Remember how I promised to blog about something meaningful, Star Warsy, and not IRL-related? Yeah, well, this isn't it. However, this is definitely something you won't want to miss and I figured there would be no better time than Obi-Wan Week.

A few weeks ago (as numerous blogs have mentioned) some wonderful bloggers came to my jazz recital. It was wonderful to see some familiar faces and some new ones. One of those faces belongs to a certain person held in high esteem around these parts. He's marvelous. He's mystifying.

He's Kenobi-Fan.

I must say that the circumstances under which we first met were...curious. He managed to catch me before I could be swept away by the crowd of students, professors, friends, and family that waited in the reception area post performance. In that dark corner of the recital hall we quickly exchanged greetings before K-dude vanished into thin air. Or rather, "had to run catch a train" to "make it home before midnight." Very curious indeed. Though our encounter was brief, something kept tapping me in the back of my mind. K-fan reminded me of someone, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. Ah, well. After he left, I got to stick my tongue out and taunt the other bloggers over the fact that they missed him by this much. Then we ate Wookiee Cookies and the universe was suddenly right. (Actually, we were all sorry he couldn't stick around, but I must say I did feel pretty darn special for being the lucky one to meet him.)

But the story doesn't end there. Oh no. There's more.


~ Intermission ~

A lim composed by The Stooge:

Although he blogs so very well
And claims to ride home on the L
We don't really know
If he's from Chicago
Or fakin' it 'cause he's GL!

~ Now back to your regularly scheduled blog ~


Just this Monday, I met up with K-fan again. I was honestly a little concerned that I would not recognize him, since we had only met briefly before (and in a darkish corner at that), but I identified him right away. I met him at his "place of work," the address being 77. Curious. Anyhow, we headed over to a cool restaurant close by, chatting all the way. It was great fun! Our chatting, in fact, never seemed to stop...even when menus and plates of food were placed in front of us. There was just so much to talk about: Star Wars, you guys, family, Celebrations [subliminal message]K-fan-cometoC4cometoC4cometoC4[/subliminal message], you guys, Chicago, Star Wars, X-Files, Firefly, jobs, college, Star Wars, K-fan's freakin' awesome artwork, Star Wars, Mazdas. I'm pretty sure he mumbled something in there about Order 66, but I can't be sure.

Actually, I brought up the dreaded number. See, when I first started blogging, his "Order 66" blog was on the front page. I was trying to comment on all the blogs, just to let people know that I was there and wanted to be a part of the community. I remember reading his blog and thinking, "Oh boy, what in KESSEL am I going to say to this???" Thank the Maker that by the time I had found the nerve to comment, all the spaces were full.

Oops, I've gotten a little ahead of myself. I should mention that I wore my special "Rebel Scum" shirt in honor of the get-together. When I took off my coat at the restaurant I proudly showed off my new fun shirt. It was at this point that I noticed his. Plaid. Curious.

After finishing our absolutely delicious lunch (THANK YOU!!!!!!), I whipped out my Yoda lunchbox, which, yes, actually carries my lunch to school each day. This day, however, it was transporting much more precious cargo: Wookiee Cookies for K-fan. It was just a small way to say "thank you," but know they were baked from the heart! Er, wait, that kind of sounds gross...

We then decided to visit (~drum roll~) the Lego store. I think I'm going to make this a rule from here on out: you visit the Princess, you visit giant Lego Vader & R2 (and get Wookiee Cookies). Needless to say, our Lego pals were happy to see us. After snapping a few pics and saying goodbye, we headed over to another R2 on Michigan Ave. Yep. A mailbox! (There are at least 3 mailboxes in this city.) The weather was lovely so the walk was pleasant. I think I heard him mumble something about the weather being nicer in California, but I can't be sure. We snapped some more pics (apparently I'm quite frightening at 5'1" and youain'tnevergonnaknow lbs. because some guy jumped about 10 feet in the air when I said, "Excuse me. Could you please take our picture?"), realized that K-fan had taken a really long lunch break, and decided it was time to go. *sniff, sniff* Hugs all around.

I wish you all could've seen the smile on my face as I skipped back to school with my lunchbox. (The Yodacon isn't smiling big enough.)

What will I remember most about this wonderful person? His laugh. One would fully expect to hear something like: Ha!, when in fact, that's not his laugh at all. It's more like a series of Ha!'s. Perhaps something like: Ha!Ha!Hahahaha! This, my friends, was mind-boggling, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. Combined with an amiable, downright fun personality and kind heart, this makes for a dangerous person. I would advise you all to STAY AWAY from K-fan...or you will want to hang out with him again and again and again. I'm afraid I've already gotten caught in this vicious cycle.

Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, my K-friend. We will meet again. (Yeah, yeah, I'll bake you more cookies...)

Forcefully,
JP

P.S. I still can't figure out who he reminds me of. If anyone else can, please let me know.

*Special thanks to the Rebel spy who was able to secure the photo for me. Many Bothans did something or other, I'm sure.*