B3 (Browncoat Backup Bash) December 7-10th, 2006
First The Highlights
Thursday I sat with Adam in the bar full of Browncoats. He heard that there were folks hanging in the lobby, so he showed up.
Friday I spent the day breaking the news to folks arriving that Flan was cancelled. Let that sink in and repeated Flan 2 is cancelled and then gave info about the Browncoat Backup Bash known as B3.
Mark Sheppard spent almost all day hanging with people, first for pictures then just chatting. He arrived about 9am and left about 1pm and promised to return and sign autographs at 6:30pm. Brett Matthews came to sign autographs as well at 6:30pm not sure when he left. Jonathan Woodward checked in around 1pm but I didn't really see him until around 7pm. He did a lot of behind the scenes organizing I believe. Nathan and Alan stopped by and caused a loud roar. I honestly did not recognize Alan. It took a while to figure out it was him. I did get a hug though. Nathan played Santa Claus and gave away prizes. They both posed for pictures until everyone who wanted one had one. Christina Hendricks was also there in the bar hanging out. Mark and Jonathan were still hanging in the bar when I went to bed around Midnight.
Saturday We arranged transportation offsite. We had to move 300 people 3 miles not as easy as you would think. Corey Bridges from Firefly MultiVerse provided the funds for the buses both days to Pickwick. Greg Edmonson was there. We had some panels and then people started going back Jonathan Woodward showed up. Then in the evening we previewed Clare Kramer's husband's new club in Hollywood. She got the club ready for us. She found out and lots of people decided to do this for the Flan attendees. It was unreal. BDHs in attendance were Nathan, Morena, Ron, Mark, Jonathan, Michael Fairbanks and one of the Feldmans and a couple of other folks from other shows as well. The club was too small for everyone so many were outside; of course it started to rain.
Sunday We went back to the off site location. Tim Minear showed up and showed us fanvid of all his work and raffled off some prizes he brought. Then he narrated Ariel. Shawna Trpcic spoke about the costumes. Jonathan Woodward spoke as if he was doing church and thanked everyone who gave their time.
The Back Up Bash organizers, worked hard all weekend. I was in charge of getting volunteers. Many people sacrificed to make this a great weekend and it showed how great and generous not only the fans are but the BDH as well. They gave their time and I know Clare Kramer worked to get that club ready for us. They finished painting that day. Everyone helped make this event. Last I heard online donations for this was $5,500. It was a group effort and it was very special.
Overall it was amazing, quite surreal. I am still working on a more detailed report.
B3 - Browncoat Back-Up Bash December 7-10th, 2006
Thursday
Actually the story begins a week earlier when we first heard that Flan 2 was cancelled, then told it was actually a go. However I will start with Thursday, the day before Flan 2 is scheduled to begin. Rumors are flying that Flan is cancelled. First Nathan’s rep tells people that Flan 2 is cancelled. Then Friday morning Vicki posts on Booster Events that she has sold her interest in the company to Denise’s husband Dave. Dave is driving down from Oregon to Flan 2. 4pm comes the official notice on the Booster Board that Flan 2 is cancelled. It’s insane but it’s true. Now I would be angry for all those people who spent literally thousands of dollars to be here. Unfortunately I spent all my anger the week before when the cancellation was first announced. I was shaking I was so mad. Now I was just mad they said it was a go and still dropped the ball undermining our ability to put on a great planned out Bash.
So I start to get ready to go to the hotel Thursday. I wasn’t planning on going until Friday afternoon so now I need to get things together. At 6:30pm I get a call from Suinegagpf, a friend from the OB, that Adam Baldwin has just arrived at the hotel. Once again proving what a sweetheart Adam is. He got off work, heard that there were about 50 people in the lobby/bar upset and he went and spent his own precious free time with fans.
Adam in the Lobby hanging out.
