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| Once again, we have another interviewee! Today we have with us Dr. Syzygy, Second Officer and ship Psychologist of the Apollo 9! Nice to have you here with us, Dr. Syzygy. | |
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You can call me Dr. Z, or just Syz, if you want. I know Syzygy is a bit of a mouthful. |
| Ok Dr. Z! Tell us a bit about your role on the ship. You have a split role as the ship psychologist and the Second Officer, right? | |
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That's right. Primarily my job is as the Second Officer. The Second Officer is third in charge of the ship after the Captain and the XO. I do chart and record maintenance, create profile reports on planets we plan on visiting or have visited, act as a secondary liason to planet inhabitants, and am the top supervisor to the base crew. As the ship psychologist, it's also my job to oversee crew mental health. I set aside a few hours of my day every week to do therapy sessions, if necessary. |
| Ok! Let's take some questions. Seth C. Triggs asks: 1. Have you ever killed anyone? 2. How is it that you DON'T have a mullet? 3. What sorts of activities do you do in order to relax? I'd think your job would be very stressful, especially with Updike. | |
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1.) I get the weird questions right off the bat, don't I? No, not even during the war. 2.) Why WOULD I have one? 3.) Yes, my job can be stressful. I like to work out in the gym, read, and do karaoke to relax. |
| Starfly asks: How DO you pronounce your name? And what's it mean? | |
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It's pronounced "Sih-Zih-Gee," like "Gee whiz!" It's actually an astronomical term that means three celestial objects that line up in a straight line. Apperantly, I was born at a time when the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun were all in alignment, and my parents got whimsical. |
| Andy Balew asks: As the ship's counselor, have you discovered individual personalities among the hamster crew of the Apollo 9, or are they actually as similar as they appear to be on the surface? | |
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The male hamsters keep pretty much to themselves most of the time, but yes, they do have individual personalities. Though it seems secondary to this "hive mindset" they have. |
| Squeaky asks: How do you keep wolf boy from getting into your pants? | |
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Simple. I don't wear pants! Really, one, he's more honorable than he looks, and two, he's not dumb enough to try. |
| Centri asks: What's it like being a hermaphrodite? | |
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Rather like being like anybody else, I suppose. We get the benefits and drawbacks of being both genders in a physical sense, but deep down, I'm just me. That's what counts, right? |
| Goldfur asks: What advice would you have to offer to any other chakats offered posts on the Apollo 9? | |
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First, I would have to wonder who you ticked off to recieve such an offer. Second, if you have the choice...RUN. |
| Zwokkie of House Bluepaw asks: What are some of the more exotic places you've visited in your career, and can you recommend some for my captain and me to go to sometime? | |
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Just about any planet around the Pleades are great places to go, especially if you are a sun lover. Plus the inhabitants tend to be very peaceful and kind. |
| Blue asks: What is it that set you and Updike off on the wrong wavelength anyway? | |
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We met, that was enough. He's a grab bag of personality disorders wrapped up into one high-strung, irritating little spazzoid. He's got no social skills, no ability to relate to a crew, no idea how to work with a team. He's a narcissitic, paranoid, anti-social pain in the tail that I theorize was put on this ship just to aggravate the rest of us. If you had to work with Daffy Duck, you would understand why Bugs Bunny kept trying to kill him too. |
| Someone-who-definitly-isnt-Sun asks: So... ahem, what would you say is your most cherished childhood memory? Most cherished memory in the service? And (see a pattern?) your most cherished memory of your mate, Dr. Sunstreak? | |
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I think my most cherished childhood memory is spending afternoons after school playing games with my sisters in the backyard. My most cherished memory in the service was the day I made Lt. Commander. And my most cherished of Sunny...well, is any moment I'm currently with hir...especially when shi's being so darned cute about lying to get hir question into my interview. Heh heh heh. |
| Ladyofthemasque asks: Do you and Dr. Sunstreak plan on rearing a family in the near future? And if so, who do you think would be the first one to bear your progeny? And when they arrive (because I'm terminally nosy) what sorts of names would you be inclined to bestow upon your offspring? | |
