Kate is a freelance writer who offers her advice on a wide range of subjects drawn from her own Trek life experiences. The views and opinions expressed by Kate are hers and hers alone... and trust us, she has opinions! Click here to send your question to Kate.

Hi Everyone!

Ahhh, the Fourth of July — the grills are fired up and the fireworks are getting ready to light up the night sky. There's nothing like a holiday! But y'know, sometimes I can't help but think that far too often holidays are looked upon as nothing more than paid days off. I mean seriously, if it weren't for the calendar hanging up on the wall, the changing of the Google logo, or the parades detouring traffic, would we even know what we're supposed to be remembering? Hey, I admit if it weren't for theses things, especially the parades — oh, and the sales that want to cash in — I would have the darnedest time remembering if Memorial Day is the one in May ... or is that Labor Day? I mean, we're just so consumed with work and things that "need to get done" that we rarely take the time to do anything, even little things, that allow us the chance to relax or even think about what these holidays are really supposed to be about. So, maybe this year, during at least one holiday, we can all take a few moments to reflect on their origin and why we get to spend the day away from work or school. Who knows, maybe even watch part of a parade ... and if you stop to think about how much planning and preparation and coordinating went into this show, you might also ponder the time and energy that went into the actual events that got you the day off... To quote the scruffy guy from "The Omega Glory" last weekend — "Freedom??"

Speaking of freedom, I've still got questions to answer, so no day of rest for little Kate yet! Hmm, let's see who sent me letters today... Oh, this one sounds, ummm...cheerful...

Honorable Kate Stevens:
Greetings from the Romulan Star Empire!
Yes, I have returned: that Romulan Warbird Commander and published translator of Klingon poetry, posting under the (rather unimaginative) code name D_deridex. Actually, there is method to my madness: if you think finding the one right example of a very common name is hard on your search engines, wait until your society exponentiates over three more centuries. ("You are viewing 20 out of 200.5 teraquad pages." Frightening.) So any references to my code name get lost in the shuffle. I also like Terran-style limericks, and here is one I wrote about a recent, stormy encounter between a Klingon acquaintance and a certain Human (who happens to share your name, hair color and -- let us say -- some other interesting attributes):

Though Katie is terribly "hot",
"Quite fragile" a wench she is not!
A "reliable source"
Tried to take her by force...
She K.O.'d the fool with a pot!

In the Praetor's service,
D_deridex -Cmdr., *Heritage II*

Hi D_deridex,

I'm not sure I get the first half of your letter, but... umm, well... at least your poem rhymes! Good luck to your Klingon friend. Sounds like big bad warrior's gonna need it.

Hi Kate,
I have heard that JJ Abrams has signed Bill aka James T Kirk, Shatner to the next Trek movie. Any word on what role he is to play? I would call in Section 31, but then I would have to disavow any knowledge of their existence.
Thank You
Admiral Jim
Start Fleet Command

Hey Admiral,

I haven't heard anything about that. (No, Section 31 didn't make me say that.) In fact, I don't think any casting news has been released yet — besides, I'm sure the StarTrek.com gang would know about it. So while it would be really cool if Mr. Shatner was in the new movie, I think at this point it's way too early to say, and it's only just another rumor... Bad! Bad people teasing us like that!

Dear Kate,
I need some advice. There's this girl I like but I'm too shy to admit it. Is there anything you can do to help me with this problem. Since I'm already famous for my like of star trek at my school, maybe you can suggest a way to help me spill the beans and doing it involving star trek.
You are my only hope.

Hey Only Hope,

You, umm... you do know that you signed your letter with a quote from Star Wars, right? Anyway! Hopefully this lucky lady likes Trek too — or at least has some knowledge of Trek — otherwise she might have a little bit of trouble getting what you're trying to say. I would start with something simple like, find out who her favorite character is, or which show she hasn't seen very many of, and asking her to watch some episodes with you. Something I always suggest is that you should be friends first. This allows you both to get to know each other, and know the real person. And then when the time is right you can tell her something sweet and simple like: "You're fun," or "Things are more fun when you're around." This will allow you both to not feel pressured, but just to let her know you like spending time with her, and from there you can slowly take your friendship to the next level without Forcing it... okay, bad play on words, but you started it!

