Ruminations from the Temple

So, why do I love Star Wars? Well, I have written much about Star Wars already, but here are the... Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Star Wars 10.   The Music. Gosh, who doesn't love a good fantasy story, full of good guys and bad guys, complete with beautiful women and strong men who act like heroes?  And then add in a fantastic, engaging music score and you have some incredible candy for the senses.  The music of Star Wars is iconic, to say the least.  Written by a genius, performed by highly skilled musicians and played over and over in my vehicle, for sure.  Love it! 9.   Lightsabers.   YES!!   Vzzzzzmmmmmmmm!   I'd love to be trained to use a real lightsaber, but even I have to admit that I'd probably lose a limb somewhere along the way.  What a cool weapon...the coolest, to be sure.  What a rush to watch a emotion-charged lightsaber duel with all the finesse of fencing and the killing potential of an oozy. 8.  ...

Best Star Wars related story/incident you’ve had. Oh gosh...what to share for this one? Trooping as Jedi for several years now has provided many stories of talking to little ones about being guardians and protectors of justice and others - I like that the best, for sure.  Or walking through a crowded place and hearing whispers behind you, "Jedi...Jedi...did you see the Jedi?"  I enjoy that, too. I enjoyed visiting the Presidio and posing with the Yoda statue on our last road trip.  That was way-cool.  Then, as we were walking around in the beautiful San Fran sunshine, enjoying the grounds of the Lucasfilm headquarters, we overheard two Lucasfilm writers discussing Force users and related issues.  It was a geek moment, for sure!  They were just on a smoke break, discussing things like it was a normal occurrence...well, it was for them! But, the biggest thing that happened to me related to Star Wars had to do with my former congregation, although it ...

Favorite quote from the Dark Lord himself, eh?  Hmmmm.... "I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating, and it gets everywhere." "Impressive... most impressive." "I find your lack of faith disturbing." And then, I like this interchange about Anakin: Former Jedi Padawan Ferus Olin: "Why did he do it?" Obi-Wan Kenobi, after his exile: "I have my theories, We can't know for certain. I believe Palpatine has been manipulating him for some time. Slowly. Planting seeds. That's the way the Sith operate. And Anakin himself... To have so many gifts, to be the Chosen One... to be so afraid of loss... And to have me as a Master. In the end, there were things between us I hadn't even realized were there. I don't have the answer to why he turned. I can only ask myself that question, over and over again."

A few favorite quotes from the Master of the High Council... Rush not into fights.  Long is the war.   Only by surviving it, will you prevail. Mastery of self is the only mastery that matters. Named your fear must be before banish it you can. "Make a decision, make another," Yoda always said,  "remake one past, you cannot."

Favorite Obi-Wan quote, huh? Oh, but it's so much more than just his quotes that would qualify for my 'favorites' concerning this character.  The way he carries himself, the way he moves with silken ease...the delivery of looks, thoughts and saber blows.  His reservedness, wisdom and thoughtfulness.  His quiet evasiveness and his boldness of character...  Need I continue?  I think not.  *smirk* Quotes, Jones...think quotes. "Because I'm a Jedi...accept it." "We are not saints, but seekers." "My Jedi training tells me that to absorb a blow is to begin to recover from it..." "Justice is something to fight for.   If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be a Jedi." "But, in the end, I'm a Jedi." oh wait...that's me.  

My favorite book/series from the Expanded Universe has to be any Star Wars book written by Karen Miller . My Review My Review My Review thanks, Karen, for the inspirational writing!

A character you didn’t like in the series. I'm sorry...the Ewoks never worked for me.  *grimace* fun fact to know and tell your friends...NOT! *scratching head* I can definitely say that I would never have bought these... I can't even bring myself to say they are cute! Sick 'n twisted - yes.  Funny?  Definitely! ew.

Something you wished was different in the series... Well, that's interesting.  Honestly, I never considered changing a thing, as everything needs to happen just as it does so the story moves where it's suppose to go! 'Cept the dialog of Padme and Anakin in the arena; now, that's just corny and contrived...you know the dialog I'm talking about, I'm sure.  It really starts when they are having dinner at the Lake House and Anakin is telling the beautiful Senator about 'agressive negotiations'.  Later, in the Genosian arena when their lives are definitely in danger, Padme tries to lighten the moment with a snarky comment calling their dire situation 'agressive negotiations'.  For me, it falls rather flat.  Perhaps it's the delivery. I'd definitely change that.

