Damnit man, I'm a specialist, not a genius.
CIVILIAN LIFE:
Q1. Name: Jacqui
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet?
sparkly_stuff posted a banner in an LJ entry. Naturally, I had to Google it until I figured out what it was, and then I freaked out just a little bit because this is pure awesome.
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek?
I was practically raised on Star Trek. My parents watched he original series when they were growing up, and I was watching Next Generation and Deep Space Nine before I really knew what was going on. My 13th birthday present was a trip to Las Vegas to visit the Star Trek Experience, and when I was 14 I went to a convention to meet the cast of Voyager.
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet?
I think the Starfleet dogtags I bought in junior high represent that childish, idealistic desire to be a part of Star Trek - to breach the barrier between reality and one of the most extensive fictional universes ever created. While I know I can’t ever actually be a part of Starfleet, it’s fun to pretend... and Elite of the Fleet looks like the perfect setting to do so. Having been a part of hogwarts_elite for the last five and a half years, I know these types of communities are great opportunities to have fun and get to know people who are just as geeky as I am.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character?
It’s definitely a tie between The Doctor on Voyager and Bones from TOS. DeForest Kelley’s Leonard McCoy is the perfect mix of honor, loyalty and snark; but the holographic doctor’s Pinocchio-like quest to have human interests and freedom is completely endearing, and his quick thinking and heroic streak was invaluable to the crew. It’s funny, but I think “please state the nature of the medical emergency” turned out to be a surprisingly fantastic catch phrase. What can I say? I guess I like the boys in blue.
Q6. And the least?
I never liked Kes from Voyager. I practically threw a party when I found out 7 of 9 was essentially her replacement character. She was just too naïve for me to believe her as a character. For me, one of the best things about Star Trek is the constant struggle to choose right over wrong in an unfamiliar situation, and Kes’s innocence made that too easy for her.
Riker’s beard comes in a close second here.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite?
I love Voyager, which is probably pretty obvious from my previous answers. It was the first series that I was old enough to choose to watch from the beginning, so I had the most connection to the characters. I really liked that the Voyager had a female captain, too.
Of course, the most recent film may gain favor over Voyager in the future; I have to admit that when I finished watching it for the first time, all I wanted was a sequel RIGHT THEN with the same characters and actors. I hope they can keep this up!
________________________________
STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet?
The opportunity to participate in a community of like-minded individuals. Having been a member of hogwarts_elite, I know that the opportunity exists to make great friends simply with the basis of one unusual common interest. I’m kind of excited about the prospect of meeting other Star Trek fans, as well, since this is the first time it’s really been "cool" in my lifetime.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for?
I’m willing to try anything, and find that I can usually adapt to most situations. If you see me fitting somewhere that I didn’t consider, I’ll gladly give it a shot!
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 can see myself being an asset in two ways here. First, as a pilot: I have a good sense of what many vehicles are capable of, and how I can get the most maneuverability out of them. Whether it be a video game, a flight simulator, a car, a bike, or even in-line skates, I know I can go fast and steer well. I will admit, the first button I look for is never the brake... but sometimes fast action is exactly what’s needed, especially in a combat situation!
Secondly, as a defense strategist: I may not be the best navigator (I can’t even get to work without my GPS), but I have a mind for defense that has served me well in sports and probably equally well in a battle. I don’t have to know where I am to know how to keep the enemy from infringing on my territory! Or, you know, blasting a hole through the bridge.
Operations: My best area of Operations, and potentially my strongest area overall, is probably communications. I have a knack for languages, be they Latin based, Asian, or alien. (Yes, I have recently begun to learn Klingon. It’s a goal of mine to be able to put this on a resume some day, tacked onto the list of real languages I speak, just to make my future employer laugh. I hope. If they don’t get the joke, I may reconsider working there...) On a serious note, however, I have a background in both foreign languages and music, a combination that has provided me with a sensitive ear that helps me to pick up new languages more easily.
Not only am I capable of learning and speaking foreign languages, I’m also a skilled communicator. I’m usually approachable and non-confrontational. Having been a teacher - a foreign language teacher for young children, nonetheless - I’ve developed a skill for breaking things down into essential information in its simplest form.
