For those of you who love Star Trek, whether in the closet or out, there is no stranger place to express your love than in Vulcan, Alberta during Spock Days.
Having been a Trek fan since my early teens, I nonetheless had never been to a convention of any kind. So when my friend Tony and I went on an adventure to Calgary to see the Comic Expo (and to catch a glimpse of my favorite TNG actors), I never imagined what an amazing day it would turn out to be.
We snuck in actually. Not on purpose, really - I thought we were lining up to buy tickets and the next thing I know I'm walking into the Corral and there's Brent Spiner, Levar Burton, Will Wheaton and Jonathan Frakes on stage. Holy dinah. We cavorted around the facilities with some unexpected friends to see the panels. We saw Hayden Panettiere from heroes... I bought my favorite comic and had it signed by the illustrator.... and then, there he was. Handing out photos and t-shirts for Vulcan, AB's Spock Days.
Garrett Wang (aka Ensign Harry Kim)!!! From the Voyager series. HOLY EFFIN' COW.
I got a photo op and a hug and that made my day on a whole new level.
I had such a good time that when I got back to Edmonton, I dropped a line to the Vulcan Trek Station offering my services for the weekend. Work was stressful and I needed an adventure, so why not get paid to have one?
After getting an excited response from the Trek Station, I figured it was fate and booked my campsite.
I won't regale you with the details of sleeping in a moth-filled tent during thunderstorms, but I'm sure you can imagine what it entailed.
Vulcan.
Spock Days.
Everything you think it is, it actually is and maybe even a little weirder. A Trek convention in small town Alberta, it brought together all of the things I love about both. I met some AMAZING people that weekend. Kind, generous, loving and hilarious, you all know who you are.
There is one person I need to thank above all others... I was sleeping in a moth filled, rain soaked, freezing cold tent for two days with all of my camera gear. I was sick at the thought of leaving it in the cab of my truck, but also panicking at the idea of it getting wet in my tent. By day 3, I was completely sleep deprived and tired to the bone. Dawn took pity on me and offered my the greatest bed I think I have ever slept in.
It was HEATED. Do you have any idea what a heated bed is to a girl who's battled the elements and the bugs in sub zero temperatures solo? I think you know. Not only did she give me a bed three nights in a row, she made me dinner, and let me watch tv. On top of all of that, we talked into the wee hours of the morning, completely sleep deprived as we were, and discovered that we are kindred spirits. I can't wait to see her again and spend time with her amazing family.
Below are some of my favorite images from the weekend. I feel sorry for the Trek station - only because I gave you soooo many pictures. And I'm guilty of not weeding out the not-so-great shots from the Q and A's and the parade (probably shouldn't admit that, but this is about honesty) but seriously, there's just so many photos!! A girl has to batch edit at some point. Let's get started.
This sums up the whole thing in one picture. A frame signage collage of Ferengi holding a chihuahua? Yep.
Ah the Meet and Greet. Where you can chat up the celebs and drink beer. That is the most important part - can you imagine this without beer?? Awkward....
Handsome Connor Trinneer
Diane and Allan. Two of my favorite friends over the weekend.
The reason this photo is so awesome is because it was an impromptu Journey Sing Along. Amazing piano skills Nate. You are already a heartbreaker and you don't even know it!
Cops like Star Trek too apparently.
The lovely Dawn Kuczaj prepping Garrett Wang on the weekend's activities. Each photograph following this one added another lady to his conversation group. By the end he had 5 women enthralled in whatever story he was telling. It was hilarious to catch it on camera like that! I called them Garrett's Harem in fun.
Saturday starts with handsome actors at your breakfast table. It is ridiculously fun to eat bacon with Connor Trinneer!
Ah Abbey Road. I couldn't resist. You understand.
How's your hotdog Bubba Fat? Oh it's pretty good.. I think it's nitrate free...
Klingon Fear Factor with CBC hosts participating! Whatever they ate was NASTY
This is my favorite picture from the whole thing. Simple, whole fascination and curiosity. I think it sums us all up when it comes to space and the idea of traveling through it all.
Arlene Martel signing the captain's chair from the original series. Yes, she is wearing glitter lashes. I hope I'm half as glamorous as she one day.
Lead singer from 54-40 Neil Osborne. The band still sounds great!
Costume competition with make up artist John Paladin hosting the event
These two sweeties kicked off the dancing!
Arlene Martel's dog. A rescue from a puppy mill, he was born without knee caps. His bark sounded like a 80 year old smoker. Most ludicrous animal I have ever been sweet on.
I love this for so many reasons. He does accept Rachel's Challenge!! LOL.
Lucky girl, dancing with handsome Connor
Garrett Wang line dancing. LINE DANCING. The man travels all around the world doing conventions and acting, and he line dances. Can he get any more awesome?
The crowd loved the panels as much as I did.
Crystal Allen, Connor Trinneer, and Garrett Wang on panel
Arlene Martel. For those of you that were there, you know as much as I do how amazing, intuitive, charming and vivacious this wonderful woman is. I wish she was my neighbor, so I could have tea with her and listen to her stories every day. She rode on James Dean's motorcycle and had a relationship with Carey Grant. I still hear her voice in my head when I look at these. I hope I get to see her again someday.
Walter Koenig. Chekov from the original series. Loved his "F**king Bill Shatner" story... Apparently everybody that's worked with William Shatner has one. Most involve his wig.
A woman of a thousand expressions. Literally a thousand, I think. Most were out of focus since the lighting was atrocious and she moves like a bird in flight all of the time.
The most intimate and supportive panel I've seen (in my limited experience)
Arlene admits she never could do the Vulcan greeting properly.
I'm so glad I got to spend a weekend with Garrett Wang. He's funny, entertaining, and very down to earth. thanks Garrett for being such a good master of ceremonies for the weekend!
Grainy, but one of the funnier faces he made. one of my favorites. I still can't watch an episode of Voyager without hearing his George Takei impersonation...
Walter Koenig... such a cool man.
This made me laugh and laugh!!! The girl in the purple is so pissed off that she is on this float!
A little out of place? Never! All fans are welcome...
I liked this photo of the Mayor, not sure why.
And broke down car in the middle of the parade. How much more small town can you get?
After all of these images, it barely touches on the fun times I had. I will definitely be going back next year if they will have me!
No comments:
Post a Comment