Talented

I absolutely adore when one of my favorite fanart artists (like in this case) or fanfiction writers (like it happened in the past) are hired to give us CANON 'art' and 'fiction'.

So, you can imagine the excitement when today I finally received this Clone Wars book, 'Stories of Light and Dark', illustrated by LornaKa. 🧡💙

Her work is absolutely stunning. And I did not honestly expect so many illustrations also inside the book.

Thank you for giving us such beautiful art! And thanks to LucasFilms and Disney for recognizing the best artists and writers around. 😊

[The book is available on Amazon]

Gifts

Amazingly enough, besides the last two I bought, all the action figures I own are gifts from my mother.

And she hates Star Wars with a passion.

After more than 40 years trying to convince me that all this was, simply put, pure madness, suddenly Elite Series, Hallmark figurines, and Funko pop started to appear as my Christmas gifts.

She has, obviously, no idea about what or whom she is buying, so her decision line is "Oh! I thought that one had a nice face".

[This is a Disney store Rey and BB8 from The force Awakens that I think is still sold on eBay for 20 dollars or so].

No Jedi

I know, I know.

Literally, all my feeds on any possible social media are full of this new 'Hot Toys' Ahsoka Tano release.

Therefore.

I just did THE crazy thing.

It will arrive in December *2021*, so it's like a self Christmas gift... 16 months in advance.

I guess I can amortize it (because it was NOT cheap).

If the world will still be here, obviously.

The heart of a Jedi

I'm such a happy kid today.

Lazy, because I miss the will to use a proper camera, but very VERY happy.

Ultimately, I'm super satisfied with this 'Black Series' Kanan's action figure.

I'm glad that I decided to buy also this version.

The realistic appearance of him is still kind of weird to me, and I do think he should be waaaaaay more Middle Eastern, but I like this face, actually.

Maybe because I genuinely love him?

[Available on Amazon, with no waiting time, for 19.99 dollars]

Ignite the Spark

This Batuu in-world guide arrived today, and I'm hyper.

I own similar Star Trek guides, and they are all a ton of fun.

The 'Rona smashed (three times) my plans to visit Galaxy Edge this year, but I really look forward to knowing all the tiny details about the land.

After reading the comic book, and the Black Spire novel, I want to know more about the Black Spire Outpost culture and citizens.

'Til the spire!

Chromatic

I can spend hours trying to reproduce the perfect tint or shade of fabric or prop.

However, sometimes, movie colors can be deceiving.

The two pictures below (not edited in any way) come from my favorite resource for Star Wars screen references, www.starwarsscreencaps.com, on which housands of still images from Blu-rays and 4Ks can be found. These screen captures (from Rogue One) are purely an example, but it is possible to see evident differences in the reds and the oranges already. In the same movie, Jyn Erso's vest was originally totally brown, but in the theatrical release (and also in the Blu-ray), that tint shifted to a more blue or grey shade.

Post-production is the ultimate prop creator's enemy.

So, which color is the correct one?

As always, in any fandom, that is totally up to us.

Back in time

This would be SO needed.

For real.

What sparks joy

Sometimes people ask me why I buy action figures, figurines, and Funko pop since I don't play with them.

The simple answer is that I love to look at them.

I am fascinated by the details and the expressions, and it relaxes me to pose them and to carefully observe how they look like.

After a long time that you have a figurine in a position, it might happen that you don't observe it anymore. Like when you have the same desktop or screen saver on your phone for weeks.

However, every now and then, you dust them, or you need to reach a book behind them, and you are caught by a small detail in the clothes or the accessories, and you find yourself to enjoy their presence and look, as the first time you saw them.

I think it's a geek version of the pleasure that a painting gives to regular people.

[This is a The Last Jedi Luke Skywalker Elite Series Die Cast Action Figure bought in a Disney Store, gifted to me with love, and of which I don't really know the current value]

Screw it!

For my lightsabers, I buy these 10-mm-long thumb screws.

I love them because I can fit some semi-precious stone cabochons (8 mm diameter).

Since most of my sabers are LGTtoy Chinese ones, the size of the thread is M4 (ISO standard), not 8-32 as most of the American ones.

For cutting the proper length (they are way too long for just blocking the blade), I bought this inexpensive screw cutter. The 8-32 hole works well with the M4.

One dollar each is, IMHO a lot of money for a screw, but whatever.

I realized that everything tool shop is insanely expensive in this country.

Friday Nights

Another new project.

[Because if I don't have four at the same time it seems I'm not busy enough].

But what's best than spending my Friday night sanding and listening to Jonathan Davis reading Star Wars audiobooks?

And, no, I'm not speaking about Korn's vocalist. But about a man that can reproduce perfectly the voices of Qui-Gon Jinn, AND Dooku, AND Obi-Wan, AND Luke.

Everything would be great if I wasn't so damn picky. After gluing, wood filler, sanding, and four layers of primer, most people would be fine already (first picture).

