Friday, December 18, 2015

T-shirt #7: Star Wars Ugly Christmas Sweater

Well, I'm still in recovery from watching Episode VII.  Without sharing any specific spoilers, I will say that a lot of it reminded me of Episode IV, and at times I felt like I was watching a remake of the original New Hope movie.  But, there were elements of both IV and V in VII, and it shouldn't be surprising, because most Star Wars stories have these elements:  The Force, space battles, lightsaber battles, family rivalry, bad guys with a super weapon using fear and the Dark Side, and good guys trying to stop that weapon while using the Light Side.  I loved the portrayal of The Force in this movie, especially considering the lame way it was explained in Episode I. There were also more dark scenes than in any other Star Wars movie, showing what evil looks like when too much power is in the wrong hands. Luckily, humorous lines were placed strategically throughout, and I think the acting brought this movie to a level way past the prequels and close to the originals.  I don't know if Episode VII will make any new Star Wars fans, but it's should please diehards like me, who can't wait to see it again.

Thank you to my cousin and his wife for getting me this t-shirt a few years ago.  They said they saw it, and knew it was perfect for me.

May The Force be with us all.


Thursday, December 17, 2015

T-shirt #6: Vote Kenobi / Yoda 2016, Our Only Hope


I don't like to get too political with my posts, but Jedi is definitely the party I identify with the most.

Only waited 32 years, excited to see Episode VII tonight!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

T-shirts #4 and #5, 2 for 1: Star Wars Hockey Imperial Conference and Yoda Santa, An Elf I Am Not

Continuing my week of Star Wars t-shirts, these were both given to me as Christmas presents in the last few years.

I wore the hockey one to Buffone today, and will be wearing Yoda at Hope Lodge to most likely give the guests a "Dave is such a Star Wars dork" chuckle.

By the way, Episode VII comes out tomorrow...not that I've been waiting 32 years or anything.



Tuesday, December 15, 2015

T-shirt #3: Stop Wars

Although I do my best to minimize the times I use the word hate, I definitely keep a list of things on my permanent hate list.
Cancer, Crohn's Disease, War, The Montreal Canadiens, New York Yankees, and Boston University Hockey.  
To me these all are different forms and intensities of disease.  
The Habs, Yanks, and BU never put me in a hospital, but they definitely gave me times when I didn't feel at ease.  
Crohn's Disease doesn't kill as many people as cancer, but it's a lifelong struggle for a lot of people and I wouldn't wish it upon any Canadiens player.  
I've never witnessed War firsthand, but from what I've seen and read, I think it's horrific. I see a lot of people, including children, dying over a disagreement.  I understand when someone says they want to take over the world and start invading countries, other countries have to come together and stop that person (say his name is Mitler, for example).  Mitlers must be stopped.  But I don't see anyone saying they want to take over the world.  I've seen my country go into other countries.  According to this article, the US has bases in 800 locations outside the US. Unfortunately, whether or not we are the "good guys" is a matter of opinion.  
That's why fighting terrorism or terrorist groups is in some ways more difficult and less clear cut than it was when the US helped to stop Hitler (and the Axis powers) in World War II.  Anyone who believes in the ideology of ISIS will see the US as an enemy regardless of what country they were born in or currently reside in.  I'm American and have enjoyed the privileges of living in the US, but in some ways my heart belongs to Canada (hockey, health care, 78-day political campaigns). Above all, I think what 

you are taught will have the most influence on what you believe in.  I was raised Catholic, but my parents taught me to judge people on how they behave, and not their religious, ethnic, or any other kind of background.  They instilled an appreciation of Irish music and culture in me, but never said Irish people were any better than any other group, or said I should hate Protestants because of things that happened in Ireland.  The never said I couldn't be friends with someone because of their religion or skin color. 
I know many people think it's impossible, but John Lennon was right.  War is over, if you want it. If enough people believe in it and want it, War can be over.  
Every major religion in the world has a version of the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated (see my Coexist T-shirt blog).  If everyone took that teaching of their religion to heart, it could overcome all of the other quotes, teachings, and ideas that people feel the need to kill and die for. To many it may seemed far-fetched, but I believe it's possible.
This t-shirt is one of my favorites because it's an idea that I believe in, and also based on my favorite movies.  It's a new one, but replaced the old, worn out one from my t-shirt blog.  
So during this Sithmas week, let's enjoy Star Wars, and believe in Stop Wars.




Monday, December 14, 2015

T-Shirt #2: Family Guy Star Wars



This Star Wars t-shirt is a repeat from my 2010 blog (see post here), and is still available if anyone wants to make a donation to Hope Lodge or Skating for Hope - let me know!

If you've never seen the Family Guy Blue Harvest / Star Wars episode, you can check it out here:


Blue Harvest by papagiannakis_iosif

Happy 2nd Day of Sithmas!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

T-shirt #1: Darth Vader Free Hugs



As some of you know and some of you helped make happen, in 2010 I wore and blogged about 365 different t-shirts and took donations for the t-shirts to raise money for the first Skating for Hope rink rental (over $2000 for the 24-hour event). In March of 2011, I had received enough donations, and the first Skating for Hope was born. Since that blog in 2010, I have received some more t-shirts as gifts and found a few leftovers. I didn't want to add t-shirts to the original blog, so I started this new one for them and to kick of a Merry Sithmas week leading up to Episode VII.   You can check out my original t-shirt blog at Dave's Daily T-Shirts or watch a 3-minute video of every t-shirt I wore here:  2010, 365 t-shirts in 3 minutes video.  

This Darth Vader Free Hugs t-shirt makes it two "Free Hugs" t-shirt that I have (I wore my other Free Hugs t-shirt to the Rally to Restore Sanity, and took pictures with anyone that wanted to hug me: Spoiler Alert, It wasn't that many. You can see blog post of that shirt here).

My friend Heather gave me this t-shirt, and even though I've only known her for a few years, she is one of my favorite people.  She's funny, honest, friendly, creative, talented, and a lot of fun to be around.  She also obviously has great taste in clothes and movies, and knew I would love this t-shirt.

I thought this week would be a perfect opportunity to wear some of the Star Wars shirts that have been added to my collection, and will wear 7 Star Wars themed t-shirts for Sithmas Week (yes, I'm excited).  Although Darth Vader made his own very clever 12 Days of Sithmas, I will only have 7 days and t-shirts.

Thank you Heather, Merry Sithmas to you all, and to all a good Episode VII night (I hope).