Isolation has given me the perfect excuse to catch up on some of the shows that I’d been neglecting, so I thought I’d do a little post about what I’ve been watching while stuck at home!
Read moreWhat I’ve Been Watching In Isolation
Me? Writing? Well, Trying To!
There have been multiple times this year where I have told myself that I was going to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and start writing again. Multiple times it hasn’t happened. I think that after having to write things for my degree, I revelled in having the time and space to not have to write anything, but then when it got to the point where I wanted to, I almost forgot how to.
That sounds silly, but it’s the only way to explain it. Like when you haven’t ridden a bike in year and you get that split second of, holy shit can I even do this anymore? What annoys me about this more than anything is the fact that I actually had got to the point at the end of my degree, where I was very confident with my work and wasn’t doubting everything I had written. But this feels almost like going back to square one.
So for those who don’t know November is when NaNoWrMo take place. It’s where you take the month of Novemeber to just try and write a novel. I debated with doing it, but then when I decided I wanted to, I felt as though it was too late in the game to get started. However it was the spur I think I needed to get me into the writing frame mind again. I have found myself writing little bits of poetry here and there which hasn’t happend for months.
Now, one of my final pieces of work I handed in on my course, was one of the only things I’ve worked on that I was super proud of. Since the second I handed it in, I knew I wanted to finish it, I wanted to tell this story, even if I wasn’t really sure what that story was yet. For MONTHS I said that I was going to pick it up again, when in actual fact I couldn’t even lay my eyes on it because I knew how much of a daunting task it would be. But this month has changed that. I’m exctied to be writing again. I want to take on the challenge and while I feel like it’s going to be a bit of an uphill climb, I’m ready to get back on the bike. This is my bike. This story.
So what have I done so far? I’ve reconnected with the characters, I’ve planned every single chapter of the book, I’ve written little excepts, I’m loving it. While I’m still a little worried about sitting down and actually having to write chapters in full, and string together all the little bits I’ve already written, I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait to get started.
Would you be interetsed in getting writing updates to see how I’m getting on with it? I think it would be a good way to hold myself accountable to getting this finished.
What I Packed in my Con Bag
Okay so first up in my SPNUK series is a good ol’ fashioned, what’s in my bag! This by no means was full proof and I’ll for sure be downsizing for Vancouver but in case you need any tips, inspiration or maybe you’re just nosey like I am, here’s a little peek at what I took.
The reason I took such a big tote bag to begin with was because I took my scrapbook for everyone to sign. I think having a big bag meant that I felt like I needed to fill it up so I definitely took things I wouldn’t necessary take again, but hey, a learning curve for sure. So obviously, I took my scrapbook. I got all my autographs in it and I’ll be sticking all my tickets and photos in there when I get a chance. I took sharpies with me because I didn’t know what colours the actors would have and I’m very particular about things matching so I wanted everyone to sign in silver. I’ll be doing a completely different post about the autos, because otherwise I’ll ramble on for far too long. I also took a folder with sleeves in which I was told would be a lifesaver and it definitely was! If you’re only going to take one thing with you, make it one of these. It kept all my ticket PDF’s in until I exchanged them for my tickets and wristband. I had my itinerary inside which meant it was super easy to find and see what was happening and where. It was also fantastic for when you got your photo-ops back, it meant I had somewhere safe for them where they wouldn’t be bent or squashed.
While I did take my tiny black rucksack as well, all of my necessities I kept in my tote bag because it just made for easy access. My purse was a given I think because obviously, I needed somewhere for all the cash that would be put towards all the impromptu photo-op! I also took my power bank, which honestly was a life saver. My phone lasted pretty much all day, but it was great to give it a charge during dinner so that I was ready to go for evening activities. Not having time to go back to the hotel, or when we did only having time for a quick outfit change meant having something like this was super handy. Camera is another given I think, although this did start off in my rucksack, I ended up keeping it in my tote because it was a lot easier to get out quickly. Anti-bac and tissues are also just a given if you know me. I actually took another spare anti-bac bottle and I think I had about 12 packs of tissues, how I thought I was gonna run out over the course of a weekend, I’ll never know! In my two glossier bags, I had make up and other little bits I didn’t want to be rummaging for. I took my make-up one with me because I don’t like to do my make up until I’ve had my breakfast, so I ended up having breakfast with the girls in the mornings and then made a quick dash to the loos in Spoons to apply my face, the lighting was actually pretty on point! The other had bits like, paracetamol, blister plasters, face wipe, antibacterial wipes and plasters. Ready for anything I am!
