‘Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors’ – Chapter 2 (Part 3)

Sunday and it was still a day of work.  Heather and I got up at five o’clock this morning.  I got my shower and Heather got some breakfast and we then switched spots.  After packing our cooler and loading up our backpacks, we then headed out the door and headed to work.  We punched in for work at “West Side Laundry” and then went in the office.  We got our schedule for this week and then headed out to our only stop, one camp today.  The good news was that we were dropping off, so that goes a little easier.  We went to a camp just a little past Monticello, New York and did our job.  We got done and headed straight back to the laundry mat, stopping only for gas.  We then headed home and were at home by noon.

Heather and I took a nap and then I got things together for this evening for our event with Royal Automotive.  Then we had a significant lunch and then our friend Gary showed up.  Gary decided to get a ride with us and before long we were in our car driving to Royal Auto in Owego, New York.  We were doing a promotional event for them in exchange for a large donation to “A Room to Heal” our local charity organization.  We got there and I got dressed in my Tie Pilot and I was honored when Ian Palmer honored me with a set of wings for finishing (or coming close to finishing) my Tie Pilot costume.  Then David got into his Vader costume and the event began.  It was kind of a slow event because it actually rained, even though the forecast didn’t say that it would.  We had a great time at the event and a lot of our costumers showed and the kids had fun.  On top of that, we had a fully functional R2-D2 that our local FanForce member built and it looks AMAZING!  I was really impressed.  After our two hours there, we left.

On our way home, we stopped at “Price Chopper” and Heather got some extra things for dinner and then headed home.  Gary joined us for dinner and we had a nice sit-down dinner.  We talked a little bit after dinner and then Gary headed home.  We then headed into the basement and I started to work on things for next weekend for Spiedie Fest while we watched some of our usual Sunday night shows including “Big Brother” and “The Big C” and then we watched a few episodes of “Hot in Cleveland”.  Heather was excited as she got ten more jackets to work on with Marcia.  We then headed to bed.  Tomorrow, Heather had to work, but luckily I did not.  That’s good because I have a LOT of things to do before the big event next weekend!

Okay, let’s talk about Part 3 of Chapter 2 of “Star Wars – Republic Commandos:  True Colors” by Karen Traviss…….

‘Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors’ – Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Saturday, but still a fairly busy day.  Although, I was pretty happy by the end of my day today.  I got up around eight o’clock today and got a shower.  After that, I loaded up my car and David joined me and we headed over to Jupiter Games, one of our new sponsors for our podcast.  They were having a Warhammer 40K tournament today and we were going to help sponsor the event and podcast from the event.  So, we headed over to Vestal.  We got to the store just a little after it opened.  We set up a frame with all of our banners on it.  We then left out some business cards and some signs and said we would be back at the end of the event to do some interviews and rundown on how the event went.  We then left and came back to my house.

We got to my house and our goal was simple.  FINISH MY TIE PILOT COSTUME!  We would be fairly close by the end of the day, just missing the metal greeblies that would make it all official.  So, we headed into the basement and got to work.  We put on the plastic greeblies and I had a lot done before David even got here.  We then went back and forth between the chest box and helmet to work.  As we worked on something on the helmet, we would let the glue dry and then work on the chest box and vice versa.  We got a LOT done and by the time David left at one o’clock, the end was VERY close at hand.  I then got some lunch and watched some more “Kitchen Nightmares” as I continued to work.  By the end of the afternoon, I had the helmet completed including having the lenses installed.  The chest box was completed and installed and even the chest and backplate were completed and connected. Overall, I think the kit looks pretty good!  I then went upstairs and had an early dinner with the family of bacon wrapped pork.  After dinner, I loaded up the car and headed over to David’s house.

We then got over to Jupiter games around six thirty and did a quick post-contest interview and did some interviews with the 40k players and had some fun with them.  We packed up and were on our way home by eight o’clock.  I dropped David off at his house and he was gracious enough to get me some foam to form my helmet for me.  I got home and hot glued in the foam and got my helmet fitted.  I was SO happy to have the kit done and looking presentable for our FanForce event tomorrow.  After that, I cleared out my Mando tote (for now) and loaded up my Tie Pilot for tomorrow’s event.  Then Heather and I went to bed early because we would be working early tomorrow.

