Creation Con Grand Slam, Sunday, May 1, 1999 Pasadena, CA
Creation Con is NOT a fan-run con, like Friscon and Shore Leave. Fan-run cons are more fun, IMO. This one was strictly commercial, but that's how they get the big names to attend, and I had a wonderful time, even though I would have enjoyed myself a lot more if I'd been surrounded by a horde of TrekSmuteers. As it was, I spent waaaay too much money on Trekabilia, but I accomplished several of my mission objectives:
The day in the auditorium (and I use the term loosely) started with a band playing Star Trek music, completely with cheesy light and smoke effects. I was in heaven. Then we had a music video salute to The Four Captains. It was OK, but no better than the fan-produced vids I've seen.
While waiting for the real show to start, the woman next to me started telling me about what an outrageous flirt John de Lancie is. She'd seen a woman "wearing a skirt cut up to *there*" ask him for an autograph and he'd made some joking comment--can't remember what. But the woman said to me, "He needs to be taken over someone's knee and spanked!"
JK <with big shit-eating grin>: Really.
Woman (sourly): Of course he might enjoy it.
I thought, 'Honey, if you only knew who you're talking to.' <g>
DeForest Kelley was schedule to appear, but couldn't because of health. I talked to someone from his fanclub and she said he just had surgery a few weeks ago, and, although he's doing well, they won't let him go home until he's up and able to take care of himself. His wife is in poor health and right now they're both in the same recovery facility--Motion Picture Actors something-or-other.
Brent Spiner was the last minute replacement, and he was lots of fun. He had no prepared remarks and used the entire time to answer questions. He does a killer impression of Patrick Stewart. His hair is very grey and he looked good, although kind of worn, as if he'd been partying too late.
They showed the trailer for "Free Enterprise." This is a movie about two trekkies who meet William Shatner (played by himself) and discover that he's a raving lunatic. The two guys who made the movie talked about it and answered questions. They said the first draft had WS as a figure like Bogart in "Play It Again, Sam"--straightening out the characters' lives. WS told them he didn't want to play a deity. So they rewrote, something more like "My Favorite Year" where the idol has feet of clay.
They were very entertaining, and I loved the stories about how they were trying to sell WS on the idea of doing this movie without revealing that they themselves are life-long Trek fans. At one point, WS suggested they find out the name of the character Jill Ireland played in "This Side of Paradise" and use it in the movie. The one guy said, "Leila Kalomi!" like it was the answer on a game show and the other guy wanted to kill him for blowing their cover. <g> They showed some clips from the movie and it really does look like lots of fun. WS appears to be doing a wonderful send-up of himself, and actors in general. It opens June 4. Then they started mock-dissing Shatner and how he was always telling them what to do. It was obviously a set-up, lots of fun, and in the middle of it, WS came out onstage.
I won't subject you to *how* *much* I enjoyed this (but I could have flown home without a plane), but I was very relieved because I was actually a little scared about seeing him in person. When he's appeared on talk shows, I've usually found him off-putting. But now I understand what LN means when he says he'd spend a half hour in the makeup room with WS and be exhausted. The man is just so full of energy and enthusiasm. He is incapable of just telling a story--he has to *do* the story. This is something that is loads of fun live, and comes across goofy on TV.
He spent quite a bit of time telling stories about De Kelley, which I thought was very gracious and considerate of Kelly's fans, and read a poem De had written, called "The Great Bird's Dream." It's a fairly lengthy, silly, sweet piece about Star Trek. Then he told lots of fun stories in which he was the butt of every joke. I know the man's ego is supposed to be galaxy-class, but it wasn't showing at all that afternoon.
As for showing... <evil grin> He wore a gray sports jacket which frequently and teasingly covered an area I was trying to watch pretty closely. I don't want to exaggerate, but I *know* I saw basket and at least a VE, especially when he would put his hand in his pocket which pulled the front of the jacket back. I have a friend who says he gets a hard-on every time he goes on stage. All the evidence I saw supports that statement. But dammit--every time that jacket moved, it would just throw me into such a tizzy that I'd forget to use the camera! Hey--it was my first Research Safari--gimme a break. But I was humming "A Hard Man Is Good To Find" for the rest of the day.
He was chubby, but not grossly so, and looked very ruddy, as if he'd been out in the sun. The jacket worked really well at disguising figure flaws when viewed from the front and he wisely played front 90% of the time. But if you wanted to take pictures, you had to stand to the side.
I did take *many* pictures, but almost none came out--poor lighting conditions. I was in line to ask a question, but time ran out.
He auctioned off a couple of items for his charities. I didn't bid, even though the woman who paid $4,000 for a pass to a VOY shooting got a kiss. But he was soooo happy when the bidding went over the record for the day before that he stomped around the stage. He really is a big kid.