Exploratory Sciences: This is potentially my weakest area. While I enjoy the sciences on an intellectual level, I’ve never really excelled in them. Theoretical sciences make more sense to me than physical sciences, and I’m happier pondering the possibilities of multiple universes than I am dissecting frogs or categorizing rocks. However, I do possess a general curiosity and the ability to learn, so I wouldn’t be completely useless here.
Medical: I think it’s essential for a Starfleet medical officer to be calm and reliable. It’s one thing to be a skilled surgeon, but if you can’t continue to perform admirably while under fire, you’re not going to be much good on a ship. That’s where my strengths lie - it takes a lot to rattle me, and I’m not going to have trouble performing the same procedures in a crisis as I am in a routine situation. I’m calm, efficient, gentle but firm - the perfect combination for a Starfleet doctor.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Leadership. I am a leader, hands down. I take action while others are still discussing it in committees. I have a lot of ideas, and I strive to make sure others understand why I think one is better than another. If one solution doesn’t work, I come up with another one. People listen to me, and I do my best not to lead them astray. Somewhat intertwined in this one would be “honorable”, because I don’t think much of leaders who don’t take Right vs. Wrong very seriously. I would probably have been right at home at the round table, because I make my decisions based on what is right and just, and that’s how I judge others’ actions as well.
02. Creativity. I have long perceived this as one of my greatest strengths. The ability to “think outside the box” is one that separates those who influence the world from those who live in it as it is. Sure, sliced bread is a great invention, but what if it were sliced into different shapes? How would that change things for the better? Creativity means never settling for things as they are, but always striving to improve them. It will be a creative person who eventually discovers the workable alternative to fossil fuels, and a creative person who eventually designs the first starship. I may not be on either of those frontiers, but I do count myself among those who think creatively.
03. Intelligence. Having been tested several times as a child, I know for certain that I have a high IQ. Of course, what matters is not my potential so much as whether I’m fulfilling my abilities. I think my natural curiosity for all things, not just those areas in which I excel, is what allows me to reach my potential. I’m not afraid to admit that I don’t know something, because that’s the only way I’ll learn - pretending I know something I don’t not only means I will eventually look foolish, but also that I missed an opportunity to learn something new. Intelligence isn’t just “being smart” or “knowing a lot” - it’s also being wise, and a little bit curious. For me, everything is a learning experience.
04. Confidence. As you may have noticed from my previous answers, I’m very confident. Modesty is important, but so is making sure that not only do I know what I’m capable of, but also others know when they can rely on me. I know where my skill sets lie, and I know what I can do and what I can’t do. I’m very self-aware, and I know how to project self-confidence in order to allow others to trust me and have confidence in me. I’m also not afraid to hand over power to someone with more knowledge and experience than I have.
05. Luck. Does anyone else play The Sims 3? My self-sim has the "lucky" trait, and it’s one of those things that my friends all seem to have the same reaction to: laugh, think about it, then heartily agree. Whether it’s divine intervention or dumb luck, things tend to go well for me - not necessarily in a way I can immediately recognise, but eventually, things just seem to work out for the best. Maybe it’s just because I’m an optimist (or maybe I’m an optimist because of it), but I generally trust that no matter how weird things get, it’s all going to turn out splendidly.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. Unfocused. At some point in time, I may have been considered a "renaissance man" (woman?), but that was probably also a time when there were a lot less other things to worry about in addition to refining my skills in the arts. Once I’ve worried about work, obligations, cleaning, bills, etc. I hardly have time to concentrate on one area of interest, but of course this hasn’t prevented me from having a multitude of interests and several skills. I’m sure that if I could force myself to choose one thing, I could be awesome; but why would I want to be a professional trumpet player when I could also dabble in painting, cycling and seven different foreign languages? Oh, and maybe I’ll teach myself film editing and write a novel in my spare time. I mean, REALLY. Focus, Jacqui, FOCUS!
02. Poor Vocabulary. I’ve spent a lot of time studying foreign languages - I started when I was 7 years old, and have since studied seven or eight languages. This is important, because I feel that it’s the reason I never really bothered to expand my English language vocabulary. I don’t have trouble understanding words because I’m awesome at dissecting them into roots and figuring out the definitions, but sometimes I have trouble thinking of the right... thing... to express my... stuff. Get me flustered and I’ll probably just start repeating the same word over and over again.
