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Tell The Truth! -- Have You Ever Been To A Star Trek Convention?

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arwalden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:16 AM
Original message
Tell The Truth! -- Have You Ever Been To A Star Trek Convention?
Do you own any Start Trek action figurines, video tapes, DVD's, models, props, toys, costumes, uniforms, novels, comic books, CD's, games, puzzles, buttons, badges, hats, t-shirts, underwear, socks... etc.

It's AMAZING how many folks show up at one of those things. The ads say "MEET LEONARD NIMOY"... but what it really *ought* to say is "SEE LEONARD NIMOY ON STAGE FROM A DISTANCE CAUSE YOU'LL NEVER GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY MEET HIM UNLESS YOU CAMP OUT IN LINE FOR A WEEK BEFORE THE CONVENTION STARTS."



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jpgray Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:16 AM
Response to Original message
1. No
But if I'm flipping through channels and see the original series, I'll stop and watch. :D
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GreenPartyVoter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:17 AM
Response to Original message
2. Own lotsa stuff.. never been to a con.. but would love to go
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VelmaD Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:17 AM
Response to Original message
3. Been to scifi cons that weren't solely Trek
My favorite is the one I used to go to in Santa Barbara that was just for people who wrote homoerotic fanfiction. :evilgrin:
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hunter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:39 AM
Response to Reply #3
23. Oh Bloody Hell...
Maybe I should just type "Spock licked" into google, and see what falls out.



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XemaSab Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 11:36 AM
Response to Reply #3
33. Oh MAN
That's too funny....
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terrya Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:17 AM
Response to Original message
4. Not just no...hell, no.
Thanks, but no thanks.
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Misunderestimator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:18 AM
Response to Original message
5. Aw, honey, you're upset you didn't get to meet Leonard Nimoy?
:hug:
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arwalden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:20 AM
Response to Reply #5
8. And I Wonder... Are There A Disproportionate Number Of GAY Trekkies?
When compared to the general population (and we assume 10%)... there seems to be a LOT more than 10% at Star Trek and Sci-Fi conventions.

My imagination? Am I projecting? Or is there some truth to it?
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Misunderestimator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:23 AM
Response to Reply #8
11. Really? Have you actually been to one? How do you know that?
Inquiring minds and all that poop... :D

(And maybe there are more gay MEN... I doubt there would be a disproportionate number of gay women there... but maybe I'm projecting :P)
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arwalden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:28 AM
Response to Reply #11
13. When I Was Younger...
... and still a late-twenties barfly, (late 1980's) the one that I attended (in Virginia Beach) seemed to have an awful lot of folks who were open about having their boyfriends with them. I also spotted many folks who hung out at the same gay bars that I did.

It was just a casual observation... perhaps it was "gay-day" and I didn't realize it, but it did stand out to me as something unusual and unexpected.
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Misunderestimator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:28 AM
Response to Reply #13
14. Well, Virginia Beach... come on!
:silly:
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hunter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #11
32. No, there WOULD be a disproportionate number of gay women there.
They worked in engineering... Montgomery Scott (RIP, James Doohan) had a very rough crew of hard drinking and hard partying women who were always able to pull Kirk's balls out of the fire. Those bland young men in their red shirts couldn't wait to beam down to some dangerous alien planet, because they knew deep in their hearts they could never be so competent as the hard working women of engineering.

Okay, I'm very reluctant to say any more. My wife openly displays her Star Trek memorabilia in her office, but I am still deeply in the closet.

I know far too much about early internet fan fiction.
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Misunderestimator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 11:59 AM
Response to Reply #32
37. LOL!
Intriguing...
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arwalden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 01:56 PM
Response to Reply #37
38. Fascinating.
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Misunderestimator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 02:00 PM
Response to Reply #38
39. "Fascinating is a word I use for the unexpected."
"In this case, I should think "interesting" would suffice."

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Hugin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:18 AM
Response to Original message
6. Yes... Three.
And, yes, I wore my "Star Trek Shirt". (Original
version... My Mom sewed it for me from the pattern
in the "Star Trek Technical Manual".)

