Hello Starfleet and Happy Thanksgiving for those that will celebrate it, have celebrated it, or just want to eat a big meal with family and friends.

I have had a blast this month chatting with our very own Russell Watt. Russell Watt or more affectionately known to the site as the Tribble was one of the first members I met upon joining STF. I was over the moon to have a chance to sit down with him one to one. As with most of my interviews, I loved learning about all the things that make each and every one of our STF members unique.

Russell joined STF on April 27, 2006. Over the years his ability to blend drama, humor, and catchy dialogue has made Russell a staple on the “who to read” thread searches. Russell’s original character was Rujo Kiwa. Kiwa was an Engineering Cadet on the Columbia who gave us a snapshot of the Tribble’s amazing writing style. Soon after graduation from the Academy, Russell added a second character that was an orphan boy named Timmy on the OED. A captaincy on the USS Draco and XO spot on the USS Olympic soon followed.

Russell’s first captainy was played by a character called Edgar Hart. Aside from the fun of being a CO, he also got his animal nickname with the promotion. I often say how special it is to be given an animal nickname and how serious of a job it is to name someone this way. One must make sure the animal nickname represents the person. If it doesn’t then what is the point. Symon Silvester, STF’s bunny, hit it out of the galaxy when he gave Tribble his name. To illustrate this let’s look at why Russell is a perfect Tribble.

Tribbles make people happy. If you spend any length of time with Russell you will leave the conversation feeling happy, light, and with a smile on your face. He has a way of looking at what is good and positive over the bad and negative. This is rare in life so if you are lucky enough to find yourself in a room with the Tribble, count it as something wonderful. Tribbles produce a melodic coo as a vocalization. I have always heard it like a song. If there is one thing that Russell has shown us is his wonderfully fantastic love of music. Over the years he has created numerous ballads, poems, and theme songs for events so the musical talents of both his animal nick and human self match one again. As a side note, the creator of the Tribble used bunnies from Australia for their inspiration which coincidentally is where our Russell Watt lives. However he got it, his animal nick is perfect and shows many of Russell’s own unique qualities.

POSITIONS HE HAD HELD IN STF:
Assistant Engineering Director
Pagemaster
GamesMaster
Fleet Captain
Captain
Executive Officer
Personnel Director
Internet Director
2nd Assistant Internet Director
Fleet Commander
Assistant Fleet Commander

Here’s a list of my current characters in the club

Here’s a list of characters I played in the club:
Raymond Luxury-Yacht
George Easter
Dashel Jamison (Son of Morak)
Michael Easter
Karla Reyes
Kenzie Easter
Cherp’Eng
Rujo Kiwa
Dark Tribble
Leon McKenzie
McKenzie Curry III
Mary Knowles
Marcia Knowles
Adrianna Perriwinkle

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HIS CHARACTERS

John-King McKenzie
John-King McKenzie is Russell’s longest-running characters. John-King began his literary journey as a counselor on the Columbia, transferred to several other ships, and currently settled on the Atlantis as a Bartender.

So now that you know the career of our Tribble, let’s find out what makes him tick. I had the amazing opportunity to sit down and chat with Russell. I am sure you will enjoy the conversation as much as I did so sit back, grab a drink, and get cozy as you read about one of our most creative writers.

20 Questions with Kate O’Neill Tribble edition

1. Okay, there is only one group of questions to start an interview of this magnitude. What is a Tribkini? Where can I get one? How did the Tribkini become your trademark?

A few years ago, there was a movie put out by an English entertainer/comedian, Sacha Baron Cohen and his character wore an atrocious item of swimwear called a mankini. Around that time, I became a Captain in Starfleet for the first time and got named the Tribble. I had the strong feeling that the awful item of swimwear had to be made fun of, so one day in IRC (what we used before Discord), I ‘modelled’ my Tribkini for those in attendance, and received Wolf whistles from various people in the channel at the time. There was also a demand for similar items from other animal captains in attendance. But there was a problem! Swimwear that was suitable for Tribbles would not adequately meet the swimwear needs of the diverse animal captains of STF. So, an industry was formed, animal captains were demanding unique one of a kind swimwears, so my Triblets set to work measuring, cutting, and sewing fabric into kinis of all kinds, not just tribkinis, but beekinis, beartinis, roachkinis (cockinis seemed wrong), wookinis, wolfetinies, tadkinis, turkinis, pantinis, buntinis, seatinis,oxtinis, and more were in demand and produced and distributed. So, a tribkini would not meet the needs of a collie such as yourself, but my triblets created a coltini for you, and I’m happy to give it to you right now, Kate.

