It was way the hell back in March of 2007 when the United States Postal Service announced the impending limited release of a sheet of stamps commemorating the pure AWESOMENESS of Star Wars. Fitting, then, since 2007 marked the 30th anniversary since the original film's release and the birth of an unparalleled cinematic icon. The R2-D2 mail boxes were pretty frikkin' sweet, too.
(We won't go into discussion here on the wide array of opinions stemming from the re-release of the doctored original trilogy, nor the subsequent prequels and the descent of George Lucas into the depths of merchandise-induced lunacy. That is a talk for another time.)
No, here we will mention how badly I wanted to find a reason to venture into the gool ol' US of A back then. My Star Wars fandom is a deep-seated thing, not often stirred by the latest plastic gizmo issued for mass consumption. It borders on the sacred for me, and to sully that with cheap, throwaway toys from McDonalds just ain't my bag, baby.
But when something unique comes along, something rare, something that's offered for a Limited Time Only!, well then, I'm piqued. And when it's affordable? Even better. Thus my fleeting consternation at my Canadianinity and the stamps' obvious American-ness. Procurement might have been a problem.
Luckily, through the wonders of the internet, I have, over the years, acquired a small but useful menagerie of American friends, scattered through several strategic states in the union, a good number of whom share at least part of my passion for Star Wars. When I made my lamentations known, there was one who said something like, "Dude, like, I'll totally get those for ya. Chah!"
And I was appeased.
And then months passed.
And it was the winter of 2007, and also that of mine own discontent.
Then I realised, you know, I'm planning to meet up with this guy (along with one other guy) in the first guy's home town for what we colloquially coined The Blogfather Bash, in the spring of 2008. And he's probably planning to give them to me then. For sure.
And again I was appeased.
May of 2008 came to pass, I flew down to St. Louis to partake in a geek-filled weekend with two men I'd never met in the flesh before, and of whose flesh I only witnessed a heterosexually appropriate amount. Not that there's anything wrong with that. And I finally scored the stamps!
So I took them home and they sat there. For months. I forgot what they looked like. When I found them again I was all, like, Hey! These are cool! I should really do something with them.
So I finally did.
The frame job cost at least 10 times what the stamps themselves are worth, but it's all about the perceived worth, you know? I had the frame guy leave the back open (also covered with glass) since each stamp has accompanying text on the reverse side and I didn't want to cover it up. But that picture's really boring so I'm not posting it.
Instead you get this second picture:
Declan has (apparently) reached the point where his little brother's intrusions into his bedroom are causing him all sorts of consternation and general gnashing of teeth. Having a little brother of my own, I can relate. (Amy did the lettering to complement Dex's fine drawing.)
When Dex drew that up today Amy told him, "You know Dex, Tavish can't read any of this." To which our eldest boy gave the pragmatic reply, "Yeah, I know Mom. When he wakes up from his nap I'll bring him over here and explain what it means, 'K?"
(Dex can't read it yet either, but I don't think they got into that. He has all the words memorized.)
What an excellent display. I'm glad I was there to witness the handing over of the goods.
Here's my link to my post that includes a picture of me standing next to an R2-D2 mailbox:
http://blog.markwill.com/2007/08/23/i-am-not-thirteen
A couple of other geeky SW-related pics are right at the top.
Posted by: Mark | Wednesday, 28 January 2009 at 08:38 AM
My apologies to my wife for linking to a photo of her pre-Weight Watchers self.
Posted by: Mark | Wednesday, 28 January 2009 at 08:40 AM
Triple-matte, neato! Reminiscent of an 80s look, too. It would be a cute enough piece of deco, but the story that goes with it makes it more special.
I thought the drawing would be stuck to the door of the room where the stamps were displayed, until I read the author's name.
Nice new banner.
Posted by: Émilie B. | Wednesday, 28 January 2009 at 01:30 PM
Yea, I'm useful!
It's really cool to see those babies all dolled up. They sat in my sunroom for months awaiting your arrival. Oddly, I didn't trust the postal service to safely transport stamps ;) I'm very hapy to have had a part in that fun (though if I had know you were going to display it in such splendor, I'll admit that I would have had a hard time not signing the back...just to vex you.)
