Water? Check. Pain killers for hangover? Check. A HUGE dose of caffeine? Double check. Sleep after this blog is finished? Copy that Red 5.

And so goes the New Year for me. I'm currently nursing the remnants of a hangover after bringing in the New Year with my fellow Crew members and bloggers from here. And how did we accomplish such a huge feat, being that we all live in different time zones across the United States? The answer, gentle readers, is very simple; Yahoo Instant Messaging (IM).

My original plan for this blog was to focus on my crusades from the past six months of 2007. Instead, I've been persuaded to blog about our damn-fool-idealistic crusade that brought in the New Year. But, I stewed over the situation and thought to myself, "Why not blog about the best of both worlds?" Hah, a brilliant solution. Hang onto your panty hose, cause this is going to be one long blog ride.

2007 was a historical year, no doubt. But, more importantly, 2007 marked the year of the 30th anniversary for Star Wars. I remember how excited I was this time last year as I watched the Rose Parade, with George Lucas as Grand Marshall , and tried in vain to contain my anxiety for Celebration IV. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine the outcome of events that have unfolded from being online here. Let's just say that I've taken those first steps into a galaxy far, far away.

It's hard to believe that all of this is over now. I have pictures and blogs to remind me of the past year. That's all fine and dandy, but nothing compares to the real friendships that have developed for me right here, right now. Friendships that I hope will continue for a very long time.

What are my 2007 resolutions? Resolutions are considered by some to be unnatural. Instead of focusing on 'resolutions', I'd much rather focus on my next crusade which will be happening at WonderCon this Feburary. Without any of you there would be no crusade or adventure in this galaxy we've all come to love together. I'm thankful that I can continue my damn-fool-idealistic crusade with you.

Now, let's get on with the show, shall we?

I suppose I could show you some of the IM transcript from last night, but I think I'm going to hold off and save it for the end of this blog. It's very entertaining to say the least, especially when the booze started flowing through some of us. And, no, that was not the Force that was flowing through us.

First, let me back up to mid August 2007. My first crusade after CIV was to the forest moon of Endor (Montana), where Granny-Wan drove four hours or so in her land speeder to pick me up from the space station docking center (airport).

Our first mission on Endor was to observe the Cedar forest for any evidence of flesh-eating Ewoks (bears). I couldn't have done this mission without the help from Granny-Wan's grand-younglings. Although there were signs of flesh-eating Ewoks, we managed to get through Endor unharmed and in one piece.

Our next mission was to patrol Imperial activity between Endor and the Imperial border station (Canada). Unfortunately, this mission went astray when I got sick. I'm happy to say that there were no Imperial entanglements after spewing my guts out on the side of the road just twenty miles shy of the border. It was a humbling experience.

Two weeks after my trip to Endor, I found myself at opposite ends of space on a back-water planet known as Tatooine (Texas). Accompanying me on this crusade was Jazzie. It was decided by all three of us that early September 2007 would be the best time for a visit. No one heard my plea to postpone the trip and book it later for the Dallas Star Wars Fan Days Convention. Instead, I had to live through Hansgirl and her mother via the phone while they attended the Con (sniff, sniff). They both got me LOTS of goodies, though, which I will always be grateful for.

Our first mission was to research and gather information at the National Academy of Space and Arts of the Jedi (NASA Space Center - Houston). However, we almost blew our mission by stealing the star fighter (Shuttle). Needless to say, we dumped that idea and continued to observe and research NASA in a peaceful manner. It truly was an over-the-top experience. I highly recommend it as a must-see attraction if you ever happen to be in the area.

Some of highlights of our research on this mission included...

-Hansgirl and Jazzie entering a Pod race.
-Visiting the training center of the Jedi (Astronauts).
-I think this fellow is a little short to be a Stormtrooper (Lego Astronaut)
-Capturing a glimpse of Mission Control Center.
-The view from a Jedi star fighter cockpit. (Space Shuttle).
-Jedi completing a mission on the moon and their moon transporter.
-The early creation of an astromech droid (Robonaut)
-Size does matter when it comes to a star fighter engine.
-Observing a decommissioned star fighter that was never launched (Apollo 18, I believe)

The day after completing our mission at NASA, we decided to grab a bite to eat at the nearest cafe known as The Hobbit. All patrons are greeted with a warm welcome from this guy after entering the establishment. This place is not only known for its Hobbit artifacts but also for its fine selection of Nerf burgers (buffalo burgers) and ale.

The remainder of our visit on Tatooine was spent buying up all of the Star Wars 30th anniversary trading cards from every known 'Mart' and toy store on Tatooine. All three of us were able to build a complete set of the regular trading cards, except for the specialty cards.

