I wonder how Luke or Anakin felt when they were presented with a new, shiny starfighter. Just itching to get into the cockpit, I bet - ansy to take her up for a test flight to put that baby through her paces. Skyward each would soar, reaching for the vastness of space, jinking the control stick right, left, spinning into seemingly endless rolls, letting the Force guide them to test the limits of their ships.

Oh, what an exhilerating feeling!

Did they stand transfixed for even one moment to gaze upon the sleek beauty of their ships, their eyes taking in every inch of their fighters' forms, knowing in mere minutes each would coax his "lady love" with the slightest of touches to warrant the responses they desired? What sensations must have come over Luke and Anakin as each strode slowly down the length of his starship, a hand gliding ever so gently down the belly of his powerful, yet responsive, craft. I can see the glint in Anakin's eyes as he smiles and utters, "this is where the fun begins."

Oh, what an exhilerating feeling!

While I much would prefer to be at the controls of a ship streaking across the sky, I will settle (for now!) for sitting at the controls of my new vehicle, poised to dart down the streets of my adopted hometown. We traded in my car - a car I loved driving - at the end of last week. Perched proudly in the center of the showroom was a curvaceous, tantalizing two-seat convertible that caught my eye. Dark and dangerous, it beckoned me. It was the one for which my oldest padawan lobbied, but just where did she think she and her sister would sit? Oh wait - she expected to be the one in the driver's seat. Much as I would have preferred the agile speedster, even I have to be practical sometimes. Instead, I opted for the four-door sedan that - - I will drive as if it was a sports car. At least all four of us will be able to travel in relative comfort.

My holographic Obi-wan Kenobi figure (you know, the little "extras" that come with some action figures) is ready to be affixed to my dashboard. I have to go on a hunt for one of those Star Wars dashboard drivers DJ Maul - Got Feet showed us in a recent tour. Deej mentioned they can get a bit obnoxious after a while, but, as I alluded to in my last blog, there are few lengths to which I won't go for Star Wars! (If I am successful and can procure one of those traveling buddies, and if the dashboard figure begins to be annoying - can I say that about something Star Wars? - I'll just have to retire it. I live in pot-hole purgatory, so I would imagine my traveling companion would get quite a workout!)

My personalized license plates announcing my Star Wars fandom to the world already have been transferred. Come spring, I want to customize the body. Inspired by the fans who brought their own versions of Star Wars vehicles to C III - check out these masterpieces - I want to give my Sonoma Sunset Sentra its own Star Wars flair. Then I'll really be able to tool about town in fashion - all the while imagining myself at the controls of my very own x-wing fighter. ("Truly wonderful, the (imagination) of a child is.")

This was going to be a short and sweet entry. Ha!

MTFBWY

JMW