A Klingon In Paradise - Part 3

 In November 2004 we took possession of our new house.  It was the first time Sue had owned a home.  She was excited and proud of what we had accomplished.  Just prior to taking possession, while we were waiting for the possession date and the lawyer, Sue asked me what it was like to be a homeowner.

We were still coming to terms with the magnitude of what we had managed to accomplish.  The only answer I could give her was, "when you invite someone over to 'your house', I'm going to ask you what it is like being a homeowner".

It was just after New Years 2005, I overheard her talking on the phone inviting a couple of our friends over for dinner.  When she hung up, I asked her what it was like to be a homeowner.  Her eyes misted over and she hugged me.  

My daughter Angela was visiting and caught the moment.

On the 18 January, I went to Vulcan to meet with Michelle Becker, who was the Tourism Trek Coordinator at the time.  Michelle wanted to talk to me about the upcoming Galaxy Fest.  She had a short list of Guest Stars, and wanted my input.  She had been talking to Robert O'Reilly and J.G. Hertzler.

This was the first time that I had been asked who I wanted as a Guest Star.  Michelle was bringing in actors who had portrayed Klingon characters for Klingon Fans.    I was thrilled.

When I got home I told Sue about the conversation I had had with Michelle.  June and Galaxy Fest seemed a long way off that night.

Rob Uhrig (my Evil Twin) and me.

I think it was a couple of weeks later, I received a phone call from Rob Uhrig.   I had not talked with Rob for a few years, and was surprised when I heard his voice.  Rob wanted to know if I would be interested in becoming a member in The Order of St George.  I was being recognized for the work I had done in Halifax supporting different charities and organizations.  Rob and Jason Hemsworth had already been recognized and wanted to include both Sue and me.

Sue and I both could not afford the trip together, so it was decided that I would go first and Sue would be invested as a Dame in 2006.

On the 14 May 2005, I was inducted into the Order of St George at Niagara Falls, Ontario.
 
It was fun being invested.  Very formal - black tie.  My usual formal attire is a Klingon suit, complete with latex forehead and hair.  I was socializing with Members of Parliament, Members of the Ontario Legislative Assembly and I think there was an odd General or two.  The last time I had been even close this illustrious a group, I was in the Military and acting as a server at an Officer's Mess Dinner.  The difference this night was I was having the time of my life. My only regret was that Sue was not with me, I was missing her and was already anticipating the stories I would be telling her.

When Rob and I get together, it turns into a giggle-fest or outright belly-laughs.  We have a shared history and love telling our stories.   That night, as had become our habit, we had an audience as we re-told our stories.

Doug Welsh and Debbie Hodgeson

About three weeks after the Investiture, we were getting ready for Galaxy Fest in Vulcan.  Doug Welsh, who had replaced me as the Ice Dragon Fleet Commander for Eastern Canada and Debbie Hodgeson from Ontario, had traveled to Calgary to join us. 

I had a concern that they would be disappointed by what Vulcan had to offer.  Debbie and Doug are both seasoned and sophisticated Canadian Con veterans.    By the standards set by Cons in Toronto, Vulcan is small.

I think Debbie summed it up quite well, she told us that Galaxy Fest had a family feel to it. 

On Friday night at the Meet-N-Greet, the Throne Of Kahless was on display.  We were serving Warnog.  Both Robert O'Reilly and J.G. Hertzler were inducted as Warnog Warriors.

When I was working on the MarFest committee in 1996, the first year, we had tried to get Robert as a guest star.  that fell through.  Nine years later, it was worth the wait.

Sue winning the Klingon Fear Factor

One of the events held at Vulcan's Galaxy Fest is the Klingon Fear Factor.  On a whim, Sue entered and won.  the prize was a BBQ.  

One of the first people Sue had met in Calgary is James.  James had helped us get the IKV K'Tan off the ground, and had been very supportive of us.  We wanted to do something special for him.  We had acquired a resin kit of the 'blaster' used on the original Battlestar Galactica television series.  We had planned to give it to James at Galaxy Fest at our room party.

We had invited both Robert and J.G. to the party, however Robert had to leave the Con early.  J.G. agreed to attend.  I wanted to make the presentation of the blaster as memorable as possible for James, so I asked J.G. to make the presentation to James.

James had just bought a jacket based on the uniforms worn on the television series and Sue had asked James to wear his jacket to the room party.

When James arrived, J.G. asked him about the jacket, and James prouldy told how he had bought it on e-bay.

J.G. asked James if he was concerned about the infringement on licensing by being in possession of the jacket and the consequences of his actions.  James was getting visibly getting upset,  his face got red, he broke out in a sweat and his hands were shaking.  J.G. finally said that he had no alternative but give him "this", and produced the blaster from behind his back.  I think James thought he was going to be shot.  It took a while for him to understand that he was being given the blaster.


