2012 Souvenir Program Book (PDF) - Convergence

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In Memoriam
TJ STARBuCk
by Ishmael Williams
We have lost several notables in the course of the past
year, and one that hits particularly close to home is the
passing of Tia Jeane’ (TJ, or Teej) Starbuck. TJ served
as the second president to the Minnesota Society For
Interest In Science Fiction & Fantasy, aka MISFITS, now
known as Geek Partnership Society (GPS). The founders of
CONvergence convention had wanted not just to deliver
a good convention year after year, but to also serve the
community. MISFITS was created to do just that, and TJ
stepped forward to help establish a solid foundation for
the organization by serving as president. TJ also headed
one of the earliest entertainment offerings during the first
years of CONvergence, a quasi-gambling establishment
called Phule’s Club. TJ delved into her love for things
Egyptian and helped fashioned the Egyptian themed
hang-out. She worked for many years at the Minnesota
Renaissance Festival as merchant class street character,
and she achieved her long-time dream of becoming a
published author. Her first book was self published, and she
had just recently found an editor to represent her second
offering. The publishing of this book, largely finished and
in the process of final polishing, will be TJ’s final legacy
as on April 29, 2012, just a little over one month past her
50th birthday, she lost a three-year battle with cancer . She
passed peacefully at the home she shared with long-time
friend and sister Kat Pepmiller and her husband, Jay “Rusty”
Curry. A ceremony for her life was held the day she passed,
one which TJ herself had helped to plan. Many friends
and family gathered to tell stories, to support one another,
and to celebrate the friend and family member that TJ had
always been to many.
Guests of Honor
BONNIE BuRTON
Introduction by Eryn H.
Because Bonnie is a
recognized figure, I struggled with
the best way to express her awesomeness. First
I wanted to submit a collage of woodland creatures with
lightsabers and sci-fi-themed hand puppets with googly
eyes. This summed up Bonnie perfectly; geek, humor,
crafting. When I realized I would have to use words, I
thought I’d utilize some of the internet’s favorite memes:
“Look at your panelist, now back to Bonnie, now back
to your panelist. Sadly they aren’t Bonnie, but they could
be....”
But even Old Spice Guy could not get my thoughts
across.
All I know of Bonnie I know from the internet. Her
name first came up when I was preparing to attend San
Diego Comic Con for the first time. I had asked around
for interesting people on Twitter so that I could feel more
“in the know” on convention happenings and less like
a scared kid on the first day of school. I clicked “follow”
on her Twitter avatar featuring cute Bettie Page bangs,
and Bonnie did not disappoint. I found that she
interacted with some of my favorite
geek-bloggers and I quickly
grew to like her for her
wit, friendly nature, and
random amusing posts.
Based in San Francisco,
Bonnie’s work is fandom.
She worked for LucasFilm
and has made an impression
on the geek world through
authoring a number of
books, her craft projects, and
representing as an awesome nerd
girl. Some of her books include
The Star Wars Craft Book, You Can
Draw: Star Wars, and Girls Against
Girls: Why We Are Mean To Each
Other and How We Can Change. Her
geekiness is only further emphasized by
participating in high profile projects such
as Womanthology, appearing on Felicia
Day’s The Guild, and speaking on the SDCC
panel “Oh You Sexy Geek.” She has also been
featured for her work in magazines like Geek Monthly,
Star Wars Insider, BUST, SFX, and WIRED.
In an industry that is often critiqued for being too
male centric, Bonnie provides a great example of how
a woman can excel and be recognized. Aside from all
of her work, Bonnie’s best feature is her personality and
being accessible to fans. Whether it be from a workshop
or a signing table, her convention appearances always
result in comments of great interactions she has with
fellow attendees.
Now, if you are in need of further convincing that
Bonnie Burton is cool, you should know that in addition
to all her work, she owns a stuffed squirrel riding a
speeder bike and a chipmunk band. For proof of all of
the above you can find Bonnie online at her site
or Twitter @Bonniegrrl .
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