03. Intellectual Elitism. I hold the rest of the world to standards it probably can’t achieve. My version of "common sense" probably assumes too much education, and it irritates me when people don’t apply logic to everyday situations. This is why I make an effort to surround myself with intelligent, educated people. This is also why I gravitate towards communities like eliteofthefleet and hogwarts_elite ... because the application’s weed-out process helps keep the annoying rabble out. ;)
04. Apparent Narcissism. It’s not that I really think I’m that interesting, I’m just better at understanding things by relating them to myself. As a result, I probably seem narcissistic, or like I’m bragging about my life experiences all the time. Actually, I’m just trying to connect with you! Also, I usually find other peoples’ random facts really interesting, so sometimes I assume that others find mine interesting. Either way, I will admit that often, the most-used words in my vocabulary are probably "I" and "me".
05. Short Attention SpOOH, SHINY! This probably goes a little bit along with number 01, but in fact, it’s worthy of its own space. My mom and I sometimes joke that our personal mottos should be "Ooh, shiny!" because both of us are prone to halting mid-sentence, pointing, and shouting, "Ooh, look!" (9 times out of 10, whatever has caught our attention is, in fact, shiny.) Of course, this derails all previous trains of thought, and neither of us can remember what happened before we were distracted by shiny objects. To give you an idea of how easily distracted I am, I’ve been working on this application since the end of December, and it’s now the end of January. There are just so many other shiny things that are also deserving of my attention! This is probably also why my answers seem to get shorter and shorter as this application progresses.
Q13. What is your biggest fear?
Honestly? Confined spaces. I’m horribly claustrophobic, and if I can’t define the quickest, easiest exit strategy in short order, I’m not going to be a happy camper. I always maneuver to sit on an aisle, and small cars freak me out - my dad used to want a Dodge Viper, and when we had the chance to sit in one at a car show, I couldn’t even get close to it for fear someone would actually make me sit in it.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower?
A leader. I think I went into this pretty well in question 11, but to summarize: I have the inspiration and the personality necessary to be an effective leader. Also, I don’t follow well unless I have a lot of respect for the leader in charge - if things aren’t working efficiently, I’ll probably be leading a coup. (Hey, my name does mean "usurper"!)
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers?
Probably adaptability, for two reasons. First, because if you’re friends with me it’s pretty likely I’m eventually going to drag you out of your comfort zone, and potentially out of your current hemisphere. I adapt quickly to foreign cultures and situations, and there’s nothing better than having others around me who can keep up and not freak out. I’m terribly embarrassed when I have to travel with people who practically have a neon sign on their head screaming their nationality, so I tend toward peers who can recognize patterns and blend in.
Secondly, being adaptable means you’re more likely to be calm when things change. I’m generally very calm, but high-strung people stress me out, so even though change won’t phase me, if it’s bothering you, you’re bothering me. The first time I really realized this was my first holiday season in a retail environment - my coworkers kept telling me to calm down, and I was shocked, because that’s not something I hear often. However, every time a panicked customer approached me, their panic was contagious. If everyone would just keep things in perspective, the world would be a lot easier to handle.
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?
The tricorder and the communicator. I wouldn’t choose the phaser unless this was a planet full of giant arachnids (likely the only thing I would choose to shoot first, ask questions later). The tricorder would be useful to The Federation because it’s likely that once I was picked up again, people from all fields would have questions that I may not be able to answer, but that the data on my tricorder could. Plus, it may give The Federation a jump-start on mapping that planet for the next unfortunate soul who got stranded there.
Assuming the communicator functions (and I’m guessing it does, or it wouldn’t have been offered as a "right answer" choice in this hypothetical situation), this would be the most useful tool to me in this situation. If I’m stranded with a team, it’s important that we have a way of communicating with each other even if we need to split up; and if I’m still in contact with my starship, I can follow instructions from and give data to my crew in order to survive and be found.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive.
The Prime Directive is the best way to make sure that we don’t interfere in the natural evolution of an alien planet or species. This probably came about from the scientific idea that you can’t observe something without changing it - the very act of observation will affect whatever it is you’re studying. The Prime Directive helps to limit the amount of change we inflict upon new cultures, particularly when it comes to their level of technology. If a planet has not yet developed warp technology, it would be inappropriate to 'nudge' them forward in that discovery - it’s unknown how a culture that was unprepared for that advancement might interact in the wider universe, without going through the necessary stages of growth and preparedness in between.
