A Klingon at the Aurora Awards

A Klingon winning the Aurora has been done before.  Bernard Reischl won in the category of Fan Achievement at Toronto Trek in 2000.  When I first heard that Bernie had been nominated for the award, I did not know what an Aurora was.  I had flown in the Aurora aircraft a few times when I was posted to Comox.

I remember being pleased that Bernie had been recognized for his work as the Commanding Officer KAG Kanada.  I did not truly understand the significance of the award. Sue/Q'Oneqo and I had been in attendance at Toronto Trek 14.  Larry Stewart was nominated for an Aurora award, and had told us that over dinner, prior to the presentations.

I had met Larry on a couple of occasions in Halifax, at the two MarFests I had worked on.  Larry had been the Master Of Ceremonies at those Conventions.  Larry is one of those people that commands attention and attracts those around him.  He is a very accomplished impersonator, and having a conversation with Larry is most entertaining.

Sue and I went to the awards presentation, and I was surprised to hear Bernie's name mentioned at the presentation ceremony as one of those nominated and then to hear that he had won the award was another surprise.  I had not known that Bernie was nominated.

It wasn't until 2006, when I realized just how much Sue had been influenced by the Aurora Awards Presentation.

The year 2000 was a very significant year for Sue and me.  It was the year we both retired from the Military and it was the year we were married.  Another story.

We started discussing where we wanted to live.  Calgary was very prominent.  Sue had not spent any time in Calgary, other than to land at the airport to get to Banff, in the mountains.  She did like the mountains.

My daughter, Angela, lived in Calgary with her mother.  I missed her very much.  We had been bringing Angela to Halifax at least once a year while she was growing up.  We thought that it would suit our life styles being closer to Angela.

In 2001 I became aware of a covert operation within KAG Kanada.  It was very subtle.  Conversations would cease or abruptly change direction when I approached a group of people.  I had just been appointed Senior Command Officer of KAG Kanada, and I was feeling very distanced from those who I had been close to.  This new ostracism by my friends was not pleasant.  

We were using Yahoo groups for club purposes, and things were said or hinted at that started raising my suspicions.  Sue and I had a talk about this one night.  I asked her what was going on.  When it came to KAG Kanada, I wanted to know what was going on.  

At first Sue was very innocent, but as I pressured her, her demeanor changed and she told me emphatically to mind my own business.  I was caught off guard.  She told me that if I were to keep digging I would uncover what was going to be meant as a surprise. 

Sue reminded me of what I had been preaching for years, recognition.  Sue told me that the club wanted to recognize me in a very special way, and if I continued to dig I would spoil their fun and ruin what they were working towards.  This was one of those "Jiminy Cricket" moments when I had to shut up and listen - for my own good.

From then on, when the conversation stopped, or when Sue 'guided' me away from a group of Klingons, I went willingly, not asking any questions.  

When the nominations were announced, the light went on and I had my answer.  I had been nominated for the Aurora Fan Achievement category.  My head swelled so much, my latex forehead no longer fit.  It was a thrill.  I don't know who was prouder, me or Sue.

The awards were to be handed out in Calgary at Conversion, August 09 2002.

Sue and I were entitled to a 'House Hunting Trip' as part of our retirement benefit from the Military.  We decided to combine our entitlement with Conversion.  We would combine our entitlement with the Aurora Award Ceremony.  

I wanted to do something special with my daughter.  Sue and I decided to surprise her with our appearance in Calgary.  We wanted to do something that would be memorable, besides just showing up on her doorstep. 

I hatched a plan, that I thought would be rather fun.  I called Angela from Halifax and told her that I was going to order a pizza for her.  I would call her back when the pizza was ordered, and I wanted her to call me as soon as the pizza was delivered.  I told her that I was working on a formula that would allow me to predict the exact moment a pizza was delivered to her door, if I ordered it from Halifax.

I then called the closest Boston Pizza to Angela and ordered her pizza.  I called her and told her the pizza was ordered, and to call me back when it was delivered.  She did.