Hands over a present wrapped in bright paper and with a bow and a card. On the card is written for the Collie from the Tribble. Inside the present is an item of swimwear designed specifically for the Collie, with pips, a communicator badge and a cup for coffee on it.

Oh my god, I have never gotten a gift before. So for the record, I hopped out to a pool and tried it on. Let me tell you it is amazing as you can see if you click the link provided.
https://imgur.com/a/03WisAp

2. Are you right-handed or left-handed?

Traditionally, left equates with sinister and right equates with dexter. A very wise person I know, who happens to be left-handed once told me that neurological research says that the right side of the brain controls the left-hand side of the body and that as a result, only left-handed people are in the right frame of mind. As a result of that, I am in the right frame of mind, rather sinister, and am left-handed.

3. Life is both a board game and reality that is filled with happy happenstance, gobsmack, and crazy twists and turns. When you play the Game of Life, (boardgame or real life) do you choose the hazardous route or safe path?

I like to think that I’d chose the hazardous route in either the board game or real life. But the reality is, I tend to play it safe in the main.

4. I for one love to hear about the globe trottin’ Tribble. One day when you cross the pond, I will redo this interview as a live interview with a real cup of coffee; however, until that day I am going to put you on the spot. You have visited so many places many of our members live. If Australia could no longer be a home, where would you settle as an Ex-Pat?

A very tough choice, but it would have to be Austria, which doesn’t have kangaroos, but their name is essentially the same as Australia, just without an “al”. It is also home to the Sound of Music, and I had great fun with the tour group visiting the scenes of the Sound of Music, well the ones that were filmed on location - many of the interior shots were filmed on sound stages in the US.

a. Iceland

I loved the beautiful scenery of Iceland, the land of the midnight sun, and the mighty Kraken of STF, Hjotur. We were told during the tour of Iceland that they have about 50 words for snow. On the date we were due to leave Iceland, we experienced over half of the words for snow, our departure was delayed by 24 hours and interrupted my plans for the first day of what was meant to be my time in Scotland. But the beautiful scenery, the sagas of the Norse of Iceland and the friendliness of the people made up for that slight inconvenience.

b. New Zealand

New Zealand, a beautiful land and home to STF’s Kiwi and lover of Marmite, David Shotten. Our trip took us from the Bay of Islands in the North Island (home to the settlement of Russell, once known as the Hell Hole of the Pacific), through to Auckland, Christchurch, Hobbiton (the actual set of the movies) and down to Milford Sound, Lamarch Castle, and Dunedin. I got to see glow worms and geysers and learned the words and the actions to the haka. That trip we experienced all four seasons, the Summer was expected, but on the South Island, there was snow at the Fox Glacier. Never could appreciate Marmite, but did enjoy the people across the ditch.

c. Scotland

Ah, Scotland, home of the delightful Panda, Calé Reilly, her hubby Iain, and the magnificent Nessie, Al Sutherland. My plans to catch up with Calé and Iain while in Scotland didn’t come to fruition as a result of the 24-hour delay in Iceland. I was based out of Inverness and took a day trip to Loch Ness and the Isle of Sky. Another country with beautiful scenery and incredibly friendly people.

d. Canada

Canada, home to the Dolphin, the Beaver, the Wookie, the Duckie, the Bee and the Cerberus of STF, was the location of my first overseas trip. Christmas Day that year was spent in Banff, we had 3 wonderful days in a first nations lodge, spent New Year’s Eve in Vancouver, explored the Burchard Gardens and had high tea in Victoria. Canada was also my first experience of snow. I learned while there if I was unsure if someone was Canadian or from the US, to always ask if they were Canadian first, and also to always ask for a tea/coffee with milk rather than a white tea/coffee. The people there were lovely as well and

e. Austria

Train rides, the sound of music, strudel and more, a lovely place to visit and it would be a lovely place to live. I imagine I’d learn more words in German while there, otherwise, I’d go hungry very quickly.

