It dawned on me today. Star Trek conventions are like Renaissance Fairs with air conditioning.
Look at it this way. There are hundreds of people. Many are dressed in period costumes. Some are brandishing weapons. There is an opportunity for some awesome shopping. This year, the Official Star Trek Convention was at the Rio Hotel and Casino.

This was the first convention for the ladies. I got recognized by strangers as a returning fan. [Insert awkward moment here]. Saturday was a death march through the casino because I did the valet. On Sunday we parked in the back with a quick stroll through the lot.


We make a bee line to the Vendors Room. Picture a Star Trek flea market in your mind. All things Star Trek are up for sale and there are celebrities on hand for autographs and pictures. Not all from Star Trek. We start down the first aisle and I’m “Holy Shit! That’s James Darren”. I watched him play professor Tony Newman in the science fiction television series, The Time Tunnel (1966–1967).
I brought hair spray and a brush and my hair winds up like this. Jim was totally cool and though his Star Trek connection was being on “T.J. Hooker”, he was thrilled that I remembered “The Time Tunnel”. While I’m hanging out with Jim, Jamie scores an autograph from “Max Headroom”. How cool is that? Rosie is no slouch either.


After the Vendor’s Room we went to see William Shatner in the Ball Room. We had seats three rows back from the stage. But before Bill came out, some folks strolled up and said we were in their seats. Since they paid $750 bucks for them, we let them sit down.

Then Bill came out with Kate Mulgrew and it was a great. But that’s for another post.

Single Serving Star Trek Friends
Single Serving Star Trek Friends- Part Two