Jedi Council Forums - Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread

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Author	Topic: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
Sturm Antilles Title: Former Manager Registered: Jun '00	Date Posted: 9/21/04 3:15pm Subject: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread - Date Edited: 12/28/05 6:43pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Strilo
	I was planning on starting this thread to basically share my personal SW memories, in light of the Trilogy being released on DVD today, as well as this month being my exact ten year anniversary as a full-blown Star Wars fan, but as I thought more about it, this should really be a place for everybody to share as many SW memories as they can. From the earliest to now. So, let me start from the beginning... I was born in April of 1980. Consequently, I was only a month old when The Empire Strikes Back was released in theaters. I have no memory of seeing it then, obviously, but I was later told that I had major diahhrea, which made my mom ( who took me to the bathroom ) miss most of the ending, including, I think, Vader's infamous "I am your father" line. Somewhere in the range of age 2-4, I remember picking out SW figures for my cousin's birthdays. One was Obi-Wan, one was Chewbacca, and I think someone got Darth Vader. I'm assuming these figures were all the ROTJ rereleases. The cousin of my friend ( I think ) got an AT-ST for his birthday. I remember my uncle Denny sitting me on his lap and reading the Star Wars Pop-Up Book to me. I loved it, but the Tusken Raider and Bantha pop-up was broken. I honestly don't remember seeing ANH or ESB very much ( aside from the occasional school friend's birthday party...seemed to be a perrenial favorite for those ), but I do remember two ANH scenes from when it was on TV -- Artoo being sucked into the Sandcrawler, and the trash compactor. I didn't have any toys of recollection, aside from a model A-wing -- but I did have a ANH poster and the RotJ "Battle of Endor" one, with the Millennium Falcon in the middle frame. In about 1988, I finally had ROTJ, taped off of CBS. I watched it over and over ( probably my most-watched SW movie ), and especially the Battle of Endor. The Pause button was my friend during all of those cool effects and explosions. My friend Travis and his brother Kyle had nearly all of the SW toys, and it was great fun playing with them in his back yard. He had literally dozens of stormtroopers -- so we could make squadrons -- and such awesome vehicles as the Stormtrooper Transport, TIE Fighter, Y-wing, TIE Interceptor, and the best of them all, the Imperial Shuttle. After then, SW quietly faded. I occasionally came across it on TV of course, but I had other interests, and the movies were now considered "old". I'd read about the videogames, though. My first issue of Gamepro magazine, in October 1991, featured Han, Luke and Leia on the cover, for the Star Wars NES game. Later the next year, Super Star Wars was released, and that was a spark that would eventually reignite everything in the months to come. I have fond memories of renting it with my friend Charles and his brother Jeremiah, playing it as his house on a rainy December afternoon. In about November of 1993, my friend Fabian invited me over to his house. I was curious about this new Rebel Assault game that was really big that year, and so he showed it to me on his computer. I was blown away. He let me try it, but I just watched myself explode into those Beggars Canyon walls a lot. In January, my good friend Daniel showed me his brother James' computer, which had another all-time classic SW game from the previous year : X-wing. For the next year, that game was a ritual. Hours and hours spent on it. I remember walking out of his brother's trailer one morning at 6:00 am, after playing all night, realizing then that the sun was now up. In June, his brother had purchased TIE Fighter. I'll never forget those speakers rumbling with the sounds of Star Destroyers on the opening sequence, and the awesome voice of Nick Jameson as the Emperor. That game was my life for about two years, and I still have a great picture of me playing it while my cat Shadow is sleeping inside of my zipped-up sweatshirt with her head poking out. Finally, in September of 1994, my fandom had reached critical mass, and I was determined to step into the expanded SW universe, of which I was curious about for some time after seeing such recent books as The Courtship of Princess Leia, The Truce at Bakura, and the Jedi Academy Trilogy. And so I bought the collected novelizations of ANH, ESB, and ROTJ, followed by Splinter of the Mind's Eye and the Thrawn Trilogy that winter. Throughout this time, from '94 to '95 and beyond, I had also gotten into the SW comics ( I had owned Marvel # 18 and a reprint of # 1 when I was little... ) and thanks to my good friends Jon Cornelius and Mike Plaut, the SW roleplaying game. And so my collection expanded, soon not only encompassing games, books and comics, but collectibles, figures and toys as well. In early 1997, I had finally gotten the internet, thanks to AOL going to a monthly rate. In the "Cantina" chatroom, I met my good friends Jay and Jess. Jess lived in Ohio, and Jay was much closer to me, in southern California. We had many interesting conversations and arguments, and seeing the stuff between