The Extent of My Geekiness--at least as far as Star Wars is concerned

My parents recently dropped off five large bins and one large steamer trunk full of "mementos" at my house.  Actually, it was last night.  They've been doing some cleaning and organizing around the house--now that all four of us are long gone--and made a trip to Milwaukee with a minivan filled to the brim with Rubbermaid tubs for me and Steph (dear sister #2).  Six bins each!  Six bins full of everything in my life dating before 2001--the year I packed up and headed to college.  No one had looked at any of these things for 14 years and I was eager, if a little apprehensive, to discover the treasures within.

I began looking through the boxes as soon as they landed in the middle of my basement floor and I've learned a few things:

- The diary from my 8th grade year is all I need to every be happy again.
- Rubber bands do not last 14 years.
- My Pound Puppies still rock.
AND
- I was an even bigger Star Wars geek than I remember. Here is photographic proof:

My Queen Amidala Phone (front)

The inside features the Queen in disguise

Vintage Star Wars Pop-up book, Full-color photograph book, and novel version of the original trilogy

A picture my little sister made for me, apparently certain of my true passion in life (Princess Leia and R2-D2, btw)

And the most sadly blatant example of the superiority of my level of passion for the fandom, this excerpt from a note to a friend during my freshman year of high school.  I'm very lucky people put up with me back then.

Evidence Not Pictured:  Three very geeky Star Wars t-shirts, a Yoda poster, an official movie theater Star Wars Episode II reflective poster, a 1997 Star Wars film re-release pin, and diary references to the upcoming re-release of the three original Star Wars films

This is only the tip of the iceberg of memories I've discovered.  I've been through only two boxes and have a pile of things I want to share with my family, my friends and the the high school classmates who may not have put up with me as well.  If you like taking trips down memory lane, pack a clean pair of underwear and buckle in.  "The Nightly New" is going to be sharing some old stories off and on for awhile!