Day 1
Hey guys! Day 1 of Renee's visit has just ended. Renee appeared at her table at Noon, and the lineup was already snaking in the general area well past 5 times over
Just like schuttegirl's
report about Renee's accent in her name, some of this report will have some dialogue exchanges between me and Renee.
I was curious about how many fans would come out to see her. It was kind of interesting for me, just because it wasn't a "Xena" convention and I was used to seeing her within that context (esp. not signing autographs). There were a more diverse variety variety of fans, and of all ages. It was fantastic. I was overhearing comments in the line-ups about what people felt about Renee. After meeting her, the first timers especially found her to be to be what all of us here already know -- charming, friendly and personable. Just...sweet.
It was amazing watching her interact with the fans, her listening to every word and very focused (I do have some video of that, still to be prepared--hopr it
turned out 
). One observation I made was that when she shook fans' hands, she
took that person's hand in between both of hers and shook it. It's not the typical one-handed handshake.
Awesome. 
I think we actually shook hands three times or so. 
She took her time with each fan, which is why during her duration of signing (12 Noon - 6pm), it seemed to move slowly. Not only did she personalize autographs with the fans' names, but she also added extra writing depending on the
subject they were discussing! For example, she added something personal to the fact that she was in my city, as
opposed to it being vice-versa when I was going to LA to see her. When it was my turn and I approached her, she recognized me right away. Her face lit up in
recognition, she took my hand, laughed and said, "Heeeey hello, hello again, what are you doing here?" 
In the same fun tone, I responded with, "Heeeyy Renee, I live here!" She said, "Oh really, cool, because I'm so used to seeing you actually travelling to see me at the Xena conventions...". I did say
that I'm only a 1/2 hour away. I reminded her about our first meeting back in 2007 that I hoped she could visit here sometime because there are many
Canadian fans here in the North that love her too, and I demonstrated by sweeping my arm across the lined-up crowd
behind me snaking its way around. Many were from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa,
Vancouver and other small towns in between. I did chat with a few from the US though. Yeah, ya can tell she was impressed by the turnout. I told her, "Welcome to my backyard this time." 
She took my hand again, shook it and said, "Thank you... you're so
sweet." Awww...
Some of you may rememeber that now infamous photo op I took with her in New Jersey when she "whipped" me.
Well, that was the photo I brought for her to sign. I said, "Hey Renee, I just
KNOW you'll remember THIS shot..." So I turned it around and she laughed and said, "oh yeahh!" when I showed the whipping action she did.
I told her my name and she started writing. Meanwhile we were still chatting
and she showed me some of her artwork on display. They look great in person, the prints. Very vivid colours. She had a new one with X&G with their backs
facing the viewer, looking across the land. I asked her if her babies were here, and she said no that they were at home. I said Iris looked adorable in those
giant sunglasses in that photo she posted. Renee said, "yeah, that
photo is so old now, she's changed." I joked and asked, "Changed as in size, or in personality?" Renee smiled and just said,
"BIIIIG!" So yeah, Iris is a quite the big girl now.
I was wondering what she was writing that was taking up both sides of the photo, so I was very pleasantly surprised when it read,
"For Paula,
Thanks for coming to see me, in your backyard!
With Love,
Reneé O'Connor".
Awwwww.... I think she is the sweet one. So here's a shot of my "Whipped" photo from the New Jersey con, now sporting Renee's personal touch....
I thanked her for the autograph and her warm message.
"Team ROC"
BTW, her assistant was wearing a "TEAM ROC" t-shirt, which was my first clue that it was not an Expo staffer. She said that it was a "prototype" shirt they were thinking of making, and I thought it was a GREAT idea! I told them that I'd buy one, along with hordes of ROC fans! I asked her assistant for permission to take photographs of her, so
here's a close-up of the shirt...
Special message from ROC to "TX ROC Chat" Fans...
I told her that on behalf of her fans who couldn't be here at this event, and especially those on ROC Chat on the Talking Xena message board, that they all say hello, give her their best regards and sent their love. She said "Thank you!" to you guys here, and added, "Tell them that I say 'Hi!'". I agreed, so.... "Hi!" from Renee
***
She thanked me for coming out and for my support. I thanked her for visiting us Northerners. She then said she hopes to see me tomorrow if I come out again. I said,
"If??? Are you kidding?? You're finally here in Canada -- Toronto even. I'd walk on broken glass to get here tomorrow before you leave!" She laughed at that and said thanks again. I said I'll be bringing my fighting
sticks and asked if she could sign that. She said sure, no problem.
