WinchestMidwest was a fun convention, even better than the year before. If you haven't already found my report on the con, go here:

Part one: http://community.livejournal.com/winchestmidwest/41090.html

Part two: http://community.livejournal.com/winchestmidwest/41447.html

to trillian276709! A woman of great energy and friendly smiles. Have a terrific day!

Sandhill Cranes overhead last week, two in my backyard wetlands today arguing with a pair of Canada Geese about nesting site rights, and tonight? Frogs! The first peepers, peeping their little hearts out in the freezing cold. Not really freezing, about 42 degrees, but that explains why there were only a few voices in the chorus. So, I declare that Nature believes that Spring has arrived. And yeah, I'm suddenly seeing Robins everywhere.

I don't know why I am still up when I spent the weekend at Winchest Midwest (having a great time and getting little sleep) AND lost an hour to Daylight Stupid Time last night. So I think I'll toddle off to bed. Even though the frogs are still up. Because I'm barely coherent right now as it is. And chilled from sitting outside listening to frogs.

icon by no_apologies_86

I'm lucky enough to live under one of the Spring flyways for the Sandhill Cranes. For the last several years at almost exactly this time, I have seen and heard them migrating. One amazing year several hundred of them flew directly over my house. They make a very distinctive noise while flying that never fails to pull me out of my house with my binoculars. Yesterday and today there were about three dozen circling over the neighborhood, looking to land at the marsh up the street. Very few of them stick around, most headed for Wisconsin and points north, but nothing cheers me up in gloomy Mud Season like seeing and hearing them go by. Even more than the Cardinals singing their spring mating song, which they've been doing for a few days now, more than the return of the Red-Winged Blackbirds, that's a sure sign of Spring for me. And there's something magical and majestic about big birds like cranes and Great Blue Herons. Awesome.

Yeah, so, "Swap Meat"? The episode I professed to have "a good feeling about", and said I mostly liked, even though I then proceeded to list a bunch of things I didn't like? Not so rewatchable.
( spoilers for 5.12 -- again )
icon by raloria

I got this photo from Clif Kosterman's Facebook site. Clif, Jared, and Jensen at Jared and Genevieve's wedding. Why do guys always look so awesome in fancy suits?

I would not be able to call myself a fan if I didn't acknowledge March 1st.

Wishing Jensen all the happiness he deserves, an awesome year and a long and loving life with Danneel and Jared and good friends and family. Party on, dude!

Once again I have been unheard from for far too long. ( If you want to know why... )

Let me preface this little ramble on "My Bloody Valentine" by saying I do not know how I ever lived without a DVR. I am currently away from my home and in a place where there IS a DVR, but it apparently wasn't actually set to record the episode, like we thought it was, so no rewatching to get things right. Aaaarrrrgghhhhhh. But I was uncharacteristically taking notes so I guess it may work out. Still, it will be a little skinny this time. Short form? *I loved this episode*

( Spoilers and squees behind the cut )

icon by wuschel2nozzo

Wow, we had an earthquake this morning. About 4.3, centered on Sycamore, near DeKalb, Illinois. It happened at almost exactly 4am; I know this because that's what the clock read when two humans and two dogs woke up with a ::whuzzzz?:: and noticed that the house was shaking. And there was a noise like a really really strong wind. That's what hubby said: "It was a big wind gust." I said: "A wind gust that shook the house?" And we both agreed to pretend it wasn't an earthquake and went back to sleep, sort of. But, now we know.

This episode was worth waiting for. Especially the second time.
( spoilers for 5.13 )

icon by xsecondchances

This Supernatural season has me kind of confused. Well, more specifically, the buzz about the season. ( help me out here )

icon by raloria

I have some thoughts to share on the new movie "Legion". Caution, spoilers ahead, but here's a hint: I did not like it.

( Read more... )

It's kind of rambling but ....

( There be spoilers ahead... )

I decided it's time for me to get back to doing real art instead of playing on the internet and doing miscellaneous crafts. I love working with pastels (this week) and have had some pretty good success with portraits in the past. So I decided to get back into the swing of things by doing a pastel portrait from a photo.

Yeah, there's a reason you're not seeing it.

On the plus side, my drawing skills are still intact. It looked like the subject at the drawing stage, even though I drew it freehand (no tracing!). It was when i started adding colors that things got, well, ugly.

I dunno. Maybe I can salvage it, since I abandoned it half-done, which is of course when paintings look their worst. And if not, I can always try again. And again. I just... I don't know, anybody out there who feels like telling me I haven't pissed away all my talent by letting my skills atrophy, remind me that practice makes for better work. It's been a long time and I need to get serious again. Seriously. I need a good poke.

Proof that neither Jared nor Jensen are on any social networking site:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bTO2Q63elc

It's sad they had to make this video, but it's important. It was posted originally courtesy of Winchester Bros. http://www.facebook.com/winchesterbros?ref=mf#/winchesterbros?v=wall&ref=mf

icon by shipwrecking

Crap, I jumped the gun. Now I hear Season 6 is not confirmed after all. Might still happen, but not officially confirmed. My face is red and I don't know whether to feel stupid and gullible or what. Maybe I'll just leave the Breaking News Bulletins to other, wiser, better connected people from now on. See, that's what happens when you want to be "somebody" -- you turn in to THAT fan. So even if S6 is a go, I still blew the announcement. Apologies to all. I'll go back to my cave now and kick myself.

icon by wuschel2nozzo

According to Supernatural 411 and The Kripmaster AKA Eric Kripke Facebook sites, Eric Kripke has confirmed that Supernatural has been renewed for a sixth season. Hoody-hoo! Now I wish I'd bought those Vancouver tickets...

icon by raloria

Edit: Oops, my bad. See my next posting for a retraction and mea culpa.

This meme came courtesy of the lovely queeberquabbler":

Leave me a comment saying "Resistance is Futile".
I'll respond by asking you five questions to satisfy my curiosity.
Update your journal with the answers to your questions.
Include this explanation and offer to ask other people questions.

( So, here are my answers... )

icon by leannelithium

In memory of family and friends who have lost the battle with cancer; and in support of the ones who continue to conquer it! Post this on your LJ if you know someone who has or had cancer.

Steve G., I *still* miss you, buddy. Dad, your timing really sucked and I'm sorry. Smoosh, Sara, you know you were loved.

Mary B., hang in there kiddo. Drew, stay out of the goddamn sun. Mom, I hope you've stopped smoking. Leo, way to go! I'm grateful you're all okay for now. And Fran and the rest of you, keep fighting.