The Spark by ShinyDS

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

The Spark

POSTED BY: SHINYDS
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 07:00
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VIEWED: 4011
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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 2:56 AM

So, I've been reading around on this site. Not by any means everything, but a fair bit. And more often than anything else, I see two mindsets of people. First are the veteran Browncoats, who have been in since episode 1 (technically 2, but I'm not here to debate semantics!). They've seen it all, the ups and downs, the successes and the not-so-successes. The other are the newer members, who have recently seen the light and are full of life and spunk and enthusiasm. On the one hand, I realize that it's been some time now, and that the future is unclear and seems to mock us at every turn. On the other hand... I won't say that we're not doing much, because I'm always seeing charity screenings and shindigs and video contests and so on. But no where near the force I saw as the BDM approached. I can't help but wonder if reality's cold shoulder hasn't dampened our spirits a bit and made us more doubtful. The fire is obviously still going, but has it gone from open flames to glowing coals (let me remind you, the coals are still the hottest part of the fire)? I don't mean to offend any of you good peolple, I'm just wondering what direction we ourselves are headed in? Feel free to post whatever opinions you have. I'm just curious.

--SDS

"Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs but what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
--Capt. Jack Sparrow

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 3:23 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by ShinyDS:
I don't mean to offend any of you good peolple, I'm just wondering what direction we ourselves are headed in? Feel free to post whatever opinions you have. I'm just curious.

No offense taken, friend. You haven't asked any questions that I haven't been known to ask my own self.

Warm coals indeed. The Browncoats are a fandom that burns brightly in the 'verse still, but as you've likely noticed, we've had to go from strictly Firefly observances to keeping tabs on our beloved crew in their new ventures - myself included. It started with Jewel in Dead Like Me, and that was before the BDM. Now Nathan in Drive, Morena in SG:Atlantis, Alan in his various guest shots, Gina in hers - and this trend will continue, sad to say.

Speaking as one who has gone through the throes of cancellation a time or two, I can say that our course is still true. We're still holding charity screenings, we're still having our shindigs and we're still hoping that the miracle will happen again. Star Trek came back after ten years of fan faithfulness, and in these days of remakes, who knows what can happen?

Keep flying Browncoat - maybe this is all we'll have, but maybe - just maybe - there's still more waiting for us.

Doing the impossible makes us mighty
Minnesota Browncoats
http://www.mnfirefly.com/portal/html/index.php

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 3:47 AM

SHINYDS

Im one of those who has been there since the beginning. I too, have seen some sobering numbers and scarifying facts. I've hear rumors and felt disappointment. But it seems like whenever I watch an episode, the whole thing gets rekindled and I have as much juice as I did on the first day. Thank you for your words and perspectives. They made my day a little less grey. I just wonder what it is that we can do to keep people rejuvinated. Fighting a war is tough. And, to quote our heroes, "Storm is getting worse." "We'll pass through it soon enough." I just get nostalgic every time I see the shows, and I know it's kind of me vs. reality here, and guess who wins that bout? But I just want to make sure that we don't loose momentum. Thanks for the inspiration

--SDS

"Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs but what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
--Capt. Jack Sparrow

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 3:57 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by ShinyDS:
I just wonder what it is that we can do to keep people rejuvinated. Fighting a war is tough. And, to quote our heroes, "Storm is getting worse...We'll pass through it soon enough." I just get nostalgic every time I see the shows, and I know it's kind of me vs. reality here, and guess who wins that bout? But I just want to make sure that we don't loose momentum. Thanks for the inspiration.

Oh, I don't think it's just you vs. reality, friend, or I wouldn't be here talking to you, would I?

My frequency on this site is considerably less than it used to be, but I keep coming back whenever I need a good, strong browncoat fix. This is where I came when I needed salvation after cancellation, and this is probably where I'll stay.

