My thoughts on the convention.
I had a great time in general. I met lots of nice people also. The guests were all very nice and amusing. I especially enjoyed Misha, Richard, Jim, Rob and Alona. It was nice to get away from real life for a while. Jared and Jensen were still the highlight on Sunday that they always tend to be.
It seems the people I met were smokers that I met outside in the front area having a break. I enjoy on a regular basis just talking to people that I see. At the event the organizers took care to try to efficient with the exception of the autographs for Jim Beaver things ran smoothly. I think there were just a lot of people waiting and it took quite a long time.
Friday, November 13, 2009
I arrived at the event on Friday morning before noon to check in. My roomie, Sareca, drove from Kentucky so it took her a while to get there. I was lucky to only have to ride from about an hour and half away. I went early because I didn’t have a Sunday ticket and had hoped they would open up some on.
Friday morning. I got into the line and waited to see if I would be able to get that needed ticket. I was told that they were all sold out so I was a bit irritated. It wasn’t just that they didn’t have the ticket that made me sad but the way I received the news. The woman didn’t seem to care much that there weren’t any more tickets it was all in a day’s work for her. It’s not like I was unaware that they were supposed to be sold out but had the rumor they could open up a few of them.
After receiving the bad news, I wondered around and spoke with a few people. I also brought down to the lobby where I could get the free wifi. The internet was slow so I called up to find Terri to see if she was available to talk. I met Terri last year at the same convention. She is a lady from the Supernatural forum. She is very nice but was still resting since she arrived the night before.
Since I had checked in already it didn’t take long to get seated before Alona Tal took the stage. Alona who is petite seemed to have a feisty personality. She thinks that it’s good that her character, Jo, has matured from the first time she appeared in NO EXIT. I agree that it would have been bad for Jo to stay immature not only in hunting but in life. She didn’t mention her relationship with Dean but she said that she was going to appear in the upcoming tenth episode this coming week. I can’t recall if she mentioned anything real spoilery about the episode but most of them stayed clear of giving too much information on episodes.
After Alona, Traci Dinwiddie took the stage. She came across as a down home southern girl. She was amusing but to be honest later on when we had time to listen to her speak (I will explain more about what happened later) I was less impressed. Keep in mind this is my opinion. I don’t know how to say that and it be nice but I’m sure she is a nice person I guess I just felt that she had an over the top personality that might not be completely genuine. During her question and answer session we did learn a few things about her. I won’t give detail because the videos are all over the internet and now and more fun to view then just reading it. I can’t think of a quote that stuck out enough to add here.
That night I went outside for another smoke during the Karaoke event. I suddenly felt a bit lonely even though I was surrounded by a bunch of people. Being a HSP (highly sensitive person) this can happen from time to time. As I was going out I saw Dakota the booking agent for Richard Speight (Trickster). I met him at the convention last year. He had been attempting to find me a Sunday ticket just like several other had been.
I told him that I still had no ticket and he reached for his phone. For a moment, I thought that he was being rude and ignoring me but after a moment of his texting he spoke. He told me that there was someone who had a gold ticket they were trying to sell. I mentioned to him that I had a price limit because the Sunday ticket was only seventy five dollars. I mentioned that I could go as high as one hundred and twenty because thankfully my husband had given a bit more so I would not have to be in a crunch and could have fun. Dakota told me that he would let me know when he heard something. I thanked him and he went back inside. I admit I was a bit hopeful at that time but not completely sure it would happen.
I talked to a young lady, Monica from Venezuela, after he walked away. She was nice and at the con by herself.
Back inside I told my roomie the news. We talked for a few minutes then I saw Dakota roaming the room. He seemed to be looking for someone. I wondered if it was me but he stopped to talk to a few people, did a little dance as I watched him and wondered if I should go ask him. It didn’t’ take long for him to find me and tell me that the woman with him was the woman who had the ticket.
It was kind of funny because he said, “I feel like I am setting up a drug deal,” before he walked off. Long story short I bought the ticket, it was a gold ticket for the front row. I was calmly ecstatic. Anyone that knows me understands that I tend to be happier inside than visually but it was almost overwhelming. It was kind of like meeting Jensen and Jared the first time, a hard thing to explain.
