tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63820775797607151072024-03-16T02:08:22.628-05:00Vibrant Oxymoron - An Obsessive SocietyT'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-51476619663057750472013-06-04T19:35:00.000-05:002013-06-04T19:35:56.113-05:00Gold Key Star Trek Comic Issue 2 Tyvek Mighty Wallet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few months ago, I was working at my job when my best friend came over and told me that she had gotten something for me and gave me the most amazing wallet I had (and have) ever seen. I am finally going to be putting it to use, but decided to take some photographs of it first - before it starts getting worn out.</div>
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A description of this wallet's design from the Dynomighty website: </div>
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Faithfully reproduced with elements of Issue 2 from the Star Trek comic series remembered by fans as "The Key Collection". Originally published by Gold Key between 1967 and 1978.</blockquote>
These wallets are recycled and recyclable, waterproof and tear-proof.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDVrU3-ouSo/Ua6A8NuZlwI/AAAAAAAACo8/FczV7ezLXKw/s1600/wallet9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RDVrU3-ouSo/Ua6A8NuZlwI/AAAAAAAACo8/FczV7ezLXKw/s640/wallet9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's really not much else that I can say without practically quoting the website directly or gushing over the wallet's beauty. If you would like a tyvek Mighty Wallet of your own, check out the Dynomighty website <a href="https://www.dynomighty.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-13392536421302117992013-04-12T19:32:00.002-05:002013-04-12T19:32:24.644-05:00Jelly Babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Being a huge fan of Classic Doctor Who, I always wanted to try Jelly Babies. The problem was that - as far as I knew - they were only sold in the UK. It's been years now, and I finally came across some that were being sold at a Bulk Barn in Winnipeg. I was so excited that I could hardly wait until I got paid so that I could buy a bag.</div>
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I don't even like candy, generally. But I do like Doctor Who, and fandom can drive a person to do many things.</div>
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I finally got myself a bag today (only one because I didn't know if I would like them) and brought them home for a private unveiling. And then I became confused by the state of this popular British candy.<br />
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I had never actually seen a Jelly Baby close up. They feel really strange, and they are covered in some sort of powder which I read online was icing sugar.<br />
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I tentatively tried one, and was delightfully surprised by the texture - I didn't even know that it was possible for sweets to have a texture like these do. I kept eating them for the texture, and they taste was alright as well - but they are so <i>sweet.</i> Apparently they all have names, and also play instruments. They are strange in every sense - at least I think so. My favorites are the black ones, but there were only two in my package.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TTotPJa8-4/UWiajkENKQI/AAAAAAAACkk/ExZtjerd-j4/s1600/DSCF6846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="477" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TTotPJa8-4/UWiajkENKQI/AAAAAAAACkk/ExZtjerd-j4/s640/DSCF6846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's no wonder the Doctor is so fond of these - although did anybody else notice that when he offers a Jelly Baby in Image of the Fendahl that it is another candy entirely offered to the skull - I think a liquorice allsort? In the Sun Makers as well, to Cordo. I was so confused when I first saw it, but I suppose that could have been the point - a distraction to buy a second more of time. Cordo was human, so he would be more likely than a non-human to know what a Jelly Baby actually was.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XnpkQm67cfA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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(This post also exists at my <i><a href="http://usuallyboring.blogspot.ca/2013/04/jelly-babies.html" target="_blank">personal blog</a></i>.)T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-24346740381335143672013-04-09T20:14:00.001-05:002013-04-09T20:14:55.344-05:00Pen Pals and Envelope Art by Marisha Goodman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I never realized how interesting having a pen pal could be - especially when they share some of the same interests. I got my first pen pal a while ago (since elementary school, at least), and she is really wonderful. For Christmas she sent me some Star Trek cards, a book, a pin, and a comic - all of which by some miracle I did not yet own, and I recently sent her a package as well. I look forward to reading her letters, but she often also adds something special which I admire when I pick up my mail and later when I pin it on my wall. She gave me permission to share these drawings.</div>
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On one of the envelope flaps she drew me a Dalek (which caused me to burst out laughing in the drugstore):</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Juf4zBQ7DZc/UWShWg4NzFI/AAAAAAAACiE/TlzZY7MxMAQ/s1600/bestbes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Juf4zBQ7DZc/UWShWg4NzFI/AAAAAAAACiE/TlzZY7MxMAQ/s640/bestbes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure what it wanted me to obey, but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with orders to wipe out the human race.</div>
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On the front of that same envelope was a beautiful drawing of myself in my Vulcan Priestess robes as I appeared at the 2013 Central Canada Comic Con. It is now one of my favorite drawings - everything about it looks so graceful and serene:</div>
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On another envelope she drew what I assume is her own Vulcan self, looking equally as beautiful and stoic:</div>
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I would like to sincerely thank everybody who has sent me a letter, package, or drawing. If you have sent me something and have not yet received a reply, I finally got to send out my letters the other day and they are on their way.<br />
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If you are interested in exchanging letters with me, please contact me at vibrant.oxymoron@gmail.com and I will give you my mailing address.T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-36674092128284975552013-03-13T19:11:00.001-05:002013-03-13T19:11:34.216-05:00Star Trek, Vulcan Language, and Doctor Who Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today I finally got around to making some cookies, and decided to make them Star Trek and Doctor Who themed. </div>
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First I decorated the Dalek cookie, and then brought it around to the members on my family squeaking "exterminate" in a cute little voice:</div>
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I then decorated my little Spock cookie. He is blushing because his body looks like a potato, and I even made the phaser hanging on his belt:<br />
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I also made a large square cookie and wrote "slor vel" (sweet thing) in traditional Vulcan calligraphy. Sarek approved:<br />
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Making cookies is fun.<br />
<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-19800336481015951732013-03-05T15:01:00.002-06:002013-03-05T15:19:43.097-06:00TOS Star Trek Novels and their Cover Art (Part One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My collection of Star Trek novels has grown exponentially over the last couple of years, and I have found myself reading a few novels up to tens times before moving on to another. It was the cover that first got me interested, but then the story kept me coming back. </div>
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Here I have scanned some of my favorite covers (cropped to focus on the art work) and included with a brief synopsis, my rating, and the names of the author(s) and artist.</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Black Fire</u> <b>by Sonni Cooper - Cover art by Boris Vallejo (9/10)</b></div>
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"When sabotage strikes the Enterprise, Spock's investigation leads him into an alliance with the Romulan and Klingon empires against the Tomarii, a bloodthirsty race for whom war is life itself. Spock is declared a traitor and sentenced to the Federation's highest-security prison, and Kirk must choose between friendship and duty, with dire consequences for himself, Spock, and the entire Federation if he's wrong."</blockquote>
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I loved this novel because it deal with a lot of topics such as honorable suicide and is a darker novel overall. It has one of the most interesting plots and focuses on an injured and struggling Spock. The Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident" also makes an appearance. The only downside was that everything happened so quickly - it is a very busy novel. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Spock Must Die!</u> <b>by James Blish - Reprint cover art by Bob Larkin (5/10)</b></div>
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This novel has many covers - The original (top) and many reprints, only one of which I own and is shown here.<br />
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"Captain Kirk and the crew of the starship Enterprise find themselves in the middle of an undeclared war waged by the Klingon Empire... The Organians should be consulted about the war but their entire planet has disappeared – or been destroyed... Mr. Spock entered the transporter chamber. His image would be flashed to Organia by the huge machine's faster-than-light tachyons. But the experiment failed. Suddenly there were two Mr. Spocks. One of them had to be destroyed... BUT WHICH ONE?"</blockquote>
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This was first official Star Trek novel published by Bantam, and a sequel to the TOS episode "Errand of Mercy". It was an okay book, but there were a lot of contradictions and problems with the characterization and logic of the crew. It was actually laughable - a redeeming quality.<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Ishmael</u> <b>by Barbara Hambly - Cover art by </b><b>Boris Vallejo</b><b> (10/10)</b><br />
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"The USS Enterprise is on a peaceful mission at Starbase 12 when a bizarre cosmic phenomenon causes a Klingon ship to suddenly vanish -- with Spock aboard for the ride. Spock's last message from the Klingon ship is cryptic and frightening. The Klingons are traveling into the past, searching for the one man who holds the key to the future. If they can kill that man, the course of history will be changed -- and the Federation will be destroyed!"</blockquote>
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I have read this novel countless times - Spock is sent back in time and is found in a small community, taken care of, and disguised as a human - a visiting nephew. Throughout most of the book, Spock has no idea as to who he is or why exactly he is so different. I don't want to give too much away, however - so I will simply end in saying that the characterization of the crew is highly accurate and that I would definitely recommend this book to anybody.<br />
