Today my handsome son was part of the Homecoming Court at his school. Here he is escorting the lovely Kristin at the Coronation. Later, she was crowned Queen, and one of the other male candidates was crowned King. There were six boys and six girls in the running.

It was a very proud day for me. He managed to be relaxed looking, yet respectful, funny yet classy. He danced! He was a gentleman. He was himself. And the crowd loved him!

Aren't they looking good?

Can you see the real me?

This is what 50 looks like, at my house!

I'm trying to share an even larger version of me with Nichelle Nichols. She deserves to be seen! This is one of the most articulate, intelligent, and spiritually inspiring women I've ever heard speak.

She gave a very moving talk to many Star Trek fans that day, and then she posed with us for photos later. She spoke of her meeting with Martin Luther King, back in the days when she was on "Star Trek." She had been thinking of leaving the show, because she wasn't feeling enough character development in her role and because they hadn't offered her a contract yet. She mentioned this to the Rev. King, who said to her, "You must stay! Do you see what Gene Roddenberry is trying to achieve here? Do you see that you are demonstrating on screen what I am preaching about?" Remember, back then for a black woman and white man to have an on-screen kiss was...unheard of...and she and Captain Kirk were leading up to that, I believe, at this time.

Ok, I just found her actual account of it online with some quotes from Nichelle about this:

Someone else who thought Star Trek was on the right track with Uhura was Dr. Martin Luther King, who persuaded Nichols to stay on the show. "I met Dr. King at a fundraiser and he told me that I was one of the most important people in his family. That they watched Star Trek and that I was a role model and their hero. And I said I said I was very proud of that and that was very nice, and then I told him that I was [considering] leaving the show, and he said abruptly - 'You can not! You absolutely must not. Do you know that you have the first non-stereotypical role on television? You're a first. This is not a female role. This is not a black role. This is a quality role, and this is an equal role, and it is in a command position. You have to carry on, because not only do little black children and do women see you and aspire and do you have meaning for them, but everyone else sees us for the first time the way we are supposed to be - on an equal basis, and on a level of dignity and authority and with the highest of qualifications.'"

She also told Gene about what Dr. King had said, and he was very touched.

There are so many stories like this from the Star Trek Convention. I was also very excited about William Shatner's project about Grief and Laughter, and Leonard Nimoy's art photography project showing the beauty of large, full-bodied women. And Kate Mulgrew, who was Captain Janeway, was a very strong speaker. And there was so much fun and humor too. I will probably write more soon. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Three more! The lovely tall actress is Terry Farrell, who played Jadzia Dax (I hope I am spelling it right), and then the dark-haired actress is Nana Visitor, a Broadway singer/dancer who played Kira. Finally, the redhead is Gates McFadden who played Dr. Beverly Crusher.

Last month, I went to my very first Star Trek Convention. It was a wonderful adventure! I signed up for several "photo opps" including these two you see here. In my pretty blond wig, I am pictured with the elegant and beautiful Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura of the original "Star Trek" series, who really made me feel like a "girlfriend"! In the other photo, I am warmly greeted by Tim Russ, who played Tuvok.

I could write much more about the adventure, and will. Just wanted to whet your appetites!

I took flowers to my son Ethan's grave today. It was his birthday; he would have been turning eleven today if he'd lived. It was a beautiful sunny day.

I felt some peacefulness there, sang his favorite song "Edelweiss" and took a lot of photos. I also visited my mom's grave while there. I'm not showing you their actual stones because it seems too private a thing to share here, but you can see the beautiful windchimes and angels in the trees at Babyland. It's really a bittersweet experience to be there, but I'm almost always peaceful after I've been.

I sure love that little boy, my sweet blond baby.

I am in love with a little film called "Once." It's an Irish film and is a musical, an unusual love story, and one of the most envigorating movies I've ever seen about creating music...and about love...please go see it if it's in your area. I also bought the soundtrack, which features the leads Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova. They are a real-life couple and were already friends when the film was in production. It was at film festivals this year and has just arrived here in Minneapolis, at one theatre.

In the first scene, I was a bit worried 'cause I didn't really understand the accents (Irish), but soon it smoothed out for me and I was captivated. When it ended, I sat through all of the credits and then didn't want to leave. One of those film experiences where you really live it and then it's almost painful to end it. I'm enjoying the soundtrack ever since. It's on display at Borders, so I guess I'm not the only one under the spell of "Once."

I won't say anything more because I want it to unfold for you. And don't read any reviews. Just go, and let me know that you did!

I promised news of my busy teenager, A.J. So here it is:

http://www.mtvu.com/music/freshmen/

is a link which will take you to MTV's Freshmen Video of the Week website. This past week's video was "Big Drag" by Limbeck, a California band who came to Minneapolis to shoot their video. A.J. worked on the making of the video for a weekend during his Spring Break. He was a gopher/assistant/intern and also appears in the video!

Limbeck's video won last week, and that means my kid is on MTV! as well as on their website.

If you watch it, you will see A.J. at approximately the point where the chorus of "Big Drag" is first heard. That shows on the timing on the screen as -2:25 to -2:21. He's the tall guy in the back of the living room, near the mantel, standing quite tall and still, with an afro of curly dark hair. That's my A.J.!

Let me know if you see it...a mom can brag, right? Anyway, even though he wasn't the director, it's a step toward his goal of becoming a filmmaker.

Home after all of the August travels, and it feels so good to be at my piano again! I also got a refreshing new haircut and color while in California, just in time for all the challenges of September. New job, new semester, new routine to get used to.

I'll post again later today as there is good news about A.J. to share!