I love Dex's sign. I expect to see it triple matted soon ;)
Posted by: Moksha Gren | Wednesday, 28 January 2009 at 01:48 PM
Love the sign!
Posted by: Terri | Wednesday, 28 January 2009 at 03:43 PM
Mark,
The handoff of the stamps, though underwhelming, may go down in history as a cusp of sorts that will eventually define this era. Um, I'm not sure exactly why.
Émy,
The triple matte was the framer's idea, and I'm glad he has more artistic savvy than I do. Good thing the story makes it special, because the inherent value of the stamps don't, really!
Terri,
Of course you love the sign. You know quite well how much young siblings can love each other in that unique way.
Posted by: Simon | Thursday, 29 January 2009 at 10:16 AM
Moksha,
That was me unintentionally forgetting to reply to you, too. Mea culpa. I'm glad you didn't trust the postal service to transport the stamps since it made their receipt by my a little more special. And stuff. Don't expect to see Dex's sign matted any time soon. We have more of his pre-school artwork than we know what to do with.
Posted by: Simon | Thursday, 29 January 2009 at 10:18 AM
Today's the day, my friend. Enjoy all that sunshine and safely return with good tales to share.
Posted by: Moksha | Saturday, 31 January 2009 at 07:11 AM
Welcome back to frigid reality, good sir. We've missed you.
Posted by: Moksha | Monday, 09 February 2009 at 10:29 AM
I like Star Wars quite a bit, myself. Nice stamps. I have a couple of autographed CD inserts I'd like to frame like that. I'll probably attempt it myself, though.
Posted by: Alvis | Wednesday, 11 February 2009 at 11:17 AM
BTW, your banner pic is awesome.
Posted by: Alvis | Wednesday, 11 February 2009 at 11:18 AM
That Sign of Declan's door breaks my heart... It is only because Tav can't read that I put it up for Declan. It was so sad to see Declan hold Tav's hand and read it to him... Tav's little innocent face looking up at it and only seeing a drawing and enjoying it... I hate that sign!!! Think Declan would get it if I put one on my door???
Posted by: Amy | Thursday, 12 February 2009 at 08:50 PM
Love the little door sign. My son hasn't thought of making one of those yet, but it's coming soon.
Posted by: All Adither | Friday, 02 October 2009 at 10:48 PM
You had me at "pure AWESOMENESS of Star Wars."
Posted by: Jenn | Sunday, 20 December 2009 at 11:40 AM
As the business grows, ladies rolex datejust has also jumped into an international brand. It is worth mentioning that, rolex datejust ii is the ancestor of today's brand-oriented, in order to protect the quality and brand name will be printed on their products, the history of fashion in the world, is the first one first.
Posted by: ladies rolex datejust | Wednesday, 24 February 2010 at 01:17 AM
Physcian Jobs Musculoskeletal Medicine http://www.forensicideas.com/ - Cialis
http://www.forensicideas.com/ - generic cialis pills, Stress can cause so many physical problems, so if you think it is a contributor, then finding a way to relax can help you to get back your sex life. http://www.forensicideas.com/ - cheap generic cialis, http://www.forensicideas.com/ - cialis for sale, To ensure that your body is performing up to its full potential, give it a healthy diet full of vegetables and limit the amount of fat that you are consuming. http://www.forensicideas.com/ - generic cialis tadalafil, http://www.forensicideas.com/ - cialis drug, http://www.forensicideas.com/ - cialis drug, http://www.forensicideas.com/ - generic cialis without prescription, http://www.forensicideas.com/ - buy cialis without prescription.http://www.forensicideas.com/ - discount cialis
Posted by: MimiSymnkayag | Thursday, 21 April 2011 at 09:23 PM
If you are a Millikins overthat to anky and her husband Sandy continuous playback of any dirty son of a barrel of Thumper, then you blow your life thebiggest things, do not forget it.
