Just Because You Can... Doesn't Mean You Should

Just because you can:

Drive your car 60mph in a 40 zone...

Wear size 28W shorts...

Blast crappy music on your car stereo or cell phone...

Get 47 tattoos and 13 body piercings...

Pay cash for something and dig for the exact amount of change in your purse...

Write a check at the grocery store...

Con your husband or boyfriend into going clothes shopping with you...

... does not, I repeat NOT, mean that you should.

Get a clue, people. Life is hard enough without some asshat making things more difficult.

I Miss My Blog!

I miss my blog at starwars.com. I really do. But with the demise of Hyperspace, I couldn't renew it anymore. That is, Gidrea couldn't renew her blog. Granny-Wan hasn't blogged there since being banned in 2008. My proudest moment!

It just isn't the same here. I can "ooh" and "ahh" over Obi-Wan just as much as before, but there's no one here to hear me. Oh, there's a question... "If a woman drools over Obi-Wan in deep space and there's no one there to hear her, does it still count?" LOL

Last weekend, we went to Phoenix Comic Con. On Day 1 we were dressed as Mara Jade and Obi-Wan. Grampy-Wan won the poker tournament... in costume. Didn't tell anyone his real name, either. Took out 63 other people to win a DVD! Way to go! WOO HOO

PCC is a fun con, but they need some Star Wars programming. They had Billy Dee Williams, but he wasn't very interesting to listen to.

It was great for Trekkers, though. George Takei is adorable, and Leonard Nimoy was just awesome. Went to a panel on "Eureka" and got to see a sneak peak.

The food was even pretty good, although expensive as was parking. Made me miss the old days at the tiny Mesa Convention Center when we just had a table in the hallway... well, I didn't miss it for long once I saw the "Star Wars Neighborhood", a HUGE area with tables, displays, banners, etc... we made our own fun!

Well, I still miss my blog... and so does Gidrea... LMAO

A Few of My Particular Things

As I get older and crankier, I get more particular about the things that I like and dislike.

I like Circle-K coffee, not Starbucks
I like Church's Chicken, not KFC.
Satellite, not Cable.
My mom's pancakes, not IHOP.

I like sneakers, not hard shoes, and definitely not pointy toed high heels. They're ugly no matter who is wearing them.

I don't like the misuse of the apostrophe, although according to Roxanna, I overuse the comma, and I thank her for helping me cut down.

I like vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, not chocolate ice cream.
I like chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream icing, not chocolate icing, not whipped cream icing.

I like my food cooked, although this has a bit to do with food allergies. But still... everything happens for a reason, and the discovery of fire was no different.

I don't try to be cool and pretend I like modern music. I prefer classical music and modern literature, not the other way around.

I like Star Wars AND Star Trek. And Stargate, and Eureka. I hate politics.

I like warm weather.
I don't have a landline.
I don't write checks, but it seems I'm always stuck in line behind someone who does.

I hate shopping, unless it's for fabric. I don't buy shoes or clothes for fun, unless it's a Star Wars T-Shirt.

I like playing in the creek. I like looking at the stars.

I like to take photographs, although I never do anything with them anymore...

I don't like to cook because it makes a mess, although I've been known to bake occasionally.

I can't live without a dishwasher.

I like sno-cones, cotton candy, cherry lemonade, A&W root beer, skim milk, and both milk and dark chocolates.

I like huckleberries but not strawberries.

I like Southwest Airlines. In fact, I like them so much I won't go anywhere by plane that they don't go.

I avoid Apple products. (Electronics, not the fruit)

I like my cheeseburgers grilled, not fried.

I've seen some really good food ruined by peppers and/or chiles.

I only eat chili with pasta and cheese.

I haven't sent out Christmas cards since 1978.

I like email, snail mail is so quaint, yet I still have to trudge through the snow to the mailbox everyday... sigh...

I mentioned on FB that I don't like Christmas movies.... Well, I don't like the TV specials, either, except for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and this year the "Eureka" special. If I see one more version of "A Christmas Carol" I'm going to puke and scream at the same time...

I like the ellipsis...

And that be all... at least for now!

And may the Force be with us all!

When the Giants Come to Town

When the Giants come to town, it's "Bye-Bye Baby!"
Every time the chips are down, it's "Bye-Bye Baby!"
History's in the making at Candlestick Park!
Cheer for the batter, and light the spark!

