Star Trek Convention Chicago 2013

As most of you know, Rob and I are big Star Trek fans.  Well one day, around January of this year, I was poking around Netflix and saw a documentary entitled, "Trekkies".  I thought to myself, "Oh, why not".  So I clicked play and settled in.  The documentary was fabulous!  So much awesome and awkward, uncomfortable nerdiness in one show!  While I was watching it, I thought about how much FUN it would be to go to a convention!  Rob came home while I was watching it and I mentioned to him that newly added to my bucket list was to attend a Star Trek Convention.  He said ok and that it sounded like a good time!  To which I replied, "Really?!? Because I may have already looked some up and there's a convention in Chicago in May/June".  He laughed and said, "Let's do it!"  I was beyond thrilled!

It felt like forever and we went through a lot of ups and downs with the Navy changing their schedule last minute, but finally the time came for the convention!

Rob was out to sea, so I had to travel alone on my way there.  I was pretty bummed because the 8hr flight there was going to be really boring without him.  But such is Navy life.  I left Honolulu Thursday night about 7:30pm and arrived early in Chicago at about 8am Friday morning.  With a busy day ahead, I rushed from the airport to the shuttle to The Westin O'hare Hotel.

Friday May 31st

The very first thing I did when I got there was check in at the convention (I was an hour too early to check into my hotel room).

 

 After that I poked around the Vendor's Rooms

This is a pretty sweet pocket watch!

Vulcan Foam Fingers! lol

I was tempted to get this beach towel

 Picard's Flute from The Next Generation episode, "The Inner Light"

There were a lot of people in great costumes!  This girl was dressed up as  Counselor Deanna Troi, from The Next Generation.

Here's an actual picture of Troi

Some scary Klingons!

My room was finally ready, so I made my way up stairs.  Look at the elevator button, even the hotel is dressed up for the Convention ;)

Changed and ready for some fun!

The first person I got to see was Jeffrey Combs.  He plays many characters in a couple different Star Trek series...

The Ferengi, Brunt, in ST: Deep Space Nine

The Vorta, Weyoun, in ST: Deep Space Nine

And The Andorian, Commander Shran, in ST: Enterprise

Here's Jeffrey Combs without all the make-up lol

Next was the Star Trek No Minimum Bid Auction.  There were some pretty cool things there and people spent a WHOLE LOT of money!  

Next was Max Grodenchik

He played the Ferengi, Rom, on ST: Deep Space Nine

He was quite funny and had made up a number of song parodies!  Here he is singing a parody of Sonny and Cher's "I've got You Babe", but he called it, "I've got Two Babes".  On the left is Chase Masterson, Leeta, Rom's wife in DS9, Max, and Max's old Girlfriend, Loleeta (who Leeta is named after), a writer for DS9.

Here are Leeta and Rom from the show.

So I was sitting by this guy all of Friday (Rob and I had Preferred Seating, so our seats were assigned).  His comments, laugh, and overall demeanor reminded me so much of Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory!

After a quick nap (the jet lag and lack of sleep before the flight really caught up to me), I attended the ST Yes/No Trivia Game.  It was pretty fun!  There were 3 rounds and the winner received a $200 gift card.  I entered the first round, I thought, "Why not? It's only Yes/No!"  I made it four questions, lol!  I don't know much about The Original Series and my question was something about Capt Kirk's brother's name.  It was still fun to watch!

Dinner at the hotel restaurant Friday night, they had these adorable lil ketchup bottles, lol, I couldn't resist a picture.

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Saturday June 1st

Rob finally arrived Saturday morning.  Poor guy shipped in Friday afternoon to run home and pack, and then hop on a plane Friday night.  Luckily he was able to get a lot of sleep on the plane, but still sleeping on a plane is never good sleep.  Anyhoo, Saturday was a busy day!

This guy was dressed as Q.  One of my favorite characters! Q is in The Next Generation and ST: Voyager series.

Here is the actual Q in The Next Generation's first episode, "Encounter at Farpoint"

Me down in one of the vendor's rooms

We were pretty excited to see Michael Dorn and Marina Sirtis on Stage.

They play Lt Worf and Commander Troi in The Next Generation.  Michael Dorn also plays Lt Commander Worf in ST: Deep Space Nine.

Rob went up to ask them a question.  Pretty excited I got it all on video! (click for video)

Robert got to get his picture with Sir Patrick Stewart, who everyone knows him as Capt Jean Luc Picard from The Next Generation!  Rob was beyond excited to meet his childhood hero!  I wasn't able to go in, since I wasn't getting my picture with him.  I asked Rob how it was when he came out, he said he was so excited has no idea what just happened lol  Thankfully the picture looks great!