Posted by: Oakley Sunglasses UK | Thursday, 30 June 2011 at 04:10 AM
comment2, altace mt, %-DD, altace altace, 031443, altace questionnaire, 437072, altace and bloodpressure, :-DD, hydrochlorothiazide altace, mle, altace shelf life, 282, altace lipitor plavix topol kole, 440625, what are side effects of altace, 8OO, altace green stool, >:-OO, altace should take, :PPP,
Posted by: jonn2 | Friday, 08 July 2011 at 01:50 AM
Common drawback of using fat burners is the reality that various include huge doses of stimulative extracts that could make you to be tense and restless. Then I realised, you know, I'm planning to meet up with this guy . Fat burners could aid you but you are required to comply with a couple of general recommendations.
Posted by: Fat Burners | Saturday, 23 July 2011 at 04:24 AM
herbal medicine herbalism chinese herbal medicine http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046346#367 - cost diclofenac epolamine topical patch dosage sport medicine pittsburgh
mercury solution medicine http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046360#104 - dose diclofenac mg drugstore cowboys mp3
canadian pharmacys http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046370#639 - purines treatment diclofenac reedsport medicine cabinets
panorama internal medicine group http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046376#623 - pill diclofenac diclofenac sodium delayed release cepha animal medicine
colleges in south carolina sports medicine http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046387#043 - diclofenac sodium 75mg ec tablets injection new medicine for althezimers
agile pharm platelet http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046398#687 - medication diclofenac sodium 75mg herbal medicine problem prevents blood clotting
side effects lipitor medicine http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046408#129 - uses diclofenac sodium conditions related mexico pharmacy generic viagra
purchase sumatriptan pharmacy http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046420#647 - amazon diclofenac sodium 50mg uk adipex from foreign pharmacies
west virginia pharmacy jobs http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046430#702 - hydrocodone vs diclofenac sodium pharmacy utah
ethics in medicine generally deals with http://dailybooth.com/diclofenac/19046432#101 - naproxen vs diclofenac sodium mg medicine hat alberta news
animal medicine research navy medicine san diego
sports medicine clinic wichita robotix used in vision and medicine
salary of pharmacy specialist institute of dive medicine
better medicine book canada kinsmen home lotto medicine hat
cholesterol medicine types icore pharmacy in florida
government pharmacy technicians brattle street drugstore
medicine side effects burning feet oriental medicine monterey california
advancement of medicine 2008 online pharmacy russian stimulant
riteaide pharmacy schnucks pharmacy
infant trachea with evidence based medicine shoprite emersom pharmacy
Posted by: diclofenac86755 | Saturday, 17 September 2011 at 01:47 AM
travel medicine clininc oahu http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/produce-hgh-naturally#999 - produce hgh naturally pharmacy technician career in government
herbal medicine doctor best http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/renewal-hgh-reviews#632 - reviews renewal hgh workout medicine for morning sickness
medicine for adult hyperactivity http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/secretagogue-hgh-scam#323 - secretagogue hgh scam the non-traditional pharm d program
del mar pharmacy in tennessee http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/stalone-hgh#968 - stalone hgh pharmacy continuing education coumadin
occupational medicine pulaski va http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/testosterone-and-hgh#794 - hgh and testosterone stacking athletes dr jeffries family medicine
michael johnson ucsd medicine http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/tev-tropin-hgh#743 - tev tropin hgh approved national pharmacy technician association
order medicine without perscriptions http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/top-rated-hgh-supplements#688 - link california university vetrinary medicine
online 24 x 7 pharmacy http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/ultimate-hgh#222 - symbiotropin ultimate hgh 40 tabs mail order pharmacys
half-life medicine http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/ultramax-hgh-gold#654 - ultramax hgh gold capsules sale consultants internal medicine edina mn
eureka institute of translational medicine http://www.thoughts.com/canada-hgh/where-to-purchase-hgh#893 - where to purchase hgh stephanie's medicine wheel
