Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] mrsr58 for the heads up, there's a great article (despite some inaccuracies) from The New York Times about "Supernatural". It's titled Heaven, Hell, Brothers and an Impala. Here's an excerpt:
In the absence of “Battlestar Galactica,” which ended its run two years ago, “Supernatural” is easily the most theistic series on television, its worldview rooted in the idea that a war is raging between heaven and hell. During the series’s first three seasons Dean, who speaks as if he were trying for chief-executive authority by forcing his voice down a few octaves, had been an atheist. (Let’s leave aside the fact that there are far easier avenues of employment for nonbelievers than combating Satan.) But saved by a surly angel during a bout of spiritual ugliness in the fourth season, Dean reconsiders his thinking.
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (spn dean eyes: angry)
( Feb. 13th, 2011 08:42 pm)
Yesterday I defriended a user for the very first time here on LJ. This in and of itself is no big deal, especially considering the user is much happier now that I won't make any more comments at her public entries that may not agree with what she says. I was not being contrary on purpose, and I did not "stalk" her entries just to be mean. I started following her a short while ago because I thought we shared a love for Supernatural and its actors. I did leave many agreeable comments at her journal in the past, but apparently due to her large following (600+ or so she once claimed), she only remembers me when I disagree. I realized my dissenting voice was upsetting her, I didn't want to give her undue distress, so I told her I would remove myself from her journal. Leaving that I did, however it doesn't mean I concede our debate on the "greediness" of one Jensen Ackles in particular, and main Supernatural cast at large.

It all started with my reply to a comment at her entry that implied it was Jensen's fault his concert with Jason Manns were sold at such a high price. Here is what I said:

I think it's misleading to think Jensen Ackles and Jason Manns charged $1500 for their 45 minutes first time ever performance. In my opinion it's perfectly reasonable that the artists involved here want to perform for only a small audience, especially given Jensen is not a professional singer. With only 30 seats available, it's not outrageous the convention organizer auctioned out these tickets. Nobody held fans hands' and made them bid higher and higher. It's a simple matter of "Supply-and-Demand". One can snicker about Jensen and/or Jason's singing ability, however there're just too many people want and willing to pay to see/hear them sing and play guitar on stage together.

This was counter argued that it was indeed Jensen's fault because he should have known how popular he is, and that the small audience was not the problem, they should have just set a low fee for the tickets and draw lottery at the convention to see who gets to attend. To that logic I answered:

No, I think Jensen's opinion on his own popularity is irrelevant here. He has never done a concert before. There is no market pricing for his first ever concert. The auction is not an unfair way to settle who gets to attend the small event. For all I know, Jensen may even doubt anybody would shell out $100 for his singing performance, after all he's not a singer, hasn't released any songs/singles in his name except singing as a backup.

Lottery drawing maybe a way to go (for that matter, why sell the tickets at a cost at all? why not make it for free completely?), however others may feel it's not exactly fair either. Why someone mildly interested in seeing Jensen sing live gets to attend this due to his/her lucky chance while someone else who wants to see it so dearly and willing to pay a hefty amount has to sit out? At least with the auction, the people gets to attend are those who *really* wants to see this, and they have the financial means to do so.

I know I want to see it very badly and I don't have the financial ability to do so. But I don't ever think it's Jensen or Jason's fault. Nor do I think convention organizer is unfair to determine who gets to see this.


For this I got scoffed at that I, like many others, assumed Jensen and Jared lived in a bubble for not knowing how much people are willing to pay to see them. I was also reminded of an ill fated convention was recently canceled because these main actors asked too much in terms of their fees and special treatments. Again, I counter argued:

You misunderstood me. I'm not saying Jensen (or Jared) doesn't know his self worth. I'm saying his knowledge of his popularity is irrelevant in this discussion.

And I stand by my opinion that there is no known market pricing for Jensen's concert. How could it be? He has never done one before.

And speaking of the canceled convention, ... There can be no money made off the fans if the fans are not willing to pay. And I don't think the stars arbitrarily charge an amount for their fee. For all I know their contractual demand is an industry standard for stars of their caliber. If they overestimate their worth, they don't get paid any. Again, fair and square. I don't see a right vs. wrong here.


