Varko Grey and the others

"As if they had read her mind, two men appeared at the edge of the patio and walked toward her and Elzar. Marlowe and Vellis, the scion of the San Tekka empire and his husband. [.]

The group sat, and Avar gently reached out with the Force to sense the emotional state of their hosts. They were utterly relaxed. Not that she expected anything else. A gorgeous lakeside patio with the love of your life at your side and enough credits for a thousand lifetimes?

Of course the San Tekkas were relaxed."

I am old enough that a simple passage like this one on a Star Wars book still fills me with excitement.

Nothing special, you would say.

We are alive in a moment in time, in which we can *complain* about which companies or franchises have or do not have "the right" to claim their support to the LGBTQA+ community.

Automatically assuming that even maybe for just one month, this claim is GREAT for their PR.

That is GOOD to be on the acceptance and tolerance wagon.

That is COOL to belong to or support this community.

But it wasn't.

For the longest time, it wasn't.

And I am not here to say that the work is done, or denying the miles that we have to travel still, or to condone hypocrisy.

I totally understand diffidence and the will to be always better.

But things like ally-families-filled pride marches and rainbow flags in Nike retail shops, are still affecting me.

I did not grow up in a time or a place in which all this was even close to being "cool" or "good" or "great".

So, sure.

The San Tekkas are just characters like many others in LOTJ.

But reading that "his" associate with "husband" and "love of your life" is STILL something that moves me.

Like I actually cried when the -fascist Imperial squadron leader- Varko Grey spoke about his husband with me, while playing "Squadrons".

I started this week with the promise that I was going to rant about freedom and choices and responsibility.

And this is a good example of how, day after day, what we say, whom we vote, what we buy, modify the world in which we live in.

Even our smallest decisions make this change possible.

[Photo: important pin by @hellotherecargo, who donated the profits to the Trevor Project]

Umate

Umate meant different things to different beings —endurance, the imperturbability of nature despite the efforts of sentient beings to remake the galaxy, even just the novelty of a natural thing in an artificial world.

To Lina Soh, [.] Umate meant... choice.

The city-world's planners could have removed the mountain at any point in its millennia history, but generation after generation had not. They had repeatedly made the decision —the choice— to preserve this one place, this one thing. [.]

Progress was inevitable and crucial, but was not the only goal.

Mindfulness was also important.

Choice.

If indeed there are millions of things we have not the power to change in this world, there are as many that are under our control.

From being kind to strangers to buying a specific brand of soap, all our life is a continuous sequence of choices.

And, although some of them come with our personal privileges or the endemic impact that we can have on society, every one of us has the power to modify our collective future.

Sure, we cannot fight all fights. Each one of us feels close to some specific battles, and personal milestones, or "mountains" to preserve and protect. But when we do have the voice, and the strength, and the will to make THAT choice, we should.

Meaningful change is not due to massive decisions, but small acts, that we perform every day.

And, as the most precious things, "Umate" —whatever "Umate" is for you— is fragile and ephemeral.

Preserving it is the responsibility that comes with our freedom.

The world that we want, our legacy, is in our hands.

Umate remained, though, the benefit of a choice made generation after generation to preserve the mountain even in attenuated form.

Lina Soh appreciated that —the way societies could choose heritage over progress, represented here in living stone.

But to the chancellor, Umate had a second meaning. [.] There was nothing so big it could not be swallowed up. Nothing so strong it could not be humbled. Nothing so tall it could not be made small.

Not a mountain, and the Republic.

[Photo: a tiny tiny SW High Republic pin by @kulturegirlflair. Note: mine is the half pin, on a reflective surface]

Stand up together

"We have been called criminals, but we are not.

We are rebels, fighting for the people, fighting for you.

I'm not that old, but I remember a time when things were better on Lothal. Maybe not great, but never like this. See what the Empire has done to your lives, your families, and your freedom?

It's only gonna get worse… unless we stand up and fight back.

It won't be easy. There will be loss and sacrifice. But we can't back down just because we're afraid.

That's when we need to stand the tallest.

That's what my parents taught me.

That's what my new family helped me remember.

Stand up together.

Because that's when we're strongest—as one."

~

"What chance do we have? The question is ‘What choice?’

Run? Hide? Plead for mercy? Scatter your forces?