Afterwards we got to get Ethan Phillips' autograph.  He plays Neelix in ST: Voyager

A couple years ago, my awesome Mother-in-Law got me this cookbook.  I love reading it, it's hilarious!  It even has some really great recipes!  And when I read that Ethan Phillips would be at the convention, I squealed in joy at the thought of him signing my cookbook!

Ethan Phillips is super nice!  We had the greatest conversation with him!  

He showed us his favorite recipe from the book, says he makes it about once a week!  He even read his favorite blurb from the book!  It was exciting to hear it in his own voice!  Too funny! :)

While we were chatting, Rob extended Ethan an invitation that if he was ever in Hawaii, he could have a tour of Rob's ship.  Ethan was delighted!  Thanked Rob for his service and said that he and his wife actually had a trip planned.  Rob gave him his email address and Ethan said he'd contact Rob when he was here in Oahu!  AWESOME!

After getting Ethan Phillips' autograph we got, Nana Visitor's.  She plays Kira Nerys on ST: Deep Space Nine.

And Rene Auberjonois' autograph, who is Odo on ST: Deep Space Nine.

The Costume Contest!  It was great!  So many people put such amazing hard work into their costumes, it was great to see!

Here is Data from the ST: Generations movie.  She looked AMAZING!  So excited she won first place!

Here's the actual Data from the movie.

Here's the actual Geordi La Forge, the guy above looks pretty good!

Geordi, myself, and Data

This picture shows Q, the Borg Queen, Data, a little Vulcan, and a Crewman.  The Borg Queen won second place in the costume contest.  (The crewman was from Russia, and she won one of the Yes/No Trivia games).

The actual Borg Queen

The Borg Collective.  Their costumes were amazingly intricate!  They won third place.  I think it should of been second, for all the work they did, but third is still good especially for all the people who entered!

Here's the actual collective.  Resistance is futile. ;)

Me with a Female Klingon

Help! She's choking me! 

Kes, from ST: Voyager!

Looked just like the real thing!

Nana Visitor was on stage next.  

Here she is answering Rob's question on how she enjoyed being the Pet Therapist on Castle. lol She said even though everyone tells you as an actor you should never work with kids or animals, she loved it!  If you haven't seen that episode, you should! Her part is HILarious!  If you haven't ever watched Castle, you DEFINITELY SHOULD!

After Nana, we walked around the Vendor's rooms some more and purchased ourselves some uniforms!  Rob's in a Command uniform from the new Star Trek movies (he says it's pretty much the only thing he REALLY likes about the new movies).

Though I don't know a whole lot (yet) about The Original Series of Star Trek, I was rockin' this outfit! So I had to get it. Though I kept my capris on, not as brazen as some to wear it the actual way...

Sir Patrick Stewart took the stage.  It was great to not only hear about what he is doing now, but also to hear some personal things.  Challenges he's over come and the great charities/organizations he works with now because of those challenges.

Rene Auberjonois, Odo from ST: Deep Space Nine, and Ethan Phillips, Neelix from ST: Voyager, had a pretty humorous set.  Lots of silly, though adult, jokes.

Saturday night was The Next Generation Reunion!  90 mins of TNG stories, personal stories, and answering questions.  

From left to right: Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher), Michael Dorn (Worf), Brent Spiner (Data), LeVar Burton (Geordi LaForge), Sir Patrick Stewart (Capt Jean Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (William Riker), Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi), and one of the writers.

After the TNG Reunion, was the KARAOKE PARTY!  Rene Auberjonois and Nana Visitor joined us for the first portion.

Here's Dave singing Sinatra to Nana

Funny side story: Dave and I knew each other in Virginia.  It was so random that we ran into each other here in Chicago!  Though I'm glad we did, we had soooooo much fun with him and his friends!  

And Rebecca singing to Rene

You HAVE to head bang to "Bohemian Rhapsody".  Even if your neck hurts for three days afterwards.  It's worth it!

I ran upstairs after a little while to changed back into my uniform and match Rebecca, so the two of us could become the Official Star Trek Convention Back-up Dancers lol

Here is Dave, life of the party, making sure EVERYONE has a good time!

To be honest, I really think our group in the corner MADE that party! Dave and Rebecca getting everyone to sing.  Dave, Rebecca, and I getting everyone to dance.  Rob clapping so vigorously for everyone even if their singing wasn't the best.  Just all around good fun!

