Greetings, my fellow Star Wars geeks!

Here I sit in front of my television set, recently showered so I'm squeaky clean, clad in, among other articles of clothing, my one-of-a-kind Star Wars IV Celebration blogging t-shirt (I'm hoping this will add some weight, maybe send a message to the powers that be so far across the country to announce the news I so want to hear. ), a Star Wars pencil in hand, my "boob tube" set to channel G4 as I eagerly await the televisionation (is that a word? ) of the STAR WARS SPECTACULAR. Ten minutes to go . . . and counting . . . three minutes and counting . . . "Jurassic Park III" is almost over . . . the heroes prevailing once again . . . one minute and counting . . .

1 p.m. Central Time Arrives!

Nice intro, G4.

Since I gave up my drum lesson this afternoon to stay home to watch this momentous event, I am not recording it. I should be . . . because I just thought I saw a shot of my youngest padawan from CIV! By the time I wanted to grab a second look, the fleeting image was off my screen. I am going to have to record tonight's repeat televisionation (if this isn't a word, it is now since I used it twice in the same story!). It seems only fitting . . . if for no other reason than to reinforce what I just saw!

I am so excited about The Star Wars Concert that is going to be touring starting this fall. All I can say in regard to this is: Please come to Milwaukee! We have an exquisite, awesome concert hall, and it would be so nice not to have to travel to Chicago for Star Wars events like I usually have to do!

Anthony Daniels, as always, was delightful. What more can one say about the actor who has embodied that lovable droid we know as Goldenrod.

It was great to hear about the upcoming video games and the upcoming plans for the "Clone Wars" animated series. (I absolutely love everything about it . . . the campiness, the character development, the artwork. Great going Dave Filoni and crew! ) We have some wonderful aspects of the saga and Star Wars universe to look forward to.

But what I was waiting for . . . hoping for . . . was a little announcement from Steve Sansweet . . . and he did not disappoint me!!!

Would there be a CV next year? Orlando? Boston? Chicago? (that's my hope!) LA? Oh, I hope, I hope, I hope. Venue, even considering my leanings, was unimportant as long as there would be a CV. If you build it, they will come . . .

As a side note, a small enclave of Star Wars friends gathered at my house earlier this month (blog coming on that! ), and on more than one occasion, the topic of discussion came around to the possibility of a CV happening next year. Many were doubtful, but not me! Sure, a party of this magnitude takes a lot of planning, coordinating and fortitude to see it through to its conclusion, but it is not impossible to stage one, I argued. I've thrown theme parties together on very short notice, and, where there's a will, there's a way. I decided I would wait until ComicCon to hear (or not hear) whether we all would have the chance to gather sometime next year to celebrate -- en masse -- our beloved saga.

THANK YOU, STEVE, FOR ONE OF THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENTS I EVER HAVE RECEIVED!!!

There WILL BE a CV next year!!! Sure, the venue is not yet set in stone (Chicago . . . Chicago . . .), and all we know is that it will take place sometime during the summer months (my youngest padawan is, surprisingly so, glad she won't have to miss school for CV. Oh, she would be willing to be pulled out of school [it wouldn't be the first time she's missed school for a fan celebration!], but my studious offspring would prefer not to have to make up all her missed homework in a short period of time. On behalf of my soon-to-be high school junior, thank you, Steve. ). But that's okay with me. At least we know there indeed will be a CV next summer! I will be watching starwars.com closely in the coming months for news about that!

And Steve, if you need any help planning this extravaganza, feel free to call on me. I would be only too happy to lend a hand.

Thank you again, Steve. I'm beaming from ear to ear, and I figure I will be for the rest of the weekend.

. . . now I had better get going on my youngster's custom bounty hunter costume that she wants to wear at CV. A promise is a promise. "I like my Jedi costume, Mama," she told me, "but this one will be cool!" And a bear to create, I dare say!

MTFBWY,
JMW