raloria

Finally getting a start on sharing my VanCon pics from this year. :)

These were taken with my small Canon Powershot S110 camera. Since the lighting is different for every con and from year to year, I never know what I'm going to get. I'll admit I struggled with the right settings on this camera this time around. I had to brighten some really dark photos and slightly adjust others. Even so they seem a lot brighter than my SeaCon pics taken w/this camera back in March. Again, different lighting set-ups by Creation. Apologies for any blurriness. Hope you still enjoy them.

:: No hotlinking please.
:: If you take/use/repost, please credit me, raloria.
:: It's perfectly ok to make icons or fanart from my photos. :D
:: Comments are ♥ and I really do appreciate them.

// Click on the large thumbnails for the originals //

I swear I end up making a post like this one EVERY SINGLE SEASON lately. How many times do I have to keep going over this? *sigh*

( Warning! Defender of SPN and every person involved speaking out here!... )

Every once in a while you see a piece of fanart that rips your heart out of your chest, stomps on it, throws it up against a wall, and then tosses it into the garbage.

This is one of those.
But it's beautiful...and gut-wrenching. Enjoy! LOL *iz evil*

( Behind a cut to spare feelings... )

Hawkeye on the TV show MASH said it best...

My mother always said two things: Never argue with crazy people and always wear clean underwear in case you get run over by a tank and have to go to the hospital.

SPN fandom...sheesh. *backs away*
I've got enough going on with RL drama & stress at the moment, coupled with trying get ready for VanCon and finishing the Locations List. As I commented to a friend...People are gonna do what they're gonna do and react how they'll react. Me getting into it won't change that and it won't change anyone's mind either. I know what my feelings are and I know where my loyalty lies. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about it.

I don't have time or energy right now to express my thoughts on this matter properly, but I will say this...


Many Sam fans feel his character has been sidelined this season and he's being ignored by the writers.

Many Dean fans feel his character has been sidelined this season and he's being ignored by the writers.


...


You know what folks? You can't both be right. Because if you are we wouldn't have a show and last I checked, we still did.
How about we celebrate that? The Winchester brothers have been with us for 8 Seasons. That's pretty impressive if you ask me.
The show is still about Sam and Dean, two brothers. Always has been, always will be. Just because they do different things in the overall arc of a season doesn't mean one takes precedence over another.

'Nuff said.
For now anyway...

Now that I've seen the awards and processing SPN's winnings the importance of the evening has really set in.

This was a big night for SPN, no doubt about it. Jensen & Jared were there in person and they picked up two wins, not to mention getting interviewed and photographed on the red carpet. More exposure for them and the show, though in the grand scheme of Hollywood SPN is still small potatoes.

I know some people are lamenting that neither of the boys won the Fav Dramatic Actor award. But it's just one award and considering both of the guys were nominated I think the numbers were simply against either of them coming up with a win.

But to put SPN's wins a bit more into perspective, I made this post on Tumblr:

How great were SPN’s wins at the PCAs last night?

Pretty darned amazing when you compare to how the competition did. I only looked at these 2 shows because they were nominated in many of the same categories SPN was and they also have large fanbases.

The Vampire Diaries - 4 Nominations, 0 Wins

Once Upon A Time - 4 Nominations, 0 Wins

Supernatural - 3 Nominations, 2 Wins

Not bad at all for the “little show that could” that’s in it’s 8th season. :)

I was honestly a little shocked that the other 2 shows didn't get anything. As the older show, one would think SPN would be more likely to be forgotten and pushed into the background, but you can't underestimate this fandom!

The other thing I noticed during the show was how some winners kept referring to it being the "people's choice awards" and "it's about the people". It started to feel so impersonal. I mean, we're all people, but only some of us are "fans". I thought it was very nice that when Jensen & Jared were accepting the win for SciFi/Fantasy Show that Jared used the word "fans". Further shows how appreciative the guys are towards the people that make up the fanbase and how we truly are a family. I have no personal knowledge on the fans of other shows, but I get an impression that the bond the fans of SPN have with not only the stars of the show but the crew as well is a special one. They know us and we know them. Look how accessible the SPN cast & crew are with all the conventions year after year. I don't see that happening with The Vampire Diaries or Once Upon A Time. Makes me feel even more fortunate to be a part of this wonderful show that's touched so many of our lives. We truly have something to be proud of and thankful for.

Saw this video from JIBCon over at all_spn and thought I'd post it as well.
Jensen, Jared, Sebastian, Jim, Jason, Mark, & possibly Misha are basically ambushed by some fans as they arrive at the hotel in Rome.

