#Mapping La Sirena is going to be a ride

[procrastinatorproject]

So I have been rewatching Star Trek: Picard (for my Mapping La Sirena project, more on this anon) and there is something I have been wondering about for a while. Maybe other people have opinions about this? (Spoilers and way too much rambling after the cut ;9)

When we first get glimpses of the Admonition, there is a shot of the eyes of an android which turns into the eyes of Data. I mean... it’s very, very clearly data, not some generic humanoid android. And that bothered me because how would a 200.000 year old message created by overpowered synths from outside spacetime contain concrete images of the future?

And then I just rewatched ep 9 and the whole, unjumbled version of the message that Sutra sees and it got even more weird, when you think about it too much. There are tons of images that would not have existed 200.000 years ago, things like Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, Data, Synths with the Starfleet chevron, the attack on Mars, etc.

So I now have two theories about this:

1: It’s a prophecy The super-synths exist outside of space and time. I have no idea what that means exactly or if it even makes sense, but it could imply that time is meaningless to them, so they could have taken images from anywhwere in our timeline. This has its own problems, namely: How would they know about Data, about the attack on Mars (something that would not have happened had they not created the Admonition) but wouldn’t know that Soji would ultimately chose not to contact them? Are synthetic beings the only ones who have a true free will and whose actions cannot be predicted? So that after the critical point in evolution, the super-synths can’t see anything in that world’s/galaxy’s/whatever’s spacetime anymore? This gets into the nitty-gritty of how even does time(travel) work, something that Star Trek has a... mixed record on (i remember a friend who refused to watch DS9 because the concept of the Prophets existing outside space and time put them off too much), but it’s a possibility nonetheless.

2: It’s Oh’s interpretation of the Admonition I recently reread the truly, truly excellent Applied Ethics for Theoretical Cybernetics where at one point, Emil and Agnes discuss how she only has Oh’s distorted interpretation of the Admonition in her head. In the mind-meld, Oh transferred her experience and perception of the Admonition and we have seen that experiencing it drives people mad. So it would be reasonable to assume, that the message itself might not contain any concrete images, just... general feelings, warnings, unformed thoughts - and whoever experiences it fills in their own visuals for the abstract concepts Admonition is showing them.

Oh has been living with this horrible, traumatic scar on her mind for literal decades. Her brain has filled in visuals for specific aspects of it, like the early Starfleet Androids (the Chevron has the shape from the TOS-era), Data, the attack on Mars, and there are even glimpses of what are probably Jana’s eyes - whom Oh would likely have seen a picture of when Vandermeer contacted her about the First Contact.

My two main points in support of this theory are first: we see flashes of the Zhat Vash going mad after experiencing the Admonition, the scene we saw at the beginning of ep. 8. It would make sense for that to be mixed in, since it’s a pretty vivid memory of Oh’s (also, we saw she transferred bits of that scene to Agnes along with the rest at the beginning of ep. 7). So the whole things is at least somewhat contaminated with Oh’s own memories and experiences. Second: a lot of the images are human/Terran-centric (the fox decomposing (thanks for that, btw -.-), the embryo, the aging human, etc.). That might be because humans were the first to develop sentient synthetic life, or it might be because in showing the vision to Agnes, a human, Oh’s mind supplied visuals for the abstract thoughts of the Admonition that would make sense to Agnes, too. (Yes, that raises the question of “why do we see flashes of that at the beginning of ep 8 when it’s all Romulans?” which might indicate the “humans are the first to develop sentient synths”-explanation is more plausible, but I have no qualms to put that up to the editors being way too in love with that bloody decomposing fox and move on...)

Either of the two main theories raises the question why we see glimpses of the signal tower, since Oh can’t have known about it and the super-synths being able to see and leave images of the future up to and including the signal tower but then not knowing that Soji is going to turn it off is... not very satisfying. So I would imagine it’s there because the Admonition contains an instruction set on how to build the thing, which would make sense in either version of events.

Sooooo. Yeah. Does anybody have any other theories we can add to this?

