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!

Romulan - the species I would sometimes like to be.

R is for Romulan!

Three alien species that I would, if I had the choice, have been born as are Vulcan, Mintakan, and Romulan. Notice a pattern?

About a week or so ago, I began drawing a picture in ink of what I might look like as a Romulan:

I find Romulan (and Mintakan) forehead ridges to be quite aesthetically pleasing.

More art: Bitter Ambiguity.

Presenting: A Drawing by Sam.

The other day while I was at work (my first day with braces on!), my friend Sam decided to draw a picture of me in an effort to combat boredom. It is accurate in every detail. (Except for the fact that the brackets of my braces are in between my teeth - but wearing braces correctly is TOO MAINSTREAM. Take that, Ortho.)

So much Angst.

She even got my ears and eyebrows right. I am actually obsessed with this drawing right now.

Feel special, Sam. Feel very, very special. You have earned a spot on my blog.

Hnafirh'au-d - Arhem Llaiuri - Mnahen!

The only reason I am putting this on here is because I wrote on it in Romulan/Rihannsu. It says, roughly, "Can ('t) you see? I am dying. (My) hatred!" I drew this on an old law class sheet.

Benedict Cumberbatch for Star Trek Sequel = Best Thing Ever

I found out this morning that one of my favorite actors is going to play the villain in the upcoming Star Trek "sequel". Benedict Cumberbatch, the man we all fell in love with when he played Sherlock, is that very actor.

It has been suggested that the new villain might be Khan, or a Klingon. Personally, I would love to see him play a more traditional Romulan (as opposed to Nero):

Unfortunately, this is not likely to happen seeing as they used the Romulans as the villain for the last movie. I can't even imagine him playing a Klingon (although I am sure he would make it work, somehow) or a Ferengi (what if they were the bad guys this time?). Or another one of my favorite species, Andorians? What if there were a faction of Andorians rebelling against Starfleet?

It would actually be interesting if they chose a species that was not as well developed, or brought in an entirely new species. They've messed around with the Star Trek universe this much, why not go all out?

I never thought I would be excited to see a new Star Trek movie, but with good ol' Mr. Cumberbatch I suppose anything is possible.

The Worlds of the Federation and Don Ivan Punchatz - 1989

"The Worlds of the Federation", written and illustrated by Shane Johnson, is one of my favorite resources. Inside this 155 page book one finds a historical overview of the United Federation of Planets, the Planetary Classification System (UFP Standard), and overview of all member worlds as well as their planet's primaries and ambassadors - as well as an overview of Neutral, Independent, and Hostile Worlds. One may also find each planet's system profile, planetary emblem, and continental profile.

While Shane Johnson illustrated the pages with drawings of continental systems, ambassadors, emblems, etc. - it was Don Ivan Punchatz who created the stunning color art we see on the cover, as well as inside on the glossed pages (which I will cover at a later date). I will focus now on the image on the front cover:

We also find the same image spread across two pages inside, allowing us to experience this masterpiece in great detail. For those who are unaware of the races depicted, I will go over them and state the episode they first appeared in: (Referring the the images below, Starting in top left, moving clockwise)

• Melkot - Melkatians were seen in TOS: Spectre of the Gun
• Klingon - The Klingons are well known, but first appeared in TOS: Errand of Mercy
• Gorn - First seen in TOS: Arena
• Tellarite - First seen in TOS: Journey to Babel (one of my favorite episodes, as we see Sarek and Amanda for the first time)
• Tribbles - First seen in TOS: The Trouble with Tribbles
• Bynars - First seen in TNG: 11001001
• Benzite - First seen in TNG: Coming of Age

To enlarge the image, right click and open in a new tab or window.

Moving on to the second page, we see the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D over top of the five remaining races:

• Romulan - First seen in TOS: Balance of Terror (played by Mark Lenard, the same man who played Sarek)
• Andorian - First seen in TOS: Journey to babel (What is interesting about this image - is that the Andorian shown below, Thelev, was actually an Orian Assassin in disguise, and not an Andorian at all)
• Phylosian - First seen in TAS: The Infinite Vulcan (another great episode)
• Ferengi - First seen in TNG: The Last Outpost
• Saurian (juvenile) -  First Seen in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (although Saurian Brandy has been enjoyed in TOS episodes beforehand)

I am absolutely in awe of this piece of art. I have been a fan of Don Ivan Punchatz for a while now, and a lot of his work can be found online - do a quick search on google images and you will understand. Everything he does is absolutely amazing.

Sexy Vulcan Pinups - Files Magazine 1987

Revisiting one of the Files Magazines whose box I keep tripping over and have mentioned in previous posts - Vulcans. This magazine actually has two topics and two covers, Vulcans and Romulans. It's one of those magazines that can be flipped over and read the other way.

