Yes, the Star Wars
Heresies will be attending Celebration VI at the Orange County
Convention Center in Or-Lando, Florida next week. Finally. For the first time
ever. A ten year veteran of Dragoncon with no Celebration
experience whatsoever. Shameful. Much like a droid, I seem to be made to
suffer.
But soon that’s all
going to change. While there are a million things to do, I have managed to scan
the schedule for Thursday and Friday. Conflicts abound. No cloning technology
available. Still, “Bottled Water and a Plan: Maximize Your Celebration VI
Experience” Thursday morning seems like a no-brainer.
Obviously, Ian
McDiarmid and Mark Hamill are a must. Not to mention Warwick Davis! The legend
himself was scheduled for Dragoncon years ago but was unable to make it.
Until he was announced for this, I was still carrying the dead weight of
disappointment around in my heart. The red carpet premiere of The Clone Wars
is another do-or-die one. Mix that in with TheForce.net and Forcecast
party, digital screenings of all the movies, not to mention endless rounds of
panels and podcasts, and another vacation will be needed after this one.
To be honest, I’m not
entirely sure when I’ll be able to get near this blog again. There will no
doubt be fun and insightful coverage, but probably not until I get back from
Orlando. And then it just depends on whether or not I’m switching jobs (as in
the real world variety) a week or two later.
Hopefully I can grow
more proficient with my uncle’s camera, so there will be more pictures than you
can shake an Ewok at. If any of you noble readers out there haven’t yet
friended me on Facebook (Paul F. McDonald), do so now. I will certainly
try to do some commentary and picture uploading for those who can’t make it.
As typical of my
style, there will be some heresy spread. I’m considering doing a sneak preview
CD-R of my book, complete with intro and sample chapters for certain members of
the Star Wars social media machine. I will also be gathering with my
fellow Lucas-loving blasphemers at the “Why We Love the Prequels” panel on
Sunday, complete with luncheon afterward (though as I keep pointing out, I mean
seriously, why not just name a panel “Why We Love Winning a Million Dollars” or
“Why We Love Mind-Blowing Sex”?).
The schedule is
amping up to insanity, but as some have already done, Facebook messaging
is probably the best way to get in touch with me. Keep in mind, this is only
for people who want to meet and say hello, not for people who want to
punch me in the face. Or freeze me in carbonite – though that Disney thing is
going to be awesome!
But anyway, wish all
of you could be there. So many online friends I want to meet. On the other
hand, so little time. And I personally do require food and sleep at these
things. Dammit. Celebration really should be a week.
Amidst the heat and
fun and inevitable chaos, I hope the Force is with us all. I have no doubt it’s
going to be!
