Through the Looking glass

Let’s see, what did we do yesterday?

Woke up, ran three miles, came home, worked out, called our hot girlfriend, made more preparations for grad school, got caught up on all the political news of the day, went about our normal, well-adjusted, active social lives. Oh, and {ahem} we attended the Star Wars convention at the LA Convention Center.

We can explain. It was 30 years ago this weekend we saw Star Wars for the very first time. We saw it on opening weekend, at a drive in, of all places. (How’s that for dating ourselves?) We’ve heard of these huge Star Wars conventions (or “celebrations” as they're called); we’ve even mocked the attendees in the past. But, since we were in LA at the same time as their huge annual convention, we couldn't let this opportunity pass. Anyone who knows us is probably aware we remain huge fans of the movie; this fall we will be attending George Lucas’s Alma matter, a direct consequence of seeing his movie three decades ago.

Where we came from, however, if word got out that we were at one of these things, we’d get the shit kicked out of us. People in our neighborhood just don't get up out of bed one morning and reach for a bright orange Rebel Alliance flight suit. (Instead, they usually put on a pair of stone-washed Girbauds and shell toe Adidas, then proceeded to gang up on and beat the living shit out of the poor kid who forgot to peg his jeans)

We went, not to mock, but to observe. These people take this very seriously, and who are we to make fun of them? (Well, except for these guys) Never been to one of these, and we had a passing interest in the subject matter, so for the cost of $45, we received our official Star Wars 2007 Celebration credentials and a lanyard to hang it around our neck with: our one-day pass into an alternate world.

Some observations:

• Best not to go to these things when it’s crowded; hard core Sci Fi fans usually haven’t been socialized. The concept of personal space and moving through crowds is a foreign concept to them. Woe to anyone who finds themselves trapped in the Exhibitor’s area between a die hard fanboy and a limited edition George Lucas action figure.

• There were a LOT of people in costume (see below for some photos.) Especially Stormtroopers. We assume these were members of our nemesis, the 501st Legion (whose commemorative action figures, by the way, were on sale for the exalted price of $5, or just $2 less than the Sigmund Freud action figures you can buy at Newbury comics)
  
  

• We were disappointed in the Star wars merchandise for sale. The same stuff you can find at any Newbury comics. Not that we were looking to buy, but what use is a convention if you can't gawk at some really weird, strange exotic stuff?

Best part of the day was a when we popped in to view the day-long showing of the best Star wars fan films. Some of the highlights:

Darth Curtis. Recommend everyone check this out; stands on its own, regardless of whether its about a star wars fan or not. At least stay with it until his sister enters the story; you won't be sorry. Reminds us of something our friend Graham would have made if he’d been given access to a camera

The Eyes of Darth Tater: Funny take on the last few minutes of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith.

A Barbershop quartet. Funny, but requires some familiarity with Return of the Jedi..


Some (cell-phone) photos we took at the event:


A sentry stands ready to intercept any conventioneer foolish enough to try to venture back to the snack stand for an unauthorized soda refill.



Sadly, according to this agenda the Droid Building workshop wasn't until tomorrow. (We also missed a session on Saturday with Seth McFarlane and Seth Green. Damn.)


When shopping for official Star Wars crap, it helps to set aside your gun, helmet, and child on a nearby counter.




How the fuck do they get these giant guns on the airplane? (By the way, before we hear it from our better half, let us say it was completely unintentional that the Rebel tomato in the blue pants was centered in the frame.)






A lone Jedi walks back to his Saturn after a long day of Celebrationing. Note the lightsaber in his right hand.


Here are other people’s photos from the event, via Flickr

All in all, it was an interesting take, and a good way to kill a few hours. After the convention, we decided to unwind by meeting some friends in a bar downtown LA, where we spent the next few hours, reminding ourselves that we remain normal, cool, productive members of society.

Only to get home and realize we never took off our Star Wars Convention credentials, which were still hanging around our necks.