If you're a fan of Giants baseball, sing "Bye-Bye Baby!"
If you want to be in first place, call "Bye-Bye Baby!"
Listen to the broadcast on KSFO.
Turn up the volume, and hear 'em go.

With the San Francisco Giants, it's "Bye-Bye Baby!"





The Giants came to town in 1958... I don't remember that since I was only 2 years old, but I've seen film of the parade down Market Street... and in 1962 they went to the World Series, and lost. I don't remember that either, but I've read about it.

Historical note: Legend has it that Walter O'Malley, owner of the Dodgers, convinced Horace Stoneham, owner of the Giants, to move to California over drinks at the bar of the Hotel Westward Ho in Phoenix.

My first memories of the San Francisco Giants come from my late father, who used to listen to games on the radio while he worked around the house and yard. We didn't listen on KSFO, it was too far away. Instead we listened to the local station. But we still heard the theme song.

I thought Candlestick Park must have the biggest candles anywhere.

I knew the Dodgers were bad. I didn't know why, but I knew they were the enemy.

Historical note: The Giants have eliminated the Dodgers in 1951, 1962, 1971, 1982, 1991... and in 2002 they won the Pennant, while the Dodgers finished third in the division. The next scheduled elimination is in 2011... only time will tell.

By 1971, I was hooked. I listened to games, and watched the rare TV broadcasts on Channel 2. Then one day in June of 1972, my Mom asked me if I wanted to go to "The City" the next day, and I said "Sure!" I mean, who wouldn't want to get out of the small town and see San Francisco?

Little did I know that my Dad was plotting in secret... and shortly after arriving in The City we were exiting towards Candlestick Park! I'll never forget walking through the doors into the field area, seeing all those seats and all that fake grass... it was breathtaking! It was like walking into a cathedral. Only better!

I followed the Giants over the years after that, not as fervently some years as others. In the early 90s my hubby and I went to a lot of games before we moved away from the Bay Area.

In 1992, we sweated out the possible move of them team to Florida. In 1993 we went on a roller coaster ride of a season. In 1999 we went back to say goodbye to the 'Stick as the Giants prepared to move into their new home in downtown San Francisco.

But never did they win a World Series.

In fact, they went 27 years in between Pennants, from 1962 to 1989... and in 1989 I sent my Dad a Giants T-shirt, which he claims he wore and caused them to lose every game of the World Series! It became a joke about which one of us was the bigger jinx!

It must have been me, because after he passed away, the Giants lost another World Series in 2002.

This year I found my Giants jacket in storage, and got it washed up... and hung it on the back of my bedroom door to finish drying. And while it hung there, the Giants won the division title. So I left it alone. They took the Division Series easily. Not much surprise there. And still I left the jacket alone.

Then they won the Pennant! My grandson told me to leave the jacket alone. And now they've won the World Series!

May I wear it now?

I wonder what my Dad would say tonight... Probably, "Who are these guys?" They are a bunch of self proclaimed castoffs and misfits. No superstars, no bloated egos. Just a team, playing a team sport the way it's meant to be played.

Now finally, for the first time in my life, I can say the Giants have won the World Series.

Goodnight, San Francisco. Sweet dreams!

Get Your Kicks in Nineteen Sixty-Six

I was ten years old in 1966, and on top of the world! What could be better than to be in double digits? No longer a little kid, I was yet to experience the yearn to grow up. Life was good.

I didn't have to wear makeup, a bra or shave my legs. Boys were just friends who had short hair and wore different types of clothing.

I had a blue bicycle, a transistor radio and a cassette tape recorder. I loved "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and wanted to be a spy when I grew up.

Vacations with my parents were still fun. We had a pickup with a camper shell that had a bed, and that's where I rode, with my dog and an endless supply of reading material. After all, I had my own library card.

My family wasn't rich, nor were we poor. My parents worked and we had nice things. We'd moved into a new house in 1964, and we had a color TV, a fridge with an icemaker, and a garbage disposal. High tech!

We lived in the last house on the street, and in the open field next door that was a mound of dirt. After the winter rains, a nice round depression appeared in the mound, and through the imaginations of all the neighborhood kids, it became the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.

In the summer we'd all stay out late, playing at the school across the street, riding our bikes through the corridors and trying to shoot baskets by the glow of the nightlights. Sometimes bats would fly over and we'd run screaming towards the streetlights.

