This is just a quick, mini-update for you in light of the occasion.
This has to have been one of the most epic community days I have ever seen, and even more amazing is that, for me at least, it took place entirely online. The Star Wars community never ceases to amaze me with its camaraderie and ingenuity, by turning a simple joke an tagline (May the Fourth be with you) into what is, effectively, a public, international holiday!
I've seen and heard of everything today from cosplay, to parties, to even first showings of Star Wars to children. I don't know what the "rest of the world" is thinking of us at the moment, and, frankly, I don't care, because this has truly been one of the best celebrations I've been to. I do wish I could have done more for the day; however, I'm well into exam season, and balancing revision with jet lag, having just returned from the USA. As such, I spent the day doing much less fun things, than watching Luke blow up the Death Star, and Neimoidians being beautiful. I did, however, keep up to date with the festivities happening at Facebook, and made several new friends along the way (and hopeful Neimoidian converts ;) ), and I treated myself to two autograph from eBay, of Lott Dod and Rune Haako. I'm a bit sad that I couldn't get a piece of artwork done for the occasion; however, I plan on doing a rather epic Neimoidian-themed piece later in the month. For today, I had to make do with a photoshopped banner of various Neimoidian and Duros pictures.
The really fantastic thing about this holiday, however, is that it's not necessarily a mere celebration of the birth of Star Wars, which would be May 25, it's a day to really just take into account what Star Wars means to us, and enjoy it to the last micron. I mean, look at the date - it's a play on words of the most iconic and meaningful phrase in the Star Wars universe and fandom. It's something that reaches people, it's a greeting of hope, of encouragement, and of strength, all of which are embodied both in Star Wars and its fandom. For me, personally, it is difficult to put into words, what Star Wars means to me, come even close to doing how I feel justice. I guess an easy thing to say would be Star Wars means Neimoidians to me...but then I have to take into account what all Neimoidians mean to me. My love for Neimoidians goes beyond a simple admiration or or attraction to a Star Wars species; I can easily say that the depth of my love for them is utterly unfathomable. Neimoidians represent a sense of belonging to me, a sense of comfort and familiarity. They represent inspiration and beauty, sophistication and diplomacy. They represent sanctuary and safety - a place I can always retreat to. They have changed the way I see the world, and the differences between us, for the better; they have certainly made me more tolerant, and my love for them has made me more open-minded. They represent a deep, intensely personal love and dedication, and they have brought endless joy, hope, opportunity, direction, and meaning to my life. When I think about what Star Wars means to me, about the precious memories, the fun times, the nostalgia from the best days of my life, and compare it to Neimoidian...honestly, my answer is the same. Nearly everything I see and feel in Neimoidians, is what Star Wars means to me: the sense of belonging, the joy, the tolerance, the strength I draw from it, and the opportunities and friends I have encountered as a result. What Star Wars (and Neimoidians) means to me is home.
Also going on today was rather unique protest against Disney: a "buycott." There is reason to believe that Disney shut down Clone Wars so fast because they didn't technically own any rights to it, while Time-Warner did (for distribution, sydication, etc). Time-Warner, apparently, renews their rights with TCW every year, and is currently renewed for the 12-13 year. By staging this "buycott," buying DVDs, etc, of Clone Wars, fans were able to show their support for the show, while basically giving their money to Disney's rival, rather than Disney itself. While the results have yet to come in for today, elsewhere, from what I can see, our protests are beginning to have an effect. Numerous people have received letters from both Lucasfilm and Disney, the high-ups are starting to take notice, and, best of all, a THIRD arc for seasonlette six was announced. Good news...we've actually been given good news! Was this planned? Is this Disney's way of placating the fans? Do they not realise we're not going to stop until we get, at the absolute minimum, a full season six?
In other news, I came back to the UK with, at last count, 10 Neimoidians and 11 Duros, and had 2 more Neimoidians and one Duros waiting for me at home. I know I said the updates would be soon, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to push that further back, when exams are finished. My apologies. It will be worth it, I promise! 8D
For now, enjoy the rest of your May 4th, have a happy Star Wars Day, and may the Force/Fourth (and Neimoidians) be with you!
(If you're on Facebook, why not drop by our page, here, and leave a like?)
