Commander Marci Jansen reporting.
Greetings all!
April brought us River Road Expo at Tioga Downs. We had a fabulous time hanging out with our friends from the USS Serling! We gave away comics and rubber ducks, expanded our newsletter e-mail list, and raised $14 for Pennies for Pets for the Horseheads Animal Shelter!!
By my calculations, we should officially commission as a fully-fledged ship in May. To that end, we’ve decided to hold our First Annual Sirius Pizza Party on June 27th at my house! Everyone is welcome to come and help us celebrate our first big milestone. We hope to make this a yearly event that grows and grows!
And last but certainly not least, please help us welcome our new crewmember Troy Naida. Some of you might recognize Troy – he’s the owner of Rainy Toad Gaming. We’re thrilled to have him on board!
As always, if you have something you’d like to contribute to a future newsletter issue, send me an e-mail at usssirius@stny.rr.com. We’re also still looking for used folding chairs to purchase.
Until next time!
.
Showing posts with label Captain's Log. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Captain's Log. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Captain’s Log, Stardate 92818.86
Commander Marci Jansen reporting.
Greetings all!
After a rocky end to February, we’re halfway through March already. Your First Officer, Navigator, and I were able to head over to Starbase Binghamton and rendezvous with the USS Serling for their monthly meeting on the 14th, and a great time was had by all!
First Officer Commander Jansen has been hard at work building our Twitter presence. If you’re out there in the Twitterverse, follow us – we’re @usssirius.
I’ve revamped our website and added a photo slideshow of our official members. I’ve also started a blog at http://usssirius.blogspot.com. Right now, all of my previous Captain’s Logs are there, and I hope to start adding content as time allows. If you’re in love with our header photo, as I am, you’ll want to check out the fabulous artist behind it - http://cargocollective.com/nickacosta
I’m also still expanding the newsletter – I’ve added a “Subspace Chatter” section, with interesting news from around the ‘net, a “Man Your Posts” section where we detail our charitable efforts, the “Officers’ Mess,” where we’ll share recipes, and a printable coloring page for the kids. If you have something you’d like to contribute to a future issue, send me an e-mail at usssirius@stny.rr.com. We’re also still looking for used folding chairs to purchase.
Until next time!
Greetings all!
After a rocky end to February, we’re halfway through March already. Your First Officer, Navigator, and I were able to head over to Starbase Binghamton and rendezvous with the USS Serling for their monthly meeting on the 14th, and a great time was had by all!
First Officer Commander Jansen has been hard at work building our Twitter presence. If you’re out there in the Twitterverse, follow us – we’re @usssirius.
I’ve revamped our website and added a photo slideshow of our official members. I’ve also started a blog at http://usssirius.blogspot.com. Right now, all of my previous Captain’s Logs are there, and I hope to start adding content as time allows. If you’re in love with our header photo, as I am, you’ll want to check out the fabulous artist behind it - http://cargocollective.com/nickacosta
I’m also still expanding the newsletter – I’ve added a “Subspace Chatter” section, with interesting news from around the ‘net, a “Man Your Posts” section where we detail our charitable efforts, the “Officers’ Mess,” where we’ll share recipes, and a printable coloring page for the kids. If you have something you’d like to contribute to a future issue, send me an e-mail at usssirius@stny.rr.com. We’re also still looking for used folding chairs to purchase.
Until next time!
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Captain’s Log, Stardate 92775.87
Commander Marci Jansen reporting.
I’ve written and rewritten this log several times, never quite feeling like I’d found the right words. Here goes attempt number twelve.
“Are you okay?” seems to be the question of the day. It’s the first thing people ask me in person, and the first thing people ask me via text. And the answer is no. I’m not at all okay. I’m pretty far from okay.
It’s been 7 days since Leonard Nimoy passed away, and I am still not okay. And I don’t know when I will be.
That, I think, is the measure of his greatness. I never met him. I’ve sat in on two Skype calls, but I’ve never seen him in person. I’m a nameless fan in the galaxy of Star Trek. But he is dead, this man I never even met, and I am not okay. I can only hope to inspire that kind of love before I leave this world.
