Back from my Supernatural weekend

[agt_spooky]

Wow, sorry to have disappeared for several days, guys. I had every intention of posting yesterday, about winchestmidwest, but instead I was laid flat with a horrible migraine for the entire day and evening. Ugh.

So anyway - winchestmidwest. It was fun, but a different kind of fun than last year. I didn't recognize many faces from last year's event, so maybe that was the difference, a different crowd. We were all a bit crazy last time and the panel discussions quite lively. It was, to me anyway, a bit more subdued this time around.

I was by myself on Friday, as my roommates, charityflint and asyouleft couldn't make it until Saturday, and they missed a good discussion panel led by katelennon, that kinda ended up being a wish list for season four.

I'd had a really long day at work on Friday, so when the panel ended and the Guitar Hero competition started up, I headed upstairs to enjoy the really awesome room I had to myself for the night. I wanted to take the 42" flat screen tv home with me! :-)

The next morning I was having breakfast when mummyluvr314 sat at the table next to me and we chatted for a bit before charityflint and asyouleft showed up and we headed into the panel room.

Lots of panels on Saturday, and I enjoyed most of them, even though I felt I was definitely in the minority in the "misogeny" one (Sorry, samazon13!) I just don't feel offended by the language used by Dean throughout the series, when directed toward women, mainly because he's insulting demons when he uses "bitch", etc. and not someone like Sarah or Cassie or Haley. But that's a whole can of worms that I'm not gonna open up! :-)

We had an interesting panel on the history of SPN fandom online (I didn't know that the spnnewsletter was the first SPN related LJ community) and then we were treated to the premiere of the season finale of PWT which was funny beyond belief. :-) And anteka even did a "behind the scenes" documentary on how she creates PWT.

My head was spinning with knowledge after gonturan's demonology panel and then it was time for MY panel, on fanfiction, co-hosted with my buddy, charityflint.

We had a small group, but we were definitely talkative *g* and the hour passed quickly as our topics flowed one into another. But the best part was after the panel, when Charity and I sat back down at our table with our friend adelheide. We were talking about going for dinner when everyone still left in the room suddenly showed up at our table saying, "But we want to keep talking! Can we sit?" LOL! Next thing we knew, there had to be 12 of us squashed at the table and I had suddenly made a lot of new friends! (waves to alphabet26, wilde_moon and mummyluvr314)

We all had such a fantastic time sitting there chatting about anything and everything SPN related and then we decided to move the party to the Mexican restaurant across the parking lot where I think we gave the manager heart failure when all 12 of us walked in. :-)

I only wish my fanfic panel had been earlier during the day on Saturday, so I could've gotten to know all my new friends sooner and spent more time with them.

After dinner it was time for the songvid show and holy cow, they showed mine first! It got some very nice applause so that made me happy. :-)

There was more Guitar Hero afterwards, since the hotel forbade us from doing karaoke (WTF??) so instead we sang along loudly to the GH songs! LOL!

Sunday morning was a panel on creating LJ icons, then an hour long panel on the music of SPN, put together with video clips by gonturan, which was a lot of fun. :-)

And then it was time to say goodbye, unfortunately, as I couldn't stay for the ghost hunt that evening. All you guys that stayed - did you have a good time? Capture any ghosts? *bg*

So all in all a good weekend, mainly because I made new friends and spent three days wallowing in everything Supernatural. :-)

I haven't been on the computer since Friday and not only am I horribly behind in answering back comments, but there's just no way I'm getting caught up on my friends page, so if something totally awesome happened in fandom while I was away give me a shout in the comments. Thanks!

Comments

[piratelf.livejournal.com]

Hey, welcome back!

I'm glad you had a good time, it sounds like fun!

Was there any discussion in your panel of using prompt communities or those prompt tables that authors work their way through? I just wondered because I know most people find them really helpful, which is great, but I don't get it. It feels like homework to me. Even though I've left at least two prompts in your LJ. *LOL*

Nothng too big has happened in fandom, I'm pretty sure that today is their first day of filming on season 4.

The good news
Twizzle Me, the J@ fansite has opened

The bad news (different fandom)
Don S. Davis died Sunday

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had a good time, it sounds like fun!

You and Casey should try and come up next year!

Was there any discussion in your panel of using prompt communities or those prompt tables that authors work their way through?

You know, it wasn't brought up during the actual panel, but when all of us were sitting at the table afterward it was mentioned. The consensus was that we found it useful when it wasn't part of some challenge, when you were just looking for a prompt to kick start your Muse.

