Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blast

When I hear that people are dressing up like Star Wars characters I don't reach for my revolver, but I do tend to get a little leery. I'm used to Trekkies -- well, not used to, but that's what I'm familiar with. Guys like this one who posted a review of the Star Trek BluRay series on Amazon:

"Paramount is the worst. This release is just a thrown together bunch of crap to collect money from trekkers. Face it fellow Federation Members until we unite and stop buying these travesties they will keep rolling merrily along picking our pockets as long as they can. A blu-ray release should include everything we deserve as loyal Star Trek customers who have shelled out hundreds if not thousands each over the years and that means re-mastered theatrical and extended releases with all the extras thrown in. These Paramount Pirates obviously adhere to the Ferengi Rule of Acquisition which states: Sell the sizzle and NOT the steak - and then sell it again - and again - and again - as long as the rubes keep coming back. IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP AND STOP HANDING OVER THE LAUDINUM! "

So, yeah, it's a little scary. You don't know if they're belching or speaking in Klingon, and it can get a little dicey if you don't know your Sulu from your Seven of Nine.

Star Wars people on the other hand are kind of fun. I spent last Saturday with a group that does events for charity: The Cloud City Garrison.


First of all, their costumes are amazing. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Chewbaca, the stormtroopers, Leia ... absolutely stunning. They put a lot of time and work into making them as real as possible.


Second, these are just the nicest people you could ever run into in any galaxy. They do stuff all over town -- here, Portland, wherever in Oregon you need a better than average meet and greet, and if you get a chance to take your kids to one of their events go.


They do everything for charity. Lucasfilms states that it's all got to be non-profit, which is cool. Honestly, it's amazing to see people actually going to these lengths with nothing to gain for themselves.


So while some Trekkies count their credits and look to trade up on tribbles, the Rebellion and the Evil Empire have joined forces for good, and prove yet again that Yoda was absolutely right:

Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.