Shore Leave (US convention)/1996

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Convention
Name:	Shore Leave (US convention)
Dates:	July 12-14, 1996
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.

1996: Shore Leave 18

front cover of the 1996 program book

back cover of the 1996 program book

It was held July 12-14, 1996.

Registration was capped at 1500; the number of attendees is unknown.

The con chair was Melissa James.

Some guests: Peter David, Carmen Carter, Tim DeHaas, Dorothy Fraquelli, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Christian Ready, Ray Villard, Rene Auberjonois, Richard Biggs, Bob Greenberger, Keith Birdsong, Steve Wilson, Brad Ferguson, Michael Jan Friedman, Joan Winston, Steve Sansweet, Lisa-Anne Samuels, Patricia Vener-Saavedra, Curt Sutherly, and Howard Weinstein.

From the program book, and "Rabbit Tracks":

Thirty years of Trek. What a long, strange trip it's been. Years ago, a popular message of the counterculture was "Don't trust anyone over thirty." Well. We fans may be seen at times as a sort of "counterculture", but it's probably safe to say that we'll trust Star Trek, in all its forms, to give us a view of the future as well as of ourselves. As Classic Trek was a product of the sixties, so Next Gen was a product of the eighties, and DS9 and Voyager a view of the nineties. We've taken Gene Roddenberry's original vision of a wagon train to the stars and made it our own. At Shore Leave we can meet and express our vision in many ways.

From the program book:

On the Mark is a Pittsburgh-area folk music group with eclectic tastes, performing everything from medieval dances to modern folk music to filk. Members of the group plays wide variety of instruments, and the group excels at rich arrangements of both songs and instrumental pieces. The group was founded in 1991 and has two recordings, "To the Point" (1994) and "Between the Lines" (1996). The group has performed at several area conventions, including Darkover Grand Council, Counterpoint Too, and past Shore Leaves.

The members of On the Mark are: - Monica Cellio (director): hammer dulcimer, bodhran - Robert Smith: keyboard, recorder, percussion - Kathy Van Stone: guitar, flute, recorder, cortal - Marion Kee: string bass, percussion - Erik Brown: flute, recorder

All members of the group sing. The group does most of its own arranging.