As children watching our idols on television and in film, it never occurs to us that they’re aging before our eyes. It never occurs to us that, when we are entering our thirties and forties, they might be entering their seventies and eighties. We never conceive of a day when they will no longer be alive. We become especially spoiled by shows like Star Trek, where the hero rarely ever dies, and even when he does, sometimes he doesn’t stay dead. Likewise, we often don’t understand their importance to us until we’re grown.
I could talk about Leonard Nimoy’s impact on my childhood. About how, living through the darkness of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of my parents, “Star Trek” was one of the few cherished bright things I had.
And he never even knew he did it.
I think, above everything else, that is his true legacy—his far-reaching impact on everyday people. We are Leonard Nimoy’s legacy.
Rest in peace, Leonard. You have been, and always shall be, my unicorn.
I’ve written and rewritten this log several times, never quite feeling like I’d found the right words. Here goes attempt number twelve.
“Are you okay?” seems to be the question of the day. It’s the first thing people ask me in person, and the first thing people ask me via text. And the answer is no. I’m not at all okay. I’m pretty far from okay.
It’s been 7 days since Leonard Nimoy passed away, and I am still not okay. And I don’t know when I will be.
That, I think, is the measure of his greatness. I never met him. I’ve sat in on two Skype calls, but I’ve never seen him in person. I’m a nameless fan in the galaxy of Star Trek. But he is dead, this man I never even met, and I am not okay. I can only hope to inspire that kind of love before I leave this world.
As children watching our idols on television and in film, it never occurs to us that they’re aging before our eyes. It never occurs to us that, when we are entering our thirties and forties, they might be entering their seventies and eighties. We never conceive of a day when they will no longer be alive. We become especially spoiled by shows like Star Trek, where the hero rarely ever dies, and even when he does, sometimes he doesn’t stay dead. Likewise, we often don’t understand their importance to us until we’re grown.
I could talk about Leonard Nimoy’s impact on my childhood. About how, living through the darkness of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of my parents, “Star Trek” was one of the few cherished bright things I had.
I could talk about how, later in my life, as a bisexual teenager in a Southern Baptist family, I identified with Spock more than anyone in my “real life.” I could talk about his devotion to Judaism, and how I always felt like a bad Jew who could never live up to his example. Seriously—I have a plastic, light up menorah and I eat bacon—shamelessly. I’m the definition of a bad Jew.
I could talk about his Full Body Project, where he photographed overweight women as if they were the societal “normal” beauties, because to him, they were. He didn’t see size when he looked at them, he saw their hearts and souls and he thought they were beautiful. And he was right.
I could talk about all those things and so many more. Instead, I want to share something a little more current.
I’ve always had a fear of driving by myself. It’s a long story, stemming from my childhood, and not something I’ll go into here, but suffice it to say, it’s a fear that has impacted my life. Last year, I stumbled across an advertisement for the Ottawa Comicon, where Leonard Nimoy would be doing a Skype. I knew immediately that this was something I had to do. He had retired from the convention circuit several years ago—the dream of meeting him was a long gone one. This would be the next best thing. Unfortunately, I’d already spent my travel budget on plane tickets to Chicago to meet William Shatner. If I was going to go to Ottawa, I’d have to go by car, and my husband can’t travel that distance. Which meant I’d have to drive myself. Alone.
So... I did. Four panic attacks, three rest stop sugar binges, a check engine light, one ridiculously large bridge no one warned me about (did I mention I’m scared to death of bridges?), and a 45 minute holdover at Customs later (apparently I look like an international terrorist who just might steal Canada), I was in my room at the hotel—which had lost half of my reservation. By the next day, I had figured out the check engine situation (stupid gas cap!), checked out of one hotel, into another, and was braving my first ever large convention. Did I say large? I meant LARGE. Many people. Much noise. Too crowded. Too loud.
Eventually, I sat down in my seat for the Skype. The beep-boop music of a Skype call rang over the speakers. The next second, Leonard Nimoy’s face filled the screen. At that moment, everything was worth it. I sat there in awe, watching him talk and laugh with the audience. I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning, who’d just been given the best gift ever.
