Welcome to Star Trekking, my attempt to share points of interest and random intersections in the final frontier.
Just when I thought I was out of the newsletter business…
I came across this, from Capn Mariam, on an internet community I frequent:
“This used to be the first thing one saw in entering my apartment.”
Still a fair question.
And then I was surfing as usual when I saw this article on the front page of the NY Times Arts section.
I can’t even tell you how much it warmed my cold Vulcan heart to see this article, to see our beloved Spock right up front in the paper of record. Boldly going indeed.
Meanwhile, last week I was asked if I would interview Chase Masterson for TrekMovie.
Twist my arm.
So I called Chase Masterson and talked to her for an hour. What a delightful, engaging person! We talked about her work with the Pop Culture Hero Coalition, how mental health has been portrayed in the franchise, why DS9 still resonates, and about the importance of being kind. And she consoled me (!!) about a recent death in my family. I was simply blown away by her kind and generous spirit and I couldn’t wait to share her words with the world.
And after we hung up, I realized I had forgotten to hit “record.”
Hoo boy.
So after a lot of mea culpa on my part, she very kindly (the importance of being kind!) agreed to talk to me again. This time I only had twenty minutes and had to just hit the key points, but it was again a delight. I am so impressed with the work Chase does and excited about her organization’s partnership with the YMCA. Please do read about how they are literally teaching IDIC. Spock would be so proud. (And so would Gene.)
And when you’re done with the article, go find out more about the Pop Culture Hero Coalition. And follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
It’s the logical thing to do etc.
Here’s a fun deep dive into one cherished moment of the franchise. Emmet Asher-Perrin explores the state of “art” in Star Trek’s future.
Spock calling Susann and Robbins “the Giants,” is another matter entirely. It suggests that these works are respected in the future—when both authors were often and roundly ridiculed by the literary establishment during their careers, despite being some of the best selling writers of the era. It suggests that both Kirk and Spock are well aware of their tawdry oeuvres with all the cursing, sex, and drug-use contained therein.
It suggests that Spock has read Valley of the Dolls. And he liked it.
I have been staying off Twitter (speaking of improving mental health) so I don’t have any super cute/fun/hilarious Trek memes to share with you right now. But I did see this right before Christmas and no doubt by now you have seen it, too, but on the off chance you haven’t, well, please, cap off the holiday season with this brand new classic - You’re A Mean One, Mr. Spock.
Finally, I leave you with this treasure, also from CapnMariam:
Go forth and read something by The Giants this week. And maybe create some art - it’s good for your mental health. And if your art ends up being Trek-related in any way, please share it with me via email (since I’m still trying to stay off Twitter): nshurl at gmail.com.
Until next time,
LOVE long…and prosper.