It was fun... and I enjoyed myself.
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seemunkee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:18 AM
Response to Original message
7. Nope. Anime cons, comic cons, and magician cons
But no Star Trek
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Dora Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:22 AM
Response to Original message
9. Only for the party factor
We used to go to the LepreCon each year in Phoenix. Party on!

What's Star Trek?
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Heidi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:23 AM
Response to Original message
10. No, we didn't go on a honeymoon,
Edited on Fri Jul-29-05 10:36 AM by Heidi
but if we had, a Star Trek convention would have been in my husband's "Top Five Honeymoon Destinations."

Here's proof of his Trekiness: I once commented that, "Wesley Crusher's not so bad," and was greeted with a look that could only be interpreted as, "Maybe we can still get this deal annulled." :rofl:

(Edited to add a lost "t")
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arwalden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:29 AM
Response to Reply #10
16. The TRUE TEST: Can He Speak In Klingon?
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Heidi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:31 AM
Response to Reply #16
17. How the heck would I know?
I fall asleep during Star Trek movies and old episodes of the various made-for-TV series.

Wait, I'll ask him! :think:
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Mutley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:26 AM
Response to Original message
12. I did when I was fifteen.
What can I say, I've been a geek my whole life. I also had a little communicator pin. And I have a few Star Trek Christmas ornaments that light up and stuff.
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TlalocW Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:29 AM
Response to Original message
15. I've been twice to the one in Tulsa
Edited on Fri Jul-29-05 10:30 AM by TlalocW
The first time I went on my own initiative just to stare at the celebrities and didn't buy anything.

The second time, I had a temporary roomie who was deeply into Trek, and he wanted me to go with him, and then he spent the entire time worried that I was going to embarrass him on purpose, which wasn't that far-fetched an idea.

1. While in line for him to get an autograph from the guy who played Lt. Kim on Star Trek: Voyager, I mentioned (loud enough for other people in line to hear), how young George Takei (Sulu from the original Trek) looked. Kim and George are both Asian-Americans for those who don't know.
2. I called the guy who played the holographic doctor on Voyager, "Data."
3. I withdrew money from an ATM and loudly exclaimed, "Holy Service Charge, Batman!" The ATM was next to Adam West's table.
4. The only autograph I decided to get was from James "Scotty" Doohan. He wasn't in the best of health, and the start of the line was about 20 feet away from his table, and the guy running it (in full Klingon costume and make-up) would send 3-5 people up at a time so as not to overwhelm him. Well, people coming from a certain direction didn't realize there was a line so they would go right up to his table so Klingon-boy had to go tell them to get in line. After that happened a few times, I told him, "Line cutters have no honor!"

My friend never wanted to go to a Trek convention with me again.

TlalocW
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Susang Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:34 AM
Response to Original message
18. Once, in the early eighties
Edited on Fri Jul-29-05 10:35 AM by Susang
I was eighteen, so I think I can be forgiven. ;-) It mostly was so that I could see the infamous "Star Trek blooper reel" that was showing after Gene Roddenberry's speech.

Though coincidentally, I am thinking of attending an event at a horror movie convention tonight. Bruce Campbell and Ted Raimi are introducing a Drive-in theatre style showing of Evil Dead. How could I pass that up? :shrug:
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Hugin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:36 AM
Response to Reply #18
19. That *does* sound cool!
Have fun!

:)
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Susang Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:37 AM
Response to Reply #19
21. Thanks!
I will, as long as the weather doesn't turn to shit. :D
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eyesroll Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:36 AM
Response to Original message
20. Yep.
I got myself in for free on my college newspaper ID.

I interviewed a guy dressed in Klingon "battle garb," and a family all dressed as TNG engineers. Bought a baby spoon and fork set for my friend (who was there with her daughter in utero, and actually won a prize for the "youngest attendee" at negative five months) and a Bajoran earring for me. Watched Michael Dorn speak, but didn't wait in line for an autograph.

