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MacPhisto

501st Stormtrooper[TK]
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Posts posted by MacPhisto

  1. Since last November, (so it's been a whole year now, wow!) I've been working out using a Peloton bike!  I've lost a little weight, not much, probably 10 pounds or so.  I didn't have much to lose in the 1st place.  The difference for me has been seeing the inches come off my waist.  I can now fit in my TK and Vader so much better.  I don't feel like I'm wearing a girdle when I strap in to my TK and it feels great to have more energy.  I have more work to do on my diet.  For some reason, cheeseburgers and the occasional tequila find their way into my stomach.

     

    I do love the Peloton and I would recommend it highly to anyone who's serious about working out.  The cost comes out to the equivalent of paying for a gym membership and after 2 years I'll have it paid off - then it'll be an even cheaper gym membership.  I can work out when I want however much I want and I don't feel guilt about being away from my family to do it: the bike is right here in my house.  I find it addictive: an urge to purge those calories away.  There are a couple of other 501st members who have joined the "cult" as well.  If you want more info, just let me know!

    • Like 1
  2. Here's the comprehensive list of all the troops I have been in so far.  I've trooped as Vader lately so that's cut back on my TK time, but I'm still plugging along!

     

    Solomon’s Troop Log

     

    1.     December 17, 2016 – Rogue One Premiere, Ashburn, Alamo Drafthouse

    2.     March 3, 2017 – Lovettsville Reads at Lovettsville VA. Elementary School

    3.     March 4, 2017 – Alexandria St. Patty’s Day Parade, in Alexandria VA.

    4.     March 11, 2017  - Joe and Sarah’s Wedding in Alexandria, VA.

    5.     March 24, 2017 – Herndon Elementary School After School Care program event

    6.     April 7, 2017 – Relay for Life event in Shepherdstown W.V.

    7.     April 8, 2017 – Stele Open Gaming Tournament in Herndon, VA.

    8.     April 8, 2017 – Alex’s Army Childhood Cancer Awareness event in Haymarket, VA.

    9.     April 29, 2017 – Prom-posal for Charlotte’s daughter’s friend

    10.  April 29, 2017 – Frederick Keys Star Wars Day

    11.  May 6 2017 – FCBD – Beyond Comics @ Shepherdstown W.V.

    12.  May 6, 2017 – FCBD at Comic Logic Books Ashburn VA.

    13.  May 20, 2017 – Ellie’s Hats Fairfax, VA

    14.  May 20, 2017 – Eaglefest Oak View Elementary School, Fairfax VA

    15.  May 25, 2017 – Star Wars 40th anniversary at Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, D.C.

    16.  May 27, 2017 – Star Wars Day Washington Nationals, Washington D.C.

    17.  June 3, 2017 – Martinsburg Library Comicon, Martinsburg, WV

    18.  July 4, 2017 – 4th of July Parade, Purcellville, VA

    19.  July 8, 2017 – Rust Library Mini-Con, Leesburg, VA

    20.  July 14, 2017 – Dominick’s Birthday do-over, Leesburg, VA

    21.  June 29, 2017 – NOVACon, Tyson’s Corner, VA

    22.  August 5, 2017 – FragForce Gaming Event, Herndon, VA

    23.  October 14, 2017 – Driven to Cure, D.C. Prime, Ashburn, VA

    24.  October 22, 2017 – Air and Scare, Udvar Hazy Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

    25.  December 14, 2017 – The Last Jedi premiere, Udvar Hazy Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum IMAX

    26.  December 16, 2017 – The Last Jedi premiere, Alamo Draft House

    27.  February 11, 2018 – Boy Scout Blue and Gold Celebration Leesburg

    28.  February 20, 2018 – Cub Scout Blue and Gold - Berryville

    29.  February 24, 2018 – Health and Fitness Fair WV

    30.  April 21, 2018 – Frederick Keys, Frederick MD

    31.  May 4, 2018 – End of Year Celebration Silent Auction/Ashburn

    32.  May 24, 2018 – SOLO Movie Premiere Alamo Draft House Ashburn

    33.  June 28, 2018 – MiniCon – Lovettsville

    34.  August 4, 2018 – Reels on the Ramp – Chantilly

    35.  August 25, 2018 – Fairfax ComiCon

    36.  October 20, 2018 – Air and Scare – A&Space Museum

    37.  October 24, 2018 – Shep ‘R Treat – Shepherdstown WV

    38.  October 27, 2018 – Purcellville Halloween Block Party

    39.  October 28, 2018 – Purcellville Church Trunk or Treat

    40.  May 5, 2019 - Purcellville VA Scouting for Bricks

    41.  June 13, 2019 - Brunswick Public Library Community Day

  3. Event Name: Washington Nationals Star Wars Day

    May 27, 2017

     

