Chicago or Bust!
Well, this is it, I’m signing off until Saturday, making the long pilgrimage from central Ohio, driving through a huge freaking chunk of Indiana and then fighting the Chicagoland traffic up to the Wyndham O’Hare. This is my second visit to the Chicago con. Last year was a ground shaking event to say the least.
I’m sure many of you know of my experiences at my very first con this time last year in Chicago. Lord knows I’ve brought up the story enough. I still get teary thinking about it though. About how I went at the last minute while unemployed after snagging a Silver Ticket from an online friend. How I went to that con having NO idea that my blogging had actually been noticed. I was floored enough that so many people that I ran into in lines, in the bar, and in the ballroom had heard of my Blogcritics column. I had NO FREAKING IDEA Jensen and Jared knew about it too. I certainly didn’t know that a crazy idea of mine to have them sign a copy of my very first Supernatural article ended up being a mind-blowing event when Jensen recognized it and told me he read it to people in his trailer. How he passed it to Jared personally and he remembered it too. How both stopped their power signing to actually smile at me and show appreciation. How security whisked me away pretty quick for stopping the flow but I was too shell shocked to notice. About how I don’t even remember driving through Indiana the next day.
Yep, it was all downhill from there. (Just kidding!). No, my fan experiences continue to amaze me. I love this show, I love the fans (yes honestly!), and starting this site has been the greatest thing I’ve ever done. Between the growing success of this site, Chicago con last year, Cherry Hill con in March, Comic Con in July and my continuing great relations with Warner Brothers, I have had more incredible fan experiences than most could ever hope for. I’m happy and feel blessed for all I’ve gotten. I was determined to go back to Chicago this year not as a Gold ticket or a Silver ticket holder but someone in General Admission, watching other fans get their chance at having the great experiences I’ve had. I have no photo-ops (actually I’ve never had one, I hate being photographed), no autographs, no VIP passes, no nothing. I’m going as the average fan in the cheap seats.
At Creation cons, access goes to the highest bidder. Chances are my name won’t score me a Jared or Jensen interview, or any interview for that matter. I go as an observer of a fandom, plus I’m getting away from an uninspiring job (that’s ending soon) and the screaming kids for a fun weekend away. I have no idea what I’m going to experience, but then again, I went with that mindset last year. Who knows what will happen? I’m looking forward to putting several Internet names with the faces and that alone makes that boring drive through Indiana worth it.
Have a great weekend everyone, and I imagine reports will start trickling in Saturday. For the three of you that don’t remember my Chicago con reports from last year, here are the links. The Jensen and Jared story is on day three.
Oh gee, you got me all misty with this lovely send off *sniff* I’ve read your reports and it sounded like a once in a lifetime experience, which I’m sure is an understatement, epic might be closer 😉
You go and have a great time and I hope this experience will be a wonderfull one too. I’ll check back to read about your awesome time there.
Have a nice trippie and drive safe 🙂
Alice,
I do believe you will have a great time, after all, if you go to such an event, it probably is the attitude you carry with you that defines how you will feel – to a major extent. Going there with last year’s fantastic experience in your memory (which will never fade, I guess, my own mind-blowing life-experiences are still there, like mini-movies in my head), you’ll be positive and open to whatever will await you.
My best friend (I like to call her my sister, because we are more sisters than friends, even though we don’t share any DNA) went to Hallowhedon a couple of weeks ago (being a huge James Masters fan) and had the most wonderful moments there (despite a few really weird ones), even talking to Mercedes McNab, who seems to be a lovely person, about her stint on Supernatural (which she did on my behalf, I believe, and Mercedes confirmed what we have heard often from guest stars – that the atmosphere on set was warm and welcoming, and Jensen and Jared were chivalrous and sweet).
James actually said something and hitting the nail on the head: when being asked about the most important qualities a fan should possess, he answered ‘good taste and patience’.
Couldn’t agree more.
😉
With what I heard from my friend and with the responses I got to my Con-article a few days back, I’m beginning to feel thrilled and happy to be going in March.
This time the tickets for the J&J photo ops were sold out incredibly fast, and I wonder whether Creation has learned from previous cons and put less tickets on sale (to avoid the kind of traffic we’ve read about) or – they just sold out quickly, period. There are also no J&J extra autograph options on sale as of yet… Wonder what that means. I’ll tell you about it when I get there.
Thanks to the generous encouragement from many fans here, most of my apprehension is fading away, and I’m already counting the days. I’m going to book flight and car, etc next week, and suddenly it all seems to be already within touching distance. 😮
It will be even more so when we hear about your adventures this year. No pressure, enjoy your time and write when you can. And if the purple nurples should be any good this time, no one here will mind waiting for your reports a wee bit longer.
Here on this site I’ve met the sweetest fans, and I hope – like you mention – to connect a few of the names with faces (Alice, you are not planning any vacation in California come next spring, by any chance…?).
Your invitation to come to this site opened a part of being-a-fan for me I had not expected, and I enjoy every moment of this. I’m happy and amazed beyond words about the relaxed and fun-loving discussions here and the sweet welcome I received.
You’ve given us here a place to be a fan in more ways than one. Including those qualities James Masters named – in good taste and with patience.
You go and have a most wonderful time! Blessed be, Jas
Have fun! I met one of my now closest friends at a con in LA in March… for me the cons are about meeting people! And my favourite parts were sitting in the bar talking to people and talking about loads of things not just the show – although have a chance to meet the actors was cool! I loved Richard Speight Jr was a just great we had a great exhange about Band of Brothers.
*Chicago Con Spoiler*
I’ve heard that Jensen and Jared have requested to do all their sessions together…
Hi Alice!
Have a nice trip and I hope you have as much fun (or more) this year as last year!
Have a safe trip and a good time, which you likely will since, being a GA peon all the way in the back, you won’t have to wade through those with poor taste and lack of patience. 😎 Looking forward to your reports!
Have a great trip, Alice! We look forward to the many tales you will return with!
Alice, I have driven many times from Chicago to Ohio and know the 8 hr drive is tiring. The worst part is around Indianapolis. YUK!
I didn’t know about your epic experience with J&J. Thanks for the links. So wonderful a story. I hope this trip is just as epic an adventure. I look forward to your posts from the Chicago
Wonder if anyone’s told the Chicago Con bartenders to put “Yellow-eyed coolers” on the drink list? Drive safe & have fun
Alice,
Have a blast and I’ll be among the many here waiting for your reports..n pressure…okay. there’s pressure.
Safe travels Alice, I (as everyone else who visits your site, I’m sure) eagerly await reports from this Con. Funny stories always abound, which always buoy the spirit. Jared, Jensen and the rest of the cast tell good stories and I never tire of hearing or reading about them, especially when you add your wonderful perspective. GRIN
Go and come back safe, mate … 8 hours in the car sounds a bit much ( mind you, you can do that on the M25 and still not actually move more than a few yards … )
Look forward to lots of tales from the coalface … So don’t get too carried away sampling the Purple Nurples and Yellow-Eyed Wossnames, we want details! 😆