Ren's awesomeness had to be scaled down to enter our mundane universe...

[ThreadJack]

YAY!  The monk's cloth WILL arrive on time!  We're working out final details about the shipping in case I need to help out with expediting it.

I am also trying to have it delivered to a FedEx location for pickup because I do not want $800 of stuff on my doorstep while I'm at work.  The hold at location thing worked well with my saber, so I want to try to do it again even if it means paying some extra and sending a preprinted label, to make sure it's shipped my way.

You could also send it to a trusted allies house, someone who will be there to receive it and you trust. Like me. I promise I'll only try it on, and maybe wear it 10 minutes, tops.

[Darth Justicar]

You could also send it to a trusted allies house, someone who will be there to receive it and you trust. Like me. I promise I'll only try it on, and maybe wear it 10 minutes, tops.

LOL!  I think the FedEx thing is going to work out...and from the looks of it, Express Saver (3-day) shipping will work.  Maybe even the 3-day One Rate box, assuming it'll actually fit in the box (which I have my doubts on).

[ThreadJack]

LOL!  I think the FedEx thing is going to work out...and from the looks of it, Express Saver (3-day) shipping will work.  Maybe even the 3-day One Rate box, assuming it'll actually fit in the box (which I have my doubts on).

That's good. I definitely don't blame you for not wanting $800 worth of stuff to be left on the porch with no one home. I get nervous with a $15 Amazon order being left like that.

[Darth Justicar]

The collar just showed up in my city!  It'll probably take the post office a whole other day to move it around the local area, like their usual inefficient selves, before it goes out on the truck tomorrow, but at least I know it's in the area.

[Darth Justicar]

To my great surprise, the post office actually did get the collar transferred to my town overnight, meaning it goes out for delivery today!  If this is true and it arrives tonight, I'll try to get some pics of the mask and collar together.

[Darth Justicar]

Went home for my lunch break--and turned out the Post Office had dropped my package off just a few minutes prior!  YAY for great timing!

Please forgive the lighting in this pic...and my hair (getting it cut on Saturday)...but I could not be more thrilled with how my neck seal came out!  It fit just perfectly, though I was at the smallest end of the size range for the one I ordered.  It's also made of an extremely soft imitation leather, so it doesn't feel at all constricting and I have full range of motion.



WOO-HOO!  Now to wait for my robes...I love it when a plan comes together!

[Darth Knox]

Went home for my lunch break--and turned out the Post Office had dropped my package off just a few minutes prior!  YAY for great timing!

Please forgive the lighting in this pic...and my hair (getting it cut on Saturday)...but I could not be more thrilled with how my neck seal came out!  It fit just perfectly, though I was at the smallest end of the size range for the one I ordered.  It's also made of an extremely soft imitation leather, so it doesn't feel at all constricting and I have full range of motion.

WOO-HOO!  Now to wait for my robes...I love it when a plan comes together!

there's nothing with your hair.

loving this pic.

is the neck seal comfortable?

[Darth Justicar]

there's nothing with your hair.

loving this pic.

is the neck seal comfortable?

My hair is a bit too long and it's due for a cut this weekend.  It should be closer to its appropriate, Ren-like length at con time.

And yes...I was truly surprised by how comfortable it really is.  The material is extremely soft and I have no trouble moving around.  I don't feel restricted by it at all.  To be completely sure, I intend to wear it once I get home from work, pretty much until I get ready for sleep, to see how it works.  But I REALLY think it's going to be fine.

[Darth Justicar]

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

I was informed a few hours ago that not only did the material arrive for my costume today, but because they'd already worked on the other parts, it's complete and they'll be sending photos soon!  No shipping notice yet but I have a feeling it's going to happen on Monday.

WOOOOOOHOO!!!!  I am such a happy little Knight of Ren! 

http://youtu.be/xAFiosh_hsw

(You DIDN'T see that!  I was...yelling!  Smashing stuff!  Of course!  )

[sedstiskyfaller]

^ That's awesome news! I'm looking forward to seeing this costume I've heard so much about

[Darth Justicar]

^ That's awesome news! I'm looking forward to seeing this costume I've heard so much about

LOL, I am looking forward to it too!  I saw the pre-shipping photos and they look so good.

It will take a little time to learn how to do, but I intend to shoot two separate video reviews--one for my saber, and one for my costume.

[Rapine]

--Is Bondo the ONLY good way to get the seams sealed and the helmet to hold together?  Any particular warnings to pay attention to when working with Bondo other than what I have already heard which is to do it in the garage with the door open?  (NOT looking forward to doing that outside in the cold...OR the spray painting...)

Bondo, as far as I know, produces an exothermic reaction when it comes in contact with air.  It gets hot.  Perhaps don't chance melting, or warping your mask.  Maybe silicon instead?

[Darth Justicar]

I ended up opting for something much tamer--wood putty!

BTW, my robes are currently expected to arrive Wednesday according to the tracking site.  It could even be Tuesday, but I am not 100% confident in that based on the flight schedules I'm seeing for the nearest city.

[Rapine]

I ended up opting for something much tamer--wood putty!
Good choice.
BTW, my robes are currently expected to arrive Wednesday according to the tracking site.  It could even be Tuesday, but I am not 100% confident in that based on the flight schedules I'm seeing for the nearest city.

That's excellent.  Looking forward to seeing the awesomeness!

[Darth Justicar]

My costume showed up!!!  It fits!!!!  It is SOOOOO awesome!!!

This is a VERY rough preview, shot on my laptop's webcam, whose quality is not good.  Still, I am really loving it!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6bwIQ8jtbs" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6bwIQ8jtbs</a>

I think from seeing me with the saber, you can see why I had my side blades reduced in size.  Seeing the whole look come together it really feels like the right decision!

I am going to work more over the course of the week on figuring out how to shoot a better video than this...I'll see if I can figure out how to set up my iPhone to take a video, as it apparently has a FAR superior camera to my laptop.  I would have worked on it more tonight except that I am fighting some minor stomach upset tonight, and I can actually feel the heat in this costume a bit more than I usual can (mostly when I'm wearing my mask).  I didn't want to push my luck.   I will keep you posted as I put more together!  My goal is to get a review video for my saber up, as well as a review for the costume.  Both, needless to say, are going to be very positive.