Kunli-gad-muf.. Sochya odu-tor.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Trading Cards - Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner 1991

It is Christmas. I sit here wrapped in a soft new blanket drinking eggnog, eating Ferrero Rocher, and admiring one of my gifts - two Hollywood Walk of Fame trading cards (mint!) from my sister, ordered off ebay. They are the most beautiful trading cards I have ever seen, and they will never leave their protective slips.

Leonard Nimoy's card has a publicity photo from "The Sun Also Rises" on the front:

And some interesting information on the back, including his birthday, the location of  his Walk of Fame star, and his career highlights:

The picture on the back seems to be from the time of his interview with Dr. Julius Strangepork in 1984.

William Shatner's card (No. 177 as opposed to Nimoy's No. 8) has a photo of the incredibly handsome man himself on the front. I am unsure of the source of this photo, however:

On the back, as on the other card, reads information such as his birth date, the location of his star, and the highlights of his career. For some reason the "the" in "The Kidnapping of the President" has a capitalized "h" as well as "t". These are important things to notice. The photo used is a publicity photo from T.J. Hooker:

I am actually very glad that they did not focus too much on their roles as Spock and Kirk, as they have done so much more in their lives. For instance, William Shatner was absolutely genius in Judgement at Nuremberg, and Spock was just as (if not more) sexy in his role as Dr. David Kibner in Invasion of the Body snatchers. I also loved him in the Sea Hunt episodes and in the Balcony. But especially in Sea Hunt.


I wish you all a Merry Christmas! To celebrate, let us all watch Leonard Nimoy in my favorite 1992 Hallmark Commercial:

Svi'nash-tevun-yonuk - kril'es heh kunli-sa'hat..

A Long and Somewhat Pointless List of my Star Trek Books and Novels (Part One)

This week I have been going through all of my Star Trek novels and books - donating unnecessary doubles and putting them back on the shelf in pristine order. I also took pictures of my books as I found them and put them in order. If there is a book out of order, I didn't find it until after the appropriate picture was taken and it's group was put away.

My favorite novels have an * in front of the title. If you see doubles, it is either because one is in mint condition and the other is for reading, or because the two have different covers. HC stands for hardcover. This is part one of my list.

The Entropy Effect - Vonda N. McIntyre
The Entropy Effect - Vonda N. McIntyre
The Klingon Gambit - Robert E. Vardeman
*Black Fire - Sonni Cooper
Triangle - Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath
Web of the Romulans - M. S. Murdock
*Yesterday's Son - A. C. Crispin
Mutiny on the Enterprise - Robert E. Vardeman
The Trellisane Confrontation - David Dvorkin
Corona - Greg Bear
The Abode of Life - Lee Correy
The Tears of the Singers - Melinda M. Snodgrass
*The Vulcan Academy Murders - Jean Lorrah
*Uhura's Song - Janet Kagan
*Ishmael - Barbara Hambly
Ishmael - Barbara Hambly
Killing Time - Della Van Hise (Original)
Dwellers in the Crucible - Margaret W. Bonanno
Mindshadow - J.M. Dillard
Dreadnaught - Diane Carey
Demons - J.M. Dillard

The Abode of Life - Lee Correy
Shadow Lord - Laurence Yep
Pawns and Symbols - Majliss Larson
Battlestations - Diane Carey
Deep Domain - Howard Weinstein
Dreams of the Raven - Carmen Carter
*The Romulan Way - Diane Duane and Peter Morwood
How Much for Just the Planet? - John M. Ford
Bloodthirst - J.M. Dillard
*The IDIC Epidemic - Jean Lorrah
*Time for Yesterday - A. C. Crispin
Time Trap - David Dvorkin
The Three Minute Universe - Barbara Paul
Memory Prime - Gar Reeves-Stevens and Judith Reeves-Stevens
The Final Nexus - Gene DeWeese
*Vulcan's Glory - D. C. Fontana
Double Double - Michael Jan Friedman
The Cry of the Onlies - Judy Klass