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. What can I say, I could use a holiday, and Risa looks like the place to spend it. Had this question been asked when I wasn't in Chicago in January, you may have gotten a different answer, but right now, that is definitely the most appealing planet. I’m not even that fond of sand, but I do love sunshine!
________________________________
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.
Really, this was a tough decision for me. Most likely I’d have done A, and then B - but since I was forced to pick one, I chose B, because after a long day I’m usually tired and ready to zone out. When I was teaching in Japan, my ritual "hard day in the classroom" afternoon usually involved watching a couple of TV episodes, then going out to exchange rants over curry with my closest friend in the area. Sometimes being immersed in someone else's fictional life helps to take the sting off your own.
So, yes, I'm choosing "Grab an iPad a PADD for some recreational reading".
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.
If it’s that important, I hardly think the Captain wants to be bothered by the minute details. Additionally, if I’m the expert in my field, I’m the one who can actually interpret the data - the Captain has his own job to do, and he probably expects those on his crew to do theirs. Succinct facts and the essential interpretations are exactly what he needs in order to act appropriately.
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.
Perhaps this is my black-and-white view of the world showing here, but my belief is usually that there is a Right Way and a Wrong Way, and the best way to discern them is through a careful balance of logic and intuition. I may not be the most diplomatic person all the time, but when I act, I believe in what I’m doing.
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.
I’m not exactly the most traditionally organized person, but I do get things done well and completely. I’d say others probably have a hard time visualizing me getting to the desired outcome in a timely manner, but that’s only because they aren’t me - I can visualize it perfectly! That is to say, I am organized and task-oriented, just in my own way.
Spontaneity and flexibility in everyday work are essential, especially in a large crew, because you can’t predict when something important is going to come up mid-day. Not begrudging someone the need to drop everything you’re doing and change tracks will help to ease tensions and make everything run smoother in the long run.
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:
http://3valve.livejournal.com/718505.html
Q1. Name: Jacqui
Q2. How did you find out about Elite of the Fleet?
sparkly_stuff posted a banner in an LJ entry. Naturally, I had to Google it until I figured out what it was, and then I freaked out just a little bit because this is pure awesome.
Q3. When did you first become interested in Star Trek?
I was practically raised on Star Trek. My parents watched he original series when they were growing up, and I was watching Next Generation and Deep Space Nine before I really knew what was going on. My 13th birthday present was a trip to Las Vegas to visit the Star Trek Experience, and when I was 14 I went to a convention to meet the cast of Voyager.
Q4. Why have you decided to join Elite of the Fleet?
I think the Starfleet dogtags I bought in junior high represent that childish, idealistic desire to be a part of Star Trek - to breach the barrier between reality and one of the most extensive fictional universes ever created. While I know I can’t ever actually be a part of Starfleet, it’s fun to pretend... and Elite of the Fleet looks like the perfect setting to do so. Having been a part of hogwarts_elite for the last five and a half years, I know these types of communities are great opportunities to have fun and get to know people who are just as geeky as I am.
Q5. Who is your favourite Star Trek character?
It’s definitely a tie between The Doctor on Voyager and Bones from TOS. DeForest Kelley’s Leonard McCoy is the perfect mix of honor, loyalty and snark; but the holographic doctor’s Pinocchio-like quest to have human interests and freedom is completely endearing, and his quick thinking and heroic streak was invaluable to the crew. It’s funny, but I think “please state the nature of the medical emergency” turned out to be a surprisingly fantastic catch phrase. What can I say? I guess I like the boys in blue.
Q6. And the least?
I never liked Kes from Voyager. I practically threw a party when I found out 7 of 9 was essentially her replacement character. She was just too naïve for me to believe her as a character. For me, one of the best things about Star Trek is the constant struggle to choose right over wrong in an unfamiliar situation, and Kes’s innocence made that too easy for her.
Riker’s beard comes in a close second here.
Q7. Which television (or film) series is your favourite?
I love Voyager, which is probably pretty obvious from my previous answers. It was the first series that I was old enough to choose to watch from the beginning, so I had the most connection to the characters. I really liked that the Voyager had a female captain, too.
Of course, the most recent film may gain favor over Voyager in the future; I have to admit that when I finished watching it for the first time, all I wanted was a sequel RIGHT THEN with the same characters and actors. I hope they can keep this up!