Meanwhile someone else commented under my thread there that she felt the auction was distasteful because The auction is simply a get-as-much-as-possible greedy money grabbing and blatant showing off Jensen's popularity. I had to make sure I understood what she's saying so I verified:

If I understand you correctly, you are saying auction is evil and distasteful unless it's done for charity then. A position I do not agree, but that's just me.

Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprising) I got the reply that Auction in general isn't. Just talking about this one specifically. (with the emphasize on "this")

Huh?! Did I miss something here? In my opinion, Jensen's talent is a commodity, just as, to a much smaller extent, every single one of ours is too. Don't we get paid everyday for what we can do at our jobs? As a commodity, why is it so awful for Jensen's case specifically? I admit I was curious so I had to ask: And why should this one be singled out from other auctions?

That was the extent of it because at this point I was clearly upsetting the user, she specifically asked me to stop. She and her guest expressed in no uncertain terms that a free concert won't kill Jensen and that (to paraphrase) a 45 minute concert cost less than $1500 won't starve Jensen. Their sentiment was Jensen and Jared pretty much owe fans because without us, they wouldn't even get a season 6 nor a TV Guide cover.

To respect the user since it was her journal I was commenting from, I did stop saying anything additional except announcing I was leaving her place. Even though I didn't argue further, I still strongly disagreed with their position. Sure, there are many things Jensen or Jared could have done that won't kill them per se, but that doesn't necessarily mean they should or obliged to do these things. And as to them owing fans, I was one of those who voted fervently for Supernatural on the TV Guide cover until my fingers were sore. But never did I feel I own the boys because of that. I voted for them because I owe them gratitude for their jobs well done. I consider myself rewarded when the boys publicly thanked fans for our support and Jensen vowed to work even harder. In all this, I feel the actors under no obligation to give fans freebies, and when they do, it's their gift to us. I hate to think that just because they did something nice once, all of a sudden, they are expected to do it every time, and when they don't, they become less of a decent human being in some fans eyes.

When this entry is posted, LA Con has drawn to a conclusion. Jensen Ackles and Jason Manns concert is either in progress or it may have been over as well. Even though I regret I'm not able to see it with my own eyes, I still wish everything went well, and everyone involved, from the performing artists to the attending audience had (or are having) a great time. Also I was looking for information regarding the convention earlier. I was surprised to see the LJ user I'm talking about here had gleefully wrote a report about it at an online news magazine to which she is the editor. This in particular left a bad taste in my mouth. I find it's hypocritical of her to fuel fans desire and fascination at seeing these actors. After all, I believe it was our tremendous eagerness at wanting to get up close and personal with these stars that drove up the cost.
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (f*ck off)
( Jan. 27th, 2011 06:52 pm)
Dear CW,

You guys are not cool. Really? One day before the scheduled return of Supernatural, and you pull this kind of stunt?

I've watched your network for years now because of Supernatural. I even had to switch satellite provider to find one who can give me a CW station because my local area doesn't have one. Yet you are making me feel you care not at all about fans like me.

I have made plans with my friend weeks in advance to watch the shows this Friday night together. Now guess what? My TV will not be tuned anywhere near the CW station. It's a good time for us to check out other shows that I've been meaning to take a look.

Oh, and I will not be tune in CW tonight anymore either. Nor next Thursday, the week after next, and so on.

I will still come back for Supernatural if you guys don't pull the plug on that. But given how you treated the show and its fans, I have no faith in you anymore.

