The First Order or The Resistance? A Side Has Been Chosen…

Earlier this week, FedEx delivered to me a package that was at some point adulterated in transit between NYC and Rock Father HQ in Illinois. The clear cylinder was open at both ends, and inside were a pair of posters that appeared to have been removed… as if someone decided to sneak a peek at what was inside. What was missing were two caps – one red, one black – each representing opposite ends of a spectrum, one dark, one light. The note included presented me with a choice – perhaps the most difficult that I’ve had to make in ages: #ChooseLightSide or #ChooseDarkSide? Yes, this moment was being dictated by Hasbro – a toymaker placing me in a position to potentially go against the wishes of my family in order to fulfill a destiny and declare allegiance to either The First Order (remnants of The Galactic Empire) or The Resistance (what was spawned of The Rebellion) when it comes to shipments of toys from J.J. Abrams’ forthcoming film, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. My daughters made it quite clear what choice they wished me to make – “Choose the light side, Daddy!” But I don’t think that I can…

As a kid that wore the same Don Post Darth Vader Halloween costume for no less than three separate Halloween’s in the 1980s, how could I possibly turn my back on that legacy? In my old song, “Darth Vader is a Real Cool Guy!” I made it very clear that “He’s Down with The Dark Side and So Am I!”

And if STAR WARS were reality, The First Order (Empire) would be the Government, and The Resistance (Rebellion) might be considered to be “domestic terrorists” of sorts, so there’s that. Both sides would definitely view themselves as heroic, yet the balance of right and wrong would teeter upon the decisions of those like myself, who in the real world can’t even align with “Republican” or “Democrat,” opting instead to remain “Independent.” 

Knowing that a number of other websites have received the same directive from Hasbro, I can tell you that The First Order is growing… and that The Resistance is much smaller in numbers. I put the call out to friends and social media and the reaction was overwhelming: #ChooseDarkSide.

{source}

But…

I #ChooseLightSide.

Despite The Dark Side having cooler-looking uniforms and vehicles (and that red-and-black KNIGHT RIDER color scheme that I’m so affectionate toward), again I have to go back to reality – I don’t work for the government. I’m not in the army. My independent spirit would probably make me more of a Boba Fett… or would it actually be more of a Han Solo – the cocky guy with good morals that just would rather not be fully attached? There’s a freedom in that. 

Plus, my girls already have so much love for that little Droid, BB-8. 

Stay tuned… THE FORCE AWAKENS…