Star 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.

The first item that I received from ebay was this beautiful Journey to Babel cloissone episode pin:

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. 

The second pin I received in the post was this Starfleet Medical Academy pin with a safety pin clasp back:

Now if only Starfleet Medical Academy were up and running right now - then I would have something worthwhile to work towards.

At my first ever Comic Con a couple of years back, I picked up this TNG combadge pin, secured with two butterfly clasps:

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.

The last pin that came in the post was this (multicolored) cloisonne Romulan Emblem pin, secured in the back with two butterfly clasps:

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.

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!

Taluhk Nash-veh K'dular - Sarek heh Amanda - Neshuk Bes (Ink Drawing)

I have been absent from this blog for quite a while now, as I have been devoting myself to an ink drawing of Amanda and Sarek. I was originally going to have it finished for Valentine's Day, but I ended up focusing on the details with more intensity than I had originally planned.

Sarek and Amanda are my all-time favorite couple, for all of the reasons. Notice also, in the drawing, that I used a a common human interpretation of a heart for Amanda, and a realistic Vulcan heart for Sarek. It's symbolic and... stuff. It was done traditionally, using black pen-ink.

And now, without further ado...

Fun fact: Many people, for whatever reason, use the word "adieu" instead of "ado" in the phrase I used previously. "Ado" means fuss, or trouble - "adieu" means goodbye. "Without further goodbye" does not make sense in any context. This misuse may be known as an "eggcorn".

Vulcan Cardiac Arrest

A Vulcan cardiac arrest is caused by a malfunction in one of the heart valves (for diagram of heart, go HERE). It is similar to heart attacks in a human, however it is almost impossible to tell for sure without an operation.

If you recall (and I hope you do!), Sarek suffered from a cardiac arrest (as he had been for quite some time already) during the Coridan debate in "Journey to Babel". Without a transfusion, the operation would not have been carried out because of the unique structure of the Vulcan heart (ordinary heart surgery is impossible as well, it must be specialized and use specific equipment). Luckily both Sarek and Spock had T-negative blood, and were compatible despite the fact that Spock does have some human elements in his blood.

Going back to the handy Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual I had mentioned in an earlier post, we find a handy little chart for diagnosing cardiac arrest in Vulcans, complete with warning signs and a spiffy diagram.

Interestingly enough (or not) the Vulcan in the diagram kind of resembles Sarek.

Basically, heart failure in Vulcans is caused by pulmonary and systemic congestion, in turn caused by inadequate systolic flow and the delayed venous return of copper-based blood.

The drug Benjisidrine, originally synthesized from the Vulcan benjisi plant, is often prescribed (as it was to Sarek)to prevent congestive heart failure in Vulcans. It increases the strength of myocardial contractions.

The More You Know.

Trek or Treat - 1977 (Part 1)

There are some pretty strange books out there, books that make no sense and rely on strange humor. This book definitely falls into that category - I only got it because it pertained to Star Trek, had amazing pictures, and cost one dollar at the convention. It was poking out from underneath a Worf doll.

The book: Trek or Treat, by Terry Flanagan and Eleanor Ehrhardt.

Snarky Spock? Quite strange.

I only scanned about half of the pages - these are only my favorites.

First we have a wonderful shot of the "Vulcan death grip" as invented by Spock in "The Enterprise Incident" (one of my favorite episodes... then again, aren't they all?)

I said... no peeking!

We then move on to a picture of Kirk from "The Empath" where he was captured, hung by chains, and tortured - Something strange fan-girls everywhere will never forget.

But hey, it gave Kirk an opportunity to be shirtless, so why not? We all know he loved to show off his chest.

Would you believe... I used to be a 99-pound weakling?

Next we have a grumpy-looking Kirk (again from "The Enterprise Incident"). Poor Kirk, having to seem all crazy... having a temper tantrum.

I do so have a sense of humor!

Now I know these things are supposed to be funny, and it isn't logical for me to feel this way, but i actually feel very protective about Spock's character. I don't like to see him made out to be unintelligent, or "clutsy/goofy" like below:

Gee, I didn't know it was loaded!

Next we have another shot from "The Empath" where "Gem" (so named by McCoy) is healing Kirk. Her hands always had a strange effect on me - they are just so perfect. Smooth. Flawless.

And poor dying/reviving Kirk's face...

There, there Captain - It's only a tetanus shot!

One of the pages I actually enjoyed and thought made sense was a shot from I, Mudd (another one of my favorites... insert Liars Paradox!) where the crew was doing everything in their power to appear illogical. It worked. We all laughed. The day was save.

PS. Jack Black would make an amazing Harry Mudd if the need ever rose.

Okay, together now: "Tea for two and two for tea"

Next we have another one for crazy fan-girls everywhere - and a weepy Kirk.

Love means never having to say you're sorry.

Moving on... NOMAD! Remember when Spock mind-melded with Nomad in "The Changeling" and almost went insane? Of course you do. I actually quite enjoyed nomad, it didn't mean to cause any harm, merely to sterilize. It was it's function.

But I digress. Putting an amusing spin on things:

Nomad: Sometimes I think you only love me for your body.

Another one of my favorite episodes is "Journey to Babel" where we first meet Spock's parents, Sarek and Amanda. I love how the two compliment each other even though they are Vulcan and Human - they are the perfect couple in every way. I always imagine Spock growing up with his mother saying and doing the most human things, and this fits right in:

Get a haircut, Son!

Even without posting all of the scans, I can't possible fit all of them into one post. Therefore, this is part one of two. If you liked these, check back in a couple of days for part two!