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!

I don't know about you guys, and gals, and Klingons, and (just so I don't leave anyone out, simply insert your labeling of preference here) but, with James "Scotty" Doohan finally getting his flight in space and Mother's Day right around the corner, this past week and the one coming, seems jammed pack with all different thoughts and emotions. Especially thoughts about family, loved ones and shopping! That's right, shopping! Now don't go getting all edgy, I promise I will spend more time talking about Scotty at the end of the column — you could say, saving the best for last. Hey wait a minute, don't go scrolling down to the bottom, you'll miss all kinds of great questions! So anyway, where was I... Oh yes! Shopping! Well, as I wandered through the mall and the various shops, I actually started to wonder if honoring our mothers is just a Human thing or if there are similar festivities on other planets. Which then led me to think about what kinds of gifts are given. I'll bet mommy Tribbles really do well, having that many kids... then again, is there anything else that would be of interest to a Tribble other than grain? Of course, there are advantages for the little ones too — think about it! With that many siblings, would she really know if one forgot to send a card or phone her up? Then again... what moms don't know, they always find out eventually. So to all the moms, moms-to-be, and dads who made them moms — enjoy your special day. And to all the kids out there — the signs have been up in the stores for a few weeks now, so there's no excuse for not remembering.

Okay! Question time!

Dear Kate,
I am college student and I am torn between summer classes or a summer job. Should I take summer classes, get a summer job, or do both?
Trekgirl101

Dear Trekgirl101,

There can be advantages to both. If the summer job that you take pertains to your schooling or to what you hope to do once you leave school, then that could be a step in the right direction. And let's not forget about the obvious perks — more spending money, and a possible discount on purchases, which could be helpful as you pinch your pennies to pay for school. Yet, if taking a summer class helps you graduate faster, or allows you to get into a class that you normally wouldn't be able to get into, then that could be more worth your while. So why not try your third option, take a class (or two) and get a summer job, so long as the scheduling works out and you'll have time for class assignments. Keep in mind, odds are your school work will have a greater impact on what you decide to do later in life. But if you do take a summer job, make sure it's one you enjoy ... and the same goes for classes too. It's summer, have fun!

Dear Kate,
My best friend and I have recently gotten into a big fight. It's both of our faults, and I really want this resolved. But every time I go to talk to her, I get mad again and scared she might not want to even be friends anymore. We're about to graduate and will be going to high school, so I really wish everything would be ok between us, but I'm so scared of rejection! I wish I was more like a Klingon! Do you have any advice?
Thanks,
Skyler

Y'know Skyler, one of the hardest things for many people to do is admit that they are wrong. I think that is something you need to tell your friend. Sure, rejection from a close friend is scary — so are boys at times too — but the thing to remember and remind your friend is why the two of you are best friends. You have obviously made your choice to forgive your friend and try to move past this bump in the road, so you need to convey that. Now I'm not saying that the blame is entirely hers or yours, but if neither of you makes even the slightest effort to patch things up, then it sounds to me that you have let your friendship down — friends are supposed to be the people you can count on and not have them judge you. You must show some sign that you are willing to still be friends, even if it's bumpy at first. Start with a smile and hopefully she will see that you want things to work out — or send an e-mail to her, that way your friend can read the letter when she is ready, and you can even approach the topic with a causal sentence like: "Hey, I sent you an e-mail, did you get it?" Even if your friend is still mad, by doing simple gestures like these, you know that you have done everything you can to at least express that you are sad about the fight and that your best friend means a lot to you. Hopefully she will come to realize that you are sorry that the fight happened and you can meet halfway. But you need to take that risk so your mind can be at ease knowing that you tried wholeheartedly to patch things up.

dear kate, i have a smal problem, well, actually its a bit bigger than small, ever since i watched "star trek first contact" i have a huge crush on the borgqueen! i don't understand why but i think that i'm in love with the borgqueen! what should i do?

Dear Loyal Subject of the Borg Queen,

Maybe you should think about falling for a Klingon! They are a little more accessible, and still very dominant like the Borg Queen. Plus ... you don't have to worry about being assimilated! Think about it this way, once you're assimilated will you even remember anything about her? So maybe it's best that you admire her from afar.

