And just in time for the end of the year I welcome you all the the last installment so far on these series. So bare with me for just 1 final trip trough memory lane, this time it is about the current year: 2006

New Starcon

A bunch of guests came to this convention, but for once there was no one that could interest me. Normally I would have skipped out on this convention if not for the presence of my friends.

The day went by quickly with lots of fun with talking among friends, buying some merchandise and participating in a costume contest (hosted by a good friend and I was dressed as Luke from the end ceremony in ANH). There are some moments I treasure with me forever from this day.

Happy Birthday Shiva

Next up (about a week later) was the surprise birthday gift we gave to a really close friend of my, nicknamed Shiva. Arranged by close friend Keonie we went to surprise Shiva all dressed up in costume. Once again donning my yellow Luke jacket I joined the rest at Keoni's place before walking to Shiva's home. I will never forget the look of surprise on her face and it was a nice day.

Dutch Starcon

In this (kinda) anniversary year I just had to go back to the place where it all started: De Duiventros in Berkel-Enschot. While it was for me a trip back it was also the start of going to conventions for a friend that went with me.

So it all started the friday before I went there when said friend, Kirah, came to my house and spend the night. She was really nervous, because among the guests was David Prowse, and she is a big Darth Vader fan.

When we arrived (and paid the ridiculosly high prize for a dayticket), we were surprised that because of we were dressed in costume (once again for me Luke yellow jacket and for Kirah an own creation of a Dark Jedi) we recieved a free statue of Han pointing his finger at Jabba from, I think, Applause. So with the first thing of merchandise with us we went to the guestroom.

To our right was David Prowse sitting behind his desk and we got to talking with him and he was actually really friendly, not at all like the bad reputation that I heard I has among us autographhunters. So after a talk, a laugh and a few pictures (to be fair he asked money for taking a picture with him, but it was a donation into a special fundbox for a charity event) we went to Caroline Blakiston (old Mon Mothma) who was I believe for the first time in Europe on a convention. Once again I got an autograph and a friendly talk. It still makes me smile to see that every actor I have met so far is so friendly to their fans, as it should be.

After Mon Mothma I went to get my last and third autograph: the one from Andy Secombe (Watto), and who spoke like Watto to me during the picture we took of him with me and Kirah. Of course there were other guests to like Jeremy Bulloch, Kenny Baker, big part of the cast of Allo Allo and some one from Buffy.

While waiting for the sketch of Allo Allo to begin (which was hilarious, even for me who never saw this great piece of Britsh Comedy on the tv) we got some really nice merchandise. As usual there was also a costume contest that was hilarious thanks to Herr Flick from Allo Allo hosting it together with Jeremy Bulloch. After the contest (both Kirah and me didnt win anything) Jeremy came up to me with Herr Flick to say that he did liked my costume, but found it a lack from the people who organised it that not everyboidy got something for participating. And you know, I agree with him, that is a lack.

Anyway that marked the end of a great day and the first of many conventions for Kirah.

The SW museum

European Kamino, the Dutch costume club, was once again approached for something quite special: To be part of an opening for a museum that had a SW and Lord of the Rings collection as an exhibit. With the leaders of the E.K. busy at the time with their own things I was choisen to act on their behalf and to arrange it.

During a talk with the museum people it became clear that they did not only wanted to hire 2 people, but also would love to have a costume from us on display. They choised for my own Jedi costume (that I haven't wore since a few years).

It was a sunny day when I arrived at the museum for the opening and after a quick tour of the exhibit we prepared my Jedi costume for the display. To be honest I always thought the fabrics were way to thin, thus resulting it in a not so good looking costume, but when I saw it for real on a tailor dummy I was actually surprised to see that I was wrong all those years and actually had a good looking costume. Pictures did not showed it well apparently.

By this time the second person had arrived dressed as Princess Leia like in the Medal Ceremony to compliment my Luke Medal Ceremony costume. After a speech from the collector who had donated his collection to the SW exhibit it was for us to play out the ceremony part from ANH and thus opening symbolically the exhibit.

F.A.C.T.S.

As it has become the tradition I would travel to Belgium for this wonderufll and big convention. This time I was not alone to travel, Kirah once again joined me. Like previous times F.A.C.T.S. was a great convention with loads of guests (nobody important for me this year so I saved money on autographs) and a great way to catch up with my Belgium friends that I normally cannot see. Being with all of my Dutch and Belgium friends on 1 day always makes me feel kinda wonderfull.

As always I point you to: http://www.european-kamino.com/ for pictures. If you go to 'Cons/Events' and select New Starcon 2006, Shiva's 21th birthday, Dutch Starcon 2006, Worlds of Fiction and/or FACTS 2006 from the menu.