Rules of Engagement - Peter Morwood
*The Pandora Principle - Carolyn Clowes
*Doctor's Orders - Diane Duane
Enemy Unseen - V.E. Mitchell
Renegade - Gene DeWeese
Legacy - Michael Jan Friedman
The Rift - Peter David
Faces of Fire - Michael Jan Friedman
The Disinherited - Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger
Ice Trap - L.A. Graf (Ecklar, Karen Rose Cercone, and Melissa Crandall)
Sanctuary - John Vornholt
Shell Game - Melissa Crandall
The Starship Trap - Mel Gilden
Windows on a Lost World - V.E. Mitchell
From the Depths - Victor Milan

Logs One, Two and Three - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Logs Four, Five, and Six - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Logs Seven, Eight, and Nine - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Traitor Winds - L.A. Graf (Ecklar, Karen Rose Cercone)
The Best of Trek - Misc Star Trek Fans
The Best of Trek 3 - Misc Star Trek Fans
Log One - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Log Two - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Log Four - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Log Five - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Log Six - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Log Ten - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Star Trek 1 - Adapted by James Blish
Star Trek 4 - Adapted by James Blish
Star Trek 5 - Adapted by James Blish
Star Trek 8 - Adapted by James Blish
Star Trek 10 - Adapted by James Blish
The Classic Episodes 2 - Adapted by James Blish

TNG Encounter at Farpoint - Adapted by David Gerrold
TNG The Captain's Honor - David and Daniel Dvorkin
TNG A Rock and a Hard Place - Peter David
TNG The Eyes of the Beholder - A.C. Crispin
TNG Exiles - Howard Weinstein
TNG Q-in-Law - Peter David
TNG Imbalance - V.E. Mitchell
TNG Rogue Saucer - John Vornholt
TNG Devil's Heart - Carmen Carter
TNG Imzadi - Peter David
TNG Q-Squared - Peter David
TNG Masks - John Vornholt
TNG Descent - Adapted by Diane Carey
*TNG Unification - Adapted by Jeri Taylor
*TNG Crossover - Michael Jan Friedman
TNG Relics - Adapted by Michael Jan Friedman
TNG X-Men Planet X - Michael Jan Friedman
TNG Preserver - William Shatner

New Earth One Wagon Train to the Stars - Diane Carey
New Earth Two Belle Terre - Dean Wesley Smith with Diane Carey
New Earth Three Rough Trails - L.A. Graf (Ecklar, Karen Rose Cercone)
New Earth Four The Flaming Arrow - Kathy Oltion and Jerry Oltion
New Earth Six Challenger - Diane Carey
Avenger - William Shatner
The Return - William Shatner
Dark Victory - William Shatner
Spectre - William Shatner
My Brother's Keeper Republic - Michael Jan Friedman
My Brother's Keeper Constitution - Michael Jan Friedman
*Strangers from the Sky - Margaret Wander Bonanno
Cast No Shadow - James Swallow
*Vulcan's Heart - Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz
*Star Trek: The New Voyages - Misc. including Star Trek stars
*Star Trek: The New Voyages 2 - Misc. including Star Trek stars
*Spock's World - Diane Duane
Mudd's Enterprise - Adapted by J.A. Lawrence
World Without End - Joe Haldeman
Planet of Judgment - Joe Haldeman
The Captain's Table War Dragons - L.A. Graf (Julia Ecklar, Karen Rose Cercone)

Invasion! - Diane Carey, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Dean Wesley Smith, L. A. Graf, Dafydd Ab Hugh
Enterprise The First Adventure - Vonda N. McIntyre
Terok Nor Dawn of the Eagles - S.D. Perry and Britta Dennison
Vanguard Precipice - David Mack
DS9 Trials and Tribble-ations - Adapted by Diance Carey
DS9 The Heart of the Warrior - John Gregory Betancourt
DS9 Fallen Heroes - Dafydd ab Hugh
Final Frontier - Diane Carey
The Brave and the Bold Book Two - Keith R.A. DeCandido
The Brave and the Bold Book One - Keith R.A. DeCandido
Enterprise By the Book - Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch
*ENT Surak's Soul - J.M. Dillard
Star Trek (2009 Movie) - Adapted by Alan dean Foster 

*Vulcan! - Kathleen Sky
Log Five - Adapted by Alan Dean Foster
Star Trek 6 - Adapted by James Blish
*Strange and Amazing Facts about Star Trek - Daniel Cohen
*I am Spock - Leonard Nimoy
*Star Trek Memories - William Shatner with Chris Kreski
Quotable Star Trek - Jill Sherwin
VOY Hologram Handbook - The Doctor and Robert Picardo
The Physics of Star Trek - Lawrence M. Krauss
*The World of Star Trek - David Gerrold
The Klingon Dictionary - Marc Okrand
Klingon Galactic Traveller - Marc Okrand
*The Star Trek Interview Book - Allan Asherman
TNG Customizable Card Game Official Player's Guide - Brady Games

