This weekend was very special for me, after spending much of the last few months away from home, I just got home in time to attend the Toronto Fan (SciFi) Expo. This is not something I would normally do, but... there was a very special lady attending the show, that I just couldn't miss. None other then 'our own little Gabrielle' Renee O'Connor of the 'Xena: Warrior Princess' fame was in town.

With a few of my Toronto Xenite friends we embarked downtown, to the Toronto Convention Centre. And what a special adventure it was.

It has been 24 hours and I'm still on cloud nine :-) Not because of the show... but because of Renee. After so many years of following her career, finally my wish came through and I had the pleasure meeting her. I can't tell you guys what a thrill and joy it was for me. I just hope I didn't come across as a blabbering idiot ... I was a bit starstruck :-) And if I did (oh god) Renee sure was very gracious and sweet :-)

Over the years I have been a fan of many actors, and met a few (big names) for a split second. But none can measure up to Renee.

She is the most special, gracious, thoughtful, kind, generous human being I have ever met. There were at least another 10 or so actors signing autographs, but most of them would not pose with the fans or would charge as much as for the autograph. In one case (BSG actor!) security guards were posted around him, asking everyone in sight with cameras not to take pictures!!

But not Renee! She was equally sweet to every single person who came up to her, and took time to converse, she would also come out from behind the table and pose with people, shook hands, gave hugs! She has signed everything people asked her to, even remembered many little details about some of the pics people had taken with her at conventions and now had the chance to have it signed by her. She has not refused anyone!!! What a sweetheart. Some of those 'big names' could learn from her!! After six hours of just about non-stop signing, smiling, shaking hands she probably was tired. If she was, she certainly didn't show it. As far as I know she took only one break for about five minutes, late in the afternoon. The lineup at her table was still going strong, whereas some of the other celebrities left... no one to sign for.

I hope Renee's experience (although very short) was just as nice and pleasurable in our fair city, as it was for her 'Northern Fans' to have her here amongst us. She has captured many hearts all over again, young and old new fans and some ol'seasoned ones :-) All who came to see her, left with even more respect and love for this beautiful petite young woman with a huge heart!

What a sweetheart. Come again Renee and God bless you always.

and ... Battle On :-)

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