You give way to an enemy this evil with this much power and you condemn the galaxy to an eternity of submission.

The time to fight is now!"

~

"It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters".

~

"Focus on what you can do, instead of what you can't".

~

"It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action.

But if you do nothing, there will be no result."

[Ok, I am cheating here. This last quote is Gandhi, not Qui-Gon, but come on, it could totally be ;)]

~

The power of the choice.

Every day.

What we can do, what we can change.

To rebel, if necessary.

Being called names. Being bullied.

Still fighting for what we believe in.

Together.

[This will be a week of posts about freedom, responsibility, and choices.

Bear with me.]

[Photo: The young Jyn Erso Funko Pop, Jyn's jacket, and vest by Fjackets, and the perfect replica of Jyn's kyber crystal necklace by SoulinertiaDesigns on Etsy]

Drink (blue) milk!

Luke unfastened a bottle from his pack and bent over a sow’s belly, squeezing green milk from her swollen udder. He looked up from his work, a green streak on his upper lip. Rey kept watching, though that last moment had left her a little ill. The sow regarded her lazily.

"Is this like a thing where you're pretending to ignore me but secretly teaching me lessons?" Rey asked.

"It is not," Luke replied.

~

Waiting for my Batuu experience, just less than a month away, every time I make my blue milk at home, I use butterfly peas dried flowers (you can kind of see them in the photo).

The clitoria ternatea tea is generally blue, but while is brewing can be blue-green. Since the color changes with the pH, my tea is normally green-ish while brewing, it tends to blue if I add milk, or it can be shiny purple if I add lemon.

It's a kind of magic, really.

[Or basic chemistry, if you want]

The taste is very bean-y like, in my opinion, way different (read: worse) than soy milk or oat milk. But I'm an avid soy milk drinker, so I'm probably biased. However, the taste is not too strong, so you can add it basically to everything, partially masking the flavor and keeping the natural color.

And, if you are wondering, the **clitoria** ternatea is called in this way because the not dried flower is basically... THAT.

Many vernacular names of these flowers in different languages are similarly based on references to the clitoris. Controversies existed in the past among botanists regarding the "good taste" of the naming of the genus. Some less explicit alternatives were proposed, but they failed to prosper, and the name "clitoria" has survived to this day.

[Source: wiki]

For the Star Wars scenes, Mark Hamill stated that the blue milk was "life-long milk" with "additives – they put blue food coloring in it – and it was really ghastly." He also revealed that the green milk was instead coconut milk that was color graded in post-production.

[Source: Wookieepedia]

[In the photo here, a very cute blue and green milk pin by @punchitchewiepress, celebrating the Batuu stand]

Because we love them

“You can absolutely trust me, just as I can trust you. But it’s Admiral Ar’alani who needs you the most right now. [.] You’re the only one who can take us to her.”

“Are you worried about her?”

Eli pursed his lips. “I’m worried, yes,” he said. “But only in the sense of uncertainty. Without full knowledge, a person has to rely on trust and hope. Insufficient hope usually comes out as concern.”

He nodded toward the memory wall, the collected trophies and mementos of Ar’alani’s life and career. “But I’m not worried that Admiral Ar’alani’s in overwhelming danger,” he added. “I’ve watched her during the time that I’ve served aboard the Steadfast, and I know that she’s smart, capable, and resourceful. More than that, she’s in the company of one of the greatest military minds the Chiss culture has ever produced. Standing together, I don’t believe there’s a force in the universe that can defeat both Admiral Ar’alani and Grand Admiral Mitth’raw’nuruodo.”

He raised his eyebrows. “I’d like to prove that to you. Would you help me prove it to you?”

“You want me to take the ship there?” Un’hee asked.

“Yes,” Eli said. “Can you do that?”

The girl hesitated, and he saw her eyes drift to the memory wall. “All right,” she said. “But only if you stand beside me.”

Eli nodded. [.] “I’ll stand beside you and protect you,” he promised. “No one will approach or interfere. Not as long as I live.”

~

To be completely honest, I still have *many* excerpts about the relationship between Ar'alani and Thrawn (and several about the Admiral alone) that I absolutely want to bother you with.

But, as I said, I do not like to feature the same objects in my photos, and I am, currently, Ar'alani-less.

