Shore Leave (US convention)/1994

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Convention
Name:	Shore Leave (US convention)
Dates:	1994
Frequency:
Location:	Baltimore, Maryland
Type:
Focus:	multi-fandom
Organization:
Founder:
Founding Date:
URL:
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Shore Leave is an annual fan-run convention that takes place in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

It was founded by the Star Trek Association of Towson which continues to run it. The first convention took place in 1979; the con was still running as of 2025.

The con's focus was initially on Star Trek, but it has since broadened to include other science fiction media.

1994: Shore Leave 16

front cover of the 1994 program book

back cover of the 1994 program book

It was held July 7-9, 1995.

There are several con reports in Come Together #8.

The con chairs were Rosanna Kroll and Melissa James.

Guests were Peter David, Bob Greenberger, Mojo, Howard Weinstein, Girard W. Roundtree, Terry Farrell, Tony Todd, Dennis "Danger" Madalone, Brad Ferguson, Tim DeHaas, Mojo, Perygrynne, Carmen Carter, Michael Jan Friedman, Tony Todd (K'um), Joan Winston, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Marc Okrand, Richard DeAcetis, Dr. Kirk Borne, Christian Ready, and Dr. Ray Villard.

From "Rabbit Tracks" by the con chairs:

Star Trek is on a threshold of new adventures too, with Next Gen signing off after seven seasons, but with the film Generations coming out later this year. Also, looking towards the future, Paramount is planning to launch its new series, Star Trek: Voyager, next year. In keeping with our theme of looking toward the future, this year's guest star lineup features relatively new faces to Trek fandom. Shore Leave is delighted to have Terry Farrell as a guest. As Jadzia Dax, she brings to Deep Space 9 one of Star Trek's most complex characters. We are honored that Terry has selected Shore Leave for a rare convention appearance.

Although Tony Todd (K'um) did his first convention a little more than a year ago, Shore Leave is truly his first major three-day fan-run convention. We're sure that you will find Tony to be a welcome addition to the fun we've planned throughout the weekend.

Also making his first Shore Leave appearance is Dennis Madalone, stunt coordinator for both Next Gen and DS9. Dennis promises us plenty of action as he demonstrates how real "fall guys" fall.

A visit from special effects wizard Mojo (yes, that's his name) from Babylon 5 is an unexpected treat. Mojo attended three Shore Leaves as a fan and enjoyed himself so much he couldn't wait to return as a guest! We know you'll enjoy his offbeat sense of humor and his view of working in Tinseltown, as well as a behind the scenes peek at the popular s-f series.

Girard Roundtree, also a newcomer to Shore Leave, is a renowned science fiction and fantasy artist who has created sixteen paintings for the Star Trek Master Series by Skybox. He will be on hand to give us his perspective on creating and marketing in the world of science fiction art.

Of course, no sweet sixteen party would be complete without family: Conventional Magic, Howard Weinstein, Bob Greenberger, all the familiar writers who make Shore Leave so special, and you, our fans. Without the support of all of you, Shore Leave would not have blossomed into a lively sixteen-year-old. On behalf of the Committee, we wish you a weekend of fun, and we all hope to see you next year.

