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.