riskinghearts | AT4 "Reflections"

There isn't a fan event that quite captures the spirit of giving than a Gabit event. Just as 'sanctuary for all' is not an empty motto, neither is 'conventions are about people'. If you want a convention experience that keeps on giving long after the curtain call, go to a Gabit event.

AT4 is my third. And what a third! I thought nothing could ever top AT2... and then AT3 came. And again I came to believe that there wasn't anything that could be done to make a better Gabit...

... clearly I should learn to ignore my beliefs!

This was a weekend filled with so much strength, friendship, generosity, and laughter. Even as I sit writing, I get bowled over by the memory of the emotions at this event. Three Gabits ago I was overwhelmed because I was getting to meet the fantastic Amanda Tapping for the very first time. She was a hero to me at a time when I really wanted a hero. And there were tears of joy and amazement, and disbelief that this was actually happening to me.

And now three Gabits later, not one memory has left me. But there is so much more. Amanda Tapping, through Gabit, has allowed me to cement amazing friendships that I've almost forgotten were born by a common admiration for an incredible actress and person. When I'm lost, when I'm down, when I'm scared, when I'm excited, when I have news, when I've achieved, when I'm dreaming, when I'm planning, or when I've simply run out of blue jello - these friends are here comforting, hugging, bouncing, sharing, congratulating, advising, and giving.

And I am so honored and so blessed to have these people in my life and to have shared this incredible weekend with so many of them.

Actually, any nerves or unease I might've had during my wonderings if AT4 could live up to its predecessors evaporated when a very wet

pengyn(that'd be me in this tale) wheeled her suitcase into the lobby and was immediately leapt on by a squeeling

geekysam. Like bullets from a gun the hug fest began in quick rapid succession.

celandinehobbit and

samjackshiplove managed to get me before I got to the check in desk, whilst

neeplet- who couldn't wait for such mundane things as the swiping of credit cards - tackle hugged me from behind. Check in was delayed even longer because Chelle, Julia (samcarterrules), and Elaine (Chopingal) had all come over to say hello and a fresh round of hugs began.

So even before the Renaissance staff member had handed me my room key I had caught the infection of hugging madness and I knew that this weekend would be a keeper.

Saturday 14th November

Things kicked off at 8.30am. 270 audience members were buzzing in their seats waiting for the first question and answer session of the day. Becky of the G4 came on stage and greeted us before handing it over to the wonderfully gracious Amanda Tapping.

Q&A One

Q: What is your favorite drink and why?
AT: (brief pause with a slightly cheeky smirk) Water. Because it's so healthy. Water is very good for you. Alcohol is baaaad.

Q: Between Richard Dean Anderson and Robin Dunne, who "drops trow" the most?
AT: Robin Dunne. Rick would do it mostly for the shock value, but Robin seems to do it because he genuinely enjoys it. I think he's probably waiting for me to go "woooooo!" (she mimes pulling her shirt up to flash her chest) But no... not gonna happen.

She teases that it's her animal magnetism that makes men want to drop their pants around her.

Q: What does an Executive Producer do?
AT: (cheeky grin) Whatever I want.

Amanda spoke about her responsibilities as an EP. That she has a lot more to pay attention to. Script breakdowns, team meetings, being a mentor to younger actors, sound production, editing.

Q: Can you tell us about your experience on Ghost Hunters?
AT: She described the atmosphere of the fort they were in as very cold and filled with a sense of desperation. It was freaky. She was also hungry most of the time. After filming wrapped she asked the guys what they do now and they said "We go home. Go to sleep." Amanda went "What?!" She returned to her hotel, refusing to go to sleep. She turned on the television, every single light, and spent a lot of time on the phone to Allan (her husband).

Q: What is your most embarrassing moment on the Sanctuary set?
AT: We were shooting a scene and Robin has to swing his arm out to the side to stop us in our tracks and so his arm reaches out and his hand lands on my boob. And he just stays there, like he's almost afraid to move before patting around the area to check that - yep he really just did that.

Q: Who do you fangurl? And do you ever get nervous to talk to another "celebrity"?
AT: I recently got to sit at a Q&A with Carol Burnett and I was too afraid to ask her a question. My mom kept nudging me to say something and I just sat there shaking my head in fear. Carol Burnett has great legs by the way! She's like 70 years old and has amazing legs. I'm also a huge fan of Dawn French and the Vicar of Dibley and got to visit the set during the shooting for the final episode, I mean, how awesome is that. And when I met her I was speechless, and just stood there grinning like an idiot. So I really get the whole fandom thing.