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Well, yes, we have discussed briefly about eventually having a family. But we haven't really talked about the details of it yet, like how many, who would go first, how are we going to handle our careers and give the time required to raise them, and so on. And traditionally, Chakats do not think of names until after the cub is born to see what "fits" best. |
| Chakat Gildedtongue asks: Chakat Syzygy... how would you keep your professionalism whilst giving a psychological evaluation of the... erm, slightly uptight Updike? | |
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That would be assuming that Updike would sit still for one...but a white jacket and a gag come to mind. |
| Andy Balew asks: Were you acquainted with Lt. Commander Updike before the Apollo 9 assignment, or was it simply hate at first sight? | |
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This is our first mission together, but we've heard of each other before this. |
| Stormy asks: You and Dr. Sunstreak's markings are so pretty! Are there different kinds of chakats? | |
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Thank you for the compliments. We really don't have "kinds," because we're all one species. We are often born with a wide variety of colors and body types, sometimes radically different from what our parents look like. I guess you could say that Sunny is a mix between a cougar and a tiger, and my markings have been described as that of a "Snowshoe Siamese." |
| Dr. Hans Onyerbaud, Doctor of Pzychological Zhtuff asks: Gute Efening, Dr. Syzygy! I am Dr. Hans Onyerbaud, Doctor of Pzychological Zhtuff. As der zhip's pzychologist, you must often deal vis der everpresent ztrong zexual tension of many peoples in der confined zpace. Professionally zpeaking, how do you find der zhip's perzonnel deal with der problem of der young, healthy peoples every where vis der heaving bosoms und der ztrong zexual impulses? Und do you make video records of how der zhips personnel deal vis der ztrong zexual impulses? Und finally, is a pozition available on der Apollo 9 for der zerious researcher of der ztrong zexual impulses, und is a background check required? Zhank you! | |
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Riiiiiiiiight. I have them all talk in a rediculous fake German accent, that kills any impulses pretty damned quick. But only for severe cases, since listening to it seems to kill brain cells too. |
| Chakat Bluemoon asks: You mentioned you had siblings. How many and who's your favorite (hint hint)? | |
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I have 7 sisters. In order, it goes Pyxis, Dune, Zenith, Me, Sunflare, Morningstar, and Bluemoon. And I would have to say Zenith, because my littlest sister Bluemoon is, in my professional opinion, a few fries short of a Supersize. Hee hee hee! |
| Taurgger asks: 1- If you've ever psychoanalized humans, what would you say is their most common trait? (I find them very confusing, myself.) 2- Is there anyone other than Sunsteak who begins to look good when you're in "rut"? Oh, and 3- do you like plushies? :) | |
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1.) Humans as far as I know are mythical beings dreamed up in fairy tales. 2.) When you're in a rut, everything starts to look good. 3.) I like them, but I've never really been that interested in them. |
| Chakat Shadowstalker asks: Hello, Dr. Syzygy! I have a few questions for you; First off, growing up in a military family, was it hard to get love and attention from your parents? Second, how has being in NASA affected your social life? Third, do you have your eye on any possible mates either on the Apollo 9 or at home? And fourth, what happened in your life to cause you to have such a short temper? | |
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1.) My sire is fairly stern and gruff, but usually pretty fair. Shi always tried hir best to make time for hir family. My mother worked at home, and spent most of hir time raising all of us. Being in such a big family, you had to learn to be self-sufficiant pretty quickly, but we're a close knit bunch, so there really was no lack of love in the household. 2.) My job takes up a lot of time, but thankfully with this mission, we usually get plenty of oppertunity to socialize once we land on a planet. 3.) Sunny and I so far have not had anybody strike our fancy. It doesn't mean to say we never will, but our lives have been so busy the last few years we haven't really had a chance to get out and date. 4.) My temper? Well, I've sort of always had it. It has a few contributing factors, but that's a whole 'nother time consuming explanation. |
| Commander Christoff Kellick asks: Pleased to make your acquaintance, Doctor. My question concerns your function as Ship's Psychologist. As captain of my own small ship, (Thayan planetary blockader; 5 fur crew) I see only a limited need for a psychologist for your operational crew. I understand the need of the Second Officer, but is your inclusion as psych primarily for the benefit of your mission crew? (The hamsters) I know I'd go a little crazy if I had to ask the same questions over and over again. | |
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Likewise, Commander. My role as a psychologist is more to lend imput on the mindset of the people Roz's crew surveys. My specialty is extra-terrestrials, and I've done a lot of research and compilation work on various peoples throughout the universe. I have been ordered to give therapy sessions to a few people on the ship, but that's a very minimal part of my time. |
