jaina

It always seems to take me awhile to type these things up (I still have a partially-done D*C report from last year), but I really did want to get this written down because I had such a marvelous time last weekend.

blusurfer and I were scrapbooking *machines* on Saturday, and then on Sunday I attended my first Rebel Legion/501st hospital charity event, which was "Celebrate Life with HOPE," the 17th annual event honoring Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) childhood cancer survivors and their families.

I had done a few things with the RL before, two FIDM events in 2006 and then the Science Center ball last year, but I hadn't done any kid-centric events. It was really amazing, and really really fun. But more on that later.

miana_dude and I carpooled up together, because driving to LA is an expensive undertaking these days, and we picked up

ladyamaryllis in Anaheim to add to the fun. Rachel and I got going at the ungodly hour of 7:30 am, after waaaaaaaaay too little sleep (damn armbands). We called Courtney to find out which exit she was waiting at, and even though I was silently chanting, "Don't miss the exit, don't miss the exit," I missed it anyway, and we had to navigate our way back, where I then missed *another* turn. This is why

sirrogue does the driving in our family. But we found her eventually, and the three of us were merrily chatting about old Nickelodeon shows and Masquerades, until we arrived and Courtney realized she'd left her accessories bag back in her car. In Anaheim. We'd arrived with plenty of time to spare, though, so I handed Rachel my car keys, and the two of them drove back to get it.

The event was being held on Paramount Studios' New York City backlot, which was pretty damn awesome, I have to say. We parked in a pool! Apparently they can fill it with water and use it for ocean shots! Adding to the fun, our dressing room was *inside* 60 Wall Street on the backlot. It was unlit and kinda dirty, but it was quiet and cool and it was ours. I went to the amazingly cute bathroom trailer to put my contacts in, then sat on a stoop in the shade to do my makeup. And had a couple of cupcakes from the breakfast table. Mmm, cupcakes for breakfast. By that time Rachel and Courtney were back. Rachel, along with Lloyd's wife Amber, helped us get our dresses on. It's rather a production! I want to take a moment here to salute Rachel the Wonder Wrangler. She taped my dress to me, held my stuff, got us water all day, took amazing pictures, and even applied sunscreen when we realized I'd forgotten to put any on. She couldn't get quite everywhere, which is how I got my military sunburn, but without her it would've been waaaaay worse. Rachel rocks!

Once we were all ready, we basically just wandered around the backlot for the next four hours, meeting lots of kids (and some grownups), getting our picture taken with them, and signing "autographs." After the first few, Courtney and I worked out a system where one of us would sign "May the Force with you," and the other would sign "Padme Amidala." All together, there were 27 of us, 23 in costume and 4 wranglers. I spent pretty much the whole day with Rachel and Courtney, and we had an absolutely marvelous time. Courtney and I talked Masquerades and realized we are *likethis* in how we think about them. There should be more good-quality Masqs on the West Coast! And D*C should get actual judges for theirs. But anyway.

The event was like a street fair, with carnival games, exhibitor booths giving away goodies, a rock-climbing wall, live entertainment, free food (In-N-Out and Panda Express, among others), a bouncy slide, and a decorate-your-own-cupcake station. Other than the mingling and the picture-taking, we did a big group shot with all the kids who were survivors or who were in treatment, and also Tommy Lasorda. Apparently there were other celebrities there too, but I never saw any. Or realized I saw any. (Someone said Bryan Dattilo was there! *sob* to have missed him! Oh, hush, old soap ships die hard.)

Afterwards, a bunch of us went to Mel's Diner for fooooood. And milkshakes. And to make fun of the badly-costumed people who charge tourists to take pictures with them. (Waaaah, Spandex Vader.) And then we drove hoooooome and went to bed. Lovely bed.

Pictures!

Rachel's: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10805559@N02/sets/72157605389711311/
Kari's: http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/jedifan/Star%20Wars%20Costuming%20Events/2008-06-01%20Childrens%20Hospital%20LA/
Amber's: http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb204/JediZabrak/
Victor's: http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97/jimenvi/CHLA%2008/
Tom's: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19681763@N03/sets/72157605385612608/

Here are some of my favorites:

This is Amber. She's six. She knew who every single one of us was dressed as, and she had us sign her Star Wars "Great Battles" book, right by the pictures of our characters.