Ah, young nerds :)

Many many years ago, my hubbie started running a game for the children of some of his gamer friends. These girls (and a couple of boys) were around 10-12 years old at the time. We still game with a couple of them, who are now in their early 20s, and another of them is our regular catsitter.

Now there's a new batch of kids, belonging to other gamer friends. So on Saturday, he started running Star Wars for three kids, ranging in age from 11-15. Because there are only three kids in the group at the moment, he let me make a character too. Whee! :)

The kids are actually brilliant, though. Two of them have gamed before (one of them has had me as a GM before), but not with people their own age. The oldest one had never played anything other than card and board games, and she took to gaming like a fish to water. There was one point where my character talked us out of combat (we were pretty outnumbered), but other than that, we tried to let the kids do what they wanted to do. It took them about ten seconds to figure out that if no one ever went to the bog, and there was rumored to be a bog witch hiding there, she was probably a Jedi. And she was, as it turns out. :)

So yeah, we only get to play this game about once a month, but I think it's going to be a fun addition to the gaming schedule. And since one of the kids lives some distance from us, her dad is going to hang out during the game and help with NPCs. That is gonna be hilarious. :)

Star Wars in Concert!

So last night we had tickets to go see Star Wars in Concert. Our seats were up in the nosebleed section, because the other tickets were a bit more money than I wanted to spend to see this. I imagine the view from the floor seats was spectacular, but with the big screen projection behind the orchestra, we could see just fine.

The whole premise is that an orchestra plays the music live, while they project excerpts from the movies on a big screen. Essentially, they used that to tell a more chronological story of the two trilogies, putting the newer movies before the older movies. However, that wasn't always the case... there were a lot of times when they mixed older (original trilogy) stuff into the early events, and newer (second trilogy) stuff into the later events. For example, in just about any sequence that involved showing space battles, there was a mixing of old and new. It was pretty obvious, too, because of the differences in CG technology between the late 1970s-early 1980s and the late 1990s-early 2000s. They also used clips from the re-releases of the original trilogy, and I am not a fan of the re-releases.

The highlight for me was that Anthony Daniels, who played C-3P0 in all six movies, was the "narrator." When I went to Dragon*Con in 2006, he emceed the Dawn costume competition, so I knew how much fun it would be to have him narrating the story. I was not at all disappointed in that.

Generally speaking, it was worth going to see. Jeremy and I both had fun with it. There were a lot of fidgety kids around us, though. Cute costumes, not so good at sitting still quietly. Ah well. :)

Yay for new stuff! :)

Of course, the new stuff is made better by the fact that I also traded away old stuff in getting the new stuff. :)

Sunday was our first Inter-EtsyRain Swap and Shop, which meant that a bunch of us brought stacks of our crafts, supplies, and whatever else we had lying around, and had a mini-craft show. So I unloaded some supplies that I knew were just taking up space, and also traded a few of my finished things for some more supplies and other stuff.

All of my scores were really wonderful, but I think my favorite trade was for a Star Wars purse that Kayce had made. She had decided not to list it because of the Star Wars logo, and I have to say that I was happy that I found it on her table. I asked if she'd be willing to trade, and she said she'd send Robbie (her son) to look at what I had brought for the trade. So I showed him what I had to offer, and he decided that he wanted a yellow fish, and that was all. I suggested that maybe Lyssie (his sister) might like a fish too, so he picked a pink one for her. I figured less fights if they each had a fish. :) (Yes, I do come from a family with multiple children... however did you guess? :) )

I also had a partial trade with Meghan for a needle felting kit, which I have determined is WAY too much fun for me. You mean I get to stab something repeatedly and I'm MAKING something while I do it? Rock on. Thus far (*knock on wood*) there has been no stabbing of myself, and I call that a victory. Of course, I haven't really made much yet. I'm mostly just experimenting and seeing what I can make. Then I'll think about calling it something. :)

And I made one outright purchase, finally picking up some of Marlo's Totes 2 Go, which are seriously the most clever things ever. I got a set with a dark blue background and lots of brightly colored planets, which was the best compromise I could think of between stuff that Jerome and I would both like. He said he felt like a dork carrying one of them from the car to the apartment, but we got all of our groceries into those 2 totes and a big bag that was made for me a while ago, brought home no plastic bags, AND saved 15 cents for bringing our own bags. Yeah, I know that 15 cents really isn't much, but it's something. Over the course of a year, it'll add up. And we don't have more stupid plastic bags.

