Jimmy Flynn

The SonchIy's relationship with Jimmy Flynn began as a result of our involvement with the Children's Wish Foundation.  Jimmy is great supporter of the Wish Foundation.  I don't think he has ever turned down a request from the CWF for an appearance.

When we started out Face Painting, Jimmy was of the caliber of celebrity who was out of our league.  Contact with Jimmy Flynn started out at the parades.  Jimmy would be chauffeured in the parade, and the Klingons would march as a group, usually not close to the car Jimmy was driving in.  (They were smart, they had a pretty good idea of what we were capable of....)

If Jimmy said hello to one of the crew, it was an instant bragging right.  Just to be acknowledged by Jimmy was considered something special.

When he performed, he was usually surrounded by very influential well wishers.  Klingons just did not make the cut. 

We started doing events at different pubs in the Halifax-Dartmouth area.  These events were our Adult events.  The cleavage rule was relaxed and we had to substitute that with a new rule, no drinking while working.  The last thing we needed were drunk Klingons.  At last call, the crew were allowed to have a drink.  This rule was also supported (and enforced) by everyone on the crew.  And in my heart of hearts; a very secret place, I believed we were foolish enough that we did not need any help with alcohol.

The pub we helped out in was the Copper Penny.  That was a big deal for us because we were listed with the corporate sponsors, as KAG Kanada, on the promotional t-shirts that were given out.  Our efforts were recognized. I still have mine.  It is one of my 'treasures'.

Jail 'N Bail - M'Red (Sean) and detainee

The Copper Penny would have live bands, hold an auction and the Klingons would host a Jail 'N Bail.  There was a fencing company that would deliver and pick up modular fencing for our Jail 'N Bails.  Later they would  do that for Dooley's as well.  They supported the Children's Wish Foundation, and therefore our efforts to help raise money.

In addition to the Jail 'N Bail, the Klingons would help the auctioneer by holding up, walking among the patrons and work the room while the item was being auctioned off.  The Copper Penny was an "L" shaped room and the Klingons would put some mileage on their boots working the crowd.

One night, while working the Copper Penny, a "Jimmy Flynn" doll went up for auction.  The auctioneer stated that these were very special, as they were a limited number and Jimmy gave these to people he considered special friends.  I told Sue that I wanted one for my collection.  At that time our disposable income was at a premium.  I was on a budget.

The bidding started.  As I recall, the increments were five dollars.    I saw some of the bidders I was competing against.  When the bidding reached around one hundred dollars, my competition was sitting on the other side of the "L" shaped room.  I could not see who I was bidding against.  I remember there was a buzz among those sitting so they could see the auctioneer, my competition and me. 

I kept looking at Sue.  It was unspoken, however I needed her approval to go higher in the bidding.  I was close to my limit.  The higher the bid got, the quieter the room got.  The bidding got to one hundred and eighty dollars, and I could not go higher.  I looked at Sue when the bidding closed against me.  She knew I wanted it, and she also knew that I had made the right decision for us.  I was disappointed, however we had helped raise money for the CWF. 

There was a tension in the pub.  Something was happening, I could see people pointing in the direction of the room I could not see.  A woman was walking, with the Jimmy Flynn doll, and when she spotted me, she walked with purpose towards me.  Someone sitting next to me told me that she was Sylvia Flynn, Jimmy's wife.

As she walked over to me, people started to gather.  When she reached me, she was smiling.  She told me that she would not let me buy the doll, she wanted to give it to me for the work I and the Klingons had done for the Children's Wish Foundation.  She told me that Jimmy couldn't be there that night due to another commitment.   She confided that she wished I hadn't bid so high.  I still have that doll, and it is one of my treasured trophies.

I still had not met Jimmy in person. 

Some time later, I was approached by the Children's Wish Foundation and asked if there were some way the SonchIy could recognize Jimmy Flynn.  That was a challenge.  I did not know how to tie in Jimmy's Newfoundland humor with Klingon's or Star Trek.  I was stumped on how to bridge the two. 

A lady associated with us, Edi, suggested that Jimmy had received numerous awards and recognition for his work in the community and the CWF.  She suggested that it would mean more to him if we were to recognize his late son, Seamus Jason Angus Flynn. 

Seamus had passed at eighteen from cancer.  The first thing I found out was that Seamus was a very big fan of Star Trek.  He was buried in a Star Fleet Uniform and his pall bearers wore Star Fleet Uniforms.  That was my bridge.  However, the more I learned about Seamus the more impressed I was with the man.  At eighteen, he had helped Jimmy as a Producer on the CD's and Video's Jimmy was making, he was an accomplished pilot at the time of his death as well.

Klingon Achievement Decoration (KAD)

I asked the senior leadership of KAG Kanada if we could recognize Seamus posthumously, for a Klingon Achievement Decoration or KAD.  The KAD pin is a resin pin, painted gold.  It was unprecedented in the club at the time, and this has not been done since.  Not only was my request granted, a presentation plaque was sent to me for Jimmy.

There was a second plaque naming Jimmy Flynn the Official Jester of KAG Kanada.

Trav, Sue Paul Sean, Denise, Barry, Edi and Sylvie and Jimmy

A few months later, I think it was in April 1998, we the members of the SonchIy, were invited to Jimmy's fiftieth birthday party.  Jimmy was told that some special guests from out of town were going to be in attendance.  This was a very big occasion for us.  We had been invited to help Jimmy Flynn celebrate his birthday.  We were honored.




 We "crashed" <kind of> his birthday party.  In attendance were the who's who of the entertainment community in the Maritimes. 



What I remember the most was Sue taking me aside and telling me that Sylvie had just told her that the KAD that we had presented to Jimmy was in his safe.  He treasured it that much.

I didn't remember this photo until I started researching for this blog.  These photo's are pre digitial camera, old technology, they are scanned.

