Dammit man, I'm a Klingon, not a Merry Man!
CIVILIAN LIFE:
Q1. Name: Inspire
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet? ldymusyc sparkled a notice across my f-list and I followed the shiny. Apparently I am easier led than I'd thought.
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek? This a trick to get me to admit that I'm old enough to have seen the original series when it originally aired, isn't it? All right, I'll admit it. As a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut and boldly go where no woman had gone before.
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet? Musyc lured me with shinies. Because I like having fun and interacting with people online who share similar interests.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character? I love the quirky reoccurring characters like Q, K'Ehleyr and Vash more than is probably healthy, but among the main characters I've always loved Spock best. Spock relies heavily on facts yet manages not to become overly reliant upon only the observable evidence. "If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains - however improbable - must be the truth." Spock appreciates the truth. He likes things to be logical, but he often gets a slightly smug or amused expression when his logic pushes Bones into tearing out his hair. The relationship between those two men who appear so outwardly different often mirrors the contradictions found inside of Spock himself. And let's face it; no other character is capable of communicating so much with a single eyebrow.
Q6. And the least? It's hard to decide which I dislike more, Katherine Pulaski or Wesley Crusher. Over the course of her time on Enterprise-D, Pulaski actually grows as a character, so I'll leave my dislike of her alone and concentrate on young Wesley Crusher. Among all the TNG characters, Wesley changed very little over the course of the series. He sprang forth in 'Gary Stu' form right from the beginning and often appeared in an episode only to provide a key bit of data or an answer to the Enterprise's current predicament. There was so much more that could have been done with Wesley that wasn't. Any sort of teen, even a genius, will experience change and growth, yet Wesley Crusher's trials of growing into an adult were seldom touched on except superficially. It's a rare episode where Wesley is allowed to display a somewhat believable level of genius and an age-appropriate personality.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite? Star Trek: The Next Generation because there were so many characters to love, more depth to the plots, and more character development than TOS. It had so many of the elements I'd wanted in the TOS, especially better roles for women, that I was hooked from the first episode.
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STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet? The ability to boldly go where I've never gone before and make a few new friends while doing it.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for? Ship's Counselor. Trust me on this. If I had Deanna Troi's job, the crew would be seriously messed up. It isn't that I don't care, but I'm very likely to tell Ensign The-World-Owes-Me-Something who's been back for help with her issues for the third time this month to simply suck it up and deal with it. I'm not exactly going to be the most sympathetic individual when a person has trouble taking responsibility for themselves and doing what they need to do in order to survive the realities of life.
Q10. The four current Academic Tracks at the Academy are Tactics, Operations, Exploratory Sciences and Medical Sciences. Describe how you could be an asset to each of these departments.
Tactical: I'm brilliant at figuring things out. Give me the facts; give me impressions; give me whatever scant bits of fluff you've got. I'll pick out what's important and set a course that has forward momentum while the rest of the situation is properly evaluated.
Operations: I know how to get things done. Give me a team or send me off on a solo mission, and I'll deliver results in an efficient and timely manner.
Exploratory Sciences: I live to find things out. Give me a sensor array, a new planet to explore, a problem to solve, a theoretical idea to turn into a working solution and I'm on it like a Ferengi on gold-pressed latinum.
Medical: I'm a cool head in a crisis. I don't like the sight of blood or gore but I can deal with disasters, injuries, mental trauma, and death without panicking.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Intuitive. I have a knack for figuring things out and piecing things together from random bits of information and observation. I like solving problems and coming with up with solutions, and I'm really good at it.
02. Drive. I like to move forward and I'm good at following up on a course of action. I usually reserve the right to make changes as I go along as new information becomes available, but I'd rather have forward progress toward a goal than sit around waiting until every scrap of data is collected, particularly when it's apparent that whatever information is gathered there are things that need to be done right away.
03. Practical. I'm a practical sort. I like making decisions and doing things that are realistic and make sense. I make practical purchases and prefer substance to style. It's not that I can't appreciate style but I've never understood why people want something that looks good but is uncomfortable to wear or is flashy but doesn't really do the job.
