R2LA XIII

Today was the big day, R2LA XIII! All told, over 130 people came by throughout the day from all over the country, along with between two and three dozen droids.



I arrived at Mike Senna's house a little after 11:00am, and unloaded in the designated Droid Unloading Zone. There were signs directing us on everything.



And I mean everything.



Droids, and lots of them.






BB-8s and Baby-8.



For the first time, the Senna/McMaster/Tarpley Robot Chicken action figures were united.



Along with their slightly more lifelike counterparts.



I tried to keep an eye on the r2la.com webcast and make sure nothing froze up.



Mike explained his static BB-8.



Brian Mix demonstrated his fire-breathing Logan's Run gun.



Someone brought a full-sized Star Wars arcade game!



Toward the end of the afternoon we prepped the droids for the group photo.




After the photo, John Boisvert modeled his John-Taun head.



Around 11:00pm we started folding up the tables and chairs, and taking down the awesome canopy that Mike deployed to keep us out of the direct sunlight.




Around 11:30pm, Michael McMaster got hungry for a donut run, so we headed out. Only in our world is it not unusual to see a pickup truck with R2-D2 hanging out in the truck bed (in this case, Matthew Henricks' droid).



It was another hugely successful event, and I'm already looking forward to next year!

Pre-R2LA XIII Dinner

Tonight several club members gathered for the annual Pre-R2LA dinner at Lamppost Pizza in Yorba Linda, CA.



Thanks Amy Senna for the group picture.



After dinner we returned to Mike Senna's house, where we were joined by several of Mike's droids.



We'll be back soon, for the big day!

Star Wars Day at the Corona Public Library - 2016

Today was Star Wars Day at the Corona Public Library, in Corona, CA. R2 was joined by members of the 501st and Rebel Legions, and Mandalorian Mercs.



Besides the characters, there were plenty of Star Wars-related actives for the kids.



With all the options for restrooms these days, it's nice to know droids aren't forgotten.



But the main draw was the characters. Lots of pics.







It was a successful event, and everyone had a good time.

Star Wars Night at Angel Stadium - 2016

Tonight was Star Wars Night at Angel Stadium, and my droid and I joined many characters from the 501st and Rebel Legions, and Matthew Henricks and his R2-D2.



Notice that I didn't say, "my R2-D2 and I," above. I deferred to Matthew to have him bring his R2-D2 out, and the original plan was for my droid to be dressed as the red R5-D4.

Matthew and I brought our droids into the stadium and the changing room where all the characters prepared for their appearance.



This must be the place.



We were all given a Stormtrooper Rally Monkey. This will match last year's Jedi Rally Monkey nicely.



About this time, there was a change in plans. The Angels decided to split up the droids. Matthew's droid was to go to the field, and mine was to go to the Music Garden during the pregame period. I asked if they'd rather that I redress my droid as the classic blue R2-D2, since I figured that's what the fans in the Music Garden would prefer, and the Angels said, yes, please do so. I explained it would take about 10 minutes for me to fetch the blue dome from the car and make the changes. Unfortunately, everyone took off without me while I was getting the dome from the car, and I was left stranded for over an hour by myself in the changing room. :( Eventually I was able to arrange my escape, and we made our way down to the Music Garden, where hundreds of people lined up for pictures with R2 over the course of an hour or more.





After we were done in the Music Garden, I was reunited with Gordon Tarpley as C-3PO, along with Darth Vader, Chewbacca and a number of other characters as we prepared for the "Steal-a-Base" event near the bullpen area just beyond the left field fence.




At the end of the 3rd inning, the bullpen gate opened, and the characters stepped out onto the warning track as a young man raced to grab a base and get back before time expired. He made it, and everyone was happy.



And after that, we were done! The Angels didn't offer us tickets, so we didn't get a chance to see the rest of the game. :( The Angels ended up losing 2-1, so R2's record is now 0-2 with the Angels. I guess part of the blame goes to R5-D4 as well.

We wrapped up and headed to the parking lot. There's always one last picture. :)



Hope we have better luck next time.

Yellow Ribbon Event for the Troops - Summer 2016

Back in March of this year, R2 was part of the Yellow Ribbon Event that promotes the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Today, R2 and members of the 501st and Rebel Legions were invited back for another turn at this event.



R2 was requested to arrive earlier than the other characters, and visited several childrens activity rooms. (I didn't take pictures of those.) The kids had a great time meeting R2 and interacting with him.

After, R2 posed for pictures with people supplying various supporting services to members of the military and their families.



Kirk, our contact on the military side of things, was so impressed with our visit in March that he joined the 501st and had his first troop today as Kylo Ren!



Vader and his troops made their entrance by... Imperial escalator.



A short time later, R2 joined the other characters, where we went into a large ballroom for photo ops.



The characters presided over a game of Musical Chairs, set to Star Wars music.



As this mini-Tusken and mini-Jawa argued over the droid, R2 made his getaway.



It was a great event for a worthy cause.

Family Day at Goodyear Airship Operations

Today R2 and I were lucky enough to be invited out to Family Day at the Goodyear Airship Operations base in Carson, CA, where the Goodyear Blimp Spirit of Innovation resides. Ever since I was a small child I've always looked at the blimp with amazement and wonder.



Back in May I was fortunate enough to fulfill a lifelong dream, and I was able to have a ride on the blimp. I mentioned to my contact that I'd be happy to bring R2 out if there was interest, and Family Day was the perfect occasion.

We decided that R2 would be a surprise guest, so I parked such that no one could see me unload R2. Then I had him drive up to surprise everyone. The kids quickly gathered to check R2 out.



I was reunited with my pilot Taylor.



Even though R2 was a surprise visitor, a couple of the crew members happened to be sporting their Star Wars shirts.



Chief Pilot Matthew was kind enough to escort R2 and I out to the blimp itself, to get an up-close look.




Next, Matthew allowed me to get into the gondola, where he joined me and answered tons of questions and showed me compartments that aren't usually seen. The blimp remained tethered to its mast, but we still floated off the ground most of the time, which was really neat.



In the meantime, R2 waited patiently outside.



Once we were done, we returned to the picnic area, where employees were playing volleyball, with the blimp in the background.



A little while later, Family Day ended, and I put R2 back in the Droidmobile and headed home.



Everyone was so friendly, and I had a great time revisiting the blimp and meeting pilots and crew. Just a great time all around.

Boy Scout Fundraiser Kickoff

Today R2 helped out with the Boy Scouts of America Popcorn Fundraiser Kickoff.



The event was Star Wars themed, and normally Scoutmaster and fellow R2 Builder Matthew Henricks would cover this one, but he had another commitment, so I filled in.

Parents and scouts lined up for training and materials, and R2 was stationed here and there to greet them and take pictures.





Everyone enjoyed meeting R2, and the event went well.

Walk for Children with Apraxia

Today R2 joined about 40 members of the 501st and Rebel Legions to help fight Apraxia, in support of one of the Rebel Legion member's son, who suffers from this condition. Apraxia can affect motor skills, among other effects.



Luckily for me, this event was mere minutes from where I live, possibly the closest event I've ever done.

As always, the characters spend a lot of time interacting with attendees and posing for pictures.





About half way through the event, characters and attendees did a short walkathon.



R2 wasn't up for the stroll, but he was waiting for everyone near the finish line.



Everyone had a good time, and I appreciated my three minute drive home. :)