Sue worked with me as my "eyes and ears".  The members of the SonchIy would tell her things that they wouldn't tell me.  This particular photo means so much to me as it represents our working relationship in the club.   I am sure that if there are members of the SonchIy reading this, they would recognize this tete a tete, as we did this huddle at almost every event.

I doubt I would have been as effective a leader without Sue at my side.

Challenges

I was working in the Customer Service Orderly Room, or CSOR.  In CFB Halifax we had two main Orderly Rooms (OR's) and my job was to keep them stocked with Paper, Pens and Stationary (PP&S).  I worked with the companies who serviced our business machines, the photocopiers, fax machines, printers and computers.

A large part of my day was spent on the phone, taking orders from the CSOR's and placing orders with the suppliers.  As well, I was responsible for maintaining my own stock.  I also spent a fair amount of time out of my office, due to my other administrative duties.

My supervisor, who had just been transferred from a submarine, Petty Officer Perry Scope, (not his real name), did not appreciate my after hour activities. It got to the point that to say the word "Klingon" in my office was to be a chargeable offense. 

For a time, the members of the SonchIy used code words to talk about events and event planning.  I had to make it sound like I was taking stationary orders from the different OR's.  Sue would sometimes help organize events from her office, dealing with those who didn't understand or have time for the codes.

Petty Officer Scope would tippy-toe around the office.  On more than one occasion, I would sense his presence behind me.  When I would turn around, he would be there eavesdropping, listening to my end of a phone conversation.  He was waiting for me to say  the secret word, "Klingon" so he could yell "You're Charged!".  it was a fun game - for a while.

After an event one day, Sue and I had a conversation with my liaison Cheryl, the Director of the Children's Wish Foundation in Halifax.  My frustration levels had peaked, and what started out as a conversation between Sue and myself soon included Cheryl. 

Cheryl's position had her dealing with the sponsor's and major contributors of the Children's Wish Foundation.  When she heard about the conditions that I was working under, and how I was coordinating our events - she just laughed.  It was bizarre at best.

Cheryl asked if there was anything she could do. 

"Tell my boss what we do for the Children's Wish", I told her.

And so she did.

I was out of the office when the Base Commander and his entourage came looking for me.  When I was back in the building, people started telling me that the Base Commander and the Base Chief  were looking for me.  I was not expecting anything from Cheryl, that was a conversation that I had forgotten about. 
My first thought was, "This can not be good".  The only time a Base Chief looks for you is when you're in serious trouble.  Anything less than serious is delegated.  The presence of the Base Commander did not scare me as much as the Base Chief.   I also knew this was more serious than me saying "KLINGON " in my office. 

I made my way back to my office, expecting to be met by a waiting Military Police escort.

Instead, Petty Officer Perry Scope was waiting, with a copy of the letter. 

He looked like he had just sucked a lemon.  It had been delegated to him by the Base Commander and Base Chief to pass on their personal thanks to me for a job well done.  I doubt Petty Officer Perry Scope was as eloquent or as convincing as Capt(N) Mack would have been, however it was a dish served cold watching him choke out the words.

"KLINGON" was back in my dictionary.

Pot Lucks

Recognition is something babies cry for and grown men die for.

A baby cries for food and because the diaper needs changing.  It would be great if they could articulate these things, but all they know what to do is to cry.  They get fed and or their diapers get changed.

A soldier puts his life on the line for the medals he will get.

Recognition.

I don't know how many times I have said this to the leadership of KAG Kanada.  I said it at my Ship Meetings and then at the Squadron meetings.  People have to feel good about what they do.  The way to make them feel good is to recognize them for their efforts.

The vehicle I chose was Pot Lucks.  These were open to anyone.  As well as a form of recognition, they were used as recruitment and family events.

There are several different forms of Recognition in KAG Kanada.  They are covered in the General Rules and Guidelines or the GRG's.

Ranks, Honorifics,  Awards and Commendations (Ship, Squadron, Fleet Commander's and Senior Command Officer's), are what are used in KAG Kanada.  There have been exceptions to those covered in the GRG's.

Barry's Contribution

Phil gets his Imperial Starburst

December 20, 1998 Sqn Co Commendation

I was made very much aware of this at one of our Pot Lucks.  Denise, a single mother, had one of her friends consistently mind her children, so she could attend and participate in events with us.  I realized that without Denise's friend, much of what we had done could not have been accomplished.

At this Pot Luck, the SonchIy had morphed into a Squadron.  I was the Squadron Commander.  I presented Denise's friend, a Squadron Commander's Commendation, for efforts on behalf of Denise.  It was because of her efforts that Denise was able to participate with the SonchIy.

 When I called her up and presented her with the certificate, she started to cry.  I was caught off guard because I didn't know why she was crying.  I didn't understand.  When I asked why she was crying, she told me that no one had ever thanked her before.

Birthday Recognition...Happy Birthday Dave!

Restaurant Take Overs

We worked so hard over the summer and fall of 1997, that when winter came to Halifax, the events slowed down.  At first there was a sigh of relief, we didn't have to go out on a Saturday.  Then Cabin Fever hit, and people were asking, "when are we going to do something?"



March 16, 1997

 Sue and I went to Sunday Brunch at Keddy's Motor Inn in Dartmouth.  The price was reasonable and the selection was magnificent.  On our way out, we approached the waitress and asked if they accepted groups. We mentioned that the group would be in costume.  As we talked, I got the impression she was not too sure of the state of our mental health.  Klingons at a Sunday Brunch??!!!

We put it to the club.  It had been a while since we had any activity, and the club voiced a collective "yes".

I called Keddy's and again, asked if they would accommodate the Klingons for Sunday Bunch.  They wanted to know how many, and as I recall, we planned for around twenty.



February 14, 1999 Keddy's Brunch



The Sunday Morning patrons were dumbfounded when we walked in.  We created a scene.  The most common question was, "is there a convention in town?" 

