Because we love him

Still tasting the last "Thrawn Trilogy" book, torn apart between the desire to devour every line in my little spare time and the sadness to complete the journey too quickly, I'm not here (yet) to share my thoughts on the prequel book "Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising", depicted here.

Nor, actually, to rant in an 8500-words essay about how obsessed I am with Thrawn.

Everyone should be safe.

Nevertheless, I have to share the incredible excitement I felt *all this week* while reading all your ideas and perspectives about this magnificent character.

As often happened since I opened this account, you gave me so overwhelmingly much more than I could give you with my little 'giveaway'.

Your notes were full of wit, interesting points, unforgettable quotes.

And I truly adored that was the brilliance of his intellect the shared element that led us, more than anything, to love him.

Not brutal strength, superpowers, terror.

But his mind, his ability to lead, to observe, to truly understand. The patience in pondering reality and people, studying them, before acting.

Sadly, an approach and value that the current world too often forgets.

[in the photo: Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book I: Chaos Rising) -YES, IT IS BLUE!- by Timothy Zahn. Leia's ring from the sequel trilogy, from eBay.]

 

Inner power

Absolutely in love with these Ahsoka Tano-inspired earrings by @geekablycute.

I feel so inspired every time I wear them at work. Most of my students see just color-coordinated accessories pairing with my cardigan, while the few understand the reference. 🧡💙

It's the type of geek fashion that I totally adore, not too obvious, but that deeply boosts how I feel.

Do clothes or accessories connected to your fandoms give you a different spirit for facing the day?

Courage

True.

I am currently having a lot of fun playing Star Wars Squadrons, Vader Immortal (by far my favorite), and Tales from the Galaxy Edge on Oculus.

And, yes, I must confess to having spent my high school and university days playing X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, Star Wars: Rebellion, Syberia, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, Shadow of the Comet, Shivers, The 7th Guest, and Grim Fandango (and, yes, you can find a pattern here).

But.

Like everything "accidental" in this account, I do not consider myself "a gamer".

Actually, I genuinely enjoy observing other people playing (@alex_fox1900) instead of actually doing the thing myself. A sort of a movie, if you want.

So, you can understand the happiness when, in recent years, I realized that some of the games' stories, are "watchable" on YouTube as complete "feature films". I sit there for 4 hours, pop-corns and all, and I fully enjoy a brand new Star Wars story.

This is how I discovered absolutely brilliant characters, as Cal Kestis, Greez Dritus, Merrin.

And Cere Junda.

Unfolding the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order story, Cere became one of my favorite Star Wars characters, for her passion, understanding, ability to admit her flaws and face her regrets, while still pushing herself to do her best, without fear. When confronted and lost herself to the Dark Side, she rather decided to give up her Jedi path than succumb to that violence and evil.

Like, instead, Anakin did.

I found great value in her honesty, and I considered her choice similar to Leia's.

And I cannot even describe my emotion in watching her (swipe to the brief video in this post) confronting Darth Vader.

I mean.

DARTH VADER.

Facing her fear, her limited training, against probably the most powerful Force user around (ok, maybe debatable, but still).

And still doing it.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

[Maybe the Jedi Order should have that memo]

When I read that an entire Jedi: Fallen Order prequel comic book was scheduled to appear and feature mainly Cere, I was over the moon. Especially since I hoped for more confrontations and insights into her personality and her relationship with Eno Cordova and Trilla Suduri.

Although both the characters are present in this "Dark Temple" arc, I found myself a little disappointed about the story.

Cere is the passionate "I do before I think" type of padawan.

An Ahsoka in her 'Snips years', or Anakin... well, always.

Which is surely fun to read.

However, the story, the Master-Apprentice relation, the confrontations with the Jedi Order, the complex ethical situation, are truly nothing new.

Sure, what we experience here is a clear confirmation of the complex role of the Jedi in the galaxy (and the "Fallen Order" part is not cryptical), their "missions" in solving internal conflicts (not, necessarily, with the right to do so). Nevertheless, I felt that the whole theme was so fully exploited in the Clone Wars, that I did not need another episode here.

Ultimately, I found her too similar to Ahsoka in this young-herself tale.

