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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 8, 2009

Confessions from Roger, a die-hard Trekkie

By Kawehi Haug
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Roger Forness estimates he could buy a new car with the money he's spent on "Star Trek" goods.

NORMAN SHAPIRO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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His name is Roger, and he's a die-hard Trekkie.

Hi, Roger.

And by "die-hard," we mean ... well, let's just say that Roger (who, in the interest of full disclosure, is The Advertiser's vice president of technology) is what some might call "obsessed."

A 20-minute tell-all session with Roger Forness yielded a list of confessions that's even more unbelievable than the Vulcan Death Grip.

1. Roger owns the entire "Star Trek" series — 716 episodes- on both VHS and DVD.

2. In addition to owning the DVD set of the original series, Roger owns the entire series of all of the "Star Trek" spinoffs: "Star Trek: The Animated Series," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Star Trek: Voyager" and "Star Trek: Enterprise."

3. Roger buys two of every piece of "Star Trek" memorabilia. One to open and play with, one that stays sealed for his collection.

4. Roger owns the screenplays for seven of the 10 "Star Trek" movies.

5. Roger owns the blueprints for every type of spaceship featured in a "Star Trek" series.

6. There are eight model "Star Trek" spaceships hanging from the ceiling in Roger's "Star Trek" room. The room is one of two designated "Star Trek" spaces in his home. The other is the garage.

7. Until his wife busted him, all of Roger's "Star Trek" merch was sent to the address next door per an agreement he made with his neighbor. His neighbor received the contraband, and Roger's wife was none the wiser — until the rare day she had to call in sick from work. That day, Roger had three orders coming in and when he came home from work, she greeted him with "we have to talk." He also used to throw the trash from any new "Star Trek" purchases in his neighbor's bin to avoid suspicion.

8. Roger estimates that he could buy a new car with the money he's spent on "Star Trek" memorabilia.

9. Roger owns a bottle of Klingon "Bloodwine," the official alcoholic drink of the fictitious Klingon alien species.

10. Roger holds three of four "Star Trek" parties a year, at which he provides different rooms for different kinds of "Star Trek" fans. There's a "Star Trek" original series room, a "Next Generation" room, a "Deep Space Nine" room, etc.

11. Roger owns Klingon-English and Ferengi-English dictionaries. Both are languages spoken by fictional "Star Trek" alien species.

12. Roger has never purchased a "Star Trek" costume. "That's where my wife draws the line," he said.

13. Roger took yesterday and today off to celebrate the movie opening.

14. Roger saw the film last night and plans to see it three more times today.

15. Roger has already pre-ordered his DVD copy of the new "Star Trek" movie.

Reach Kawehi Haug at khaug@honoluluadvertiser.com.