GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

A Flan by any other name...

POSTED BY: ADMIRALJEDI
UPDATED: Sunday, December 10, 2006 08:11
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Friday, December 8, 2006 9:39 PM

ADMIRALJEDI


I sit in front of my computer, at home now, in memory of my experience of what was _SUPPOSED_ to be Flan 2, the Big Damn Flanvention II, put on by Booster Events.

Well, it was cancelled. Following is my story. A little wordy, but hopefully easy to read:

I approached the lobby of the hotel from my car, carrying a little bag full of trinkets and such. I was PUMPED! I paid $759 for the BDP (Big Damn Pass) to this convention almost a YEAR ago at the beginning of January '06. There were rumors over the past week that it was going to be cancelled due to "financial concerns" (despite being a supposedly sold out con.) Yet just two days ago those concerns seemed to have been addressed and it was on!

"WHOOOOOOO!" I couldn't contain myself anymore, I screamed as I continued my approach. Who then do I immediately see right then? Mark Sheppard (aka Badger) on his way out of the hotel. I shake his hand, and thank him for coming. He then makes a strange remark to me, "You've got people inside who are putting things together, and I'll be back at 6:30." Odd.

I go inside, giving "verbal high fives" to every single person I see. (I'm not the shy type.) They all return odd glances at me. No biggy. After the fourth person looking at me and giving me a pathetic sort of "Awwwwwww" sound, finally this wonderful Browncoat (Rosie -- God bless her) takes me aside and "bears me the bad news." I was stunned. It was cancelled.

The supposedly "good news" was that the Browncoats were rallying to have a "Backup Bash." Supposedly Badger was coming back that evening (Friday night) and Jayne had showed up the night before. I was impressed. These actors came out purely of their own freewill and good spirit to meet their fans and turn a sour situation into a better one. I started drinking.

Met a great couple of browncoats at the bar (Joan and Rich) they introduced me to a few more folks and we went out to dinner. Great group of people, every one of 'em. Had a great time, drove back, got in line to get Badger's autograph. Back to the bar, another drink. Feeling happy now, talking to lots of folks, they're all participating in what was SUPPOSED to be a cocktail party with the actors. Mr. Sheppard finishes his duties and comes on back to mingle. I got to take pictures for other fans with him and them in it. Fun. I wander out back to the main lobby, talking obnoxiously to everybody on the way.

Lobby. I take a deep breath, and just happen to look to my left. Nathan Fillion (aka Mal Reynolds) comes strolling in with a big box. He stops and asks me, "Where's Jonathan?" Being a complete retard, I have no idea what he's talking about, but I got to lead our captain all the way to the bar where his adoring soldiers were waiting. I'm shouting, "Outta the way, outta the way!" (obnoxiously of course.) But then I realize, "This is Nathan Fillion, and he's gonna assault me or something if I steal any more of his limelight" ;-) I step out of the way and he enters the screaming masses of people just waiting to see him and who never noticed me in the first place =P

He immediately charms the entire crowd, heck I was ready to kiss him, and I ain't "sly" so to speak ;-) From apparently nowhere, almost as if they had orchestrated it, he summons forth this dark cap-wearing fellow from the otherwise oblivious crowd. Said fellow also being known by the name Alan Tudyk (aka Wash, our dearly departed pilot) Total Pandemonium. Especially because Wash wasn't even supposed to come to Flan, due to an unfortunate last minute cancellation.

Decently organized chaos ensues as Mal begins passing out all sorts of various memorabilia to folks in the crowd, favoring those poor souls that had traveled from afar to be at a cancelled convention. I'm just smiling, taking it all in. I especially laughed when he passed out the box that he had carried it all in, claiming that there was in fact nothing special about the box, other than it "had belonged to him." Heh. Of course it was still fought over like it was a tuft of his own chest hair or something.