Even though I've left at least two prompts in your LJ. *LOL*

And my god, sweetie, I have the entire "Dean buys Sam clothes" story completely outlined and have for like two months now! If I could only get the first freaking sentence written it would start to flow, but it always seems like something else pops up that distracts me. And I want to write it so bad for you! Don't give up on me! :-)

I'm pretty sure that today is their first day of filming on season 4.

Yay! Welcome back, boys!!

The good news
Twizzle Me, the J@ fansite has opened.

What a fabulous site! Brilliant idea! I even helped by donating the Jensen on Megan Mullally video. :-)

The bad news (different fandom)
Don S. Davis died Sunday

Gosh, I was so saddened to hear this. I got to meet Don at an SG1 con many years ago and he was such a fabulous man. He'll definitely be missed.

[dairwendan.livejournal.com]

You and Casey should try and come up next year!

I know, I know. Someday when we have a handle on our bills we can start saving up for a con!

And my god, sweetie, I have the entire "Dean buys Sam clothes" story completely outlined and have for like two months now! If I could only get the first freaking sentence written it would start to flow, but it always seems like something else pops up that distracts me. And I want to write it so bad for you! Don't give up on me! :-)
Oh, I will never give up on you! The muse strikes when she will, nothing you can do to hurry her.

What a fabulous site! Brilliant idea! I even helped by donating the Jensen on Megan Mullally video. :-)
Oh good on you! So far I've only sent some quotes.

Gosh, I was so saddened to hear this. I got to meet Don at an SG1 con many years ago and he was such a fabulous man. He'll definitely be missed.
You got to meet him? How cool! I was really stunned to read it myself.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Someday when we have a handle on our bills we can start saving up for a con!

It would be SO cool to have you guys up here for something. :-)

Oh, I will never give up on you! The muse strikes when she will, nothing you can do to hurry her.

Thanks for being so patient with me. Strangely enough, I was dreaming about the story just last night! I'm hoping that's a good sign the Muse is finding her way back to me. *g*

You got to meet him? How cool! I was really stunned to read it myself.

Yep, both Chris and I got to meet Don and get his autograph and attend his panel. Such a warm, funny, down to earth type of guy. I'm still shocked that he passed away.

looks like I've followed you to a new fandom...

[justjeanette.livejournal.com]

Wow... You is now writing SPN... Does a happy dance.

Twas wandering the internets and stumbled into here.. looks like i'll stay a whie and read SPN fic.

:)

Re: looks like I've followed you to a new fandom...

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Well hello there! It's always nice to see a familiar Sentinel face around here. :-)

And yep, been writing SPN fic for the last couple years, so have fun wandering around and enjoy!

Re: looks like I've followed you to a new fandom...

[justjeanette.livejournal.com]

And on the note of wandering around... Any more visions universe in the making?

Hope you had fun in Perth... Never been wet enough to make it that far across Australia but if they con again with pretty boys... Road trip here I come. :D

JJ

Re: looks like I've followed you to a new fandom...

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

And on the note of wandering around... Any more visions universe in the making?

Ah, my Visions Universe! Man, I really enjoyed writing those stories. :-) I do want to do one more, to kind of wrap everything up. So I haven't abandoned the 'verse. Just need a really good plot to get started. *g*

Hope you had fun in Perth.

Actually, I've never been, though I'd love to!

[mummyluvr314.livejournal.com]

*waves back*

It's too bad you couln't stay and try to catch ghosties with us. I got some suspicious orbs on film, but they're probably all caused by the flash on my camera, so... eh.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I wish I could've stayed, too! Sounds like you guys had fun, even if there wasn't a spirit in sight. :-)

It was great to meet you and hang out!

[bitchtude.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it was a lot of fun :-) I will get to a con again... some day!

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I will get to a con again... some day!

You totally need to! Sometimes these smaller fan cons are much more fun than those monstrous Creation events.

[wilde-moon.livejournal.com]

*waves back* I think your panel and the following fun times were my favorite part of the weekend! It's so awesome to get together with other fangirls and talk like that. The ghost hunt was fun, but I'm pretty sure all we caught was dust.

Next year, I'm bringing alcohol, though, and not assuming there's a hotel bar. lol

You aren't the only one who isn't offended by the language in the show. I mean, I see what Sam was saying about it possibly conveying the wrong message to casual viewers, but it just doesn't bother me.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Hey there!

think your panel and the following fun times were my favorite part of the weekend! It's so awesome to get together with other fangirls and talk like that.