On Sunday evening, June 12, when we were home from Vulcan Sue asked me if I could feel a lump in her breast.  I could not detect anything unusual.  I asked if she was going to get it checked out.  She was not too concerned and said she would get a mammogram. 

On the 13th of August Sue got a blood test and that was followed up on the 24th of August with a mammogram and ultra sound.  These confirmed that there was "something", however it required a biopsy and that was scheduled for the 13th of September.

On the 27th of September we had a consultation with her surgeon, who confirmed that she in fact had a tumor.  The tumor was less than a centimeter in diameter, and he did not foresee any real problems with her treatment.  Sue had caught it in the very early stages.  He gave us worse case scenario's, however he also was optimistic in a positive outcome.

As we left his office, Sue turned to me and said, "I don't want to die".

Based on what was said in the Doctor's office, I told her that I was not going to let that happen.  This is perhaps the most significant promise, besides our wedding vows that I had ever made, and the only one I was not able to keep. 

On the 5th of October, Sue had the surgery to remove the tumor.

Paul & Sue on "set" Vulcan Trek Station 29 October

 Sue was determined that she was going to get back on her feet as soon as possible.  She did not want to be an invalid.  She had made arrangements to be back to work  on the 27th.  We also planned to be in Vulcan on the 29th.

A pilot was being shot at the Vulcan Trek Station and we had been asked to attend and wear our costumes.  Sue was in good spirits, she had had her first chemo treatment, and did not feel all that bad.

We were there for 5:30 pm and the shoot went until 02:00 am.  We both went in expecting to be extra's.  When we arrived we were given 'sides', or pages to read.  We had speaking parts.

Sue and I had worked as extras, the most recent being the set of Tom Stone.  We were both surprised when they asked us to read lines.

One of the enticements to keep the people in the Trek Station was the serving of alcohol.  They wanted the set to be relaxed, by 02:00 the set was extremely relaxed.

When we were driving back to Calgary that night, Sue asked me why we did not move to Vulcan when we moved to Alberta.  I did not have an answer.

On the 10 of December, we were invited to a taping of "Big Show For A Small Town", in Vulcan.  Footage had been shot during Galaxy Fest, and the footage was being built around this dinner.

It was the next day that Sue asked me to shave her head.  Her brush was pulling her hair out.  She did not want patches of hair on her head.

I asked why she wanted me to shave her head, and she told me that she did not trust herself with a razor.  She told me that she knew I would be careful and gentle and not nick her scalp.

Sue was already planning on how she could use her new look at a Con.  She was considering going as a blue  Bolian and perhaps Lt Ilia the Deltan from Star Trek the Motion Picture.


Sue was not able to return to work.  The chemo treatments were too much for her. 

December 22, just after midnight, Sue was uncomfortable trying to sleep.  She complained that her back was bothering her.  This was not unusual, as she was often bothered by back pain.  She credited that with her time in the Military.

We spent time sitting by the fireplace, and discussed our plans for finishing the house.  Landscaping and a deck.  We also discussed the furniture we wanted to put in the house.  This was not the first time we had discussed this topic.  It was our way of dreaming and passing time.

At around 02:00 am, Sue told me to get some sleep, as I had to get up at 04:30 to go to work.  She was sitting in the bonus room.  I got her a blanket and a toque.  I gave her a kiss on her cheek; she held my hand, smiled and said, "you're the best".

When I got up at 04:30, she was gone.

Sue had caught a virus and her lack of immune system had been the cause of her passing.  It was not the cancer that killed her, it was the cure.

A Klingon In Paradise - Part 2

After the successes of Conversion and Galaxy Fest in 2003, Sue and I were motivated to build a new ship in Calgary.  Following the model we had established in Halifax, Sue was able to secure a meeting room at the Harry Hays building.

Sue was not able to do this on her own, however she was able to find an employee who would sponsor her.

We were back in a conference room.  We had access to Audio-Visual, computer hook ups, a digital projector, conference table and a white board.  We would meet every two weeks.  Our first goal was to build membership.  Sue and I wanted to put face painting at the top of our list of priorities.

Calgary is about four times the size of Halifax, and Sue and I saw opportunities for growing a new ship.  We named the ship the K'Tan, after the founder of KAG Kanada.  That was John Gannon's Klingon name.

While we were planning for the 2004 Galaxy Fest, we became friends with the Trek Coordinator in Vulcan, Michelle Becker.  During the course of conversation, we were invited to provide a Klingon Honor Guard for the Guest Star, Marina Sirtis. When it was announced that Marina was going to be the Guest Of Honor at Vulcan, we were both surprised and excited at the prospect of meeting her in Vulcan. 