Q: What is your fondest memory of spending time with your family and Olivia? Do you have a favorite music you enjoy listening to?
AT: I listen to a lot of children's music and watch a lot of kids movies. I recently had an invite to a go to a U2 concert with Damian (Kindler) and Robin (Dunne) but I turned it down because I promised Olivia that we would watch Bambi together. (laughs) You know the first time we saw it together I told Olivia that Bambi's mother ran away. (the audience goes "aww"). So, when we watched it the other day Olivia turns to me and says "No mummy, she's dead. She's like four!"

Q: How do you prepare yourself for intense and emotional scenes like the one in Eulogy?
AT: I'll often find myself a quiet corner to prepare. A "good" thing about filming Eulogy was that I was already a mess. It was also the last scene that we shot and you can see my eyes getting puffier and puffier with each take. I also cry a lot more now that I'm a mother. A good phone company ad makes me want to cry! I was lucky because it was an emotional time for Emilie and myself, and I actually got to cry whereas Emilie had to hold it together. And that was hard for her. I just went to my hormonal happy place! And I know there has been a huge fan reaction to Ashley's death, and we will find a way to bring her back. There are a lot of reasons behind the decision that was made, some of which you know, some of which you'll never know, but we definitely want to find a way to get Emilie back.

Q: If you could have an abnormal ability, which one would you like to have?
AT: I think teleportation. Even though it messes with your head a little. Not that you'd notice it with me! (laughter) Well this way I'd get to go anywhere in the universe without having to use a Stargate. I could teleport everywhere without having to go through airport security. I could take my tweezers! I always seem to get them confiscated!

Q: Sam Carter. Helen Magnus. Stuck in an elevator. What do they say to each other, particularly about their love lives?
AT: I'm in love with a man I can never have.
Me too!
So... Jack the Ripper eh?
He wasn't always like that.
My boyfriends all die around me.
My boyfriend's killed a lot of women!
(pause)
Boy I wish I was Amanda Tapping, men drop their pants around her!

She promised to think more about this and recruited Thomasina Gibson to an impromptu sketch on Sunday.

As is tradition, Gabit have to invent new and interesting ways to get Amanda off the stage for, as is tradition, Amanda resuses to go. After the 60 second countdown is up, a working mechanical Replicator appears on stage and proceeds to march up to Amanda and chase her off.

One thing I adore about this con is that you get to meet and hangout with so many fantastic people. No matter who you are, where you're from, what language you speak, you're made to feel welcome and included. Your time isn't wasted by being forced to stand in neverending queues, and that way you get to eat, drink, and be merry together. There's fun, and frolics, and photograph insanity. And your cheeks are hurting from laughing so much.

(chocolate party photo courtesy of Amy Maloney)

Saturday is Photo Ops day, and for most of the attendees it is the first time you get to talk to Amanda. This year was funny because Neep

neepletwas in front of me and my roomie Su (

sg1su ) was behind me. Whilst Neep was having her face time with Amanda, Su and I were chatting to Elain the steward and having a bit of a laugh so I didn't notice that Neep had moved on. Amanda was standing there with her hands on her hips and a big grin on her face. I saw the movement out of the corner of my eye and broke out into a goofy grin of my own. I had started towards her but her strides being bigger than mine, she'd made her way over to me already and wrapped me in a bear hug that lifted me off the ground. I started giggling and she laughed and asked how I'd been. Somewhere during our short exchange - because I'd gotten a bit teary and pointed at my eyes and said "No!" and Amanda pointed at them and said "No!" - I ended up telling her that I'm a little nostalgic because this would be my last con for what could be a long time. She asked me why and I told her that it was a good thing. That I wanted to go back to school and study and I needed the funds for that. She asked me what I wanted to study and I told her that I wanted to go to film school. She gave me a huge hug and told me that was awesome, then we swung round towards John "Flashbulb" Goode, and had the picture just like that.

