Tag: asylum 16

onlyhumaneverdeen:

So let me tell you a story about two men called Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki.
I met them this weekend in Birmingham at the Asylum16 and I’m completely overwhelmed.
The con overall was super chaotic, stressing and confusing. The times the panels, photo ops and autograph session were supposed to start never started at that times and some groups were called for all photo ops and autograph sessions and some where never called (like mine). The first photo op with Jensen was cancelled after four groups (because of security reasons I think they said), so he had to do all the rest on one day. There was one group per letter in the alphabet, and in the first session he got to D. But oh well, we can’t change that now.

So today on the third and last day (and the second day for photo ops and autograph sessions) I went to the Jensen m&g. I was pretty nervous, but he just walked into that room filled with about 23 crazy fangirls and he was totally relaxed. He said he was tired and a bit hungover and (of course) one of the people he blamed for it was Jared.
He kindly answered everyone’s questions including mine and he always tried to give a long answer. Even tough my question wasn’t that complicated or anything, he took about 2-3 minutes to answer it, which made me really happy because, well, he looked at me for about 2-3 minutes. 🙂 At the end he thanked everyone and said he’d go and take a nap now.
But guess what? No sleep for this tough cookie. He went straight to the single photo ops, and so did I. On the walls they pinned notes that said “no poses, no props”. But I wanted to take my one chance, so when it was my turn I asked him to stand forehead on forehead. He looked at me for a second and then he said “okay”. When the pic was done he hugged me once more and said “Thank you, sweetheart” Well thank YOU for making my day, week, month, year.

After that, I got into the queue to the Jared photo ops. The line was moving a bit slower as Jensen’s, but that’s probably because Jared doesn’t seem to like being rushed. When it was my turn and I asked him for the biggest Winchester hug that he’s got. He grinned and said “yeah come on”. I’ve never been hugged so hard, you guys. He really squished my face together, and I look like I have 200 marshmallows in my mouth, but I absolutely loved it. After I thanked him and wanted to turn around and go, he grabbed my hand and said “I love your shirt. Thank you for spreading the message.” I was wearing one of his campaign’s tops.

They did not have one break. Maybe like 5 minutes, but that’s it. They had to take so many pictures because of the shitty schedule and planning. By that point I felt pretty much selfish for wanting another photo op with the both of them. I felt bad, they should’ve gotten a longer break than just a few minutes. I felt terrible. So when it was my turn to take the photo with J2 I told them before hugging them “I’m so sorry you have to take so many pictures today.” They looked at me and Jensen said “we get hugs”, and then Jared said “yeah and we get love” and squished my shoulder. And that really hit me in the face. He was comforting ME. I felt terrible for them and they were trying to make ME feel better.

About half an hour later, Jared had a panel in my Hall (1), and Jensen in the other one (I think). And guess what? No break after that. They headed to the next room for the autograph session.

And they were so nice. I painted a portrait of Jared and the staff member handed it to him to sign. He looked at it and said “Wow, that’s badass.” I also made a beanie for him and said “I know you probably need another house for all the beanies you get, (“I do”) but I still made you another one. It was a black beanie that said Love Yourself First. He asked “It’s for me?” well duh, of course it’s for you. He said “Wow thank you, that’s badass”. My friend who was queueing up behind me said “it’s handmade”, because of course I didn’t think of mentioning it. And he said “Really?? That’s so badass, thank you”. I think Jared thinks I’m a bit of a badass.

Last but not least, I went to Jensen’s table. I had a portrait to sign and a bordeaux beanie for him that said You Are Not Alone. I said “I know that Jared is the one of you who wears the beanies, but I made one for you too. He took it, looked at it, looked up to me, obviously tired as hell, and said “Thank you. I appreciate that.” And I really think he did.

And that’s the point. They did photo ops and autograph sessions the entire day. They are tired, but you don’t see that in any of the photos. They’d like to sleep, but they’re there, listening to us, doing anything they can to make us happy. They probably don’t need this convention, they got enough money. They don’t need the promotion. They could spend their time better. But they’re with us. They do anything for us.
When they comforted me and said they’re doing it for us, I 100% believe them. They’re not some actors who say “Yeah, I love my fans”. No, they don’t just say it, they really do. I saw Jared listening to stories of fans even tough there were others waiting. They’re taking their time, they’re listening. They freaking care about us just like we care for them. You can’t see their tiredness for 1 second when they’re talking to a fan. They would do anything for us. If they had to sit or stand there, smile for 8 hours straight into the camera, they would. And they fucking did.

I wish I got a chance to tell them how much their kindness means to me, and the whole fandom. I just wish I had two quiet minutes to tell them. If you don’t love these wonderful human beings Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, then get out of my face.

And I just hope they get their nap now.