Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Apr 30, 2020 19:58:36 GMT
[Broad Street Subway Station -> Subway Train]
Judy was visibly pleased, and slightly amused, at Saya's return. "It's easy to get lost in those crowds," she reassured. "I still remember, way back, during one of my mother's campaigns, my father, their grandpa Jon, managed to get on a train going the wrong way. We found him a couple of hours later, way out in Queens."
At the platform, the doors to a subway train opened, indicating that it was about to head out. As a terminus, this station only had trains going one way, on one line, so Judy led them on. She tried to grab onto a pole and stand, but Max stopped her and got her to sit down.
"Think about the fact that this system was built in the early 20th century, before even I was born. There were no transporters, no sophisticated machines. They had to dig this thing by hand," Judy pointed out, both to Saya and to the children. "Just consider how incredible that is."
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878 Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 1, 2020 15:27:42 GMT
[Broad Street Subway Station --> Subway Train]
I feel rather foolish, Saya said as she followed Judy onto the train, standing near her when Max made her sit down. Rather like a small child who had to be returned to her parents by a stranger.
She fidgeted with the sleeve of her dress and looked around as Judy went on to talk about the building of the subway system. I am fascinated by the engineering feats of early cultures. It is most impressive that they were able to build on such massive scales without the benefit of our advanced technology. The 'Wonders of the World', she said, almost dreamily. As much as Saya liked mucking about with starship engines, she was almost as interested in the mechanical details of building various structures. It had been highly beneficial to her as a chief engineer to have come up through the enlisted ranks, having thousands of hours of hands-on time with the ships she'd worked on gave her an intimate understanding of their inner workings. And more sympathy with the crewmen who did the majority of the grunt work.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 1, 2020 21:47:51 GMT
[Subway]
"We really don't get the feel for it, working with our tools and all that. The closest I've gotten is these days, helping Max with the gardening work on our backyard," Judy replied. "It took you ten years," Max ribbed. "From now on, I'll do the gardening, and you'll be the one that gets pregnant," Judy countered. "The point stands about how spoiled we are these days. Things like, say, the cargo port right under the main Promenade at Utopia Planitia, where I oversaw construction ages ago, that we today can build with a crew of ten, were serious undertakings back then." "Mom, you need to choose: either you're as old as time itself, and then you worked with old technology, or you're not," Thomas cut in. "I'm a dinosaur, but that's beside the point," Judy limply waved the little ribbing away. "I almost miss the Junior Officers being utterly terrified of me."
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878 Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 2, 2020 16:04:50 GMT
[Subway]
I have never managed to terrify junior officers. That could be due to a combination of age, height, and being non-commissioned, Saya said wryly. She'd never had real trouble from any of her own people about rank, but there had been a couple of times that commissioned officers thought she'd been stepping beyond her place as a non-com.
I build some models - mostly wooden simple machines and the like, so I do get some of practice without technology, but nothing on the scale of the pyramids and the like. I should find a holoprogram, or create one, that would allow me to have the experience.
Saya glanced out the window, but found the rushing of the tunnel walls disconcerting, in a way she never did a star field at warp. She looked awaay and focused on Judy instead, asking, What is our next destination?
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 2, 2020 16:53:48 GMT
[Subway -> Lower East Side]"We're going to the old immigrant neighborhoods of the Lower East Side," Judy replied. "It's an area where my ancestors lived, or at least some of them did, so many years ago."The assorted relatives nodded. Judy had made a point of taking the kids to various places with significance to their ancestry, including the tenements, the Holy Land, and the death camps. They weren't just human or American - they were Jewish-American. "We'll do a walking tour of the outside, and then maybe stop somewhere for a shot of espresso and some light munchies," the older woman added. "Can we get ice cream?" Anna asked, optimistic for an affirmative answer in light of her mom's happy mood today. "Well, we'll have to ask our guest of honor," Judy answered, as the train came to a halt and she stood up. At the top of the escalators, they'd find the old, tenement-style buildings of the Lower East Side.
