501st

501st / Featured / Funny Stuff / Pop-Culture — 1 Comment
19
Dec 08

TD Comic Strip

So I’ve been thinking of doing a comic based on stormtroopers / sandtroopers for almost a year now. I’ve had numerous ideas of premise, location, characters, etc., etc. I’ve done sketches and sketches and sketches trying to come up with the perfect looking “comic” stormtrooper. Well, not long ago I finally settled that I was going to focus on sandtroopers… specifically 2 sandtroopers. Of course one will be named after me (even though I don’t have a set of sandtrooper armor yet), and the other I’ve not decided on.

The premise is they are 2 troopers based out of Mos Eisley. They’ll encounter some familiar circumstances (such as the first comic below) but they’ll also be running into plenty of new characters and situations. Don’t count on a consistent time line either. Some things may happen “during” ANH (A New Hope), some things after, some things before. Though I’ll try to as much as possible my goals isn’t going to be sticking to canon storyline… just about having fun. Of course the title of the strip is my new “catch phrase” I’ve been using on here and other places, “Think Dirty.” I like it for a number of reasons, not the least of which the initials are “TD” – which is the designation for sandtroopers.

So, without further adieu here’s the first strip.
Think Dirty 001

I’ve got quite a few ideas for future strips too… but if you have any ideas shoot them over to me or post them on here.

Hope you enjoy it and maybe get a chuckle out of it too!

P.S. As the strips go on I’m curious to see if anyone can guess who the two main TDs are based on. I won’t give clues here, but there will be (and already are) plenty of clues in the strip itself!

501st / Movies / Observations / Open Letter / Pop-Culture / Television — 3 Comments
29
Oct 08

Star Wars Live Action TV Show

An Open Letter to George Lucas & Lucas Films LTD.

Dear Mr. Lucas,
There are reports that you’re going to be producing a live action Star Wars shows in the next couple of years.  This is incredibly exciting for me as not only a life-long Star Wars fan, but as a member of the 501st Legion because it’s said that the show is going to take place between Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV – A New Hope… in other words the glory days of the Empire.

If this is true it means lots of stormtroopers… not clone troopers (which are cool in their own right) but the good, “old fashioned,” tried and true stormtroopers I grew up loving, wanting to be, and now am one of!

My hope is that you will use this series to show more than just the “rebellions” side of things.  Show some of the stormtrooper’s point of view.  Being out in the galaxy, fighting for a cause they truly believe in, following orders that are sometimes hard to understand, but always unswerving in their loyalty… or at least torn about it when they’re not.

If you do this there’s one actor that I believe you should do all you can to get to play the part of one of these stormtroopers… Kevin McKidd!

Mr. McKidd has already played Legion member Lucius Vorenus (of Caesar’s 13th Legion) in HBO’s ROME and his acting in that — not to mention other roles I’ve loved him in such as Topsy Turvey and now Grey’s Anatomy — is exactly what could send a live action Star Wars drama through the stratosphere!

I hope that you’ll consider both focusing on a few stormtroopers — maybe even a squad — and that you’ll especially consider using Kevin McKidd as one of those!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts,
Noel

501st / Albuquerque / Costumes / Featured — 6 Comments
21
Sep 08

Dr. Brashir I Presume?

We ran into Alexander Siddig yesterday at Borders!  He was incredibly gracious and kind and talked with us for a few minutes.  The best part is that Celeste is the one who “spotted” him!  We were talking with another Star Wars fan outside (who had stopped me because I had the Imperial logo on my shirt) and he walked by.  Celeste said, “That was Dr. Brashir.”  I was so proud.  We didn’t “chase him down”, but I thought he went into Borders, so, when we went in we just kept our eyes open.  I got to show him a pic of my Ferengi costume, to which he said, “Fantastic,” and then asked if the Andorian was Celeste. We just chit-chatted a bit after that.  It was really fun.

I realized / remembered (after looking him up on Wikipedia) that I should’ve spoken some Arabic to him.  I didn’t even think of that at the time.

