TD2802

True its a theme done countless times before, but what matters here is the presentation. Cameron executes beautifully and hits the right archetypal buttons of good vs. evil, underdog vs. the bully, etc... Not sure if treason was committed as I don't recall any oath sworn, unless made to a corporate entity where its violation would be morally justified.

You had me at 'flexible'. Title said it all.

Chaperoning another one of my daughters' sleepovers (ugh!) then off to the airport to pick up my brother. Some bro time over brews then bbq on Sunday.

Great pics! Fitting location too using a symbol and monument of one earth's oldest empires.

I saw a TK suit on tour in Tokyo in '78 when I was about 13 (yeah, I'm a fossil!) when the film was being promoted in Japan. Hard to get a good look because of the crowds but was really impressed. Too bad I didn't have a camera at the time.

I have to say both have elements of space opera in them running the gamut of character flaws, tragedy, heroism, yadda yadda yadda... Ultimately in my view, it all depends on how the plot is developed and if the dialog is credible in the screenplay. Cooler costumes don't necessarily make a movie franchise better if the acting or dialog sucks. Haven't seen the new ST yet but word on the geekvine is that it does deliver both trekkies and trekkie-loving SW fans their fix.

Here's a post - for the helluva it.

Let me add my congrats too here! And as an additional father- to- father tip, now's a good time to start a college trust fund - seriously.

Going sandy is always good. Be sure to check in with your MEPD bros when getting your kit together.

You're correct Tony- that's my expression for stage 1 hypothermia!

I actually thought it was more brutal than marching in summer heat. Oh well, they don't call it the 'All Fools Parade' for nothing, and the cops loved us too.

Glad to hear you had a good visit. I remember after living close to 12 years in Japan myself, getting readjusted to some aspects of US culture took some getting used to again.

Probably the best strategy and you don't necessarily have to fire a single weapon if done covertly. Of course, in taking a cue from the real world you could hold them by their economic shorthairs by propping up their government with treasury bonds to finance their spiraling debt for maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. Then when the time's ripe, cash them out so there's a flight of currency to the point their government and markets can't function. Then just sit back and watch the implosion. Sorry not too SW a scenario I'm afraid.

Found Kicker's Aerosol here which works just as well:-----------

Jim, you're in Edmonds, right? Galaxy Hobbies in James Village on Hwy 99 carries all you'll need (its where I go).

G was never on my radar except as anecdotal fodder with my garrison mates. I've got far more important things to be concerned about than someone's petulance no matter how talented.

Anyone remember 'Westworld'? It was a Michael Crichton story with Yul Bryner playing an android gunslinger gone beserk. Couldn't get enough viewing that back in the 70s.

Next beer(s) on me mi amigo!

I built an MG Zaku II a few months ago - perhaps my favorite gundam. Addictive kits and great for teaching modelling skills to your kids.

We had a contest but I had no plans entering. As a joke however, one of my colleagues (who knows about my legion status) surprisingly got me a Star Trek NG red shirt to wear; even had a phaser to go with it. For some reason people said it suited me but don't think I could ever be a trekkie - too many cracks about Spock, Shatner, Klingons or Sulu were starting to wear on me. Plus nothing beats armor!

My approach would've been to stick to the original plan with the TE2s and exercise some restraint about the MR CE release. After all if you were of a mindset intending to mod the TE2s in the first place (blasphemous as it may be to some people, what you do with your lids is entirely up to you) why spend more time and money on another variation? That is unless you enjoy the challenges modding involves. But since you went ahead and got the MRs, I believe buyer's remorse kicked in when comparing how more symmetric it was than TE2, and more suitable to your aesthetic comfort zone. In short, what I would've done if I was a symmetry junkie was mod one of the TE2s and keep the other as a display. Not even considering the MR CE means saving some time/money, keeping the TE2 for its pedigree and modding one to your heart's content. My .02 but the ultimate decision is yours.

If you're idiosyncratic about symmetry, then the TE2 isn't for you, period. You might as well stick to the MR CE to salve your concerns and free up more time to work on your other costuming projects instead of trying to make a square peg fit a round hole. It all boils down to personal preference - are you into screen accuracy or symmetry? No right answer I'm afraid.

What the founder said! You're just in time for our rain too.

Discussing the dangers of fascism with some Canadian visitors at a con. I was serious but they kept giggling - must've been the irony.

Mustn't forget the Tunisian locals used for the Tattooine scenes (ok, so they were TDs). But that would be a real challenge.