A couple of weeks later, I again phoned and went through the same procedure. Angela called me back to tell me that the pizza had been delivered.


When we arrived in Calgary we booked into the Regency Suites Hotel in Calgary, and drove to the Boston Pizza we had been calling from Halifax.  When we arrived at the pizzeria I placed the order then phoned Angela.  I told her that I had ordered another pizza, and I would call her when the delivery guy was at her door.  I knew that the call display would show my phone number complete with the area code.  As far as Angela would know, I was still in Halifax.

When the pizza came out of the oven, we drove to Angela's house and I called her from the car.  I told her that the pizza was on its way to her door, and I started counting down from ten.  When I reached one, I pressed the doorbell.

When Angela opened the door the look of shock was priceless.  Sue was taking pictures as fast as she could.  The digital camera we used at that time wrote to a three and a half inch disk.  It took time to reset for the next picture.

We had the Awards Ceremony to attend that night, The pizza was forgotten.



Angela was vibrating through the dinner.  She did not care where we were, or why we were there.  We shared the table with one of the Guest Authors, and I don't remember who he was.  I was very excited to be with my daughter as well.

Angela's conversation was something like this:

Angela and Dad at the banquet

"I have a school play coming up and....holy shit - you can come to it!"

Angela was apologizing for her profanity, constantly.  Sue and I, being the old soldiers we were, were not offended.  Angela's profanity was very tame compared to what we were used to.

I did not win the Aurora that night, however I was most pleased with my consolation prize.  Having the opportunity to spend a very special night with my daughter and including her in what was an important and significant trip to Calgary.

Angela holding an Aurora

In 2006 after Sue had passed, I was closing out her accounts, I found a Yahoo site called KPAK.  There was correspondence that referred to the Aurora nomination.  Sue had posted a question to the club, "Would you buy Qel Iv a drink?"  That was the cost of a vote.  For all those people who bought me an Aurora drink, I thank you.

Aurora Nomination Pin

On November 04 2011, I was presented with a pin for being an Aurora Award Nominee.   I couldn't help but to think of Sue and the excitement and anticipation of being in Calgary in 2002.

I have only had occasion to wear it once.  That was when I was recognized by the Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station at a Wine and Cheese Party for the contributions I had made to Vulcan and the Trek Station on behalf of KAG Kanada.

I don't think anyone at the Wine and Cheese Party recognized the Aurora Nomination Pin for what it represented.

Sue and I frequented and supported the Trek Station in Vulcan between 2003 and 2005.  I have maintained a presence in Vulcan since Sue's death, at their events and recently I started working at the Trek Station.

I wore the pin with pride and very much felt Sue's presence as I accepted the award from the Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station.

The Pop Tab Challenge - 1999

 

 The Challenge of 1998 was over, or was it?

When we got home after Toronto Trek 12, a posting was made on the KAG Kanada list that stated, "Qel Iv and the jokers of the SonchIy."  

I replied, in character, "I will not rest until I have your trophy hanging from my banner!"  In total there were three ladies who challenged me.  I was determined to win this challenge.

This set the stage for the even Greater Pop Tab Challenge of 1999.  This time though the competitors were the Steel Fist Fleet, Force Recon and the Ice Dragon Fleet.  I think it fair to say the Ice Dragon Fleet's champion was the SonchIy Squadron.

The pressure was on.  We knew that the Steel Fist Fleet wanted to assert their dominance in the upcoming  Pop-Tab-Challenge.  The SonchIy Squadron was determined not to be upstaged in the second Pop-Tab-Challenge.  We would pick tabs in restaurants, we would pick tabs in bars we would pick tabs in the streets, we would never surrender! 

And we did.

Every Friday night, Sue and I would spend hours at the Jr Ranks Mess Chief and PO's Mess and the Officers Mess in Halifax, pulling pop tabs.  By the time we finished, our fingers were sticky and numb.  We would hear similar stories from the members of the SonchIy.  

In hindsight, they were great times.  We enlisted anyone and everyone we could to pull the tabs.  

