Lurker-friendly post

Hi, my name is Eliann /ELLIE-ahn/ (not really, no). And I'm a conoholic (of the perpetually broke variety). But enough about me.

Let's talk about the important things in life. My blog stats. Because I just don't get it. If somebody comes here looking for... idk, whatever, or pretty pictures of Jensen, or whatever, (BTW, pictures of Clif, ppl?! Really?!), then why... WHAHAHAY!!! (sure, that's  a word) don't they actually try to find what they were looking for??! There's more to this blog then just the first page. o.0 Shocking, I know.

Now, since I am such a giving person and am constantly doing my best to help my fellow man (shuddup everyone who knows me), I decided to make this as easy as possible.

So, for those who are too lazy ;p to browse through Blog Archive...


(click on the pic)

What to wear, where to stay, how to survive Jensen's killer smile when unleashed on you... and other unhelpful advice


Basic info on JIB 2012, BurCon 2012, DallasCon 2012, VegasCon 2013, JIB 2013 and VegasCon 2015. When, where, who, how much...








VanCon 2009 -                          ChiCon 2009 -
photos                                       photos, videos, tweets




LAcon 2010 -                             VanCon 2010 -
photos, videos, tweets                photos, videos, tweets




LAcon 2011 -                             BurCon 2012 -
con report, photos, videos,         con report, photos, videos,                
tweets, photo ops                      photo ops, tweets 













JIB 2012 -
con report, photos, autographs,
photo ops, tweets


Cons I attended in 2013: VegasCon, JIB
Con I attended in 2014: VegasCon
Con I'll be attending in 2015: VegasCon


And now, I would like to take a moment to pimp the rest of my brilliant posts, which are plentiful even though I say so myself. My blog is a true, albeit somewhat exaggerated, story of one woman's struggle to find a part-time job that would help her feed her addiction. It's ever so fascinating. 
No, really, Blog Archive. Go. Now.



Comments are, well, mostly nonexistent, but also appreciated.

Bitter taste of JIB (Jus in bello 2013)

I have two JIBs under my belt and I still don't understand why some ppl practically have an orgasm at the mere mention of Jus in bello.

I mean, I get it why the guests love it. They are being pampered by the staff and paid to have a vacation in Rome and see some of their friends. If I was them, I would probably love it too.

But I am not a paid guest. I am a paying attendee. And that, my dear lurkers, is a whole 'nother ballgame.

Let's talk about their organizing abilities. Oh, they do cram everything so, so nicely into those three days. But then the cattle has everything at the same time. Panels, photo ops, autographs and meet&greets. I am still just one person and can't be in four places at the same time. I did try, but alas.

Jared had to leave. I found out about that when I saw a woman crossing out his name on that schedule for photo ops. Why? Cause I wasn't in the theater when they announced it. Why? Cause I was standing in line to get my photo op done as soon as possible so I wouldn't miss the first panel. Ah, the joys of JIB. BTW, nobody bothered to change the schedule in front of the theater. They just had to cross his name out and add Ty to one panel. Nobody did that. So for the rest of the day it was like, Oh, I wonder what's next.

Then out of the blue, they announced Jensen & Misha photo op on Saturday. I admit it, I panicked. That photo op was supposed to be on Sunday and I was completely makeupless and in all the wrong clothes. I hurried to the reception desk to find out if they'd still have J&M photo op on Sunday. The woman there didn't really know anything about it. But in the end it turned out it was the ex-trio photo op and not J&M photo op. But I missed like 10 minutes of the panel, so all was good. Since, I assume, that IS their main goal. To make us miss the panels.

And now let's talk about refunds. According to their website: "we will contact by email in the next few weeks those of you who've brought their photo op/extra autograph/meet&greet postcards back at the reception desk during JIBCON 4 asking for refund."
So, we were supposed to bring those postcards to reception desk during JIB if we wanted refund?  That's good to know. Would've probably helped more if I had known about it during JIB, but WTH, right? Let's just complicate things.
To be fair, they did say that they would deal with refunds after the con, but then they plastered the whole area with announcements saying that they will take care of refunds a few weeks after the con and that there will be more info about it on their website. Nobody ever mentioned that we had to return the postcards. But I'm sure it's all my fault. Should've read their minds.


Now, in the interest of fairness, I should mention all the good things about JIB too. Y'know, give credit where credit is due. So, here goes. Photo ops weren't green and blurry this year.