Sincerely,

A Very Disheartened Fan

ETA: Castiel has a stern message for @CW_network on Twitpic
I just got back home last night from attending Creation Con's Salute to Supernatural in San Francisco over the weekend. I had a blast, and am still in the process of uploading various stuff I recorded here and there. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot. As far as audio files go, I've only gotten around to record the J2 Panel and Richard Speight, Jr's panel on Sunday. I won't bore you with the reason why that is so (I'll do that in a separate con report;) Anyway, here they are -- my first offerings:

Two panel audio clips under the cut... )
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (cylon six)
( Nov. 11th, 2010 11:01 am)
I just read the following (excerpt) regarding The CW's November Sweep Highlights. Can't say I'm not green with jealous:

SMALLVILLE – "Patriot" (8:00-9:00 p.m.) DC COMICS CHARACTER AQUAMAN RETURNS WITH HIS WIFE MERA; TOM WELLING DIRECTS AND MICHAL HOGAN ("BATTLESTAR GALACTICA") GUEST STARS AS COL SLADE. – in an effort to protect the rest of the team, Oliver (Justin Hartley) decides to register for the Vigilante Registration Act to see what the government plans to do with the new law. As he suspected, it was a trap to lure superheroes to an undisclosed location where he is confined to a jail and subjected to a battery of brutal tests under the supervision of Col. Slade (guest star Michael Hogan, "Battlestar Galactica").

Seriously, Michael Hogan! Col Tigh! When can Supernatural get him to guest star? Want it so bad I can weep.

(Note: the article linked above contain synopsis of SPN episodes scheduled for November as well)
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (sleepy head)
( Nov. 7th, 2010 06:23 pm)
Here's my dab in the icon making after seeing the latest promotional pictures for Supernatural. I'm very much a novice at this, so criticisms are much appreciated.

Preview:
      

More behind the cut... )
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (spn brothers in it together)
( Oct. 1st, 2010 10:18 am)
What a coincidence. Yesterday I saw the "Word of the Day" prompt from my Dictionary app showing the word lucifugous (meaning avoiding light). Less than half hour later, I ran into a new collaborative fic by [livejournal.com profile] leonidaslion (author) and [livejournal.com profile] dreamlittleyo (artist). It's called Sing Your Hymns Like Angels in Defeat (link to the master post). It's a post Apocalypse AU story, and is divided in three parts: "Requiem", "Nocturne", and "Oratorio". The work truly is as lyrical as these titles suggest. I'm sure it comes as no surprise to anyone that these two each is fabulous in her own right; together they are team dynamite! Oh, I don't think it's spoilery for me to say this since it's established early on that the story features blind!Dean. Also it's Sam/Dean with a past established relationship.
Summary: And Lucifer Fell for a second time with the burning brilliance of a star. The Flare shone in his wake, and darkness fell upon the land ...
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (spn sam watching over you)
( Sep. 30th, 2010 01:42 pm)
I read a lovely missing scene co-written by [livejournal.com profile] triquetralmoon and [livejournal.com profile] wave_obscura called The Ache.

Summary:  Missing scene from 6.01. hurt!sick!Dean This will probably be Kripke'd immediately, but - it gets inside Sam's head.

My Note: it has my favorite theme which is hurt!Dean + protective!Sam. It's GEN, although the Sam here is quite possessive about Dean too. Also I adore the line Sam said to the curious cousin Gwen who was a tad too obsessed about Dean's "delicate features" (I wonder if anyone can guess which one it is). Oh, there's callback to Dean's resemblance to Mary from Samuel as well so it's not a wonder I loved it so much.
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (jensen cute)
( Aug. 29th, 2010 09:16 pm)
Okay, I don't do this often at my journal. Posting pictures found over the 'net that is. But after Jensen's recent shirtless soccer pictures made my mouth water, the images of leather clad Mr. Ackles from Van Con short circuited my brain.

I COULD'T RESIST ANYMORE! *g*

So here we go, oh by the way, Jensen's partner-in-crime Jared is no slouch either. These guys are so darn pretty.

some pictures from Twitter... )
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (j2 schmoop)
( Aug. 29th, 2010 03:25 pm)
Okay, I'm nowhere near Vancouver at the moment. But I've been periodically following #vancon on Twitter. In the sea of endless retweets, these are the relevant ones I gathered. They are listed in the order I saw them, with the newest ones on the top.

SPN Vancouver Con's Sunday Tweets related to J2... )
xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (expression: :D)
( Apr. 17th, 2010 12:32 am)
Found on BuddyTV -- to celebrate Supernatural reaching its 100th episode, they put together 100 funniest quotes from the show.