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(This novel also ties in to the television series "Here Come the Brides" - Mark Lenard plays Aaron in this series, which is interesting for two reasons: Aaron is the man who finds and takes care of Spock in the novel, and Mark Lenard played Sarek, Spock's father, in Star Trek.)<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Spock's World</u> <b>by Diane Duane - Cover art by </b><b>Joseph Csatari (10/10)</b><br />
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"I am Spock ... I hold the rank of Commander in the Starfleet of the United Federation of Planets; I serve as First Officer of the Starship Enterprise. I am the son of two worlds. Of Earth, whose history is an open book... and of Vulcan, whose secrets have lain hidden beneath its burning sands... Until now..."<br />
It is the twenty-third century. On the planet Vulcan, a crisis of unprecedented proportions has caused the convocation of the planet's ruling council - and summoned the USS Enterprise from halfway across the galaxy, to bring Vulcan's most famous son home in its hour of need. As Commander Spock, his father Sarek, and Captain James T. Kirk struggle to preserve the very future of the Federation, the innermost secrets of the planet Vulcan are laid before us, from its beginnings millions of years ago to its savage prehistory, from merciless tribal warfare to medieval court intrigue, from the exploration of space to the development of c'thia - the ruling ethic of logic.<br />
And Spock - torn between his duty to Starfleet and the unbreakable ties that bind him to Vulcan - must find a way to reconcile both his own inner conflict and the external dilemma his planet faces... lest the Federation itself be ripped asunder."</blockquote>
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I love this novel so much that I have begun translating chapters into the Vulcan language. While about half of the chapters focus on the debates on whether or not Vulcan should secede from the Federation of Planets, the other chapters focus on the history of the planet Vulcan and it's inhabitants' evolution (including an entire chapter on Surak). Once again, I do not want to give very much away - but this novel seems to show up frequently in thrift shops (at least around here) and is, in my opinion, the most important novel when it comes to Vulcan history.<br />
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(Note: This novel was written before First Contact, thus has a different First Contact story is told)<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">The Pandora Principle</u> <b>by Carolyn Clowes - Cover art by </b><b>Keith Birdsong (10/10)</b></div>
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"A Romulan Bird-of-Prey mysteriously drifts over the Neutral Zone and into Federation territory. Admiral Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise investigate, only to find the ship dead in space. When Starfleet orders the derelict ship brought to Earth for investigation, the Enterprise returns home with perhaps her greatest prize.<br />
But the Bird-of-Prey carries a dangerous cargo, a deadly force that is soon unleashed in the heart of the Federation. Suddenly, the only hope for the Federation's survival lies buried in the tortured memory of Commander Spock's protégé, a cadet named Saavik. Together, Spock and Saavik must return to the nightmare world of Saavik's birth, a planet called Hellguard, to discover the secret behind the Romulans' most deadly threat of all."</blockquote>
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This is another novel that I have read countless times. I had always been fascinated by Saavik and her relationship with Spock, and that is most likely why I found this novel so interesting. It tells the story of how Saavik lived before she was found, how she was found, and how she was raised to become the "Vulcan" we knew in the movies. The interactions between the young foul mouthed, curious, and wild Saavik and Spock are truly priceless.</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Vulcan!</u> <b>by Kathleen Sky - Cover art by </b><b>Bob Larkin (5/10)</b></div>
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"Due to a series of freak ion storms, the Neutral Zone separating the Federation from the Romulan Empire will soon shift – and the planet Arachnae will fall entirely within Romulan space. Our mission: seek out intelligent life there and, if it exists, offer full Federation protection.<br />
To help us complete the necessary surveys, Dr. Katalya Tremain was assigned to the USS Enterprise. She is the Federation's foremost expert on the exobiology of this region – and, as I have just discovered, has a fanatical hatred of any and all things Vulcan... including my first officer.<br />
I have logged an official protest with Starfleet Command. Her behavior towards Mr. Spock is not only a disgrace to both her uniform and the Federation but also threatens the success of our mission...a threat we cannot afford when the fate of an entire civilization may rest upon our actions in the coming hours.</blockquote>
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I actually laughed out loud a few times while reading this book, because of the way that Spock deals with being stranded with a woman who has a deep hatred for Vulcans. There were a lot of problems with the characterization of the crew and those around them, however - and very little of the plot is believable or even logical once you actually think about it. I still found it to be a fun read.<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Sarek</u> <b>by A.C. Crispin - Cover art by </b><b>Keith Birdsong (10/10)</b></div>
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"The novel begins after the events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson, is dying, and Spock returns to the planet Vulcan where he and Sarek enjoy a rare moment of reapproachment. But just as his wife's illness grows worse, duty calls Sarek away – once again sowing the seeds of conflict between father and son. Yet soon Sarek and Spock must put aside their differences and work together to foil a far-reaching plot to destroy the Federation – a plot that Sarek has seen in the making for nearly his entire career.<br />
The epic story will take the crew of the USS Enterprise to the heart of the Klingon Empire where Captain Kirk's last surviving relative has become a pawn in a battle to divide the Federation... and conquer it. With Sarek's help, the crew of the Starship Enterprise learns that all is not as it seems. Before they can prevent the Federation's destruction, they must see the face of their hidden enemy – an enemy more insidious and more dangerous than any they have faced before..."</blockquote>
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This novel. This novel has made me cry so many times - Sarek is reading Amanda's diary, and we learn a lot about both Sarek and Amanda. Kirk's nephew Peter is also written about in this novel - it did not quite fit and could have been left out but was interesting anyway.<br />
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Note: There is an amusing Balance of Terror reference involving the physical similarities between Sarek and the Romulan Commander.<br />
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<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-22014895968368968712013-02-24T18:42:00.000-06:002013-02-24T18:42:07.801-06:00I Have Returned - Hopefully, for GOOD.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am sure that many of you have noticed my absence. For those who do not follow me elsewhere, you may not know why I had abandoned this blog.</div>
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I have, for about eight years now, struggled with an eating disorder. During the last few months, I have been struggling to find my way out of the darkness which is anorexia and back into a world filled with the things that I love most. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This summer (left) compared to now.</td></tr>
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I am finally getting somewhere recovery-wise (again, and hopefully this time it will last) and am able to focus on the things that I care about. <div>
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I have a recovery blog <a href="http://yem-tukh.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, but will also be updating this blog much more often.<br /><div>
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T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-80023525941718103452012-12-24T17:42:00.000-06:002012-12-24T17:42:19.403-06:00A Surprise Package - Ri-gishu New'a'lek The other day, while checking my PO Box before shopping for baking supplies, I was surprised to find something unusual - I was to go to the desk to pick up a parcel. I didn't remember ordering anything other than zines lately, so I was honestly quite confused. I signed for the package, and they brought out a box wrapped in brown paper - I looked at the return address smiled one of the biggest smiles that I have smiled in a very long time.<br />
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It was a package from my dear friend T'Puhku in Germany, to whom I had been sending Star Trek books and with whom I run the Vulcan Language tumblr.<br />
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I hurried through my shopping and ran home, not even taking off my shoes and hat before sitting on the floor and unwrapping and opening the package.<br />
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Onside was a chocolate Nicolaus (she explained to me that every December 6th, people from German-speaking countries put a boot in front of their door, which is then filled with these exact chocolate santas, nuts, mandarins, and small presents. I found that absolutely fascinating, and I munched on his head while I read it. I then did some further research online.), a cashmere pashmina handmade in the Nepalese Himalayas (one of the softest things I have ever owned, I actually slept with it last night), a bumper sticker, and the small canvas with art and writing.<br />
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The bumper sticker is in the Vulcan language, and says "Vath-hali t'nash-veh ek'tal-hali T'Khasi" which translates to "My other vehicle is a Vulcan Science Vessel". I don't have a car to put it on, but it looks just as dashing on my wall.<br />
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The painting that she did for me is definitely my favorite, however - it says "Sochya eh dif" (Peace and long life) in Traditional Vulcan Calligraphy (vanu-tanaf-kitaun) and has an idic in the corner. I love everything about it - the colors, the design, the texture! She even sent a little eisel with it, so I had no problem finding a place to display it - it is now on the shelf right next to my bedroom door, beside my dead bird and a framed photograph of Richey Edwards. It is truly a place of honor.<br />
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(insert preferred holiday greeting here)<br />
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T'LainaT'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-21676130357610259502012-11-07T21:01:00.000-06:002012-11-07T21:01:34.839-06:00Nichelle Nichols at Central Canada Comic Con (C4) 2012On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending Nichelle Nichols' Q&A at Comic Con. I must say, she is one of the most adorable ladies I have met. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it up to the second floor in time for her photo-op (it was filled to capacity), but she returned the next day and I was lucky enough to get a photo taken of the two of us professionally (I love her smile so much):
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Being older, she tended to repeat a lot of the same story and forget what the original question was. I don't think any of us minded, however - she was still simply her adorable and charismatic self. </div>