Aside from the felting kit, the only other supplies I got were all things that are destined for specific projects. Cream colored yarn for crocheted roses, baby colored yarn for the next baby afghan I need to make, and some more fabric that will go into my amazing gypsy patchwork skirt. That thing is going to be crazy when I get it done. :)

Yay! Four articles up this afternoon for me! :)

Five Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before I Got a Cat (or Two)

And it even features an adorable picture of Vlad! :)

Star Wars Original Trilogy Released on DVD, as Original Theatrical Versions

Han. Shot. First.

Making Your Own CD Cover

Because it's fun.

Costuming at DragonCon 2006

Mostly about the Dawn look-alike costume contest, though that didn't make it into the title.
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No, I'm not dead... just been rather ill lately... still not 100%, but what can ya do...

Been watching a ton of movies lately, since I've been home for the past few days...

Watched "Queen of the Damned" on Tuesday night, while trying to go to sleep... didn't get to sleep, and just got rather annoyed as I watched the movie... especially since I had been getting close to finishing reading the book of the same name earlier that day... they took HUGE liberties with the plot so that they could cram "The Vampire Lestat" and "Queen of the Damned" into the same movie... *sigh*...

Yesterday, we watched "Pulp Fiction" in the afternoon... I hadn't seen it in a while, but I still liked it lots... :) Then we watched "Star Wars" in the evening, which was fun, even if I was only halfway conscious at the time... and then Gabe put "Interview with a Vampire" on as we were going to sleep, but I fell asleep early on into that... and woke up later, I think when it was on the second run through (it's one of those DVDs that plays continuously, until you turn off the DVD player... it would have still been playing this morning...)

Now I'm finally back at work, just for the day, as tomorrow is a day off... w00t! :)

And that's about it for my thrilling life...

An explanation of the "Jedi pit theory," for The Mollett...

This came about due to a highly philosophical conversation at a fine dining establishment... *cough*... okay, so we were really just wasting time and eating at Burger King... anyways, it started out that Gabe was complaining about Boba Fett dying as a result of some cheap slapstick... or, in Gabe's words, "Boba F*CKING Fett"... ;) I can explain this more later, if necessary... :)

Anyways, this evolved into a discussion of how, in all of the Star Wars movies, if a multiple number of Jedis enter a room with / near a pit, only one can emerge. Examples (with advance apologies for spelling):

Episode 1: Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi enter a room with a pit. Qui-Gon dies, Darth Maul goes down the pit. Obi-Wan emerges.

Episode 4: Darth Vader and Obi-Wan duke it out near a pit. Obi-Wan dies; Darth Vader emerges.

Episode 6: Darth Vader, The Emperor, and Luke Skywalker in a room with a pit. The Emperor is hurled into the pit, Darth Vader lives long enough to get out of the room and take his mask off, then dies. Like emerges.

Compare these with Luke's assorted escapes from pits (including the example from Episode 6, above): Luke gets out of the pit with the Rancor, doesn't fall into the Sarlak pit, AND falls down a pit/hole in Cloud City, but only loses his hand (which, mind you, is in a battle with another Jedi...). So, since Luke is immune to the ill effects of pits on Jedis, he is the savior... :)

The end. :)

Gabe saves the day! :)

End of the Work Week Wisdom:
"Luke is clearly the savior, because he's immune to the Jedi pit theory."
--Philosopical discussions on Star Wars... :)

Ventura just E-mailed me this... I had to share it... :)

