……HI FOLKS!!!!! PATRICK HERE!!!!

Sorry it’s been so long since you’ve heard from me, between battling a cold, keeping Dadzilla (said lovingly) healthy and well, and work, it’s been…hectic. To say the least. %-P

I have indeed begun work on the Polar Plunge 2009 costumes: this year’s theme is from Jerry Samuels’ (aka Napoleon XIV) hit “they’re coming to take me away ha-haa!!!” (Here’s the Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They’re_Coming_to_Take_Me_Away_Ha-Haaa!

 
I have again made simple costumes: bright orange hospital gowns with the words HAPPY ACRES FUNNY FARM stenciled on, and accessorized with props…a napoleon hat, a colander hat with a towel cape, a butterfly net and a tutu. I claim the tutu, Bob and Dave can fight over the Napoleon hat and the colander helmet. As for production costs, you can buy me breakfast or lunch since I’ll be staying at a hotel for Friday and Saturday night this year. (So I can thaw out!!!)

As for codenames: I’ll take Prince(ss) Screwball (aka George Washington). (When you see my hat, you’ll know why!!)

*****So Bob sez, he sez: A day later, we’ll be holding our annual Intergalactic Food Festival. We considered trying to hold the festival following the plunge but we felt it just was a bit much to pack into one day.

**********Yeah, not to mention it’ll be C R O W D E D as anyone who’se been there on that day can attest. %-) it’ll be good to have a nice weekend down the shore with my crazy pals!!!!

Let’s hope it’s not like Rura Penthe outside like the last couple weeks….BRUTAL cold. This beaing my 5th sraight year of this madness, I should be committed!!!!!

See you in the funny pages! My prayers and best wishes to Kenny!!!!!! Patrick (on behalf of DaiMon Pong @^_^@)

USS Challenger has made it into the Star-Ledger! Our Commanding Officer Bob Vossellor, Communications Chief Laura Victor, and other members of STARFLEET are featured in this article:

"What I love about 'Star Trek' is that it encourages you to explore new things," says Laura Victor, 33, a Middlesex graphic designer and the Challenger's chief communications officer. "It's about becoming something better."

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/05/trekkers_line_up_at_nj_theater.html

The excitment of the show of course building on the new movie's release. She wore one of my command gold classic uniforms which on her small frame was more of a dress. We introduced her and educated her on everything from tribbles, tricorders, the Vulcan salute and its origins, Klingon weapons, phasers old and new and our uniforms.

She and I spoke about the ramifications of certain elements of the new film and our views on JJ Abrams, the cast and a key plot point.

We were "beamed up" and down through the magic of the digital TV camera and the use of our own sound effects device. A funny moment came when she nearly sat on the ST light table (which we tried to explain was NOT a chair) and I grabbed her before she could fall although she's pretty light so for her it probably could have been a chair. She enjoyed sitting in the actual replica of the command chair and did much of the show from the chair.

It was fun and we appreciate the special effort of the Lincoln crew who came down to assist the effort which began at an ungodly hour. We tried to explain that most Trekkers (though she continued referring to us as Trekkies) don't do mornings, or at least, not well. But we were wide awake for this and I think we did well even if it did include our waving to the camera with Vulcan salutes saying "Live Long & Prosper'' and saying energize several times. I also held up a large photo of Emily and I in uniform and was asked how we met through Star Trek and Starfleet and had both a real wedding as well as a Star Trek wedding at Shore Leave back in 2000.

Not something we get to do every morning and one of my new recruits also showed up but was unable to stay as she had to go to work. Pics of the event will be forwarded onto the R7 web site, Lincoln web site and Challenger website.

The Justice and Challenger also got plenty of ink in the Star Ledger today with Justice members making front page and the jump page.

I hope you all have fun this weekend at your respective movie promotions and enjoy seeing the film itself. Reviews both professional and by fans and fellow Fleeters have given it a thumbs up!!!

Adm. Bob Vosseller