Now to understand the enormity of people’s plights, well really you just can’t do it. People traveled from UK, Scotland, Germany, Australia, Canada and all over the US. People took vacation time. Some came for NanoCon that was also cancelled the week before. So getting to see Adam meant a lot. Unfortunately I was still stuck at home getting things ready. For those who don’t know I have had many many many opportunities to meet Adam. So many in fact that Adam knows me from the OB - the original board and likes to shout - ROSIE !!!- whenever he sees me. I keep thinking he won’t do it again but it’s gotten to be a thing and I love it and others get a kick out of it. So when Suinegagpf called he handed the phone to Adam and he shouted my name. I told him I thought it would be an hour by the time I got there so he said he would be around for an hour and a half. Suinegagpf called again and put Adam on the phone I told him I was just a few minutes away and he said he would have one more beer then he had to go. I arrived at 8pm. I went straight to the bar, saw James and gave him a hug. I saw a few others and gave them a hug as I made my way to Adam. I saw him cross the bar sitting with another lady. I knew he had just sat down so I held back. Adam was waiting for me but I did not want to take time from someone else. I just stood nearby and watched. Then Adam looked up and shouted my name again and got up and gave me a hug. 
Adam hugging me!
So I sat there with a few others Wyobar and another woman. Basically Adam was talking about politics and posting on the board. He likes the conversation and doesn’t take himself or anything serious. Everyone has an opinion and he just really enjoys the conversation that happens no matter what is said. He also talked about some of the movies he made and someone mentioned Captain America but he thinks it should be someone younger. *shrugs* Adam is our Captain America no matter how old he is. Then we got on the subject of Rock Hudson and Adam went to the same school as Rock Hudson. Adam’s dad actually knew Rock Hudson. Adam shared that in 1981 he was doing a play I think and Rock was nearby doing a play and someone thought these 2 should get together since they went to the same school and made it a photo op. So apparently there is a photo of Rock Hudson with his arm around Adam kind of looking at him sideways and Adam looking at the camera clueless. I’d love to see that picture. Finally Adam had to go. Someone came up to ask if she could take a picture and he discovered she came all the way from Australia for Flan so of course he said yes. With that he said goodbye and that he would return Saturday. He said Nathan has called him to ask what they could do to help. Our BDHs truly care about the fans and are generous with their time.
I left Adam and went to the planning meeting of Back-Up Bash. I was a proud volunteer. The Organizers were an amazing group. The hotel could not allow us the space that Booster had reserved so we had to find alternate location to have events and transportation as well as the schedule for the event. As of Thursday there were 160 people signed up for the Back-Up Bash.
Friday
I arrived at the Hilton about 9am on Friday. I am walking up and I am happy to see Jason Palmer there. He is a great artistwww.jasonpalmer.net for those who don't know. Someone called him last night to let him know Flan was cancelled. Unfortunately he was hard at work getting things done so he missed the message. He was just walking out of the hotel and to the car where his wife Yelena sat. I heard him tell her “Park the car, it’s not good.” When Yelena returns I break the news and give as much info as I know and we make our way to the B3 planning meeting. The news really takes a while to sink in to everyone told. The B3 meeting was to finalize the details of the announcement that would be made at 11am.
Amy with Sign Browncoat Backup Bash
We had told folks there would be an update and so folks gathered in the lobby waiting for news. We had over 200 people there. Mark Sheppard arrived around 9:30 and was in the lobby for the announcement. 
Mark Sheppard Greeting Fans Arriving
Mark spent most of the morning just hanging out with the fans and then returned in the evening as well to sign autographs and just be with the Browncoats. Mark Sheppard has a heart of gold.
