I'm still soaring on a cloud of euphoria from Saturday's outing to the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. Seventeen of us took the museum by storm as we converged on the "Star Wars Where Science Meets Imagination" exhibit - and it was a day that will long be remembered. It was the reuniting of friends who hadn't seen each other since CIV or since this past summer. It saw the forging of new friendships as we welcomed new pals into our fold.

I was the (self-dubbed ) social director (all I did was coordinate purchasing our tickets and choosing a restaurant where we could enjoy good food, good conversation and, more importantly, good company), and I was only too happy to do whatever I could to make this outing a reality. It got to be a little joke between the museum staff and me as I called periodically to add a person here, a couple of people there. Jediprincess77, ewanandhaydenfan5, JediPug1 and I decided back in July that we'd go to the exhibit together. Our foursome exploded to 17 by the end of last week as we were joined by Kenobi-fan and his lovely wife, Jedidz23, padmeskywalker77, galacticbabe, nobby and his beautiful wife, DarthKerfuffle, greenandwhitejedi, Jimmy Mac, the force behind theforcenet.com, and his adorable padawan, and two members of my own family.

I haven't had such a wonderful time in a long time. My only regret - not being able to talk with everyone as much as I would have liked. I know I barely said more than hello to some members of our group. That's the trouble with large-group get-togethers. I knew we'd probably split up and go our own ways through the exhibit, which we did (heck, I went off on my own, rarely seeing my husband and padawan! ), so I hoped we'd get the chance to visit more during dinner. Unfortunately, we were seated at a long table - unconducive to conversation that includes everyone. Oh well. Despite this, I do believe everyone had an enjoyable time wherever they sat during dinner.

At Giordano's, we took advantage of this mass meeting to celebrate the upcoming birthday of one of our own brethren. After everyone had had their fill of pizza and pasta, we surprised JediPug1 with a slice of birthday cake - complete with candles, of course! - and a round of "Happy Birthday"! I think she was duly surprised.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JediPug1!!!!!

The Star Wars exhibit was AWESOME, and I really enjoyed how it integrated science with the Wonderful World Of This Saga We Love So Much. It's always a treat for me to get up close and personal (well, as much as one can when gazing at these exceptional specimens of film lore from the other side of plexiglass [or whatever material is used to protect the costumes, ships and props] ) with anything Star Wars related. I marvel at the attention to detail that George Lucas and his cadre of artisans made sure was incorporated into each facet of the saga. I never tire of inspecting (yes, I do inspect ) the workmanship. It is awe-inspiring, and it inspires me to go into as much detail as possible when I tackle one of my creative projects.

As blown away as I was by the exhibit, the best part of the entire day was getting together with my friends, both old (figuratively speaking, of course ) and new. Thank you all so much for coming from both near and far to share in this memorable day. We laughed. We chatted. We oohed and aahed. We got to know each other a little better. Oh, how time flies when you're having fun! How I wish the day could have gone on forever. Father Time never would have allowed that. Oh well. At least we have our memories of a fun-packed afternoon and evening. I look forward to the next time we can be together.

Thank you for making it such a special day. Thank you, jp77, for the candy-filled mini Darth Vader helmet. (T and C say "thank you," too! ) It now sits proudly among my menagerie of SW paraphernalia. Thank you, galacticbabe, for the wonderful bookmark adorned by none other than my favorite character - that farmboy from Tatooine who grows up to be the greatest Jedi of them all. It currently keeps my place in the latest Republic Commando novel I'm reading. Thank you, jp1, for the beautiful ornament that will grace our Christmas tree this Christmas and every Christmas hereafter. Thank you, ps77, for the lovely necklace you fashioned after the one Anakin gave to Padmé in TPM. I will think of you every time I wear it. Thank you, nobby, for the gorgeous, one-of-a-kind drawing of Luke you made just for me. It is tucked away safely in a protective sleeve leading off my 30th Anniversary card collection. It deserves to be at the head of the class.

I hope you all had as much fun as I did last Saturday!!!

It has occurred to me that this is my 50th blog, and, while I intended to write a special blog commemorating this auspicious occasion, I find it only fitting that I share a special SW experience to mark this milestone. While that work in progress has to do with YOU, I will save that for # 51. It will be an apropos way to kick off the next 50!

With the permission of my friends, here's a picture of our pitiful little band. I really don't think the museum ever will be the same. And, yes, your math is correct. In the photo you'll see only 14 members of our band. Ewanandhaydenfan5 was taking care of a snag regarding her ticket (which got ironed out just fine) and DarthKerfuffle and I were taking pictures. (Whew! I sidestepped this one just in the knick of time! )

It was a wonderful day, and like I said at the onset of this rather lengthy entry - it is a day that will be long remembered.

MTFBWY
JMW

p.s. If I don't talk to you before next Thursday, I hope you all have a blessed, relaxing and wonderful Thanksgiving!