I also asked her if it would be okay if I stood to the side to take photographs of her. I told her I was practicing "people" photography and it was because of her, personally, at my first convention (2007) that I was encouraged to continue doing it. She was surprised by that (but it was true) and said "thank you", with a smile...one of those trademark "ROC nose crinkle" ones. I smiled at that. Hmm, I don't think she has a clue that she does that. She was always a pleasure to photograph. She then she saw my camera strapped to my side. I did tell her that if I didn't return home with any
photos of her, that the ROC Chat fans would strip me up a flagppole.
To my request to photograph her, she said "Sure!", and pointed to
a spot where I can stand, which was basically next to her table. So we
said our goodbyes and I continued taking pics of her. I was there for about 45
minutes of unobstructed view of Renee 
while she continued to meet and greet
with other fans then I moved around a bit to get different vantage points. I could have stayed even longer, but moved on (knowing I would/could return, hehe
). Some shots I was even kneeling to shoot upwards.
I must say here, that Renee was not with a Hobbystar staff or volunteer next to her at her table. She had her own personal assistant. That made a huge difference, because they were very gracious in letting me take photos. The Expo staff were asking about my being there, and Renee and her assistant said it was okay. Another staffer came by moments later and asked them if they were "okay" (meaning, again, about my being there), and they said yes.
As a result of Renee and her assistant's generosity (gosh, I forgot her name. I'll get it at next visit), especially with such a huge crowd (resulting it it normally being very difficult to get unobstructed photos) I think that these are the THE best photos I've ever taken of Renee. I could not have done it without her help, so you guys will be in for another round of pics.
Here are a few samples to tide you over until I get the rest done... I'll check in again so and start working on all the photos at one time. See y'all soon (btw, I heard Renee say "y'all" in her Texas drawl...so darn cute!)
Hey guys! Day 1 of Renee's visit has just ended. Renee appeared at her table at Noon, and the lineup was already snaking in the general area well past 5 times over
Just like schuttegirl's
report about Renee's accent in her name, some of this report will have some dialogue exchanges between me and Renee.
I was curious about how many fans would come out to see her. It was kind of interesting for me, just because it wasn't a "Xena" convention and I was used to seeing her within that context (esp. not signing autographs). There were a more diverse variety variety of fans, and of all ages. It was fantastic. I was overhearing comments in the line-ups about what people felt about Renee. After meeting her, the first timers especially found her to be to be what all of us here already know -- charming, friendly and personable. Just...sweet.
It was amazing watching her interact with the fans, her listening to every word and very focused (I do have some video of that, still to be prepared--hopr it
turned out ). One observation I made was that when she shook fans' hands, she
took that person's hand in between both of hers and shook it. It's not the typical one-handed handshake.
Awesome. I think we actually shook hands three times or so.
She took her time with each fan, which is why during her duration of signing (12 Noon - 6pm
), it seemed to move slowly. Not only did she personalize autographs with the fans' names, but she also added extra writing depending on the
subject they were discussing! For example, she added something personal to the fact that she was in my city, as
opposed to it being vice-versa when I was going to LA to see her. When it was my turn and I approached her, she recognized me right away. Her face lit up in
recognition, she took my hand, laughed and said, "Heeeey hello, hello again, what are you doing here?" In the same fun tone, I responded with, "Heeeyy Renee, I live here!" She said, "Oh really, cool, because I'm so used to seeing you actually travelling to see me at the Xena conventions...". I did say
that I'm only a 1/2 hour away. I reminded her about our first meeting back in 2007 that I hoped she could visit here sometime because there are many
Canadian fans here in the North that love her too, and I demonstrated by sweeping my arm across the lined-up crowd
behind me snaking its way around. Many were from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa,
Vancouver and other small towns in between. I did chat with a few from the US though. Yeah, ya can tell she was impressed by the turnout. I told her, "Welcome to my backyard this time." She took my hand again, shook it and said, "Thank you... you're so
sweet." Awww...
Some of you may rememeber that now infamous photo op I took with her in New Jersey when she "whipped" me.
Well, that was the photo I brought for her to sign. I said, "Hey Renee, I just
KNOW you'll remember THIS shot..." So I turned it around and she laughed and said, "oh yeahh!" when I showed the whipping action she did.