Waiting to collect -or create- more Ziara merch to go along with my rants, for some weeks she will pass the torch to a man who believes in patterns and numbers, in respecting and valuing differences, in ultimate kindness, in the value of life, any life.

The precious, sweet, wonderful Eli Vanto.

[In the photo, the expression of my joy and love for these characters, a self-indulgent chibi portrait that I commissioned to the out-of-this-world-talented @junchan_nyan_art]

Would you love it?

Thrawn was standing by the sweet-sour section of the food array, surveying the different offerings, when Qilori caught up with him.

“I’d stay away from the kiki,” he warned, pointing to a mix of red, orange, and pale-blue half-moons. “It takes a particular set of digestive juices to handle it properly.”

“Interesting,” Thrawn said, peering more closely at the bowl. “Odd that our hosts would even include such a specialized dish.”

“Maybe,” Qilori said. “But you’d be surprised how many people will gladly trade a minute of delectable taste for an hour of gastric discomfort."

~

Thalias set the plate of warmed yapel triangles in front of Che’ri. It was dinnertime, which was supposed to mean a proper balanced meal, but Che’ri had wanted yapels and Thalias had decided that one meal of junk food wouldn’t kill her.

~

"A minute later they were all inside. It was a chocolate shop, Eli noted distantly, heavy with an aroma he would have found pleasantly enticing under other circumstances."

~

Fandoms are the ultimate way to enjoy layers of reality unknown to the most. They are not something that detaches us from the physical world, but, actually, adds content and fun.

The delicious food and sophisticated drinks that 'Raw'n and I shared during this trip were mindblowing. But, almost magically, the most exciting part was wondering, every time I posed my diminutive version of my favorite blue alien together with Japanese ramen, a pistachio old-fashioned donuts, or an omelet bowl if my favorite Chiss would actually love it.

Would he think it was too spicy? Would he detect the layered honey flavor? Would he appreciate the artistic plating?

Unfortunately, besides Ar'alani undeniable love for alcoholic drinks, we do not know much about Thrawn culinary preferences, or Csillian delicacies. Knowing the guy, however, I could guess along the way.

For sure, among millions of others, I owe Mr. Zahn the fact that (1) chocolate exists in canon, and (2) Eli finds it alluring "under other circumstances" (!).

Wrapping, with an almost 7 hours drive to go, this incredible week, I want to thank YOU ALL for your support and comments, and happiness along the way.

My love letter to you

“It's a kindness that the mind can go where it wishes.”

-Ovidius-

~

“For thousands of years it has been an island of calm within the Chaos. It is a center of power, a model of stability, and a beacon of integrity. The Nine Ruling Families guard it from within; the Expansionary Defense Fleet guards it from without. Its neighbors are left in peace, its enemies are left in ruin.

It is light and culture and glory.

It is my home. The only home I’ve ever known.

It is the Chiss Ascendancy.”

[Chaos Rising, first draft]

~

You left your home.

Exiled.

Pretending to be, sure.

But a galaxy away from it.

Everything you knew, and it was dear to you.

A hero.

Self-inflicting years of bullying and xenophobia in a horrific society like the Empire while all your loved ones were lightyears away.

Just because you thought that it was your warrior duty to do so for the common good.

For everyone to be safe.

Protected.

By you.

Encounters

«In nearly four years at Taharim Academy, Senior Cadet Irizi’ar’alani had built up a spotless record. She’d distinguished herself, she was well on the way to command rank and position, and not the slightest hint of scandal had ever touched her name.

Until now.

“Senior Cadet Ziara” Colonel Wevary intoned in the voice he saved for the most heinous of offenders against Taharim’s traditions, “a cadet under your tutelage has been accused of cheating. Have you anything to say in your or his defense?”

