I. AM. IRON MAN.

Before you read this, let's establish one thing: I am a geek. I love being a geek. I am not changing for anyone.

Disclaimer now finished, you may continue reading.

I am excited about the new Robert Downey Jr. & Terrance Howard movie entitled Iron Man. It will not be released for a couple of months. However, the good people at the Alamo Drafthouse and the one-and-only Harry from AintItCoolNews.com are teaming-up to give us a special free sneak-preview of Iron Man. Not only are they showing a free sneak preview of the movie, but they are having a real guy flying around the movie theater in a jet pack. HOW SWEET IS THAT?!!!

Here is some video of the guy in the jet pack:


There is one big catch: there is a competition to get these free tickets. The competition is basically that you have to take a picture of yourself dressed as either Iron Man or Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.'s character in the movie).

So last night, to Megan's mild entertainment, I made my Iron Man costume for the competition. Here is my Iron Man costume:


And here is my Iron Man costume in the dark:


Fun to make? You know it. Funny? In a sad way, yes. Creepy? Hell yes.

However, in my own Ben-Bartley-geek-world, I rock.

Here is how I made it:

• the shoulder pads are an upside-down storage container
• the chest light is a touch light (Home Depot)
• the arm guards are plastic pictures (Goodwill)
• the red clothes are small pajamas (Goodwill)
• the yellow parts are tape (Hobby Lobby)
• the face mask was bought (Hobby Lobby)
• the helmet is left over from previous projects (Top Gun - Be Kind Rewind competition)
• the boots & shin guards were found around the house

Not unlike the government, I covered everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) in red tape (Big Lots).

I think that is the key to being a Super-Hero: cover everything in red tape & shop at the Goodwill.

I will find out by Friday if I was a winner. Wish me luck.

In summary: the Alamo Drafthouse, AintItCoolNews.com & Iron Man all rock; the key to being a super-hero... cover everything in red tape; I am a geek.