Memory Book/T'Mar (Mel S.)

Hello! My name is Melanie (aka Mel) and I am 27 yrs old as of 2014. I write for the Vulcan/Betazoid female named T'Mar. For additional information about me, check out my user page found here

Characters

• T'Mar
• PNPC: Loleh Rejock
• PNPC: Katelynn Meyer

Real Life information

As I said, I am 27 yrs old. I live in the Rocket City (Huntsville, AL) although I am originally from Washington, DC. I have a BSBA in Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management and I am enrolled grad school where I'm working on getting an MBA in HR. Currently I work in Human Resources as an HR Admin. It's my passion as is cooking. Like my character, I am vegan, so cooking is extremely fun for me.. I make a mean Hungarian Goulash. My partner in crime is also a Veg head, which is rather convenient. Those who know me, whether in RL or in OOC chats, know that I have a strange (to put it nicely) sense of humor, which is a genetic trait apparently because everyone on the one side of my family has the very same sense of humor.

How you came to UFOP: SB118

Back in the 90s, when there was a boom of PBeM Star Trek RPGs, I was active on multiple ships. Of course, I was also a middle school student so I had a lot more time on my hands. Most of the ships I was involved in were independent, although one that I FO'd in was at one point part of Bravo Fleet. As time past, the ships died out as did my interest in participating. I moved on to high school, then college. For the briefest of times, one ship attempted to resurrect but it only lasted a few months before it died again. It was enough to rekindle that passion for the PBeM world, although it took a few years for me to stop and search for a ship. In the summer of 2012, I was working a place that gave me a ton of free time and I decided it was as good as any time to start playing again. I started googling for some ships and came across a few fleets, but UFOP: SB118 really caught my eye. The first thing I noticed was that it was organized and had been active for quite some time. The second thing I noticed was the wide range of vessels and the sense of community within the fleet. It was exactly what I was looking for. Before I could change my mind, I filled out an application. When I was writing, I noticed how naturally it came back to me, although it wasn't same quality as I had at my peak.. still, I knew I had made the right decision to join.

History

• Where were you first placed? What was it like starting to sim on your vessel?

Upon successfully graduating the academy, I was placed as a security officer on the USS Apollo. It was intimidating at first, seeing all the different characters who already were familiar with each other. I felt like the odd Vulcan out.. but immediately I was contacted by then Captain Jaxx and LtCmdr Frost to welcome me and to ease me onto the ship. Frost was my mentor and both men encouraged me to jump in, which I did. Before I knew it, I was integrating with the crew and promoted to Lt.JG as well as Chief of Security. I was incredibly proud, but also happy that I was making new friends who I never would have met without this community.

• What have been your greatest challenges in this group?

A huge challenge for me was when I got a new job in June of 2013. I went from working about 30 hours to over 50 hours a week and I was commuting over an hour one way. I was stressed out, wasn't getting any lunch breaks, and I was so tired that I had no energy or time to write during the week. I really didn't want to take a LOA, though, as the time I would be able to write was the only joy I had. I spoke with Jaxx, who let me stay on part time until my schedule would lighten up. I ended up leaving that job quickly and getting a better job that also gave me time to start writing more. Finding the work/fleet balance is always a struggle, but that's how RL is and the fleet is important enough to me for me to set aside time for it.

• What have been your greatest achievements in this group?

I think my greatest achievement so far was my promotion to LtCmdr and First Officer. It was sad to leave the Apollo, but exciting to launch the Gemini. Not only that, but my mentor Cmdr Frost (now Captain!) was the CO and he had chosen me! It can be hard work at times, definitely more goes into running a ship than when you just play a character, but it is so worth it. I feel like we are creating our own legacy.. that one day, someone will look back and see what we did on the Gemini.. a ship that we chose, and wonder what it was like.

• What do you hope to ultimately accomplish?

As far as IC, Command is obviously on my list, but I am very content as XO and learning the ways of command right now. I'd like to have my own ship one day, just like I did a decade ago. OOC, I'd like to gradually take on more responsibilities. I need to finish my Academy requirements, but I have been focused on the Gemini. In RL, I am working on my career and education as well as hope to start a family.

• Where do you see this group in five years?

I definitely think that with hard work and dedication, this group will continue to run for years to come. I'd like to see the group grow again and launch more ships.

• How do you think this group has contributed to Star Trek's legacy? How has the group contributed to the internet community?

I think Gene Rodenberry would be proud if he could see what we do here. We strive to carry on his vision and we use the same imagination that he did to create stories in HIS future. I think other internet communities have evolved because of PBeMs like this one. Now you can find PBeMs for many other types of stories and fandoms. I think it's incredible that this kind of gaming has lasted this long. With the new Star Trek movies, I can only hope that it will stir up interest for groups like ours for years to come.