"Nope, we just wanted to get into costume." 

We did this twice a year for two or three years, until they demolished the Motel. 

Prior to the demolishing though, Sue and I were participating at Banook Kayak Club in Dartmouth.  It was in July I think.  Keddy's was about a half mile from the event, so we decided to go for lunch.  We strolled up Prince Albert Road, and when we got to Keddy's a new waitress was at the door to the restaurant.



Q'Oneqo Self Portrait



She took one look at us, did a 180 degree turn and disappeared into the kitchen area.  Sue and I were caught off guard.  We expected to be seated.  We waited by the "Please Wait To Be Seated" sign for about three minutes.  Another waitress, who we knew, came over.  She was laughing so hard, her mascara was running.

She said, "It was the funniest thing", the waitress who bolted, "went to the cook and yelled, 'there are Klingons in the restaurant'."

The Chef froze, turned and snapped, "how many!?"

"Two!"

"Oh....OK".

It was the look on the new waitresses face that made the waitress we knew laugh so hard. 

MarFest 97

The only negative aspects of MarFest 97 were Henry and Lloyd.  Any issues I had by the time MarFest actually rolled around were eclipsed by my new relationship.

I am going to focus more on the fun stuff.  Sue and I were now living together.  We were definitely on a learning curve.  We were four months into our domestic relationship.  Sue was looking at the looming and definitive six month mark. 

My marriage with my ex wife had been seventeen years.  For me, six months was not that big a deal.

These are some of my favorite pictures from MarFest:

This picture, a version I have already used, was taken at a WalMart store.  I wanted a photo of Sue and I together.  Sue did not like having her picture taken...unless she was in costume.  We were attending the Con on Saturday in costume, and we slipped away to have a portrait photo taken.

When we walked into WalMart, we did create a buzz.  We strode to the portrait studio, without an appointment I should add.  The folks in the store were gawking and the clerks behind the counter were bug-eyed at the sight of us. 

When we asked if we could have our portrait taken, they took us right away.  The backdrop they were using was new at the time, and as I recall, I don't think there was any discussion as to using any other.




April 05, 1997 MarFest.  Picture taken at WalMart.


The following Monday, we went back to the WalMart store, in our regular clothes.  We wanted to check on the status of the portraits we had taken.  When we were walking by the checkouts, we overheard some people talking about the seven foot Klingons that had been in the store on Saturday.  I am six two, and Sue was five four.  It was a thrill, overhearing that conversation and not being recognized. 

Later, when Sue would be deployed to Haiti, she had some leave that she used to visit her mother.  Sue was concerned that her mother would not approve of our relationship.  According to Sue, her mother could be very critical. 

This photo is the one she showed her mother what her new boyfriend looked like.  Her mother's only comment, "Tell me those aren't his real teeth."

Oh yes, the teeth.  A dentist I was seeing, found out that I dressed up as a Klingon.  When she found that out, she made those for me. 

Twice at MarFest, I had two people, on two separate occasions, tell me that they knew a dentist who could help me with my teeth.  On both occasions, I pulled them out and said, "that's wonderful!".

This photo actually got me a punch from Sue.  The Commanding Officer of KAG Kanada was at MarFest 97.  He came into our Society Room and exclaimed, "I need a photo for the Disruptor."  The Disruptor was the KAG Kanada Fanzine at the time.


I scooped Sue up and the camera's started to click.  When I put Sue down, she punched my shoulder and scolded me. 

"What were you thinking?", she asked.  "You could have thrown your back out!  Don't you ever do that again!"



April 05 1997 FarFest

 This is one of my favorite photos; I didn't throw my back out; and I like to think this was my way of carrying her across that threshold.

After hours at MarFest, I had assembled the crew of the IKV SonchIy, and asked the Commanding Officer, KAG Kanada to address "the troops".  It had been a very stressful four months with the formation of KAG Atlantik.  I had been promoting the benefits of membership with KAG Kanada, and having the presence of the CO KAG Kanada "in the same place, at the same time", I thought would be inspirational for the members.

He declined, stating that he was "KAG'd out".  Instead he wanted to play pool with Hank.  That caused me some problems because he had in effect validated some of KAG Atlantik's claims.  This was a major disappointment for us and I had to refocus the allegiance of the members of the IKV SonchIy from Commanding Officer KAG Kanada to Alan's leadership as the Ice Dragon Fleet Commander.  Ultimately, the loyalty was to the SonchIy.

It was at this point that I realized I needed a process in place to recognize and reward my crew.

Acknowledgement

I would like to take a moment to recognize my wife, Elizabeth.  She has not "Leathered Up", and I doubt she ever will.

She accepts the members of KAG Kanada as my extended family.  In 2009, when we hosted the KAG Kanada Twentieth Anniversary in Vulcan, AB, Elizabeth acted as hostess for seven members of KAG Kanada, in our home prior to and after the con. 

Literally, wall - to - wall Klingons.  All strangers for her.  She accepts my extended family, KAG Kanada.

Elizabeth is a teacher, and works with children, primarily K-3.   She also lives with the oldest Juvenile Delinquent - ever, me.

I love you Liz!

Klingon Face Painting

In 1998, the IKV SonchIy took community involvement to a new level.  We were involved in many different venues.  We were involved with the children and for the children.  We did adult themed events as well.  No, not that kind of Adult event.

21 June 1998, Father's Day CFB Halifax

21 June, 1998 Father's Day, CFB Halifax

 It was at this event that I realized that we had a potential conflict.  When the Klingon ladies were face painting, they tended to lean into the children.  They were showing a fair bit of cleavage, and Father's Day was taking on a whole new meaning.

We agreed that a little modesty at Face Painting events would go a long way. 

