Posted in the main board new member section, but I'll copy/paste here as well.
Name: James. Swirlie is a handle I picked up thanks to partying back in the old-school heydays of the 501st!
Profession: Professional Couch Potato (med retired US Army)
Age: 39
Favorite Hobby: Costuming!
Favorite part of halo: Would it be terrible of me to just say the majesty that was original Halo when it first released on PC so many years ago?
Favorite Halo: Dunno. I mean, CE was game-changing at release, but each has its moments.
Favorite Video Game: Don't really have a single favorite. I love lots of games, lots of genres. Favorites change over time anyways.
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Finisher: Well I tend to stick with rustoleum, but Testors clear from years ago (think they quit making it) was probably the best IMHO.
Other: I've led a pretty varied life. I've been everything from a graphic designer to a cop to an infantryman. Nowadays I just enjoy costuming.
I'm involved with a lot of costuming. I do occasional builds for 501st costumes with a local armorer here in my area (can't even begin to guess how many shoretrooper and deathtrooper builds I've done over the years) but having a fully-equipped shop with all manner of power tools is a super handy resource. I've always looked at the 405th costumes I see at cons and wanted to join in, but only recently decided to branch out beyond the 501st. I've done some foam work before, I built a Fallout heavy raider armor (the 'cage' style one with the big bars that go up over the head, big tanks on the back) that tons of photographers have taken pics of at various conventions and I'm sure I could google myself and find some pics of that floating around. I'm looking at getting into some Marine armor because of the ease of foam construction and the reduced cost vs trying to find an ABS/HIPS set of Spartan armor. I also have the luck of being in an area with a pretty active costume community, and spreading out beyond the 501st and getting active in the various games and movies I enjoy is something I'm looking forward to. Nice to meet all of you!