Poetry is the representation of some aspect of beauty or
intense emotion in a form of art. It’s created by people. Poems are written,
pictures are taken, movies are filmed. But life also has its own poetry. Not
only the biological concept of life (though the colors, the symmetry, and great
physical attributes of nature is amazing at times), but our everyday lives. The
day to day interactions we have with our environment. Well, my life is oddly
poetic at times, I should say.
Example. I love Taylor Swift. Like, a lot. I love her music,
I love her looks, I just love Taylor Swift. I have an affinity towards female
vocals. Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Adele. Yet even when I play
stations built around that style of music, a style of music I find most
pleasurable, I skip tracks every now and then. It’s to be expected, true.
Internet radio isn’t perfect and I’m bound to dislike a song.
Screenshot from the music video "Story of Us"
But here’s the twist. I’ve found myself these past couple of weeks
listening to dubstep. I typed in Skrillex, a popular dubstep artist, and I have
yet to skip a song as Pandora plays for me. Here is this very aggressive,
jagged, loud, low-on-lyrics music that I shouldn’t like at all. It’s in direct
contrast to the stories of unrequited love found in my arsenal of ballads. But
I like it. I haven’t heard something that repels me as the station spins its
tunes.
This logo conveys the attitude of dubstep.
I tried to explain dubstep to my father recently. I commented
that dubstep sounds like it is a mad scientist’s twisted answer to popular
music. What he lacks in guitar skill he makes up with Tesla coils and the
synthesized machinations of the cries of his tortured robots.
That duality, those opposites, that is the poetry of life. Fiction must be credible, real life
doesn’t have to fit that bill. It can be as wonderful as wants to be, as dull
as it feels like. No rhyme or reason required.
Page from 1917 Mark Twain Calendar published by Sully and Kleinteich of NY by arrangement with Harper & Brothers from the Dave Thomson collection
So
to the beat of a dubstep lullaby I write these simple musings of life. I try to
find that mystical force that drives us forward despite the contrasts that
persist. The murderer hailed as a hero and the Samaritan sued for a kindly act.
Of course, I’m not going to find an answer. Not one can be applied to everyone
in the human race, anyway. Maybe I can find one that applies to me? A rationale
behind liking Skrillex and Taylor Swift at the same time. But I don’t even that
I can figure that out.
That
elusive quality makes life interesting. An unanswered question followed by an
unknowable future. It’s frustrating at times, but aren't all things worth
experiencing frustrating to a degree? The long trip to see the Grand Canyon,
the scuba equipment to swim along the Great Barrier Reef, the massive amounts
of fuel needed to propel a select group of men to walk upon Earth’s only
natural satellite. The risk and work create rewards that are well worth the
effort.
Image Credit: NASA
You
may argue that life can be predictable for some. Day in and day out daily
grind. Work, eat, sleep. But life can
still throw a slight curve ball if you let it. And I say why not let life throw
curve balls? I’d rather live in a world in which something exciting can happen
than know it all at once. Some of life’s pitches won’t be pleasant. That’s the
risk of living. A car could smash into me as I work the front desk or my bed
could burst into flames as I sleep. But life can also show me pictures of nebulae light-years away and introduce me to music that oddly captivates my
pensive self.
That’s
what I’ve gathered in my short time on this planet. You have the option to live
life to the fullest, taking in the glory of surprises, both wonderful and
tragic. Or you can stay stationary. Stagnant. Hold onto a supernova as it
stretches the lengths and breadths of time and space or sit in a swamp. Life
won’t come at you unless you make the first move. So I dare you to shake up
life and I will do the same.
I have often thought about the future. The kind of impact I will have on the world, more specifically. I dream of my name in a textbook at some point, if only there by mere mention. I also wish I can bring with my presence a change in the world so great that the media reports on my death. It's a train of thought that is a bit self-serving, I know. But it's the fact that I could improve the world, leaving it better than when I found it, that brings me the most joy. But the more I dwell on the fantasy, the more I realize how far off from reality it might be. I don't have much to my name at the moment, and I imagine that I won't for some time. Which is fine, until I learn more about the people I hold in high regard. I see that they had created these wonderful and meaningful things early in their lives before they continued into their lives at force speed, accumulating so much to their reputation that it intimidates me to even read about them. I look at these examples and I think to myself "How can I attain status like that? How can I leave my mark on the world for the betterment of mankind?" I don't have a clear-cut answer to that yet, but as I ponder (during an early morning eight-hour desk shift over the Thanksgiving holiday break, I should point out), I begin to realize one simple fact. Every role model I have, any person that wish to compare myself to, any of these accomplished individuals have a common connection to one another and me: they're human.
