Folks, the blog idea is great but ya know what....I forget it's even here!!! If you are on Facebook, please "like" our IGUSW Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/222822571081040/ It's turned into a great place to discuss STAR WARS, submit photos, and have an all-around cool nostalgic time! Please check it out! Tom Berges

Robby is back!!!

Recently I came across my old buddy from Lewiston on FaceBook. Robby shared a nice little slice of my childhood with me. And I must mention the fact that those years were my formidable STAR WARS years (1978-1982). After talking on the phone a few times, I was amazed with the fact that we shared many memories that were “growing up STAR WARS”. The time we launched his Luke X-Wing Pilot in the stratosphere under a payload of helium balloons never to be seen again. Or the time(s) we played STAR WARS with the neighborhood kids in the park in front of the house above the Snake River. I was beyond pleased that he remembered all the adventures we had…and the fact that he was the guy who first introduced me to STAR WARS in the first place. I stayed overnight one evening and he went on and on describing this movie he had just seen. An amazing movie with monsters, and spaceships…he described the movie scene by scene to me that evening until I apparently fell asleep during his explanation of the trash compactor scene. Days later I would get my first chance at watching the movie Robby described…and the rest is history. Thanks for being a friend Robby!

Where’s Waldo? Where’s the STARWARS in the picture???

In the last few days I have received and posted some pictures (some my own) to the Gallery page that are somewhat of a STAR WARS scavenger hunt! See if you can find the STAR WARS item in the picture… at first glance these pictures look like they have nothing remotely to do with STAR WARS. Well, look harder and you’ll see that faded Star Wars shirt or Chewbacca Bandolier Figure Carry Case on one of the kids in the background. Every picture in the Gallery section of www.igrewupstarwars.com has at least one STAR WARS item in the picture. If you don’t see it at first, look harder you’ll find it!

Since 1977 I think I’m pretty safe to bet that if you were a kid, or had kids, or knew kids and there are pictures of those kids…then there is at least one picture that has a STAR WARS item in it somewhere.

May The Force Be With You Friends!

Cheers,
Tom Berges

Todd Fisher

I remember a friend of mine from way back…his name was Todd Fisher. I’m pretty sure everyone had a friend like Todd. He’s the kind of kid who would sit on your back and crack your knuckles, and 10 minutes later share his pack of Twinkies with you…I know hot and cold this guy. Anyway, Todd was paid for chores around the house and helping his other family members. Back then I didn’t even know what an allowance was, let alone the fact that money could be earned here and there to purchase…um…Tootsie Rolls and Star Wars trading cards.

So here was I, and there was Todd Fisher. Me with no money to speak for my 9 year old self, and then Todd over there…with seemingly endless amounts of coin to purchase all kinds of things! All kids back then were sucked into the STAR WARS vortex! Every kid I knew owned at least a Darth Vader or C-3PO figure back in 1979. So here I was with my Landspeeder and handful of figures, there was Todd Fisher with The Death Star, Land of the Jawas, X-wing, TIE fighter, and triples of the Stormtrooper!?! I am still convinced he got ‘em to make me jealous! 30 years later I’m still convinced of that!!! Todd didn’t even like STAR WARS that much…he was way more into Matchbox and Hot Wheels!

I went back to find Todd Fisher after 25 years of having moved from Lewiston Idaho. We met at his Mother and Dad’s house and after talking a bit, headed to the backyard where I remember spending so many hours playing, and running to avoid getting sat on again! And I asked him if he still had his STAR WARS stuff. He told me he had gotten rid of the stuff when he outgrew it. I asked him when that was. He said: “pretty much around the time when you and Peter (my brother) moved away from Lewiston”.

…I’m still jealous of Todd Fisher.

Why do I do it?

Well, my collection has moved south from the office to the stairwell. That is where all my vintage stuff is now displayed…or most of it anyway. My focus is the original 21 (carded and loose). The collection is complete, for now anyways. I just got my “Style A” STAR WARS poster back from the frame shop and it looks great. Not exactly where I want it yet because where it hung is well…10 feet off the landing…and I’m a little afraid of heights. So it needs to go right about 2 inches and down about 5 inches. Currently I’m peeking out of my home office and admiring the collection that is slowly taking shape outside on the stairs. And ya know what? It really takes me back to when I was a kid! The carded figures for sure…but even that poster. I remember back in 1977 when Star Wars came out we actually had that same poster hanging up in our classroom wall for a few days! There are a few folks that I know from way back that might help me confirm this…but with the help of that poster hanging on the wall, we had a little project where we could draw our favorite scene(s) from the movie so we could hang them next to that poster for those brief few day the poster was up. I actually think the poster belonged to Josh Woods…I wonder if he remembers that. Luckily I have found Josh again on FaceBook. So maybe he can chime in. Well…anyway… it’s so fun for me to see this stuff on a daily basis because to be honest these silly pieces of plastic and cardboard are the treasures of my childhood. And seeing them everyday makes me feel good. So for me, that’s what collecting is all about. You do it because it makes you happy. And I know I’m not alone, because so many people have these same kinds of memories. So many people ask “Why do you collect Star Wars, you’re such a nerd….” Well, to be honest I do it because I love it. I love the way it helps me remember fun days with my friends, and lonely days where playing with my Luke figure seemed to make that day just a little better. And if that’s nerdy…well then I guess I’m the biggest nerd out there.

Keep playing with your toys my friends!!!!

-Tom Berges

Never enough MOC vintage!!!!!

Filming for the collectors spotlight video is going well...the problem is I feel I need to purchase more items. Ya know, just to make the video that much cooler! :) I focused on the STAR WARS staircase...framing and shelving is taking a while....and the customer plexi-glass cases for figures and stuff is taking longer than expected. But slowly and surely I'm getting there.

Cheers,

Tom Berges

Please enjoy this pic of my newest purchase above.... :)

Moving along...

Um, hello...

Website looking great so far, but we need more vintage Star Wars submissions! We are off to a great start. Thanks goes out to my friend Criz for putting this all together for me! Thanks man! I hope people find this site fun and nostalgic. It's going to be a fun ride!!!!

And now for fun, here's a picture of my collection room taken in 2007. Enjoy...

-Tom

Welcome, welcome!

Hey all,

The site is almost done and I really look forward to seeing your photo submissions! Also, the first video is nearly done and will be the first of many cool collection spotlights. So stay tuned as this will be the place to come for stories and updates.

Cheers,
Tom Berges