I find it curious that I should be in any way effected by an actor's death. I didn't know James Doohan. I never wrote him a fan letter. Sure, his portrayal of Scotty entertained me. Star Trek was and is part of the fabric of my life. But he was just a man who played a character in a short-lived tv series. It is very far removed from my daily reality.

But effect me it did. Just as DeForest Kelley's death before him, I felt an emptiness in the pit of my stomach when kidcanuck dropped me an AIM message telling me that Doohan had died.

In my day to day life, I carry a piece of each of the Star Trek characters with me. I've often fancied myself a bit of a "Miracle Worker" - telling my captain (uhm... boss) that a project would take a week and pulling it off in three days. Allowing people to believe that some of the simple things I do are actually quite complex. And letting the ship blow up is just not an option.

James Doohan brought Scotty to life. He's the person I picture when I hear the Jimmy Buffett lyric from the song "Boat Drinks":

I'd like to go where the pace of life's slow
Could you beam me somewhere Mr. Scott?
Any ol' place here on Earth or in space
You pick the century and I'll pick the spot

He certainly was typecast after Star Trek and, if the reports are correct, he took it with good humor and decided to ride it to the fullest. Good for him. While I'm certain he got tired of hearing "Beam me up, Scotty" he respected the fans and understood he was part of something important to geeks like me.

Mr. Doohan will be missed but will live on forever in the hearts and minds of every kid who dreams of living in a time where people can boldly go where no man has gone before.