So, you've made it this far with me I guess I should finish this damn-fool-idealistic crusade with some of the transcript from our IM New Years Eve bash.

Without further ado, I give you a small, but significant recap of the 2007 IM New Years Eve bash. Enjoy.

IM party-goers included:

Granny-Wan
Hansgirl
Sarlacc Pitt
Gencrs
Michelle68
JediPug
Padmeskywalker77
Jediprincess77
Jedi Melinda
Jedi Lily
Senator Sophia
Megatrends
DJ Maul...aka Deej
GalacticBabe
Ewanandhaydenfan5
Arwen Skywalker

[Disclaimer: If I've missed someone, it was due to my drunkenness, incomplete transcript or my blondness, whichever came first. Anyway, let me know who I missed and I will add them to the list.]

Always try to show up to a party on time. Your host will appreciate it and you get first dibs at the food. By the looks of the transcript below, some party-goers were ready to start the party early, with or without their hosts for the evening. Never fear, Granny-Wan made it very clear who was in control for the last crusade of 2007:

Granny-Wan: Hansgirl!!!!!!
Gencrs: I was wondering what happened.
Hansgirl: Hey, we're early! Cool! Hi all!!!
Sarlacc Pitt: Hello!
Gencrs: Hey Hansgirl!!!!!!!
Granny-Wan: I have the fate of the entire party at my fingertips....
Hansgirl: What's up?
Gencrs: Just watchin ESPN year end shows
Hansgirl: And Granny-Wan controls the galaxy!!
Gencrs: That's frightening
Hansgirl: I'm watching Blade Runner: The Final Cut!
Gencrs: I haven't gotten that yet
Granny-Wan: Some control, I can't get Senator Sophia in here....Hansgirl, a little help?

Further down the transcript, we have the girls teaching the boyz how to SQUEE, costume discussion of all sorts and ending the conversation with how I almost blew up my microwave by microwaving a paper plate with foil on it. That is a sure sign of drunkenness. Don't try this at home kids:

Granny-Wan: Boyz make animal noises... lol
swgalacticbabe: =))
Sarlacc Pitt: Squeak.... (?)
Master Mina: Hey, speaking of blowing up the Darth Ball, I almost blew up my microwave...=))
jedi_princess_77: Come on boys, give it your best shot! )
Michelle68: eh?
Michelle68: what'd you do?
Sarlacc Pitt: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Granny-Wan: No, not the microwave! You'd starve!
swgalacticbabe: burnt your popcorn?
Senator Sophia: I love Kaylee! - her costuming can actually be hard depending what you pick.
Master Mina: heehee...Gencrs, you got that right!!)
Michelle68: oh that was too easy Pit
Michelle68: LOL
Gencrs: How did you blow up a microwave
swgalacticbabe: That was a good one, Mr Pitt!
jedi_princess_77: Pitt is gooood....)
Senator Sophia: That's one hell of a SQUEE!
Hansgirl: Oh yeah!!!
ehfy5: Nice, Pitt!
Gencrs: SQEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Michelle68: hey brb guys
Padmeskywalker77: I'm picking the one from the pilot...not too difficult considering I'm doing one of Elizabeth Swan's from POTC 3
Senator Sophia: Give it to me, baby. . .
Hansgirl: And Joe'
ehfy5: Not bad, Joe!
Gencrs: that's my last one of the night
Master Mina: I put a paper plate with tin foil on it in my microwave...LMAO

Granny was dead on about her remark regarding my microwave. I certainly would starve to death if I blew up my microwave.

Lastly, but certainly not least, we ALL got real excited when a fellow blogger would join or re-join the group in the last crusade of 2007:

ehfy5: Shelly!
Granny-Wan: Shelly Bean!!!!!
Gencrs: There she is
Michelle68: hey!
Senator Sophia: Hi Shelly!
jedi_princess_77: Shelly!!
Hansgirl: Shelly's bacccccckk
Master Mina: What happen, Shelly?
Michelle68: was having probs
Gencrs: You made it back
jedi_princess_77:
jedipug1: hi shelly
Michelle68: logged off my spew IM
Master Mina: Sith puter. >:P

Alas, the group made it through four New Years Eve time zones and ended the New Year with hugs and sloppy smiley-con kisses. A fun time was had by all.

Bloggers come and go in our lives on here. The important thing to remember is to enjoy what little time you have with them while they are around. Who knows? You just might strike up a friendship with one of them and be off on some damn-fool-idealistic crusade.

I hope all of you had a safe and happy New Year. Live long and prosper (Ops, wrong genre). I meant, May the Force be with you, always.