1996: Programming

• Internet Meet 'n Greet
• Meet the Pros ("Meet all your favorite authors and get their autographs!
• Panel: Etiquette, Internet and the Law ("Freedom of expression vs. control of improper usage on the internet" -- Steve Wilson)
• Panel: Convention Preview ("Meet the Con Committee and get the scoop on all the weekend highlights.")
• Panel: All About Fanzines ("Discover the fan publications that have been called the "heart and soul of fandom".)
• Panel: 30 Years of Trek with Joan and Jacqueline ("Celebrate the best of Trek and Trek fandom with two fans and authors who have been there since the beginning." -- Joan Winston, Jacqueline Lichtenberg)
• Panel: Kindred: The Embraced ("Gone, but not forgotten. Should it have been cancelled? Can it be brought back?" -- Joe Dorffner, Rosy Dorffner)
• Panel: Deep Space 9; Trust No One ("Is anyone who he seems to be? Will paranoia rule the coming season?" -- Sherd Fillingliam, Lorenzo Heard, Wayne Hall, Ann Harding)
• Panel: X-Files: Up Close and Personal ("The next best thing to interviewing Mulder and Scully, a role-playing panel (Cindy Geppi, Curt Sutherly)
• Panel: Babylon 5 ("What do you love? What do you hate? Where do you think it is heading?" -- Lana Parsons, Mike Schilling)
• Panel: Broken Trek II ("Is Paramount ruining Star Trek? Is Voyager lost in space? Back from last year, the discussion continues." -- Steven Zeber, Don Pearl)
• Panel: Finding Your Mate In Fandom ("Meet some of the fans who came to the con and GOT a life!" -- Joe & Rosy Dorffner, Tom & Karla Curry)
• Panel: Playing In Someone Else's Sandbox ("What is it like to create for someone else's universe, i.e Star Trek, Babylon 5?" -- Tim DeHaas)
• Panel: Trek Talk
• Panel: Klingons Thru Trek ("How have the Klingons changed over the thirty years? Where might they be headed?" -- Michael Jan Friedman, Lorenzo Heard, Wayne Hall, Phil Margolies)
• Panel: Forever Knight: Fangs for the Memories ("Come discuss the highs and lows of Toronto's most famous vampire. Why did it have to end that way?" -- Randy Hall, Sherri Fillingham)
• Panel: X-Files ("So, what do you think? Lets talk!" -- Joe Dorffner, Rosy Dorffner)
• Panel: Collecting Trek ("Explore the world of collectibles and memorabilia." -- Kett Kettering, Inge Heyer)
• Panel: Peter and Pop and Frogs. Oh My: Kung Fu: The Legend Continues ("A discussion of your favorite Shaolin Priest and cop." -- Sherri Fillingham, Wayson Lee, Nea Dodson, Sharon Palmer)
• Panel: Costuming for Past, Present, and Future ("You just don't know what you can sew... explore the possibilities!" -- Cindy Geppi)
• Panel: The Art of Presentation ("You've made the costume, now learn how to show it off!" -- Cindy Geppi)
• Panel: 12 years of Media Costuming ("A slide presentation of the "best of the best." Come and get inspired!" -- Carol Salami)
• Panel: Who Broke the Peace? ("A full-costume, role-playing open debate of where the Federation failed in their obligations - according to the Klingons!" -- Sponsored by House of Bl'r Ros
• Panel: Fanzine Readings ("Selected readings from the "best of the best" in fan fiction." -- sponsored by Orion Press)
• Panel: Sheridan vs. Sinclair ("And they thought the Kirk/Picard debate was hot." -- Debbie Priester, Theresa Mutchler, Sandy Bruchner)
• Panel: Babylon 5/Deep Space 9 ("Love them or hate them, the adventures continue!" -- Howie Weinstein, Tim DeHaas)
• Panel: Whose Trek is It Anyway? ("It's comedy The rest you'll have to figure out for yourself!" -- Dave Keefer, T. Alan Chafin, Royal White, Andrew Bergstrom, Dan Corcoran)
• Panel: BATMAN! ("Everything you want to know about the caped crusader in movies, comics, books, television." -- Michael Jan Friedman, Bob Greenberger)
• Panel: Voyager ("Lost In Space? - Eight characters in search of a plot? Or did Voyager finally find its voice? You tell us!" -- Ann White, Ann Harding, Lorenzo Heard, Phil Margolies)
• Panel: Figure Skating ("Yes, Figure Skating! Hey, space is cold; so is ice! Take a Trek break with amateur skater Dan Coggins (8th place, Silver level Adult Male Nationals), and Sherri Fillingham, freelance skating writer.")
• Panel: Quantum Leap ("Find out everything you would like to know about the possible future for this popular show." -- Judy Greene)
• Panel: Simon & Schuster Interactive ("Expert Jean Elizabeth Krevor will demonstrate this exciting new program.")
• Panel: The X-Files: The Truth is Here ("All the latest on TVs creepiest hour." -- Wayne Hall, Ann White, David Brewer, Lorenzo Heard)
• Panel: Behind the Scenes with Timeframe ("Learn about amateur filmmaking and enjoy encore performances of "Shadows" and "K'Thelma and K'Louise", as well as the premiere of the Blooper reel!")
