We Honor You, Star Wars Girl Katie Goldman

Today my blog honors Katie Goldman, aka Star Wars Girl.

As I told my gay friends and followers on the day we all wore purple to honor them, the bullying that occurs over our differences needs to STOP. NOW. Like Katie, my wife is also adopted. My wife is a geek. I’ve felt the wrath of being different as a kid – I was the painfully shy military brat moving all of the time…always the nerdy new kid in school, drawing comics silently in the back of the classroom, hoping no one would call attention to me. You might say we both identify with Katie’s plight. Denise was the one who brought it to my attention through a Facebook posting from ACME DESIGN.

We need to start celebrating our differences instead of clamoring to be the same. The Me, Too-ism Movement is clearly alive and well. Why else would women be financially challenging themselves just to wear the same overpriced designer brand purses, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, etc. Why are men driven to buy luxury brand cars when the mechanical performance is often sub-standard? We’re all caught up in this endless cycle of sameness and trying to come off as too cool for school. I just don’t find it terribly interesting…or relevant.

I find individualism interesting. I find Katie’s bravery interesting.

Most of those “cool” celebs that everyone wants to be like? I’ve met more than my share. I’m usually disappointed. Leonardo DiCaprio sneered at me and wouldn’t stop smoking in a NYC elevator when I asked him. John Leguizamo talked shit about me–right in front of me–at the Telluride Film Festival. It turns out, he has some weird prejudice against sitting next to portly gents like myself. Dennis Miller is one of the few celebs who actually exceeded my expectations. He’s a class act. And he’s also a geek like me. Like us.

Today CNN.com picked up Katie’s story, but those of us in the know within the geek/nerd culture and Star Wars community have been following it online for at least 10 days or more. I think it’s very cool that  Star Wars: Clone Wars Padme Amidala voice actress Catherine Taber and  Her Universe.com founder and Ahsohka Tano character Ashley Eckstein took up the cause and very publicly showed Katie (and her parents) that Katie’s not alone.  Catherine’s online participation was the Tipping Point in giving Katie the credibility and social media support to thumb her nose at those know-nothing naysayers.

Apparently Katie’s classmates haven’t realized yet what every major movie studio knows, as they show previews at San Diego Comic-Con:  Geeks are the world’s taste makers. Geeks RULE.

So… all of those haters out there had better be nice to us or else their TV, videogame, book and movie options are going to suck. As for me and my house, we’ll be wearing Star Wars gear on December 10th to honor Star Wars Girl Katie Goldman. If you wear some, shoot me your photo and I’ll post it here on my blog.

Thanks for reading,

Dave.

 

My Friend Anjie Ketterer Wore Purple on October 20th

Dear Friends,

Here is my friend Anjie Ketterer, sporting  purple attire on October 20th to support everyone out there getting bullied and being a peaceful social activist in raising awareness and putting an end to the bullying and cyberbullying that goes on out there against anyone who is deemed “different” in any way.

 

Anjie Ketterer Wears Purple on October 20, 2010

 

I’ve been busy creating some really fun low brow “deformed art” for a social networking project for the past couple of days, so my apologies to Anjie for not posting this sooner.

Join Me Tomorrow: I’m Signing  at Blick Art Materials in Wheaton, IL:

What: Signing for my new art retrospective book and memoir, ROLLING THUNDER: THE ART OF DAVE DORMAN by IDW Publishing/Desperado Publishing

Where: I hope all of you can make it to Blick Art Materials at 79 Danada Square tomorrow in Wheaton, Illinois

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Special For the Star Wars Fans: There will be members of the 501st Midwest Garrison there, fully dressed, so if you have children, come to get their pictures taken with the storm troopers!

Driving Directions: Here’s a link that will give you directions if you’re from Chicago or surrounding suburbs.

A Special Thank You: I want to give a shout out to Kevin Sandstrom, my friend who is the manager there and was kind enough to arrange all of this for me.

Video Preview of My Book: Here’s a link to a video of a fan flipping through my book so you can preview it before you buy it.

Social Networking: If you want to connect with me on Twitter, I’m @davedorman, I’m on FaceBook and I’m also on LinkedIn and I will never “I Don’t Know” someone, so feel free to connect with me there.

Thank you for reading,

Dave.

My First Friends Wearing Purple Today: Rhea Cutler and Gregory Canales

Dear Friends,

I want you see my friends who are wearing purple today, that started (for me, anyhow) as a FaceBook initiative honoring those young adults whose lives have been lost from bullying, especially gay, lesbian and transgender friends. Here’s me wearing my purple shirt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JApeCDgR7d4

I have asked my friends and fans to join me today in wearing purple. These are my friends Rhea Cutler and Gregory Canales, who sent me their images. Rhea Cutler and Gregory Canales, you are the best. Watch today for more of my friends to post their pictures in purple on my blog.

 

Rhea Culer in Purple 10-20-2010

 

 

 

Gregory Canales Wearing Purple on 10-20-10