Sue and I started to 'drill' with Bat'leths for the Honor Guard. Michelle, at the last minute, decided against an armed Honor Guard.  However, we were ready!

One of the unique features of Vulcan is that there has not been a "peace bonding" policy in place.  In all of the conventions I have attended, all 'weapons' have to be peace bonded.

Peace bonding a weapon means that the weapon is secured in such a fashion that makes it very difficult to take it out of its sheath.

The knives and Disruptor (alien space gun) that are part of my costume are secured with heavy plastic cable ties.  Carrying a weapon such as a Bat'leth is not allowed.  They can be displayed in a society room, or used as part of an approved demonstration, but not allowed to be carried in the open as part of the convention.

There have been incidents where "weapons" have been inappropriately brandished at conventions.  In Vulcan this has not been an issue; yet.

Because Vulcan is so small a town, Galaxy Fest/Spock Days is very unusual.  The population of Vulcan is Seventeen hundred people.

The fact that Vulcan is so small, and the number of people attracted to Vulcan would be far less than any Con I had previously been associated with, meant that we would have more quality time with the Guest of Honor.

Sue and Marina Sirtis

 This photo was taken at the Friday Night Meet and Greet.  One of Sue's goals at Cons was to have a photo taken with the Guest Stars.  She was thrilled to have the opportunity to have time to pose for this photograph.  It also reinforced our commitment to return to Vulcan on a regular basis.

The costume that Sue is wearing, is the first costume she ever wore at a Con.  This is how I first saw her at MarFest 96.  It was packed away for eight years.

August 01, 2004

Two of the K'Tan members, Pam and Ron, approached Sue and I about getting married in Vulcan as Klingons.  They wanted the ceremony in Klingon.  We thought that was an outrageous idea.  I asked Ron if he realized how much of a media frenzy that would create.  Ron said he was aware of that and that he and Pam did not mind.  They had had so much fun at the Galaxy Fests in 2003 and 2004 that they wanted to get married in costume in Vulcan.

Klingon Wedding Cake

We called the Trek Station in Vulcan and talked with Michelle, the Tourism and Trek Coordinator.  Of course she thought that was a great idea.  We started planning for the wedding.  Pam and Ron found a Klingon "Cleric", and a Marriage Commissioner, Alberta's equivalent of a Justice Of The Peace, was brought in to make sure it was legal.

Michelle and the A Channel reporter.

One of the glitches was a news crew from The A Channel in Edmonton, arrived just after the Wedding Ceremony.  We had to re stage the events.  The actual wedding was a dress rehearsal for the camera's.  The Marriage Commissioner was not needed for the re enactment.   

Michelle, was contacted by talk shows and news organizations from North America.  They were contacted from California to New York, as well as Canadian media outlets.

Ron hasn't spoken  to me in some time.  The last time we talked he told me he was still being recognized on the streets in Calgary, as the guy who got married in Vulcan.

2004 was also a time of personal growth for Sue and I.  We built our home in Calgary.  When we moved to Calgary, we were renting a duplex.  It was a nice house, two bedroom.  Each bedroom had its own en-suite. Because we did not have children, we thought that was an amazing idea for guests.  When we were planning our home we modified the plans of a three bedroom house to a two.  Two bedrooms, each with their own en-suite.

One night, while we were living in the duplex, I made the comment to Sue, that if we were to put the money we spent on rent into a mortgage, we could actually use the mortgage as a way to save money.  I think at that point, Sue was on a mission.  

This was very significant for us, as we both had been living in Military housing and then renting for most of our lives.

A Klingon In Paradise Part 1

What do I write about next?  I thought that I had reached the end of "my" story.  Then Elizabeth suggested I write about my association with Vulcan Alberta.

In 2002, Sue and I moved to Calgary.  I have moved eight times in twelve years, from Comox to Halifax and back to Calgary.  I hate moving.

I am a pack rat, as was Sue.  We didn't just have stuff, we had our treasures.

When I met Sue, we combined my belongings with hers.  We lived in an apartment in Bedford, and the dining room was floor to ceiling boxes.

In 2002, after our successful House Hunting Trip, we contacted the Military, and proceeded to make arrangements to load up the truck, and move to Calgary.

Our first home in Calgary was a duplex.  But it had a basement.  We now had a place to store our stuff.

When we arrived in Calgary, the only people we knew were my daughter Angela and my ex wife.

Sue and I were fortunate that we got along with my ex.  Our relationship with her was cordial, even friendly.  My ex was very helpful in our settling in.

Sue and I went to work for the Canadian Corps Of Commissionaires.  Sue worked at the Harry Hays Building in Calgary.  Her function was to work the Information Desk.  Sue's major qualification was her bilingualism, in a predominantly English part of Canada.

