It may be cheesy, but I love May the Fourth. Whoever came up with Star Wars Day deserves an award. I am 51 years old. I have loved all things Star Wars since I was five. I love everything about it. It just makes me flat-out happy.
Star Wars was the first movie I ever saw in a theater. I remember it like it was yesterday. I set off with my kindergarten bestie, Lisa, and her family. Lisa’s mom was not fucking around, nor was she paying high theater prices for snacks. As we settled into our seats, she started whipping out sodas wrapped in aluminum foil (because that is how we kept soda cold in the 70s) and baggies of various snacks. Not only was I about to see my first real movie, but I was also breaking the law! The excitement was almost more than I could stand.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…As those words started to scroll on the screen, Lisa’s mom leaned over and whispered what they said to us, as we could not yet read. I was immediately enthralled. This was the best thing that had ever happened to me in my short life. I don’t think I blinked in the two hours and one minute the movie lasted.
When the movie was over, it was all I could think about. I immediately started collecting anything Star Wars I could get my hands on. My obsession continues to this day. I actually have a Star Wars rug in my hallway.
I’ve seen almost everything Star Wars with the exception of the animated stuff. I’m not opposed to it. I just have not made the commitment. There is just so much of it out there. I’m also not a gamer, so I will never know anything about the video games.
When Episode One came out, my husband and I stood in line for hours at a military theater in Japan to get tickets. My husband is an even bigger Star Wars nerd than I am. In regards to Episodes One through Three, they are terrible. I love Ewan McGregor as a young Obi-Wan, but they are quite painful to watch. We kept them from our daughter as long as possible.
Really the only thing as good as when I saw the original Star Wars for the first time was watching them for the first time with my daughter. She was six or seven at the time. My two favorite moments were when Darth Vader delivered his famous, “No. I am your father” line. Josie’s eyes almost popped out of her head. Yes, I cried. It was also fantastic when Luke told Leia he was her brother and Josie screamed, “I knew it!” I love those memories.
I do like Episodes Seven through Nine. I know these are polarizing to many Star Wars fans, but I enjoyed them. I was just so happy to see Leia again. I also love Rogue One. I think it is one of the best Star Wars things ever made. Spoiler Alert! Leia at the end was very emotional for me. Carrie had just died. I knew it was probably coming, but I still lost it hard.
Of the new Disney series Star Wars stuff, The Mandalorian is by far my favorite. It is brilliant. The finale of season two damn near broke me. Another spoiler alert! When Luke Skywalker showed up, I lost my damn mind. I sobbed uncontrollably to the point my husband paused the show to do a welfare check. I have not cried that hard since the Bridges of Madison County. When the caped figure pulled out that green light saber, I was immediately that five-year-old with my contraband Pepsi watching Luke for the first time. This scene was perfect.
I wish there was a rule that Jon Favreau had to be involved with everything new in the Star Wars universe. He fucking gets it. Alas, I know it is a cash cow for Disney and not everything is going to be perfect—season three of The Mandalorian included. At the end of the day, mediocre Star Wars is better than no Star Wars. So, on this fourth day of May I say with great conviction, “May the Force be with you.”
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
