Inaudible melodies serve narrational strategies - Van Con Report
Friday (the pre-game show): Due to rain in Phoenix my plane didn't get off the ground for over 2 hours after its scheduled time. Let me tell you, after pulling an all-nighter to make sure you don't miss your 6:30am flight, sitting on an unmoving plane until almost 9:00am is ANNOYING. I only just made my connecting flight... only to be delayed further by I don't even know what. All I know is I touched down in Vancouver 3 hours later than I was supposed to; should have been there at 12:30pm (except I told people 1:30 because I fail at timezones).
Important note: one of the first things I spotted in Vancouver was a Japa Dog. I did not know this was a legit food stand and not a fabrication of the Psych writers. Why does no one tell me these things? I live in a city of food trucks, not food STANDS. Inform a person, yo. Due to circumstance I did not have the chance to indulge.
Despite original plans, I didn't get the chance to touch base with janglyjewels or mariaalejandra before they left the hotel for the afternoon, so I checked in and found out that because I was later than expected my original room was given out, so they offered me a nicer room in the opposite tower of the con, on a lower level but for a better price. Whatever, it worked for me. Bonus: My plane mishaps caused me to miss Katherine Boecher's panel, which I had been really looking forward to, however as a result of the hotel room shuffle I saw her in my tower as I was checking in and said hi. She was super sweet and SO MUCH prettier than she looks on the show.
I registered in the con tower and got into the elevator to go back to my tower, right as it closed it opened right back up and in stepped Jason Manns and a Creation volunteer. Awkward. Rode down to the lobby, they lingered and I walked across to my tower, got in that elevator and rode it til it opened on the 3rd floor... only to have Jason Manns get into my elevator. Not only was this awkward again, but I was SO CONFUSED. I did not, at this time, know there was a skywalk between the towers on the 3rd floor. Oh well. I was there first both times.
Aldis Hodge: TRIED TO SEDUCE ME WITH TALK OF MARTIAL ARTS, VIDEO GAMES, TATTOO DESIGNING, GENERAL GEEKERY, HIS VOICE AND HIS BICEPS. During his panel I spotted flightsofangels and went to sit with her during Richard Speight, Jr's panel. Because I like listening to her voice whisper things to me during panels.
Spent the rest of the evening with flightsofangels, who is always good company, TRUTH, and her friend (whose LJ name I did not catch and I don't want to use her RL name without permission). We passed on Jason's concert and also karaoke because moving from the room seemed like a lot of work.
Saturday: Met up with janglyjewels who I hadn't seen in 6 months, FINALLY met mariaalejandra in person, and met supernaturallvr. B and K went off to Fred and Rob's panels, but mariaalejandra kept me company while I got ready and we made it down for Matt Cohen's panel. He was definitely in good spirits, did some random dancing, fanwanked that his version of John Winchester has clear green eyes of innocence, while JDM's John has the brown eyes of experience. I don't even know, but he also used the word "fanfiction" in reference to his explanation. And, as I'm sure you've all read or heard, he's not above taking Jared's biceps out for a nice night on the town.
We also stayed for Clif's panel, which was very laid back. S and I were sitting right by the door and pretty much chatted through it until we looked up and saw Misha creeping around the door. He creeped, he retreated, creeped again, then came into the ballroom to crash the panel. It's an endearing trademark he's got going.
After that, S and I went walking around to find food. We wandered forever mostly because we were talking so much, then finally found a tiny little burger joint that had veggie burgers (for her) and really good milkshakes. We talked and people watched, which of course lead to us staring directly out the window at Katherine Boecher, who waved sweetly and mouthed "hi" to us.
I'm pretty sure Katherine is stalking me. It's okay Katherine, I accept your desire to be my new BFF. Call me.
We blew off Misha's panel in favor of more talking. From what I've heard it was good times. And gross times.
Random: Did anyone else see the 3 girls dressed as fairies/faeries/woodland creatures? Did you see their impromptu photoshoot in the courtyard? S and I watched it bird's eye view style from the skywalk window. It was bizarre. And our gawking caused us to accidentally miss 99% of Demore's panel.
After that there was a photo-op with Misha, Matt, Demore and Rob. I was wheeling mariaalejandra into place and Misha turns to us and asks, "Is it okay if we pick up the chair?"
Me: "Excuse me, you want to WHAT?"
Him: "Pick up the chair. With her in it."
And they did. The picture is awesome, it's four men holding her up like a hovercraft while the rest of us try not to laugh too hard.
In conclusion, Misha Collins is okay, I guess. I mean, he's sort of a cool guy and he can stay. Whatever.
Sunday (game day): B and K went off the breakfast while we got ready. Like Misha's panel, I've heard the J2 breakfast panel was also good times, but without the grossness of Misha and his band-aid.
B and K did their Jensen ops and then we all went to do the duo ops (note to self: next time I take a picture with Jared and Jensen take more xanax), then they did their Jared ops (I didn't have Jared ops til 4:30).
Then there was the panel.
Honestly, I'm 50/50 on the panel. On one hand, Jared and Jensen are a blast, smart and funny and they always maintain control of the panel itself and I love that. On the other hand, people, question askers, seriously, get some new material.
S and I got in line to ask our questions, but the panel ended with the person right ahead of us. All that standing isn't for nothing, because it's a good view, but still. While we were standing in line I saw Genevieve come sit in the front row. Since she was right next to us as the panel ended, we introduced ourselves and said hi to her, but right away a flood of people came up behind us yelling for her and for Jared and that was really uncomfortable so we left that situation quickly.
After that was... BROCK KELLY. Okay, so I don't really care if you didn't like him in After School Special, I did. Translation: If you have negative Brock Kelly words, I don't wanna hear them. The boy is ADORABLE. He was so nervous looking. A few people asked questions but the lines were not full, so we were approached to fill for his Q&A. I have asked Jared and Jensen questions before, RIDICULOUS questions, but Brock Kelly is different. HIS FACE. I just, I can't explain it. So K and I went up to the mic and to be honest I have no idea what K asked because my heart was POUNDING in my ears and Brock Kelly's FACE was on the projection screen all huge and gorgeous. And I... asked him how he feels about ranch dressing. It was all I had. He said he loved it and I told him he was breaking my heart, he promptly denounced all further consumption of ranch dressing.
Jared photo-ops. FUN. Jared smells good, is solid like a rock, goofy like a goof, sweet like a sweet thing, funny like a funny thing, etc, etc, it's all true, etc.
Brock Kelly photo-op: I felt like such a jerk for putting him on the spot, so during my op I apologized to him. Now here, have a direct Brock Kelly quote: "Don't worry about it, it was funny, and I promise, I'm never eating ranch dressing again, darlin'."
"darlin'"
I'm personally taking down ranch dressing as a condiment, one beautiful, well brought-up gentleman at a time.
And then it was over. I did, however change my red-eye flight to a mid-morning flight so I could spend the night with S, B, and K. B was gracious enough to share half her bed and didn't kick me once.
There were several people that I saw in passing, but didn't get to spend much time with, but unfortunately that's the way of a convention weekend, however brief catch-ups were had at least.
Next year: JAPA DOG, I WILL HAVE YOU.
pt. 2