Wasn't that so much fun? That's why I said I wish my panel had been earlier in the day so we all could've had more time to hang out. :-) But yeah, it's the "impromptu" panels that sometimes turn out to be the most fun. *g*

The ghost hunt was fun, but I'm pretty sure all we caught was dust

Ah, bummer! How were the TAPS guys running it? I was really disappointed they canceled their panel.

Next year, I'm bringing alcohol, though, and not assuming there's a hotel bar

OMG, thank you! LOL! There were no purple nurples! The bartender at the hotel last year was awesome.

I mean, I see what Sam was saying about it possibly conveying the wrong message to casual viewers, but it just doesn't bother me.

I do agree that the amount of hate language has increased and if it went away I'd be fine with it, but in the meantime, as long as Dean isn't slapping some poor woman around who isn't an evil creature and is trying to kill him I'm just honestly not offended. [shrug] I just love my horndog, badass Dean. :-)

[wilde-moon.livejournal.com]

The ghost hunt really was just a tour. We drove to various places, he told us about them, we got out an took pictures (at most of them). He was entertaining, though. He was funny, and highly amused by the idea of using rock salt against ghosts. lol Not at all what I expected, but still fun.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

He was funny, and highly amused by the idea of using rock salt against ghosts.

Ha! I'd have laughed at him and said, "Dude! We got that information from expert Hunters." :-)

[sen1995.livejournal.com]

Welcome back, Barb! I'd glad you had a wonderful time!

Lots of panels on Saturday, and I enjoyed most of them, even though I felt I was definitely in the minority in the "misogeny" one (Sorry, samazon13!) I just don't feel offended by the language used by Dean throughout the series, when directed toward women, mainly because he's insulting demons when he uses "bitch", etc. and not someone like Sarah or Cassie or Haley. But that's a whole can of worms that I'm not gonna open up! :-)

I just wanted to say that I agree with you here. I've seen this complaint a number of times and I really don't understand it, either.

so if something totally awesome happened in fandom while I was away give me a shout in the comments. Thanks!

Besides the Sera interview link I sent you earlier, two things:

1. A new site was opened to pay homage to Jared & Jensen's amazing friendship. I spent about 30 minutes last night reading about some of the wonderful quotes, stories, etc. found here:

http://www.twizzle-me.com/boys.php?about

I love these boys and their friendship!

2. Supernatural won or placed in a number of the award categories in the Amy Awards announced at zap2it.com - my favorite:

I Know You´re Fictional But Will You Marry Me Anyway Or Hottest Actor

Winner with 23.4% of the vote Jensen Ackles of Supernatural

And the rest:
Josh Holloway on Lost-22.6%
None of the Above -20.3%
Alex O'Loughlin on Moonlight - 15.6%
Taylor Kitsch on Friday Night Lights-10.4%
Jared Padalecki on Supernatural - 7.7%

I'm sorry Jared placed so low (OK, I can understand Josh Holloway and Taylor Kitsch, but please explain to me the appeal of Alex O'Loughlin), but I'm so glad Jensen won this well-deserved honor! You can see the rest of the award winners here:

http://blog.zap2it.com/tvgal/2008/06/unknow-star-non.html

Again, welcome back, Barb!

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say that I agree with you here. I've seen this complaint a number of times and I really don't understand it, either.

I do agree that the amount of hate language has increased and if it went away I'd be fine with it, but in the meantime, as long as Dean isn't slapping some poor woman around who isn't an evil creature and is trying to kill him I'm just honestly not offended. [shrug] I just love my horndog, badass Dean. :-)

1. A new site was opened to pay homage to Jared & Jensen's amazing friendship

Oh, yeah! I'm on keepaofthecheez's friends list and heard all about it. I even contributed a video they were looking for. :-) I just registered myself over there last night, but haven't had time to really explore the site yet.

Winner with 23.4% of the vote Jensen Ackles of Supernatural

Yay!!! Totally, totally deserved. :-)

I'm sorry Jared placed so low

Gosh, me, too. Last??

but please explain to me the appeal of Alex O'Loughlin

I'm sorry to say, but I loved Moonlight and think Alex is pretty darn hot. *g*

Thanks for all the info, Deborah!

[duffy-99.livejournal.com]

I do agree that the amount of hate language has increased and if it went away I'd be fine with it, but in the meantime, as long as Dean isn't slapping some poor woman around who isn't an evil creature and is trying to kill him I'm just honestly not offended. [shrug] I just love my horndog, badass Dean.