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878 Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 3, 2020 23:03:12 GMT
[Subway --> Lower East Side]
Saya took care as they exited the train and rode up another escalator to street level to stay much closer to Judy and the others than she had at the other end. As her eyes came even with the street, she started darting quick looks around, feeling almost oppressed by the massive buildings on either side of the road.
Once they had emerged and turned to face one (some?) of the buildings head-on, Saya found she couldn't tell where one ended and another began, if they did at all. There were subtle variations in color and architecture that made her unsure if they were all one building as they appeared. The metal staircases attached up the front were interesting.
Are those the entrances to the apartments, she asked doubtfully. That didn't seem quite right, though. I have no objection to ice cream, if that is the consensus, though something more substantial would be welcome as well.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 3, 2020 23:25:22 GMT
[Lower East Side]
"We have a ways to go before lunch," Max answered. "Anna knows ice cream isn't a meal on its own." "No, my love. Anna has reluctantly accepted that her parents won't recognize ice cream as a meal," Judy corrected, before gently patting Anna on the head.
"Anyway, those are fire escapes. You see, the buildings they're on, the tenements, were crowded, made of flammable materials, and this is well before electric heating was invented. So, after too many interior staircases caught fire, the city made landlords add these almost makeshift fire escapes, which aren't flammable. They're a pretty iconic relic of the old, working-class Manhattan," the older woman explained.
"They were really a band-aid solution, lipstick on a pig, considering the buildings stayed unsafe inside, and the fire escapes skew flimsy too."
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878 Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 6, 2020 20:52:03 GMT
[Lower East Side]
Ah, Saya said with a nod of understanding. She looked over the facade with a critical eye, marveling at how humans tended to cram as much man-made structure into a space as they could, then fill that up with as many people as they could. Then Saya shook her head, realizing the assessment was unfair. They'd just come from an open, planted area, and many other species had done the same before space travel had opened up the possibility of lessening the population on their planets.
Are these all one building, or many butted up against one another? she asked, wanting to satisfy her curiosity about the tenements.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 7, 2020 1:56:00 GMT
[Lower East Side]
"I believe most of them were independent buildings, with different landlords and not an awful lot of coordination," Judy replied. "Humans, for most of our history, haven't been good about team-play where it didn't narrowly benefit us or involve our families."
Judy began to walk them northwards, along the streets, when Max noticed a little unevenness in her walk.
"You're limping," he pointed out. "Let's get Anna her ice cream, and then take the subway onwards."
Judy turned her head towards her husband, preparing a counterpoint, but the stern look in his features deterred her.
"Since I've officially been declared infirm, it looks like we'll spend a lot less time on foot," she told Saya, audibly sulking at that fact. "Are we going to have to take taxis, too?"
"Anything for you," Max answered, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
Anna promptly, with impeccable timing, identified an ice cream parlor.
"Let's eat there!" she suggested. Her parents both eyed their guest for an opinion.
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878 Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 10, 2020 18:12:24 GMT
[Lower East Side]
Saya raised her brow as Max called attention to Judy's limping, observing her friend for a moment before she could see it for herself. Fortunately, Anna identified a place to eat.
That is fine with me. I don't have a strong opinion about ice cream, so I will need opinions on what I should try.
She took the lead and held the door open for the others before entering the shop herself. Saya looked down the long, narrow space with interest and a little bit of incredulity. It seemed terribly inconvenient, just enough space for people to pass one another at the service counter with an extension leading toward the back where customers could sit on stools. There were only a couple of people already there, taking the first two seats at the long counter.
Saya walked up to the barrier to peer at the tubs of ice cream on the other side, instantly overwhelmed by the wide variety of options.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 10, 2020 21:58:25 GMT
[Lower East Side]
Rather in sync, Judy and Max retrieved their readers as the group took in the place. There was a nice variety of flavors.
"Alright, kids, two scoops each, since we still have lunch to get to. Your father and I will share a cone," Judy told their three young companions. "We'll have one scoop of Dulce de Leche and one of Rocky Road, in a waffle cone," Max ordered.