I was able to sit in on another Skype with him at Shore Leave, later in the year. I was just as amazed, just as giddy. During that one, he sang to us. He sang. And I have the illegally-recorded video to prove it.
Since then, I’ve kept that momentum—in July 2014 I drove to Ticonderoga, NY to become a member of the Grip and Electric team on Star Trek: New Voyages / Phase 2. I would never have achieved that, had I not been given that push by Leonard Nimoy.
I could talk about his Full Body Project, where he photographed overweight women as if they were the societal “normal” beauties, because to him, they were. He didn’t see size when he looked at them, he saw their hearts and souls and he thought they were beautiful. And he was right.
I could talk about all those things and so many more. Instead, I want to share something a little more current.
I’ve always had a fear of driving by myself. It’s a long story, stemming from my childhood, and not something I’ll go into here, but suffice it to say, it’s a fear that has impacted my life. Last year, I stumbled across an advertisement for the Ottawa Comicon, where Leonard Nimoy would be doing a Skype. I knew immediately that this was something I had to do. He had retired from the convention circuit several years ago—the dream of meeting him was a long gone one. This would be the next best thing. Unfortunately, I’d already spent my travel budget on plane tickets to Chicago to meet William Shatner. If I was going to go to Ottawa, I’d have to go by car, and my husband can’t travel that distance. Which meant I’d have to drive myself. Alone.
So... I did. Four panic attacks, three rest stop sugar binges, a check engine light, one ridiculously large bridge no one warned me about (did I mention I’m scared to death of bridges?), and a 45 minute holdover at Customs later (apparently I look like an international terrorist who just might steal Canada), I was in my room at the hotel—which had lost half of my reservation. By the next day, I had figured out the check engine situation (stupid gas cap!), checked out of one hotel, into another, and was braving my first ever large convention. Did I say large? I meant LARGE. Many people. Much noise. Too crowded. Too loud.
Eventually, I sat down in my seat for the Skype. The beep-boop music of a Skype call rang over the speakers. The next second, Leonard Nimoy’s face filled the screen. At that moment, everything was worth it. I sat there in awe, watching him talk and laugh with the audience. I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning, who’d just been given the best gift ever.
I was able to sit in on another Skype with him at Shore Leave, later in the year. I was just as amazed, just as giddy. During that one, he sang to us. He sang. And I have the illegally-recorded video to prove it.
Since then, I’ve kept that momentum—in July 2014 I drove to Ticonderoga, NY to become a member of the Grip and Electric team on Star Trek: New Voyages / Phase 2. I would never have achieved that, had I not been given that push by Leonard Nimoy.
And he never even knew he did it.
I think, above everything else, that is his true legacy—his far-reaching impact on everyday people. We are Leonard Nimoy’s legacy.
Rest in peace, Leonard. You have been, and always shall be, my unicorn.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Captain’s Log, Stardate 92679.79
Commander Marci Jansen
reporting.
Greetings all!
That photo to your left is myself and First Officer Jansen on January 24th,
heading up our monthly meeting in our new location at Heroes Your Mom Threw Out
Comic Shop! Owner Jared graciously provided us with snacks, and a wonderful
time was had by all!
If anyone has any used folding chairs they’d like to part ways with, or
if anyone knows of some for sale, please let me know!
I’d like to extend congratulations to Captain Andrew Carlson and the
crew of the USS Alaster on their
commissioning on January 24th. Welcome to the 7th Fleet!
(We’re not far behind them!)
We’re working on expanding our newsletter! “On the View Screen” is just
one of our new columns, and it will outline upcoming movies. If you have an
idea about a column or article you’d like featured, e-mail me at usssirius@stny.rr.com. We’ll also
be featuring our member’s Interstellar Pets!
We’re still collecting cans and bottles for our ongoing fundraiser.
We’re always collecting nonperishable food items or animal care items for our
two chosen organizations – the Horseheads Food Pantry and the Horseheads Animal
Shelter. Items can either be brought to a meeting or dropped off at the
Captain’s house.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Captain’s Log, Stardate 92606.01
Commander Marci Jansen
reporting.
Greetings all!