Mark Sheppard and Rosie
Mark shooting pool at the bar with fans
Adam Levermore the Speaker of B3
Friday 11am Announcement in Lobby
Adam Levermore was the speaker and he let folks know we were not allowed to have any space at the hotel. There was one room because Universal had arrived early Thursday to set up and display the costumes. However we needed a space for the dealer’s room. No one except I guess the stars were notified of the cancellation. Many vendors came anyway. So we set up a con suite where they could sell their wares. We received discounts for entry into Universal Studios. The SoCal Shindig was moved to Friday night instead of Saturday. We were told to dress up fancy or come as you are. We were told about the donations coming in from all of those online. Then the planning going on for something on Saturday but we could not share because this event was for Flan attendees and we had limited space. We asked everyone to be ready to go Saturday morning at 9am to an undisclosed location. Transportation would be provided and no one had to pay for anything other than their own food. I volunteered to sign up all volunteers. I spent all of Friday standing by the doors as folks walked in. We were not allowed to post signs so I became a walking billboard. I made a sign about volunteer sign ups. Adam said we needed to have folks hang in the lobby to break the news to folks as they arrived. I felt that was very important. I knew folks would continue to arrive without knowing what happened. So I gave my volunteers a spiel of the schedule. I told them you need to tell them a story. Let them know what is going on.
This is how it went:
· Friday Flan 2 is cancelled.
· Back Up Bash is on
· 12pm Costume viewing
· 12:30pm Bedlam Bards are playing by the pool.
· 1pm Dealers Room in suite 570
· 6:30pm Mark Sheppard is signing autographs.
· Also Brett Matthews is signing autographs.
· 8pm SoCal Shindig in the Bar
· 9am Saturday Be ready to go in the lobby, wear comfy shoes. Field Trip.
This was repeated to everyone arriving and they were asked to sign in so we could get a headcount. Most folks knew what was happening but came anyway. They heard Adam had come by and a Back-Up Bash was being planned so they decided lets go anyway. These folks were easy. Breaking the news to those who didn’t know was like telling them someone died. It was a devastating loss. The first person I told was a lady carrying a suitcase. I told her to put her case down. Then I told her Flan is cancelled. The look of shock and disbelief was common. I waited for it to sink in and repeated Flan 2 is cancelled. I held up a paper and said that is the top of the list there’s more. They would ask questions about Flan and I would repeat Flan 2 is cancelled. I tried to stress this is something else. The next person I told was a guy who arrived on the shuttle, saw Mark Sheppard and was happy shouting with joy and enthusiasm. Others saw this and realized he didn’t know and went "awww you don’t know." But no one broke the news to him. Finally he came to me and asked “Why do they keep doing that?” My friend did the same thing and tried to give him a hug and I shoooed her away. It was obvious he didn’t know and no one was telling him. I told her you can’t hug him if he doesn’t know why. So I broke the news to him, he was a BDPassholder and lost $800. He went from flying high to falling flat. It took some time for it to sink in. He went back outside and sat down, dejected. Dawn, another volunteer went and sat with him. Eventually he came in and signed up to volunteer. Something clicked and he decided to make the most of this weekend.
The next person was a gentleman who had paid for a luncheon with the stars. He was confused by it all. They all stayed and had fun. There was a family Mom, Dad and grown-up daughter who had checked that morning and the booster board said it was on. Not sure what mom saw but because of that it was very hard for them. Adam (Lexigeek) and a few other organizers had to come up to back me up. I didn’t see them on Saturday so I don’t know if they stayed. I hope so. I took a break after telling the third person. I had a couple other volunteers and so I made them practice breaking the news. I think they broke the news to 5 more people. I was standing most of the day so I was very tired and sat for awhile. After a few hours I went back and took over when Mark and Brett Matthews were signing autographs. Dark Horse donated some Mal and Inara comics for Brett to sign. Jonathan Woodward came and posed for pictures.
Someone went and got me food, when it arrived I asked someone else to take over so I could eat. It was about 8pm autographs signings were over. I just walked to a quiet place with no people and sat down to eat a large slice of pizza. I was just halfway through and I heard a loud roar. The Captain had just arrived. Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk decided to come by. I finished my pizza and saw a few women stampede past me, I assume, since they were running from the Captain, it was to get their cameras. I walked back to my post and the Captain had already made his way to the bar joining Jonathan and Mark. Later I heard Christina Hendricks was also at a bar.