I told her my name and she started writing. Meanwhile we were still chatting
and she showed me some of her artwork on display. They look great in person, the prints. Very vivid colours. She had a new one with X&G with their backs
facing the viewer, looking across the land. I asked her if her babies were here, and she said no that they were at home. I said Iris looked adorable in those
giant sunglasses in that photo she posted. Renee said, "yeah, that
photo is so old now, she's changed." I joked and asked, "Changed as in size, or in personality?" Renee smiled and just said,
"BIIIIG!" So yeah, Iris is a quite the big girl now.
I was wondering what she was writing that was taking up both sides of the photo, so I was very pleasantly surprised when it read,
"For Paula,
Thanks for coming to see me, in your backyard!
With Love,
Reneé O'Connor".
Awwwww.... I think she is the sweet one. So here's a shot of my "Whipped" photo from the New Jersey con, now sporting Renee's personal touch....
I thanked her for the autograph and her warm message.
"Team ROC"
BTW, her assistant was wearing a "TEAM ROC" t-shirt, which was my first clue that it was not an Expo staffer. She said that it was a "prototype" shirt they were thinking of making, and I thought it was a GREAT idea! I told them that I'd buy one, along with hordes of ROC fans!
I asked her assistant for permission to take photographs of her, so
here's a close-up of the shirt...
Special message from ROC to "TX ROC Chat" Fans...
I told her that on behalf of her fans who couldn't be here at this event, and especially those on ROC Chat on the Talking Xena message board, that they all say hello, give her their best regards and sent their love. She said "Thank you!" to you guys here, and added, "Tell them that I say 'Hi!'". I agreed, so.... "Hi!" from Renee
***
She thanked me for coming out and for my support. I thanked her for visiting us Northerners.
She then said she hopes to see me tomorrow if I come out again. I said,
"If??? Are you kidding?? You're finally here in Canada -- Toronto even. I'd walk on broken glass to get here tomorrow before you leave!" She laughed at that and said thanks again. I said I'll be bringing my fighting
sticks and asked if she could sign that. She said sure, no problem.
I also asked her if it would be okay if I stood to the side to take photographs of her. I told her I was practicing "people" photography and it was because of her, personally, at my first convention (2007) that I was encouraged to continue doing it. She was surprised by that (but it was true) and said "thank you", with a smile...one of those trademark "ROC nose crinkle" ones.
I smiled at that. Hmm, I don't think she has a clue that she does that. She was always a pleasure to photograph. She then she saw my camera strapped to my side. I did tell her that if I didn't return home with any
photos of her, that the ROC Chat fans would strip me up a flagppole.
To my request to photograph her, she said "Sure!", and pointed to
a spot where I can stand, which was basically next to her table. So we
said our goodbyes and I continued taking pics of her. I was there for about 45
minutes of unobstructed view of Renee while she continued to meet and greet
with other fans then I moved around a bit to get different vantage points. I could have stayed even longer, but moved on (knowing I would/could return, hehe
). Some shots I was even kneeling to shoot upwards.
I must say here, that Renee was not with a Hobbystar staff or volunteer next to her at her table. She had her own personal assistant. That made a huge difference, because they were very gracious in letting me take photos. The Expo staff were asking about my being there, and Renee and her assistant said it was okay. Another staffer came by moments later and asked them if they were "okay" (meaning, again, about my being there), and they said yes.
As a result of Renee and her assistant's generosity (gosh, I forgot her name. I'll get it at next visit), especially with such a huge crowd (resulting it it normally being very difficult to get unobstructed photos) I think that these are the THE best photos I've ever taken of Renee. I could not have done it without her help, so you guys will be in for another round of pics.
Here are a few samples to tide you over until I get the rest done... I'll check in again so and start working on all the photos at one time. See y'all soon (btw, I heard Renee say "y'all" in her Texas drawl...so darn cute!
)
, pmb! thanks for staying up late after a tiring day to post this & uploading the pictures 
- well, that's Renée in a nutshell. 
to you and Renee for doing so 
Velinho Burns 
They were getting ready to pack up. Chris and I were the only ones hanging out
there, and I asked a couple more questions based on what has been discussed here on ROC Chat. 
We said our goodbyes to Michelle as well, wished her a safe trip home, then parted with a shot of, "Make those 'Team ROC'
shirts!!" 