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Video was actually allowed during her Q&A, and I got quite a bit of it. Here is a video I put together of her speaking about how she got the role of Uhura, how Uhura got her name, about the short skirt she wore on Stat Trek TOS, and about the first interracial kiss on television (Plato's Stepchildren) and how it was received by the public:<br />
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The best part of all was when a member of the audience asked her if she would sing a song for us. She sang one of her favorite songs, "Summertime", and it was absolutely beautiful:</div>
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I am so glad that she was asked to sing, because it truly was a remarkable experience and she seemed so happy to be singing for an audience. She is just as beautiful and sweet as she always seemed on screen. I am really glad I was able to see her in person, because I never used to be very find of her (and I still stand by most of the opinions in <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/04/nichelle-nichols-uhura-and-beyond.html" target="_blank">this post</a>). I am so glad she came to our city.<br />
<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-7458252642106854112012-11-06T18:30:00.002-06:002012-11-06T18:45:25.840-06:00Sir Patrick Stewart at Central Canada Comic Con (C4) 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to meet (briefly) and attend the Q&A of Sir Patrick Stewart. I must say, he seems like one of the most intelligent, handsome, and down to earth people on this planet. He is quite hilarious, as well. </div>
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I didn't get his autograph, which saved me quite a bit of line-standing (He actually came back on Sunday because he didn't want to leave any fans behind - I really respect that). There was a sign by his table prohibiting hand shaking - quite fine, at the Q&A he mentioned that he was also obsessed with washing his hands - especially on the subway. He was quite amused (and confused) when he was in the green room washroom (where there were no children) and there was a poster with written and illustrated instructions on how to wash your hands. </div>
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<b>"Who knew it </b>(hand washing) <b>was so complex?"</b></blockquote>
Of course, we informed him that the city of Winnipeg decided that these hand washing posters were to be made a requirement after the flu epidemic a while ago.<br />
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The Photo-op line was one of the longest I had ever seen. The wait was well worth it, however, when I walked in and saw him face to face. And do you know what he said to me? He looked a me and said, jokingly, "Ooh, scary! Very scaary person!" To this day I do not know what he meant by that, but it's not like I really care. I had my picture taken with him, thanked him, and ran off to get into line for his Q&A.</div>
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When he finally went onstage in the conference hall, he promptly apologized for the fact that he would not be removing his cap because he had had laser surgery. He then spoke about Winnie the Poo and how the people in Winnipeg had been telling him that the bear was named after Winnipeg - when he knew that it was an English series of stories. A debate occurred between him and several people in the audience on the subject.<br />
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He also spoke about how on he felt in places like Manitoba where there was only flat land.<br />
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<b>"I get a feeling that is like claustrophobia"</b></blockquote>
Somebody in the audience shouted out that that was called agoraphobia. Sir Patrick, being the intellectual that he is, promptly informed her that and agora was a marketplace, and that agoraphobia was a fear of the marketplace, or busy places - not of open spaces.<br />
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He spoke about being knighted, and how he does not insist on being called by his title. In fact, he says he often prefers just Patrick.<br />
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And here is an interesting fact: he shared with us that he experiences olfactory delusions - he smells things that are not there. When asked if they were linked to memories, he replied that he did not think so. He often smelled roses, and he does have a rose garden in his house, but that seems to be the only connection. He told us that whenever he in going up or down a certain staircase, he smells a cut egg. Nobody else had ever smelled it except for him. Well, actually - he did tell us that one girl had suddenly screamed because she had suddenly smelled it as well, but only once. Luckily, 95% of his olfactory delusions are quite pleasant.<br />
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He only told us about these delusions because a friend had told him to talk about it.</div>
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<b>"They'll be interested (she said). How wrong she was."</b></blockquote>
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Well, I was interested.</div>
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When asked about his friendship with Ian McKellen, he explained that that they had shared a dressing room for twenty two weeks - something that was first suggested by Ian so that they would begin the play (Waiting for Godot) before meeting on stage. It was this which brought them closer together. </div>
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When asked whether or not he would appear on the Big Bang Theory and Die Hard, he responded that <b>"I don't know what it</b> (Big Bang Theory) <b>is"</b> and that he was not going to appear in Die Hard - at least <b>"Not as far as I know"</b>.</div>
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There was a teacher in the audience who told him that he asked his students who they would want to play them if there were a film about their life. The teacher told him that he always told them that he would want Patrick Stewart to play him - and then asked Patrick who he would want playing him. He first stated, in response, that it would have to be a series of actors if it really were a film based on his life - for each age and stage. He did come up with quite a few actors, however - I only caught a few: Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Michael Caine, Sir Sean Connery - they were all knighted actors, and for a very good reason.<br />
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Another audience member asked him how he got the role as Professor X in X Men, and what he did to prepare for the role. He told us that he was called in, and the woman he went to see was holding an X-Men comic book in front of her face. His reaction:<br />
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<b>"'Where did you get that comicbook with me on the cover of it?' and she said, 'Exactly!'"</b></blockquote>
To prepare for his role, he says that he simply read <b>a lot</b> of comic books:<br />
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<b>"I read a lot of comic books - that was my research"</b></blockquote>
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Of course, Sir Patrick Stewart is most known for his role as Captain Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek TNG. When somebody asked him about his singing "A British Tar" in Insurrection, however, he could not remember singing it at all. As an audience, we told him what happened and why he was singing the movie, but he still couldn't remember. </div>
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<b>"I'm embarrassed because I don't remember"</b> </blockquote>
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One audience member even sang the song for him. Finally one audience member shouted, <b>"You should rent it, it's really good"</b></div>
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He does watch the movies, though. Marina Sirtis told us that Patrick would never talk to the press about a new Star Trek movie until he had actually seen it, unlike a lot of actors. He also told us about when he was alone in his hotel room and ordered room service -<br />
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<b>"Room service and a bad movie is really my idea of heaven"</b></blockquote>
And when he looked at the channels on the television, Star Trek TNG was on (<b>"I sit and watch it, and I have no idea what happens next"</b>). So when the room service person came up with his food, he looked at him - at the TV... Patrick told us that he could imagine the employee going back down and saying to the others, <b>"I have just seen the saddest thing"</b>.<br />
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He was asked if he would ever appear on Doctor Who or Sherlock (BBC) - and he replied that he had never been asked, but he would consider it if he were.<br />
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When speaking about the theatre, he told us about when he played Othello (which you may read about <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-11-19/features/1997323051_1_othello-iago-patrick-stewart" target="_blank">here</a>) and how there was a lot of opposition to the "photo negative" cast (breaking down racial barriers, brilliant!). Apparently even most of the actors where very uneasy about how the play was cast.</div>
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He also spoke about playing MacBeth, and how playing the character for so long<b> "really starts to do things to you"</b>. He recalled beginning to drink more than he should have been, and being extremely depressed - at least when he was outside of the theatre.</div>
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When speaking about why he was an actor, he replied:</div>
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<b>"I act because I want to change the world"</b></blockquote>
and went on the reference Shakespeare:<br />
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<b>"To hold a mirror up to nature"</b>. </blockquote>
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My favorite story was about how he witnessed racism in New York - attempting to hail a cab with his black cast-mates from Othello, he found that the cab drivers would actually speed up as they came near. So, in order to get a cab, he had the others hide while he stood alone and hailed a cab. Only when the cab stopped did he open the door and signal for the others to enter the cab. He told it better, obviously, and it was great.</div>
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During the Q&A, a baby started making a fuss and crying. The parents tried to comfort it, and got up - seemingly leaving the room. Patrick Stewart, being the amazing man that he is, spoke up:</div>
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<b>"I'm fine with it, really - it's just a little baby, wishing it were somewhere else"</b></blockquote>
None of us minded, and they stayed in the room for the rest of the session.<br />
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I really hope that he comes back to see us again.<br />
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<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-3546765857509751522012-11-05T19:03:00.000-06:002012-11-05T19:03:19.085-06:00T'Laina Character Sketch by Robert James LuedkeAt Comic Con on Friday, I spent most of the day walking around looking at the booths and exhibitions. My favorite booth belonged to the amazing Robert James Luedke, which showcased his illustrations and artwork. My favorite work of his was of Tom Baker - unfortunately I not get a photo of his booth, but he does have a gallery <a href="http://bobtheartist.com/index.cfm">here</a>.