Okay, let’s talk about Part 2 of Chapter 2 of “Star Wars – Republic Commandos:  True Colors” by Karen Traviss…….

‘Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors’ – Chapter 2 (Part 1)

Friday.  End of the work week!  Woo hoo!  But, it was not such an easy day, but David and I have a clear gameplan for tomorrow so that I can actually get some of my day back.  I got up at five thirty this morning and took a shower.  Heather made some breakfast and then we switched spots.  We got ourselves ready for work and before long, we were on our way to work.  We headed over to “West Side Laundry” and punched in.  We then got our route assignment for the day and it was a lot more than we thought.  We were picking up our usual Friday camp, but we were also dropping off some bags to another camp and trying to pick up some bags at three other camps as they would be observing a holiday soon.  So, we had a lot to get done.  We headed out and got to work.  We drove down to our first camp just past Monticello, New York.  We picked up their laundry and did some “creative” stacking to try and get all the laundry we needed to get on today.  We then dropped off some bags to a second camp.  We then headed up near Liberty, New York and started to pick up the laundry at the camps.  We got the first two camps loaded, but realized we just weren’t going to get the third camp onto our fifteen foot truck.  There were eighty bags and we just couldn’t fit them in.  We called our boss and let him know to send another truck.  We then headed back to the laundry mat. We didn’t get back until almost two o’clock and clocked out.  We grabbed our paychecks and then headed over to “M&T Bank” and deposited our checks.  We then ordered the products for the Binghamton FanForce for Spiedie Fest next weekend.  We then headed home.  We took a good hour long nap and then got up and had some dinner with the kids.  After dinner, I continued to work on my Tie Pilot and got really excited when I realized that while we were gone, the hoses for my Tie Pilot arrived, which means I’m just waiting on some metal greeblies to finish the entire kit out.  I continued to work on my kit while I watched some more episodes of “South Park” and “Robot Chicken” along with “Storage Wars” and “Kitchen Nightmares”.  Around eight o’clock, I had to make a run to Lowes to get some things.  Heather was nice enough to have the kids record the new “Thundercats” TV show on Cartoon Network and when I got back, I watched it while I worked on my kit.  After that, the kids and I watched some of the original episodes of “Thundercats” on DVD before heading to bed. Okay, let’s talk about Part 1 of Chapter 2 of “Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors” by Karen Traviss…….

‘Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors’ – Chapter 1 (Part 3)

Thursday.  The end of the work week is almost here, but my weekend is still looking pretty busy and Saturday is looking to be a long day and now with me working on Sunday, the Sunday event for Binghamton FanForce I will probably be pretty tired and grumpy by the end of the day.  Just hope I can keep it together until then.  We got up this morning at six-thirty and got ready for our day.  I took my shower and then Heather and I switched positions.  I ate breakfast and helped her get some things together for work and then we headed off to “West Side Laundry”.  We signed in and got our assignment for the day today.  Our assignment today was to drop off to the camp that we picked up from on Tuesday.  So, we headed out Route 17 to Hancock and then into Pennsylvannia.  We dropped off to both camps and had a pretty uneventful day.  We were able to get back to the laundry service in Binghamton by noon.

After work, we headed straight home.  I started some more levels of spray painting on my Tie Pilot costume and then started to work on trying to fix up the shop a little bit.  It’s a MESS in my basement and I hate it when my shop is torn apart this bad.  I’m an organizational freak and when things are not organized, it drives me crazy!  After some time, I got to painting again and did this the rest of the night.  As I worked, I watched some DVR’d episodes of “South Park” and “Robot Chicken” and then I stopped to have some dinner with the family.  After dinner, I tried to relax, playing some COD: BO in between paint coats.  I was also excited today because I received some more parts for my Tie Pilot kit.  I got my decals and some of the greeblie parts for the chest box.  I couldn’t put them on yet, but now I have them.  I worked into the evening and finally stopped and sat down to watch some TV with Heather.  We watched “Big Bang Theory”, “Rules of Engagement”, “Big Brother”, and “Deadliest Catch” (the season finale) on DVR before heading to bed.

