October 8, 2005
‘Nuff said.
OK, OK, maybe there’s more to say. Like it was a bunch of fun. But you knew that. I should say that my still camera gave up the ghost that morning, so I was unable to take regular pictures. And I am too lazy to go through the video and make still captures.
But this year we introduced the “gun cam”, a small camera placed above the barrel of our own DarthGoat’s marker. And Thom takes a header, complete with face-plant-feet-in-the-air. It’s classic.
On Sunday June 25, Black Sun Collectors Club met at the Kane County Toy Show to hunt the bargains.
As April 1st turned over to April 2nd, it was a time for Star Wars fans to be excited. At midnight, the new toys for Revenge of the Sith would be released. And the fans would go wild. It all started at a Mexican eatery and ended at a Wal-mart. But countless Wal-mart’s, Target’s and Toys R Us’ were visited on the way. There are only a few pictures from this event as we were to busy buying toys otherwise.
The last hurrah at Des Plaines Bowl
Chicago Force met once again at the Blue Frog Bar & Grill to sing it’s heart out. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) the video tape of this event was, um, un-usable.
But we do have pictures.
Based on a True Story
We have been having so much fun at paintball that we decided to head out to Indiana for the second time this year. Blast Camp was once again the site of the chaos.
Players only managed to shoot the camera twice this time, both in the same game. Somehow in the Fog of War a 400-pound guy in an orange shirt looks just like the other team…
You want the DVD? You can’t handle the DVD!
On September 21, 2004, Lucasfilms caved into fan pressure and released Episodes 4, 5 & 6 on DVD. A fourth disc was included that had behind-the-scenes documentaries and other assorted goodies.
Chicago Force was on hand with many of Chicago’s finest Star Wars fans for the midnight release of the DVD boxed set. Check out the madness.
On Saturday, August 7, at 3:00 P.M., Chicago Force ventured out to Lombard to play fun-filled games of Whirlyball. Whirlyball is a combination of lacrosse, bumper cars, and basketball played with whiffleballs. Afterward, we had dinner at a nearby Old Country Buffet.
Whirlyball is located at 800 E. Roosevelt Road in Lombard. Old Country Buffet is at 551 E. Roosevelt Road.
April 17, 2004 saw Chicago Force return once more to Blast Camp for a day of paintball fun. The paintball gods smiled down from on high and we had excellent weather for the third year in a row. Blast Camp is an excellent field, and Chicago Force thanks them for their courteous treatment, professional attitude, and for building a damn fine paintball field.
We didn’t have quite as many turn out this time, only 16, but everyone there had a blast, from the grizzled veterans down to newest of the newbies who had never touched a paintgun before that morning.
We were graced by representatives from the Quad City Jedi Order and the Indy Knights. Thanks for making the trip out, guys!
It was such a good time that plans are being made to turn paintball into a bi-annual event, with the next session possibly in September. Stay tuned to Chicago Forc Web for details.
Pre-Game
The Octagon
Intermission
The next game we played was “Downed Rebel Pilot”. The Rebels had to escort the downed pilot to a safe area, while the Empire tried to kill him. Getting the pilot out or keeping him safe for a set period of time won for the Rebels, eliminating the pilot won for the Empire.
As I played the role of the pilot, there are no pictures of this game. One team successfully kept me hidden in a corner, while the other team made a bold move to get me out. And it would have worked, too, if I wasn’t so fat and lazy.
Anyway, in all the rolling around on the ground, I thought I lost my car keys. So there are no pictures of the next games, as I spent an hour combing the grass for my ride home. Turns out Dave had them in his pocket the whole time.
The Berm
Balls to the Wall
Speedball
The Embassy
The Wound Gallery
October 18, 2003 – Classical music is not necassarily the first thing that most people think of when they think of science fiction, yet many science fiction movies draw on the sound of the masters. Who can think of 2001: A Space Odyessy without humming “Also Sprach Zarathustra” or “Blue Danube”?
The West Suburban Symphony recognized the connection and organized a concert that showcased the many sci-fi themed pieces that can be found. Of special interest to Chicago Force were several pieces from John Williams’ Star Wars score. To set the tone for the evening, the Symphony contacted Chicago Force and asked us to deorcate the lobby of the high school in which the concert was being held.
Also present were members of the Rebel Legion and the 501st’s Midwest Garrison. While the Symphony played the “Imperial March”, the costumers marched in the aisles of the theater, ending as a group in front of the musicians right as the piece ended. The audience loved it (but we knew they would).
Chicago Force would like to thank the Rebel Legion and the 501st for their ever-impressive visit, and the West Surburban Symphony for inviting us to their party and allowing us to express our geekiness.
