A friend who's known me for the entirety of the current millennium recently told me that a trait he's always observed in me is a constant quest for self-improvement.  I think that sounds a lot more lofty than it feels and really is.  I can at least confirm that I apply such effort to whatever work I do and specifically to the JANGBRiCKS channel, where I keep a tentative pulse on viewer feedback and make frequent, often unnoticed tweaks to my video-making formulas.  Just last week, for instance, I completely tossed out a custom solution that had taken me weeks to piece together for one of my lighting needs, and I've replaced it with something fundamentally different.For the first half of this year, I will continue to work towards my goal of a doing my first full New Jang City walkthrough since 2015, but that work is going to have a...

I'd like to start off by assuring you I do not intend to post once per week on this blog long-term.  I've just been a bit more overloaded than usual of late, resulting in the need to trim a bit from even my regular routine.  This most recent week has been a prime example of the phenomenon, with a rush to move New Jang City forward being unexpectedly interrupted by the Toys R Us release of some cool cars and embargoed live-action superhero sets.Avengers Infinity War reviews:LEGO Avengers Infinity War Sanctum Sanctorum Showdown review! 76108LEGO Avengers Infinity War Thanos Ultimate Battle review! 76107LEGO Avengers Infinity War Hulkbuster Smash-Up review! 76104LEGO Avengers Infinity War Corvus Glaive Thresher Attack review! 76103LEGO Avengers Infinity War Outrider Dropship Attack review! 76101Speed Champions reviews:LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari Ultimate Garage review! 75889LEGO Speed Champions Porsche 911 RSR & Turbo 3.0 review! 75888LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari 488 GT3...

Well that was a productive week!  At times I felt like I was really having to push myself to work ever faster, but taking a look back at the before & after, the progress isn't half bad.  I received & unboxed quite a lot of loose pieces, but better than that is the fact that I used a lot of pieces!  In New Jang City, the port area has really come together and just needs a couple more ships and some custom vehicles to finish it up for the foreseeable future.  The big terrain feature has started to get its final layer of detail in some areas, though other parts need more foundation work.  The mine display that I just started last week is already approaching "done for now" status.Last but not least, I snuck a few reviews into the mix to maintain variety, including the second of the two biggest Power Miners...

This week has been all about 1) using up parts, 2) getting more parts, and 3) returning to 1.  The land side of the cargo harbor area went from a field of plain baseplates to a 3/4ths tiled-in yard with a "done for now" warehouse and an admin/operations building.  The terrain to house my Planetary Defense Force base has very nearly reached its final height and the second (of four) layer of parts has been painted across its entire outer surface.  Oh, and I used up still more pieces setting up the major terrain features for my underground mine.Videos:Mining scene Under the LEGO City begins! Feb. 11, 2018LEGO city update: New harbor building, taller hill, moved warehouse Feb. 9, 2018More LEGO parts from Bricklink! ? #218LEGO city update: Harbor warehouse, rail crossing, more tiling Feb. 7, 2018Four LEGO part lots from Bricklink opened ? #217Original linkOriginal author: theJANG

This week I got to mix a few reviews with some substantive work on New Jang City, in addition to finishing that new small passenger train (pictured above).  With countless pieces added onto and beneath my little corner mountain buildup, I find myself in that ever familiar state of needing parts to proceed.  With relevant Bricklink orders at various states of fulfillment & shipping, I've begun to divert attention towards other works in progress.  Gotta keep the momentum going!Reviews:LEGO Ninjago (Juniors) Zane's Ninja Boat Pursuit review! 1075560 Years of the LEGO Brick set reviewed! 40290LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle review ⚓ 21313Customs & layout related:Work In Progress: Custom LEGO passenger train MOC update 2Farewell LEGO NEXO Knights! Final year 3 display & retrospectiveA better LEGO city update! Terrain, train, mess, etc. Feb. 1, 2018LEGO city update: Harbor tiling, terrain rises Feb. 4, 2018Other:LEGO 60th Anniv. Black Seas Barracuda in the...