One of the conversations I had been involved in was the need for an alcoholic beverage that would not knock out the participants too early during the evening festivities.  There was a drink that was circulating, called "Darkon Ale".  I think it was a concoction of Vodka, Blue Curacao, and Triple Sec.  

Some of the stories that were produced by the ingesting of this drink will be declassified in ninety nine years.  

When I had been on board the HMCS St Johns, I had hovered around the Stewards when the ship made port.  The HMCS St Johns, when in port, liked to host parties on the Flight Deck.  We had an on board band, and would host, what essentially was a Kitchen Party.  The Stewards would mix up Moose Milk.  The recipe is a closely guarded secret, and I wanted it.  It took me two years to finally break down one of the Stewards, however I was successful.

When I was asked if I had any ideas as to what could be a new Klingon drink, I thought Moose Milk was different enough to qualify.  However, the name was not Klingon enough.  It needed to be ridged up a bit.  So, it was rechristened War Nog.  

For a Klingon Drink, we needed a suitable serving dish.  Sue and I had been 'veterans' of many military functions.  We discussed different ideas on what to serve the Moose Milk/War Nog out of.   One night while we were discussing this, for the umteenth time while we were sipping scotch, the idea of using a toilet as a punch bowl came to us.  The Throne Of Kahless was born.

I got hold of an old friend of mine, Dan, who is as off the wall as I am.  I met Dan in Comox in the mid 70's.  Dan was building dioramas when we were posted at Comox.  I told Dan that I wanted to use a toilet as a punch bowl.  I wanted something that was the antithesis of what people would expect as a punch bowl.  I also wanted something that was fun.  Dan liked the idea and agreed to work on the project.

Sue and I went to a plumbing supply store, and bought the brand new toilet.  We took it to Greenwood, where Dan lived.   

The Throne Of Kahless

 Over the next year, I would post to the KAG Kanada List that Klingon Clerics were on a quest to find the Throne Of Kahless.  I would occasionally post progress reports of their travels through the Galaxy.  As Toronto Trek 13 drew closer, I announced that the Throne had been found and the task of restoring it was underway.  I did not mention what the Thone was to be used for, and I suspect that there were a few people who wondered what the heck I was talking about.

The framed sign reads:

"After many years of research and painstaking restoration, SonchIy Squadron is proud to present
THE THRONE OF KAHLESS
Discovered in a sealed cavern on the home world, the throne is presented here as it would have been in the time of Kahless.  When discovered, the throne was complete with a roll of Warrior's Wipe, and an odd hidden compartment under the seat that even contained a section of Kahless' personal log.
Interestingly, even though Kahless espoused the tradition of spartan living conditions for warriors, careful observers will note that the throne seat is actually padded, although it is disguised to resemble raw ch'ta wood."

The Throne was to be a one time only gag.  Sue and I thought that this would enhance Toronto Trek 13, and then it would become just another Con story.  When we booked into our room at T-Trek, we used the luggage cart to transport the 'Throne' to our room.  We covered it with clothes and luggage.  I pushed it and Sue picked up the items that fell off.   We did not want anyone to see what we were transporting.  It was such a secret.

SonchIy Squadron Room Party

Sue had printed up business cards as an invitation to our Room Party.  We passed those out in the lobby of the hotel.  

Our party was crashed by some people from California who had heard that a party was in progress.  When I served the War Nog from the Throne, I was asked what it was.  I told him that it was Moose Milk.  He looked at me wide eyed, and asked what Moose Milk was.  The hook was in; I told him that I had my pet Moose in the parking lot, each year we would milk her and we served her milk at conventions.  He looked at his friend and exclaimed, "Must be a Canadian 'thang'".

I have served this to various Guest Sars at Cons, most of them being in Vulcan Alberta.  The best description of War Nog I have heard was from J.G. Hertzler.  He calls it "pantie remover". 

Mark Okrand and Qel Iv - Toronto Trek 13

I had received a phone call from T-Trek Con Com asking if I knew how to get in touch with Mark Okrand.  I was caught off guard and asked why I was being asked.  The answer I got was that, "we have heard that you party with Mark".   I was flattered that I was developing such a reputation.

