As I got older I gained new hobbies and other ones fell by the wayside. I used to be huge into wrestling, anime, final fantasy, etc. While I still enjoy most of those things it’s not to the same degree.
This is going to be a bit of a deep dive on one of my long time and more recent loves (that will make sense in a bit)- Star Wars!
First, the past seems like the right place to start. I wasn’t a kid who was surrounded and lived in the early Star Wars fandom, I got into aspects of it when I was young because I liked the toys. So the original three are what I was introduced to first, I think they released the enhanced or whatever you call it version in theaters and I got to see them with my dad, which I really enjoyed. Quick side not, me and my biological father don’t have tons of interests in common so It is nice to bond over the few we do share (Martial arts movies because Bruce Lee is just awesome, and Star Wars). Back on subject, once the prequel trilogy came out I was entering or in high school, the first I saw with my dad I think, the last ones I saw with friends. With the sequels I saw those with my wife, as an adult.
So early on I only liked it because of toys and the action scenes. I didn’t really understand the political tones and what not. I saw light sabers and I wanted to learn how to be proficient in swordplay/fencing (which never happened). As I got older and life wasn’t as easy I liked to immerse myself in worlds that weren’t this one (which I still do), and thinking up characters and scenarios was how I would pass the time when I was stuck in my own head. The political stuff started to make more sense and the characters started to feel a bit more real. I remember seeing one of the movies with a friend then going to a nearby KB Toys (r.i.p.) and buying Darth Maul’s lightsaber, and I think he did too, but I can’t quite remember , I’ve slept since then. We “fought” with them and had a ball! I was pretty good because I was fast, but neither of us had much skill. Side note, I still think Darth Maul is an awesome character, and love to see Ray Park doing the cool tricks, flips, and stuff. At some point I’d like to meet him to add to my collection of famous people I’ve met.
Once I was an adult I re-watched the entire Skywalker series, which was only 6 movies, and the animated stuff, I listened to audiobooks, watched the other shows, and movies (yes, even the holiday special) and read about how they brought this to life. Which is a really interesting journey. I’ve done this process a few times over and over, don’t judge me. In 2014 I had a friend tell me about a costuming club The Mandalorian Mercs, we were both going to join because we both liked Boba Fett, Star wars, and because the group does a lot of good- visiting sick fans, raising money for charities, etc. Seemed like this was going to be great, at the time I worked with kids so I would bring my armor to work so I could paint it outside and explain to them why organizations like this were fun and important. Well, life happened and that project got put on the back burner for both of us, until recently. Watching the new movies brought me back and reminded me of why I liked the series. While they weren’t perfect I enjoyed seeing the epicness of Star Wars on the big screen again. Then The Mandalorian came out, and with it my desire to want to join the MMCC. So over the end of my city’s lock down (first one anyway) I dusted off my old armor (it was legit dusty), and began to work here and there. I’m still not done, but I still really want to join and maybe do some good or bring a smile to people’s faces as they wonder who could be under the bucket. After watching the first season of the Mandalorian, and now season two up to the ;latest episode I am more determined to “be a mandalorian”. I like that the culture is centered around what is good or bad, even though various factions hold power it’s a culture that wants to preserve itself and it’s way of life. Granted it is a warrior culture and is usually associated with violence, seeing this series has changed my thought process about the group as a whole. The idea that their clan isn’t based on blood, but the teachings and what not. The main character was an orphan saved and raised by Mandalorians, now he is raising a founding of his own. While the journey is about getting the child to where it belongs, the main character is basically his dad.
Stepping back for a minute, One of the things that I have I feel a lot as an adult is that blood doesn’t make family, or to put it simply You can’t choose your relatives, but you can choose your family. I know old school gangs and cults practice similar ideals, but I’m not about that life. I have been screwed over by blood relations in some very impactful ways, which is basically why I adopted that ideology, but as I get older I feel like that just clicks with me more, I like to think of some of my closer friends as family. Many of them have given me a place to stay, helped out when I really needed it, and even their families made me feel like I was a part of their families.
Star Wars isn’t just some cash cow franchise to me, I’ve made lifelong friends, bonded with others, had really in depth conversations, and really appreciated the world it created. I hope it continues to bring people together, as this year has made me realize how valuable and irreplaceable friendship and community are.
Later days, and may the force be with you.
-Owl
The World Through My Eyes 