________________________________
STARFLEET LIFE:
Q8. What do you hope to gain from your service in Starfleet?
The opportunity to participate in a community of like-minded individuals. Having been a member of hogwarts_elite, I know that the opportunity exists to make great friends simply with the basis of one unusual common interest. I’m kind of excited about the prospect of meeting other Star Trek fans, as well, since this is the first time it’s really been "cool" in my lifetime.
Q9. Is there any occupation in Starfleet you feel you would be particularly unsuited for?
I’m willing to try anything, and find that I can usually adapt to most situations. If you see me fitting somewhere that I didn’t consider, I’ll gladly give it a shot!
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 can see myself being an asset in two ways here. First, as a pilot: I have a good sense of what many vehicles are capable of, and how I can get the most maneuverability out of them. Whether it be a video game, a flight simulator, a car, a bike, or even in-line skates, I know I can go fast and steer well. I will admit, the first button I look for is never the brake... but sometimes fast action is exactly what’s needed, especially in a combat situation!
Secondly, as a defense strategist: I may not be the best navigator (I can’t even get to work without my GPS), but I have a mind for defense that has served me well in sports and probably equally well in a battle. I don’t have to know where I am to know how to keep the enemy from infringing on my territory! Or, you know, blasting a hole through the bridge.
Operations: My best area of Operations, and potentially my strongest area overall, is probably communications. I have a knack for languages, be they Latin based, Asian, or alien. (Yes, I have recently begun to learn Klingon. It’s a goal of mine to be able to put this on a resume some day, tacked onto the list of real languages I speak, just to make my future employer laugh. I hope. If they don’t get the joke, I may reconsider working there...) On a serious note, however, I have a background in both foreign languages and music, a combination that has provided me with a sensitive ear that helps me to pick up new languages more easily.
Not only am I capable of learning and speaking foreign languages, I’m also a skilled communicator. I’m usually approachable and non-confrontational. Having been a teacher - a foreign language teacher for young children, nonetheless - I’ve developed a skill for breaking things down into essential information in its simplest form.
Exploratory Sciences: This is potentially my weakest area. While I enjoy the sciences on an intellectual level, I’ve never really excelled in them. Theoretical sciences make more sense to me than physical sciences, and I’m happier pondering the possibilities of multiple universes than I am dissecting frogs or categorizing rocks. However, I do possess a general curiosity and the ability to learn, so I wouldn’t be completely useless here.
Medical: I think it’s essential for a Starfleet medical officer to be calm and reliable. It’s one thing to be a skilled surgeon, but if you can’t continue to perform admirably while under fire, you’re not going to be much good on a ship. That’s where my strengths lie - it takes a lot to rattle me, and I’m not going to have trouble performing the same procedures in a crisis as I am in a routine situation. I’m calm, efficient, gentle but firm - the perfect combination for a Starfleet doctor.
Q11. What are your top five strengths?
01. Leadership. I am a leader, hands down. I take action while others are still discussing it in committees. I have a lot of ideas, and I strive to make sure others understand why I think one is better than another. If one solution doesn’t work, I come up with another one. People listen to me, and I do my best not to lead them astray. Somewhat intertwined in this one would be “honorable”, because I don’t think much of leaders who don’t take Right vs. Wrong very seriously. I would probably have been right at home at the round table, because I make my decisions based on what is right and just, and that’s how I judge others’ actions as well.
02. Creativity. I have long perceived this as one of my greatest strengths. The ability to “think outside the box” is one that separates those who influence the world from those who live in it as it is. Sure, sliced bread is a great invention, but what if it were sliced into different shapes? How would that change things for the better? Creativity means never settling for things as they are, but always striving to improve them. It will be a creative person who eventually discovers the workable alternative to fossil fuels, and a creative person who eventually designs the first starship. I may not be on either of those frontiers, but I do count myself among those who think creatively.
03. Intelligence. Having been tested several times as a child, I know for certain that I have a high IQ. Of course, what matters is not my potential so much as whether I’m fulfilling my abilities. I think my natural curiosity for all things, not just those areas in which I excel, is what allows me to reach my potential. I’m not afraid to admit that I don’t know something, because that’s the only way I’ll learn - pretending I know something I don’t not only means I will eventually look foolish, but also that I missed an opportunity to learn something new. Intelligence isn’t just “being smart” or “knowing a lot” - it’s also being wise, and a little bit curious. For me, everything is a learning experience.
