However... on the "Light Side" of things...

After that heavy post, I thought it only fair to balance it out by talking about something a little lighter.

Well I'm proud to announce that I have joined the Jedi Order:

Yes... I donned my robes and took up my lightsaber in a bid to slay any Sith Lords who might dare to show their face at Alcester's annual Street Market... which this year was given the theme "At the Movies".

I entered the costume competition but didn't get anywhere... should have seen that coming when one of the two judges said with with great disdain "Yes! I know who you are... Star Wars!"

I would wager she hadn't seen the films and only seen kids/young men running round waving glowing plastic swords about in juvenile fashion... pretending to be Luke Skywalker. People of a certain age and above seem to have an allergic reaction to anything science fiction related... especially if it's Star Wars.

If the pictures in the press, I'm going to post it here and let you draw your own conclusions as to who the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place should have been. I think it might raise a few of your eyebrows.

I'm not bitter though... I just loved the excuse to wander round my hometown kitted out as a Jedi. It comes in handy you know... I accidentally pulled a Jedi mind trick on an ice cream man who insisted on charging me 50p less than he should have until I finally convinced him I owed him more money. It also gives you an air of authority. A bunch of kids lobbed some litter on the floor next to a bin... when I motioned to them to pick it up and put it in the bin... they obeyed without hesitation... weird huh? Maybe Police and Community Support Officers should try wearing this get up!

The only down side is that it's not very practical clothing for a baking hot sunny day. I was wearing three layers out there and I spent most of the day slumped in various corners as I was severely dehydrated, no matter how much I drank it didn't seem to have any good effect.

Still, one must suffer for one's art and I'd do it all again.... in fact I'm looking for an opportunity to do so!