The Star Wars Universe

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”[1] That was the first sentence from the prologue of the Star Wars movies. For people who have already watched the movies, that sentence has become familiar to their ears. If you do not know what the movies are really about, as far as I can remember, it tells you about a group of a good people going against the evil one in a galaxy far, far away, with so many aliens or extraterrestrial being join forces with the human race, or even become the enemy. The bad people were called the Galactic Empire[2], and the good people were the Rebel Alliance[3]. One of the main elements of the story is called the “Force”—a binding metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the realm of Star Wars[4]—which divided the people into two sides as well, depending on what they were using the “Force” for. The Jedi are the one who use it for a good cause, and the Sith are the one who use it for another cause, to control the galaxy within their hands.  Throughout the six series of the movie, starting from episode IV: A New Hope (1977), episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), the prequel; episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), and episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), we will be acquainted with many famous characters within the story such as; Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, Chewbacca, Master Yoda, C3-PO, R2-D2, Han Solo, Darth Vader, and many others. Despite all of its rich story, setting, theme and characters, what intrigues me the most is the fact that Star Wars has become one of the most influential elements in American modern pop culture in a sense that it does create such massive impact on the community that lives around it. You can easily look for fan-based website or community for these movies. Not to mention, there are so many news article or even television shows that are related to any elements of the Star Wars itself. Thus, through this writings I will try to describe and argues about the whole phenomenon of how big the impact that Star Wars has to the community.

New Year's Resolution (?)

It is the first day of 2014, a brand new year as folks usually call it. Is it though? Logically speaking, when we look at the Roman calendar, of course, 2014 is a new year for us. We've spent 365/6 days of 2013, and according to the calculation that exists, we now enter 2014. Even so, what I see on this particular day is no other than another regular day in our lives, my life to be exact. Then, what comes after or before the 'new year' occurred? 'Resolution'. A way to resolve certain issues that we have in our lives, that's the way I put it, a credit goes for my helpful dictionary. And, what is 'new year's resolution'? Well...I guess...it is a kind of 'to-do' list for us throughout the new year, isn't it? Things that we hope or we expect to happen or to do in the period of 365 days in 2014. Some may be a continuation from our 'resolution' in 2013, some may be newly created at the 31st of December in 2013, usually. 

Are those resolution really necessary? For some, it probably does, but for me, I don't really think so. The problem is...I can't even plan my own schedule for tomorrow, let alone for 365 tomorrows that I will have to face in 2014. I do things in life almost spontaneously, or if there is someone or something that forces me, or order me to do so; my parents, my lecturers in campus, my own needs, etc. Yet, there is a chance for me to use the same reasons to make such 'resolution' but I have no balls to temper with my own 'fate'. Sure, we could plan about what things that we will do tomorrow. Yet, in its practice, there will always be a disturbance that could sabotage our plan. Though, it is also a good way for us in preparing for any sorts of outcome that could happen in the 'future'. Even so, what we need most is the ability to be flexible and adjust with any sorts of spontaneous events that occur in our lives. 

So, if I do really need a 'new year resolution', what I will be putting inside the list is "I hope that I can be more prepared and flexible in terms of facing and enduring all the various events that will happen in the next 365/366 days of the year 2014"