    Wow! That was a fun event! Thanks to everyone that could make it out. While we did get a few light showers, the lower temperatures made up for it! A lot more people were able to troop the entire game. (That was over six hours in kit!) The Nats did a great job of taking care of us again. They let us into the shop early to buy swag this year. They also brought us Chewbacca coozies. (I had to use mine on Memorial Day...) As usual, they brought in drinks, sandwiches, and most importantly cookies. The guys delivering cookies received loud cheers when they arrived. This year, they had a security person assigned to each team along with one intern for every two teams. This made it much easier for us to get around. They also helped keep us on schedule. Personally, I found that the shifts when very quickly. Actually, we had a number of people that wanted to keep trooping rather than taking their full breaks. My only recommendation for next year would be to have a few people assigned to table duty rather than having the squires try to man the table while their teams were using the backdrop. Thanks again to everyone that made this event a success!!!

    Troopers:
    Jess Wedlock - TK
    Eric Grubb - TB
    Bryan Curtis - Boba
    Anna Mitchell - Jango (GT)
    Chris Williams - Montross (GT)
    Bria LaVorgna - ID (GT)
    Phil Gastilo - TK
    Justin Strait - SL (GT)
    Solomon Odom - TK (GT)
    Kate Walsh - DZ (CG)
    Brian Robinson - TK (GT)
    Ben Jen - TK (GT)
    Emily Schram - Rex
    Dieter Jobe - (GT)
    Jason Pizzino - DZ (GT)
    BJ Brown - ID (GT)
    Matthew Morley - TK
    Melissa Ralph - ID
    William Ralph - TK
    Anna Mac Adams - Director Isard (GT)
    Catherine Evans - DZ (GT)
    Josh Orr - TR
    Scott Huls - TX (GT)
    Drew Brasfield - TK (GT)
    Virgil Bauer - TK
    Sean Timmothy Waites - TK
    Stephen Bauchan - TK
    Charlie Mann - TI
    Charles Singer - FO TIE

    Squires:
    Sabrina Odom
    Stacey Pizzino
    Patrick Talbott
    Kelly Bauer
    Natalie Bauchan
    Kevin Lackie

     

    This was a great event!  My wife squired for me, as usual, and we spent the entire day at the ballpark.  My Mom and my 2 kids entered the park at 2 and sat with everyone else.  Once again, this was a cross-garrison troop.  We had several groups of us trooping around the ballpark at all times.

     

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    • Like 1
  4. Event Name: National Air and Space Museum: The Force at 40

     

    Comments: NASM will be hosting a special event on May 25th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars. The program will feature two free, ticketed film screenings, SW-themed activities, a live brass band, and talks on the intersection of science fiction and real space exploration. We would also like to invite characters to attend for visitor interaction and photo-ops, similar in style and scale to our annual Air and Scare event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
    Referred by: NASM has enjoyed working with the 501st for several years now.

     

     

    Troopers:
    Christian Evangelista - ID (GT) - Needs Parking
    Bria LaVorgna - ID (GT) - Needs Parking
    Solomon Odom - TK (GT) - Needs Parking
    Matt Leech - TK (GT) - Needs Parking
    Clayton Kratz - IC (GT) - Needs Parking
    Dale LeTourneau - ID (GT) - Needs Parking
    Billie LeTourneau - ID (GT)
    Scott Huls - TX (GT) - Needs Parking
    Melissa Ralph - ID - Needs Parking
    William Ralph - TK
    Brian Robinson - TK (GT) - Needs Parking
    Craig Staley - TK (GT) - Needs Parking
    Jeff Ryan - Kylo - Needs Parking
    Matt Blank - DZ (GC) - Needs Parking
    Justin Strait - Rex (GT) - Needs Parking
    Devin Minnich - TB - Needs Parking
    Jeffrey Northman - TK (GT) - Needs Parking
    Benjamin Jerauld - TK (GT) - Needs Parking
    Jess Wedlock - TK - Needs Parking
    John Kuzins - TK (GT) - Needs Parking
    Emily Schram - Rex - Needs Parking
    Anna Mitchell (GT) - Needs Parking
    Chris Williams (GT) - Needs Parking
    Carlos F Cruz (GT) - Needs Parking
    Everett Pilson - Needs Parking
    Nick Pasquariello - TA - Needs Parking
    Lance Antill - TI (GT) - Needs Parking
    Sean Antill - ID (GT)
    Spyke Alexander - TS (GT)
    Dale Henry - Vader (GT) - Needs Parking
    BJ Browne - TK or ID (GT) - Needs Parking

    Squires:
    Robert I Boyce - Needs Parking
    April Ryan

    Sabrina Odom

     

    This was one of the most enjoyable troops I have ever been on in my short time as a stormtrooper. 

