Star Trek framed!

Limited edition film clips - Star Trek (2009)

I picked this up yesterday from Greenlight Memorabilia Works, who have a stall in The Rocks' weekend street markets. Mine is #16 of 250. Very cool!

I accidentally made a self-portrait in my first attempt to backlight and photograph the film clips:

Meeting Mel

Lunch with Mel (aka "Emh"), Criniti's Italian restaurant, Darling Harbour.
Witness the remnants of a metre of pizza!

Yes, it was a gathering of TrekBBS members - on a drizzly Sunday - at Criniti's Italian restaurant, Darling Harbour. Aussie Star Trek fans, otherwise known by such online monikers as Dr Rose Mod, Botany Bay, ElimParra, Melbournite EvilRobert, yours truly (Therin of Andor), plus UK immigrant, now Aussie resident, TheRealAdamJ, had gathered to meet Emh, also known as Mel, who travelled on a US Navy ship, via Japan, just to get a taste of Sydney Star Trek fandom. ;)

With a whole day of eating and drinking in front of us, we also entertained Orac Zen on someone's mobile phone (stuck at home with rain-related work chores). Stuffed with pizza, we sauntered/staggered off to Hobbyco, the ABC Shop, coffee in the QVB, and Galaxy Bookshop (Mel's second visit - this time with dire fiscal consequences). Along the way we sent EvilRobert and ElimParra off to the footy grand final - wearing opposing team colours! - and rendezvoused with the TrekBBSer-formerly-known-as CapricaSix.

By afternoon's close, we'd made it to the famous al fresco Opera Bar, at the Sydney Opera House, thinking it would be less crowded in a bar with no big screen television sets! (Not too bad. Good thinking!) From there, it was off to Wolfie's, at The Rocks, for a spectacular view of the Opera House at night while we guzzled more Merlot and chewed on kangaroo steaks and crocodile medallions! Here we were joined by the often-elusive Jean Prouvaire, yet another TrekBBSer who moved to "lurker mode" long, long ago. A great time was had by all! One final drink at the international shipping terminal's bar was cut short by a bouncer, wanting a $5 cover charge from each of us, so that was my cue to depart for the long train journey home, hoping not to fall asleep and awake in chilly Lithgow.

Mel, it was wonderful meeting you in person! It was like Facebook and TrekBBS had turned into reality! Lots of fun anecdotes, great wine, delicious kangaroo and crocodile - and that amazing metre of Italian pizza! (And I'm sure Galaxy Bookshop enjoyed your generous spending!)


Night view from Wolfie's!

David and Donner Down Under

Over the past few weeks, I've been swapping emails back and forth with a Canberra-based convention organiser, Onelia, who has two upcoming Sci-Nut conventions: one tomorrow in Canberra, and one next Sunday in Brisbane.

I suggested to her that if her guests were passing through Sydney after arriving at the airport, she might like to whisk them through some of the sights and sounds of the Harbour. My Star Trek Meet-up Group was already planning to picnic at McMahon's Point - although, of course, some bright spark decided that this weekend was the perfect time to renovate the McMahon's Point ferry wharf.

And so it was that Onelia invited a group of us to brunch with novelist David R George III and his wife, Karen - and Star Trek actor, Jack Donner - at a venue (suggested by me): Pancakes at the Rocks.


Tal the Romulan with
personal cloaking device activated

(Diane Duane would call this The Empty Chair of the Rihannsu, no doubt.)


A Romulan decloaks!


Jack Donner (Tal the Romulan from "Star Trek" and Vulcan Priest from "Enterprise") and Star Trek novelist David R. George III at Pancakes at the Rocks, Sydney, today. Straight off the plane but already greeting the local fans!


Jack, David and Karen were all confident, funny and charismatic guests - and hopefully we represented Australian star trek fandom well. Thanks so much Onelia! I'll see you all on 2nd September in Brissie!