Eventually the two of them lead the crowds out into the lobby, and then further outside to begin a huge host of group photos. I wanted my picture taken with Nathan bad. I mean bad. $759 bad. But at the same time (yes, glorifying myself again) I have a greater desire to see order formed from chaos. So in as loud and obnoxious of a voice I could muster, I started breaking people into lines to get their photos taken. There were a bunch of the other browncoats up front who were actually hosting the event then coordinating pictures.

Nearly out of breath, Rich and Joan (from before, remember?) come running to me to tell me that Christina Hendricks is in the bar, they've been talking to her and told her all about my desire to get a picture taken with her and a tube of lipstick my wife gave me as a prop. God bless her, she takes the lipstick from me and gives me a great photo. Many many thanks to her and to her gentleman friend Jim who was with her (sure hoping I got his name right ;-) -- thanks to both of them for coming out and participating in what turned out to be a wonderful evening.

Eventually the pictures wore off, the actors left the scene and it was time for me to go home. Jonathan Woodward and Brett Matthews also joined us at points throughout the evening and not to diminish their involvement but I didn't get to see them all that much. I did have the dubious honor of calling Brett by the name of "Glenn" instead, and got a chance to thank Jonathan on the way out the door.

As Nathan and Alan left the shindig, I raised my obnoxious voice once more and started singing the Firefly theme song like the total nerd that I am. The whole crowd joined in, and we sent our Big Damn Heroes off into the night.

I can't thank you all enough: Adam, Jonathan, Mark, Brett, Nathan, Alan, Christina. You are the best, and your dedication to your fans is phenomenal. Thank you for all the fantastic memories, and may God bless you in all that you do.

Still flying,

Eric Gavin (AdmiralJedi)


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Friday, December 8, 2006 9:58 PM

ANONYMOUS1


Thank you!

A very shiny War Story from the "Cancelled Convention" Friday night shindig!

I posted a link to this thread on http://www.serenitymovie.org. Would it be all right with you if I posted the text too?

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Friday, December 8, 2006 10:00 PM

ADMIRALJEDI


No problem! Everybody on the planet should know how awesome our BDHs are.

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Friday, December 8, 2006 10:24 PM

CHINDI


JEDI! What a great report!!! FABULOUS! It is like I was there!!

So glad that you and allll the great Coats are having such a good time.. a nice redemption for the heartbreak of the last week..


These actors are such gracious people..

THANKS for reporting and please tell us more when you catch your breath.

Chindi

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Friday, December 8, 2006 10:49 PM

VERSEEXPLORER


Thanks so much for sharing the story. Our BDHs are the BEST! Keep us posted.




Help Spread the Word to Non Sci-Fi Fans
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=20&t=25063&m=412141#412141

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Saturday, December 9, 2006 12:37 AM

ARBAS


Amazing - you get blase about fans dedication to their idols but to have this sort of dedication from the BDH ..... outstanding.

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Saturday, December 9, 2006 3:49 AM

BANDO


Amazing. So sorry things went the way they did, but I wish I could have been there! The Big Damn Heroes are the Best!!! What a great group of people. The BDH have my utmost respect.

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Saturday, December 9, 2006 5:05 AM

EMBERS


Great post Eric!
I'm sure I saw you around there...were you in Browncoat garb?
Here is my wonderful evening w/some pictures:
http://embers-log.livejournal.com/

I wanted to add that Cedric (of the Bedlam Bards) was there and entertaining on Thursday night and Friday afternoon, I bought two of his 'Firefly' related music CDs (one is a Christmas gift, the other one is MINE)

And big thanks to Adam (Lexigeek of BlackMarketBeagles) who worked really hard throughout Thursday and Friday to bring off the huge surprise that was the Friday night shindig, and the big plans for today, Saturday. I really cannot say enough.

My photo w/our BDHs are in my lj (link above)
but HERE are our biggest heroes:

working throughout the evening to try to keep things going smoothly for the actors and for the hotel and particularly for all the fans!