Meanwhile, Anna and Thomas each planned their grandiose portions.
"I'll have a bowl with s'mores and coffee," Thomas ordered. "And I'll have a chocolate-coated waffle cone with sprinkles, with raspberry, pineapple, and mango ice cream, with the mango on the bottom, and with whipped cream," Anna ordered. "Please." "You're not going to finish that," Judy pointed out. "Okay, so no pineapple," the young woman conceded.
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878 Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on May 30, 2020 22:16:19 GMT
[Lower East Side]
Saya listened intently as the others made their choices, hoping something would instantly appeal. While she liked the idea of the fruit flavors, the particular ones Anna ordered didn't sound good to her. She recognized s'mores and knew it would be very sweet. The same would be true of dulce de leche, if she recalled correctly, but 'rocky road' was entirely new to her.
She decided to leap in feet-first and just order it. Saya rose up on her toes to get the attention of the employee, I will have one scoop of rocky road, please, in a bowl.
They were all served within a few minutes, leaving them to make their way toward stools at the long counter. Saya went all the way to the end to leave just enough seats for the rest of the group beside the pair closest to the front.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 30, 2020 23:49:33 GMT
[Ice Cream Parlor, Lower East Side]
The group settled in, with Judy next to Saya, then Anna, Max, and Thomas.
"Mom tax," Judy proclaimed, as she then, with a spoon, took small portions out of her children's meals, one by one. It was a well-established family tradition that mother dearest got her little bonus.
Judy enjoyed it all - despite not being entirely on board with the bitter-sweet combo Thomas had tailored, and for once was relatively quiet.
Anna was not.
"Auntie Saya, Mom told me to ask you about something," she prefaced her words. "What's it like to be an engineer on a really old ship?"
Very much her mother's daughter, Anna had an interest in ships and technology.
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Ozu Saya
Engineering/Ops
[TI19]
Posts: 878 Likes: 29
Rank: Master Chief Petty Officer
Position: CoB/Chief Engineer
Species: Vulcan-Bajoran
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Post by Ozu Saya on Jun 9, 2020 21:01:10 GMT
[Ice Cream Parlor - Lower East Side]
When Saya got her bowl of ice cream, she could immediately see why it was called 'rocky road' with the large chunks of nuts in it. She could see both walnuts and almonds as well as large sections of white in the chocolate.
Saya allowed herself a small smile as Judy stole tastes from her children's treats. She took a bite of her own, identifying the sticky whiteness as marshmallow, not something she'd had often. The sweetness worked well with the more bitter dark chocolate of the ice cream.
She took a couple more bites, letting the ice cream melt in her mouth before crunching on the nuts, before Anna asked about being an engineer on an old ship. After a moment of consideration, Saya replied, It means a lot of compromise and jury-rigging. Older ships often aren't up to spec with the most modern technology, so we have to figure out ways to make things work as well as they would if we had the modern technology, or get close, or find ways to incorporate newer tech into systems that aren't necessarily meant to handle it. It's often a matter of balancing the power flows to different systems.
What makes you ask me? I think your mother could have given a similar answer. Though she didn't act as an engineer while we served together, we often collaborated on projects and maintenance work.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jun 10, 2020 0:44:55 GMT
[Ice Cream Parlor]
"Mom said you're the best Starship engineer she's worked with, so I can ask you questions," Anna explained herself, causing Judy to turn slightly red.
"I did say that," she admitted. "I'm also not allowed to tell any cool stories, because then some people say I'm reckless, so I need proxies."
Judy playfully reached behind Anna's back to poke Max, making it clear who she was talking about.
"In my defense, Mrs. Williams [fn]Judy didn't allow anyone but him to address her as "Mrs."[/fn] is pretty reckless, isn't she?" Max asked, mirroring the attitude.
Never shying away from a public display of affection, Max moved over to stand behind Judy and put both his hands on her shoulders.
"Can you tell us about the Breen energy weapon?" Anna then asked her auntie Saya, leaving her parents to their schmoozing.
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