Your favorite moment in Return of the Jedi? I really do like this movie.  Except the Ewoks.  Yeah. When Luke reappears as a Jedi, it is an awesome moment for this Jedi - definitely my favorite. classic Jedi blaster?? *shrug* OK, Luke, if you insist, but it is rather uncivilized, y'know. A Jedi would definitely save his sister, for sure! I have never thought Mark Hamill was as cute as Harrison Ford or Ewan McGregor, but even I have to admit that this headshot is something to take a second look at... A Jedi craves not these things.  Haha!

Your favorite moment in Empire Strikes Back? This is my brother's favorite movie of the saga.  A fact that he reminds me of everytime SW comes up.  Every time.  Somehow, I suspect he is implying that none of the rest are up to snuff.  Hmph. Anyway, my favorite scene...I absolutely quote Vader and Luke most often from this episode.  It's the classic "I'm your father" scene, and remember fondly an old friend imitating Luke as he hears the news.  Thinking of that will always make me smile, Gary. "Nooooooooooooo!" I also love our introduction to Yoda from Empire, absolutely classic. another fun shot from filming  :-)

Your favorite moment in A New Hope? My favorite memory of Star Wars (it wasn't called A New Hope then) is when I saw it the first time when it came out way back when.  I stood in the Seattle rain with my parents and brother and waited to buy tickets for hours.  Then, safely ensconced in my theater chair...that opening scene with the Star Destroyer coming right over our heads - WOW!  For this 'tween, it was absolutely incredible!  I was hooked. So, my favorite scene would be the garbage scene.  Yeah, I love the banter between the characters as they go down the shoot and while they are inside.  Nicely done, George. In my web search, I came across these fun bookends  which feature my favorite scene - cool! And then, I found this!   haha!  

Your favorite moment in Revenge of the Sith? I think I'm gonna say my favorite scene or moment in ROTS is when Obi-Wan goes to visit Padme to tell her the awful news of Anakin's fall.  He is the consumate Jedi, even when his heart and life has been ripped apart.  I know, I'm a softy.

Your favorite moment in Attack of the Clones Oh my.  I just don't have one moment in this movie, but many that I anticipate and fully enjoy each time.  I never tire of any scene in which the character Obi-Wan Kenobi is fully functioning as a Jedi.  Period. That's a lot of moments in this movie! ( Sorry I couldn't narrow it down any more than that; I did think quite a while about it, only to come up with that conclusion. So, sue me. *shrug* ) Can I just be this cool, please?   Please?

Your favorite moment in The Phantom Menace I love everything about Episode 1, so it was really hard for me to pick one favorite moment.  However, the opening scenes where we first see the Jedi acting in their full capacity...well, that is just awesome for this Jedi.  In the original trilogy, we only heard snippets of things from Old Ben, could only imagine what it could have been like when the Jedi were the respected peacekeepers and guardians of the Galaxy, but here in these first glimpses of the beginning of the saga, we get full view of the Jedi in their intended setting.  And, what a view it is!

Photo of your Star Wars related things (books, action figures, posters, shirts, etc.) Do I really have to reveal my...er...obsession?   *chuckle* just some of my many SW books I have quite a bit of Star Wars-related items.  Books (fiction & reference), action figures & toys, a wardrobe of Jedi costumes, assorted props, lightsabers, posters, hand-carved rubber stamps, music and the collection of movies and animated series, of course.  I also have a small collection of SW t-shirts and jewelry that is fun to wear.  But I guess one of my favorite and most used Star Wars collection is quotes. hand-carved SW art Right beside my computer I have sheets of printed SW quotes I have collected and enjoyed for years now.  I have been known to keep a notebook beside my bed for recording especially stirring or pithy quotes I find while reading SW for pleasure.  Too many times those quotes, especially Jedi wisdom, come in handy to add to a discussion ...

A scene that makes you sad/angry?  (I picked sad...) it can't be... the final dance of the heroes I will do what I must... the inevitable, sad end of a grand dream. This final scene of Obi-Wan and Anakin together always rips my heart out. The destruction of relationship, the betrayal, the pain... "You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. You were to bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness." (As Anakin shouts his hatred toward Obi-Wan, he responds out of the pain of his soul...) "You were my brother, Anakin... I loved you!"

A scene that makes you happy... I just love the scene at the end of A New Hope just after Luke & Han work together to destroy the first Death Star.  But, I couldn't find anything on the web depicting this scene, so I had to come up with my own. Not the best quality, I know... I really like how Carrie, Mark and Harrison played this scene;  very believable for me.   Great classic Star Wars.