Q&A Two

Q: Between Richard Dean Anderson and Chris Heyerdahl, who is the best kisser.
AT: Oooh. (thinks) You know it really is two very different experiences. With Rick and I, we were always goofing around beforehand because we are such good friends. And with Chris it's different because our characters are in a completely different relationship than Sam and Jack were. With Druitt, there is a lot of passion. I mean it's a tough thing to do but my job is to kiss all of these handsome men!

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, what three things would you take with you? And what three things would Sam and Helen take with?
AT: Is my family there?
Q: Yes.
AT: Is my mom there?
Q: Yes.
AT: And my dog?
Q: Yes.
AT: I'd take my guitar, a journal, and a camera. I think Helen would take a journal... a tea-pot of course!... and a microscope. Sam would take a telescope... Jack... and a fishing rod.

The funny thing about Sam's items was that most of the audience said "Jack" alongside her.

Q: You seemed to take a lot of risks with your character in the short film "Stuck", How did you prepare for that?
AT: I did a lot of research into addiction. JR and I dressed down and walked East Hastings street in Vancouver where people were literally shooting up in the alley, and there's an air of desperation and hopelessness. And then when we were done we got in our cars and drove home, and I felt like a bit of a jerk.

Q: Why, with all of the blue jello that Sam has eaten over the years, have we never seen Sam with a blue tongue?
AT: Really?! I have no idea! I was always walking around showing off my blue tongue to the crew.

Apparently in the early days of Stargate they brought her all of this desert to choose from and she chose blue jello because it seemed particularly un-Sam like. Eventually the crew stopped asking her what desert she wanted because she always chose the jello, so they would automatically have it ready for her.

Q: Was there any 'puff and ruffle' on the SGA set?
AT: Joe was always playing it cool, whilst Jason is just so devastatingly handsome that he only had to walk on set and women forgot their names. David Hewlett... was not very subtle.

Q: Was there a significance to the fruitloops in Continuum? How they were the wrong brand, and it's relation to Jack?
AT: You know before they thought of fruitloops, Sam was constantly picking up phallic objects. They were like "Oh look, Sam's pickin' up a cucumber. Sam's pickin' up a banana. I mean come on! But yes, Sam chose the fruitloops because she missed Jack.

Q: I read on IMDB that you were once in a play called "Boeing Boeing", can you tell us about that?
AT: The play is a farce involving a lot of quick entrances and exits. Amanda played one of the stewardesses and originally the run was only meant to be for a few weeks but got extended for a few months and by the end of it all, Amanda was the only one still happy and bouncy about it all. One of the actors hated the show so much they would deliberately change the lines or use one from a later act. Everyone always had to be on their toes and try to find a way to bring it back to the scene that they were in.

Q: I read somewhere that you and Allan have your own toolboxes?
AT: Yes that's true. Allan is a carpenter and has his own tools. So I like to have my own tools and Allan doesn't get to use them. I have all of these little tools and he never puts them back where they belong! I get to touch his little tools though.

(pause. Amanda starts to giggle. The audience breaks out into hysterics. Amanda tries to save herself by talking about a "big tool" instead which only sends us, and her, into further stiches.

Q: Can you tell us about the Sanctuary episode that you directed.
AT: Yes! I direct the episode "Veritas". It has some very cool shots and my directing style is very similar to Martin Wood's. I like moving cameras and don't like to use a lot of one shots. So there're a lot of dolly shots and crane shots. And in this episode Magnus is slowly going insane which parallels with me slowly going insane between acting, directing, and being an executive producer all at the same time!

Q: Someone congratulated Amanda on her Gemini nomination.
AT: Amanda didn't think she'd win and told us she thought that Erin Karpluk, the actress who stars in "Being Erica" would take home the statue. She was very gracious about it, and very praiseful about the actor. She did say that if she won, Martin Wood was going to go up on stage and pretend to be her. "Yes. The camera does WONDERS for me!"

Naturally Amanda didn't move at the end of the session, so the big screen threated that she'd have to wear her full "Emancipation" costume if she didn't. It was waiting for her in the green room. This I can believe as I know it was auctioned at AT1, and it's very likely that one of the attendees was the owner. Amanda made a hasty exit!

The Auction

Julia Hague of the G4 kicked off the auction with words that already had my lip wobbling. Gabit had prepared a video to Celine Dion's "Prayer", and nothing could have tugged at heartstrings more than that song and children's faces. Amanda came up on stage, she was very teary and said "I'm not usually this emotional before Sunday!" I know that I was blinking away tears so I wouldn't be surprised if there were more people searching for those tissues stashed within our events bag.

