The Benefits Of Being Open About Your Lego Obsession

So, by my reckoning (and let’s face it, who else would know?) I’ve officially been an AFOL for around 8 or 9 months now (with increasing intensity of course, as these things go). I think I’d measure it from the point at which I entered Brighton’s Lego Store and made my own Steampunk-inspired minifigures (one of which has now gone to a new home as a present to my colleague).
In these last few months it has become increasingly known to those around me that I am indeed an adult fan of Lego. This news has been met with many a reaction, but none entirely negative. And now the dividends are rolling in:

· Birthday present from colleagues: eVoucher for online Lego store which is going towards the purchase of a set I’ve wanted for ages (I think even before I emerged from my dark ages): The VW T1 Campervan. Alongside my love of Lego I have a love of VWs and it only makes sense for me to wait until September to order this as then I’ll get a free mini Lego Campervan too!

· Birthday presents from family: Lego (along with Lego cards, cakes, marshmallow lollies, chocolate brownies, brick-shaped erasers... and The Settlers of Catan (but that’s another obsession))

· Donations. I know a lot of people. I know many people whose children, like me, have grown up. People who have Lego stashed away somewhere. My first donated set came this week. A Lego Mindstorms Inventor System 2.0 from way back when Mindstorms were new. Now, as it happens the batteries have been leaking acid into the robot unit for a good few years now and it looks like it’s ruined (unless anyone can help me here?) but the fact that I got free Lego still stands (the rest of the set is still usable – and possibly there are re-sellable parts i.e. sensors etc?

I’ve also begun to affect those around me... or maybe that should be infect? My auntie text me yesterday to say they were in the Lego shop in Manchester and that they were thinking of me and that my teenage cousins were building minifigures! I’ve got a friend who has become an avid CMF collector, having only been a casual collector before we found we shared an interest. My teenage brother now builds Lego regularly (his latest a Glastonbury Pyramid Stage complete with band).

I’ve discovered that it definitely pays to be open and honest about your Lego obsession – don’t be ashamed!