Last week, I celebrated my 37th birthday and in 3 months, the flagship movie of our favorite saga will turn 37 as well. So for this month`s blog, I wanted to share a little bit more about me and the presence that Star Wars has had in my life.
When Star Wars came out, I was less than 4 months old and my parents weren’t the type of people that went to see movies. I didn’t see the trilogy until many years later when it was broadcast on TV. We recorded the movies and wore the tapes out by watching them over and over and over and… Then we bought the movies on tape when they came out and watched those over and over. I had a few of the figures and a couple of the larger toys, but we couldn’t afford the expensive stuff, and I was really bad at saving my money. I did buy a used Millennium Falcon from a friend when I was in high school. I also wasn’t of the mindset to keep my toys in pristine condition, but I still kept them, although when I moved away, I left them behind because I didn’t have the room in the truck or car. A few years ago, my mom gave me those toys back and they are sitting in my garage, waiting patiently for me to bring them inside and display them, although I have no idea when that will be, or where they will be displayed.
I really became a more die-hard fan when I was in Phoenix. My last roommate was a big fan and he and one of his childhood friends had a real influence on me becoming more of a fan. I don’t remember him having that much of a collection, except for the novels, which he had all of them at the time. That is where I started getting hooked on the story. I started reading the books and started getting familiar with the stories after the movies They both grew up as fans and were involved in role-playing. I would watch them play and would ask questions. Eventually I started playing with them and had developed my own character. This was a fun way to learn about the different characters and become immersed in the Star Wars universe. I even saw my first midnight showing of Episode 2.
When I moved from Phoenix to Reno, I was no longer able to continue playing the role-playing game, but my Star Wars fandom increased in other ways, especially the collecting aspect. I purchased all the paperbacks that were out and even got the hardcover editions of the movie tie-ins and had to dedicate a whole bookcase (eventually 2.) I began to collect other items, especially board games and other specialty items. At that point, I had committed myself to not collecting a large number of figures. They were too expensive and took up too much room. Little did I know how much that would change.
Now jump to 2006. Celebration IV (CIV) was announced and it was going to be in LA in May of 2007 and would celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars Episode IV. Since 2007 was also my 30th birthday, I decided I would celebrate with 50,000 other fans. I figured I would come back either more excited about SW, or I would be burnt out and tired of it. You can probably guess what happened. CIV was a blast! My fandom grew by leaps and bounds, and big reason for that is the other fans that I met and hung out with. I was even invited, and joined, a collecting group called Geeks Helping Geeks, or GHG.
As mentioned, collecting Star Wars items is a huge part of my life. I have no idea how much money I’ve spent on items related to Star Wars, but it’s probably close to $3000 and would be more if I had the means to purchase larger stuff. Since I no longer have a job that pays well, I can’t purchase some of the larger dollar items that have been released over the years.
I also had mentioned that I wasn’t planning on collecting figures, but that changed after CIV. Hasbro released a 50-figure set that celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars. Each figure came with a coin, which was the main reason I started collecting the set in the first place. Also included in that set were 8 standard figures that were based off of Ralph McQuarrie’s original concept art. Additionally, there were some other concept figures that were available at the Star Wars Celebrations and Comic Con. Searching for these concept “McFigs” made collecting these figures fun and even further developed the friendships between the members of the GHG.
At this point in my life, even though I don’t collect as much as I used to, Star Wars still has a place in my life. Although I don’t find myself quoting Star Wars lines, or watching a Star Wars movie every day, in some form or another, it is still present, whether visible, or just in my head. It still had a prominent place is my cubicle at my old job. I have numerous posters that are either hanging on the walls of my house, or sitting in my office waiting to me displayed. I have stickers on my car windows and a R2-D2 toy hanging from my mirror.
With all the new Star Wars things that are coming in the next few years, I don’t see my fandom waning anything soon. That is a very good thing.
If you have any questions or responses, you can post a reply below. Or if you would like to send me a private message, you can e-mail me at joe2@coffeewithkenobi.com and I’d be happy to respond. Also, if you have an idea for a topic that you would like me to write about, feel free to e-mail me and I’ll find something to say about the topic. And remember, the Force with be with you, always.
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