In the fall it rained again, and the fields behind our houses turned into fields of ponds. We'd take off our shoes and socks and splash through the water, never telling our parents. The creek behind the school would run, after being dry all summer, and again, we'd take off our shoes and socks and splash through the water, and again no one ever told their parents.

It was good to be ten. We were living in the Space Age. My parents liked to watch westerns on TV, but I pish-poshed at anything "old fashioned". Who would want to wear all those clothes? We had mini-skirts and go-go boots. "Mod" was everything.

We had four channels on that color TV, not including the educational channel, because we only watched that at school when we had to. TV was captured by a huge antennae on top of Cow Mountain and rebroadcast on VHF across the valley. Tuning those channels in was an art form. There were fifty-six minutes to an hour show.

There was no designated hitter.

And now I am ten years older than my mother was in 1966, and yet, despite her best efforts, I am not nearly as grown-up and mature as she was then.

But nowadays there are so many things we didn't have back then. Microwaves, satellite TV, the Internet, cell phones, and of course, no Star Wars. Would I trade all that to be ten again? Sure would. After all, I'd have it all to look forward to!

It Never Rains on Halloween!

It Never Rains on Halloween!

When I was a kid, it never rained on Halloween. Ever! I can remember every costume I ever had, all made by Mom, once I even won a prize in the school costume contest!

Halloween is alive and well in Libby. I took my grand-padawans trick or treating and they had a blast!

Louisiana Avenue was hot spot, as it is every year. The best decorations and the biggest crowds of kids were there.

Even the adults handing out the candy were in costume, as were some of the parents walking the street with their younglings.

One man dressed as the grim reaper and sat on his porch, and all the kids thought he was a dummy until they got close and he jumped at them. Hilarious to watch from the sidewalk!

It was a great reminder of the Halloweens of my childhood.


THAT'S ABOUT AS SCARY AS A FAT STORMTROOPER!

Earth isn't the only place they Trick or Treat. In Star Wars Galaxies we have the Galactic Moon Festival. Costumes are given out at random and some are better than others. A Hutt costume is bad. You can't imagine how long it takes to slither around Mos Eisley dressed as a Hutt. LOL

But it's all fun, and there's some cool loot to be had, like a Krayt Dragon skeleton. Wooooo...

Halloween, I love it... Can't wait until next year!

STAR WARS IN CONCERT - WITH MEGA-SPOILERS

Last month we headed off for Seattle to see "Star Wars in Concert". What a trip! We left early on a freezing Monday morning, and arrived in Seattle in the early afternoon.

Finding the hotel was an adventure, but we got checked in and settled in hardly any time at all. Then we took care of couple of shopping-type errands before setting out to find some dinner.

Finding a restaurant was another adventure, it seems Seattle folks (Satellites?) live on Subway sandwiches and espresso. LOL

Tuesday was full of anticipation. We checked out the area around Seattle Center, tried to find the parking garages, called for parking information and generally got antsy to just GO!

So after a late lunch, it was time to suit up in our costumes. I had a little trouble with my boot zippers, but the Force was with me as Grampy-Wan had a pair of pliers in the car and fixed me right up!

We were so worried about handicapped parking availability that we got there way too early, and had to wait outside for over an hour!

The disappointment of not being allowed to troop with Alpha Base of the Rebel Legion really sank in then, as I could see them walking around inside having fun! And I'm sure they got a better view of the displays than I did, for even though we were first in the door at 6 PM, I couldn't get anywhere near the displays because of the crowds, so I didn't get to check out the costumes first hand.

But, I did get to meet several members of Alpha Base, a really nice group of people!

After spending an obscene amount of money at the novelty stand, we found out seats and they were AWESOME! Front of the upper deck, in the center, with no one in front of us! Woot!

We could hear the orchestra tuning up, and an ominous announcement warned us that the lights would dim and the show would start suddenly!

And start it did, with the traditional Fanfare and the opening theme! The screen was huge, and bright!

It's too bad that it was in a basketball arena though; the acoustics did not give the show justice.

Initially I had to overcome my disappointment when I realized that the video was the same video that was on the DVD "Star Wars a Musical Journey" that I got in 2005 with the soundtrack to "Revenge of the Sith". I was expecting a specially edited video just for the concert, so it was a little disappointing.

But the quality of the video screen and the thrill of hearing the music live soon made up for that!