Yes, I am MASSIVELY overthinking this on a scale that does not bode well for how the whole Mapping project is going to go because people will get tired of the pedantry, but my brain insisted we put this in writing somewhere. And I didn’t want to spam Horizon with this on WhatsApp, since she already suffers enough under my constant “I DISCOVERED THERE IS ANOTHER DOOR ON LA SIRENA THAT I HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE”-texts...

[mappinglasirena]

Resource for Picard Fanfic Writers

Season 2 of Star Trek: Picard is upon us, and I have barely had time to read any of the myriad of new fics that have arrived in the AO3 tag in the last couple of weeks. So many new stories! So many new names! I am so incredibly happy to see you all joining us on this wild ride 😁

It’s been a while since I’ve done some self-promo for this blog, so I thought now would be the right time.

Welcome to the Mapping La Sirena Project!

I started this little blog a couple of years ago, because I was writing fanfiction for Star Trek: Picard, and at the time, we didn’t have any floor plans or layouts of the main location the series takes place in: Captain Cris Rios's Kaplan F17 Speed Freighter La Sirena.

In the intervening years, the production team have been incredibly generous and have given us glimpses of official set plans, construction photos and all kinds of other resources you could use to answer questions like:

“If Rios is sitting on the bridge, can Agnes get his attention if she shouts loud enough from the mess hall?” (Yes.)

“Where is a dark corner for Raffi and Seven to make out in, if they’re too... preoccupied to stumble all the way back into their quarters?” (Blind corridor behind the holodeck.)

“Is there a way to get to the back of the ship from the mess hall that doesn’t involve going up the stairs to the bridge, running along the entire length of the upper deck, and going down the stairs near the engine lights?” (It’s complicated. On the set? No. In universe? Probably, because there is enough space for corridors to go past the sides of sickbay, and not having at least one corridor there would be ridiculous.)

“Is it just me or is the ship bigger on the inside?” (🙈 I’m afraid so.)

And so, so much more.

I have made it my mission (or rather my hobby to an obsessive degree 😅) to collect this information and make posts exploring this little ship. Partially because I have absolutely fallen in love with her and want to know each of her bolts and fittings blind, but also because I want to create a resource for writers like me, who have questions about the location where their Picard fanfics are set.

If you have a question about La Sirena, be it about what we saw of her in season 1, what we’ve seen of her in season 2 so far, or what the beta canon has said about her, but you don’t want to trawl through hundreds of Trek Core photos or reddit threads or TrekBBS forum posts, you have come to the right place!

In my masterpost (pinned post on the blog, I’m not gonna link it here, because I want this post to show up in the Picard tags 🙈), there are links to most of the more involved posts I’ve written so far. I don’t have a masterlist of my tags yet, but my tagging system for this blog is pretty meticulous, so if you want to check if I have mentioned the mess hall in a post that’s not mentioned on the masterpost, just click on the tag under the deep dive and see what comes up.

And if you have a question that I haven’t covered (or you don’t currently have the time, energy, or spoons to go rooting around the archives), my ask box is always open! No question is “too silly” or “too small” or “too nitpicky”. And I’m happy to answer the same question over and over again, if it gives me a chance to talk about this ship!

A Quick Note on “Accuracy” in Fanfics

I don’t want anyone to use this blog as an excuse to police other people’s fic writing (or their own writing, for that matter). From what I’ve seen of the Picard fanfic writing community, all of you are incredibly lovely people and would probably never dream of something like this, but I feel it deserves to be said nonetheless.

If you couldn’t care less about the precise size and layout of La Sirena, that is perfectly fine! I, for one, will love reading your fic/headcanons/meta/what have you anyway, because you're brave and generous enough to share your passion for this world we all love. Who cares if you give the ship a few extra rooms she doesn’t have in canon? I’ve certainly done that before 😋

This project is not a callout or attempt at gatekeeping or a plea for people to care more about accuracy in their fics or whatever. It’s just a resource (or source of entertainment, if you’re into really nerdy, detail-obsessed starship observations) for those who think they might enjoy that.

So, I hope I’ll be able to help some of you in the future and share my joy about the absolute beauty that is La Sirena!