Although there is undeniably a parallel between the two (both "not Jedi", both in search of the "Children of the Force"), they are unlike characters in adulthood, especially since how strong Cere is with the Dark Side. And I would rather dig deeper into the more complex, mature, and positive mentor that she became despite.

The pear of love

In-universe, shuura fruit is juicy and sweet, and its syrup is used as a flavoring for the Fizzyglug served at Dex's Diner on Coruscant.

And, yes, it is the pear-shaped fruit shared by Anakin and Padmé on Varykino.

"Shuura Snack", says the little cake package, "Lightly sweet and tangy".

[I think]

This absolutely brilliant Kanan Jarrus "snack" keychain by Raewardstudios (on Etsy) is so incredibly cute that it took me forever to pick just two photos to post here.

Every time I have adorable geeky creative items to share, it is almost impossible to choose just *one* image (or two, as in this case) to show them off.

Fortunately, I have Vanda, who can detect the most *relevant* shot for all your creations with surgical precision, and after just one glance while half asleep.

(Probably because I bother her *continuously*, and she developed a very quick approach for the selection).

Just for the record, the real bun, in the background, was pretty good as well (with adzuki jam).

For these pictures, I also prepared some 'blue milk' with butterfly pea tea (which tastes like a 'bean tea', something similar to soy milk, but with a more light, watery, and tea-like flavor), and wasabi dries peas.

Crispy friends

Another post featuring the lovely Maxxmerch chibi pins.

Chewie and his porg "friends". (Kind of).

I found the scene in The last Jedi funny but weird in a way.

Chewbacca possibly cooks one of these little guys' brother, but, somehow, they are still OK with him.

If someone would make a crispy version of my best friend I wouldn't be so amicable, to be honest, but, eventually, porgs are less vindictive than me.

I am mentally 3 years old.

Today, after:

27,648,000 seconds

460,800 minutes

7680 hours

320 days

45 weeks and 5 days 

I went to Target.

And, yes, I counted.

I searched for this little family of wonderful Star Wars Creatures for months, but Target doesn't sell them online (or, at least, not where I live), and buying them from eBay speculators was out of the question.

I'm happy as a clam.

I did not even know they had sounds.

I'm pushing their bellies every 4 seconds now.

I know. I know. I am mentally 3 years old.

Padawan midnight snack

Padawan midnight snack.

I actually prepared this blue milk (drinkable!) and sweets for another Rebels bun package keychain photo, similar to the Hera's one I posted a few days ago.

I shared this stage in my IG stories, and someone suggested an adorable scene, with Jocasta Nu 'smuggling' little cookies and blue milk to the padawans studying all night.

So I decided to add it in here as well, even if, at one point, I will actually publish the other.

However, since the focus there will be the very pretty keychain (I loooove them), all the environment will be barely visible.

I ask for forgiveness, then, because I will probably share both.

Perfection in the memory

I was undecided until two minutes ago about sharing this picture.

And I am still not very confident about the whole posting pictures of myself in here, to be honest.

I took it, sure.

But sharing? 

"Who do you think you are?" says my inner voice, "Why should you be so vain?"

You don't know me. And I am not shy, by any means.

I'm probably the least shy person I know.

My job requires me to speak to large groups of people, every day.

So, it is not about attention.

And it is not about personality or feeling of self-worth.

As I wrote in another post, I might be still fighting with my grandma's indoctrination about not being boastful, but I am learning to openly celebrate my successes and who I am. Nevertheless, I am still truly uncomfortable sharing pictures of myself, even among people who meet me in the real life, who know objectively how I look, no filters or good angles.

And I think it's about flaws.

Recorded, immutable, documented flaws.

It's about having the perfect shot, the perfect light, the perfect fabric fold, the perfect hair, the perfect ALL.

If not, why I want to frame this? If not, why people should care to see an imperfect picture of me?

I'm not trying to be falsely modest.

I'm genuinely trying to explain why, to understand why I feel so uneasy.

And I'm not very sure, after all. I'm searching for a reason, and it can be that.

Perfection in the memory.

I don't know really.

However, I see your pictures and you are all so beautiful, and interesting, and your photos really communicate me your joy, or your passions, or your strength.

Why I cannot see myself with the same eyes?

