"A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away." read the now familiar words across the big screen. The theater was silent. Then comes the blast of the orchestra and the sudden appearance of the words Star Wars falling backwards into space. I already had to go to the bathroom. Heck I almost peed myself, the excitement building as the opening crawl made its way up the screen. I sat at the edge of my seat. My eyes glued to screen. A four year old experiencing a grand adventure as was never before seen up to that time. As I sat leaning forward doing the pee pee dance, my mother asks if I need to go to the bathroom. I immediately retort with a quick "No!". This scene repeats itself several times through the entirety of the movie. (See my "He signed it Darth Vader" blog. http://blogs.starwars.com/Gold5s_log/1

Despite missing parts of the story, I was hooked. I remember quite distinctly getting very upset when R2D2 was shot by the jawas. The lightsabers and the spaceships were the coolest things I had ever seen. My pre-adolescent mind fell in love with Princess Leia (Not my first love. The little girl next door and Linda Carter as Wonder Woman held that honor). I had a habit of falling for brunettes. My wife included. Many a child fantasy envolved rescuing the princess, lightsaber in hand and getting away in the Falcon.

I had found something that still at 33 occupies a part my life. My wife puts up with it. Humoring my obsession as I try to pull her deeper into my world. When we moved into our current home in Colorado, I was finally able to remove my toys from their boxes and display them properly. They have to share the room with the computer and my painting easel, but its the best they have had since my early teens.

My 2 and a half year old daughter loves the "room" as my wife calls it. She wants to play with everything in it. My wife has to keep reminding her that those are "Daddy's toys". Not that a child her age has complete understanding of such things so it is usually to no avail. I have started early teaching my youngling the ways of the force. Some of her first words were R2, jawa, and Vader along with humming the tune of the Imperial March.

Star Wars 1977 was a landmark for me. Expanding my imagination and giving me a beloved place to escape when needed. Now I get to pass it down to the next generation.