Robotic Championships and R2 Central's Bday Party

I've been pretty busy lately, so this post is about two weeks overdue. It was an honor to attend the VEX Robotics Championships of the Americas in Omaha with the R2 Central group. Lots of kids asking lots of questions about building an R2, and lots of parents asking how much! LOL After driving the RV for the first time myself in a 12-hour blizzard that pretty much was ontop of me the whole time, I finally arrived at Moose and Jen's place. The campground was flooded (I thought it was a lake), so I had to park the beast in front of their house and slept on their couch with their two wonderful dogs who kept me warm every night. I just want to thank them for their kind hospitality.

Since the event was held in the evening, Moose and I did some caster work on AL during the day. Moose was so excited that his new garage workshop was being broken in by AL, he jumped at the opportunity to work on him.

During the event we all took turns manning the table, while others drove their droids amongst the crowd. Hopefully, AL will be rolling soon (got all the parts, just don't know how to put it all together yet, but studying!).

AL stood at the table looking pretty. Alot of people took a peak inside to check out the frame. I do want to adjust the radar eye a bit before Starfest, kinda looks a bit crooked.

Dawmer's droid with the Nebraska Cornhusker's tatoo on the dome (can't see it in this pic), and Brad's R2D2. These two droids pretty much hung out together, creating mayhem everywhere they went! (at least alot of smiles!)

The R2 Central gang: me and AL, Brad and Artoo, Jason and his frame (this will be a red with white Cornhusker droid), Dawmer and the white with red Cornhusker droid, and Moose with his T3. Poor Patches, he had a couple broken legs and was in bedrest under doctor's orders.

The next day we had a really nice birthday party for the R2 Central. I can't believe it's been two years! Jason made this wonderful cake, his first attempt. And it was GOOD!

The lady builder's of the R2 Central: Jen, Syrena, and myself.

And the rest of the gang (I'm in the green t-shirt).

I really enjoyed this event and might plan to go again next year. Next is Starfest in two weeks, then back to Omaha for Osfest in late July, then the all-important, all-money consuming CV! AL's getting a lot of traveling done this year.

Until next time,

Jawa Jaka

pics by Moose and Jason, since I left my camera in the RV!

Dome work

I got a lot done on the dome yesterday at Cal's place in Loveland. He has a really large studio space that the local builders can work in. He also let's us work on costumes and other props. So, what exactly did I get done? After an almost near disaster with the hole saw cutter (don't ask), Cal took me to Ace for another drill bit. A circle cutter bit, to be precise. Much better than the beefy teeth on a hole saw. I wish I had known about this cool little tool sooner, it would have saved me some grief! One thing I've learned: alum builders become tool collectors and experts pretty quick.

Anyway, got both PSI holes cut out along with the third top HP hole. I also cut out the logic display squares after learning the proper use of my dremel. After the motor started smoking, Cal cooled it off and showed me about the RPM's (something I never knew before). Now, I'm just another dremel queen! LOL I was able to cut stuff out of my dome really fast and a lot more accurate. I did a lot of sanding around the rear logic to make the logic surround fit. I still am off a couple hairs, but I'll be able to get that and the fronts done this week. Hopefully I'll also get the stand-alone 9-volt battery PSI lights in this week, too. Haven't done too much soldering practice but will get back to that soon.

I also bought a few different casters for my center foot to try out (I'll return the rest once I know which one I'll keep). Since I can't find 5" rims with gears for my 5" pneumatic tires, I've decided to put the 6" ones back on for now. Later I want to try cutting of the gears and welding them onto the 5" rims that came with the tires (gotta find a really good welder). I've also decided to get some 3" casters or ominiballs for the front of the feet for stabilization and steering. I have two weeks to put my foot drives and remote together for the robotics event in Omaha. Otherwise, AL will just sit and look pretty as usual (OK, better than usual since he'll have his dome mostly complete with the third HP, logic surrounds, and PSI's in place).

Until next time,
Jawa Jaka

Chapter 4, Part 13

Chapter 4: Podracer Jaka

Part 13:
AL heard the thumping of the lumbering big machines. He recognized the sound but couldn't quite put his finger on it, yet he knew it wasn't good. So, he hid once again in the pile of junk. The realization that he belonged to that smelly jawa now was even stronger than before. He had no ties to these aweful new machines and wanted desperately to get away, far far away. With the thumping in the distance AL had time to collect as much as he would need to survive. The doll for one, since it was his only companion for the moment. Oil, spare fuses, battery packs (lots of them), a few spare motor belts, rope, welding iron, a couple of scrap metal sheets, and a burlap sack (just in case). During his time alone with the doll he managed to fashion himself a new foot. His old foot had been jolted and broken during the crash. You would think I would be in some sort of pain, but I'm not. Just need to replace this broken foot. OK, now that I've made a new one, how do I get it on? Oh, I see, it goes onto the leg this way. I think I can find a pin or wire or.... Oh, here's something, a bolt! It's on now, but will I be able to roll on it? Will the batteries last? Oops, gotta put in the batteries.