Han, Luke and Leia really reminds me of us. In 1999 ( the year I discovered TFN! ), me and Jay made a roadtrip out of the first SW Celebration, and I'll never forget that whole experience -- seeing SW celebrities that I had admired for years, in addition to the new faces of the prequel trilogy, such as Jake Lloyd ( and his cute sister Madison ), and Ray Park, who I joyfully slapped on the back at the downtown Denver Jar Jar Jam. As the years progressed, I explored more aspects of SW on the web, and eventually spent more time here at the Jedi Council, especially when I took up a residence in the PSA ( That's Prequel - Spoilers Allowed, for the newbies ), also known as the Episode II forum. And as the months went by and I gained a reputation as a quality poster, I was eventually made Lit moderator on April 2nd, 2002, shortly before Celebration II, and another great roadtrip with my friend Jay. Although I was known as a thoughtful, deep thinker in Lit, I was probably better known for Sturm's Outlander Club, in EUC. Since that time, I kickstarted the Virtual Sequels program, which had been languishing in development hell for awhile, and quietly stepped down and away from the JC ( for the most part ), to avoid Episode III...ahem, I mean, Revenge of the Sith spoilers. So, that's a rough recap of my basic, most cherished SW memories, and a sort of timeline of my fandom. I'd like to thank the following people for their friendship and fandom over the years... My uncle Denny, my mom and dad and sister, my cousins Brad and Tim and uncle Pat, my friends Travis and Kyle, Fabian, Matt Thomas, Jon Cornelius, Mike Plaut, Jay, Jess and all the other AOL buddies from '97, Daniel and James for the great SW computer game memories, my friend Heather, and especially my girlfriend Heather..."Are you my Princess?" And a very special thank you to George Lucas, who without, this wouldn't have all happened, and it was nice of you to help me celebrate 10 years of SW fandom, to the month, this September. Thank you, George. -----signature----- "You're the most compliant rebel I've ever met." - jaya02 Currently reading : About seven different novels at once.
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AdamBertocci Title: Manager: Fan Films Registered: Feb '02	Date Posted: 9/21/04 3:23pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	I remember posting in this thread. // obligatory Well, my favorite SW memory, which I never get tired of sharing, is seeing ANH:SE on opening day. There's this shot where Red 3 and Red 6 team up on a gun tower or something... at that exact moment, I realized that I wanted to work in the moviemaking industry. I like to think I've made suitable progress on that goal since then... Rick McCallum loves you! -----signature----- "Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com MarriedVespin?!
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JediHobbit Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 9/21/04 8:34pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	I remember watching the entire SW trilogy since I can remember. Ever since I've been old enough to work a tv and vcr, probably even before that, I've been absolutely hookoed on SW. thank you George Lucas. -----signature----- But they won't let me dream to live or live to dream.
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Sturm Antilles Title: Former Manager Registered: Jun '00	Date Posted: 9/22/04 5:08am Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	Up. -----signature----- "You're the most compliant rebel I've ever met." - jaya02 Currently reading : About seven different novels at once.
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JediStarMoonstruck Registered: Feb '02	Date Posted: 9/22/04 11:03am Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	I think I was a GL fan long before I saw SW. One of my fav. childhood movies was the Land Before Time (he wrote it). Although, watching Willow scared me, I started liking it a few years ago. My favortie Muppet Babies episode was the one where they made a movie (three guess to what movie!). I had watched SW once before on tape before I saw it in theater. I didn't think anything about it. I thought it was some anienct movie that my mom saw when she was young (my mom is in her 30s now). I went to see ANH as a witness of history. Nothing more. I figured I would be bored out of my mind so I watched ANH on tape the night before to point out the changes in the new verison. I thought all the actors were dead! (I know, I'm sad). I never did find the changes. I was too busy being memorized by the movie. I walked out of the theater an obessessed SW fan. -----signature----- "Without Anakin Solo, the SW Universe is lost and confused” - Padme FADA Minister of Insanity, Lunacy and Fanaticism Anakin Solo Day - October 30, 2006. LONG LIVE ANAKIN SOLO!! - Aaron Allston
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Shelley Registered: Sep '01	Date Posted: 9/22/04 11:45am Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	Thank you, GL, for giving us this wonderful story. Watching the OT DVDs, with their cleaned up picture and sound, is like watching the movies for the first time. -----signature----- A bona fide conservative exposes Ann Coulter as the liar, bigot, extremist, and hatemonger that she is: http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001939.htm Protect America...impeach Bush.