Human; simple creatures that have done incredible things. NASA
It's an odd realization, but it was mentioned over our staff retreat and it didn't click until learning more about a couple of influential people. The first of which is Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs died October 5, 2011, earlier this year, and following his death, the media reacted strongly, as did a huge portion of his fans. He was described as a genius, a revolutionary, a brilliant inventor of modern life, and a great leader. His story is remarkable. An adopted son, built one of the world's first personal computers in his garage with his best friend, Jobs dropped out of college, created and improved up ideas that made his company Apple a huge success all while in his twenties. He was then ostracized from his own company, helped create Pixar, rebuilt Apple when it started to fail after leaving the company years earlier, revolutionized the digital music industry and paved the way for mobile computer in huge ways. He was a huge factor in the way Western civilization operates now.
And Jobs was human. He was described as a tyrant and a bully. He yelled at people and he belittled them. He heavily borrowed ideas and branded them as his own, and was an opportunist in sometimes the negative sense. He could be short with people, using them for his own goals and then casting them aside. He demanded results as he envisioned the potential of the future, pushing others to go the extra mile to reach his lofty ends. He trashed talked competitors and shrugged off people he didn't want to bother with.
Jobs was also a caring husband and loving father. He friendships meant a lot to him, often talking long walks with his friends, talking about anything from the business and health to the meaning of life. He appreciated the beauty of the natural world and sought to convey the simplicity of design into all Apple products. He valued creativity and innovation. He was always pushing into the future. He saw a future world and tried to bring the rest of us into that world. The only face of Jobs I ever saw that the "one more thing" keynote speeches and beaming face paired with iPods and Pixar. After his death I learned more. And I gained a further respect as I learned more. Coupled with his charm was a charisma that was borderline frightening. Hard work got Steve Jobs to a point. It was that tenacity and biting-edge personality that he was able to access at the right moments which ultimately brought him the great success of Apple Inc. Jobs wasn't a saint, he was a man. And I should keep that in mind as I go about my life. I am a man, too. I make mistakes, I fumble, and I don't have to be the nicest guy in every situation. I aim to be well-mannered and positive as often as I can, but "speaking softly and carrying a big stick" is a philosophy that I should begin to definitely adhere to. I don't need to yell at everyone, but I shouldn't shy from the chance that I might have to take an aggressive stance. I don't take pleasure in having that scenario in my repertoire, but I feel like if I plan to change the world in some way, even a small one, I should grow into a well-rounded individual (which happens to include this social tool).
Apple Logo Tribute: 1955-2011 by Johnathan Mak
Another model of success is Conan
O'Brien. I have long wished for a stand-up career and to host a late night talk
show. It's a dream of mine that I've let fall away. The odds are long and the
pay until reaching national fame is feeble. But O'Brien stands out as a success
because of the NBC debacle that happens a couple years ago. In January 2010, after the show had been on for only seven months, NBC announced that it was going to move Jay Leno from prime time back to his original time slot, forcing O'Brien's show to start after midnight. In response, O'Brien released a press statement
saying that he would not continue as hot ofThe Tonight Show if it was
moved to any time after midnight to accommodate The Jay Leno Show. In January 2010, after the show had been on the air
for seven months, it was announced that NBC was intending to move Jay
Leno from prime time back to his original time slot,
forcing O'Brien's show to start after midnight. In response to the
announcement, O'Brien released a press statement saying that he would not
continue as host of The Tonight Show if it was moved to any time
after midnight to accommodate The Jay Leno Show. He feared it would ruin
the long and richTonight Show tradition. After two weeks of negotiations,
NBC announced that they had paid $45 million to buy out O'Brien's
contract, ending both his tenure as host as well as his relationship with NBC
after 22 years.
Following
that separation, Conan was incredibly upset. His anger affected him in a
great way. Conan was legally prohibited from appearing on the
television or Internet for a few months. He went on tour as he dealt with the
emotions that he had regarding the mistreatment he felt by NBC. After that
tour, Conan took a short break and then began a late night show on TBS.
