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!