2) What are you most grateful for?

Right now, I'm most grateful for stability, especially in the tumultuous times we live in. I have a roof over my head that's paid off. I have a full time job, even if it vexes me. I manage to pay all my bills and still have a little to save at month's end for little pleasures like vacations or special outings. While the occasional drama comes up, I have a supportive family and two adorable furbabies. I have absolutely FANTASTIC friends, some of which I cannot imagine my life without (and they know who they are). Lastly, I'm grateful for meditation. Whether my sessions are ten minutes or forty-five minutes, it gives me the pause I need to sit and just concentrate on the most basic and simple things, like breathing and being present in only that moment. Only breath, only quiet, only that moment.

I'm going to make this post open to Twitter just to cover bases. I know a lot of people don't frequent LJ much any more.

It was my hope to attend JadeCon's 20th anniversary in Columbus, Ohio in June this year. Due to a rash of complications (schedule and finances), I regretfully have come to the conclusion I cannot go. Most of my remaining vacation time for 2016 (save for the two days I was going to use for JadeCon) is spoken for, and the lowest flight price I've seen for the dates that I can travel (the dates in question are not flexible, which probably doesn't help) is over $650 roundtrip. Most airlines are charging more than that. Hell, I saw one round trip ticket yesterday that topped out at $1009. When I was told to brace myself for crazy ticket prices, I was thinking $450 to $500, maybe. Not an average of over $800 on most airlines. The mind boggles.

With Texas Frightmare looming (thankfully, most of that trip is paid for, save for airport parking and spending cash) in a little over a month, and two furbabies with scheduled dental cleaning appointments (total: $700-$800) to budget for... well, you get the picture.

I'm sorry, Jaders. To those of you who stepped up with possible options and ideas to get me there, I appreciate it... but the inflexible travel dates were the final nail in the coffin, I'm afraid. :(

I made the conscious decision to enter "The Force Awakens" spoiler cave two hours before the Los Angeles premiere last night. No Facebook, no Twitter, no Tumblr. And now I've cut out Instagram (which I thought might be safe, until I realized I follow John Boyega and Daisy Ridley there) after some jackwagon just posted the following comment on one of their photo posts: "I am seeing the movie on Thursday evening and I plan to spoil everything online or in person." Great. There's always got to be a few rotten apples in the barrel. Classy, dude. CLASSY. I don't even want to know if this guy is joking or not, but I'm not taking a chance. You're the reason why I'm in the spoiler cave, idiot.

My logic is this is a new beginning for the "Star Wars" franchise, more so than the prequels. Characters from the original trilogy are returning. The franchise is in the hands of Disney and J.J. Abrams now. Lawrence Kasdan has returned as screenwriter, and I am ridiculously hopeful the film will be good. In 1977, I saw "A New Hope" on opening weekend without a clue as to what I was going to see. No story details, with relative unknowns cast in the lead roles. I want to experience the same sort of magic with "The Force Awakens". I know character names, I've seen a handful of the trailers, and that's about it. I've managed to avoid the interviews and press tour hype. I'd like to keep it that way, until my showing on Thursday night at 11:50 p.m. A part of me really wants to be that little girl from 1977 again when I see the new film, the little girl who fell head-over-heels in love with "Star Wars" as soon as that Imperial Star Destroyer roared over her head in pursuit of a Rebel Blockade Runner (not kidding, I was entranced IMMEDIATELY), the little girl who spent that summer having lightsaber battles in the front yard with broomstick handles, the little girl who wound up collecting cans, saving allowance, and doing extra chores for movie money so she could go back to that galaxy far, far away over and over and OVER again.

Star Wars is in my blood. I can't explain it any other way. Not only have I been blessed by having the films in my life, but it has led me to some of the most remarkable friendships and experiences in my life. A group of smart, kind, and fantastic human beings who all love Star Wars as much as I do. We've worked at various conventions and Celebrations. We were invited on a mind-blowing trip to Skywalker Ranch. Understanding, lovely people who supported me through my mother's breast cancer diagnosis, my father's passing, and my cheerleading squad as I entered culinary school to become a pastry chef. I cannot imagine my life without Star Wars, and likewise, I cannot imagine my life without them... and without those remarkable movies, I would not have met ANY of them. It was fate. I love them as much as I love the movies we all adore.

Thursday night will be an emotional celebration for me, and I honestly can't wait. I'm going with a dear friend and we'll plunge into the new film together (and probably share a box of Kleenex in the process). And in January, I'm planning another viewing with more of those smart, kind, and fantastic friends at Walt Disney World. It doesn't get much better than that, honestly.

Okay, I'm going to end this entry now before I start blubbering like a sentimental fool, because I'm getting REALLY close to doing so.

I'm wicked tired tonight, so I went with a horror short (29 mins). Also I'm making this LJ entry on my phone, so if the formatting is off, well -- there you go.

I think Splatter was an early Netflix series of some sort that really never took off. As far as I know, there's only one ep.

Rock star Jonny Splatter plans revenge on those who wronged him... from beyond the grave. Not bad, but not necessarily good either. I think I'm too tired to care.

SPLATTER
YEAR: 2009?2014? (unclear )
DIRECTOR: Joe Dante
STARRING: Corey Feldman, Tony Todd, Mark Alan
SEEN: Netflix Streaming

Happiness is finding out that your cafe took a two-day, $25,000 (yes, you read that right -- not $2,500 but $25,000) catering order for the Google campus... and it's your days off.

Bullet dodged. I'm so grateful I could cry. Not kidding. We probably haven't had a catering order that big since the President was in town a few years ago.