I
supported Conan through his rough transition and the aftermath of his
decision. I followed him on Twitter and taped up a poster on my door showing
my allegiance to Team Coco. It wasn't until later, while watching a
documentary the followed Conan that I saw the troubled
and stressed Conan O'Brien that was hidden when performing on stage
and front of camera crews. He was very short with people, incredibly
rude and sarcastic, and generally depressed for much of his time on
tour. I saw his smiling face at night prior to the show's cancellation.
And now I see this overworked and heartbroken man.
Conan
O'Brien is a man, too. It was his dream for most of his life to be the host ofThe Tonight Showand
that dream was given to him and subsequently taken away from him. It was torn
from him thanks toexecutives. Knowing this, and seeing him outside of
performances, I couldn't help be value his work more. Despite all
that he'd personally gone through, he still met with fans and performed. We was
so angry for so long, but that didn't hinder his commitment to his
craft. He might have been unemployed, but his never stopped working.
That
drive is something I aspire for. I don't think I'll ever catch a break
and make it to New York or Hollywood, but in whatever job I
have, I wish to work as hard as I can, even if it isn't required of
me. He's a family man and a comedian. He does what he loves, even when life
stands in his way. I admire that greatly.
Team Coco Wallpaper
I have no idea how poorly written my early morning ramble is, but I hope it isn't too bad. I just wanted to jot down my thoughts about a couple of personal role models. They are far from perfect, but what man isn't? We're all human, and the sooner I can learn that, the sooner I can let go and forgive myself and move into the next phase of changing the world.
I was asked by a friend a simple question. She asked "What do you believe in, Daniel?" And I didn't have the right words to say. Half of me wanted to say "I Believe in Harvey Dent," and move on, but this conversation felt like it would have far greater potential if I was as honest as I could be with her. She wasn't a college student who felt like she had all the answers. She wasn't going to correct me. She was grounded and she was willing to listen. So we talked.
Publicity wallpaper for the movie The Dark Knight.
Now the answer to that question would have been easy to answer a few months ago. I thought it was clear then. But my faith has recently been in the forefront of my mind, under some reevaluation and re-configuring. I felt a need to reexamine it. My appendicitis wasn't bad at all, and thanks to modern medicine, was hardly a threat at all. But the potential it held to devastate me was still there.
In the following days of healing, I thought to myself how things might have been if things didn't go as well as they did. How would my funeral play out? Would people even know what my wishes would be? How would my parents treat my remains? Did I even have my own opinions on such matters? So I thought for a long while. What I wanted, what I needed. What felt silly and what felt right.
Those ideas transitioned into thinking about my faith. What did I believe in? What did I hold true? What resonated within me? And what did I not subscribe to?
It's never an easy question to answer. And I doubt I could accurately convey the intricacies of faith in my blog (not because it's extremely complicated, but my faith evolves and I don't know if I can ever pin it down). But now I feel like this is something I should do.
The Thinker by Rodin
I guess to begin, I don't like the rituals of religion. Stated simply, I like the idea that my fraternity stands by. That continuing a practice purely for the sake of tradition is the poorest reason for doing so. I feel like a portion of religious ceremonies are tradition and continued on that basis alone. A sort of "we've always done it like this so we will always do it like this." Not all ceremonies are like that, I realize. Some have a rationale behind it. But the institution of religion largely conveys a ritualistic stance in regards to worship and practicing one's faith. So on the whole, I don't like religion. I don't hate it, I don't think it should be abolished. But it's not my cup of tea.
On that note, The Holy Bible is not a book that I've read completely or a book I feel contains the direct word of God. There are a lot of books that claim to have divine influence. I don't think any of them should be discarded. They are valid works of literature. And it's got some good ideas in them. For example, the Bible says that you shouldn't murder people and don't steal stuff. Makes sense to me. But it's got some bad ones, too. The rules for owning people (slavery) doesn't appeal to me at all and there is a lot of killing ordered by God. I can see the father-like qualities of "do as I say, not as I do." My dad smokes and tells me that I shouldn't. I understand that. But if my dad told me not to kill people and then turns around and fired a few rounds into my neighbors' heads and told me to then loot their house, I'd be less likely to respect him. I understand that it was written at a time different from our own, but that harsh contradictory element makes me shy away from viewing the Bible as a source for spiritual enlightenment.