     

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    There were two instances that stand out in my mind when I look back on this troop. 

     

    I was able to assist the security guards as guests arrived by "wanding" them as they came through the metal detectors.  I would occasionally make a remark like, "Excuse me sir, is that a cucumber wrapped in aluminum foil?  You know that isn't allowed."

     

    The security guards had a great time joking with us.  I even asked about the benefits and the "bonus situation".  Some of the guards were quite intimidated by me though and chose to run away.

     

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    The other part of the troop that was superb was the mini-orchestra that played there.  I nearly choked up in my helmet when they played Princess Leia's theme.  I was standing so close to this 10 person orchestra that my microphone picked up on the music and broadcast it, complete with TK scratches, through my speaker in my chest.

     

    Then they played the imperial march and I, and another TK, walked over to stand in front of them.

     

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    This was a great cross-garrison troop and I got to meet a lot of great people!

     

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    • Like 1
  5. My second troop last weekend, held directly after the first, was for an equally great cause.  Same folks showed up at the second one that did at the first.  My two kids had a great time at both events!

     

    After Action Report:
    - Event Name: EagleFest 2017 Fundraiser
    - Event Date: 5/20/2017
    - Event Location: Oak View Elementary, Fairfax, VA
    - Summary of Event: Checked in with Mrs. Bartley and Mrs. Jansik who were running the event to secure two rooms to change, store bins and identify the status on blasters, since the event took place in a school. Mrs. Bartley informed me she had asked the Principals secretary who said "You can't have Star Wars without blasters" and did not mind so long as they were not pointed at anyone or could actually fire any projectiles. Both Mrs. Bartley and Mrs. Jansik were extremely excited to have us in attendance and were even more excited when they found out there would be almost 10 troopers. The event mostly took in place in the gym and outside on the play ground where there were small carnival rides, blow up rock wall/slides, and a small train, which we attempted to commandeer for the empire. Could not have asked for a better troop, weather was great, the staff were extremely accommodating and provided us plenty of drinks and food. There were a couple rambunctious kids, but outside of that, this was a perfect troop and could not have asked for a better time. I spoke with several individuals who had never heard of the 501st/Rebel Legion and were extremely interested in having us in attendance for their community/charity events. At the conclusion of the event, I spoke with Mrs. Bartley and Mrs. Jansik who could not thank us enough for being there and informed me they would definitely request us again in the future.

    - Total Number of hours worked: trooped from 1130AM until approximately 230PM
    - Money Raised: The event ended after 3PM with an auction and they had not counted the money raised due to the auction.

    Troopers:
    Scott Huls - Zaalif - 71317
    Sean Antill - 7Fdude15 - 11270
    Trish Fratarcangelo - Fratmandu - 19950
    Jim Fratarcangelo - tiafrat - 19650
    Brian Robinson - TKRestonVA - 2918
    Nick Pasquariello - Npask82 - 42582
    Lance Antill - USAFlance - 72770
    Damon Dener - HappyTrooperDotCom - 10900
    Solomon Odom - MacPhisto - 77797

    Squires:
    Sabrina Odom
    Carly Kennedy - also trooped as a Rebel Pilot

    P.S. This was Jim (FRATMANDU) Fratarcangelo's Elementary School when he grew up in the area.

     

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    • Like 1
  6. This past weekend I did 2 troops.  I'm a bit behind on updating my troop log but I'm getting back into it.  This event was so much fun.  Nick, the Tank Commander, was here on his first troop.  Excellent troop for an excellent cause!

     

    After Action Report:
    - Event Name: Ellie's Hats Charity Pancake Breakfast
    - Event Date: 5/20/2017
    - Event Location: American Legion Post 177, Fairfax, VA
    - Summary of Event: Checked in with Jay, he had a secure area for all of us to change and store our bins. All of us arrived on time, we were all outdoors greeting guests as they arrived for breakfast. We took photos in the parking lot with Eric Jacobs' Death Star Hummer, and an Ellie's Hats trash truck (logo: "trashing cancer!"). Spoke with some of the guests at the entrance. Weather was perfect, nice breeze, not too hot. We were treated to breakfast after trooping. Thanked Jay for having us, and followed up with an email. Jay's response below:

    I need to thank you. The responses from having you guys there was VERY positive. You guys have the same mission that I have with Ellie's Hats which is to help bring a smile to children's faces. I would love to work with you guys whenever we can.

    please stay in touch,

    Jay Coakley
    President/Founder
    Ellie's Hats

    - Total Number of hours worked: trooped from 8AM until approximately 10:45AM
    - Money Raised: not sure icon_e_sad.gif

    Troopers:
    Damon Degner - DZ 10900
    Nick Pasquariello - TA 42582
    Scott Huls - TX 71317
    Trish Fratarcangelo - TK 19950
    Jim Fratarcangelo - TK 19650
    Sean Antill - IO 11279
    Lance Antill - TI 72770
    Brian Robinson - TK 2918
    Solomon Odom - TK 77797
    Eric Jacobs - approved TIE Pilot, waiting on his Legion ID

    Squires:
    Sabrina Odom
    Carly Kennedy - also trooped as a Rebel Pilot icon_e_smile.gif

     

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  7. So, the first troop of the three I participated in over one weekend was with Garison Corellia, (I represented Garrison Tyranus,) on 4-7-17 in Shepherdstown West Virginia, at Shepherd University, for Relay for Life.

