MarFest 96 Part 3

Anticipation for MarFest was high.  Barry had been making banners for the SonchIy.  There were going to be Klingons from across the Maritime s.  MarFest was going to be our "coming out".  For most of us, this would be the first time we would meet Klingons from outside the Metro Halifax area.

Rick, to my knowledge, was still working on translating Hamlet into Klingon.  The Guest Star that he was eager to meet was Mark Okrand, the author of the Klingon Dictionary.

Friday April 12, 1996 was a very busy day.  The guest stars started arriving at the Halifax International Airport.  I was tasked with picking up and transporting some to the Ramada Renaissance Hotel.  The first person I was to meet was in fact Mark Okrand.

I stood by the Arrivals gate, with a sign that read Mark Okrand.  I did not have any idea what he looked like.  I am six foot two and I was also judging Mark's height based on his reputation.  I had spent too much time around Rick. 

As I stood there, scanning the crowd, looking for someone who would look like a "Mark Okrand" a voice said, "Hi, I'm Mark". 

In Rick's apartment, things were hectic.  There were at least four people, Rick, his girlfriend, Barry and another or more.  I was not there, however I heard the stories.  Rick's phone was constantly ringing and Rick was getting irritated.  He was trying to focus on the final details of his costume.  According to Barry, Rick stated that he would not take any more phone calls.

I knew that Rick would be thrilled at getting a personal phone call from Mark.  I asked Mark if he would do me a favor and say Hi to one of his biggest fans.  I dialed Rick's number on my cell phone and passed it to Mark. 



Rick Zhukow, Mark Okrand and Paul Carreau



Mark asked for Rick, identified himself, a look of puzzlement and irritation crossed his face and he passed the phone back to me.  Mark asked if there were connection problems between the airport and Halifax.  I didn't think so, I did not have any problems when I phoned from the airport to Halifax.

I found out later, via Barry, that when Mark identified himself, Rick slid down the wall, his eyes bugged and all that he could say was, "MA-MA-MA-MA!".  (I think he was trying to say "Mark".)

Robin Curtis, the second actress to play Lt Savik in the third Star Trek movie The Search For Spock, was also a Guest Star.  Part of my Con Com duties was to escort her through the convention.  This was also the first time I had spent any time with a "Movie Star".

My function was to not  let any of the fans get too close to her while we were walking to and from her venues.  I have to admit that I was star struck, and the fact that Ms Curtis is an attractive lady who was also outgoing and gracious all the time I was in her company, made this a very pleasant duty.  I think one of the biggest thrills I received that weekend was when she referred to me as, "my friend, Paul".

When it was time for the Assembly, I felt humiliated when the Master of Ceremonies could not pronounce the name of our ship.  He stumbled three times and then gave up.  The crew of the IKV SonchIy gathered outside of the Assembly area, and I remember stating that never again would the name of the SonchIy be mispronounced.

That weekend was one of most intense I had spent outside of the Military.  My commitment to the Con Com and my involvement with the SonchIy kept me busy well into the evening. 

Any one who attends cons has a Con story.  I have a few.  The following s is without question my favorite.

On Sunday morning, while escorting Robin, I saw a woman in a Romulan costume.  The day before I had noticed her in a Vulcan costume.  What caught my attention was the disposable camera she carried in her hand.  Robin had stopped to sign an autograph so I quickly blocked the path of the Romulan with the camera.

I asked if she would take my picture with Robin Curtis.  I had not had an opportunity to have my picture taken and I wanted proof that I had indeed been with Robin Curtis.  The lady smiled and said yes, provided I would take her picture. 


 


Robin Curtis and Paul Carreau

 



Robin Curtis and Suzanne (Sue) Larose

 Four years later Sue and I were married.

MarFest 96 Part 2

I started working the phones.  I was drawing from my Amway experience.  Promote - Promote - Promote. 

"Our first road trip!" 
"This is going to be so much fun!"
"Can you imagine the look on their faces when they see us!"

I was still very concerned about the actual transportation and who we were going to pay for the gas.

I had talked with Henry by phone, asking if anyone from the IKV Praksis would be interested in "going for the ride".  I was actually looking for another vehicle.  He was not interested in members of  the Praksis being involved.