I don't think negatively of those who use the Bible as a source for enlightenment, though. Like I said, it has merit as a great work of literature. Those who study the Bible outside of the academic realm and use it as a guideline for spiritual growth find comfort in it and that isn't a false feeling predicated on a flawed book. It's a awakening sparked by a series of writings with which they personally interrupt. I don't use the Bible, but that doesn't lessen the impact it has.
Not the only source for enlightenment, nor is it my source.
But I do believe in a soul. I believe the mankind is so wonderful. And by extension, I believe in God. Mankind has been blessed by God with a soul. Kinda.
We evolved into the creatures of reason that we are today by natural selection over incredible amounts of time. Slowly, from simple mammals to space-faring marvels of biology, we grew. And through a bit of poetry, the moment that we gained that penchant for reason is the moment we could envision the concept of God. Perhaps that's the way He likes it?
Because there is more to us than what we're made of. Classic "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" way of thinking. The twelve particles of matter make the atoms that make the elements that make the components that make the physical man. The four forces of nature affect us constantly, including the electromagnetic force of nature which allows for the functions of our central nervous system, including the brain.
But there is that intangible, immeasurable, ungraspable soul of men. That untouchable pool from where we can draw from to create the grandest scores for orchestras, to paint frescas that adorn walls worldwide, to plan the sublime architecture in every city, to write the millions of stories we love. That source from where we feel the sharpest pain over the loss of a loved one or the crush of relationship gone awry. The same place that we have the greatest capacity for love unseen on this planet before. Mankind has done awe-inspiring things. Mankind has plans for even greater things. And I feel that we've done it on our own.
I believe that from our soul spurs the compassion, cruelty, and ingenuity of mankind. And God set the universe into motion and hasn't hindered our progress of evolution into beings of astounding power. I don't think He pointed to man and said "Eh, sure, those guys can have souls now." But the existence of that inert capacity to go beyond being fantastic biological machines and to have that soul to evades any sort of scientific classification shows me that there is something else in this universe beyond those twelve particles of matter and four forces of nature. And that something else is God.
Are souls limited to mankind? Do animals have them? Computers? So many questions that stem from the notion that makes answering the initial question so difficult.
It's hard to define God, though. I don't pray to God. I don't think God can respond to prayers. Well, He could, but He doesn't. I'm sure He can hear them. But He doesn't have a place to react. I like to think to myself that God caused the red light to appear just as my favorite song starts to play on the radio, allowing me to enjoy it in its entity.
But I feel like God is beyond that. More than an omnipotent man in the sky considering to attend to the requests of a prayer, but an entity so vast that He becomes pervasive in everything, like gravity. An additional force of nature. The potential for change is there, but His awareness that tipping one domino over would lead to the collapse of the detailed universe He created would be a main deterrent for intervention. If He actually created the universe, that is, instead of just exploding into reality like everything else did during the Big Bang. The universe, by definition, contains everything, so it'd include God. He isn't outside of the universe, He's a part of it. Perhaps He is just flowing along with everything else. He governs the laws of that spiritual part of man, I guess. I honestly don't know because I'm not God.
Luke's Lesson by Jacob A. Pfeiffer An illustration of the Force, an invisible but binding force in the Star Wars universe.
I know that I'm writing about God using the conventions of the King James Bible, capitalizing God and references to Him. I don't think I would interrupt that as how I view God, but more so it is in line with the poetic aspect of discussing God. The classic method, so to speak.
Because faith is an abstraction. And abstractions are beautiful and brilliant. They aren't things you can point to. And neither is God. They are all just past the physical. And that beauty is poetry in my eyes.
And I guess I should add that references to the human species as "man" and "mankind" derive from the classical poetic approach and not a sexist point of view.
Just a point of clarification.
Now the next step in this voyage of self discovery is how I would in the event of my death. What would want? To be honest, I won't be at my funeral. At least, not in any way that would matter. So I'd hope whoever takes charge on my funeral preparations would accommodate to the needs of those in attendance, not to me. Of course, the circumstance of my death would be a factor when choosing how to display my remains. A gruesome mauling by a bear wouldn't lend itself well to an open casket funeral, but if I died in my sleep without any grotesque aftereffects, I wouldn't mind being dolled up a bit for the show. If science wants my body before I'm buried away, they can use it.
