alwaysenduphere | [chicon] heterosexuality was never an option

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[chicon] heterosexuality was never an option

First of all, Chicago traffic is THE WORST traffic I have ever been in, and this includes LA traffic. It took me nearly 3 hours to get 30 miles. Of course it was 5 pm on a Friday afternoon but still. Ridiculous. And then when I left (at 5 am on a Monday!) it was still pretty bad for as early as it was. Sigh. This is why I could never be a big city girl.

So, ChiCon was cool. As usual. I arrived late Friday afternoon, so I didn't see anyone speak on Friday at all. Met up with

build_the_moon for the first time, which was fun, though we didn't actually spend too much time together, too busy doing ALL THE THINGS, but it's always cool to meet online folks in real life. Spent most of my time Kelly and Kate, though, which is what I planned. I think it was probably my last Chicon, though. Nothing will top last year, and Nashcon is cheaper and closer to me. So yeah. Last hurrah.

As you have seen here and there via awesomely stealthy people (like seriously, I roomed with volunteers, I know how strict they are about recording video. People are NINJAS) there was plenty of totally PG fun. LOLOLOL. I think the only panel that was legit PG was Jared and Jensen's. But yeah. Sebastian and Mark are the bestest. As long as you're not an 11 year old child.

I had a wonderful seat in the second row of Silver, on the aisle, even. I see now why people pay so much money for reserved seats. I unfortunately do not have a good camera, but eh, I prefer to watch than take pics anyway. I did get a few when everyone wondered up and down the aisle, though.

All photos are taken with my iPhone, so the quality is what it is. And is still better than my actual camera.

Karaoke was insane, starting with the fact that Jared stuck around after Brian's show for longer than he was supposed to and was pretty smashed. I know there's vid of he and Matt's gunshow-off which hnnnnng. Plus there was everyone crowdsurfing face down, Guy Bee singing Dirty Deeds quite fabulously, and then there was Mark Pelligrino singing Big Balls, which is the second and third pictures. Definitely the most surprising events of the weekend all came courtesy of Mark.

Matt and Richard are so much fun because they walk around the crowd. And especially fun if you have an aisle seat right where they choose to stand for a majority of their time. Their whole panel was also very innuendo-laced, the highlight probably definitely being Brokeback Mountain 2: This Shit's Gonna Hurt, starring Jared and Jensen, which I believe is being discussed in this picture:

Matt doing his impersonation of Jensen. Of course he had to stop laughing and regain composer to pucker up his lips, something he had a bit of trouble doing while Richard was speaking, I can't imagine why.

And then of course he had to do his impression of Jared, as well.

A wild Misha also appeared in the middle of Matt and Richard talking. He didn't stay long, though because he had to be somewhere else.

Mark petting the pretty service doggie.

Misha. He didn't stay in the aisles long and I don't blame him, people were like yelling at him as he walked by. Y so rude, fans?

Jared and Jensen!

Since As I'm looking around on the SuperWiki, there aren't very many videos linked, and I know

agt_spooky didn't record her usual awesome vids because her seat was a couple rows behind mine (I kept looking over wondering if she was recording and hoping she was!), I will try and give a brief panel summary of what I remember of J2 since, let's face it, they will always be the main event.

--> One of the first questions was their views on religion, and Jared's answer was a beautiful thing that I hope there's an exact quote of somewhere, that basically spirituality is what matters, not necessarily a particular religion, which is similar to my own thoughts. When he was finished speaking, Jensen turned to him and said "I think that's the most intelligent thing I have ever heard you say."
--> A pretty girl getting married in 19 days asked them for some marriage advice. Jensen's was something along the lines of like, always remember the woman is right or whatever, and then Jared gave another thoughtful answer in "People fight, you have disagreements but basically, remember why you got married." /hearts for eyes
--> Someone asked Jared how many horses he and Gen have. And while I knew Gen still rode, I didn't realize they owned horses. HE HAS HORSES. Or well, a horse, a paint horse, that they're trying to sell now because he "doesn't want Gen riding while pregnant - not that she listens to me." Which was cute. IDK why they're selling instead of just...not riding, but if they're stabling it somewhere I suppose it's probably cheaper to sell. But JARED OWNS A HORSE. Be still my heart.
--> Downfalls of being on network TV: Jensen isn't huge on swearing, but Dean would probably swear like a sailor, and he still cringes when Dean has to say 'freaking.' Also they aren't allowed to aim guns at anyone's heads.
--> Jensen also talked about the filming in Vancouver weather and how during Bugs, Jared/Sam was wearing Pumas and he was like, "having worked in Vancouver before" he knew the sneakers wouldn't last in the heavy rain, and sure enough, Jared/Sam switched to wearing boots. And also how they used umbrellas in that episode and then Kripke decided that a couple of demon hunters were too manly to ever use an umbrella and banned them from the show from then on.
--> As far as nicknames. (fanfic writers PLEASE TAKE NOTE i am so tired of seeing'Jen') both Jared and Jensen call each other "Jay" and when someone calls for "Jay" they do a lot of times end up getting both of them. Jared is called "J-Rod" a lot on set, and Jensen is "Jackles."
--> I do believe there's video of Jensen auctioning off the salt, but his story was probably one of the most moving moments I've ever witnessed because, let's face it, the man is not a public person, but to stand there and tell us all an incredibly personal story was pretty incredible. And not just a quick summary, he wanted to share a picture of Levi so badly that he hopped off the stage and walked into the sea of fangirls to try to get the camera to display his phone picture. I was pretty moved.
-->Uhhh I can't remember anything else but if I do I'll add it in.