*Under your tutelage*. All Ziara had done was to proctor the damn simulation exercise Cadet Thrawn had been taking. []

Ziara shifted her attention to the accused. Thrawn was sitting stiffly in his chair, his face a rigid mask. He’d already pled not guilty to the charges, insisting that he hadn’t cheated but merely taken advantage of the parameters the exercise had set up for him. []

Ziara studied Thrawn’s face. He’d explained his tactics to the board at least twice, and they still didn’t believe him. Now, with nothing left for him

to say, he’d taken refuge in silence. Ziara might have expected to find defiance or anger there, but she could see neither. He stood alone, without even his family to support him. []

“If I may beg the board’s indulgence, I would like to take the luncheon break to again consider the situation and the evidence.” []

“I appreciate your efforts,” Thrawn said quietly, his eyes still on the colonel’s empty place at the table. “But you can see they’ve already made up their minds. Your action does nothing but risk their displeasure, and possibly alienate you from your family.” []

“I’m going to get something to eat. You should do the same”

“I’m not hungry”

“Eat something anyway” Ziara hesitated, but it was too good a chance to pass up. “That way, if they kick you out, you’ll at least have had one more free meal”

He looked at her, and for a moment she thought he was going to lash out at her insensitivity. Then, to her relief, he smiled. “Indeed,” he said.

“You have an eminently tactical mind, Senior Cadet.”»

[The characters counter is brutal. So I can just add that I feel like I own a piece of Notre Dame by the wonderful @ghazar_glass]

Lake View

Our life path (please, turn left)

"A life path may change because of important decisions or events. Those were what drove my current path.

But sometimes the smallest event can also drive a turn."

As many of you know, I normally plan my posts days in advance.

So, this whole week of random rants is a little nerve-wracking for me.

I definitely didn't schedule, at all, to have an entire week of Thrawn-related shots.

But, in fact, since I'm driving to recover a huge Thrawn piece of art while meeting the most known personalities in this Thrawn community, it seems natural.

What was totally unexpected is how 'Raw'n here imposingly took the spotlight. I do have other "passengers" with me, and I am not, by any stretch, an "action figures" photographer.

[I really mean it, and I don't want to be]

But he is, genuinely, soooo cute standing there and looking at me while I'm doing things.

[He says "and also effectively photogenic". Yes, 'Raw'n, you are]

So, sorry in advance if you find the lack of variety disturbing. I will be back to earrings and comics and more diverse nonsense next week.

For now, just bear with me, and my dream to have, one day, my Google map navigator read by Marc Thompson.

[In Thrawn's voice, of course]

If you listen to the audiobooks, you **know** what I mean.

"In 3/4 of a mile, turn left"

[Can you imagine the voice in your minds, can't you?]

Dressed to be myself

"You realize taking off your tunic isn’t going to fool anyone, right?”

“It isn’t intended to,” Thrawn said. “Take off your tunic and put on this one.”

I swear.

I thought to use this Eli and Thrawn exchange in a totally different context.

But as I said many times, my captions have a life of their own, and they shift and change while I'm sitting here and writing them.

Yesterday night, I had the total blessing to met absolutely beautiful people, in and out, -kind, witty, attentive, smart, funny- just because we share the love for a tall blue alien that has a thing for the word "perhaps."

Discussing what leads people to cosplay, I realized that more than the need to be "someone else", there is the will to show part of what we actually *are* already.

"Taking off your tunic isn't going to fool anyone."

"It isn't intended to."

In a sense, we show what our inner self looks like, or what we feel that it's potentially us, even if we are not there yet.

And if it's true that for experienced cosplayers as @widgetocosplay @holden.aces @amycapcosplay and @masterente the craftsmanship component of the process is a crucial part of the ultimate satisfaction -and they are absolutely brilliant in it-- or links our memories to people and events that we love (our moms, our grandmas, our childhood Halloweens), it's also true that there are "fictional" characters that we simply feel so close and dear and *us* that portraying them is natural, just a way to show ourselves, or a part of it.

A part that other humans in the fandom recognize, acknowledge, accept, and love.

"It isn't intended to."

[I took the photo of my bag with these Eli and Thrawn pins yesterday morning, and they were simply too cute for not sharing them here too. The pins are made by @fantasypinstress on a design of @junkofzeart]

The tactical pretzel

"No doubt that within this pretzel are all the answers he needs to defeat his enemy."

[@jenniemariestudio]

You are blessing me with all these hilarious comments, and I don't know how to thank you.

I love you all.

I planned to share a quick photo I took this morning (spontaneous week, after all), but you are simply too brilliant for confining your wittiness just in the IG stories.

So, there.

