Tokyo, Procrastination
I rented this a while ago when hubby was on a business trip. I think he still hasn't come to terms with the fact that he has married a trekkie, so I try to oblige him by indulging when he is not around. He should just thank his lucky stars I'm not hard-core.

My favorite movie? "The Undiscovered Country" when the Klingon moon of Praxis blows up and forces the Klingons and Federation to make peace. Corny and Kirk is irritating but I like the jokes and the familiarity. Love the music from that soundtrack, too. Very spooky.

Anyhow, I rented "Trekkies" and was really amazed at the depth of people's emotional attachment to this series. Lots of great ideals that people really buy into. And I think that those ideals are more of the attraction than the gizmos.

After I saw the documentary, I wanted to go to a Trekkie convention. Hubby was aghast, "Why would you do that?" he breathed.

Well, because it is interesting.

I will probably have to go in Tokyo if I ever go at all. Come to think of it, that could be really cool. Seeing this whole thing through another cultural filter.

PS Captain Picard is the character who inspired me to find bald men attractive! Go Patrick Stewart!

Comments
on Sep 12, 2005

Sorry, Patrick Stewart is not my type.  Marianna Siritis.........

My Wife tolerates me too!  But I dont go to the conventions.  Going through withdrawals now that there are no series on!

on Sep 12, 2005
Yes, I have; both of them.
As a lifelong Trekker, at least since the '70s, I can say that, though I admire their dedication, some of those people scare, and even embarrass, me.

I love Trek in all its aspects; I collect its memorabilia and toys and such, and write fan stories as a hobby. The message is one of hope and that's wonderful to behold....but I'd never wear a Starfleet uniform (including toy phaser, tricorder and communicator pin) as my everyday attire. Especially not in court for the Whitewater hearings. She's lucky they didn't toss her in jail for contempt (the Clintons might be aliens, but not that way). When asked what she'd do if the president were brought in to testify in person, she replied that she'd wear her Starfleet uniform, "just like any other member of the military."
But, she's NOT IN THE MILITARY. Starfleet is imaginary, and people who lose sight of that line are....well, I dunno what they are, but they bug me.

Another group that bugs me are the fans who insist on calling the stars by their first names, like they've personally known them for years or like they're neighbors, or hang out together or something; for example:

"I first met Bill (William Shatner) and Patrick (Stewart) at a convention in Niagara Falls."
"Really? Cool. I met Marina (Sirtis) and Michael (Dorn) in Pittsburgh."

Now, please understand that that conversation actually took place, between two people seated behind myself and my friend Warren at a small convention in Steubenville, OH in the mid-90s. Wearren and I exchanged amused glances and moved. I got embarassed for them; I couldn't help it. They don't know these people any more than they personally know the Pope or the President.
on Sep 12, 2005
I collect its memorabilia and toys and such, and write fan stories as a hobby


Fan fiction, huh? Cool. Haven't read much of it but I've read a bit about it in terms of the types of stories people write.

One thing that the documentary made me wonder was if the movie "Nemises" was based on a fan fiction idea. There was a group of people creating a model of a Nemisis station, but that documentary predates the movie "Nemisis" doesn't it? I have been too lazy to check it out, but wonder about it once in a while.

and people who lose sight of that line are....well, I dunno what they are,

They are like the people who got so into dungeons and dragons that they started wearing their costumes in real life. Or the people who dress up as vampires. They have lost sight of something because they are searching for something where they are happier. It's kinda sad. At least "Star Trek" has a lot of positive things to embrace. It can be uncomfortable to see someone so detached from reality though.