Tag: Uhura

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Star Trek Dreaming

I know I mentioned last time that I am watching Star Trek the Original Series from episode one. The thing that I always forget is how much I love these characters. Captain Kirk with his cowboy diplomacy (which is my ultimate favorite diplomacy) to Spock with his unflappable logic and stoicism, except when he thinks he killed Jim and then finds out he’s actually alive. Bones with his dry wit and sarcasm, when he allows his facade to crack, a southern accent that would do Kellie Rasberry proud. Scotty with his love and loyalty to the ship, the Enterprise might be Captain Kirk’s wife, but she is Scotty’s true love. Lieutenant Uhura, one of my first role models, a woman, on the bridge of a starship. One who carried herself with confidence and also a hint of humor.

I love all of them, a lot of life lessons can be learned from watching these shows. From issues with your parents not approving of your life choices, Sarek not approving of Spock joining Star Fleet, the age old I want you to be like me. It seems no planet is immune from that age old struggle.

Captain Jame T. Kirk, a chick magnet, I know that is not PC, but that is what he was. He had a different woman in every port, on every planet and in-between. We loved watching his swagger, his confidence, his commanding presence. Who didn’t want to be one of those women? Not me because I was only 4 when the show came out.

I wanted Spock to be my dad, I was positive when I was mischievous I would be dealt a healthy dose of logic. Not the sit in your chair and you can’t watch television for an evening punishment.

As I grew older I wanted to grow up to travel on a starship, I don’t know if I will ever get to achieve that dream. I feel we are getting closer, perhaps Tess will see it in her lifetime.

I wanted to meet an alien life form, I wanted to be the first to greet them on earth.

I have always been drawn to strong characters, I wanted to be them, Uhura, Sheena Queen of the Jungle, the first girl Musketeer, protector of a king in the form of a dora milaje, Mata Hari girl spy, saving the day. I wanted to be a singer, a dancer, a writer, Star Trek started all of that.

The show taught me I could dream, I could reach for the moon and land among the stars. It taught me logic, it taught me tolerance, it taught me unification, lessons this earth desperately needs. Perhaps a healthy dose of Star Trek is in the cards for everyone.

Make is mandatory watching in every pre-school, while the special effects are dated. I mean it premiered in 1968, the stories are solid, the ideas are enduring and Captain Kirk is still a chick magnate.

Once I am done with this series I will move on and re-watch Star Trek the Next Generation. Where we have a captain that is more refined, a first officer that has more swagger and bravado than should be legal, and rocks a beard magnificently.

I highly recommend Star Trek for everyone, of all ages. As usual you can leave any comments, questions or criticisms here or send them to angie@angieworld.com. I would love to know who your favorite character is and if any of them influenced your life.

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Star Trek Thoughts

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, with those words we are taken into the darkness. I have been in love with Star Trek since I was four years old, the characters spoke to me, and the storylines held my interest and fired my imagination. There were times I wanted Spock to be my dad, I wanted to grow up and marry Captain Kirk and Scotty was like a loveable Uncle. Bones was the grumpy old neighbor and I wanted to be Lieutenant Uhura. She was on the bridge, confident, self assured and looked good doing it.
I have watched all of the incarnations of Star Trek, I have stuck with them even when it seemed that they had lost their way. I was not overly fond of Deep Space Nine towards the end; I loved Voyager and was hopeful during the reign of Captain Archer.
When the first “new” movie was announced, and I heard J.J. Abrams was at the helm, I was reserved, although I love him, this was my beloved Star Trek. I have to be honest, he has not disappointed, he has taken Gene Rodenberry’s vision and stayed the course. He has given us a whole new lease on the franchise, by rebooting it and taking it down a different timeline he has opened a slew of opportunity for new stories. New takes on old stories, he is staying true to the concepts of good Science Fiction, tell a good story, give us some gadgets and interweave a moral.
This latest installment did not disappoint me; I am not going to give anything away, no spoilers here. I am going to just say that the characters are true to themselves, the humor, the intensity, the loyalty are all there.
I am still in love with Kirk, I still want Spock as a dad, Scotty is looking less like an Uncle as Simon Pegg has done an outstanding job in adding layers to this character. I still want to be like Uhura, she is a force to be reckoned with, and I love the relationship between her and Spock with the new timeline.
All in all, J.J. Abrams has been respectful to the long time loyalist all the while bringing in a new generation to enjoy this amazing franchise.
I will not get into a debate regarding Star Trek vs. Star Wars, they each have their own merits, personally I enjoy both for what they are. Although, let’s be honest, Star Trek paved the way for Star Wars.
The television show opened avenues for other aspiring Science Fiction storytellers; Star Trek brought it to the mainstream like none other before it had. I feel very comfortable telling everyone, everywhere, I am a Trekker; I will be applying for my honorary status as a Star Fleet Officer.

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Happy Birthday @RealNichelle

Today is Nichelle Nichols birthday, for those of you who do not know, Nichelle Nichols was Lt. Uhura on the original Star Trek. She was also a pioneer, a pioneer in the way she showed young girls at the time you could be more than a nurse, or a secretary or a housewife. Not that there is anything wrong with those occupations, however, Nichelle showed all of us we could be on the bridge of a starship, and work our way up to Captain, as her character became in the movies.
As a young girl that fell in love with Star Trek when I was influenced by her character, she was strong, yet kept her femininity, she was outspoken but not labeled a loud mouthed broad, and she was Captain Kirk’s link to Star Fleet. She was the keeper of the information highway. Plus she looked good in the uniform that also influenced me to want to always be able to look good in a Star Fleet uniform.
She has continued to be an influence, she is always classy, and she never says an unkind word about anyone that I have read. I now follow her on twitter and I can assure you she is still classy and informative and still a role model for me. She has never once put down her Star Trek roots; she welcomes fan interest and answers them on her twitter. She is always kind, considerate and an incredibly classy lady, I want to be like that as I grow older.
So happy birthday to the first lady of space travel, may you live long and prosper and continue to influence little girls everywhere to one day stand on the bridge of a starship.