James was standing there as I walked up. He was smiling and telling me to look at who was here. I must confess that all I saw was some scruffy guy wearing a blue hat. It was just his left profile. I thought ok focus James is excited and he thinks you know this guy. Then I focused on the hair, beautiful strawberry blond Alan Tudyk hair. IT WAS ALAN TUDYK!!! Now you all know how much I love Alan. I love all the BDHs but Alan is just special to me. James wanted me to go up to him. Instead I turned around and went straight to the restroom to spazz out. This is what I do. I need to spazz and jump for joy and squeee and get out the nervous energy. Seeing Alan walk in when he should be in Santa Fe was enough to take the sting out of the day. I was truly happy. I went back to my post and was told to "GO!!! " by several people. So I went. Alan was in front of the registration desk taking pictures. I did not have a camera but I needed to give him a hug. So I did, I told him I did not have a camera but just wanted to give him a hug. Honestly I can’t remember much of what I said. I am not sure if he really remembered me but he was friendly. I commented on his facial hair and told him I didn’t even recognize him. He told me he was filming a western. I thanked him for coming. That’s about all I can remember. Then he went to the bar and I went back to the lobby. There were over 200 people in the bar. I heard Nathan was playing Santa. He brought a box of stuff from his closet and started handing it out to those who came the farthest. I was far from the bar but heard a loud, high decibel roar from the bar. Not sure what happened but it scared me.
Later Lexigeek posted to me:
The loud roar you heard after Nathan had been in the bar a while was when people realized Alan was there. He had been standing there for about 5 minutes, but because of the hat he was wearing and the 3:10 To Yuma beard he had going, people didn't spot him at first. Only once he started to make his way through the crowd to Nathan did they figure it out.
Thanks Lexigeek for clearing that up. I have been blessed to see these folks a lot so I wanted to make sure others had their chance. Many folks at the Backup Bash were new first time con goers. The roar had them exit the bar and move to lobby to take pictures. I heard Nathan and Alan took pictures with everyone in line.
Alan and Nathan among Browncoats in the Hotel Bar
Jonathan Woodward
Brett Matthew
Alan Tudyk
B3 Friday Night Heroes
Our Big Damn Heroes truly rock. Alan had the day off so he came in (from Santa Fe, New Mexico) when he had already cancelled. Nathan brought presents. Christina Hendricks came to hang out in the bar with a first date. Finally I went to the evening meeting to discuss the plan for the next day. I left there around 11:30pm and heard Jonathan Woodward and Mark Sheppard hung out in the bar very late. I went to sleep around midnight. It was a very surreal day for sure full of sadness and lots and lots of joy.
Saturday
I woke up at 5am. I normally wake up around that time since I need to be at work to open at 6:30am. I got ready and went down to the lobby and started on this report. Then I found Tribblelyn and we went to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant. We went to the hotel lobby and waited for the announcement. Corey Bridges, from Firefly Multiverse, provided the funds for the buses. He came to announce the Firefly Multi Media Online game. He found out Flan was cancelled but a backup bash was being planned so he came anyway. We needed to transport 300 people from the Hilton to the offsite location which ended up being The Pickwick Gardens almost 3 miles away. I think we only had 2 buses and they normally hold about 60 people so it took some time. We didn’t want to say where we were going because space was limited. We were in a ballroom. The dealers were set up along two walls. There was a stage. I am not sure what the schedule was. I had to organize volunteers to help others board the bus. Everyone attending was given a wristband so we would know they were on the list. Lynn gave them directions to coordinate the system created by Arielle. I also needed to find volunteers to stay at the hotel to greet anyone who showed up on Saturday and get them registered. Believe it or not we did get folks arriving late last night and on Saturday. The one I heard about was a 10 year old boy, devastated by the news when he arrived Saturday afternoon. I saw him later at the party that night.