I felt a lot better after I had the ticket. My spirits were lifted and I stayed in the bar a couple of more hours with Terri after my roomie went off to bed. The karaoke was fun but I didn’t sing, my roomie did she was pretty good. There were lots of people and it seemed most were having a good time. The songs were mostly older tunes that most knew though I didn’t understand some of the words. Alona sang with a couple of other girls some song called Cranberries. Traci sang something by Loretta Lynn, I think since she is performing as her in a play.
Saturday, November, 14, 2009
The next morning we got up a bit early because I didn’t want to miss anything. I was the proverbial kid in the candy shop. To have a front row (row A) gold ticket with all the perks was totally fun. I drank my herbal tea then my roomie and I headed down stairs before ten o’clock. The Saturday crowd was more than the Friday which was expected. Richard Speight Jr. was the first speaker after the winning music video was shone. I have to say the winning music videos were really well done.
The highlight of Richard’s session was his story about finding a pair of pumpkin colored men’s underwear in his trailer. It was hilarious the way he told it, again it would be better to watch the video. The gist of it was he found a pair and they were not his. He asked around and no one had any idea of whose they might be. IN the end he hung them on a board somewhere and Misha claimed them. The story goes that Misha, who must share a trailer with Richard since Richard isn’t around all the time, spilled something on himself and had to undress in the trailer. The underwear was left behind by mistake possibly by the person who did the laundry. The funny part was also that Misha had been given the underwear by a fan. Well maybe that was the funny part to me, the whole story was just “wrong” in a weird way. I admit I love the way that Richard tells stories.
The next person up was Aldis Hodge (Jake in season one and Hardison on Leverage). He was funny in a calmer sort of way. He answered questions about both shows and seemed excited to be there. The fun part of his time was that he called his girlfriend after a fan asked if he had plans for a family. He held the phone up so his girl could hear us and she seemed surprised that he was hanging out with so many people. That was really a cute moment in his session.
After a break where they showed another music video and we waited while people took pictures with Richard we had another speaker. This time it was Steve Carlson. I can’t say I remember Steve in a real positive way from last time but this time he seemed almost sweet definitely endearing. He spoke of his band and his lifestyle. Nothing comes to mind that stood out too much.
I do have to emphasize that I did enjoy each of the speakers they were captivating in a way and having such a close spot it was a bit overwhelming at moments. I know they are just people but hey it was nice. I am glad that I was able to go without a doubt.
There were photo opportunities, a lunch break and an auction before Jim Beaver’s turn.
I had seen Jim when he arrived the night before. I was shocked to see that he was tall and slim. I always imagined Bobby as shorter and a bit stocky. I guess it’s the clothes that he wears on the show.
Jim told us a bit about his life. He mentioned his wife’s cancer and that he had a child. I was surprised he didn’t tear up at that point but it has been a couple years or more. I can’t think of anything that stood out I will have to watch his video again for that. Misha came by before Jim was done and asked him why he hadn’t dressed for the occasion because Misha wore a three piece soup. Not sure exactly what Jim said but Misha went away with a smile.
Misha Collins was the last speaker for the day. Misha surprised me because having not seen him before on stage I was unprepared for his beauty in a way. His dry wit was so hilarious that I have totally become one of his followers. I knew he was funny in his tweets but the way he spoke off the cuff and could answer questions with such a solemn face as he said things that were amusing floored me. I think he would make a great stand-up comedian. He mentioned his time in the white house and how he got bored. His original plan or so he said was to be a senator. I cannot be certain that was serious or just a joke because most of his answers could not be taken serious at all. He told one young lady he hated Australia even though it was her country luckily the girl had a sense of humor and gave him a bit of his own humor back. Richard showed up to mention the underwear and Misha insisted they were not threadbare as Richard had told us. The room was of course full of laughter at that.
Side note: My friend watched some of Misha’s interview and declared that he was gay, I have no idea why she would say that but she also found him amusing.
