Yes, tomorrow evening Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will open in theaters here in the USA. I am a huge Star Wars fan and bought tickets back on November 2 for a show this Friday evening, December 20. Just two more days for me!

So, who cares?

In this season of the pending impeachment of US President Trump, British elections and Brexit, and protests in Hong Kong, I think a lot people care – if for no other reason to escape all the gloomy news as we come to a close of the year and decade.

If you are interested in Star Wars and American as well as global politics, I read this interesting story yesterday: How Star Wars Reflects – and Shapes – Real-World Politics

I have been very careful to avoid the reviews that started coming out yesterday from the early reviewer/film critics. So, come Friday, it will all be fresh for me.

I remember well seeing the first Star Wars movie in theaters when I was 14 years old. That really feels to me like "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away"! To date, my favorite Star Wars movie is The Empire Strikes Back. That came out just after I turned 17 years old and was finishing my Junior year of high school. I went to see it with a bunch of high school buddies.

How did those movies impact me? I have always loved storytelling and escapism. When the stories have powerful themes of good vs. evil, adventure, love, romance, friendship and bravery, like the Star Wars movies do, that is my kind of movie.

On self-reflection over the years, movies and stories like Star Wars have shaped me and helped me in the founding and building of AFT. To do something like that, one has to have a certain dreamer-like quality to them – a certain connection with one's imagination. That served me well when the ideas for what became AFT software popped into my head back in 1992!

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever holiday season you celebrate. I also wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year and new decade in 2020! May the Force be with you!