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The greatest thing that happened at the Con on Friday is that I found this man, saw that he did commissions, and decided to pay 35 dollars for a sketch of myself as a Vulcan. It was worth every penny:<br />
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He even texted me when he was finished - it took him about an hour. He also told me that while he was looking at the photo he took of me - he realized I had no eyebrows and that I reminded him of Lisbeth Sanders (a huge compliment).<br />
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This is definitely one of my favorite drawings of all time, and I made sure to thank him later. If you would like him to draw a picture of you as your favorite character, make sure to commission him! More information on that is at his website <a href="http://bobtheartist.com/galleryCommission.cfm" target="_blank">here</a>.T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-21604282590647095112012-11-04T21:39:00.002-06:002012-11-06T17:13:35.680-06:00C4 Comic Con Adventures Day Two and Three<a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/11/c4-comic-con-2012-adventures-day-one.html" target="_blank">Day One</a><br />
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For the last three days, I have been spending my days at C4 - Central Canada Comic Con 2012. It was - as usual - an amazing experience with beautiful people, intricate costumes, and great displays and exhibitions.
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<b>Day Two</b><br />
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I got up early in the morning to get my costume ready - Robes, ears, a headdress, six inch heels, my dress, tights, makeup... I decided to do my makeup and ears before I left the house, and to bring the rest of my costume with me on the bus. Luckily I had my amazing mother to accompany me, and she helped me carry my stuff when I was in costume later in the day.<br />
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After going through the same process as Friday in order to get my mother into the convention (with the additional steps of getting into costume and posing with people for pictures), we got in line for Nichelle Nichols' Q&A. The Q&A was absolutely amazing, and she ended up singing for us at the end. I got her singing on video and took pictures, which I will be posting later.<br />
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After that I got professional photos taken with Marina Sirtis and Sir Patrick Stewart (separately) and walked around the convention, having my photo taken and talking to people. One person came up to me and asked what Legend Of Zelda character I was.<br />
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A friend of mine dresses as a Klingon every year, and volunteers at the Con. We happened to both be dressed up at the same time for once, and I got a photo:<br />
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I also came across this wonderful young lady who came as the Borg Queen, and she agreed to have her picture taken with me. I neglected to ask her for her name, but she was wonderful:<br />
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Finally it was time for the Q&A session with Sir Patrick Stewart which I had gotten passes for the day before. He was absolutely amazing - intelligent, down to earth, and hilarious. I also got my photo taken with him professionally. I will be posting photos from the photo-op and Q&A in a later post.<br />
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Here is a photo of me waiting patiently in the conference room for Patrick Stewart to come on stage. Whenever I sat down, the layers of my costume separated and had to be reset:<br />
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On the way back upstairs, I saw the most amazingly adorable family. The father was the Eleventh Doctor, the mother was Amy Pond, and their three children were dressed as Daleks. One of the little girls was in a stroller, and instead of a Dalek skirt and hat they actually dressed the stroller.<br />
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Here is a closer look at the skirts:<br />
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Finally, it was time for the costume contest. After being in six inch heels for ten hours already, my feet were so sore that I never wanted to stand or walk again. Unfortunately, I had to stand in line for another few hours.<br />
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I had never entered any kind of costume contest before - I had worn a Vulcan Priestess costume before, but after fixing it up and adding embellishments (Ozhika in traditional vulcan script, red lined with black instead of plain holes in the chest, ribboned edges, etc.) I decided that this would be the year - I even brought along my hand-sculpted Vulcan meditation lamp. I entered Miss C4, which was a great experience, and the Sci-fi/Movies/Fantasy category which I won. I honestly did not expect to win at all - when they called second place, I though I knew for sure that I would not win because her costume was so much better than mine, and so were others! As my prize, I received a trophy and 75 dollars in gift certificates for comic and costume stores.<br />
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I met a husband and wife who were dressed as a Klingon and Borg. Her husband had made her bat'leth with materials like aluminum foil and either duct or electrical tape (I can't remember which). He also had a mouth piece which made everything he said sound like it was actually being said by a borg drone. Their costumes were both amazing, and they were really nice people:<br />
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Oh, and remember I said there was a second place winner who I thought had a better costume than me? Here we are after the contest (she is dressed as the Diva Plavalaguna from The Fifth Element, one of my favorite movies):<br />
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I also had my picture taken with the Best of Show Costume winner - by far the most impressive costume I had seen all day. I forget what character she was, if it was a character, but I do know that it was from World of Warcraft.<br />
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Finally, after more photos and waiting, I got to take off my hot costume and painful heels. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring anther pair of footwear so I had to put my heels back on to go home. I was so exhausted by that time that I kept falling asleep on the bus. It took an hour to get home on the bus, and so my mother and I were playing games on our phones and taking pictures.<br />
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I spent the rest of the night watching Canada's Worst Driver and taking photos of myself in my costume (because this was probably the last time I will ever wear it... probably) before collapsing into bed.<br />
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In this photo you can see the bulletin board in my room, and I am holding the trophy I received for my costume:<br />
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<b>Day Three</b><br />
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I woke up today (Sunday), ready for the last day of Comic Con. I had to do a couple of things today - first the Marina Sirtis Q&A session (which was amazing and, once again, will be posted about with photos in a later post), and then a photo-op with Nichelle Nichols. I was supposed to have had my photo taken with her yesterday, but I was (along with hundreds of other people) kept downstairs because the main exhibition room was filled to capacity. Because of this, I missed her completely and they asked her to come in today. She is absolutely adorable, and I am so glad the photo-op ended up working out.<br />
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I didn't wear a costume today, just a sweater, jeans, and chucks (along with my new Tom Baker scarf). I also re-bleached my eyebrows this morning because the marker I used for my Vulcan brows dyed parts of them brown. I spent most of the day in the conference hall:<br />
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I had some extra time after the photos and Q&A, so I decided to walk around one last time to look over the merchandise. I'm glad I did, because I just so happened to find an Ambassador Sarek action figure:</div>
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I also ended up purchasing an Andorian action figure (wearing a fuzzy pink jacket for some reason), a small Spock in the environmental suit from The Tholian Web, the Star Trek Chronology, Star Trek TNG SkyBox Episode Collection Cards Seasons three and seven (the full sets), and the 200th issue of Starlog.<br />
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All in all, this year's Central Canada Comic Con was absolutely amazing. It was not organized very well, but that is a difficult job - I don't blame anybody for that. Everything worked out (for most people), I met some amazing people (and some of my heros), I entered my first costume contest, and I have added some amazing items to my collection.<br />
