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.
      -- 
"Never bet on the end of the world because it's only going to happen once 
and how are you going to collect?"

JK
www.MyConeyIslandMemories.com
--- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32