Jensen Appreciation Project

[amberdreams]

Hearing Jensen at both A14 and JIB talking about how much he now appreciates the love in fandom, and witnessing how much difference it makes to his behaviour (OMG, the hugs and smiles he was giving out, and all the dancing and singing...it was phenomenal) - I really want to give him somethig back. So boost the signal, share the love!


Originally posted by violettestars at Jensen Appreciation Project

After seeing some gifs and con videos from JIB 2015 especially these:



I want to organize a thank you/appreciation project for Jensen. He's come so far from the shy, reserved Jensen at cons past. I've got to witness it first hand. I was at the second con in Chicago and he was so quiet and bashful. At the recent cons I've attended, he was so much more outgoing. I would like to give him something to let him know that we as a fandom love and support him. That we appreciate his effort to let his guard down and embrace us.

If you’d like to be a part of the project you can send letters, messages, photos, artwork etc to my inbox here on live journal or my email: prettierthanme@hotmail.com

Deadline is August 2nd. I plan on giving him the book at Dallas Con in September. Please repost this to other journals.

*gifs made by dancewithmejensen on tumblr*

Comments

[sillie]

Yes, love this idea. Just have to think up what I want to do.. *ponders*

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

me too... :D

[ficwriter1966.livejournal.com]

I've noticed the change too. The first couple of times I saw him in 2007, he was VERY standoffish. Polite, but no more than that - and he was markedly different from Jared. Now he seems to really go with the flow and enjoy the interactions.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I think he had the feeling that he had to keep himself at arms length and now he feels less defensive. I'm sure he still has barriers and knows how to protect himself, but this new Jensen also understands that there is a lot of love that can be accepted without exposing your soul to the masses!

[freya922.livejournal.com]

I will so contribute! I'm constantly wishing for a way to say, with more words than Twitter permits, what these guys mean to me.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Me too - I'd like to see something similar for Jared but if not, I'll just include him in my Jensen message.

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

He really has loosened up and embraced the fandom love! I have to admit, though, I feel a little...I dunno...weird about congratulating Jensen for something other SPN celebs have been doing from the get-go? This is no slam on him or anybody that contributes, mind you! And maybe it's just my position as a Jared/Sam aficionado, but telling Jensen "Hey, we're so glad you're still doing the cons and letting us love you" feels a teensy bit like a back-handed jab at Jared for not being there for some, not being able to cope or something.

I KNOW, I KNOW! I'm probably projecting and being over-sensitive! I just, well, how might it seem to the others? Maybe something to think about? Or not! Like I said, this is likely just me...

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I don't see that the two are linked - I think Jensen's turn around has come about due to JJ, and to him maturing and becoming more confident as a person. Jared has always been open to the love (and from the sound of it a bit too open at times!). Also, I wasn't seeing this as congratulating him on opening up, more just an opportunity to give him something back at a time when he might actually appreciate it.

Mind you, I always feel better when these kinds of projects are done for both boys, not just one.

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sure they're not deliberately linked! No insult is intended, I'm certain. But if this scrapbook is going to be given to Jensen at the Dallascon, where Jared is likely to be in attendance, the intention doesn't mean that there won't be hurt feelings, yanno?

Here's where I'm coming from a little:

I've always gotten good grades. I never needed coaxing or reward to want to get them. But my sister, well, not so much. She hated school. But she finally achieved some degree of educational success and my parents crowed over her like she'd just cured cancer. I sat there thinking "Hey. Wait. She gets middling grades and dang. What about me?" Of course I never said anything; I wasn't gonna make a stink about it. But it still stung a little.

Like I said, no slam on anybody! Just playing a little devil's advocate. And probably being a bit of a candypants. ;)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I understand what you are saying - but I was assuming she'd be giving it at an autograph session? I dunno.

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

No clue, obviously. But like you, I prefer it when both guys are lauded. I'm sure everyone's hearts are in the right place!

[heavenli24.livejournal.com]

I believe there's already a thank you project going around for Jared that will be given to him at DallasCon too.

In fact, there also seems to be another Jensen Appreciation project going on and being presented to him at DallasCon which has a deadline of Sept 1st (unless it's the same one as this one) - sounds like there's been some nastiness going around on Twitter about this one, where people taking part in Jared's fan project are trying to stop the Jensen project going ahead because they think Jared deserves the support, not Jensen (see: https://twitter.com/captainackIes/status/602477906485334017)

I just don't see why we can't do thank you projects for both of them :S.

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

I can't speak to any other 'project' because this is the only one I've seen pop up, but DANG, why can't we all just get alonnnnnng?

EVERYONE deserves support equally, IMHO. Above, I explained why I didn't think any one person should be singled out for kudos in this particular situation, and likewise, no one person should be singled out for attack.

Personally, I prefer projects that include both leads, but that's just me. :) I may be a Jared-Sam!girl, but I don't like excluding Jensen-Dean. He's my CLEAR second-favorite fella!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh flipping flip, what is wrong with people?

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

I was poking about that girl's Twitter and tumblrs; I don't think she's as earnest as she lets on. Quite the stan, seems. So just do your research, gang, before you contribute! Make sure the originator's heart is in the right place and it's not just tit-for-tatting. :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I was reading some of the posts over there and I'm stepping back - I really can't be bothered with something that seems to have ended up as some sort of exercise in oneupmanship. And there are plenty of other projects I've already taken part in to show each of them how much they are appreciated. One of my Danish friends did a book along these lines for each of them at JIB/A14 and I contributed to those - that'll do me.

[quickreaver.livejournal.com]

Those books your friend spearheaded seem really lovely! You give LOTS, Amb. You're such a big heart!

[souslelys.livejournal.com]

I adore this idea. I feel like Jensen is the type to open up ONLY after he's gotten to know people better, and so I'm kind of happy he's gotten to that point with fandom. I don't blame him for being so reserved at first (fandom can be terrifying - not just stalkers, but haters as well). I know he mentioned that JJ's helped him loosen up in that regard. I just hope that projects like this encourage him to stay this way with us ;u;

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I think it was hard for him as he's a naturally more wary, reserved person, so yep, I hope so too!

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

I adore your photo and that look of bliss with your eyes closed... I can feel that hug:)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

It was a very good hug...

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I reckon it's because I'm such a short arse.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

yep, sometimes it pays to be vertically challenged!