5. What was the last thing that made you laugh?

The latest episode of Discovery. In episode 3 of Season 3, there were some very funny moments in that episode. Particularly the line about the man who flies the ship thanks to a mushroom.

6. One day you wake up and there is no Star Trek. Oh, noes yet never fear there are a lot of other amazing Sci-Fi shows out there. Since you have never been one to fall into the Dr. Who, Star Wars, or Firefly categories, which of these amazing shows do you rate as top-notch, binge-worthy, couch comfy best SciFi TV shows ever: Sliders, Stranger Things, DC/Marvel Universe.

Stranger Things - it is set in the 1980s, what I consider to be the 4 main kids on the show are a couple of years older than I would have been, and there was so much in the show that takes me back to my own childhood. I was half a world away, but there are so many similarities between that town and where I grew up. Besides, I adored the movie ‘Neverending Story’ and its theme song. At the end of season 3, that theme song was sung by Dustin and Susie, I instantly cheered and joined them in the singing… and also later on when Lucas and Max sang it to make fun of Dustin. I was sad during season 1 when Barb went missing and no one really seemed to care. I was also sad during season 2 with poor Sam, I mean Bob.

7. For those that might not know, you are heavily involved with your church choir. Of course, you practice as a group but when you are practicing alone…do you sing in the shower?

Yes, I sing in the shower, and in my car, and in my home study and when I am walking around the shops, and when I’m on the train or bus, actually just about anywhere and everywhere. My life is constantly filled with music.

8. While some don’t know this, your ability to entertain others has been honed, and perfected by a lifetime in and supporting the arts. Rumour has it you are heavily involved in community theater. What was your favorite role to play and what role would you love to perform on stage?

For my 21st birthday (1995) I received the script book of Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country. In the next couple of years, I assisted with the Speech and Drama program at the school and undertook private lessons with the Speech and Drama lessons. I combined two of the parts of that script to give the orders to Kirk to get the Enterprise in motion. I also played the part of Bilbo Baggins at the same presentation in the scene “At the Sign of the Prancing Pony” - the longer version of Hey Diddle Diddle.

I was also in West Side Story as a Shark by the name of Moose. I would love to be in a musical version of Les Miserables. Thernardier the Innkeeper would be pretty cool to play, as would the role of the Bishop. Though any role that would allow me to sing in One Day More would be awesome. Also, being part of the Canadian Musical, Come from Away, which tells the story of the planes diverted to Canada in the aftermath of 911 would be an awesome and life-changing experience, just watching it would be, being part of a performance of it would be even more so.

As a primary school-aged kid, I recall dad being Bill Sykes in a community production of Oliver.

9. Is it true that your love of cricket led you into your current profession?

That is correct. I was unable to play Cricket myself (I scored a grand total of 1 run in junior Cricket, and bowled an over which would still be going on today if the umpire didn’t take pity on my and stop calling wide on me). I discovered I loved the game of Cricket and watched games. I then began scoring the games, and explored the statistics of Cricket, and taught myself how to use Excel. From this, I went into the Accounting field, and apart from a brief flirtation with the life of a teacher have remained in that field to this date.

10. Music is a huge part of your life. What five songs would you put on the playlist of your life that uniquely define you?

The Neverending Story.
I Go To Extremes - Billy Joel
The Prayer - Come from Away Soundtrack
Paperback Writer - The Beetles
Always look on the Bright side of life - Spamalot Soundtrack

11. While you always shine with a quick wit and the uncanny ability to bring a smile to people’s faces, you do have a more serious side. This has turned into a passion for helping those that “who society as a whole tends to forget, or who are downtrodden.” During the interview, you told me you volunteer for Jinndi Mibunn Enterprises. Can you tell me a bit more about what this charity does? Can you share one moment helping out there that changed you forever?

