Happy Birthday, Leonard Nimoy!! (and my tale of meeting him in person)

Most of y'all know about my love for Star Trek. I am a total Trekkie! Today, I want to take a second to wish Leonard Nimoy (aka Spock) a very happy 80th birthday!!

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Nimoy a couple of years ago when he was visiting UAB to talk about his photography. A couple hundred people gathered in a large lecture hall. When he finally walked in, I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. There he was...in the same room I was in!!! (To date, this is my only encounter with any of the Star Trek actors, so I was really excited!)

The pic I took from my seat.

I enjoyed hearing him talk about his photography and the origins of the Vulcan salute. When it was over, he exited and the event organizers spoke to us for a minute.

When I was leaving the lecture hall, I came to two doors. I couldn't remember which one I had entered through. I picked the door on the right. I walked through and found about 5 people on the other side...including Leonard Nimoy! I was in the small room he was waiting in before going to autograph copies of his book.

The folks were taking pictures with him. All I had with me was my iPhone. I asked Mr. Nimoy if I could have my picture taken with him, and he said, "Of course."

I handed my phone to one of the others, but the guy couldn't figure out how to take the picture. I was panicking. I finally had a chance to meet Leonard Nimoy...and I couldn't get my picture with him. I was afraid he would have to leave to sign his books, but that's when one of the other people offered to take my picture with his camera and e-mail it to me. He snapped the picture. I shook Mr. Nimoy's hand and thanked him.

Here's the picture I got:

Me with Leonard Nimoy!

To this day, meeting Leonard Nimoy is the high point in my Star Trek fandom. And I'm so thankful that he was patient with me during my camera crisis! Another reason his birthday is special to me is that it is the day before mine!!

Live long and prosper!