One day, while Sue was taking care of some administration, she met James.  James recognized the Bath'lets on Sue's SonchIy jacket.  James turned out to be a fan of Science Fiction and wanted to know more about Sue, me and the SonchIy.  The beginnings of the IKV K'Tan were taking shape.

We also started attending committee meetings for the Calgary Science Fiction Convention, Conversion.  Sue and I would take over Registration Desk for the Convention. 

The highlight for us was hosting a BBQ after the Con with Dorothy (D.C.) Fontana and Dennis Skotak at our home.  Sue and I invited Dorothy and Dennis to Conversion XX.  Sue and I had worked with Dorothy at MarFest in 1997, and we had maintained a dialog since then.

Dennis Skotak and Dorothy Fontana second and third from the left.

 In June of 2003, Sue and I attended our first Galaxy Fest/Spock Days in Vulcan Alberta.  We had heard about it, but not much was known.   The only person we had met up until this time, who had actually attended a Galaxy Fest/Spock Days con was James.  From what he described, it sounded more like a street festival.  Sue and I were curious, so we decided to attend.

We arrived on Friday morning.  The first event was a Meet and Greet at the Trek Station, scheduled for six or seven in the evening.

I was curious about the Trek Station.

In 1988, while stationed in Wainwright Alberta, I had been involved in a provincial initiative called The Tourism Action Plan.  I lived in a small town, Irma, west of Wainwright.  The purpose of the Tourism Action Plan was to provide funding for small communities to promote their communities.

A few examples of what is promoted are Vegreville.  This town boasts the "Worlds Largest Easter Egg".   St Paul has the "UFO Landing Pad".  Vauxhall has the town's mascots Sammy and Samantha Spud and claims to be the Potato Capital of the West.  And of course Vulcan has the association with Star Trek.

When I was in Irma, I had heard about the plans to link the town of Vulcan to Star Trek.  At that time Star Trek The Next Generation was being aired and was very popular.  I was enough of a fan that I was a little green with envy.

Our first stop was the Trek Station.  I was very skeptical.  This building could not possibly host a Science Fiction con.  It is just too small.  Every Science Fiction and Trade convention I had attended had been in a hotel.  I wanted to see how they would make this happen.

We looked at the different displays, talked to the staff and decided to go for a walk into the town.  One thing I do like about small towns is just how friendly the people are.  In one store that we went into, the lady behind the counter told us that when The Next Generation was playing, the town had sent a letter to Paramount asking that Vulcan Alberta be mentioned on an episode.  The reply they received was that Vulcan was a copyrighted name, and the town would have to change the name.  The town was incorporated in 1913, and that was not going to happen.

It was back to the motel for dinner and then change into our costumes.

Kat, Sue, Paul and Jaymz.

When we went into the Trek Station, Sue and I were challenged by the Klingon K'Rau.  He came up to me, demanding to know who I was.  I told him that I was the Senior Command Officer of KAG Kanada.

K'Rau challenged me three times.  I was beginning to believe that he had comprehension problems.  There had not been a representative of KAG Kanada in attendance at a Galaxy Fest/Spock Days before, and to meet the Senior Command Officer was totally unexpected.

When this picture was taken, I was becoming irritated and I think Sue was too.

At this convention we met Mike Kerr.  He asked us to pose with him.  Mike was in the process of writing a book about the towns of Alberta.  As I write this, my copy is in storage. 

I think this photo was used in his book, What's So Funny About Alberta". 

Sue and I were interviewed by a couple of local newspapers, and our introduction to Vulcan was, for a couple of media sluts, great.

There are two classes of Sci-Fi/Fantasy Cons.  These are Fan run conventions and Creation Conventions.  The Fan run conventions are by the fans for the fans.  Their stated goal is not-for-profit.   The Creation Con is for profit, and are more expensive.

Galaxy Fest/Spock Days is unique.  This is part of the Tourism mandate of the town and county of Vulcan.  Instead of hosting the Convention in a building, such as a hotel, the events are hosted in the town.  The CRC or Community Resource Center, the Legion, the school, the Trek Station all host events.

Scheduling is sequential.  There are not multiple events happening at the same time, so conflicts in  programming are not an issue.  

On the Friday evening, there is a Meet and Greet.  The Guest Stars are brought into the Trek Station.  There is a bar and finger foods are provided.

On Saturday mornings of Galaxy Fest/Spock days a Pancake Breakfast is provided.  Later in the morning there is a parade.  The community, Guest Stars and fans all participate. Saturday evening there is a Banquet, usually themed. 

Sue and I were hooked.  Vulcan was definitely on our "come-back" list.