> Just back from Vegas and the 2008 Star Trek convention. I know that
> many think that these Trekkers are all 45 year old geeks with horn rimmed
> glasses and pocket protectors living at home with mom. Well many are! We
> saw some of the craziest sights ever. This goes beyond costumes and makeup
> and spock ears. A middle aged couple were pulling along a dolly with 3
> poodles, all were dressed in a Trek uniform! One was named James Tiberius
> Kirk. We even saw folks dressed as characters that were playing other
> characters from a particular holodeck episide. Klingons, Andorians,
> Romulans, Borg, and dozens more. What a riot... and they all love the
> attention they get. Above it all is the commradery of all the people that
> makes it special. Most like us, are there to just hear the actors, and take
> part in a "love in". I have 2 personal highlights. Sitting in the big trade
> show room signing autographs was the tiny actor that played dozens of
> characters from Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, various robots and most
> importantly Cousin IT from the Addams Family. Neat... sweet and petite, what
> a treat to meet cousin It!
> The next night I played 3 card poker with Jeffrey Combs, Dominic
> Keating and Connor Trineer at my table. It was just a bunch of unshaven and
> sweaty guys hanging out. Connor is by far the quietest of the bunch. Very
> bright, well spoken and warm. Always with a dangling cigarette. He's married
> with a 2 1/2 year old. He'll be on "24" this season and we chatted about
> Keifer and I got some of the Hollywood behind the scenes dirt... LOL. Combs
> is a total whack job. Totally a riot all the time. Dominic (Malcolm) had a
> very sweet young Asian girl all over him most of the time. I told him,
> "don't take this the wrong way, but I intend to put things right on the
> internet when I get home, that you in fact are not gay". They both cracked
> up laughing, and he patted me on the shoulder in thanks! We also met and
> chatted with Brent Spiner a few times. When Manny Coto and Brannon Braga
> were on stage, they said they'd love to have him guest on "24". When I told
> Brent what they said, he wanted to know if anyone got it on tape! Nichelle
> Nichols (she must be drinking from the fountain of youth) looked gorgeous. I
> don't think these celebrities make too much money doing these shows, but
> come to be with the fans and soak up all the love. Crazy cameos, like the
> guy that played the crippled Capt Pike.... Spock's Romulan lady.... various
> dead crewmen and admiral's and Tracy Scoggins of Babylon 5, who was still
> smokin' hot! Eric Pierpont and wife of Alien Nation was there as well.
> Richard Hatch and the original Boomer both looked great. Too many other
> beautiful actors and actresses were there to mention. We're not into the
> photos and autographs, but many were lined up like crazy for them.
> If you've never been to one of these and are a fan, you owe it to
> yourself to go.