Your Inner-Star Wars Character

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) Star Wars Character : The Emperor
The Emperor has demonstrated his liking to inflict pain on people just as people born under the sign Aries often do. He feels he is at the center of the universe and he must be in control. He enjoys being a leader and his aggression and quick-tempered attitude also helps him with this.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) Star Wars Character : Chewbacca
Chewbacca is a dependable creature but he can tend to be stubborn. He likes material possessions and loves to win at games. He tends to hate being bossed around or losing and he may succumb to his physical strength when upset.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) Star Wars Character : Ewok
Ewoks are playful little creatures as are Gemini's. They tend to be extremely curious, craving knowledge but sometimes having short attention spans. For the most part they are charming and lovable beings but they can seem scattered and high-strung at times.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22) Star Wars Character : Luke Skywalker
Luke seemed to be somewhat whinny sometimes but he eventually developed the thick hard shell of a Cancer. He is strong willed and persistent to get what he wants. He never shys away from a fight at the first sign of danger. Not to mention he began to master the element of mind manipulation.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) Star Wars Character : Princess Leia
Leia adds a whole new meaning to high self-assurance which is evident in Leos. She is a nurturing person with great physical strength. Like many Leos she will see that her mission for good is completed and she is very optimistic about the outcome.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) Star Wars Character : C3P0
C3P0 shows his efficiency when working for a good caused but he tends to be a little bit fussy when it comes to doing something out of the ordinary. Like many Virgos he wants to stay out of the spotlight and he does well at picking up minute details.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) Star Wars Character : "Obi Wan" Kenobi
As always Obi Wan continues forward in his pursuit of justice and he is determined to succeed. He conveys his art of persuasion through the force. He displays his supreme intelligence and is very talented in obtaining balance between himself and his surroundings.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) Star Wars Character : Han Solo
Han is a powerful character. He also tends to be possessive and lusty which would explain Han's greedy nature. He feels threatened by Leia's attempt to order him around which displays the disliking Scorpios have for people who try to control them. He is often prone to suspicion and jealousy as seen in the Empire Strikes Back. However, his resilience and passion lead him to get what he wants.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Star Wars Character: Yoda
Yoda is superbly wise and he has been known to spread this wisdom widely. He seems to be impatient and pushy when people take his teachings too lightly. As always his philosophical side always peeks through.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) Star Wars Character: R2D2
R2's ambition and inexhaustible desire to reach their goals/destination. He is very loyal, sometimes going to great lengths to help someone out. He is a very social unit winning the hearts of many with his cute personality.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) Star Wars Character : Darth Vader
Vader can be cruel and torment people who disagree with him but deep down there is a peace-loving, friendly side to him. He has a knack for inflicting pain on people and he uses his intellect during battle.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) Star Wars Character : Lando
Lando is the typical character with his head in the clouds. He is self-sacrificing but may be too passive to stand up to Vader. He became fairly pessimistic when put under pressure. He also poses as a chameleon wanting to change his scenery on occasion.

Okay, so I'm a little annoyed (being an Aries)... I suppose this means that I should hurt Ventura the next time I see him... :)

Went and saw Episode 2 again last night... I think I neglected to mention that it was AWESOME the first time I saw it, and even better the second time!! The anticipation of Yoda whuppin' ass with a lightsaber is just too kewl! :)

Then again, I still get chills when I see the words "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."... because I know that right after that will be that nifty chord and STAR WARS coming up on the screen. :) As I told Assie on Saturday, I've seen all of the movies in the theatre... and we're talking the first time around! Granted, I was only two years old when I saw Star Wars, but apparently I remembered it well enough when I was five... when my parents took my little brother and I to see Empire, I cried or something when I saw Darth Vader's head on the roof of the theatre. :)

Too cute! :)

I'm still crossing my fingers that this will be true, but the weather forecast for Saturday says mostly sunny... which is very good! It does look like it might be a bit cool though, which is not a happy occurence when our bridesmaid dresses are flimsy little summer things... I guess I better find a nice sweater or something, cuz I know that Sarah would not be pleased to have me wear my leather biker jacket over my dress... ;)

Attack of the Clones comes out in two days! It looks like I won't be seeing it until late Saturday night though, as the rehearsal dinner is Thursday night, and I'm hanging out with Mander and Assie on Friday night. I'm not complaining, though, because I'd actually rather give it a couple of days so that I don't have to wait in a huge line and/or sit in a really crowded theater. I have a feeling that both of those things will occur no matter how long I wait to see it, but I'm trying to be optimistic here!