To Boldly Go

My nerdy side got to take over this weekend when I volunteered at a Star Trek convention in Seattle. So much geeky goodness! I also had the opportunity to travel with & get to know some fellow nerdy friends from Vancouver.

Volunteering at the convention also meant I spent the weekend as some semblance of a meeting planner - my former professional life. I enjoyed the opportunity, though I wasn't the person worried about attendee experience & budgetary restrictions. Still, it was a good feeling... like visiting a friend you hadn't seen in a while and picking up right where you left off.

The highlights, though, were nerdy in nature. I finally finished my TNG (Star Trek: The Next Generation) main cast autograph collection with a signature from Denise Crosby, who played Lieutenant Natasha Yar.  (I may have chosen the name Natasha in 7th grade German class because of her character. And by may, I mean that I absolutely did.)

I also purchased a photo op... because, obviously.

I've attended conventions since I was young and the reaction to "I'm going to a Star Trek convention!" is always the same - a snicker, a laugh, or an disbelieving stare. For those not familiar with Trek, us fans do love the shiny starships and big, giant space guns. First and foremost, however, Star Trek is about humanism and social commentary. If you're feeling even a bit philosophical, I encourage you to consider the video linked below. 

If you're not feeling philosophical or just enjoy watching professionals make mistakes, I invite you to enjoy this blooper reel.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2 Blooper Reel

Either way, I encourage all of us to take Captain Picard's words to heart, when he says, "Seize the time. Live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again."

Boldly Go, my friends.