STAR WARS Stuff.

Let's face it. We are Star Wars fans. This isn't something we have ever been ashamed of. We like the movies - some more than others - and we would probably do pretty well in a Star Wars trivia contest. We're not "convention" nerds, meaning we probably wouldn't go out of our way to dress up and attend any science fiction conventions - unless they were in our town or something, then we might. Or maybe in some nearby town... like no more than 100 miles away. Road trip! Woo!
I have always been a fan, but more in my later years, as I have spent time with Paul. Girls do that sometimes when they want to get a guy... they like something, like sports, more than they normally would.  It gives the perception of sexy well-roundedness. I even tried to do a yoda origami for him once. Can you guess which one I did? I didn't think so. Pretty good, right? Almost an exact replica.

Paul grew up loving Star Wars. He even knows more about the fake history of these fake characters because he read Star Wars books as a kid.  He also loves Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter, The Matrix, and The Godfather... and he has watched a romance or two with me (and enjoyed it). He's a pretty well rounded fella. We really enjoy movies in general.

So when our friends invited us to a Star Wars party we were pretty excited.  I knew right away there would probably be 20 princess leia's so I would be different and go as the only other female character, Queen Amidala (There are actually several female characters like the crazy dancing girl who gets eaten by the monster because Jaba pushed her down a hole, or that jedi lady with arms on her head, for example). I've even memorized several of her lines - Queen Amidala's (and wasn't able to use them as the opportunity did not present itself - sad). I actually tried using one of the lines during the party (NERD) and as I was saying it the person who I was talking to turned away to do something else. I stopped half sentence and ended up in one of those laughs of dorky embarrassment instead. I really am a nerd. hmph. I wonder if he would have even recognized it as a line from the movie if he had heard it?  Probably not.

Do you ever do that? Do you ever plan to say something and hope the opportunity presents itself? I can't be the only one who does this.

Paul - up until the day of the party - was going to be the evil Emporor "Paul"patine (Palpatine). We ordered a mask and a hooded cape from Amazon and had them Aramexed in. Expensive, but we felt it was worth it. The girls and I helped him for a couple weeks with a couple of the Emperors lines - even Abs was walking around the house saying, "Noo, Noooo, Noooo!!!" in an evil, gritty tone. It was awesome. But last minute, and because the mask was uncomfortable and didn't fit well, we changed his costume to Darth Paul (Darth Maul).

Can you tell which one is from the movie and which one is Paul? Pretty close eh?

In this photo I told Paul to give me a growling, evil face... it looks like he's smiling.
He can't even FAKE the dark side of the force.

Awww, Darth Paul with his daughters, Princess Madeleia and Princess Abidala.

 I painted his face and made him a two-sided, red light saber out of a mop stick, some paint, and some shiny sticky paper I had. He still used the cape and then wore my abaya and a belt as a top. He looked awesome. And I do believe he enjoyed flailing that stick about when he demonstrated to the girls how to wield a light saber.

Here I am as Amidala. I should have smiled, but in the movie, when she is all dressed up in her Queen uniform, she doesn't smile. She also talks with this weird deep voice... "I cannot condone a course of action that will lead us to war." (ha! there, I said one of my lines).

We ended up going seperately.  It worked out fine. Even with a babysitter it might have been a problem because the girls don't know anyone that well and they are both still waking up at night at least once each. It would have been cruel to put a stranger in that position - Mads having a cough attack and Abigail, who doesn't take a bottle, wanting to nurse - Ha!

Paul went first for an hour or so and then I went.  I took some Bantha Fodder (homemade granola) as a treat. There was a nice selection of food. Both our costumes were a hit and I had some nice conversations with some good friends.  I also got to spin fire.  They had a friend who plays with fire come with his fire stick and fire balls. It was fun.  Picture to come soon I hope. 

May the force be with you.