04. Confidence. As you may have noticed from my previous answers, I’m very confident. Modesty is important, but so is making sure that not only do I know what I’m capable of, but also others know when they can rely on me. I know where my skill sets lie, and I know what I can do and what I can’t do. I’m very self-aware, and I know how to project self-confidence in order to allow others to trust me and have confidence in me. I’m also not afraid to hand over power to someone with more knowledge and experience than I have.
05. Luck. Does anyone else play The Sims 3? My self-sim has the "lucky" trait, and it’s one of those things that my friends all seem to have the same reaction to: laugh, think about it, then heartily agree. Whether it’s divine intervention or dumb luck, things tend to go well for me - not necessarily in a way I can immediately recognise, but eventually, things just seem to work out for the best. Maybe it’s just because I’m an optimist (or maybe I’m an optimist because of it), but I generally trust that no matter how weird things get, it’s all going to turn out splendidly.
Q12. What are your top five weaknesses?
01. Unfocused. At some point in time, I may have been considered a "renaissance man" (woman?), but that was probably also a time when there were a lot less other things to worry about in addition to refining my skills in the arts. Once I’ve worried about work, obligations, cleaning, bills, etc. I hardly have time to concentrate on one area of interest, but of course this hasn’t prevented me from having a multitude of interests and several skills. I’m sure that if I could force myself to choose one thing, I could be awesome; but why would I want to be a professional trumpet player when I could also dabble in painting, cycling and seven different foreign languages? Oh, and maybe I’ll teach myself film editing and write a novel in my spare time. I mean, REALLY. Focus, Jacqui, FOCUS!
02. Poor Vocabulary. I’ve spent a lot of time studying foreign languages - I started when I was 7 years old, and have since studied seven or eight languages. This is important, because I feel that it’s the reason I never really bothered to expand my English language vocabulary. I don’t have trouble understanding words because I’m awesome at dissecting them into roots and figuring out the definitions, but sometimes I have trouble thinking of the right... thing... to express my... stuff. Get me flustered and I’ll probably just start repeating the same word over and over again.
03. Intellectual Elitism. I hold the rest of the world to standards it probably can’t achieve. My version of "common sense" probably assumes too much education, and it irritates me when people don’t apply logic to everyday situations. This is why I make an effort to surround myself with intelligent, educated people. This is also why I gravitate towards communities like eliteofthefleet and hogwarts_elite ... because the application’s weed-out process helps keep the annoying rabble out. ;)
04. Apparent Narcissism. It’s not that I really think I’m that interesting, I’m just better at understanding things by relating them to myself. As a result, I probably seem narcissistic, or like I’m bragging about my life experiences all the time. Actually, I’m just trying to connect with you! Also, I usually find other peoples’ random facts really interesting, so sometimes I assume that others find mine interesting. Either way, I will admit that often, the most-used words in my vocabulary are probably "I" and "me".
05. Short Attention SpOOH, SHINY! This probably goes a little bit along with number 01, but in fact, it’s worthy of its own space. My mom and I sometimes joke that our personal mottos should be "Ooh, shiny!" because both of us are prone to halting mid-sentence, pointing, and shouting, "Ooh, look!" (9 times out of 10, whatever has caught our attention is, in fact, shiny.) Of course, this derails all previous trains of thought, and neither of us can remember what happened before we were distracted by shiny objects. To give you an idea of how easily distracted I am, I’ve been working on this application since the end of December, and it’s now the end of January. There are just so many other shiny things that are also deserving of my attention! This is probably also why my answers seem to get shorter and shorter as this application progresses.
Q13. What is your biggest fear?
Honestly? Confined spaces. I’m horribly claustrophobic, and if I can’t define the quickest, easiest exit strategy in short order, I’m not going to be a happy camper. I always maneuver to sit on an aisle, and small cars freak me out - my dad used to want a Dodge Viper, and when we had the chance to sit in one at a car show, I couldn’t even get close to it for fear someone would actually make me sit in it.
Q14. Do you consider yourself to be a leader, or a follower?
A leader. I think I went into this pretty well in question 11, but to summarize: I have the inspiration and the personality necessary to be an effective leader. Also, I don’t follow well unless I have a lot of respect for the leader in charge - if things aren’t working efficiently, I’ll probably be leading a coup. (Hey, my name does mean "usurper"!)