Amanda spoke about the two charities that we would be raising money for this weekend - Hearing Dogs for the Deaf (which Amanda said would always be a part of a Gabit event) and her new initiative Sanctuary for Kids. S4K is a foundation that provides sanctuary to children who do not live with the right of safety. The charity believes in safety, care, and protection for every child. It exists to make a difference to children's lives. The money raised goes directly to the charities they support. The Nepal Orphans Home and the Watari TYPP program are the charities that were chosen to launch S4K.

The Nepal Orphans Home, supports 150 children in Nepal and the
Watari TYPP program, is a program helping to stabilize parenting homeless teens in Vancouver. Watari provides start up kits to these youth, allowing them to equip their homes with basic essentials.

Amanda spent time detailing where our donations go to. She also mentioned that earlier in the year a group of four women helped launch S4K with their donation, and as I sat there I couldn't help but feel incredibly honored to have been a part of that. I know how great the need is, and I'm blown away by how much good has come of it.

The auction itself was, once again, a fantastic affair. The generosity and desire to help was overwhelming and beautiful.

Legends Memorabilia got Mr Dean Anderson on the phone once more and he and Amanda had us falling off our chairs. He said "Hello" and the room erupted in cheers. There was a pause before he asks Amanda - "Are you in the bathroom?" We all laugh and then he says "What are you wearing?" Amanda tells him that she's with a group of very good people raising a lot of money for charity. There's a pause on the line before Rick says - "What are their names?" As one Amanda instructs us to call out our names to which Rick goes "What?" Amanda asks him what he's doing. Rick says "I'm in California enjoying the warmth and sunshine. Amanda replies with: We're in England, enjoying the worst storm of the year.

Amanda nudges Rick with the idea of auctioning off one or two phone calls with himself. "Sure, whatever you want babe." The audience explodes and Amanda cries "Let's start the bidding for a phone call with Mr Richard Dean Anderson. MacGyver, MacGimic, MacGadget. We're all dying of laughter and Rick goes "What? I lost you there for a bit." Amanda cries "What! You just missed my best stuff!"

"Thank you so much, bless you." Amanda tells him.
"You'll pay for it later." he replies.

(photo courtesy of Susanne Praetorius

My friend, and adopted aunt EH-T entertained the entire audience by making Amanda run for higher bids. At one point an item was going for £800. Amanda was at the back and on the opposite side of the room when EH-T yelled "810 if you run."

Now. At AT3 someone asked Amanda to talk a bit about being a Drum Majorette and whether or not she would twirl a baton for charity. One of the pieces in the convention's opening video was a clip of Amanda saying "Yes. I would twirl a baton for charity."

Cut to the auction. Becky halts the proceeding and presents Amanda with two batons. Almost immediately she blows on a whistle and states that they have to adhere to protocol 47 because Gabit takes their safety procedures very seriously. Out come the Gabit staff in hardhats decorated with the most bizzare of ornaments, and round goes a traditional bucket run. Anyone who had spare change to give could throw it into the bucket - many people were throwing notes in as well! And thus Amanda twired batons. Awesomely. Is there anything she cannot do!

(photo courtesy of Susanne Praetorius)

There was so much good spirit in the air afterwards. And there are so many children that will benefit from that spirit.

The Abnormal's Ball

This was a con dance to outshine all con dances. Everybody looked fantastic, and what a brilliant idea to make it fancy dress. I think Becky said on Sunday that they'd never had such an amazing turn out, and it truly was an awesome party. I went as Lara Croft - boots, guns, and grenades. My flatmate Vee (another con attendee) and I had fun camera whoring out in the hall. She was dressed as a fabulous ring master of the freakshow. There were a lot of Lara Croft blooper moments because my grenades kept dropping off my gun belt!

Inside the hall was a sea of fabulous excitement. There were masks and blue jello. There were costumes and glitter. There were cameras and dancing and fun.

Hannah (

tittamiire ) had made a fantastic crypt keepers costume. She'd made the mask out of papier mache and when she wore it, it was more than a little freaky. I would not want to meet that on a cold dark night!