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Saturday, December 9, 2006 6:57 AM

CLIOMUSE


Thanks for your tale of "WOAH!" I had wondered what was going to happen when folks who hadn't heard the bad news began arriving. Rosie is the perfect person to break that kind of news. A true tale of lemonade from lemons.

You just know that right know someone is at home finding a place of honor for Nathan's cardboard box!

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Saturday, December 9, 2006 10:59 AM

DEBB


Eric, You make me proud!! I was not able to go because of family issues. You just keep being obnoxious...it is a good thing! Thanks for the story.



Deb

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Saturday, December 9, 2006 12:02 PM

RHAVENER


This is so wonderful!!! There aren't enough words in the whole gorram 'verse to describe this. I'm here freezing in Illinois, but my heart is right there with you. Thanks so much for sharing with the rest of us!

Rooster

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Sunday, December 10, 2006 7:05 AM

LEIASKY


I'll have a whole long report by day on my LJ at some point but while I have a few free moments before heading out with the 6 cobn-goers who stayed at my place last night, I want to heartilly echo the sentiments about the BDH's that showed up on Thursday and Friday.

They were amazingly nice and laid back and it was nice to see them walking around and interacting with the very excited crowd.


Tammy


"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Sunday, December 10, 2006 7:30 AM

TEMPEST06


I emailed CNN, maybe some others can email other news orgs so maybe there are some main stream acknowledgement of the event?

"It's said that 'power corrupts,' but actually it's more that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable." The Postman

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Sunday, December 10, 2006 7:30 AM

TEMPEST06


I emailed CNN, maybe some others can email other news orgs so maybe there are some main stream acknowledgement of the event?

"It's said that 'power corrupts,' but actually it's more that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable." The Postman

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Sunday, December 10, 2006 8:11 AM

ASARIAN


Quote:

Originally posted by AdmiralJedi:

I sit in front of my computer, at home now, in memory of my experience of what was _SUPPOSED_ to be Flan 2, the Big Damn Flanvention II, put on by Booster Events.

Well, it was cancelled. Following is my story. A little wordy, but hopefully easy to read:

I approached the lobby of the hotel from my car, carrying a little bag full of trinkets and such. I was PUMPED! I paid $759 for the BDP (Big Damn Pass) to this convention almost a YEAR ago at the beginning of January '06. There were rumors over the past week that it was going to be cancelled due to "financial concerns" (despite being a supposedly sold out con.) Yet just two days ago those concerns seemed to have been addressed and it was on!

"WHOOOOOOO!" I couldn't contain myself anymore, I screamed as I continued my approach. Who then do I immediately see right then? Mark Sheppard (aka Badger) on his way out of the hotel. I shake his hand, and thank him for coming. He then makes a strange remark to me, "You've got people inside who are putting things together, and I'll be back at 6:30." Odd.

I go inside, giving "verbal high fives" to every single person I see. (I'm not the shy type.) They all return odd glances at me. No biggy. After the fourth person looking at me and giving me a pathetic sort of "Awwwwwww" sound, finally this wonderful Browncoat (Rosie -- God bless her) takes me aside and "bears me the bad news." I was stunned. It was cancelled.

The supposedly "good news" was that the Browncoats were rallying to have a "Backup Bash." Supposedly Badger was coming back that evening (Friday night) and Jayne had showed up the night before. I was impressed. These actors came out purely of their own freewill and good spirit to meet their fans and turn a sour situation into a better one. I started drinking.

Met a great couple of browncoats at the bar (Joan and Rich) they introduced me to a few more folks and we went out to dinner. Great group of people, every one of 'em. Had a great time, drove back, got in line to get Badger's autograph. Back to the bar, another drink. Feeling happy now, talking to lots of folks, they're all participating in what was SUPPOSED to be a cocktail party with the actors. Mr. Sheppard finishes his duties and comes on back to mingle. I got to take pictures for other fans with him and them in it. Fun. I wander out back to the main lobby, talking obnoxiously to everybody on the way.