Firestorm - L.A. Graf (Julia Ecklar, Karen Rose Cercone)
The Patrian Transgression - Simon Hawke
Crossroad - Barbara Hambly
The Better Man - Howard Weinstein
The Fearful Summons - Denny Martin Flinn
Twilight's End - Jerry Oltion
*The Motion Picture - Gene Roddenberry
The Wrath of Khan - Adapted by Vonda N. McIntyre
*The Search for Spock - Adapted by Vonda N. McIntyre
*The Voyage Home - Adapted by Vonda N. McIntyre
The Final Frontier - Adapted by J.M. Dillard
The Undiscovered Country - Adapted by J.M. Dillard
*Spock Must Die! - James Blish
*The Lost Years - J.M. Dillard
A Flag Full of Stars - Brad Ferguson
*Crucible: McCoy - David R. George III
*Crucible: Spock - David R. George III
Crucible: Kirk - David R. George III

The Prometheus Design - Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath
Perry's Planet - Jack C. Haldeman II
The Galactic Whirlpool - David Gerrold
Death's Angel - Kathleen Sky
World Without End - Joe Haldeman
The Fate of the Phoenix - Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath
*Spock, Messiah! - Theodore R. Cogswell, and Charles A Spano Jr.
Star Trek 3 - Adapted by James Blish
The Motion Picture the Photostory -  Richard J. Anobile
The Wrath of Khan the Photostory - Richard J. Anobile
Fotonovel 1 City on the Edge of Forever - Mandala Productions
Fotonovel 8 A Piece of the Action - Mandala Productions
Fotonovel 9 The Devil in the Dark - Mandala Productions
Fotonovel 12 Amok Time - Mandala Productions
VOY The Garden - Melissa Scott
VOY Ghost Dance Dark Matters - Christie Golden
VOY Her Klingon Soul - Michael Jan Friedman
New Frontier Book One - Peter David
New Frontier Book Three - Peter David
*NF Excalibur Renaissance - Peter David
Invasion! First Strike - Diane Carey

The Eugenics Wars: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh Volume One (HC) - Greg Cox
Crisis on Centaurus (HC) - Brad Ferguson
The Wounded Sky (HC) - Diane Duane
*The Search for Spock (HC) - Vonda N. McIntyre
The Covenant of the Crown (HC) - Howard Weinstein
*The Vulcan Academy Murders (HC) - Jean Lorrah
The Ashes of Eden (HC) - William Shatner
The Final Reflection (HC) - John M. Ford
*My Enemy, My Ally (HC) - Diane Duane
Mission to Horatius (HC) - Mack Reynolds
*Vulcan's Forge (HC) - Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz
*Sarek (HC) - A.C. Crispin

Introducing: Paul.

Bah Weep Gragnah Weep Ni Ni Bong, T’Laina fans!

I know, I know - you came here today expecting to drink tea and read some epic Star Trek blog posts, and I apologize if you’re adamantly against trying new things… and now you're just curious as to what the hell is going on. Who is this interloper babbling on about nonsense? I’m the girl’s boyfriend. I’m the lovely bloggers biddy boy. I’m the one who pays for 8% of her memorabilia and such.

Call me Paul.

A Ceti Eel larvae creeps up on Paul's shoulder...

I’ve known the lass for a good four years, and obsessed over her and lovely eyes the entire time. This year, shortly after my birthday we consummated our relationship with the purchase of a rather expensive Transformer (Sentinel Prime, for the curious), she demanded I “do” a blog post about Star Trek and Doctor Who - and who am I to argue?

Before I met her I must confess, Star Trek and Doctor Who were in the background of my life - present, but not in the forefront. I was aware of it, the characters, the eleven different incarnations of the Doctor… but it never really interested me. Even the 2009 Star Trek rape - I mean film - made me shrug and say “meh”.

