A Flan by any other name...

POSTED BY: AdmiralJedi
UPDATED: Sunday, December 10, 2006 18:11
VIEWED: 8703
PAGE 1 of 2

1 2 NEXT PAGE

ADMIRALJEDI

Saturday, December 9, 2006 7:39 AM

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 o

ANONYMOUS1

Saturday, December 9, 2006 7:58 AM

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?

ADMIRALJEDI

Saturday, December 9, 2006 8:00 AM

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

CHINDI

Saturday, December 9, 2006 8:24 AM

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

VERSEEXPLORER

Saturday, December 9, 2006 8:49 AM

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

ARBAS

Saturday, December 9, 2006 10:37 AM

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

BANDO

Saturday, December 9, 2006 1:49 PM

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.

EMBERS

Saturday, December 9, 2006 3:05 PM

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!

CLIOMUSE

Saturday, December 9, 2006 4:57 PM

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!

DEBB

Saturday, December 9, 2006 8:59 PM

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

1 2 NEXT PAGE