Lobby. I take a deep breath, and just happen to look to my left. Nathan Fillion (aka Mal Reynolds) comes strolling in with a big box. He stops and asks me, "Where's Jonathan?" Being a complete retard, I have no idea what he's talking about, but I got to lead our captain all the way to the bar where his adoring soldiers were waiting. I'm shouting, "Outta the way, outta the way!" (obnoxiously of course.) But then I realize, "This is Nathan Fillion, and he's gonna assault me or something if I steal any more of his limelight" ;-) I step out of the way and he enters the screaming masses of people just waiting to see him and who never noticed me in the first place =P

He immediately charms the entire crowd, heck I was ready to kiss him, and I ain't "sly" so to speak ;-) From apparently nowhere, almost as if they had orchestrated it, he summons forth this dark cap-wearing fellow from the otherwise oblivious crowd. Said fellow also being known by the name Alan Tudyk (aka Wash, our dearly departed pilot) Total Pandemonium. Especially because Wash wasn't even supposed to come to Flan, due to an unfortunate last minute cancellation.

Decently organized chaos ensues as Mal begins passing out all sorts of various memorabilia to folks in the crowd, favoring those poor souls that had traveled from afar to be at a cancelled convention. I'm just smiling, taking it all in. I especially laughed when he passed out the box that he had carried it all in, claiming that there was in fact nothing special about the box, other than it "had belonged to him." Heh. Of course it was still fought over like it was a tuft of his own chest hair or something.

Eventually the two of them lead the crowds out into the lobby, and then further outside to begin a huge host of group photos. I wanted my picture taken with Nathan bad. I mean bad. $759 bad. But at the same time (yes, glorifying myself again) I have a greater desire to see order formed from chaos. So in as loud and obnoxious of a voice I could muster, I started breaking people into lines to get their photos taken. There were a bunch of the other browncoats up front who were actually hosting the event then coordinating pictures.

Nearly out of breath, Rich and Joan (from before, remember?) come running to me to tell me that Christina Hendricks is in the bar, they've been talking to her and told her all about my desire to get a picture taken with her and a tube of lipstick my wife gave me as a prop. God bless her, she takes the lipstick from me and gives me a great photo. Many many thanks to her and to her gentleman friend Jim who was with her (sure hoping I got his name right ;-) -- thanks to both of them for coming out and participating in what turned out to be a wonderful evening.

Eventually the pictures wore off, the actors left the scene and it was time for me to go home. Jonathan Woodward and Brett Matthews also joined us at points throughout the evening and not to diminish their involvement but I didn't get to see them all that much. I did have the dubious honor of calling Brett by the name of "Glenn" instead, and got a chance to thank Jonathan on the way out the door.

As Nathan and Alan left the shindig, I raised my obnoxious voice once more and started singing the Firefly theme song like the total nerd that I am. The whole crowd joined in, and we sent our Big Damn Heroes off into the night.

I can't thank you all enough: Adam, Jonathan, Mark, Brett, Nathan, Alan, Christina. You are the best, and your dedication to your fans is phenomenal. Thank you for all the fantastic memories, and may God bless you in all that you do.




Wow! This was a very moving account. I'm incredibly touched by it! It's like chindi(g) said: it's like I feel I was right there with you!

O dear and fluffy Lord, I wish I had been there! Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode, where Kramer asks George: "Do you ever yearn?" Yes, gorrammit, I do! :) I so wish I were really on Serenity, never to leave it once found. Through your post, vicariously, I feel a thrill in me unfold; and I thank you for it.

I reckon walking into that hotel is like stepping off the Firefly set; but instead of being desillusioned, or groggy, you find out that it's all real after all! That our Big Damn Heroes really ARE Big Damn Heroes; that they really DO do for each other, and ain't always looking for the advantage. O brave new 'verse that has such creatures in it!


--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

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