• Welcome
  • My Blog
  • Purchase
  • About Me
  • Short Story
    • The Gypsy Casts a Spell
  • Romances
    • First Crush, Last Love
    • Venice in the Moonlight
    • Cera’s Place
  • Mysteries
    • The Great Jewel Robbery
    • Killer Resolutions

Elizabeth McKenna

~ Author

Elizabeth McKenna

Tag Archives: Chicago

Supernatural Convention in Chicago

12 Monday Sep 2016

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Random Thoughts

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

AKF, Chicago, Convention, CW, Dean, Depression, Jared, Jensen, Mental Health, Sam, Supernatural, Winchester

Last year, we took my youngest daughter to Comic Con in Chicago so that she could meet Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead (TWD). This past weekend, it was my oldest daughter’s turn. We had the pleasure of meeting Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) and Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester) of Supernatural, the longest running show on the CW network. We also saw (from a distance) Mark Sheppard (Crowley), Osric Chau (Kevin), Rob Benedict (Chuck/God), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (John Winchester, but now Negan on TWD), Emily Swallow (Amara), Richard Speight Jr. (Trickster/Gabriel), and Matt Cohen (young John Winchester).

They put on a great show for the fans, and it is apparent the friendships between the cast members are genuine. On Saturday night, we watched Rob Benedict’s band LOUDEN SWAIN perform. It was a real treat as several of the actors performed a song with them. They can act AND sing AND play an instrument. What talent!

We also bought Megan Padalecki’s children’s book, Little Moon. (Little Moon follows the odyssey of this tiny creature as she searches for a sense of belonging in a seemingly endless sea.) The book has a wonderful message for children. I plan on giving it to my nephew’s daughter for Christmas. SHHHH!!

As for Jared and Jensen, I give them a lot of credit. Obviously, they are making money off of the conventions, but they meet hundreds of fans a day and make each one feel special. They could just put in the least amount of effort and go home, but they don’t. When fans broke down in tears in front of the actors,  Jared and Jensen just wrapped their arms around them. It was very uplifting.

Jared, Jensen, and Misha Collins (Castiel) are also heavily involved in combating the stigma of mental illnesses. Jared has been very open about his struggles with depression. The actors have run several social media campaigns including Always Keep Fighting (AKF), I Am Enough, and You Are Not Alone. It is not an exaggeration to say they have changed – and saved – lives.

I wish them peace.

Some pics from the convention:

img_1772img_3155img_0003

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Comic Con in Chicago with Norman Reedus

24 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Random Thoughts

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Actor, Castle, Chicago, Comic Con, Fangirl, Firefly, Michael Rooker, Nathan Fillion, Norman Reedus, TWD

moMy family had a bit of fun yesterday. We went to Wizard World Comic Con in Chicago. My youngest daughter is a huge Norman Reedus fan (Daryl in The Walking Dead) to the point that she has a life size cut out of the man in her bedroom. (It freaks me out every time I walk in there.) So we bought our tickets for a photo and autograph session, and left the house at 5 am.

I was a bit nervous for her to meet her obsession. Reality rarely lives up to fantasy. When I was about her age, a girlfriend and I followed a cover band around for a summer as they played various festivals. We met the lead singer after one show, and I was so disappointed in how arrogant he was. (Did I mention it was a COVER band? The dude didn’t even sing his own songs.) Then in my early twenties, I met the local NFL quarterback. I wasn’t impressed with him either. So I worried that I was setting her up to have her heart crushed by some disinterested actor.

Luckily, Norman Reedus is an absolute sweetheart. Morgan and Norman_photo session Here he is with my youngest. I guess he is known for doing things with his tongue – like licking people. She was so thrilled. And as I watched some of the other 500 fans leave our photo session, some wiped away tears. We do get emotionally involved with these characters, and thankfully, the actors understand our obsession with them.

My daughter is an artist and gave Norman a picture she drew of his cat wearing Daryl’s trademark vest complete with angel’s wings. He praised it and gave her a hug during the autograph session. Morgan and Norman_autograph session

Numerous people gave him gifts and he took the time to open each one and comment on it. I noticed during both the photo and autograph session that he made it a point to say something to each person.

Then, as we were looking at the vendors, Michael Rooker (Meryl on The Walking Dead) passed us. My daughter took off after him to ask for a picture. They walked arm and arm for several moments and then she took what he called a “walkie” – a walking selfie. (Meanwhile, I was running after them yelling “She’s underage! She’s underage!) He was so cool to do that considering a photo session goes for around $100 a pop. Morgan and Meryl

Then we scouted the other autograph sessions and my daughter was able to take this picture of Captain Tight Pants (Nathan Fillion) before we were shooed away. Hard to believe he is actually better looking in person!

Nathan FillionNext year, we will try for a Supernatural Comic Con to feed my oldest daughter’s obsession (and mine too!). I know the actors get paid a boat load of money to do these shows, but I do appreciate them being friendly to us fangirls.

Erin and Norman_Photo sessionDid you ever meet someone famous? Were you thrilled or disappointed? Leave a comment and tell me all about it!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow Elizabeth McKenna on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3,650 other followers

Facebook

Facebook

Instagram

One more #hoarfrost #winter

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Recent Posts

  • Deadly Darkness: A World War II Mystery by Kate Parker – Book Tour and Giveaway
  • Across the Aisle by Stephanie Vance – Cover Reveal and Giveaway
  • The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola by Melissa Muldoon – Book Tour and Giveaway
  • Rhino Charge by Victoria Tait – Book Tour and Giveaway
  • fISh OUt of WaTER by Marc Jedel – Book Tour and Giveaway

Action Adult Adult Fiction Adventure Australia Authors Book Tour Carnival Chick-Lit Christmas Comedy Comtemporary Contemporary Contemporary Romance cozy mystery Crime crime fiction Dystopian Epic Erotic Erotica Family Saga Fantasy Fiction Giveaway Gothic Historical Historical Romance holiday Hot Humor India Indian inspirational Interracial Interviews Kindle Love Mafia Magic Masks Memoir military Multicultural Murder Mystery Music Mystery New Adult Non-Fiction Organized Crime Paranormal Psychological Thriller Regency Reviews Romance Romantic Suspense Science Fiction Series Spiritual Sports Steamy suspense Sweet Sweet Romance Thriller Time Travel Vampires Venice Victorian war Western Women's Fiction Women Sleuths YA Young Adult

RSS Link

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Check out Elizabeth McKenna's latest release!

In a remote lodge in northern Wisconsin, friends gather for a festive, New Year’s Eve weekend. When a blizzard traps them with a murderer, who will be left to kiss at midnight?

RABT Book Tours & PR
Escape with Dollycas"

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    %d bloggers like this: