Chris Burnside took some pics and Brian took a few. I didn't get any of us because once the gloves were on the old touch phone was not working anymore

This was in Durham NC.

After having been out of the con scene for some time I was hesitant at what I might find, but Durham Comicon could very well be one of the up and coming cons in the next few years. The convention center opened the doors between several huge ballrooms and you could go from artists to toys to comics with ease. Representing for the 501st were Brian Dudas, Jane Willer, Steve Deleeuw, Ana Soto, Liz Welsh, and a Republic Commando that I did not get his name but I'm sure someone can fill it in for me. Of course old-timers like me (TI-9895) and Chris Burnside (the most active inactive 501ster I've ever seen) were there as well. Brian and I thought no one would show up and around 2pm the place got to rocking. Chris and some others put up some great pictures and we need to recruit that Darth Revan we saw there, he wasn't one of us, but if he could be turned he would be a valuable asset.

We need another banner. I think over the years we've tried to get more than one, but we definitely need one now. Who has the file for the original one? Our table was kind of naked. I think next time though we will be better prepared

This con is growing. I bumped into Sheldon Drum (Heroes Con) while I was there and he thinks so too or he wouldn't be there. I also saw Danny Kelley and Margie Cox as Superman and Wonder Woman. The fact that they came all the way from GA is a testament to this con's potential. Between it and Heroes Con and Charlotte Comic Con, NC ain't doing so bad on the con circuit.

It was a lot of fun, I got to meet a lot of new faces and see some old ones I haven't partied with in awhile. Can't wait to do it again, but I think next time I'm going to the pre-party. I think we missed some fun! Props again to Brian Dudas. I still think he should get a trooper of the month for all he's been doing. Also I did not know TB gear was like putting on a straitjacket with a diaper, but now I know

Check FB for pics. Can't wait for the next one.

TI-9895 out. Long live the Empire!

I didn't get any pictures, I didn't have a wrangler

We'll do better next time. I gave them my contact information as well.

The kids were really sweet, it was a lot of fun.

I'm sorry I couldn't make the Capturing Hopes one the next day. I threw my comm pad out of my sleeve at RMH. It was okay, but I need some sewing time to make sure it won't happen again. It's the light up kind and I'm not sure what to do about the battery pack. Oh well, if it's not one thing it's another.

Guys,
I'm a little hurt by the turnout on this. I think the biggest problem was communication. A big shout out to Mike Johnson for coordinating with RMH as their last hope to make sure that we were aware of this event. Another big shout out to Jason Boyd for posting it. But I've got to ask, who dropped the ball on this one? They've been trying to get up with us for over a month and this is an event that we've done for several years. I was very glad to go and they thanked us and want us back again next year "and in greater numbers" to borrow a popular phrase. I gave them my email and phone number and told them that any of us should be able to communicate back to the rest of the group in these instances.

We gotta do better than this. I love having fun, and I love going to conventions. Charity work is not everyone's cup of tea and I can appreciate that. Still, communication is absolutely essential for appearance requests and I think the thing to do whenever anyone contacts you in your capacity is a member of the 501st is to simply take the information and bring it back.

I don't care who the regional rep is, or the GML or FNG (I love initials), I don't even care who the CO is. Those titles are as plastic as our armor when it comes to the outside world, so please remember that we are all representatives of the 501st in an official capacity no matter what title you have or don't have. To civilians, each of you is a very important link to this organization! I can't stress that enough.

The event was great. There were characters from a little bit of everywhere. I didn't know we'd have an autograph session but there are a lot of kids that went home with little TIE Fighter drawings signed by TI-9895. Someone asked me why I didn't sign my name. I told her, "Ma'am TIE Fighter pilots are expendable, so all we get is a number!" She laughed at that. Of course I also got the inevitable "Look it's Darth Vader!" to which I responded, "Nope, but I work for him!" It's been awhile since I've been able to get out and do this kind of thing. I think charity work is the lifeblood of the 501st because of our founder's story if nothing else, so I hope to see you all out there soon.

Also, just in passing I know Luis Diaz coordinates the Hamby event at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. I got some inquiry about possibly doing something similar at Baptist in Winston-Salem. Would that be something that anyone would be interested in? If so, who could coordinate it? Let me know.

For the Empire!

I worked for Capital Comics while I was in college at the old Hillsborough St. location. Wish I could have been there for this one. I've known Ken Pleasant (the owner) for a long time.

I attended Stellarcon this year. We were small in force, but large in presence. Fernando da Rosa (aka SL263) relieved my TIE Pilot from duty when Lord Vader showed up with a small Jedi in tow.

Cheralyn Lambeth (henceforth known as Ms. 501st - because she always saves the day) got us a table and Fernando and I helped her set up and "guard it against the rebels"

Stellarcon didn't have the turnout that I've seen it have in years past. It was once known as our home 'Con because it is the first convention after elections and usually where the transfer takes place. I will say I think the hotel that it is in now is much, much nicer so I hope the numbers will pick back up for next year. We did have some other members there, albeit not in official 501st capacity, but it was good to see Jada Diaz, Chris Burnside, and longtimer Tera Fulbright again. Tera, I'm sorry I scared your daughter!

TI-9895 signing off.