I called Mark and asked if he wanted to go to Toronto for T-Trek 13.  He said he was interested and I gave him the contact information.

The best part was that this time when we met, I knew who he was.

 One of the things I was concerned about was the possibility of loosing the Pop-Tab-Challenge.  I knew where the girls would get their trophies, and I was determined to loose with as much grace as I would have as a winner.

To the members of the SonchIy Squadron, I motivated them, I hoped, by constantly telling them we were the best in KAG Kanada, and we would once again show that at Toronto Trek 13 by again winning the challenge.  I was also well aware that the competition would be very fierce.

In Truro Nova Scotia, Stanfields has a factory outlet.  Sue and I went shopping there and found red flannel underwear.  The full body type with the butt-flap in the back.  This was going to be the trophy I would put up.  I still had the image of Sean parading through the halls of T-Trek 12 and I envisioned the red flannels being paraded in the same way.

I took the underwear to the company that did our embroidering and had the SonchIy logo embroidered on the left breast, my name 'Qel Iv' on the right and the names "Recon" and "Steel Fist Fleets" embroidered on the butt flap on the back of the underwear.

I went to the Base Clothing Stores, lied through my teeth, and got Naval Captains shoulder board rank epaulettes.  Four thick gold bands, signifying Captain's rank.  I had the rank of Captain in the club.   Even though they were not  Klingon issue, they made their point.

We had just picked up the underwear prior to our departure to Toronto Trek 13.  When we settled into our room, Sue started stitching gold trim around my trophy, the underwear.  She literally locked herself in the room Friday night and most of Saturday. She came out for breaks, and these were to pass out the invitations to the room party.  The first appearance she made as Q'Oneqo, was the Grand Assembly itself. 

When the tabs were brought in, I was not sure if we would win.  I still wanted to give the impression that I was confident that we would win the challenge.

I took the microphone and stated that it was too bad that no one would see what they were loosing when I won and to prove that I was a gracious winner, I would wear what I had ready to surrender in the event I lost.   I told the audience that, in the event that I won, I would wear my trophy to breakfast the next day, Sunday. 

K'Char shows her trophy offering.

Today, when I raise my 'official' flag, those trophy thongs are affixed to the flag and I am still singing the song of victory.

I also knew that the assumption would be that I had a pair of boxers or something similar.  

The hotel had an elevator that was glass.  The elevator descended into the restaurant of the hotel.  The doors to the elevator opened on the opposite side of the restaurant.  I had to walk around the restaurant in the hotel to enter the restaurant.

The SonchIy Flag placed at the table.

When I am in costume, I do not wear my glasses.  I haven't had much luck with contact lenses, so I don't wear those.  I had Sue take the SonchIy flag to the restaurant and place it behind the chair I would be sitting at.  I am nearsighted, and this would give me my bearings when I walked into the restaurant.   Sue had set up the camera to capture the reaction.  In my opinion, Frank was the best subject to focus on.

The look of disbelief

This is perhaps my favorite photo of Frank, the Steel Fist Fleet Commander.  This photo was taken by Sue as I descended  in the elevator.  He was slack jawed.  I remember suppressing the urge to laugh as I was coming down the elevator.  The first thing Frank saw was my boots, followed by my legs and then the rest of me in the underwear.  

My entrence into the restaurant

As I walked into the restaurant, I passed a table of stewardesses.  One of them said, "If that's the winner, I don't want to know what the looser had to do."

In hindsight, it is a good thing I won.  I doubt the ladies would have been so brave.

Qel Iv and Kalot share a laugh.

K'Ostya (Stacey), Qel Iv's good side and Bernie

This picture made the cover of the last issue of the Disruptor, KAG Kanada's fanzine.  It was titled "The End".  Stacey almost had all the buttons undone, thankfully Q'Oneqo intervened.