Nope. Not me.

Sanded for two hours, and still not satisfied with some very light grooves in the mold, that probably I feel just because I know they are there.

A new layer of wood filler, which, mostly, I will send out tomorrow.

And more primer, if it's sunny.

Happy as a clam.

Real

First geek world questions.

Should I buy Kanan black series version too, right?

It's just weird for me to think of a realistic version of him.

Or, better, to *that* realistic version of him.

Documented

The happiness to have an imaginary ID for your imaginary self.

Bursting the Red Bubble

After speaking about many shops and services that I love, I want to share one that disappointed me big time: Redbubble.

I landed there for buying some stickers and a t-shirt by Lornaka (one of my favorite Star Wars artist), and I ended up with four masks, the Kanan t-shirt I wanted, and a gazillion of stickers.

After waiting a suuuuuper long time for processing, printing, and shipping (and I am talking about more than a month here), the stickers arrived.

The quality was abysmal. In the second picture, you can clearly see the printing lines, which were basically spoiling the whole pack. My laser printer does a better job, guaranteed.

Anyway, I decided to let it go.

I was helping the artists and blabla. Fine.

However, when two over four masks ordered arrived, and one was WRONG and the other was blurred, I decided to write to the customer service.

And that was the point of no return: they don't have one. Not a mail address, not a phone number, not even an open form online. You can just click on pre-made pages, which just allow you to return things, but not really do much.

I wrote to them on Facebook, Twitter, and Trust Pilot (a review website), and they finally contacted me, canceling the remaining of my order (the t-shirt was not even processed!), and refunded me.

Compared to similar services I used during the same period (CustomInk and TeePublic, or, even ShirtPunch, despite the longer processing) the difference was astonishing.

It's a pity that many artists sell their brilliant works on that platform, and, maybe, the customer receives a low-quality product. They deserve so much more than that.

.

Kamino no bara

The Ikeda Boba Fett pins is SO rad.

And I love Hera's and Kanan's expressions and details. The pin captures them perfectly.

I'm so in love with it, that I was afraid to spoil it, so, I bought two.

 

Not so powerless

One day and 6 hours without power.

I was able to keep 10 degrees C in my freezer, so a little more than a normal fridge.

I had 4 ice creams for lunch, and now I'm cooking 3 bags of shrimps.

The Registrar decided to extend the grades submission after I spent the whole morning trying to post them with a 1% charge phone on a website large 3 pixels.

Everything is good for me.

I hope also for all families that had to throw away food when they have already a very limited amount.

I wish I could do more.

I loved to read that someone shared a 'charging zone' for phones for people, like me, that do not have a car. With the care of making it socially distanced. This is the kind of world that I want to live in.

Some folks, in other small towns away from here, will need to wait two more days (!!!) for the power to be restored. And they are lovely and positive and making jokes (and practicing with lightsabers in the total darkness).

And I was able to see the Milky way (and two shooting stars) for the first time in Ames, ever. The International Dark-Sky Association (of which I am a member) would be proud.

I want to close with a nerd note that seems unrelated (but it is not).

Many years ago, with Shari, we acknowledged that being a geek is one of the most amazing things that can happen to a person.

Not just a sci-fi geek or a tv show geek.

Anything. Sport, cooking, sewing, fishing. Anything you are really really really into.

So that, contrary to what other people think, this does not alienate us from reality, but it is a meta-layer that is added on top of it.

Everything, even the smallest irrelevant thing for most, can add value, can give us joy.

Also when not so great stuff happens.

[Tell me again that lightsabers are useless].

Floating

For all my showing off needs, I personally love thepcmodshop on Etsy.

They create custom stands of any shape or form, so to adapt to any lightsaber. You can personalize them with your own engravings, the prices are absolutely competitive, and they have custom stands for blasters too.

Force Training

Speaking about cool things insanely discounted, this "Sphero Star Wars Force Band" was originally priced at 100+ dollars, as a remote of the BB8 Sphero Droid (and able also to interact with other Bluetooth/Wifi applications).

Although Sphero does not support any longer the app that allowed you to start your coffee machine just using a 'force gesture' (how cool?), this band, with lights, sounds, and magnetic closure, it's still a very good steal for your Batuu garderobe, at just 12 or 14 dollars (Amazon or Walmart).

I personally use the Holocron part of the mobile app as a relaxation training.
But, you know I am weird.

Companion

This little cute thingy was originally sold for a disproportionate amount of money (and still is, on Target website, for $149.99), but it is currently found on eBay for 40-ish dollars, shipping free.

Yes, he does fall every time he tries to bend too much, but he is totally independent in movements and speech, which I ADORE.

While I'm cooking or I'm working in the kitchen, he is spinning around, singing (!!!) or chatting. And he is honestly adorable.