04. Competitive. I love to compete and I play to win. I'm even more likely to compete with myself than with others because I enjoy challenging myself to get better or faster at whatever it is I'm doing. I can turn the most mundane things into competitions just for fun and usually have others playing along with pleasure.
05. Patient. I'm very willing to wait for the right moment to make a move, especially when it gets me what I want or gets me where I want to go. I can also be incredibly patient and kind with someone who is struggling with learning. I'm not tolerant of people who are deliberately obtuse, whinge or give up, but adults and children who have difficulty, but are honestly trying to learn inspire me to put more effort into seeing that they do. It’s satisfying to help a struggling person, especially a child, succeed.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. Resentful. I can be really resentful, even though it's unlikely the source of my resentment will realize I feel the way I do. I try not to let things bother me but they do, especially if they led to me being embarrassed.
02. Blunt. I can sound critical when I'm only trying to be helpful. I know I tend to be blunt, so I've learned as I've grown older to try to be tactful as well, but it is always a struggle for me to not simply let loose with the brutal commentary.
03. Insensitive. I don't have a lot of tolerance for listening to people whinge about how miserable they are, or how no one understands them. I don't have a lot of tolerance for people who don't put in effort and then complain about the results or who think the world owes them something.
04. Egotistical. I have a very high opinion of myself. I recognize that I have high opinions of my brains, my abilities, my work ethic, my gifted child, and my thoughtful husband, and try not to display them arrogantly, but I have the thoughts.
05. Stubborn. I'm not the in-your-face-arguing sort of stubborn, but I'm the sort of stubborn that finds ways around a situation or balks until the person gives in because it's just too much trouble to continue opposing me. I'm really good at stubbornly waiting a person out.
Q13. What is your biggest fear? Being humiliated. I hate being embarrassed or having my personal business exposed, particularly by those people who are supposed to have my back like family.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower? If I'm leading, it's because the person who was supposed to lead wasn't doing the job, or because I wanted something done right, which to me usually means done my way. If I'm following, it's because there is a competent person in the lead. I can lead and I can follow. What I prefer is having a position of power and importance that allows me to quietly direct things so that they get done but keeps me away from dealing with the hassles of listening to other people's personal problems in meeting their goals. I enjoy having the freedom to quietly work and plan on my own once I have things moving. I enjoy running my own company for the freedom it provides in allowing me to do things my own way, on my own schedule, as long as I deliver results.
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers? I admire excellence. A person who strives for excellence in their chosen area of expertise or is truly competent or accomplished in whatever they do.
Q16. You are stranded on a Class M planet that has not been mapped by The Federation. You are only allowed to choose two of the following items to keep with you: a phaser, a tricorder or a communicator. Which two would you choose to have? I don't see much use for the communicator in that scenario unless I've gathered some ability to shift it into a long-range beacon, so I'll keep the phaser and tricorder. The tricorder will be helpful for recording information on the planet, finding food, water, and shelter, as well as analyzing things for safety. The phaser can be used to hunt food, boil water, cut things to build a shelter, provide heat and protection.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive. Don't play god. The Federation wants to let other civilizations develop naturally and be allowed to mature at their own pace and in their own way. The Prime Directive is also a way to keep arrogant and over zealous members of the Federation from imposing their own moral values or customs on others.
Q18. The United Federation of Planets includes more than 150 member planets, and the galaxy has many more besides. Which planet do you most want to visit? Risa. I'm more than a little bit hedonistic. Those white sand beaches, cliffs, caves, subterranean gardens, steam pools and superb climate are very alluring. If I had my choice of anywhere, not just those places already mapped, I'd most want to explore all those places no one has ever been before.
________________________________
KOBAYASHI MARU:
The following questions describe situations you may commonly find yourself in as a member of Starfleet. You will be read the scenario, and then given two options to choose from. You may expand upon the reasons for your choice, but you must indicate one of the two that you feel best describes your likely response to the situation provided.
Q19. Service in the Fleet can be draining at the best of times, and on one particular day everything seems to have gone wrong. You’re exhausted, but your shift is finally over and it’s time to unwind. Your roommate is already on their bed when you get back to your quarters. Do you:
b. Say hi, then stick in some earphones for music or grab a PADD for some recreational reading. A lie-down sounds pretty good right now, or maybe a bit of time relaxing on the observation deck - it should be pretty quiet by this time, which will give you a chance to sort through the day’s events in your head.