[In the second shot, a "clearly impressed" (cit. @zamirax1) 'Raw'n with his caf]

The warrior's path

"The warrior's path lies before us," he said. "Let us follow its guidance."

Yes, 'Raw'n, yes.

I'm ready.

Relax a little, would you?

If you read my IG stories these days, you may know that I'm leaving for a week-long road trip for "rescuing" (in reality it's pretty happy where it is, but let's pretend) a piece of extraordinary art created by @ghazar_glass.

Given the masterpiece -I feel like I commissioned a window in Notre-Dame in Paris (one of the *famous* Notre-Dame glasses portraying a military blue alien...)- I won't trust anyone but myself and 'Raw'n here for picking it up.

In the IG stories, the large majority of you (crazy people!) also voted for me to share part of this insane trip across the Midwest, and so here I am, with 'Raw'n as a co-pilot, who is already calculating the best vector for every possible parallel parking from here to Michigan (©trisha.clev).

Just hope, for my own sake, that Raw'n won't engage in any pre-emptive strikes against fellow drivers.

You know the guy.

"Are you willing to go with me, just the two of us, into the depth of the Chaos?"

Ohana

"I know I made a mistake, and I have a lot to learn, but you don't have to get rid of me. I left Kamino with you. This is where I wanna be."

"Tell you the truth, kid, I guess I've got a lot to learn too. If this is where you want to be, then this is where you'll stay."

"We're not going anywhere, Omega. You're stuck with us for the long run."

"Things aren't like before. Our priorities have shifted."

"So I've noticed."

"Omega needs us, and I have to do what's best for my squad."

"Which is what?"

"I'm still figuring that out."

"I guess we all are."

~

"Look, I may fail. You may fail. But there is no try."

"Who are you, people? I mean, you're not thieves exactly."

"We're not exactly anything. We're a crew. A team. In some ways, a family."

~

"There's been no one for so long. Who are you?"

"I'm Rey."

"Rey who?"

"Rey Skywalker."

[Note: I cry. Every time. Even now, just typing it]

~

In this little space of mine, I spoke many times about the "families that you find", not the ones given.

Don't get me wrong.

I love my relatives: they are a classical, strong, protective Italian family.

I was lucky in that draft. Very much.

But our family of friends, our own "Ohana", is more than that.

They are not there because they have to.

They are there because they choose to.

Because WE choose to.

Because the people that are part of it are *everything*.

They have no projections, no plans for us.

And we can just. BE.

Always, and no matter what.

[Photo: the little Lula is from SpookySweet on Etsy. If you need a more size-accurate doll, I suggest @scifigirlnextdoor. The very HUGE mug is from Shop Disney]

Friends and nothing more

"For a man sworn to peace, you take an unseemly pleasure in the injuries of others."

"For a woman sworn to non-violence, you don't seem troubled that I could have been killed back there."

"But you weren't. And yet I still haven't heard any thanks."

"Well, you certainly haven't changed much."

"How ironic to meet again only to find we're on opposing sides."

"The needs of your people are all that matter. They couldn't be in better hands with you to guide their future."

"Kind words indeed from a mindful and committed Jedi. And yet..."

"What?"

"I'm still not sure about the beard."

"Why? What's wrong with it?"

"It hides too much of your handsome face."

"I just heard what happened in the Senate."

"You're sweet to be concerned. But I promise I'll be all right."

"I am concerned. We're friends, are we not?"

"Yes, friends and nothing more."

~

Intelligent. Observant.

Witty. Funny. Sarcastic.

Divinely elegant.

A skilled fighter.

A political visionary.

A leader.

Satine embodies the spirit of the perfect fiercely independent woman.

Her beliefs, her coherence.

They define her.

She knows who she is.

She knows what has to be done.

She is not afraid to sacrifice.

She never loses herself.

Not even for the sake of her own happiness.

Or the one of the love of her life.

So you can clearly understand why I will never, EVER, forgive the SW writers for killing her.

Not for her own story, for her own choice, for compassion in a heroic act, for her people, or for the greater good.

But just like another girlfriend to pile with the rest of the Women in Refrigerators.*

---

*The term "Women in Refrigerators" was coined by writer Gail Simone, and refers to the trope whereby female characters are affected by injury, raped, killed, or depowered (an event colloquially known as "fridging"), to stimulate protective traits, and as a plot device intended to move a male character's story arc forward.