We danced the night away and perhaps this one time, the story is best told with pictures and not words:

Sunday 15th November

Amanda jogs up onto stage bright eyed and cheerful. She announces that she didn't win the Gemini, to which we all "aww". Her prediction about Erin Karpluk winning was spot on. Damian and Robin spent most of the night texting her - apparently they have no concept of time zones! She jokingly adds - "If I had a dollar for every time someone beat me to an award... I'd have a dollar."

Q&A Three

Q: Would you ever do something like "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here"?
AT: No. Because it would take me away from my family, and I cherish every moment I have with them. I mean, I'd win it, obviously. But it's no my bag.

Q: I read a recent interview where you spoke about how it would be silly to think that in 158 years, Helen had only been with men. And I wanted to thank you for that because not a lot of people would have had the courage to admit something like that. Can you talk about that a little?
AT: Absolutely. You know it would have been boring if Helen had only been with men for over a century. When we were first fleshing out Helen's character, I'd sit with Damian and Martin and they would be listing all of these great and famous men that Magnus had known and bedded, and I was like "but what about these women?" and they were like "oh... yeah cool."

She mentioned Amelia Earhart specifically because Amanda finds her fascinating. She admits that one of the reasons why the image in the opening credits has changed from Albert Einstein to Amelia is due to that very conversation. Of course... the people in charge of Amelia's estate don't quite know THAT reason! She also said it would be nice to explore this side of Helen, and she could choose her guest star because she's an executive producer.

She also mentioned how one day Damian mentioned that Helen was now 158. He figured that she was 157 when they started out so she has to be 158 by now. Amanda turns to him and says "What, no cake?"

Q: Have you conquered your fear of heights?
AT: I thought the best way to get over my fear of heights is to... jump out of plane.

Amanda describes the pre-jump training and how if you could jump and roll and land on both feet so that you didn't snap your ankles, that you were ready to leap out an aircraft. She was also the first jumper so she couldn't geek out because everyone behind her was waiting to follow. She jumped, tried not to look down, and deployed her shute. Just as she's nearing the ground a wind sweeps her and drags her into a freshly cut field! She can't slow down and she can't stop, so she's being cut and scraped by rough stalks, poor thing! However, she was incredibly proud of her jump and when she got home, Allan was up on the roof repairing something and asked her to bring him up a tool he'd forgotten... everyone starts giggling again... and she's all like "pshh this is easy. Just jumped out of an airplane." So she climbs up the ladder and gives him the tool, she turns around to go back down and starts to have a panic attack from being so high up.

She fastforwards to "Trio" and shooting the scene with David and Jewel. Now their characters were supposed to be afraid of heights and yet as actors they're climbing around like monkeys. Poor Amanda froze during filming on the beam. Martin is near her and she whispers to him "I-can't-move." Jewel asks her if something is wrong and she whispers again "I-can't-move." And Jewel tilts her head and says "Aww... honey." Eventually the stunt man had to come and get her and the tears were rolling down her face.

Amanda took a long time telling this story so eventually she says "Did I answer the question?" and she giggles a little. "Have I conquered my fear of heights? No."

Q: How do you approach or deal with scenes of nudity on Sanctuary, particularly for Clara.
AT: Amanda is very careful with nudity. She says it is absolutely important that the actress feels comfortable with everything she is doing. She said that the actress who plays Clara was fine with everything, but Amanda still made sure she had constant eye contact with her to ensure she wasn't just saying that. Amanda was upfront with how they were going to film it, and also told us that they have a very limited crew during such scenes.

She makes a comparison to the shower scene in "Pavor Nocturnus". It was one of the hardest nights of filming for both her, and the crew. Most of the crew just couldn't be present for filming, but she told us that a big part of the reason why she could film that scene is because she feels entirely safe with her cast and with her crew. That they are like a family, encouraging and supportive.

Q: Are you still finding that people treat you differently now that you're a brunette?
A: Yes. People speak more quickly to me now.

For those who might not know, Amanda was fearful that Olivia might not adjust to the new hair color and used Magnus' wig to let her get used to the idea. Olivia adjusted quickly and came to like it. However there was a time where there was something Olivia wanted and Amanda said "no", so Olivia turned around and said "I don't like your hair mummy."

