Woodwork

The project is coming along!
I have spent the last week meticulously measuring and cutting the boards for the framework on the boxes.

Next up is mounting the pieces together and adding a frame on top. A LOT of work is left, but it's coming along.


I'd like to thank my landlord, who works as a carpenter for helping me acquire the wood needed for this project, and lending me a jigsaw for cutting out all the holes.
And I also have to thank my buddy (who is getting one of the two finished pieces) who provides a workspace for this and a lot of different tools as well.

Original Volvo instrumentpanel is also aqcuired, and the centerpieces are on their way from the USA.
If I keep up this pace, a lot will be done before christmas, but as I have set a deadline for next may, I have an ocean of time...

Looking forward to continuing this build.

New Major Project In The Works

I have lately been planning and researching a new long-term project, and it is not a new costume (, I would like to do that too, but my funds don't allow that at this moment).

Although the project is not secret, and lots of people know about it already, I can start by adding a teaser: This part is to be used, an instrumentpanel from a Volvo 343 (1979):

And I am planning to try do make a mould of it and casting seven more out of resin, even though I haven't casted anything other than things in plaster before. It's going to be a steep learning process.

The main piece of the project is soon on its way in the mail, and I will begin assembly of the other main pieces this week or the next I assume.

Oh, and I am actually making two, so everything has to be done twice.

I have a goal of being finished at least before may next year, but I think it will be done some time before that.

Halloween at The Childrens Ward at St. Olavs Hospital

Every year for the past five years, The Nordic Garrison has made an appearance at the childrens ward at St. Olavs hospital, giving the children a memorable day and "magic experience" as our contact calls it.
And this year was no different, on 31st of october for halloween, we were there.

This was my first time attending, and we were cautioned that some of the children would be very weak, but nonetheless would enjoy our presence.

The attendance of troopers was numerous, and we were eleven people in costume perusing the halls, including a few supporters and our contact which had filled and old R2D2 pepsi-cooler with candy for the kids.

This kind of troop gives us a greater awareness of why we do this, and it is very rewarding bringing joy to children who are having a rough time. This can also be one of the hardest troops emotionally, as some of the kids are very sick, and have a bleak chance of recovery.

Our attendace was also covered in the local news, although only in norwegian.
Despite the article being in norwegian it was spread internationally by The 501st Legion itself with the subtext "no translation needed", which is very nice.

Link to the article

We will probably be stopping by again for christmas, delivering toys that were donated to us to give to the kids. Looking forward to it.

Saving Time aka Clock Makeover

We refurbished the bar where I work, and one of the managers (the one that likes Star Wars), stopped me as I was hanging an ugly clock back up, saying he didn't want anything hanging on that wall again, unless it had something to do with Star Wars, I quickly replied "I can arrange that", and took the clock back home with me.

It took me half an hour with a printer, an exacto knife, some glue and the clock was as spanking new! (Got a christmassy rhyming-feel from that sentence...)

My better half even helped out, painting the hour- and minutehands on the clock.

A huge improvement, and a great addition to our workplace!

Nidaros Roller Derby vs Lahti Bay City Rollers

October 27th saw two troops in one day, with the appearance at Sirkus Shopping first, then driving directly to Husebyhallen where the rollerderby match between Nidaros Roller Derby and Lahti Bay City Rollers would take place.

A chef at the place where I work is a rollerderby judge, and asked if we would join them as honorary guards at a match this summer. Sadly I was out of the country at that time, but I got another trooper to stay in touch with them and they made the appearance happen anyway.
They were so pleased with our collaboration that they wanted us back for this next match on their hometurf.

Lisa, BH-8224 had enjoyed the rollerderby so much first time around that she joined a local rollerderby team, and proceeded to take on the role as event coordinator at this event.

Due to the rollerderbymatch being later in the day, we had many more troopers join us, and even Darth Vader himself showed up.

I had worked till 04:00 the previous night, and after having trooped once already that day, I took it easy at this one, laying down a lot and even getting out of costume for a period of time. Saving my strength for going directly to work after the match at 21:30 and working till 04:00 again. WORK HARD, PLAY HARD.

Again, this was a fun troop, and it was nice to see our new trooper Hans Petter be enthusiastic about getting to finally troop (he had been looking very much forward to this), and also having a new supporter (and future TK) come hang out with us.

We have establihed a good relationship with Nidaros Roller Derby now, and will probably be a regular fixture at their home-games.

Appearance at Sirkus Shoppingcentre

In february, while on vacation in Sweden I recieved an sms asking if I was the gentleman with the Stormtrooper-costume (I guess they saw me on adressa.no), and if I would be interested in making an appearance at the opening of the new Sirkus shoppingcentre in Trondheim, the 27th of OCTOBER, eight months from that point.

You could say that they were planning well ahead.

I kept contact with them on mail, and although they initially wanted only me to appear, I got them to realize it would be more fun with more troopers, so I tried to gather as many troopers as I could.

This event was coordinated by me, and we went out to do what we do best: mingle with people, take pictures and create a good mood, spreading excitement and joy.

This was also the first troop of our newest member: TK-50157, Hans Petter Larsen, which I had helped build a TM-Stormtrooper over the course of the previous weeks.

An excited kid, dressed for the occasion!

Troopertransport anyone?

Obligatory group photo:

This day also held another troop, where we would be honorary guards for Nidaros RollerDerby when they played a team from Lahti in Finland, so we went directly there after this troop.

Screening of Original Trilogy at Studentersamfundet in Trondheim

We got wind that "Filmklubben" (The Movie Club) were screening the Original Trilogy the 1st of september (if you don't know what trilogy I'm talking about, you're in the wrong place), and we asked if they wanted a few troopers to spruce things up a bit, and they were happy to oblige.

We met up two hours before the screening was about to start, got stationed in our changingarea which was directly behind the screen on the main stage at Studentersamfundet, chatted and caught up a bit before changing into costume and going out to mingle with passers by and draw attention to the screening.

Right before the films were about to start we gather on stage in front of the screen to recieve applause and Søren, one of the supporters at this event proceeded (impromptu) to tell the audience a little bit about who we were, what we do and how we can be contacted.

Maybe the coolest thing we did was the last thing we did; as the movie had started and the Tantive IV was about to be boarded by the Stormtroopers and Darth Vader, me and Lars Erik got ready to storm the stage along with the troopers on screen, and just as they boarded the ship on screen we bolted out from the side and blasted our way across the stage, exiting on the other side, giving the audience a great laugh and a memorable experience.

Afterwards we toyed with the idea of having appearances of different characters in costume on stage during key scenes of the film, something that would be cool to do in the future.

On a costume related note: This was the first time I got to use my new helmet with the TM armour, and the colourmatch is spot on, I think it looks very correct!