1994: Programming

• STAT Promo Tape - a tape of highlights from past Shore Leaves.
• Convention Preview - The up-to-the-minute scoop on what you can't miss at this year's convention.
• Project Trek Rec Deck - sponsored by Project Trek Rec Deck, Inc. Learn about this exciting fan project, Big E Con, and how you can be a part of it all!
• Fanzines - sponsored by Orion Press What are fanzines? Who writes them? Who reads them?
• Computer Bulletin Boards - Peter David, Arne Starr, Rich Kolker. Which are the best? The worst? What do they offer and why is it so much fun?
• Babylon 5 - Arne Starr, Tim DeHaas
• Next Gen vs. DS9 - Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman
• Star Trek: Voyager: Will It Fly? -- David Lomazoff
• NASA: Future Plans - Chris Dullnig, Dick Preston A blueprint for the 21st Century, including rare video footage of the DCX rocket.
• NASA Needs You! - Chris Dullnig, Dick Preston How you can support NASA - career and volunteer opportunities.
• Paramount vs. Fandom - Kathleen Kettering. Why is Paramount putting the squeeze on fan activities? Will fandom die a "death by trademark?"
• Fanzine Readings - sponsored by Orion Press Selected excerpts from "the best of the best" - a great intro to fanzines!
• War Council - Drama, Intrigue - Will the Klingon Empire join in the war against the Cardassians? Is this really a kinder, gentler Klingon Empire?
• Stress Trek II - Lana Parsons, M.S., ANP-C. A professional stress management seminar using Star Trek. imagery. A guided imagery experience will be included for relaxation.
• Psychic Phenomena - Mary Beth Wrenn
• Roddenberry's Dream - Dick Preston Can we learn to be good to one another? Ourselves?
• after Masquerade Trek Talk - Joan Winston, Marilyn Mann, David Lomazoff. Is Vulcan logic logical? Is Data a true lifeform? Who was the best captain? A fan forum on everything you ever wanted to discuss about Trek.
• Gravitation - Patricia Vener-Saavedra
• Hubble Space Telescope - Ray Villard. News from the Hubble and a special preview of the comet-Jupiter collision.
• Astronomy Surprise - Laura Danly. If we told you, it wouldn't be a surprise!!
• Wormholes - Christian Ready. A theoretical trip through a wormhole.
• Star Cluster - Patricia Vener-Saavedra
• Costuming Seminar - Sponsored by the Greater Columbia Fantasy Costumers, Inc.
• Costume Auction - Your opportunity to own that costume or accessory that you've only dreamed of having.
• Costuming: Presenation
• Costuming: Makeup
• Costuming: Econo-Costuming
• You Are What You Wear - Presenting your character to the world.
• From Sheet to Stage - Wearing the right makeup look 1:00 p.m. Costuming on the Cheap - Londo Massey, Betsy Marks, Faith Baker, Carol Salemi.
• Time Travel in Star Trek - Michael Jan Friedman, Tim DeHaas, Arne Starr, Peter David. A discussion of the time travel device within the various incarnations of Star Trek.
• Light Years - Tom Atkinson, Don Sakers - The making of a fan-produced, sci-fi mini-series for television.
• Children's Programming - If you are between the ages of 5 and 11, join us as we celebrate "Picard Day"!
• Trek Rec Deck Auction - Your last chance for one-of-a-kind collectibles!
• Science Fiction In Syndication- Arne Starr, David Lomazoff, Michael Schilling. There;s more to watch than ever before. Is it worth it?
• UFOs - Mary Beth Wrenn - Is anybody out there? Have they found us? Latest breaking information on "greys" and other sightings.
• Computers in Science Fiction - Terry Cox. A discussion of how computers have been used in and portrayed by science fiction.
• Future of the Space Station - Dick Preston. Is Russia our first, best hope?
• Star Trek: The Next Generation - The final episode, or What the heck was THAT!?!?! Michael Jan Friedman, Tim DeHaas, Carmen Carter
• Stellar Jets - Patricia Vener-Saavedra
• Astronomy From Space - Kirk Borne. How space-based astronomy works. Also, quasars, black holes, etc.
• FTL Theory - Christian Ready
• Demystifying Computers - Mark Harju. A brief history of the computer and mysteries of the hard drive made easy.
• Shore Leave - Where does it go from here? Okay, let us have it! What would you like to see more of? Less of? And where?
• SF in Syndication
• The Bob and Howie Show
• Showcase: Con Play: "Beach Planet Romeos" by Cheap Treks (see for more information on the con's skits in general)
• Showcase: Con Skit: Shore Leave Adventures - A Star Fleet officer on shore leave with Klingon shipmates. What could possibly go wrong?
• Showcase: Con Skit: "Saturday Nite Live: Trek & Satan" sketches
• Workshop: Combat with Dennis Madalone
• Workshop: Comics with Greenberger, Pinaha, Starr, Weinstein and Wilson
• Workshop: Writing with Carmen Carter
• Workshop: Art with Girard Roundtree
• Temple of Trek
• Con Skit: "Beach Planet Romeos" by Cheap Treks
• Con Skit: Episode MST-ed: TOS: “Shore Leave” by Mystery Trekkie Theater
• On the Mark
• Boogie Knights
• Mojo
• Perygrynne
• Klingon Prison
• It's All Trek to Me, sponsored by STANCR ("They love it all, and they'll tell you why!")
• blood drive
• art show

1994: Gallery of Ephemera and Samples from the Program Book

• 

  an advance flyer for 1994 con, this one printed in the previous year's program book

• 

  from the 1994 program book, convention staff

• 

  from the 1994 program book

• 

  from the 1994 program book

• 

  from the 1994 program book

• 

  from the 1994 program book, skit cast

• 

  from the 1994 program book, dealers

• 

  from the 1994 pocket program

• 

  from the 1994 pocket program

• 

  from the 1994 pocket program

1994: General Con Reports

I am a new convention-goer, so I will have to provide the following information regarding Shore Leave 16 as a "con newcomer" (or "newgoer" as the ease may be).