Okay, let’s talk about Part 3 of Chapter 1 of “Star Wars – Republic Commandos:  True Colors” by Karen Traviss…….

‘Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors’ – Chapter 1 (Part 2)

Wednesday and the middle of the work week and it was an extremely busy day for me.  Not just from work but from a personal perspective.  I have decided that I am going to get my Tie Fighter done this week at all costs and I give David Ramsay some credit as he has vowed to do the same with me.  I’m so glad he’s able to help me as I don’t think I would complete this kit without him.  I got up this morning at five o’clock and Heather and I had an earlier day today.  We then took showers and had some breakfast and after some time, we headed off to work.  We got to “West Side Laundry” and punched in.  We got our assignment for the day and took our truck and left.  I felt like I was playing a bit of a “beat the clock” game today as I wanted to get back as early as possible to try and get my Tie Pilot costume done (or at least ready for painting) today.  We worked hard, but didn’t have a lot to do.  We had two camps to take care of in Pennsylvannia.  We dropped off one camp and picked up another and before long, we were back in Binghamton.

We got home and I continued to work on my Tie Pilot and let David know I was home.  After David got done with work, he joined me at my house and we continued to work on my Tie Pilot.  David joined us for dinner and we worked into the night on the Tie Pilot costume.  I was excited because by the end of the night, we were actually painting the parts of the kit.  I was so happy with the way it was starting to turn out.  I was really starting to understand how the whole costume was going to come together.  David and I worked pretty late into the evening and quite honestly, I had the TV on, but I really wasn’t paying attention to it.  After David left, Heather and I watched “Big Brother” on DVR and then headed to bed.

Okay, let’s talk about Part 2 of Chapter 1 of “Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors” by Karen Traviss…….

‘Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors’ – Chapter 1 (Part 1)

Tuesday and today wasn’t too bad as far as what Heather and I wanted to get done.  We got up a little later this morning, getting up at six thirty this morning instead of having to get up at say five o’clock any other morning.  I got my shower and got myself ready for my day and Heather cooked breakfast and then we switched spots as always.  After some time, we headed off to work together.  We got to “West Side Laundry” and clocked in and then headed upstairs and got our assignments.  We were then told to talk to the “boss” and he told Heather and I today that we would HAVE to work on Sunday.  I was not a fan of this idea, but I said okay along with Heather and then we headed out.  We took Route 17 to the Hancock exit and then went south into Pennsylvannia.  We picked up the bags at two camps and filled up our fifteen foot truck from top to bottom and pretty much  from front to back.  We picked up our two camps and headed back to the laundry mat.

We got back and checked in and then signed out of work.  After that, we went home and Heather and I were so tired, we took a nap.  After my nap, I went into my basement and tried to chill but soon gave in and started to work on my Tie Pilot kit again.  I worked on sanding down my helmet and parts so that we could paint them over the next few days.  I also managed to finish epoxying points and sanding them down to make sure that everything was secured correctly.  After a while, we had some dinner and then I went right back to work.  I then watched my usual Tuesday night shows including “Master Chef” and “Rizzoli and Isles” before Heather and I headed to bed a little early because of being exhausted from work.

Okay, let’s talk about Part 1 of Chapter 1 of “Star Wars – Republic Commandos:  True Colors” by Karen Traviss…….

‘Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors” – Prologue

Monday and it was time to get back to work.  It was an early start to our day today, so Heather and I were up around quarter after five this morning.  I took my shower and Heather made breakfast and we switched spots and I helped get our lunches together and we put all of our bags and coolers together and before we knew it, we were on the road on our way to work.  We made our way to “West Side Laundry” and got our assignment, found our truck and got on the road.  We were delivering to one camp in New York and picking up from two camps in Pennsylvannia.  We drove down near Orange County in New York and it figures, as we start to drop off the laundry, it starts to rain like cats and dogs and starts thundering.  So, we had to switch to “plan B” in order to drop off that camp.  We then headed into PA and picked up from the first camp and they had a few bags that were quite heavy, especially considering they were wet.  We then stopped at the second camp and then headed back.

