Frequently Asked Questions

We all have questions we want answers to, here are the ones frequently asked...

How do I join SEALUG?

Joining SEALUG is easy. We are a very loose knit group and welcome new members at any time. The first step to joining is to sign up for our email list and then to come to a meeting. You are welcome to bring anything you might want to show off, or just to bring yourself. Meeting times and particulars are announced on the email list.

What is the Dirty Brickster?

Thomas posted a review of the rules for the Dirty Brickster (a white elephant gift exchange).

Review of rules for the Dirty Brickster:
Each participant brings exactly one wrapped gift. Each gift
should be Lego or Lego-related, cost about $10, and be worth $10--$20 *to
the recipient*. Hence, no "junk" (clones, most Lego "gear", etc.). When
the Dirty Brickster begins, participants sit in a circle with the
gifts piled in the center and draw numbers. In the order of the numbers,
each participant chooses a gift by either (1) unwrapping one or (2)
by stealing a non-locked gift. In the event that a participant's gift is
stolen, he has the same choices, except that he may not steal back the
gift that was just stolen (altho triplets are allowed). Gifts are automatically locked after being
stolen for the third time. After the participant with the last number
chooses a gift, all gifts have been unwrapped. The participant with
number 1 may at that time elect to steal any non-locked gift, beginning a
new round of theft. After that, the Dirty Brickster is over.

Etiquette:
Participants should not shake or unnessarily handle a wrapped gift until
they have chosen to unwrap it.
When a participant steals a gift, those assembled generally chant "Dirty
Brickster! Dirty Brickster! Dirty Brickster!" to the delight of all.
Non-locked gifts should be held on the participant's lap, in plain
view of all. Locked gifts should be kept beneath or behind the
participant's chair (unless you don't mind it being stolen)

What is the draft?

This has been excerpted from this LUGNET thread:

All members who want to participate purchase the set in question. Usually we
limit the cost to $20. One meeting we bought the Air Blazers set as a bonus set
since one of our members spotted them on clearance.

Fourteen sets went into that draft. Each set is divided up into its component
pieces with one pile per type of piece. There are a few exceptions [1] but for
the most part this works out. Each person draws a number from a hat determining
the order in which they pick. As you go down the list each person picks a pile
up until there are less piles left than people in the draft. At this point the
pick goes in reverse[2]. It compensates somewhat for a high number.

It really works well. Every one comes out with a bunch of pieces that may be
neat in small numbers but are amazing in large quantities.

1. Now for the exceptions. Some things are divided into more than one pile.
   All splits are made prior to drawing numbers.
   1. Any pile that some one wants split is split until people are happy.
      We split the chrome elbow bends in two and the jet engines into four piles
      for the air blazer draft.

   2. Minifigs count as two parts. They are matched up and then two piles are made.
   3. Wings and other mirror items are paired up and split in two.
2. For example, with four people you pick up piles in order 1-2-3-4 until #4
   picks up a pile and there are less than that number left on the table. For 7
   piles you would go 1-2-3-4-4-3-2.

As one of our members said "You only miss the draft once"