01 August 1998, Natal Day In Halifax

01 August 1998, Natal Day in Halifax

01 August 1998, Natal Day in Halifax

01 August 1998, Natal Day in Halifax

Natal Day was another learning experience.  We had been asked to provide Face Painting for the Natal Day Festivities.  The city of Halifax provided us with tables, chairs and face paints.  It was a hot day, and the costumes and headpieces made for a very warm day for the Klingons.  We did not know what to expect, and we certainly did not expect the crowds.  When the local television news showed up, that was an unexpected thrill.

We learned about crowd control that day; because we did not have any.  People were lined up for hours.  We were supposed to be there until three in the afternoon.

At three P.M., the city crews showed up and started dismantling the tables.  It was a Klingon Kluster Fudge.  Some of the Klingons were trying to get the paints and water off the tables, while those face paining were now off the chairs and just trying to finish up.

The people left in the line up were complaining that they had waited for hours to get to the front just to be turned away.  We were put out by the complaints because no one had paid for any of this.  We were not being compensated, other than the warm fuzzy feeling for participating, and no one had paid for getting their faces painted.  That and the fact we were overheated in our costumes.


As a result of this, we started stationing Klingons in the lines when we knew we would be shutting down.  Klingon Marines turning away children.  Ohhh, the Humanity! 

14 August 1998

Not just for kids.

We face painted anywhere and everywhere.  I think we even pioneered Klingon Kombat Face Painting.


 These are three events from a list of ten that we were involved in between June and August of 1998.  This is just a snapshot of what I wanted to showcase the different venues we participated in as Face Painters.  So many events and so many pictures. 


We estimate that in 1999, we helped raise over twelve thousand dollars for the Children's Wish alone.

Bring On The Clowns

When we started Face Painting as a group, there were not that many who were any good.  Myself included.  What we lacked in artistic flair, we more than made up for in enthusiasm.  We had a few designs, some paints and a lot of good intentions.

The chief motivator with the brush was Sue.  She really liked working with the children.  Her enthusiasm was infectious.  Pretty soon we had a core group of painters.  We would go out and do events.  We would not take any money for ourselves, however if growlies, hamburgers and hotdogs, were laid on, we were more than happy to indulge.

On one occasion, we were approached by a clown - a real clown; big red nose, bigger shoes and white and red paint on his face.  His name was Milo the Clown.  I also knew him as Miles.  He was one of the Transport Drivers who worked at CFB Halifax.

Miles would drop into my office once in a while for a pick up or a delivery.  When he would drop by we would schmooze, talk about events we did or events coming up. 

One afternoon the conversation deviated slightly.  Miles asked if my group would be interested in learning how to Face Paint professionally.  My guard went up, as I thought I was going to be asked to compensate Miles for his time.  I did not want to pass on any more expenses to the group, as everything we did was out of pocket. 

I asked Miles what he had in mind.  Miles stated that he wanted to teach a "small group of Klingons" how to effectively and efficiently Face Paint.  From that core group, we could in turn teach other Klingons how to Face Paint.

This sounded good, but why? 

Qel Iv/Paul Carreau & Milo (Miles Lahey) The Clown

Miles told me that he was a clown to make extra money on the side.  He considered himself a Busker.  He went on to state that he was conflicted when he was asked to donate his time for charitable events.  He did not like to say no.  He saw in us, the Klingons, a way of not saying no, when he said no.

"I can't make it, however I know a group of people who would love the opportunity to come out and support your event." 

As Miles explained it, it was a win/win for him.  Because we did not charge, we were not in competition with him.  He did not want to be in the position of saying "no" to a charity because at some point in time he would love to help, but saying "no" could mean he would not be invited back.

Six of the SonchIy went to Miles home and were taught the finer points of Face Painting.

As a result of that, Sue and I were asked to join the Metro City Funsters in Halifax.  That was a group of local Clowns and Buskers who got together to network and share tips and experiences.

In my opinion, we were being recognized by our peers for what we had accomplished and the standard we had set.  We weren't just clowns in Klingon costumes.

Q'Oneqo/Sue



This photo was taken at MarFest 97, this is also how she introduced me to her mother.  (Another story)



If I am going to tell the story of the IKV SonchIy, then I have to tell the story of Q'Oneqo.  Q'Oneqo was Sue's Klingon name.  She claimed it was Japanese for kitten. 

As I have written, we met at MarFest 96.  She was posted to Halifax in September of 96. 

We worked on the same base, Canadian Forces Base Halifax, we started having coffee together, we went to Happy Hour in the Mess together, we were involved in MarFest 97 on the committee together and eventually we lived together.

I think it is safe to say that we adored each other.

This is the beginning of our story.

When Sue was posted to Halifax in September, she joined the IKV SonchIy.  I think it is fair to say that her support group was the membership of the SonchIy.  Sue was coming up to her twenty year mark in the Military, and she just wanted to complete her contract and get her pension. 

Sue joined the MarFest 97 Con Com. 

Lloyd was also on the committee.  The line had been already been drawn with our Klingon clubs. 

As I stated, Sue and I were spending a lot of time together.  When we would go to the MarFest Con Com meetings, our routine was to go for a coffee at Tim Horton's after the meeting and compare notes on what had been discussed. 

I lived in Shearwater at the time, and Sue lived in Bedford.  After our coffee we would go in separate directions. 

Over time, it became a routine between Lloyd and myself.  Any suggestion or contribution I tried to make to the committee discussion, were shot down by Lloyd.  It was frustrating and tiring constantly explaining and justifying suggestions and contributions I had made.

At our coffee, after a Con Com meeting, I was venting my frustration about my lack of 'traction' in the meetings.  I was questioning my involvement and generally bitching about Lloyd.  Sue, who was sitting across from me, looked at me with a thoughtful expression and said, "Well, I didn't fall in love with Lloyd."

The thoughtful look went to one of wide eyed surprise, and her attention immeadiately went to the crumbs on the table.

