Well, as promised I’m going to give you all the blow by blow of my adventures in Pasadena recently, having taken part in the 2007 Rose Parade.  As mentioned earlier, I was accompanied on this “good natured romp” by TK-2035, MaraJen, and the lovable FrankenTrooper.  Here’s the battle report from Day One of what is being called by many, “The Pasadena Death March”

Day One:
We arrived in Pasadena and get our billeting taken care of, and report in.  Upon giving my designation number to the billeting Officers, I hear “I thought I told you not to invite him!“  I turn to see who said such a thing.
It was Steve Sansweet.  Apparently, my reputation in the Rebel propaganda circles precedes me. 

2035 and I head up to our room, where we meet these two:
The one on the left is TK-Cola Im Helm, and the one on the right is TK-Blacky.  The’ve been stationed in the German Garrison.  One’s a bit twitchy, and the other isn’t..as much.  2 whole Credits for whoever can guess which is which.

So we bunked with these guys for a week.  I’ve had worse roommates, trust me.  Cola Im Helm even brought along a little hottie with him, and that my friends, is always cool.

Once we got our barracks situation hammered out, we get some chow.  We sit down with FrankenTrooper and MaraJen, getting ready to eat while 2035 drones on about how nice the Germans look in thier blazers, while he and I look like thugs in our BDUs and Unit Ts.  Then these guys show up:
The boys from Italica Garrison, which is located in Italy.  Go fig.  (The fellow in the ballcap is the Legion’s illustrious founder, Albin Johnson.  Great guy, trust me.)  These guys are wandering around aimlessly throughout the chow hall, so I call ‘em over to join us at out table.  Chicks seem to dig these guys, so I figure they can handle my overflow so I can actually get some work done, right?  Benevolence is my middle name, you know.   Between “Motorhead” here and the Germans, it was tough to stay sober…or quiet….or sane the entire week, and I mean that in the nicest way, trust me.  They were all a blast to hang out with.  Anyhow, there we are, eating our grub when who should show up next to pay me his respects?

That’s right, George Lucas.  I know what you’re thinking.  “Dear Heavens!  TeeDee’s going to blast him where he stands!“  Not so, kiddies.  Turns out Uncle George is quite the Imperial, and HE was the guy that wanted an Imperial take-over of this little Rose Parade shindig.  Plus, he’s paying the tab, so I decide to behave myself.  Besides, I’ve got a few ABAs in me, so I’m nice and forgiving at this point in the evening.  George waxes on a bit, and gives a dandy “You’re all expendable, and most of you won’t survive” speech, which brought a nostalgic tear to my eye, since it reminded me of boot camp.  After this, we finish our chow and head to the racks to catch some shut-eye.  We have a busy week ahead of us.

More to come soon.

Author’s Note: All photos are either taken by someone I know, or I merceilessly swiped them from the web since I never seem to take one photo anywhere I go.