After T’Laina started dating me, she put me in mandatory trek classes, and then Doctor Who classes. Color me surprised - I found myself very much enjoying both. The characters, the situations, the performances… all very nuanced material actually. I won’t say I stereotyped either as “generic sci-fi crud”, but I didn’t expect the intelligence or social commentary.

Into the ear canal, to the cerebral coretex!

T’Lania speaks very highly about her Trek and Who, tons and tons of hours whittled away on it. Sometimes it bothers me, but most times not. It depends on how much she does it.

For me, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of either Star Trek or Doctor Who is a combination of Wrath of Khan and the very poorly made movie Dr. Who and the Daleks, starring my personal favorite Actor, Peter Cushing. T’Laina hates that particular film, as she says it is a bad knock-off. I only like it because it’s Cushing.

Now, just saying up front:
Favorite Captain: Kirk
Favorite Doctor: Sylvester McCoy.
Why? They’re the ones I find the most enduring.

I must confess that I myself am a nerd in general - my heart and interests lie in a sea of giant monsters and DC superheroes. But with T’Laina, an adventure into the world of television sci-fi was made very enjoyable. I would be very happy to read a comic wherein Batman throws punches with Spock!

That is all for me today, dear friends. I return you to your regularly scheduled blog posts.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine Ads - Playmates Figures and Game of Trivia 1993

Going through a copy of Starlog Magazine (1993), I found quite a few interesting ads, articles,  and comics relating to Star Trek: The Next Generation. I am actually scanning them right now. Until I have scanned some actual articles, here are a couple of advertisements.

Coming this fall: I don't actually have this game as of yet, but from what I have heard I would definitely like to.

Game description:

Star Trek: The Next Generation Trivia, Exploration and Discovery is a game of navigation, search, and discovery. The object of the game is to ‘seek out new life and new civilizations’ on an unknown number of planets and be the first to report them to Starfleet Command. It is a fun, challenging game for those with general Star Trek knowledge and even more exciting for dedicated Star Trek fans.

You are the Captain of your own starship, in control of your navigation and in command of your actions. Your knowledge of Star Trek: The Next Generation influences your success. Unpredictability abounds. You are always on the lookout for chance encounters with the Borg ship, Temporal Fluxes, “Q”, planets, and other starships. Your sensors detect these entities to keep you abreast of your relative position.

Test your knowledge of Star Trek: The Next Generation as you commandeer your own starship through unexplored territory.

There is also an ad on the back of the magazine for some TNG Playmates figures that come with exclusive Skybox Playmates collector cards.

One thing I don't have enough of is Borg merchandise. I find the Borg to be quite fascinating, as well as aesthetically pleasing. I would love to get a hold of any one of these figures - but if I could get a hold of those two Borg, I would be utterly elated.

A Different Sort of Mirror Spock.

My best friend has always made cute dolls and tiny foods out of felt. In fact, it was she who got me to try my hand at making a Dalek, Vulcan, and Andorian. For the last couple of years, she has made me a small doll for my birthday. This year, she came up to me at work and gave a small felt Spock doll:

I noticed right away that the insignia was on the wrong side, but justified this by telling everyone that he was a different sort of "Mirror Spock" - the one that Spock himself sees in his reflection. Also, that our reflections in the mirror are actually us in another universe, and that we are actually copying them.

Thanks, Kaitie!

Bitter Ambiguity - Branching Odd

I have been away from Vibrant Oxymoron lately, due to an extremely busy schedule and the fact that I have delved into the arts once more. In fact, I have set up an alternate blog called Bitter Ambiguity which I devote entirely to the messes I create. You can check it out by clicking HERE or by clicking the picture link on the sidebar. Here is a tiny preview:

PS. This will be the only post that is not in any way related to Star Trek or Doctor Who. But there is some Trek/Who drawings on there...

Also PS. I am back now, so expect some Trek/Who posts soon...

Playmates The Keeper from Talos IV and Bele from Cheron

While rummaging through the boxes at Comic Con in October, I found two more Playmates Figures (Aside from Spock ad Pike, shown here). I took some photos so that you, the readers, may see the wonderful details.

One of my favorite characters (I have many) has always been The Keeper from Talos IV, a Talosian as seen in the first pilot episode "The Cage". Because of this, I was extremely excited when I found a Playmates Serialized Warp Factor Series 5 Talosian from 1998. It is obvious that this is The Keeper, due to the pendant worn around the neck. It also came with a Talosian viewer (alien menagerie monitor) and a classic action base.

