Museum event promotion

Today a few 501st members and me were on the news to promote tomorrows event as well as the 501st itself.  :)

Here is a link to the TV video

http://www.omahamorningblend.com/videos/111112809.html

Video update

Work and paying bills has kept me away from building lately so here is a video update to get back up to speed.

Backpack exhaust port

Took some scrap styrene I had laying around and made the box part for the Sandtrooper backpack exhaust port.

I then cut and added some plumbing parts to finish it off. A little sanding and it is ready for paint.

Pack progress

Not much time to work on anything today as I got a big Harry Potter get together to do tonight with some friends but I did get the aluminum straps made for the pack that hold the containers on.

I also got the 1/2 inch PVC shotgun shells cut and installed on the upper container.

Pack progress

Today I started assembling my Sandtrooper backpack now that I have enough parts to play with.
I cut all the pieces for the frame and dry fitted them together.

Next I started cutting the pieces for the radio out of styrene. I also assembled the trays, canisters, and intake manifold. Once I make the aluminum straps for the back of the frame I will start bolting everything together.

TD Backpack

Now that my armor is all together I have started collecting parts for the backpack. So far the hunting for parts has gone well. Just a few more and then I start fabricating the custom parts. I am still looking for cheap mini fans for my helmet as well.

Buttons

Today I worked on the hardest part of my armor build. The ab plate buttons.  I sanded the current black coating off and cleaned all the surfaces, then I put the buttons in three holes so the stand face up. Next I put three coats of R2 white on them and set them aside to dry for a few hours. WOW that was a lot of work, time for a nap. LOL

Later tonight if I have time I will attach them for the troop tomorrow.

My first armored troop

Took my armor out for a test spin at a 501st event in Lincoln. It was a friend's concert at the local college that had some Star Wars music in it. It was a great first troop, just a few mods to the armor and all should be good.

We look like some 80s show called Shooter and the Moose. LOL

This means you, you rebels!

On stage.

Posing for pictures.

We had a great time! More pictures to come :)

Trooper gear adjustment

Finally getting around to trimming my armor to fit my body better.

I got one leg done, now I just need to make the other side match.

Only got two days left to get it done as I got a 501st event to troop.

501st painting this and that.

Got the gun all together and painted. Just got to do a little weathering to it later.
The sounds and red light still work as well.
The front breather for the helmet got some paint as well. Tomorrow I should be able to attach it.

The fighting 501st

Started working on my new armor for the 501st this week now that I have dropped enough weight. So far everything has gone well. I started with the arms then worked on the legs.
With most everything together I now need to trim everything to length so it fits properly and don't pinch as much. Then it is on to the details :)

Fit Trooper 2.0 Take One

It may be April 1st but the only person I am fooling is myself. At the beginning of the year I decided to take better care of my health and in some ways I did but I am still at 233 lbs and I have been sick a lot lately again. Also I turn 36 this month and have yet to get any bucket list stuff done other than getting T3 up and running.
In fact the majority of bucket list stuff I got done last year was mostly droid stuff. Although I am proud of the droid stuff I accomplished for me and for others it is not the only thing in my life. My spiritual and physical life needs to stop taking a back seat and move more to the forefront.
Today I want on a 3+ mile bike ride. As I went down to the park I stopped to watch a train go by.Most of the park is reopened after flooding a few weeks ago.
The river is still pretty high. You can see Iowa on the other side.
I did not do this but I think it is cool. I will have to bring Patches to this bench some day.
One of my favorite spots to read.
A mile away from everything. My town up on the hill.
Now I am at home blogging while drinking some herbal tea instead of soda :)
Then it is back to work.

I am also thinking of converting the attic space into a yoga/meditation center if time and money permit. The basement workshop/laundry area just does not cut it.

Fit Trooper goes RL

My diet has been waning as of late so no weight loss to report.
Some good news though is that my Rebel Legion costume has been approved thanks to Syrena's help. Now if I can just stay away from the cookies I am going to try and join the dark side next. LOL

Here is a photo I made with ED and me in front of the Jedi temple.

Fit Trooper Rebel Legion pictures

With some help from my sis my Rebel Legion Jedi Costume is done. (I hope)
These are my entry photos for formal and non formal :)

Without outer robe



With robes



Hood up
Action pose
Fun shots

Thanks! :)

Fit Trooper 10

Well I'm still keeping it going slow and sure.
Got down to 220 a week ago from 247 but have not lost any sence. (-27)
The cravings are coming back and I fudged up a day or two but getting it back under control.
My Jedi costume is getting baggy so I got some boots that fit just right.
I am going to finally take in my costume and get it Rebel Legion approved hopefully.

Here is one of the boots I got.

Double take

A few of us builders went to the zoo this week to hang out, get some exercise, and do something different for a change. Jen took this photo while we were there and I just had to laugh.
To me it looks like the top of an R2 dome and the gear around it looks like a dome ring gear. LOL

Fit-Trooper 9

Brad and Serena hosted an armor party at their house and 501st Trooper and R2 builder Dash came to show them the in and outs. Jen and I also helped where we could.
I have not lost any weight in the past couple of weeks but my clothes are still getting baggy.
Towards the end of the night I tried on Serena's FX armor to see how it fit me. I still have a ways to go so it would look right but at least I'm going in the right direction. It really makes me want to have my own set.

Fit trooper 8

Went to Endor...err the forest with Jen the other day to see the leaves budding on the trees and took a 2 mile walk.
No Deer to be seen but seen a lot ot birds, turkeys, and squirrls.