August 6, 2008

We've Moved!

I just moved one blog over, and now, The VT Trooper is moving as well. Please update your bookmarks accordingly. Our new home is:





Thanks!

August 5, 2008

Fallen Trooper: William Snell

It is with great sadness once again that I have to write this - the 501st has lost another of it's family, this time William Snell, age 18, of the Carolina Garrison. William was not a full member of the 501st, he was currently in the middle of the registration process, although he has trooped with the Carolina Garrison for years as a TK.
He was involved in a car accident, I'm assuming sometime today, and was a great friend of the late Katie Johnson.

Our hearts go out to the family. A reception at his home will be held August 7th. For more details, contact the Carolina Garrison

501stCast: MiniCast: August 4, 2008: Founder’s Mission Report from Celebration Japan


Legion Founder Albin (TK-210) Johnson gives a firsthand account of Star Wars Celebration Japan, talks with Star Wars artist Tsuneo Sanda and model-making legend Lorne Peterson, and provides a sneak peak at the latest 501st Legion documentary film Star Warriors.

Show Notes: Founder’s Mission Report from Celebration Japan (August 3, 2008)

Host: Albin Johnson (TK-210)

Post-Production: Dean Plantamura (TK-899)

Content Development: Michiko Wilkshire (TS-2611), Stuart Wilkshire (TS-969)

Contributors: Matsuo San (Mr. Sanda’s friend and long-time translator)

Links

Galleries

icon for podpress Standard Podcast: Download

August 4, 2008

Events Report - August 5-31

The following events have been reported for the 501st Legion between August 5th and August 31st. Please note that all events are subject to change without notice, and you should contact the hosting garrison prior to attending any event.
Please let me know if there are any errors in this report:

Tuesday Aug 5
Southern California Garrison - Burbank Neighborhood Watch Block Party - Burbank, CA

Wednesday Aug 6
Canadian Garrison - Oro-Medonte Minor Soccer - Burl's Creek Park
Weird Al Concert - Grand Prairie, TX

Thursday Aug 7
Southern California Garrison - Children's Miracle Network/CHLA-Radiothon
70th Explorers - Weird Al Concert
UK Garrison - Tongwynlais Community Fun Day - Tongwynlais

Friday Aug 8
UK Garrison - RAF Fylingdales Fun Day - RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire
Midwest Garrison - Wedding
Midwest Garrison -CHILDRENS CANCER CAMP appearance - Frankfort, IL
70th Explorers - Weird Al Concert
70th Explorers - MDA Summer Camp - Bear River Ranch, Highway EE, Rolla, MO
Dune Sea Garrison - Clone Wars Premiere Fundraising - Tempe Cine Capri
Nordic Garrison - Clone Wars pre-launch - Oslo, Norway
Mexican Garrison -Expocoleccionistas III - D.F

Friday Aug 8
UK Garrison - RAF Fylingdales Fun Day - RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire
Midwest Garrison - Wedding
Midwest Garrison -CHILDRENS CANCER CAMP appearance - Frankfort, IL
70th Explorers - Weird Al Concert
70th Explorers - MDA Summer Camp - Bear River Ranch, Highway EE, Rolla, MO
Dune Sea Garrison - Clone Wars Premiere Fundraising - Tempe Cine Capri
Nordic Garrison - Clone Wars pre-launch - Oslo, Norway
Mexican Garrison -Expocoleccionistas III - D.F

Saturday Aug 9
Dune Sea Garrison - Clone Wars Premiere Fundraising - Tempe Cine Capri
Nordic Garrison - Clone Wars pre-launch - Oslo, Norway
Mexican Garrison -Expocoleccionistas III - D.F
Southern California Garrison - Clones for Kids (WB/LFL CW Screening)
Canadian Garrison - SW:CW, Toronto Blue Jays - Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Garrison Carida - Adelaides Place Fundraiser - Collegeville, PA
Canadian Garrison - Balloon Festival, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Star Garrison, Arkansas Squad - Little Rock Comic Book Convention - Little Rock, AR
Weird Al Concert - Springfield, IL
Garrison Excelsior - Rochester Red Wings SW Night - Rochester, NY
Garrison Carida - Clone Wars Screening - Pittsburgh, PA
Garrison Carida - Picnic with National Guard - Sring City, PA
Dune Sea Garrison - Summer Kids Events at Bookmans - Phoenix, Az
Nordic Garrison - Party

Sunday Aug 10
Nordic Garrison - Clone Wars pre-launch - Oslo, Norway
Mexican Garrison -Expocoleccionistas III - D.F
Florida Garrison - Tampa Comic Book and Toy Convention - Tampa, FL
Garrison Carida - Corvettes for Kids - Barto, PA
Weird Al Concert - Rockford, IL
Empire City Garrison - Clone Wars Screening - New York City, NY
Southern California Garrison - Armor Party
Garrison Carida - Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh Visit - Pittsburgh, PA
Terror Australis Garrison - Clone Wars Release
Nordic Garrison - Star Wars: Clone Wars preview - Park Biosalong, Stockholm, Sweden