On the back of the box:

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Alien Database:
Creature: Talosian Keeper
Homeworld: Talos IV
Unique Features: Unusually Large Cranium
Unique Capabilities: Telepathic Communications
Comments: Talosians are extremely dangerous. They can implant any thought or illusion in the Humanoid mind. Talos IV is quarantined.

Also, check out those matching underwear and muscular legs. I never knew.

The fourth and last figure I got at that table was Bele from Cheron, as seen in the TOS episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield". This figure is part of the same series as the Talosian Keeper - the 1998 Serialized Warp Factor Series 5. The "Galactic Gear" that came with Bele: a Lantern bottle (Ornate beverage container), fluted glass & fluted bottle (glassware appropriate for formal toasts), stemmed glass (Useful for all occasions), acorn top bottle (Container corked to keep the flavor),  and a classic action base.

On the back of the box:

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Alien Database:
Name: Bele
Rank: Chief Officer, Commission on Political Traitors
Homeworld: Cheron
Unique Characteristics: Bi-Colored Pigmentation (Black/White)
Comments: Bele is one of only two survivors of his species (Cross-reference: Lokai)

Eventually I would like to get such figures as Sarek, Spock from Unification, and - although I am not sure that one exists - Surak. Until then, I shall sit on the top bunk above my shelves and admire the Playmates figures that I have.

Vlog #3 - Doctor Who and Star Trek Stuff

My darling mice, a TARDIS piggy bank, an animated Dalek, a Hallmark Star Trek ornament from "Mirror, Mirror" and... stuff.

Playmates Mr. Spock and Captain Christopher Pike

While I was at Comic Con, I came across a table that was selling Playmates figures - four for twenty dollars. After running around trying to find an ATM, I was finally able to get the very four that I had wanted. I took pictures of two of them tonight, and will post the other two on the morrow.

The first one I picked was Captain Christopher Pike, from the 1996 Playmates Federation Edition Star Trek Collector Series. The figure also came with a "Starfleet hand laser", communicator, Tricorder, and action base with the Captain's insignia. I took these pictures in the dark with a mere desk lamp for lighting, but I am particularly pleased with how the head shot came out:

On the back of the box:

Subject: Pike, Christopher
Species: Human
Place of Birth: Majave, Earth
Rank: Captain
Assignment: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701

I also got Mr. Spock, which came with "Galactic gear" such as  the Vulcan "harp", lirpa, plomeek soup, and a classic Star Trek action base. Once again, this is a playmates figure - this time from 1999 (exclusive to K.B Toys, limited to 5000).

I have absolutely no idea why the lyre is blue, and he looks quite a bit more like Stonn - but the bowl of plomeek soup makes up for it entirely.

On the back of the box (a bit inaccurate, as Kirk was not technically chosen as a mate): 

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Personal Database (Classified)
Officer: Spock
Rank: Commander
Stardate: 3372.7
Circumstances: Overcome by Pon farr, the "time of mating." Spock was brought to Vulcan by Captain James Kirk. Spock's mate T'Pring chose Kirk as her mate, forcing Spock to fight his captain in the Koon-ut Kal-if-fee battle to the death. Using the lirpa, Spock nearly killed Kirk. Dr. McCoy injected Kirk with a neural paralyzer to simulate death, ending the duel. Given the circumstances, no charges were filed.

Some of my readers may be exclaiming, all aghast and mentally, "the world is going to end because she took a limited edition Spock figure and a Pike figure out of the box". I don't care. I do not believe that one should keep such things in a box, where it cannot be enjoyed and exists only for monetary value.

Next post: Bele and a Talosian.

Applause 1994 Kirk and Spock Mugs and Sadness.

Once upon a time I went to Value Village, because a friend told me that they saw some Star Trek mugs in the display case. Value Village is one of my favorite thrift stores, and once in a while they have something absolutely amazing for a very low price. Enthused, I pulled on my rubber boots and ran down the street to take a gander.

When I got there, the mugs' designs were more amazingly designed that I had expected. Unfortunately, there were many chips and scratches.

I called over one of the cashiers to check the price - I would still have gotten the mugs if they were not fifteen dollars each.

In fact, I would still have gotten them, if only I had more funds at the time. The cashier did allow me to photograph them before walked home, dejected. One day I shall find another set, whether it be in a thrift store or online. They will be mine.