I totally agree. It never even occurred to me to be offended. (and I'm usually pretty sensitive to things like that) For Dean, it just seems totally in character and he only says things like that to demons, right? I can't imagine Dean saying anything like that to a real human woman; he wouldn't.

I suppose there is an argument to be made that the *show* does provide an opportunity for violence against women and images of "women as demon". (although I think I could argue it the other way too). But there's no way you could convince me that *Dean* himself is a misogynist.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

For Dean, it just seems totally in character

Yeah, I agree, since he was set up like that from day one - the cocky, smart ass guy. Chris and I have always said that "bitch" is his favorite word and he sounds damn sexy saying it. ;-)

I can't imagine Dean saying anything like that to a real human woman; he wouldn't.

Oh gosh, no way, not ever. And if he did, that would truly be it for me. No, with the exception of calling Sam "bitch" in the pilot, it's always been directed at some sort of evil creature.

I suppose there is an argument to be made that the *show* does provide an opportunity for violence against women and images of "women as demon"

Yeah, that's true, but there's also the same amount of violence (if not moreso) against men, so I think it kinda equals out.

But there's no way you could convince me that *Dean* himself is a misogynist.

As long as he never crosses that line to using hate language against an innocent woman, I'm ok with his character as is.

[jensenrick.livejournal.com]

Sounds like an awesome time. Glad you're back.
Totally agree with you about the misogeny thing. It just seems so overblown.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with you about the misogeny thing. It just seems so overblown.

I do agree that the amount of hate language has increased and if it went away I'd be fine with it, but in the meantime, as long as Dean isn't slapping some poor woman around who isn't an evil creature and is trying to kill him I'm just honestly not offended. [shrug] I just love my horndog, badass Dean. :-)

[samazon13.livejournal.com]

Hey gal,

No worries about having a dissenting opinion - I was actually really thrilled with the intelligent conversation the panel provoked, and interested to hear everyone's opinion. And I'm *really* glad I didn't just get lynched by all the Dean girls in the room. ;)

I think the point that I hope folks carry away with them is, no matter how you feel about the character of Dean using the language he uses, 1) that it is a different thing for the fan and the casual viewer, (we understand the internal consistency of him using that language, and how it reflects his emotional journey, etc but someone tuning in casually would only hear "bitch" "skank" "slut" etc), and 2) that it would be nice if another character within the show provided an alternative, or a dissenting opinion, because otherwise Dean's choices (those of an admittedly damaged character!) become the voice of the show, something I don't think the writers are really intending. Or possibly even considering.

Anyway, I'm just thrilled that we all had an opportunity to talk about it in a calm and respectful manner, rather than the way it's apparently been addressed on the web, as "wank." We're all only trying to make our show better, and address our love for it in our own ways. :)

On a COMPLETELY different note - after your fandom panel (which was great fun, by the way!) you mentioned you know of a community where you could suggest prompts for fanfic writers to take on - where is that? I've got this idea for a story that I am DYING to see someone write, but it has to be someone who is interested in RPS historical AU, which is a bit limited, I guess.

Anyway, it was terrific to hang out with you and the gang again. Those larger cons can get crazy, and seem to have a higher percentage of the wack-job fans that give us all a bad name. Sitting around that table after your panel and chatting with everyone (and then dinner) was exactly why I go to cons and why I stay in fandom. :)

xoxo
Samazon

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

No worries about having a dissenting opinion - I was actually really thrilled with the intelligent conversation the panel provoked

I was really impressed with the way everyone handled themselves. On line discussions can get out of hand pretty darn quickly, but everyone at the panel was great!

1) that it is a different thing for the fan and the casual viewer,

I often wonder about casual viewers in general, no matter what the show. Probably because I've never been one. If I like a show I watch it every week, not just randomly turn it on every three weeks or so. [shrug] But yes, you're right. If you don't watch SPN every week, you might not realize that Dean's hate language is really only directed to demons, etc. and might come off with a different opinion of him than we have.

Anyway, I'm just thrilled that we all had an opportunity to talk about it in a calm and respectful manner, rather than the way it's apparently been addressed on the web, as "wank."

There are certain things I agree are wank, but this topic is not one of them!

you mentioned you know of a community where you could suggest prompts for fanfic writers to take on

Oh yeah! It's rpsspnbyrequest

I hope you can find someone to take your prompt!

Anyway, it was terrific to hang out with you and the gang again

I'm so glad you joined us for the weekend! :-)

was exactly why I go to cons and why I stay in fandom. :)

God, me, too, and I don't understand folks who would rather just sit behind their computer screen instead of interacting face to face with other fans. I don't get it!