Thursday, March 19, 2009

I'M ON TV!!

This is totally unrelated to AL or SW or anything scifi. It started when JDon (my roomate) came home and said he had something important to tell me, after he changes. So, while waiting for him to change, I dashed downstairs to check the news weather only to see a short story on free burgers and fries at TrailDust restaurant. I ran back upstairs to tell him. He laughed and said that was the important thing he had to tell me!! We both decided to go.

We got there at 10:30am with another friend. The three of us sat around at the beginning of the line with not too many people behind us, maybe 20 all together. At 10:45am the line was at the end of the building. By the time the doors opened at 11:00am the line was all the way around the building! We were lucky to get in as there was a wait for seats at 11:15am. 600 burgers were served within the first half hour.

Greg Nieto of channel 2 news sat beside us interviewing an older gentleman. He and JDon struck up a good conversation after the interview while Greg and his cameraman ate thier burgers. A short time later a very pregnant reporter from channel 9 came up to me, asked my name, and said that in a minute she was going to interview me! Here's a link to the interview...

http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?maven_playerId=fullpageplayer&maven_referralPlaylistId=dc3d7ce19e95532068a3c43d2f47206ae2407790&maven_referralObject=1064842025



I'm also embedding it on the left hand side. Now you know what I look like, a MESS! No time to make myself beautiful! Gosh my voice is weird, to me anyway....

Until next time,

Jawa Jaka

Monday, March 16, 2009

St Patrick's Day Parade 2009

This past Saturday I had the previlege of marching with the 501st Mountain Garrison, the Rocky Mountain Fan Force, and the X-Wing sponsored by Wings Over the Rockies. I bet you can't guess - OK, maybe you can. I was the tall Jawa. A little Jawa marched along side me and even practiced her "utinis" for the crowd. I can't tell you how much deep-down inner pride and joy I felt when the crowds (about 100,000 lining a couple miles) cheered for our very large group. When you see children's faces light up as you "high-five" them while marching down Main Street, well, my smile was just as big under all that black mask I wore. This is what all the Star Wars groups are about. Putting smiles on faces of children of all ages. My tears of joy are swelling up as I type this.

Since I was marching, I couldn't really take photos. These few here are my favorites from the http://www.mg501.com/ and the www.rmff.net websites photo galleries. I didn't record the parade on my VCR because I really didn't know which channel or time it was on. After the parade I kinda hit the bars for some green beer and fish/chips. Got home late wishing I hadn't drank so much, but glad I did. I needed an excuse to party....

Lends a new meaning to crowd control (my favorite pic so far).

Lord Vader lording over our parade float. Many pics of him on the news websites.
Of course, Artoo is the real hero of the parade. Sitting pretty atop the X-Wing.
The newly formed "KILT" patrol. They were in the back with me pumping up the crowd and making sure we kept pace with the rest of the parade (i.e. not getting run over by the X-Wing which was right behind us).
The RMFF group shot. Best pic of my jawa so far. Had to turn off the eyes to save battery life after this pic.
My little Jawa apprentice. Boy, could she yell "UTINI". She was great at working the crowds.
The GROUP shot. 501st MG, RMFF, WOTR X-Wing, and a couple of stragglers, like me.
This is what it was all about, and why I continue to do events with the SW fan clubs. I LOVE to see the kids smile. (and yes, he's wearing a black kilt).
Thanks to all our photographers. You can see more at www.mg501.com and www.rmff.net. And you can see me again next year.
Until next time,
Jawa Jaka

Sunday, March 15, 2009

B9Greg makes a promotional Video!

My friend Greg Logue of th B9'ers put together this video to promote Starfest. I think it's too good to pass up, so check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b4fZ2EC_qw or see it on the Starfest website. Great job, Greg!!!

On another note, I have a previous scheduled event the same weekend as Starfest (an RV rally already paid for). This will be my first year in the last six I'll miss it (I've been to the last five). But the R2-KT Make-A-Wish Scifi Auction will go on as planned, along with the debut of my goofy commercial "Jawa Jaka's Junkyard", during the Order of the Grey panel. So, in the best Arnold voice, "I'll be back!" Next year, definitely.

Until next time,
Jawa Jaka

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Chapter 3 part 10

Jaka was sure Manny would follow, so he put his plan to work. He instructed the hired prostitute (he and Jellica were friends by now) to pay a visit at a certain time to Manny's opulent apartment with the message that she saw something wierd in the shop's alley. She couldn't tell Manny exactly what it was she saw, but it was wierd. Manny's suspicions came forward, and he grabbed Jellica's arm as he ran out the door.

Show me where you saw it. Try to remember what you saw. Was it the jawa?
Let go of me, or I won't tell you anything, you beast. (as she struggled)
You're going to tell me if I have to beat out of you! Was it the jawa?!
Oh, baby, please. I'll take you to where I saw it. Then we can be good again. OK?

He let go of her, she held his hand and led him to the end of the shop alley. They stood looking down the dirt street for a minute or two before he started yelling at her again.

Look, I'm trying to remember! Oh, there. That's what I saw! And she pointed towards a funny looking garbage bag full of green foam stuff.
That's it? That's what you saw? Garbage?
Isn't that insulation used by Imperial ships?
Well, I guess we can grab it for Jojo to look at. She'll know.

Several stormtroopers marched down the alley. They were behind Manny, and Jellica had to act fast. Grabbing his hands, Jellica led him down a dark side alley, just far enough to where they were hidden from view, yet she could still see down the shop alley. She kissed him while the troopers made their way through the alley. He never noticed the troopers. It was all part of Jaka's plan. Keep him occupied near the shop while Jaka retreated back into the desert. And Jellica was doing a good job of it.