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.