Day 145: Jedi turns 30!

Today is the day that most Star Wars fans have been waiting for for quite a while. That's right! It's the 30th anniversary of Return of the Jedi. If you're anything like me, this is a big deal, because it's one of my favorites in the series. It's second, right behind Empire. Plus, it's also the 36th birthday of the original Star Wars film, a New Hope, so it's a pretty big day.

What does this mean? Time to watch Star Wars! Too bad I don't have time to watch it!

If I was able to watch it though, these would be my favorite moments:

Anyone know what happens right after this? I do!

"How we doin'?" ... "Same as always" ... "That bad huh?"

You see, this Han/Luke quote is one that my friends and I do once and a while, but will be doing more in the future. Everytime I come back to the band room after this year, this is how we'll great one another. Makes sense, huh? Ok...maybe not.

This:

Tell me that you don't laugh at that face...or at least smile a little bit. I mean...come on. Priceless Harrison Ford right there. 

And then there's these moments. The first always reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean, but obviously since Jedi is 30 now, this one happened first. And the second always makes me think that Han is just super angry at Luke for interrupting his moment with Leia. Makes me laugh every time.

But this part is by far my favorite of the entire movie. I think it really sums up how their relationship has changed. There's like the moment when he starts to walk away, which is what he would have done before, but then he comes back, and that's how it's changed. Meanwhile, Leia goes from very withdrawn to this position of needing someone else, something we never really see with her before.

And there's always this great expression...the number one priceless Harrison Ford expression.

And this is just absolutely adorable. I flail everytime I see it. I probably shouldn't, but I do anyway.

Those are my favorite parts of Return of the Jedi. You may notice a theme...but you already know that Han is my favorite character, so it shouldn't have been hard to figure out anyway.

I'll skip Disney history for today because I think it's obvious what it will be anyway...that in 1983, Return of the Jedi premiered!

Have a magical day!

Day 98: Love Triangles

I'm not exactly how this really relates to Disney yet, but it does to a point...and it's something I've been thinking about over the past few days.

I recently reread the book Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and read for the first time the sequel, Pandemonium, in preparation for reading the third book, Requiem. I refuse to say anything about the book, as my best friend did such a great job keeping the ending a secret for me (although personally I feel it wasn't hard to guess), but I will say I haven't read the third one yet, so I have no clue what happens.

But the series did bring up a thought...love triangles. It seems to me that in writing, and especially some of the best stories, you can't live with triangles, but you can't live without them either...putting everything in an interesting position. And so I started thinking about love triangles...and I realized that in pretty much every love triangle of all time...it's the second two that fall in love. It's hard to explain this way, so here's a few examples:

Leia, Luke & Han: 

 

Probably my favorite love triangle of all time, and quite related to Disney now that they own Lucasfilm and everything Star Wars...this one is a little messed up, but it still has the point in it. Luke and Leia meet first, and spend a good amount of time on the Death Star together. At the end of the first film it isn't really obvious who she's going to end up with...but Luke seems like a definite possibility. But then Han comes in...the second one, and he's the one that ends up falling in Love with Leia.

Granted...Luke and Leia would have never worked out. As this flow-chart accurately mentions...the only romance between those two was some inappropriate kissing. Either way, still don't get it? Here's another example...

Katniss, Gale & Peeta: 

In another brilliant case of the "love triangle" we have these three, the stars of the Hunger Games trilogy. While I am, in every way, a fan of Peeta, I have many friends who are team Gale, which is quite interesting around here when most of us list this as one of our favorite series. But it's another example of how this love triangle always works out the same way...

Katniss and Gale are friends for a long time, and then Peeta shows up and she falls in love with him. The end. Sounds a bit like Han and Leia, huh? How the second one is the one to end up with the girl (or guy in some cases).

Pocahontas, John Smith & John Rolfe:

Yes, here's a Disney example...and I know that in the true story she ends up with John Rolfe...but it's still worth mentioning. He's the second guy, and he ends up with the girl...get it now?

Admit it, you wanted her to end up with John Smith.

I could probably come up with multiple other examples of how this works...but I figure three gets the point across. Every single time there's a love triangle, the last two to meet end up together. It's just how these things work. Whether Delirium will change that I have no idea...but I'll soon find out. Granted, I can't tell you if it breaks the habit, but I know I'll be pretty happy if it does. 

Here's today's Disney History: 1974: Walt Disney World's Treasure Island (later to be called Discovery Island) opens to the public. Located on Bay Lake behind the Contemporary Hotel, the 11.5-acre island features wildlife (such as birds, reptiles, and mammals). A beached hull of a sailing ship on the island's southwest shot and a light pirate theme (complete with Cast Members in costume) set the stage for this "tropical island paradise." 

Have a magical day!