Shore Leave 16 seemed to be very well planned and presented. There were many, many activities. In fact I had a very hard time choosing which program to attend at which time because there were so many activities that I wanted to participate in/see.

Terry Farrell was a very down-to-earth speaker. Though not as comedic as Marina Sirtis, she did have rather blunt commentary on her role in Star Trek: Deep Space 9" and her participation in other projects (such as "Quantum Leap" and modeling). She was very pleased with the turnout, and welcome, and decided to participate in Big E con as well. She said she enjoyed delving into her character to a greater extent as "DS9" continues.

Tony Todd was also a very good speaker, though he went out of his way to use audience participation by incorporating a "casting call" for the new Star Trek series. He discussed some of his former and ongoing projects, including "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Candyman II". He also seemed to have boundless energy and enthusiasm. Beyond guest stars Terry Farrell and Tony Todd, the most entertaining and informative panels/discussions that I attended were those of stuntman Dennis Mandalone, visual effects creator Mojo, and authors Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Arne Starr, and Michael DeHaas.

Dennis Mandalone was a very enthusiastic and entertaining speaker, providing insight not only into his career, but glimpses of the personnel/characters he has worked with as both a stuntman and stunt coordinator.

I wish I had even a small portion of the energy Mojo projects. he was obviously thrilled with his work and wanted to share his enthusiasm with everyone there. His talk was very informative, comparing visual effects techniques of the past with those of the present and future. He compared the expensive and time-consuming use of models with the less costly and more time-efficient use of the computer toaster. He noted that both "SeaQuest" and "Babylon 5" are using the toaster. The only drawback for "Sea Quest", according to Mojo is the creation of realistic-looking water. He also said that it is very difficult to create a realistic-looking explosion with the toaster.

Peter David was by far the most outspoken of the authors. Their panels ranged from a comparison of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to "Star Trek: Deep Space 9", to the feasibility of time travel. Peter David also introduced a pilot for a new show, which he authored, called "Oblivion". It starred an unlikely mixture of characters, including George Takei and Meg Foster. The show was a very dry, tongue-in-cheek "western".

The lean of the convention seemed to be fanzines and novels. There were the usual dealers rooms, though in this case there seemed to be more fanzine booths and book sellers. The art was outstanding, including the works of Girard Roundtree. The art submitted for the art show and auction was very, very good.

Though I could not stay through Sunday, and was only able to attend Friday and Saturday, the experience was well worth the cost of the convention, food, and lodging. I hope to be able to attend another convention soon (Big E Con?).

Well, Shore Leave seemed to be a big hit with almost everyone that was

there. I only had one complaint, really, which I've already spoken of, but I'll reiterate later, in its appropriate section. First, let me give you an abbreviated rundown of the planned schedule of events, with a very brief commentary:

First. let me just say, for those who have never been to a Shore Leave, or any fan-run con, that SL tends to have several things going on at once, in many different rooms of the hotel, so that you have to pick and choose what you're gonna partake of. Now, before some a**hole complains about that, the Guest stars do their thing on both Saturday and Sunday, so you never have to forgo their speeches or the autograph session in favor of something else. You can see them speak and sign on Saturday and then attend the competing presentation on Sunday, or vice versa. Shore Leave has 27 inch color TV's on pedestals in the main hallway, so that whatever is going on in the big room is visible to those in the "foyer". This is especially useful when you are standing in the autograph line(an hour before the stars sit down to sign), but you want to observe a GOH speaking, or one of the fan-created skits, etc.

OK, the highlights for Friday were:

Fan Club Recruiting Mixer Project: Trek Rec Deck (a charity to decorate all non-essential areas of the U.S.S. Enterprise with Trek memorabilia, for the crew, who are in there for months on end).