This has to have been one of the most epic community days I have ever seen, and even more amazing is that, for me at least, it took place entirely online. The Star Wars community never ceases to amaze me with its camaraderie and ingenuity, by turning a simple joke an tagline (May the Fourth be with you) into what is, effectively, a public, international holiday!
I've seen and heard of everything today from cosplay, to parties, to even first showings of Star Wars to children. I don't know what the "rest of the world" is thinking of us at the moment, and, frankly, I don't care, because this has truly been one of the best celebrations I've been to. I do wish I could have done more for the day; however, I'm well into exam season, and balancing revision with jet lag, having just returned from the USA. As such, I spent the day doing much less fun things, than watching Luke blow up the Death Star, and Neimoidians being beautiful. I did, however, keep up to date with the festivities happening at Facebook, and made several new friends along the way (and hopeful Neimoidian converts ;) ), and I treated myself to two autograph from eBay, of Lott Dod and Rune Haako. I'm a bit sad that I couldn't get a piece of artwork done for the occasion; however, I plan on doing a rather epic Neimoidian-themed piece later in the month. For today, I had to make do with a photoshopped banner of various Neimoidian and Duros pictures.
The really fantastic thing about this holiday, however, is that it's not necessarily a mere celebration of the birth of Star Wars, which would be May 25, it's a day to really just take into account what Star Wars means to us, and enjoy it to the last micron. I mean, look at the date - it's a play on words of the most iconic and meaningful phrase in the Star Wars universe and fandom. It's something that reaches people, it's a greeting of hope, of encouragement, and of strength, all of which are embodied both in Star Wars and its fandom. For me, personally, it is difficult to put into words, what Star Wars means to me, come even close to doing how I feel justice. I guess an easy thing to say would be Star Wars means Neimoidians to me...but then I have to take into account what all Neimoidians mean to me. My love for Neimoidians goes beyond a simple admiration or or attraction to a Star Wars species; I can easily say that the depth of my love for them is utterly unfathomable. Neimoidians represent a sense of belonging to me, a sense of comfort and familiarity. They represent inspiration and beauty, sophistication and diplomacy. They represent sanctuary and safety - a place I can always retreat to. They have changed the way I see the world, and the differences between us, for the better; they have certainly made me more tolerant, and my love for them has made me more open-minded. They represent a deep, intensely personal love and dedication, and they have brought endless joy, hope, opportunity, direction, and meaning to my life. When I think about what Star Wars means to me, about the precious memories, the fun times, the nostalgia from the best days of my life, and compare it to Neimoidian...honestly, my answer is the same. Nearly everything I see and feel in Neimoidians, is what Star Wars means to me: the sense of belonging, the joy, the tolerance, the strength I draw from it, and the opportunities and friends I have encountered as a result. What Star Wars (and Neimoidians) means to me is home.
Also going on today was rather unique protest against Disney: a "buycott." There is reason to believe that Disney shut down Clone Wars so fast because they didn't technically own any rights to it, while Time-Warner did (for distribution, sydication, etc). Time-Warner, apparently, renews their rights with TCW every year, and is currently renewed for the 12-13 year. By staging this "buycott," buying DVDs, etc, of Clone Wars, fans were able to show their support for the show, while basically giving their money to Disney's rival, rather than Disney itself. While the results have yet to come in for today, elsewhere, from what I can see, our protests are beginning to have an effect. Numerous people have received letters from both Lucasfilm and Disney, the high-ups are starting to take notice, and, best of all, a THIRD arc for seasonlette six was announced. Good news...we've actually been given good news! Was this planned? Is this Disney's way of placating the fans? Do they not realise we're not going to stop until we get, at the absolute minimum, a full season six?
In other news, I came back to the UK with, at last count, 10 Neimoidians and 11 Duros, and had 2 more Neimoidians and one Duros waiting for me at home. I know I said the updates would be soon, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to push that further back, when exams are finished. My apologies. It will be worth it, I promise! 8D
For now, enjoy the rest of your May 4th, have a happy Star Wars Day, and may the Force/Fourth (and Neimoidians) be with you!
(If you're on Facebook, why not drop by our page, here, and leave a like?)