Maybe, I don't always need to have a Vogue-worthy picture before allowing myself to share the happiness I feel in wearing a geeky, powerful outfit, that brings me so much delight, right?

[The wonderful activewear, reason of this completely unnecessary rant, is by HerUniverse]

Fulcrum

I wanted to post a (long - you know me) comment about a comic book today, but I received this absolutely gorgeous Ahsoka Fulcrum-inspired hairpin from OuterSpaceoutPost on Etsy, and I wanted to share.

I loved that the role of the 'fulcrum' of the Rebellion was taken by multiple people.

Not a single person is the sole center of a change, but many.

Often we need a symbol, a beacon, a muse, to lead a movement, to inspire us, more than an actual person.

For me, then, the Fulcrum logo symbolizes my pledge to be better, more kind, understanding, compassionate, and to fight, even in small everyday things, for a society in which everyone can be respected.

"For there is always light If only we’re brave enough to see it If only we’re brave enough to be it." Amanda Gorman

First (and only)

Another super cute pin by Patrick Ballesteros, this time featuring Han Solo and Greedo.

I never truly understood why Lucas re-thought the whole 'shooting first' thing.

Don't get me wrong, from my point of view, Han is his character, and he can change whatever he wants.

We are just very lucky to play in his sandbox here.

That said, I always thought that not shooting first wouldn't change substantially the opinion we have about Han. It wouldn't suddenly redeem him, or making him a good person. Han has a big heart, true, but he is nothing less than a liar, and a cheater, and a brat. And we looooove all his deceptions, and his cockiness, and his ill-concealed overconfidence. Because we honestly adore novelized pirates and smugglers. Still. Not someone that we would see in any way differently, even if he had indeed just replied to that Greedo's shot.

By the way. I'm old enough that, for me, Han did not shoot first.

He was actually the only one who did.

#hanshotfirst #actuallygreedodidnot #butwearestillfriendsaboutthis #nogatekeeping

Cryptic Kermit

A cryptic, probably not-in-line-with-this blog post today.

Ignore me.

Why I focus on everything that is not perfect, instead of celebrating the overall success?

Why I cannot be 'just content'?

At 4, I should have known that having Kermit as my favorite Muppet was telling.

First world (pins) problems

Quick post today, featuring my new Maxx Merch Leia Organa and  Han Solo pins.

I realized that I definitely have a thing for the chibi versions of my favorite characters. I cannot help but squee at their cuteness. I also discovered why some pins creators (as Lorna Ka) suggest either gold or black finishes for their pins. I actually never noticed before, but there is a huge difference in how the pin looks. So now I'm stuck because I would love to collect all my chibi pins on my Ahsoka bag, but some have a golden finish and some matte or glossy black, and my brain is unable to mix them.

[I am weird]

I will end up buying another ita bag or move the black ones on a lanyard.

Pins problems.

Meiloorun bun

I am so excited to share this incredibly creative keychain by Rae Ward Studios (on Etsy)!

The details of this "Meiloorun bun" ("Creamy and Delicious") are mind-blowing. It even has the food properties and the bar code on the back (second picture). I am truly amazed by the brilliant idea and the execution. The bun inside the pack is made of thicker-than-expected plastic.

After I moved from Taipei, I seriously miss this cute and adorable kind of food packaging.

Soooo happy!

Snowing snowing

It's unbelievable how we can have snow from October to March (even May!) in here.

Fortunately, I have my cozy Darth Vader sweater, my comfort geeky reading, and my coffee.

Wholly enjoying the last days without classes.

I am *truly* a lucky kid.

Bane

More 'in character' photos in the near future, but I want to celebrate also here (I posted a very excited story on IG the other day, but it's not merely enough), the arrival of this absolutely ***stunning*** Cad Bane action figure.

I am looking for this since the preview pictures started to pop up in the collectors' accounts. Sold out almost immediately, I managed to snag it ultimately at the beginning of October (!) through Old Republic Collectibles, which kept me informed all the way until last week when my grabby hands finally could hold this beauty.

Out of the box finally today, he joined my 'smugglers and bounty hunters shelf, with Zorii Bliss, and Han Solo.

(And a cute Aurra Sing keychain that I will feature soon).

They are EPIC.