Q15. What do you admire the most in your peers?
Probably adaptability, for two reasons. First, because if you’re friends with me it’s pretty likely I’m eventually going to drag you out of your comfort zone, and potentially out of your current hemisphere. I adapt quickly to foreign cultures and situations, and there’s nothing better than having others around me who can keep up and not freak out. I’m terribly embarrassed when I have to travel with people who practically have a neon sign on their head screaming their nationality, so I tend toward peers who can recognize patterns and blend in.
Secondly, being adaptable means you’re more likely to be calm when things change. I’m generally very calm, but high-strung people stress me out, so even though change won’t phase me, if it’s bothering you, you’re bothering me. The first time I really realized this was my first holiday season in a retail environment - my coworkers kept telling me to calm down, and I was shocked, because that’s not something I hear often. However, every time a panicked customer approached me, their panic was contagious. If everyone would just keep things in perspective, the world would be a lot easier to handle.
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?
The tricorder and the communicator. I wouldn’t choose the phaser unless this was a planet full of giant arachnids (likely the only thing I would choose to shoot first, ask questions later). The tricorder would be useful to The Federation because it’s likely that once I was picked up again, people from all fields would have questions that I may not be able to answer, but that the data on my tricorder could. Plus, it may give The Federation a jump-start on mapping that planet for the next unfortunate soul who got stranded there.
Assuming the communicator functions (and I’m guessing it does, or it wouldn’t have been offered as a "right answer" choice in this hypothetical situation), this would be the most useful tool to me in this situation. If I’m stranded with a team, it’s important that we have a way of communicating with each other even if we need to split up; and if I’m still in contact with my starship, I can follow instructions from and give data to my crew in order to survive and be found.
Q17. Please describe your understanding of the Federation’s Prime Directive.
The Prime Directive is the best way to make sure that we don’t interfere in the natural evolution of an alien planet or species. This probably came about from the scientific idea that you can’t observe something without changing it - the very act of observation will affect whatever it is you’re studying. The Prime Directive helps to limit the amount of change we inflict upon new cultures, particularly when it comes to their level of technology. If a planet has not yet developed warp technology, it would be inappropriate to 'nudge' them forward in that discovery - it’s unknown how a culture that was unprepared for that advancement might interact in the wider universe, without going through the necessary stages of growth and preparedness in between.
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. What can I say, I could use a holiday, and Risa looks like the place to spend it. Had this question been asked when I wasn't in Chicago in January, you may have gotten a different answer, but right now, that is definitely the most appealing planet. I’m not even that fond of sand, but I do love sunshine!
________________________________
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.
Really, this was a tough decision for me. Most likely I’d have done A, and then B - but since I was forced to pick one, I chose B, because after a long day I’m usually tired and ready to zone out. When I was teaching in Japan, my ritual "hard day in the classroom" afternoon usually involved watching a couple of TV episodes, then going out to exchange rants over curry with my closest friend in the area. Sometimes being immersed in someone else's fictional life helps to take the sting off your own.
So, yes, I'm choosing "Grab an iPad a PADD for some recreational reading".
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.
If it’s that important, I hardly think the Captain wants to be bothered by the minute details. Additionally, if I’m the expert in my field, I’m the one who can actually interpret the data - the Captain has his own job to do, and he probably expects those on his crew to do theirs. Succinct facts and the essential interpretations are exactly what he needs in order to act appropriately.
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.
Perhaps this is my black-and-white view of the world showing here, but my belief is usually that there is a Right Way and a Wrong Way, and the best way to discern them is through a careful balance of logic and intuition. I may not be the most diplomatic person all the time, but when I act, I believe in what I’m doing.
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.
I’m not exactly the most traditionally organized person, but I do get things done well and completely. I’d say others probably have a hard time visualizing me getting to the desired outcome in a timely manner, but that’s only because they aren’t me - I can visualize it perfectly! That is to say, I am organized and task-oriented, just in my own way.
Spontaneity and flexibility in everyday work are essential, especially in a large crew, because you can’t predict when something important is going to come up mid-day. Not begrudging someone the need to drop everything you’re doing and change tracks will help to ease tensions and make everything run smoother in the long run.
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:
http://3valve.livejournal.com/718505.html