Please note that this editorial is to be taken with a light heart and an open mind. Unlike other editorials of late, this is rather meatless controversy wise, but it's fun!

As a light hearted introduction to this article 'I left my heart in Denver Colorado - Star Wars and convention romances, can they work?' here is..

The Star Wars fan's guide to dating:

1) Mention Star Wars on each date. If this results in hostility, a rolling of eyes or 'Yeah.. Spock is my favourite!' It is not meant to be. Actually, the 'Spock' comment is the lesser of the evils.

2) If you say 'Boba Fett is cool!' and your date responds with 'Yeah.. those swedes make great music!' It was not meant to be

3) If your date tells you to grow up or be more mature because you collect Star Wars toys/books/comics etc... You guessed it, it was not meant to be.

4) If your date says 'I don't care if it's the first movie in 16 years, I want to go to this phat party'.. Run away quickly in the opposite direction. Star Wars is better than booze and loud techno music.

5) If your date says 'But Independence day was sooooo much better than Star Wars. And Armageddon.. woah! I want some real science, not this Science fiction crap.. Star Wars is sooooo unrealistic' proceed to slink away :)

6) If your date brings you something cute, small and Star Wars related even if they don't like Star Wars that much but they know you do... or if they happily listen to you and you can communicate with them on a level other than Star Wars... or if this person accompanies you to Episode 1, and likes going to Toys R Us.. keep them. Not only do they kinda like Star Wars, but they understand why you like it and understand /that/ you like it.

7) If your date is as much of a Star Wars nut as you.. make sure you have something else in common.. if you do, it's a match made in heaven

Unfortunately, things don't always work out that way.

Although there have been some convention related romances that have blossomed after three to five days of science fiction bliss there are far more that have fizzled.

Without starting to sound like a love advice column, I'll just throw some common sense your way from someone that has seen convention initiated relationships both blossom and fizzle.

The first and foremost piece of advice I can give is that going to a convention to look for love is a very bad thing (tm). Just like in real life, things tend to fall into place on their own. Go to the con, have fun and if you find someone you like, make sure that you have something in common other than Star Wars or it probably won't work.

Be careful. Just like in the real world, there can be some really spooky people at conventions.

If you find someone un spooky that you like, hygeine goes a long way. It may sound odd that I mention this, but if you have been to a con before you may have noticed that some people decide not to bathe for three days or brush their teeth.

Take it easy, take it slow and keep in touch after the con, get to know this person before you make any sort of commitment and if it works out, congratulations!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go find my Star Wars valentines cards.

Amy Pronovost February 7th, 1999

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1998

11/23/98 - Scott Chitwood - What Lucasfilm is doing right
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1997

12/17/97 - Darin Smith - Everything I need to know...
11/15/97 - Chris Kivlehan - Six Episodes or Nine Episodes?
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