Back from Con*cept convention in Montreal. Very small and more geared towards fantasy and panels between attendees (not so much on the TV stuff), but interesting none the less.

LOVED Montreal. There is a town i could live in. The vibe is very European....reminded me of England and Paris a bit. Very lively....cool bars and restaurants everywhere. I will be back.

Best part of all, i got to visit the Fauna Foundation. This is a rescue society just outside of Montreal and includes farm animals and monkeys, but is heavily focused on helping lab-abused chimps. I am a big supporter of theirs and it was a trip that was very near and dear to my heart.

As some of you know, I am a big animal supporter. Not a militant animal activist, but a advocate for the fair and humane treatment of animals. Among other things, i work at a horse rescue society and one day it is my dream to open an animal rescue somewhere in B.C. Probably won't be Vancouver because land is so expensive and i will need a lot of it, but somewhere within a couple of hours.

I always planned for the rescue to center around horses and other abandoned/ neglected farm animals, but after visiting the Fauna Foundation and reading the horrifying stories of how these lovely creatures are treated in labs (that is where these chimps are rescued from....that and zoos.....and generally abusive situations), I realized that their situation is more dire than you can imagine. I won't get heavy into it....but these loving, trusting creatures are put into small cages and injected and poked and prodded with everything imaginable. Chimps, part of our family, are sensitive little guys and after a while they just can't handle the abuse. They start to break down, attack themselves, eat off their fingers and fingernails, pull their hair out, and some will stop eating in the hopes of dying. I would too, wouldn't you? What a horrible existence.

Sorry, that was harsh but it's true. After years of lab abuse, they are left in these cages for the rest of their dying days. That sucks. I believe there are still 21,000 chimps living and rotting away in labs all over North America. Boo hiss.

The Fauna Foundation gives them a place to come and retire gracefully after the labs are done testing on them. It really is lovely and inspiring.

Anyway, it has motivated me to work harder towards that goal. One day i will try to have a version of that on the West coast. I'm a ways off, but here's hoping it will happen in the next 5 -10 years!

Auditions all went well but nothing yet......the director of Harper's Island that i auditioned for was the exec. producer and creator of The 4400. It was a bit of a stretch for me (a real nice, sweet, loving mom type role) but i think Scott brought me in anyway....i knew i wouldn't get it......i am just too damn good at the tough, rough, don't-f-with-me kinda broad.....and i'm okay with that.

Hope you are all well and happy Haloween!

XO

And a happy haloween to you.

I think what you've got planned sounds like a great idea; there aren't enough people like you in the world (unfortunately). I wish I had your kind of drive/motivation. Who knows, maybe one day I'll come work for you.

I hope something pans out in the auditions. I really want to see you on TV again.

Until next time, Cyas.
Jake
By Jake @ 23 Oct 2008 06:05 pm

No shit Sam
You got to get back on Supernatural.
Right now it's the best show on TV.
Telling the best story with the best characters.
This seasons premier was awesome. It would have been so much better with a dash of Ellen.

Look, if it takes sexual favors to get you back on, I'm willing to sleep with whomever it takes.

Not kidding lady
Take yor hottie body and get back on SN!

And bring it!
By Trik_Ster @ 23 Oct 2008 07:20 pm

Hey Sam! I'm glad to hear that you had a nice time in Montreal. I want to visit there myself someday.
I have always been a supporter of a fairer treatment for animals, and I'm so glad to hear of your passion for them too! When you start your new rescue center, count me in for a donation! My family and I have rescued dozens of animals over the years, but we never had a great place to take them; vets don't always want to know about it. So it'll be great when you start it up!
Happy Halloween to you too!
Take care
Alyssa
By Alyssa @ 23 Oct 2008 10:24 pm

Good luck on working towards that goal! I'm glad there are people like you around.

I hope something comes through on the auditions.

Happy Halloween to you as well.
By Kat C. @ 23 Oct 2008 10:38 pm

21,000 that is a lot of chimpanzees, let's hope that "The Great Ape Protection Act " passes. If this does pass they will be a great need for more sanctuaries. I have the property, but not he money. I havealways wanted to visit The Fauna Foundation. You are lucky
By Winda @ 24 Oct 2008 07:27 am

Hey Sam! Great to hear from ya! Glad to see auditions are going well. Sounds like you had a great time in Montreal... Would love to go there someday... That's awesome that you got to visit a rescue society that rescues chimps! I think their adorable! And yes, chimps are part of our family... Glad all your auditions went well... I hope you hear something back from them soon! As soon as you do, let us know! Okay... (I'm leaving now)

Ya Me Voy,

~Melissa~
By Melissa @ 24 Oct 2008 08:14 am

Hi Sam! (waves from Ohio)

Your dream of running an animal rescue foundation is an admirable one. I truly hope it comes true. It makes me sick to think of these defenseless creatures suffering in the name of "science". We need to do all that we can to help them find a safe and peaceful place to live out the remainder of their lives. They deserve no less.