If you missed our December meeting, you
missed a B-I-G announcement - As of January 2015, the USS Sirius has a
permanent meeting place! We will be meeting at Heroes Your Mom Threw Out Comic
Shop! Our first meeting there will be January 24th at 2 PM. Heroes
is located at 130 West 14th Street in Elmira Heights. We’re thrilled
to be working with Heroes owner Jared, and we’re looking forward to a long and
prosperous partnership!
As we enter the new year, I’d like our focus
to be on making a commitment to our meetings and our charitable work. Too often
people say, “I don’t have time.” I’m just as guilty of that as the next person.
But in reality, we make time for the things we want to make time for. Let’s
make 2015 the year we stand out in Region 7!
I’d also like to focus on recruiting. While
not everyone is expected to “pound the pavement,” I’d like for everyone to
think about small ways they can help. Can you post a flyer at your work? Are
you friends with any local business owners who would let you put up a flyer?
Are you attending an event where you could pass out business cards? If so,
shoot me an e-mail or give me a call and I’ll get you set up with flyers and
cards!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Captain’s Log, Stardate 92496.63
Commander Marci Jansen
reporting.
Greetings all!
On the club front – things are moving along
nicely. We’re still collecting cans and bottles for our ongoing fundraiser.
We’re also, of course, always collecting nonperishable food items or animal
care items for our two chosen charitable organizations – the Horseheads Food
Pantry and the Horseheads Animal Shelter. Items can either be brought to a
meeting or dropped off at the Captain’s house. We will be making monetary
donations to each of these fine organizations in December.
Check this out – a website called The Dodo
recently did an article on comic shop cats, and guess who was featured? Dizzy,
the Fat Cat Comics mascot! Here’s the link.
And finally, as always – we’re looking to
welcome new members! To join the USS Sirius Star Trek/Sci-Fi Fan Club, simply
go to www.sfi.org and click on “Join/Renew,” then click “Join
Online.” Fill in the information, and pick USS Sirius from the Chapter drop
down. That’s it! Easy peasy! Don’t forget to attend our meetings, though –
that’s where the fun happens!
Monday, October 20, 2014
Captain’s Log, Stardate 92400.61
Commander Marci Jansen reporting.
Greetings all!
September was so full of events and flew by so fast that your Command Crew didn’t even have a chance to get a newsletter out! We’ll just have to consider this one the September/October edition!
There isn’t much to report on the club front – things are moving along nicely. We’re still collecting cans and bottles for our ongoing fundraiser. We’re also, of course, always collecting nonperishable food items or animal care items for our two chosen charitable organizations – the Horseheads Food Pantry and the Horseheads Animal Shelter. Items can either be brought to a meeting or dropped off at the Captain’s house.
Speaking of meetings – the October meeting will once again be at the Captain’s house. E-mail me at marcinichelle@stny.rr.com or text me at (607) 742-1945 if you need the address or directions. It’s my hope to be all finished up on the details for our meeting spot by November. Cross your fingers!
Now that we’re done with club business, I thought I’d share a couple links with you.
The first is Starfleet Academy, the educational branch of STARFLEET International. http://acad.sfi.org/
Through Starfleet Academy, STARFLEET members can take courses on subjects ranging from Klingons to Chinese History to Abnormal Psychology, or even Invertebrate Biology. There’s really something for everyone!
The other link I wanted to share, for all you Star Wars fans out there, is the 501s Legion, a very active charitable Star Wars fan group. Check them out! http://www.501st.com/
See you at our next meeting, 6 PM on Saturday 10/25/14!
Greetings all!
September was so full of events and flew by so fast that your Command Crew didn’t even have a chance to get a newsletter out! We’ll just have to consider this one the September/October edition!
There isn’t much to report on the club front – things are moving along nicely. We’re still collecting cans and bottles for our ongoing fundraiser. We’re also, of course, always collecting nonperishable food items or animal care items for our two chosen charitable organizations – the Horseheads Food Pantry and the Horseheads Animal Shelter. Items can either be brought to a meeting or dropped off at the Captain’s house.
Speaking of meetings – the October meeting will once again be at the Captain’s house. E-mail me at marcinichelle@stny.rr.com or text me at (607) 742-1945 if you need the address or directions. It’s my hope to be all finished up on the details for our meeting spot by November. Cross your fingers!
