Lost Something Have You?

Lost Something Have You?

Friday, January 31, 1997. I pulled into the movie theater parking lot and there were already three people in line. It was a rare day weather wise. 44 degrees and no precipitation. T shirt weather in South Dakota.

Soon more strangers came and sat on the theater steps and we began to talk. We talked about Star Wars, the saga, the comics, the figures, the games, anything and everything connected to Star Wars that had happened over the past twenty years.

Tickets did not go on sale until a certain time, but we sat there for hours, waiting patiently, and to be honest, passing the time with new found compatriots. We were all ships passing in the night, but for a few hours, we were a band of brothers and sisters.

Fast forward a month to February 21st. This time it was snowing. We were back. Bundled up in our winter gear, checking our watches but still talking and socializing. This time about the Empire Strikes Back and maybe about the changes to A New Hope. Ahem. Han shot first.

March 14th brought worse weather. Snowing harder and only 9 above that day. We were still back for more.

These were the first times I had ever “camped out” for a movie. Really it was more like a sit-in since it was just for a few hours.

People really did camp out in tents and full costume in May of 1999. I have never gone to that extreme but I can imagine it was like a mini Star Wars convention for those who made the movie theater parking lot their home for a few days, or in major cities, weeks.

I began to enjoy this experience. It did not happen very often, just with the bigger releases, like Batman, the other Star Wars prequels, James Bond, and of course Star Trek. Star Trek fans are no less enthusiastic than any other fans, but they do have a different vibe, It is a fun experience sitting in line with a bunch of red shirts.

Thanks to modern technology, at least in my experience over the past two years, the phenomenon of camping out has died. It is not just reserved for movie theater sidewalks. It pertains to concerts, plays, events of many kinds. No longer do people wait in line for hours to have the box office hand them those precious tickets. I suppose the tailgate is an exception but I have never experienced one. Football fans share in that experience.

Fast forward to October 2015. Tickets for The Force Awakens were finally going on sale. I eagerly donned my Star Wars shirt and headed to the theater expecting to find a long line wrapped around the building. I would be able to talk to fellow fans and absorb the excitement they felt and share my own. There was no long line. No people laughing and sparring with lightsabers in their Jedi and Sith robes. There were two people in the lobby, and myself.

Technology had left me behind. I still talked with those in the lobby for a bit but it was just not the same. The feeling of camaraderie, of a shared love and passion amongst many was gone. The essence had disappeared.

The feeling returned once everyone arrived and took their seats. Cheering and such a positive vibe. The young man in front of me in his Vader garb was snatched up and interviewed for the news.

This year I went in a week ahead of time to buy tickets for Rogue One. The theater was not even selling tickets live until opening night. Worried I would not get my tickets I bit the bullet and bought them on a very popular ticket selling site. I messed up while checking out and had a typo in my email but was able to screen cap the confirmation number. I was still worried and after an hour on the phone with a repeating voice telling me my call was very important to them, I gave up.

It just was not the same.

Undaunted, I smiled the night before as I donned my Imperial Officer uniform for the first time in its entirety. Selfie time. I could not stop talking about it the next day. The people I talked to did not share my enthusiasm. They placated me and my craziness and went about their business shaking their head.

Perhaps such fervor is a bit off kilter but not to me. To me this is something to be celebrated. I find movies and the people who are passionate about them to be comforting.

The following night I could not wait to get suited up. This was it. The premiere for my city.

But it was cold, 9 above everyone was bundled up in their winter gear. Hats, gloves, heavy coats, scarves, all to fight back the bitter cold. I imagine underneath those winter jackets many people were wearing Star Wars shirts. The theater was packed inside. There was confusion as to which line was for 2D versus 3D. 