Hi Kate
I'm going into 7th grade and I'm crazy about Trek. My friends often ask me questions about Trek and then use the answers to make fun of Star Trek. For example I'm often asked who the captain is (I answer Kirk) and then they say that Captain Kirk is going to kill the Zorgons (their name for Klingons after someone saw me reading a TNG book with Worf on the cover) with a Taser beam (Phasers). Some of my friends respect Trek and ask me questions about the show (two of them even started watching Voyager!) but I have a hard time explaining the plot line and all of the characters. I was wondering if you could help in that area.
Thanks a lot
Live Long and Prosper
bewebi

Well Bewebi,

I haven't seen all of the episodes myself — so much to watch and so little time — but I would suggest that you stick with the basics when they ask you about the plots and characters. For example, if one of them asks you about Deanna Troi you don't have to go into a whole bunch of detail about her clothes and how it wasn't until later in the show that she started wearing the Starfleet uniform... oh, you probably wouldn't mention that anyway... umm... okay, just give a few examples of the character's history, just enough for them to get the basic idea and piqued their curiosity so they'll want to check it out for themselves. But obviously, if you got some of your friends to watch Voyager you must have done something right... Besides, I'm still trying to figure out what the deal is with Wesley — didn't he leave the Enterprise with the Traveler in one of the later episodes and now (according to Nemesis) he's back in Starfleet? It's all so confusing!

Hi Kate!
My wife and I are considering a trip to Vegas. Have you ever been to the Hilton - The Star Trek experience? Being a Trekkie, I think it would be great, my wife however said she would be embarrassed to tell anyone she went, and doesn't think it's worth the money. What do you think??
Jon W.

Well Jon, I have been to the Hilton — nice place. And I have done both rides at the Experience — I don't want to ruin anything for you, but while parts are a bit cheesy and a little dated, they still are a lot of fun and the sets are really cool!! Oh, and the museum has some neat stuff to see up close. But as for the Mrs., well ... it's Vegas!!! There are so many things to do that humoring you may not be high on her list. But as long as you agree first to do some things she wants to do, then you're more likely to talk her into it. And money-wise, the Experience isn't a bad deal. Seriously, I understand about being on a budget — so you've asked the right girl! First things first, Vegas as we all know is in the middle of the desert, so that means hot and icky in the middle of summer — oh, and crowded too! So if you're like me and want to get the best deal possible, and not think about crowds, I recommend not going during the summer and avoiding weekends! You'll be surprised when you start pricing things how much cheaper the middle of the week can be — you can actually get a room on the Strip for as little as $45 a night (plus tax and what-not). If you can't help but go in summer, you can still get deals around this price — but only on the weekdays. Another little trick: use the Monorail!! Even if you drive into Vegas, park your car (for free–woohoo!) at one of the casinos along the Monorail and then ride the Monorail everywhere. It's faster, easier and less expensive than a cab, and saner than putting up with traffic.

I could go on and on about ways to save money in Vegas, so I'll just leave you with one more little tip ... okay, two tips: The Las Vegas Hilton offers something called a Nemesis Package which can be a very good deal since it includes food at Quark's and admission to the Experience, so definitely check into that. And finally, use the Internet to look for something called the Las Vegas Power Pass — these start at about $70 per person for a day (multi-day tickets are available too), and you will have access to quite a number of attractions like Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, and a bunch of other cool things ... including the Star Trek Experience! That way, your wife will have plenty of stories to tell her friends back home, and you'll still have a chance to get your Trek on!

Whew ... all this talk about travel makes me want to take a vacation too. Hey wait a minute ... Saturday is 07-07-07 — Jackpot! Maybe I should get myself to Vegas ... or buy a lottery ticket ... decisions, decisions. All right everyone, I'll see ya again next time! Till then, be nice people! Oh, and if you play the slots this weekend, Good Luck!

If you wish to ask Kate a question or need some advice on your own Trek life, you can write to her at columns@startrek.com with the subject "ASK KATE." (Letters are subject to editing at Kate's discretion.)

Letters to Kate become Kate's sole property. Submitting to Kate relinquishes all ownership rights to, or any claims for financial or other consideration in connection with the submitted material, including any ideas, suggestions, script ideas, anything. This goes for you too, Carl!