Joan Winston and Jacqueline Lichtenberg speak

Filk Singing (5 hours or so<G>)

Fanzine Seminar

Computer BBS Seminar (no idea what that was about<G>)

All nite long, there were ST eps. St movies and Sci-Fi films running

Blood Drive

Klingon Jail(Charity fundraiser - finger an enemy of the Klingon Empire, get him/her arrested and then his/her friends have to cough up cash to get him/her out. Tony Todd(Worf's brother, Kurn, was arrested on Sunday - along with his little stuffed rabbit - and raised over $100, cursing and screaming the whole time<G>)

Telescope Skywatch

Art Show

All I can comment on of the above is the Joan Winston chat. In case you're not familiar with the name, Joan is the "Mother" of the fan-run Trek convention. She started it all in 1971. In 1977, she published a book called "The Making of the Star Trek Conventions", or "How to throw a party for 12,000 of your most intimate friends". I was at the 1972 NYC con. I recently acquired a very old copy of Joan's book. I got her to autograph it at SL16. Here's what she wrote: " Dear Vince At Long Last - Enjoy! X Joan". I believe the "X" is a hug<G>.

Saturday, we had:

Presentations by artists, writers, comic people

Dennis Madalone(TNG and DS9 Stunt Co-ordinator)

Tony Todd

Terry Farrell

The masquerade Party and Costume Contest

Art Auction

Trek Rec Deck Auction

Panels on Costuming and make-up tips (I went so I could apply lipstick better<G>)

Many of the same events from Friday

OK, so, is there anything else from the above you need to know about besides Terry Farrell<G>? I'll be honest, I expected a vacant airhead who giggled a lot and said nothing. Boy, was I in for a surprise!! She didn't get into anything heavy (it _IS_ a party, after all), but Terry is no vacant lot. She's intelligent, bright (yes, there's a difference, look it up<G>!), witty, funny, charming and a lot more mature than anything I've ever seen her in lets you see. Many of the guys who got up to ask her questions jokingly made references to getting a date with her, or asking her to meet them in the hotel bar, or up to their rooms. She was able to joke back, kiddlingly agreeing to do so, without putting them down, refusing to go along with the gag, and yet, making sure no one misunderstood and thought she really meant it. She's hoping for more episodes like "Dax and the three Klingons", because she really likes to fight. Most of the fighting in that ep was a double, but watch closely and you will see her in a few. At the autograph line, I'll admit that Terry's was the only one I really, really wanted. Tony and Dennis were nice to get, but I hadda have Dax's autograph. My original plan was to have her autograph an action figure for me and another for my wife on Saturday and then her "character card" from the DS9 trading card set for each of us on Sunday. Well, that plan got shot to hell when Shore Leave decided, days before the con, to limit a fan's opportunity to one sig per guest star for the entire weekend!! I never thought I'd see a time when kreeyayShun did anything better than a fan-run con, but when you go to a kree con, you can get 2 or more items signed each day, most of the time. Shore Leave has limited everyone to one item per day for quite a while, now, but apparently all future Shore Leaves will limit us to one item per con! There is no good reason for this. They claim it's to insure that everybody gets a sig, but the real reason is that they aren't able to successfully negotiate a good deal with the stars. Someone has to get tough, remind the stars that without the fans, they simply wouldn't still have this job, and since sigs are one of our most-treasured memories of seeing a star in person, they shouldn't limit the amount of time they are willing to sit and sign. Period. I'm not interested in hearing anyone else's opinion on this, unless they agree with me.

Anyway, back to the report. I got Terry to sign a DAX figure for me on Saturday and then took a couple of photos of her. I came off the line and knelt down a few feet away from her. Then I said, "Hey, Terry, would you stick your tongue out for me?" I meant to say, "... out _AT_ me", but I guess the devil got to me first<G>. Terry reacted to the words I used, gave me a very chiding look, as if she had her hands on her hips and with a non-verbal 'Harumph', said NO is a pretty firm voice, then immediately smiled, put down her pen and wagged her finger at me long enough for me to get a really good shot that I'm pretty sure doesn't look like anybody else's (which was all I was going for with the tongue thing, anyway<G>). On Sunday, I sent my wife through with a second action figure (now on it's way to Nevada) and got another nice photo of Terry and my wife, both smiling right at the camera. Two gorgeous, intelligent, personable ladies in one photo (that last sentence was a paid non-political announcement - paid for with my hide<G>). Not that I'm biased or anything, but Terry Farrell is a real living doll (on several levels) and I am now one of her biggest fans.