Day 78: The Empire Strikes Back

Not everyone knows this, but if you are around me more than a few minutes, you'd know that I do in fact love Star Wars. Well, that's kind of a horrible way to say it...I love anything Harrison Ford, and it just so happens that my favorite character he portrays is Han Solo, so it all evens out that way. But since I love Han Solo, that means that obviously my favorite Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back. There's just no question about it. I have an ESB movie poster on my wall and several pieces of Star Wars merchandise, all including Han Solo (or things as gifts from friends).

So tonight I initially was going to watch Clear and Present Danger, since I watched The Patriot Games late last week with my brother and the cliffhanger at the end just makes you want to watch the next one right away. It always helps that HF is in them, but still. My brother ended up having a lot of homework, and he spent a large portion of his homework time goofing off on the computer, so we never had a chance to watch the movie. Instead I pulled out Star Wars.

So here's what happened as I watched:

I have to say, the first time we see Han in the film always makes me happy. It's so unlike the other two, where he doesn't really come in for quite a while because here he comes in immediately, and we even get a Han/Leia fight to go with it.

"We need? Oh what about you need?"

Then of course, there's always this scene: 

"Scoundrel? Scoundrel? I like the sound of that."

Then I calmed down a bit, but spent a large portion of the end of the film making collages for Instagram of some of my favorite parts of the movie: 

"I Love You." 

"I Know."

And while I'm on it, I guess I'll mention why the Carbonate scene is my absolute favorite. I kind of have this love-hate relationship with this scene, because it is n every way completely 100% heart wrenching, but the emotions and the incredible acting just bring the scene to life. For the moments on Bespin, specifically in this chamber, I really believe that this is happening. Leia is losing Han and Han is losing Leia. He did everything he could to protect her, and this is the true climax of the film if you ask me (granted there are two storylines and one could really say it is when Luke finds out the truth, but I feel it's here. This movie is about Han and Leia. Yes, Luke is there and his story is important, but this is about the love story that will carry through the rest of the films). That and the expression on HF's face as he's lowered...but more on that in a minute. Also, that bottom picture, that is my absolute favorite shot in all of Star Wars. It's a beautiful shot as far as color and scene goes, and then you add in the emotions of the actors...it's perfect. And finally, I think it's hilarious that HF and CF just about hated each other during the filming of this entire thing. 

But finally, I came up with one of the many reasons Han Solo should be everyone's favorite Star Wars character. I'll probably make a post on it some other time, but here's what I came up with last night: 

When Han Solo is faced with the awful truth he stood up and took not only torture, but the possibility of death for Leia, and he looked like this. I love how there's just this hint of a smile on his face right as he's lowered. It's like he's putting hope, sorrow, determination, peace, terror and love all into one expression. It expresses everything the moment should be, the fact that he's doing this for Leia, and for the first time we see just how much he has changed. Han isn't a mercenary anymore, and I don't think he ever truly was, but he cares more about her than he cares about himself, and that's an amazing emotion. To bring that to life perfectly is just amazing.

When Luke Skywalker is faced with the awful truth he screamed and looked like this. Yes, his truth is terrible, but he did then attempt to kill himself after finding out Darth Vader is his father. While Han sacrificed everything for Leia, Luke sacrificed nothing for anyone, but instead tried to avoid the truth altogether  Don't get me wrong, Luke is cool (although I really am not a fan of him in this movie), but this is just...this. 

 Anyway, this blog post is far too long already, but I shall talk some other time about why Han Solo should be everyone's favorite character. For now, I will just say, May the Force Be With You.

Here's today's Disney History: 1953: Disney's True-Life Adventure short Water Birds wins an Oscar at the 25th Academy Awards.

Day 19: Mental Breakdowns

Sometimes I really wish I could do one of a few things, specifically when I have a mental breakdown like the one I just had.

I wish I could go to Neverland, where time stops and there aren't so many worries. No responsibilities, just fun and good friends and no weight on your shoulders. Actually, I'd just be fine with the time stopping part, because it seems that the thing I need most right now is time stopping. If I could just have more time then everything might work out ok.

If I couldn't go to Neverland, I wish that my life could be like in Star Wars, where when the Imperials attack the base, Han gets Leia and takes her away, even if only just to escape (and that escape probably turned into a month long vacation stuck on the Falcon). I wish that Han Solo would just fly in here and help me escape from, most of all my thoughts. Even if it wasn't Han Solo...just someone to come in and take me away and give me a break. Someone who won't put more on my plate when I'm no longer hungry.

