A couple months ago hub asks me if I want to go to a Star Wars convention. I grew up on the movie and like many others in my generation I have a great fondness for the film but I wouldn't say I am immersed in the culture. I don't read the books, play the games, or watch other TV shows based on the movie. I just love the movies and have seen them a million and one times. Being the Disney fan that I am and because I love movies in general, I said yes. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Come to find out that hubs bought the 4-day pass aka the pass good for every day of the convention. I wasn't planning on going everyday but I managed to attend 3 of the 4 days and allI can say is WOW!
It was utterly amazing to see everyone in their costumes (some super elaborate and movie quality) walking around the Anaheim Convention Center. All I wore was themed t-shirts and my stormtrooper earrings. What was apparent from attending is the LOVE people have for Star Wars. I can't say anyone was "crazy" but it was really nice to see people enjoy something so much. I mean, George Lucas made a film, that changed people, it changed culture and that was nice to witness at this convention.
I have to say that for the 53,000 people that attend, people were nice and pleasant. It was humanity at its finest. If only the people of the world would embrace Star Wars than perhaps the world would be in a better place. In the Star Wars world all beings are accepted. You can be Jedi or Sith and you are accepted. You can be blue, green or red and be accepted. I joined the Facebook page for the event and just found myself in love with all the posters and everyone's experiences. I especially loved this one story by a 16-year-old girl who loves Star Wars so much and was so happy to find this forum where she could be herself. Apparently she had to leave one school for being bullied for her nerd-i-ness. It was so awesome to see all the people on the forum come and assure her it's okay to be a nerd and that they were nerds and that she would be just fine. And if she needed help they were there. I mean this was a 4-day event and there were all of these emotional stories of people connecting over this movie that was made in 1977.
We took our daughter, who is 3 years old and even though she tired of the convention floor sometimes she too asked if she could go back to the convention center on Sunday night. She loved Vader and Chewie and would squeal when she saw them. She too saw the power of THE FORCE and embraced it. The convention offered a family center where the littlest of kids could use their sabers, could draw characters, play games, and be a part of the "magic" or rather "the force."
With so many people and a toddler in tow, we couldn't get to too many of the panels, although hubs and I had an adult day on opening day, but I have to say, I just had fun walking around, snapping photos of the displays, taking photos with people dressed up. I thought I would have had enough on the first day with the crazy long lines but I found myself wanting to go back and experience more. The Star Wars family was just so welcoming.
A funny thing happened on the last day. We walked to Downtown Disney and I was walking by myself (on a mission for a limited edition toy at D-Street) when two men passed me and one guy said to the other. "Oh, I would never dress up for something like that." Obviously commenting on my Star Wars shirt, hat, and badge. I noted they wee wearing Mickey gear and thought to myself "Oh, but it's okay to dress up in Mickey gear and go to Disneyland?" For a moment, I thought about that girl who was bullied for her love of Star Wars and for a moment I felt her anguished. I wish I could have said what was in my head to this ignorant man's face who commented on my look but he passed too quickly into the crowd. People can be such judgers. Why are people quick to assume something by a look? Or an assumption. Today I told my co-workers where I went this weekend and someone said "Oh, that says a lot about you." Does it I ask? Just because I went to a convention it says something about me? Frankly, I don't care what they think its just funny they think they know me because I went to a convention. For me, my 3 days in Star Warsland was fun. I'm glad I got to experience it. And for those 3 days there were "no judgers" just a world of acceptance and fun. I wish the real world was more like the convention attendees. If people had more of that "welcoming spirit" the world might be a little better place, if everyone's inner "nerd" was allowed to shine.
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