The majority of Sue's income went to her apartment.  She lived in an executive suite in Bedford.  Her home was her "Sanctuary".  Few people knew where she lived, and it was very bad form to show up uninvited. 

We were doing something together one day, we were not in costume so I think it may have been for MarFest.  Sue needed to get something from her apartment.  I knew how protective she was of her privacy, so I suggested that I stay in the car.  She invited me to accompany her to her home. 

When we entered the apartment, I stayed by the door.  There was a closet to my left, the kitchen to my right with the dining room at the end of the kitchen area.  The bedroom and living room were on the other side of the kitchen.  I stayed by the door not wanting to intrude any further than I had too.

While she was looking for the item, I was introducing myself to her cat.  I later found out that was a test of sorts.  Sue judged her friends on how they treated pets.  I passed the "pet test".

Sue was looking for something in the bedroom.  I could hear her rummaging.  When she had what she was looking for, she returned.  She walked up to and kissed me.  Square on the lips.  Sue then snapped back, her eyes wide; her right hand came up, forefinger extended and she exclaimed, "Don't you ever expect that again!".

I have to admit that I was extremely flattered.  However, I was not interested or prepared to pursue it.  I did not want to change the dynamic of our friendship.  I was more than content to just spend time with her.

At a happy hour one night at the Mess, we found a quiet place and talked and talked for over five hours.  We closed the mess.  Sue's friends kept checking on us while we talked. 

On the 19th of October, after the Children's Wish Parade, I asked Sue if she wanted to take Pot Luck with us.  It was getting late, and I knew dinner would be ready.  I had my daughter with me.  Sue said sure, and we made our way back to the house.  When I walked in the house, I said to my wife, "look what followed me home, can I keep her!".

Sue had been in the house before, and knew my wife and daughter. 

In October of 1996, my wife and I decided it was finally time to get the divorce.  We both agreed that we did not want me to leave the house over the Christmas season.  We did not want to ruin that for Angela.

One evening as I was getting ready to go to a movie,  my wife asked who I was going to the movie with.  I said I was going by myself.  She looked at me and said, "why don't you ask Sue?"

I called Sue, and asked if she would like to go to a movie with me.  She said yes. 

Sue could be very direct and very blunt.  When I arrived at her apartment, she asked me why I had asked her to a movie.  I told her it was my wife's idea.  The only way I can describe this is that her face looked like it became unplugged.  We went to the movie, however I have no recollection of what was playing.

Sue had to go to St Jean, Quebec for an indoctrination prior to her deployment to Haiti in 1997.  She asked me to look after her cat, Guppy.  I had no problem with that.  I picked up Sue at her apartment and drove her to the airport.

The question of when I would be moving out was looming.  Christmas was over.  I was making enquiries about space being available in the Barracks in CFB Halifax.  This was a different situation because I was still using my entitlement for a PMQ (Private Married Quarter) in CFB Shearwater. 

On the twenty third of January Sue was returning from her Haiti indoctrination.  I was getting ready to pick Sue up, when my wife stated, "when you pick Sue up, don't come home."

I met Sue at the airport, and told her what the new plan was.  We had discussed this, but it was in the 'fuzzy-future', and now we were faced with it.  At this time, what I did not know were the fears that Sue had.  She had been hurt by men in her past relationships.  The longest she had been with anyone was six months.  She had been emotionally hurt, and blamed herself. 

When I had met her, she had promised herself not to get involved with anyone, ever again.  And here she was; or more accurately, here I was.

That night as I made myself comfortable in her sanctuary, with Guppy on my lap, Sue emphatically told me that I was on six months probation.  If she was not happy at the end of six months, I was gone.  Sue was taking control of the relationship, and she was determined that she would end it, not me.

Through out our relationship, I would tease her by asking how long I had to go when the probation would be over.

We were both very concerned about how the members of the IKV SonchIy would react when we announced that we were now living together.  We talked about this for hours.  At what point in the meeting we should bring it up, What objections could be raised and how we would answer them.  Worst case scenario, we would step away from the club.

As I recall, by this time we had moved our meetings to the Nova Scotia Hospital.  We had access to a board room.  A very professional setting.

At the meeting, after I had gone around the table getting reports, I told the group that I had an announcement to make.  I stated that Sue and I were now living together.  The response was a collective, "It's about time".  It was a matter of Ship's business, tabled and actioned.  Next....

We spent so much time together with the SonchIy, MarFest and work.  Neither of us tired of being with the other.  One of the nicest testaments that was said to me when Sue passed, was "if the two of you were at opposite ends of a room, everyone knew you belonged to each other."

In uniform, the Canadian Military, it is not allowed to show affection. 

Sue was French Canadian background, though she tried very hard to hide her accent.  In French, "I love you" in French is "Je t'aime".   I would receive inter office envelopes with a drawing of a jet as part of the address.  I questioned her about this, and she told me it was her way of saying "Je t'aime" to me.  From then on, all I had to do to make her smile, was mention the jet.

When she was finally deployed to Haiti, we made plans to be at the airport well in advance of her flight.  We had planned on having a leisurely coffee, prior to her having to go through Security.  We get to the airport, go to the check in counter and Sue realizes that she has forgotten her purse.  Her passport and travel documentation were in her purse.

I had gone from a leisurely coffee to panic.  I told Sue that I would get her purse, and ran to the car.  I drove to the apartment in Bedford and back to the airport breaking every speed and traffic law I could.  when I pulled up to the Departure door at the airport, I stopped the car.  I don't claim to have parked it, I just hit the break and put it in park.  I jumped out of the car, and headed for the main doors.  A stewardess was at the door, and asked if I was "Paul".  I said I was.  She took the purse, and told me the plane was waiting. 

The Stewardess asked if I had any message for Sue.  I told her to tell Sue, "Jet".  Sue later told me that when the Stewardess gave her my message, she broke down and cried, which of course confused the Stewardess.

