Bri

This is a fascinating question, because I don’t think the people in Dean’s life see him in the same way and yet there is one thing all the people in his life believe about him. We have Cas, who has said he sees Dean as a role model (10.09):

someone to look up to and we know Dean doesn’t feel that way about himself at all so it’s interesting that Cas is an angel; this powerful force and Dean is someone he looks up to, and that’s just pretty damn powerful. He’s been following Dean’s lead for a long time and that’s because he sees something worth following. 

I think Bobby sees Dean in a very different light. Not that he doesn’t think Dean is a good man; he does. (gifs from 4.22 and 7.10)

But he also has this very strange idea that Dean is unbreakable. He tends to treat Dean much more harshly than he does Sam, and I think that says a lot about how he views each of them. In 7.09, right before he dies, they both have a private chat with him and both of them are equally messed up. 

And Sam’s halliucinating Lucifer: 

He’s much gentler when he talks to Sam. Because of scenes like these, I think it’s fair to say Bobby sees Sam as more fragile, whereas he thinks Dean is/should be tough enough to take anything and not let his emotions get in the way. 

It’s interesting because Dean tends to project this part of himself into the world (not that this is who he thinks he is but how he protects himself) and this I think he gets from both Bobby and from John, who viewed Dean in a similar way. 

On the flip side of that is Jody, who can see that Dean is breakable and offers gentleness in response to that (12.22). 

But Jody also sees Dean as a good man (from 12.06); 

In the coming weeks and years you will be seeing a lot of requests to call your representatives about issues facing our country. But maybe, like me, you hate calling people SO MUCH. This is a guide for you.

I’m anxious on the phone. My blood pressure rises when I need to call a customer service line, or even just ask the hours at a restaurant. So calling representatives about political issues is one of my least favorite things to do. I posted on Facebook recently about my experience calling my reps and it got a good response. I think there are a lot of us who want to pitch in but hesitate to pick up the phone. With that in mind, here is my shy person’s guide to calling your representative.

BEFORE YOU START:

* Pick an issue. This week I suggest calling to oppose the incoming administration’s cabinet picks: White nationalist Steve Bannon for chief strategist Climate change denier Myron Ebell for EPA Administrator Jeff Sessions, who has a history of racist comments and voting, for Attorney General Islamophobic Michael Flynn as NSA advisor

* Know that it’s FAST. It takes maybe 2 minutes to call one person, including the time it take to look up their phone number. Think of it like ripping off a bandaid.

* Know that you don’t have to be persuasive. You are really just calling to put yourself on a tally that will be passed along to your representative. You don’t have to convince anyone and no one will try to argue with you. Just say your piece (as awkwardly as you want! they won’t care!) and get off the phone.

* Know that calling is better than emailing. I would much prefer to email, but your message is more likely to get lost in the deluge. When you talk to a staffer you know for sure that your opinion is being recorded.

* Find your reps’ numbers. Go here or here to find out who they are. Call their local lines when possible. Write down the numbers or save them as contacts so you don’t have to look them up every time.

* Take a deep breath.

DURING THE CALL:

* Start with an introduction. I use: Hi my name is _____ and I’m a constituent of Rep./Sen. ____ calling about a concern I have. I see many scripts that omit how to start the call, and it helps me to know for sure how to begin. Be sure to say you are a constituent. They might ask for your zip code, so have that ready.

* Have a script. This is 100% the best way to keep you focused and calm. There are lots of good scripts you can use here or you can write your own. Say what you are comfortable saying. Remember, you are just calling to be counted.

* Expect their response. The thing I see missing from most instructions for calling reps is what to expect in their response. Most of the time they will just tell you they will pass on your concern. Congrats - if they do this then you are done! They might read a prepared statement in response. They might even say that your rep is not going to take action on the issue you brought up. What they WON’T do is argue with you or say, “what a stupid thing to be concerned about.” Don’t let your anxious brain convince you they will do this.

* If necessary, reiterate your request. If they read a statement or say the representative will not take action, don’t get flustered. Just say, Once again, I’m calling on the Rep./Sen. to _____. 

* Thank the staffer and hang up.

AFTER THE CALL:

* Take another deep breath.

* Congratulate yourself.

* Do some self-care. Maybe start here. Or here. Do whatever makes you feel happy and rewarded.

First time runner-ups and we are SO thankful to have made it this far! We want to offer a BIG congrats to the winning team as well as to the other AMAZING runner-ups on this list, and the teams who didn’t make it because this year was great and there are too many good items to look through from EVERYONE! 