• Panel: Masquerade Critique ("Come discuss who won last night's Masquerade and why." -- Cindy Geppi)
• Panel: Trek in Education ("A discussion of how Star Trek can be used in the classroom." -- Patti Papineau, Inge Heyer)
• Panel: Playing Doctor - Doctors In Sci-fi ("From Classic Trek to Babylon 5, doctors have always played a major role in sci-fi." -- Scott Klein, John White, David White, Phil Margolies)
• Panel: Oh, God, It Hurts!" ("Every week we see our heroes suffer, and we suffer with them - even though we know they will be fine at the end of the hour. Why we do it?" -- Lana Parsons)
• Panel: It's a Bird, It's a Plane. No. It's Odo ("My, how he keeps changing! Is change good?" -- Randy Hall, Scott KJetn, Wayne Flail, John White)
• Panel: Equal Partners: Women in S/F ("Kira, Ivanova, Scully, Janeway. Come discuss the changing role of women in sci-fi." -- Sherri Fillingham. Ann Harding, Phil Margolies, Wayne Hall)
• Panel: Cyberspace and the Media Science Fiction Fan ("A guide to surfing the internet with Jacqueline Lichtenberg")
• Panel: Shore Leave Feedback ("Please tell the committee what worked and what didn't - we want next year to be even better!")
• Panel: Star Trek Since Gene Roddenberry ("A discussion of how Star Trek has changed since the passing of its creator." -- sponsored by the Gene Roddenberry Memorial Club)
• Panel: I Still Grok Spock! ("Why Classic Trek is still the best Trek for many!" -- Debbie Priester, Connie Kirshner)
• Panel: Comics ("What in the world is happening with our favorite comics? Find out!" -- Steve Wilson)
• Panel: Animation ("Cartoons aren't just for kids anymore. From 'The Animaniacs" to "Batman" to "Superman", the themes are increasingly adult and the medium is "in"." -- Wayne Hall, John White, Scott Klein)
• Panel: Is Syndication Dying? ("Six networks means little space for syndication. Ratings are plummeting and programs being slashed. Will this be the end of marginal "genre" shows?" -- David Brewer, John White, Ann While, Ann Harding)
• Panel: The Bob & Howie Show
• Workshop: Carmen Carter's Writing Workshop
• Workshop: Art Conservation
• Workshop: Screenwriters
• Workshop: Signing ("Learn the basics of American Sign Language with Patti Papineau")
• Presentation: America Online Entertainment with Lisa Samuels ("Come for a demonstration and explanation of AOL's Fictional Realm." -- Lisa Samuels)
• Presentation: Strange Encounters ("Author Curt Sutherly will discuss the unexplained phenomena explored in his newly published book.")
• Presentation: ForeverCon Orientation ("Find out about a fan project that will be filming throughout the weekend, and how you can participate.")
• Game: Win, Lose, or Draw ("Sketches on request by four talented artists which will be auctioned at the end of the hour for the Make-a-Wish Foundation." -- Paul Baize, Paul Sortin, Andrew Bergstrom, Rich Jacobs)
• Music: Peregrynne, Boogie Knights, On the Mark, The Slime Devils, Chaos (filk in a non-concert format), Filks (Howard Weinstein, Roberta Rogow, Greg Baker, Jenna Sinclair, Crystal Paul, others), Temple of Trek, Zenbok's Jammin' Cabaret ("Join an intergalactic musical jam session to play, sing, dance, listen, enjoy!")
• Showcase: Con Play: "The Little Halfbreed" by Cheap Treks (see for more information on the con's skits in general)
• Showcase: Con Play: Opening sketch: cyborgs and Terminators; guest-starred J. Michael Straczynski, Episode MST-ed: TOS: “The Gamesters of Triskelion” by Mystery Trekkie Theater (see for more information on the con's skits in general)
• Art Auction
• Masquerade
• Keith Birdsong Art Exhibit
• Lost and Found; The Civil Air Patrol ("Star Trek often Involves search and rescue missions. Find out how it’s done in real life and how you can participate." -- Major Charles Gibson, C.A.P.; First Lieutenant Paul Blechinger. C.A P.; First Lieutenant Greg Baker, C.A.P.)
• Children's Program Orientation - Learn about the special activities being offered for children at this year's con." -- Nancy Cole, Kathy Scriniger, Tori Holingren, Cami Morton)
• Romulan International Empire Open House ("Learn about the club, its command structure, AOL meetings, and observe a Blood Oath Ceremony!")
• Game: Trivia Contest ("Do you know enough about Trek to win a free membership to Farpoint '96? Other great prizes, too!" -- Steve Wilson)
• Science: Mad Science in Everyday Life (Sandy Antunes)
• Science: Latest Treasures from Hubble (Ray Villard)
• Science: Science Fallacies In Science Fiction (Patricia Cheryl Vener)
• Science: Hindu Astronomy (Patrica Cheryl Vener)
• Science: NASA Astronomy on the Net (Kirk Borne)
• Science: Extra-Solar System Planets (Dorothy Fraquelli)
• Science: Past and Future Hubble Servicing Missions (Christian Ready)