We checked out of work and Ruth called to tell us that NYSEG stopped by the house to “shut us off” but we found out that we only owed them forty dollars and they were going to shut us off for it.  Basically, we had forty dollars left over from the budget billing and they didn’t tell us!  Nice, right?  After that, we headed over to Marsha’s place as we called “Dirt Devil” and got some hoses ordered that will fit my Tie Pilot costume.  Heather and I then got home and we both decided to take a nap.  After our naps, I started to continue my work on my Tie Pilot helmet.  It still needs some serious work.  While I waited between some epoxy layers, I played some COD: BO.  Then Heather brought in the mail and some of my parts that I ordered for my costume arrived.  After that, it was time for dinner.

After dinner, I played COD: BO for about an hour and then I watched “Hell’s Kitchen” while I continued to work on my helmet.  After that, I watched Obama’s speech where he whined about how the Republicans aren’t working with him.  Welcome to reality, you can’t raise taxes in a recession.  You may have quoted Ronald Reagan tonight Mr. President, but you certainly do NOT understand his economic principles because you are doing EVERYTHING opposite of him.  After that, the kids and I watched “Master Chef” from last week.  After that, I played a little more COD:BO before watching “Rizzoli and Isles” and then going to bed.

Okay, let’s talk about the Prologue of “Star Wars – Republic Commandos: True Colors” by Karen Traviss…….

GalaxyCast #58

Sunday and Heather and I forgot to set our alarms for church this morning.  We had a kid come bounding into the room at quarter after nine this morning asking about it.  We told them that we just wouldn’t go this morning and Heather and I ended up sleeping in till ten o’clock this morning.   I then got up because my mind was racing ninety miles a minute about that Tie Pilot helmet that is sitting in my basement.  So, I headed into the basement and started to work on the helmet and as I did that, I put on some episodes of “Parking Wars” that my TV had taped last night on the DVR.  After that, I watched two episodes of “Robot Chicken” all while I worked on my helmet.  I then played COD: BO for about a half hour and then cleaned up my basement and got some lunch.  After lunch, I went online and had a Council Meeting with members of the Mandalorian Mercs.  Luckily I didn’t have work to go to, so I was able to stay for the whole Mando meeting.

At around four o’clock or so, Gary and David showed up and we sat down and recorded our thoughts on “Captain America: First Avenger” and finished up episode #61 of “GalaxyCast” podcast.  After we got done, I fitted Gary for some gauntlets so we can continue to move on his Mandalorian Mercs costume.  After that, David and I worked on my Tie Pilot helmet and we had quite a bit of it done.  My helmet has no more gaps and we are at the point where I can do a lot of the work and David is going to fix some parts for me and by the end of the week, I hope to have about ninety percent of this costume done.  David got done and left and Heather and I watched “Big Brother”, “Same Name” and “Body of Proof” before heading to bed

Okay, so no book discussion tonight.  Instead, we want you to head on over to the GalaxyCast Website and check out Episode #58 where we did another retro episode and we looked at the movie “The Last Starfighter”.  Thanks again to Mike Wilkerson and the 2 Guys Talking Podcast Network for their support!

‘Star Wars – Omega Squad: Targets’ – Overview

Saturday and it was no day to rest for the weary.  I got up around nine o’clock this morning which is sleeping in for us!  We got up and I got a quick breakfast and then started working on some things.  I downloaded some songs for Heather’s MP3 Player and watched some episodes of “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” on TV while I worked.  After about an hour, David showed up to start the work that we were doing today.  My big project that started today?  My Tie Pilot costume.  I have a LOT to do to get the costume complete, but today was a HUGE step in getting things going.  I bought a kit online, but the kit needs some work, so I referred to my local “guru’s” on costuming and had a local 501st member come and help me out too.  So, David showed up and we looked at what we needed to do.  Then Ian Palmer showed up and we started to look at the kit and then Ian’s Tie pilot kit and started to compare.