[procrastinatorproject]

I know this isn't the point of this post, OP, so I do apologize. But I was briefly considering reblogging it on the mapping blog, but something seemed off about the image of Sirena and....

This is La Sirena:

This...

... is the Kaplan Heavy Freighter used in the Star Trek Online game. Notice how the front window seems to be a lot smaller? That's because the game had to scale up the ship to fit its parameters. Which is why in STO, she's not technically a Kaplan F17 Speed Freighter, but a Kaplan Heavy Raider.

Now, am I seeing things, or did they use the wrong fucking ship for their fact sheet? 🙃

(To say nothing of the fact that apparently, somewhere between season 1 and 3 somebody registered the ship. Because that is the only reason you end up having a registry. A concept the people in charge of the ship seemed honestly confused by when it was pointed out to them. 🙃🙃🙃)

Also: Raffi did not agree to help Picard find Dahj's sister beyond putting him in touch with Rios. She very explicitly told him she was along for the ride to Freecloud and not to go on some Big Quest with him. And after Freecloud, she was back on board because Rios is home for her so his ship is where she ran to when she was devastated by her disastrous renunion with Gabe. And then she got dragged along on the ride. She never agreed to anything!

So yeah. Not putting a lot of faith into these things 🙈

So some info from the StarTrekLogs Instagram page…

Seven gave Raffi La Sirena. Ouch my heart.

Whereabouts are unknown…

Personal details are classified… but we’ll still bang on about her addictions. Come on people, leave her alone.

Current Starfleet status: Classified

Present whereabouts: Unknown

So I’m kind of hopeful that she is just on an undercover mission for Starfleet. Because I hate to think of Seven in Starfleet without Raffi.

It’s hard to think of Seven in Starfleet at all… I still don’t know how I feel about it.

But Captain (now Admiral) Kathryn “fight me” Janeway is still fighting for Seven.

And I love that for them!

I am so excited for Season 3!! It’s so close!!

[theepitomeofsimplicite]

Dear New York City,

You are incredible! I love your busy streets and young energetic crowd. You are simply vibrant of life just how I had imagined you (from the movies, Sex & the City shows, and the songs about you)! So many reasons to have a crush on you so where shall I start?

Butcher’s Daughter

Driving through Chinatown

Ok, here are some of my first impressions of you, NYC:

It is said of you that you are the entire world into one city. Could it be real? You have a platter full of food options! As you are being the hub of internationals and a known place for storied history, you satisfy anyone’s taste bud, I can’t make up my mind. How can I decide between a casual French bistro (Bagatelle, 1 Little West 12th St.), delicious house-made Italian pasta (La Sirena, 88 9th Ave.), Exotic Moroccan (Cafe Mogador, 101 Saint Marks Pl #1), spicy Korean (Kori Tribeca, 253 Church St.), fun cocktails and Mexican food (La Palapa, 77 St Marks Pl.), Barcelona-style tapas (Toro, 85 10th Ave.), German’s pretzels and beer (The Standard Biergarten, 848 Washington St. just outside of the Standard High Line Hotel and I’ll tell more later), Green Juice (Yep that’s also food trust me!) and far more as if I was in the mood for a health conscious Californian style (not just green juice) there is Dime (49 Canal St.). And let’s not omit American sandwiches (Tiny’s & the Bar Upstairs, 135 W Broadway), and comfort food made of shakes, fries and burgers (Bill’s Bar & Burgers, 16 W 51st St.). There is also the Michelin starred Chef Gunter Seeger at Gunter Seerger NY (641 Hudson St.) and for the gluten free folks there is Friedman’s Lunch (75 9th Ave. at the Chelsea Market which I’ll speak more about in this post). Alas, due to my devoted ramen international tour mission, my friend and I set our minds towards Ippudo Ramen (65 Fourth Ave.) as soon as we set our feet on you.

