I think I've been to enough conventions to know how to spell Melllvar.

Last night on [adult swim] they ran one of my all time favorite episodes of Futurama, Where No Fan Has Gone Before.

Walter Koenig: And when we woke up, we had these bodies.

Fry: Say it in Russian!

Walter Koenig: [sighs] Ven ve voke up, ve had these wodies.

Fry: [delighted] Eeeeee! Now say "nuclear wessels"!

Walter Koenig: No!

I've been living in this weird original Star Trek sort of . . . uh . . .  space . . . for a few weeks, so I think I appreciated last night's episode more than I ever have, and I've seen it at least a dozen times.

Anyway, this is as good a time as any to share some "Good news, everyone!"

I was invited to the big honkin' Vegas Star Trek convention in August, and I accepted. I don't know what specific day I'll be performing on stage, but I'll be there for at least three days with books and jokes and obscure references to MST3K (there will be no admittance during the exciting rock climbing portion of my appearance, sorry.)

I don't know if there's a Las Vegas demand for me at Eventful, but I made an event page for WWdN readers to say "I'm going there!" which we can use to coordinate a meet-up or something. That should be kind of cool, right? Maybe we can work out a live poker tournament at the Hilton, if enough people are interested.

Lots more details to come, including what stuff I'll bring to perform, as we get closer to the big date.

Comments

[Andrew]

In other news, Lite-Brite pictures of Bender and Neela have been implicated in a terrorist plot to, uhhh, illuminate several American cities.

"This sort of irresponsible luminescence must STOP!" said former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, shortly before he was crushed by a falling steel panel in the Big Dig.

[Azriel]

you will need to come to calgary so there is equal opportunity at panty throwing for canadians.

thanks in advance.

[Lytspeed]

Rats! I will be in Vegas just a few days after the convention ends. That's too bad. I would have enjoyed playing poker with you for real, rather than just in the WWDN Invitationals (which I haven't been to in a while, admittedly. There's this whole Internet gambling B.S. that makes it hard to deposit money ... grumble.)

[Mad Monk]

I think that there should be a Canadian stop on that tour for the Hosers from the North who visit this site.

Oh well, in honour of Vegas, I shall buy a lottery ticket, or for you Canadian readers, we shall all buy Tim Horton's Coffee and "roll up the rim to win!" (Americans never understand how big Tim Horton's coffee is in Canada!)

This sounds like "The Secret" stuff where they talk about "willing to yourself" good things.

At any rate, well deserved. I know how much you enjoy performing your writing for audiences, and I hope this will be everything you imagine it to be. I read that Paul McCartney asks people to ask him serious questions, and not what kind of toothpaste he uses. You may want to remember that during the Q&A.

[MJBUtah]

I am afraid that my husband will laugh at me when I tell him I want to go to this. I almost have him talked into Cruisetrek though, so be sure to let us know when you are going on another one of those.

[Kate]

You could walk on stage and go "bap-ba-dap-adada"

Best MST3K episode ever.

[James Casey]

Congratulations on the invitation!

[CHV]

I haven't been to a Trek con in ages, and would be intrigued by this one in Vegas this August.

But I'm afraid I'll be getting my geek on in San Diego a month earlier, which will wipe out my mad money stash this summer (gotta stock up on Cthulhu t-shirts!).

Too bad, though, Wil. I would like to see you perform one day.

Maybe you and WFS could dramatically re-enact his infamous blow-off of you on stage.

You could probably count me out of any poker-related activities as well. I understand the basics of hold-em poker, but none of the nuances.

I think I’d either bust in record time, or lay waste to all other players strictly out of beginner’s luck.

[szark]

Fantastic news, Wil!

I had already made plans to attend, and was hoping you might be there. Can't wait to see you performing again.

And I'm definitely in for the meetup, even though I don't play poker. It'd be cool to watch, though.

[iamturok]

Thanks for posting about this, Wil! I'm very excited!!

Does anyone know if they will have convention ticket packages cheaper than the Captain's Chair? Or should I just plan to buy those now? Thanks in advance!

