Star Wars in Philadelphia

It's true. The Franklin Institute (The place I barfed last week) has obtained props from all the Star Wars movies from Lucasfilm and are showing them off like they are better then us. And, I admit, they are. Those of you who know me perhaps know that I am a mild Star Wars fan. Upon walking into the display room my heart stopped short. That may have been because I had bacon wrapped in sticks of butter for breakfast.












When you walk into the display room you are greeted by this model of an XWing Fighter. I don't actually recall this particular ship being in any Star Wars movie. Perhaps it was from Star Track instead. In fact, I think I recall seeing Captain Clark driving one of these around to impress a green skinned woman on one episode. I may be wrong.












Now this I recall in the first episode of Star Wars. Luke Skywalker and his old buddy Ben used to hang out and cruise the streets of Mos Espa trying to pick up chicks. If memory serves, someone tricked Luke by stealing it and having it sent to the show Pimp my Landspeeder.


This cuddly guy is from the Ice Planet Hoth where Luke Han and the gang learned the true meaning of Christmas. They all came across this guy, the abominable snowman, who had a cave filled with presents. They all sang songs and melted his cold heart and taught him how to love again.


This guy was also from Hoth. I think he was the Ice Waiter aboard the Love Boat.


























This was the mode of travel on Hoth. I think this little guy was the Fonz.




















This is the cocktail dress worn by Princes Leia. She is standing by her robot and love interest R2-D2.



















This robot is called an AT-AT. It was designed by an Imperial designer who really had no idea how to design a troop transport. When your civilization has Anti-Gravity, why would you build a slow walking transport with obviously weak wobbly legs? I agree they look very cool, but they would have crushed the rebellion on Hoth if they simply drove in to the base in some snow Hummers.



Here I am with Darth Vader. He was known through out the galaxy as the tyrant right hand man of the evil Emperor Palpatine. He was also known for his lovely singing voice. I have grown tired of writing, but have more pictures, so here they are!

Un-Patriotic

I am concerned with my own lack of patriotism. Until the other day I would never have questioned my undying devotion to the American Way and my admiration for the founding fathers who created this freedom we all enjoy. The reason for the self doubt is this...I threw up on a statue of Benjamin Franklin. This is not a joke. I was on my weekly visit to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. I passed through the "Shrine To Ben Franklin" area with the large marble statue when I had an uncontrollable urge to vomit. And I did. All over the marble floor and onto the dais that supports our founding father Ben Franklin. All of this right in front of the old lady who sits at the information desk counter. She walked over to me as I rummaged through my bag to find anything I could use to wipe up the hot sick mess. I was told that someone else would be cleaning it up and that I should simply leave. Which I did, as fast as I could. Now the question is, do I ever go back there? I think I will. They have a Star Wars exhibit there next week. Maybe I can barf on an Ewok.