plans goat medicine stand corner medicine cabinet large
homeopathic medicine medical insurance europe medicine health
advanced rehab 26 sport medicine blue ridge cardiology and internal medicine
oriental medicine lake wales medicine tube winder
heb pharmacy jobs brooks pharmacy in cranston ri
plant medicine hunters discount reviews vips local pharm transfer
free medicine pogram bear lake medicine bow
south florida institute for reproductive medicine flea medicine perscription
augustus caesar medicine oklahoma state board of pharmacy
st marys pharmacy rochester mn mcleod pharmacy bishopville
Posted by: catybopfaex | Tuesday, 04 October 2011 at 01:41 AM
ucla energy medicine http://ymlp.com/ziUteV#936 - clomiphene citrate pregnancy rates infertility nature's pharmacy boca raton florida
national certifed pharmacy technician http://ymlp.com/zpxCbc#558 - clomiphene side effects in mouth swelling comparing interactions of medicines
board registration medicine physician profile massachusetts http://ymlp.com/zysXA7#237 - clomiphene success rate risks solarski pharmacy toronto
experimental medicine for diabities http://ymlp.com/zvrkEp#121 - sell clomiphene tablets paregoric medicine
accupuncture schools chineese medicine http://ymlp.com/zfCJs0#350 - effect of clomiphene treatment mg faculty of medicine america
glucophage and cold medicine http://ymlp.com/z2V1wh#443 - cost clomid approx free international email pharmacy lists
manufactured homes medicine hat http://ymlp.com/zWgHaE#878 - cost of clomid prescription prescriptions medicines
pharmacy definitions http://ymlp.com/zdFZDp#679 - discount buy clomid online michael crider siue school of pharmacy
intregrative medicine clifton park http://ymlp.com/zHSDlb#583 - femara vs clomid acne prescription pharmacy ottawa dalhousie
cold medicine pregnancy http://ymlp.com/z5SfgS#750 - generic brand of clomid ru the importance of medicine
horse bute pharmacy blood thinner medicine side effects
traget pharmacy sisson annals of behavioral medicine
pharmacies in pinehill fl walgreens pharmacy des moines ia
pharmasave pharmacy view royal south university college of pharmacy
smart medicine joint pain relief cvs pharmacy 33762
side effects of mixing medicines define work unit medicine
homeopathic medicines for fibromyalgea cleveland clinic sports medicine ohio
family pharmacy graedon arizonia pharmacy defective drug
nuclear pharmacy authorized user training myrrh medicine
rite aid pharmacy pennsylvania omnicare pharmacies services of pennsylvania pa
Posted by: catymoptvex | Wednesday, 12 October 2011 at 01:49 AM
top schools of medicine http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418891-kamagra-cheapest#130 - cheapest kamagra tablets apcalis sun sensitivity and thyroid medicine
stine's pharmacy http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418906-kamagra-cialis#873 - buy kamagra canada cialis fms pharmacy
advantages of medicines http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418919-kamagra-com#462 - kamagra com oral jelly public pharmacy
netherlands journal of medicine http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418934-kamagra-co-uk#790 - kamagra ajanta pharma co uk dr mauer alternative medicine
verified internet pharmacy practice sites http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418949-kamagra-danger#165 - kamagra danger hometown pharmacies ohio
sports medicine clinic seattle http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418963-kamagra-delivery#159 - cheap next day delivery kamagra tablets emory internal medicine specialists atlanta
u s colleges of medicine http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418981-kamagra-deutschland#484 - kamagra deutschland sie postgraduate medicine in cuba
pharmacy technician schools salary http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9418994-kamagra-direct#469 - direct buy kamagra housatonic internal medicine
island orthopedic and sports medicine http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9419004-kamagra-dosierung#886 - dosierung buy kamagra louis samuels heart failure medicine management
pharmed http://stephenjsmith.webs.com/apps/blog/show/9419016-kamagra-einnahme#024 - einnahme cheap kamagra software used in medicine
healing through alternative medicine chennai dislexia and treatments and medicine
cornerstone orthopedic and sports medicine scranton university of medicine
dog snakebite medicine advantage flea medicine versus frontline plus
history medicine bleeding natural medicine for low thyroid
asthma chinese medicine quackery in alternative medicine
hospital pharmacy duties and responsibilities ohsu pharmacy school
medicine hat mall jobs preventive medicine technician
big medicine update pegasus mirrored medicine chest white recessed
l m college of pharmacy association of acupuncture and chinese medicine