Ian had to go to his home and get his helmet for us to use as a reference and it was immensely helpful as my helmet came unassembled.  So, the big thing we needed to do in order to just get the helmet together.  I can now understand why people order pre-made helmets, or just mod Don Post helmets.  It’s just easier!  Anyway, we got to work and started trimming and working and the three of us worked together well.  We got to a “waiting” point as we glued things together and decided to make a run to some local stores for supplies.  We went to “Lowes” for some supplies, “Weis Markets” (for Heather for some supplies), “Pizza Hut” for some food, and then “Advanced Auto Parts” for some other supplies, but they didn’t have them.  We then came back to my house.

It was a warm day to work, and even in the basement, it was warm and humid.  We worked hard and by mid-afternoon, we had most of the chest box put together and had a pretty good gameplan put together for the helmet.  By late afternoon, we got to another stopping point.  Ian left and went home and was gracious enough to let me borrow his costume for a little bit for reference.  David and I then made another run.  We found some things we were looking for at Wal Mart and then went to “Auto Zone” for some pinstriping and then went to David’s house and picked some things up.  We then worked till late tonight and had the helmet pretty much put together.  It still needs some work, but it’s really close to completion.  David left by eleven-thirty and Heather and I went to bed shortly thereafter.

Okay, let’s do an overview of “Star Wars – Omeag Squad: Targets” by Karen Traviss…….

‘Star Wars – Omega Squad: Targets’ – Part 7

Well, it was Friday and the end of the work week, but it was a HOT end of the work week!  We got up at five-fifteen and it was about seventy degrees even at five o’clock this morning.  What the heck!  I moved to New York to stay cool and have snow, not for heat and humidity!  This is ridiculous!  Heather and I started to get ready for work today.  We prepped our bags and coolers and I got some breakfast and then a shower while Heather and I reversed roles.  We then woke up the girls and then got on the road to work. We reported in to “West Side Laundry” and we had a long trip this morning down to a camp that was all the way down just outside of “Orange County” and we picked up the laundry at their camp.  I’ll admit that Heather and I took longer than we usually do, but it was for good reasons.  It was really hot and at one point I insisted we stop and break because I actually stopped sweating and I know that is a sign that heat exhaustion is setting in.  So, we stopped and took a rest and then I started to sweat again and started to feel better.  We worked hard and did our thing.  We loaded up the fifteen foot truck and drove back to Binghamton

We got back to work around one o’clock and punched out.  Heather and I then decided to head home and try to get some sleep. We took about a half hour nap and then worked on some quick things around the house.  We then got some showers and got the girls into the car and headed out to pick up Austin from boy Scout Camp.  We got to Camp Tuscarora around four-fifty and we had asked Austin to be at the camp at five o’clock and he was nowhere to be found.  His leaders claimed he was down by the water front.  So, I told Heather to stay at the camp and I would go and try and find my son.  I took Ruth and we headed to the waterfront.  Austin wasn’t there and they just closed down the waterfront.  We then heard from another boy in his troop that Austin was at the rifle range. No one told me it was about a click away from where we were at!  So, Ruth and I started to walk toward the rifle range (which was about a mile away).  We finally found Austin just outside of there and walked him back to the car.  We had Austin go back to camp and finish packing up and then got on the road.

We then got Austin home and had him take a shower and grab a sandwich.  We then headed over to “Regal Cinemas” on Front Street and had a chance to see “Captain America: First Avenger” in the theater.  The movie was awesome!  And if you haven’t seen it, I can’t say enough – GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!  It truly is one of the best masterpieces that I have yet to see in a long time.  I would actually say that this movie is “Star Wars” good!  Way to go Joe Johnston and way to bring out a wonderful movie.  Way to go cast and crew!  Way to go Captain America!  This movie is what America needs at THIS time in American history because I have a feeling that patriotism needs a boost around here all of a sudden.   We got done with the movie and I parted ways with David and Gary and went home with Austin.

We got home and Heather and I talked a little bit and then the kids and I watched “Lego Star Wars: Padawan Menace” and I have to say that it was really cool, funny, and cute!  If you have young kids, this may be a GREAT way to introduce them to Star Wars.  It’s entertaining for them as well as the adults.  A really good special.  We then went to bed late around eleven-thirty.

Okay, let’s talk about Part 7 of “Omega Squad: Targets” by Karen Traviss……