[Samuel McConnell]

Great news. I was hoping you'd be there, in an official capacity or otherwise. I'm doing my best to go - haven't been to a con in ages and ages.

[Colonel Dave]

I've never been to a convention, so I had no idea that there would be more to your appearance than just submitting to a Q&A session and then writing your name about a kabillion times. I look forward, therefore, to reading about what you choose to perform in Las Vegas.

I just want to say, as an addendum, that I hope to be able to go back to Las Vegas just so that I can go to the Start Trek Experience, again, and try to look at it through the eyes of a twenty-years younger me... Plus, I'm going through transporter withdrawal!

[cryssyer]

Whoo-hoo! I will try to get work to send me out that way :)

Hey, how cool is it that you were listed in with the big dogs of the series? Finally, someone treats our Wil with the respect he deserves.

I am so excited for you! Can't wait to see it, or at least read it :)

[patrick]

Alas, London is just a *short* distance away from Vegas. I did, however, join the Eventful group demanding your presence out here.

[Mike Maloney]

Ha, rock climbing. That's freakin' gold!

[Kevin]

I'll be there. I'm generally in Vegas in August/Sept anyway for bowling sweepers, and never been to a trek convention.....

As far as poker is concerned...set it up and count me in! I've won one of the Wheaties (2nd chance events) and I think it would be fun to play ya'll face to face. I'm just going to have to buy both books to have you sign em! Rawk on!!!

[claire]

That Futurama ep is among my all-time faves too. It always makes me laugh. I'm sorry I missed it last night.

[Mike Violette]

Oh my. That's neat. Depending on where I end up after my job search this year, this could be a good excuse for a trip to Vegas. I'd be down for a meet up and poker tourney.

Mike aka ISS Spock aka The AntiDJ

[vincentsmommy]

So, I went to Eventful to "Demand You," Wil! I know I won't be in Las Vegas in August, but I'd love to see you in Ohio, someday (as would others, as I saw on the Eventful website). Anyway, I got so excited to Demand You, that I mistakenly added you to the performer list on the Origins International Game Expo Demand Me page. I'm such a newb at some of these things, and apparently, not as technologically savvy as I thought I was. If there's anyway I can erase that myself (I've reported the problem), I definitely will do it! Otherwise, just thought you should know, in case you get a bunch of excited gamers from Columbus posting you drooling fanboy/girl comments (like I do, sometimes). Sorry about that. Of course, we'd love to see you at Origins, if you're ever in Ohio! ;)

[pat]

I probably shoudn't say this but it sure is interesting how many Star Trek people have ended up on Boston Legal. Wil, shouldn't you be on that show ?

[Riley Joy]

Maybe someone could film it so those of us who can't make it can see you perform!

[Plainsong]

I always thought Danny Crane was mis-cast, and that it's obvious (I'm being serious here), that Wil should be Danny Crane to the Shat's Denny Crane.

I'm in this weird TOS place as well, because, speaking of MST3k, Rifftrax did STVI (Hey, that's a good one!), and I'm adding their soundtrack in imovie as I type.

Rock climbing, Joel...

[JulieOh]

Oh, this is killing me! Last year in Vegas was my first official ST con (amazing, I know), and as wonderfully incredible and exciting as it was, it was missing two things - you, and the symphonic performance of Trek music that was at 2006's con. This summer a friend and I have decided to finally do that Europe trip we've always talked about, so this year's con is out. And what are the folks at Creation waving? You, and a symphonic performance of Trek music. *sigh*

I mean, yes, Europe. But still!!

I'm very glad you've been invited (I believe riots would have been in order otherwise), and I hope you have a fabulous time!

(And a live poker match too! Augh!)

[mirkrim]

Mad Monk: I feel ya completely. I wanted to go to the Montreal reading last year but I couldn't make the drive from Toronto :(

One day though, I will fulfil my geek dream of attending one of your performances, Wil.

[missfairy]

I wish you'd come to Dragon Con in Atlanta someday...

*hint hint*

It's a huge one. I think you'd have a blast...and I think a lot of people would be happy to see you there.