Star Trek Forums - Why They Are Amazing, And Why I No Longer Go On Them.

Star Trek forums are amazing. They allow people to communicate with others that have the same interests, and share things that they find interesting. One can enter a specific "thread" and read various opinions and explanations for episodes, personalities, and inconsistencies. There are people who prefer for discussion to be canon, and those who wish to include all references such as novels and comics. Entering a Star Trek forum is truly a unique experience - at least to me.

A while ago, I decided to give it a try.

This all seems simple enough!

I made an account and looked around - engaging in conversations (or attempting to do so) and offering opinions. I found, right away, that people can be very severe - even mean. I also found it to be very intimidating. Soon I found that many who started their own threads were merely sharing things that they found interesting or asking questions. I soon did so, but relating to my blog and asking for suggestions and attempting to share that which they may find interesting. These threads, however, were promptly closed. I tried to understand the reasoning they gave me, and the next time I posted something I searched for an existing thread. Apparently, if there is already a thread but has not been used in a while, posting is not wanted. I had not been on the forum for many months when I decided I would try once more.

Again, i failed.

I just don't understand this construct...

I don't know why I can't seem to understand this sort of thing on the internet, why it should be so difficult for me. I do not want to blame Aspergers, because even then I am sure I can understand if I try hard enough, and avoid misunderstandings. I searched for the forum rules to review once more, but could not find them. While amazing for fans, I think I will stay away from forums for a while.

My brain hurts.

Star Trek Questions and Mice and Stuff.

My first official vlog - the last one was just rambles and trying to figure out all of the video stuff on my computer. In this one, I answer some simple questions about Star Trek. I also have T'Mol-kom and T'Vet running around on my shoulder.

If you have any vlog suggestions or questions that you want me to answer, leave a comment and I will do my best to include them!

My Name is T'Laina and I Vlog Now.

Vulcan, Transformed - Face of the Future Triptych

While taking a break from all of the Comic Con "stuff" I have been working on, I found an EPSRC funded site that focuses on faces and facial recognition. One of the projects on the site allows one to upload their own photos and transform the face into different art styles, ages, and ethnicities. I decided to try it out with photos I had taken of myself as a Vulcan:

For anyone wanting to try this out for themselves, you can visit the Face Transformer here.

C4 Comic Con - William Shatner - Photos and Video

One of my favorite parts of Comic Con was seeing William Shatner again. I got in line right away, so I could get as close to the front as I could - fortunately, there was an empty seat in the first row. We had to sit the room for an hour before the show, so I conversed with some of the people I was sitting with. We talked about Star Trek and Doctor Who, and watched Night Court (with Brent Spiner as Bob Wheeler) on somebody's iPhone.

Finally, he came down the stairs and made his way to the stage:

This time he was wearing jeans and a leather jacket, as opposed to the suit he wore for "How Time Flies". He looked amazing, and hearing him answer questions was great. Fortunately, we were allowed to take video (which I did!). Unfortunately, the sound was terrible. So here are some quotes from the session:

• "And if you can move one molecule, you can move... two. And you still have nothing..." (When talking about the transporter and how scientists are working on teleportation technology) 
• "I am involved in trying to invent shows... Um, one - I'll tell you about because I'm in the process of doing it right now. It will open with a monologue by someone, maybe me, like the Twilight Zone - where the guy says 'I  think people are basically bad. They scheme, they plot... they conspire all the time. And here are some of the conspiracies.' And the hour will be a conspiracy that may or may not exist. Was there a JFK conspiracy? But this is from the point of view of the conspirator.
• All I know is, that you hear about... as you get older your brain's more foggy (?), and sticky, and - and you lose... it doesn't have to happen. I'm here to tell you, it doesn't have to happen if you just allow yourself to be creative in your own way.
• I struggled for twenty years trying to come up with a couple thousand dollars in the bank, brought up three kids, it was tough. I got ahead, the last several years, I have a little money. And I got a little prestige.
• But I'm doing it! It's the one percent! I've never been one of the one percent! I'm telling you, if you can ever get a limo to drive you to a private airport to get get on a private plane and go someplace... do it!
• You know, I've grown as an actor, I'm growing all the time - I'm finally finding out how to do it... you know, it's such a shame.
  