Two days before we were scheduled to go to Sydney, I attended another committee meeting.  Henry brought up my little road trip and offered me a voucher for a fifteen passenger van and gas coupons.  I felt a huge relief.  I was driving a Firebird at the time, and I had only the one car to commit.  I could have asked my wife for hers, but that wouldn't have been much better.  Her car was a Chevette.

There was a new member of the MarFest committee in attendance, Karen.  This was the first time I had met Karen.  When Karen heard that I was going on a "Road Trip" to Sydney to do a "Klingon Space Kamp", she asked if she could go too.

I have to admit, at first I was hesitant.  We were going to Sydney to; to what?  I wasn't sure.  I had seven people in the van so far.  Costumes and gear would take up most of the other available space.  I had to wonder why Karen would want to spend ten hours in a vehicle out of curiosity.

I asked Karen why she wanted to come along and she told me that she had made a Klingon costume, and had not had the opportunity to wear it. 

Talk about two birds with one stone.  I had:  another 'body' for the road trip; and a new member for the SonchIy.  I had also hit the jackpot.  Karen, as it turned out worked with amateur theater, and her contribution was costuming.

Henry was obviously affected by this revelation as well.  There was an unofficial competition for members on the various ships in the area.  By the end of September 1996, the SonchIy had sixteen members.  To qualify as a ship, a minimum of five members was the requirement.

The night before we left, Henry phoned me saying he now wanted members of his ship, the IKV Praksis in the van for our trip to Sydney.  I was not happy with this request.  I asked him, who in my crew I should tell is not going to Sydney?  I had built this up to get maximum participation, and I was not going to disappoint anyone who had committed to going.

Besides Karen and myself, Jason, Rick, Jane and three others were in the van in the early hours of Saturday March 30 1996.

When we arrived in Sydney I can remember the comments as we drove up.  The store was about a third the size, maybe, of an IGA store in Halifax.  When we walked into the store there was a feeling of awkwardness.  It wasn't until we got into costume that the staff - and us started to relax.  We were joined by two Sydney locals who also had costumes.  This was their first time in costume, and for most of us it was the second time.

 
Oh, and Karen.  Karen's costume was by far the best.  I believe she set the tone for what was to follow.  We went for a walk outside of the store to a McDonald's.   Karen, literally, stopped traffic.

I also believe that this event was the most significant for the IKV SonchIy.

MarFest 96 Part 1

The closest I had been to a convention was in British Columbia.  I had gotten myself involved in Amway in the early 80's.  Any expectations I may have had about a Science Fiction Convention were colored by my experiences at Amway conventions. 

I had made travel arrangements for members of the Military to attend various conferences.  I had also been involved in scheduling various conferences at the base level. 

When Henry approached me to help on the Maritime Science Fiction Festival Convention Committee, I thought, "I can do this".  Henry started his indoctrination by sharing his vision of a Science Fiction Convention.  What I didn't fully comprehend was that the majority of the Convention Committee had no prior experience with the organization or running of a Convention. 

Henry cautioned me that my involvement on the Maritime Science Fiction Festival Convention Committee and my involvement in KAG Kanada were two separate activities.  The only time a joint involvement would be KAG Kanada's participation as a Society at MarFest.  I was not to involve or commit KAG Kanada's resources to MarFest.

Henry had been to a few Toronto Treks, and a friend of his, Bill had also gone with him.  Other than that there was no experience.  When Henry would be questioned, his response was in essence, "Trust me, I know what I am doing." 

The first meeting of the MarFest Con-Com was held at the Ramada Inn in Burnside.  I had a previous commitment and it required me to wear a suit and tie.  When I arrived, everyone was dressed very casually and I was semi-formal.

We took chairs at a conference table, Henry at the head of the table as Chairman, and he proceeded to dispense titles.  Dealer Room, Operations, Security, Concessions; when his finger was pointing at me, he said Corporate Sponsor Coordinator.  I am convinced it was the Double Windsor knot in my tie.

While I was carrying out my duties as the Sponsorship Coordinator MarFest ConCom, I was also in the process of building my fledgling ship, the IKV SonchIy.  I had kidnapped Rick from the IKV Praksis.  Our first ship meetings were a date.  There were the two of us making plans for the future glory of the SonchIy. 

