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.

Hey Everyone,

So I've been looking over some of your letters and I'm just amazed by the number of them which mention the friendships that everyone seeks — but more importantly, finds — in the community that is not just Trek, but fandom in general. Maybe it has something to do with reading that Dragon Con article — I can't help but imagine how exciting that event must be. Think of it, all those people coming together for the fun and diversity ... hmm, maybe I can talk Carl, Eve, and Steve into carpooling down there next year ... anyway, it's just really cool! I mean, think about it, Stargate, Star Trek, Browncoats (that's Firefly, isn't it?), fairies (or is that "Faeries"?), Goths, and the list goes on and on, all coming together in peace and fellowship. Though I sometimes wonder if you were to put Star Trek and Star Wars fans together in the same room, would they get along? What would happen if a Borg tried to assimilate a Jedi? Maybe Indiana Jones would just shoot them both. But I digress... Obviously more and more people are attending these events, and it probably has something to do with the acceptance factor ... okay, and maybe the eye-candy too. But, still I think it's great that even though we have the Internet and TV, people still want to have real human contact and get together for things like this. Technology has given us many new ways to communicate and yet, the conventions show that people still want to be around people, and not just hang around a chat room or a message board. I think that's a pretty cool thing! And if that spirit of community, acceptance and appreciation of diversity can infect the wider world, that would be an even cooler thing.

Okay, so where are those questions... Oh! Here they are ... and look, the first two are perfect examples of that sense of community I was talking about.

Hi, Kate!
I'm impressed. I always read your column giggling to myself. You're so witty! And then I read the answer to "Ensign O'Brien", who had some personal problems. I must say the answer he got was worth more than any amount of hours ($$) with a therapist! Good for you and keep up the wonderful work! It's a good addition to the Star Trek experience.
Robert - Trekker in disguise, although not Zorro(!) Gothenburg, Sweden

Hey Robert,

Aww, it's always so nice to hear that you guys like my column. And that I could make you laugh a little! But you know, sometimes the advice of a friend is worth more than the stuff that comes from those who get paid a ton of money. Now, no one get any ideas, and get rid of your professional! I'm just saying it's always good to get plenty of advice. Especially when it's free!

Seriously though, thanks your feedback! Of course, if I was doing a bad job I'd want to know that too ... okay, not really!

Hmmm ... are you sure you don't want to claim to be Zorro? I hear from Window Watcher he was quite the sight...

This next one is also a follow-up to last week's column:

Hey Kate,
I was just reading your column (9/26/07), and I was distressed by the plight of "Ensign O'Brien". I would like to add something to your good advice. I hope you will print this so it might help that person, or anyone in a similar position.

Dear Ensign O'Brien: If you truly are in an abusive situation, you have my sympathy. I have been there, and I know what it is like. My abuse was harder to spot, because it was emotional and verbal, rather than physical. Many people don't realize that it is just as bad. But enough about me.

If you are in an abusive situation, you may want to seek the advise of a minister or priest. They can usually point you in the direction of help, and offer an ear to listen. I am not very religious, but I know that having someone just listen to you can help a lot. There are groups and agencies that help with these kinds of problems.

Getting out of my own abusive situation has changed my life! It is so much better now, I can't tell you. I hope and pray that you find the help you need. Find yourself some supportive, positive people to be with-- you deserve better! Add my name to the list of people that are on your side!
PM

Dear PM,

It is very sweet of you to take the time to share a part of yourself with Ensign O'Brien. I think it's so amazing how Trekkers will come together to support each other, even when they've never met. You know what would be cool? You guys could start a group on the message boards, and share your love of Trek while helping others in similar situations (which I'd like to hope there aren't others, but alas it is a sad reality). And maybe someday you can meet up at a convention. You can never have too many really understanding friends! And I'm not talking about those I'll-tell-you-about-the-color-of-my-knickers webspace "friends," I'm talking about real people who genuinely care.

Dear Sir,
I hope you can help me. I believe the Enterprise model for TOS is on display but I can't find where. Can you help?
Regards,
Dave McG.

Hello Dave,

Umm ... I know you sent this letter to Carpone, but well, see, he doesn't do a column anymore. So rather than let your letter continue to drift aimlessly in subspace, I decided to take it in, give it a good home, feed it ... I hope that's okay. Anyway, the model is hanging up at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. It's pretty cool — they have it with a bunch of other space stuff. Totally worth seeing if you get the chance.

