Out 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.
Yesterday while I was at the comic shop getting my Stealth Cyberman figure, I also came across this wonderful "Evil" mirror Spock shirt:
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.
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:
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!
Once there was a girl, trying not to trip over her Vulcan robes as she was shuffling around in paper and books on a convention table. I don't know why she was searching so eagerly - she had not money left. But there it was: Personality Presents the Original Crew - the illustrated biography magazine. Upon glancing over at the magazines, her molecules dissipated and the entire convention room was attacked by Canadian demon-beavers. The only way for her mother to restore the balance was for her to buy the girl the magazines, which were 12 dollars for William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
That was a close one.
This magazine's art and lettering was done by Aldrin "Buzz" Aw, and was written by Stephen Spire III. The entire magazine in a biography of William Shatner in comic form. I scanned a few of the best pages. Click image to enlarge.
The magazine starts as such:
"On Thrursday, September 8th 1966 at exactly 8:30P.M. the world was changed forever."
Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy have become modern myths. Heroes in a future that shows hope and promise. This is the story of a man who gave the orders. The big boss, the top man... William Shatner. Captain of the Starship Enterprise."
"Yet, can you picture anybody else playing the part?
Of course he wasn't born a full fledged Starship Commender. He had to work hard to get that post. Although, a thought comes to mind, let's imagine he was born as Kirk.
Doctor: Nurse! Come here quick! I can't believe my ears!
Nurse: What is it Doctor?
Doctor: Listen to this.
Fetus Shatner: Beam me up, Scotty!"
The "fan" shown in this magazine is a short boy, presumably a child, with a Spock hair cut, fake pointed ears, a Star Trek uniform, and glasses. This fan is shown writing letters for the campaign to save Star Trek, watching the show/movies, and standing around looking inquisitively at a picture of William Shatner.
The magazine is written in a very fun way, and goes through most of William Shatner's life up until that point (1991). It goes over his relationship with his father (how he wanted William to take over his clothing business and felt that acting was foolish, leading to William making his own way in poverty) and about how his father dies during the filming of "Devil in the Dark".
There is even an entire page dedicated to the fluctuations in his weight during the filming of Star Trek (TOS).
Fun facts from the magazine:
In college he worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Company on radio.
He started his television career on a live show called Playhouse 90.
One of the Twilight Zone episodes he appeared in was called "Project Vulcan".
His first major Motion Picture debut was in the 1957 adaptation of "The Brothers Karamazov", followed by "Judgement in Nuremburg" and "The Intruder" (also known as "Shame" and "I Hate Your Guts").
He also played a murderous mental patient in "Impulse", and starred in an epic B-movie called "Kingdom of the Spiders".
Paramount was only ready to make a Star Trek movie after the success of Star Wars.
The one thing that troubles me are the spelling errors, of which there are a lot of. Despite these errors, however (do they even bother anybody else?), this magazine is one of my favorites and is a very fun read - especially with the superbly done illustrations. One the back cover is very detailed, realistic painting of Patrick Stewart, and there are other TNG portraits scattered inside as well.
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.
Comic Con is finally over. I enjoyed it immensely while it was on, but there is nothing more exhausting that being in a giant building filled with people - running around to be one of the first people in line to see some of Star Trek's most celebrated people.
I was fortunate enough to get the painting I had done of Captain Kirk personally signed by Mr. Shatner. I was so excited and nervous, he had to keep asking me what I said when I told him I had painted it. He told me it was "very well done", however, and was really nice and somewhat shy/gentle about it.
Over the next week or two I will be posting pictures and/or video I took from the Q&A sessions - including Jonathan Frakes, Ethan Phillips, Nana Visitor, Chase Masterson, and the one and only - William Shatner. I will also be posting pictures of some vintage collectables that I came across (and now own) so check back! I will be very busy.
A couple of days ago I had the privilege of seeing William Shatner's show, "How Time Flies", from the ninth row. As soon as he walked out onto the stage, I swear my heart stopped. I could feel it. The show lasted about three hours, and was absolutely amazing.
Before the show, I stopped of at the merchandise table to get a T-shirt. I did not expect for there to be a triple vinyl version of Seeking Major Tom, and a limited edition poster (which I quickly bought!). There were also copies of his book, "Shatner Rules", and his CD - but I had already gotten those days before.
Waiting non-patiently for the show to resume
A lot of what he told us is also explained in his book. I sat there, watching him speak with my SLR camera and a piece of random receipt paper - upon which I was writing notes. I took pictures, when I could, and wrote down my favorite parts.
He spoke about a six year old boy who showed up outside while he was living on the road in a truck. "One morning, a six-year-old boy knocks on the door, and says, 'Are you Captain Kirk?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'Can I see your space ship?' I said, 'Sure come in." He brought the boy inside, and showed him the shower, "where I beam up" and the stove, where the controls were. He says that somewhere, there is a middle aged guy who believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was on the Enterprise with Captain Kirk.
