Jentasmic: Pablo, Marlin, and Me

I’m staring down the empty nest. How can my child be growing up so quickly? Somehow, all this middle-aged angst brings thoughts to mind of a well-loved Ewok named Pablo, and our voyage together to Star Wars Weekends 2008. From today’s Jentasmic! column at StudiosCentral:

Pablo’s traveled much of the world with us. He’s been to Paris, Kahului, New York City, Anaheim, Orlando . . . too many cities to count, actually. But as he is a precious friend to us, and can’t walk on his own, he generally doesn’t set out with us to tour the city, lest he somehow fall behind in the maddening crowd. Anyone who has parented a small child, or seen Toy Story, knows the potential horror of the favorite attachment object becoming A Lost Toy.

In 2008, when my son and I were planning our trip to Star Wars Weekends, it was always clear that Pablo would need to accompany us to the park just for one day, for one special moment: To meet Warwick Davis, and perhaps even enjoy a photo op or two. Sure, Pablo would’ve been safer back in the hotel room, but nobody would really be happier that way.

I’ll be spending this evening, of course, watching Toy Story 3, at my local IMAX in 3D. I understand this, too, will make me weep. Oh joy.

May the Fourth Be With You!

Happy Star Wars Day everybody! May the fourth be with you! Let’s see, how shall we celebrate?

Well, we could begin by watching the Star Wars Holiday Special on Google Video, and be grateful that the interwebs mean we no longer have to scour fan conventions looking for an old VHS dub. Or, if we’ve seen it before and need a little extra boost, we could watch it again with a rifftrax. Or if we’re in a hurry, we could just reminisce over Princess Leia’s timeless song.

If we had planned ahead, we could have worn this Admiral Ackbar shirt from woot.com. “It’s a trap!”

We could book a trip to Star Wars Celebration V, conveniently located in Orlando, not far from that little magical place some of us like to visit from time to time. Or, if want a little tighter pairing between our Disney and Star Wars needs, it’s not too late to plan for Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which begin May 21. StudiosCentral has all the info you need, including a planning chat this coming weekend.

While we’re at StudiosCentral, we could refresh our memories about the timeline for Star Tours 2, since no doubt we’re obsessive enough fans that this isn’t news.

And finally, especially if we’re feeling down and out, we could enjoy Crackerjack Junction’s rendition of the Ewok celebration song. (Hat tip: BoingBoing) And no, I haven’t a clue where the translation comes from, but let’s just go with it shall we?

Some Guests Confirmed for Star Wars Weekends 2008

I am thrilled thrilled thrilled to see the list at StudiosCentral.com of celebrity guests confirmed (so far) for appearances at Star Wars Weekends 2008! I’ve been waiting for this moment, and not just because I’m a geek, because I’m a particular type of geek.

You see, as my regular blog-readers know, I’m planning a SWW #3 trip for my son and me, and I’ve been keeping it a secret from him. And the kid’s a serious Ewok fan, so I can hardly wait to see the look on his face when I tell him not only are we going to Star Wars Weekends, but Warwick Davis will be there. Dude. I can hardly wait to tell him . . . but I think I’ll hold off a little longer anyway.