Oh my word, I feel awful for letting this go on for so long without an update. In my defense, life and university work has taken hold of me, and not let go since January, and it doesn't look to do so until May 20. As such, my activity, not just here, but everywhere has decreased noticeably; however, I do not anticipate it to remain this way, and I am beyond grateful to everyone for understanding my situation at the moment (I really should be writing a dissertation right now). Once I've cleared my Mphys work AND finished exams, I intend to be right back on track again. Until then, it's one final month to slog through.
The biggest news, since my update, is hardly news anymore; however, I feel it deserves not only a mention but a blog entry. I have had a Neimoidian named after me.
If you're just joining us, this is literally not a joke. His name is Zill Kartay, and he is part of the Occupation Council that accompanied Nute Gunray and Rune Haako to Naboo. Tim Veekhoven, the same person who asked me to do the magazine cover back in 2012 joined the writing team for Star Wars Insider, last year, as a contributor for the Rogues Gallery section. Last summer, he mentioned to me an idea of doing a Neimoidian Rogues Gallery, and in October, go the approval from Leland Chee. He consulted me on identifying different Neimoidians, and establishing some backstory and names for them. Initially, he wanted my name to appear in the credits; however that was not feasible. I then suggested some names to be used, instead; however, they went unused (possibly because, again, I would need to be credited). It was Kevin Beentjes, another author, who actually suggested naming one after me as a tribute, and the name stuck! The "L" and "Z" are reversed from my first name, and "Kartay" is a Neimoidianised version of my surname, which I took to using back in late 2012.
Two days after Christmas, Sander De Lange, with Tim's permission, showed me the article, and I almost cried. I still can't believe it's actually happened! I had to keep it a secret until the magazine was published; however, just after my winter exams ended in January of this year, Yakface.com tweeted a copy of the article, and I was able to break the news on my Facebook. I've never been so overwhelmed with a response; people were literally spoiling me! People made fanart for me, Colins Customs sent me a custom-made Zill figure, AND the Daily Dot even did an article on it (link below)!
This is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me, as a Star Wars fan, and one of the best things to happen to me, period! To actually have a Star Wars character, and a Neimoidian at that, named after me, is the greatest honour that can be bestowed on a Star Wars fan, and I am beyond grateful to Tim, Sander, and Kevin for it!
Other than that, I have little news to report, other than a podcast, back in December, in which I FINALLY got to speak to Toby Longworth (who voiced Lott Dod). That was a dream-come-true in itself, and he even said that if we ever met at a convention, he would give me a hug! Truly one of the nicest and friendliest Star Wars celebrities I have ever spoken to.
My collection is growing, as ever, and I am, of course, behind on collection photos; however, that may have to wait until after exams. I did, however, finally get the "Neimoidianity Report" section up and running with some featured articles. I left that page blank for far too long. Note that they are just parts of sections, and that they will almost certainly be added-to in the main report, as it develops. And just in case I get asked this, no, I will NOT be posting the full report, not now, and not for a while, if ever, for reasons which are explained on the page, itself.
Until then! Have a good day, and may the Force (and Neimoidians) be with you!
Link to the Daily Dot article: here
Link to Zill Kartay's Wookieepedia page: here
The biggest news, since my update, is hardly news anymore; however, I feel it deserves not only a mention but a blog entry. I have had a Neimoidian named after me.
If you're just joining us, this is literally not a joke. His name is Zill Kartay, and he is part of the Occupation Council that accompanied Nute Gunray and Rune Haako to Naboo. Tim Veekhoven, the same person who asked me to do the magazine cover back in 2012 joined the writing team for Star Wars Insider, last year, as a contributor for the Rogues Gallery section. Last summer, he mentioned to me an idea of doing a Neimoidian Rogues Gallery, and in October, go the approval from Leland Chee. He consulted me on identifying different Neimoidians, and establishing some backstory and names for them. Initially, he wanted my name to appear in the credits; however that was not feasible. I then suggested some names to be used, instead; however, they went unused (possibly because, again, I would need to be credited). It was Kevin Beentjes, another author, who actually suggested naming one after me as a tribute, and the name stuck! The "L" and "Z" are reversed from my first name, and "Kartay" is a Neimoidianised version of my surname, which I took to using back in late 2012.
Two days after Christmas, Sander De Lange, with Tim's permission, showed me the article, and I almost cried. I still can't believe it's actually happened! I had to keep it a secret until the magazine was published; however, just after my winter exams ended in January of this year, Yakface.com tweeted a copy of the article, and I was able to break the news on my Facebook. I've never been so overwhelmed with a response; people were literally spoiling me! People made fanart for me, Colins Customs sent me a custom-made Zill figure, AND the Daily Dot even did an article on it (link below)!
This is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me, as a Star Wars fan, and one of the best things to happen to me, period! To actually have a Star Wars character, and a Neimoidian at that, named after me, is the greatest honour that can be bestowed on a Star Wars fan, and I am beyond grateful to Tim, Sander, and Kevin for it!
Other than that, I have little news to report, other than a podcast, back in December, in which I FINALLY got to speak to Toby Longworth (who voiced Lott Dod). That was a dream-come-true in itself, and he even said that if we ever met at a convention, he would give me a hug! Truly one of the nicest and friendliest Star Wars celebrities I have ever spoken to.
My collection is growing, as ever, and I am, of course, behind on collection photos; however, that may have to wait until after exams. I did, however, finally get the "Neimoidianity Report" section up and running with some featured articles. I left that page blank for far too long. Note that they are just parts of sections, and that they will almost certainly be added-to in the main report, as it develops. And just in case I get asked this, no, I will NOT be posting the full report, not now, and not for a while, if ever, for reasons which are explained on the page, itself.
Until then! Have a good day, and may the Force (and Neimoidians) be with you!
Link to the Daily Dot article: here
Link to Zill Kartay's Wookieepedia page: here