Looking sharp in a pinstripe suit
After taking off his jacket to show us how to fold it properly
He also spoke a lot about horses, a special passion of his. He spoke about Great Dane, his black stallion, and how he lived and died. He had agreed to breed him, but was saddened by it when he found that he had been "incarcerated". Great Dane later got founder, and had to be put down. He later spoke of Great Dane's son, "Call Me Ringo".
He recalled riding a three year old horse as an amateur rider, and having it rear. He accidentally leaned back and brought the horse back with him, and quickly thought of the stories where people had been crushed by their horses. Luckily, the horse went to the side at the last minute, and only landed on his leg.
Heavenly suspenders
Showing off is what the Shat does best
He broke his leg, and an ambulance was called. "Every Rescue 911 I did, they tied the gurney down!" In the hospital, to check if he had inner bleeding, he had to pee in a bottle. "Captain Kirk is peeing in a bottle." A nurse comes and opens the curtains, looks at him, and says (gasp) "I'm your biggest fan!".
And here's a few more interesting little bits of information:
The tour bus was rented from a company called Star Fleet.
William Shatner sold his Kidney Stone for $100,000.00 to donate to Habitat for Humanity
He states that he got his stereotyped acting style on Broadway when he had to start speaking gibberish and yelling to stop people from leaving the audience when his fellow actor kept freezing up in an attempt to get fired.
At an important show with agents and everything, he replaced a piece of paper that is fellow actor was to rip in half powerfully and angrily with a piece of parchment paper. Parchment paper doesn't rip.
He was an assistant manager twice, hired because he had a degree (which he just barely got). He was promptly fired both times, and has never had a job other than acting since then.
According to William Shatner, the four sweetest words in the English language are "Say goodbye to Grandpa"
Koko the Gorilla grabbed him by the balls.
Signing to Koko... "I love you"
And then Koko reached down and grabbed him by the balls.
At one point he quotes a philosopher by saying "nothing is everything"... and follows up by yelling "what the fuck does he mean by that!?" He also uses the word onomatopoeia.
I could go on, but you would be reading for hours, and I would be typing for days. I would highly recommend purchasing the book "Shatner Rules" for more.
As an epic conclusion to the show, William Shatner asked us (rhetorically, I would imagine) what Canadians loved most. After people from the crowd shouted "Beer!" he corrected us - we all love hockey. With this, he sang his rendition of "The Good Ol'Hockey Game" by Stompin' Tom Connors, which I recorded on a terrible camera like I was drunk. See the video and all of it's terrible quality below. And remember - "We don't know anything. We know nothing. We see glimmers."
I found about about a great site the other day when I was browsing the internet - and a wonderful little resource ScribblerToo. It is immediately addicting, and with it one can produce all kinds of unique designs.
While it is somewhat difficult to draw with a mouse (as I do not yet own a tablet of any kind) I certainly had a lot of fun doodling Doctor McCoy, Kirk, and Spock: (to enlarge, right click and open in new tab or window)
I really enjoy how McCoy and Spock turned out - they are very strange. Kirk (with his super-awesome fatshirt) looks entirely wrong to me, however. That must be why Spock is looking at him so.
For anyone who is interested, I also have a DeviantART account here.
There are so many things that I wanted to put on here, but it wouldn't look right unless it was being worn. By myself. I have had a science tricorder for quite a while now (I used to wear it to school every day), and I recently got an amazing custom Kirk shirt. I came home the other day with a mask from the dollar store, drew eyebrows on it, and went outside to take some pictures.
Model: Me
Photographer: Myself and Mr. Camera Timer.
While I was out taking the pictures, people were on their balconies staring. It was quite interesting. Also, my hair is quite long here - I used to have a bowl-cut, but now I am growing out a chelsea mullet. When the front and back grows out more, I will keep the rest cut closer.
Today marks the 45th year since the "first" episode of Star Trek - The Man Trap - was aired. It is truly a momentous occasion.
I worked for nine hours today, and while I had the time I was (as usual) doodling on scrap paper. To keep track of the time, I make circles for each hour and elaborate on them as each hour passes. I thought today's circles looked cool and space-y, so I incorporated it into my special Star Trek Anniversary card:
Because doodles count as cards, right?
I also made cupcakes with some of the characters on them - I wanted to do Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, and Chekov, but I didn't have enough time. I did, however, manage to make a huge mess and eat a lot of mix and icing.
This is my first attempt at drawing with icing, and it turned out better than I thought it would, despite not having the icing colors I wanted. Below are some of my cupcakes - an Orian girl, a Klingon (I couldn't get the colors to work, but I was going for the TOS Klingons) and Yeoman Rand with her waffle hair.
My family and I ended up eating most of the cupcakes before I could "fancy them up". I made another batch and decorated them with Spock, McCoy (lego?) and Kirk. They are honestly the worst things I have ever drawn, but they are also the most delicious.
I will be 74, going on 75 years old on the glorious hundredth anniversary. I will be waiting, with my rats and my baking and my crazy hair.
How did you celebrate the 45th anniversary? Let me know in the comments!
Captain kirk guards the door to my room. Using advanced technology, he and Spock devised a way to shrink him to the size of a doorknob and make him two-dimensional. Posted behind the doorknob and disguised as paper, he is ready to report danger to me at any time.