| SailorAnna asks: Hi! first I would like to say you the sexiest and my favorite of the crew from the apollo 9, so tell us a little more about what you do in your spare time, or when you get leave, life cant be all running a ship and making sure your crew isnt TOO crazy. | |
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Thank you! I appreciate that. Time off? What's that? *Laughs* Really, when I do get time off, I like to spend time with Sunny, and we enjoy touring and sightseeing. I'm also very fond of dancing and karoke. |
| John asks: Okay first as a phycologist what is your opinion on Astrology real or junk?, second what do you think of Perkins (uncharted territory), and last but not least (your gonna wanna smack me for this) how many Chakats does it take to screw in a light bulb. P.s. Bwa ha ha ha | |
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Yuh hunh. Astrology, I've never paid much attention to it, but I'm not going to make fun of someone who does. I like hir because shi's a genuinely kind person, but the trick with Zooey is to keep your eye on hir and not think too hard, because it WILL start to get painful after a while. The answer? None! We can't FIT in a lightbulb! |
| Blue asks: What do you think of Longtail's work on you, Sunny, and the rest of the A9 crew? | |
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Good artist, but boy, does THAT girl need some serious mental help! |
| Admiral Kline asks: Does Updike still have those nipple rings that you managed to help him acquire in "Translate This!"? *grin* And how much did you make off of his "services"? | |
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I don't honestly know if he still has the nipple rings. Don't really WANT to know, either. And we DID manage to pay for the parts we need, and the proprieter says we're welcome back anytime! Hah! |
| Ben Tz asks: do you watch any sci-fi shows/movies? If so which ones do you like? have you ever caught your self comparing your self or collegues to the cheracters? | |
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I'm not picky about what I watch, but I prefer more comedies. Sometimes I get eerie flashbacks to "Ice Pirates" working on this ship. I rather like Mystery Science Theatre 3000 from the 1990's, and the New MST3K that got reborn in 2046. And yes, Roz and I have a game going where we try to fit people we know into movie or TV show roles...So far it's a consensus I would make a good Dr. Forrester or a Face-Hugger Alien. *laughs* |
| Rockinhare: Seriously, doesn't being cooped up together on the Apollo 9 tend to get people irritable? | |
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Yes, we can get a little snappy at each other sometimes, but it comes with the territory. |
| Chakat Shalle asks: What, if any, plans do you have once the Apollo 9 mission ends? And do they include retirement or a quieter posting? | |
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Sunny and I have acheived enough rank by now that we can start thinking about retirement. If not, more than likely we'll spend some time at home and probably be reschedualed for another mission. |
| CyberCorn Entropic comments: Assuming you could hold down the contents of your stomach long enough, if you hugged Updike in a warm, friendly, and boisterous manner (or as close to it as you can approximate), how shrill do you think his scream would be? (Rule of Aqcuisition #76: Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the heck out of your enemies.) | |
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Oh lord, now there's the stuff of nightmares. I imagine we'd have to replace every window in the ship. Then bind me up in the Intesive Care Unit from severe scalding burns from the shower I would have to take after touching him. |
| Faetraal asks: Dr. Syzygy, have you made any attempts to help Sunny with her phobias of blood and needles? | |
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Yes, of course. But ultimately, I'm just a guide through the process, Sunny is the one who has to do the actual healing. If shi's not ready to do that, there isn't much I can do. But I know someday shi'll tackle it, when it's time. |
| Chakat Gildedtongue asks: Wow, your parents certainly were... busy... *cough* so how do you fend off the barrage of questions and 'suggestions' concerning the choice you and Sunny made to wait a bit on the cubs? | |
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*laughs* Yes, my parents both wanted a large family, and didn't waste any time. Truthfully, I haven't heard much from them about it. They both understand how grueling and time consuming military life can be, especially when both mates are involved in it. It's a matter of senority and situation for a mated pair to apply for assignment together, so this is the first time Sunny and I have even been able to work together. |
| And this concludes our interview with Dr. Syzygy! Thanks for sparing some time for us Dr. Z! | |
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You're most welcome. Remember your baby steps, folks! |