I was a little stunned when he said he was afraid of heights. He mentioned it while he was talking about various high-up activities (parasailing, climbing the bridge over Sydney harbor, shooting at Yosemite in STV, having to lie at the edge of a cliff in some other movie). I got a little shaky hearing about it, because I too have a fear of heights. I couldn't help thinking of those shots at Yosemite. I wonder if I'll ever be able to watch that again. I always figure the people doing those things don't have a qualm about it, but now... <shiver> Don't look down.
Then it was time for autographs. All you get is a signature, no personalization, and they don't allow photographs. Boo hiss. Most people said "Thank you" but there really wasn't any conversation. They hustled you off pretty fast. So there I was, with my piece of paper in my trembling little paw, hoping/fearing he'll actually *look* at it when he signs it, and when the handler passed it to him, he looked down at it and hesitated. I think he was surprised since everything else he was signing was a picture or an artifact. My Significant Alien pointed out (after getting over his shock at what I'd had WS sign) that he was surprised he would sign anything that was just print, since it could be some sort of agreement. That's why I think he paused. But he signed, and I wanted to say something except I had just turned into a voiceless idiot blinking like a deer in the headlights (hey, if you can't make a fool of yourself at a Star Trek con, where can you?) and then he handed it to me. I opened my mouth to say "Thank you." I may have said it. Who the hell knows?
I *know* he smiled at everyone, and *I* *don't* *care.* He smiled.
Oh. You probably want to see what he signed.
SURPRISE!!! <huge, face-breaking, shit-eating grin>
This is a very poorly run con, as far as letting you know where anything is. Ruth told me that John deLancie was there on Saturday signing autographs and not happy that Creation Con hadn't listed his appearance. I knew other people were supposed to be there, but hadn't seen anyone and the schedule made it look like all the TOS guest stars were there on Friday. So I decided to really hit the dealer's room. I found a "photo book" of "Where No Man Has Gone Before," which I bought for all the ripped-shirt pictures, and the dealer said, "You should get Gary Lockwood to sign this." I knew GL was going to be there at sometime during the weekend and had brought something just in case but I thought I'd missed him. So the dealer told me where the Not Such Big Stars were doing autographs.
Naturally, now that the Big Moment with WS had passed, I was a little light-headed and feeling gutsier, so I walked right up to William Windom and introduced myself. We had a nice chat and he seemed to get a kick out of calling me "Jungle." I've enjoyed him in everything I've seen him do, and he seemed like an easy-going rumpled sort of guy. He autographed a picture from "Doomsday Machine" for me (shown at right).
Then I got Gary Lockwood to autograph "Golden Boy." He asked my name and when I said, "Jungle Kitty," he looked a little puzzled. (Go figure. <grin>) So I pointed at my byline in the zine, and we talked for a minute about writing. He also autographed a picture (shown at left) for me from "2001," because he wanted to show me how much better his signature looks when he does it with the *silver* pen. ??? I didn't understand it, but I thought it was very sweet.
Also there, but I didn't talk to: Grace Lee Whitney, Frank Gorshin, "Marlena Moreau" (can't remember actress' name), various minor players whom I recognized from the Sci Fi Channel "insights." I actually would have liked to speak to GLW, but decided I really couldn't bring myself to make eye contact with her, what with wanting to giggle over having Rand wet her pants in a story, and feeling bad that I dislike that character so intensely, because GLW actually looked quite friendly.
Frances Nuyen was autographing, and I found it interesting that, in all the pictures at her table, not a one included Shatner. I guess they still hate each other.
Went back to cruising the dealer's tables. Then I saw a little tiny sign that said John deLancie was signing in the art area. So I hustled on over there and asked him if he would sign a t-shirt. He seemed to be in a good mood and said, "Sure." I whipped out my TSU t-shirt and laid it on the table.
<JdeL gives JK a strange look>
JK: It's an online group dedicated to Star Trek erotica.
<JK leans over and stretches out the t-shirt, putting her tits right in JdeL's face, who doesn't seem to mind a bit. He enthusiastically signs the shirt with a laundry marker provided by JK>
JdeL (happy and proud): First I've heard of it.
Had a very nice chat with a woman while I was buying a picture of WS w/ EVE in very tight pants at a big NY con in the late 70s.
<JK sees the light in her eyes and recognizes a sister aficionada of EVEs>
Woman: I was at that con. I remember my friend saying, "Why does Marcy let him leave the house dressed like that? It's obscene!"
<JK LOLs at the thought of WS being pussy-whipped>
Woman: But he's always worn his pants very tight.
JK (*very* pleased): Even today.
Woman (also *very* pleased): Even today.
I bought a wonderful picture of Shatner and Nimoy (shown at right), taken during the filming of STIII. It really appealed to me because it's not posed. They look like they're conferring, director and actor, and there's just something so natural and comfortable about it. I think the shadows are lovely.
I also saw a copy of "Strange New Worlds II" and chatted to one of the writers. Anyway, it's out, so hit the bookstores in the name of fanfic!
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