     

    This was my first Blast-a-Trooper event and I honestly didn't know what to expect.  Several of us showed up as TKs, a Tie Pilot, and even a Snowtrooper!

     

    Attendees:

    James Welsh - Snowtrooper

    Scott Stevens - Imperial Officer

    Jacob Stottlemyer - TK

    John Vanorsdale - TK

    Gaby Gabriela - Recruit

    Possibly others

     

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    My daughter even enjoyed the event:

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  8. I had 3 troops in 2 days in 2 separate States, VA and WV, with 2 separate Garrisons, my own, Tyranus, and one with Garrison Corellia.  The first troop was at the Stele Open X-wing fighter gaming tournament directly before the Haymarket event listed above. 

     

    I met up with Rob Weick, Bobba Fett, and a fellow imperial officer, (name escapes me right now).  We suited up at 0630 before heading down to the lobby.  We oversaw the registration of folks entering the tournament as I checked for credentials.  There was a great turnout of people who were most impressed and enthusiastic about our arrival.  I was so tired I didn't even notice my drop boxes weren't properly aligned!!

     

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  9. April 8, 2017:

     

    Alex's Army Childhood Cancer Awareness in Haymarket VA

     

    After Action Report

     

    Attendees:
    Damon Degner - Sandtrooper
    Damon's 2 Daughters - Jawas
    Matthew Leech - TK
    Solomon Odom - TK
    Sabrina Odom - Handler
    Carly Kennedy - Handler

    Damon arrived ahead of the rest of us and confirmed with the event coordinator that we didn't have a secure spot to change/store stuff. Becaue of this we pulled our vehicles close to each other in order to provide assistance as needed. His two daughters were in attendance as Jawas, but were also wonderful handlers as we geared up. Carly arrived as the Damon's daughters were getting ready and helped them get all situated as well as provided assistance for Damon and myself. As we were finishing getting ready, Solomon and Sabrina arrived fresh from the X-Wing Miniatures event and went to get geared up as well.

    We hung out just inside the entrance for a bit taking pictures with various attendees, before moving off to the bounce house area in order to prevent congestion at the entrance. Once the event got underway and the people lined up to enter the football field, we walked up and down the line taking addt'l photos and giving our own form of encouragement. It was great to see the kids and adults reaction to having us there, and quite hilarious when parents handed phones/cameras to their children so that the parents could get pictures with us. Carly and Sabrina were great as handlers, encouraging people to join us for photos, as well as taking photos for them when the attendees didn't have someone available to do so.

    Unfortunately they didn't meet the minimum for the Guinness world record, but it was very inspiring to hear the stories of the families with children who had fought and survived. While sad, it was amazing to hear the stories of families who had a child who had lost their battle, and the families continue to fight the battle to end childhood cancer so that others don't have to suffer their same pain.

    It was an amazing event, great to see the people's excitement at having us there, and we even offered to participate in the push up challenge in our armor if adding us to the total would help them reach the record.

     

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    I even got some target practice against a drone:

     

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    Even against a Minion!

     

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    I even made a friend!

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    • Like 1
  10. Here we go:

     

    Name: Solomon Odom

    501st ID: TK-77797

    FISD Forum Name:   
    Garrison:  Garrison Tyranus

    EIB Submission: 699 http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/40558-tk-77797-requesting-anh-stunt-eib-status-anovos-699/

    Armor Maker:   Anovos
    Helmet Maker:   Anovos
    Blaster Type:  DLT 19
    Height:  6 ft
    Weight: 175
    Boots Maker: Imperial Boots
    Canvas Belt: Tkittle
    Hand Plates Type:   Ukswrath
    Electronics:   iComm
    Neck Seal Type: Anovos

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    • Like 1
  11. Much like Shane has said, I never had any experience with building a kit either.  I'm working on modifications right now to my Anovos to get it to the Centurion level.  All it takes is devotion to time, some patience, and perseverance.  The Anovos kit isn't too difficult to work with, just follow Ukswrath TK Anovos build bible and you'll be good to go.  Welcome to the FISD!

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