In a nutshell

Basic info on the cons I'm attending. When, where, who, how much...


Las Vegas 2013

JIB 2013

O Money Tree, O Money Tree, Your branches green delight us!

I have to say this. If I ever pay 6010 € for one pass, I'm taking one of the guests with me when the con is over. Because, OMG! 6010 €! For 1 pass! I'm a conoholic and I wouldn't be able to justify paying that much. Cause, let's face it, if you pay 6010 € for one pass, you're basically paying 3790 € for a chair. Yes, that chair is in the front row, but still. Just. A. Chair.

They look photoshopped, you say?

Jus in bello 2012


My photo ops. PLEASE DO NOT REPOST. Actually, if possible, do not download at all. Thank you. :)



First of all, I swear to Castiel, even though some of these photo ops look like somebody took two people from two completely different photos and photoshopped them together (badly, might I add), they are, in fact, NOT photoshopped. Also, Jared and Misha are really not that green in RL.

Oh and, I hate that bloody chair.


--> Jensen

Color me disappointed. And possibly slightly ticked off. Why did I even bother with the whole outfit when you can't see the pants? They were quite possibly the most important part of the whole outfit!!! Next time I'll go to the photo op room wearing a nice top, pajama pants and fluffy slippers. Why the hell not?! It's not like anybody will see that.



--> Jensen

When it comes to my POs that look like two ppl were photoshopped together, this one's the worst. Jensen's more or less sharp and I'm all blurry and out of focus. Which does wonders for my wrinkles, but still.



--> Jared

This was a good one. :D Too bad you can only see half of it. Anyways, I got there and Jared said: Sitrstand? And I was like: What? Oh! Yeah, it doesn't matter. So he remained seated, turned towards me and hugged the hell out of me. :D I'm pretty sure it took us a few seconds to figure out how to rearrange the legs and I think in the end it worked out quite well, but it's not like I'll ever be able to see that. *shout-out to the photographer*


--> Jared & Misha




--> Jensen & Misha


Was it something I said? (Yes, it was.) lol

Been there, done that, got videotaped...

Where's Waldo Eliann?



 © some people who are not me

Funny story. I sent the link (just the link, no explanation) to my mostly online friend who saw me only once in RL and that was years ago. And two minutes later I get her email: Hey, that's you in the video!!! And I'm like: OMG, how did you even recognize me???!
I mean, even I only recognized myself cause I knew I was there. Yes, I'm bad with faces, OK? So sue me.


Disclaimer: I'd like to state very clearly that this video is not mine. I try to post only my photos and videos cause I'm a bit touchy when it comes to copyright issues and you know what they say: Don't do unto others...  Now, go forth and... Um... Yeah, I don't know where I was going with that. Please, don't sue.

All in one - JIB 2012

CON REPORT

The Good, the Bad and the Hilton


PHOTOS

Photos


AUTOGRAPHS

Autographs


PHOTO OPS

They look photoshopped, you say?


TWEETS

Yes, both of them.

Jus in bello - Rome (JIB 2013)

ETA: I procrastinate. A lot. So, if you want pics and videos and con report and half of my photo op, you know what to do. ;)



INFO

DATE: May 10-12, 2013

HOTEL: Hilton Rome Airport (Via Arturo Ferrarin 2, 00054 Fiumicino, Rome, Italy)



GUESTS:
Jensen Ackles
Jared Padalecki
Misha Collins
Richard Speight Jr.
Brock Kelly
Sebastian Roché
Rob Benedict
Matt Cohen
Ty Olsson
Jason Manns
Steve Carlson


PASSES:
Angel 420 €
Demon 320 €
Sinner 185 €
Hunter 115 €
Prophet - starting bid: 1500-2000 €


PHOTO OPS:
Jensen Ackles 80 €
Jared Padalecki 80 €
Misha Collins 65 €
Richard Speight Jr. 35 €
Brock Kelly 35 €
Sebastian Roché 35 €
Rob Benedict 35 €
Matt Cohen 35 €
Ty Olsson 35 €
Jason Manns 20  €
Steve Carlson 20 €

Jensen & Jared 170 €
Jensen & Misha 150 €
Jared & Misha 150 €
Richard & Matt 70 €

Jensen, Jared & Misha 240 €
Misha, Brock, Matt, Richard, Rob, Sebastian & Ty 245 €