[Now, I just miss my adorable Hondo].

Power mood

I love Boba

For a person that lived in Taiwan for years and fallen for the masked bounty hunter when she was 4, this Patrick Ballesteros' Boba Fett "boba" pin was absolutely a must.

I decided to complete my HerUniverse Ahsoka bag with all the chibi pins I bought recently.

I know, unpopular choice, but you, pin makers, are so talented in creating these adorable masterpieces, that I cannot help it. ❤️

---

Karabast!

Now I'm craving for my 珍珠奶茶 (milk pearls tea), rigorously 微塘 (tiny sugar) and 去冰 (no ice).

Blue perfection

Yesterday I officially removed all the Christmas decorations.

(Sal won).

But, for convincing myself that I'm still on vacation, I developed this ambitious plan about finishing all the Thrawn trilogy before the beginning of classes.

And it seems kind of working pretty decently, actually, because I'm already halfway through the first book.

Which is wonderful.

I'm listening to the audiobook while I'm reading it. It seems redundant, but I suggest this to everyone because Marc Thompson's Thrawn is *spectacular*.

I'm still imagining Ale speaking, but, my brain couldn't create a more perfect accent and rhythm than Mr. Thompson's.

Also, I did not expect to find Arihnda Pryce at all. So, this small connection with Rebels, got me flailing like an idiot for 5 minutes.

And I HATE her.

[Thrawn

By: Timothy Zahn

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Star Wars: Thrawn, Book 1]

Ps. Don't tell me that does not exist a Thrawn/Eli slash because I cannot believe you.

MandoMonday Style

I love this Bo-Katan t-shirt with a passion, and I wanted to post it since I got it. However, it is particularly tricky to have a shot with the fabric folds not distorting too much Katee Sackhoff's powerful and beautiful face.

Ultimately, I'm truly glad that I grabbed this on Shop Disney during the BlackFriday discounted days, even if the print is the 'rough' type (not sure about the technical term) which is normally not my favorite. The fit is great, however.

Did you buy some The Mandalorian limited edition t-shirts too during this season MandoMondays?

Sassy

I just received these absolutely adorable keychains by RaeWardStudios, and I cannot help but share the first AhsokaTano one.

I'm always completely blown away by the creativity of the Star Wars community.

Among pins, patches, stickers, and keychains, I would love to reward talent and hard work so much more than I do.

So, wallet allowing (!), I will keep sharing everything wonderful you made, and I have the privilege to add to my small collection.

Treasures

He came through the door, saying, "Chirrut, I found a new gun."

Then he saw the Twi'lek and the Sabat who had been following them earlier, both with a cup of Tarine tea in their hands, sitting on the floor on either side of Chirrut. [...]

"Resist, please, the urge to use it," Chirrut said.

There was a decidedly awkward pause.

"You made them tea," Baze said, finally.

"It seemed polite."

"Guardians of the Whills" by Greg Rucka is a treasure.

Don't let the compact hardcover book fool you: this is a fully-fledged novel, brilliantly well written.

Baze and Chirrut are absolutely perfect.

I think I never read anything *so* in-character before. Their dialogues are hilarious, and you can listen to their voices and imagine their expressions in your head, as they just popped out from Rogue One.

The depiction of Jeddha is magnificent, as well as the atrocities of an unwanted occupation. Saw Guerrera is complex and ambiguous as we well know him in Rebels, but also fragile and human and blinded by his grief, as we saw him in Clone Wars. The secondary characters are all vivid and so real.

And the "Collected Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on the Force" are pearls.

Absolutely, you cannot miss this splendid book.

"The moment between breaths

Is the balance of the Force.

Between life and death.

Rest and action.

Serenity and passion.

Hope and despair".

Leave me in my denial, Sal

Sal (short for Salgari, the name of my Kowakian monkey lizard) is overwhelmingly reminding me to put away my Christmas decorations and all the pretty lights.

This, however, means the inevitable approaching of a time with less reading and playing and relaxing.

So, I have a strong sense of denial here.

Can we just pretend, Sal?

Just for a few more days?

[In the picture, the Galaxy Edge and Shop Disney exclusive monkey lizard]

On point

"Disconnection.

That's how this future began.