"I'm thinkin' we'll rise again."
~ Mal

Doing the impossible makes us mighty
Minnesota Browncoats
http://www.mnfirefly.com/portal/html/index.php

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:10 AM

SHINYDS

I'm not saying it's just me against reality. I just meant that the way I think things ought to be often come into glaring opposition with the way things are. I'm currently studying abroad. I wasn't able to see Drive when it was on, but bless my parent's hearts, they taped it for me for when I get back. I don't come here as often as I used to, but I'm working on that. Call it a resolution, if you will. Hearing that Drive was cancelled is what drove me back here (no pun intended, but go ahead and give me credit for it

) and rewatching some of the episodes, and renting and watching the German version of Serenity (to see how it stacked up to ours, and what got lost in translation etc.) the fire's back in the furnace. I want to do something, because I used to be really big into this, making music videos and posters and getting my friends into the show and starting Serenity RPGs and so on. For starters, over here, I feel a big distanced and cut off from the group. Second, even if I were home, despite the fact that the sate in which I love has the badlands and Deadwood, it's s surprisingly western-and-Firefly fan free zone. Third, I don't know what to do, because we don't seem all focused on one task, like promoting the movie or saving the show. The CPR is over, and we've moved to defibrillators, as we hope to resurrect it. I signed a petition to save Drive, which I haven't even seen yet. But beyond that, I got no guiding star at the moment. It's good to talk to someone who's in a similar position (or at least one who responds to my posts XD).

--SDS

P.S.: I was born in Minnesota, though I didn't grow up there, so maybe I should check out the link on your signature. Minneapolis ain't but a five hour trip, we burn hard enough...

"Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs but what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
--Capt. Jack Sparrow

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:23 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

I do understand the feeling. The classic Fox cancellation of Drive also "drove" me back here because I knew I'd find others who feel the same way about Fox as I do. Anybody on the outside who hears me refer to them as "the serial killer of quality TV" would think I need a vacation.

Well, I do, but that's beside the point, isn't it?

We don't necessarily have a clear-cut goal right now, no. The BDM is out, the series DVDs are so reasonably priced that I can buy one for every member of my family, and the actors are out there trying to make a living. It seems like things are moving on.

That's because they are. Right now, we're seeing who the true fans are - and those are the ones who hang in there after the glitz and glamour of a movie premiere have faded; the ones who talk about the things that remind them of Firefly; the ones who are arranging Firefly themed parties at science fiction conventions.

I understand the sense of lonliness too. Before the MNIndys (some say I founded it, I say I just shoved them into one place and let them have at it), I felt pretty much all alone up here. Folks look at my Serenity key fob and ask what that is, and when I start telling them I can see that *look* in their eye. It's not always a look of enlightenment either, let me tell you.

But it doesn't stop me. I'll be a Browncoat till I die, and if it really is just me by the end, well, so be it. But it will have been one shiny ride.

And please do check out the link - we have a shindig coming up in June, in addition to a charity screening. Then there's the Firefly party planning for CONvergence in July. Even if we don't go through with that ($$, you understand), I believe there will always be Warhammer's Haven Shindigs. The man had three copies of the Firefly DVDs on a shelf in his basement BEFORE they went on sale at Target.

Doing the impossible makes us mighty
Minnesota Browncoats
http://www.mnfirefly.com/portal/html/index.php

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:34 AM

CERES

I'm just passing the time until Serenity 2 is announced. Can you tell I'm an eternal optimist?

................................