Three years later, January 24, 2000 we were married at the Nova Scotia Hospital.  We had one of our Pot-Lucks.  Originally we were going to go in front of a JP and exchange vows privately and quietly.  The question of who was to be our witnesses became our sticking point.  We knew the people we did not invite would be hurt. 

We had amalgamated two households, so we did not need another blender or toaster.  We did not want our friends to feel obligated.  We arranged for the potluck, arranged for the JP, and surprised those in attendance. 

I used the Pot-Lucks to promote and recognize those in the club.  We would share food and stories.  It was my goal for those in attendance to feel good about themselves and what they were doing. 

I told the JP that I was going to make the announcement that Sue and I had decided to get married.  Someone would say, "It's about time!"  At that point, I would introduce the JP and we would exchange vows.  Sure enough, Denise was the one who made the statement.

Sue loved to tell the story that when the JP was introduced, the people in the room looked like deer caught in the headlights.

KAG Atlantik

The founding of KAG AtlantiK late in January 1997 was in fact a defining moment for the IKV SonchIy. 
In the Independence Declaration, a list of this ships and the names of the crews had been posted.  We were to find out later that in some cases, the individuals had not been consulted prior to the release of the document, nor did they approve of their names being used. 

The reasons given for the exodus were: 

The Command Staff of KAG Kanada were not listening to the voices and concerns of Eastern Canada;

Promotions were too slow for the work that was being done in Eastern Canada; and

There was too much politics in KAG Kanada

I was singled out.  I was accused of Elitism, of stealing members from ships in the Halifax area and making a statement at a Squadron meeting that I found Floyd amusing.  There was a rumor that I was bribing the members of the IKV SonchIy with the SonchIy jackets; I was plotting to take the Squadron away from Floyd

I took this very personally.  Some members of the SonchIy had been approached to see if they wanted to jump ship.  I felt that if Floyd and Lloyd were going to justify themselves by discrediting me, then I could do the same.  I approached Rob and Jason.  I laid out my plan and asked if they would support this as a course of action.  Emotions and resolve were definitely there.

I then phoned Alan, the Ice Dragon Fleet Commander, and presented my plan.  Alan was cool about my proposed course of action and suggested we talk with the Commanding Officer, KAG Kanada, John Gannon.  We made a conference call to John.  I again explained what was happening, and John's response was to do nothing.  The best course of action would be to take the high road and prove why KAG Kanada was the better club.

I went back to Rob and Jason and told them to stand down.  We would just have to prove why we were the better club through our actions.  We would focus more on the SonchIy's membership, and the events we were doing.

Some time later, Jason called me at home and told me there was someone I should talk with.  His name is Sean.  I knew Sean by reputation, but I would have been hard pressed to pick him out of a crowd.

I went to Jason's house for a clandestine meeting with his friend Sean.  Sean is a big man, powerful in build and powerful in personality.  In Sean's world there are three classes of people.  Friends, strangers and targets.  I am not a stranger and I think on occasion I have been a target.

Sean was up on charges.  Floyd was the judge.  His Cha'DIch was Doug, and I was playing catch up trying to figure this out and why I was talking to Sean.  According to the Klingon Legal system the accused is denied combat privileges and the Cha'DIch must physically defend him. 

Sean was not happy with the current situation, and while talking to Jason, had his facts about the injustices turned upside down.  I asked Sean to tell me what he had been told.

Sean had been told that KAG Kanada had been plotting to take the Black Ice Squadron away from Floyd.  Floyd was to have  been tossed out of the club.  This is in addition to what I had already heard.  There was a plan in place, because of the activity in Halifax, the Fleet Commander, Alan, was considering forming a new squadron in Nova Scotia.  Alan was being groomed for the position of Commanding Officer KAG Kanada, and Kevin would have been promoted to Deputy Fleet Commander under Joe in St John NB.

Sean also brought up the story about how I was buying jackets for the members of my crew.  I asked him if he wanted one.  I told Sean that if he wanted a jacket, he would have to buy it himself.  I had made the crest available.  The retailer had the graphic in their computer, and for twelve dollars more, they would put it on the jacket or any item of clothing.

As a result of this discussion, I phoned Alan.  The people who had left, could be victims of misinformation.  We decided to offer an "amnesty" to those who wanted to return to KAG Kanada with full reinstatement to  the ranks and honorifics they had left with.  I also wanted the accomplishments while members of KAG Atlantik to be recognized.  I wanted a policy of reconciliation.

To that end, I encouraged members of KAG Atlantik to participated in KAG Kanada events.  Officially, we were not to have any interaction with KAG Atlantik.  The reality of this was the membership of KAG Atlantik were friends of the membership of KAG Kanada.  The line that was drawn was by Lloyd and Floyd. 

The last direct involvement we had with KAG Atlantik was in March 1998.  The SonchIy had been doing Jail 'N Bails with Dooley's, a chain of billiard clubs in the Halifax area.  I received a phone call one night from the manager of the Halifax branch.  We had just completed Jail 'N Bails at the Bedford and Sackville locations.  Two people had walked in to the Halifax  location and claimed ownership of the two Jail 'N Bails in Sackville and Bedford and wanted to set one up in Halifax.  When the manager asked specific questions, they were unable to give answers or first hand experience of what had happened at the Jail N' Bails.  The other issue the manager had was he was already working with me.

By July 1998, KAG Atlantik was defunct.  This was also the genesis of the transformation of the IKV SonchIy into the SonchIy Squadron.

Branding

Klingons like their symbols.  The KAG Kanada emblem is the Trefoil in front of a maple leaf.

The Ice Dragon Fleet is a blue stylized dragon.

The Black Ice Squadron was a beer bottle.  Not really, I don't remember what the emblem for the Black Ice Squadron was.