I'd rather stun myself with my own phaser than hang out, whinge, and listen to someone else whinge when I'm exhausted after a bad day. I need down time to recover and I get that alone in peace and quiet.
Q20. You’ve intercepted what sounds like a pretty important transmission - you feel like the Captain needs to know. When you report, do you:
b. Give them the facts, but your interpretation and the way it fits into context is more important. The Captain wasn’t there, after all - the way you explain it could make all the difference.
The actual report should be completely factual. The details should all be there so that the Captain has the necessary information to interpret the facts for herself. Of course, if I do my job well, the Captain will want my analysis and interpretation of the facts along with the information on how I reached my conclusions.
Q21. There are many decisions to be made in Starfleet, and some are harder than others. Faced with a decision where things could go wrong in any number of ways, do you:
a. Stay impersonal and objective. Weigh up the pros and cons, think out all the possibilities, and focus on the basic truths. A careful analysis of the situation will reveal the best possible choice, even though some may not approve of it.
The best choice isn't always one that everyone can rally around. By staying objective, I'd be better able to decide on what's fair or makes sense in this particular instance.
Q22. The day-to-day life of Starfleet can be quite arduous at times, and quite exciting at others. Everyone has their own way of approaching everyday work, but would others see your approach as:
b. Flexible and spontaneous. Others think you prefer to adapt to the world around you rather than organise it. You seem to be more comfortable staying open to information and experiences rather than making decisions immediately. You appear fairly casual, working in bursts and motivated by deadlines.
Is this where I tell you that people who know me think I'm planned and orderly, but those who really know me well are aware that I only like to stay in control so that it doesn't mess with my ability to be flexible? I'm quick to make decisions but that's only because I like forward movement toward goals while I gather more information or work on whatever strikes my fancy.
Q23. You can earn 5 points for your future Track by promoting the community in your Journal. Please link the post here if you wish to do so:
Q1. Name: Inspire
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet? ldymusyc sparkled a notice across my f-list and I followed the shiny. Apparently I am easier led than I'd thought.
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek? This a trick to get me to admit that I'm old enough to have seen the original series when it originally aired, isn't it? All right, I'll admit it. As a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut and boldly go where no woman had gone before.
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet? Musyc lured me with shinies. Because I like having fun and interacting with people online who share similar interests.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character? I love the quirky reoccurring characters like Q, K'Ehleyr and Vash more than is probably healthy, but among the main characters I've always loved Spock best. Spock relies heavily on facts yet manages not to become overly reliant upon only the observable evidence. "If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains - however improbable - must be the truth." Spock appreciates the truth. He likes things to be logical, but he often gets a slightly smug or amused expression when his logic pushes Bones into tearing out his hair. The relationship between those two men who appear so outwardly different often mirrors the contradictions found inside of Spock himself. And let's face it; no other character is capable of communicating so much with a single eyebrow.
Q6. And the least? It's hard to decide which I dislike more, Katherine Pulaski or Wesley Crusher. Over the course of her time on Enterprise-D, Pulaski actually grows as a character, so I'll leave my dislike of her alone and concentrate on young Wesley Crusher. Among all the TNG characters, Wesley changed very little over the course of the series. He sprang forth in 'Gary Stu' form right from the beginning and often appeared in an episode only to provide a key bit of data or an answer to the Enterprise's current predicament. There was so much more that could have been done with Wesley that wasn't. Any sort of teen, even a genius, will experience change and growth, yet Wesley Crusher's trials of growing into an adult were seldom touched on except superficially. It's a rare episode where Wesley is allowed to display a somewhat believable level of genius and an age-appropriate personality.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite? Star Trek: The Next Generation because there were so many characters to love, more depth to the plots, and more character development than TOS. It had so many of the elements I'd wanted in the TOS, especially better roles for women, that I was hooked from the first episode.