At the intermission Grampy-Wan said "It's half over already?" And I knew just how he felt. We wanted more and a lot more!

Anthony Daniels was awesome as the narrator, and broke into Threepio talk during his introduction of "A Daring Escape". Set to the music from the chase through the asteroid field during 'The Empire Strikes Back", this clip also gave a nice Prequel tie-n by showing Obi-Wan chasing Jango Fett through asteroids in Ep. II. It also showed unnecessary shots of Anakin's pod race, which left a WTF? taste in my mouth...

It ended all too soon, with a standing ovation, and a curtain call by both the conductor and Anthony Daniels. The Mr. Daniels astounded us all by saying "You people don't want to leave yet, do you? Do you want to hear one more?" YES! And we were treated to an encore of "The Imperial March"!

Still, no one wanted to leave, but we made our way to the exit. Being Seattle, it was raining out when we left, so there went a Rebel Pilot on scooter with an umbrella, and a Jedi clutching a 3-D poster and a very expensive program under her cloak, also with an umbrella towards the parking garage! LMAO

Tired and happy, we slept in just long enough to not miss the free breakfast at the hotel, and then started home. We took a pleasant detour across the floating bridge to get to the Lego Store.

Lunch in Ritzville, and home for dinner.

All in all, a great trip and an awesome Star Wars experience!

As Night Fell on the Republic

My good friend Gidrea Lightsky just wrote a short but touching blog about Order 66...


A Knight in shining armor. The Knights of the Round Table. A white Knight upon a fiery steed. Any way I look at it, a Knight is a hero, someone to revere, someone to call "Sir Galahad".

http://blogs.starwars.com/gidrea/50


* * *

Go Ahead, Fall into the 'Abyss'

Fate of the Jedi: Abyss - Troy Denning doesn't disappoint! SPOILERS!

Volume three of Fate of Jedi is great! What else can I say? Read it!

I do have to say that I was ready to tear out my hair when I reached page sixty-something and found mention of those kriffin' Mandolorians, but my patience was rewarded when later a few Jedi, led by Leia, kick some Mando butt in a major way while saving three sick Jedi from being frozen in carbonite.

Luke and Ben are still out planet hopping, this time going into the Maw in search of the Mind Drinkers. Not something I'd want to do on my summer vacation, but hey, they're the hero type.

Their "out of body" Force experiences are both intriguing and amusing. "Dad, at your age you probably know a lot of dead people, we don't have time to talk to all of them." LOL

They do get to talk to Anakin Solo, Mara Jade and Jacen Solo. Ironically, it is Jacen that saves their lives... Luke decides that if Jacen wants them to keep going, it's bad advice and they go back to their bodies.

And just in time, too, for it's their turn to kick some major butt... on a group of Sith! Woo hoo!

So, I really enjoyed this book, it's definitely worth a read. Be sure you read "Outcast" and "Omen" first.

Sadly, the next volume won't be out until March... there's nothing to read!!!!

Blast from the Past?

The computer had no operating system, and had forgotten the date, but it knew enough to know it was wrong. It beeped at me. I looked… January 25, 1980.

The first thing I thought was, “I WISH!”

Anyone for a “do over”? Or was it just a desire to be younger?

How far back would you go? Should I go back to when I was six and start eating my vegetables? To the seventh grade to do better in math? To high school so I could NOT take chemistry?

It’s creepy that it came up with 1980, since that was not a particularly good year for me and if I could do it over I would. Along with 1973, 1985, 1997, 2002, etc, etc, etc…

Or maybe I just wanted to hear “No, I am your father” for the first time… all over again.

Joy Across the Galaxy!

Karen Traviss is done writing Star Wars books! WOO HOO! Unfortunately, there are still two more coming out in the next year, but no new crap from the bitch will be tainting our beloved GFFA.

I still don't know what has made her such a Sacred Cow in the OS (Official Site) but I'm not the only person to have been banned from there for posting an opinion that doesn't agree with Moose.

I figure they have to be living together since his head is so far up her fanny that they have to be in the same building or else they're defying the laws of physics.

How I wish for five minutes of George's time, and the Force to make him do what I say. This is not the write you're looking for. You want to go to the office and fire Dark Moose.

She doesn't like the continuity created by The Clone Wars series. Well, what about all the continuity crap she's created? And just general crap she's created too, not to mention all the ill will between fans who love clones and fans who love Jedi.

Well, in any event it's a happy day across the Galaxy.