Hi Kate,
I enjoy your column very much. You sound like a knowledgeable person with great advice for both the 21st and 24th centuries. That's why I --
--We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.--
--Oh no, Kate! Twenty Borg drones just beamed into my office! They must have time-warped from the future! What on Earth do I do?! Arrgghh! No! Their assimilation tubules! Help me, Kate... Help me....
END TRANSMISSION
Sector 001

Hey... ummm, new Borg person... as much as I would love to help you. I... ummm... I'm not that good with super-duper advanced electronics. But! If your internal clock is flashing 12:00 I could probably fix that!

Oh, one more thing — the letter before yours is from someone who wants to meet your Queen. So umm... do you think you could arrange that for him?

Dear Kate,
I am a 23 year old college student and aspiring writer. Over the past month or so, I've been experiencing an acute case of writer's block. I was just wondering, one writer to another, if you had any suggestions for overcoming my creative blockage.
Admiral John

Here's something that has helped me, Admiral John: When you stop thinking about it, you'll think of it. Okay, I know that sounds rather silly, but it really does work... for me. So try thinking about the various possibilities and just start writing down a bunch of notes. Even something as simple as: main character goes to mall and meets a monkey. Be vague and let the idea grow on its own. Something else that I like to do with my notes is write down as much of the thought I have and then on the side (in the margin) write rather large, What if? This helps me remember that I don't have to use the idea — but I do have to give it some thought and see where it will go. I would suggest getting your nails done, but I'm not sure you'd find that relaxing. Or, you could also try a nice bubble bath — I've found that some of my best ideas come to me when I'm in the bathroom... Okay, yeah, that probably was a little too much info.

Dear Kate,
It's David again. I will take your advice on meeting One of One, the problem is how am I supposed to get in contact with her?

I haven't heard from her David... Maybe she forgot to check the column. Y'know, you could try posting a message on one of the Message boards, but let me see what I can do—

Hey One of One, I know that playing hard to get is supposed to be cute and every girl does it, but if you're out there reading this— You got a fellow Trek Fan interested, so get on those message boards (or tell me it's okay to swap e-mail addys), otherwise some other gal might scoop him up!

Well David, we'll see if that works...

Dear Kate,
I am an aspiring Star Trek villain who plans on taking over the universe with my army of pink ninja bunnies and tap dancing beavers. Things have been going great.... except that stupid Enterprise keeps foiling my plans! Even when I DO manage to destroy them, some hokey and highly improbable plot device always manages to bring them back to life so they can beat me!! How can I break away from the traditional Star Trek good-guys-always-win convention and make my dream a reality?
- Your future supreme leader.
Ps. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Dear Your Future Supreme Leader,

First I think you should have a better name. I mean, using "your future" etc. is kinda confusing and not really catchy. Hmmm... maybe you should try... I don't know, but you gotta get something powerful and mysterious.

Awww... pink ninja bunnies and tap-dancing beavers! That is just too cute! Hey wait! I got it! Why not start a traveling circus-like show and achieve your dominant reign that way? No seriously! Who would have thought that Cirque du Soleil could have conquered Canada, and Las Vegas.

Now as promised, I want to close this installment talking about James Doohan.

Dear Kate:
My name is Eric and I'm writing you today because I miss my favorite character, Scotty. I know and understand he's gone but I can't help but wonder if he really knew how much of an impact he had on some people's lives. I still firmly believe that he was and always will be the BEST Chief Engineer any Starfleet captain could ask for. He always got it done. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you and live long and prosper...
Eric

Dear Eric,

I really think that James Doohan is always going to be missed very deeply. Jimmy was always so kind and friendly to the fans. But perhaps more importantly, he actually took a genuine interest in us and that will always set him apart. After watching the footage from the memorial and the launch, I think the pure emotion from the events shows through so clearly that you didn't have to be there to share in the moment. I admit, my eyes well up with the amazing launch video.

Even during old interviews it is evident that Jimmy was so very much aware of the fans, for often that is the subject matter. If you ever have the opportunity to talk with any of the fans who had met Jimmy over the years, you will find that he was always grateful for the fans, respectful of the fans, and not only aware of how much he gave us, but also, and with great humility, very much aware of how much we gave him.

We will always miss you Jimmy! Enjoy the view up there...

And to everyone else, I'll see you next time and be well.

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!