The pop tab weight tally was very close.  I understand that some of the tabs committed that were not able to be in Toronto could have tipped the contest the other way, however I don't think the stories or pictures would have been nearly as interesting; of course if the Klingon women had worn their trophy this could have had an entirely different outcome.  Perhaps I could have thrown the challenge...  Ah well, opportunities missed.

People still tell me that they have buckets of pop tabs, should I want them.  I am at a point where I almost have a phobia about the little things.  When I see a pop tab today I think of Sue. 

A Klingon In Naples

While writing my blog, I have attempted to keep things in chronological order.  This story is like an itch I can't scratch.  It has to be told.

In 1998 I was posted from the CSOR to the HMCS (Her Majesty's Canadian Ship) St John's.  I wasn't really very impressed with this.  I wore an Air Element uniform.  When I was posted to the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) I was referred to as their "Token Zoomie".  I was the only "Sky" blue uniform among the Navy blues. 

On the St John's there were a few more "Sky" blue uniforms, but not that many. 

I had been promoted, in KAG Kanada, to Commander and been appointed as the Ice Dragon Fleet Commander.  Botaq had just been appointed Senior Command Officer, KAG Kanada, and we were putting the logistics together for my being able to participate long distance as Fleet Commander.

In 1998, we were not as connected as we are today.  Being on the ship was a further restriction.  To send an e-mail, we had to save it to a disk and have the Communications section transmit.  When an e-mail arrived, it was saved to a disk, and then given to the member. 

We could only send e-mails once a week.  Instant Messaging was not even a consideration.  We were impressed with this because the alternative was snail mail. 

The Commanding Officer of the ship even joked about my Klingon rank, having two Commanders on the one ship.  His rank was Commander.  When we set out for the NATO exercise in September, he asked me to bring my Klingon costume.  I was not sure what he had in mind, but I welcomed the recognition and approval of my interest in Trek and participation in Klingon fandom.

Prior to deployment all personal have to be medically certified as being physically fit.  I did have a medical condition, but it was deemed not to be serious enough to interfere with the deployment.

I can remember as a very young boy being shooed out of the room by my mother so she could talk about "woman issues" with her friends.  I can also remember thinking that I was lucky to be male, as women seemed to have a lot of issues. 

Males have issues too.  It seems the only time they are discovered are when they interfere with our daily lives.  I had an issue for a few years.  There was no pain and only slightly inconvenient. 

A name was put to my condition when I was being screened for the NATO exercise.  What I had was a hydrocele.  I had no idea there was a name for 'it'.  What is a hydrocele?  I didn't know the name, but I was very well aware of the symptoms.

My scrotum was the size of a grapefruit.  It was so large, I had to turn sideways to pee. More than once while using the public urinals, I was asked what I was looking at!

At the time, Sue was more concerned about it than I was.  I was actually kind of proud of it and Sue told me more than once that I had the biggest balls of anyone she ever met.

I was cleared medically to proceed on the NATO exercise, hydrocele and all.

When we were well underway, we stopped in the Gulf Stream and took advantage of the warm water and warm sea air.  The BBQ's were lit, and we were swimming in the gulf waters.  This was all new to me.  Guys were jumping off the ship into the water.  I was just a tad hesitant because of the armed guards that stood watch in case of sharks.  These guys were sailors, not infantrymen.  I just did not trust their aim!



This Sailor could not look me in the eyes.

 The CO asked me if I wanted to put on my costume.  That turned out to be interesting.  Most of the crew did not know how to react.  For the most part they totally avoided me.

I found out why the CO wanted me in my costume.  He had watched the members of the SonchIy at the various events hosted by the Military.  He also had a sense of humor. 

One of the exercises that was planned was for the HMCS St John's to be boarded by US sailors.  The role the HMCS John's was to play was to be a freighter suspected of transporting contraband.  This was also before 9/11 and the mood was not as intense as it was to become later.

The CO wanted me to be in my Klingon costume as the US bording party entered the bridge of the St John's.  He wanted to see their reaction when they realized there was a Klingon sitting in the Captains Chair, commanding the ship.

