Originally posted on June 11, 2006
Wow...what a weekend
It started Friday when MO2 and I made the front page for our entries that day...a first for both (I believe). Then, VA2 created another "steamy" entry for us to read and comment on. Next, I find out that MO2 and I live fairly close to one another...such a small world. To top it off, I was able to go to the Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at COSI in Columbus, Ohio. This was the highlight of the weekend. I know, others have written about their trips, but this one is more for "my ladies" (you know who you are ).
Ever since I found out that the SW exhibit would be coming to Columbus, I knew that I had to go. I was hoping to go opening night last weekend, but, alas, I was unable to get the night off of work. As it was, the person I was going to go with ended up getting sick and was unable to go...so it worked out in the end. However, since I couldn't wait to see the exhibit for myself...I decided that Saturday, June 10, would be the day...and I wasn't disappointed. I got up early, around 8:30am (early for a "night shifter"), and was out the door by 10am. The drive took a little longer than the 2hrs it should have, because of construction...but I finally arrived, in plenty of time to check in and get my ticket. Because I had a little time before I could enter the exhibit, I decided to grab some lunch. The cafeteria was "decked out" in SW stuff...from R2 on the counters to character cut-outs on the wall...I knew that the staff had put a lot of thought into getting visitors excited about the exhibit. When I finished my lunch, it was time for me to make my way toward the exhibit.
I was the first in line for my "time" (the tickets are timed for entry to the exhibit). I had to wait about 5 minutes before I could go in, but it did not seem that long. The walk down the hallway seemed to take forever, but I finally arrived at the door. The first thing I saw was Luke's landspeeder, and it looked just like it did in ANH...now I knew things were going to get exciting, thinking This is where the fun begins. Around the corner was a display of Anakin from TPM and a Jawa with a miniature sandcrawler, then Sebulba's podracer. As I turned the corner again...I came "face to face" with the costumes worn by Ewan and Hayden themselves in ROTS !! I just could not believe that I was in the presence of these outfits...I stood there for several moments, studying them. It is amazing how much bigger Hayden is than Ewan...height- and build-wise. I knew there were differences between them in these details, but to actually see it, to me, was amazing.
Around the corner from Anakin and Obi-Wan were a Stormtrooper and a display of blasters and lightsabers...and I must say that these were impressive. Next was a display of Wookies...and I must say that I felt about 2 feet tall standing next to them. Just a couple more display cases down was Han and Chewie...and I started thinking about how jealous HG3 would be right now if she knew what I was looking at . Not too far away was a model of the Millennium Falcon, with all the details clearly visible. Next to Han and Chewie was Padme'. I must say, this was my disappointment for the day...they only had one of her outfits on display (the others, I believe, are on display at the FIDM in LA (?))--the one she wears when she first met Anakin in TPM. Man, is Natalie tiny . Next in my line of vision was the display of Leia, R2D2, and C3PO...and I must say, that outfit of Leia's (from ANH--not the Throne Room gown) looks better in person than on film. Natalie is even smaller than Carrie Fisher was at the time of ANH!!
Just a short walk from here was none other than Darth Vader himself...the actual costume from ANH...with the lettering our own DV commented on not too long ago. Again...I felt really short, but taller than the 2 feet I felt next to the Wookies Next to the Vader case was the helmet worn by Hayden in ROTS!!!! It was in 3 pieces, so you could see the details of every piece. Man, does the inside of the mask look painful ...but, again, I could not believe I was in the presence of these items (costume and helmet)...iconic symbols of our fandom, of our time, so I stood in awe for a few minutes. Here, someone tried to ruin my excitement for this exhibit and the display in front of which I was standing (DV)...a guy walked up and stared saying to me how disappointed he was with the exhibit and that the helmet looked like "the ones you can buy in the store." I couldn't believe my ears...could a "fan" really be saying these things? I just smiled and walked around the corner, where I saw none other than...Anakin's mechanical hand from AOTC (looks just like in the movie...but, of course with more visible detail in "real life").
Finally, I made my way over to the Falcon simulation. Unlike in Boston, this was included in the ticket price here. I waited about 45 minutes before I finally entered. I felt like I was entering the "real" thing...the set-up was so close to what we know from the saga it was eerie. The wait was worth it...although the simulation was only about 4-5minutes long. I really felt, at times, like I was traveling through hyperspace. Of course, there were lots of other things to see, but I'm "hitting" the highlights for me. I did not have the opportunity to experience the interactive portions of the exhibit...there were too many padawnas there. However, if I do have the chance to return later this summer, I will definitely try these thing out.
Before any of you ask about pictures...I did take about 3 rolls of film. I do not, however have a digital camera, so I won't be able to post them for you . If you go to the COSI web site, you will find picutres they posted...picutres detailing the exhibit from the arrival of the semis to the opening weekend events. If any of you are in the Columbus, Ohio area this summer, I highly recommend visiting COSI and seeing the exhibit for yourselves (it's here through Sept 4, and then will be traveling further west and, then making its way across the country therafter). I hope some of you will be able to experience this and...May the Force Be With You.
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