Well it looks like we raised about $5280 in cash and toys for this Toys for Tots drive.

See who says all Stormtroopers are bad guys.

It was never on my life list to play in a bar band.. But yesterday We officially got paid(one round of free drinks) for playing Rock Band at the Cap.  George, Mike, Heidi, Melissa and I swapped in an out, for a couple of sets.
We were the filler act in between real bands who were performing all day during the canned food drive they were having.  It was fun and we even got some applause from the audience.

So first there was Bubonicon(xwing) then was DragonCon(xwing) then it was the first annual Socorro Scifi Con(TK) and tonight its another event, The midnight release of Force Unleashed.(which is gonna be xwing)

and I already have the Abq balloon fiesta on the horizon.
What does all this mean?  well the X-wing suit has undergone some major repairs(complete zipper repair, chest box fixing)The TK blaster got some touch up paint, and some re-gluing of parts.  The armor also needs some Velcro upgrades and replacements.  It just goes to show that a costume like this is not a one time build in and your done.  Parts wear out, get dropped, lost, etc.. and its takes constant upkeep.
There were some good pits from all of  this.. including some pictures of us trooping at the VLA. (which I’m told was a first) give me some time to gather them up from the various sources and get them posted in the gallery.

So we survived another D*C.  and before you ask, no I didn’t bring my trooper armor.  I’m really going to need to look at shipping stuff for future events due to the severe limits on luggage.

I did bring the flight suit and got to particpate in a couple high profile Rebel Legion event.  I also got to hang out with alot of peoples I only chat with via email.  and by the end i got a small dose of the cron crud.

I didn’t take much pictures so if you want to see what I saw just do a basic search on flikr.(you will most likely see more than I did)

for the list of things I learned this year check after the break

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So it was a pretty fun night.  Several people were waiting in line before we even suited up.  Both the workers and the fans were really glad to have us around.
I learned a couple things while there.

1. How to use a bathroom while suited up.
2. Make sure your gel inserts are in your boots before you leave for an event
3. Fresh batteries in the helmet a must
4. Fans still go crazy over new Star Wars stuff.

Whoa.. I mean that’s all I can say about that… is whoa.  Go see it, like right now.

From time to time I’ve been asked how organizations like the 501st or Rebel Legion survive with out Uncle George and his merry band of lawyers from coming down and squishing us like bugs.  Well the big reasons are:

1. We don’t make any money at this, costume parts and props that are made and sold are usually done at cost.
2. We do spend a lot of time working with charity groups and who wants to say sorry we won’t let them help sick kids
3. When they want to promote some big product launch, they have big pool of free labor.

So with that said its time for some Lucasarts promotional stops.
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So after a evening shooting, Saturday morning we loaded up the jeep, gathered some of the gang and headed out to Molina Peak.   Getting there took us along the dirt road out of Box, then onto some kinda rough forest roads and the finally a hike up to the top.  We decided on a scenic drive out through Bianco Canyon, and replenished with some burgers from Manny’s Buckhorn in San Antonio.

The Jeep handled the rough roads like a champ , the tires, the engine and new oil pump barely broke a sweat.  I however broke a fair amount of sweat making the 1 mile, 1000ft climb to the top.  The trip out through the Canyon proved to a be treat for many as they didn’t realize there was such a deep cut caynon so close to home.  Oddly enough we uncovered a small shrine at the east entrence to the caynon.  When the owner of Manny’s saw us approach covered in dirt from head to tires, he commented that we look we just survived some African safari.  But we were seated and snarfed down some darn tasty green chile burgers.

So Friday night a friend of ours asks if we want to squeeze off a few rounds at the local shooting range.  He brought along a .22 target pistol, a compact 9mm, 1911 .45 pistol, and a 12 gauge shotgun.  Since several had either never fired a pistol or it had been to long to remember we had a quick safety/handling lesson which each weapon.   I’ve always been curious on what its like to fire a 45. I’ve got to say it was my favorite weapon of the evening.  Although I did chuckle a bit the first time  I pumped a round into the shotgun.  The shoulder is a little sore today but we he had a blast(pun intended) Melissa got some pictures with muzzle flash so look for the picts on her flckr page.  It’s definitely something I would like to do again and even become proficient.