Dear Kate,
I was wondering if you might be able to answer a question that has been on the back of my mind as I watch old reruns of Star Trek: TNG, DS9 and Voyager on Spike. Why aren't there any chaplains on any of the vessels? There are counselors on the majority of the ships, and on DS9 there were Vedeks on board the station, but no official chaplains. There is no Vulcan master chaplain to help with meditation in time of stress, there is no Bajoran Vedek chaplain to help a Bajoran crewmember during ceremonies when the crewmember is away from home. Having chaplains in the military (Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force) is a long tradition for soldiers far from home. All three series showed how important spirituality was to the characters of the series, but there were no chaplains. Why do you think this is??
Thanks for your time,
Josh the insomniac pseudo-Trekkie

Hey Josh,

Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean that there aren't any on board, or that there isn't some sort of Holodeck program or Holographic projection that serves the function (like Voyager's Doctor!). Think of the writers treating this the same way as eating, sleeping, getting sick, or other bodily functions that we don't see ... okay, maybe not the best comparison, but hear me out! Obviously we know the crew has to go potty sometime, but we never see it! (Thank goodness.) We know that they eat, but we only occasionally see them doing that. And if no one got sick, what would Nurse Chapel do all day? But it does raise the question, what about Tasha's funeral? Okay, ya got me there. But think of how many various chaplains would have to be on board to cover every type of spirituality — it would be, to quote Mr. Spock, "astronomical." However, from a more logical standpoint (hehe, there's that Vulcan in me again), I think it would be a huge burden for the writers to decide which philosophies to depict without someone feeling left out. I mean, we already get that with the "When are we going to see this type of person in Starfleet" question. It would be almost impossible and far too time-consuming to represent each one. Perhaps that's why the religions and rituals that are shown the most are the ones that the writers have created, i.e. Vulcan and Klingon. This way no one "real" culture is left out — it's all fictional. As for the humans in Starfleet ... well, I like to think that in the future humans will take the common elements from each of the major religions and sort of roll them into one ... think of it as a giant Spiritual Sampler, with a little taste of each.

Dear Kate,
Now that Carl has a girlfriend, do I hear wedding bells in the future?
S. Pickren

Dear S.,

You'd have to ask Carl that one. Besides, isn't the real question, would Eve say yes?

Hi Kate,
I recently read an article announcing Zachary Quinto will be playing Spock in the new Trek movie. Do we know yet, who will be playing Kirk? I was going to say, are there any rumours, but we don't listen to those do we? Keep up the sterling work!!
Phil J. (Definitely a TNG red shirt)

You're right Phil, we don't listen to those nasty things! But sadly, we are currently Kirkless, as far as any official news is concerned. Oh, and don't believe those other nasty rumors that Shatner has signed on for the movie too — it's (everyone say it with me) a nasty rumor! At least, until it's not anymore.

P.S. You are a very wise man, not only do you heed Kate's wisdom, but you also listen to a woman when she speaks. I see this bringing you much success in your relationships ... oh, sorry, I had Chinese food and that's what the fortune cookie said.

Dear Kate,
I am a 13 year old who can't get enough of star trek. I was hooked since I was two and in my crib with TNG playing and all the fancy lights (phasers) on the box. Then I got older. Started to like rockets and such, and I fell in love with Star Tek and DS9 (which I watch almost every weekend). Now here is the problem. Nobody who is not in my family knows a tribble from a klingon. This leaves me in a sorry state. I want to know more hard core Trekies but can't find them. Tell me some way to be in contact with some Trekies.
From, Christian

Hey Christian,

It sounds like you've come to the right place. What better way to find people with the same interests as you than on a website devoted to Trek? You'd think it would be a no-brainer, but trust me, you'd be shocked at how many people say, "There's a Star Trek website??" (I just want to look at them and say... YEAH!) Plus there are so many fun conventions and fan clubs you can get involved with, as I've talked about already. However, the fact is you are 13, which is still pretty young. You should look first to a trusted friend, older sibling or parent to share your interest with you. Not only will this give you someone to chat with about Trek, but it could also help you get transportation to an event or club meeting you want to go to! But what if, say, your older brother or father isn't into Star Trek, and they like westerns instead? Try showing them "A Fistful of Datas." Here's a good one to get Mom on your side: "Disaster" — without even knowing the characters, watching Worf assist Keiko giving birth should amuse her! And then maybe you can do that with friends from school. It can be a challenging game for you to play, testing your Trek knowledge by matching up people's personalities and interests with Trek episodes they will probably enjoy. But keep in mind that while you're trying to convert ... er, umm, share Star Trek with your victims ... er, umm, friends and relatives, you might not want to wear your Starfleet uniform while you're watching with them. Break them in slowly. Even Carl has learned this. Kinda.

All right gang, I think it's time to wrap this one up, stick a bow on it, and put it under the tree ... hang on! Wait a minute! It's only October, those darn shopping malls! They've got their Holiday stuff up already! How am I supposed to tell what time of year it is, huh!? Christmas stuff in October ... Valentine hearts in January ... ugh! Well anyway, now that I remember it's October, everyone get out your pumpkins, witches, and cute little spiders! Halloween isn't too far away ... now I just have to decide what costume to wear ... and hope Carl doesn't talk me into something that involves green body paint. Okay everyone, later!

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!