Praying frequencies open!

Please keep actress Nichelle Nichols, most famous as Nyota Uhura on Star Trek: The Original Series, in your thoughts and prayers.

Her representative Zach McGinnis announced earlier today,

"Last night while at her home in L.A., Nichelle Nichols suffered from a mild stroke. She is currently undergoing testing to determine how severe the stroke was. Please keep her in your thoughts."

I'm sure my doppelgänger in Los Angeles is worried.

No Tribble at all

It has taken way, way too long, but Steampunk Uhura is finally on her way to Nichelle Nichols!

In case you're late in joining this story already in progress, Momma took me and my dear friend Phoebe to Phoenix Comicon 13 last May to meet Nichelle Nichols - AKA Lieutenant Nyota Uhura of Star Trek: The Original Series fame. 

Ms. Nichols liked me so much she asked for one just like me! 

Swoon!

Well, we all know there is only one ME, but Momma worked hard to recreate a steampunk doppelgänger just for her.

Sadly, between the time it took to create Steampunk Uhura and Momma's bouts with pneumonia, Bell's Palsy, a hospitalization, etc., it took until today for Momma to send Steampunk Uhura on her way.

But Steampunk Uhura is really and truly headed to California to live with Momma Nichols.

I hope she likes her!

BTW, someone commented on Ms. Nichol's Twitter page about the lock and chain I was wearing.

I want to say that I wear the Master lock and chain as a symbol of my origins, but only I have the key.

Fair haven

Now that temperatures are finally dropping in the Phoenix area it is time for the 128th Arizona State Fair!

This year's fair is especially exciting because of Star Trek: The Exhibition.


Visitors will enjoy an interactive, museum-style experience of one of the largest collections of authentic Star Trek artifacts and information ever put on display. Included in the Exhibition are the Star Trek: The Original Series bridge, a Timeline wall, the Scorpion fighter from Nemesis, Dr. Crusher’s sick bay and a motion simulator. Fans will also be able to enjoy interactive kiosks and photo opportunities, including one with Kirk’s captain’s chair.

The Arizona State Fair's history spans three centuries. It was 128 years ago, in the territorial days before statehood, when Arizonans first began coming together to show their best livestock, share their agricultural accomplishments, and have fun.

In November of 1884, a group of citizens in the territory of Arizona wanted to organize an event with the family in mind. The very first Arizona Territorial Fair was held in Phoenix in late fall, near the Salt River west of Central Avenue. Fairgoers of the day were treated to horse, pony, and mule races along with exhibits including agriculture, home economics, and dairy and beef cattle. Fairs were held here annually until 1891, when the untamed Salt River flooded and destroyed the site's buildings and racetrack.

Reviving the Fair became the mission of a citizens' group which formed the Arizona Territorial Fair Association in 1905. Financed by its members, the group led by hotelier J.C. Adams purchased the present location for $9,200.

The Association immediately developed the property, adding two racetracks, a grandstand, and a wooden fence around the grounds.

To aid the Association with their 80-acre development, the Territory of Arizona created a Fair Commission. With a legislative appropriation of $22,500, the Commission constructed two buildings on the property.

After renting the property from the Fair Association for $10 a year, the Fair Commission purchased the property in 1909 for $30,000. With statehood granted in 1912, the State Fair Commission continued the work of the Territorial Fair Commission in presenting the annual Fair. With the exceptions of 1921 (cotton crop failure), 1934 to 1939 (Depression era), and 1943 to 1945 (World War II), the Fair has been presented yearly.

The 2012 Arizona State Fair preserves the best of the Fair's traditions, while moving forward with 21st Century innovations in technologies for education and entertainment. This year's Fair marks the 67th consecutive time Arizonans have celebrated with an annual State Fair. 

Weird science

I'm sorry I haven't written for a few days, but I had to put my nursing cap on.

Again.

Momma came down with La Grippe and Grandpoppa got double pneumonia ... on the same day.

So I weakly take keyboard in hand to tell you two exciting things:

1. Steampunk Uhura is almost ready to report for duty!

2. Among the new items revealed this week at the new American Girl Store Columbus (Ohio) was a Science Lab Set for $36! It apparently comes with a microscope, five slides in a box, three test tubes in a rack, safety glasses, an apron, and a science book. 

Mwa ha ha!

So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?

Resistance is futile

Steampunk Uhura

Woo hoo!

Steampunk Uhura has arrived and begun her transformation!

Remember how Nichelle Nichols, the original Uhura from Star Trek: The Original Series, met Phoebe and me at Phoenix Comicon and wanted her very own version of Moi?

Surprisingly, Momma found an Addy Walker on eBay that looks remarkably like me - complete with tiny braids in her hair and the beginnings of silver-eye in her right eye.

Awesome!

In the meantime, Momma has been assembling Steampunk Uhura a duplicate outfit:

• red uniform: Enchanted Designer
• black fishnet tights: Cupcake Cutie Pie
• black lace mitts: I Dream of Jeanne Marie 
• black snood: Darling Dolly
• black boots: eBay
• chain belt and lock: hardware store
• headband: hardware store

I am (of course) one of a kind, but it is flattering to watch the creation of My Twin for none other than the fabulous Nichelle Nichols.

To boldly geek

Nichelle Nichols

Pardon me while I squee!

Nichelle Nichols actually Tweeted about Momma, Phoebe, and I!

Just in case you didn't believe me. 

Best.

Comicon.

Ever!

I'm a dork-able

What a whirlwind four days.

Talk about blissfully exhausted.

Phoenix Comicon 13 was a blast. In its 13 years it has grown from 400 attendees in one day to more than 30,000 in four days.

