JawaJaka

Welcome back, glad you're on the mend.

Welcome back, hope it all goes better for you now.

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It's been a very long time since I've been on these forums, so I'd thought I'd let everyone know what's happening in my personal life.  July 2019 I broke my back (T11 vertibrae) and have been on a very comprehensive rehab since Sept 2019.  Last year when the pandemic hit I could no longer go to the VA hospital rehab center or to the local rec center for pool therapy or treadmill.  So, I've had to learn to walk again on my own.  Sometime last March I started virtual walks with some online companies that provide medals and bibs.  I use them for inspiration and motivation.  Today I did 4200 steps in 1.2 miles in 35 minutes inside a mall, that's a record for me.  I've not been able to ski,  snowshoe, climb mountains, hike, backpack, or any other outdoor activities, but I'm working my way up to getting back to that stuff in about a year.  I've also been able to get back to sewing a couple months ago without crying in pain, and I've got a nice new CR10S pro v2 3D printer I've been using to make costume stuff.  I'm hoping to finish off my green officer hat soon since I've practically finished my AT-AT commander as well (I know, that's another detachment, but two costumes in one isn't bad either).  And the Firebird Quilt banner should be quilted and finished before my big trip to Glacier NP 4th July week (I've been working on that forever! it's finally time to finish it already!  LOL).  And I'm back to droid building!  For those that know me, that's a big step in my greatest passion, it's been almost 3 years since I've worked on any droids.
 
Another thing that has happened is my brother moved in with me back in Sept, which he's been a tremendous help to me.  I'm slowly cleaning out my house in anticipation of possibly moving at the end of this year (if my job allows it by then).  He also brought two amazing older cats into my house, and I think they're finally getting used to me.
 
I used to be very active on these boards, but with my job, my back rehab, my brother moving in, and very slowly getting back to as normal a life at home as possible, it's been hard keeping up with all the groups I belong to.  I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive, still sore everyday, still a bit wobbly on the right leg, but I'm making progress.  I hope to check this forum more often now that I'm back into doing some Star Wars-y stuff...  love you all, my favorite detachment.  (so, what's going on in the IOC?  LOL)

Welcome Back!  I am glad to hear that you doing so much better now after a accident like that.  What a life changer for sure! I myself just moved half way across the country when my mother was diagnosed with quick growing small cell cancer after being refused screening because of covid. If she was screened, it would have been caught and treated way earlier. Now, she was given 4-8 months.  2020 has been the year from hell for sure, but all we can do is our best and keep moving forward.  Glad that you are back to join us and I look forward to future conversations. 

Sorry I haven't been on the boards for a long time.  I've been dealing with a broken back since mid-July and still in rehab.  Getting better everyday, though I have those days when I'm in pain (like today, cold weather super sucks).  I'll definitely be at SWCA, mostly in the droid room.  After a week of fighting Disney I finally got my After Dark ticket (the one I ordered at 4:15am when they went on sale, long before they sold out, long story but a firm talking to with two higher supervisors to get my one ticket ordered properly, it's on it's way in the mail).   I'm hoping there will be an IOC photo shoot so I can wear my Navy trooper, I'll have the Firebird banner with me.  I'm actually really super excited about this one (strongly hated the Chicago one).  I'll be visiting Ventura and Channel Islands before the con, and visiting 7 national parks in Utah on the way home, ending at Iron Mountain hot springs in Glenwood Springs on Labor Day before the last three hours home.  I'm praying my back will be ready for hiking, walking, standing, and having fun (I'm tired of tylenol, lol).  See you all there. 
 
Also:  for those that don't know already, I'm making a special gonk droid for mental and learning disability awareness.  GONK-MALD will be a table top gonk in blues and greens, the ribbon colors for mental and learning disabilities.  If you would like to add/contribute something to it email me at lynellephi@yahoo.com or pm me here.

It's been way too long since I've been on these boards, got a new job and taking care of my health right now.  But I will be at SWCC all five days, droids, costumes, and Firebird quilted banner in tow.  I'm staying in my motorhome at the McCormick Place, have tickets for dinner and bash, and will be at trade event Thursday night.  I'm hoping we can all meet up for a photo shoot, however I'll be in the droid areas most of the time.  I'll be on the Backyard Budget Droid Building panel, so come say hi!

I'm just reading all of this.  Under no circumstances should we salute since we are costumed characters, not an actual military unit.  Disney will frown upon it.  Even saluting to kids is not kosher, not all kids know what it means.  And as an ex-army soldier I spent my time saluting for real.  I don't need to salute to the public with a costume on.  I personally take it as a sign of disrespect to our actual military who do have to salute every day.  Please do not salute in costume in public.  No matter how much you think we are portraying a "military" unit, we are not.  Again, I'm going to say that Disney would not even allow it at this point.  I never will salute in costume.  And absolutely big fat NO to any "Hitler" style salutes.  If I see anyone doing that even as a joke you'll be meeting "Sgt Phillips", and you don't want to meet that gal ever.  Disney will shut us down in a big fat hurry if anyone does anything even close to that.  Be careful out there, and just don't salute (a nod of the head is all that is needed). 

