The initial plan was to buy two big boxes of loose Legos, until it dawned on me to mention that I had a classic computerized Mindstorm NXT 8527 robot set from a thrift store last May (Salvation Army for $10.88).
Then it was all about the 
Story:
I'd found a solid batch of Legos outside recently and mentioned it
It started with a request for two USPS large rate boxes of loose parts with lots of technics (about 20 pounds), but Carl needed to have the NXT robot set to build an AI good content upvote bot for Hive. I think he forgot that he had kids for a because the two boxes were scaled down to one (because the Mindstorm set is expensive).
This is the assembled kit in its default build, which I bagged up in the flat rate box to save on shipping. There are many different ways it can be constructed to accomplish various tasks. I'll recycle the original box. I actually painstakingly counted all the parts last year to inventory what was missing, and it was just handful... nothing important. I honestly forgot I had it since then. This happens a lot since I find so much.
As another example, I vaguely recalled thinking I found a PS3 Guitar Hero wireless guitar dongle while I was cleaning two PS3 guitars last night, but shrugged it off. I randomly found it tonight by accident... The small dongle sells for $60-$80 and I can package one guitar with it for the market price of $130-$150. Free, curb-salvaged. To be tested on my PS3 tomorrow. Magic.
OH YEA, the Mindstorm NXT build pic:
This works with computer software and the main processor in the middle. It has a sound, light, ultrasonic and touch sensor, and two interactive servo motors.
Successful power and LCD screen test:
It also came with the unused stickers, instructions, and a foldout paper test map.
So what will Carl build with it and can he handle the web-software that gives him challenge assignments? We'll just have to see.
In addition, we also worked in 37 minifigures with accessories.
These are for his kid, aka, his apple that didn't fall too far from the tree.
All found in the curb-side recycling, perfectly clean, saved for a kid's joy, and I got BTC for it. That's pretty damn rewarding.
Carl also sent a few pics of some of his 5 year old's creations using some of the Legos I sent over before. It was nice to see lots of the pieces I remembered sorting for their "cool" factor, since I go piece by piece to make sure they're genuine Lego parts. Occasionally some off-brands or Mega Bloks are mixed, but I remove them. Value add right there!
We then filled the rest of 1 USPS large flat rate box with lots of good building parts, many high-value technics pieces. The technics pieces are best for more mechanical builds with moving parts.
The thrift store Legos were about 3 pounds. The rest of the box stuffed to the brim had roughly 5.5 - 6 pounds of recycled loose parts. Big win for the environment.
Given the price volatility of Hive and Steem, we transacted with Bitcoin. A healthy amount of BTC was received and a healthy box of Lego fun will be in the mail tomorrow.
Look at us surfing on the wave of crypto e-commerce!!
Anyone else want Legos? I have plenty more and am always finding big batches.
P.S. With Carl's understandable change of order, I took some parts from what would've been the second box and made a funny little creation myself that I'll make a post about tomorrow. You'll never guess.
Time to suit up and go outside now to find more.
Thanks,
Matt