But, sadly, neither of these things will ever happen. Granted, someday I might find someone willing to take me away, but that doesn't mean we could. In the meantime, I suppose I shall settle (not settle really, more like calm down) to the things that always calm me down...such as EPCOT music. Because I associate Disney World, EPCOT specifically, with being calm and happy, the music itself acts to calm me down...it's just more psychology that I somehow know what it means. I try to listen to it when I'm working, and especially when I'm stressed because it offers, if only for a few minutes, some peace and silence into my life filled with hectic things.

Of course, no matter how much I wish it would, the noise inside my head won't stop...not until this is all over...which who knows when that will be.

Sorry for the depressing post today guys...I'm just in a terrible mood and wish that everyone would leave me alone to finish the things I need to be doing...and stop telling me to stop being "cranky" because it's not like I want to be that either! All I honestly can hope for in the next week is that I get some sleep...although I doubt I will. Still, we can hope.

And even if my day is bad, you go out and have a very magical day.

Day 3: Tough Decisions

I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but my High School Band is working on the audition process for Disney. As President and Drum Major, it's very much my concern...even though for the year in-between now and the trip, I won't be around, since I'm a senior.

My band is in a very unique situation, and I'm not going to explain it all...but I do want to talk about my inspiration for being a leader. As a sophomore I was thrown into a leadership position I didn't necessarily want, much less was ready for. I was lead alto of Jazz Band, due to circumstances out of my control. But I love Jazz, and I love music, so I worked toward being a better leader for Jazz. That year I was also treasurer for our band council...and by the end of the year, I had officially decided to run as Vice President the following year, despite the fact that I would be running against a fellow band member and friend, who also happened to be a senior. I ended up winning Vice President, as well as the election for Band Council Representative...of which I then declined and handed off to a friend of mine who had also been running. It was the right thing to do. Then this year, no one ran against me. I was President, and again without much debate, I was Drum Major. It all happened so quickly. How I decided I was ready, I have no idea.

But there are three people, none of which are alive (well, or real) that inspire me and the way I lead a group, in this case...Band. First and foremost is Walt Disney...for obvious reasons. I understand the trials and tribulations that Walt went through to start his company, but he never gave up on anything he really wanted to do. He would let ideas sit in his head until he was clear on what he wanted. Once he said that, or in any case really, he then spent time modifying the idea and making it perfect, and when the idea was built, it was the same way. In band, it's that idea exactly that gets me through a lot of things. Back as a sophomore, last year as a junior and now as a senior, I work at things until I have them perfect, and when I approach our band council and director with an idea, I've already thought about different problems or scenarios that could arise from the plan. I am confident in what I want, and while I'll listen to other parts, I'm pretty stubborn too...which I guess, is another part of Walt Disney. I've seen the Disney quality, and I do everything in my power to make my ideas, projects, personal musicianship and leadership to bring the same quality to that.

My second inspiration comes from one of Walt's childhood heroes...in fact, Walt's Childhood hero...period. I base a lot of what I say on Abraham Lincoln, a man whom I find, is a great writer. His speeches led a country through the most difficult situation possible, and I am stuck in many difficult situations with Band. He had one goal...I have one goal, but if it accomplishes something else along the way, all the better. He wanted to keep his national together, and while I want to keep my band together, I want to decrease negativity within our group, which in the end will, hopefully, bring our band closer together. Plus, it never hurts to have a brilliant speech every once and a while.

Finally, and this one is pretty weird and may seem geeky, Princess Leia Organa, yes from Star Wars, inspires me to be a good leader. If you look at her storyline, it's quite impressive. She has everything taken from her at a very young age...her home, family and overall, life. She, of course, throws herself into her cause, only to ignore those who love her that are around her. When she finally lets Han in, he is taken from her too...but she rescues him. It's what she wants. Now we have very little knowledge of what happened in between those movies...and if there's a book, I'm sorry, but I have no intention of reading it (Courtship of Princess Leia ruined everything for me). But anyway, we don't know, but I like to think that she is one to fight for what she believes in...whether that be the Alliance or for Han. But there's one other aspect that I really take from Leia. I've always felt that she would want to be one with the people, not one above the people, and that's exactly how I want to be with band. I spend much of my time focusing on maintaining relationships within the band...helping out members if they need it, talking with people, making jokes, trying to make it fun. Now, of course, I can't get along with everyone, but it does make me a little disappointed in myself when I hear about how people are afraid to talk to me. It's happened at least three or four times in the last two months...and I feel awful that I'm not doing enough to maintain those relationships. But I won't just walk away with my head down, I'll, as Walt always said, "keep moving forward."

The difficult thing is, now at least, that I don't know where "forward" is. We have so many options, and what I feel is best for our group is quickly slipping through my fingers...not to say that I know what is best, but I have put a lot of thought into it, and I don't think I'll be able to just sit around and watch the group I've worked so hard for fail. I can't do that. The question is, if I can't do that, how do I start what I think is right?

Have a magical day!