1996: Gallery of Ephemera and Samples from the Program Book

• 

  flyer for 1996

• 

  flyer for 1996

• 

  from the 1996 program guide, con staff

• 

  from the 1996 program guide, tribute to Mail Order Annie

• 

  from the 1996 program guide, some guest bios

• 

  from the 1996 program guide, Mystery Trekkie Theater 3000

• 

  from the 1996 program guide, Cheap Treks skit

• 

  from the 1996 program guide, fan film? skit?

• 

  from the 1996 pocket guide

• 

  from the 1996 pocket guide

• 

  from the 1996 pocket guide

• 

  from the 1996 pocket guide

1996: General Con Reports

Well, I went up to the Shore Leave Con to see what kind of SAAB product I

could score from the vendors.

Had to go from vendor to vendor to get patches - this one only had Wildcards left, that one only had 58th left, etc. Got one Wildcard, one 58 and one 'Toga - there was a guy who had had the Earth forces one, but they were all out. ALL vendors said they had trouble keeping SAAB stuff in stock.

One guy had clip-on badges from the 'incidental' squadrons (Chig-busters, the 61st, etc.) plus AeroTech, the IVA and a Chig Trooper...

And the photo-sellers had publicity stills of all the kids; McQ was hard to find, but the kids were well represented. (I bought bunches!)

NO T-shirts, no coffee cups, no ball-caps, drat. I did score the comics, however. The T-shirt sellers were bewailing the lack of SAAB shirts, since they could've sold tons...

I also heard the following UNSUBSTANTIATED THIRD-HAND rumor I'd like to share - one of the vendors said he was at a con in San Diego LAST WEEK and talked to a guy who said he'd worked on the sets. Most of the sets, according to this guy, are stored, not trashed, and that the set-guy had heard rumbling about two (!!) two-hour movies (made for TV, I assume.)

Saw lots of people in Star Fleet uniforms, and a couple of Marines... is it my own bias to think that the Marines were significantly... well, better-looking? (In re the Alternate Universe Trek uniforms - I think guys who wear outfits with bare arms should be required by law to pump at least a little bit of iron; I wanna see at least a HINT of biceps! And triceps - oooh, triceps Mess Me UP!)

Note to con-goers - it's hard to find what you're looking for amongst ALL the stuff; I didn't actually start locating SAAB stuff until I started asking vendors. So ASK! It's out there.

1996: Con Reports by K/S Fans

Note that most of the art auction reports, skits, 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. In fact, many K/S fans did not attend much of the official programming, but were there as part of a "con within a con."

Shore Leave is such a high; these days right afterwards are strange. I come home elated and sad and inspired and exhausted. The usual to the nth degree: Beautiful friends old and new, not enough sleep, nonstop talking K/S K/S K/S K/S (I actually lost my voice Sunday night), dealer's room feeding frenzy. I love how the hotel is filled with wonderful nerds and people of special circumstance who fit right in at Shore Leave though they don't out in the real world. And lovely dramatic weather for us from the dry places.

Fantastic K/S art of course. On Friday afternoon out in the courtyard, Robin’s impromptu showing/sale drew some strangers after they fell down when they passed and saw some of these hotstuff pictures through the windows.

And fantastic creations in the Masquerade. Our [J], the Romulan Ambassador to the Klingon Empire, Oklahoma Chapter, strutted her stuff, and won the prize for craftsmanship [sic] for her gorgeous, intricate silver-beaded creation.

Have you ever gone back to an old childhood haunt, and discovered that it really wasn't so marvelous as memory paints it? The trees aren't so big and beautiful, the little cranny where you played hide and seek really isn't so comforting, the old house looks dilapidated. What was it Thomas Wolfe said? You can't go home again.

