Rebellions are built on hope

It feels as if millions of voices have suddenly cried out in grief.

I finally saw Rogue One today and planned to write a post praising the movie, but that praise is tempered by my sadness at the death of Carrie Fisher. I got the news while we were having lunch after the movie and it was all I could do not to burst into tears in the restaurant. Carrie Fisher was an icon from my childhood. When I think of princesses, I don’t think of Disney. I think of Princess Leia. There weren’t many strong female role models in the SF and fantasy that I saw in the 70s, but Princess Leia was huge for me. I  loved Leia’s strength and feisty attitude. And Carrie Fisher was much more than Leia. I haven’t read her books, but now they are going on the list. She was brave and honest and funny. She was open with her struggles with mental illness. She will be greatly missed. I hope that wherever she is, she is one with the Force.

As for Rogue One, it was amazing. I definitely liked it as much as Episode VII. Jyn is another amazing, strong female character. I love her flaws and her courage. I love the backstory of this important piece of the rebellion.  Plus it shows us a different and darker side of the Alliance. But we are still rooting for Jyn and the rebels all the way. They never lose hope and never forget what they are fighting for.

Thank you, Carrie, for reminding us that hope is still out there.

Rogue One trailer

Looks like we’re going to have a Star Wars Christmas again this year! (And for years to come…) I’m not sure how many times I’ve watched the trailer for Rogue One–I cannot wait! A friend commented that the new protagonist seems to have some Sydney-like qualities, and I agree, based on the brief glimpses we get of her. I’m very curious about her and her role in the story. I also loved seeing Mon Monthma. Maybe some of our Imperial favorites from A New Hope will make an appearance?

At some point I will have to share my thoughts on The Force Awakens, but needless to say it met and exceeded expectations and reaffirmed my faith in Star Wars.

 

A fan awakens… the new Star Wars trailer is here!

It was as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in joy:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer

This voice certainly did!

When I first heard about Episode VII, I was cautiously optimistic. Star Wars shaped my childhood. I had many of the toys–and still do, although they are well loved and sadly not in the original packaging. But I was definitely burned by the abominations that are known as Episodes I-III. So much wasted potential.

The excitement has been building for the new movie, though. I think the actors will actually have a chance to act this time. I felt more real emotion in the new trailer than I did in the climax of Episode III. I felt like the child who couldn’t wait to see Return of the Jedi to find out whether Darth Vader really was Luke’s father. And I am counting the days until December 18! Christmas may be coming early for this Star Wars fan!

Versatile blog award

I’m so excited to be nominated for the Versatile Blog Award by the talented Inion N. Mathair! I’m not very good at social media, but I think I met this lovely mother-daughter writing duo on twitter, of all things. They’ve been nice enough to check out my blog and you should take a look at theirs. They have some very insightful posts.

VBA~RULES~

1.) FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT. THANK THE PERSON WHO GAVE YOU THIS AWARD. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE NAME THIS AWARD CARRIES, IT GIVES YOU AN IDEA, JUST HOW INCREDIBLE THIS NOMINATION REALLY IS.

2.) INCLUDE A LINK TO THEIR BLOG.

3.) SELECT FIFTEEN (15) BLOGGERS THAT YOU FOLLOW AND FEEL QUALIFY FOR THIS AWARD. YOU CAN ALSO LOOK FOR NEW BLOGS THAT INSPIRE YOU. OR MIX IT UP.

4.) NOW THAT YOU’VE SELECTED THE FIFTEEN BLOGS. GO TO THEIR SITE AND NOMINATE THEM.

5.) (VBA WINNERS) ALTHOUGH IT’S NOT MANDITORY, A LIST OF THE WINNERS NAMES & THEIR BLOG ADDRESSES CAN BE POSTED ON YOUR BLOG. THIS IS MERELY OUT OF COURTESY TO THE SEVEN (7) WINNERS. THIS WAY, THEY KNOW WHO YOU SELECTED AND WON’T DOUBLE PICK. {THX JENNIFER ZEIGER FOR THE GREAT IDEA}

6.) FINALLY, TELL THE PERSON WHO NOMINATED YOU, SEVEN (7) THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF.

Okay, here are my seven things:

1. I was a VISTA Volunteer after college and worked at an adult literacy program in Baltimore, MD for a year. I had never even driven in a city before, and there I was, smack in the middle of inner-city Baltimore. Of all the jobs I’ve had, this one was the most rewarding. We really made a difference in people’s lives. And I’m proud to say the South Baltimore Learning Center is still around and thriving more than ever.

2. I. Hate. Spiders. Charlotte’s Web was one of my most favorite children’s stories. But I just can’t stand spiders now. If it’s in the house, it’s toast. Don’t ask me how I got through the Shelob scene in Return of the King. Ugh!

3. I drive a stick shift. People are surprised by this. I guess it’s not very common these days. I had to learn to drive on a stick, hated it, and then my first car was stick. I’ve been driving them ever since.

4. I am a Star Wars fanatic. Original trilogy. (Thank you, George Lucas, for ruining my childhood memories with the prequels.) I’m awesome at Star Wars trivial pursuit. If only my parents had bought two of all the toys so I could have saved one in the original packaging!

5. I used to play clarinet. I was in band from fifth grade through high school and played in a trio freshman year of college (then I switched to recorder so I could join the early music group). I thought about pursuing music as a career briefly, but as much as I loved playing, I didn’t like to practice. I didn’t have the drive, and writing was much more of a passion.

6. I was an honors speaker at my high school graduation. I was painfully shy and terrified of speaking in class, let alone speaking in front of however many hundreds of people were in attendance at graduation. But I wrote a kick-ass speech that told off my class in a somewhat diplomatic way and talked about the issue of conformity. People were shocked, probably first that I could speak out loud and second that I dared voice my opinion of them. My friends cheered and some of the other nonconformists gave me a standing ovation.

7. I love bagpipe music. Must be the Scottish heritage from way back.

I’ve already tagged a bunch of people on various other posts, so I’ll just say that if you’re kind enough to read this, consider yourself a versatile blog award nominee and feel free to post this on your own blog! Just let me know in the comments and I’ll give you credit and share your lovely blog with others.

A Star Wars Christmas memory

Check out my guest post on Mysti Parker’s blog about a favorite Christmas memory and another favorite topic–Star Wars: http://mystiparker.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-memory-with-author-cindy.html.

And while I’m on the subject of Star Wars and Christmas, writing the guest post reminded me of the Star Wars Christmas album, Christmas in the Stars, which came out in 1980. Fortunately it wasn’t as elusive as the ill-fated Star Wars holiday special, which I swear I did see on TV but only remember very little. Maybe it’s better that way. Those who know me know how fanatical I am about Star Wars. What can I say, it shaped my childhood!

So for a trip down memory lane, as I sit here listening to the record on my turntable (it still sounds pretty darn good), here’s the playlist:

Side 1:
Christmas in the Stars
Bells, Bells, Bells
The Odds Against Christmas
What Can You Get a Wookie for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)
R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Side 2:
Sleigh Ride
Merry, Merry Christmas
A Christmas Sighting (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)
The Meaning of Christmas

My favorites were “The Odds Against Christmas” and “R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Are you a Star Wars fan? Do you remember the holiday album?

It all brings back the wonder and magic of childhood. Let the holidays begin!