[Yes, yes. No double photos.

But, see, I really wanted the symmetry here.

Obi-Wan's side, and Satine's side.

Violating -again- my constructed rule, but -again- with intention.

In both photos: a hypnotic beautiful Obitine pin by @kulturegirlflair]

Paint me something

[This excerpt is one of my most cherished]

“A moment, Ambassador,” Ar’alani said, looking over her shoulder at the bridge hatch. Thrawn was apparently running late. “We’re waiting for Senior Captain Thrawn to arrive”

“What do we need him for?”

*Because he’s the one who can tell us if there are Nikardun ships out there*—the obvious reply ran through Ar’alani’s mind. *Because he has a feel for tactics that will be crucial if this thing blows up. Because he’s got a track record in combat situations that most Chiss commodores and admirals would give their blood firstborn for.* [.]

“Because I want him here, and I’m the admiral,” she said instead.

Ilparg made a little huffing noise. “Fine,” he said. “But he’d better not be long.”

The hatch slid open and Thrawn stepped onto the bridge. “My apologies, Admiral,” he said as he crossed to Ar’alani and Ilparg.

“Apologies, Ambassador. My studies took longer than expected”

“What studies were those, Senior Captain?” Ilparg asked suspiciously.

“Tactical data” Ar’alani put in.

“Tactical data?” Ilparg repeated scornfully. “Is that what the Expansionary Fleet calls art these days?”

Ar’alani clenched her teeth. “The first rule of strategy is to know your enemy, Ambassador,” she said. “That includes their battle tactics; but also their history, their philosophy, and, yes, sometimes even their art”

“I accept the first two” Ilparg said, the disdain still in his voice. “The third is of little to no value. However, now that Senior Captain Thrawn has graced us with his presence, perhaps you’d be good enough to contact the diplomatic office as I requested?” [.]

“Thank you for trying,” Thrawn said softly as he came up beside Ar’alani.

“Don’t worry about it” Ar’alani advised. “Sometimes it’s good to have your talents underestimated.” *Though not when your career is being evaluated*, she added silently to herself. “What did you find?”

“Our Lioaoi art files are extremely limited,” Thrawn said. “But they should be adequate to our needs.”

“Glad to hear it.” Ar’alani waved toward the viewport.

“There’s your canvas. Paint me something."

[Photo: art print by @poppourrico

No books were harmed during the shooting of this photo]

You just really need a hug

"Why? You were knee-deep in Jotun blood. Why would you take me?"

"You were an innocent child."

"You took me for a purpose, what was it? ... Tell me!"

"I thought we could unite our kingdoms one day, bring about an alliance, bring about a permanent peace... through you. But those plans no longer matter."

"So I am no more than another stolen relic, locked up here until you might have use of me."

"Why do you twist my words?"

"You could have told me what I was from the beginning. Why didn't you?"

"You are my son. My blood. I wanted only to protect you from the truth."

"Because I am the monster parents tell their children about at night?"

~

Sure. Sure.

Having the face of Mr. Hiddleston, the voice of Mr. Hiddleston, the physical presence of Mr. Hiddleston did —certainly— help.

But Loki's real desperation and vivid pain were so tangible in this scene (thank you, Mr. Hiddleston), that it was impossible not to fall in love with this lost, misunderstood, hurt adopted child.

He got us.

Like most nerdy and less imposing siblings, especially when you have a brother like... Thor —quarterback, popular, handsome (*rolls eyes*)— you need to find, let's say, "creative" ways for stealing the show.

Life cheated you, so you feel entitled to bend the rules a little.

For equity, you know.

Sure, teaming up with a galactical sociopath is maybe a tiiiiiny too much, but you got the idea.

You constantly end up overcompensating your inner agony of being an ice blue monster, with spectacular acts and "glorious purposes."

When you just really need a hug.

[In the photo: my almost 10 years old Hot Toys cosbaby, and my brand new Loki mouse ears by Shop Disney]

[PS. If you do not remember the "Thor" scene above, between Loki and Odin, run to watch it again, because that "TELL ME" is one of the most heartbreaking lines spoken in a movie. Ever.]

Not simple

"All right, let’s try this again. Okay, did you… Do you have the wire?"

