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.]