Misha also explained that he and Dean both try to one up one another on making their voices lower in the scenes together. He also said in the episode with the whoopee cushion that all three of them had thought initially that the prop was a bad idea. However when they began to shoot the scene the three of them couldn’t stop laughing and it worked out find despite them having phoned Eric to get the scene changed.
That night I was able to attend the Dessert Party with the talent (actors). Richard, Aldis, Misha and Traci came by. They gave us dessert and we ate it before the actors showed up. We had three minutes with each one and there were about ten of us at the table. Misha came by our table first and he saw right away that the person sitting beside me had something strange on her plate. It was pieces of melon cut up. He said it looked really gross. We laughed because he was talking about her melons, but not sure if he got the joke. He asked us what we had been discussing; I can’t remember what it was but I did tell him I had been dozing. “You have a great sense of self preservation,” he said. I agreed with him.
Aldis was our second guest at our table. He spoke with the lady who had made our centerpiece for the contest. The three minutes went by so fast I do not remember much else.
Richard came to the table next and he wanted to know if we were Misha fans basically. We generally agreed with like the Trickster but Richard accused us of saying that to him and he thought we would also tell Misha we liked Castiel. It was all in good fun though, that guy is hilarious. The time went by too fast in all the visits but especially for me his was short.
Traci was the last person that came by. She seemed outgoing and friendly but like I said earlier it was a bit over the top for me. She told a story about her handler person who had smoked a hookah with her. The lady had really enjoyed it and not wanted to give it back. We all got a laugh out of that then it was time for her to go.
Each one asked how we were enjoying the convention and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves also.
I found out on Sunday some time that Jim Beaver had come down to the Dessert Party late after we had left I was sad to have missed him but luckily I had already taken my photograph with him. It would have been nice to have few more minutes to listen to him since he was gone on Sunday.
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Things I missed from the two previous days:
I thought Traci on stage was just fine. She was entertaining and she had sort of a home girl persona going on. It was funny and for me a bit unexpected since I had never seen her before. However at the table during the Dessert get together that same persona seemed forced in a smaller group. It’s just that the guys all seemed to me to be more grounded and real. It could all be that I am just more into guys then women too; I don’t know.
Saturday I registered my gold ticket and received my commemorative shot glass with supernatural written on it. I also received the special red water proof wristband that for some reason I am still wearing. Update: I took it off when I found my other bracelet :)
A few of the updgrades I received from my preferred general admission I had on Friday where: personalized autographs from Aldis, Richard, Misha and Jim. The Dessert Party and the Sunday Breakfast with the guys as well as being seated in rows A-L.
I think I would want gold again if I had the chance but I would also take Silver or general now that I have experienced them all. The fact is being around the fans who understand the obsession makes it worth going at any level.
During Saturday photo ops I took a picture with Jim Beaver. It was a really quick event as usually but the photographer (Chris) asked me to come back because I blinked which was nice of him. He could have just as easily blown it off and I would have had a bad picture for my forty five dollars. I had no idea what was on Jim’s tee shirt until I picked up the photo that night; it was an anti smoking message. Something about there are cooler ways to die. I am a smoker so that was ironic of course there were quite a few of us there.
During the autographs with all the guys that afternoon, Jim signed first. I had him write on the back of my gold pass. He wrote: to France, love and luck.
ON the other side of the stage were Aldis, Misha and Richard. Aldis remembered me from facebook before he apologized for not going often to that site. I told him not to worry about it, of course. I had Misha sign a picture to my friend that loves him so much, he smiled at that before he thanked me for coming. Richard was last in the autograph line, he wrote Viva La France above his name on the supernatural shirt I had Aldis sign. “Dakota is awesome,” I said to him and I think he just smiled. Dakota is Richard’s booking agent and the young man that found me the ticket.