I missed most of what happened at the Pickwick Gardens. I got there late and needed to find food. So I missed Corey’s announcement and Greg Edmonson’s talk about the music which is probably the one talk I wish I had stayed for but I was hungry. I did hear some of the Chinese swearing lesson and the Bedlam Bards play as well as the Done The Impossible presentation of a couple of Easter eggs. I am trying so hard to remember what else happened on Saturday at Pickwick. The buses started heading back at 3pm. Jonathan Woodward showed up once about half the folks had left. He thought folks had bailed and was worried if we would show for the party that night. We planned to start leaving the Hilton again around 6pm. I drove folks down to Pickwick and drove those same folks back again. I decided to just hang out in the lobby.
Ariel on the bus.
Louise
Corey announcing Firefly Multi-verse MMO
James and Arielle
Rosie
At 6pm the buses started running, 2 buses taking people to Hollywood. We were going to preview Clare Kramer’s husband’s new club that was going to open in a few weeks. Clare heard about what happened and just felt like she had to do something. Many people were involved in getting this event organized for us. They arranged for the transportation and free food at the club, absolutely delicious hor d’oeuvres. The club is called La Cantina. It is located on Hollywood Blvd in a very nice shopping alley. The place was not large enough for everyone to be inside. It probably held 100-150 people. We were a group of 300, so about half stayed outside in the outdoor patio area. It would have been just fine if it hadn’t poured. It hardly ever rains in LA but Browncoats shindig outside and of course it needs to rain on our party. I just thought it was hilarious. So many things trying to get us down and it rains too.
Already there when I arrived on the last bus was Nathan and Morena, Mark and Jonathan and James Leery and Camdon Toy. I did get to see Ron Glass arrive. The folks outside created a walkway for him and held the line. Ron was told they were volunteers and he said, “So am I.” Michael Fairman, Niska, was there as well. He was the one I really wanted to see. I looked everywhere for him. Most of the stars were sitting in a special booth surrounded by glass so you could see them but not access them. The only chance was when they went to the restroom. Michael, however, was walking around and it seemed like he was having a blast. I told him he was the reason I finally decided to buy a ticket. He smiled, gave me a hug and said something in a Niska voice. Jonathan and Mark sat for a while but they walked around as well. Morena walked by me on the way to the restroom with Christina behind her. I’ve seen Morena over 15 times and I was very happy when she saw me and very naturally, with a smile, said, “Hey Rosie, Having fun?” I said yes and thanked her for coming and thanked Christina as well. Nathan finally had to go and he tried to make his way but it was hard with so many fans and he kept stopping to talk. Eventually he decided to go around the outside. He did walk though the inside on his way back. I didn’t get a chance to say hi. He said hi to just about everyone on his way back from the restroom. Saxon was telling him about Dragon Con and the 76th Brigade and he was concern about not having a costume. He was interested but made no commitment so we’ll see what happens. The dream, of course, is to have more Browncoats in the Brigade than the 501st. That would be something to see.
I didn’t see Ron get up. I kept walking in a loop inside then outside. I had 2 margaritas the first was ok and the second was potent. When it started raining I just felt like I needed to be outside with those not coming inside. I did tell people that there was a bus if they wanted to leave. At one point the rain came down in sheets. Saxon was outside most of the time against the glass where the stars sat. At one point Morena turned around and saw us in the rain and made a face and asked if we were cold. Saxon got playful and Morena smiled. Morena looked like she was having fun. It really felt good to do something. At one point Jonathan Woodward got up on the bar but I was outside. I did see Nathan just cracking up at Jonathan. I saw Mark outside in the rain as well as Jonathan. They were both around a lot interacting with the fans. I kept going in circles. I did not want to stay inside when so many were outside but I did not want to stay outside either so I compromised and went in and out. When the rain started I just started to dance. I was drenched. My hair was a mess as was my makeup. Lucky for me there were no cameras allowed at the party.
