Despite the efforts of some to create an image of a typical Trekkie, it is impossible to do so. We Trekkies are a quite diverse lot, spanning all kinds of people, with all kinds of careers, and all kinds of interest. We have only one thing n common: a love to the concepts and ideals presented by the various incarnations of Star Trek. We all also happen to love the shows and movies as well. This week I want to share with you the story of a fellow fan, and tell you about them.  

The March Member of the Month is Robert Olsen of Fairfield, California. He is 52 and works as a PE teacher, working with kids in grades one through six. He has been a fan of Star Trek from the start, watching The Man Trap when the series launched on NBC. He describes himself at that time to be like many of his (well, ours as I'm about his age) generation as “....astronaut loving, space program watching guys” so Star Trek was a natural fit for him. As you might expect, the original series is his favorite with Spock being his favorite character. “He was the outsider that didn't quite fit in and sometimes you felt that way as a kid.”  

Something that makes Robert truly unique is that he incorporates Star Trek into his PE classes. He gives out little Trek toys, Tribbles, posters and the like for prizes to the kids. He also uses Tribbles to teach about the circulatory system to the kids in first and second grade, pretending that the Tribbles are real. He uses a few Tribbles who have electronic sounds in them which move around and purr. The kids who don't believe that they are real are then told by their classmates they are as the thing is purring at them. Robert tells me that in this day and age of electronic games with 3D graphics, this simple way of illustrating in a lesson appeals to and holds the attention of the first and second graders and helps them to retain what they have learned. He also at times shows episodes from the original and animated series as special rewards to his classes. Recently, he showed them the animated episode, The Practical Joker on April Fools Day. He also points out to the kids that one has to be in very good shape to do the moves that they did in the show, especially the flying kick. This has the result of getting the kids fired up to work on their exercises and to build up their muscles.  

When I asked him about how his fellow teachers react to his approach and his fandom, he told me about two of the other teachers at his school, one who is a Deep Space Nine fan, and another who is a fan of the Next Generation. When his picture first appeared on this site, they thought it was really cool. He went on to say that he doesn't get any grief over it at all.  

He credits the optimism that the show projected and the world they presented each week as the thing that drew him to it so much. One example he cites is the relationship between Spock and Bones. They would have their interesting exchanges, but still were friends and worked together without letting their exchanges interfere with their jobs. He further cites the morality play aspect of it, how good would always find a way to win.  

One of the things Robert keeps is a letter that was written to him by Gene Roddenberry in response to one Robert sent to him. Sadly, Robert doesn't remember what he originally wrote in his letter, but what really stayed with him was that Gene took the time to write him back, which showed him what a friendly and great guy he was. Robert has attended some conventions over the years, but as they transitioned to the other shows, he admits that he has lost interest in them as time has gone by. One convention he went to in the early seventies was where he got to meet the late James Doohan and got to spend time with him, including going out for burgers together with some of Robert's friends. One convention he remembers was the 1991 convention in Pasadena where Gene appeared in a wheelchair (this was the summer of the year he passed away) with the whole original cast there, if he remembers correctly.  

Like many of us, he is looking forward to seeing J.J. Abrams film when it comes out in 2009. When he was young, he looked up to the original cast as role models. While he enjoys the other incarnations of Trek, it's not quite the same because of that. Now, he says, he has come full circle, looking forward to a new cast taking on those immortal roles and seeing what happens.  

Robert is a wonderful outgoing individual who's excitement for his work and for his kids is clearly reflected in his voice when he talks about them. He is one of those truly blessed individuals who loves his work and loves sharing something he enjoys with the kids as a teaching aid. Being the son of two teachers myself, I can greatly appreciate his zeal and efforts. I applaud him for his efforts and wish him the best in the months and years ahead.  

AIN'T THAT WEIRD?: The great showman P. T. Barnum supposedly said that there is a sucker born every minute. Whether he said it or it was possibly someone else, the author of the quote would stand fast to it with the news this week that an auction in New York sold some fossilized dinosaur dung for almost a thousand dollars. Steve Tsengas, who bought the dino poop, owns a company that markets products to treat dog and cat waste. His plans are to use it as a marketing tool and to show it at trade shows.  

As old Bro. Dave Gardner would say, “Ain't THAT Wierd when you think about it?”