Regarding the costumes, there was a 12-year old DAX that I got a picture of that was the most adorable thing I ever saw. Her younger brother the Captain, was resplendent in his one-piece Command red TNG uniform and black sneakers, too<G>. I saw a Ferengi(a la "The Last Outpost") that was impeccable and, for those of you who are B5 fans as well, Ambassador G'Kar was also there. This guy had a full-head mask of sculpted foam rubber that was absolutely perfect. I did a double-take as he walked by... twice<G>!

Then there was Sunday:

For the most part, a rerun of Saturday, except for a different sequence and the addition of 2 events that "MAKE" a fan-run con for me: Mystery Trekkie Theater (MTT)" and "Cheap Treks (CT)". MTT is is exactly what you might think; a Trek takeoff of MST3K, where a bunch of people sit just in your way while you're watching a TREK episode (MTT seems top always use TOS, which I think has the best impact) and they talk to the screen. In this case, the guys doing the kibitzing are people like Peter David, Arne Starr, Howard Weinstein and (maybe) Bob Greenberger (if I've named the wrong individuals, I apologize, but I think I got it right). If the names are unfamiliar (shame on you<G>!), they do a little writing and drawing in the TREK Universe<G>. CT is a fan-written, fan-produced, fan-scored, fan-choreographed... well you get the idea... parody of a Trek episode, or original trek-like story. It has credits that roll at the beginning and end, music, singing, dancing, everything you'd expect from a fan show and a lot, lot more. This last effort was the least entertaining I've ever seen them do, and it was great!! Imagine crossing one of those old beach-blanket-bingo movies with a standard TOS plotline and then adding a few TNG elements. I think I've described it well enough<G>.

All in all, another hugely successful and enjoyable weekend in Hunt Valley except where noted above.

1994: Con Reports by K/S Fans

Note that most of the art auction reports, art show, and discussions described by K/S fans in the letterzine, Come Together did not happen in public venues, but instead at the annual room parties. Many K/S fans did not attend much of the official programming, but were there as part of a "con within a con."

They begged, they pleaded, they threatened me with dire consequences (you were just kidding weren't you, Robin?) so I found myself at Shore Leave 16 this year. And what an experience it was. I got to know people I've only known through their work or letters. I finally met [Caren P] in the flesh. Bear hugs seemed to be the secret handshake of K/Sers.

From the very first I was surrounded by ladies who greeted me as if I were an old friend they hadn't seen in years, not someone they had just met. You think we all knew each other in a former life?

How does one begin to acknowledge how special these people are? J.S. and Jenna: Intelligent, articulate and immensely talented. I swear they both have Vulcan blood. Not only can they write, they sing beautifully. I had the honor and privilege of having them give me a personal filk concert in their room. Keep on writing ladies...keep on singing.

Shore Leave '94 has come and gone. All the waiting and anticipating begins again! For me, this year's Con was even better than last. One reason being the pleasure of renewing friendships made last year. It's hard to believe that I only met Shelley, Jenna and J. S. for the first time last year. It was fantastic speaking in person again. Also, it proved that last year was not a one night stand but something that will be on going.

A purely personal reason is that I have the best roomie at the whole Convention. [...] Anyone who can wake from a sound sleep after closing their eyes for only 3 hours, roll over, order breakfast for 13 and then go back to bed, is a person to admire.

There were more K/Sers present than last year and it was exciting meeting [Kathy S], Teri, Caren, Jeane and so many others. It was also my great pleasure to meet Chris Soto, whose work I have long admired. If you do any art based on that photo you bought, Chris, please remember me. Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to speak with all of them, so it will have to wait until next year.

An entire year until those marvelous conversations around those lounge tables or in the courtyard. The discussion and exchange of ideas and memories and personal favorites was really an experience that I will always treasure. I did a lot of listening and laughing and also took a solemn vow to send in LOC's. Yes, Kathy, I remember and I promise I will.

I wouldn't have missed this weekend for the world. Next year I'm going a day earlier to make it last longer. Like, K/S, it was the best.

