Red 5, standing by...

As of now, there is just over a month between this post and the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

I'll start this post off with the obvious: I was wrong.  See my post A Long Time Ago... for what was said, and compare that to what we know now.  The EU is now "legends" and basically nonexistent.  (bummer)

But, in admitting I was wrong, I've come to discover that these changes are good.  Now, instead of having to worry about the continuity of hundreds of thousands of storylines, a fresh take on Star Wars will be presented.  The spirit of the universe is the same, we've just traded up from a very well loved (if abused) sedan to a simpler (and cleaner) convertible.

I'll admit that I was ecstatic when the teasers came out.  And nearly hyperventilated after seeing the trailer.  In fact, I heard about the trailer being released, but since I had to work, my excitement was curtailed until the following day.

And it was worth it.  Everything, from the music, to the effects, to what little of the story was revealed, all of it was a massive nostalgia trip.  It isn't an homage or even an attempt at a sequel.  This is Star Wars.  The shot of the Falcon jumping into hyperspace was incredible.

Then the trailer for Japan shows up online.

Now, I've heard my share of theories, and even come up with a few myself.  For a while, I, like many, have been leaning toward Rey being the daughter of one of the main characters from the OT.  And the Japanese trailer seems to confirm that.  One of my wife's favorite movies is "Field of Dreams."  When it was released in Japan, the posters revealed the ending (spoiler): Costner's character reconciles with his deceased father.  This makes sense since Japanese culture considers family very important.  So, no surprise that the trailer/teaser for them includes a potential spoiler.

It also doesn't negate my personal theory that she and Kylo are siblings.  Notice her location and reaction at the end of the trailer.  She's looks distraught, like seeing two people close to her fighting.  And it looks like she's at the same location we see Kylo stalking around in, before Finn pulls out the Skywalker Lightsaber.  So, here's my guess: Rey and Kylo are brother and sister, and Kylo's real name might be Ben, if Abrams keeps that part of the old EU.

There, I said it.  I think Kylo is Luke's son.  ("The circle is now complete," perhaps.)

I also noticed that Kylo's saber sounds (and ignites) differently than every other saber.  Mostly I found it interesting.  But we now see him nearly behead Rey on a wooded world.  Same one where Han and Co. get captured?  Same one the stormtroopers are on when X-Wings show up?  Same one where Luke and R2 are camping out?  I don't know yet.

And what is the Falcon doing on Jakku?  Why isn't it with Han from the get-go?  Waiting patiently for that answer.

I am also assuming that Poe gets captured near the beginning, since BB-8 is supposed to be his droid. We have a scene of Poe being lead down what is likely to be a Star Destroyer, and a (likely) follow-up where Kylo is torturing him.  We see an SD orbiting a desert world (Jakku, probably), with a damaged TIE tumbling.  Maybe Poe got in a fight and had to eject, but BB-8 stuck with the ship and rode it down, only to be scavenged by Rey.  Wouldn't be the first time a desert dweller was called to adventure by a droid.

Which potentially means that The Force Awakens will follow the basic pattern of A New Hope.

Consider:
ANH opens with fight between blockade runner and star destroyer.
Assumption: TFA might open with fight between Resistance forces and star destroyer.
ANH has droids crash land on Tatooine.
Assumption: TFA has droid crash land on Jakku.
ANH has Lars homestead destroyed by Empire.
Assumption: TFA has Rey's camp site destroyed by First Order.
ANH has Luke, Kenobi, and droids meet Han and Chewie.
Assumption: TFA has Rey, Finn, and BB-8 meet Han and Chewie.
ANH has the Falcon fly to meet with Organa, then land on the Death Star.
Assumption: TFA has the Falcon fly to meet with Luke, then be captured by First Order.
ANH has Luke, Han, and Chewie rescue Leia.
Assumption: TFA has Rey and Co. rescue Poe.
ANH has fight between Kenobi and Vader.
Assumption: TFA has fight between Kylo and Finn.
ANH has the "trench run."
Assumption: TFA has a trench on the First Order's base world (Starkiller Base?)

Ridiculous?  Sure could be.  But, this is Star Wars.  There are thousands of possibilities.  That's what made the EU so great.  Around every corner was a new tale, waiting to be told.

Your fanaticism fills me with shame

Sorry its been a while, and that this is the topic to bring me back.

I was born in Nebraska, but I've only been to one Husker game.  Up until last year I had never owned any Husker apparel.  I am, in a word, apathetic regarding sports in general.  I usually don't care about organized sports, nor the fans who follow them.  People put too much value in something vastly unimportant and fleeting.

Which is why it disgusts me to hear Nebraskans treating football as a religion.  Every week season ticket holders make their pilgrimage to the "mecca of college football."  And this year, every week numerous "fans" are disparaging the team.  Why?  Because the fans have forgotten the purpose of football at UNL.

This will come as a shock to some, but it is true.  I really don't care if some people don't like it.  The cold hard truth is that UNL does not exist to support Husker football.  The Huskers exist for the benefit of UNL.

Think about it.  Every fan attending a game adds to the funds available to the university.  Funds that go into educational and research programs.  Programs that turn out intelligent young men and women who can find solutions to the next problem the world faces.  The football program itself recruits young men to be scholar-athletes.  They are being "paid" by getting a world class education.  On the field they are learning sportsmanship and teamwork, which are much more valuable lessons than how to orchestrate a blow-out.

I have heard too many "fans" saying, essentially: "if they [the players] can't do their job, then they should be replaced."  The "job" of these 20-something year old men is to be students.  If you refuse to accept that, then perhaps you should watch something else.

Now, I'm all for athletes striving for their best, which means winning more than losing.  And I've nothing against fans expecting the team they support to be the best.  But sometimes the other team is better.  And no matter what, a true fan supports the student-player, regardless.  That is what used to make Nebraska great.  Get behind the team and be patient.

(Okay, enough ranting.  Lets move on and get to some fun topics.  And, Husker fans, don't make this a routine posting.  I, and you, have more important things to do than bicker about a game.)