Q: Other than being an actor and an EP on Sanctuary, do you have any hobbies? Things you like to do with you family?
A: I enjoy playing guitar. I have an acoustic. Olivia and I sit and play songs and sing together. I'm not great, but it's something that we like to do together. (Amanda lowers her eyes and points her finger at the G4) I would never play guitar for charity.

Uh oh. Amanda should have left the stage on time, otherwise we wouldn't have had to face a hungry, grinning, velociraptor.

Sunday is traditionally Autograph day where you get two items signed by Amanda. I was the last one in the line before the lunch break and the last Q&A. Julia Hague signed the copy of her book I'd bought. It's called "You is for Unique" and I recommend ANY woman to go to Amazon and buy this book. If ever there was a book that women should read, this is it. A percentage of the proceeds goes to Sanctuary for Kids, so not only are you purchasing a great read but you're helping children who desperately need that help. This book raised £1000 for the charity during AT4.

Amanda signed a picture of Annelies (

samjackshiplove

samjackshiplover), Antoa (

geekysam ),my adopted Aunt EH-T, myself, and AT on Magnus' couch taken during our set tour earlier this year. She also signed my Vancouver Creation Con photo op and had some fun paging through my - very nearly full! - con journal. I gave the journal to Julia to write in (I always try to get as many people as I can to write messages inside of it) and that gave me an little opportunity to talk to Amanda more. She asked me if we'd enjoyed ourselves on set and I told her that the opportunity to see a working set gave me so much inspiration and a drive to learn more. She thanked me (as well as Lies, Antoa, and EH-T) for what we'd done to help launch S4K and I told her that it was honor, and I thanked her for the amazing opportunity and the graciousness with which they'd opened up their "home" to us. Before I said goodbye she added that this was only my last con for "a little while". And that meant a lot.

Q&A Four

Q: Which Beatle?
AT: John. Or George. Actually it would be funny if someone asked Helen that question and she said "Well Ringo, of course."

Q: What was your favorite costume to wear?
AT: My combat fatigues.

She, Chris, and Michael all "permanently borrowed" their uniforms when Stargate SG1 ended its run.

Q: I just wanted to remind you of the Sam/Helen elevator skit you wanted time to think about... just in case you had forgotten.
AT: I was hoping YOU had!

Thomasina Gibson - author of the Stargate companions and friend to Amanda - joins Ms Tapping on stage. Thomasina announces that she wants to play "the pretty one." She takes on the role of Sam, and Amanda plays Helen. There really aren't enough words to describe how funny this scene was, and I really wish my brain was functioning well enough to remember all of it. I can only recall a fraction of it, and most is through being jogged by other memories post con.

Helen: Nice boots.
Sam: Thank you, it's for the job.
Helen: Sexy.

Helen: So have you got someone waiting outside?
Sam: Yeah... you could say that. His name's Jack. You?
Helen: I've got a Jack too! Sort of...
Sam: Is he good? Romantic?
Helen: ...More like - kinky.

Sam: So what does he do?
Helen: He likes to... rip things.
Sam: Jack the ripper?
Helen: Yes. What does yours do?
Sam: He... fishes.
Helen: Jack the fisher?

Helen: Does he build things?
Sam: Yes. If you give him a stick of gum.

Q: You seem to be more open about the possibilities of Sam and Jack being together now. What has influenced your decision? If you think back to the early seasons where you were very vocal about Sam and the feminist angle and compare it to an episode like Grace where Sam seemed to be defined by a man and a child. Was that problematic for you?
AT: Actually, no. Sam had an interesting evolution. She buried herself in being a scientist and being a soldier, and it took seven seasons to realize that she wanted more. She couldn't be with Jack then, but there is nothing stopping them from being together now. Why I believe it is because they are no longer in the same chain of command. Sam commands the Hammond and doesn't answer directly to Jack. Jack in turn, doesn't give her direct orders. So the issue of the regs no longer applies, and they are free to be with each other. I also think bringing it back to the issue of feminism and how they wrote Sam in season one, that women have so much strength and it is not about rallying war cries with feminist arguments. We have more to give than that.

Q: Will we learn more about Helen, because no one knows exactly what the source blood did to her?
AT: Yes there is a lot more to Helen than her longevity.

One day we will learn what that is.

