It was the first pirate ship that Lego produced, the Black Seas Barracuda. I can't remember the specifics that we see in the movie. I am not even sure what year I got this. From what I can find out, this set was released in 1989, and I imagine I got it for Christmas that year.
What made this present so memorable was not the time around it, but the present itself. I remember when I was younger and really into Legos, all I ever wanted for my birthday or Christmas was a big Lego set. I particularly liked the castles and the pirates. I would get a few smaller sets throughout the year, but the expense of the larger sets relegated them strictly to holidays only.
I must have seen this set in the store or in the brochures that Lego included with every set. It was big and spectacular. At the time, I still believed in Santa, and when this showed up under the tree on Christmas day, I was sure a miracle had happened.
I was so beyond happy. I spent hours building the set. My thumbs would always get sore from snapping those little blocks together. But when everything was said and done, it was worth it. I spent the rest of the day playing with the pirate ship, maybe doing pirates versus castles. If I could have slept with it and not broken it or hurt myself, I would have.
I loved this thing. It had so much attention to detail. The anchor that you could really drop and reel back in. The monkey. The pirate captain with a peg leg and a hook. The treasure chest with pieces of gold. And maybe the best thing, the cannons that really fired. Perfect for tormenting your sister.
I remember looking at the Lego catalogue, thinking it was funny that the oldest age recommended was 18 for their Technic sets. I found that funny, because I loved Legos so much, I couldn't imagine outgrowing them. I wondered what I would do once I was 18. Was there some law preventing me from buying sets I was too old for?
As it turned out, all that worry was for naught. I think I got my last Lego set in 1995. It was a motorcycle from the Technic line. It might have been by then, but if not shortly after that every Lego set I had was disassembled and back in the box in my parents' basement.
It is sad to think about now. The things that I loved so much, played with day in and day out for years, and was absolutely sure that I would never get tired of sitting in a box and gathering dust. I guess it is all part of the march towards adulthood. I don't even have my favorite stuffed animal with me anymore. He is also back at my parents' house. The things that were once essential to my life got left behind. But I still remember them, think back to those days, and smile.
I enjoyed reading the Lego memories from your perspective. I remember on that particular Christmas, you were so excited about the thought of getting the Lego pirate ship, you had a difficult time falling to sleep on Christmas eve. Finally, on Christmas morning, waking up to the excitement of actually getting the pirate ship and then opening the gift, you spent the morning putting the bricks together. At one point were so frustrated, because you were so tired from lack of sleep, that I had to strongly suggest that you take a break. Not only did you take a break, but a long afternoon nap.
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