I WAS WRONG!

I didn't think I'd like this book! Minor spoilers for Outcast

I didn't think I'd like "Fate of the Jedi: Outcast."

The whole idea of Luke as some sort of criminal, sent packing from the Jedi Temple in disgrace really rubbed me the wrong way. And the whole idea that there IS a fate for the Jedi disturbs me.

The Jedi are the heroes of Star Wars. (If you don't like them, don't bother commenting, since you have your head somewhere the sun doesn't shine.) If they're going to be destroyed or even diminished, I'm not interested in reading about it. Don't go there, George!

Anyway, I needed something to read, something Star Wars, and "Outcast" was on sale. Pre-release price. And it's by Aaron Allston (X-Wing Series) who's one of my more favorite authors and a nice guy, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Much to my pleasant surprise, it was really enjoyable. Yes, Luke is outcast, kicked off Coruscant for ten years, but he's not fazed by it. His son Ben goes with him, and they are so great together.

Exclamations of surprise and disapproval filled the room then. Ben kept his face impassive, but inwardly he was smiling. Much as he liked causing trouble from time to time, it was just as much fun watching his father do it.

The book is peppered with snarky exchanges between the two of them and their enemies.

Luke is the patient Jedi Master throughout. Most impressive.

"I would stand no chance in combat with the true Luke Skywalker."

Luke smiled outright. "Or any sufficiently well-trained impostor."

"That is not a given. Regardless, were you to defeat me, I would acknowledge that your claim to be Luke Skywalker was possibly true."

Luke nodded. "A useful solution. But impractical."

"Why?"

"Because you are not worthy to face me."

Yes! That's the Luke we deserve to have! Woo Hoo!

Thanks Aaron, and I hope you're feeling better!

WTH is Wrong with People?

So! I happen to click on the main page of starwars,com, and I see a link about "why does Star Wars take over the minds of young boys?"

And I out of curiosity, since I have two grandsons, I clicked on what I thought would be something slightly amusing about kids (including girls) and their fascination with the GFFA.

Instead, to my somewhat shock, I read an article about how horrible it was for the parents of two boys that their sons liked Star Wars so much.

It seems it's OK for them to learn mythology, David and Goliath, and Lord of the Rings, but not Star Wars? They're all fairy tales. They all spark the imagination in their creation of fantasy worlds.

They called letting their 3-year-old watch the movie a "mistake".

SO what is so evil about "Star Wars" that isn't present in some form in other genres? She mentions steering her son towards "Dora the Explorer" and "Bob the Builder", which are fine shows for pre-schoolers, don't get me wrong, but they are nothing compared the the phenomena of Star Wars. Of course the "Evils" of merchandising are mentioned, but there's plenty of stuff out there with "Dora" and "Bob" on it.

The mother even "confesses" to a child psychologist that she let her kids watch Star Wars, and is told that her kids shouldn't see any movies with violence or suspense. WTH? Are parents so stupid they can't teach their children the difference between fantasy and reality? It's a MOVIE! Hello???!?!?!

Are there any of us out there who didn't see a little fantasy violence when we were kids? And what kid doesn't love a good suspenseful story? Especially one where the good guys win in the end. And that's an important lesson they'd miss out on. Good triumphs over evil. Good is, well, good. Evil loses.

I read the article thinking I'd be commenting on "Hey, girls like Star Wars, too!" and instead went off on the stupidity of some parents. WTH is wrong with you people, lighten up and have some fun, and let your kids be kids.

But, I do wonder what they'd think of all we adults who are obsessed, too! LMAO

A Reluctant Imperial

I couldn't do it. I couldn't stay Imperial! But how many of us would change sides to be right?

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I created another character in "Galaxies" so I could fly Imperial ships. Sure, the TIE fighter flew nicely, but I wanted that Jedi Starfighter.

Didn't make sense to me that the Jedi Starfighter was an Imperial ship, BTW. But I went on the quest to obtain it, flinching every time I had to blow up an X-Wing.

It made more sense during the quest, since it's Darth Vader's old starfighter that you receive as the quest reward. I finished it, and got the ship! And then found out I was so many levels below the ability to fly it that I'd have to spend weeks blowing up more X-Wings. I couldn't do it!

So I sold the starfighter, resigned from the Imperial military and joined the Rebellion!

But I wonder how people have the courage to join a revolution. Our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence knowing they were committing treason against the established government. We must hang together or we will hang separately.

I'm a good citizen. I pay my taxes, I pull over for emergency vehicles, I don't run red lights, I've never been arrested. Heck, I never even had detention.

I'm lucky to live in a free country. But, if I were a citizen of the Empire, would I obey ever law and turn a blind eye to injustice? Probably. And justify it in every way! But I might not like it.

I guess I'm not an idealist, I'm a pragmatist. The Rebel Alliance, the Alliance to Restore the Republic, was made up of idealists. Would any of us follow old Obi-Wan off on some damn fool idealistic crusade?

Well, I might for Obi-Wan. LOL