As for a burial, as I said, whatever is best for those in attendance. I think a grave in a graveyard would take up precious space on this Earth, but it would provide a somewhat picturesque landscape for anyone wanting to visit. Cremation would save space (and allows for my ashes to possible to scattered in outer space), but I don't know if visiting a pot of ashes has the same effect for people as those visiting a tombstone. Ultimately I think I'll leave it up to whoever will be visiting me the most, if anyone will at all.
In the end, death signals the separation of the soul from the physical realm. Where does it go? No idea. I like to think it's how people come closer to God. We join in on that fifth force of the universe, so to speak. Perhaps it is peaceful. I like to think the soul we have is eternal. It doesn't take up space in the cosmos, so it is permitted to stay after death.
"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not." Jedi Master Yoda
I'm not sure what else to add on the subject. I'll write another entry to address questions. Though I'm not sure if I'll have any answers. I'll leave you with a fun clip, so as not to feel like this entry was "too deep" or anything.
I haven't had the smoothest time these past few weeks. School is tough. Work is exhausting. My social life is hardly what it used to be. I had an appendectomy and missed a week of everything. I'm struggling to find motivation for a lot of things. I'd nearly given up.
But I paused.
In the midst of all that I had to do, despite every assignment, deadline, test, project, and promise, I paused. And in that pause, I sought out some comfort. I didn't want to bother my friends and I couldn't afford leaving the building. I needed to do this on my own. I needed to find something that would make me strive to continue. The extra push to help me this semester. Or at least until the next break.
I found the Symphony of Science again.
Science set to music. It was simple. It was powerful. It was perfect.
Thank you, Symphony of Science. Thank you very much.
If you would allow it, Blog, I'd like to write to you a response to another blog post. The question posed by that entry: "They always tell you that when you’re trying to make friends or get a girl/guy. “Just be yourself!” But can we really? What does it even mean? They tell you not to act differently just to “fit in” or whatever. Why not? I think it’s nearly impossible to not change ourselves at least a little bit depending on who we’re hanging out with. It’s probably not such a bad idea either."
Key phrase: "Some People"
And my simple reply to that blog is this. That when they say "just be yourself" whenever you're talking to someone you like, a job interview, or any of life's wonderful social dimensions, that you should be true to yourself. You shouldn't emulate another person's voice, stance, or opinions. "Just be yourself" is more of a gentle reminder that being yourself isn't a bad thing. It's a support for when you wish you were a champion pianist when you're chatting to that cute music major, or the volunteer firefighter who just happened to save an orphanage when you're applying for a job.
A little harsh, but the point is understood.
"Just be yourself" is saying that yes, you'll change an aspect of yourself to fit the situation at hand. Professional in an interview, fun and flirty on the dance floor. But don't suppress your urges to at least mention something you like, and definitely don't lie about liking something else. She's a cute girl dressed as a Vulcan science officer, but she'll Vulcan Nerve Pinch in a heartbeat if you act like you're into Star Trek and fail to know what the Kobayashi Maru is or its significance in the timeline of James Tiberius Kirk.
"I don't believe in a no-win scenario."
"Just be yourself" is your chance to shine, too. You've never met Person A. First impressions matter. Do you do straight into your encyclopedic knowledge Star Wars lore? Probably not. But don't shy from Lucas's saga if it is mentioned. You know all about Ewoks and the other movies Person A might like if they think Ewoks are cute (Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and its sequel Ewoks: The Battle for Endor). You might have to scale back a bit and avoid mentioning that those cute Ewoks Person A loves so much actually were intended to be Wookiees until Lucas decided Wookiees were technolgically competent and he wanted a primitive race to defeat the Empire in Return of the Jedi (or that Ewok is Wookiee switched around; or that it was originally titled Revenge of the Jedi). Information overload gives a bad impression more so than the content of the information.
And you thought all Ewoks were cute.
"Just be yourself" is advice given often. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But if being yourself results in not getting a phone number, then consider that a blessing. If that person doesn't like who you are, then odds are you wouldn't like being on a date with them. If being yourself loses you an interview, then if you had actually worked there, you'd probably be miserable the entire time you were employed there.
No one is better qualified to be you than you are.
So that's about all I have to say about being yourself. It's probably to wisest advice I can give to someone talking to someone else. Honesty is the best policy, after all, right?