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If you have never attended a convention, I would highly recommend that you consider involving yourself in and upcoming con in your area. They can be a lot of work and running around, but I feel that it is all worth it in the end.<br />
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<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-28654476575070713142012-11-04T17:39:00.000-06:002012-11-04T22:10:28.224-06:00C4 Comic Con 2012 Adventures Day OneFor the last three days, I have been spending my days at C4 - Central Canada Comic Con 2012. It was - as usual - an amazing experience with beautiful people, intricate costumes, and great displays and exhibitions.<br />
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<b>Day One</b><br />
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I didn't bother dressing up on the first day of the convention. I just wore some jeans, my IDIC shirt, a sweater and some comfortable boots. I met a friend on the bus to the convention center, and we kept each other company for the rest of the day.<br />
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After waiting in the long line-ups and running back and forth between different ticket booths buying passes, we finally made it to the final admission line. I met one of the local dealers on the side, and he informed me that he had just gotten in 12 inch Doctor Who scarves. I absolutely adore the First Doctor, so instead of going up to the main exhibition room, I handed in my ticket, got stamped, and ran back to the smaller room to get the scarf of my dreams. Only after purchasing and donning my new scarf did I go up to the main exhibition floor.<br />
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There weren't actually any Q&As or photo-ops that I were interested in on Friday, so I took the day to do some shopping, take some photos, and familiarise myself with the setup.<br />
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I almost got a bat'leth for 150 dollars, but I really don't have room on my walls to put it up - and I don't have any shelf space either. In fact, my shelves take up my walls. The exhibitor did let me hold it and have my picture taken with it, however:<br />
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There was also a large (small) TARDIS cutout which I had my picture taken with:<br />
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I picked up quite a few items, two of them being a Vintage Mego Spock Figure and Mego U.S.S. Enterprise Action Playset (with a spin action transporter) for him to sit inside! Surprisingly, I only spent 50 dollars for each of them.<br />
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I also purchased a Limited Edition Captain Kirk snapback cap from 1994 (with the words "Captain Kirk" in large letters on the back and "Star Trek" written on the side). From the few sources I have found on the internet about this cap, it is rare. I don't believe that unless I actually have proof, and I don't care. It cost me ten dollars, and I love it.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo5cE6m0eYM/UJaDaRtcXTI/AAAAAAAAB_0/OAbA_-XzhYc/s1600/DSCF4103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vo5cE6m0eYM/UJaDaRtcXTI/AAAAAAAAB_0/OAbA_-XzhYc/s640/DSCF4103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next photo is not the greatest quality, but it shows my entire haul from the first day. Not already mentioned are my box of Star Trek TNG stardiscs, Empty TARDIS box of Jelly Babies, Triforce drawstring bag (to hold my rupies), Strangers in the sky (one of my favorite novels about Vulcans) read by Leonard Nimoy and George Takei on cassette, 1996 Beavis and Butthead TV Talker, Star Trek TOS Fotonovels, and a TOS comic lot.<br />
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I also got an amazing portrait drawn of myself as a Vulcan in Starfleet, which I will post at a later time.<br />
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I met an old friend on the bus ride home, whom I excitedly (and loudly) spoke with (spoke to) about my comics and action figures, and about Star Trek/Doctor Who in general (to the amusement of the passengers around me).<br />
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I spent the rest of the night at home, putting the final touches on my costume for the next day.<br />
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<a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/11/c4-comic-con-adventures-day-2.html" target="_blank">Day Two</a>T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-45001328730446919222012-10-30T18:46:00.004-05:002012-10-30T18:46:58.496-05:00If I were an Orion Teenager on Earth.If I were an Orion teenager who was adopted and went to High School on Earth - my friends and I would wear sailor shirts, shave and dye the sides of our heads, and listen to Klaus Nomi, Public Image Ltd and the Manic Street Preachers while making zines and pea soup.<br />
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Now that I stop to think about it, that is pretty much my life now. The only differences are that I'm not adopted, and I am human. Oh, and I don't have any friends who listen to any of those singers/bands or make zines - so I just sit here with my laptop and have my own private party every night after work.
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"What about Star Trek?" Well, obviously I still watch and read and immerse myself in Star Trek. The reason why this was omitted is that if I were Orion, I would be part of the Star Trek universe and thus there would be no Star Trek shows.<br />
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But I digress. If I were an Orion teenager who was adopted and went to High School on Earth, this is what my yearbook photo would look like:
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Of course, I would rather be a Vulcan or Human (or even Romulan) teenager going to school on Vulcan.<br />
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My skin is so light in this photo (as opposed to the deep Orion skin tone) because the photo finishing companies that do school portraits always do strange smoothing/lightening things to skin for some reason.<br />
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This has been a post.<br />
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<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-47093154827555524632012-09-26T16:35:00.000-05:002012-09-26T16:35:06.961-05:00IDIC Star Trek Shirt Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't been blogging a lot - I have been working and pursuing other interests, such as photography. I have also been spending a lot of time on the <b><a href="http://vulcanlanguage.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Vulcan Language tumblr</a></b>, which I started and now run with T'Puhku. I feel like the Vulcan language and culture are very separate from Star Trek, in a way. Like they are two very distinct obsessions (which they are) and I almost forget at times that the vulcan language ever had anything to do with Star Trek at all.</div>
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A couple of months ago I received an IDIC shirt in the mail, and it is definitely one of my favorite articles of clothing. I found it while I was browsing ebay, and immediately went out to buy a prepaid visa, came home, registered my visa, and bought the shirt. Luckily, I had another shirt in my closet which was the same style, and so I got my measurements from that.</div>
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I went outside to take some simple photos of myself wearing the shirt, but that somehow turned into a full-blown self photography project (which included using a tutu as a headdress).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cS_vmzGnqm4/UGMWiQIp76I/AAAAAAAABww/-o2uG2b0Q28/s1600/artme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="504" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cS_vmzGnqm4/UGMWiQIp76I/AAAAAAAABww/-o2uG2b0Q28/s640/artme.jpg" title="bleached eyebrows hair self portrait" width="640" /></a></div>
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The best place for taking photos happened to be in front of my apartment building, right beside the main street and a sidewalk. I had people watching me from their cars, and a couple of people asked if they could take my picture. One person (an amazingly nice woman) even directed me, asking me to look through the lens of my camera like I was taking a photo. We spoke for a while, sitting on the grass - and I taught her how to say "dif-tor heh smusma".</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wMHz8Z43Pg/UGNqEDr1XmI/AAAAAAAABys/pRlGJqtaO2M/s1600/planetheadborder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wMHz8Z43Pg/UGNqEDr1XmI/AAAAAAAABys/pRlGJqtaO2M/s640/planetheadborder.jpg" title="planet head idic " width="640" /></a></div>
