FROM THE BRIDGE

by Captain Becky Norris

Greetings, crew--hope you are all well, and having a great 1997 so far! Mine has been good, although very busy. I know most of you have at least heard of the Nielsen ratings, even if you don't know a whole lot about it. Well, the Nielsen ratings have made my life one big crazy scene! The November ratings for KPEJ were absolutely incredible, and because of that, February takes on a special importance. November enabled us to gain a lot of momentum, which of course we don't want to lose during February. It's weird--it seems the better we do, the better we HAVE to do next time! Like I told my general manager: "Sometimes it just doesn't pay to be an over-achiever!" That's just a long-winded way to say I've been running in circles for the last several weeks!

Hope everyone has been keeping up with STAR TREK: VOYAGER--they are really about to mix it up out there in the Delta Quadrant! The other day, someone here at the station was complaining that STV was ripping off FIRST CONTACT by having the ship meet the Borg. I instantly thought, "Poor Trek neophyte! Doesn't even remember the history of that little storyline!" Then I patiently pointed out to him that when the Enterprise-D first met the Borg, it was through the interference of Q, who flung them about a bazillion-gillion miles out of their way and smack dab into the Delta Quadrant--where the Borg originated. What I'm waiting for is for Voyager to stumble across the method the Borg must have used in order to cross into the Alpha Quadrant as quickly as they did. Of course, if Voyager finds a quick way home, what will their mission become then?? Good question. I'm open for discussion as to whether or not the Voyager scripts have improved over last season. In my opinion they have, with a few exceptions. I didn't particularly care for the lovey-dovey holodeck character gone psycho-stalker episode, but I was intrigued with the episode that had Janeway dying every few minutes. I also liked BLOOD FEVER (see, I can remember some episode titles!), although that ensign is not the best Vulcan I've ever seen. I hope the trend toward better storylines continues...

All you readers out there, listen up! Joni loaned me a book that combines science fiction with murder mystery, and anyone who's interested should check it out. The title I read is 'NAKED IN DEATH', by JD Robb, and I understand there are others in the series. It was a good murder mystery, and had a lot of cool futuristic gadgets thrown in as well! I plan to read the others as soon as I get a chance.

We'll be continuing to plan a fundraiser at the meeting, so everyone needs to be there. If you attend, it's less likely you'll be assigned to head a committee!! That alone should serve as an impetus to those few (and you know who you are!) who have trouble making it out to the meetings! Besides, the rest of us have missed your shining faces, so drag yourself out of the house and get it in gear!

See everyone at the meeting--be there with bells on!

Live long and prosper...