He also speaks about how people get addicted, his site "MyOuterSpace", "Weird or What?" and horse competition he was in the day before. He also tells us that around the time when one of his children was born, he was watching the television and a March of Dimes commercial came on. He watched as the "tiny tim" polio poster child made his way across the screen, and this affected him greatly - he was lucky, his child was healthy. But sickness can happen so suddenly. He is now a spokesperson for March of Dimes.

One person said to Shatner - they heard that he does math problems in his head before a show. He got a big laugh out of that one, and told us that the only math problem he does is "I'm one... where's my other one?".

And remember the show "How William Shatner Changed the World"? He tells us about how Paramount would not let him use "How Star Trek Changed the World" or even "How Captain Kirk Changed the World".

Now, for the video! I will leave you with part one, and the links to the continuing videos. I hope you enjoy - and I do apologize for the sound quality. (Also you can hear me giggling throughout the entire thing.)

Part Two (on the brain, his horses, how his life has changed, and March of Dimes)
Part Three (where he talks about "stupid Paramount")
Part Four (on Weird or What, acting on stage, and doing math problems in his head)
Part Five (where he explains his "singing" and his spiritual views)
Part Six (where he talks about careers and such)

C4 Comic Con - Jonathan Frakes - Quotes and Photos (Updated)

One of the special guests at the Central Canadian Comic Con (C4) was Jonathan Frakes, best known by Sci-Fi fans as Commander William T. Riker of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I took a lot of pictures, but as there was no video allowed, I had to depend on my terrible note-taking skills for quotes. Here are some of my favorites:

He was legitimately singing opera here. Seriously. It was amazing.

"When I first started on 'Star Trek,' I went to a convention in a little town called Syracuse, New York and everyone was still indignant that our show had come on the air because they were very heavy into Kirk and Spock and they really didn't like the idea of a new 'Star Trek.' I was waiting in the dealers' room to go on stage and at a dealer's table they were selling those action figures of the thinner versions of all of us... with Geordi LaForge $35, Picard for $50, a limited Data for $50 and the sign at the end of the table said, "buy any action figure and get Riker for free."

"I was more interested in where do you go to the bathroom on the Enterprise? What do you EAT? And why no POCKETS in the space suits? Don't get me started on my space suit. And what about this... (does an exaggeration of Riker's walk). Why did he walk like that all the time?"

"Wheaton is walking next to me and says, "you know Frakes, I can tell by the clothes that you wear and the music that comes out of your dressing room that, you used to be cool. Little shit."

"In real life, I play the trombone but I don't play it well. And on the show when you hear somebody playing the trombone and it sounds sort of not so good it's me. When you hear the trombone and it sounds really good on the show, that's Bill "

"Picard. Come on. Pfft, Kirk or Picard. You saw 'Generations.' Two captains in search of one good hairpiece."

" I wish 'Gargoyles' was STILL on the air! The greatest job. First of all, you go to work in your pajamas. Secondly, they've always got bagels and cream cheese. Thirdly, you sit around in a circle with other funny actors. It was a great gig. Marina, Data, um, Kate, Keith David, it was a great group. And it was one of those jobs where they would gather us all, like when we do the 'Family Guy' stuff they'd find us and we'd just have to do our lines. But with 'Gargoyles' we'd actually get together in the room and do the show. I liked that gig. I want it BACK!"

"So Nana Visitor... she sends Thomas Riker to some Cardassian prison and leaves him there for years! For years I was in the prison! ...Still in that bloody prison! I'll speak to her about that this evening."

"That was a great space bird." (after standing on one leg, other leg stretched out behind him, flapping his arms for about five seconds)

It's a really bad quality pic, but "That was a great space bird".

"In my country, we have wireless mikes." (after trying not to trip on the cord, and yelling at a Klingon (in Klingon!) who was trying to untangle it.)

"I try to encourage actors to find any other career... It's a really GLAMOROUS profession and it ALWAYS works out! EVERYBODY gets rich and you stay young FOREVER!"

"(Talking about Twitter) Spiner's got a million and a half, LeVar's got a million and a half, I just, I just joined, feel free to sign up. Jonathan S. Frakes. Who is that pretty girl who called me Franks when I came up here?" (He was, in fact, introduced as Jonathon Franks.)

