Meet a member: Chills
Posted by Huw,
Today we are catching up with Chris Hills, aka Chills, who's an Operations Manager at an online travel company in Chicago:
What is your first LEGO memory?
Back in 1981 I remember my dad surprising me with the famous yellow castle, 6075. That set was what hooked me on LEGO for the rest of my life. I started collecting the classic space sets, more castle sets, and the town sets that revolved around aviation. However, when I made a MOC, it was a Star Wars set. I absolutely love the movies, and LEGO was my outlet for Star Wars creativity as a kid.
Did you have a dark age and if so what caused you to emerge from it?
I definitely had a dark age, which started as many dark ages, right around my last year of high school. I briefly popped out in 1999 when the first Star Wars set came out. I bought 7151 Sith Infiltrator and 7150 TIE Fighter & Y-wing, which were amazing sets for me! I mean, real LEGO Star Wars sets; how cool is that?
Then I dropped back into the dark ages again. The set that really brought me out and made me the collector I am today was 10221 Super Star Destroyer . My wife (girlfriend at the time) bought it for me for Christmas (and you can see why I married her). I was in awe and how huge and detailed the set was. The Executor was my favourite Star Wars ship, and I drooled over it. I wanted to learn more about other sets and found Huw's blog, which then directed me to Brickset. I've been hooked ever since!
Which set or theme has been most influential upon you, as a LEGO fan?
Being a Star Wars fan I really love collecting that theme. Having a large collection inspired me to build my Death Star II room, where I display all 310 (and counting) LEGO sets.
What are you building right now?
I'm working on 21321 International Space Station. I'm taking a bit of a break from Star Wars, as the newer sets are reboots of sets I already have. And these new space sets are incredible!
How do you store your LEGO?
All LEGO I have is displayed for the world to see!
Do you build MOCs?
I wish I had the talent to build MOCs. I see the things my fellow AFOLs create and I'm just so impressed.
What is your favourite part?
The yellow 2x1 brick, which was the cornerstone of 6075 Castle I hold that and I'm instantly 5 years old and assembling the medieval fortress.
What theme would you like LEGO to produce?
I'd like to see more classic castle sets, with walls made of bricks not plates.
Do you have any interests or hobbies other than LEGO?
I am an active member of the 501st Legion; I'm an Imperial Stormtrooper, TK-51114. Trooping is a ton of fun, both kids and adults have the same reaction when seeing a stormtrooper... instant smiles. I love entertaining them as a quirky stormtrooper and making them laugh. I'm also big into outdoors sports like rock climbing, backpacking, mountain biking. I have to stay in shape to fit in that armour!
How long have you been visiting Brickset?
I had to check the site... 8 years. Wow, that went by fast!
What's your favourite/most used feature of the site?
I love the reviews. They are so well written out and definitely with an eye toward the builder and collector.
Why did you choose your Brickset username?
I've been known as Chills all my life.
Have you been to a LEGO event?
I went to a MOC event in 2015, which was supported by the 501st. That's when I met them and decided I wanted to join.
82 likes
27 comments on this article
I wonder how many Chills we will see on the front page today.
Your mancave/Lego-room looks AMAZING!!!
I'm soooooooo jealous right now.
Should that yellow castle set number be 375-2
Amazing setup BTW.
That must be one heck of a dusting job with Cloud City, the Super Star Destroyer and the Star Destroyer.
That is a massive collection! I'm so jealous!
I also rock climb but I do it in my local centre, not outside.
@legocrazy1234 said:
"Should that yellow castle set number be 375-2"
Not in the USA
Nice room looks, it looks pretty big.
OMG!!! That room is awesome. Drooling over here!
Foot letuce xD
Best lego room display ever. Period
@Yooha said:
"I wonder how many Chills we will see on the front page today."
I guess you could say "I got chills, they're multiplying".. :D
I’ve always thought that it would be cool to join the 501st. But I don’t have the money or time to put into the costume.
@Chills, obviously you live and breathe Star Wars. you have an amazing collection wonderfully displayed.
Also thank you for all that you and the 501st around the world do for charity, badguysdoinggood.
Your room is sooooo cool. Holy s''t
Amazing display! This is truly an inspirational article!
I can see a Stormtrooper, but where’s Chills?
Wow. Words can’t express the jealousy at seeing your display area.
To quote Darth Vader impressive most impressive as regards that room! The force is certainly strong with this one.
I want to live in a bunker, with a rooftop bar. That would be pretty cool
Can we call you the Big Chill?
Kidding, love the aesthetics of your Lego room, would love to do that to my own.
Thumbs up Chills!
One of the best Lego Star Wars collection rooms/mancaves out there!
To quote Robin: "Holy mother of LEGO displays!"
Thank you all for the kind words! This Star Wars room has always been a dream of mine to build, and I love spending time in here. It's multipurpose: I also have a 100" movie screen and home theater chairs to kick back and watch the Star Wars (and LEGO!) movies and play Xbox One games.
Becoming a 501st stormtrooper was quite a lot of work, but totally worth it. It took about 3 months to build out the armor and make it the highest level of accuracy (called Centurion). It's hot, uncomfortable, hard to move in, but I LOVE wearing it. Thanks @GothamConstructionCo; it's really an honor to get to support so many charities.
@Slobrojoe YES! It is a lot of work keeping the dust off those sets. Eventually I plan on building plexiglass cases like I did with the Falcon and the Death Star.
Big thanks to @Huw for letting me share my LEGO room with such a wonderful group of people.
^ I feel your pain, just on a lot smaller scale
That's an incredible display. Great fixtures. Love the lighting. So clean and easy to look at. It's like being in a well kept museum.
Your armour is amazing!
I'm working on a Sabine Wren right now and it is so much work!
@Chills said:
"Thank you all for the kind words! This Star Wars room has always been a dream of mine to build, and I love spending time in here. It's multipurpose: I also have a 100" movie screen and home theater chairs to kick back and watch the Star Wars (and LEGO!) movies and play Xbox One games.
Becoming a 501st stormtrooper was quite a lot of work, but totally worth it. It took about 3 months to build out the armor and make it the highest level of accuracy (called Centurion). It's hot, uncomfortable, hard to move in, but I LOVE wearing it. Thanks @GothamConstructionCo; it's really an honor to get to support so many charities.
@Slobrojoe YES! It is a lot of work keeping the dust off those sets. Eventually I plan on building plexiglass cases like I did with the Falcon and the Death Star.
Big thanks to @Huw for letting me share my LEGO room with such a wonderful group of people. "
Incredible room!! I would love to have something like that to display not only my Lego Star Wars collection but other items I have!! Congrats Chills