At a birthday party my daughter was attending, I met Jane.  I was wearing a jacket I had won from TV Guide four years earlier,  that made me a Deep Space Nine walking bill board.  Jane was a fan of Star Trek, and the conversation gravitated to all things Trek.  When I mentioned that I was starting a Klingon club in the Dartmouth area, she told me that she wanted to be a part of it. 

Jane then started thinking of who would be interested.  In Trek terms it took less than a nano second.  She wanted me to talk with her friend Barry, who would be very interested.  He was also a huge Trek fan.  The ship was starting to grow. 

The plans that Rick and I had made were about to be put into motion.  At a Ship's meeting, I proposed that we approach various charities and ask if we could help with our costumes.  Jason was the first to offer his services.  We brainstormed on who we thought could use our costumes to promote their organizations.  I remember there being a short list of three charities.  At our next meeting, which I believe was two weeks later, Jason came back with not only a name, he came back with a representative of the Children's Wish Foundation.

MarFest was scheduled for April 13 and 14, 1996.  My free time was divided between the MarFest Con Com and building the IKV SonchIy.  One of the potential sponsors I had made contact with was the IGA chain.  They offered me a full page on one of their monthly fliers.  This flier was delivered to every home in the Maritmes.  I was told that this was a twenty eight thousand dollar value. 

The IGA wanted costumed characters on their flier.  The only costumed characters I knew were the members of KAG Kanada.  I justified this by asking those people with costumes to participate on their own and not as members of KAG Kanada.  There would be no recognition club wise for their participation. 

What I wasn't expecting was Henry's involvement after I announced this at the Committee meeting.  Henry questioned me at length, and left me with the impression that I had somehow overstepped my authority.  What I did not know was that Henry, in his day job, knew the people I had made the arrangements with.

I received a phone call from Henry a couple of days later asking if I could meet him at the regional office of the IGA.  We met at the agreed time, and were ushered into the office of the IGA Event Coordinator.  We went over the arrangements I had already agreed upon.  In the course of our discussion, the IGA representative asked what value IGA would get in return. 

Henry was very excited.  It was evident that the IGA wanted to have something different on their flier and Henry told her that he was the Black Ice Squadron Commander, and he could put Klingons in any store in the Maritimes.  Henry had just committed resources he had no control over. 

Left to Right Rick, Angela, Allison, Paul Carreau Unknown

On March 23, 1996, we did the photo shoot in the IGA store at Bedford NS. 



Within a couple of days, I received a phone call asking if an appearance could be arranged in Sydney NS for March 30, 1996.  Sydney is a five hour drive from Halifax.  We did not have a ship in the Sydney area.  I had been in contact with some people who were interested in forming a club, however we did not have any structure in place.

I explained that we did not have the resources to make this happen, and their comment was, "you promised".

The logistics were daunting.  I had to sell a ten hour return road trip, with a three to four hour appearance.  How many people; how much gas and how many cars could I muster?  I was also asking for a fifteen hour commitment.

My First Event

While I was on the IKV Praksis, I learned a new meaning for the word event.  An "Event" in Klingon culture is the wearing of a costume in public.  My first "event" was a frantic phone call from Henry on the early afternoon of  Monday September 18, 1995, asking if I could help at the Canadian Red Cross in Halifax.  The Praksis was supposed to help out at a Blood Donor Clinic passing out cookies and juice for those who gave blood, and he did not have any one who could or would help out.  Could I get my costume and get to the Red Cross Center as soon as possible?  This event was going to give the Praksis some much needed exposure in the Halifax community.

I had the costume.  I had not, however put it on.  I had a foam latex forehead, technically known as an appliance.  I had managed to get my hands on a wig.  And I even had a tube of dark make up.  I had not used any of it together. 

I arrived at the Red Cross, latex and foam costume over my arm and a plastic shopping bag full of my other goodies.  Henry met me at the door.  His costume had changed since I had last seen him.  He now was using my tailor.  I was impressed because we were starting to look uniform.  I also had a walking template of what I was supposed to look like.