Q: Welcome to Twitter. Does the Internet scare you at all? Because on the one hand people can be very supportive, but on the other people can be unnecessarily cruel.
AT: Amanda likes the idea of Twitter because she can be very direct with it, and it feels more innocent than facebook or other social networking sites where she might constantly feel like she's letting people down. Her opinion about the Internet is that it often gives people a platform to say what they want without consequence. She feels that if you're going to say something, then own it. Make sure that when you say something about someone else online, that you'd be prepared to say that exact same thing to their face.

The Gabit 60 second counter has long since expired, and Amanda has shown no signs of moving. Luckily the Gabit crew are prepared for such things, and the big screen instructs Amanda that she will now be forced to sing... to The Lonely Goatherd. Up comes the scene from The Sound of Music and whilst Amanda is distracted trying to follow the lyrics, a hoard of crew come skipping up the aisle dressed in lederhosen and looking very hysterically Swiss. They hand Amanda a singing goat puppet, and together they try to laugh, sing, and yodle their way through "High on a hill there's a lonely goatheard yodle-ay yodle-ay yodle-ay ee oo."

(above pictures courtesy of Susanne Praetorius)

The audience had long since died of laughter.

The Closing Ceremony

Goodbyes are not something that I do well. As the Closing Ceremony neared. I was already fighting to keep the tears at bay. When Becky came up on stage and reminded us that the tissues they'd supplied in the registration pack were not simply for those of us who had colds and that we should probably get them somewhere handy, mine were already on my lap. She also let us know that everyone in the room would be offered a ticket to AT5 when the time comes, and if we want it. I looked at the slip of paper in my hand asking me for my name and email, and there was pretty much zero hesitation I scribbled it so fast. 18 months seems to be a good amount of "little while". Either that or I'm the girl who cried "Con!"

The final video of the convention contained images and clips from the weekend. If there's one thing to learn, it's never say never at a Gabit con. That, and don't get on the wrong side of the Tech team. In a skillful piece of editing, Amanda is now on tape as saying "I will play guitar for charity."

Julia came up on stage afterwards for her final words and by then I was beyond pretending that I wasn't crying. She spoke of the generosity and compassion of Amanda's fans and that she knows Amanda would never take that credit. But because of her, because of her kindness and warmth and spirit, she has brought us together. We started out with one commonality, that we were fans of Amanda. But from that have born friendships that have become more than that one thing. Julia said that "Amanda inspires each and every one of her followers to take up the mantle of compassion and use it to make other's lives more liveable, more comfortable or just plain safe."

People just... gave. And continued giving. The Gabit staff were inundated with people just pushing bills into their pockets... because we all knew that there are people - children - in this world who need it so much more.

When Amanda came up on stage for the unveiling of just how much money was raised... oh my word it was mind blowing. The figures came up on screen until the final total was revealed. It was incredible, and beautiful, and awesome.

They unveiled the cheques for the Hearing Dogs (£8923.01) and Sanctuary for Kids (£15, 630.23). The money raised for the dogs meant that Gabit could buy their ninth dog and are half way towards their tenth. Moments later Legends Memorablia let Gabit know that they will make up the difference to allow Gabit to buy that dog. Amanda, through her tears, credited the fans for making S4K possible. She said "You have no idea how many children this is going to help. Thank you so, so much."

She wished us safe journies and with that AT4 came to an end.

I got to spend that evening in the company of some truly incredible Samandans. We ate, reminisced, and laughed some more. To everybody I met, hugged and bounced with, thank you so much for making this an absolutely memorable and wonderful event. And to Gabit Events for once again pulling out all of the stops and giving us a fantastic event. Because the friendships and the closeness between us exists through events like yours. These friendships are genuine and awesome and I really do often forget that Amanda Tapping was the seed of it all. So thank you for watering these seeds. Honestly - best Gabit ever!

Mood nostalgic

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

samjackshiplove.livejournal.com

Beste gabit ever!!

I didn't read all of your report yet (cause you know ... I was there lol), but wow ... looks great. How did you remember so much from the Q&A's?! Sanna and I are working on them as well ... weird how soon you forget!

Wish we were back there ... *sigh* Though, the memory will last me a long time :)

I didn't know you talked with Amanda again about our tour ... nice! And well said too, it was an honor. And love your pic with her, I think it's your best yet!

*hugs*

From:

AT4 "Reflections" - Convention Report

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