Since Friday, January 21, Belltown enthusiast and former Charlesgate resident Jeff Tweiten has been on his blue sofa, waiting for Star Wars. His quest began at 4:30 p.m. that evening when four policemen and a city engineer-operating on orders from Mayor Nichols-forced him to leave the sidewalk outside the Cinerama, on Fourth and Blanchard. He attempted to comandeer a parking spot to wait in, but Diamond said no. Tweiten went to the Nara Grill to have a few shots and devise a plan. Deciding on "Plan B" a friend of his hooked him up with someone at the Pacific Science Center who said he could wait there. Tweiten, his sign, his lap-top and the blue sofa have been there since.

For the Star Wars superfan, with a background in graphic design and advertising, it was the only logical decision-leaving only for the call of nature, to sleep and to run and get his adavnce ticket to the May 20, 12:01 showing of Star Wars, Episode III. (It doesn't appear the Science Center's Imax will be showing it.-We'll know for sure later this week.)

Through it all the diligent Star Wars fanatic maintains he could not live without Belltown, anticipating his eminent return-when the other fans show up and the fandom for (allegedly) the last Star Wars movie ever to be produced by George Lucas (even though there is a trilogy of remaining books.) Twieten says Episode III will explain it all.

"Episode III will redefine how we view Episodes I and II," he says. "It will be what we have all been waiting to see." Tweiten's excitement sees through all the hype and money, he views pop culture like pizza-good or bad it is all pizza, and we like it because it is pizza. Star Wars is still quality pizza. It isn't like trading 1980s Madonna for Beyonce, in Pepsi commercials. He has waited for Star Wars and appreciates this year's good weather. (It snowed while he waited for Episode II.)

Overall, his aim is to bring back the "zaniness of olde Seattle," realizing the vein of this quest the Messenger asked Tweiten a few questions:

What's your favorite place to hang-out in Belltown?

-Nara Grill, 2027 Fifth Avenue, because it is geek central. Industry people from the neighborhood are there along with sci-fi enthusiasts and comic book people...there is no band or cantina plang, it's about the people. The bar is prime real estate, its like Cheers.

What is some of the zaniest stuff you've seen here at the center?

-The most memorable stuff seems to happen at night. I saw an ape-man emceing a bachelor party, he was guiding the group around bar-hopping just communicating with ape-like grunts to indicate if they were getting closer. Another time six Sonics cheerleaders showed up and danced for me. A friend of mine who is training for the Boston marathon happened to run past. And, then there is all the laser show people....

Who from Star Wars would make the best Pope?

-Yoda...or Palpatine, respected member of the Galactic Senate, but maybe not because he is evil.

What was the longest distance communique you've received?

-New Zealand, Africa, Russia....I don't know which is furthest away.

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