DARTH VADER CONVERTS FROM THE "DARK SIDE" TO CHRISTIANITY

Apparently, Darth Vader, having rethought his "Dark Side" worldview, has enrolled at Talbot Theological Seminary, part of Biola University. This conversion experience has major implications for Darth, who is considering a name change to symbolize his new decision. These are pictures he provided, capturing his first week of dorm life.

THE TRUTH SURFACES

Admittedly, I feel a bit uneasy about my push to refer to myself as Master Ranbl Migam. The main reason is that hitherto you have only known me as Mr. Star Wars. Obviously, this is an honorary title bestowed upon me by my acquaintances. Before I make the switch from one alias to another, though, I must be respectful of the fact that the fellow fanatics who frequent this site are genuine enough to use their real, civilian names. Andrew, Pam, Paul, Becky, Frank Milton and the others, thank you for your continued support and interest. We share a very special bond.

Sincerely,

Randall Bliss

THE JEDI MASTER

YOUR JEDI NAME

Recently, I was conversing with some friends. Our subject was what Star Wars name we would choose for ourselves. It caused me to remember receiving an e-mail from someone that contained a formula for finding your true Star Wars alias. I did a search online for "Star Wars name" and found one of the simpler variations of the formula. Here it is:

For your new Jedi first name:
1) Take the first 3 letters of your first name and add:
2) the first 2 letters of your last name.

For your new Jedi last name:
1) Take the first 2 letters of your mother's maiden name and add:
2) the first 3 letters of the city in which you were born.

Other versions allow you to also find your Star Wars honorific name and title.

I hope this information is an enlightenment to those of you who are unsure of your actual identity.

Yours truly,
Master Ranbl Migam
(I added "master" for effect.)

BREAKFAST WITH ARTOO-DETOO

My friend Andrew also shared some pictures of something that recently arrived in the mail. Through one of the many Star Wars tie-ins with breakfast cereal, he was able to send away for an R2-D2 bowl. When you place the dome down on the tray, it beeps just like R2. Andrew planned to eat a big R2-D2 bowl of Star Wars cereal soon after, for a breakfast experience that is truly out of this world. The first photo shows the bowl in its proper position on the sound tray. The second photo shows Andrew with the bowl on his head, which creates an uncanny resemblance to the famous R2 unit.

$6.99 by Mail with 2 UPCs and Official Order Form from specially-marked packages of Kellogg's® Crispix® cereal
R2-D2™ beeps and whistles when pressure is applied to bowl as it sits in contact with base/lid
Perfect for serving a tasty party mix that's out of this world - made with Kellogg's® Crispix® cereal and Cheez-It® crackers
Offer expires 6/30/06, or while supplies last

NEW FACES

I have had a blast getting to know three fellow fanatics this past week. Their names are Andrew, Pamela and Paul. They were kind enough to share with me a picture they had made of the "Return of the Jedi" poster, with their three faces replacing the originals. Paul posed as Luke, Andrew as Han, and Pamela as Leia. Interestingly, Paul and Pamela are siblings, which preserves the Luke-Leia relationship; Andrew and Pamela are married, which preserves the Han-Leia romantic aspect. Quite a good job!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE "LIFE DAY"

Imagine, only halfway through the year (in fact, just barely into the Summer Movie season) and I have already begun to get that warm kind of feeling that usually appears around the middle of November. I am referring to, of course, the anticipation of Christmas. Most lay-persons off the street would never make the connection between Christmas and "Star Wars," except of course that it's the time of year to give hints to others about wanting the complete 6-film boxed set. The true "Star Wars" fan, however, will immediately know the answer: The "Star Wars Holiday Special." I was 4 years old when it aired in November of 1978. An incredible bit of television history, the program has never been available commercially. Several years back, I was able to obtain a VHS copy of the program from a fellow fanatic. I traded with him for an autographed glossy of Billy Dee Williams. Anywho, nowadays the internet makes finding it a lot easier. I suggest looking for it, as there are many memorable moments.

For example, we get to meet Chewbacca's family:

We get to hear Carrie Fisher sing:

We also get to see Mark Hamill, looking prettier than he ever has, before or since:

It never truly feels like Christmas until I pop the VHS tape into the player and snuggle up with a mug of egg nog. It's worth checking out, any time of year. Happy Life Day to everyone!

