Entertainer Store Ipswich

One day after dental surgery, 320 miles and over 5 hours on the road. But it was worth it.

From the start the staff at the Entertainer looked after us incredibly well. Plenty of food and refreshments, and all the expenses "paperwork" dealt with before we left. Thanks Rebecca brilliant job.
The public for the most part were very receptive, and it was amazing to see very young kids who knew their stuff about Star Wars.
Of course there were the usual class of ***** who spoilt it, more so in the afternoon. Including one ***** who tried punching me, missing by about an inch, and 2 others who after having their photo taken started throwing sweets at us. (expleteves deleted)

Highs
- Laughing & Smiling kids
- Crying kids (14 in total - a new record)
- Haribo boy in all his guises (about 4 of the staff put the suit on. hmmm... moist)

- being looked after by the Entertainer staff
- The grandma who insisted on having her picture taken

- Playing statues inside the shop. I didn't know three young girls could scream so loud.

Lows
- The ***** who tried spoiling things
- The long haired, strangely dressed nutters with wierd eye makeup (and that's just the boys) who wanted me to hug them.
- The drive there and back
- The wind down that street... brutal

And of course thanks to the "old hands" Don and Jan for making it work. I definitely learned a few things.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/tk6870

Nottingham Market Square

My first official troop of the year... and what a night! The event was part of the celebrations for the opening of the new Market Square in Nottingham. After various drop outs and car problems, we ended up with 6 troopers, Vader, Padme and a rather scary looking Tusken Raider.

We were part of the "pre-show" entertainment, doing our usual mingling and photo work - in front of a few thousand people behind barricades. Rain and cold didn't matter (only to the spotters) I was having too much fun. Lots of smiling faces, lots of photos, new and old friends and a job well done.

Famous at last

Maybe all the problems on Red nose day were worth it

Red Nose Day disasters

Mistake #1
Armour mods that didn't work - replacing the elastic straps that hold my thighs up with normal webbing straps.

Mistake #2
Organising an impromptu visit to the local Sainsburys supermarket (on the same block as my office) to "help them out", then realising that the store manager told no one that I was coming, and neglected to tell me himself that he wouldn't be there until later that afternoon

Mistake #3
Planning on making a grand entrance to the offices of the local newspaper, then embarrisingly asking the receptionists for help to fix my leg piece that kept falling off (see #1)

Mistake #4
Standing in the Sainsburys staff canteen waiting for my "escort", then aplogising profusely that I couldn't continue as, once again, my leg fell off

Mistake #5
Thinking that anyone in my building actually bothered about Red nose day

Next year I'll book the day off.

Plus points -

some interesting pictures

"arresting" the receptionists at the local paper, and having my picture taken. Fingers crossed it gets published. The photographer was really nice, calling me "Mr Stormtrooper". Then as I was leaving I got "May the Force be with you", to which I replied "that's Rebel talk sir". Perfect
My RomFX - first time out in public - loved it.

Bad points -
all the fixes I have to do before next weeks event in Nottingham
The scar on my leg from the badly-behavied thigh piece