"Okay. Did you get the wire out? The red wire?"

"No, no, no. No, the red one. Show me the red wire. The red one."

"Yes, good. Now, you’re going to plug that red wire where the blue wire goes in the board."

"Put the red wire where the blue wire goes in the board, okay? But don’t let them touch."

"You see where you took the blue one off? Yes, now put the red one…"

"No, don’t put the blue one back. Put the red one where the blue one was. And put the blue one where the red one was. But be careful, they’re oppositely charged, so keep them away from each other. Make sure you hold them apart from… "

"No, hold them apart."

...

"Oh… Are you okay?"

"Well, it was worth a shot."

~

I love my students. I do.

But this scene is SO accurate that I am using it when people ask me "what do you do for a living?"

THAT.

I do THAT.

And not just because students, or anyone really, approach a Heat Transfer class at 7.45 in the morning on a Monday with less enthusiasm than the Fandom Menace watching an episode with the Martez sisters (all the references to the 1500+ horrible hate comments under the Star Wars account today's post is purely coincidental).

But because people learn differently.

Our brains are unlikely wired.

Visual learners, listeners, experimentalists, theorists.

To reach all is not simple.

Especially when, for you, is trivial like putting a red wire where the blue was, and for them is like calculating the re-entry trajectory of a Reusable Launch Vehicle. With an abacus and a pencil.

You need understanding. You need empathy.

You need to remind yourself that you were them, once.

That you are still them, about everything you do not know.

And you need patience.

A LOT of it.

[In the photo: another of my new Teeturtle adorable t-shirts]

Thank you Mrs. Kennedy

Thank you Mrs. Kennedy.

Thank you for backing George Lucas wonderful projects, since I was a kid. Thank you for giving me so much joy and entrainment and dreams.

Thank you for being a proactive and strong advocate and producer, and for promoting visions and a future in which you truly believe in.

Claims are easy. But being "on the front" every day, making those claims happen, it's another thing.

You have guts. Especially with this fandom.

Thank you for choosing such an incredible team of writers and creatives. Thank you for more directing and screenwriting roles for women and POC and both.

Thank you for giving us the High Republic, and so many Star Wars projects to look forward to, so much that the kid in me cannot believe that it's actually happening.

Thank you for allowing us, everyone, even the fandom menace, to meet wonderful people and true friends that share the same passion for this franchise that is an important part of our lives.

I wish you the best of birthdays.

[For celebrating I am sharing one of my favorite art prints, by @roberto__draws. I spend hours watching all the details, the characters, the stories, the love.

I certainly am grateful to these two brilliant "Makers"]

The loyalty of heart and mind

She stands beside the door. Her hand rests on her concealed sidearm. Her stance holds alertness. Her expression holds fear.

"Do you fear Vah'nya will be unable to draw out the necessary information?"

Ar'alani's expression shifts, now suggesting a degree of annoyance. "It's not fear, Mitth'raw'nuruodo" she said. Her voice holds the same annoyance, but to a lesser degree than her expression. "I hope you realize how disconcerting your mind-reading tricks are, even when they don't work."

"I don't read minds, Ar'alani. Only faces. If not fear, then what?"

Ar'alani is silent for two and a half seconds. "What do you know of the Second Sight?" She speaks more softly now. The annoyance is gone, but her voice still holds fear.

"Very little. I'm not privy to the deepest secrets of the Ascendency."

"Nor should you be" Her voice now holds a degree of contempt. "You were sent to the Empire to learn about it, not to join it."

"I took the advantage of the tactical situation presented to me. What is it about this situation that most concerns you?"

"I cannot tell you."

"Then you rob us of our best hope of victory. Partial information is of no use to me."

Ar'alani is silent another two seconds. "You should not know this," she said. Her voice holds resignation, but also stubbornness. "The Council will be furious if my words leave this room."

"They will not."

"Not even to your Emperor?"

"He commands only the loyalty of my actions, not the loyalty of my heart and mind. The deepest secrets of the Chiss will always remain secrets."

"I can only hope that's true." Ar'alani voice holds renewed concern. "There are tales of his powers. Unlike you, it is rumored that the CAN read minds."

"The secret will remain safe."

~

I have literal goosebumps every time I read this excerpt.