INTERESTING EMAILS!

First, I get an email that tells me my Hyperspace membership, my account at starwars.com, is expiring. Then they want me to take a survey!

LMAO! I took the survey, and filled the comment boxes with why I didn't renew, and how much Dark Moose sucks ass, and how bad the blogs are now that he's scared everyone into pathetic blogging. I know, he only like bloggers he can agree with.

Why would I renew my membership to a place that's treated me so shabbily? Not only will I not renew, I won't buy anything at the Star Wars Shop, visit any of their sponsors, or click on a single link on their site.

They can't kill my love for Star Wars, but they're not getting my money. Not as long as the have creeps like Dark Moose and Bonnie running loose on their power trips banning people for not worshiping the ground they walk on.

And someone tell what's so sacred about Karen Traviss? Who is she sleeping with at Lucas Books?

My dear friend Master Mina just blogged about the survey, and about how the blogs need a face lift... no kidding, that stupid “Your Presence is Soothing” and “Clone Commanders and Division Roster” blogs have been in the top six for years now. Get real.

Today's top six is two current blogs, including Mina's, and four old ones. It's just lazy programming.

So, no more money for starwars.com from me. But wow, did I give them an opinion!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Long time no blog... at least not in public...

My tradition of writing a Valentine to Obi-Wan would probably be wasted here... so I'll wish a happy VD to everyone! LOL

Don't worry, Obi-Wan, I still love you.

My Goodbye to Blogging

At least on Star Wars Dot Com. Why? Because I took exception to Karen Traviss, the author of several clone novels, calling the Jedi Nazis and slave owners.

She also insulted Star Wars fans, said reading was boring, but then went on to wonder about the effect on kids. Calling reading "boring" is a good effect to have on kids? Excuse me?

Well, she's the root of the problem, but the MAJOR PROBLEM is Dark Moose! His head is so far up her butt that one has to believe they're living together.

So I've been banned permanently. Moose has been itching to do this since 2006. He is totally out of control, a power freak of Palpatinian proportions!

He says I "flamed" her... OMG, SHE'S the one who brought up Nazis and slave owners... in published comments! When someone does that, they are opening themselves up to criticism!

My young Padawan, Qui-Gon Reborn, was also banned for posting the links to Traviss's remarks. I am puzzled how Moose justifies this, since they were merely links. In no way did she exaggerate with Traviss said. She took exception to the remarks, as I did, and I think we were justified in our outrage.

How Lucasfilm can support an author who knocks the fans and a major part of the franchise, merely in order to promote her own, tiny little piece of the saga, and her warped agenda, is beyond me.

Will I miss it? I suppose so. It's been a haven for me for over two years. I've met some of my closest friends there.

I can keep blogging here, without fear of censorship, but who's going to read it? Probably no one!

I'm going back into my hut to pout now.

This isn't a well written entry, but I'm ranting...

Thank You, Obi-Wan, But I'm Here for the Mayhem!

"We're here for rescue, not mayhem," Obi-Wan said in Ep. III.

But even a Granny has her dark side. And I've found mine in "Star Wars Galaxies."

Let me explain something... I don't own a gaming system, I'm not good at games that take thumbs... I've played on my grandsons' games before, and I stink at it... those controllers are not made for people with carpal tunnel problems!

So, when everyone was oohing and aahing over The Force Unlashed, I got jealous and decided to try out the two-week free trial of SWGalaxies... By the Force, that game is addicting!!!!!!!

I'm a Jedi, of course... and once I reached Level 26 and got my first lightsaber, I've been practicing mayhem all over the place... It doesn't seem very Jedi-like, but it's FUN! I even got to kill Gungans! (Die, Jar-Jar, die!)

And I've killed battle droids, gang members, slavers, assassins, bounty hunters, womp rats, rock kreetles, sand mites, things that go bump in the night.... Bad guys of all species... good thing I'm not a pacifist...or a vegetarian...

Then there were the genetically altered arachnids... Brood #1 started out with bugs the size of a bicycle... by the time Brood #5 came around they were the size of monster trucks and the queen the size of a small Tatooine house...

I have a house on Tatooine that makes my house on Earth look tacky...

So, as much as I hate to disagree with my beloved Obi-Wan, I'm here for the mayhem. I can't wait until I get to kill some Mandos...

I'm up to level 55... I'll report in when I reach 90... then *I* will be the Master.