It was fun. This was 10 years ago, but I'd do it again.
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Trigger Hippie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:39 AM
Response to Original message
22. I used to have
original Star Trek communicators, life size, that you can flip open and everything. They were on loan from my stepfather when I was younger. I also had a Spock tee (he's so sexy) and a Worf action figure. Never went to any conventions though. :)
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NewJeffCT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:39 AM
Response to Original message
24. even as geeky as I am, I've never been to a Trek convention
I can probably recite dialogue from the original series, and watched every episode of TNG when it was first aired... but, never had the desire to go to a Trek convention.

I also play D&D (when I get the chance nowadays) and have never been to a D&D convention.
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BlackVelvetElvis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:40 AM
Response to Original message
25. Why yes.
Only one in suburban Chicago. Gates McFadden was the guest.
I didn't go in costume either.
I went to look at the stuff the vendors had on sale. I bought some bootleg Ultraman shows from the 70's.
One vendor wasn't a vendor at all. She rented a space just to show off her multitude of photo albums taken at Shatner's ranch. I think she was a little sweet on him.
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pitohui Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:41 AM
Response to Original message
26. attended some cons
never bought any crap
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One_Life_To_Give Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:42 AM
Response to Original message
27. SciFi in general
But not Star Trek specific.
Though I own Starfleet Command the board and computer versions.
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bookman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:44 AM
Response to Original message
28. Actually yes....
...my buddy and I decided to take a day off from work. We went into NYC for a convention. It must have been in the '70s, before the movies. The actor who played Checkov was there (Walter Koening) and we stood just a few feet from him. We didn't bother him. We and he were just browsing through the merchant area. ( He is very short.)

We really needed the day off. Both ST fans we thought it would be fun. We had a great day. Beats work.

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Clintmax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:45 AM
Response to Original message
29. Ive gone to a couple in the 80's...
I actually got to sit in the front row! Marina Sirtis was there and she kept looking at me the whole time she was up on stage. Afterwards, she walked by the entire front row and when she got to me, she shook my hand and gave me a kiss on the cheek! Quite a thrill!
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arwalden Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 10:47 AM
Response to Reply #29
30. Wow! -- Great Story...
... I would have been thrilled too!
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Cannikin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 11:11 AM
Response to Original message
31. I just went to the BIG one in Vegas this past year
Edited on Fri Jul-29-05 11:15 AM by Cannikin
It was great. Got my pic made with Kate Mulgrew and Alice 'Borg Queen' Krig. Also got my pic made with Majel Barret Roddenberry and Sally Kellerman.


It was so much fun to just let out my inner geek.




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Greyhound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 11:39 AM
Response to Original message
34. Many.
Only have a few books, the Concordance from the 70's, blueprints of the NCC-1701. :freak:
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Hell Hath No Fury Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 11:45 AM
Response to Original message
35. Heck yeah! More than once...
"Star Trek" has been a part of my family lore since 1966 when we took a private tour of of the "ST" set the summer before it premiered. We have been big fans since, though I do admit that my love of the later "STs" were somewhat dimmed with the over emphasis on "woman with huge jugs" meant to draw in those coveted 13-30 male viewers.

I've been to at least fifteen Trek conventions over the years. I have three vibrating/chirping tribles sitting on my desk as we speak. :D
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miss_kitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 11:46 AM
Response to Original message
36. never. and I don't own any memorabilia. BUT-
I frightened the shit outta myself by knowing way more about the characters and the actors and storylines than a geeky friend of mine who has memorabilia and has been to ST conventions. Way more.
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khashka Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-29-05 02:03 PM
Response to Original message
40. No, but I've been to dozens of Doctor Who cons
Which, despite the geeky image, usually turn out to be merely an excuse for drinking, smoking pot, and having casual sex with strangers. Go figure!

I've been to a few gaming cons. They tend to be more restrained.

No I take it back. I did go to a Trek con once, but I spent the entire weekend drinking beer with a bunch of middle aged women who wrote slash. More fun than the actual con, really.

Khash.
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