megazord. But to be more realistic, I'd like to see more Pirates and Castle sets, I think those are essential themes kids should be able to play with.
Do you have a presence on Instagram, YouTube or elsewhere?
Nothing specifically dedicated to Lego but I post images or videos of new sets now and then on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normansblog/
Do you have any interests or hobbies other than LEGO?
Meeting with friends, doing website stuff at work and watching movies in cinema and at home.
How long have you been visiting Brickset? Been a member?
I was a little shocked that I've been a member since 2014, so 6 years it is, and I am visiting the site on a daily basis, especially during the last 2 years, I think.
What's your favourite/most used feature of the site?
Managing my collection and looking for news, sets, parts: it's all in one place!
Thanks Norman!
53 likes
5 comments on this article
535 was my 1st set too.
I used to pour grain in the windmill, thinking it will grind it.
I love mechs too! If you get the chance, you should try to track down 4508 Titan XP.
@legolover777 said:
"I wish we could see the custom carbon freezing chamber. I really like that set."
there you go :) https://imgur.com/a/IrhBxBc
@ricecake said:
"I love mechs too! If you get the chance, you should try to track down 4508 Titan XP."
I didn't know about that one, yet. Thanks!
Wow, Norman, you're one handsome Lego fan :). For the record ...
"I love building mechs nowadays, something my 10-year-old self did was build big robots and pretend these were Power Ranger zords."
I totally did that too! I had a couple of large robots, and I specifically designed them so they could break apart and combine. I was so proud of myself. They're a bit dusty, but I've still got them. I never had the heart to disassemble them.