Quite possibly one of the most important things in my bag, snacks and drinks. I took a range of different snacks ranging from sweets to snack bars to crisps. When you’ve got a schedule that’s absolutely brimming with things to be doing, you don’t always have time to eat throughout the day. I did make sure that I had something substantial for breakfast and dinner, so missing lunch didn’t seem too major. To be honest between watching panel, vendors jams, photo ops and autos you don’t even really have time to be hungry. I tended to tuck into my snacks during the auctions or the trivia when everyone was having a breather. The most important thing I would say is to take water or some form kind of drink. I bought one of those water bottles that keeps your drink cold because I’m really fussy about drinking warm juice. I can definitely say that they work and even after taking my water out of the hotel fridge at 7:30am, it was still cold by the time I got back to the hotel which was around 11pm. It’s super important to stay hydrated and to try to eat something during a con weekend, and considering I am the snack queen, it was no hardship for me.
What are your essentials for a convention? Did I overpack? (We all know I did!) Was there something I missed that I should have taken? Let me know in the comments!
SPNUK – My First Convention.
I’m writing this at 7:15am June 5th, and this time last month I was getting ready to meet some of the best people I’ve ever met for breakfast. Doesn’t sound like a big deal right? Of course not, apart from the fact that come 10am, you’ll be not only meeting, but hugging Jensen Ackles while the amazing Chris takes your picture and then running off to a meet & greet with Jared Padalecki. It was a totally normal Saturday. (Spoiler alert – Jensen is as amazing and welcoming as everyone says. I can also say that The Musk is 100% real. And it’s also one of my favourite photos from the whole weekend)
But I guess I should go back to the start. May 4th. When you’ve spent almost 7 month waiting for this one weekend, you can feel a little nervous. Which explains why I was stressing before I’d even got to the train station. I had been hyping this weekend up so much that I started to panic. What if it wasn’t that great? What if it’s just a waste of money? What if the people I’m sharing a room with don’t like me? What if the people I’ve spent the last 6 months speaking to, and who I’m finally going to meet today, don’t like me? Partner that with the fact I was having to make a train journey I’d never made before, and you could say that I was a little on edge.
But I can honestly say, there is not one thing about that weekend that went wrong, or that I would change. Getting to Birmingham was actually a breeze and there was no need to panic. I met the girls who I was staying with and both Danii and Katie were amazing. I hope there are more conventions to come with those two because honestly I couldn’t have asked for better people to stay with for my first convention. Getting my tickets and a few extra’s was easy as pie. (HA pie!) And then it was just a matter of waiting. Waiting for it to actually begin.
Every day of the convention starts with a Welcome from Rich and Rob, and by the time for the Friday Welcome, I was buzzing. And then I was on my way to meet the bunch of girls I’d been chatting to for the last however many months. The girls who I spoke to almost every day, who made me laugh, made me feel welcomed and excitedly counted down the days to this very weekend with me. I was nervous. I always have been meeting new people, the social anxiety just goes through the roof and I would rather be hiding in a corner somewhere. And that’s kind of how I felt. But the minute I saw them, it was gone. No anxiety, no stress, just happy. And I’m pleased to say it stayed like that for the rest of the weekend.
Meeting online friends, I think, can always be a bit tricky. But this wasn’t. These were the girls I’d spoken to almost everyday for months. So there were plenty of huge hugs and big smiles from everyone. We still chat, albeit, it isn’t daily but we check in, get excited about new episodes together and complain about how long we’ve got to wait until the next con! I can honestly say had I not met these girls, I don’t think my weekend would have been half as good! We were a support system to each other, we calmed each others nerves before photos and meet & greets, we ate together, encouraged each other to buy more photo’s that we couldn’t really afford. I can think of no better group of people I would rather have experienced this weekend with.
So we had panels, we had photos, meet & greets, autographs, karaoke and a concert. You really don’t get a much better weekend than that. I will be doing some posts that go more in depth about things like panels and photos, because I have too many words to say about them, but if you’re thinking about doing a Con, whether it’s a last minute one this year, or you’re planning in advance for next year, just do it. Seriously. I had the time of my life and you will too. It’s hard to explain what it is that’s so magical about the weekend, it’s truly something I think you have to experience for yourself!
It’s the people, it’s the actors, it’s Chris, it’s the vendors and the volunteers. It truly is everything. For one weekend you live in this little bubble, surrounded by the most amazing, and accepting people I’ve ever met. I harp on and on about it, but it’s like finding home.
