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Well, let's start off with the confessions and denials. I am a geek. This doesn't generally
bother me. I am not, however, either a trekkie or Sci-Fi fan in general. I've probably read less
than a dozen books which would qualify, and don't watch any TV program with any regularity,
Star Trek or otherwise.
In fact, all this was running through my head while I was asking myself "Why the HELL am I going
to a Star Trek convention?". Good question. Here's my aborted attempt at an answer:
The story so far...
At the time, I'd just recently purchased my digital camera, and was interested in trying it out.
I also was itching for some more event photography. Finally, I'd had so much fun at Anime North
(despite my no longer being much of an anime fan) that I decided to enjoy the event on my
own terms. So, the scenario was as follows: myself, and some people who are fun to be with
were going to have a fun weekend. It just so happened we were around a bunch of sci-fi fans. That and I got to embrace my inner geek for a weekend, so there.
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With that rationalization out of the way, I decided to come along. What was I doing for the
weekend? I was playing the official group photographer for our merry band of fans. Together, Erica, Sunny, Kisa, Louise and Jesse (plus more on arrival; more on that later)
went off with me in tow for the weekend.
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Ahead of us lay the journey to Toronto Trek. The trip began with the customary waiting for
a ride. Kisa, Louise, Jesse and myself waited outside to escape the lack of air inside, as
well as Tsuki, Kisa's evil cat. Expectations were shared, ideas were discussed, and we all agreed
that we were tired; I had about 3 hours of sleep, while Kisa and Louise had none. Perhaps going to
Purgatory the night before (followed by Kisa and Louise staying up to work on costumes) was not a good idea.
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Our first stop was the Bulk Barn, the supplier of cheap yet plentiful candy. We all stocked
up enough to ensure a healthy sugar rush that would last us the remainder of the weekend. Then,
the trip really began: three-and-a-half hours of giddy conversation, aborted attempts at sleep
and Japanese rock.
Upon arriving in the van, Jesse promptly vanished, citing some excuse about going home.
Personally, I think she heard and saw things on the van ride that struck terror into her heart.
It probably was the J-rock, come to think of it.
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Erica had to run off to pick up more victims, so myself, Kisa and Louise waited around and entertained
ourselves in the only manner we know how: attracting attention. Louise and Kisa decided to pose
in a somewhat provocative manner while I had the solemn duty of taking pictures; it's a tough job, but
someone has to do it.
Despite the glares of some surrounding people, we got the shot on the left; it's without question my
favourite shot of the weekend, and one of the best shots so far with my camera. The actual picture is 2048 X 1536
but I think this gives you an idea of what it looked like.
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After we had taken some pictures, Xiola arrived. Don't let her innocent looks fool you: she's evil incarnate, and I think that's great.
Case in point: while wandering through the lobby, we watched a kid freaking out as his parents, in turn freaked out. Apparently he had
caught his arm in the revolving door, and was screaming like a banshee. His mom was screaming back that it was all his (or his sibling's, couldn't tell) fault.
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Inside the elevator, there were some other people talking about it. Xiola provided the words of wisdom that
will live with me forever: "He deserved it, he had a mullet". Those are words to live by.
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Well, time to go age significantly in line... |
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So, the four of us gathered, Louise, Kisa and Xiola suited up in costume, and we prepared ourself for what
seemed to be the favourite activity of the sci-fi fan: waiting in line with Sara. Sci-fi fans must love lineups, because there were
plenty around this weekend. The first one was the registration line-up, which absurdly enough, is a lineup for the privellege
of paying to be in more line-ups. What a world.
So, the lineup and the "technical difficulties" (i.e. staffers not being there to accept registrations) began.
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The only bright spot was the goth guy with a kid on a leash. Sadly, he wouldn't let us take his picture. At this point in time, we were also getting kinda worried, since Erica and Sunny had not yet returned, and it had been a few hours.
But, rather than worrying about possible death in a grisly road accident, we laughed at people and geeked out until we had all registered.
Then the weekend had truly begun...
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