EVEN JEDIS NEED A BREAK

As it turns out, I was a little over-eager by starting out at ten push-ups a day. The exertion put too much pressure on my elbows and I've been off work for almost two and a half weeks. Today is the first day I've felt comfortable enough to sit and type at my computer. My employers at Sristle Industries were nice enough to grant me the time off. Obviously, I can't very well be maneuvering chemical drums around the plant while both of my arms are in slings. Anywho, the incident was actually a blessing in disguise, because over the past two weeks I've been able to take inventory of my Star Wars collectibles. While in the middle of it last week, I got the idea to take some photos of my collection and post them on this site. I hope you enjoy. This is only a sampling of my collection; it took a lot of energy to set up this display out on the grass.

THE MYSTERIOUS FORCE

Seeing as how I've wanted to be a Jedi since I was 3 years old, this recent resurgence of Jedi hubbub has peaked my interest. This morning, as I lay beneath my Darth Maul bedspread, I sensed that my alarm clock was about to go off. (My clock is a digital-readout type with a Chewbacca bust attached to the top. It's called a Chewclocka. When the alarm goes off, I am awakened by Chewie's famous guttural outburst.) I'm sure many of you have had this sensation before, as if a biological clock were ticking away inside of you. This morning, however, I slid my arm out from under the covers and pointed to the clock at the precise moment Chewbacca growled. There was no hesitation, no doubt. It has taken me these last 28 years to make this tiny step closer to being a Jedi. I am enthusiastic about my progress, however slight, and I realize my need for some bodily maintenance. As of today, I have begun a strict regimen of ten push-ups a day. I will keep you informed of my progress.

RE-EXPERIENCE "STAR WARS: THE LINE"

Here is a site from a devoted fan, like myself, who was the first to be seated in his city for "Episode I: The Phantom Menace." He was up in Rochester. To give you an idea of the excitement and anticipation of opening day, he recounts each moment (although I was a little perturbed at his disclaimer that some times were "approximate"). I can definately relate to that knee sunburn that is noticeable around 3:30 p.m. Those of us who have frequented "Star Wars" premiere lines always refer to that darn "Star Wars Line Knee Sunburn."

LEIA HAS HER MOTHER'S BUNS

I LOVE SNO-CAPS

Just checking to see if anyone had left comments. None yet.

AXIOM

Ever since I was a youngling back in Gambon, I have enjoyed the thrills and chills of the ol' corner nickelodean. By that I'm referring to, of course, the local multiplex. Actually, nickelodeans pre-dated movie theaters by thirty years. I'm not that old! ;) I saw the original Star Wars there at the Cinerama theater in Gambon (the one-screener long since obliterated), and I must admit that George Lucas has had me in his meaty grasp since those opening credits slinked up the screen exactly 28 years ago today! Now, fast forward - or, in DVD language, skip - to 11:46 p.m. at the Town & Country Cinema on May 18th, 2005, where I've been habitating for three weeks outside in my light blue sleeping bag to keep my #1 position in line:

(Photo of me taken by a Star Wars colleague, the #2 man in line.)

The electric anticipation mounts as the attendant steps aside and lets our line enter the lobby. Thinking ahead, I had pre-planned with the guy who was #2 in line after me that once the doors opened, I would head for the auditorium to grab the "sweet spot seats" while he would head toward concessions for popcorn and Sno-Caps. Us Star Wars fans have to help each other out! Anyway, needless to say that from the opening dog-fight sequence (stunning!) until the dramatic "rebirth" of Anakin as Darth Vader (a literal phoenix rising from the flames of hell) that my heart was in my sock! While not as satisfying as any of the first three films (first trilogy), Episode III was bounds ahead of the last two stinkers. Admittedly, it's hard not to get goosebumps at the thought of seeing even Episode I again on the big screen. But when I first saw it, it stank so bad I could hear all the toilets in the building flush simultaneously. (That's a joke, of course. Toilets on the other end of the theater could never have been heard above the THX auditory experience of duelling light-sabers!)

It will be a truly awesome experience to get the boxed set of all 6 films (plus unknown bonus DVDs) and be able to spend half a day watching them in succession. Sources tell me that the boxed set will definately be here in time for Christmas, maybe even by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. Needless to say, I will be first in line at Suncoast on the day of its release.

So, here we have my premiere blog post on what is going to be a truly galactic site. I owe it all to George Lucas: the man, the magic, and the money. Here's to you, George!