AUTOGRAPHS:
Jensen Ackles 55 €
Jared Padalecki 55 € 
Misha Collins 40 €
Richard Speight Jr. 20 €
Brock Kelly 20 €
Sebastian Roché 20 €
Rob Benedict 20 €
Matt Cohen 20 €
Ty Olsson 20 €
Jason Manns 15  €
Steve Carlson 15 €


MEET & GREET
Jensen Ackles 465 €
Jared Padalecki  465 €
Misha Collins 295 €
Richard Speight Jr. 115 €
Brock Kelly 115 €
Sebastian Roché 115 €
Rob Benedict 115 €
Matt Cohen 115 €
Ty Olsson 115 €
Jason Manns 65  €
Steve Carlson 65 €


Roman holiday 525 €

Saturday night activity 15 €
Sunday night activity 15 €


If it's red, it's sold out.

For more info go to Jus in bello website: JIB 4

My JIB 2012 tweets. Both of them.

Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Internet was REALLY expensive so I was Internetless for most of the time. :( That's the reason for this serious shortage of con tweets.

Jus in bello 3 - autographs

By Saturday afternoon I gave up on trying to get all the autographs. So in the end I got only 5. 

BTW, you know what the best thing you can hear when you finally get into the autograph room is? Sorry, this line is closed. I loved hearing that.

Jus in bello 3 - The Good, the Bad and the Hilton

I will probably write a proper con report, eventually, but this summary will have to do for now.

I loved the panels. Everybody (by everybody I mean the guests) was so relaxed and having so much fun on stage. Hell, I never had so much fun during panels before! 'Twas awesome. :D I actually had no intention of going back to Rome, but if there's JIB 4, I just might have to seriously rethink that. Just because of the panels.

I hated the fact that they had panels, photo ops and autographs at the same time. I sometimes say that POs are the reason I'm going to cons, and I'm mostly joking, but I consider them a very important part of the whole convention experience. They are a tangible memento. This time I couldn't buy all the POs I wanted because I knew that I would have to miss most of the panels to get them. That's a huge minus in my book.
On Saturday night, after the concert, I suddenly realized: OMG, is Jim Beaver even here?! Two days of the convention were over and I was yet to see the man. I think that says a lot. So does the fact that I didn't get all the autographs that came with the pass. (Didn't want to miss more panels.)

I really enjoyed the concerts. I always liked Jason's songs, but I was never a fan of Steve's songs. (Which is kinda funny considering I love Kane. Their songs, I mean.) But this time, I was sitting there thinking Why the hell didn't I like his songs??? *still baffled*

I didn't like the offending chair(s) in the photo op room cause when the guests are sitting, that just makes for really awkward POs. Some of my POs look like somebody took ppl from two different photos and photoshopped them together. And I especially didn't like what happened when it was my turn to have my pic taken with Jensen. The woman there pushed me. Literally. And she pushed me so hard that she managed to move me from where I was standing and it took me like two steps to stop myself. What the hell happened to a pat on the shoulder or a simple Go or Next or even the Italian equivalent of that? It's not like I wouldn't have understood her.

Rome is relatively close. And it's really nice when you can get to the con (and back home) in practically no time. It didn't even feel like I was going anywhere. Even my dad said that to him it felt like I went to a neighbour's house for a cup of coffee and not to another country. lol Also, when I'm going to cons in America, traveling for 23 hrs can be really exhausting. (Especially on my way back home while I'm trying to fight off some serious post-con blues.) This time I didn't even care that I had to wait 6 hrs for my flight.

Having Demon pass sucks. Big time. If you have a DP, your entire time there you are just a second-class con-goer. You can stand in line for an hour waiting for a photo op or an autograph and if somebody with an Angel pass comes at that time, they'll just waltz past you. And if you're really unlucky, it'll turn out that everybody with the Sinner pass is also in front of you. Cause there's only one line for DP and SP. And, of course, if you have DP, you will realize very soon that there's a teeny-tiny problem with the stage. You see (or actually, you don't, and that's the problem), the stage is not high enough. And if you sit in the DP section, you won't see the guests. Best case scenario, you'll be able to see them on the screen. But if I wanted to watch them on a screen, I would've stayed home and watched them on YouTube. Also, you can pretty much forget about taking pictures which is something that is very important to me.