Read more... )
This is a very belated post of *everything* mentioned here. But I have a lame excuse -- Due to my unfortunate skiing accident (twisted my knee during my last run on the slope), I haven't been able to get out of bed to do much for the past two and half days. Le Sigh

While I'm lame (yeah, literally), there were so many things happened that deserve celebration:

First of all, there was the Valentine's Day that came and went. Even though it's behind us, I still want to send a belated wish of love to every one of my friends. I know it's three days past Sunday, nonetheless I wish love finds all of you not only on the day Cupid was officiating, but also thereafter. May that love be the romantic kind and/or in friendship, I wish it continues to fill your heart, letting you know you are cherished. ♥

Okay, enough of the schmoop...  As it happens, by unique cosmic alignment, this year's Valentine's Day also was the start of a new year according to Chinese Lunar Calendar. So to all my friends who celebrate the beginning of the new lunar cycle, I wish you a very Happy Year of Tiger. May fortune follows you throughout the next 365 days! And dear [livejournal.com profile] ala_tariel, thank you so much for the Lucky Red Envelop! Can you imagine my joy and surprise at seeing it?! (((HUGS)))

The beginning of the new year certainly was lucky for Chinese figure skaters. At the Winter Olympic in Vancouver, they cinched not only the Gold but also the Silver medal for the Pair's Competition, ending the Russia/Soviet dominance of the sport since 1964. As a Chinese, I'm immensely proud of what these athletes accomplished. Yet, as a spectator who loves watching pair's figure skating, I couldn't help feeling nostalgic for what I consider the greatest pair skaters of all time -- Gordeeva & Grinkov. While I enjoyed every program G&G ever performed, my favorite is the artistic program they skated in 1994's Canadian Professional Championship. In this piece, with the music of Russian composer Rachmaninoff's Vocalise as the backdrop, they brought Rodin's sculpture The Kiss to life. After 16 years, it still brings tears to my eyes. In the spirit of romance, here's the link to a clip on YouTube.  While I'm at it, since Valentine's Day hasn't gone too far, how about another schmoopy pick-me-up? Many of us G&G's fans remember well of their 1995 Star On Ice program in which they brilliantly interpreted Ella Fitzgerald's The Man I Love. After watching these, can you feel the romance filling the air yet?

Speaking of romance, who doesn't love a good bromance these days? And I dare say that on television, none other better portrayed it than CW's Supernatural. Turns out I'm far from the only one to think that. Why? Because it's official: SUPERNATURAL IS RENEWED FOR SEASON 6! Yes, I'm beyond ecstatic. I came into the fandom late (in season 4), and I so wasn't ready to say goodbye to the boys just yet. I'm fully aware of the rumor that while still going to return as the writer and/or executive producer, the creator and show runner Eric Kripke is going to hand over the day to day running of the show to one of the current executive producers Sera Gamble. If true, this may seem as a caveat, but I think it hardly qualifies for concern. After all, Sera Gamble is the most prolific writer for the show. Up to now, her name is credited as writer(s) for 21 (aired) episodes while Kripke has only 15 under his belt (and Ben Edlund has 12). Granted Kripke and Edlund wrote more pivotal ones (finales & cliffhangers), but I think the ones leading up to them are just as important. Thus I have confidence Sera would do well if she is thrust into leadership position. Meanwhile I'm having growing respect for Eric Kripke for handing over the reign when he knows his time and energy are going to be divided between SPN and developing new shows. So without reservation, let's CELEBRATE more bromance to come our way!

mady by [livejournal.com profile] ala_tariel

xwacky: Dean from Supernatural (yay! air guitar)
( Jan. 31st, 2010 04:26 pm)
Apparently, Jensen rocked the house at Supernatural's 100th Episode Celebration party last night.

A peek behind the cut... )

For a more detailed blurb, see [livejournal.com profile] mysticwaters's post @ her LJ.
So sorry to spam my flist with this series of magazine scans. I promise this is the last one for this issue. Without further ado, votes are in...

~ for all my friends and fellow fans overseas; no copyright infringements are intended; consider this as a preview ~

Da da da dum, the award goes to... )
.

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