Celebratory Voices

It's Jensen Ackles' 30th birthday. This man inspires So Much Love. Just look:

at the CW Source
at JA_Fanwoman
from awhile back, at lemmealone's LJ

Surely, you get the idea. I haven't even looked over at Jensen Ackles' Fans, or TwoP, or the CW boards, but am certain it's the topic of the past 24 hours, worldwide.
Have some birthday cake, dude. It's the least you deserve.

Adding mine to the din: Happiest of Birthdays, Jensen, and many, many more. You deserve every good thing that life can bring. Thank you so much for just being yourself.

The boy who went to Hollywood, right out of high school, landed the first role he tried out for, and became an instant heartthrob --also winning his first acting award, a Daytime Emmy for Best Male Newcomer. Smart people, those casting folks at Days.
A few years later... intense as ever. Still killing fangirls.
I was still clueless, had no idea he existed. My loss.
Honestly, anything else i could add would be de trop... besides, I've said it so many times. This man changed my life, in so many good ways. Breeze thru back entries in this blog and it will be obvious how I went from a depressed, cynical government employee trying desperately to find something good to write about to a happy fangirl in the past several months. And yeah, That Is A GOOD THING.


The shot that changed my life. In the Pilot when Dean body-slammed Jared against the bridge like an infuriated pugilist, and then said quietly, "Don't talk about her like that," in a voice evoking love and respect for his dead mother, filial and parental love for the brother he'd raised, and respect for Sam's feelings all at the same time, he effectively communicated the fact that Sam had stepped over a line that would not be allowed. A typically Jensen multi-layered moment, as I've come to understand since then.
And when I saw it, I was done. Done, I tell you. Two days later, I'd watched the entire Season 1 DVD set, and was frantically looking all over the internet to find out
WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY.
I blame Jensen Ackles wholeheartedly for the fact that I am finally what I should have been all along: a full-time writer, which was my first career choice, but because of second-guessing myself in high school, I subverted this to other, supposedly more creative and/or lucrative choices that ended up being what some people euphemistically describe as "learning experiences." Why do I blame, or more accurately, credit Mr. Ackles? Good God. If you have to ask, you have not been paying attention. I spout out about how he inspires me so much, it would be ridiculous to say it again. Besides, he's trying so hard to ignore all the congratulations and the fact that everyone he knows, and everyone who knows him, or of him, is wishing him well this morning.
From the body language to the look on his face, it's obvious he'd rather be just about anywhere than here, where people are LOOKING AT HIM... but he's such a good sport, he'll smile for the camera anyway.

When it comes down to it, I'm unapologetic about the fact that I don't believe there is a more perfect, more fully evolved human being out there who is even somewhat well-known. His genuine bewilderment at all the fuss is probably his most endearing trait, but it's closely followed by his talent, his dedication, and the care he takes in letting co-workers and fans alike know how much he appreciates them. And how it's obvious that he gives with everything he's got, every single day.

Hey, Jensen. It's appreciated. No, really. We notice things like that.
It's pretty rare in your field, dude.


Here's a link to the latest interview (Scroll to Jensen Ackles 2), released by Australian TV from during his visit a few weeks ago, where he's asked about his plans to celebrate this milestone. In typical fashion, his answer bleeds humility. He'd really rather not talk about himself, he deflects any question neatly and politely that veers toward the personal, yet leaves us still feeling like he appreciates the thought that we asked.
This shot from Supernatural 2nd season episode Crossroads Blues is one of my favorites. Look at the earnestness, and the freckles.

From the inspiration of the Ackting, I re-learned how to look beyond the moment, and stop obsessing about body image and fitness and not eating food, and followed his example of giving the best you can every single moment. I reached down inside myself and pulled my soul back away from the oblivion, where I'd pushed it to keep from staring at the pain. I started writing again, about the basis of what matters. He showed me a side of modern maleness that I really didn't believe existed, and so I was able to finish an 18-year old project that had run out of steam, and then was further inspired to continue exploring all the possibilities my mind could conjure. My writing sings with love, and hope, and cherished seasons of belief. It makes me happy.

It goes beyond his obvious physical beauty, because without the soul behind it, he'd be just another pretty Hollywood face. The man has depth, kindness, and even a quirky sense of humor. So many people say, you just won't find a nicer guy, a better friend, or a more talented actor.


But it all boils down to this: I just enjoy watching him So Damned Much.

The versatility and layering he brings to the character of Dean on Supernatural leaves me breathless. I find now I actually have to space out this input now in doses - too much Jensen now leaves me feeling as if I've been mainlining supernatural drugs. And it isn't just me: the word "roofied" is becoming synonymous with the TV Show, Supernatural, because so many of us are just blown away at this point.
Cap courtesty of Screencap Paradise, from Supernatural episode 3.10, Dream a Little Dream of Me. Dean confronts his worst nightmare: himself. It isn't pretty, but it's damned awesome. I still can't speak coherently about this episode, and it aired over three weeks ago.

Perhaps best of all, his intensity is catching: compare Jared's pretty-damn-good characterization of Sam in Season One with his latest episodes in Season Three. Jared's Sam now blows us away, just like Jensen as Dean.


graphic by titheniel, clip from Supernatural episode 3.07, Fresh Blood
Jared is coming into his own, and not to take anything away from him, but some of it has to be due to the encouragement and feedback he gets from his co-star. Jensen sets up an environment where everybody, including the cast and crew, feel comfortable with giving their all, putting on their best selves. Why? Because it's what he does, every damned day he goes to work. It's like he doesn't know how to do it any other way. How many people live their lives like that? That takes courage, and conviction. And it's something to emulate, and by God, I'm doing it, too.



So, a shout out to Alan and Donna Ackles: you did good. So damned good. And thank you, Jensen, for being true to yourself, and doing so much with what you were given.

We look forward to at least 90 more good years like the past 30. Amen, dearest.

Happiest of birthdays.


Set photos and all otherwise uncredited photos courtesy SPN Media and the CW/WB Network.