Star Wars.

When I was a kid, probably not more than 5 or 6, I remember getting some Star Wars action figures in the mail that my mom had sent away for. This was remarkable for two reasons. I was a kid, I never got mail. I was shocked to discover the large brown envelope that had arrived was for me. I was even more shocked to discover that there were toys inside. This was my first introduction to Star Wars: Chewbacca and Obi Wan Kenobi action figures. Those action figures were like Kenner Brand herion and I was hooked. I had to have all the action figures. And the ships. And the monsters. And the Millennium Falcon playset. You get the picture.

When I went to school, I discovered that other kids liked Star Wars too. At recess, you would play Star Wars. Lost in a playground world of imagination where any sort of adventure could happen. My best friend was always Han Solo. He was cool, and he got the girl. I usually got stuck playing C-3po. Really, how could I not know I was gay?

To say that these movies are unimportant or silly is to dismiss an entire generation's youthful imaginings. They were the corner stones of my creativity. As a kid I would imagine going on adventures with Luke Skywalker, crash landing the Falcon, learning from Yoda.

So tonight is the openening night of the last Star Wars movie. I have this incredible feeling of anticipation. Yes, I'm a geek.