• MOST ETHEREAL EXPERIENCE: Seeing fireflies for the first time.
• MOST ELECTRIFYING (AND NEAR DISASTROUS) MOMENT: [S] and I meeting for the first time with big bear hugs while almost knocking over a display of her artwork and the zine table…
• WINNERS OF THIS YEAR'S "HOW MANY TRIBBLES CAN YOU FIT IN A TURBOLIFT?" MEDAL: [R], [C], and I being driven to the airport by [S] in a car overloaded to the rafters with baggage (a scene straight out of Grapes of Wrath, you had to see it to believe it
• THE GUEST WHO CAME TO VISIT AND STAYED AND STAYED AND...: A big thank you and a hug to [S], [JA], and [T] for putting up with me. I spent more time in their rooms than I did in mine.
• MOST HUMBLING MOMENT: Being told how much they liked my work by people 10 times more talented than I'll ever be.
• MOST IRRITATING MOMENT: Having to sit in front of Bevis and Butthead during the art auction. Two idiots who kept making wise ass remarks.
• 2ND MOST IRRITATING: The Neverending Art Auction.
• TWO WORDS: Sleep Deprivation.
• COOLEST HOTEL STAFF MEMBER: The young waiter who related the hilarious tale about the four drunk Klingons at the hotel bar and the Romulan ale.
• THE 1994 "ADMIRAL KOMACK PARTY POOPER COMMENDATION" IS HEREWITH AWARDED TO: The manager of the Paddock Lounge for kicking us out at 2 A.M.
• MOST "STIMULATING" CONVERSATION: Would you like to be Spock making love to Kirk/Kirk being made love to by Spock or vice versa?... I'd still rather be McCoy under the bed with a camcorder.
• MY MOST REPEATED PHASE SATURDAY AFTERNOON: I've never had jet lag before, really need some sleep. I'm going up to my room and take a nap. Then getting sidetracked to the art show and the dealers room and...never made it back to my room until 2 A.M.
• MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE: 15 K/S ladies being asked to witness a Starfleet wedding. I kid you not.
• CULTURE SHOCK: No Mexican food anywhere.
• BIGGEST 'BRAIN DEAD' REMARK OF THE WEEKEND: Me coming up with a new word. "Bigatorial."
• FAVORITE HANGOUT: The Paddock lounge and rearranging their furniture.
• RECIPIENTS OF THE V.S.A. MEDAL OF HONOR FOR SHOWING VULCAN STAMINA: All who attended [R]’s Friday night party...outside in the heat with 90% humidity.
• MOST DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE: I never got to see one real live East Coast thunderstorm.
• MOST SENTIMENTAL MOMENT: Having to say goodbye to everyone.
• AND "THE VOYAGE HOME TIME WARP AWARD" GOES TO: USAir for changing my return flight schedule 3 times in 4 days.

So was it worth traveling 3,000 miles, enduring 5 hours on a plane, suffering humidity induced headaches and the Mother of all jet lags, not to mention the expense? Yeah...it was. I may just do it again next year.

Four days after Shore Leave ended, I opened the program for the first time. That should give you a good idea of what kind of convention it was for the intense group of K/Sers who attended. Who needed programming when we had so much to say to one another? I had everything I needed in the many friends who shared the weekend….. I wonder how many other guests heard us hysterically re-counting the 77 reasons why Kirk is better than Picard? ….

I must thank those who came to hear [us] sing. Your support was tangible; it sang through the air with its own beautiful song. We both really appreciate you, folks, and we hope that you liked our "love songs from the 23rd century." ([A friend] told me she watched one man's eyes get wider and wider as he realized what it was we were singing about. But he stayed to listen.)

As always, [R]’s party on Friday night was a magnet for congeniality, this year humorously advertised as the K/S Slash Bash. So many K/Sers were expected that she wisely elected to hold it outdoors by the pool. No way we could have crammed all those fevered female bodies in just one hotel room! Erotic, loving and explicit art for sale was temptingly displayed on otherwise innocent lawn chairs. A new Chris Soto work called out to me! I gave in to temptation.

Seeing The Southern Cross appear at the art show was a big surprise. [We] dogged her steps until she eventually took us out to her car where she was keeping the K/S art she couldn't hang but still wanted to sell. I ruthlessly trapped her by the curbside until she accepted my bid for the work still cradled in her trunk. So now I'm the proud owner of a big, original Southern Cross, the one of K and S at an oasis , with Spock's "frals" wrapped around Kirk's hand. I've always lusted after it…

Unless you were there, you won't be able to imagine the incredible talent of Shelley Butler on display in the art show. She just keeps getting better and better, and I happily purchased one of her originals at the auction. But I'll always wistfully remember the many exquisite pictures that slipped through my fingers. Alert! [R H] is selling some prints of Shelley's work, including, I think, both covers of FT 39.