Tuesday Aug 12
Malaysia-Brunei Outpost - THE CLONE WARS Movie Special Premiere Screening - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wednesday Aug 13
German Garrison - Vorpremieren von "The Clone Wars" in ganz Deutschland - ganz Deutschland
New England Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Providence Place

Thursday Aug 14
Southern California Garrison - Siggraph Nokia Theater Clone Wars Screening
Florida Garrison - Miami Children's Museum - Miami, FL
Southern California Garrison - MCTSSA Camp Pendleton Family Day
Southern California Garrison - Orange County Clone Wars Midnight Release
Florida Garrison - Miami Children's Hospital - Miami FL
Dune Sea Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Cine Capri - AZ

Friday Aug 15
Dune Sea Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Cine Capri - AZ
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Regal Theater
New England Garrison - AMC Danvers Clone Wars Opening - TENATIVE
Bloodfin Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Indianapolis
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Fort Myers
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Sawgrass Mills 23
Alpine Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Stadium 10
Southern California Garrison - Egyptian Theater SW:TCW Benefit Screening
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Movieco
STAR WARS: CLONE WARS NORTH AMERICAN RELEASE - THEATERS
Weird Al Concert - San Mateo, CA
Dune Sea Garrison - Clone Wars Premiere - Tucson, AZ
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Merrittt Island
Garrison Excelsior - Clone Wars Release, Regal Henrietta - Regal Henrietta, Henrietta, NY
Pacific Outpost - Clone Wars Release, Ward 16 Theatre - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Bloodfin Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Fort Wayne
Dune Sea Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Harkins - Tuscon, AZ
Bloodfin Garrison - Clone Wars Release - Bloomington, IN
Bloodfin Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Evansville - Tentative - Evansville
Empire City Garrison - Clone Wars Release
Garrison Tyranus - Clone Wars Theatrical Premiere at the Gallery at Military Circle - Norfolk
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Rave Motion Pictures Bayou 15

Saturday Aug 16
Garrison Tyranus - Clone Wars Theatrical Premiere at the Gallery at Military Circle - Norfolk
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Rave Motion Pictures Bayou 15
German Garrison - Eine Spende von Freude und Lachen - Trier, Feldstrasse 16
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, regal cinema
Garrison Carida - Annual Toy Drive - Carlisle, PA
Alabama Garrison - Clone Wars, Huntsville
Empire City Garrison - McDonald's PARC Event - Cortlandt, NY
Weird Al Concert - Monterey, CA
Southern California Garrison - Orange County Clone Wars Saturday Night
UK Garrison - Kidstock - Jock Farm, Essex
Northeast Remnant - Mid Jersey Comic con
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Lakeland
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Pinellas Park Regal - Pinellas Park FL
Florida Garrison - Clone Wars Release, Southland Mall - Cutler Bay, Fl
Malaysia-Brunei Outpost - The Clone Wars tie-in Fan Activities
UK Garrison - Pre Collectormania Glasgow - Braehead Shopping centre, Glasgow

Sunday Aug 17
UK Garrison - Pre Collectormania Glasgow - Braehead Shopping centre, Glasgow
Terror Australis Garrison - Kiwanis Club Clone Wars Release for Disabled Children
Southern California Garrison - Armor Party
German Garrison - Star Wars Familien Sonntag - Berlin, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Köln, Lünen, Solingen, Stuttgart
Great Lakes Garrison - Monroe Humane Society Annual Fundraiser - Newport, MI

Monday Aug 18
Weird Al Concert - Sacramento, CA

Wednesday Aug 20
Weird Al Concert - Vernon, BC

Thursday Aug 21
Weird Al Concert - Victoria, BC

Friday Aug 22
Weird Al Concert - Coquitlam, BC
Mountain Garrison - Bubonicon - Albuquerque, NM
Canadian Garrison - Fanexpo - Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, ON

Saturday Aug 23
Mountain Garrison - Bubonicon - Albuquerque, NM
Canadian Garrison - Fanexpo - Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, ON
Florida Garrison - Pottery Barn Kids Event - Jacksonville, FL
Weird Al Concert - Coquitlam, BC
Garrison Carida - Pottery Barn Merchandise Release - King of Prussia, PA
Carolina Garrison - Habitat for Humanity Picnic
Great Lakes Garrison - Sterling Heights Public Library Star Wars Day - Sterling Heights
German Garrison - Bayernpark 6 - Reisbach

Sunday Aug 24
Mountain Garrison - Bubonicon - Albuquerque, NM
Canadian Garrison - Fanexpo - Metro Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, ON
Southern California Garrison - Armor Party
Terror Australia Garrison - Defence Lake Attack - Albert Park Lake

Monday Aug 25
UK Garrison - Aldington Soapbox Derby - Aldington Soapbox Derby, Kent
Cloud City Garrison - Weird Al Concert

Tuesday Aug 26
Weird Al Concert - Monroe, WA

Wednesday Aug 27
Weird Al Concert - Arcata, CA

Thursday Aug 28
Weird Al Concert - Lancaster, CA
UK Garrison - Marsh Farm Fun Day for Disabled Kiddies - Marsh Farm Country Park, Essex
70th Explorers - Slackers Star Wars night at GCS Ballpark - Sauget, IL