It has been a very long time since I've visited you. So long, in fact, that you've changed! You've got a new format for me to work with, and a lot of interesting improvements (let's see what I can do!). I have to say that this comes as little surprise, because Netflix has changed its business model (and made a new company for DVDs called Qwikster), George Lucas has changed Star Wars (who knew there was more to do?), and Facebook has been recently revamped (no complaints on that).
"I have altered the movies. Pray I don't alter them further."
And you know what? I've changed, too. In a positive way, no less. I'll admit, I still have times of self doubt. I still think down on myself. Every now and again I don't like what I see in the mirror. But overall, life is looking up. The shadows of the past no longer lurk in the corners of my mind. In a sense, I lit a new flame to shine on my heart. And with this enlightened soul, I've made progress in a few areas of my life.
First, school has been reviewed in my mind. I have a new approach and I'm enjoying it more. I feel like I'm actually able to move forward in a career and be successful. I have a plan and will start working on it as soon as I can. Things will come together if I keep a steady pace.
Second, work has been very interesting. Throughout training, the stress of preparation was manageable. Until the work I had to do increased as the days went on. My role as returner was utilized more than I thought was needed. And I even went above and beyond what was required of me, only to be told that it wasn't good enough. Things have settled down though, and everyone has started to find their place in the framework of the ResLife job. My bosses are more confident now, and my fellows new RAs are able to stand on their own.
Not Ra, Resident Assistant
Third, my personal life has been improved. I've come to a resolution, to a closure, and I can start again within the realm of one troubling relationship. And in another, I feel as though I've found a good balance among many factors. And new friendships abound with my RA colleagues in Woods House. It's been lovely! I even wrote them all a quick poem based off the floor themes on the building. Granted, not every relationship has had the greatest time these past few months. Sometimes the emotions ran deep and strong to the point of heartache. I wrote to you in the hardest time of despair. I never sent off the message. But looking back on what has happened, I hope only the best is yet to come out of it all.
Being an RA in Woods House for a second year has proven (so far) to be a fantastic decision. Last year was great, and this year has the potential to be better for me. How? Well, in a nutshell, I'm much more active within the group. I've almost taken on the job the job Nikki did. A sort of mother to the group. Father? Eh, parental unit. I've provided medicine when the staff was sick, I've written a poem to wish them luck with their new student leader roles, I've bought muffins, draw poorly illustrated whiteboard stories, personalized notes, and provided resources when I could. I thrive on that feeling of helping others. It's not pure altruism, but that's okay.
I do want to write more often, Blog, I really do. I hope this entry really gets me back into the habit. Maybe I should find another 30 Days thing to do. Or I'll just focus on what I'm feeling. Who knows what that might lead to?
It says: "I've learned to express my anger through my writing instead."
I have no idea how to vlog. I've watched videos on the subject, read articles for tips, and even purchased some neat cameras for the task at hand. But I still don't know what I'm doing. Every time I start, I give up fifteen minutes later because nothing seems right. I feel off when I record my vlogs. So what do I need to do? Wait to be in Woods House, where I'm motivated by my job? Do I need to seek out a friend to vlog to, Vlogbrothers style? I know you don't have any answers, Blog, but it's a tad frustrating. I like the idea, and I feel like I would be good at it. But I fail. Not an epic fail, but I'm not getting anywhere.
In high school, I was in a television journalism class. And in class, I feel like I did a fine job with the broadcasts that I made. Vlogging, in a sense, is that class. So why can't I start something? Blah, this is a tad frustrating.
On a more playful note, I've been trying to play Star Wars Galaxies a bit before the servers go offline at the end of the year. I'm looking forward to The Old Republic a great deal, but I have fond memories of SWG. I'm installing the game on my laptop again. It seems like my character is intact. My possessions aren't as stable, though. I doubt I'll be able to do much in the economy. I won't complete any quests. About all I will do is grab a land speeder and seek out all the Star Wars landmarks in the game. Perhaps I could grab some screenshots for you (no promises, though). It'll be like a mini-vacation before school starts. Unless there is heavy combat. I don't think I could survive that. I'm just a Level 90 Master Droid Engineer. Or at least I was. I might labeled as a Trader now. I recall the ability to build Battle Droids now, too. Who knows what awaits Adnil Nedlog in the Chilastra Galaxy (if it still exists).
Even if I ultimately play for only a day, at least I get to fly in space again.