Ippudo NYC

Ippudo Tonkotsu Ramen

Shook off the night away at Le Bain (848 Washington St.), the penthouse club and roof top bar with an outstanding sweeping city and river view located at the Standard High Line hotel. You blew us away! The vibe was electric between the sparkly giant disco ball, the Afro kinetics music, the sweaty dance moves, with the sticky cranberry vodka on my hand. I’ll remember this moment for a while 🙂 Not to mention our pre-game with gin-based drinks at this speakeasy bar Bathtub Gin that is disguised with a front panel as a regular coffee shop. How dare you tricked us!! Fortunately a friendly local had mercy and pointed the place out to us. Piouf don’t you know I have the fear of missing out syndromes!! 

Le Bain with a sweeping view of the river and the city

Some cool walls at the Standard High Line

Bathtub Gin is behind the facade of this coffee shop

The Maritime Hotel (363 W 16th St.) is one of your best places to spend the night in my opinion; friendly, quirky (how I personally like it) and cozy. Located right in the center of the Meatpacking District. This 24-hour neighborhood is found on the far west side of Manhattan and is bordered by Chelsea to the north and the West Village towards downtown. It’s a formidable plant for fashion and graphic designers, architects, artists, restaurateurs, stylists and even corporate headquarters. I enjoyed staying at this hotel in that unique style, it has a nautical-themed landmark with the signature view porthole windows and how I love the white and blue tiles at the restaurant bar and the outdoor terraces seemed just perfect for spring time. In the morning a modest continental breakfast was served at the hotel restaurant so I grabbed myself a quick bite of the bagel with some flavorful orange spread, a mini pain au chocolat, a hard boiled egg, a cup of black coffee and a fresh squeeze glass of OJ. I love the serene atmosphere there with plenty of sun rays through the large windows illuminating the brass surfaced pending lamps.

The Maritime Hotel Restaurant

Ice Wine from Montreal

My Instragram (non worthy) messy bed at the Maritime Hotel

The view port over Manhattan from the Maritime Hotel

Map printed furniture at the Maritime Hotel

Petit dej at the Maritime Hotel Restaurant

You are so walkable in lower Manhattan and it was a great way to see your beauty (your wall graffitis, your modern architectures, your red bricked walls, your apartment stair cases, your lively people, and your multi-culture). But if I didn’t care for strolling around in the cold, then there was the world known yellow cab which was very affordable too! Besides the hotel’s cool white-tiled exterior, I can find within a short walking distance anything ranging from roof top night clubs around the corner, espresso bars, bakeries, as well as street food stands (one in the front of the hotel), yummy late night pizzas (Brunetti Pizza, 626 Hudson St.) (especially required after too much drinks at 4 am), and have I already mentioned great restaurants and bars?!

Cool wall art

Greenwich Village street crossing

The signature NYC staircases

And more wall graffitis

Chelsea Market and the well known yellow cab

The Chelsea Market (75 9th Ave.) to me is where anything can happen and is only a block away from the hotel. You are spontaneous like that! If I ever get too lazy to walk out there into town and/or there is a snow storm alert coming, this covered venue is very special! One is expected to find anything ranging from espresso bar, pastries and freshly baked bread. A crave for fresh oysters there is The Lobster Place!! There, it’s a retail fish market with omakase sushi bar but also a raw bar where people can order and eat at the counter nearby the living seashells. There is even a German wurst place!! There are plenty of cool shops for gifts giving. I love this market!

Chelsea Market

Seafood Bar

Oyster Platter

The Lobster Place

Sight seeing to me is so boring but we strolled around town and set our sight towards The Flatiron Building then marched towards the Empire State Building. I got remotely distracted by the Museum of Sex and ought to call out Grant on this! Our last Vegas trip during thanksgiving holiday failed on us in finding adult shows for some sort of sex Ed haha I’ll skip the details there 😉 but anyone can read this post here! The Empire State Building was incredibly crowded (uncool!!) so we evidently ditched the queue and headed out towards the world known Times Square. Bright lights, giant billboards and honking everywhere! It was to say the least chaotic. Gotta get away now! Who really hangs out in Times Square aside from catching a Broadway show or… yeah tourists!!

