Fanboy Expo 2017 - Saturday
Saturday
The Borg (“Star Trek”) say "resistance is futile" but this one posed for a selfie and let me go unassimilated.
I am SO very pleased with this banner. I designed it using Vistaprint, the same company from which I order my business cards and other marketing materials.
I didn’t know this guy but, since bacon makes everything better, I had to get a picture with him!
I occasionally relieved either the violinist or violist of the trio and played with the group myself. One of my favorite moments of the whole weekend was when someone dressed as Davy Jones walked up to us and boldly asked, in character: "Do you have any Pirates of the Caribbean music?" It wasn't on our set list but I accepted his challenge and started playing the Pirates theme from memory. His response was a surprised smile (I think) as he patted my shoulder and heartily thanked me.
With Connie
With David
I saw several friends on Saturday including Connie, a friend from grad school (note her Trek pin!). On Friday, Connie didn’t get photos or autographs with the Trek guys but we went to Michael Dorn’s table in the exhibition hall so she could say hello. I still had on my Uhura dress and, when I said “Hi, I took a photo with your earlier!” Michael grinned and said “As if I could forget you.” I then proceeded to melt into a fangirl puddle on the floor. I also ran into David, a musician friend who was the most stylish Harry Potter I’ve ever seen. You can see a bit of the chain from my Doctor Who pocket watch in our photo, along with the sonic screwdriver I’m holding (I was mixing fandoms that day).
My tee shirt says “STAY GOLD PONYBOY” which is a line from the movie The Outsiders. Ponyboy, the protagonist, has to memorize the Robert Frost poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” for school and his close friend Johnny explains what it means (I won’t say more…spoilers!). One of the vendors at the convention was selling screen-printed shirts, many of them having to do with actors and artists who were attending the event that weekend (smart businessperson). I saw this shirt on Friday and went back to get it on Saturday so that I could wear it for the Outsiders photo opp (a shot with C. Thomas Howell and Ralph Macchio). I took this selfie as I waited in line for the photo opp. The natural lighting really highlights my purple hair!
With C. Thomas Howell and Ralph Macchio
Finally, it was the moment I'd been waiting for. I walked in, proudly wearing my Stay Gold tee shirt and Ralph motioned for me to approach, saying “Come on in, Ponygirl…” Immediately his face showed that he realized how awkward that sounded, but I didn’t care one bit. I was too excited!
I know that there’s no real time to say anything to actors in photo opps (as they’re just trying to get everyone through quickly). Therefore, I needed to say something quick and clever to let these two know how much I enjoyed all of the roles they’d played from the early 80s through today. Unfortunately all that came out was “Ohmygosh, I love the Outsiders!” Great job, fangirl! :)
Posing with Brittany
Posing with Data :)
Trekkie crew, L-R: Elizabeth, Brittany, and Mary Beth
Brittany is a new friend I made at the Expo. The day before she’d been dressed as Princess Zelda (Legend of Zelda) and sat in on violin with my trio (I was away when this happened). I’m glad that I got to meet her on Saturday when she was dressed as Data from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” We took two selfies—first a joking one and then one where she was in character as the emotionless android.
Another grad school friend, Mary Beth, showed up along with her mom. Since they were both wearing Star Trek costumes (original series), several people asked them to pose with Brittany. I only wish I’d still had my Uhura costume on!
I had the most fun on Saturday, but it was also the most exhausting day. I wasn't sure if I was going to go back on Sunday or not; I hadn't hired the musicians to play so it would just be me. In the end, I decided to go back and get the expensive autographs after all...