I did see a few fellow costumers. A young woman in Padme hand maiden make up who was wearing a stocking cap and heavy winter coat. There was “Dan” who had a First Order Stormtrooper helmet and nice dressy suit. His companion appeared to be wearing her finest under her winter attire. I was wearing my officer uniform, I had a Star Wars tee underneath, and nice warm flannel pants under my jodhpurs. I had to wear something with pockets. Car keys, wallet and cell phone had nowhere to go. I guess Imperial Officers don’t need such things but we citizens do. I did find that my phone fit nice and snug in my boot.  I saw a Jedi outside in the lobby as I departed after the show. The winter weather I am sure affected many people’s decision to show their spirit. In fact once I heard it was in December, I had toyed with the idea of a Han in Hoth uniform, or a Rebel Hoth trooper, just because I knew I would be warm. This was an idea I had formed back when I heard there was to be a snow battle in The Force Awakens. I searched for months for a hint of a Rebel trooper in snow gear appearing in the film to no avail. Then when there was no snow planet to be had in Rogue One the decision was made to go period accurate with an Imperial Officer costume. Period accurate to the saga that is. To reality as well I suppose.

Since there were so few who dressed up for the occasion, I did feel a little bit less confident. That soon dissipated when a fellow moviegoer walked by and said one word. “Dedication” and pointed at me approvingly. That washed all the trepidation away. The smiles and compliments from others also helped. Meeting “Dan” was a bonus as well as he too expressed his concern he was the only one who dressed up.

Perhaps in these modern times, this particular type of expression will now be reserved for conventions and special events. A person can still find a kindred spirit at a convention and you immediately have something in common. You and a few other million people. Those lines still exist even with pre-ordering systems in place. Those lines are not going anywhere any time soon. Remember that the next time you hug a wall waiting for a panel, or are sitting on the floor, waiting to get a wristband to see a popular celebrity and shake their hand. That person next to you is not that different than you and would probably not mind a discussion on the finer points of moisture vaporators and their similarities to load lifters…in most respects.

Fridge Jersey

There is a connection between football and G.I. JOE that has existed ever since that Patriots fan at Hasbro decided to give Bazooka his bright red number 14 jersey.

 A jersey that lets you instantly know that Bazooka is on the scene. Whether or not you consider that a bad thing, we would see two more links to football in the G.I.JOE roster as well as a cartoon dedicated entirely to a scrimmage. Captain Grid Iron with his football grenades and obvious player's helmet. He played a game against Range Viper a former West Point student in his class.
That is one game I think most fans want to forget but has a charm of its own, especially for those kids who never saw the Sunbow series.

There was a real football player on the team as well. In 1985 The Chicago Bears dominated the stadiums and made it all the way to the Super Bowl to became world champs. They even sang about it in a chart topper called the SuperBowl Shuffle

He was no dumb cookie. He was The Refrigerator Perry and he was a star .

He was such a big star that Hasbro took notice. They decided that he needed to join another team, the G.I. Joe team. And he did.

That's right it is William the Refrigerator Perry!

I as a kid had no inkling what football was all about nor did I care to. I did however love my G.I.JOE.
Ironically after basing a uniform on a Patriots team member, two years later Hasbro created a character based on a player from a team that decimated the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

I want to re-capture some of that nostalgia and at the same time create something new.
G.I. JOE is a team and by rights since they have two football players on the docket, they need a uniform.

I want to make custom replica (but not replica) Fridge inspired jerseys.
The colors are not the Carolina blue that was actually used on the Fridge figure. The colors are straight up red white and blue, in the style of the Jersey Perry wore for the commercial.
The team name of GIJOE is on the front of the Jersey.
Number 72.
Fridge on the back of the jersey.
American flag with a white border stands out on the front of the jersey and lets you know this is not a Cobra fashion statement it is a G.I.JOE team.

Here is a mockup of what the jersey will look like:


Notice that it is an original design but still retains the basic look of the Fridge prototype figure seen in the commercial.

Any name and number combination may be used on the jersey.
Wrist bands not included, NOT sold separately.

A high quality jersey, built for the red zone enthusiast who loved his G.I.JOE as well.

My only issue is that to get this made, I need a minimum order of six for the local shop.
I have three team members drafted I need a Quarterback, A Tight End and A Wide Receiver. Heck at this point I will take a Water boy.

If you enjoy the wild podcasters on What's on Joe Mind Then you don't mind mixing in a little football with your Joe talk.

If you want to be a member of this team give me a shout and we will work something out.
(who let Roadblock in here?)