TROOP REPORT: Bushfire Appeal - Poolrite Equipment

Friday, February 13th, 2009 | 501st, Work | 7 Comments

Date: Friday, 13th February, 2009

Venue: Poolrite Equipment, Queensland.

Time: 0900 - 1500

Mission: Collect Donations for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, Seek Out Rebels and enforce Imperial Order.

Detail:
The element of surprise was essential for this troop. I snuck into the building via the side entrance, while some Empire sympathisers created a diversion with Krispy Kreme Donuts. It took serious focus to avoid the box of fresh iced donuts…

Once I was suitably attired, I ventured forth to make my presence known to the locals. Many of the employees were shocked and excited to see me - most of whom cheerfully filled my collection tin with generous donations. Those that weren’t so generous were threatened or arrested.

At one point, it seemed the locals needed a little help. I aided their Warehousing and Sales departments, before fielding some IT Support calls. Their ‘Complaints Department’ has never been so efficient - or so quiet…

A few local businesses, upon hearing that I was in the neighbourhood, persuaded me to visit them by offering substantial donations to the cause. I was humbled and, for the first time in my life, left totally speachless.

I didn’t anticipate the overwhelming support and joy that I was met with. I still cant quite believe just how generous the public has been. Some of the folk today have been personally affected by the Bushfires - many of the staff have relatives and family members in the Bushfire area. They shared their stories with me, as they stuffed large amounts of money into my donation tin.

Today, I am proud to be an Australian Trooper. I am proud of the way this community have rallied around those less fortunate. I am proud, humbled, and awed to state that $24,596.80 was put in my tin for the victims of the Victoria Bushfires.

Even as I type out this brief mission report, donations are still being stuffed into my tin.

Trooper Attendance: TK 6232 “Moxxxie”

Injuries:Very few, for a change. Some minor armour bites to the left arm. May be worth shortening the left shoulder bell strap.

Malfunctions: My right hand guard fell off - twice. Will need to reinforce the velcro with some elastic strapping.

Public Incidents: A few vehicles showed their support by flashing their lights and honking their audible notification systems.

Mission Status:
An overwhelming success.

Tags: 501st, Bushfires, forklift, overwhelmed, stormtrooper, Work

Stormtrooper’s Lenses

Friday, December 19th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments

FYI: Stormtroopers have dark tinted lenses in their helmets.

Now, you’d think that when you bought a Stormtrooper helmet, these dark tinted lenses would be pre-installed. Sadly, the tinting was overlooked on my “bucket”, which left me wondering where the hell do Stormtroopers go to buy their Optometrical requirements? I just made up Optometrical.

In any case, where do you purchase Stormtrooper Helmet Lenses from? The answer? eBay. You can buy them from eBay for about $15 a pair. $15! Plus postage! Not acceptable. Not at all.

So, I get my creative-thinking cap on and try and work out another way of doing things.

I grabbed some reject plastic from work to try and cut out the right shape. It all sounded good in theory, until it came time to clean off the permanent marker. I grabbed some solvent, and started cleaning. It cleaned most of the permanent marker off the plastic, but also cleaned most of the plastic off the plastic as well. Epic fail. I needed a Plan B.

So, back to the drawing board. I then spent a good while wandering aimlessly around Bunnings to no avail. No Stormtrooper lenses to be had anywhere in the big green shed. Of course, I did pick up some random hinges, and a few new concepts for making my stormy armour even more wearer-friendly - but nothing to help my lens issue.

Then, sheerly by chance, I wandered past a Window Wonderland outlet which had a brand new window tinting display. There were 20-25 different samples of various shades of tinting and my mind had a little explosion. *bing* went the big lightglobe above my head. Of course! Tinting offcuts!

So, armed with a nice smile, high heels and a tight little skirt, I wandered into the local window tinting shop hoping for some pretty offcuts which I could fashion into lens shaped thingos ready to install in my Stormtrooper helmet. Turns out the high heels and the skirt were totally uncalled for because the dude in their installation shed was actually a dudette. Oh well. She still gave me offcuts to make a million lenses.

Mission Optometrical Status: Total Success.

My TK is going to be the coolest cat in the squad. I now have aviator style lenses.

Tags: 501st, armour, lenses, stormtrooper, tk

What would YOU do?

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments

So, what would you do for charity? What would you do to help kids in need? In fact, what lengths would you go to in order to put a smile on a sick childs face?

Would you dress up like a Stormtrooper (ala Starwars)?

I think I would.

Tags: 501st, charity, stormtrooper