Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

I have my tickets right in front of me - 00:01 on 17/12/15 - and I cannot wait!

Here are my thoughts so far, based on the trailers and reading the Journey to the Force Awakens books released so far:

The Galactic Civil war has raged since ROTJ - the battle of Jakku was supposed to be a decisive defeat by I suspect  splintered factions retreated to lick their wounds.  As the ship that crashed on Jakku, the Inflictor had a number of officers that served aboard the Executor - could someone have been entrusted with Anakin's lightsabre, which is then found years later in the wreckage by Rey (who then returns it to Leia)?  Out of the factions the First Order grows, presumably with backing from Seinar flight systems.  I assume this will be led by Supreme Leader Snoke, who recruits the Knights of Rey, who are presumably a cult of Vader given Kylo's possession of the mask, and who may well be descendants of the inquisitors from Rebels,

Meanwhile the New Republic has been declared and Princess Leia succeeding as Chancellor after Mon Mothma.  At some point we are assuming that the Republic fails or for some reason transitions in the Resistance, unless this is another faction which Leia is appointed General to lead against the First Order.  

Luke Skywalker has gone into hiding a la Obi Wan in order to protect the New Republic from what he perceives to be the dangers of the Force, possibly as he has lost an apprentice to the Dark Side (Kylo Ren?) - it is highly unlikely that Luke has fallen.  Luke does not appear in the Weapon of a Jedi, but is referred to with reverence and is obviously a legend of the Rebellion.

The inter-relationships between the characters will be key.  In Moving Target, Leia talks fondly about Poe Dameron - could he be related to her and Han (son?).  It is also possible that Rey is related to Leia, Han or Luke, as she talks about waiting for her family.  We assume Han and Leia are married and are shown embracing.

Finn is a deserter in whom the Force awakens and shows him the evil of the First Order, and prompts him to steal a TIE, which is shot down and crashes on Jakku, where he meets Rey.  They are both rescued by Han and Chewie in the Falcon or possibly they steal it as Han has lost it again.

Threepio has a red arm.  I don't know why, but presumably its a nod to his silver leg in episode IV.  This is supposed to be explained at some point.

And then there is a big death star type weapon on the poster - presumably Star Killer base, which, one would assume, kills stars a la the Sun Crusher, only in a Death Star shell.

You must admit, it does sound quite a lot like A New Hope so far...

See for yourself:

Teaser 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE

Teaser 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCc2v7izk8w

Full Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE

International Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBiht2zj9Qw

TV spot 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU-s_HAEwsg

TV spot 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6HN9soeGa8

TV spot 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJYpdpa-z6I

TV spot 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKamR_Td88c

Someone who rants almost as much as me!

Read all the entries.  I promise you this is another person.
 
http://readthisyoubastards.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=1

Whyte 905 - One year on

So, after the months of research and parting with hard earned cash (credit card), how is the Whyte riding one year (and 4 months) on?

After nearly 12 months of trying (and failing) to fix the rear brake vibration issue with the Avid 5s, I finally gave up and bought some 2012 Hope Tech M4s from eBay.  Fingers crossed, this seems to have fixed the issue, and I have a lot more faith in the brakes, allowing me to push things a bit more.  There have been some othbere niggles too - the paint is incredibly soft and thin, giving the bike a used look almost immediately, which was irritating at first but now suits it.  The poploc remote snapped after a few weeks following a small bump with a tree trunk, which had to be replaced (with the old version as it happens - less shiny, but more substantial), and the lockout on the forks had to be 'fixed' about 5 times before Wheelies finally identified that the wrong compression mechanism had been installed and replaced it.  Also, the front mech sheared clean through, which was replaced free of charge by Whyte.  Finally, after a particularly muddy ride (and forgetting to clean it), I had to get the rear mech and brakes ungummed and stripped (oops - lesson here kids - clean your bike!).

So, all in all, a pretty rough year.  However, its now working fine and not breaking every ride (so far).  Sadly I haven't had a chance to get the Maxxis Aspens back on to get the real speed out of it.  I've had Fire XCs on from purchase, with a swop out for a trailraker rear for winter Clyne rides, which are awesome all weather tyres - albeit too porous to go tubeless (on the list), and provide the best grip-speed compromise for the terrian I ride. The forks are smooth and I run them a little softer than usual and use the lockout where needed, and the extra 20mm travel on the Rebas is proving its worth at Afan and Brechfa.  The back end is occasionally a little firm, but generally is supple enough to soak up what's needed and grip even the fastest rockiest descents (that I'd dare to ride!). Transmission is smooth still and the 2 x 10 set up is generally proving itself (albeit still getting used to the ratios). 

Gotten used to the Gobi saddle now and loving it, although still prefer the SDG for longer riding/comfort.  Will probably switch the bars/stem/seatpost to Easton Haven carbons soonish to take a bit of buzz out, but the Stylo/Whyte bits are performing well so no rush. 

After having just come back from hammering the Wall at Afan, I can say for the first time I am really starting to love this bike.  Its always been there, but the frustrations of getting it right have damped it a bit.  I'm really starting to get to know the limits of both myself and the bike and it really is fast and confidence inspiring.  Also, no major crashes  so far - which is always good!  Hopefully this will be my hardtail for years to come. 

While we're on the subject....

check out yours truly at these Cardiff gigs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NaxUqQ4S_I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1YjErPyTKU

Kunt and the Gang at Download 2012

Well all my Christmasses have come at once! Not only the the Download line up the best its ever been, but now Kunt and the Gang are playing the comedy tent on the Thursday. Naturally this requires a new T shirt. Annoyingly, its slightly beyond my graphics skills at the moment. Anyhow, given the context, you can probably fill in the blanks on this image. I bet you can't guess what the snake will be.

Anti-Nowhere League @ Fleece; Bristol

Awesome gig, cracking crowd. Many many bruises.

This was by far the most violent but friendly crowd I have been in for the League. Smacked in the face within the first two songs, jacket thrown onstage, T shirt pretty much ripped off, smashed into the stage, arms almost broken and a bloke went headfirst into a metal pillar when his crowdsurfing effort when a bit wrong. Awesome. The League rocked - they seem to have yet another new guitarist who had a few problems, but Shady covered with some improv bass work.

The only minor negative was the extremely bad cramp I got during the last but one song, which necessitated much wailing and gnashing of teeth, plus a weird straight legged run to the bar to get some emergency peanuts and water (cheers Al). We'd been out biking on the Mendips all afternoon. Got back for the last number though. I seem to remember 2 encores as well.

Despite not being able to sleep all night after (either too wired or too drunk, or both), the only lasting effects were extreme tiredness and a LOT of bruises. Also my ribs hurt a bit. All in all a most satisfactory gig.

Unfortunate strapline...

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