Friday Aug 29
Tawain Outpost - STAR WARS : CLONE WARS Taiwan Premire
70th Explorers - Star Wars night at the T-Bones - Kansas City, KS
Dragon*Con - Atlanta, Georgia
Canadian Garrison - Festival des montgolfières - Vader Balloon - Canada - Gatineau

Saturday Aug 30
Dragon*Con - Atlanta, Georgia
Canadian Garrison - Festival des montgolfières - Vader Balloon - Canada - Gatineau
Great Lakes Garrison - Out of This World Weekend - Washington Township
German Garrison - Kid's Day - Uden / NL
Florida Garrison - Jacksonville Main Library Event - Jacksonville, FL
Dutch Outpost - Kid's Day - Uden
Florida Garrison - Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter Hammerheads Game - Jupiter, FL

Sunday Aug 31
Dragon*Con - Atlanta, Georgia
Canadian Garrison - Festival des montgolfières - Vader Balloon - Canada - Gatineau
UK Garrison - CLAPA Summer Party 2008 - Frank Lee Centre, Cambridge
Carolina Garrison - Star Wars Symphony - Anderson, SC
Garrison Carida - Faith City Family Church Backpack Giveaway

August 1, 2008

Craptions - July 30th

This just came across the NEG boards:



- Time to listen to some Dropkick Murphys, drink 37 pints, and get revenge on those f**ing tiny bear things.
- WHY AREN'T YOU WEARING GREEN? EVERYONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE WEARING GREEN? GO HOME "NOW" AND PUT SOME GREEN ON? MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE IT!!!!
- "Thhhe rebel plansh are not in the main computer... We're gonna need to check out thish other pub, I mean computer..hic!"
- Go ahead jawa. I f**king DARE you to type something funny about me.
-
Ironically this picture was taken before Happy Hour
-
Open the pub doors! Open the pub doors!
-
How the f**k did these guys get costumes that are so awesome when they couldn't even afford clovers that aren't just paper cut-outs?!
-
The empire's covert invasion of planet Ireland went off without a hitch. If you wear green, hand out free brews and carry a gun, no one asks any questions.
-
Something, anything had to be done to improve the storm troopers aim. Thats when Lord Vader had his wildest Idea. ..... Lucky Charms
-
You should see how they celebrate 420
-
"Hey! Hey Storm Trooper, say 'all your base are belong to us'!"
The photographer was subsequently shot.
-
Troopers!! To the PUB!!

The rest are here: http://www.cracked.com/craptions/craption/933

The trooper pictured? That's me.

501st Caught on Camera

The latest pictures from Flickr from the past week. With San Diego Comic Con, Celebration Japan and the recent Toys R Us event, there were a lot of pictures!


I don't think these guys were 501st, but still cool:

Dewback @ Celebration Japan:

Mini-Scout:


UKG Troopers at the One Man Star Wars show:

Canadian trooper at Otakuthon2008:

A Biker Scout... on a bike. Do you know how long I've been waiting for a picture like this?

And, San Diego Comic Con pictures:
















Toys R Us Pictures:







Event Report: Gaming Event @ The Fletcher Free Library



This was a very low-key event on the part of the Fletcher Free Library that Mike and I attended. We both arrived around 1:30, where a number of gaming consoles had been set up, and several kids had arrived to play games against one another.

We suited up and mingled with the children from about 2-3:45 or so, even playing against them a couple of times, and answering their questions about the Empire. Overall, it was a fun event, because the handful of kids there were really happy to see us, which is my primary motivation for this. Hopefully, it will serve as a jumping point for future events with the library.

I had a couple problems with my armor - putting on a shin, I heard a loud CRACK, and the glue split, which wasn't a good sound - I thought that I'd broken the entire part, which thankfully wasn't the case. I also had a couple of snaps separate, but I bought some glue to fix that problem. Yay for White Duct Tape.

Ainsworth Case Rulling

This in from the SciFi Wire:

Ruling Splits Star Wars Case

Lucasfilm Ltd. and a British prop designer both claimed victory on July 31 in a legal battle over the iconic stormtrooper uniforms from the Star Wars films, the Associated Press reported.

George Lucas's film company had sued Andrew Ainsworth, who sculpted the stormtrooper helmets for the first Star Wars movie in 1977.

British High Court judge Anthony Mann ruled that Ainsworth violated Lucasfilm's U.S. copyright by selling replica stormtrooper uniforms through his Web site to customers in the United States.

But Mann refused to enforce in Britain a $20 million judgment Lucasfilm won against Ainsworth in a California court in 2006. The judge said Ainsworth's U.S. sales, which totaled 25,000 to 30,000 pounds ($50,000 to $60,000), were not significant enough to make him susceptible to U.S. jurisdiction.

The judge also rejected a claim against Ainsworth under British law, saying English copyright over the outfits had expired. Ainsworth's lawyer, Seamus Andrew, said the ruling meant that Ainsworth was now free to sell his replicas everywhere except the United States.

Mann also rejected a counterclaim by Ainsworth that copyright rested with him.