Let me just say this is NOT proper fan behavior IMO. The guys were probably tired and just wanted to get checked in and relax. And forcing a hug on Jensen? Not cool. Poor guy went with it but he looked uncomfortable. I don't blame Jared for refusing her and props to him for that. Meanwhile, Seb didn't seem to mind posing for pics (or he was just taking one for the team so the guys could get inside).

We did it! They did it!!!!! So happy that SPN won not only Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy show, but FAVORITE TV DRAMA as well!!!! Excellent!!!! This fandom ROCKS!!!!! :D *happy dances*

The win is tinged with a bit of disappointment because the acceptance speech by the boys was not shown during the awards show itself, but in some kind of a pre-show red carpet bit. BOO!!!! PCAs!!!! That is NOT COOL! But they're sure feeling the wrath of the SPN fans now. Go check it out over on Facebook.

Pic of the awards thanks to Producer, Jim Michaels

Anyway, the guys were gracious and wonderful in accepting both awards. And I'd like to point out they're on a motel room set and hello...Dean wearing a Henley!!!! *flails* :D

Oh, you should also check out this great and cute video by guest star Madison McLaughlin who played Missy Chambers in 7x11. She documented her time on the set and is a total fangirl for Jensen and Jared. :D Anyone know how to save this video? mrsr58 can you work your magic?

Yes, I'm joining in on this because it's so awesome. :D

Got home & online and this news is all over Twitter & LJ. How cute are they??? *stares at handsome boys poolside* I know what I'm shopping for this week. *glees* Hope to be takin' a ducky up to Van with me. :D

They'll accept ducks (small, toy ones - not real ones) at VanCon or you can mail them to the studio:

Supernatural Films Inc.
8085 Glenwood Drive
Burnaby, B.C.
V3N 5C8
Canada

:: First duck to arrive at the studio wins a prize & there'll be a special prize for the first duck to arrive from each continent.
:: Clif stated the ducks will be donated to charities and some special ones that the guys pick will also be auctioned off to charities.
:: Also from Clif's Twitter: "Please send us your duck w/ your name & where you are from on it and we'll add it to our duck pond."

Source

I'm sure you've all heard the news by now about the CW postponing the returns of Smallville & Supernatural until Feb. 4th. I came home late to this news all over my flist. Haven't even gotten to catching up on Twitter, but from what I read on LJ it's been a firestorm over there, too.

Honestly, I'm not angry. Disappointed is more like it. Yes, I was looking forward to seeing the new episode. I've been missing the boys for weeks and the hiatus has really been long. On the other hand...it's only one more week, so....meh. Not a huge deal after a couple of months.

What upsets me is the CW waiting until practically the last minute to announce the change. Bad move network, BAD MOVE. I've read from one of my flisters who visited the set that the crew didn't even know about the postponement.

In the grand perspective of things, one more week isn't a big deal, but the way the CW did this is disrespectful to the fans of both shows. These are 2 of the biggest ratings winners of the network along with being 2 of the oldest shows. Not a good idea to piss off their fans in favor of bumping up the ratings for other shows. I don't even see what the point is of repeating The Vampire Diaries & Nikita especially on a night that is not their normal air day.

I'm also hearing about outraged fans, lots of irate posts & comments on the CW's forum, nasty tweets, etc. Btw, nothing against fans who have sent calm, respectful complaints to the network. I get people are angry, but honestly, the network isn't going to listen. They've made their decision and that's that. Threatening, belittling, and who knows what else is not going to change anything. They probably won't even see it. Like I said, the decision's been made. Time to move on and deal with the situation folks.

'Cause let's face it...TV network execs make stupid decisions all the time. This is just one of many and it won't be the last. Look how many good shows the networks never give a chance and just cancel or how many shows they move around so viewers have to guess where they'll show up next week.

We all know the CW will never give SPN the kind of love and devotion we fans will, so all we can do is what matters the most...keep watching SPN no matter what. Because it's ratings that the network cares about.

And on that note...

While I'm also a fan of The Vampire Diaries (not like SPN, but I do enjoy it a lot) I missed Thursday's eppy. Now I could go ahead and watch the rerun tonight, but you know what? I'm not going to. I'm going to boycott the CW tonight and watch TVD another way (yay for downloads *g*). Why should I support the network's stupid decision against SPN? If it's ratings for TVD & Nikita they seek so much, I'm sure not gonna help them. Gotta send a message to the network in a way they'll notice and ratings rule. Feel free to join me in my one time Friday night boycott.

So there you have it. Not angry, not really upset. I'm more disappointed and bummed out than anything else. Boo! CW. You suck! :(