During one marathon conversation, Kathy Resch revealed to [us] that she'd written the bulk of The Price of Freedom in only three months. We glanced at one another in awe, then simultaneously slid to the floor in a K/S genuflection, happy to continue the tradition that [S] started last year. I love acknowledging true talent!

Some of the people I talked with have been in fandom a long time, and they all commented that the level of enthusiasm and interest in K/S rivaled any they had ever seen. And lots of people who've temporarily left (gaffiated [sic]) seem to be coming back, prompted by the intensity of the newcomers. The overall impression was that K/S was in the middle of a definite resurgence. ….

My one regret was that I didn't have the opportunity to spend even more time one on one with so many talented, stimulating people. There were usually so many conversations going on at once; I wish I could have participated in them all. I'd like to have you all over to my house, one by one, to talk and exchange fascinating ideas. But I suppose I'll have to be satisfied for another year with the memory of those marathon sessions in the lounge afternoons and nights, not to mention all those shared meals that lasted for hours.... I adored having to rearrange the furniture everywhere we went, because we had such a big group.

Folks, if K/S fandom were to mysteriously disappear tomorrow, I still would have been given one of the greatest gifts of my life, your enthusiasm and your friendship. Shore Leave was wonderful. Let's do it again next year.

Kirk and Spock are alive and well and just had one fantastic shore leave. Probably for the first time in my life, I am at a loss for words to describe what was an extraordinary event (and you know how I love those adjectives!). How can I describe the openness, the love, the joy, the instant friendships of those three extremely brief days? [snip]....

• Chris Soto - meeting her behind [R]’s table and embracing her so enthusiastically that we almost fell over. Then, buying at auction a print of her Spock from the cover of FT 38. This is my second favorite piece of Soto art. The first being the original….
• Kathy Resch - who recounted a fascinating history of K/S and its evolution until now when there's a definite resurgence!
• Caren Parnes - whose artwork causes me to do some serious genuflecting (such as that gorgeous cover of T' hy'la 15 )...

[snipped]

Here are some [other] Shore Leave moments:

• Overheard by [JB] in the background while making reservations for dinner: "Do you have your Vulcan ears?"
• [KS] unstintingly making countless cappuccinos on her cappuccino machine and delivering them to all. Plus, the quote of the day from her on our last day in Baltimore after much zine buying: "I'm all packed except for my clothes." Hey! Who needs clothes? We've got zines!
• A huge throng (group? mass? gaggle?) of us would descend upon the hotel lounge, two or three times a day, and swiftly rearrange all the furniture.
• Of course, who could forget Klingons ordering pizza in the Pizza Hut?
• Then there's Bill Hupe. Wonderful Big Bill who has the most extraordinary computer-like memory. Ask him the name of a story in some obscure out-of-print zine and he'll know. Plus one the best collections of zines for sale. (Within 15 minutes to a half hour of opening his table, he had sold out of Covert Action!)
• One evening, out in the courtyard, a number of us were witnesses in a Starfleet wedding! A couple, dressed appropriately in uniform, engaged in a prewedding Starfleet ceremony, complete with sacramental pizza and Diet-Pepsi.
• The two most often heard phrases were: "I want to do everything all at the same time!" and "We've got to talk!" The other most often heard phrase was: "Don't talk until I get back!" (from the bathroom, the bar, the pizza place, the room, etc.)
• And then there was zine buying. And the massive hordes descended upon the unsuspecting zine dealers who tried valiantly to fight them off, but still they came... And verily, lo and behold, the dealers' tables were picked bare like Lematya bones in the Vulcan desert. No First Time was left unturned. No WTMs were left unclaimed. Forsooth, no Naked Times was to be found once the K/S hordes retreated!
• My two most prized possessions: An original First Time number 1 and an original Naked Times number 1!! They are my treasures. [snipped]

I attended two (count 'em) Shore Leave organized events: the filk performance, which I was in, and the art auction, which featured gorgeous G-rated (aw, shucks) renderings of K & S by our own Shelley Butler, DEW, Deeb, and Chris Soto. The whole K/S group seemed to spend every waking moment together (about 20 hours per day, but who's counting?), intensely talking K/S. It was heaven. [snip]....