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Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations - a philosophy that I think more people should adopt. If you would like one of these lovely IDIC shirts for your own, you can get it <a href="http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Star-Trek-Vulcan-Logo-Junior-Tee-Shirt-/140594271125?pt=US_Womens_Tshirts&var=&hash=item667389ef8d#ht_4143wt_1167" target="_blank"><b>here</b> (women's)</a> or <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Trek-Vulcan-Logo-Costume-Sci-Fi-TV-Show-T-Shirt-Tee-/350500584141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item519b767acd" target="_blank"><b>here</b> (men's)</a>.T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-13511451853425832432012-09-11T20:52:00.000-05:002012-09-11T20:52:32.613-05:00Doctor Who Talking Soft Toy - Red DalekThe other day, I went on a grand quest for fabric and materials for the Vulcan robes, necklace and headdress that I was going to create for Comic Con. Unfortunately, after hours of searching I found that the materials I would have needed came to more that 600 dollars. I walked home, defeated, drinking orange juice and singing Roses in the Hospital.<br />
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But then I decided to stop in at the mall to cool off. I walked in, and saw that the Hallmark shop had the new Star Trek ornaments in - my day got ten times better with that sight. Walking through the mall to get to the bus loop, I also decided to look inside HMV. My day then got 100 times better.<br />
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This talking Dalek plush is one of the most adorable things I have ever seen. Not only does it look adorable, but it sounds adorable as well. When pressed upon, it says one of two things: "Exterminate! Exterminate!" or "You would make a good Dalek". There are only three sense globes in each row around the lower casing, but it makes up for this inaccuracy with it's clear sounding phrases and charm.<br />
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The next day, I brought the Dalek with me everywhere - to work, across the street for a Monster, and around the city in general. I also took pictures while we were out (see above) and made a video about it, with which I will conclude this post:</div>
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T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-72461196349366601902012-09-02T12:37:00.000-05:002012-09-02T12:37:44.100-05:00Vulcan Conference Hall on Minecraft - IDIC and KolinahrA few days ago while I was working as a respite worker, the kids finally convinced me to try playing Minecraft on the Xbox. I became addicted almost immediately, and promptly got a version for my mac - a better version, in my opinion, because there is a creative mode as well as a survival mode.<br />
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I spend my time now in Minecraft writing books "written by Surak" in the Vulcan language, and building Vulcan temples. I am even creating the city of Shi'Kahr.<br />
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But my favorite building that I have created so far is my Vulcan Conference Hall:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zitEzyk7DC0/UEFeDTih9iI/AAAAAAAABrY/Hn8IKHNAwQ4/s1600/2012-08-31_18.51.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zitEzyk7DC0/UEFeDTih9iI/AAAAAAAABrY/Hn8IKHNAwQ4/s640/2012-08-31_18.51.02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I built an IDIC into the end wall using gold, iron, and emerald blocks. In order for it to be visible in the night, I then covered only the IDIC in torches. In this way, the IDIC is visible throughout the nearby city:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvX0tU9PQP4/UEFeJhWTQzI/AAAAAAAABrw/6dA-qJhD8wE/s1600/2012-08-31_18.52.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvX0tU9PQP4/UEFeJhWTQzI/AAAAAAAABrw/6dA-qJhD8wE/s640/2012-08-31_18.52.25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the side wall I built in the Vulcan symbol for Kolinahr with clay blocks and, once again, covered the shape in torches so that it is visible at night:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO1n6sNh04U/UEFeFfuppPI/AAAAAAAABrg/-CWDrjA75ZQ/s1600/2012-08-31_18.51.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RO1n6sNh04U/UEFeFfuppPI/AAAAAAAABrg/-CWDrjA75ZQ/s640/2012-08-31_18.51.18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rest of this large structure is constructed from nether brick, and the roof is outlined with torches:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn29UgAUbNM/UEFd-6O4XgI/AAAAAAAABrI/GQ7jXbhfsRw/s1600/2012-08-30_20.28.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn29UgAUbNM/UEFd-6O4XgI/AAAAAAAABrI/GQ7jXbhfsRw/s640/2012-08-30_20.28.06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the other two sides of the building are three sets of doors - around which are adornments in gold, iron, and emerald (matching the IDIC). Surrounding the building are often members of the delegation and ambassadors (actually "villagers").</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLdL02zR-Uk/UEFeWiGtm2I/AAAAAAAABsY/SbilZ5qja5Q/s1600/2012-08-31_18.57.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLdL02zR-Uk/UEFeWiGtm2I/AAAAAAAABsY/SbilZ5qja5Q/s640/2012-08-31_18.57.57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Because of the gold adornment and and the torches inside of the building, the doors are easily visible at night, and have a glowing quality.<br />
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The same is true from the inside of the building:</div>
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The flooring inside is made of wooden planks, and is lined with torches. The IDIC is fully visible within the dimly lit hall as well as outside, but the symbol of Kolinahr is not.<br />
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Here you can see the inside of the building, as the final wall was not completed at this time. The major reason I did not light up the symbol of Kolinahr on the inside of the building was that unlike the IDIC, the symbol does not read as anything when reversed:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkIXF5foksI/UEFd8CWEGZI/AAAAAAAABrA/eRvnKD7VE5I/s1600/2012-08-30_15.29.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkIXF5foksI/UEFd8CWEGZI/AAAAAAAABrA/eRvnKD7VE5I/s640/2012-08-30_15.29.34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Minecraft is absolutely one of the most addicting games. Well, that and any Legend of Zelda game - both of which I am obsessed with at the moment.<br />
<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-80555272601336709942012-08-18T10:01:00.000-05:002012-08-18T10:01:05.125-05:00Star Trek Pins - Journey to Babel, Starfleet Medical Academy, TNG Combadge, and the Romulan Emblem.After figuring out how to order items off of ebay, I have had a steady trickle of packages coming in for the last couple of weeks. A lot of those packages have been small padded envelopes, with amazing pins and patches inside - so I decided to make a post with pictures of all of my pins and patches, including the ones that I got at comic con throughout the last couple of years.<br />
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The first item that I received from ebay was this beautiful Journey to Babel<span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">cloissone </span>episode pin:<br />
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Journey to babel is one of my all-time favorite episodes, mainly because I am madly in love with Sarek and Amanda as a couple. On this pin is the episode name, the stardate, and the hands of Sarek and Amanda in the ozh'esta (finger embrace). It is secured using a butterfly clasp in the back. This is, by far, my favorite pin. As far as I know, these pins went out of production in the mid 1990s. </div>
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The second pin I received in the post was this Starfleet Medical Academy pin with a safety pin clasp back:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huxLnSzgrcI/UC7YLLJ13wI/AAAAAAAABlA/BegtDLKrzWY/s1600/DSCF2937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huxLnSzgrcI/UC7YLLJ13wI/AAAAAAAABlA/BegtDLKrzWY/s640/DSCF2937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now if only Starfleet Medical Academy were up and running right now - then I would have something worthwhile to work towards.<br />
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At my first ever Comic Con a couple of years back, I picked up this TNG combadge pin, secured with two butterfly clasps:<br />
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I wore this pin when to last Comic Con as well, when I met William Shatner and Jonathan Frakes. It was actually the only Trek related component to my outfit, strangely enough.<br />
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The last pin that came in the post was this (multicolored) cloisonne Romulan Emblem pin, secured in the back with two butterfly clasps:<br />
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As far as I know, these Romulan Crest pins were produced by Lincoln Enterprises (Barrett and Roddenberry's company). It features "the Eagle", a symbol of military might and honor, as well as a symbol of pride in the Romulan State. The eagle clutches Romulus and Remus in it's claws - Romulus protectively and Remus as it's prey. Usually Romulus and it's side of the eagle will be green, and Remus and it's side of the eagle will be blue.</div>
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I could go on and on about the Romulan Eagle. Instead, I will end and leave that topic for another day. In the meanwhile, I will be searching for more pins!</div>