One moment in time. It radiated outward until no one even remembered that connection was possible anymore.

But it is.

The need to connect is at our core as sentient beings. It takes time, effort, and understanding.

Sometimes, it feels impossible.

But if we work at it, miracles can happen."

(Ask me again why I'm a nerd)

Aliens

I am.

(Fortunate).

Disco time

Star Trek is one of my oldest fandoms.

Although not a TOS fan (but my grandma#2 was, so I saw all the episodes anyway), I started to be into it during high school, with glorious TNG reruns, becoming kind of crazy about it during the university years.

(You cannot be an engineering major and not falling for Star Trek, right?).

My real-life friends who were not 'downloaded' from the Buffy fandom (see some posts ago), were from the ST one.

Among our "starship" members (a.k.a. our group of friends) we celebrated marriages and births. Back in the day, we collaboratively wrote a detailed Starfleet academy student handbook (!), and 52 pages of ST stellar cartography (waaaaay before the actual book was published).

Busy times.

Personally, I am a VOY-TNG, Picard- and Janeway-obsessed trekkER.

(Not a trekkie. "Trekkers are the ones that are walking among us").

But I'm not for divided fan communities, so I am not going around trying to erase DS9 or Enterprise fans. (Ok. This is possibly a tiny cross-fandom polemic comment).

Despite this nerdy ST background, I jumped on the Discovery wagon pretty late.

A month ago, to be exact.

Too many friends were cacophonically screaming at me suggesting to watch the third season.

So, thanks to them. I binge-watched it all.

And, yes, the fact that I'm wearing a "Disco" t-shirt here can hint that I very liked it.

So today I'm celebrating, patiently waiting for the evening.

META

"…and if I ever needed proof of how the Dark Side had taken the beautiful dream of what a nation could be, and had twisted it, destroyed it, well, that was it.

But I won’t stop. 

I won’t give up. 

Because when I look at what is happening in the world, I know that now, more than ever, we need to be all that we can be. 

Now, more than ever.

We need the Jedi."

Suicidal Hero

I know.

I'm trying to diversify the posts, and I just did a comic book one.

Buuuut.

Yesterday night I finally read 'Darth Vader, Dark Heart of the Sith' [2020, TPB vol. 1, which is absolutely SPECTACULAR, btw - but this is another story and another post], and I have an imperative question for you all.

In both this comic and in 'Star Wars' 2020 [TPB, Vol. 1, in my photos above], the action starts just after Bespin.

'The Empire Strikes Back' is my favorite Star Wars movie (yes, yes, probably because it's particularly Luke-centric), and for all the hundreds of times I saw it, there was never a doubt in my mind that Luke, when Vader says <it's the only way>, rationally decides *to die* but not to succumb to the dark side.

He looks at the abyss.

He is destroyed.

Alone.

Everything he believed in, rotting.

He is cornered (pretty literally), and Vader, no, his idolized father is saying that his turning is *inevitable*.

Everything is stripped from him.

He looks at the abyss again.

Then he realizes.

He does have a choice.

Final. Terrible.

And he lets himself go.

I always considered this so powerful.

And courageous.

The ultimate sacrifice.

Dying, for the Rebellion.

Dying, for not inflicting more pain to his friends.

Dying, for the greater good.

It's what a hero does.

(Nothing different from Kanan's last act, IMHO).

Recently, however, I read a post that pointed out how many people did not envision Luke as 'committing suicide', but, ultimately, trying to actually escape, as, in fact, he did.

Although I never truly formed the word 'suicide' in my mind before, I did always think that his rational choice was to die.

Not as the ultimate defeat (as Padme), but THE final act of selflessness.

Nevertheless, my reading yesterday triggered this doubt, and I'm truly curious to read your option about the matter, genuinely fascinated to know your ideas about the whole scene.

What do you think?

Every day Disney mood

As I mentioned some time ago, I love to collect all my pins on 'every day lanyards'.

I have many hung close to my entrance door, and, as someone selects the 'perfume of the day' or the 'bag of the day', I pick one of these.

Some are more 'political' (women, LGBT), some 'local' (community, university), the majority are very nerd.

No one is 'professional'.

After the Slytherin lanyard featured some posts ago, today I feel like sharing my Disney celebration one.