Finally it was time to leave around 11pm. I heard Mark say that they were working on getting the place ready up to that day, painting. He said there was expense to get it done on time. I just had to thank Clare personally. She is such a beautiful woman both inside and out. Clare is sitting in the booth now almost empty. I thank her and she sits up on the booth and asks if I had a good time. I assured her we did and thanked her again for getting this place ready. It was an honor to meet her and see what a good person she is. Then I made my way to the bus. Dawn shared her room with Saxon, Ewok and I and it was time to go. We stayed with Tribblelyn the first night and Dawn the second. Very generous Browncoats for letting us invade. Now by this point I was very tired and ready to sleep so I got a little cranky and nonsensical. Lucky for me Saxon is accustomed to this. Dawn was a sweety so I hope I didn’t offend her.
Sunday
I normally go to church on Sunday. I woke up early and went back to bed I finally got up and ready and left for church around 7:30am. I went to mass and then went back to the hotel to see if anyone still needed a ride. I gave some folks a ride. Sunday at the Pickwick was a different Ballroom. Again I am trying to remember what happened. I know that once again I needed to find food. I went to El Pollo Loco and ran into two older ladies and a young lady. One asked if there was a convention and I explained briefly then started talking about the show since that is what I do. The lady told me they were big fans. I thought how shiny to be sitting in a restaurant and all of a sudden there’s a Browncoat invasion. The lady at the next table asked the name of the show and I told her. Who knows she may become a new convert.
Once I returned to Pickwick I went to find a place to sit. There was not enough seating for all. Space was limited. So I disappeared for a bit. I went to lie down on the grass. I figured I would here a loud roar if things started back up again. There was. Shawna Trpcic the Costume designer for Firefly was there doing a Q&A. Then Tim Minear came and showed us a fanvid he created of his work. Then we watched Ariel as he did a commentary, sharing little known facts. Finally he had some things he wanted to just raffle off. Tim was wonderful and so very funny. I am really looking forward to seeing his new show Drive. After that there was 11th Hour’s presentation about her art work for the RPG and the alternate DVD covers.
Finally it was church with Jonathan Woodward. Now, being a religious person I was not sure about this. However Jonathan is just so very funny that if you get the chance you need to just watch him perform. Jonathan has a wonderful, funny and giving heart and I just love him for all the fun we were able to have with him as well as with Mark Sheppard. These two gentlemen hung out the most. We were blessed by being able to know them a little better. Jonathan makes wallets. I think the website is JohnnyWallets.com They are high fashion items and I want one just because they are from Jonathan Woodward. Among the prizes raffled off was a Browncoat Cruise full access. Done The Impossible was organizing a Browncoat Cruise. Browncoats together always have a lot of fun.
Jonathan Woodward
Bedlam Bards
Shawn Trpcic
Tim Minear
Greg Edmonson
11th Hour Susan Tombs
Sunday Big D@mn Heroes: Jonathan Woodward, Bedlam Bards, Shawn Trpcic,
Tim Minear, Greg Edmonson and Susan Rene Tombs aka 11th Hour Firefly Artist
Well it was time for me to go. I gave many hugs and went home instead of back to the hotel. It was about 6pm. I had to go to sleep since I start at 9pm. I heard more fun was had back at the hotel and if I had Monday off I would have stayed. I am proud to be a Browncoat. I know how much we care about the show, each other and about the actors. To know that those actors care so much about us and went out of their way to help everyone have fun is unheard of anywhere. Our BDHs care about us as much as we care about them and other Browncoats. Many people gave, sacrificed to make this happen. I am tired and did not run around as much as the core group of Organizers they worked while we slept. This is a beautiful fandom. We are family. BROWNCOATS FOREVER!
Rosie and 11th Hour aka Susan Rene Tombs
1 comment:
I just found this after over a decade. My name is Dean. I ran audio for the event. As the result of an error (someone else's) Tim's commentary was recorded. I found it today and this led me down a memory Rabbit Hole. Best to all!
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