I also want to recommend a movie that I think you might enjoy. It's an older film (from 1987, I think) called "Project X". At times funny, sad, heartbreaking and uplifting, it's about chimpanzees at the center of a secret goverment project and the young man assigned to care for them. I had no idea what it was about when I went to see it, but I loved it. I'm kind of sappy that way, but I think you'd enjoy it too!

Take care!
Alisa
By Alisa @ 24 Oct 2008 09:14 am

The world is an ugly place

But wait, that;s not right. The world is a beautiful place.

Ugly things happen. Especially when your not looking.
Or choose to not look.

I really thought they destroyed lab animals,
imho in any sane reckoning, that is the kindest thing you can do for them.
They are in torment
In pain
Give them a release.

Keeping them in a different cage in a differet place isn' a whole lot different..

But you can't return them to where thy deserve to live. Where they would be happy. Where they do belong.

It is unfortunate (and that is a very cheap and pale word) that these guys are needed for medical research.
It does save human lives.

Sometime you have to make a choice.

Sam, were you ever in the military?
By Trik_Ster @ 25 Oct 2008 03:07 am

Just one question.

Why Mexico?

You got a pool boy down there?

Ayhem beginnin to think you don't like us northern boys
By Trik_Ster @ 25 Oct 2008 11:59 am

Glad you enjoyed the convention and our city, Samantha. I can't speak for the rest of the committee, but I know I thoroughly enjoyed spending the time getting to know you. Funny thing, I think my girlfriend became a fan of yours more because of what you do off screen. She's not much of a sci-fi fan, but she is big on doing right by Mama Earth and all her tenants.
Whenever you're back in town, don't hesitate to drop us a line


(As an aside to Trik_Ster, I don't quite agree with what you're saying, but I'll respect your right to keep your beliefs. But personally I do think a 'cage' that's acres wide is a lot better than inches wide.... granted it would be better if we never had to capture then in the first place, regardless of the reason, but that's a whole 'nother topic)
By Dean (the Ops guy) @ 25 Oct 2008 07:16 pm

Hey Sam,
I am so glad that you had good time in Montreal! I had a good time chat with you in Montreal. You look great when you speaker to us. Enjoy your new coffee mug that I gave you. SMILE!!!!

Anyway, I hope you have a good weekend...

hugs,
Elisa
By Elisa @ 25 Oct 2008 09:53 pm

Hey Sam

^___^ I'm glad too that you liked Montreal and your weekend, it's was great to meet you and speak with you
By Julie @ 28 Oct 2008 06:35 pm

Hello Sam! See? I TOLD you that Montreal is the perfect mix of Europe & No.America. That was my first impression when I was there a few years ago and I loved it!

I haven't heard of the Fauna Found. but it sounds like they are doing much-needed work. There's an old saying that states you can tell a lot about a society by the way they treat the elderly, and the animals. And I certainly hope you can realize your dream one day for a Rescue Center. Kudos to you!

Good luck on auditions... ugh! I don't know how you have the strength to go through that process over and over again. And if you happen to work on Harper's Island, you'll be seeing Jim Beaver again. **grin**

Oh and before I forget... HAPPY BIRTHDAY darling! (Nov. 2)
By ~ Mousitsa ~ @ 01 Nov 2008 11:35 pm

Happy belated Birthday. I'm really hoping we get to see Ellen on Supernatural again.

A horse rescue you say - wow, that's what I'd love to do too. But I want to set up here in Victoria. I know - same monetary issues. But, I feel that there is a need to do it here so I'm hoping the cosmos will allow me to bring it together. My Standardbred is a rescue & I adopted him from a local society that was taking them from the track & retraining them.

They stopped a number of years ago due to financial reason. Surprise, surprise.

If you are interested in checking out horse events, I am one of the organizers of the Healthy Horse Expo that is going to be on March 28 here in Victoria. Our focus is on natural, holistic & alternative health care & training options for horses. If you like, you can check it out at www.healthyhorseexpo.com.

GRIN, so you may not know me, but you have me thinking successful thoughts for you & your horse rescue dreams. I look forward to seeing any new shows you are in too.

It's all about the horse. First, last and always.
By Julene @ 11 Nov 2008 10:07 am