May the force be with you…

The Iconic Logo

I was barely a year old when the Star Wars IV: A New Hope transported mere mortals into the depths of space. From the opening sequence when the Rebel ship was being hunted down by the Imperial Destroyer to the speeder zooming across the sands of Tatooine, everyone was mesmerised. Me? I was probably still clammering for my milk bottle. The first time I saw Star Wars was probably when I was about 5 or 6. In Malaysia where I grew up, the local TV channel would play re-runs of Star Wars IV, V and VI at least once a year. Usually around the Chinese Lunar New Year festival. I guess our Islamic government felt the Chinese were as alien to them as those in the movies. Anyhow, isn’t my point.

I love Star Wars. I don’t mean in the whole ‘I-want-to-dress-up-as-an-Imperial-Stormtrooper-and-I-want-to-be-married-to-someone-like-Princess-Leia’ sort of way. That sort of love is reserved for one of my best friend’s: Sam. My love is that of a once young boy being given the right to dream. The ability to reach for the stars. To hope for more. To realise that in some worlds, Good triumps Evil. To remember that we have it in us to do great evil. And to realise that most evil people were once good.

More than all that, Star Wars is about an orphan who makes something of himself. I don’t know why that appeals to me. But even to this day it does. It is probably because I want to make something of myself too. Don’t get me wrong. I thank God every day that I have a wonderful wife (who on one hand feeds me and on the other hand makes me work out), great friends and a good job. And yes I do see the world in that order. What Star Wars reminds me of is that I can be more.

Star Wars is a movie for my generation. Star Wars was a movie that was meant to heal. When asked why he started the Star Wars story at episode 4, George Lucas said that America needed to heal. People were not ready to see that bad guys can win some battles. Vietnam was still an open wound in many people’s hearts. They needed joy. Not despair. They needed to see good triumph. Most of all they needed hope.

I wonder what this generation needs. More recently we have seen another young orphan grow up into a world he never hoped for. We see him put others first. We see him deal with pain. We see him filled with joy. I believe that every generation needs heroes. The hero of choice these days is Harry Potter. Mine was Luke Skywalker.

Who’s yours?

I have 11 pairs of shoes…

You know how when you’ve got so much work that you can’t actually be bothered doing any of it? Well, I spent the last 2 minutes counting the number of pairs of shoes I have. I’m an amateur compared to most women but personally I don’t think I’m doing too badly.

I have the following pairs of shoes:

• Black Leather Pointed shoes – This is my every day, “go-to-work” in them pair. They are amazingly comfortable and they do the job well when I’m in a suit.
• Brown Suede half boots – This is my ‘I need to be smart-casual’ pair. Worn generally with a pair of chinos or a smart pair of jeans.
• Grey Suede Birkenstocks – These have a covered toe area. I want to call them mules but that might make them sound a little too girly. (As if this post doesn’t already make me sound like a woman!)
• Brown Tevas – for those hiking days where one has to walk through streams.
• Karrimor Hiking Boots – for the snow hike we’re doing in December.
• North Face Walkers – for the many walking trips around Europe.
• Black Classic Converse – Cause every boy should have a pair of those.
• Asics Gel Attach Running Shoes – for my attempts at staying fit.
• Brown Leather Thongs – The aussie definition.
• Nike Air Sneakers – Just cause they’re cool.
• Quiksilver Thongs – I got these for £8. Cheap Cheap.

 Whilst I can understand and empathise with the many women around the world who have a love affair with shoes, I, alas, am married to one of them and hence only have space for my ten pairs.

Don’t get me started on bags!

And so it begins…

It all began as an innocent little Twitter post. Should I or shouldn’t I start a blog?

By the overwhelming response of 10 people, I now embark on this new journey. Of course, I’m going to get this blog going in stealth mode. I shall spend some time posting to my blog incognito.

I do this not because I’m modest and do not crave the attention that a blog brings. But rather I fear failure. I fear that I will end up like the other 95% of bloggers: good intentions, no stamina.

And so it begins… not in a galaxy far far away but in a not so cozy corner of my local Starbucks…