Debugging

Basically with the same quantity of code to grade, but without the thrill to send anyone to the Moon.

[In the photo, the phenomenal LEGO Women of NASA set featuring, among the others, Margaret Hamilton]

This Bliss

The Rise of Skywalker was packed with new awesome characters.

And Zorii Bliss definitely deserves a special mention: in a few scenes and lines, her personality was expressing already her incredible potential.

I hope that there will be much more of this character in the future of Star Wars.

Special shout-out to Keri Russell, that, without even showing us her mouth, and just once her eyes, was able to bring such a cool character to life.

Jee. I so love Star Wars.

Pre-order Wars

I really love this Ahsoka action figure.

I am disappointed that I missed the pre-order of her Clone Wars version sold at Walmart.

But, I hope they will decide to sell another bunch in the future, as I grabbed this one during the second release.

Cargo from Batuu

On September 28th, most of the Batuu merchandise will be available online, on shop Disney.

Although I understand the marketing choice, after all these months of closure, I have contrasting feelings about it.

I think most of the magic of the products purchased in Galaxy Edge is due to the fact that you buy them there. Your memories, your happiness at that moment.

However, for a person that planned for months every single detail of her Black Spire Outpost visit just to be robbed of the possibility to go three days before departure, I am also excited that I can finally enjoy some of the items that are on my wishlist since forever.

[In the photos, my original Galaxy Edge chance cubes, that I actually purchased on Amazon a few months ago, since I really really couldn't wait to buy them. I know, I'm weird.]

The Jedi way

After receiving the perfect Sith Wayfinder pendant by Rocklove Jewelry, I wanted something similar, but for a Jedi.

Unfortunately, no high-quality replicas of the Jedi compass are around, but this 15-dollars-pendant, found on eBay, it is pretty decent.

Obviously, not even in the same galaxy with the level of details and care and materials and packaging of the Rocklove piece, but totally worth the very cheap price.

The original is seen in the Battlefront 2 scene on Pillio (great Luke Skywalker scene, btw), in Luke's room on Ahch-To, and on Ben's table during The Last Jedi flashback.

Figurine

Which level of hopelessness I reached if, after a long day of work, I relax simply sticking Rebels stickers on a book?

And, no. I'm not 5.

(They say).

Yo ho, yo ho!

All my life, I was always into pirates.

I saw every single pirates, buccaneers, and corsairs movie, good (few) and bad (a lot).

For how long I can remember, Pirates of the Caribbean has been my favorite Disney parks ride.

And, yes. Waaaaaaay before becoming a movie franchise.

And, I care to specify that the bandana is an original 1997 Pirates of the Caribbean merch from EuroDisney, and it has been with me during every single visit to the Disney parks all around the world since then. The pin, also a Disneyworld merch, is from my last park visit (!!) in June 2017.

When I was in middle school, I had a 'phase' in which I read just pirate books.

And, of course, I grew up completely in love with Captain Harlock.

So, for me, the  "Talk like a pirate day" is a very very special day of the year.

And, I cannot close this post without the "photo" that my Sim avatar took tonight of Hondo Ohnaka, my Sabacc (and randomly woohoo) mate.

“Oh, the stories I could tell. So many of them true.”

A sabacc-shaped afternoons

I was advised that this Target version of sabacc was simply a deck of playing cards shaped as #sabacc.

However, after pondering a little, I decided to buy it anyway, and, I admit, I'm pretty satisfied.

Playing normal card games with these is super cool, and I feel like I'm suddenly in the Solo movie.

I am a simple child

I cannot express how perfect these are. I am laughing insanely.

Let's start with the Kanan's selfie with my avatar. I CAN'T. IT'S SO ACCURATE.

Then, I tried a selfie with Hondo. Fine. But, the expression of the guy behind? Priceless.

Finally, the terrified face of Vi Moradi, taking that photo with an overconfident Anakin. SO canon.

And, I know. I am a simple child.

Tales from the Galaxy Edge

I'm absolutely thrilled that ILM x LAB will release this new VR game for Oculus: Tales from the Galaxy Edge.

Even if just half as good as Vader Immortal, it will be absolutely mind-blowing already.

From the teaser, it really seems so. 😍

Sticks on a bridge

Dear Star Trek: Bridge Crew,

I want to tell you that never in my life I will really believe that I'm seeing myself if I have legs smaller than my actual arms.

I don't really mind having a million customizations, but can we, at least, have a very average female body?

Thanks.

Player One

I'm absolutely in love with the Oculus Quest new cyber house.

It's spectacular.

Also, it's astonishing that I can now walk around in all the environments.

I really needed this.

I would love even a larger game space, so to explore more. I already added the whole kitchen to my guardian, and I absolutely should place some chairs and a sofa according to the virtual room.

Never dies

If you were alive and already a nerd in 1984, you really cannot miss to watch Cobra Kai.

It's so eighties-tacky that is totally brilliant.

Also.

I never thought I would say this one day, especially considering the 8 years old myself in love with Ralph Macchio, but I might be slightly Team Cobra Kai.

I know.

Shocked.

Also, because now I this totally-synthetic, shiny-fabric, oversized-logo sweater.

WHICH IS PERFECT.

Influenced

After a long internal debate, I decided that, since I failed to find every single other creature that I wanted among the Target Galaxy Edge collection, I needed in my life this Jabba the Hutt mug.

Mostly because, well, I am obsessed with the Kowakian monkey lizard.

Whoever designed this: you should be a special kind of awesome for making a cute version of Jabba. Seriously.

