"...flows from Heaven to the soul..."

Lynette's 30th birthday was December 19th. So as an early birthday gift, 10 days early to be exact, I got her tickets to go see the "Star Wars in Concert" Orchestra at the Sprint Center on the 9th. I don't know how I will be able to top such an amazing birthday gift. I mean I set the bar pretty high for myself.

Well I had class on Wednesday night, and it was our final class, so of course it lasted almost right up to 7:00. The concert started at 7:30. So I ran to Lynette (I had her drive me to class to save time) who was waiting in the lobby at KU-Edwards, and we trotted down the stairs as fast as we could and sped down I-35. We reach downtown KCMO, and thanks to brilliant city planning had a hell of a time finding a parking spot, in everybody's favorite trouble-spot, the KCP&L district.

After finding a spot on the 6th floor of a parking garage diagonally across the street from the Sprint Center and ran as fast as we could. We miss the "Star Wars Theme", I mean we hear the tail-end of it. Then we hear Darth Vader's voice introduce "the only man to be in all six of the Star Wars films, Anthony Daniels". Which was awesome because on the way there I had prodded Lynette saying, "What if the guy that played C-3PO or Chewbacca was there?". Just in case you do not know, Anthony Daniels does play C-3PO.

HE WAS AWESOME!

I love the British accent. Getting to sit and have it lavish my ears with auditory grace, was almost as awesome as the orchestra itself. In between each piece he would tell a further bit of the Saga's story. So we missed the intro to every Star Wars movie, but we got to hear the whole glorious story of that beloved galaxy far, far away.

Have you ever been to a symphony or heard a professional orchestra? If not, splurge and treat yourself and your spouse, significant other or toy dog that you can sneak in via an ugly purse. Just go.

Hearing right in front of you (we were only four rows back from the front) music that you grew up hearing (who has not heard at least a soundbyte of Star Wars music?) played right in front of you by these talented musicians on these beautiful instruments makes for an amazing memorable experience.

Some highlights:
* Anthony Daniels acted like C-3PO (he wobbled around like an anxious golden droid) and said "Everybody knows the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately three thousand, seven hundred and twenty to one!"
* Lynette got her picture taken with these people dressed as Stormtroopers, whom we saw putting their costumes on at the beginning of the intermission.
* Did I mention they showed spliced together footage of the movies and key scenes that corresponded with teh piece they were playing? Well they did and it was awesome. It kinda made me want to watch the new Trilogy, which is almost universally hated by any true Star Wars fan. I did not love them, but it made me want to give them a second chance.
* During the Death Star Explosion and the scenes where Anakin and Obi-Wan are in the fight that lead to Anakin's injuries that lead to him becoming the cyborg Sith Lord known as...Darth Vader...were these pyro torches and boy were they hot and scary. The first time Lynette and I about jumped out of our chairs. I could not imagine how hot it was for the orchestra members on stage.