Dakota YOU ROCK
I mentioned this earlier but the autographs for Jim produced a long line. Jim had been sick the week before and I was not convinced he was totally well. Now and again he would take a break. It was kind of amusing to see everyone in groups doing things to keep from getting bored during the wait. Some people played games, surfed the web, talked, slept I think, listened to music and well of course smoked off and on. I hung out with my roomie a while, she had general admission, until Terri called to tell me I needed to get down to the Dessert Party area that was around ten o’clock or so.
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Sunday, November 15, 2009
I got up early Sunday for the Breakfast with “the boys.” I met up with all the other gold ticket people downstairs in the same room as where we had the Dessert Party. We ate first and the boys arrived at nine. They looked perky for so early though I think Jensen was a little punchy. Jared irritated him by playing with the microphone which made noise. Jared seemed to want to figure out why it made noise and Jensen just wanted him to settle down to focus on what they were doing. This was a theme for the day, I warn you.
They answered a few questions and chatted among themselves like usual.
At one point near the end, they told a story about Samantha Ferris. It was in response to someone asking them about the weapons on the show. They said while they rehearsed for the upcoming episode (10), Samantha’s gun got stuck. She started waving it around trying to get help and everyone was ducking as they explained she needed to point the gun downward. It was a pretty funny story though it could have turned out badly for anyone in her way since she had live ammo in her gun.
Someone asked about their portrayal of the CSI guy, Caruso in Changing Channels. Jensen said that they found a video on you tube that had all the information they needed and it took all of thirty seconds to go over it. “we nailed it,” he concluded. Jared’s version of Caruso looked like Jim Carrey playing him according to someone they knew; everyone laughed. They were pretty funny. The plane crash line and the no talent douche bag lines were improvised adds by Jensen in the Changing Channels episode.
Jensen talked about making “The End” where he had to play two parts. He had his stunt guy read the lines with him but in the end he had to play both parts. He said it was mind boggling to do the scene without reacting with Jared. He said he had to do one side of the conversation then remember what the other person would be saying and how future Dean would be reacting. It sounded really complicated. I think that I thought he would do one side completely then react to it that way. Of course he is the professional so the way he did it worked best.
Chad Everett, older Dean, watched Jensen work for a little bit. Jensen had time off while Chad took his turn working. Jensen said, “I read the script and was like four days off, woohoo, no opportunity for an actor.” Chad had asked him if he had considered doing the older dean role.
In an upcoming episode they have to act insane but for them that is normal, so it doesn’t take much for them to get inside. I thought that sounded like a cool episode.
They also got new bikes from the ones they used to ride around set, the little scooters were their own. They upgraded to some for their own size. The smaller ones were weight rated for hundred twenty pound and for people under thirteen year olds. They have ones now that actually get Jared around set.
Cloudyvisions channel at you tube has very good quality videos.
Cliff was there also the guy that played Tiny in Folsom County Blues. I took a picture with him later while we waited for the autographs to be completed.
They also used crumpled Oreos instead of grass for the Lazarus Rising scene where he comes up out of the coffin. Jensen said he got the Oreos in his ears and he was pulling Oreos out of his ears for a week. He forgot to put his earplugs in. They had told him they cleaned all the bugs out of the dirt for him but they decide to use the other.
They asked about season six but Jensen said he wasn’t sure but they were going to have the hundredth episode party in late January. They won’t know anything till probably around May not long before everyone else.
I don’t want to go over everything because again the vids are better. I will say I was more relaxed this time having them in the room. I sat at a table in the middle and had a great spot. Last time I was just numb. I was glad they made it safely and looked forward to them on stage.
---Sunday early afternoon---
They left the breakfast to go to their photo ops. I left to go wait since they were next up on stage in the main ballroom.
They come on stage with everyone screaming like usual. Jared insisted that we should also ask Jensen questions. Just as if we wouldn’t of course he was kidding. I was sitting on their right side and I tried not to stare but I kept my eyes on Jared when I thought Jensen was looking at me. I kept playing with my ring even though I wasn’t nervous I just felt weird about staring at him. It took a while before our eyes met. It was funny I think he was avoiding looking directly at me but I was the darkest person on the front row so it had to be hard. It could have been that he remembered me from before; I am not sure.
