Title: Star Wars Celebration Report

To start off I would say this is a experience I will not forget. A lot of unfortunate things happened every day, but in a weird kind of way it was fun because of it. The organization of the Event was very bad. They were not ready for 10,000 to 15,000 people. There was a line for everything, from getting in the main hanger, to standing in line for the restroom. It all starts like this:

Day 1, Friday April 30th.
Ted Hansen, Chris Hines, Dave(Chris'friend, I forgot last name guy) and I (Tim Guzman) arrive at the Airport at 5:15 AM. When we get to the gate we find out our flight is delayed. This concerns us because the transfer in Phoenix is only 45 mins apart. When we finally left for Phoenix it was around 7:10 AM. Which means we missed our transfer and had to wait until the next flight, which was at 9:00 AM. Now we won't be able to partake in the first event, because we will arrive there at 12:15 PM. We were making the best of it even though we were a little discouraged. After this things can only go up from here right!.. Wrong. I go to pick up my rent a car and they say they gave my car to someone else, because I was late. Of course I was a little upset, so they gave me another car. They also give me directions to the event, which was bad directions, it seem the long way there. If you travel I suggest do not use Advantage. It was crazy to find a Parking spot, but we found one. Our first impression was WOW look at all the people. We registered then got in line to the Main Hanger.

We were glad to be inside now since it was raining outside and it was pretty cold. I heard it was around 30 degrees...burrr. Now once inside the first thing I saw was...The Decipher Booth. They were there big. It was the most impressive booth I have ever seen from them. And I have seen a lot. I went there to say hi to a few Decipherians. There were all there. Then I sat down with Michael Girard and he taught me how to play Young Jedi. The game is awesome..I must say I love it. Decipher did a good job making this game. The next thing I knew I was demoing the game to a couple of people. That's what happens when you stay at the booth to long. I broke away to play in a swiss Tournament. That was fun, but short. We only played 3 games because of time reason, but I really didn't mind. I lost one game against Ted, can you believe it, 93 people there and I have to play Ted in the first game. There was lots of things to do here so I was ready for tommorrow. Our hotel was great and we even had free breakfast everyday, good stuff to, like Eggs and Bacon. Anyway...

Day 2, Saturday May 1st.
We woke up early knowing what we will face there..LINES. When we arrive on this day, which we thought we were early for, but weren't. We got in two different lines. Me and Dave stood in the line for the Star Wars Main Store. And Chris and Ted wanted to go to the Main Hanger to play in a EPP Overdrive Tournament. Which by the way Chris came in First Place of that one. Now for me and Dave we were in a Looonnnngggg Line. In fact it was the longest line in the Tournament. We were standing there in line, it was outside, it was cold, and guess what happens? IT STARTS TO RAIN. Dave comes up with this great Idea to go buy some umbrellas, so he leaves. Meanwhile 3 hours go by with me soaked to the bone before I get inside. Needless to say I was wondering where Dave dissappeared to. Once inside the store the only thing to make me feel better was to spend money. I spent around $400 here. I got some Young Jedi Cards, a Autograghed Novel of EP1 by Terry Brooks, and some other SW pins and stuff. One of the boxes of Young Jedi was for Chris and Ted to split, and they were grateful for what I went through to get them. RIGHT GUYS..haha.

After shopping it was time for me to look around and take pictures. Lots of cool stuff to see. The life size x-wing was cool, the Star Wars timeline was cool. Looking at the new Pepsi cans and the Life size LEGO of Darth Vader, just to name a few things was part of it. After that I meet up with Chris and Ted to play in the World Premiere Tournament of YOUNG JEDI SEALED DECK.(Still no Dave) This was fun. I came in forth Place with 70 People playing that was great. The day was almost over from here. But to get to the hotel we needed to find Dave. Well after spending more time in the rain we finally find him. We get back to the Hotel to open our NEW YJ cards...cool. I GOT A FOIL of Darth Maul. We spent most of the night reading cards and building Decks for the next days tournaments. In fact I was up until 4:30 that morning...

Day 3, Sunday May 2nd.
This was the day Ted and I walked around looking at everything we could and getting all the free stuff we could. Until the Young Jedi Constructed Tournament started that is. Chris and Dave stood in line for some Sneak Previews and slide show. During our tournament Dave comes and tells us that he and Chris our at the front of the line. And that Ray Park will appear. So after Ted gets his butt kicked by some 10 year old(haha...) and after the third game we drop out, because we don't want to miss this. When we got there I was glad we came. Ray Park(Darth Maul) was showing some footage of the battle. There was a question and answer with him also. We got to see some of the movie that no one else will see. And also some slides about how the movie was made. All I have to say is I can't wait until MAY 19th. The Phantom Menace is going to be an Awesome movie. On this last day it wasn't that crowded as the past days, and it wasn't raining so this day was the best. The bad stuff is behind us, nothing can happen now....Wrong again. We get to the Airport and Ted can't find his ticket. He looks everywhere, but nothing.:( So he has to pay for another ticket to get home. Its late and we were all pretty tired. Ted and Dave Sleep most of the way home on the plane, while Chris and I play some Young Jedi. Chris is talking about how he wants to go stand in Line at Toys-R-Us when we get back. I say that I am done with lines.

To sum it up, I had a great time. The things we seen about the New Movies is only making it harder for us to wait for it. Decipher was great and the people at Decipher are cool. Even the SW Players have a certain kind of greeting they give to fellow players. It is like we are all one big family. Until my next trip this is all. If you read this far thank you. If you want some more details come to any tournament and we can talk about it.