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Posts Tagged ‘star wars’

For My Fellow Nerds

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged , , , , , on December 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Here’s something fun for my fellow sci-fi nerds:

How the Written Word Evolved in ‘Star Wars’

The original Star Wars is covered with English signage and written words on displays, something that would change in the wake of the film’s blockbuster success. Both Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi would, with the confidence that audiences had accepted the galaxy far, far away, move away from putting English text on-screen, instead creating unique writing systems—reams of text that were not just left untranslated, but were never given meaning behind the symbology beyond the graphic design.

How that changed, and why, is actually a pretty fun read if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s also one of the many reasons why my first re-watch of the Star Wars re-release was repeatedly punctuated by me exclaiming, “Hang on just a minute!”

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Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash

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Accomplish This

Posted in Other, Science!, tagged , , , , , , , on May 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

We’re heading into the end of the week and I don’t know about you, but I’m usually looking at my to do lists and wondering where the time has gone. (Also? I’m now convinced that meetings exist primarily to spawn more meetings.)

So, fine, maybe I haven’t accomplished everything I wanted to, but it’s not like I haven’t earned a little time for fun.

You too? Then consider taking a few minutes off to read about why The Phony Physics of Star Wars Are a Blast.

You can also read more about the Science Behind Science Fiction: The Physics of Star Wars from the Connecticut Science Center.

An extra bit of fun: And if you’ve always wondered how quickly you’d react to a lightsaber in the dark, or a TIE fighter arrowing out from behind a canyon wall, maybe you should try testing your Reaction Time. (That big blue bar at the top? Click that:)

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Photo by Nicholas Fuentes on Unsplash

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Four Forever!

Posted in Entertainment, Holidays, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2025| Leave a Comment »

It’s May 4th and you know what that means! It’s Star Wars Day!

Why is Star Wars Day celebrated on May the 4th?

Star Wars Day was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films’ most popular catchphrases, “May the force be with you.”

And when does science fiction become science fact? A few examples:

Some ‘Star Wars’ stories have already become reality

…at least four important aspects of the “Star Wars” saga are much closer – both in time and space – than Lucas was letting on.

And while it’s true that we’re making progress on the scientific and technological aspects of the Star Wars universe, that’s not the reason we care so much about it. 

Star Wars came to me at a difficult time, and has served as an anchor ever since. Why does the story resonate so strongly with so many people?

A force awakened: why so many find meaning in Star Wars

According to Lucas: “I became fascinated with how culture is transmitted through fairy tales and myth. Fairy tales are about how people learn about good and evil…it’s the most intimate struggle that we cope with – trying to do the right thing and what’s expected of us by society, by our peers, and in our hearts.”

These stories typically appear during times of doubt and can help viewers reclaim the goodness and innocence in themselves, reminding them they can overcome the evil they see in the world. 

And while I normally ignore Episodes I, II and III (IV forever!), this quote from the script of III seems appropriate.

“In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.”

—Yoda

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Photo by Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash

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No One’s Ever Really Gone

Posted in Entertainment, Other, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

James Earl Jones (1931-2024)

His career spanned three-quarters of a century and included work from stage to voice to movies, but for me he will always be Darth Vader. I’ve written about my love of Star Wars before, and that’s my anchor when thinking about James Earl Jones. 

Who else could have captured Vader’s complex and contradictory traits? Who made us both hate and finally feel for the tortured soul that was Anakin Skywalker? 

‘Star Wars’ colleagues lead tributes to James Earl Jones

“James was an incredible actor, a most unique voice both in art and spirit. For nearly half a century he was Darth Vader, but the secret to it all is he was a beautiful human being. He gave depth, sincerity and meaning to all his roles, amongst the most important being devoted husband to the late Ceci and dad to Flynn. James will be missed by so many of us…friends and fans alike.” 

— “Star Wars” creator George Lucas

A lot of tributes are being published, and if you’re interested in learning more about his impressive and wide-ranging career, I recommend reading them. Here’s just one, from NPR: Actor James Earl Jones, a beloved baritone, dies at 93.

But if you just want to take a quiet moment to appreciate the loss of this generational talent, may I recommend this: 

Thankfully, as Luke says, no one is ever really gone.