Ninety One Whiskey

I would like to nominate my friends Myr & Bri for your prize giveaway. Ever since I stumbled my way into fandom, Myr ( http://pasunepomme.tumblr.com/ ) and her wife Bri have been there for me. Over the past couple of years they have supported me through personal crises large and small, mostly over the Internet. But last summer they invited me to stay with them in the US and accompanied me to DCCon.

In my home life I care for my disabled wife and my daughter who has severe mental illness and sometimes it’s tough. While I was with them they fussed over me and looked after me like I have never been cared for before. It was the happiest 10 days I can remember. We went to DC, & New York, saw shows, visited friends and it was the trip of a lifetime.

Later that year they paid for me to visit them in Europe ON THEIR HONEYMOON because they loved and missed me so much.

I’ve honestly never had friends I’ve loved so hard, and I’ve never had friends who loved me so obviously, and I thank you, Misha and your fandom for them.

Use of social media platforms is exploding and slowly has found its way into fanfic as well. Nowadays, Dean and Cas use more than just a mobile phone. ;) On our blog we use 2 tags, anonymity/internet and long distance for fics with plot related usage of internet and mobile devices, check out the tags for more fic recs. 

I. Reviewed or recced fics were Dean  and Cas heavily use social media or mobile devices to communicate; 

 A [T]ypical Romcom - Skype

Happily Alone (submitted rec) - texting

If At First You Don’t Succeed (Destroy All Evidence That You Ever Tried)   - sexting

It’s Complicated (submitted rec) - FaceBook

Kiss You When It’s Dangerous - texting

Never Not Fantastic - texting

Plus One - Instagram, texting

Project Beyonce: The Unmaking of Dean Winchester in Ten Easy Steps - tumblr

Trouble in Paradise (submitted rec)  - Grindr

TutorMate - online tutoring

Unwritten - Skype

The Way to a Man’s Heart Is Through Chlamydia - texting

Welcome to the Hunter_Bros Comm - LiveJournal 

Words with Friends (submitted rec) - sexting

You’re the Only Stranger I Need  (submitted rec) - texting

Unsolicited - texting, Skype

Zombie Texting Love Sick  (submitted rec) - texting

II. And some new recs, short ones!

accidents just don’t happen accidentally  [T, 2,300 word count] texting

“I don’t want to be “that guy” but I may have accidentally sent a dick pic to your mom.” Dean nearly drops his phone in shock.

Dean and Castiel Meet Offline [T, 1,400 word count] meeting IRL

A ficlet based on a tumblr gifset where Dean and Castiel develop a friendship online.

Incredibly Single and Ready to Mingle [T, 3,600 word count]  FaceBook

Sam uses Facebook like the social media junkie he is. He’s befriended literally every person he’s ever had a conversation with since he got an account, which means that approximately—Dean checks—eight hours ago, he shared this horrible photo with something in the vicinity of nine hundred people. The caption below the picture reads “incredibly single & ready to mingle ;)” and roughly half of them have liked it. Dean has never been so embarrassed in his life.

In flight entertainment [T, 4,700 word count] twitter

The Cas and Dean’s plane-argument get’s live tweeted by someone who thinks they’re a couple. AU that no one asked for ever.

Keeping Count [T, 746 words] neko atsume

It’s not a contest. (But if it were, Dean would totally be winning.) He opens the game again, clicks on the catbook and scrolls through, tallying in his head. Thirty-three. Cas finally made it to twenty cats yesterday and he’s had it on his phone longer, installed after a series of enthusiastic texts from Claire. (Not that Dean’s counting.)

okay, cupid. [T, 4,600 word count] online dating

“The dating thing?” Dean frowns. “Online dating is for weirdos. Robots. Dudes hanging out in their basements.” “You hang out in your basement.” “I have an air hockey table down there,” Dean says, icily.

Snapchatting Starbucks [T, 1,700 word count] Snapchat

Where Cas is a barista at Starbucks and can’t help but write flirty messages on the side of Dean’s cups whenever he comes in.

Support Your Local Gay Beekeeper [NC-17, 4,000 word count] Grindr

It’s not like Dean goes on Grindr very often, just when he’s bored and alone. The blue-eyed guy’s profile reads “Beekeeper, 29, 5'10, Single, I watch the bees.” Dean is intrigued. He has to send a message.

Swipe Right [T, 5.400 word count] Tinder

In which Dean sort of came out via Tinder, Castiel-from-across-the-hall never buys enough groceries and Sam and Charlie need to stop interfering with both his phone and his (none-existent) love life.

@ydouwantmyname follows @winchesterbros [T, 1,100 word count] twitter