You can question the meaning of life on a floaty
island of your own for a while.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:38 AM

SHINYDS

June? Gorramit. I'm here till July 25. It's good to know that that's there, though. It was frustrating for me, because all these shiny shindigs were planned for destinations I couldn't hope to pay to get to. And I've seen a bunch of things about the Oregon Browncoats. My girlfriend lives there, so when I go out thete to see her every summer, I always get excited that I'll get to take part in something, but I have yet to have such luck. Even though I spent all of last summer running around in a Serenity and a Ariel Ambulance Rescue Group t-shirt, I didn't meet anyone who recognized any of that stuff, or even asked me what the heck it meant. If you ever get bored enough, you can see all of my fan music videos on youtube. Just type "ShinyDS" in the search bar, and you'll find all my stuff. Should that be the case, let me know what you think. If you don't have the time (or the motivation lol) I'll understand. This question probably doesn't even deserve asking, but have you seen the Mosquito shortfilm? I just did for the first time on Saturday. Fantastic stuff, I tell ya. And if you happen to know why they picked Fox to carry Drive, you might want to let me know. It really seems like unless they were trying to prove themselves to Fox, they'd try somewhere else first. Fox used to be famous for sticking with a show till it caught on, unlike other networks. Guess who stepped back into line...

"Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs but what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
--Capt. Jack Sparrow

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:39 AM

SHINYDS

I appreciate the optimism. It's needed in these dark days. How are you passing that time, if I may ask? There may be someone joining you

lol

"Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs but what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
--Capt. Jack Sparrow

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 4:49 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by ceres:
I'm just passing the time until Serenity 2 is announced. Can you tell I'm an eternal optimist?

Heck, I've been passing time until the resurrection of the series - I'm not optimistic, I'm downright crazy. I have a con comm badge that says so.

There will be other Shindigs, Shiny DS - Warhammer has a shiny abode for such things. BrowncoatintheRain made us dumplings at the last one I went to. And Roseivy is tenacious - she'll hold another charity screening as soon as she recovers from this one, I guarantee.

I'm passing the time listening to the Firefly soundtrack, myself, writing in two different Firefly-based RPs, and working Firefly into my class assignments as often as I can. I'm also wearing my browncoat at work right now.

It's the little things, but it's the little things that make big things happen.

Doing the impossible makes us mighty
Minnesota Browncoats
http://www.mnfirefly.com/portal/html/index.php

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:01 AM

CERES

I’m sitting at my desk mostly

but I’ve got a great picture of Mal in his pretty floral bonnet looking at me right now. I must remember to book some time off somewhere with some beautiful museums, not to mention some of the finest restaurants in the Core. Somewhere where I can go swimming in a bioluminescent lake. Just gotta think where that could be.

...................................

You can question the meaning of life on a floaty
island of your own for a while.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:11 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by ceres:
I’m sitting at my desk mostly but I’ve got a great picture of Mal in his pretty floral bonnet looking at me right now. I must remember to book some time off somewhere with some beautiful museums, not to mention some of the finest restaurants in the Core. Somewhere where I can go swimming in a bioluminescent lake. Just gotta think where that could be.

Ceres, I like the way you think.

Doing the impossible makes us mighty
Minnesota Browncoats
http://www.mnfirefly.com/portal/html/index.php

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:12 AM

PENGUIN

Just don't litter!

King of the Mythical Land that is Iowa

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:31 AM

VIOLYNS

Yay, Minnesota!!! (Hi Channain! And yes, the shindigs are way fun here :) )

I'm one of those new ones. I caught the movie last summer on DVD (never seen it on the big screen...fixing that in June). I am amazed at the amount of browncoats still out there. And I do get a little ahead of myself sometimes, but the original browncoats keep me in check. I'm still a little over the top sometimes (for proof, see http://serenifly.tripod.com) but I know that there are others like me around.

I've never been a crazy fan like this for this long. So, I guess it's here to stay.

-----
~mia

Serenifly Costumes http://serenifly.tripod.com
MNFirefly http://www.mnfirefly.com

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:41 AM

REDHEAD

I just wanted to say don't give up on passing out DVD's when you can. A friend tried to hook me for several years and finally managed to hook my kids who hooked my husband and now, I, the queen of no TV, am so hooked that I have 3 copies of Firefly on my shelf (well, 2 are loaned out).

Its a slow way to win converts but Star Trek fans (I'm not one)know that you can get what you want if you stick with it.