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Photo by Josh Howard on Unsplash

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Tuesday, It Is

Posted in Other, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Another Tuesday, another day when I am both inspired to reach dramatic new heights* and, after an intensive tour of the data mines, reduced to the mental status of a child. How appropriate, then, that today we have a Baby Yoda coloring book by the talented Martin Gee.

The Unofficial Baby Yoda Coloring Book

Enjoy!

* A girl can dream.

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Heading Off-Planet?

Posted in Likes, tagged , , , , , , on July 20, 2021| Leave a Comment »

It’s Tuesday and there’s a nasty storm coming (heavy rain and powerful winds with a potential side of hail and tornadoes, so that’s fun). Is it time to take a trip to the virtual used spaceship lot?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTPwbVqU6lc

Who knew the Halo Pelican was almost the size of the Millennium Falcon? (Also, with apologies to Mr. Bezos and Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, but yours are definitely not the biggest!).

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And Also With You

Posted in Entertainment, Holidays, Writing, tagged , , , , , on May 4, 2021| 1 Comment »

I’m a little bit beat. I know it’s May the Fourth and therefore Star Wars Day, but I’m not quite up to a long-form essay on all that this world has meant for me.

Suffice it to say, I’m a fan.

If you’re in the mood for a quick recap of the main movies (or an introduction, I won’t judge!), here’s a quick summation by Star Wars actor Daisy Ridley, with a little help from Jimmy Fallon:

If you’d rather go back to the beginning and study the source, check out this piece on the first movie’s script:

Star Wars: A New Hope Script — Screenplay Analysis and PDF Download

We’re going to break down the essential aspects of the Star Wars script, and how George Lucas made a science-fiction classic.

Buckle up, we’re going into hyperdrive…

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Photo by Honza Kurka on Pexels.com

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Things I Know for Sure

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2021| Leave a Comment »

For today, I give you this highly-personalized, certainly particular list of #ThingsIKnowForSure:

  • Creativity is what’s important, not how or why or when you do it.
  • I eat less when I can taste more.
  • My garden deserves better.
  • Summer is a montage of awkwardly-placed mosquito bites. Still worth it.
  • The world needs a better brand of catnip.
  • Sometimes figuring things out is a matter of a good book and a long afternoon. If that doesn’t work, try a walk. Or a stiff drink.
  • That thing you don’t want to do is probably exactly what you should do (sorry!)
  • Sometimes a day just needs a thunderstorm.
  • Tonic and lemonade are good together. Also gin.
  • Some days there are just too many choices.
  • Touch ID hates me.
  • Sometimes you actually do need that ancient laptop you stashed in the closet.
  • A good book makes any day better.
  • I’m pretty much done letting other people define what’s “good” 🙂
  • Star Wars is the best movie ever (#1, now renamed like a child whose parents changed their mind when she was ten years old. Who does that?)
  • Lord of the Rings is the best book ever. Even though I don’t read it every year (anymore), the effect it had on my life means that it will remain The Best Book Ever for always and ever and ever.
  • Kittens are hard to catch.

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Can’t go wrong with a kitten, right?
Photo by Henda Watani on Pexels.com

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Starflakes

Posted in Likes, tagged , , , , on February 5, 2021| Leave a Comment »

I know I’ve been on a whole snow / winter kick but hey, it’s winter! It’s also snowing here today and is very pretty, with the sort of light, fluffy flakes that bring a blanket of quiet as they fall. Which reminds me!

These free printable Star Wars snowflake patterns from Anthony Herrera Designs are very cool. If you like that sort of thing, which I do!

Just one fine example of Starflake awesomeness

I’ve made these in printer paper, cardstock and acrylic, using everything from scissors, Cricut, and laser cutter. Print, cut, and enjoy!

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I Just Can’t Even Tell You

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on March 27, 2018| Leave a Comment »

I love this so much I just can’t even say. The idea that a generation of Potterheads and aspiring Jedi and would-be superheroes are tackling the big issues of the day? Absolutely fantastic.

As Time correspondent Charlotte Alter put it,

“This is not just a generation that has grown up with school shootings,” she tweeted, before building her apt analogy. “It’s also a generation that grew up reading Harry Potter.”

It’s everything I love about storytelling and everything I want for society. To those writing the good fight, from Tolkien to Rowling to all of you working to make the world a better place through storytelling…

Thank you.

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