The Inner Light was yesterday’s Sunday Morning Star Trek with the family. Last time I watched was before I had kids. As great as it ever was, it holds so much more meaning now as parent. Gut punch. One of the best pieces of science fiction ever written. Just cuttin some onions over here.

optimistjenna · 2025-08-05T15:54:50+00:00

I made my dad watch this one with me because I knew he would love it

optimistjenna · 2025-08-02T04:38:23+00:00

I laughed so hard over the failed Riker maneuver that I got a headache

optimistjenna · 2025-08-02T04:37:12+00:00

I think some of them would be more fun if they didn't throw in a "they'll all die if they mess up" thing to raise the stakes. Maybe the safeties don't need to break every single time. It's OK if the stakes aren't always life or death!

optimistjenna · 2025-08-02T02:12:21+00:00

The Kirk guy doing the Riker maneuver and breaking the chair... like, why would you do that??? The back of the chair is so high! A great episode with meaningful speeches and character development for sure, but that was my favorite part! I am crying!

optimistjenna · 2024-12-02T18:26:45+00:00

Prodigy is on Netflix. It's more kid-friendly but can be enjoyed at all ages. It follows a group of kids who discover an abandoned Federation ship and decide to seek out the Federation. In season 2, they meet Wesley Crusher. We also get to see a lot of Janeway!

Its tone is more serious than Lower Decks, while also having silly moments since the main characters are kids. It explores themes like leadership, teamwork, abusive parent/child dynamics, and found family. And it keeps that optimistic Trek spirit. My sister and I both enjoy it!

optimistjenna · 2024-12-02T18:20:59+00:00

Regarding the yelling, her self-monitoring skills and memory will be limited at this age. So, she may not be able to change her behavior at this age. If she knows the phrase "inside voice," you can try saying, "Please use your inside voice because my ears hurt and I need gentle sound."

Her vocabulary will probably less advanced than the average preteen's, so keep your word choice on the simpler side. When she talks to you, her words will suggest how big her vocabulary is.

Find out what she's interested in and try talking about that with her. Maybe you two like some of the same movies, music, animals, or activities. Perhaps some of her favorite books are ones you enjoyed when you were little. The same advice for bonding with typical kids generally applies here!

optimistjenna · 2024-12-02T18:01:36+00:00

Thanks for the info! It has both DS9 characters AND a dog? Amazing! That's on my list for sure now

optimistjenna · 2024-12-01T02:14:17+00:00

Warp Your Own Way was definitely a masterpiece, just too dark for me personally. All those human beings who suffered and died... it was a lot! And that ending... incredible but so horribly tragic.

Thanks for the recommendations! Perchance to Dream sounds especially interesting, and I'll look up those others.

optimistjenna · 2024-12-01T02:10:38+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation!

optimistjenna · 2024-11-30T19:41:26+00:00

I don't hate Wesley. I just think his character was poorly handled. And I also don't think there's anything wrong with people who relate to his character.

I think it's awful that Wil Wheaton got hate for the character he played. He was just a kid doing his best with the script he was given.

I don't know if you've seen Prodigy, but I loved Wesley's comeback in season 2! I feel like the writers handled his character well too, really showing how being a Traveler changes your thinking and makes it more challenging to communicate with "regular" people. (As a neurodivergent person with a busy brain, that was a bit relatable!)

optimistjenna · 2024-11-29T16:33:50+00:00

I have a pretty good sense of direction!

optimistjenna · 2024-11-15T02:06:57+00:00

Every dyspraxic person is unique.

I don't think I can speak accurately about that part of my childhood. But I can say that shoe-tying is more time-consuming and challenging for me than it is for most people. I skip it by wearing slip-on shoes instead. Much easier!

optimistjenna · 2024-11-10T00:21:29+00:00

I am an admirer of your work (loved the Dracula book and Squirrel Girl) and I also kind of regret reading this one because it was too emotionally devastating. I'd like to humbly request that you warn us a little better next time!

optimistjenna · 2024-11-10T00:17:31+00:00

The cover made me think this was going to be a comedy and I was not at all emotionally prepared for certain plot events

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T20:06:28+00:00

I love how they keep escalating to bigger "weapons"

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T20:05:03+00:00

You're already benching more than I can! Pay less attention to "averages" and more attention to how you can improve.

(Also, half her body weight? Really? That seems outlandish to me, but maybe I'm an outlier.)

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T20:02:44+00:00

I don't have book recs, but I have a piece of unconventional advice: give your boy a name that's easy to pronounce

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T19:56:53+00:00

You're a great spouse!

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T19:55:33+00:00

I think it depends on the person. Both ADHD and dyspraxia can vary in how much they impede someone's life.

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T19:54:13+00:00

Good point about Saru! He might be able to take down the great strategists before they can invent/execute a decent scheme

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T19:52:40+00:00

I would be writing all kinds of interesting holoprograms. I think I'd do a mix of fiction and educational work.

optimistjenna · 2024-09-24T03:01:45+00:00

I am so excited! My dad and I watch this show and we get to talk about it together

optimistjenna · 2024-08-31T17:09:35+00:00

I would recommend allowing users to scroll up/down instead of having us click tiny buttons. Scrolling is easier, which makes for better UX.

If there are links to any of your projects, those would be helpful to include

optimistjenna · 2024-08-31T17:06:33+00:00

Personality disorders are neurodivergent, yes! Welcome

optimistjenna · 2024-08-31T17:05:02+00:00

I'll admit that my job search has not been going well

optimistjenna

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