The bond, the trust, the loyalty between them.

Ar'alani sadness in saying that provocative "your" referring to the Empire, as a challenge, so to be immediately reassured about Thrawn's true allegiance.

His mind.

His *HEART*.

[Photo: so thrilled to officially present to everyone this sweet -introspective- and extremely huggable Thrawn bear by @scifigirlnextdoor]

Carton milk school

Ahsoka: "He'll be fine"

Kanan: "Yeah? How do you know that?"

Ahsoka: "Because you taught him"

In the novel "Last Known Trajectory" by @soulnova_alizrak, Ezra is tasked to start an "Order" of Force-sensitive beings.

Sure, the story is not canon (pity!), but it gave me an interesting perspective about comparing the pillars of Ezra's teaching philosophy versus the New Order founded by Luke.

Besides the half a day with Obi-Wan, and a short and incomplete time with Yoda, Luke had to learn every single scrap of his Jedi knowledge from books, tales, legends. Fragments painfully and meticulously collected around the Galaxy.

Force trees, compasses, ancient scrolls, temples, artifacts, guardians' sabers. You name it. He became an Academic, in a way.

So, his School was a rigorous and strict one. Without the example of an actual Master bending the rules sometimes, his doctrine resulted in a complete acceptance of the Old Code.

Forbidden attachments, love, family, friends, all the crap.

We all know how the experiment went.

And, as the very "black/white" guy he is, Luke thought everything was lost.

I became convinced the Jedi Order had done more harm to the galaxy than good. That they were so blinded by their own light they left the darkness creep in and take control. And so I came here, to Ahch-To, the most unfindable place in the whole galaxy, to die. And to let the Jedi die with me.

Ezra, on the other hand, had a humble but caring teacher, whose incomplete training led him to rethink most of the arcane and alienating Jedi precepts. He taught Ezra compassion, attachment, vulnerability, empathy, sacrifice.

And, as a fundamentally down-to-earth and straightforward guy, Kanan wasn't cryptic.

He was throwing at you blue milk cartons, sitting and talking if you needed to, hugging you if you had a shitty day.

Kanan: Do or do not; there is no try.

Ezra: What does that even mean? How can I do something if I don't try to do it?

Kanan: I– Actually, that one always confused me too, but Master Yoda sure used to say it a lot.

From now on, I will teach you. Look, I may fail. You may fail. But there is no try.

I know to which School I would apply.

You belong

"You never completely have your rights, one person, until you ALL have your rights."

Marsha P. Johnson

On a hot summer’s night in New York on June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, which resulted in bar patrons, staff, and neighborhood residents rioting in Christopher Street over six days.

It was the beginning.

Today, I am celebrating with you the start of #PrideMonth.

No matter the continent or the time of my life, there are still battles to fight and voices that aren't heard.

We aren't quite there.

We still need to rebel.

However, this little Star Wars bubble is accepting and lovely.

[Thank you]

And, I want to say that I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for uninclusive positions that we in the community may express sometimes.

We are not immune to flaws and mistakes.

We do *tend to gatekeep*.

So, if you feel you belong to the LGBTQA+ community.

YOU DO.

You belong if you are attracted or romantically interested in very diverse humans and you are in a het relationship.

No, you are NOT "hiding", or "greedy".

And, definitely -definitely-, you are NOT "fake."

You belong if you are not attracted or romantically interested in anyone. Or, if you are, it happened that you didn't have sex yet.

No, you do NOT "need to meet someones first", or "need to try sex before knowing".

And, definitely -definitely-, you are entitled to NOT give a fuck about our "such a pity!" or "what you are missing!".

You belong to this community even if you are a cishet human, and you truly care about our rights.

Care about your friends, your moms, your dads, your siblings, your children.

YOU BELONG.

Please, do not feel diminished by those (even of us) who say otherwise.

[Since this is my geeky space, I decided to share this PRIDE t-shirt by "Looking for Leia", a docu-series about women and non-binary fans.

I took this photo of myself on Sunday.

I looked at it, and my first thought was deleting and not posting it today.

Why? Too much boobs.

Then, though, I stopped.

Because, folks, those are indeed my boobs.

And the fact that I was somehow self-censoring myself, I guess it is part of the problem too.

So, there.]