________________________________
STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet? The ability to boldly go where I've never gone before and make a few new friends while doing it.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for? Ship's Counselor. Trust me on this. If I had Deanna Troi's job, the crew would be seriously messed up. It isn't that I don't care, but I'm very likely to tell Ensign The-World-Owes-Me-Something who's been back for help with her issues for the third time this month to simply suck it up and deal with it. I'm not exactly going to be the most sympathetic individual when a person has trouble taking responsibility for themselves and doing what they need to do in order to survive the realities of life.
Q10. The four current Academic Tracks at the Academy are Tactics, Operations, Exploratory Sciences and Medical Sciences. Describe how you could be an asset to each of these departments.
Tactical: I'm brilliant at figuring things out. Give me the facts; give me impressions; give me whatever scant bits of fluff you've got. I'll pick out what's important and set a course that has forward momentum while the rest of the situation is properly evaluated.
Operations: I know how to get things done. Give me a team or send me off on a solo mission, and I'll deliver results in an efficient and timely manner.
Exploratory Sciences: I live to find things out. Give me a sensor array, a new planet to explore, a problem to solve, a theoretical idea to turn into a working solution and I'm on it like a Ferengi on gold-pressed latinum.
Medical: I'm a cool head in a crisis. I don't like the sight of blood or gore but I can deal with disasters, injuries, mental trauma, and death without panicking.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Intuitive. I have a knack for figuring things out and piecing things together from random bits of information and observation. I like solving problems and coming with up with solutions, and I'm really good at it.
02. Drive. I like to move forward and I'm good at following up on a course of action. I usually reserve the right to make changes as I go along as new information becomes available, but I'd rather have forward progress toward a goal than sit around waiting until every scrap of data is collected, particularly when it's apparent that whatever information is gathered there are things that need to be done right away.
03. Practical. I'm a practical sort. I like making decisions and doing things that are realistic and make sense. I make practical purchases and prefer substance to style. It's not that I can't appreciate style but I've never understood why people want something that looks good but is uncomfortable to wear or is flashy but doesn't really do the job.
04. Competitive. I love to compete and I play to win. I'm even more likely to compete with myself than with others because I enjoy challenging myself to get better or faster at whatever it is I'm doing. I can turn the most mundane things into competitions just for fun and usually have others playing along with pleasure.
05. Patient. I'm very willing to wait for the right moment to make a move, especially when it gets me what I want or gets me where I want to go. I can also be incredibly patient and kind with someone who is struggling with learning. I'm not tolerant of people who are deliberately obtuse, whinge or give up, but adults and children who have difficulty, but are honestly trying to learn inspire me to put more effort into seeing that they do. It’s satisfying to help a struggling person, especially a child, succeed.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. Resentful. I can be really resentful, even though it's unlikely the source of my resentment will realize I feel the way I do. I try not to let things bother me but they do, especially if they led to me being embarrassed.
02. Blunt. I can sound critical when I'm only trying to be helpful. I know I tend to be blunt, so I've learned as I've grown older to try to be tactful as well, but it is always a struggle for me to not simply let loose with the brutal commentary.
03. Insensitive. I don't have a lot of tolerance for listening to people whinge about how miserable they are, or how no one understands them. I don't have a lot of tolerance for people who don't put in effort and then complain about the results or who think the world owes them something.
04. Egotistical. I have a very high opinion of myself. I recognize that I have high opinions of my brains, my abilities, my work ethic, my gifted child, and my thoughtful husband, and try not to display them arrogantly, but I have the thoughts.
05. Stubborn. I'm not the in-your-face-arguing sort of stubborn, but I'm the sort of stubborn that finds ways around a situation or balks until the person gives in because it's just too much trouble to continue opposing me. I'm really good at stubbornly waiting a person out.
Q13. What is your biggest fear? Being humiliated. I hate being embarrassed or having my personal business exposed, particularly by those people who are supposed to have my back like family.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower? If I'm leading, it's because the person who was supposed to lead wasn't doing the job, or because I wanted something done right, which to me usually means done my way. If I'm following, it's because there is a competent person in the lead. I can lead and I can follow. What I prefer is having a position of power and importance that allows me to quietly direct things so that they get done but keeps me away from dealing with the hassles of listening to other people's personal problems in meeting their goals. I enjoy having the freedom to quietly work and plan on my own once I have things moving. I enjoy running my own company for the freedom it provides in allowing me to do things my own way, on my own schedule, as long as I deliver results.