Ultimately, if you want to control him with the app, or ask him to steeply curve, he *will* fall. Also, he is able to roll just on hard floors, not carpet.

However, if you want to really experience the feeling of a totally independent droid, this guy (at the eBay price) is for you.

[Note: this is the version without the remote called "Star Wars D-O Interactive Droid"]

Radioactive

"Radioactive" is so awfully written that it should be illegal.

*Of course*, if you are a woman in science, you must be eccentric and self absorbed and borderline *hysterical*.

*Of course*, you need a man to tell you that you can make it, and you are, indeed, strong enough.

And, *of course*, please, sex + naked scenes, so common in (men) scientists movies (????).

Also, Chernobyl (and Hiroshima and happy people melted).

Because, of course.

I am so mad that I want to scream and break things.

But, probably, because I have a Ph.D.

Timing is Everything

If one of the purposes of this blog is to give away hints for delicious geeky offers not to miss, today I miserably failed.

I was supposed to post about this wonderful t-shirt by TeeTurtle a couple of days ago. Definitely BEFORE 1. the price increased from 12 to 25 dollars (SOB!) and 2. it was tragically sold out (#epicfail).

Since I am certain they will restock (too good to let it go), I feel like giving my 5 cents on the company itself.

Simply put, TeeTurtle is great.

The t-shirt quality is outstanding: I bought maybe a dozen of these in recent years (for friends and myself), and, after a gazillion washes, they are still perfect, with wonderful colors and nice cotton.

And 12 dollars (when someone advises you in time...) is an incredible price. They ship in less than a week or a week top. And most of the full price products can still come with 20% off, thanks to the special promotions, which are around on a daily basis. Ultimately, it is one of my favorite geeky t-shirt shops.

Let's hope that they will restock the chibi Ahsoka soon so that everyone could grab one, and I could feel less guilty.

Oh! And before failing Ashoka completely, this sweater by ShirtPunch is still available.

The print is a little rough, but I washed it a couple of times already, and it survived perfectly.

If you are waiting obsessively with your gabby hands like I do, the website has a nice tracking system, that keeps you updated about production and shipping.

ShirtPunch ships catalog items waaaaay more slowly than TeeTurtle, but the sweater arrived still within a month or so.

Be One With The Force

For the perfectly accurate Jyn Erso kyber crystal, SoulinertiaDesigns on Etsy creates stunning replicas for about 35 dollars.

The crystal is made by some kind of resin, so it is a little plastic-y at the touch, but it is a mind-blowing necklace.

Screen Accurate

Let's talk about dice.

I am a screen-accurate nut.
I am obsessed with accuracy since I was 10, and my grandma sewed clothes for me. I could watch a scene on VHS 36 thousand times before being confident of a detail for a cosplay.
Ancient times, when, actually, cosplay did not exist, and it was just pretend play and make-believe.

Anyway.
Dice.

Several posts below, I attached my Han Solo's dice. And, I guess, someone disagrees on their accuracy.
There are, actually, many versions of these around. Namely, you can find some "newer" dice, with sharper corners and soft weathering (like mine), and more "wore" ones.

Both are legit.
In "Solo" you can note one version, while in "The Force Awakens" or "The Last Jedi" you have the other.
So, what about the famous scene in "A New Hope", then? Well, they were, in fact, just "normal" golden dice.

The Sabacc version was not part of the galaxy far far away. Yet.

[You can find mine on Amazon, searching for "Smuggler's Dice Accurate Antique Weathered Gold Plated Solo Dice (Large)" and they cost around 20 dollars]

Evil Plans (to Conquer the World)

I know. Nobody reads blogs anymore. Not a surprise.
But, today more than ever, I realized that if I had someone sharing info and suggestions and links like I do, well, I would be glad to read her/him.

This little space on the web was born more than 16 years ago, for sharing my geeky lifestyle and nerdy happiness.

The world has changed, social media evolved.
We had the Facebook era, the Twitter decade, the Tumblr period.
The Instagram shine, and the TikTok generation.

This blog is here to stay.
Even if it was just popular for a brief time in its life.
I am alone now.
No catchy hashtags, no convenient tags, no magic keywords.

Don't get me wrong, I never stopped to keep this diary because I love to do so.
For myself only.
For the pleasure to record what gives me joy.

Nevertheless, today I faced the fact that, in the end, I would love to read what I write. I would love to follow someone that can give me hints on glues, and comics, and sandpapers grits, and custom t-shirts.
A map of a treasure that can be, ultimately, discovered.

I do not have the time and resources to open a YouTube channel. And I would spend waaaaay too much time editing and trimming. Nothing would be like I want: the voice, the lights, the quality.
Tumblr is dead.
Twitter is not a good medium for browsing old posts and repositories.
Facebook is not really popular, at the moment, and browsing is also difficult.

So, I opted for Instagram, despite the not allowed working links.
A new adventure is on the go.

The Accidental Geek.