After a week at sea, it was a very big deal to enter the Straight of Gibraltar.  It was my first time in the Mediterranean.  I could see Spain on one side and Morocco on the other.  This was the first time I had seen both countries.  We were going to be docking in Naples, and I was planning on visiting Pompeii.  I was looking forward to being a tourist for a couple of days.

My "Gowron" stare. 

When we docked in Naples, I became a tourist.  I did get to Pompeii and I found a computer with internet access at the USO.    I used my Yahoo account to correspond with Sue, Alan and the Ice Dragon Fleet from the Dock in Naples.

One morning I awoke with a pain in my abdomen.  I thought it was my stomach, but the pain was radiating from my groin.  I went to the PA (Physicians Assistant), the Canadian Military equivalent of a Medic. 

He was aware of my condition, as he cleared me for the deployment.  I could not ignore this any longer, and living on a ship meant climbing and going down ladders.  This was no longer an option.

When I went to the Sick Bay, the PA told me that he could not make a determination about my condition.  That had to be made by a doctor.  The Duty Doctor was on the Spanish ship.  He would have to make an appointment with the Duty Doctor and when that was done, he would have me called to the Sick Bay.

I returned to my bunk, having been excused all duties.  A little more than an hour later I was called to the Sick Bay.  I met the PA and we made our way to the Spanish ship.

As we were making our way across the jetty the PA was making small talk, telling me what to expect should I have to be sent home because of the hydrocele.  As we crossed the brow, while my arm was up in the salute, (The brow is the ramp that connects the dock with the ship.  The country's flag flies on the aft or back of the ship.), the PA said, "Oh, by the way, the Doctor is a woman.  Do you have a problem with that?"

I had been ambushed by the frakin Medic.

I was being asked to make an immediate decision.  This was not going to be my finest moment, however I reasoned that she was a doctor, been through medical school, and was serving on a warship.  Obviously, she was competent.  I could and would 'man' up.

We made our way to the Spanish Sick Bay.  The Doctor was simply, lovely.  Olive skin, long raven black hair and a great figure.  All I could think was that I was glad Sue was on the other side of the world.  She would never have believed this.

The Doctor and the PA went off in a corner, and it was evident that she did not speak English and the PA did not speak Spanish.  This just got better and better.  The PA came back and told me to drop my pants.  I knew my troubles were not over when her eyebrows arched and her eyes widened.  My comfort levels were quickly diminishing.

Another huddle by the Doctor and the PA.  Whispered broken English and what I presume was broken Spanish; a pause in the conversation, then both turned and looked at me with what I hoped was clinical interest.  The PA came over to me and stated, "this is a condition that they don't usually have a chance to see",  indicating the Doctor.  "Would you mind if she brought in her assistants so they could familiarize themselves with this condition?"

I was naked from the waist down, my pants were gathered around my ankles and I was undergoing a "short arm inspection."  I wasn't going anywhere soon, so I agreed.

The Doctor's assistants were two female PA's, or Medics.  Three, very Mediterranean women, all gorgeous, with their gaze focused on my crotch.  I am sure I have seen this scenario in a porn movie somewhere, however being the center of their attention was not stimulating.

The PA, my PA and the Doctor went into yet another huddle. He came back to me and told me to pull my pants up.  The Spanish Doctor was not able, (or qualified), to make a determination on my condition, and I was now being refereed to the US hospital in Naples. 

Later that day I was in the US hospital.  I was given a choice of an operation in Naples or being returned to Canada.  If I stayed in Naples, I would be operated on in an Italian hospital.  I wanted to have any surgery done in Canada so I could at least talk to the doctors myself.

I had to wait a few days before the flight home.  I spent my time at the USO storefront, as I was excused all duties.  Alan and I communicated by internet via Yahoo.  We thought it would be fun if he, as Senior Command Officer, ordered me to return to Canada.  We would build up a story to bring me back to Canada.  Alan sent out an e-mail via the KAG Kanada list ordering me back to Canada.  I replied that I was making my arrangements and would give my itinerary as soon as I had it.

