Micheal French's  history of "IndyGear", a website and organization that's partly responsilbe for bringing fedora's and the Spirit of Adventure back into the Mainstream of Popular Culture, inspired by the Inidana Jones moives. Part IV – "Ship of Fellows, Fellowship Broken"...

"Ship of Fellows, Fellowship Broken"...

By Michael French

“Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis, and the rise of Club Obi-Wan, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, came Indiana Jones, destined to wear the rumpled fedora of Herbert Johnson upon a troubled brow. It is I, his Chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!”


And so they had all gathered together in unison, and built an empire of information and friendship unlike anything the Internet had ever seen.  Regularly did they meet across the country and also did they come face to face with the vendors.  The Michaelson Borsalino was on the horizon.  I, your chronicler, accompanied MK on many adventures to gun shows, desert excursions, and the Formosa Café.  This was the time of the great fire at Buchanan Arms, which luckily was thwarted thanks to a few lingering IndyGear members, specifically MK, Jun, Dan, Rundquist, Chamorro, and myself.   

Momentum built and quickly it was decided that all IndyGear members should come together for a great summit, to be held at the legendary ship, the Queen Mary, in Long Beach, California.  From across the country, they congregated to the massive ocean liner for a weekend of meetings, heartfelt greetings, the sharing of information and wisdom, and to bond in deeper friendships with drama and drink.  Alas, I, your chronicler, was a victim of fate on the first Queen Mary Summit.  For one who was always in the right place at the right time, there is always a moment when destiny must bring balance.

Truly, I was on the great ship, geared for adventure.  For shame, I was not wise in the workings of the floating palace, and could not find my way to my friends.  Briefly did I see Sergei, but then could not find my guests whom I had brought along.  In going to find them, I lost my IndyGear fellows again.  Never would I relocate them.  I searched the ship for over an hour, hearing rumors from other passengers of whip cracking on the main deck, great throngs of Indy-dressed individuals, and of misadventures with a wayward passenger known as “Heather.”  I left in defeat, with disgruntled guests in tow.

A few months afterwards, there were other gatherings in Griffith Park to crack whips with Sergei, Dan, Jonesy, and Jun.  This was the beginning of 3thousandbucks now accepted “turn” theory, though at the time many eyebrows were raised. 

I went with MK back to the Queen Mary for a small gathering sometime later, and had the pleasure of meeting The Edge.  Rundquist took pity on my misfortune with Peters Bros. and gave me his beautiful Federation, which I hold dear to this day.  It was, with exception of the Queen Mary, an unforgettable time.  But fate is not always kind, and soon, I, your chronicler, found it was time to leave California. 

MK asked to meet me at Buchanan Arms for a final drink and dinner.  To my surprise and humility, virtually everyone at IndyGear in California came to bid me farewell.  Patterson, Sergei, ReallyBigGuy, Rundquist, Jun, Dan, and likely a few I have forgotten, were all there, some having driven four hours to see me.  I was floored and will never forget such friendship, nor the opportunity to wear Jun’s massive, floppy Keppler.

IndyGear continued to thrive and the following May, it was time for Queen Mary II.  This time, I would be there.  The irony of it all!  Once a few miles from the ship and “unable” to attend.  Now, thousands of miles from her, and guaranteed to be there.  What a glorious weekend!  I finally met Michaelson, ITG, Dalexs, Minnesota Jones, Indiana Ken, and so many others.  At Sir Winston’s on the night of the massive banquet, I admit to being the most underdressed person there.  I think back and realize that I was seated at MK’s right and Michaelson’s left.  Once again, somehow there I was, in the right place at the right time.  Toasts were made by all, and Michaelson even snagged Renderking Fisk on speakerphone to take part in the festivities.  Michaelson and I conspired to translate the exotic menu in the hopes that we would find nourishment amongst the strange dishes.

Around the table were also Dalexs, Pyroxene, Sergei, Chamorro, Minnesota Jones, ReallyBigGuy, Rundquist, Ken, Dan, Jun, and the always lovely ITG amongst many others whom I remember but cannot name.  The weekend was one of whip cracking, joke cracking, and everlasting friendships.  Queen Mary II remains one of the fondest memories.

Soon afterwards, life returned to normal.  I, your chronicler, was far removed from the center of IndyGear, but in that time came the Indiana Jones DVDs.  Also there was another boon, the ability to finally meet Williamson, whom I had not heard from since the days of Indyfan. 

All eras pass on into memory, all good things must end.  MK has also moved away now, though not as far.  Rundquist is a whisper on the wind, and it has been countless ages since I have heard from Indiana Dan and Indiana Jun, who soon before his disappearance was known as Koreana Jones.  If you listen closely on a quiet night at Club Obi-Wan, you can still hear their voices and the echo of their footsteps in these hallowed halls that owe them so much.

The beauty of winter is in the anticipation of spring, and with the death of the old era comes the birth of the new.  Club Obi-Wan has passed into maturity and remains well populated with faces both old and new.  With the new come fresh perspectives from those like 3thousandbucks, and the veterans are now able to use their experience to provide for the rest like Fedora and his Adventurebilt Hats.  The more things have changed, the more they have remained so wonderfully the same.

I have met many new faces, including Michaelson’s children, Snakewhip Sable, BinkmeisterRick, Indiana Jerry, Feraud, Indiana Guybrush, Farnham54, ob1al, amongst the hundreds of others.  There are even a whole slew of new IndyGals, including Canyon and ElodieJones.  Even as Club Obi-Wan’s population grows, the quality of its members remains as strong as ever.  Queen Mary III was possible because of these new faces, and I expect Queen Mary IV is just over the horizon.

I, your chronicler, have warm memories of the past.  They were some of the best of times.  I have come back to find that same spirit here now.  It is a great time to be at Club Obi-Wan, and I have a strong feeling that the very best of times are yet to be had…

Warmest and sincerest regards to you all.

Your chronicler,
Michael David “Indy” French

 

NEXT – History of IndyGear: Dedications and Thanks
COMING SOONER – The Future of IndyGear (as written by my successor, whoever they may be)

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© Copyright 2005 – The Fedora Chronicles

Originally Posted March 3rd, 2005 - Revised May 9th, 2006
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