Saturday, October 23, 2010 (Day Two)

Today was the biggest day of the convention as far as activities and celebrities go. We were slated for Casey Biggs, Jeffrey Combs, Marc Alaimo, Armin Shimerman, Max Grodenchik and Vaughn Armstrong for the entire day. Needless to say I was in heaven, especially about meeting Marc Alaimo and Armin Shimerman because these two actors have had the most impact on me. Marc Alaimo moreso because he has that commanding and unmistakable voice, and a certain machismo that just sucks me in (yes I be crushing on that Cardassian).

We were treated to an auction of various Sci-Fi items and I was fortunate enough to snag a 4-piece TNG plate set made by the Hamilton Collection (Picard, Data, Worf and a plate with various characters). I missed out on a set of autographs that had Matt Frewer and Adrien Paul in them, damnit! There’s always tomorrow, hopefully!

We then had the autograph session with the actors (except for Max Grodenchik, who remained a separate entity for the entire weekend). Zoe was able to snag some sweet lines from the actors (as I thought she would) in her autograph book. I got a couple of great lines as well, but she made out like a bandit! I even mentioned that while she was getting her autograph from Vaughn Armstrong about how she can get these guys to write lengthy tomes in her book. Vaughn wrote “I love you” in mine which was such a hoot, then he wrote the same thing for another fan and I quipped “Well now I’m not special anymore” which got a laugh from both Vaughn and Armin.

Armin had asked us where we were from and when we told him he said he had a friend who lived in Missouri and mentioned the town of Mammoth Springs, but I told him that was in Arkansas. He told me he was surprised anyone knew where that town was because it was so small, and mentioned an actress who was from there (the name escapes me now). I told him that I was in such awe of him and that I grew up watching him on “Beauty and the Beast.” He then told me a story about during his run on that show he skipped a day to do this small part on the TNG episode “Haven” and that the producers couldn’t believe that he would jeopardize his part on Beauty and the Beast to do this role. This role led to another role on TNG (“The Last Outpost” – one of the more awful episodes) and he ultimately landed the role of Quark on DS9. Once we finished up with the autographs we made a mad dash back up to the room to change for the next event. Zoe and I went all out dressing up in formal wear. Hey, it was a party, and by golly you dress up for a party!

Being Gold weekend pass holders allowed us to go to an exclusive Dessert party where these fine actors mentioned above would all be attending. Zoe was thrilled because she got to gorge herself on ice cream, cake and pie. I let slip the chance to say something to Marc twice now, and had made up my mind that I’m not going to let that happen for a third time.

The guests of honor arrived around 10pm to a regalia of applause, then they all separated and came to visit everyone at their tables. Armin Shimerman was the first one to sit down and visit with us – he is such an articulate man and has a distinct presence about him. Jeffrey Combs was next – he is such a goofball! He had so much fun teasing Zoe and she just ate it up! Casey Biggs is another actor who has a very commanding presence about him, so funny and talented as well. Vaughn Armstrong was so down to earth chit chatting about farming and things.

Marc Alaimo. Oh.. my… goodness. He was standing up at the table and I said “Come on in, pull up a chair!” He sat down with his drink and began chatting with us. Once there was a break in the conversation, I took the opportunity to speak what was on my mind:

“I have to tell you, we saw you last night as we were leaving the auditorium, but I couldn’t approach you because I was in such awe.” He said he was touched by that. I continued on saying “Your character Gul Dukat really (pause due to total awe and loss of words, then touched my heart) got to me and I have to tell you, you make a bad guy look so damned good!” He laughed at that – he has one of the greatest laughs and greatest smiles. And yes that last statement of mine was a total flirt – I couldn’t help myself!

He then asked us where he was from, and when we told him he said that his wife was from Cape Girardeau (they’re newlyweds), and then proceeded to tell me that I reminded him of her, short brown hair, pretty (blush). It was really such a sweet conversation, that one exchange between he and I was the absolute highlight of the entire convention for me. He was the only actor who stuck around for any length of time, it was such an honor. I think if I had gotten a hug from this man that would have done me in – they would have had to scrape me up from the floor.

Last to sit at our table was Max Grodenchik. He sat right next to me which was really cool, and chatted back and forth. He had asked if there was something about the convention we could change what was it, and someone had said “more time with the celebrities.” All the celebs had handlers, for lack of a better term, and kept a close eye on the time in order to move them along as quickly as possible. It was cute how he was talking about the tap was just a suggestion, and then he tapped me on the shoulder, and that it would be different if they were to grab him by his arm, and he grabbed my arm and gave it a tug.

As we were leaving the party, Casey Biggs left with us and said “I can’t believe she stayed up that late.” I quipped “I know, it’s even past my bedtime!” It was such a wonderfully rememberable evening. I’ll never forget it!