Not too long ago, in a theater not too far away...
A group of college students set out to make history.
They came, they saw, they dressed in costume. This is their story

On May 19, 1999, "Star Wars Episode I, The Phantom Menace" opened across the country. I arrived at the theater on May 6, 1999. That's right, 2 weeks early. I camped in line every night for 15 days. For those of you who say the movie wasn't worth it, well, maybe and maybe not, but the memories and experiences I had were definately worth it! It was a 2 week party! There were lightsaber duels and blaster laser tag games in the parking lot every night! There was Star Wars Trivia and Star Wars Monopoly and Star Wars Battleship. I met lots of very nice, neat, interesting people. We had a phone, a generator, a laptop with a DSL line and a web cam (in an era before wireless internet & smart phones), barbeques, free food, free drinks, good company, S'mores, and even T.V.'s and V.C.R.'s! On Sunday, May 16, Master Sydney held the Lightsabers 101 workshop. I am saddened that I was never able to locate the news footage of our time in line. If you know of any articles or video footage of the Star Wars line in San Jose at the Century 22, please let me know!

I shared a tent with my 2 partners and close friends, Paul and Denayer. Jamison dropped by for a couple nights and Emily visited us on the day we bought tickets (May 12) and on the day it opened. Scott was first in line (well second, but that's only because one couple decided to line jump) and had been there 23 hours a day since May 5! Below is a picture of all of us who dressed in costume.

I had some of the best times of my life! I will have more costumes for Episode II, but it will be in Florida, since I'm moving there next year. It won't be the same without Century 22!

The Marquee of Century 22 where we camped	The Group. Emmy, Scott, Me, Denayer, Paul
Master Sydney. She held Lightsaber Workshop 101 for us padawans	Darth Maul stopped by for a visit
"Obi Wan" and "Darth Maul" recreate the famous "Duel of the Fates", which I choreographed based on downloaded movie trailers	Emmy as a Dark Jedi or Sith Lord
Denayer as a Royal Imperial Guard	Me and Scott as Slave Leia and Rebel Pilot Luke Skywalker
The crowd was calling for Slave Leia and I was dragged out of my tent before I could get my hair up. At least I was fully dressed (well, as dressed as possible)	There was a costume contest the night before Opening Day. I came in second, but everyone agrees that the winner rigged the contest by flooding the audience with his friends.

Coming soon - Disney Censors Leia!
Check out my other Star Wars costumes
Metroactive Newspaper article May 1999

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