Most of what I have done has been influenced by the Canadian Military.  Most Cap Badges, the badge that identifies the wearers trade, are framed by maple leafs.  I wanted to frame the crest of the IKV SonchIy with something similiar.  This is how the Bat'leths came to be on the emblem of the IKV SonchIy.

I wanted something that reflected strength.  A fist seemed appropriate, the forearm protected by a gauntlet.  It had to incorporate the Trefoil and I wanted something extra.  Rick and I discussed this at length.  I did not want maple leafs because it was not Klingon enough or too Canadian.  Rick suggested the Bat'leths and I thought it was brilliant.  We had our emblem.

The colors were solid, and the image was striking.

Flags and banners in KAG Kanada, wether squadron or ship, are usually made by hand.  I wanted something that looked professional, and I am not the one to do this.  I went to The Flag Shop in Dartmouth and asked about having a flag made.  I did not want a silk screened flag, rather one that was stitched together. 

The colors of the IKV SonchIy were black and red.  I had found a custom clothing store that did embroidery.  We had coats black sleeves and red torso.  Red shirts with black collars and trim, red nylon carry on bags.  These were embroidered with the name and crest.

They would also embroider any item of clothing we could provide.

What I did not realize was that we had branded the IKV SonchIy.  The emblem, the flag and the name stood out.

It was at MarFest 97 when we first started wearing the crest.  One of the people from Montreal asked me if I slept with the crest.

Toronto Trek 1999.  Notice the Flag and the emblem on the left side of my "underwear".

I even had vanity plates for the van.  The plate was SONCHIY.  On one occasion when Sue and I were coming out of a store, a couple were standing by the van.  They asked us if we were the Klingons.  They knew that they would not recognize us out of our costumes, however they did recognize the name of SONCHIY on the license plate.  They wanted to schedule an event with us.

Nova Con to Nova Gone

On the 09 November 1996, Nova Con was held in Halifax.  It was the last time the Black Ice Squadron would gather as a group at a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention.

The IKV SonchIy was growing in numbers.  In our first year, 1996, we were involved in sixteen events.  Our focus was community involvement.  We were starting to investigate what would be required to start face painting.  When we went out into the community we needed something to do besides just stand around.

Going into Nova Con, we were more seasoned, comfortable in our costumes and confident in ourselves as a group. 

MarFest 96 was our introduction as a Klingon Fan club.  When we attended, we were overshadowed by those who were established.  At MarFest we did not have the same level of confidence as that of our peers.  At Nova Con we were ready to take our place with the other Klingon Ships, as equals.



Left to Right Sue, Denise, Joe, Jason, Paul Carreau, Rob Uhrig, Paul G.



When we made our entry into the Assembly, we wanted to have a little 'theater'.  We had approached some Mundanes, (fans not in costume), and asked if they would mind if we pushed them out of the way.  The impression being that we were mean, tough Klingons.  This photo shows Rob (Korath the Kruel) Uhrig passing a small boy to me.  When we asked the fans to help us stage an entry, the boy asked if we could push him out of the way.  That was a little too much theater for us, so we passed him down the line.



Rob Uhrig, Paul G. Paul Carreau





Everyone has a three foot space that is theirs.  By tacit consent, we all respect that invisible barrier.  One of my best, Klingon - politically incorrect lines happened at Nova Con.  When I was registering to get into the Con, a woman grabbed the right panel of my Command Cloak. She was focused on the pins that I had on the cloak.  I was amused and intrigued that this stranger would be fondling my costume.  I had no idea who she was, and she did not know me.  I turned and offered the left panel on my Command Cloak.  She rifled through the pins, asking questions and generally made a fuss.  I told her that if she liked my pins, she would love my Bird Of Prey.





Jason gets promoted.



One of the traditions at Nova Con was to parade into town and take over a restaurant, Alfredo Weinstien's and Ho.  This was my first time at a Nova Con, and the first time I had participated in the take over of a restaurant.  I think the attraction for me was the dumbfounded look on the other patron's faces as we took over a corner of the restaurant.  This was my first, but not my last time participating in an invasion of a restaurant.

It was just after Nova Con that I received an e-mail from the Fleet Commander, Botaq (Alan Bowbrick) birJablU, advising me that Halifax/Dartmouth now had boundaries.  The SonchIy was not allowed to go into Halifax to do events.  I called Alan to find out what was going on. 

Alan told me that there were complaints that the SonchIy was taking all the events, and that the ships in Halifax wanted to do events, but could not because of the SonchIy's monopoly. 

I protested.  Any events I was doing in Halifax, I had arranged or was called by someone who wanted the SonchIy's participation.  I asked him if we were now not going to the Premier of First Contact or the Blood Feud.  Alan told me that they, meaning Lloyd and Floyd, wanted numbers at the theatre and the Blood Feud was already scheduled.  

The Next Generation Movie First Contact

Alan then told me that he was sending a map with the boundaries clearly drawn.

On the 22 November 1996, we attended the premier of the TNG movie First Contact. There were many more Klingons in attendance than when I attended the 1994 premier of Generations.  In fact, I had come full circle.  Except for the paper. 

Barry came up to me and told me that Lloyd was talking with a reporter and kept pointing at me.  He thought that I was being set up.  We decided to dodge Lloyd and the reporter.  Whenever I saw Lloyd, I would turn and walk away.  I did not want to stay too stationary for too long, so I kept moving.  I tried to stay with and around members of the SonchIy.  This went on for about three quarters of an hour. 

I was feeling fairly smug.  I was effectively dodging Lloyd's bullet, or the reporter's microphone.  I turned a corner, and the microphone was in my face.  The reporter asked me, "Why do you think your ship is the best in Halifax?"  