You may not know, or you might considering how much I go on about it. But I’ll be doing VanCon in October and while I am still a little blue about the fact that SPNUK was a whole month ago, I’m very excited that in less to 135 days, I’ll be in Vancouver getting ready for the next Con on my list. So keep your eyes peeled for posts all about planning a Con, photo-ops, meet & greets, as well as keeping you up to date with all my planning for VanCon!
Did you go to SPNUK? Are you planning on going to VanCon? Or are you planning a trip to one next year? Let me know in the comments below!
The Road So Far: Gotta Do A Supply Run.
So SPNUK might still be a fair few months away, but I am already planning what I need to pack, and in turn, what I need to buy before the big weekend. This is part need to buy list and part wish list. There are things I’m going to mention that I probably won’t be able to buy due to funds but a girl can dream, and I could win the lottery so who knows! (Although it would probably help if I actually played the lottery once in a while!)
Photo-Op’s
Okay, this is a given. So far I’ve only got a photo-op with Jensen Ackles, but there’s a fair few more I would like to buy. I’d absolutely love to get one with Jared Padalecki as well as both the boys, but there’s the question of whether my bank account will stretch that far as well as them not selling out. There are some that I’m planning on picking up when I get there, like one with Rich, and Rob, plus the full line-up hasn’t even been revealed yet, so who knows who else I’m gonna wanna snag a picture with. I guess I better start saving now. (Since writing this Briana has been announced so obviously once pay-day come’s around I’ll be grabbing one with her for sure!)
Power Bank
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my phone almost 2 years and the battery life on it is still pretty darn good. But no doubt, the weekend is going to be filled with taking quick snaps, uploading them, chatting on social media and all sorts and I really don’t want to get halfway through a day and end up hugging a wall, trying to will my phone to charge quicker. Solution? Power bank. I’ve no idea what sort I need, what brand is good, how much you should spend, so I’m gonna have to do a little bit of researching. If you know of any that you think are note-worthy, let me know in the comments below.
Suitcase
Right, this is still a maybe, if there’s budget and you see one cheap sorta deal. I have a suitcase and I also have a holdall. However, I feel like one is too big while the other is too small. The holdall I could probably make work while the suitcase is a little bit of an overkill, but then if I decide to go crazy at the vendors room, at least I know I’ve got space to bring it home. Decisions, decisions. Like I say, it depends on if I find one nearer the time that isn’t too pricy and smaller than the one I already have, so we’ll see.
SPN Themed Shirts
What exactly does one wear to a convention? Ultimately for me, I’m going for comfort. If it were acceptable to wear your pyjamas, I probably would but alas it is not, so I won’t. Which then begs the question, well what then? My immediate thought was jeans, flannel and boots, I’m sure you understand why. Fortunately, this isn’t at all news to my wardrobe so I feel pretty golden. But I’d like something that’s actually SPN related, because I’m sad like that, okay? Before Christmas I ordered one of Kim and Briana’s Wayward AF tops, and I love it, so I think I’m gonna be going down that route. Try and find some more SPN-ish tops, to wear under the flannel of course. I’d also reeaally like to buy a Loudain Swain top before SNS on Saturday so I can wear it and hopefully get them to sign it, because yes, my fangirl is starting to show and I don’t care.
Wallets for Photos and Tickets
So, this is something that has been advised to me time and time again. Get a folder to put all your tickets in so that they’re all in the same place and you’re less likely to lose them. Plus I think it makes for helping things run a little quicker because you’re not having to root around at the bottom of your bag for your now crumpled ticket. Then we move onto wallets for the Photo Ops, and this is something that Alana from KingBooks talks about. Apparently you can get these at the con but they’re way overpriced, and with the way Creation are going at the moment, you know damn well they’re gonna try to squeeze every penny out of you they can. So like Alana suggests, I’ll be buying a bulk pack and taking my own. Smart move.
Scrapbook
I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I was gonna get the boys to sign. I pondered for ages, found out what others had signed and there were some really good ideas. When I got ‘Family Don’t End With Blood’ for Christmas, my mum suggested I could get everyone to sign their chapters, which is a very nice idea but goes against every fibre of my being when it comes to not writing in books. So if this were what I was going to do, I’d probably have to buy another copy just so that I could have a signed copy to treasure and an unsigned copy to read. I know, I’m crazy. Anyway, I’d toyed with the idea of making a scrapbook, almost coming full circle to wanting to take lots of pictures of everyone and everything, and I was thinking about how nice it might be to have a scrapbook of photo’s I’ve taken as well as photo ops with the autographs in. I’m not sure how well it’s going to work yet, but it’s a semi-formed plan, so we’ll see.