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<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-35895798996032466822012-08-13T22:34:00.001-05:002012-08-13T22:34:43.029-05:00Lank and Discipline.I drew a picture of a lanky Vulcan with a large head while I was at work today on my Macbook Pro. I haven't been updating this blog as much as I would like to lately, so I thought I would dump it on here.<br />
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Dif-tor heh smusma - Live long and prosper.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdLtikCdY20/UCnFRuXnCkI/AAAAAAAABiU/16P4_JwfDt8/s1600/FINISHED+VULCAN12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="542" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LdLtikCdY20/UCnFRuXnCkI/AAAAAAAABiU/16P4_JwfDt8/s640/FINISHED+VULCAN12.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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That is all.T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-54060535135586539602012-07-28T21:36:00.000-05:002012-07-28T21:36:40.649-05:00Mirror, Mirror Spock and Captain Kirk ShirtsOut of all of my Star Trek shirts, only two of them have to do with a specific episode - and they both just happen to have to do with the TOS episode Mirror, Mirror.<br />
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Yesterday while I was at the comic shop getting my Stealth Cyberman figure, I also came across this wonderful "Evil" mirror Spock shirt:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKMYNXyJzMM/UBSgnNWetXI/AAAAAAAABfw/s0jEm5XorKM/s1600/BUTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKMYNXyJzMM/UBSgnNWetXI/AAAAAAAABfw/s0jEm5XorKM/s640/BUTT.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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On the bus ride home, however, I had an anxiety attack over the fact that I got a shirt that implied that Mirror Spock was evil - when I disagree. I never thought he was evil, but perhaps I merely define "evil" differently.<br />
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I also have a Mirror, Mirror shirt with Captain Kirk and Mirror Spock on it that I got used for five dollars at the Comic and Toy expo a year or so ago:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GK3-qh1StXY/UBSXjmLeMgI/AAAAAAAABe0/Y8rsMY65nXc/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GK3-qh1StXY/UBSXjmLeMgI/AAAAAAAABe0/Y8rsMY65nXc/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also picked up a new tripod today, which makes taking quality self portraits and such much, much easier. No more propping my camera up on books and a stool for me!T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-64238910069414716272012-07-27T21:45:00.001-05:002012-07-27T21:48:57.423-05:00Product Enterprise Limited Edition Talking "Cybertrooper" Stealth CybermanToday I went to the comic shop for the first time in almost a year, and I came across this wonderful Product Enterprise Cyberman figure (I even took hundreds of photos as soon as I got home and photoshopped the following picture, which just shows how excited I was about it):<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UeP_5iNHE9k/UBMp_lCjP2I/AAAAAAAABZY/EcIzOJSbEh8/s1600/CYBER+BOX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UeP_5iNHE9k/UBMp_lCjP2I/AAAAAAAABZY/EcIzOJSbEh8/s640/CYBER+BOX.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were only two Cybermen figures in the shop, the other being all silver. These Cybermen are were featured in the 1985 serial "Attack of the Cybermen".<br />
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Scans of the back and sides of the box:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qs-j7z__HH8/UBM8zEe0bWI/AAAAAAAABcY/_ZPNMKl7oEY/s1600/cyber_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qs-j7z__HH8/UBM8zEe0bWI/AAAAAAAABcY/_ZPNMKl7oEY/s400/cyber_0003.jpg" width="167" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7X68L4Bxmm8/UBM7ngmQntI/AAAAAAAABcM/HEkAS1QXRKc/s1600/cyber_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7X68L4Bxmm8/UBM7ngmQntI/AAAAAAAABcM/HEkAS1QXRKc/s400/cyber_0002.jpg" width="202" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3_QjoxKPRQ/UBM9vQAZLKI/AAAAAAAABck/9oUEjK0iJ1I/s1600/cyber_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3_QjoxKPRQ/UBM9vQAZLKI/AAAAAAAABck/9oUEjK0iJ1I/s400/cyber_0004.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
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Honestly, when I first read the sticker that said "Limited Edition Cybertrooper", I was somewhat confused - it looked like a stealth Cyberman to me. It turns out that they are the same thing, but in searching the term "cybertrooper doctor who", I found references only to this particular figure.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rr17_FR9kGU/UBM0ylWX-HI/AAAAAAAABaY/emp_PzJKJJs/s1600/DSCF2353+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rr17_FR9kGU/UBM0ylWX-HI/AAAAAAAABaY/emp_PzJKJJs/s400/DSCF2353+copy.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VEuNFeovxVo/UBM14d4F-UI/AAAAAAAABa8/d9cauY3zQJk/s1600/DSCF2370+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VEuNFeovxVo/UBM14d4F-UI/AAAAAAAABa8/d9cauY3zQJk/s400/DSCF2370+copy.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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These stealth Cybermen (as faced by the wonderful Sixth Doctor, who happens to be one of my favorites) always remind me of the borg more than any other. By looking at the photos above, I am sure one is able to deduce the reasons. (Here's a hint: to make it into a borg, merely replace the head.)</div>
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These Cyberman figures were sculpted by Gary Hilliard (who also sculpted a beautiful bust of Count Orlok [Nosferatu], my favorite Vampire) and Ian Crichton. Oh, and the amazing artwork on the box? That was done by the amazing <a href="http://www.grahamhumphreys.com/" target="_blank">Graham Humphreys</a> (one of my favorite artists). With all of these amazing people working on the product, it's no wonder that I found myself immediately drawn to this Cyberman figure.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f5XUdrcYUGs/UBM22XOu2LI/AAAAAAAABbY/cdaO6Z7K0yo/s1600/DSCF2388+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f5XUdrcYUGs/UBM22XOu2LI/AAAAAAAABbY/cdaO6Z7K0yo/s320/DSCF2388+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTfHM9Y3FFw/UBM2gkqhZDI/AAAAAAAABbQ/3bLvGq6-huo/s1600/DSCF2377+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTfHM9Y3FFw/UBM2gkqhZDI/AAAAAAAABbQ/3bLvGq6-huo/s320/DSCF2377+copy.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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This figure stands about 9" tall, takes 2 LR44 batteries, and speaks four phrases when the chest unit is pressed upon: "eradicate the Time Lord", "emotion is a weakness", "destroy earth", and "excellent". Unfortunately, the sound is poor quality.<br />
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With this figure also comes a blaster gun, with a buckle strap.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bOMIC5OG0Hs/UBM1VgSib_I/AAAAAAAABao/TG1XKYb6CqE/s1600/DSCF2362+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bOMIC5OG0Hs/UBM1VgSib_I/AAAAAAAABao/TG1XKYb6CqE/s640/DSCF2362+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The detailing on the surface of the figure is absolutely beautiful, and the weight and feel of the figure means that I will be carrying it with me for a long time. It's just such a nice figure to hold.<br />
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Tomorrow I will be eating cereal, and while the spoon will be in one hand, the stealth cyberman will be in the other. I will then take a shower, while sticking my right arm out through a hole in the shower curtain, clinging to the Cyberman. Etc.<br />
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Well, maybe I am exaggerating a little bit. But I will be carrying it around.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-76ZMJJmEI/UBM1lexZwPI/AAAAAAAABa0/8jR5j6OBIjU/s1600/DSCF2364+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-76ZMJJmEI/UBM1lexZwPI/AAAAAAAABa0/8jR5j6OBIjU/s640/DSCF2364+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It also comes with a 1.5" Cybermat. I find it interesting, however, that they chose to include the cybermat from the 1968 serial "The Wheel in Space". Personally, I would have loved for them to have included the Cybermat from The Tomb of the Cybermen because well, I found them to be adorable with their antennae. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjiUXhqhy1I/UBM09nYxiSI/AAAAAAAABag/eG_-z-Yrp1w/s1600/DSCF2355+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yjiUXhqhy1I/UBM09nYxiSI/AAAAAAAABag/eG_-z-Yrp1w/s640/DSCF2355+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have always loved the Cybermen, but this is my first Cyberman figure. I am definitely going to be investing in a lot more, however, and this will always be the one figure that started it all.<br />
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<br /></div>T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-2624999850595613082012-07-17T17:01:00.000-05:002012-07-17T19:59:28.411-05:00My visit home - Yaret ha-kel t'nash-veh<b>Vokau du wak lu yaretal nash-veh ha-kel fi'T'Khasi - eh vesht kum-tor t'hai'la nash bikuv t'nash-veh fa'wuh t'huhrik kahrlar ha.</b><br />
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Remember that time that I visited my home on Vulcan, and a friend took this picture of me in front of one of the major cities?