I was ushered to the Men's washroom, where I was to transform myself into a Klingon Warrior.  I had major decisions to make.  Should I put the costume on first, or put the make up on and then the costume?  I decided to start with the tube of color.

In the men's washroom the only tissue is what was on the roll.  For the first time in my life, I was using this stuff as it was advertised - on my face.  I applied the grease paint to my face using the tissue paper as a applicator.  The dark grease paint started to streak.  As I was looking at myself in the mirror, the thought screaming at me is, "this can't be right!".  I remember looking at my watch further stressing myself out because I was taking far too much time with my transformation.

I was used to preparing for parades where the attention to details of the uniform are minute.  I had no clue as to what was 'right' or 'wrong'.  I was also acutely aware of the time.  I could hear my digital watch tick.  I started to sweat.

By this time the sink was fouled with dark brown grease paint.  I was frantically looking around for something, anything to clean the grease paint off of the white porcelain sink and the only available aid was that roll of toilet paper.  A lesson learned that night; you can not clean a sink with toilet paper. 

Now came the wig and the latex forehead.  I lucked out there because the wig acted as an anchor holding this mass of molded rubber in place...sort of.

I made my entrance.  Henry was not impressed that I was wearing my Command Cloak.  Henry made it very clear that I was not a Ship's Captain; I did not command anything; and I was not entitled to wear such a badge of authority, so I had to lose the cloak. 

Henry also wanted me to "talk like a Klingon".  I don't speak Klingon and I have a hard enough time with the French language.  Henry told me that I didn't have to actually speak Klingon, just sound like a Klingon. 

"OK Henry, how does a Klingon sound?"

"Like the Klingons on television." 

My best attempt at sounding like a television Klingon ended up sounding more like Peter Jurasik's character Londo Mollari from Babylon 5, complete with a Newfie accent.

A reporter from the Halifax Herald arrived.  I then realized that our exposure was going to be in the local paper.  The photographer grabbed a lady who had just donated blood, and asked her if she would pose for a picture for the paper to showcase the Blood Donor Clinic. 

He sits this lady in one of the chairs that is used for blood donations; one of the nurses comes by and thanks here for giving blood and posing for the picture.  The photographer then blocks the shot he wants to take.  Henry and I then take our places on either side of the chair.  I told her I was a Klingon with my best Londo impersonation.  The three of us laughed and the photo was taken.

  

Eventually it was time to take the costume off.  When I removed the 'body armor, I felt the chill of the air.  I was soaked with sweat.  The black turtle neck that I was wearing was dripping with sweat.  My head was soaked and the foam forehead appliance was soaked with sweat.

The wig and the forehead went into the bag with the tube of grease paint.  I think there was more of the stuff on the tube than actually in the tube. 

The Industrial Strength Toilet Paper was not going to clean out the sink.  No amount of trying would change that.  Someone had left a small white towel.  That should work.  I started to wipe down the sink and was pleased at my results.  The sink was returning to its original porcelain white again.  I did not want to leave the Canadian Red Cross with a bad impression of the membership of the IKV Praksis.  That was until I tried to rinse the towel.  What I held looked like a wet Klingon Battle Flag.

When I left the washroom, trying not to look guilty for ruining their towel, I was again greeted by the nurses who worked the clinic.  They went out of their way to thank us for helping out with the coffee, cookies and juice.  I smiled, accepting their praise, my face still streaked with the grease paint and hoping it would hide the shame I was feeling.

In The Beginning...

In November there will be a Science Fiction/Fantasy convention in Halifax.  Its name is Hal-Con. A part of the agenda is the SonchIy Squadron 15 Year Reunion.  I am going to be in attendance for the reunion, as well as the KAG Kanada Grand Assembly.  J.G. Hertzler has been invited to be one of the Guest Stars at this year's convention because of our involvement with Hal-Con. 

While involved with KAG Kanada I have had some wonderful experiences; made strong and lasting friendships; and I met my late wife, Sue.  I don't know how many times over the years I have been chided to "Get A Life".  I have one and I am very happy with the one I have, thank you. 