In a strange sense Shore Leave, which I visit for at most four days out of every 365, has become a second home to me. There I meet friends dearer to me than any I have ever known. I commune with other hearts that throb in the same rhythm as mine. We laugh, we cry, (I sing), we talk and talk together. It's always been an unadulterated joy, a gross indulgence of everything I want to do. Non-stop communication with other K/Sers whom I have come to value so much? Heaven.

Yet 1996 marked my fifth visit …It seemed inconceivable that the experience couldn't somehow be disappointing, that it shouldn't somehow begin to show its age. But it doesn't. I go to my special home each July, and each July it becomes more beautiful. And better. The house expands. More and more people join us to revel in the special kinship that pulls us together. Every year so much happens in such a short span of time, I'm always fearful of reporting on it for fear that I'll miss something essential.

…thanks to those of you who came to the filking session on Friday night at 11:30 in the freezing auditorium. (Why in the world is that room always so cold?) I sang this year with [MR] who came all the way from Los Angeles, and who is a dear, wonderful person. She practiced with me over the phone for hours, and made up beautiful harmonies. As always I could see you sweet folks from the stage, and I appreciated your support so much. ([S], your laughter and verbal encouragement is audible on the tape we made!) This year we were especially explicit about what we were singing, there was no mistaking this was about Kirk and Spock as lovers, and you know what? Nobody walked out.

…Then there's Shelley and her magnificent art. You should see some of the pieces this woman created. (Well, I guess you will, but sometimes it takes so long for the artwork to be published.) There is one picture of the Spock lying on his back in shallow water, and Kirk just settling over him.... I'm surprised there aren't water stains on that picture, I'm still drooling. I wanted it so badly.... And then to casually glance down at the bed at Robin’s Friday night party, and see the cover of Worlds Apart in the original.... The copy on the zine is wonderfully done, but in the original the guys seemed to be really there, staring out at me with their arms wrapped around one another, measuring me, slightly defiant, saying "this is our right." And then there was a precious twenty minutes in the art room where I captured [an artist friend] all to myself, and she took me on a guided tour of the pieces she had hanging there, telling me the conception of the picture, how she decided on composition, what the guys told her they were thinking as they came alive under her talented pencil. That was so special.

…As for the discussion on the word "scoot." I guess I grew up on Vulcan or somewhere equally exotic, but I see no problem with using this word in my writing. I was the lone dissenter in a weekend-long ongoing discussion. I scooted across the bed and asked what in the world was wrong with using that word to describe that action, but absolutely no one saw it my way. So, I am the lone "scoot" holdout.

…there was a wonderful selection of used gen zines for sale, and I actually found an original, good condition Sun and Shadow (but the dealer wouldn't budge from an outrageous price I eventually paid), and then Robin had all these Within the Mirror zines I have finally realized I must have.... Besides all the wonderful new K/S zines (more on them later), I found Vault of Tomorrow 10, Whale Song, Computer Playback 1, an original Scattered Stars 1 (I've been looking for that first edition for three years), a few old Naked Times, and more. Then there was a great zine sale being held in a room on our floor; we descended like locusts and the poor woman could barely believe what hit her.

Which brings me to the crop of zines that premiered at Shore Leave: First Time 44, Scattered Stars 8, Beside Myself 4, Amazing Grace 3, T'hy'la 17, Worlds Apart. I've been buying zines at a frantic pace for several years now. I remember coming home from the twenty-fifth anniversary convention in L.A. staggering under the weight of my zine-laden suitcases. But I don't think I've ever bought a group of zines at one time that satisfied me as much as those from Shore Leave 18 have. There are so many excellent stories in these zines, so much evidence that the writing is just getting better and better, the ideas so fresh and interesting, the characterizations so sharp. Is the K/S community vital? Judging by these zines, I'd say the answer is a resounding Yes!

Did I enjoy myself at Shore Leave? Does Kirk love Spock? Is Spock devoted to the captain of his heart? I can't wait to go home again in 1997.