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers? I admire excellence. A person who strives for excellence in their chosen area of expertise or is truly competent or accomplished in whatever they do.
Q16. You are stranded on a Class M planet that has not been mapped by The Federation. You are only allowed to choose two of the following items to keep with you: a phaser, a tricorder or a communicator. Which two would you choose to have? I don't see much use for the communicator in that scenario unless I've gathered some ability to shift it into a long-range beacon, so I'll keep the phaser and tricorder. The tricorder will be helpful for recording information on the planet, finding food, water, and shelter, as well as analyzing things for safety. The phaser can be used to hunt food, boil water, cut things to build a shelter, provide heat and protection.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive. Don't play god. The Federation wants to let other civilizations develop naturally and be allowed to mature at their own pace and in their own way. The Prime Directive is also a way to keep arrogant and over zealous members of the Federation from imposing their own moral values or customs on others.
Q18. The United Federation of Planets includes more than 150 member planets, and the galaxy has many more besides. Which planet do you most want to visit? Risa. I'm more than a little bit hedonistic. Those white sand beaches, cliffs, caves, subterranean gardens, steam pools and superb climate are very alluring. If I had my choice of anywhere, not just those places already mapped, I'd most want to explore all those places no one has ever been before.
________________________________
KOBAYASHI MARU:
The following questions describe situations you may commonly find yourself in as a member of Starfleet. You will be read the scenario, and then given two options to choose from. You may expand upon the reasons for your choice, but you must indicate one of the two that you feel best describes your likely response to the situation provided.
Q19. Service in the Fleet can be draining at the best of times, and on one particular day everything seems to have gone wrong. You’re exhausted, but your shift is finally over and it’s time to unwind. Your roommate is already on their bed when you get back to your quarters. Do you:
b. Say hi, then stick in some earphones for music or grab a PADD for some recreational reading. A lie-down sounds pretty good right now, or maybe a bit of time relaxing on the observation deck - it should be pretty quiet by this time, which will give you a chance to sort through the day’s events in your head.
I'd rather stun myself with my own phaser than hang out, whinge, and listen to someone else whinge when I'm exhausted after a bad day. I need down time to recover and I get that alone in peace and quiet.
Q20. You’ve intercepted what sounds like a pretty important transmission - you feel like the Captain needs to know. When you report, do you:
b. Give them the facts, but your interpretation and the way it fits into context is more important. The Captain wasn’t there, after all - the way you explain it could make all the difference.
The actual report should be completely factual. The details should all be there so that the Captain has the necessary information to interpret the facts for herself. Of course, if I do my job well, the Captain will want my analysis and interpretation of the facts along with the information on how I reached my conclusions.
Q21. There are many decisions to be made in Starfleet, and some are harder than others. Faced with a decision where things could go wrong in any number of ways, do you:
a. Stay impersonal and objective. Weigh up the pros and cons, think out all the possibilities, and focus on the basic truths. A careful analysis of the situation will reveal the best possible choice, even though some may not approve of it.
The best choice isn't always one that everyone can rally around. By staying objective, I'd be better able to decide on what's fair or makes sense in this particular instance.
Q22. The day-to-day life of Starfleet can be quite arduous at times, and quite exciting at others. Everyone has their own way of approaching everyday work, but would others see your approach as:
b. Flexible and spontaneous. Others think you prefer to adapt to the world around you rather than organise it. You seem to be more comfortable staying open to information and experiences rather than making decisions immediately. You appear fairly casual, working in bursts and motivated by deadlines.
Is this where I tell you that people who know me think I'm planned and orderly, but those who really know me well are aware that I only like to stay in control so that it doesn't mess with my ability to be flexible? I'm quick to make decisions but that's only because I like forward movement toward goals while I gather more information or work on whatever strikes my fancy.
Q23. You can earn 5 points for your future Track by promoting the community in your Journal. Please link the post here if you wish to do so: