As many of you know, I frequently write about Star Wars. Well, today is no different. I found an interesting story on RGJ.com about two brothers in England who want to start a church based upon the philosophies found in the Star Wars trilogy.
I would like to relay an incident that occurred--oh let's say--about two months ago. Now, I have had public encounters with so-called Jedi Knights before. If you cannot recall the Wal-Mart incident, you can read about it here.
However, nothing prepared me for what happened at the Zephyr bookstore. My wife was getting her haircut and I had a couple of hours to kill. I headed over to Zephyr to peruse their fine selection of used books. I browsed and browsed, flipped through numerous pages, and finally settled on three books.
I placed them under my arm and continued to meander through the store. I moved towards the back of the store; here, you'll find a small counter that the store owners converted into a quasi coffee shop. Round tables with uncomfortable wooden chairs pepper the store--a coffee shop indeed.
I digress.
Next to the coffee area is the Juvenile section. I began glancing through the titles to see if anything would be of interest for my wife. Not that she reads at the middle school level--she teaches middle school. My eyes darted from title to title and I was vaguely aware of my surroundings.
"We have coffee," a voice sounded behind me.
Not to be trifled with when I am looking at titles such as Dewey Duck's Journey and Where the Sidewalk Ends, I ignored the voice.
"You know, we have a coffee bar," the voice continued.
I turned my head and saw a disheveled young man reading a Star Wars encyclopedia. For the uninitiated, this encyclopedia has pictures and diagrams from the movies with explanations telling the reader everything about Star Wars. Want to know the name of the weapon a character carries? Want to know the name of Bobba Fett's ship? Want to know useless information about Yoda? Yup, this book is for you.
I didn't give the young man a second thought and returned to Dewey Duck.
"Don't you want a cup of coffee," he asked? At this point, I realized he wanted my attention.
I slowly gave him a moment's attention and responded, "No thank you, I don't drink coffee." Again, I returned to my books.
"You don't drink coffee?"
I shook my head a solid no and continued looking at the books.
"Who doesn't drink coffee?"
I turned to look at him. As I turned, he raised his hand and in a Jedi-like motion waved his hand as he said, "You want a cup of coffee."
Deciding that he was either A) crazy B) bored C) socially inept, I began to return to my books.
As I turned, he paused, narrowed his eyes, and with much concentration, raised his hand and gave me another Jedi-like wand movement and said, "You want a cup of coffee."
Exhausted with him, I started for the front of the store and the register. In the distance I heard him say, "I guess I need more practice."
I paid for my three books and headed for the car. I chuckled as I exited.
It's not every day that someone tries the Jedi-mind trick on me.
There have been articles circulating around the news bin about individuals taking the Food Stamp Challenge, including the Governor of Oregon.
Feed a family of four for a week on $129.50.
Think you can do it?
Here's a great article about a journalist in Kansas City giving it a try.
You can read it here.
This article will make you think about the money you spend on your daily Starbucks run our fast food lunch.
I have added a link to an excellent podcast blog called iinnovate. It is a fantastic site with wonderful interviews with business leaders throughout the country. I highly recommend you check it out.
For all of your Pop Culture fanatics out there, I stumbled across an excellent website you may want to check out.
It's called: Mr. Pop History.
Talk about too much time on your hands.
A youth in Florida was recently arrested for stealing a bus owned by the Central Florida Transportation agency. His joyride included making normal stops, picking up passengers, and collecting fares. Evidently, he obeyed all posted speed limits and drove professionally. When a passenger became suspcious of his young looks, she dialed 911.
You can read the article here.
I had this article ceremoniously passed along to me.
Read it.
It's a gas.
The other day my wife and I visited Costco to do some shopping. Costco didn't have what we were after and we made our way through the commercialized maze towards the front door. Suddenly, something caught my attention.
I came to a halt. My eyes glanced to the left and beheld my all-time greatest impulse buy:
My Star Wars nerdism peaked and I giggled like I was twelve years-old again. "Can I get it?" I asked, in a "there's-no-way-we're-leaving-this-store-without this" voice. My wife begrudgingly supported my childish desires and allowed me to purchase my very own Darth Tater.
You can't have that much fun for $16.99.
