Happy New Year 2014!
2013 was a bit of a roller coaster for me, and for many others too, I imagine. The good news is that it’s over; the bad news is that another one has begun, and it’s up to us to make the best of it. So you say you want a resolution? Most of us make resolutions, little promises to ourselves that could make our lives better in the new year. Usually we break them within hours, but I figure that since Star Trek is a part of my daily life, it’ll be easier to stick to them if I keep them in the same vein. Here are the 10 I’m going for…
- Live Long And Prosper: We all know the Vulcan saying, and some of us say it as a matter of course anyway. It’s a good thing to wish upon others, and the correct response of Peace and Long Life is good too. While I say it quite a bit, I haven’t exactly been following my own advice. I need a bit more peace in my life (which I’m hoping goes on a whole lot longer) and I’m going to do my best to prosper. My landlord will be pleased to hear that too.
- Something Sisko: I’m a huge fan of Captain Sisko; In fact, he’s my favourite captain, despite my fondness for Kirk and Picard. He’s a family man who balanced being a good parent with his job, and faced both challenges head-on. This past year, I’ve spent too much time focusing on the wrong things, and it’s time I got that balance back. It’s time to engage the Sisko in me and get things right.
- Embrace Change: The Star Trek universe is one that’s gone through a lot of changes over the years, from flat-headed Klingons to ridge-headed Klingons to pierced-headed Klingons. The characters have changed, the ships have changed, everything’s changed. I’m old-fashioned and don’t embrace change very easily… but maybe it’s time I did. You can like the old and still embrace the new too. It’s time for some open-mindedness. Hey, I even like Voyager more than I used to, so that’s a good thing.
- Avoid Red Shirts: Yes, it’s one of the biggest clichés in Star Trek, and has become synonymous with being cannon-fodder. Even Chekov’s reaction to being told to put on a red shirt in the last film shows the reputation of it. This past year, I made the mistake of wearing a red shirt several times. I didn’t bother to see if my problems were worse when I wore it; at the time I just thought it looked good. I’m not normally superstitious, but I’ll be wearing red shirts a whole lot less this year, just to be on the safe side.
- True Q: There are many reasons to avoid being like Q. He’s arrogant, sarcastic and seems to think that Captain Janeway is bothered about the size of a man’s tattoo. On the other hand, the fans loved him the more they saw him, which is weird, because early on he was just an omnipotent oaf in a big hat, and was mistaken for a bad guy. Appearances can be deceiving, and some people think I’m an arrogant villain. Really! So maybe it’s time I let people know more about the real me, and be more accessible to people.
- Doctor’s Orders: As I’ve said, I’ve learned to appreciate Voyager a whole lot more, but one of my favourite characters from it has always been The Doctor. He’s funny, smart, and a great singer to boot. He exceeded his programming and became a valuable commander when he had to. He even became a writer, and never gave up on his dreams. In this world, it’s easy to lose those dreams we have, and even when we’re achieving them, it seems like we’re just one critical voice away from surrendering. But like The Doctor, I’m going to persevere with them, and try my best to make them come true.
- Skull And Cross Bones: The Doctor isn’t the only doctor in the house, there’s Leonard “Bones” McCoy. Whenever someone needed an honest opinion, Bones would offer it, and add in some homespun philosophy too. He’s a good guy to have around, the sort of friend and advisor that everyone needs. I’ve been lucky that the people in my life who matter to me are as honest as Bones, and I’m the same with them. I think adding some old-fashioned wisdom into the mix is the next thing too, because it can help to cure a rainy day.
- The Wrath Of Khan: Khan may be a megalomaniac, which is bad, but he also cares about his people, which is good. In the wonderfully-acronymed TWOK, he was so mad at Kirk that he led his people to their doom to exact revenge, his hatred blinding him to what was really important. I’ve let some people get to me over the past year, but it’s better to ignore that and focus on what counts. The people in my life are important to me, and I should do more to put aside my personal issues to help them.
- The Value Of The Rand: Yes, it’s that old resolution of watching my diet. We’ve seen two Captain Kirks and they were trim and fit enough to get their shirts off at every available opportunity. We’ve also seen one of them get a little portly over the years. There’s no shame in that; it’s what happens with time. But Yeoman Rand was always keen on Kirk eating properly, as was Bones. I’ve become the older Kirk in physique, but maybe it’s time I start taking Rand’s advice and eat more sensibly…
- The Logical Laugh: I’ve been advised that I should ease up on myself when I make mistakes, because I’m only human. Only human… what a horrible thought. I like to be as logical as a Vulcan whenever I can. Spock’s a great role model, but he’s at his best when his human side shines through; a laugh from Spock, or even just a smile, counts for a lot. One of my resolutions is to let my humanity out a little more and enjoy my emotions for what they are. After all, it’s merely my quite logical reaction…
Picard says: “Don’t just wish for a great 2014. MAKE IT SO.”