As far as photo ops, as usual I went in expecting to get none and came out with...3 - Rick Worthy, Sebastian, and J2. I didn't need that money anyway.

vehiclesshockme and I decided to get one with Rick because of how fun and amusing (read: FUCKING TRASHED) he was at karaoke. I actually wasn't even there on Friday to see his panel, lol. We couldn't come up with anything so we just smiled. She hasn't scanned it in yet, but it's a good picture.

Kate and I got Sebastian because well...SEBASTIAN. She was like, "We want to do something fun." And he's all "JAMES BOND." How this amounts to Bond I do not know. But ta-da. We actually had two photos with him because Kate blinked the first time, so Chris called us back and I got to touch him again!!! His face is actually more precious in the first one, imo, but I am more fond of the second. Alas, it hasn't been scanned yet, so have the crappy picture of a picture version.

Outtake

Do-over

And then. AND THEN I was silly and spent money. K. already had a J2 photo but I was like I REALLY WANT ONNNNE and she enabled and was all WE CAN SPLIT ONEEE and this is what happened. She also had a Richard M&G which, the schedule said conflicted with photo ops (it didn't actually, schedule error), so we got to go pretty early in the line. Meep. And she made ME do the talking for our pose. Before us was the girl with her service dog, and of course they were all 'puppy!' and River (I THINK That's the dog's name?) is like the calmest dog ever and just layed down when they wanted him to sit, and then he didn't want to leave once the photo was taken. So adorable.

But yeah. The idea was to ask Jared to fake stretch for us, and we'd all be holding his leg up looking bored, but I couldn't manage to ask him to lift his leg up. Kinda...awkward, you know. So instead we got this. I feel like I look disgusted at JENSEN which, as you know, is totally not the case. He and I are TIRED OF JARED'S SHIT is all. :P Katie, meanwhile, is grinning like a loon.

I was too focused on saying our pose and not sounding like an idiot to like...soak in the details, but I do know Jensen grabbed me first and pulled me in and then my brain clicked on that I was standing on this side because I wanted to TOUCHH HIMMMM so I barely remembered to put an arm around him before Chris snapped the pic. But like, Jensen's hand was on my shoulderrrr. It felt nice.

As far as autographs go, I've decided I'm not a huge fan. There's something about them that makes me more uncomfortable than photo ops, because in a photo, you're both doing something, while in the auto you're just...standing there while they do something for you. IDK, with Matt, Misha, and Richard, I just felt really awkward. Plus I just think...they must get bored signing pictures of their faces preeetty quickly. So I had the three of them sign a picture of Jared and Jensen in the Impala. L O L. None of them would deface the pic, though. Misha was like "nah, I won't draw on the Impala, but I'll mark out Jared and Jensen's faces." Matt just drew me his little heart, and Richard drew his silly caricature face that he does. /is too lazy to scan.

I had originally bought the pic of the boys in the Impala for them to sign, but then had the brilliant idea of having them sign my phone case instead. Which provided some inconvenience as far as insisting I wasn't taking stealthy pictures, but was oh so totally worth it, because it provided me the opportunity to have actual conversation instead of just stand there awkwardly while they signed yet another picture of their face.

Jared and Jensen were on opposite sides of the theater, which was so inconvenient for me. I can totally handle Jensen when Jared is there but by himself, I am still a flailing idiot. But I managed. He took a minute to figure out what he was looking at, because it is a little hard to read at first, and then said, "This is cool! Did you make it?" And of course I had to be like, "noo, I got it online from this store for like $15" word vomit. And then he asked me if it was okay to sign on the black, which really I wanted them both to sign up top because the black is where I touch ALL THE TIME, and unfortunately it smeared pretty easily when I tested it. But I just COULD NOT bring myself to say no to Jensen's face as he looked up at me, so I said "wherever is fine!." So alas, I will not use this case anymore. And then he looked up and handed it to me and I somehow managed to very calmly say a cheerful THANK YOU! as he smiled at me.