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JediKnightET Registered: Mar '04	Date Posted: 9/22/04 2:32pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	My favorite memory is probably when I opened up the diary I used to keep in 3rd grade and seeing star wars listed as my favorite movie. I also remember in 4th grade (when TPM came out) that everyone in my class thought Anakin was just another name for Luke. I spent afternoons filling them in on the Skywalker genology. It was kinda fun. Oh, I also remember in Kindergarden when the kids were talking about the Hoth battle I told them I wasn't allowed to see it. I can't remember the 1st time I saw the movies. Good times. -----signature----- MTFBWY ('cause Jesus is the Force!) Officially awesome person! Can be verified if you ask me! Duh. Children of the George Member-I'm a Forcie! Guardian Adept of the Veridor Jedi Training Academy Don't be economic girlie men! -Arnold , Bush for pres!
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SLR Registered: Oct '02	Date Posted: 9/22/04 2:41pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	"Watching the OT DVDs, with their cleaned up picture and sound, is like watching the movies for the first time. " Given all the changes he made, it is actually watching it for the first time. -----signature----- *"Sir Tampon" of the Knights of The 3SA Sarcasm Table* Philadelphia Phillies 2007 and 2008 NL East Champions Fight on USC Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory Rest in Peace Snowball
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Strilo Title: PT Manager Registered: Aug '01	Date Posted: 9/22/04 4:25pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	Leave that debate to the OT forum, thanks. -----signature----- #1 on iTunes Most Played: R.E.M. "Imitation of Life" #1 on iTunes Film Scores: Harry Potter "A Window to the Past" * * * * * * "Corrupt, you corrupt and bring corruption to all that you touch. Hold, you’ll behold and beholden for all that you’ve done."
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Sturm Antilles Title: Former Manager Registered: Jun '00	Date Posted: 9/23/04 12:44am Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	I also remember in 4th grade (when TPM came out) that everyone in my class thought Anakin was just another name for Luke. I suddenly feel really old... -----signature----- "You're the most compliant rebel I've ever met." - jaya02 Currently reading : About seven different novels at once.
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zuckuss1138 Registered: Oct '01	Date Posted: 9/23/04 2:29am Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	the other day my dad told me that my aunt and uncle had sold their house and moved out, and i started remembering all the time i spent with my brother and cousin playing star wars toys in the basement. that was during the slow time for star wars, though i didnt know it at the time. ah, those were the good old days. -----signature----- There is no emotion;There is peace. There is no ignorance;There is knowledge There is no passion;There is serenity There is no death;There is the force and i see your shwartz is as big as mine
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war_monger Registered: Jun '03	Date Posted: 9/23/04 6:26am Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	I remember having a very sticky Imperial Guard rubber action figure. I'm not sure how it got sticky, but it was sticky. I think that's about it for great SW memories. -----signature----- "Sir Sissy" of the Knights of the 3SA Sarcasm Table Just when I thought I was out...
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fosh-bantus88 Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 9/23/04 3:48pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	i remember the good old days of star wars, before the prequels and SE's. it was a time when all star wars fans could actually agree on the quality of the movies. of course i was only 9 by the time that all ended. -----signature----- "They misunderestimated me."