Now that we’re done with club business, I thought I’d share a couple links with you.
The first is Starfleet Academy, the educational branch of STARFLEET International. http://acad.sfi.org/
Through Starfleet Academy, STARFLEET members can take courses on subjects ranging from Klingons to Chinese History to Abnormal Psychology, or even Invertebrate Biology. There’s really something for everyone!
The other link I wanted to share, for all you Star Wars fans out there, is the 501s Legion, a very active charitable Star Wars fan group. Check them out! http://www.501st.com/
See you at our next meeting, 6 PM on Saturday 10/25/14!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Captain’s Log, Stardate 92269.13
Commander Marci Jansen reporting.
The following subspace communiqué was received from the office of Admiral Robert Westfall on stardate 92257.31:
“Please join me in welcoming a new Shakedown Chapter to the 7th Fleet, 26 August 2014.The USS Sirius NX-1744, a Constitution Class Heavy Cruiser, is based in Horseheads, NY (USA) and is under the command of CMDR Marci Jansen. The Sirius' mothership is the USS Serling, also out of the 7th Fleet.”
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve officially launched! I can’t tell you how happy and proud I am that we’ve all pulled together and made this happen! To those of you who have already joined our ranks, thank you from the bottom of my heart. For those of you who haven’t – what are you waiting for?! Beam aboard!
On the heels of that fabulous announcement, I have a few of my own.
First, we are looking for a new meeting place. I’m following up on several leads for a space for us, but for the time being, meetings will be held at my house, at 139 Owens Street in Horseheads. Owens Street is off of Lake Road. I’ll hold court in the garage (which has electric, AC/heat, and a fridge!). And of course, there will be snacks!!
Second, we’re proud to announce we’ve settled on our preferred charities – the Horseheads Animal Shelter and the
Horseheads Food Pantry. To that end, I’d love it if everyone could bring either a non-perishable food item or an item for the shelter to each meeting. A shelter “Wish List” can be found at
http://horseheadsanimalshelter.atwebpages.com/?p=449.
And finally, perhaps most importantly, going forward we will no longer be charging annual club dues. Instead, STARFLEET International dues will substituted. This means that, in order to join the USS Sirius, a new Crewmember must join STARFLEET and select us in the Chapter listing.
That’s all I have for now. I hope to see you all at our next meeting, September 27th at 6 PM!
The following subspace communiqué was received from the office of Admiral Robert Westfall on stardate 92257.31:
“Please join me in welcoming a new Shakedown Chapter to the 7th Fleet, 26 August 2014.The USS Sirius NX-1744, a Constitution Class Heavy Cruiser, is based in Horseheads, NY (USA) and is under the command of CMDR Marci Jansen. The Sirius' mothership is the USS Serling, also out of the 7th Fleet.”
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve officially launched! I can’t tell you how happy and proud I am that we’ve all pulled together and made this happen! To those of you who have already joined our ranks, thank you from the bottom of my heart. For those of you who haven’t – what are you waiting for?! Beam aboard!
On the heels of that fabulous announcement, I have a few of my own.
First, we are looking for a new meeting place. I’m following up on several leads for a space for us, but for the time being, meetings will be held at my house, at 139 Owens Street in Horseheads. Owens Street is off of Lake Road. I’ll hold court in the garage (which has electric, AC/heat, and a fridge!). And of course, there will be snacks!!
Second, we’re proud to announce we’ve settled on our preferred charities – the Horseheads Animal Shelter and the
Horseheads Food Pantry. To that end, I’d love it if everyone could bring either a non-perishable food item or an item for the shelter to each meeting. A shelter “Wish List” can be found at
http://horseheadsanimalshelter.atwebpages.com/?p=449.
And finally, perhaps most importantly, going forward we will no longer be charging annual club dues. Instead, STARFLEET International dues will substituted. This means that, in order to join the USS Sirius, a new Crewmember must join STARFLEET and select us in the Chapter listing.
That’s all I have for now. I hope to see you all at our next meeting, September 27th at 6 PM!
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