501st / Marketing / Shopping — No Comments
17
Jul 08

Toys R Us – Clone Wars Midnight Release

If you’re at all interested in meeting some stormtroopers then Friday, July 25th is your chance.  The 501st are going to be at many Toys R Us locations across the country to help promote the new Clone Wars movie action figures.  The festivities begin at 9:00 p.m. but I’d suggest getting there early if you’re wanting to buy the toys.  They go on sale at Midnight, but we (the 501st) will be mingling with the crowd inline until then.

I usually don’t post when and where we’re going to be, but since this is a nation wide thing I thought I’d post it on here.  Also, I can’t guarantee that there will be stormtroopers at every location listed on the Toys R Us website… but there’s a good chance there will be!

501st / Featured / Lofts — 1 Comment
15
May 08

It’s What you Think . . .

Hello, Blogland.  This is Celeste.

I noticed that we haven’t updated on the blog in a while.  From the looks of it, you’d think that all we’ve been doing is running around town doing community events in Noel’s Stormtrooper armor.

If that’s what you think, you’re exactly right!

All kidding aside, this (the whole Stormtrooper thing) has been such a blessing to us as a couple and new members of our community.  Noel gets to do one of his greatest loves – dressing up – and I get to do one of mine – watching him play:).  Really, I love it but I also love the things we get to experience as a result of being part of this group.

As for other news, Noel and I have the first round of company here at the house this week.  From there, the revolving door on the guest room will not stop until the end of June!  We love living in a home where people can come and have plenty of room.  Loft living sure didn’t lend itself to that!

Speaking of lofts, Noel and I were waxing nostalgic the other day when we saw this picture of our most favorite loft we ever lived in (we lived in 3, so, yes – we had a favorite).  So I’ll leave you with this fun pic! Have a wonderful weekend!

501st / Albuquerque / Friends — 5 Comments
27
Apr 08

Race for a Cure 2008

We had a great time doing the American Cancer Societies Race for a Cure here in Albuquerque. There were 5 Stormtroopers, 1 Biker Scout, 1 Tusken Raider and 1 Rebel X-Wing pilot (obviously part of the Rebel Alliance), plus Celeste and other family members of other who showed up to walk.

There were a reported 19,000 walkers who raised almost $540,000, and it was great to be involved in such a worthy cause! While Marko (TK-7172) was the the only one of us who wore his helmet the entire time (great job Marko!) , we all walked the whole 5 miles in full armor.

When we crossed the finish line together you would’ve thought we were real celebrities the way everyone cheered and took our pictures. It was great fun







Thanks to Andre for the last 9 pictures.

501st / Albuquerque / Costumes / Eating Out / Friends / Springfield / Travel / Videos — 5 Comments
24
Apr 08

My First Troop

We went to the UNM Children’s hospital tonight for my first “official” troop! We dressed in conference room, then spent the next hour or so walking around and seeing the kids.

Our “docent” would knock on the door of the child’s room, tell them there were some Star Wars characters here to see them, then, if the they wanted, we would go in and say “hi.” Sometimes the kids had “contact restrictions” in which case we’d wave from the door. Of course some of the kids, or the kids’ parents, didn’t want us to come in for whatever reason, but for the most part everyone wanted to see us.

In fact, the first wing we went through was pretty quick… 10 or 15 minutes to do the whole thing. We would wave, say “hi”, and move along, move along. But the 2nd wing we went through was a Star Wars fan club! Children had Star Wars books, parents had Star Wars tattoos, one young man (probably 15) had a poster of himself someone had made for “Episode VII”. So, needless to say, we spent much more time in that wing taking pictures and just interacting with everyone.

It was as great of an experience as I’d have hoped it would be. The kids (and parents) were all so excited to see us. “You’re the real deal,” one parent said. “You’ve met the Stormtroopers,” another told his son. It was sad in many ways to be there, but the smiles and laughter of the kids made it much easier. What a great first troop!





501st / Albuquerque / Costumes / Family / Friends — No Comments
19
Apr 08

Visiting the Neighbors

I put on my Stormtrooper armor and Celeste, Jason and I went up to the neighbor’s house to let their kids see it, and to give them the presents we brought from the UAE.  It was a lot of fun, and they loved being visited by a TK.  Their dad is a huge Star Wars fan, so they know well “who” I was.








← Older Entries

  • Archives