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DarthMak Registered: Jan '01	Date Posted: 9/23/04 10:06pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread - Date Edited: 9/23/04 10:15pm (1 edits total) Edited By: DarthMak
	I can't remember a time when I wasn't obsessed with Star Wars. Unfortunately, I was born in 1984 so I missed the Golden Age, but my older brother enjoyed it all, got all of the toys, and experienced the excitement. When I was 3 or 4 years old, my bro decided to give me all of his Star Wars toys, and that's what introduced me to this wonderful story. So when he complains that I'm a nerd, I tell him that it's his fault. Speaking of the toys, God was I a freak for this stuff. Unfortunately my brother gave me his stuff when I was very young, so I lost all the accessories. I even broke my first Darth Vader figure. I knocked his block off just like Luke on Dagobah. I still remember crying when I did that, but a few days later my loving mother took me to a antique store to buy a new one. That figure is standing right here on my desk as I type this. And speaking of my mother, I can't believe how much crap I put her through to get new toys. When the new figures came out in 1995, she called the stores to see if they had them in stock, and if they did, she'd drive me there to get them. I still remember a night in December, 1995. It was a Wisconsin blizzard, terrible stuff. It looked worse than Hoth. But my mother me drove to Target to get the new Darth Vader and stormtrooper. It was worth it. Being a Star Wars fan during the dark era wasn't easy. Elementary school sucked. Here I am obsessed with this wonderful space story while all the other boys were into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers. Don't get me wrong, I liked the Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers were okay, but Star Wars was my thing. Then in 3rd grade, there was a new kid in class. He saw me looking at a Star Wars magazine I brought to school and we started talking. He asked if I wanted to go to his house and I said sure. We went into his basement, and he had a ton of Star Wars figures that his brother gave him. We instantly became best friends and had many new Star Wars adventures for years. I remember watching the trilogy hundreds of times on our taped-off-TV VHS tapes. There were so many quirky things about it, and to this day I remember the parts in ANH where the tape screwed up. Like after Leia's interrogation in her cell by Darth Vader and the Death Star commando walks down the hall, it would be interrupted by a 1980's Pepsi commercial. And to this day whenever my sister and I watch ANH, we always say "how 'bout a Pepsi?" during that shot. And I remember how right after the medal ceremony the tape would instantly cut to Goldie Hawn in the football comedy, Wildcats. Nothing was wrong with the ESB tape because it was taped off HBO, but ROTJ had a weird part during Yoda's farewell speech with a soap opera cutting in and a guy saying he forgot his key. It's stupid little things like that I remember. Unfortunately those cheesy tapes died after many, many, many viewings. So in my mind, that is the O-OT. Do you think George Lucas will release that version on DVD? A remastered edition of the Holiday Special with cast and crew commentary and behind the scenes documentaries will get to DVD before that, I can assure you. And only seeing the movies on TV wasn't that great. I wanted to see them on the big screen. Later I read in the now defunct Star Wars Galaxy magazine, that GL was going to rerelease the trilogy in theaters. I couldn't believe it. I was very excited and waiting for 1997 was excruciating. When it got there, it was a wonderful time. My mom and dad took me to see ANH, my bro and sis took me to ESB, and I saw ROTJ with my Star Wars bud from school. I remember the Halloween of 1996, my final trick or treat. During my candy collecting career, I was Bart Simpson, a Crash Dummy, a California Raisin, Batman, and Jason Voorhees, but my final one would be the most memorable. On a trip to target with my mom, I spotted a Darth Vader costume. And this wasn't one of those crappy costumes that had a cheap plastic mask with a rubber band, and a shirt with a picture of the character, no way. This thing had a latex mask, plastic chest plate, cape, the whole nine yards. I begged and pleaded with my mom, until a week later when she finally bought it which shut me up. I won best costume award in the 6th grade during our costume contest, and in my mind I wasn't a 12 year old wearing a Darth Vader costume, I was Darth Vader. That trick or treat was memorable, I got hilarious reactions at the doors of peoples houses, things like "The Force is strong with this one", or "Oh no, Star Wars is back". I still have that costume tucked away in the attic, simply for the memories. And as I watched the Star Wars trilogy on DVD Tuesday, I couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Sure, I've only seen it a few thousand times, but it was like seeing it for the first time. I almost cried during the ANH credits, because the music is so beautiful and I thought about my memories as a Star Wars fan. In the future I'm sure great movies will come out once in a while that I'll like, but nothing, absolutely nothing with ever defeat Star Wars. Not because of it's great story and great characters. No, Star Wars will always be at the top because it's what I loved as a child. And whenever I watch the films, I feel like a child again. Thank you George Lucas. -----signature----- I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.
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Sturm Antilles Title: Former Manager Registered: Jun '00	Date Posted: 9/24/04 2:17pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	DarthMak - Great post. It's those kind of wonderful, amusing, small things you remember that make Star Wars what it is. -----signature----- "You're the most compliant rebel I've ever met." - jaya02 Currently reading : About seven different novels at once.
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Sturm Antilles Title: Former Manager Registered: Jun '00	Date Posted: 10/4/04 3:36pm Subject: RE: Thank you, George - The Star Wars Memories Thread
	Anyone else wanna share anything? -----signature----- "You're the most compliant rebel I've ever met." - jaya02 Currently reading : About seven different novels at once.
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