Wednesday
Jaxxon
Around age 10-11, two things that my world revolved around were Star Wars and rabbits.
Star Wars is pretty much a given as how much it’s been a part of my life.
But rabbits?
I had a plush bunny rabbit as one of my first toys as a baby, and I held onto that bunny well into my pre-teen years. He lead my cadre of other toys, including Action Jackson, the Six Million Dollar Man, and various other plushies.
I have always been a big fan of Warner Bros. cartoons, especially Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
After the initial 6-issue run of Marvel’s original Star Wars comic, they started to tell new stories. The first arc was about Han Solo and Chewbacca getting involved in a ‘Magnificent Seven’-esque confrontation on some planet.
One of the members of his gang, the Star-Hoppers of Aduba-3?
Described as a 7-foot tall Lepi smuggler, Jaxxon became my first favorite character from Star Wars who was *not* in the original film.
This means he beat out Boba Fett as my first favorite by about a year (comic released in November, 1977).
As the link mentions, Jaxxon pretty much disappeared from the comics after issue #16, with reference to him in other media, but no appearances.
Which is too bad, because the character has left a lasting impression on me and many other Star Wars fans. Whether the impression is good or bad, is up to the individual fan.
Han Solo: “I saw that, rabbit…”
Jaxxon: “Well, hooray for your side! You must’a been eatin’ your space-carrots…never could stand ’em myself! I’m—”
Han Solo: “I heard: A meat-eater…one that needs a job right?”
Jaxxon: “Well I ain’t standin’ out here for the decor.”
―Jaxxon meets Han Solo
Day Off
For MLKJr day, I went to go see Rogue One, for my 5th time.
I think I cried a bit more than I had before, because of the ending. It’s the first time I’ve seen the film after Carrie Fisher passed away.
After the movie I treated myself to some ice cream, and then picked up some Doctor Who blu-rays from Best Buy, and some groceries from Lucky’s.
In between those two shopping excursions, I met up with my sister Jen, who gave me a couple of gifts from Hawaii for myself and Dad.
Once I got home I settled in to watch the Warriors kick the Cav’s asses in a 126-91 game.
Right now I’m blogging while I endure a slight headache.
How was your day?
Baseball Begins?
I think the 2017 season started for me when the 2016 season ended. I just didn’t realize it until just now.
I’m a sports fan. I love the beginning of each season of whatever sport it is at the moment, from football to hockey to soccer.
But baseball… it never stops. Even before I started playing table top sports again back in 2014, I’d always have some kind of baseball game on one of my game consoles, and play a game or two, shortly after the season ended. I’d monitor what was going on with the Giants and Mets during the Winter Meetings.
And right now, I’m watching MLB Network, having started with a show about the first Hall of Fame class in 1939, then a round table show about this year’s Hall of Fame candidates (Tom Verducci is still a jerk), and now watching a show about Mike Piazza.
Piazza started his career as a Dodger, so of course I hated him. Him being a Dodger *catcher* made me hate him more.
*glares at Mike Scioscia*
When he became a Met, I still hated him. Until that day we were gaming at Glenn’s house while a NASCAR race was on. Jeff Gordon was back deep in the pack, and I said that if he won the race, I’d start rooting for Mike Piazza as a Met. Gordon went on to win, and I reluctantly started rooting for Piazza.
Then came the Clemens beaning. I was never a big fan of Rocket Roger, so when he hit Piazza in the head, and then later threw a shard of a bat at him in the World Series, I became a huge Piazza fan.
What truly cemented me as a fan was September 21, 2001. The home run Piazza hit against the Braves. They just showed it on TV, and I got chills and started crying again. It was one of the best moments I’ve experienced as a baseball fan.
I say ‘one of’ because, as I had that epiphany that I mentioned at the start of this, so too do I realize that there will never be one ‘best’ moment as a fan.
- watching a rookie named Dwight Gooden pitch in his first All-Star Game
- all the milestone home runs Barry Bonds hit, many of them in person
- Willie McCovey’s last game, sitting with my grandpa
- the last out of the 2010 World Series
- Johan Santana pitching the first Mets no-hitter
- attending World Series games with my long-time childhood friend
- having my aunt take me out of school to attend Opening Day with her and my grandpa
- the Sunday doubleheaders with the family, in General Admission, Section 28
- attending the first Star Wars Day at AT&T Park with my nephew
The list goes on and on.
I’ve seen so many ‘best moments’, and will probably see more in the seasons to come.
Star Wars Post
At Toys R Us, I inadvertently got a free Star Wars Rebels poster with a qualifying purchase over $20.
Cashier: Would you like the free Star Wars poster?
Me: … yes, please.
***
At Gator Games, I was checking out the new Star Wars Destiny dice game, and while checking online what would be needed to start getting into the game, I realized that I didn’t need yet ANOTHER Star Wars game from Fantasy Flight Games that I would not be playing.
So instead of picking up a couple of starter packs, I picked up the Alliance Smuggler miniature playing piece for Imperial Assault. I’m designating that figure as my character in-game, based on my Star Wars The Old Republic character, Jayke Skykiller.
***
At home I pulled out the Imperial Assault game, and simple rummaged through the figures while adding the Alliance Smuggler mini and cards to the game. I may pick up Princess Leia and Lando Calrissian, just to have the Original Trilogy heroes in the game.
I then pulled out the X-Wing Miniatures Game, along with a couple of larger ship minis that i had picked up almost a year ago. After trying to fit everything (ships, cards, tokens, etc.) into the two core boxes that I had picked up, I finally opened the third core set (The Force Awakens edition) that I picked up on clearance from Target and was able to fit everything over the three boxes.
***
After the AFC playoff game, I started up this week’s episode of Star Wars Rebels. Quite a surprise (or not?) to see yet another Ralph McQuarrie design make it onto the show, this time a ‘protocol’ droid that looked a lot like the early concept art for C-3PO.
The 50s
Second grade seemed to be a time when I had met a lot of people who became life long friends. Another of those friends turns 50.
Jeff Segal and I met under the same circumstances as with most of my friends from Mrs. Sinton’s 2nd grade class: forgotten circumstances. All I know is that Jeff and I seemed to be joined at the hip from 2nd grade through 8th grade. You usually didn’t see one of us without the other around.
I remember the first time he came over the house for dinner, my Mom greeted him and hugged him, and would hug him at any opportunity. Jeff noted later, when we reconnected on Facebook, that he remembered Mom doing that.
We went our separate ways in high school, he going to McAteer while I went to Lowell. We stayed in touch over the years, he came over for a house party that I threw during sophomore year, and later invited me to his wedding in the north bay.
Last time we saw each other was for the above picture, when he and Nelson and I met up for lunch. Jeff was on Facebook for a while, but recently has deactivated his account.
Wherever you are, Jeff, Happy Birthday! Thanks for being a great friend over the years. Hope you’re doing alright.