There are tons of fantastic photos and articles within, but what amused me were the Vulcan Pin-ups. When most people think "pin-up" they think of a sexy lady, scantily clad - maybe Bettie Page or Betty Grable. Vulcans don't need to show off in such a way - they are sexy just the way they are.

The first official pin-up in the book is of Spock - the first intoduced Vulcan, and the one that all of the girls swoon over. I don't know what it is, but everybody falls in love with him. Everybody. I saw a book the other day that had a chapter on this phenomenon, but I did not have sufficient funds available to buy it.

Next we have Saavik (as played by Robin Curtis). Look at that sexy pose! I always felt that Curtis appeared more Romulan than Kirstie Alley, and thus more accurately portrayed the character. I generally find Romulan features to be "sharper" than Vulcan features, especially from TNG onward. I find these features very aesthetically pleasing. But I digress.

Time for one of the sexiest Vulcans of all time - Sarek. If I believed in reincarnation, I would want to be reborn as Amanda Grayson so that i could marry Sarek and go to live on Vulcan. The way he presents himself - his calm, serene power. The fact that he could break you neck with two fingers practices non-violence and logic. Just look at him here. Print it out and tape it in your locker at school, kids. This is the man you should be dreaming about.

Finally, we have Saavik again, this time as played by Kirstie Alley. I feel that this version of Saavik is "prettier" and "sexier", but I still prefer the other. Boys, print this picture out and stick it on your bedroom wall. Your parents will approve.

Now these are only the TOS/movie Vulcans - if this magazine had pin-ups of Vorik, Taurik, and Tuvok as well, I would be ecstatic. As it is, however, I am more than content. Sexy. Vulcan. Pin-ups. I should make them into living room wallpaper.

Dif-tor heh smusma..

Full-blooded Romulans in Starfleet? Only in Ink.

Even in an exciting place, I tend to get very bored. I will be doodling in between sentences, in between transactions at work, and on my breaks. Sometimes they are scribbles, and sometimes they come out like this:

Using a Flowrite 5mm black gel pen, I ended up drawing a Starfleet Romulan. Aside from Simon Tarses in TNG's "The Drumhead" (and even he was only one quarter Romulan) and Saavik (one half)  there have been no Romulans in Starfleet.

When I got home, I colored it with water color pencils, scanned it, and then ran it through a filter using Photoscape.

What you see here is my usual style of drawing. There is not a lot in this style online, because I keep my non-related and original work private for now. Eventually I am going to be publishing a book with my original - non fan art - work.

You never know what you are going to end up with when you start doodling, which is why I always have a pen in hand.

Vulcan and Vulcanoid Reproduction

The following contains mature subject matter and facts from numerous sources - episodes, novels, manuals, and the Vulcan Language Institute Reclamation Project.

After collecting facts on Vulcan reproduction and reproductive organs from (hyperbole time) a million and one sources, I present to you: an overview that took hours to write because i kept getting distracted. Enjoy, and learn.

The Pon Farr

It is a common misconception that Vulcan males only engage in sexual intercourse every seven years during the Pon Farr (first mentioned in Amok Time) - Vulcan males are capable of this at any time after maturation (perhaps without the ability for fertilization at these times). It is only during the Pon Farr that they must mate, or die. The reproductive glands are the only glands that Vulcans cannot totally control.

It has been suggested that this seven year cycle is influenced by the cycle of solar activity in the Vulcan star system - that they evolved to reproduce without fail during the one time when there was the lowest amount of solar activity and radiation levels were at their lowest. While this is an interesting theory, not all male Vulcans go through the Pon Farr at the same time.

The Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual states that when the Vulcans decided to "outlaw all emotion" they realized that they must first lessen the deadly lust that males experienced before mating. Each male was, at first, forced to control their urges by "sublimating and repressing" the physical symptoms. They could only keep this up for seven years at a time.

The Plak Tow (or Blood Fever) becomes stronger during the final stages of the Pon Farr and is initiated by a telepathic mating bond. During the Plak Tow Vulcans lose all emotional control and may become extremely violent. This fever and chemical/hormonal imbalance which will eventually to death if not broken by either succesful mating or through Koon-ut Kal-if-fee (a ritual combat). Some Vulcans, when unable to return to Vulcan, have attempted meditation as a solution.

Vorik, mad in the plak Tow.

Spock, deep in the Plak Tow.

Note: It has also been suggested that in response to harsher than usual environmental conditions, Vulcan males can mate at any time.

Male Reproductive Organs

The Vulcan Penis is covered by no external sheath or foreskin, and therefore circumcision has never been necessary. The reproductive organs are almost entirely retracted into the body as a protective measure. The two testes are formed close to the body, and a prostatic body that produces and stores seminal fluid - Vulcan sperm is viable for up to 30 minutes after ejaculation before losing mobility.

It is believed that Vulcan males remain fertile their entire adult lives.

