Trekkies

Ok, so on Saturday before we watched the travelling pants movie, we watched the documentary Trekkies (1997). It is a film about Star Trek fans otherwise known as Trekkies or Trekkers. To be a fan is one thing, but to be a "Trekkie" puts you in a whole different league. I myself have watched one Star Trek episode in my life and don't quite understand the phenomenon. This film however always puts me in a good mood, i must purchase it, as i am blown away by the "trekkies."

My favourite fan is Gabriel Koerner. He is fourteen and has attended 28 conventions so far. He and his "Star Trek" club are planning to shoot their own "Star Trek" movie and Gabriel is creating special effects on his home computer. He also sports a mullet and dresses up for the conventions (and then complains that the details on the outfits are incorrect). Gabriel had his father build a shuttlecraft on the back of his truck.

My favorite part in the film is when Gabriel is at home infront of his computer being interviewed and the phone rings. He picks up the phone and yells "PETER, this is the WORST time you could have called, I'M BUSY" or something along those lines. I laughed so hard i began to cry when i saw that part.

My next favorite person in the documentary is Barbara Adams. This blurb was taken from the website http://www.trekdoc.com/synopsis.htm (Where you can read more on this fascinating film)

"Barbara Adams was chosen for jury duty in the Whitewater trial in Little Rock, Arkansas. She also wore her Starfleet Commanding Officer's uniform to the trial. Unusual, you might say? Not to Lt. Commander Barbara Adams, who rarely leaves home without her rank pips, tricorder, phaser, and communicator badge. She has embraced the philosophy espoused in "Star Trek" and lives her life accordingly. Barbara is a bright and thoughtful woman as well as a talented artist. She also happens to be a fascinating subject, as we discovered following her through a typical day as a true-blue Trekkie, while she lets us in on what this personally means to her."

Barbara wears her phaser among other things on a belt to work and insists on her co-workers calling her the "Commander."

There is a dentist whose practice has a Star Trek theme and his staff all wear Star Trek uniforms. They show a language school which teaches people how to speak proper Klingon. I'm telling you all, if you have not seen this documentary you must put it on your list of things to watch. It is educational whilst being extremely funny and entertaining. Just wait, when you hear Gabriel yelling "PETER" into the phone you'll realize it was worth it.


For more information on Trekkies visit:
http://www.trekdoc.com/synopsis.htm

For Gabriel's Site visit:
http://gabekoerner.com/personal/index.htm

(This film has made a few of my friends and I want to attend the next convention in a city nearby, mostly for shits and giggles, perhaps to gawk but whatever. We just may learn something new....see i'm keeping up with my New Year's Resolution and stepping out of the box)