The Flatiron Building

The Empire State Building

The chaotic Times Square

The Museum of Sex, was it really a distraction?! or an attraction? Can you tell me 😉

  If anyone needed a breath of fresh air when the concrete walk way and the stinging sound of sirens and honking felt suffocating and exhausting, there is fun and relaxation in strolling in your parks. Aside from the obvious green area of Central Park, I loved the Brooklyn Bridge Park where my friend and I got to have a humble picnic; with the magical view over Manhattan in the dark contrast of what you do best which is to gleam lights and inspire us with your beauty. We hopped on a yellow cab and asked to go to Pier 11. I had the idea of getting on a ferry to have a good gaze at the scintillant Brooklyn Bridge by the night. My friend and I cheered with red wine in plastic cups (lack of sophistication here, not me!) set ourselves up on a butt- frozen stairwell of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. We had some crackers dipped in olive paste and some (unidentifiable) cheese. Despite the blazing cold where my fingers and toes stopped responding to my commands, I very much enjoyed taking you in for a brief and calm sudden moment. 

View of the Brooklyn Bridge on the Jumbo Ferry

Sweeping view of lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge Park

A view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the Pier 11

After filling our stomach at Mr. Tuka Ramen (170 Allen St.), we needed to walk it off a bit right so we headed towards world renown Comedy Cellar to test your sense of humor. Are you that funny? Unfortunately you are ever so crowded so we again ditched the queue and got some late drinks at the hotel. I served my friend some of the ice wine I got from my trip to Montreal the weekend before. It was so sweet but so tasty.

Mr. Tuka Ramen

Tonkotsu Ramen

More sight seeing followed on our last day photographing the one World Trade Center and the memorial site, stopped by Wall Street to find the Charging Bull and the Fearless Girl. Finally walked towards the Battery Park to have a peak at the Statue of Liberty from a far distance. But on our way to Sunday Brunch, not Egg Shop,151 Elizabeth St.), not the Butcher’s Daughter (19 Kenmare St.) (the queue estimated to be 1 hour waiting time so no thanks!!) got a green juice (must have Matcha Fizz made of matcha, fresh lime, honey and rosemary ) at the Cafe Integral (149 Elizabeth St.) and amazing classic Persian food instead (Ravagh Persian Grill, 125 1st Ave.). On our way there, I got to see life through Greenwich village. Kids playing at the playground and youngsters shooting hoops. And other people brunching too. The Persian grill was phenomenal! I’d recommend to anyone! And finally time was up!

Greenwich Village strolling

Life in Greenwich Village

The Egg Shop for Brunch

Awkward me as a tourist

A ride towards the World Trade Center

Cafe Integral Matcha Fitz Juice

Classic Persian Food

Until next time darling, we’ll have another date! I promise 😉

New York City Dear New York City, You are incredible! I love your busy streets and young energetic crowd. You are simply vibrant of life just how I had imagined you (from the movies, Sex & the City shows, and the songs about you)!

[mappinglasirena]

A Year to the Day

Well well well. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been going through the blog for some housekeeping over the last week (I’m currently about a third of the way through updating the tags! Yay!). One of the things I’m doing is creating a record of my old posts, in case I ever manage to lose something here on tumblr. Part of that record is the date at which the posts came out and... well:

The original Masterpost, the very first thing to be published on the Mapping La Sirena blog, went out at 23:50h on 11 May 2020. Turns out I started this blog exactly one year ago today!

Happy anniversary to me, I suppose ;9

I thought I’d take the opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to all you amazing people out there. When I started this project, I thought maybe a few hardcore-Trekkies would be interested in the first floor plan (since we didn’t have anything official at the time), and after that it would just be me rambling at the half dozen friends willing to indulge my hyperfixation. Turns out, I was extremely wrong about that!

I never thought so many people would join me on this strange little journey and share their own observations and questions and love for La Sirena with me. Your enthusiasm in the reblogs and tags is truly inspiring and I couldn’t do this without you all, so I’m incredibly happy to have all of you along for the ride. I hope this blog will continue to be a helpful resource and fun reading material and that it’ll bring you as much joy as this community has brought me.

Thank you all so, so very much!

Let’s all enjoy some anniversary cake together :D