May 3rd 2012 - I’m Driving home, listening to news on radio - “May the 4th Be with you” will be celebrated in Toronto for the second time this Saturday….”
I literally had to pull over as my though process took over, to think this through.
“I’m calling a LightSaber Battle at CeiliCottage. I’ll make a quick Tweet and post this out…must tell crew”
For context, the year prior, I was in NYC with my family on the same weekend and, in Washington Square, we stumbled upon a “flash mob Lightsaber battle” - the oddest, most fantastic sight. To see 100’s of Cosplay StarWas themed costumed characters, with fully lit lightsabers bashing each other (gently) at 10pm - Only in NYC you say… ShuckIt! I’m calling a Battle at the Ceili Patio!
I made the Tweet and posted, told the crew what we will do, and with their eyes rolling, I ran off to the Store to get a few LightSabers - just in case no-one showed up - I had to play the role. #KidInaCandystore
Just another day at the OysterBar, great weather and full patio and bar - and a few winks and flashes of StarWars gear - On Cat nodded and pointed at the Rebellion symbol on his jacket shoulder, Like “shhh - we got your back”
The Hockey was on and I’m OTK - On the knife. I happen to to answer the phone in the afternoon and @shaunahunt from @cityTV was on the line…
“So, you’re holding a LightSaberBattle at CeiliCottage? - Fantastic!! We want to come and cover the event! How many people are coming!?”
Laughing on the line…”HaHaHa…COOOOL Huh - YES and Light Sabre battle! 10 pm…How many people? I have NO IDEA - I posted that yesterday!”
“Well, how do you know if any one will show for a battle?”
“I don’t - but Hey - YOU called Me - so the word got out there - the Twitter-thing eh? No Worries I have a back up plan, and will have a show for you whenever you get here!” I had no idea what to do…
-Do, or Do not - There is no Try (Yoda…like you didn’t know that…)
Luckily, later that evening Zane Caplansky (#CaplanSkywalker maybe…) popped in for a few Oysters and a pint…now I had my plan.
Zane! - You up for a LightSaber Battle when CityTv gets here? “Absolutely” - Battle On!
Around 10pm the familiar CityVan pulls up and out pops #PrincessShauna (hair did-up like Leia) all ready to witness…something.
We assembled Shauna, the cameraman and Zane at the end of the bar.
Ok, says I, This is what’ll happen…
I’ll be shucking at my station, call out Zane at the bar - and challenge to a Battle.
Up, on the bar, across to the end, through the dining room, out to the patio, and Zane will kill me on the sidewalk. Cool? Can you shoot that?
Action! - as planned (not well planned) - we got up on the bar and “fenced”…Patrons played in, moving their pints, while we battled past…and went back to the game, with out getting up from their seats….nice!
Out, through the Cottage room, into the patio - I’m now huffing an puffing - Zane got to kill me right in front of Leia(Shauna) “Well…you don’t see that everyday” they wrapped, and hopped back in the van.
Probably not the StarWars Day Battle she was hoping for, but a Battle nonetheless!
#24HourEvent planning…
Just a few hours later - 11pm news time - I switched on CityTV at the bar - and this popped up…
Master plan completed. (Link)
#MayThe4thBeWithYou my young Padawans…Do, always Do.