Shore Leave Awards:

• The Pile of Tribbles Award for the most hilarious moment (hour, actually) - To the group present for the dramatic reading of the famous reasons "Why Captain Kirk is Better Than Captain Picard." The list as published is funny enough (we all learned what a "wiener-wrapping Speedo banana hammock" is), but the group's ad libs were hysterical. Second Place to [JG] for her facial expressions while listening to the radio tape "The Lost Voyage of the Starship Enterprise," which we played out loud in the hotel restaurant……
• The James T. "Never Say Die" Kirk Award for persistence - To [SB] for trying to arrange a "story hour" till the last minute of the con and beyond. It never did happen, but I've no doubt it will eventually, and [S] will have the last laugh.
• The Koon-Ut-Kalifi Award (a shot of tri-ox compound) for decorum during an alien ceremony - to the K/Sers who were suddenly called upon to witness a Starfleet "wedding" in the gazebo. I think one of us even caught the bouquet.
• The Atavachron Award-To April Valentine and Kathy Burns, who appeared on stage together for the first time in 15 years, and entertained the filk audience with several of their classic Omicron Ceti Three numbers.
• The T'Pau Would Be Proud Award for Vulcan control - to the K/S women with me who admirably avoided administering tal shaya to those drunken sleazoid men in the bar Thursday night.
• The "This Is Dedication" Award - to [EW] who was composing a new K/S story on a notebook computer during the weekend, even with people talking in the same room. …
• The "Been There, Done That" Award - to the entire K/S group, which pretty much ignored the convention programming….
• The "They'd Have Been Returned in the Morning" Award - to the light-fingered crew who expertly lifted every spare white clip from the art room to hang [S]’s artwork properly.
• The "Cause Was More Than Sufficient" Award for the most impressive example of emotional control under duress - to [SB] for her composure during the art auction.
• The Hot As Vulcan Award - to the City of Baltimore, which again managed to supply a heat wave so we Vulcans would be more comfortable.
• The Honorary K/Ser Award for the biggest boon to fandom in '94 - to Bill Hupe, with hugs & kisses, for his excellent work in publishing, agenting, reprinting, and distributing zines. And he's a nice guy, to boot.
• The "Welcome Back Gaffiate" Award - to Caren Parnes for returning her artistic talent and her delightful self to K/S fandom. And to The Southern Cross, for showing up with some incredible K/S artwork for sale! Hurrah! ([S] genuflected all weekend.)
• The Mr. Flint Award for excellence in art and zine collecting - To [JS], who snapped up the original Southern Cross "oasis" drawing (my all-time favorite) and other wonderful artwork, not to mention classic zines, while the rest of us were daydreaming…..

I LOVED Shore Leave.... I love all of you. It is absolutely extraordinary, the bond I feel with K/S'ers. I loved meeting face-to-face friends I had been corresponding with, and loved seeing everyone else I already knew, and meeting many more I had known only by name. I wish everyone had been there, and that I could have talked more to everyone who was there. Our shields were down. I felt my chakras wide open, especially the heart. Every moment shared was full of life and love.... And K/S, K/S, K/S. A very heady atmosphere; a collective high.

To all of you who, when I acted like a three-year old over Shelley’s magnificent "Change of Uniform" in the art show didn't bid so I could have it for the minimum price, and never even told me until later... Bless you!...

[...]

I did miss the mostly green, mostly naked, veiled, chained - by - the - neck male slave that was led through the halls last year. Anybody know where he went? Also the looks on the faces of the Christian Tour group that was staying at the hotel and saw him. (Bet they checked their reservations REAL carefully this summer.)

I am still coming down from the experience of Shore Leave. I will never totally "come down" however, because all those wonderful memories will never leave. And seeing all the photos was the best! There we were, sitting in our specially rearranged furniture smiling for all the unsuspecting, regular, ordinary commonplace, run-of-the-mill, average Star Trek fan. Little did they know what lurked in our hearts. Little did they know who exactly we were. Little did they know how all that furniture got the way that it did...

Talk about being blissed out! Talk about finding a dozen soulmates in one place! Talk about not even caring about the effects of sleep deprivation that hit in the middle of the following week. Of course, I'm talking about Shore Leave 16 and the extraordinary group of women I had the pleasure of spending a most unforgettable three days with. We laughed a lot, until the wee hours and listened to the world's best K/S filks.

I found these particular friends (you know who you are) to be totally lacking in competitiveness, pettiness, jealousy and conflict. Their enthusiasm, generosity, humor and support has made this "old timer" feel very young and hopeful indeed. Not only for K/S which is experiencing a full - blown renaissance, but for human relationships too. If only we could clone the kind of joyfulness found in the best of women's friendships.