Well, ladies, back from Shore Leave! Once again, one of the most unique, exciting, intense and fun experiences for any K/Ser around. There we are, surrounded by a sea of Trekkers (always fine) and Klingons (lots of fun) and having a blast...

The Gathering began on Wednesday night and continued throughout Thursday. There were so many new K/Sers this year, we were all amazed. Anyone who thinks for a second that K/S is dead or some other such nonsense, should see how many unknown people bought zines at Robin's table and introduced themselves to us. It was truly an enlightening experience. Of course, everyone was asked "Do you subscribe to CT?" and immediately given a flyer…

• BEST LINE: Announced seriously by [JB] concerning the good-looking Chinese food delivery boy in our room: "We're going to screw him for the tip."
• BEST PARTY: Of course the award goes to Robin who this year hosted her traditional K/S get together in her small room and was attended by 187 people all in that room. A fun time was had by all and we met lots of new and unknown K/Sers….
• BEST TREASURES BOUGHT:… A set of Star Trek Taco Bell glasses, a great STTMP puzzle and some beautiful artwork….A terrific Pat Stall print and some ST calendars from years past. …A gorgeous $40 "Sun and Shadow" zine, a hard to find Kirk mug and an original Deeb T-shirt (these are really beautiful, by the way — Deeb hand makes them with her artwork and jewelry). …a "Colorforms" set from 1970-something. Do you remember those plastic play-peeling-and-adhering things that we had as kids? ….whole new avenues to explore with Kirk and Spock in the command chair...insert your imagination here….A much sought after Charisma 5 and the much-coveted Kirk mug…. A whole set of the ST calendars dating back from 1976 for $50! We found this girl who was selling out her entire ST collection because she was now into other things like "opera"...! A Spock watch from 1979 that was made along with a Flintstones and a Gumby watch!
• BEST T-SHIRT: "Women are from Mars, But men are from Vulcan".
• BEST BUYING EXCITEMENT: So many new zines are available now—we were all in a feeding frenzy. We've got First Time 44, Scattered Stars 8, Beside Myself 4, Amazing Grace 3, T'hy'la 17, the novel World's Apart by M.E. Carter, "Setting Course" the Jenna Sinclair collection and soon Kaleidoscope 5, Within the Mirror and the next Scattered Stars and the next T'hy'la! [rwonderful news as last year we were bereft of zines for a long time after Shore Leave.
• FUNNIEST SCENE: A bunch of us in our room cracking up over the Leaf Star Trek cards. Have you seen them? They are from around 1976, from somewhere in Europe and they are absolutely incomprehensible. Here are some examples: The title is "Kirk Outside, Spock Inside". The description is: "Crew members of the Enterprise stare in confusion. They see Captain Kirk but the personality is Mr. Spock. The two officers exploring an unknown rock planet are trapped for several hours in a cavern. When they are rescued their personalities are switched. Dr. McCoy returns them to normal with ion shock treatments." And the title:"Teeny Bopper". The description is "A weird gas causes Mr. Spock to believe he is a 1967 Teeny-Bopper. Dr. McCoy attempts to restrain him. There appears no antidote. Kirk becomes annoyed and shouts at his officer. The sound of authority, spoken like an angry father, jolts Mr. Spock. He rebels at first, then returns slowly to his own personality." And the astonishing: "Big Joker" with the description: "Mr. Spock is again the dead center target of an enemy ion fuser. He has escaped the deadly foe once by playing on their love of humor. Now, in his humorless manner, he struggles to remember another Earth joke. One was difficult enough to recall. Two he does not know if he can do. Suddenly, 'Why do some men wear suspenders?'"
• MOST BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE: [JS] and [MR filking. Their completely out of-the-closet K/S performance wowed the audience. [J]’s voice was totally gorgeous and she has never been so relaxed and at her peak on stage. [M] was a beautifully supportive singing partner. The freezing auditorium was never so warm. [snip]
• MOST DESERVING AWARD: A number of us got together… to present Robin with a crystal memento complete with etched heartfelt words to express our appreciation to that woman who has helped keep K/S the thriving force that it is. Since most likely Robin herself won't make mention of it, I do. She is our treasure, after all.

