Paul Hankers for Skywalker Ranch

On a personal note, I have been on a quest for years. I'd like a tour of Skywalker Ranch, the audio facility in Marin County where George Lucas is inventing the future. You'd think, as a journalist, this would be a no-brainer, right? Wrong. If you interview someone in the Lucas organization, they meet you in a warehouse in downtown San Rafael. I want to see the studios, the stages, the whole nine yards.

I have missed two chances over the years. The first was some time ago, when a friend of mine who lives on the next spread over was invited in for a "meet your neighbors session" Lucas held. I only found out about it after the fact; otherwise I would have prevailed on my old college roommate to slip me in.

Then, last month, the Audio Engineering Society met in San Francisco. Tour T-1 was a tour of Skywalker Ranch. AES member (and long-time friend) Ross Snyder (the inventor of Sel-Sync, and don't let Les Paul tell you any different) knew of my interest in the ranch and tipped me off. "Get there early," he warned, "the good tours fill early." Registration started at 3 at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center. I arrived at 2:30. It wasn't good enough. The last Skywalker ranch tour ticket was sold about four people in front of me in the line.

Why am I telling you this tale of woe? It suddenly occurs to me that, somewhere out there, among my vast pool of friends, one of you may know someone who knows someone who can get me into Skywalker Ranch. I can't offer you much in return (a free dinner? A place to stay when you're in San Francisco?), except my undying gratitude.