As a side note, a girl in front of me had a guitar she was having signed and he was like "should I play something" and strummed it and...well...it sounded pretty horrible to me, and Jensen thought so too. HIS FAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE. It was the most adorable thing. He cringed and crinkled his nose and was like, "Maybe I'll just sign it."

Jared is of course, a giant child, and was like "Oh wow, this is cool!" And then of course asked, "Did you make it?" And I said no, and then managed to say (because I can for some reason act like a normal person around Jared now) "I am so not that cool." AND HE LAUGHED. I MADE JARED LAUGH. (totally normal person.) And then there was smiling and thank yous and one of my roommates was sitting next to him and said "thank you Carleen" and my brain went "I wonder if he'll remember my name." The impression I got from her is that they remember far more fans than everyone thinks they do, and I've already been impressed by how familiar they are with some of the fans. (And also a little creeped out, ngl. WHERE DO YOU COME UP WITH THIS MONEY, PEOPLE? M&G ARE NOT CHEAP!)

So that's that. I did have lots of fun, as one does at a convention, but like I said, I think nothing will ever top surprise!Jensen and J2M panel from last year, so I'm probably done with ChiCon. This was my fifth convention and at some point I've got to say 'okay enough,' you know? So yeah. Two conventions a year is far too much, Nashcon is much closer and much cheaper, and at some point I'd like to make it to Vancouver. Though the idea of flying there terrifies me, let alone the idea of being able to afford it.

Alas, until Nashcon.

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This makes me remember how great cons are once you take away all the bs that (usually always) happens. Even though I dont watch the show, I would totally go to another one purely because the boys are great fun and it's usually a great day (or two) :)

Yep. The good always outweighs the bad when it comes to cons.

One day, I will get to a Supernatural con. ONE DAY.

Dean would probably swear like a sailor
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS.

YOU MUST. Like, IDK, you should shoot for New Jersey sometime! That's probably the closest to you. Or Toronto, idk?

Oh, absoultely. His dad was a Marine, there's no way he'd talk clean-cut. Though I do think the show does a decent job of showing that as best they can in PG format.

I almost went to the NJ con the past 2 years, but I think last year, I was already on vacation and this year, I couldn't afford it. Maybe next year. Plus, if I'm gonna go, I would want to go with someone, and I don't know anyone out here who would go with me :-/

I agree, you can definitely tell what lines there should be a swear. The one that comes to mind almost immediately is "Hope your apple pie was freaking worth it!" Oh, Dean XD

Go on your own, you will meet loads of people and won't feel lonely for one second, you will be too busy. There is always a queue to stand in and you'd be amazed at the bonding!!

I think you can spray the phone with some kind of protective coating so it won't smear.

so no LA for you? :)

I wondered about that but was afraid the coating would have to go on wet and it'd run. Plus what the heck KIND of coating?

HAHAHAHA nooo, probably never there. LA really was just...overwhelming. I'd go there to visit for other reasons, but there are plenty of more pleasant cities where cons are held. I'd love to go to San Fransisco again if they have a con there.

NASHCOOOONNNNN!!!

This is so sweet. I kind of love Jared a lot. He's all grown up. Someday, you will be able to converse casually with Jensen. It'll happen. It'll be awesome.

NASHCONN!!! I'm kinda counting on you to keep it the cheaper of the two cons, jsyk. :P I imagine actually staying in Opryland is more expensive than the Westin O'Hare, good lord.

Hahahahaha 'all grown up' aren't so much words I'd use to describe Jared, but his life is definitely progressing. And YES, SOME DAY. I mean, I at least looked him in the eye this year! I couldn't do that last year during photo ops, so I'm slowly getting better!

I'm jealous that you're close enough to do NashCon because OMG DO WANT. Unless I come into some serious cash or the patience to drive nine hours, I will be going no further than ChiCon.

I like pictures better than autographs because wtf am I going to do with an autograph? Stare at it? I would rather have a picture of pretty boys to stare at (it doesn't hurt that the photographer is MAGICAL and always manages to make me look good in one shot when I only look good in about 1/4 of the pics I take on my own).

<3

Ahhh yeah, see Chicago's about 5 hours and Nashville's about 3, on the same highway no less, so obviously it's easier to go south for me. I feel like my whole life is that way, smack dab between two cities but nothing actually near me.

I agree! Unless they're personalized, autographs really aren't much after you get the first set, whereas photos change from year to year.

