A Private Conversation (essay)
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| Title: | A Private Conversation |
| Creator: | Janice K. Hrubes |
| Date(s): | 1980 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | George Takei, Star Trek: TOS |
| Topic: | |
| External Links: | |
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A Private Conversation is an essay by Janice K. Hrubes.
It is an example of the many fan testimonials that fans wrote that described an actor's personal qualities and interaction with fans and fandom.
This essay was printed in Illogical These Humans!!, and its topic is George Takei.
Context
These essays had several functions. One was booster-ism for the actor and fandom, aimed at encouraging others' enthusiasm and support. These essays also operated as evidence that one had had good fortune in meeting the actor and could be a form of fannish cred.
As with con reports, the essays also gave fans who could not travel, or did not have access to celebrities, to vicariously enjoy someone else's encounter.
These testimonials were almost always very positive, both by their very nature, and because many of them were published in actor print zines which were sent and supported by the celebrities for which they lauded. In fact, an added bonus for many fans was the very thought that the actor may actually read their essay, something that bridged a gap between them. It wasn't unusual for there to be statements included in the essay that addressed the celebrity directly, such as "Thank you, [name], for all that you do for us!" Or in the case of this particular essay, "George, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, the fact that you played Sulu on a television show may have brought me over to say hello that first time.... God bless you and keep you."
The Essay
I liked George Takei the first time I met him. Why? Was it his dazzling smile? His not-so-brilliant conversation? (We talked about the weather.) His lean, lithe body? Perhaps it was his dynamic personality, his intense personal magnetism? or maybe it was that cute little rump of his as he bounced off?...Nope. The first time I met George he was sitting down and I walked off, missing out on what a few people feel is his best side. Actually it was none of those. I liked his eyes.
I think I was very fortunate to meet George early in the morning before the day's activities started at Housta-Con [1]. You see, George was simply wandering around enjoying himself. He wasn't on display as the ST Guest, Yet. In other words, he was just being himself. For those of you who have only seen him up on the stage in a talk session, or in an autograph line, the private George is every bit as nice as the public. He has that same radiant smile, that infectious laugh, the curiosity of a cat.
How do I know? It's right there in his eyes, If you don't believe me, look for yourself...But be careful - with eight lives left, an incredible zest of living and a joyful soulful, a gal could drown in eyes like that!
I've learned it from his fans, his friends, and his Club newsletters [2]. The general consensus from his fans is how "sexy" he is. He is sexy. George is a physical fitness 'nut. He's strong and healthy, moves well. He cheerfully admits to being a sensualist. That has got to be a turn-on for a lot of ladies. George is also a bachelor! If that fact makes your hearts beat faster, forget it! Any man who's made it to George's age without at least one try in the sea of matrimony obviously likes it that way. Either that, or he's impossible to live with! And anyone who's met George knows that couldn't be true simply because he's never home long enough to bug anybody, George himself thinks that no girl in her right mind would put up with his impossibly busy schedule. I know a couple who'd like to try! But I think they'd change their minds the first time he dragged them out of a nice, warm. bed to go jogging in a cold, damp, dawn.
When I said that George is a physical fitness nut, I said it with great admiration and total honesty. Neither heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, hail, or strange streets deter his passion for running. And George doesn't just jog around the block a couple of times, he runs for miles...everyday! According to a reliable source he's not above dragging an unsuspecting friend along. At least I hear that he's very encouraging. He keeps telling you, "You can do it!" While he's running little circles around your straining, panting, exhausted body. In other words, he's the kind of nut you could cheerfully kill if you could only catch him. Even if you did, he'd just smile that smile of his, and all would be forgiven.
George's smile should be banned as a lethal weapon. It's been known to melt the hardest of hearts...Mother superiors, L.A. voters, traffic cops, and very suspicious three-year-olds who climb right up in his lap for a kiss and a hug. He is a charmer! If George hadn't decided to go into politics he could have been a con artist. Hmmm? Come to think of it, there's a very thin line between the two.
I've had the pleasure of seeing George several times since that first chance meeting. And as I've said. I've learned a lot about him. My first impression has only been enhanced by what I've heard, read, or seen for myself. George is warm, witty, involved and concerned with the world about him, a brilliant man with an equally bright smile.
George, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, the fact that you played Sulu on a television show may have brought me over to say hello that first time. The person I met is the one who keeps bringing me back.
God bless you and keep you.
References
- ^ Almost certainly the 1976 Houstoncon.
- ^ Likely At the Helm.