May the Fourth be with You

Welcome to my blog, Gorgeous and Geeky!  Today is one of my favourite geeky days, May the Fourth.  As I am sure you are aware, this is also known as Star Wars Day due to the famous quote “may the force be with you.”  The first time this phrase was connected to the 4th of May was the day Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minster in 1979.  The London Evening News printed a congratulatory message from the Conservative Party saying “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations!”  Since May 4, 1979, this day has been met with excitement and throughout many nations worldwide, Star Wars fans have celebrated George Lucas’ incredible franchise. 

Usually I celebrate May the Fourth, but I have been working 8-8 night shifts all week so I am sad to admit I slept for the majority of this glorious day!  Therefore, I decided to write a post about my top 6 Star Wars experiences! 

Star Tours ride at Disneyland Paris, August 2015

The first Star Wars experience I’d like to mention is the time my family and I went to Disneyland Paris.  In 2015, Martyn and I took his kids and mom to Disneyland Paris and we had a fabulous time despite the weather (rainy and cold) and my getting sick (my mother-in-law blames me cause I wore a dress).  This picture is of Martyn and me in front of an X-Wing wearing our Star Wars best: he is wearing a Boba Fett hoodie and I’m wearing a Darth Vader dress from Her Universe.  We went on the Star Tours ride and enjoyed even though we didn’t understand a word that was being said because it was all in French! 

June 2016

While this isn’t necessarily a Star Wars experience, this is a moment related to Star Wars that I will always treasure *I hope you get the always reference*  The day after my 26th birthday party (yes, I’m hung-over), my partner gifted me with one of my favourite presents EVER!  Martyn had this shirt made for me and I was ecstatic despite feeling (and looking) rough.  I immediately tried it on and had to share it on Facebook.  Some may say “it’s just a shirt,” but to me, it is a symbol of something that brought us together.

Rogue One in IMAX 3D at Cardiff Odeon, December 2016

The third Star Wars experience I have to discuss is the night we went to see Rogue One in IMAX 3D.  This night was an incredible memory because I’d just gotten back to the UK after being in America for 6 months due to visa issues; I was so happy to be back in Wales with Martyn.  After he finished work on Friday 18 December, we headed to Cardiff to see Rogue One.  We were surrounded by Star Wars fandom!  There were adults and kids dressed up as well as the UK Garrison members pictured above.  The Rogue One movie is my second favourite in the franchise, after Empire Strikes Back.  In the course of a minute, I went from ugly-girl crying when Jyn, Cassian, and their rebel alliance die to a completely shocked jaw drop during the awe-inspiring Darth Vader scene which shows his rage and power.  Best.  Scene.  Ever!

Star Wars attraction at Madame Tussauds in London, July 2015

Even though the Star Wars section at Madame Tussauds only has 16 props on 11 sets, the 2.5 million-pound attraction allows fans to take fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime pictures like the one featured above.  If you’re a huge fan of Star Wars and have not yet been to Madame Tussauds, be sure to go by 30 June 2017.  It is totally worth it!  Plus, they have an amazing Marvel section which leads to a 4D experience!

Martyn and I met Jeremy Bulloch (original Boba Fett) at the Oxford Street Disney store on May 4, 2015

I have to admit that Star Wars Day in 2015 will forever be imprinted on my mind.  We made friends that we still keep in contact with and memories to last a lifetime!  First thing in the morning, we went to the Disney store on Oxford Street to get in line to meet the original Boba Fett, Jeremy Bulloch.  Once again, I was styling in my Star Wars best: Her Universe’s  R2D2 dress.  Jeremy signed some memorabilia for us and chatted to us for a few minutes.  We met Jeremy and Maria who were there with their 2 sons and we still keep in touch with them to this day!

Burger and Lobster served Star Wars cocktails

Next, we headed to the Burger and Lobster for Star Wars cocktails.  In planning our Star Wars Day out, I came across the coolest guy name Alexei who is obsessed with Star Wars, too. I found an advertisement he’d posted in a London Star Wars Day Facebook group about the Burger and Lobster serving these cocktails and I was hooked.  I added Alexei on Facebook and we’ve been friends ever since.  Martyn and I thoroughly enjoyed our cocktails, meals, and the excellent service! 

Rebel X

After our lunch we did not slow down!!  In 2014, we’d learned of Secret Cinema and their opportunity for Star Wars fans to be completely immersed in the world of Star Wars via their presentation of Empire Strikes Back.  We immediately booked tickets and eventually found out about a May the Fourth celebration for those going to Secret Cinema.  We were hours early and waited in a pub, where we met Candice, Ed, and Rob.  We formed our own little Rebel Alliance and enjoyed the evening at Alexandra Palace, which was filled with cocktails, music, and some pretty bad dance moves.  Check out our experience here!

The final, and most memorable, Star Wars experience is when we actually “lived the Star Wars” by going to Secret Cinema presents The Empire Strikes Back!  Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of this night because they seal your phone in a plastic bag in order to not spoil it for later audiences.  But it was easily one of the best nights of my life; we lived A New Hope then watched The Empire Strikes Back.  First, we snuck into the Tatooine market where we saw Jawas, Stormtroopers, and even Lando Calrissian!  Once we made it safely into Mos Eisley, we completed tasks in order to gain passage onto the Death Star in order to save Princess Leia.  We ran into Grand Moff Tarkin, who called us “Rebel scum,” and Martyn accidentally got in the way of an angry Darth Vader and was quickly pushed out of his way!  But eventually, we saved Princess Leia with the help of an undercover Rebel in a Stormtrooper’s outfit.  We then sat down to drink plenty of cocktails while watching The Empire Strikes Back.

Finally, I’d like to dedicate this post to Carrie Fisher (1956-2016), who played our Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.  You will forever be in our hearts.  Always.