2011 Planned Events

I've posted on the left side bar the planned 2011 Events for me and AL. It's going to be another busy year, including two new events I'm totally excited about.

1. The first event is the St. Patty's Parade. The RMFF has offered AL a seat in their float. If there's no room, then plan B is to pull him on the garden cart (heavy wheels and flip-down sides) fully decorated in green and plaid finery ("We've gone to PLAID!!"). My goal is to get his dome rotating and lit up by then. I won't worry about the drive system until April.

2. Starfest is Apri 15-17l, and I invite anyone who wants a complete scifi experience to join me, AL, and a bunch of other droids/robots. This year marks the first time RoboCon and the R2 BC joining together in one fantastic Robot Room. Check it out at RoboCon 2011.

3. May finds us in Indianapolis for the first ever DroidCon. A couple of us are planning an RV trip for this one, with a possibility of heading over to Niagara Falls afterwards (only 9 hours from Indy). 50 droid builders have signed up already. Even though this is a pseudo-private function of the R2BC, anyone who is interested in building a droid can come. There will be panels, displays, and lots of photo ops. This isn't really open to the public, but if you or someone you know wants to learn how to build one of these things, sign up! And don't forget to sign up at Astromech.net, official website of the R2BC.

4. In June another first! Contagion Outbreak in Omaha! This has been advertised for about a year! I was one of the first to sign up and will be getting a snazzy t-shirt. Jewel Staite of Firefly and Atlantis will be the main guest. Not bad for a first-time con! R2 Central will be well represented with lots of droids there. I'm sewing my "steampunk" outfit like crazy (I'll post progress later), getting AL ready (he'll be "steampunked", too), gathering up my Stargate stuff, and maybe a pirate or two outfits. This is gonna be good!!! Definitely will have to make the SW cookies for this one...

5. I'm hoping in July to make it to Osfest. This will be kinda iffy for now, since I'm planning another RV trip to Provo, Utah over the July 4th weekend with the Mountain Garrison. I've been invited to march in the parade that Monday in my officer outfit. Sorry, no droids for this one since it's a long route and no floats (unless we make our own droid float). I've been thinking about converting my RV to the SpaceBalls one with AL on top and drive down the parade. Don't think that will happen, but it's fun to dream!!

6. Might drive down to Albuquerque for Bubonicon end of August. Again, this is iffy. It's a very small literary con that really doesn't like SW (or StarTrek, StarGate, etc). I don't even know if I'll have any vacation time left for this one! Besides, Albuquerque Comic Con in January is much better. Just couldn't get the time off this year for it. Maybe next year.

7. Saturday before Halloween AL and I will be back at the Hauntings at the Hangar, held at the Wings Over the Rockies. If you're in town (anytime, not just Halloween) come by to see the X-wing, the B-52 bomber, and lots of other aviation history and planes. It's a must-see for visitors to the Denver area. Although Halloween is really fun there! And safe for the kids!

AL will be at other local events, like Toys-for-Tots, possible bell ringing, the new-improved CamCon, Kidspree, definitely JDRF walk again (he'll actually walk a little down the sidewalk for this one, planning to get support t-shirts made, hoping to get lots of donations). Of course, all of these events depend on my work schedule and timing. AL and I just can't be in two places at the same time!!!

Hope to see you all at an event! AL LOVES to meet his fans!!
Until next time,
Jawa Jaka