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<b>Fai'ei vokau nash-veh.</b><br />
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because I do.T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-74919246342967395762012-07-15T22:41:00.000-05:002012-07-15T22:41:45.359-05:00Hallmark 2011 Star Trek Keepsake Ornaments - Mirror, Mirror and Mister SpockAbout a month or so before Christmas, 2011, I was looking around the Hallmark shop in an attempt to ward off boredom. I walked up and down the aisles, watching as children briefly handled delicate objects before their parents snatched them away, nearly breaking the object themselves in the process.<br />
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When I finally got over to the back wall, I saw two of the most beautiful ornaments I had ever seen.<br />
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They only had two of the three Star Trek ornaments released for 2011, as they were not selling the Romulan Bird of Prey at the time. They did, however, have a Spock figure and a Mirror, Mirror figure featuring Mirror Spock and McCoy. <b>(Click images to enlarge)</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tte0zFUo9p0/UAM13NFiqVI/AAAAAAAABXk/AQuNGpfo9_0/s1600/DSCF2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tte0zFUo9p0/UAM13NFiqVI/AAAAAAAABXk/AQuNGpfo9_0/s640/DSCF2103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This particular figure ($29.95) portrays Mirror Spock and McCoy as seen in the episode Mirror, Mirror, in which Mirror Spock forcibly withdraws information about the transporter malfunction from McCoy through a mind meld. Unfortunately I missed last year's scene ornament, which depicted the battle between Kirk and Spock in Amok Time.</div>
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This figure was sculpted by Valerie Shanks, and is 4.75 inches tall. When the button on the base is pressed, this dialogue plays:<br />
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<b>Our minds are merging, Doctor. Our minds are one. I feel what you feel. I know what you know.</b></blockquote>
I must say, however, that McCoy's face looks very strange. Mirror Spock, on the other hand, looks like a Vulcan Jesus (but in a sexier, more sinister way than Sybok).</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY3ZS26kFY4/UAM2UZ-RZwI/AAAAAAAABYA/lDFDtq9H0ZE/s1600/DSCF2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY3ZS26kFY4/UAM2UZ-RZwI/AAAAAAAABYA/lDFDtq9H0ZE/s200/DSCF2111.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q-ESGx0jEk/UAM1mw2P_TI/AAAAAAAABXU/4ubGhBElJLk/s1600/DSCF2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q-ESGx0jEk/UAM1mw2P_TI/AAAAAAAABXU/4ubGhBElJLk/s200/DSCF2100.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The second figure ($14.99) of Mister Spock was sculpted by Anita Marra Rogers, and is actually the second in a series of ornaments titled "Star Trek Legends" (the first, of course, being Captain Kirk in 2010). It is 4.5 inches tall, and looks... sad.<br />
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I mean, I absolutely love this figure - but from a certain angle (see photo above) he just has such a sad face. The clothing, however, is more well done - more attention seems to have been paid to the detail on the shirt and insignia.</div>
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Fun fact: Anita didn't watch Star Trek until she started working on the ornaments.</div>
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I am quite looking forward to this year's Hallmark figures, which will be the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, "An Extraordinary Meeting" (NuSpock and Spock Prime, with sound), and Doctor McCoy. I am equally as excited for the 2013 figures, which will be Scotty, a scene ornament depicting the battle between Kirk and the Gorn from Arena (with sound), and the USS Kelvin from Star Trek XI. I sincerely wish that I had started collecting these sooner.<br />
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<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-86917198739284224012012-07-13T19:06:00.000-05:002012-07-13T19:07:16.347-05:00Meeting Tim Russ, Robert Picardo, Jonathan Frakes, and William Shatner.Over the last year or so, I have had the opportunity to meet many of my favorite Star Trek actors and actresses - <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/04/michael-dorn-comic-and-toy-expo-q-2012.html" target="_blank">Michael Dorn</a>, <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2011/11/c4-comic-con-william-shatner-photos-and.html" target="_blank">William</a> <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2011/10/c4-comic-con-finished-and-signed.html" target="_blank">Shatner</a>, <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2011/07/woochie-space-ear-tips-vs-rubies.html" target="_blank">Robert Picardo</a>, <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2011/07/woochie-space-ear-tips-vs-rubies.html" target="_blank">Tim Russ</a>, <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2011/10/c4-comic-con-jonathan-frakes-quotes-and.html" target="_blank">Jonathan Frakes</a>, <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/03/nana-visitor-and-chase-masterson-at-c4.html" target="_blank">Nana Visitor</a>, <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/03/nana-visitor-and-chase-masterson-at-c4.html" target="_blank">Chase Masterson</a>, Garrett Wang, and <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/03/ethan-phillips-at-central-canadian.html" target="_blank">Ethan Phillips</a>. Unfortunately, I only got pictures with three of them, and another picture with a cut-out at a show.<br />
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Tim Russ and I:<br />
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Both Tim Russ and Robert Picardo were very nice, and absolutely hilarious. As I mentioned briefly before, Tim Russ is very knowledgable about Vulcan culture, and we had a fantastic chat about the language, fashion, and history. Hopefully I will see both of them again.<br />
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Robert Picardo and I:<br />
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In all of these pictures, I have this goofy trying-not-to-smile smile because I was incredibly self conscious about it. Now that I have braces, I feel like the metal-queen. I absolutely love having braces, and had wanted to get them from the time I was in grade three. I used to roll tin foil into tiny strips and put them in my mouth to see what having braces would look like. But I digress.<br />
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I didn't have enough money to get a photo with William Shatner at Comic Con, but I did get some pictures taken with his cut-out at his show a few days earlier:<br />
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Last, but certainly not least - I had the wonderful opportunity to have my picture taken with Jonathan Frakes and his wonderful, untameable hair. </div>
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If you look closely, you will see my TNG combadge.</div>
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A few days ago, I found out who is going to be at the 2012 Central Canadian Comic Con in my city - Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner and... Walter Koenig! I am so excited that I can hardly breath. This year, I am going to make sure that I have enough money to pay for pictures with all of them.<br />
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Brent Spiner was supposed to be at least year's Con, but something came up and he couldn't make it. I am glad he had decided to come back this year.T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-38015618080802283812012-07-08T19:24:00.000-05:002012-07-08T20:00:04.554-05:00MiniMates 2002 Gorn and Mugato FiguresSome of the best things I have ever found were found at the bottom of a box filled with junk.<br />
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Last time I was at an expo, I spent a lot of time trying not to trip over children sitting on the floor and going through such boxes. I managed to find both a MiniMates Gorn and Mugato figure from 2002 under some practically dismembered action figures and sports cards.<br />
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The first package featured the Gorn as seen in the TOS episode "Arena".<br />
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The head makes me laugh, due to it's shape and the style in which the face was drawn.<br />
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On the back of the head, scuta are painted in yellow and outlined in black.</div>
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This Gorn figure came with a silver puzzle-piece base (which comes with all of the Star Trek 2002 MiniMates figures) and two accessories - the dagger from the episode (not shown, as Mugato stole it in a jealous rage) and what I believe to be a Gorn disruptor.<br />
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This particular Gorn is actually quite acrobatic, with great balance:<br />
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Because of the extra middle piece, the Gorn's body comes apart very easily - too easily. Mugato (TOS episode a Private Little War) on the other hand, is very sturdy.<br />
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Mugato's face is more well drawn, and the figure looks less block-y because of the fur and horn.<br />
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As you can see, Mugato is holding the Gorn's dagger. You can also see the spikes running down Mugato's spine:</div>
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Upon our trek outdoors (pun intended), I convinced Mugato and Gorn to pose for a photoshoot together:<br />
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Just look at Gorn's adorable smile, as he waves to the camera. Mugato just stood there, making grunting noises and shaking his newly acquired dagger.<br />
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The fun thing about these figures is that they break into segments. Like I said before, the bottom of the Gorn's outfit detatches as well, adding an extra piece to it's mid-layer. It is not detached in this next picture, however, where I show off my Gorn-Mugato hybrids.<br />
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One of my pet peeves is actually the mispronunciation/misspelling of Mugato as "Mugatu". I know that Bones and Kirk referred to the creature as Mugatu, and that misspelling occurred in a compendium, but that is simply not it's name.<br />
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Fun fact: Mugato's name was to be Gumato in the original script, but Deforest Kelley couldn't pronounce it correctly. Interesting, he and William Shatner couldn't pronounce Mugato either.T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6382077579760715107.post-15956143464658228722012-05-29T22:44:00.000-05:002012-05-29T22:51:32.390-05:00Simon Pegg on Benedict Cumberbatch - "It's not Khan"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not too long ago, it seems like the entire internet world was worked up over Benedict Cumberbatch playing Khan Noonien Singh. Now, in an interview over at the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9285164/How-Simon-Pegg-became-a-big-fish.html" target="_blank">Telegraph</a>, Simon Pegg is denying these rumors - telling us to... "F- off!"<br />
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<b>"(Benedict's character is) not just another disgruntled alien. It’s a really interesting… sort of… thing." </b></blockquote>
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<b>"Obviously I can’t talk about it.” </b></blockquote>
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<b>“It’s not Khan, that’s a myth. Everyone’s saying it is, but it’s not.”</b></blockquote>
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Now I'm not disappointed, really (although, like I said before - Khan is going to have to be discovered eventually) - as long as I still get my Cumberbatch fix in the coming Star Trek "sequel"!<br />
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But I must say - for a lot of us, speculations and rumors/spoilers are half the fun. Apparently, however, he does not feel the same way:<br />
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<b>"I think people just want to have a scoop. It annoys me – it’s beyond the point to just ferret around for spoilers all the time to try to be the first to break them. It masquerades as interest in the movie but really it’s just nosiness and impatience. You just want to say, ‘Oh f— off! Wait for the film!'"</b></blockquote>
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I do understand, and I see his point. I feel that there are certain fans who are nosy and impatient, but others innocently stumble across a rumor and get excited - we want to share and get other fans excited as well.<br />
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Although I see myself as innocent in all of this, I can't help but <a href="http://vibrant-oxymoron.blogspot.ca/2012/04/star-trek-xii-spoilers-regarding-nimoy.html" target="_blank">feel guilt</a>...<br />
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<b>Edit:</b> The again, what if he is saying this now so that we won't expect him to be Khan and then we will be surprised when he is Khan, if he is Khan? Who knows. Don't trust anything you read on the movie until it comes out - that's what I've learned so far.<br />
<br />T'Lainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08890735238935351630noreply@blogger.com13