Leonard has his own ideas about why people, and especially young people, think Mr. Spock is such a groove.

"You hear so many reasons discussed," he mused. "Our producer, Gene Roddenberry, feels it has to do with alienation. So many people feel separate and alone today, they can identify with someone who's proud of his apart-ness.

That's a very sound and impressive reason, but there are many more. My own feeling is that the kids dig him because he isn't your everyday, confused man. He always knows what's happening, and what to do about it. He knows where it's at! I dig him for that reason!

"The fact that he's intelligent is admirable. I think we've passed the stage when stupidity and boorishness were unattractive. [sic!]"

As much as he enjoys his newfound fame, Leonard is very annoyed when people praise him at the expense of William Shatner, who stars in his series as the Earthman spaceship captain, James Kirk.

"I get very unhappy when someone tells me I'm stealing the show!" he cried. "I don't believe it! I couldn't make it as the Vulcanian without the Earthman for contrast. The important thing on the show is our relationship. That's what people enjoy and identify with. There's a chemical thing that sometimes happens between actors, and it happened between us. It takes a good, talented group to bring it off!"

He staunchly defends his co-star from criticisms of his personal life. Asked about the rumors that William and his wife, Gloria, had separated and reconciled, Leonard said sternly, "I've heard that, but all I know is that they have a new home and a wonderful family."

About William as an actor, Leonard says:

"I have all the respect in the world for Bill Shatner, who has done as much for the show as anyone—and I mean anyone! He and I and DeForest Kelley and Nichelle Nichols and the rest of the cast—together, we've had some 75 years of experience! We're all professional people doing—I think —a hell of a job!

Nimoy loved acting so much that he has taught it when he wasn't working at it.

He did little-theater, television and films. Because he is not a pretty boy he went through an extended period of playing heavies. Then his capacity for sensitivity was finally tapped by his hometown friend, director Elliot Silverstein, who had him play a blind girl's friend in a memorable Dr. Kildare.

Dear Friend,
When I was a teenager, I told my dad I wanted to be an actor. In response, he gave me the only piece of advice he ever offered me--"Learn to play the accordion." And he was serious. He said, "You can always make a living with an accordion."

Because I ignored his advice, I never found out if he was right. Instead, I've lived 80 creative years pursuing acting and photography, and working as a director and poet.

If I had listened to my father, and hadn't done any of those things, chances are you wouldn't have recognized my name and you wouldn't be reading this. Now that you are, I'd like to ask you to consider what I have to say. I reach out to you as someone who is troubled to see the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians continue apparently without an end in sight.

In fact, there is an end in sight. It's known as the two-state solution--a secure, democratic Israel as the Jewish State alongside an independent Palestinian state. Even Israel's nationalist Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, has come to see this as the shape of the future. The problem is how to reach that end point. It's something we should be concerned about--not only as world citizens, but as Americans.

You might recall the episode in the original Star Trek series called, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield." Two men, half black, half white, are the last survivors of their peoples who have been at war with each other for thousands of years, yet the Enterprise crew could find no differences separating these two raging men.

But the antagonists were keenly aware of their differences--one man was white on the right side, the other was black on the right side. And they were prepared to battle to the death to defend the memory of their people who died from the atrocities committed by the other.

The story was a myth, of course, and by invoking it I don't mean to belittle the very real issues that divide Israelis and Palestinians. What I do mean to suggest is that the time for recriminations is over. Assigning blame over all other priorities is self-defeating. Myth can be a snare. The two sides need our help to evade the snare and search for a way to compromise.

there are a couple of things hidden here and there.” Also says that “Leonard Nimoy is in the movie somewhere if you can find him.

Oh, there’s a Kirk and Spock “cameo”…just pay attention when the kids finally look at the 8mm footage they shot.

When I heard that Leonard was going to be at this gathering in his home town of Boston, I knew this was an event I did not want to miss. My co-worker, Kathy Sykes and I made our flight/hotel/con registration arrangements in July for the November event.

Besides Leonard, other guests included John deLancie (Q in ST:TNG), Gareth David-Lloyd (Torchwood) and James Hong, a wonderful Asian-American character actor. Individuals from NASA and Popular Science magazine were additional speakers present.

On the first day, we met Mr. deLancie and Mr. Hong, who were both quite funny individuals. Leonard's first appearance was the next day at the photo op offered to fans as part of the con. Your's truly was first in line. Things had to go quickly as there had been a power outage that delayed the start time. I was wearing the "Matisse Dancers" (Full Body Project) photo T-Shirt that I purchased through Leonard's photography web site. When I scampered up for the photo, he said "nice shirt!" I recited the web site name into the camera and he laughed. Alas, the next person was now up and I had to run.