Most of the pins are officially Disney Parks ones: Maleficent (my second favorite Disney character after Alice), Sadness, Joy, Lilo (a wonderful gift from Beppu, the last time we visited Orlando), Epcot.

The Stitch pin is not official, bought from one of the gazillion street vendors in Taipei (most of my 'collection' comes from there).

Since I bought -way too many- new Star Wars pins last in 2020 (my wallet thanks you all, with your creativity and talent and suggestions), I need to choose how to divide them among four SW lanyards and the HerUniverse Ahsoka ita bag.

Big serious decisions to come.

Cowboy and Jedi

"Kanan" is a wonderful comic series.

Especially if, like me, Mr. Jarrus is your favorite Star Wars character after Luke Skywalker.

(To be honest, Kanan *IS* my favorite character, but Luke is like this old and comfy pair of shoes that you wear for 40 years, and you have a sentimental and irrational affection for. And, to be clear, Ahsoka is just immediately behind).

The series explores how the young padawan Caleb Dume became the space cowboy (then true quintessential Jedi) Kanan Jarrus.

A splendid (and my favorite) comic page, mirrors beautifully Kanan cutting his hair in Jedi Knight, as that was, in fact, the completion of his Jedi journey, interrupted here with the cut of his padawan braid, and the destruction or concealment of all Jedi symbols.

The relationship with Depa Billaba is also perfectly depicted (and she is awesome), and we can clearly see a parallel between Caleb/Depa and Anakin/Qui-Gon philosophies and connections.

I honestly adored also his smuggler mentor, Janus Kasmir, ultimately central in Kanan's personality formation as well will be, later, Okadiah Garson.

And, of course, the "shirtless panel" is a plus.

["Kanan, The last padawan", Weisman, Larraz, Curiel, 2015 - on Amazon]

Tiny cute Jedi Master

Featuring another super adorable MaxxMerch Luke Skywalker pin.

This series is so pretty and well made.

I tried to show the details in the photo.

I hope it is visible that the lightsaber has a light glitter layer. Sooooo cute.

Our power

A quick "fandom switch" today, for celebrating a glorious chitchatting afternoon with Beppu.

I can proudly say that I met all my beloved and closest friends via TV show conventions and fan clubs.

The hardcore of my "chosen family" was part of the Italian Buffy community for many years.

Even with just Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the initial link, but given that fandoms are always overlapping, our lovely "geek pack" is unbreakable for almost 20 years now.

So, despite I moved across the world twice in the last 12 years, two days ago we celebrated 2021 together with 11 hours of virtual chat and board games "night", spanning 2 continents, 3 time zones, and 4 states.

Therefore, although I stab myself regularly in the palm with it, this bracelet charm scythe is truly precious to me.

Not just it reminds one of the best pep talks in TV history, but it is a memento that my friends are always with me, no matter how far away we are.

"In every generation, one Slayer is born, because a bunch of men who died thousands of years ago made up that rule. They were powerful men.

This woman is more powerful than all of them combined.

So I say we change the rule.

I say my power should be OUR power"

New beginnings

A challenging year, indeed.

Witnessing, basically powerless, the global suffering, the world struggle, the unemployment of many, was heartbreaking.

But we were stronger.

I am a privileged human.

My family was healthy, my job was -mostly- unchanged, and I received many unexpected personal successes in this 2020.

Yes, I cannot be less than thankful for this year.

For the people that I met, even just 'virtually', here and elsewhere.

For the creativity, talent, and kindness I can be amazed by, every day.

And for my passions.

My being a hopeless geek.

I know, I know.

Out there, the tragedy was real, and I don't want to appear selfish or superficial.

I could see the world.

But fandoms are not a refuge.

They are not a refusal to face reality.

They are additional layers to it.

They inspire us, teach us.

How to be better. How to be kind.

How to be strong. How to be compassionate.

So, don't judge me harshly if I post a Luke Skywalker's lightsaber today, or I admit that fandoms save me every day, or formed the person that I am.

It's my way to communicate, my way to improve, my way to discover.

My way to be.

To everyone who commented and enjoyed this little nerdy space.

Thank you, for allowing me to share my accidental geekiness.

Have a wonderful year, you all.