Female

Possibly unlike males, female Vulcans are always fertile. As in humans, females have a vagina, uterus, and ovaries - unlike human females, Vulcan females lack uterine/fallopian tubes, as the ovaries are connected to the uterine body by short ducts. Menstruation is absent as a result of evolution and the need to retain as much water as possible in the hot Vulcan climate.

Ovulation occurs each month from altering ovaries, and it takes less than 24 hours for the ovum to enter the uterus. After this occurs, one of two things can happen.
     1. The ovum is fertilized - the blastocyst implants itself in the uterine wall, and hormones activate the formation of the placenta. Growth and development occurs in the uterus, and birth is given vaginally. (Caesarian section is rare, but not unheard of in Vulcans.)
     2. No fertilization occurs - if no fertilization occurs within 10-14 days, the ovum deteriorates and is absorbed  into the uterine lining.

Multiple Births

For a Vulcan female to give birth to twins is very rare, and multiples of more than three is unheard of. As far as twins are concerned, fraternal twinning is highly uncommon, whereas identical twins are the norm. The idea of giving birth to multiples is considered repugnant among Vulcans.

It has been said that females rarely give birth to more than two children in their lifetime, however Vulcans on colony worlds have been known to have as many as five children. This as well as the low twinning rate may also be due evolution and harsh environmental conditions.

Romulan male and female (TNG and on)

Romulans

These facts are generally the same for all Vulcanoids, including Romulans (as the descendants of Vulcan emigrants) except:

- Romulans no longer endure the Pon Farr (the consequence of harsher world?)
- Romulan females are encouraged to have as many children as their household can support, due to a low survival rate in children.

More Vulcan Physiology? Okay.

I have been writing and posting about Vulcan physiology a lot lately, and this will be no different. It is... fascinating.

Did I mention that there will be a post focused on Vulcan reproduction in the next couple days as well?

Anyways, going back to the Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual (again), lets get down to the facts (click to enlarge):

This basically goes over most of what I had mentioned in earlier posts - blood pressure, respiration, etc. However, there are additional details. (Who's ready for more accuracy ranting?)

In novels and fan fiction, there is a recurring theme - Vulcans' "hot" skin. They write about how when a human touches a Vulcan, they are surprised about how warm the Vulcan feels. Obviously, this bothers me. It is a fact that the average body temperature of a Vulcan is 91 degrees Fahrenheit, where as the average human body temperature is 98.6 degrees - Vulcans should then, be colder to the touch, as humans have a much higher body temperature.

Finally, I present to you - a diagram of a Vulcan's internal organs! (yay)

As you can see, the Vulcan heart is indeed where a human liver would be, with the Vulcan liver directly underneath it. The lungs are larger, and their bodies are generally leaner (as evident in top chart, average weight and height).

It is also important to note that this is accurate for all Vulcanoid species, such as Romulans, Mintakans (a proto-Vulcan race),  and "Rigel V subspecies".

Robin Curtis and Leonard Nimoy Interviews - 1986

It's time to focus on my two favorite half Vulcans - Robin Curtis as Saavik and Leonard Nimoy as Spock and the director of Star Trek IV.

Now I know that Kirstie Alley played Saavik originally in The Wrath of Khan, but I feel that Robin Curtis is more suited to the character. She has a harsher face that I feel expresses her Romulan half with more accuracy.

Kirstie Alley vs. Robin Curtis

As a matter of fact, Robin Curtis also played a Vulcan (T'Paal) undercover as a Romulan Mercenary named Tallera in The Next Generation (Gambit, parts one and two).

Looking for the Stone of Gol...

But I digress. Going back to the Star Trek The Official Fan Club Special Vulcan Issue, there is an amazing interview with Robin Curtis regarding her experience playing Saavik, followed by an interview with Leonard Nimoy about Star Trek IV (Which he was directing at the time).

And along with the end of Robin Curtis's interview is a *GASP!* News Flash Extra! What's the big news? Star Trek: the Next Generation will be produced in 1987! The suspense is killing me.

Interview with Mark Lenard - 1986

I have been going through my magazines and books lately, and came across an official Star Trek fan club magazine from 1986 - Number 52, Special Vulcan Issue. It has got some great photos and interviews inside.

(As always, click scans to enlarge to epic proportions.)

Now of course we all know that Mark Lenard first appeared as a Romulan, but the world fell in love with him as a Vulcan. Sarek and Amanda are, beyond a doubt, my favorite couple in the universe. It makes me wish I could marry a Vulcan, I certainly understand them more than I do most humans.

Sadly the first contact is not until April 5, 2063 and I will be 71. So... I don't think I will find a Vulcan husband. But surely a trekkie is the next best thing, right?

On to the full interview:

Refreshing! The only thing left to do after reading that interview is to go make a peanut butter and banana sandwich, pour a cup of chocolate milk, sit down, and watch him in action. And if you don't have a copy of the episodes/movies, find them online or go down to a video store and buy yourself some DVDs!

(They also sell most of the movies on VHS at thrift stores everywhere. There are no excuses.)