Earthstation Edmonton Guests of Honor:
Mira Furlan, Anneke Wills (Dr. Who), Bill Brooks (Regional Director of Canadian Space Resource Center)

Thursday, March 20, 1997

10:00 p.m.

I hustled over to the hotel where SF Con Society members were already setting up. I submitted my artwork entry, then helped unload and move equipment. Learned that Anneke is already in town; Mira arrives tomorrow. Last weekend Mira had laryngitis. Not a good omen!

Friday, March 21

7:45 p.m.

Earthstation '97 officially began when the guests were introduced at a small reception. Mira and Anneke said "hello" after thunderous applause greeted them. Mira warned the membership she was just ending a bout with the flu, but would see everyone tomorrow.

Saturday, March 22

10:00 a.m.

I set up our Final Frontier SF Club table early, and everything was ready for the opening ceremonies. All the guests of honor were introduced again, and everyone was encouraged to HAVE FUN! Some of the events planned for Saturday included video trivia, an introduction to Babylon 5) make-up and costuming skills, fan writing, Charity Auction, Sci-Fi show and tell, and the special guest presentations.

11:00 a.m.

I attended Dr. Brooks' presentation "The Fabric of Canada in Space," and found out a great deal ahout the Canadian Space Program!

1:00 p.m.

Science Fiction Show and Tell
- Presented my first panel ever! Fun and successful!

3:30 p.m.

A few SF-theme videos were shown. The last one, dedicated to Delenn, welcomed Mira to the stage. She was a delightful speaker; genuine and a very friendly person. She greeted us after enthusiastic applause, at first saying very little, except to tell us she has the flu and it won't leave. "It likes me," she said. She answered questions at length, and honestly. When asked about what happens in future episodes of Babylon 5, she said, "War. Huge war. Victories. Losses. Special effects. Kissing."

When asked how the make-Up people got "all that hair" underneath the first season Delenn make-np, she answered while demonstrating, "Oh it's easy... they wind it up like this, put a rubber cap over it, and I sweat for three hours."

After briefly speaking ahout the country in which she was born, I asked her if she planned on becoming an American Citizen. Her answer: yes, eventually. A question about Bill Mumy prompted her to correct the inquirer's pronunciation. "It's pronounced 'Moomy.' He wouldn't like it if he heard you say Mummy."

Her presentation over the autograph session began; several hundred people in one and a half hours! She was very patient and kind, and smiled a lot! She was also very mmodating about photographs, as were the other guests.

8:30 p.m.

The costume contest was the biggest and best I have seen. Entries included fantasy characters, Klingon battles, the Return of the Jedi Slave Dancer, a Minbari ceremony, a Mr. Morden look-alike, and the Babylon 5 command crew in the Army of Light uniforms.

9:00 p.m.

A Klingon wedding complete with B'at-leth combat!

1O:00 p.m.

The Dance began in the large ballroom, including the fan club party with authentic B5 and Star Trek snacks - breen, flarn, brivari, chocolate.... The background music was the new B5 CD, plus the soundtrack from Star Trek: First Contact. Scheduled activities wrapped up at 1:00 a.m.

Sunday, March 23

10:00 a.m.

Breakfast while the guests played "musical tables" with the conventioneers - seated with a new bunch every 15 minutes. A video presentation was made, depicting the ladies' characters in a comedic vein, and including a tribute to Dr. Brooks; comparing him to Captain Kirk. I was seated at the table Mira drew first, so I was able to congratulate her on her flawless performance in "Atonement," I also told her science fiction is a lifelong membership, no matter where her career takes her, she will always be "one of the family." The rest of the conversation consisted mostly of a Canadian travelogue. She was interested in who we were, where we were from, and the Canadian Rockies.

12:00 noon

The rest of the program concluded with two '35 panels, the charity auction, and the guest presentations.

1:30 p.m.

Looking very relaxed, Mira spoke again. Sitting on the edge of the stage, she described some of her experiences in the former Yugoslavia, spoke about her childhood, revealed her favorite color (purple), and mentioned some of her colleagues from home who now live in America. She recommended the upcoming movie, "The Saint," because one of the former Yugoslavia's best actors plays the 'bad guy' in it.

Mira is very passionate about her life and the theatre. She is a knowledgeable and fascinating woman. I am very proud to have met her! Earthstation '97 was deemed a success by the SF Con Society, and Mira was a very important part of that success!

Her tenacity, grace, and trust in a bunch of strangers when not at her best was very heartening.

Proceeds for the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society of Alberta amounted to $1625. Earthstation '98 is scheduled for March 13-15, with penciled-in guests to be John DeLancie and Michael O'Hare. Hope to see you there!