"I'm not much of a Sci-fi fan, oddly enough... But I am enjoying Person of Interest."

"But oddly enough when Star Trek started, I didn't really know that we were joining part of the popular culture and thought we'd be under a rock or something. I didn't understand the power of the original Star Trek and didn't understand the passion. And then Roddenberry, may he rest in peace, was so great. He believed so heavily in his optimistic view of the future. I auditioned for 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' six times over several weeks, and each time as it got closer and closer to them finally making the decision I'd have to go into Gene Roddenberry's office and I'd sit there and he's sort of you know, he was like a coach. And he'd coach and say your audition is going to be great today, you're the guy I want to play Riker, and he said to me in the 24th century there will be no hunger, there will be no greed, and all the children will know how to read."

"Deep Throat Nine" (As he called Deep Space Nine throughout the show)

"I started to look at the original show and at that time got the VCRs of the show and watched those. And my wife Jeannie Francis who is a big Kirk fan she had Kirk posters on her wall when she was a kid. And then I go home for Christmas after the first season to see my mom and dad in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and I went out to the refrigerator to get a beer and a refrigerator was on the back porch and I go to the refrigerator and on the door is a poster -- this big -- a picture of Patrick Stewart. 'Oh, I just love Patrick Stewart.' Mom??! I'm in THE SAME SHOW! The other half of that picture is ME! 'He's so beautiful. And that voice… numba one… to BE!' (Imitating Patrick Stewart). Humbling."

"The 'Nemesis' movie was, my thoughts on why it didn't do well, awkward, be very careful Jonathan you are using your outside voice… speak diplomatically. I think that the core audience of our movies, which was you guys, wanted to see the Star Trek family which is Patrick and Brent, etc., And that movie was sort of about Thomas Hardy's character. The guy who was by the way, not only Inception, he's like the hottest thing. He's like a huge movie star now. And it's fabulous. He got his start in that movie. So I always thought that that movie, in addition to not being directed by me, was problematic because it was about a character who none of us really knew. I'm not sure that's what the problem was. I also think that Paramount with their infinite wisdom was really, incredibly, greedy, in terms of we had our show on the air, that they put Deep Throat--'Deep Space Nine' on the air, no, they put 'Voyager'then 'Deep Space' then 'Enterprise' and then we did 'Generations' and 'First Contact' and 'Insurrection' and there was just too much Star Trek. And 'Nemesis' was the first star trek movie to lose money. We made nine movies that all made money and as you know that's what projects into the future, so when 'Nemesis' stopped to make money the franchise came to a screeching halt until J.J. rebooted it brilliantly a couple of years ago. What's your theory about why it was a stinker? Or was it a stinker? Some people liked it."

"I'm serious. It's all work with me… Except for this one time. Michael Dorn, dear sweet turtle head, is up on the, you know, back end of the bridge, and old baldy is sitting there and I'm over here and the beautiful and talented Marina is over here. And Dorn had in his hand, because for years he's wanted to do this -- raw egg. So he leans over the bridge, and SMASHES it on Patrick's head. Albumin everywhere. Yolk down that British face. That's a lie. That's a boldfaced lie. It never happened. It would've been great though, right?"

"You know how we use to get hit by phaser fire from enemy ships? And we'd all rock around and be thrown around the bridge, and Marina would be over in her seat, and when we got hit her hair would lay back and she'd look over and her breasts would be full, and I'd be over here rocking and throwing my self around like Riker, and Patrick would be sitting over in his captain's chair, the ergonomically built for his back captain's chair, which was stolen by a fan at one point… And he would all be, very stoic. And under his breath, I heard this many times (imitating Patrick Stewart), "Oh Jonathan… Jonathan… 25 years in the Royal Shakespeare Company… FOR THIS??"

Just as I suspected (and was told by other Star Trek cast members), Jonathan Frakes is a very funny man and a great performer. At one point, a couple of people were attempting to take video of him talking. He walked to the front of the stage, leaned down, and yelled - "NO VIDDEEOOO!" It must have been a personal request, because video was permitted for every other guest.

I went and got a picture with him after the Q&A, which was very rushed and taken professionally. I looked up at him and said, "I love you". He hesitated for a moment before saying "and I you". I felt like a really big creep, but I don't really care. It was great seeing him, and he is just as handsome as ever. I just wish I could have been less awkward is his presence.