Shore Leave

you might look sad too if you were the last Jedi

Not quite a bucket list item but “Shore Leave” left a mark on me.  Shore Leave is a fan run Sci-Fi gathering that occurs once a year in Hunt Valley, MD.  It’s been around a long time and since Deb is a big sci-fi fan, as is her son, it was time we took the trip up to see what happens there.

Can I admit that I was hesitant to go? Don’t get me wrong I do like a go sci-fi story.  I’m neither a die-hard Trekkie, nor bitter Star Wars junkie, though I’ve seen most of the movies and series.  They’re fun and they have action.  I’ve enjoyed Atlantis and SG1.

What I am not, is an ardent fan that knows every character, the actor or actress that portrays them, nor the episode names.  I do not speak Klingon, though I know the character Warf (not sure if that’s how you spell the name.) I recognize Leonard Nimoy and know he’s the ‘real’ Spock. I know of a few other shows because of my lovely wife.  There is an interesting show called Dark Matter that she’s been watching lately.  I don’t know any of the characters, though there is an android that’s got some fun lines.  I’m not really sure of the premise of the show either.  Suffice it to say, that sci-fi is fine with me, but I am by no means an aficionado.

Who is this supposed to be? He's no Doctor,, is he?

Therein lies the rub, what would I, a mere novice in the sci-fi realm get out of a sci-fi fan based gathering?  I knew there would be some proportion of avid fans costumed in homage to their heroes. Beyond that, I knew little going into this adventure, so what would I do while there?    Well, if nothing else, I could always people watch, and that’s exactly what I did!

I have to say it was a great experience, it was fun, and entertaining, and I even was educated during the event.

I will admit to not knowing many of the characters or shows that were on display.  Maybe you can help me out with some of the photos below.

There were plenty of vendors on the main floor and included a few authors.  Here Deb got talking to one of them.

So, in this case (below) a Star Gate guy with a Star Trek box..  I found that amusing, but I'm easily amused.

Okay, so the photo below reminds me there were a number of folks that looked to be in a style I might term Steampunk.  Is there a show I'm missing?

Steampunk w/ Star Trek choker.. nice!

SG has a pretty good following

I don't recognize this uniform,  can you help me out?

Not sure what category to place this style, but it was catchy.  

A jedi and two stark trek guys walk into a bar...  which one doesn't come out... the RED shirt of course!

Three of my amigos, talking to another author

When Picachu  is happy on the outside, but not the inside

Green Lantern?  

Steampunk or some particular character?

"I"m going to make a statement, one button at a time!"

Okay, I need help with this character too,, there's another photo below ... she has claws!

There was one vendor with some models, you could buy them assembled if you wished.

CLAWS!

I very nearly lost my life!

The best part about the guy in the costume above was that his backpack park had a sound system so he had his own soundtrack playing when he walked by!  VERY CREATIVE!

Now the young lady was walking by when I snapped the first photo.  She obviously is looking straight at me.  She paused, and very politely, but with just a hint of attitude simply said "you can ask us to pose."  So she did!  I didn't know the protocol, sorry if I offended anyone with my candid camera.  I need help though, who is she?  What character and show?

The photo above made me smirk.  You again have Star Wars (old school) vs Star Trek in a friendly conversation.  Both movies have a western feel to them in some ways, and in this photo there are horse running over them .. well above them.  The horse are there to represent Hunt Valley.. fox hunting. 

I haven't dared to watch the acclaimed show Handmaid's Tale, but I think one of the pregnant cast got away!  (photo below)

There are also a variety of ‘sessions’ that you can attend.  There was a very large ball room that held a Q&A session with two of the actors from Dark Matter and several other stars were on hand as well for photo-ops and autographs.  There was a ‘game’ room with tables of folks playing RPGs.  And there was even an astrophysicist Rachael Livermore that provided entertaining comment on what’s right, wrong and bizarre about the physics shown in movies.  She was brilliant, witty, spoke well and was incredibly entertaining. Dr. Livermore is now working at Texas University but also critiques movies as http://snarkyastronomer.tumblr.com/     She  shared several clips from serious docudramas like Apollo 13 to comedies like Galaxy Quest.  I have to say her talk was a highlight for me and Deborah. 

The photo isn't great, but considering the room was extremely dark, it's not bad and gives a little context.

This Klingon was actually very polite and well manner.  Excellent costume!

Jodelle and Marc taking some Q & A.  They are from Dark Matter, and I have to say they too were a delight to listen to.

The face shields had the red LEDs  moving from left to right and back again.  Very well done!!

Not sure why the interview crew chose this lighting for Dr. Livermore.  You can see too that she is a true GEEK!  Love it.

I think he was with security.  

Q was there!, The gal with the shorts was with him... costume?  

Those Star Trek guys were even running the board for the Q & A of the Dark Matter guests.

David, Jeff and Deborah taking in the Q & A at Dark Matter..  it must have been funny.

Well, that's a wrap for now.

My take away is that I need to step out to the edge a little more.  There are people here in the sci-fi realm that are passionate about what they watch, and passionate about space and science.  We all could learn something from them.  I also occurs to me that we don't think twice about a football fan that declares "his" or "her" team.  People will say . the Redskins are "MY" team, and they might wear a uniform of the team with a particular player's number on it.  These sci-fi advocates are not really any different in that regard now are they?  I wonder is TV shows should put ID numbers on the uniforms? We might know how many Red Shirt (expendable crewmen) we've lost over the years!

I also learned that I need to just step up and ask if I can take some photos of the costumed people.  Maybe next year!!

Peace,

Brian F>