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Next day I went to universal Studios to study the packs they have there. Universal people gave me a hard time for taking PICS of their packs and asked not to do it anymore. The same universal person told me, 2 years later, that he was only messing with me.
2 days later, I was on a plane to DC. Once there, I took a bus to the capital area were planet Hollywood is. After spending 2 hours looking for a pay-phone, I was able to reach James Greene who agreed at meeting me and bring Norm along. Them and I ran late to our meeting. I came into the restaurant first thinking that they weren't gonna show up. I sat far away from the pack and just about to eat dinner (which would also be breakfast and lunch for that day). The waiter approached me telling me "Sir, your party has arrived."
We spent a few hours pack-talking and eating. I spent most of the time studing the pack.
Norm looked well preserved for his years, but he's older than people think. If the WB network decided to produce another teen-based show about High School students who prop, Norm would be casted as the lead. He looks that young.
As I kept taking pics, Norm found the pre-flash feature in my camera useful. It shaded light on those dark pack groves and canyons. We looked like scientist studding something. I pulled a measuring tape and gave it to norm. He started placing the tape next to the pack while I took more PICS. James kept on pointing things out to me that were not so easy to spot. If you plan on going to DC for pack research, bring a flashlight and tip the waiter so he would excuse you from suspecting manangers.
After shaking hands good-bye, my only regret was not taking a group pic of us. Same with CPU64 and viper. I guess the pack-excitement was the only thing that I was focused on, yet not a valid excuse. We'll get it right.
Next day, after a crazy ride by a Bolivian Supershuttle driver, I got on a plane to San Diego, Ca. where a Baha'i family kindly gave me a great place to stay in their home. I played "Phone-tag" with Viper for a few days with no luck. I went to "magic of myth" a few times while reflecting on what this project was already costing me. Should I go on and where would I begin once I get back home? Thoughts sailed my head as I walked the gardens of Balboa Park.
"Was this the right project"?
"Was I becoming a bigger artist"?
"What if the project flops"?
"What if it doesn't"?
"Maybe, everyone at work is right. This is crazy"
"Perhaps, Making another Chewbacca is the way to go"
"Maybe I should do a smaller, less costly project like everyone in their right mind"..."Maybe not"....
"I should wait until I get a bigger place"
Maybe, I should just make parts and sell them on the net before someone else does" "why Am' I doing this? "what M'I doing here?" "I miss home. Maybe, this was a bad idea" "right now, I'm the only person in the planet who is taking this project in a way never taken before and putting his money where his mouth is. That should be worth something"
"What if someone else's has already taken over this project in the same way and is almost finish when I'm just starting"?
" Do I know what I'm getting into"?
I know for a fact that I went way over my head with this project. Financially, emotionally, fiscally.
After the Chewbacca project and my crusade trip, I was dead-broke. To financially support this project, I took a part-time job in a Japanese restaurant as a Dishwasher. Nasty job and most of my lazy coworkers were a pain in the ass to work with. The owner, in an attempt to save tax-money, paid me "under the table" in cash. I worked along with some Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, Japanese, illegal aliens, etc. Sometimes it was OK. Sometimes it was the worst thing in the world. Every time "Break Stuff" would come up on the radio, I would crank it up for everyone to hear. I would walk out to the back parking lot kicking the dirt and looking at the sunset, just like Luke. To make matters a little bit brighter, I drew the "Bat" emblem on my apron and rubber gloves. I no longer work there, but when I drop by, the Bat-apron is still there. He or she who wears it now protects all dirty dishes and wood blocks from raw, overpriced left overs.
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