Saturday night #1 Son, E (#1 Son’s girlfriend) and I caught the last showing of Revenge Of The Sith at Tigard Cinema.

I’d like to go on record as stating that I’ve been a fan since my friend C and I stood in line at the Westgate Theater for the opening show on the opening day of Star Wars (for all you kiddies, that’s the title A New Hope was originally released with and watched a helicopter disgorge actors dressed as Princess Leia, Chewbacca and Darth Vader who wandered the theater searching for a seat.

I’ve watched A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi countless times. I’ve seen The Phantom Menace twice. I’ve seen Attack Of The Clones once. I don’t have much desire to see either again.

Revenge Of The Sith is being touted as “the best Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back.” Is it? Well, it’s the best of the last three movies (i.e. episodes I, II and III). But is that really saying anything?

None of the last three movies offer a swaggering swashbuckler a la Han Solo — or really even characters we care much about. The Phantom Menace, for example, foisted Jar Jar Binks on an unsuspecting world when it instead could have developed the other characters.

The acting in Revenge is probably the worst of all of the Star Wars franchise, with wooden delivery and the characters spending too much time whining at one another. The special effects were mostly OK if a bit cheesy and Yoda, as always, kicks ass. But there was one point were the oh-so-scary effects elicited nothing but giggles from the audience. And special effects alone, even good ones, cannot sustain the length of this movie. The film should have been cut by at least 30 minutes and could have been improved by a few plot twists. I suggest perhaps dropping Jar Jar Binx into a pool of lava.

George Lucas claims that during the pre-release marketing showings grown adults were weeping. I felt bad only because of the amount I had to pay for tickets/snacks to get in. The audience was a mix of all ages, from toddler on up. The theater was 1/2 empty — a bad omen for the showing, but a good thing as it allowed us to sit far away from from obnoxious and inebriated boys who had been behind us in line.

I, for one, do not believe the movie earned its PG-13 rating. No child at my viewing was too scared to remain in the theater. The violence is mostly bloodless and more reminiscent of video games. While waiting for the movie to plod its way to the inevitable end, I amused myself by determining what the levels will be in Revenge Of The Sith The Video Game and exactly who you’d have to kill to advance.

In the end, I felt decidedly lukewarm (pun intended) and doubt that I will pay to see this one again.

Mom’s take on Revenge Of The Sith: (OK… two because it is Star Wars after all. But wait to see it on cable.)

Oh, I had good news yesterday. Good news, that, since I have made a pledge not to blog about work I am unfortunately unable to share. But it’s very, very good.

Do you get the feeling that I’m happy and excited by this?

Oh yeah!!!!!

Along with said happiness and excitement is a bit of trepidation. I’m venturing into the tulgey wood and there be jabberwocks here. I must remember to keep my trusty old vorpal blade near at hand.

Life is looking up!

As promised, here’s an updated on the socks for #1 Son.

I’ve just started the gusset increases. You can see the stitch markers to either side of what will be the center of the sock.

#1 Son thinks that pairs of socks with different stripes are cute (and I agree with him). So thinking that the stocks would stripe differently and randomly, I made no attempt to match the yarn up. I just grabbed the ends from the center of each ball and started knitting. Meilenweit outsmarted me by having the skeins start and end at exactly the same place in the color repeat.

These are in Meilenweit Cotton Fantasy #801 on Addi Turbo US#1 needles. The toe is in Eye of Partridge stitch. I’m working the foot in plain garter. The heel will be Eye of Partridge. I haven’t decided on the ankle, yet. It will probably be something simple, like 4×2 ribbing.

Click the pic for the bigger version.

Comments are working again. They’re not as pretty as they could be, but they work.

Please comment!

Thanks.

I just found out that comments on PI aren’t working for some reason. You can write your comment, but it’s not being stored anywhere. It just goes to the big bit bucket in the sky. 🙁

I’ll try to get this fixed as soon as I can and will let everyone know as soon as it’s working.

Apologies to those who thought they were leaving a comment. Please hold that thought!

I haven’t forgotten about knitting. This week has been jammed with pre-graduation stuff, plus I’ve been buried at work.

I have been working on the socks for #1 Son and I’m just about ready to start the gusset increases. I’ll try to get a picture up some time in the next few days.

When the socks are done, the next project is a pair of fingerless gloves (also for #1 Son). Then, I’m not sure. I have quite a bit of sock yarn in my stash that should have something done with it. But I’m kind of itching to try something a little more ambitious, like maybe a shawl or a cardigan.

I’m open to suggestions and patterns!