It's great that the guests are there for two or three days and for more than one panel.


And the Hilton? The only good thing about Hilton Rome is that it's so close to the airport. The ONLY good thing. Rooms are ridiculously expensive. And then they charge you 22 € for 24 hrs of economy (aka lousy) Internet. And no, there's no free wi-fi in the lobby. Can you say rip-off?
I had so much fun every time I wanted to go into my room because I never knew if I'll be able to unlock the door.
Then there's also the matter of the invisible room service menu, iron and ironing board. I managed to get the menu even though the woman from the housekeeping didn't speak English (and I don't speak Italian). She just went to another room and took it from there. (I sincerely apologize to the guest that got that room.) I didn't even try to ask about the iron.
I had a fun conversation with a guy from room service on Sunday. I got one of those call-this-number-so-we-can-remove-the-tray little cards. So I called. It took me 5 minutes to explain that no, I don't want salmon, I want someone to come and remove the tray. Finally he realized what I was saying and told me to leave the tray outside. So I did. Then I went out. When I returned 3 hrs later, the tray was still there. *sigh* Then why the hell did they make me call room service??!
Oh, and the safe didn't work.
4-star hotel, my ass.

Jus in bello 3 - photos

Here are the links to my con pics. But keep in mind that THIS is what I saw before I put my 20x zoom to good use:

So don't expect too much. Pics are not that good and there are often heads in the way.
Vivid example:

Richard, Sebastian, Misha, Mark, Rob, Brock, Steve, Jason - photos
Sebastian, Mark, Steve, Jason - photos
Jim, Brock, Richard, Mark, Sebastian, Rob - photos
Misha - photos
Jensen, Jared, Misha - photos
Jensen, Jared - photos

Why did I even bother?

Why did I even bother to choose my flights to and from Rome so carefully?


I was notified that both (yes, both) flights have been canceled and was sent the new schedule. Which absolutely sucks!

The new flight to Rome? Is an hour longer with one stop, leaves 6 hours later so instead of arriving at 11 am, I'll arrive after 5 pm and will lose a whole day in Rome. And I'll need to find somebody to give me a ride to the airport here at 1 pm. People work at 1 pm! And on my way back, I'll have to wait 6 hours at FCO. I'm really not looking forward to that.

Speaking of photo ops...

How crazy would it be to buy a flat iron just for JIB?



EDIT (March 21st, 2012):

I don't even like grapes. Really, I don't.

I am not a happy conoholic *coughphotoopwhorecough* right now. I already bought 5 photo ops for JIB and was all set to buy 3 or 4 more. But then I remembered that they have everything (panels, photo ops and autographs) at the same time. So, in other words, if I wanted to get all the photo ops and autographs, I would probably miss every panel. Especially since I have a DP. Yeah, I don't like that.

So, not only am I not going to buy all the photo ops I wanted, but I probably won't even try to get all the autographs. I'll get Jensen's, Jared's and Misha's and that's it. Even though I paid for 8 of them. But hey, at least I won't have to spend any money on stuff for them to autograph.

And I'll save A LOT of money on photo ops. And I really mean a lot. 26% of my paycheck. I guess, it just means more money for VegasCon. So, y'know, whatever.



The fox who longed for grapes, beholds with pain
The tempting clusters were too high to gain;
Grieved in his heart he forced a careless smile,
And cried ,‘They’re sharp and hardly worth my while.’

Aphra Behn

Prophet passes

Dear owners of Prophet passes,

could you send me directions to that money tree y'all obviously managed to find? Thanks in advance.

Eliann


(seat, starting bid, The Price)

PP01   1850 ->  3321,42 €
PP02   1825 ->  3420
PP03   1800 ->  3560
PP04   1775 ->  3360
PP05   1750 ->  3560
PP06   1725 ->  3360
PP07   1700 ->  3060
PP08   1675 ->  3220,42
PP09   1650 ->  2665
PP10   1625 ->  2460
PP11   1600 ->  1950
PP12   1575 ->  1590
PP13   1550 ->  1690
PP14   1525 ->  1910
PP15   1500 ->  1980

Jus in bello - Rome (JIB 2012)

INFO

DATE: April 27-29, 2012

HOTEL: Hilton Rome Airport (Via Arturo Ferrarin 2, 00054 Fiumicino, Rome, Italy)



