Connooga 2009

Wow!! What a convention!!

I made it into Chattanooga on Thursday afternoon and started helping Todd, Josh, Darla and others setup the Connooga Dealers Hall. After many, many hours working, driving a golf cart around, setting up TV's for the Gamestop/Best Buy console gaming area- we finally came to 9 o'clock. Time for the Radio Cult show at Rhythm and Brews. And what a show!! Very high performance and a lot of talent. I absolutely love Ricky, Bambi and the others of Radio Cult!! Got to bed about 2am!

Friday morning...time to find Todd and hang signs for Connooga! More riding around in Golf carts running errands and then Lunch with Kathy and Jessica. Yummy- Fazolis! 1pm brought opening of registration and then 3pm the opening of Connooga. I was the Director of Exhibitor Hall Stage Operations and so I had to make sure everything was ready to go!

The rest of the weekend was such a blur!!
Between running the exhibit hall stage and making sure events got off to a good start, to looking around the exhibit hall itself for goodies, making sure the music and commercials weren't too loud and preparing for Saber Idol.... Oy Vey!!! But I wouldn't trade it for the world. The friendships I have made with the great crew and team from Connooga has made up my core friends and I can't thank them enough for really putting on a great con.

Alas, Connooga 2009 was my last stint as Co-Producer and Judge of Saber Idol. I would like to thank Rob for allowing me to play in his creation. It's been an exciting ride, my friend!
Connooga 2009 was also the start of an exciting new costuming venture. After being introduced to the Firefly TV series by CoFounder of Connooga Jeff Hickey, I have become obsessed with the Browncoats, Mal Reynolds, the crew of Serenity and being a Browncoat costumer. I unveiled my new look (albeit a rough draft) Saturday night of the con at the Monster Ball. Yes, it's a work in progress and I hope to have a completed Browncoat by DragonCon time.

Sunday's worship service put on by Fans For Christ was awesome and very spirit filled. Swordsman and Tink did a great job and Chase Masterson giving her testimony and singing was the icing on the cake! Ninjas vs. Pirates was the service theme and really fit the weekend.

So, here's to Todd, Jeff, Susan, Kelsie, Josh, Darla, Terry, Rob, Spitty, Goomba, 4x4, Kathy, Jessica, Maria and ALL the rest of Connooga's Staff and friends. Oh yeah!! Bambi and Ricky of Radio Cult--- THANK YOU for saving Saber Idol on Saturday night!! You guys ROCK!!

Connooga 2010? Oh yeah!! I cannot wait!!!!!!! And...my wife and son are coming!!

Browncoats Recruitment Video

This is the world unto which I have been introduced by my good friend Jeff. I really appreciate it my friend! I have already begun the assembly of my Browncoat costume and debuted it at Connooga convention in Chattanooga, Tn.

Does this mean I have stopped being a Jedi and a Jedi costumer? NO!! This just means that I am exploring something different. The Force will always be with me!!

My future as a Jedi...

I need to take a moment and clarify a statement I made on Facebook. I am in no way giving up on being a "Jedi". I will always be a proud member of The Jedi Assembly and will continue to hold my status as its Founder in high regard. I have, however, after much thought and prayer decided it is time to take an extended sabbatical from current star wars activities and Jedi costuming as a whole. Also, due to current financial situations, I have decided to sell parts of my Jedi costume to make a little cash. I am keeping my Jedi robe, my Jedi belt, boots and lightsabers. These will eventually be passed onto my son when he decides to claim his Jedi heritage. 
So there you have it. I am going thru some changes and I believe it is for the best. I appreciate everyones concern. May the force be with you!