By: Mrs. CONiVERSE
            Coming up to the Halloween season in 2006, I decided that I wanted Leia’s gold bikini from the Star Wars movie.  So, I did my research and attempted to make my own.  I quickly found that it was easier just to buy the bikini online as opposed to making it.  I decided to buy Tomak’s bikini and that is when my life truly started.

            I joined MySpace not too long after and I put up pictures of me in my new bikini.  Jamin, the Slavemaster, found me and added me to his friends.  He asked me if I was going to CIV and at first, I was thinking to myself, “what the hell is CIV?”  I quickly found out it was Star Wars Celebration IV and it was taking place in Los Angeles.  I had to go.

            So, I bought my badge, booked my flight and made arrangements to stay with Jedi-J, who was my new boyfriend at the time.  From the moment I stepped in the convention center, I was awestruck.  I knew no one beyond J, but I was quickly introduced to tons of people.  Everything was overwhelming.

Then, the second day of the con, I dressed up as Slave Leia.  I don’t believe I ever got more pictures taken of me in my entire life.  I couldn’t walk two feet without getting a picture request.  Of course, as soon as I stopped to pose, a group would form asking for “one more, one more”.

            Highlights of the con were: seeing Jedi-J attempt belly dancing at Amira’s panel, hanging out with some of my best con friends Liz and Jamin and, of course, getting my pictures in Star Wars Insider for the huge Slave Leia shoot.  CIV truly was a celebration! It marks the date I fell in love with conventions and met so many amazing people.  I could never look back at life before costuming/conventions.  I finally found my place in life.  Hell, J and I are even planning on getting married at a Star Wars Celebration one day.  Then, we can truly be Mr. and Mrs. CONiVERSE.