After a couple days of fussing and figiting, AL finally got his foot on. The hard part was getting up. He had rigged a couple wooden poles to push and pull himself around the tent. Now he used them to upright and steady himself. He didn't know how long it took to get up, but he noticed the sun going down. This was a dangerous time to go wandering after Jaka on a new foot, but with the thumping getting louder he had a sense of urgency to find another place to hide. He had dodged a bullet with the first set of storm troopers, but knew he wouldn't be so lucky this time around. Collecting his things and leaving an encrypted note for Jaka, he left the tent, down the canyon, and hid in a cave for the night, ever so silent. Of course, the thing with the gurgly noise at the back of the cave wasn't so quiet. AL knew something was in the cave with him, and cleverly put the sack on (just in case).

Deep thoughts came as AL tried to rest. I promise to go back to the tent as soon as our uninvited guests leave. I promise to do what Jaka tells me to do because I trust him. I promise not to scream when that cave creature tries to swallow me! Don't panic, keep calm, I'll be with Jaka soon... AL didn't rest much, nor did he sleep.

So, looking around the net, I came across this pic of me, Jaka, at the 2009 Denver St. Patty's parade. The guy I'm talking to was the only Tusken Raider represented. At least there were two of us Jawas! LOL

The hood has been much improved since this pic was taken. I'm really looking like a Jawa now...

Until next time,

Jawa Jaka

Well, after a few months a couple members of the SG14 team posted a couple pictures of Halloween at Wings Over the Rockies Air Musium. We had a few hundred kids dressed up, grabbing candy from various fan tables. Since I didn't know if I could bring AL, he stayed home to guard the kitties from evil little monsters. So, I went in my SG14 uniform, and my 25 year old V uniform that still kinda fit! That's me in the orangy/red V uniform:

And yes, the 501st were represented. Vader's stare-down didn't effect our members, though!

It seems I have a cable missing from my vidcam. As soon as I figure out how to download and edit my video I'll post it with this as an edit. Might have to get my friend to help me out...

Until next time,

Jawa Jaka

feverishly finishing my Imperial Officer costume and, as always, AL...

CV! HERE I COME!

CV: Orlando, Fl Aug 12-15. It's going to be a hot one, for sure!!

I gave my friend Drew the $100 deposit for the condo already (four condos across the street from the convention center, 20 spots, already filling up fast). Rest is due first week of June (total $150 for the WHOLE WEEK! not per night! heeeheee). I have a little time after the holidays to get my con tickets ($120). Already posted onto several forums that I'm now in the "delivery" business for CV. Taking the RV, towing the 5X8 trailer, transporting alot of props/costumes/weapons/tools/etc. Oh, AL too. And any other droid that wants to keep him company on the long four-day road trip.

This Saturday I have the FIRST Lego Colorado Championships to go to, so I've been doing some final painting. AL is still static, but he looks good. Hopefully some of these kids can give me a clue on how to hook up my remote (another heeeheee). Back to working on AL.... hopefully on Friday I can get his battery hoses, battery boxes, and the third back-dome HP on. Still no camera, so just my great typing skills to keep everyone informed.

Until next time,
Jawa Jaka

Chapter 3, part 12

Part 12:
Glug klunked faster back in and told Peety that it was OK to put everything back again. Oh great, will I ever get some sleep, Glug? Peety reluctantly put everything back based on his blurry photos. Glug even found and fixed a couple picture frames and had some of the photos hung nicely on the wall. Peety was a little miffed about this, but soon took a little pride in his photo works. It was starting to look like home. Home. Neither of them ever had a home before. And soon Jaka would join them in their new home.

Glug found and fixed some curtains (a pretty shimmery silvery blue fabric with tiny gold Noobian crests all over it), laid out a piece of old stained red carpet at the entrance, and pieced together a couple of chairs with some old boards and more nails. While Glug was nesting in his new house, Peety was busy organizing all the tools. Most of them he had used before during the podraces, but somehow he knew Jaka wasn't a podracer. What was Jaka up to anyway? Why did he need us droids? We're not here just to look after this crumbly shop. So, what's his plan?

Jaka did have a plan, and that was not to tell too much of his plan. If he did the Imperial troops would be ontop of him in no time, probably killing him. His first priority was to rescue AL. It was his droid now, not the Empire's. He pushed the landspeeder as fast as it would go, pretending to be a podracer, hoping he wouldn't crash. Jaka was a very cautious jawa, always planning ahead. Yet even he couldn't foresee the AT-AT's landing, and now making their way toward the crash site. Jaka knew it was only a matter of time before the Empire would get their droid back, and that would be very bad for all.