Back-up dancing for Jen!

By the way, it's kinda hard to dance in flip flops.

LOL The Binars and Liator singing "Afternoon Delight".  

That guy was definitely... brave... to wear that outfit.  LOL

These are the actual Binars from TNG.

Here is Liator from TNG episode, "Justice" 

(you're welcome for me not posting a full length pic.  I think what is posted above is enough lol)

An Andorian rapping! lol 

Oh yes, we were really shaking it! 

We really got into singing "Jukebox Hero"

I told you, we REALLY got into it! lol  What's karaoke without horrible pictures of what you look like crazy singing on stage?!? lol

The ever so studly Rob, and myself

Loved the beehive hairdo!

Jen and her back-up dancers

James, Rob, and Jay the Vulcan

Small world: We just met James at the convention.  Turns out James' brother-in-law was on the USS Chafee with Rob!

Rob and Kes (aka Andrea)

Rob, Jen, and I hanging loose

Rob, Jen, James, and Johnny from NYC

Rob, Jay the Vulcan, and myself.  

Rob cracks up every time he sees this picture.  Says my face is the best!  I was just doing the best Vulcan face I could think of :)

Jay the Vulcan, Kes (Andrea), Dave, and Rob

Karaoke was a BLAST!  We had sooooo much fun and would of continued to have fun if they hadn't kicked us out! lol We sang from 9pm until 2am!

*A special thanks to Pete, Rebecca's husband, for taking many of our awesome karaoke pics!!!

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Sunday June 2nd

As many of you know, I worked really hard on this skirt and I think it turned out really well!  My first skirt that I've ever done 100% by myself :D  As I was quite please with how it came out, I was very eager to wear it at the convention. 

Here is the material close-up

Here I am in my skirt!  I was excited that I actually found a shirt that matched so well!

Rob told me, way back when we purchased our tickets in March, that if he got his picture with Sir Patrick Stewart, then I could take a picture with whoever I wanted!  Or ten pictures!  The obvious choice was Marina Sirtis and Jonathan Frakes!  Troi and Riker are my FAVORITE Star Trek couple <3

So, I was pretty excited to get my picture with them.  I was next in line and I was waiting very eagerly!  When it was my turn and I was walking up to them, Jonathan Frakes said to me, "Hi pretty lady!"  I was so taken back, I just got a HUGE grin on my face and said, "Hello" lol  If I was giddy enough, Marina turns to me and says, "Wow, you have beautiful hair!" To which Jonathan replies, "Yeah! Gorgeous"  All I could do was stammer a "thank you!!!"  When the picture was done, they each gave me a hug.  I'm pretty sure I said thank you again, that it was great to meet them, and that Marina was beautiful as well.  When I got to Rob, I told him what happened!  I was like, "I have no idea if I sucked in my stomach and I was probably smiling so big that I have five chins!"  Thankfully that wasn't the case lol I think the picture looks great! :D

The most hilarious duo on stage! Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner!  They had the whole audience in stitches!

Brent Spiner as Data from The Next Generation.  

He was always one of my favorite characters.  Maybe because I really enjoyed him trying to experience human things.  Maybe because he was an Android and my Madre alway called me her Android Trooper.  Maybe because he loved to play Sherlock Holmes on the Holodeck and I'm a HUGE Sherlock Holmes fan.  I'm sure it's all of these above!

Jonathan Frakes as William Riker from The Next Generation 

(Not gonna lie, totally have a mini crush on him, lol  Don't worry, Rob knows)

Jonathan walking through the aisle of the audience

Rob and I with a Tribble.  I thought this was such a cute and clever costume.

Agh!  She has Tribble babies!

This guy is the father of the girl who dressed up as Data.  He was also on the USS Eisenhower.  Rob's fellow Ike Warrior!

After a much needed day of rest, we concluded our Trek experience with dinner at a near by Pizza place.  This was the buzzer to wait to be seated.  I thought it was pretty ingenious! Oh, and the pizza was DELICIOUS!  (Yes, I had pizza!  I might of picked all the cheese off the pizza to save my stomach any undo torture, but it was still delicious none the less).

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Monday June 3rd

On Monday we packed up and headed back to Hawaii.  We were kinda sad to leave because we had such an amazing time and met so many wonderful people.  But needless to say, this won't be our last convention!!!

Hope you enjoyed the plethora of pictures and all the fun that Star Trek brings :D