Jensen said they would keep coming to fan convention as long as we would show up at them. Jared said it all stops when we the fans want it to stop. I thought that was pretty nice. Jensen said he couldn’t seem to find a job outside of Vancouver so far. Jared commented that they sometimes consider questions that are asked during the conventions and I would assume through other media, during the weeks after the conventions.
Someone asked what was the best way to get into acting. Jensen came up with a girly voice and said, “It’s so hard.” It was hilarious and unexpected to me. They both said to pursue your dream and keep your craft up. “It’s not about negotiating but to enjoy what you do,” said Jared, “being on a tv show does not make you an actor.” Jensen agreed.
Jensen said if the world was coming to an end he would blow things up because he couldn’t be arrested. The question was what would they do in real Iife if there was an apocalypse. Jared said he would try to take care of family. I don’t know what Jensen was thinking, probably just being funny. I thought about it later and I don’t think he got the gist of the question because it was kind of out of left field. I mean what could anyone do but try to survive.
Dreams they have not accomplished was asked. Jensen said to have kids and Jared said, “me too”, everyone clapped.
Honestly I don’t see that as a dream because its so easily accomplished. It could have been what was on their mind. Jensen also added he wanted to base jump and fly a plane. “If I had kids I wouldn’t base jump,” Jensen said before Jared said he could throw the kid off so Jensen responded, “he is not allowed to have kids.” “I mean your kids,” Jared replied. “He is not allowed to baby sit,” Jensen added to the response. It was pretty funny I love the way they are together.
A lady from Australia asked if they liked the country and they unlike Misha had enjoyed it. Jensen said that the Eye of the Tiger was his mile three song on the tread mill. I cannot see him on a tread mill for some reason. The way he pretended to ride one made me wish I was a fly on the wall when it happened. *squees*
They also discussed the message that Dean left Sam that was changed by Ruby or Zachariah. Jared insisted that Sam only heard the bad message and Jensen was a little confused. IN the end they changed into their characters long enough to get it straightened out.
Jared wandered behind the curtain at one point because he could hear someone talking. I am not sure if it was the same time as when he was playing with the lights or not because I didn’t see that on any video that I tried to watch to remember some of this information. Jensen, of course, shook his head at Jared’s shenanigans.
There was a question about doing Supernatural as a musical. Jensen thought it would be cool Jared didn’t quiet agree. Jensen did say they had laughed at the idea a few times. The audience thought it would be great for Jensen to sing but he said he was hired to play Dean who couldn’t sing so it would work out that way. I think he has a point.
As far as the "boys". Jensen seemed to be more in control this time. He was the one that came on and said that they were going to do their sessions as one together. He was the one to move things along when they lagged. Jared on the other hand was highly intelligent with his answered but seemed scattered other wise. He frowned when he thought the spotlight was on Jensen. He was himself but in a strange kind of way he seemed mentally distant. I have no idea what is going on behind the scenes but I believe there could be some kind of drama that was affecting them.
After the hour we had for questions, Jared reminded us of a watch he wanted to auction off. He had no idea how to auction so Jensen again stepped in to help. Jensen was fun and efficient as the auctioneer. He was as moved as Jared when the price for the Season 3 Supernatural watch price got to around a thousand dollars. Near the end the bids were between two women on the front row. Jensen went back and forth with them until it got around twenty five hundred dollars.
Jared was visibly moved by the amount he teared up and seemed overwhelmed. The money was for his mother's students so they could participate in the UIL competitions. At first he had modeled the watch to make us laugh then he would sit down stand up and back and forth. He really was unsure what to do. He thanked the person who won the item and knelt in front of her for a hug. Jensen watched from the sidelines without a smile. It was a weird moment. It could have been me but things seemed more off at that point.
At some point he also gave the lady his shirt off his back. I missed that but wondered later how and why he had on a tee shirt before they left.
They separated to do autographs after that; one on either side of the stage.
I got Jared autograph on my Supernatural tee shirt first. Again he was different then last year I think he smiled but I remember before he was all "Thanks so much for coming." Maybe I am over thinking it but I do know it was not the same.