concordia college of pharmacy pharmacies martinsville ill
Posted by: catyzopnlex | Saturday, 15 October 2011 at 02:12 AM
walgreens pharmacy 34684 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJt7AXP9uBY#436 - modafinil buy world nature-based medicine
pharmacy vendor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8MeEdQHr4M#568 - modafinil alcohol use add alternative medicine
library board medicine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQcyQ7eJH4#521 - where to buy provigil online modafinil pharmacy online career ads
board of pharmacy abbreviation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC5iPaPXncY#051 - modafinil drug class iu school of medicine sickle cell
mckesson pharmacy strategies vegas 2007 generic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k2vjd-5rhI#652 - buy cheap narcolepsy generic modafinil us pharmacy group
medicines used in post partum hemorhage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImXBkJw58s#634 - generic modafinil online no prescription veterinary medicine tplo
tropical plants used for medicines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WhAmE8TXNE#248 - modafinil online pharmacy provigil mg washington dc board of veterinary medicine
pharmacies with walk-in clinics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WM-JVq81cA#293 - modafinil price in chennai codes for neational pet pharmacy
the medicine shoppe los osos ca http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMb3nSh6W78#967 - modafinil provigil medication what is the medicine metronidazole gel
addison physical medicine rehabilitation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOc6GdcW8Bw#765 - modafinil online wiki vaginal fish smell medicine
medicine for pregnant women for colds doyle park family medicine
alternative medicine for add examples plant medicines
swedish family medicine mark johnson oshp pharmacy
medicine hat school division no 76 south carolina board of vetenary medicine
math and medicine related medicine bag by suzanne mcneill
click pharmacy proceedings society experimental biology medicine
british made medicine ball sleep night medicine uk
medicine from fish providence family medicine
southland sport medicine hartford ct pharmacies
alternative medicine in ukiah dog medicine for uti
Posted by: maryoott | Monday, 05 December 2011 at 02:13 AM
fryes pharmacy http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/rosacea_amoxicillin/2011-11-26-41#519 - reaction to amoxicillin rosacea great lakes heath plan specialty pharmacy
antifungal medicine powered by phpbb http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/sandoz_amoxicillin/2011-11-26-42#481 - sandoz amoxicillin celiac disease store pharmacy online
triphasil online pharmacy http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/side_effects_of_novamoxin/2011-11-26-43#438 - side effects of novamoxin ny restriction mail order pharmacy
day nurse medicine http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/strep_and_amoxicillin/2011-11-26-44#595 - strep and amoxicillin children medicine and fibromyalgia
medicine prerequisites online http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/teva_amoxicillin_recall/2011-11-26-45#112 - amoxicillin teva recall int reason medicines in ww1
north carolina school nuclear medicine http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/uses_for_amoxil/2011-11-26-46#702 - amoxicillin uses for dogs amoxil naturopathic medicine medicare approved
robotix used in lasersurgery medicine http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/veterinary_amoxicillin_dosage/2011-11-26-47#874 - amoxicillin veterinary dosage dogs natural pharmacy whois shopping
medicine dog pain http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/what_does_amoxil_treat/2011-11-26-48#158 - link ling zhi medicine
pharmacy tech training nv http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/when_does_amoxicillin_expire/2011-11-26-49#647 - link brasstown pharmacy
kroger pharmacy http://yaskel.ucoz.com/blog/yogurt_and_amoxicillin/2011-11-26-50#290 - link pharmacy and demographics
waukesha wisconsin walmart pharmacy hours herbal medicine strauss for acne
pharmacy technicians degree longmont colorado medicine entrance books
department of emergency medicine medicine cards medford oregon
ivf pharmacy discount pharmacy jobs in kansas
risin medicine pain medicine does not work
german homeopathic medicine what medicine is prescribed for mononucleosis
a b pharmacy indian medicine names
alternative directory medicine yahoo it trends in medicine
hrt online pharmacy veterans adminstration on line pharmacy
certification online pharmacy technician pharmacy job gout alternative medicine herbs
Posted by: maryoncq | Saturday, 10 December 2011 at 01:44 AM