So, I haven't been on these boards in quite some time and looks like I missed out on a lot, but I'll try to keep up with you all again.  Just to let everyone know I hit a bump in the road of life.  My dearest closest friend/companion of 23 years passed away last Sunday evening.  I've been dealing with all the wolves circling his apartment for his stuff. I've been named the executor of his estate, but he left in heavy debt, so gotta sell all of his stuff to pay off his bills.  Please be patient with me a little longer as I get his estate taken care of.  I'm cancelling all my troops and board activity for a month. I'll be back to my old crazy self again soon enough, though.
 
I had dental surgery this past Friday.  Root canal, root extraction, and deep cleaning/scaling.  Eleven novacane shots and five hours later I went home with a very sore mouth (still hard to chew).  And I have two more appointments for a bridge (I lost a tooth on the road last month).  I've also been desperately getting R2-AL and his new buddy, R3-BT (the other bartender droid on Jabba's barge, the white one with the red vertical stripe) ready for SWCO.  Last night I got AL to the Rockies game but couldn't get his left leg to move (yeah, I think he was drinking or something because he kept going in circles).  LOL 
 
Last month I had a long trip in the motorhome to Droid Con in Indianapolis then had a real vacation near a beach in Muskegon, MI.  I LOVE Michigan!  Did lots of hiking over sand dunes (Sleeping Bear Dunes is magnificent!), ate lots of ice cream, visited cool little towns like Holland and Empire (yes, I reached the Empire! LOL), did the 3-Dune challenge in Indiana Dunes, and saw the dancing lighted waterfalls in Grand Haven, home of the Coast Guard.  Unfortunately, my transmission broke (or a link to it) in Indiana Dunes.  Nothing like two extra days in a Days Inn with a 7-eleven across the street for food somewhere in Portage, IN.  And the cab air conditioner wasn't working on the way back (hot as hell coming home end of June).  I could go on about all my adventures, but all I can really remember is that darn side trip to fix the darn transmission! 
 
Anyway, I haven't trooped much, haven't really worked on Fawxy the Firebird quilt since Feb, and my droids really need some TLC.  Lots of projects to get finished before SWCO.  I'll get it all done, but need some time to get my personal life together again (I didn't realize how much dependent I was on JDon until now).  Hope you all understand, but I'll be back to trooping sometime in Sept.  See you all in Orlando! 

Think Geek is where we all got our Vader umbrellas.  Unfortunately, they've been sold out for quite sometime.  Try ebay.  Being from Denver, half our troops are in "inclement weather".  We're used to it.  Sometimes we'll put snow cleats on our boots.  Unless I-25 or I-70 is shut down where we can't get to a troop, we troop!  LOL  And yeah, sometimes our garrison CS will make the decision to cancel a troop if the weather is super bad (usually when we see every school being closed scrolling at the bottom of our TVs).  Our garrison policy is to troop if you can, and if you don't feel comfortable then let us know your backing out.  It's a hobby after all, you choose the troops you want to do (unless they've been cancelled), whatever the weather.

I'm just reading all of this.  Under no circumstances should we salute since we are costumed characters, not an actual military unit.  Disney will frown upon it.  Even saluting to kids is not kosher, not all kids know what it means.  And as an ex-army soldier I spent my time saluting for real.  I don't need to salute to the public with a costume on.  I personally take it as a sign of disrespect to our actual military who do have to salute every day.  Please do not salute in costume in public.  No matter how much you think we are portraying a "military" unit, we are not.  Again, I'm going to say that Disney would not even allow it at this point.  I never will salute in costume.  And absolutely big fat NO to any "Hitler" style salutes.  If I see anyone doing that even as a joke you'll be meeting "Sgt Phillips", and you don't want to meet that gal ever.  Disney will shut us down in a big fat hurry if anyone does anything even close to that.  Be careful out there, and just don't salute (a nod of the head is all that is needed). 

I'm just reading all of this.  Under no circumstances should we salute since we are costumed characters, not an actual military unit.  Disney will frown upon it.  Even saluting to kids is not kosher, not all kids know what it means.  And as an ex-army soldier I spent my time saluting for real.  I don't need to salute to the public with a costume on.  I personally take it as a sign of disrespect to our actual military who do have to salute every day.  Please do not salute in costume in public.  No matter how much you think we are portraying a "military" unit, we are not.  Again, I'm going to say that Disney would not even allow it at this point.  I never will salute in costume.  And absolutely big fat NO to any "Hitler" style salutes.  If I see anyone doing that even as a joke you'll be meeting "Sgt Phillips", and you don't want to meet that gal ever.  Disney will shut us down in a big fat hurry if anyone does anything even close to that.  Be careful out there, and just don't salute (a nod of the head is all that is needed). 

I think you're just intimidated. This is the only pattern I've used, and using the instructions you can do it. I'm a very experienced costumer and even I had problems visualizing how it all goes together until I did some practice runs. Yes, print several copies on legal paper, then practice on muslin (or throw-away fabric) about the same weight as your final fabric. The top of the hat is not a circle but kind of egg-shaped (something I didn't notice until I started using this pattern). There is a lot of folding and a few layers to sew through, so make sure you have a good machine, strong thread, and sharp needle. It's also helpful to have a quilters foot to make the lines on the bill of the hat (this makes the lines even). TIP: make sure the final fabric for the hat is the same fabric use for the tunic and pants. I use black gaberdine from Joan Fabrics (I have bought a bolt in the past, but it's mostly gone now). This makes your uniform look .... uniform. (if that makes sense). If you have questions pm me and I'll try to talk you through it.