Trek Expo 2007

[Mara Wildman]

I'm finally going to be able to go to Trek Expo in Tulsa this year! There have always been things keeping me from going, like summer camp (I'm like a councellor). This year it's in October and there's nothing else important going on then! Kate, Robert Picardo, and Ethan Phillips are the only people from Star Trek: Voyager confirmed to be there. I'm not going to get a photo opp with Kate since it would cost $60 and I have to pay for school. But I'm definitely paying $25 to get one with Robert Picardo (one of my favorite actors!).

[jaxlynn]

Oh, I'm so jealous, I love Picardo!!! Make sure you takes lots of pictures!!!!! Besides being totally jealous, I'm very excited for you!!! Trek Conventions are just too much fun!

[vanynessa]

Cool! Can you post the link to the convention?

Nevermind, I found it:

www.trekexpo.net/guests.html

I had just looked at this site 2 days ago and I didn't realize it was the same site, because 2 days ago Kate was NOT one of the guests (I did see Ethan and Picardo and thought how awesome it would be to meet Picardo and then Ethan (again)! Wow, how cool is it that she is doing another convention!!! Oh man seeing those three together would be a blast; she probably decided to go because she's such good friends w/ those two (even if they left her and Roxanne out of the annual "boys dinner", lol).

[DDL]

That's awesome!! Be sure to post pictures!!

[Janeway Forever]

OMFG!!!! These people have a convention company and they can't freaking spell NEELIX right!!!! That pisses me off beyond belief!!!!!!!!!!!

[DDL]

I didn't see that. It drives me nuts when people misspell Neelix. And a con company?? They have no excuse.

[vanynessa]

Wait.........am I missing something? Where is it mispelled? N-E-E-L-I-X, right?

[Janeway Forever]

Go to the tickets page, and look at that description of the "House Call" tickets.

[vanynessa]

Ahhh, I see it now.........those dorks! Anyways, OMG I would love to see that play "House Calls"; man I wish I could go !!!! Is anyone else going besides Mara? (Mara, you better takes some pictures for sure; lots and lots of pictures!!!)

[Mara Wildman]

I really want to see the show, too, but I don't know if I should since I need to save $$ for school. Although it's probably one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

I decided to go with the Ethan Phillips/Robert Picardo photo opp since I want to go as Naomi Wildman. Does anyone know where I can get spikes for my forehead?

[vanynessa]

You can probably look in the phone book for a local costume shop; they usually have wigs, prosthetics, and latex products and the employees can show you how to use them. Another option is just go to your local Wal-Mart's Halloween section and look for a makeup kit that includes face puddy. Puddy is usually used to make scars and such. You can form them into "spikes" and glue them on with eyelash glue, or whatever comes in the kit.

[Mara Wildman]

Thanks! There's a place nearby that I think has comics and action figures and stuff and they have Kirk and Spock painted in the window. I've never been there yet, but it might be a good place to look.

[vanynessa]

And if they can't help, I know any decent costume shop will. I remembered that makeup artists use "spirit gum" to attach prosthetics. Any good costume shop will have this.

[Mara Wildman]

You have no idea how much I've been wanting to go to Trek Expo in Tulsa, OK. (OK, so you might.) This year when I heard Robert Picardo was going to be there I was ecstatic! I was able to go and I kept trying to think of something to say to him besides "You're one of my favorite actors." I've met stars before, but none were my favorites and so this was... well, I'm sure you can imagine.

For your time's sake, I'm going to try to keep the story short.

I finally arrived on Friday evening and started walking around, looking at all the stuff in the booths. I hadn't expected to see him, but I glanced over to my left once and there was Robert Picardo sitting at the autograph table. Mere feet away from me!! I still hadn't thought of what to say, but I figured if I went over there something would come to me. On the other side of him was Ethan Phillips. I sorta wandered around looking at the available pictures to autograph and still couldn't think of anything. I did talk with Ethan Phillips for a bit pretty much because he started it. It was cool.

So I didn't talk to him Friday... or Saturday... I finally thought of what to say and how to say it by the time I was arriving for the play "House Calls." (Great play, BTW, you must see it when you get the chance.) When it was over they were staying for autographs and stuff and I decided I should go home since it was so late and I'd be back on Sunday.

Guess what sucks? I got there on Sunday afternoon (cuz I had church in the morning and it takes a bit of time to get to the Crowne Plaza) and he had already left by then. I got to meet LaVar Burton and talk with Ethan Phillips a bit more, but I'm going to hate myself for not talking to Robert Picardo until I get my next chance.



You know what I learned this week though? (Besides how important it is to seize the moment.) Actors are people! It sounds silly for me to say that, but you see people on TV and movies and maybe you've idolized them. Then you see them in person and maybe talk to them and they're just people! It almost seems like I didn't meet them because they're just people. Ordinary humans who just happen to have a job that makes more people know who they are. And Ethan Phillips is definitely a great guy. I'm glad I met him.

P.S. I'll post pictures as soon as I get the chance.

[DDL]

Sorry to hear that you missed Picardo. I hope you get a chance to see him again soon.

Looking forward to the pictures.