Jinndi Mibunn Enterprises (JME) is part of Beenleigh Housing & Development Company Ltd (BHDC), an indigenous organization that is run and managed by the indigenous people located in and around Beenleigh in South East QLD (between Brisbane and the Gold Coast) in Queensland. Jinndi Mibunn means Eagle’s Nest in their language, and for them family, care and respect for the elderly (their Aunts and Uncles) and care for their children are of utmost importance (in their welcome to country, and in the respect to country, great emphasis is placed on leaders past, present and emerging). As a non-indigenous man, I don’t fully understand the connections they have to the land, but I do my best to respect their beliefs and their culture. JME and BHDC act as a conduit between the Western need for governance (ie accounting for the grants received, appointing a board, having board meetings, meeting requirements of funding bodies) with the traditional indigenous ways of being and of understanding culture and country. ‘Elder Principles’ are at the center of everything they do, and is really showing respect to each other, respecting the country they meet on and learning from their Elders. They have their men’s group, their women’s group, their elder’s group, their young men’s group and their jarjums group. (Jarjums is the word for children in their language).

As is the case elsewhere around the world, our indigenous population have a lower life expectancy and poorer health than the rest of Australian society. Covid-19 this year concerned them greatly. Throughout QLD, indigenous communities who had discrete areas that they lived in closed their borders entirely and only essential services/workers could go in and out. Because BHDC/JME were based in an urban setting, they couldn’t do that. During the time of restricted movements in QLD this year, they essentially closed their office and their staff worked out of their homes. They went to the houses of the BHDC/JME members to see what they needed and how they could be supported. All of their group meetings were held via Zoom, with BHDC/JME taking out multiple subscriptions. The QLD Government offered them funding grants to help BHDC deliver the programs to their members. Almost $100,000 in 6 months. On top of other funding and programs, they were already delivering. They have come out of it the other side having had NO outbreaks in their BHDC community. This was despite risks of it in the wider Beenleigh community. They had extensive testing done for it. They took the need to protect the vulnerable members of their community very seriously. They deserve to be celebrated for that fact. Actually, there was no outbreaks of Covid-19 across any of the indigenous communities across QLD.

The time that I was told by the CEO of the charity that they considered myself and the Doc to be honorary members of their mob was a time that really changed me forever. We weren’t supporting them for acknowledgment from them, but getting the acknowledgment was lovely. They also do their best to make sure we are comfortable and are happy to answer questions when we’re not sure about something.

12. What office supply would you be and why?

Binding machine, it takes raw material - printed material, plastic spine, and covers and after being turned on and with electronic noises and the movement of levers, something useful is produced.

13. Everyone loves the triple threat actor: singing, dancing, and acting. You shared with me your favorite actors of all time which were Hugh Jackman your brother from down under and Angela Lansbury the prize of Britain. If you could recast any movie with the leads actors being Hugh Jackman and Angela Lansbury what would that movie be and why would they make it better? (For the sake of imagination, the characters can be any age in their career for this Oscar Winning Performance)

The Sound of Music - Hugh Jackman as Captain Von Trapp and Angela Lansbury as Maria or

West Side Story - Hugh Jackman as Tony and Angela Lansbury as Maria

Or they could do a mash-up of the two movies, and combine “Maria, I just met a girl named Maria” from West Side Story with “How do you solve a problem like Maria” from The Sound of Music.

Alternatively Pirates of Penzance with Hugh as the Pirate King and Angela as Ruth.

14. For those that didn’t know WIll Riker and our Terrific Tribble have something in common which is the ability to play an instrument. Is it true that you started playing the clarinet in 5th grade? Do you play any other instruments?

Yes, I started playing the clarinet in 5th grade, way way back in 1985. I recall being giving a flute, a trumpet, and a clarinet by the school instrumental music teacher and being asked to make a sound on each. I remember not being able to get a sound out of the flute or trumpet, but being able to get a sound of some kind from the clarinet, so that was the instrument for me. I know enough of the piano to find middle C and other notes on it and play in the treble clef, but I’m not trained in it to a great extent. Everyone in QLD schools learns the recorder (the woodwind instrument) so I know that one. Someone tried (very unsuccessfully) to teach me the guitar in grade 8, but I can’t recall anything of that.