GUESTS:
Jensen Ackles
Jared Padalecki
Misha Collins
Richard Speight Jr.
Brock Kelly
Mark Pellegrino
Sebastian Roché
Jim Beaver
Rob Benedict
Jason Manns
Steve Carlson


PASSES:
Angel  415 €
Demon  315 €
Sinner  185 €
Hunter  110 €
Prophet - auctions start at 1500-1850 €


PHOTO OPS:
Jensen Ackles  80 €
Jared Padalecki  80 €
Misha Collins  65 €
Richard Speight Jr.  35 €
Brock Kelly  35 €
Mark Pellegrino  35 €
Sebastian Roché  35 €
Jim Beaver  50 €
Rob Benedict  35 €
Jason Manns  20 €
Steve Carlson   20 €
Jensen & Jared   170 € 
Jensen & Misha  150 € 
Jared & Misha   150 € 
Jensen & Jared & Misha  240 € 
Misha & Sebastian  100 €
Misha, Jim, Richard, Sebastian, Mark, Brock & Rob  250 €




AUTOGRAPHS:
Jensen Ackles  55 €
Jared Padalecki  55 €
Misha Collins  40 €
Richard Speight Jr.  20 €
Brock Kelly  20 €
Mark Pellegrino  20 €
Sebastian Roché  20 €
Jim Beaver  30 €
Rob Benedict  20 €
Steve Carlson  15 €  (if you buy CD, 1 autograph included)
Jason Manns  15 € (if you buy CD, 1 autograph included)


MEET&GREETS:
Jensen Ackles  450 €
Jared Padalecki  450 €
Misha Collins  275 €
Richard Speight Jr.  110 €
Brock Kelly  110 €
Mark Pellegrino  110 €
Sebastian Roché  110 €
Jim Beaver  150 €
Rob Benedict  110 €
Jason Manns  50 €
Steve Carlson  50 €



Roman holiday 495 €

If it's red, it's sold out.

For more info go to Jus in bello website: JIB 2012

Hilton Rome Airport

I have absolutely no idea if my reservation still exists. I sent an e-mail with new dates on July 24. Didn't get any reply, but I did check my reservation on Hilton's website a few days later and they did change the dates.
When I still didn't get a confirmation e-mail two weeks later, I went to Hilton's website to check my reservation again. Easier said than done. They had problems with the page so I couldn't check anything.
So I kinda forgot about the whole thing until today. I went to check my reservation again. And this time I was informed that: No reservation was found. Please check your Confirmation number and Last name or last 4 digits of the credit card on this reservation and try again. I tried it a few more times and now I just keep geting this message: The reservation selected cannot be managed online. Please call 800.774.1500 for assistance or visit Customer care.

What the hell?!


UPDATE
Sept 19 - Still no e-mail from S. Incecchi, but this time I managed to find my reservation on Hilton's website. It has the new dates and says Reservation #... confirmed. I saved the printable version of my reservation confirmation. And I also e-mailed that confirmation to myself. Not sure it'll do me any good, but what the hell, right? In for a penny... Kad je bal nek je maskenbal.

Sept 21 - I received the confirmation. However. I found this in the said confirmation:

Rate Rules and Cancellation Policy:

A deposit equals to the charge for your full stay will be debited to you within the next days.

Once that has been obtained by the hotel, the reservation is guaranteed, non-refundable

and not changeable and will be held for your arrival.

I thought we were supposed to immediately pay for just one night (and pay for the rest at the hotel in April) and that the reservation could be cancelled until April 5th, 2012.  

Sept 22 - It's OK. I don't have to pay everything in advance. That whole 'deposit equals to the charge of your full stay will be debited to you within the next days' is something that's in every confirmation and (in this case) should be ignored.

Weeping Willow

Imagine how fitting this title would be if my name was actually Willow.

Cause I just realized something. There's no way in hell that I can afford J&J photo op for JIBcon.

And that's a heartbreaking realization.

Mostly because I always get one of those - it's a tradition by now and not getting a J&J photo op just feels... wrong.

But also because... It's a freakin' photo op with Jensen!!! and Jared!!!

Need I say more?

To-do list (August/September)

- book a flight to Rome

- book a flight to Burbank

- get booking confirmation from Hilton Rome

- decide how long I want to stay in Burbank and book a room at Marriott



- upgrade Demon pass if possible

- get a part-time job