The interesting thing was, no one in the club participated.  Not a word.  My thoughts were that the assumption by the club was that I was in trouble with the Military.

My only regret is because of the hydrocele I did not get to sit in the Captains Chair.  It is also a Photo Op I regret missing.

Anecdotes

I was talking with Korath the Kruel AKA Rob Uhrig recently.  The topics were Hal Con and some of the fun things that have happened over the years.  It is too bad that Rob lives in Ottawa, and I live in Calgary.  Then again that could be a good thing.

While we were talking, I mentioned this story and it was like we were sitting in the Tim Horton's across from the Nova Scotia Hospital.  That is where our meetings would migrate after we did the Ship's Meeting at the Hospital.  We would laugh so hard and loud we always expected to be asked to leave by the Timmy's staff.  Our saving grace was the staff laughed with us, so it was all good.

February 07, 1997.  In anticipation of the release of the new Star Wars movie Episode I The Phantom Menace, Star Wars IV A New Hope was re-released in theatres.  Sue and I were asked if we would help promote MarFest 97 by making an appearance as Darth Vader and Princess Leia.

One of the guest stars for MarFest 97 was to be David Prowse.  David was the "Body Actor" who wore the Darth Vader costume for the original Star Wars movies.  Rob, Sue and I had the opportunity and great pleasure to have dinner with David during the Con. 

Some of the issues I had wearing the Darth Vader costume was the eye pieces fogging up.  Going to the bathroom, in costume, was an adventure by itself.  I had to have Sue navigate in front of me to guide me to the washroom.  For two reasons, one - I couldn't see where I was going and two - I was afraid of stepping on someone.  Sue's costume was white and all I had to do was follow the white blur.

At dinner, David told us that he had the same issues. He was led to his mark, delivered his lines and was led off.  What was seen on the screen and the reality were two very different things.  The Magic of  Hollywood.

Sitting in the presence of Darth Vader himself, I was feeling foolish about the issues I had had with the costume, until the Master himself asked, "and did you find..." and I realized I had a shared experience with the Evil Darth himself.

One other issue that I had, that I didn't bring up, was KAG Atlantik.  In previous posts I mentioned the formation of KAG Atlantik and that there was a lot of bitterness and animosity.  Some of the members of KAG Atlantik were in the theatre at the same time.  Some were dressed in Imperial costume, not the hard shell Storm Trooper costume, rather the Grand Moff Tarkin, the costume Peter Cushing wore, and others were dressed as Rebels.

Floyd was the Peter Cushing character. 

No one knew that it was Qel Iv under the Darth Vader mask, and Princess Leia was not recognized as Qel Iv's consort, Q'Oneqo.  (Pause for dramatic effect!)

Floyd was holding court, and decided he wanted to play with Darth.  He started bringing rebels to me, to show both his loyalty and  prowess to and for the Empire.  I didn't say a word.  I didn't want to be recognized by my voice and I decided to mime.  I let my wishes be known by hand gestures. 

The Light Sabre prop I was using was a telescoping collapsible plastic sheath over a flashlight.  The rebels had the same prop.  (In 1997, I think that was the only Light Sabre prop available.)

One of the Rebels, a woman, decided she wanted to duel with me.  In classic Star Wars fashion, she raised her Light Sabre above her head and prepared to strike.

When I was in High School, a long time ago - in a city far far away, more time than I really care to admit to, a friend of mine was in the Fencing Club.  He wanted me to join the club, however I was too cool to be prancing around with a skinny sword.  But I did remember him trying to explain to me the concept of Thrust and Parry.  The goal being to score a point by touching your opponent with the tip of the epee.

In my best menacing impersonation of Darth Vader with a Light Epee, I did the Thrust - hit my opponent with the tip of the plastic prop with enough force to collapse the tube and jumped back. 

I thought that I had proven myself with this display of Daring Dueling, but they kept coming after me.  And each time they would raise their swords in the classic Star Wars Light Sabre stance and I would Thrust and jump back.  They never touched me.

And all the time, I am thinking, "If they only knew who was under the mask!"  I don't think they ever did.