I have been told many times that it is all about the story.  I am not a writer.  I have met a few.   My 'literary' background is Military.  Facts - Figures- no Emotion.  My hope is that what follows will not be too dry.  I just hope that I can tell my story with the wonder and fun that has been my journey in Fandom.
In 1995, I was involved in the preparation and planning for another Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention called MarFest.  At the same time I was also getting involved in a Star Trek Costume Club, The Klingon Assault Group or KAG Kanada.  MarFest was also my very first Con and it was the first appearance of the branch or ship I had founded, the Imperial Klingon Vessel (IKV) SonchIy.

My involvement began because my marriage was failing.  At the time I was in the Canadian Military.  I was looking for an excuse, any excuse, to get out of the house. There were many reasons, and they went back a number of years.  Failing; no more accurately, it was imploding.  I had started to investigate and initiate divorce proceedings.  The choice to get out of the house, that I had was the Mess, or the Military bar.  

I chose not to go to the Mess because that would probably 'mess' me up even more.  A conclusion that was arrived at through years of observation.  Too many of my friends and co-workers had compounded their problems at the Mess. 

I decided  to go to movies.  At the 1994 screening of Star Trek Generations in Halifax, people dressed as "Original Series" Klingon's were in attendance, most of them were at an information table in the lobby handing out paper, while others walked among those who had entered the lobby of the theatre.  I was looking, more accurately looking down, at them.  My level of curiosity was along the lines of, "who would do that?".  I was aware enough that I didn't want any of them to get too close, and they were certainly not going to get close enough to give me any of their paper.

Before my pilgrimage to the Concession area, I decided to visit the theatre's 'comfort' station.  My mother  would have told you that, I want to powder my nose; my father would tell you he was going to drain his potatoes.  In any event, I was about to get comfortable...or so I thought.

While I was hosing down the urinal, I noticed the guy at the next stall.  He was dressed as a Klingon.  At least he wasn't holding any paper in his hands. 

Before I could stop myself, I blurted, "nice costume", as he stepped away from the porcelain.  I watched in horror as his hand went behind his back.  Was he reaching for a Klingon knife; a disruptor???  Worse, it was paper!  An application to join KAG Kanada.  He growled something very guttural that also involved his ejecting of a fair amount of spittle, and proudly told me that he had just spoken in Klingon.  My reaction was simply - "That's nice". 

However, the seed had been planted.  I was about to be:   turned, assimilated, coerced, or sent in a direction that would change my life (dramatic pause) forever.

I would stare at that application for about six months.  It was perched on my dresser and I would look at the application and tell myself that I did not want to be involved with pimply-faced teenagers telling forty year old Star Trek jokes.  I was too mature and much too responsible for that.  In six months, it didn't occur to me that I could simply throw it out.

The situation in my home won out and I attended my very first Klingon meeting of the IKV Praksis with the completed KAG Kanada application.  It was far from the spit-and-polish that I was accustomed to.  There were no aggressive Klingons in evidence.  One guy sat in a corner, looking more like a cross between a beatnik and Rasputin; shoulder length black hair full black beard, a laptop and copies of Shakesphere and Mark Okrand's Klingon Dictionary.  When I questioned him later, he told me that he was translating Hamlet into Klingon.  He could not find it anywhere in print or online, so he decided to translate it himself. 

The Ship's Captain was Henry.  (Not his real name.)  He welcomed me and made introductions.  I learned Rasputin's name is Rick Zhukow, and to this day I do believe they are related.  When it would come time to 'launch' the IKV SonchIy, Rick would be the First Mate, Second In Command and Cabin Boy.

During most of 1995, I went to meetings, talked about costuming and make up.  The Klingon costume was intimidating.  I had enough trouble sewing a button, let alone trying to make sense of a pattern.  Henry suggested that I get my wife involved in helping me sew a costume. 

I had the good fortune to meet a costumer who worked for one of the drama departments at one of the universities in Halifax.  He was intrigued with the idea of making a Klingon Uniform.  I contracted with him to make the Battle Dress and Command Cloak. 

As it turned out, Henry and I did not get along that well.  Henry's idea of being a leader was, "I am the boss and you are not".  One of life's little pleasures was to verbally spar with Henry and use my wit to pop his bombastic balloon.   It wasn't long before I had my walking papers, and was told to start a ship on the other side of the Halifax Harbour, in Dartmouth, the IKV SonchIy.