Of course, as usual, the time just flew by. We look forward to this for an entire year and then it's over so fast. But we treasure the time we get to spend with each other. And I personally treasure all of you—my K/S sisters. … Well, gotta go. So many stories to read! Live long, prosper, buy zines.

The sights of Shore Leave: Exquisite art by Shelley and Chris and Deeb (I bought 2 and a half originals— Don’t ask...Long story); [Kathy S's]’ inventive key chains, bookmarks, magnets and notebooks, etc.; Deeb’s gorgeous new jewelry (fantastic T’hy’la, warrior-Spock, and mainline K&S necklaces); Dorothy’s lovely note cards and bookmarks; two of our number engaging in the requisite compromising position (naturally for expository purposes only...and yes, I have 8 by 10 inch glossies available if blackmail is your thing); watching a taped interview as Bill explains about the mole on his butt; salivating over Leonard’s bare ass in Catlow (Trust me, when you play it in slow-mo it lasts a l-o-o-o-n-g time. Thanks again, Diane, and welcome to CT.); Juliea’s fantastic costume for Masquerade; music videos galore (Missed you, Chris, but you were there in our thoughts, in our hearts and in your lovely videos that we shared with others.); Show and Tell (I’m so glad you finally found that pewter Enterprise, JoAnn.); the sight of Andi bent over a note for Sharon — Now how do I say that in German? (Sorry, Andi, didn’t mean to hand out a homework assignment. It is summer vacation after all.); Robin’s party and the crystal plaque that was signed with eight names but really came from all of fandom; gifts for Sharon and Chris and for my birthday (Thank you, guys, I love you all!)

The sounds of Shore Leave: Jenna’s and Marcy’s beautiful voices singing filks, both old favorites and some wonderful brand-new ones, at eleven o’clock in the freezing cold Hunt/Valley room; help with writing (Thank you, thank you, Jenna! You always give so unstintingly of yourself.); hearing about Shelley’s close-encounter-of-the-Bill-kind (complete with waving arms and garbled voice) and about the “Dancing Penises” (pink and green, of course) and other acts that were performed back at “the time of the beginning” at the early slash cons. (I’ll consider it, Brianna, that’s all I can promise.); earnest discussions that ranged from “Can the word “scoot” really be used to describe Kirk’s and Spock’s movements or should it be reserved to describe dogs moving their itchy bottoms across rugs?” (Hey...and you thought we only discussed trivial things! This is important stuff!!) to “And what is your personal erotic fantasy for our guys?”; the fire alarm that sounded (Turned out to be a false alarm. Others grabbed their pocketbooks, I grabbed my newly purchased zines and art. Do I know what’s important, or don’t I?); laughter (some of it from the most unlikely sources), and tears (wouldn’t be Shore Leave without some of those) and giggles after lights out and Don’t-you-dare-discuss- anything-I-have-to-go-to-the-bathroom!

The tastes of Shore Leave: Not one, not two, but three cakes from JoAnn’s mom. My favorite was the cream cheese pound cake, but the German chocolate and beer-nut cakes were equally as terrific. (So that’s where those extra pounds came from!); cold leftover pizza and hot Chinese food (We’ll leave the tip for you to take care of, JoAnn.); hot cappuccino delivered at various and sundry times of the day and night by Kathy, our resident epicure, maker of gorgeous shirts, and all- round creative genius.

The smells of Shore Leave: Cigarette-filled rooms and those that braved them just to be with us. Bless you!

The feelings of Shore Leave: Hugs and kisses and love for Star Trek, Kirk and Spock, all our new and old friends, and each other. Brianna, start the countdown for next year!

Well, Shore Leave is over for another year and I still can't figure out how four days can disappear so quickly. Those of you who were there know what I mean and those of you who weren't, well why weren't you? I don't want to hear any excuses about husbands, money or lack of, jobs, commitments, acrophobia, agoraphobia, or cockaphobia. There are priorities in life and Shore Leave for a K\Ser just has to be at the top of the list. So start planning that trip for next year. You'll have a ball.