I want also to publicly declare that, if brands are not already aware of it, Ashleigh and Bryan of Always Believe (subliminal message: check their IGs and their YouTube channel: they are awesome humans) are the definitions of 'influencers'.

Not considering the pack of clothes Batuu-inspired that is currently in my closet, in the last week alone I bought this mug and the Journey to Batuu game pack just because of their lovely pictures and stories.

And I never even played with the Sims before.

Rusty relics (for your phone)

This is the first prop I ever did by myself.

I made it in February when I was supposed to go to Galaxy Edge, and I wanted an appropriate Star Wars-inspired cover for my phone.

I never glued or painted or crafted anything before this. I mostly bought my props in the past, but I had this old cover (originally pink) and there was this cheap tiny x-wing model (inception!) in a local thrift store, so I wondered 'why not?'.

I think I improved a lot from this, especially with glue and masking liquid, but I still love the attempt to a very rusty feeling and the actually removed paint.

My Defender blaster chipped-off effect, of which I'm particularly proud, or even my lightsabers mods, would not exist without this goofy attempt.

Best comment received: "Looks like a real relic. Something that was scored at an outer rim trade shop for two coupler rings and a gorg head."

Not bored

Today I "celebrate" my six months of quarantine.

March 12 - September 12.

In six months, I went out two times, both trips to the hospital for routine stuff. Amazon and grocery delivery have been my saviors (!).

If I think about it, it is kind of insane.

But, since my closest friends are on the other side of BOTH oceans, in Taiwan and Europe, staying at home was not the real issue for me.

To be fair, I am not even bored a little.

Hairstyle suggestions from Jakku

Another busy week.

Sharing this very lovely FunkoPop Rey from The Force Awakens.

Her hairstyle is so iconic.

I have to admit that I use it often for work. It looks amazing and is very quick to do.

Dolls who code

Particularly proud that all my Barbies at home and office are geeky and nerdy and sciency and extremely cool.

The Sith Path

I really cannot describe how incredibly perfect this Sith Wayfinder necklace by Rock Love Jewelry is.

The details, the materials, the packaging!

It's absolutely gorgeous. 🖤❤️

Community

Like many other Star Wars communities, the lightsabers one can be kind of toxic and hard.

However, I was so incredibly lucky to find almost immediately a very lovely group on Facebook ("Universal Lightsaber Community").

It's a small but absolutely awesome collection of people.

The group is not heavily moderated, actually, but casually assembles very good humans, there mostly for helping each other (and showing off their brilliant works) than for being harsh or rude with newbies.

The 7 things I know now about lightsabers, I learned all there.

[In the photo a modified LGTtoy saber, featuring a Foxstar Saber Artifice blade plug].

Feeling fit

Finally (part of) the Clone Wars collection by Her Universe is back in stock.

Sorry for the very low quality of the picture (my phone front camera sucks especially), but I'm too happy not to share. [I am wearing a size L].

Speaking about their activewear pieces, I also adore my Asajj Ventress top and leggings. And I suuuuuper love that you can mix and match different sizes. This M-XL combo was ideal for me. 💜

[To be fair, their L leggings are my size, but I don't mind having the pants a little loose, especially if I wear them at home].

We are not trees

Don't get me wrong.

I love comics.

I love being hopelessly a nerd.

And I do love action figures and figurines.

But, SERIOUSLY?!

Like. Really.

And what makes me even sadder, it is that most of the female characters are actually extremely powerful, and cool, and smart, and, honestly, well written.

So, why we are still doing this?

Why this so out of the blue?

Well.

This month, a lot of absolutely brilliant cosplayers are participating in the #shepropchallenge on Instagram.

Which is awesome.

(And you should follow the tag too).

They are talented and beautiful.

All. Of. Them.

And they love to cosplay smart, powerful, incredible women in comics and manga.

Following that tag, however, is a tiny little depressing too.

Because, for dressing like my favorite female character, who is intelligent, inspiring, strong, and complex, I need to wear often a swimming suit kinda outfit with half of my boobs out.

How this can be even remotely fine in 2020?

I mean.

They have all the right to dress as they feel like it and be proud and happy about it.

But why, for celebrating a female character I love, and trying to be "screen accurate", I need to go around half-naked?

It should not be like this.

It really should not.

Many male characters are extremely well written, and absolutely inspiring too. They don't need ass shots for being interesting.

And they can actually use fabric for their clothes.

Not 6 squared inches of latex.

And, news flash, you can still fantasize about them, if that is your thing.

Yes, even if they canonically wear 12 layers of armor.

(Search any fully dressed male character on AO3, and let me know).

So, I am sorry for the guys out there that dream (use another not PG13 word here) about boobs that are so large and high and firm that you can use them as trays.

But, really, get over it.

And it's not a global conspiracy for altering the humanity sacred way of living (probably, in their mind, lead in the shadow by Kathleen Kennedy).

It's just that we are people, not trees.

Society change.

We change.

GPOY

Can I consider this like a #wonderwoman #bounding?

I am a simple child

I bought this Boba Fett sweater in 2011 when I was surviving with my Taiwanese Ph.D. stipend.

That night, I was actually out hunting for formal clothes for a conference.

And I ended up with zero jackets or dresses and a nerdy sweater.

After 9 years, it survived so many washes and a move in another continent.

Wearing it today, I suddenly remembered that night, and how to buy an overall, not expensive sweater was, at that time, a big decision to make.

I am glad to be able to afford my passions now without eating instant noodles for a month as a consequence (real stories), but I treasure that period and my decisions very much.

I was and still am a lucky human.