Phoebe and I met Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols, who signed us and loved us so much she asked for her very own version of Me. (I, of course, graciously agreed.)

We met Wil Wheaton (again) who signed my Li'l Wil and rolled his eyes at my peacebonded knife and leg. (Apparently Wheaton still does not realize what a threat I am!)

Clementine met Jewel Staite, the ship's mechanic Kaylee Frye on Firefly and Serenity, who signed her tummy.

We also go to say hi to Kristin Bauer who plays the vampire Pam on True Blood.

We attended workshops and panels, met authors and illustrators, and watched people in all kinds of costumes.

(Not to mention hundreds of booths filled with geeky goodness.)

I have hundreds of photos to edit and share, but the internet is being g-l-a-c-i-a-l so I'll share them tomorrow.

Of course there will be more to report this week, but for now it is time for us to rest.

Zzzz....

Let's make a deal

It is now official.

Within a month or two beloved Star Trek: The Original Series actress Nichelle Nichols will have a cloned copy of Yours Truly.

We stopped by today while Nichols was signing autographs at Phoenix Comicon to see if she really, truly wanted an Uhura fangirl doll - and she did!

(We also asked which doll she wanted. While she loved Phoebe it was My Awesomeness that won her over.)

What a brilliant woman!

While we all know that I am An Original, Momma agreed to make a doppelgänger just for her.

Now Momma is off to scour the world for a doll that looks something like me - as well as try to recreate my Awesome Star Trek fangirl costume.

Stay Tuned!

Down to Earth

I am so excited I don't even need my beloved Airship Enterprise to be in the clouds.

Nichelle Nichols likes Me us! She really, really likes Me us!

Nichols, well known as Lt. Uhura of Star Trek: The Original Series television series and six feature films, is also a singer, dancer, and a lifelong supporter of the arts and sciences.

Today at Comicon we made a beeline for Nichols to get her autograph. She loved us! In fact, she wanted to keep us but Momma said that wasn't possible.

(Phoebe got her tummy signed!)

Later, we went for a photo opportunity where Nichols again admired us. Momma said it still wasn't possible to give either of us to her, but if Nichols really wanted a doll she would make her one - and Nichols said, "Yes!"

Legged and dangerous

I am so psyched. 

As you might recall, Lieutenant Uhura carries a knife in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode, "Mirror, Mirror."

My knife, since it is metal, was deemed to be a threat at Phoenix Comicon and was peace-bonded.

So was my leg. 

A peace-bonding is a conspicuous lock, tie, or mark which makes or identifies something as unusable as a weapon, that is, that the owner's intentions are purely peaceful.

At some conventions, attendees carry real weapons or costume props that appear to be weapons. To forestall concerns about mis-use of real weapons at such events, the security team "peace-bonds" anything that might look like a weapon.

The event's "weapons policy" may offer objective criteria to determine what looks like a weapon. For example, a weapons policy may require a peace-bond for anything that a reasonable person might recognize as a weapon from a short distance in dim light.

Real weapons, if allowed, are disabled, secured, and marked. For example, bright orange zip ties may be used to hold a sword in a scabbard or to hold a pistol in a holster.

As for my leg, maybe I should pursue kick-boxing?

 

Make it so, Number 26

Energize.

Stardate 47988

On this date in 1994, Star Trek: The Next Generation ended with the episode, "All Good Things...."

ST:TNG was an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise.  The show was created 21 years after the original Star Trek show and ran for seven seasons, unlike The Original Series which ran for only three seasons.

Phoebe is an Uhura fangirl, but I persuaded her to visit the future with me.

She liked how Captain Picard called Commander Riker Number One, so I promised I'd call her Number 26.

She was not amused.

Mirror, Mirror

Phoebe fangirling as Uhura/EofA

After considerable debate, I have decided how I shall dress when I go to Phoenix Comicon 13 in May with Momma and my Dear Friend, Phoebe.

Phoebe will be fangirling as Lt. Nyota Uhura, so I have decided to do my own steampunkish version of Uhura in the classic 1967 Star Trek episode, Mirror, Mirror.

Beamed up during an ion storm, the landing party find themselves in a mirror universe aboard an Enterprise run by ruthless barbarians.

Enchanted Designer/Etsy

Momma ordered me my very own Star Trek uniform, to which I shall add my own special touches once it arrives.

(I do, however, refuse to bare my tummy!)

Stay tuned!

 

Attention all hands!

Oh, is my good friend Phoebe going to swoon when she hears that Nichelle Nichols is one of the scheduled guests for the upcoming Phoenix Comicon!

photo by EofA/used with permission

As you might recall, Phoebe is the original Uhura fangirl.

Nichols, an actress, singer and voice artist who broke racial barriers on Star Trek: The Original Series as Lt. Uhura, will become the last of the surviving main cast to appear at Phoenix Comicon.

Incidentally, Walter Koenig who played Ensign Pavel Chekov on Star Trek: The Original Series is also scheduled to appear at Phoenix Comicon.

Woo hoo!

Hailing frequencies open, Captain

photo by EofA/used with permission

I was chatting with my dear friend Phoebe (right) and mentioned that I was going to the upcoming Phoenix Comicon and she nearly swooned!

See, Phoebe is the original "Uhura fangirl" and she likes all things Star Trek (and geeky) too.

(She's adament that she's fangirling as Uhura by wearing the costume whenever she can, not that she is Uhura.)

rabittooth.com

I admit, I like her futuristic look a lot but I refuse to wear what Momma says is a pushpin in my ear!

I'll carry the punk look only so far!

While I don't think she has seen the steampunk light, she does have a great sense of style.

Do you think this "steamy" photo might change her mind?