On Jensen's side, they were efficient with helping him spread the shirt out so he could write on it easily. I told him to sign on the opposite side then Jared. He grinned and smiled up at me as I thanked him. It was a better experience than last year for me.
I heard that Jensen was very playful during the photo ops and that is cool for him. I hope it wasn't over kill but us Jensen girls would have enjoyed it either way.
----I was sad to see them leave after they were done with autographs since they were all done..... They came out on stage to thank us for coming and had to leave to get to work the next morning.
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A couple things I forgot from the session with Jensen and Jared. At one point Jared began to sweat and Jensen asked for someone to bring Jared a towel. They gave him a box of Kleenex and instead of taking one out he put the box in his shirt. I think Jensen was beside himself wondering what Jared was thinking. Jensen didn’t actually notice right away but was telling us how during a scene they taped that Jared had the sweating problem and Jensen would call a break so he could dab him with a towel between takes. He turns to Jared and says “Really?” In my head I thought that is so much like what I say on a daily basis. It was weird; people do so many odd things on television and you just have that moment, Jensen was having a moment. I felt kind of bad for him in a way because of Jared. It was all in fun on one hand but on the other I cannot imagine living with Jared and him being so random. Then I thought about it; I can be random too it drives people crazy. I guess the thing is to be a mix of Jensen and Jared ; maybe we all have that in us and that is why we adore them so much.
I mean on the outside Jensen is still quite uptight and he is letting it show more sometimes then others. Jared is still the big puppy with random actions and that dimpled grin that makes you want to run up and hug him. On the other hand I did sense a change in them that only they can explain. I don’t know at times I felt almost sad sitting there. I guess in sensitive terms you might say it was scattered energies. I know enough analyzing the “boys” I just love them both.
---After the guys were gone…
Julie McNiven came up next. She has almost translusent look about her. She had the red hair and pale skin. I can’t really say that I liked or disliked her, she was just okay. Someone asked about the love scene with Dean and she said it was all so technical that no one would believe how weird the entire situation was to her. She did say Jensen was very nice and made her feel comfortable. She must have been more ready for the question this time it seemed the last convention when they asked she kind of blushed. I don’t’ remember anything else from her panel that sticks out.
Rob Benedict was the last person to talk to us for the weekend. He was very funny and a little overwhelmed by all the fans. He took a picture of us with his camera and you can see it on his twitter. He took it straight from where he stood so you can see all the people from that angle. It was a packed house; I had no idea how many till I saw his picture.
I was lucky enough to get a photo ticket to take a picture with Rob. Unfortunately they had changed the line process. It’s like everyone was in the room when the pictures were taken. Of course, it was still fast. I did have to reapply my lipstick and I hope the picture turns out good. I can’t get it online until next Tuesday. I had to take it twice because for some reason the photographer called me back in like the first time. I am glad he wanted them to look nice considering the price.
I walked up to Rob and asked how he was doing. I put my arm around him then smiled as he asked me the same thing. It was all so quick but he was smiling at least as I walked away.
I was glad that the fans stayed around for Rob and Julie. It would have been bad if they all left with Jared and Jensen.
On the night before I had met a couple of girls that allowed me to move my items to their room because my roomie left early Sunday. After the panels I went to eat with them before I headed home. It was fun to chat about the weekend and get to know each other better. They are both Texans like me so we had fun.
On the ride back home in the bus I heard some people talking and found out that the gold tickets for next year were already up to row D. Here I go again I thought, if they are going to have another convention I want to get my ticket early this time.
Thanks for reading. Keep in mind these are my impressions and thoughts. No need to flame me for what I feel and see as a Sensitive and as a person. If you can't say something positive or add to the conversation in a positive way don't waste your time commenting because it will only be deleted. Do not manipulate or steal pictures. If you have correction for me then feel free to message me.
Me with Jim
The slideshow is made mostly using the pictures that Terri had taken for me since my film still needs developing. Enjoy.
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happy
cheerful
hungry
alright
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depressed
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i need a drink