OTF's Blue Publication May 2014
We've got a bunch of new members around the Outpost and in the interest of getting to know these people, the Blue Report will spotlight one per month. This month I had the opportunity to sit down for a few questions with the ever delightful Julia, known in chat as JH.
BR : JH, Thanks for taking some time for the Blue Report.
JH: It's my pleasure!
BR :So, tell us about yourself
JH : Let's see. I am a Nationally Certified Paramedic and I currently live in Texas. I run a Facebook group to help people who want to go Paleo and get in shape. I stumbled into Paleo about a year ago as a way to get in shape for a cosplay I was going to do and it radically changed my life. Now I try to help others do the same! Outside of that I am also a member of a fantastic Star Trek fan group called Fleet 31. I am in charge of helping us expand internationally. We are a fan based organization whose top priorities are fun and helping out in the community through charity work.
BR :So what made you come to our corner of the galaxy?
JH : I was looking for a way to get to know more people who had the same passions as I do. Even though I hadn't been in a chatroom for ages, it seemed like a good place to start. 10 Forward was the third one (I think) that I tried out. I met some great people that first week, yourself included! I also enjoy knitting and crocheting and it turns out one of your members enjoys the same! It is a great bit of fun to stay up lateand talk about anything from Star Trek, to food, to our daily lives. It is a very casual environment and I appreciate that. In case I confused anyone, I am a female, I just happen to like Kirk in a fedora (my avatar).
BR :HAHAHA. Fair enough. So tell us about the other group you are involved with, Fleet 31.
JH : Fleet 31 is just amazing. When I met our founder, Fleet Admiral Cameron Wilkinson, I was told about this fan group he was in. I got along great with him and the others I met at that particular convention where I happened to be, and when I joined - well, it blew my mind. This was not your basement nerd crowd. These were real people with real lives, and everything was beautifully organized. We have ships all over the United States now, aswell as internationally. We are always looking for new members, and if you ask any of ours, we have a blast! Many of our crews hang out regularly. Some go out to eat, some go bowling or to museums, others volunteer their time at local food pantries. I couldn't have stumbled into a more fantastic group of people. I am honored to represent them.
BR :What does your position entail?
JH : I am an admiral with the fleet, my particular title being "International Development". What I do is seek out those who live outside the United States who may be interested in our organization. We are not exclusive and we have no dues - anyone is welcome to join. Whether I find them, or they find us (by our website at Fleet31.com), I help them learn how we work and and introduce them to our other members, as well as anyone in the fleet who may live near them. Occasionally we have members who do not speak English, and then I might have to translate e-mails or pieces of our website to make sure that those new members have everything that they need. We recently commissioned our first intercontinental ship, the USS Surrey, in England, UK. I can'twait to see another one out that way!
BR :I can vouch for it being a ton of fun. Getting back to the Outpost, what's your favorite part so far?
JH : Just meeting new people. I'm always getting to know someone else, learning about their interests or job. We goof off a bit, crack jokes. A lot of what I do can be stressful, so it's nice to have a casual place to sit back and enjoy the other person's company. The Outpost is very diverse. All age groups, a wide range of personalities. It's never boring!
BR :You said it. You mentioned Cosplaying, Is there an specific show(s)?
JH : My first cosplay was as a Blue Lantern. The suit is spandex from the neck down. That's why I originally worked so hard to get in shape! Haha! I also have a Star Fleet uniform based off the newest movies, as well as my Fleet 31 uniform. I just went shopping today, actually, to get more supplies for a Wonder Woman costume I'm going to attempt! I'm kind of hoping little magical creatures will sneak in tonightand make it for me. I've never worked with this material before. I'm kind of nervous about it!
BR :Do you have a con that you'd like to go to one day?
JH : Actually I do! This will be my first Dragon Con. I've been waiting a long time, I'm so excited! I am also hoping to make it to Las Vegas next year for the Star Trek convention.
BR : Well you like OTF, are we going to see more Fleet 31 Officers?
JH : I have told several about it, but I think I will need to make a sometime soon. All of you are fantastic people, it would be a shame not to share!
BR : Thanks, and I have to say I haven't met anyone in Fleet 31 whom I haven't taken a liking to. Do you have anything else you like to add for the good of the order?
JH : I hear that you guys have been around for a very long time. What is it, nearly two decades? I hope that our fleet can do the same. It looks like great people are the foundation to longevity, and so is having fun. It's great to have someone like yourself with so much experience. I look forward to spending more time will all of you at the Outpost!
BR : Hear Hear! JH, thanks for taking some time to talk to us.
JH : The pleasure was all mine!