15. Tea…Earl Gray hot. We all know this line and who loves it…The Great and Fabulous Tribble that is. While this is your most favorite drink if when you belly up to the barista bar the clerk so says they are sold out…what top three beverages are your go-to and why?

Bailey’s and anything or Baileys and nothing/on ice. Seriously, it is Baileys, why not Bailey’s. (I also have a nephew by the name of Bailey, so I consider having Baileys lets me honour him. Baileys have currently got a flavour of red velvet cake in some of their bottles with the line of “now you can have your cake and drink it too”.

Hot Chocolate/Chocolate Thickshake with/without Bailey’s. It actually took until my adulthood before I drank either tea or coffee. My go-to hot beverage back then was Hot Chocolate or a Chocolate Thickshake, which later on included Baileys.

Flat White Coffee (as we call it in Australia) I know elsewhere around the world calling it a white coffee would involve a creamer, and from my time in Canada, I couldn’t acquire a taste for that, so have asked for a coffee with milk, but please not Americana. I have two local cafes, one by the name of All Things Tasmanian and the other by The Little Trike that does lovely coffees and thick shakes/hot chocolates (and baby chinos for Bailey and his younger brother).

16. If you could not be a human, what race in Star Trek would you love to be a part of and why?

This one is easy - Ferengi. Either Armin Shimerman or Max Grodénchik reportedly once said that the true Ferengi in Star Trek are the accountants as they have to set the budgets and can limit the special effects etc that the directors and cast have to play with. Besides, from memory, they are the brothers (or indeed siblings) who have had the most on-screen time together in any of the versions of Star Trek that have graced our big or small screens (oh I guess there is Burnham and Spock, but they can’t continue their relationship past season 2 Discovery) and Data and Lore. I love the Ferengi view of life, their rules of acquisition and so forth. While I’d never undertaken business in the way they do it, I do admire them greatly.

17. What is your all-time favorite video game?

The Sims, especially Sims 3, been playing them since they first came out, and have put in far too many hours into playing Sims 3. The rumours are rampant that Sims 5 is going to be released either late 2021 and early 2022. I’ve never really gotten into Sims 4. The Sims beats out Civilization, solely because only the latest Civilization offers the ability to play as Australia without having to rename one of the existing choices of nation and leader.

18. I know your parents were teachers. How many different schools did you attend while growing up?

I attended 6 different schools between year 1 and year 12. The schools were:- Warrigal Road State School for Grade 1: dad was Foundation Principal there; Hughenden State School for Grades 2, 3 and 4: dad was Principal there and mum was a teacher there; Bald Hills State School for Grade 5: mum was a teacher there; Sandgate State School for Grade 6: dad was principal there; St Paul’s Anglican Day School for Boys for Grades 7 and 8: neither mum nor dad was a teacher or principal at that school and Bowen State High School for Grades 9-12: dad made the transition from Primary School Principal to Secondary School Principal towards the end of 1988

19. What is NaNoWriMo and how did you get into it?

NaNoWriMo is an international event that takes place in November each year. It stands for National Novel Writing Month, although it is international rather than national. The challenge in it is to write 50,000 words in the 30 days of November. But the real challenge is to be creative for the month in your writing and try to shut down your inner critic/editor until December. I was looking for something creative a number of years ago and looked into it. I was originally part of the Brisbane region for it, but lost interest in meeting up face to face with the others. I’m now part of the Elsewhere Australia region which meets online and suits my personality a lot better than meeting in person.

20. Outside of Queensland, which state or territory of Australia would you recommend people visit?

That one is easy! Tasmania all the way! They have strict quarantine regulations when arriving either by plane or boat and no international airlines. Hobart, the capital city, is a beautiful place and has so many of the original buildings still standing, including the hospital known as ‘The Rum Hospital’ - so named because it was built on the proceeds of the rum sales by the one time Governor of the Colony. There is also nearby Port Arthur Penal Colony which was also the site of the Port Arthur Massacre in 1996 in which a lone gunman killed 35 and wounded 23. This led to stricter gun laws being introduced into Australia by then PM John Howard.

And that does it. Another amazing and engaging interview with another member of STF. Thank you so much Russell for taking the time to let us learn more about the amazing you!

~ Kate