Birthday Fun on the Plane to Heathrow

So I finally did it. I'm making my way across the Pond to merry 'ol "red alert" England! I've been dreaming about visiting the UK ever since I lay sprawled across on our living room carpet transfixed by the TV featuring the intergalactic adventures of Dr. Who. Growing up in Kansas, I think I was convinced all aliens had British accents. Between Dr. Who and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I probably had good reason to believe it. Even the villains (except for Darth Vader) had British accents in Star Wars. Which brings me to why I'm headed to London.

Lucasfilm was kind enough to spend a few dimes to send me to Celebration Europe -- the biggest Star Wars convention in the UK -- actually the first official one. I'll be reporting for Starwars.com -- more specifically our Official Starwars.com Blog. In May I was at Celebration IV (our gigantic Star Wars convention in Los Angeles and that was one heck of a Fanstock, and I had a blast. I chatted with Jane Wieldlin from the Go-Go's, briefly became part of the Seth Green entourage, signed copies of my drawing book, became an honorary member of the 501st, flirted a little with Holmes Trooper, videotaped tons of footage of droids and slave Leias, photographed everything I saw and directed my first action film (technically I just ask a nice Lucasarts guy to pretend to run away from an Acklay.) So who knows what kind of trouble/fun/craziness I'll get into this time around?

What makes my first trip overseas even more fun today is that it's my 35th birthday! I always wanted to go to London and even though I'll only be there until July 16th, I can't wait to pack in as much fun as I can in between working at a convention. I get to see my old UK buddy Neil (sorry it took me this long to get the hell over there, Mate!) and friends from work that recently moved there. Oh and I totally plan on stalking Prince Harry. Just so ya know.

So stay tuned to my blog here and on the Official Starwars.com Blog for updates and weird stuff I come across. I can't wait!

And if you have any tips for this first-time traveler to the UK, let me know! So far I've been told that it's not wise to drink gin straight from the bottle at any pub or to try to kiss one of the Royal Guards (while he's on duty). But if you have a few more, I'm all ears -- and a big grin! ;-)