I have donated one of my Celebration Japan prints to help the 501st Stormtrooper Legions TK Helmet Project. The TKP is a charity event that will help the Make A Wish Foundation.

Please take a look at their website for more information about the Project and who is involved.

This print was a limited edition exclusive only sold at Celebration Japan and the Star Wars Shop in 2008. I have agreed to sign and customize the print for the winning bidder. The print is 12×24 and you’ve got 3 more days to bid on it at eBay.

Domo Kun is the mascot of Japan’s NHK television station, appearing in several 30 second stop-motion sketches shown as station identification during shows, AND he’s absolutely 100% made of AWESOME.

“DOMO” means thank you in Japanese and the suffix “KUN” is used for addressing young men (like Mr. Miyagi used to called his student Daniel San).

I recognized Domo Kun when I saw him the other day at Target. It looks like they’ve “Hired” him as their Halloween mascot.

This is the video that Target has made with Domo.

Here are some of the original shorts that were made in Japan

I’ve got some video that I need to get posted, and I was waiting until they were done to put this photo with it, but I’m just taking too long.

All of the Artists were out at dinner together.  It was loud and great fun.  As we sat there Anthony Daniels walked in, said hello to a few people and then sat down with us.  Denise got him some Sake and he took it and started serving everyone.  I was dying!  I pulled out my video camera and asked if he was moonlighting as a waiter.  I laughed so hard at his response that you can’t even hear it on the video!  MAN!  I’m so upset.  So I say are you moonlighting and he says, “I guess it’s my lot in life.” 

As I was packing up and leaving Japan I had to get a few more shots.  My very small room and very big toilet.

Mike “Chef Vader” with a Japanese labeled Redbull.  Mike Edmonds who played the Ewok Logray in Return of the Jedi, and Japanese Star Wars artist Tsuneo Sanda.

I got to the airport and totally had Star Wars on the brain.  I saw these security cameras and thought that it looked like I was on Hoth.  Then I had to pose with Jude Law for my sister Susan. 

well, I’m back but I haven’t finished writing about Japan, so we’ll see if I can get things all caught up.

I had a shot of the Star Tours booth on the first day but I had to get the staff in there with their jump suits on.  :D

I was walking around a bit before the doors opened and I saw that Jeremy Bullock was standing by the autograph signing area.  I went over to talk to him and was Joined by the Self proclaimed British Cowboy JaKe and the artist of the incredible crossection book Richard Chasemore.

My new friends have returned for the third day straight wearing different costumes.  These costumes are all handmade.  It was great to have them stop by and talk to me.  They seem to draw a crowd around my booth for some reason.  :D

Here are some more costumes.  This is a second Slave Leia, some great kids costumes, and the Celebration Japan exclusive hoodie in action.  It was pretty neat, but a bit too expensive.  As you can see, my costumed friends also caught the attention of Matt Busch.

I sold some more prints and made some more custom requested sketch cards.  Then Darth Vader came by and just HAD to buy a sketch card of him self.

Lawrence Noble had worked the whole weekend sculpting a bust of Luke Skywalker.  After the convention had ended, Mark Hamill came over and was posing with the sculpture.  They had a raffle to give away a cast of the sculpture.  I was watching the event and then ran over to get one of my sketch cards to get Mark to sign.  He looked at the card and commented that he liked the smirk on Luke’s face.  :D

Because I missed out on going and seeing the line and the ribbon cutting yesterday, I made a point to get out there on day 2 and see what it was like.

Then I went back inside, before anything started up and was able to take advantage of my exhibitor status and have some fun before there was a line!  Randy and I took turns in the snow speeder and Denise snapped some photos.

Steve Sansweet had to have his turn as well.

We then moved on to the speeder bike.

Oh and then we had to get to work.

I got to see some more costumes at my table.  Including the Lone Trooper, the Philippine outpost of the 501st, Darth Vader and his cousin Chef Vader (mmmm, gungan!), Han Solo, and then yesterdays Episode II Padme as funeral scene Episode III padme, and yesterday’s Ahsoka as Asajj.

As I was greeting people at my booth, I saw someone walk up and I said “Konnichiwa” and then noticed that it was my dear friends from Odate.  I was a missionary in Japan 14 years ago.  Odate was the last area that I lived in and I had become very good friends with this family.  I am so grateful that they made the effort to come down and see me.  I gave them one of my proof prints and then Keiko explained that she had met Chewbacca and then bought one of my Chewie sketch cards.  We went to dinner after the convent and I am SO happy to have seen them!

The first day of the convention!  I left my room (on the 24th floor) to head down to the lobby and looked out the window at the elevators to see this wonderful shot.

So now the convention hall is all set up and my table is set up too.

I HAD to put the post of the Bandit from the cover of Hot Rod Magazine.  :D

Steve Sansweet was the master of ceremonies and opened up the event by cutting the ribbon with a lightsaber.  I actually didn’t get to see the opening, but I shot some video of the very first group of people RUNNING down the stairs and into the convention hall.

The day went pretty good.  I think that my sketch cards were priced a bit high so I only sold 2 of them.  It was fun to have people be excited about getting a custom created sketch card.  Most of them wanted to have their picture taken with me after they had bought a card or print.

I also got to meet some people that had gone to great lengths to be in costume for the event.  I met the girl dressed up as Obi Wan and I asked if she had seen the girl dressed up as Ahsoka.  She said that it was a friend and I told her to get her to come by my table so that I could get a photo.  A bit later they all showed up!  It was pretty cool.

I also had a blast talking with the kids.  This little Jango Fett was walking by Daniel Logan’s signing area and he called him over and signed his helmet for him.  I haven’t met him yet but that makes me think he’s a good guy.

And what Star Wars convention would be complete without Slave Leia?

 This is a shot of the convention floor from the entry stairway.  I’ll take another to show the changes.

The above logo is on the side of the Lego booth, and of course the full size snow speeder.

 Here I am standing in front of the hallway in the falcon, and then of course riding a dewback.  *Some of you may notice that I am wearing the same outfit that I had on in my India/Australia travels….PURE COINCIDENCE. 

These are near life size statues of the clone wars characters.

I’m interested to see what other things will be going on at the Star Tours booth.

I didn’t go all the way into the Lego booth because they were still setting up, but R2 was parked out front.

You know that you’re in the right place when you see this kind of luggage cart.

and you know that you’re in Japan when you room has a warning card like the one below.

BEWARE THE CLEANING ROBOT!!!!

All in all the trip wasn’t too bad.  I’m about ready to go to bed though!  Here are a few fun pictures before I sign off.

It was nice to be welcomed to Japan, and then open my luggage to find…

a gift wrapped present from the TSA.  I guess that the way I packed up the shadowbox was a bit suspicious.