King of Fools

Totally don’t blame you, the cartoon series are definitely not the same as the live action ones. They’re not bad, but quite different to watch. But it’s Star Wars so it all kind of still brings that little kid out in me that grabs wrapping paper rolls and pretends to finally own a light saber.

It is something that I will have to revisit for sure! Because you’re right, it’s still Star Wars and it’s a part of the story. I think George Lucas himself wrote it, too, didn’t he? This will... probably reveal how old I really am, but I am old enough to remember when the first Star Wars movie came out. I was one of those kids begging mom to take me to go see it and I was a lot like you with the paper rolls. My brother and I got into lightsaber fights with em’. It was definitely a lot of fun from what I could remember. I think we may have ended up breaking some things... so mom made us play outside.

It’s so cool to see all of this new stuff coming out, isn’t it? Definitely does the inner nerd good. I do think I’ve caught up with almost everything Star Wars, yeah. Is there anything you haven’t seen yet?

I still have some catching up to do on some of the cartoon series, like Clone Wars or the Bad Batch. I’ve watched some of it those, but not everything yet. Somehow it’s just not the same for me as the live action. What about you?

Missed you, too, mate. A whole lot. But it’s understandable you went home, and stayed behind, in the end. It is how many of us felt, hunkering down was the thing to do. That and making sure the family was well taken care of. Phoebe couldn’t even go visit her family in Australia till recently, because the restrictions were so difficult to pass. Even I didn’t go home for a long while. We eventually all met up in London instead, but it was a long time without seeing my mother and my sisters. I think taking a break is probably what we all should have profited the most from during this time, but we weren’t all as fortunate to do so? Oh, that is great! Congratulations!

Yes way. I don’t know how it happened, but here we are. Of course, I have a full photo library on my phone that is just about them. And you surely need to come over. They’ll want to get to know their Uncle Marko again - they were so young last time you saw them. It is so unfortunate, I’m not sure whether Phoebe noticed already, but then again, I’m still alive, so… but yes, do it! It’s in Boston, but I can get you tickets. You’ll like it, it’s quite great and makes you think. 

I can see how that would be difficult with so many travel restrictions. It took a while for all of us to get used to it because it was a new world for all of us to navigate. I heard Australia had some of the toughest restrictions there was out there--- on a lot of things. But I am glad that all of you were finally able to meet up again. Have things became a lot more normal now?

Oh that makes total sense. I kind of can’t wait to watch it now. I think I may have to make Alfie watch it with me.. have you watched all of it yet, and the Obi-Wan series too?

It’s kind of cool to see how other people are so excited about it too, isn’t it? I’ve watched the Mandalorian but didn’t have the time to watch The Book of Boba Fett yet. Maybe I’ll manage to soon - is it worth it?

I think if you liked the Mandalorian then you’ll probably like the Book of Boba Fett quite a lot too. It’s kind of like... without givin’ too much away... it’s almost the the third chapter of the Mandalorian in a way, because their paths merge again, so you’d probably have to watch it before seein’ the next season of the Mandalorian if that makes sense.

Fuck yes, I am! I’m so stoked. Feel like that’s the kind of thing that would get me to join one of my friends on his Star Wars podcast again too, just to talk about it.

Me, me, me! This is the perfect time to get out my Star Wars onesie, call up my brother and his husband to make it a watch party and have a great time.

It’s good to see other fans getting excited for all of the new Star Wars stuff comin’ out. Have you watched The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett too? I definitely don’t wanna spoil anything.

I’m lost, when it comes to Star Wars, I have to admit - it’s like there’s so much going on that I don’t know where to look first, and then it’s mayhem. But glad you’re chuffed for this - it’s been a long time coming, right?

I’ve been a long time fan of Star Wars so I guess I didn’t notice it that much, well except with the expanded universe stuff, I do get a little lost with that. Marvel is gettin’ a little intense like that too I’ve noticed. But it’s kinda awesome to have newer movies and shows to look forward to. It gives me a lot of nostalgia. And I think so! Especially since it will show everyone Luke’s childhood... it’s like Star Wars has come full circle.

Aw, so lovely to see you again. What have you been up to during all this time? Apart from working in theatre, I haven’t been up to much. I’ve become a good house husband, if I may say so, but for us, it’s mostly been working from home in 2020 and then progressively going back to what we’ve been doing in 2021. I only saw my parents again summer last year. And now, for Christmas. It’s been kind of a challenge, if you will. 

Do you have that “home again” feeling already, or do you still need to adjust?

Max! It’s amazing to see you again man! I feel like it has been forever! Sheesh, I kinda feel like I’ve been trapped in some alternate dimension where everything has been turned upside down. What kinds of theater have you done? That may be somethin’ I have to get back into now that I am back here. Personally, I have been hunkerin’ down like a lot of people. Thankfully in Finland we already kinda had the social distancing thing down a bit... I saw that become some kind of meme durin’ the pandemic... and I’ll have to admit... it is kind of true. But the band and I took a break from touring around and makin’ music, and now we’re finally gettin’ started again.

I kind of do have that home again feelin’, but it almost feels a little weird to be back here in some ways. Not in a bad way though. 

Marko, how long has it been, my darling? It’s so good to see you. I’m not sure you missed out on too much, other than a pretty kick-ass party for Chris fortieth birthday, which was a shame that you couldn’t quite make it, but you can make it up to us all now and come for dinner sometime soon? Chris is working on a film right now, and I on a tv show, but both are shot around the region, so we make it home in the evenings regularly. 

What have you been up to? Any new music? Anything new in your life?

It has been way too long... longer than it should have been, but now I can make up for lost time now that I am back. It sucks that I had to miss out on the party though--- knowin’ you guys, I bet that it was pretty awesome! Maybe I can bring by a gift when I come by for dinner, huh? What kind of party was it? Thank you for the invite by the way, I will definitely take you up on that. What are the projects called that you’re workin’ on? Is it somethin’ new? Or is it a secret??? 

And oh, yeah! We just released a new CD a couple of weeks ago called Ghostlight! Finally managed to get it out... we went on a bit of a hiatus durin’ all of the lockdowns, but our ninth album is finally out!