After short break, where I refilled the camel pack and water bottles for Jeremy, and made sure he ate a protein bar and I had downed some water for myself. I had to literally run after him and around him and ahead of him to clear the way so I was having to stay hydrated as well to keep up. I myself took a small break and bought a R2-KT beanie that I wore proudly. And it helped to spot me in it too. Then we got the call saying the 501st was needed. We got more help to get him back into the suit again. I was very happy with all the help we were getting.
We went for the elevator and between me and him we jumped the line to go downstairs to the main atrium. A couple of troopers joined us in the elevator as well. We got to the main floor and he took off and I had to run though the crowd to catch up with him. Then I hear this thunderous applause and cheering. Jeremy had walked out where everyone could see him. I'll admit it, I almost cried, I had teared up. He took his place with the troops off to the right side and I took my place about 10 feet away off to the side to stay close but not to close. I was trying to respect the photographer and this was the time for the 501st. I had to get some people to back off from trying to run up to grab pics with them. I had fellow troopers watching his back for him and me. I told people where we would be later because after this we had a short time before another thing we had to be at. Jeremy called out to me for some help. He needed me to buckle the waist band that helps take some of the weight off his back. I have to put my arms in up to the elbow into the suit to get him in. Yeah I had to give up my shyness for this. I had to do this in front of everyone. 5 troopers helped out by raising their helmets and arms over me so people couldn't see what I was doing. I was grateful to them for it. I got him buckled and adjusted snaps and straps then handed him the head so he could be ready for the main pic. I stepped back off to the side.
Then all of a sudden I realize there are people right behind me wanting my attention. Which is odd since there are hundreds behind me. Let me back up a minute. After we left the Echo Base Ice Bar, we were approached to come help put in the last Lego piece of their mural which was the Wampa eye. I told them where we would be but I can't make promises. I kinda forgot in the rush of things. Well they tracked us down. I turned around and practically jumped. There were 6 people from Lego wanting to talk to me. This is pretty much how that conversation went.
"Um hi." "Hi, we're from Lego and we are here to escort you to the finishing of the mural." "Um, I kinda gotta get him out of that thing for a break before the next thing." "It'll only take 5 minutes." I turn to look at Jeremy who is in the middle of the pic taking and I had to make a choice for him. "Um, can you help us get there?" "Sure, we have a 6 person escort for you." "What, really?" Now mind you most if not all the stars including Lucas got a 2 person escort, we got 6. "Can you grab the elevator over there?" She sent off two of her people. "Of course." I had to make on last request but if they said no I'd understand. "After we're done can you escort us back to the 501st room?" "Sure thing." The photo shoot was done and I yelled to Jeremy, "Jeremy! We are going to the Lego mural and we have a 6 person escort" Him "Alright let's go!"
Off we went. The people from Lego paved the way. 2 in front of us, 2 behind us and the other 2 beside us. They were great about getting us there and helping with the crowd of people trying to stop us for pics. We got to the mural and then it was time for him to put in the Lego piece except we couldn't figure out how he would do it so we improvised by him handing the piece to a little kid in clone armor and he would put it in. Off he was for his photo and then lady ushered me to the a front row spot so I could take pics. The Wampa handed the piece to the kid and the mural was complete.
And as promised the Lego people gave us an escort back to the 501st room. They thanked us for our time and we took another short break. Then it was time to go for a photo op in the Droid Builders room with the Wampa door set they made. We got an escort to the room for a guy dresses as Luke Skywalker, and this guy had the look down pat. We got in there for a photo op. We had Jeremy do a few poses, then it was time to send Luke in. He had me check his hair to make sure it was Luke hair and I made sure it was in place and sent him in. They did a few fight poses then for the last shot I got them to hug. See Luke does have love for the Wampa. The crowd loved it. I got told to pick about 5 kids for some photos. Luke let them use his lightsaber. Then it was time for pics with the makers of the set.
We then had to head off to the Rebel Legion booth for more pics. This time it was with Chewbecca. A fellow Rebel Legion member. I had control of the photo line again with another handler to help out as well. We did this for 15 minutes then it was time to suit down. We thanked everyone for letting us hang out with them and we were thanked as well by the CO of the FL squad of the Rebel Legion.
This concluded our day at CV. It was an amazing big day for us. We headed back to the hotel then off for some dinner. Finally allowed sleep again to get ready for the last day.
No comments:
Post a Comment