Also, vote the polls, the Scifi Magazine poll had quite an effect on sales when Serenity won over Star Wars.

I know I'm just one of those passionate newbies but I just can't surrender. Whedon created such a great 'verse and the actors and crew made it live.

To paraphrase Kaylee: Whedon's Firefly is just so lush. I want to take a bite out of it all over, you know?

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:46 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by violyns:
Yay, Minnesota!!! (Hi Channain! And yes, the shindigs are way fun here :) )

I'm one of those new ones. I caught the movie last summer on DVD (never seen it on the big screen...fixing that in June). I am amazed at the amount of browncoats still out there. And I do get a little ahead of myself sometimes, but the original browncoats keep me in check. I'm still a little over the top sometimes (for proof, see http://serenifly.tripod.com) but I know that there are others like me around.

I've never been a crazy fan like this for this long. So, I guess it's here to stay.

*waves to Mia* Hey baobei!

She's allowed to get a little ahead of herself, though - she's our resident musician. Plays a VERY shiny violin.

This is the shiniest way to perpetuate the fandom - find the ones who have seen the movie and loan them a copy of the DVD set to further their education.

I love the new fans. They're so *sparkly*

Doing the impossible makes us mighty
Minnesota Browncoats
http://www.mnfirefly.com/portal/html/index.php

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 5:54 AM

SHINYDS

Hey, glad to have you onboard. It can get awful lonely out in the black. I have nothing against the passion of the new converts. They may not have been crushed by reality a few times, but energetic and optomistic is preferable in the resurrection process

I, too, have a brown coat. It's pretty dark brown, and it's not too much like the ones you see on the show. But it's a real real one. I mean, it's got leg straps and the back of it unbuttons for when your riding. Now if I could just get me a horse... Aside from my fan videos and a couple Firefly-related artworks, I tried starting up a thread here that died pretty quickly. It was called "Show Us Your Coats." The basic idea, which you've probably already gleaned by this point, is to get fans who have coats to show pictures of them in 'em. And the music keeps me sane. I brought the FF and Serenity soundtrack with me. I brought my mandolin with me, too, because it was small enough to carry without much hastle. My dobro, unfortunately... So I can't practice the Firefly theme, but I've worked out a couple simple tunes on the mandolin from the show.

--SDS

"Wherever we want to go, we'll go. That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs but what a ship is... what the Black Pearl really is... is freedom."
--Capt. Jack Sparrow

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 6:10 AM

COZEN

Y'know what: maybe Serenifly is dead and gone forever, as in there will be no more movies, no more televised episodes. (Sorry, but imho, comics don't count for much; which is just me). Such that we accept that this very website, and others like it, have become (evolved into?), at worst, a social gathering place for those who style themselves as Browncoats.

Well, to me, that is not so much a horrific scenario. Though I'm sure Joss Whedon's intentions for Firefly had little to do with creating a strongly knit community, and more to do with creating at least seven (as is my understanding) years of terrific televised storytelling, this Browncoat community has provided, perhaps inadvertently, a phenominally rewarding gathering place for like-minded people. A community of fun loving, intelligent, even if sometimes irascable folk. A truly passionate family.

Firefly was such a good television show, that despite its early demise, helped create a community of the best damn peeps there is to find.

Might not be good enough, but it's pretty damn good.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 6:21 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by cozen:
Might not be good enough, but it's pretty damn good.

Oh no... it's more than enough.

Thanks Cozen.

Doing the impossible makes us mighty
Minnesota Browncoats
http://www.mnfirefly.com/portal/html/index.php

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 6:38 AM

COZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
Oh no... it's more than enough.

Gratification: my point being proven with the first reply. Well done, Joss. Thank you.

***

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007 7:00 AM

SHINYDS

There is a very fine line between keeping emotions restained by the possiblity or probability that in reality, your wishes may not come true and becoming fanatically obsessed and fighting ever onward despite deminishing favorable odds. I am not known for my respect of lines.

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