Denise

Karen

Lloyd was standing beside her, and I knew the question had been coached.  I looked at Lloyd, the reporter, Floyd was standing nearby and the gaggle of Klingons.  I took a breath, and said, "Each Klingon club is known as a ship. Each Ship has its strengths.   The different Ship's make up the Squadron and the Black Ice Squadron is the strongest in KAG Kanada." 

Lloyd whispered to me as I walked away, "Good answer."

On the 08 December, we attended the Merry Children's Christmas Party.  We had been asked if we could face paint.  Of course we could.  The fact was that none of us had a clue what was entailed for the art of face painting.  Sue started calling around and found a theatrical supply company.  They advised us that the best paint for faces was a water soluable powder based paint. 



Sue



It was our first event where we would actually interact with children.  This would also become the IKV SonchIy and eventually Squadron's signature contribution.

 On the 28 January 1997, I was getting ready for bed.  I received another phone call from Alan.  I was now on charges brought by Lloyd and Floyd. 



Alan told me that I was being charged with Insubordination.  Floyd wanted me removed as his 2 i/c.  

I was accused of :

'Elitism', having such a high standard of costuming that few could join my ship;
making a statment at a Squadron meeting, that I found Floyd amusing; and
stealing a member from one of the ships in the former Black Ice Squadron.

 

I was laughing, my answer to Alan was to talk with Denise.  She had put her costume together for under ten dollars. 

The costumes were personal.  My goal was to get people involved.  I wanted participation.

As to laughing at Floyd.  Though I don't remember making the statement, I couldn't really deny that charge, I think I was a threat to his author-it-tay.

Alan later told me that this is not the way things were handled in KAG Kanada, and that he had told Floyd to deal with it himself.

The next day, an e-mail titled "Independence Declared" was sent from Floyd, removing Nova Scotia's Black Ice Squadron, without the IKV SonchIy, from KAG Kanada.  The new club was called KAG Atlantik.  In twenty four hours, I had gone from being under a cloud of suspicion to being the point man for KAG Kanada.







25 November 1996

On 18 September 1996 I had made my first appearance in costume at the Canadian Red Cross in Halifax. 


A year later, we were planning another appearance at the Red Cross for the 25 November 1996.  This time, I started promoting a "National Blood Drive".  The challenge would be to see how many blood donors we could get in to donate blood. 

We were being cautioned by the Red Cross that a coordinated effort was not what the Red Cross was about.  The Red Cross would not support such an effort.  The Red Cross in Halifax was appreciative of efforts we were making - in Halifax.  Any coordinated efforts outside of Halifax would have to be coordinated by local Klingon clubs and sanctioned by the Red Cross. 

Flier we passed out

This raised a logistical problem of having the clinics on the same day.  It was decided within KAG Kanada,  that if we could even have the events coordinated during a week period that would suffice.  The challenge would be how many donors could we entice to come through the doors.  The ship with the most donors would win the challenge.

This was also before the Red Cross transferred blood services to the two new agencies, the Canadian Blood Services and Hema-Quebec in May of 1998.

Their was a lot of excitement generated in Ontario and the Maritimes.  We caught the attention of the local news, and we were connected via satellite to the Red Cross in St Johns NB. We were going to be on the news - via satellite!  There were Klingon displays at the Red Cross Center, models, Star Trek toys and lots of Klingons.

There were six clubs represented at the Red Cross Center in Halifax.  Scotia Square is just a couple of blocks away.  A few of the members of the SonchIy decided to troll Scotia Square to see if we could recruit some potential donors.  We hung out in the mall for about an hour, passing out fliers Sue had made up.  Our goal was to make people aware that a Blood Donor Clinic was in progress and see if we could entice a pedestrian or two to give blood.

We worked the mall for about an hour, then made our way back to the Red Cross building.

Jason Donates

Within half an hour of our return, Lloyd announced that he was going to recruit some donors by working Scotia Square.  Denise, who was relatively new to the SonchIy went along.  When they returned to the Clinic, it was apparent that something was wrong.  Denise was very agitated. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that Lloyd had been taking credit for the Blood Drive.  He had met a friend of his and was stating that he, Lloyd, had been responsible for the National Blood Drive.  She told me that when Lloyd took credit, she corrected him. 

I was flattered, and told Denise not to say anything else.  I did not want to escalate friction between the ships.

A short time later, Barry whispered to me that he thought something was up.  Lloyd was in an animated discussion with Floyd and pointing in our direction as he talked. 

Later as I was walking I saw Lloyd and Floyd sitting together, and Floyd pointed at me and indicated with his finger for me to join them.  Both had very stern expressions on their faces.  I went over and Floyd told me that one of my crew had embarrassed one of his ship captains.  Floyd also told me that insubordination would not be tolerated, and what was I going to do about it. 

My first thought was, are these guys serious?  My second thought was, is this worth starting a fight?  I was also curious as to how far they wanted to take this, so I asked what did they want me to do. 

Floyd stated bluntly that I was responsible for my crew and I should discipline Denise for being insubordinate with Lloyd.  I guess he wanted me to organize the equivalent of a Klingon Firing Squad. 

I put my best serious face on, and promised to "have words" with Denise at my earliest opportunity.

At the next meeting of the IKV SonchIy when we had concluded the Ship's business, in the hallway of the YWCA, I asked Denise to stand.  I tried to look as stern as Lloyd and Floyd had with me.  I stated that Denise had been accused of being insubordinate with Lloyd at the Red Cross Blood Drive.  Did she have anything to say in her defence. 

Left to right  Paul, Rick, Jason, Karen Paul Carreau, Denise Baarry, Sue

Denise went crimson.  She is the only person I have ever met who does a full body blush.  She was angry, and I think she felt betrayed by me.  She started to tell her story of how she was "standing up" for me.  I cut her short.  I stated that she had embarrassed a Ship's Captain.  I further told her that I had promised to the Black Ice Squadron Commander that I would have a talk with Denise about this incident.

I then stood up, and started clapping.  My words to Denise were, "well done".