Thank you! I had so much fun reading your report!
Having been to a few cons myself, I was like, hell yes, same here! I do speak to Jensen while he signs, but I can't remember a word of it when its over. Acutally I don't care that much about their sig, a fingerprint would suffice, lol. But I love how Jensen signed my Impala model car and I'm very very careful when dusting it! BTW, they do know a lot of their fans, maybe not by name, but they remember the faces.

a fingerprint would suffice Haha, right? It's more about the interaction than the reason behind it. And I'm sure they recognize people, especially repeat con-goers, I'm just forever impressed by it, you know?

Damn I'm so jealous... D: ...Jensen. <3 OMG. I want to touch him. And Jared. And Misha. I want it sooo baaaadd....

Really great report... :) But I have one question - I think about going to a convention, but I don't know how expensive it is. I know, it's quite personal, but do you mind, tell us, what you pay for what? So kinda a List with prices...? So I know, how much I have to spend, to become great seats and greats pictures...?

They do feel quite nice.

Uhhhh well, it depends on where you want to go. Most of the Creation con sites list all the prices for everything on them, so if you know where you're going just look there. I don't think I've made it out of a con spending less than $300 on the whole trip, though. This time around I was just lucky because I got silver tickets at the last minute off ebay. Normally my spending looks something like this though:
General Admission weekend ticket: somewhere around $120
Photo Op with Misha or other guest star: $45-$80 depending on who
J2 photo: I usually split this with someone, like I did this year, so it was $110. By myself it would've been $219
Jared and Jensen photos are $129 now I think.

I don't usually get autographs, only got them this year because they were included with the silver package, but I know J2 are $99 each.

your stories are so cool!! i'm a jared girl myself :).....but were the guys in the same room signing autographs? i was confused, sorry.. and i love your pic with j2..you and jensen looking "tired" of jared's antics, lol.

Heeeeeee, I heart Jared too, but I will always be a Jensen girl I cannot help it. :P And yeah, they were in the same room, the main ballroom where the panels take place, but they had Jensen on one side and you'd line up for him first and get your autograph, then go to the other side and line up for Jared's. They weren't sitting at tables anywhere near each other. And thanks! :)

Your photo ops look awesome :D
It'd be awesome if they do remember you, Jared remembered me the last time I met him and omg it made me so happy XD

:DDD
Oh dude, I bet that was awesome. I don't know if I'd be able to function for a minute, lol.

you suck.

yeah well, so does your face.

I just found this report - awesome photo ops, girl! I know exactly what you mean about autographs but I have now decided it is better to have something ready to say to distract them from the utter boredom of the production-line signing, and it helps to have unusual pics for them to sign too. None of that stops me blushing and babbling like a complete idiot, and given that I have now 'met' many of them several times I kind of hope they do NOT remember me as that would just be embarassing. And I am mystified as to where some of these con-goers get their money - especially for the M&Gs, superdooper posh passes, and all the extra photo ops some of them do. Which is no doubt why I just forked out some ridiculous amount of dosh for a prophet pass at JIB next year. Right.
Madness is contagious.

Exactly. I just know I would be SO BORED signing photos of my face over and over again, I can only imagine that's how they feel. So I feel like I should jazz it up somehow but then...blushing babbling fangirl happens. And WHERE DO PEOPLE GET THE MONEY? I mean, I guess I could make an assumption that a lot of people are older, with decent jobs and no family to support, so they choose to spend their money on cons? But I mean, that's probably only a small majority. IDK. People probably say the same thing about me, but I always feel like the poor person at cons.

Ahhhhhh JIB is like the best of all cons, it seems, you are so luckyyyyy. I'd love to go but overseas travel is not something I am ready for, not to mention I wouldn't even be able to 'scrape' together that much cash.

Well here in the UK we are lucky we get 2 SPN cons a year, and the basic ticket price is very reasonable - only £95 which is c $150 compared to Creation's cheapest at $400. And the Rogue ticket gets you all the guest autographs, unreserved seating (but you can then opt to pay £20 for a reserved seat for the weekend so that is a bargain)
And of course, it is a lot easier to travel to Europe for JIB...
Don't be afraid to travel though, I went to Chicago on my own last year...so if I can fly your way, you could fly mine LOL

Ugh I haaaaaaate how much Creation price gouges us >:||||||
Haha, I could, but it's so expensive, and I don't have a passport and I hate flying and ughhhhhh. I can only hope that JIB con will still exist in a few years and won't have become the over-scheduled mess that Creation cons have since become.

I love hearing about people's experiences at cons.

:DDD Good, because I pretty much feel obligated to share my experiences. :)

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[chicon] heterosexuality was never an option

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Yaay!

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