Happy post: Arrivederci Roma!
May. 3rd, 2026 09:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dizzojayFollowing on from yesterday's post, after we took the train down from Florence to Rome, and made our way to the all too familiar Fumicino Airport Hilton hotel, it was late afternoon, so we had time to get into our rooms, freshen up and then go downstairs to register for the con. During that time, we met up with our other partners in crime, including 
amberdreams, 
heavenli24, stellamira and dean_hugs_sammy.
After registration, we all headed into the hotel bar for dinner and a much needed catch up.
As you can see, I'm very excited about finally being registered :D
Friday was a quiet day. The con doesn't officially start until 4pm, however, they do run an activity with the guests out and about in Rome called Roman Holiday. I didn't do that one, so I was able to spend Friday morning, relaxing in the hotel bar, topping up my caffeine levels, studying the schedule and catching up with lovely people I hadn't seen since JIBcon last year.
Although Roman Holiday sounds like fun, I love that few hours calm before the storm, I find it so therapeutic. It really recharges my social battery ready for the convention mayhem!
J2 don't attend the convention on Friday, so when the convention eventually did kick off, my first destination was the autograph room to get as many autos as I can before the J2 excitement descends on Sarurday and Sunday. I had a productive afternoon...
So Saturday morning arrived, and the panel room was full to bursting and buzzing! When the sound system struck up the opening bars to 'the boys are back in town', the whole place erupted.
J2 walked onto the stage, and when I saw that Jensen was clean shaven, I may have let out a sound that only dogs can hear...
The rest of the wekeend passed in the usual, wonderful blur. Our little gang became ships that pass in the night (during the day), and then managed to catch up in the evenings to share stories of photo ops and J2 encounters.
I had my own story of my Jensen autograph.
Daniela was sitting with Jensen at the autographs when I walked up to the table and handed her my Soldier Boy artwork. She said 'where would you like him to sign?'. I replied, 'Anywhere on the white border - the picture is pastel, so it's like powder and will clog up the pen'.
Daniela slid my picture over to Jensen and pointed to the white border. So of course, Jensen signs it across the picture. And clogs up the pen.
Daniela and I shared a look, and I said, 'honestly, men!' She laughed.
After he signed the picture, Jensen picked it up and really studied it - then he grinned and said, 'he's in there. Yeah, I can see him!' He handed the pciture back to me with a smile and gave a chef's kiss!!!
I think I said something like, 'thanks, I'm so glad you like him!' And that was that. I was one happy Dizzo walking out of that room!
My Jared auto was no less entertaining. I had drawn a picture of Huntercorp Sam, and Jared burst out laughing when he saw it. He said, 'I love it, where did you get this?'
I replied, 'I drew it'. He said 'You drew it? It's awesome!'
I thanked him, and added 'I was aiming to make him look really snooty, but I think he's just come off looking a bit stoned!' Jared laughed, and said, 'nothing wrong with that - I like him even more now!'
Jared also didn't sign on the border, but at least he had the good sense to keep away from the pastel!
All my photo ops came and went, and unusually I like them all this year - apart from my JenMish because I was mid laugh about something Jensen had said and the photogtapher caught me looking completely deranged! XD
I love this one so much. Yes Jared, stop bragging, I know I'm a hobbit!
When Jensen invites you in for a hug, you get a lovely welcoming, respectful hug.
When Jared invites you in for a hug, you basically get your body parts rearranged.
Like I said, deranged...
Final photo op was with Ricky Whittle. He's a bit of a wildcard guest to JIB as he's never been in Supernatural, and has only just started watching it. In the few years before Covid, there was a multi-fandom convention on the two days before JIB called JIBland. Ricky was a guest at that a couple of times, and he was such an exuberarent character that he became a fan favourite. After Covid, Daniela retired JIBland to concentrate on JIB, but Ricky had been so popular, Daniela liked him, the fans liked him and he loved the whole JIB experience so much, he asked to be invited to JIB, and he's been a regular fixture ever since.
Of course, we had to also take our obligatory group photo - this time showing our support for a another JIB next year - which would be JIB 17.
And yes, it's happening!
On Monday, after the convention a day in Rome was order of the day, just mooching around and having a bit of lunch as we gradually made out way to the venue of the Monday concert
And finally, after the concert, to round up the whole lovely weekend, a selfie with Daniela
And finally, to Tuesday,heavenli24 and I were on the same flight home, and so decided to enjoy one last gelato together before we headed back to England.
Because, as the saying goes, when in Rome...
heavenli24, stellamira and dean_hugs_sammy.After registration, we all headed into the hotel bar for dinner and a much needed catch up.
As you can see, I'm very excited about finally being registered :D
Friday was a quiet day. The con doesn't officially start until 4pm, however, they do run an activity with the guests out and about in Rome called Roman Holiday. I didn't do that one, so I was able to spend Friday morning, relaxing in the hotel bar, topping up my caffeine levels, studying the schedule and catching up with lovely people I hadn't seen since JIBcon last year.
Although Roman Holiday sounds like fun, I love that few hours calm before the storm, I find it so therapeutic. It really recharges my social battery ready for the convention mayhem!
J2 don't attend the convention on Friday, so when the convention eventually did kick off, my first destination was the autograph room to get as many autos as I can before the J2 excitement descends on Sarurday and Sunday. I had a productive afternoon...
So Saturday morning arrived, and the panel room was full to bursting and buzzing! When the sound system struck up the opening bars to 'the boys are back in town', the whole place erupted.
J2 walked onto the stage, and when I saw that Jensen was clean shaven, I may have let out a sound that only dogs can hear...
The rest of the wekeend passed in the usual, wonderful blur. Our little gang became ships that pass in the night (during the day), and then managed to catch up in the evenings to share stories of photo ops and J2 encounters.
I had my own story of my Jensen autograph.
Daniela was sitting with Jensen at the autographs when I walked up to the table and handed her my Soldier Boy artwork. She said 'where would you like him to sign?'. I replied, 'Anywhere on the white border - the picture is pastel, so it's like powder and will clog up the pen'.
Daniela slid my picture over to Jensen and pointed to the white border. So of course, Jensen signs it across the picture. And clogs up the pen.
Daniela and I shared a look, and I said, 'honestly, men!' She laughed.
After he signed the picture, Jensen picked it up and really studied it - then he grinned and said, 'he's in there. Yeah, I can see him!' He handed the pciture back to me with a smile and gave a chef's kiss!!!
I think I said something like, 'thanks, I'm so glad you like him!' And that was that. I was one happy Dizzo walking out of that room!
My Jared auto was no less entertaining. I had drawn a picture of Huntercorp Sam, and Jared burst out laughing when he saw it. He said, 'I love it, where did you get this?'
I replied, 'I drew it'. He said 'You drew it? It's awesome!'
I thanked him, and added 'I was aiming to make him look really snooty, but I think he's just come off looking a bit stoned!' Jared laughed, and said, 'nothing wrong with that - I like him even more now!'
Jared also didn't sign on the border, but at least he had the good sense to keep away from the pastel!
All my photo ops came and went, and unusually I like them all this year - apart from my JenMish because I was mid laugh about something Jensen had said and the photogtapher caught me looking completely deranged! XD
I love this one so much. Yes Jared, stop bragging, I know I'm a hobbit!
When Jensen invites you in for a hug, you get a lovely welcoming, respectful hug.
When Jared invites you in for a hug, you basically get your body parts rearranged.
Like I said, deranged...
Final photo op was with Ricky Whittle. He's a bit of a wildcard guest to JIB as he's never been in Supernatural, and has only just started watching it. In the few years before Covid, there was a multi-fandom convention on the two days before JIB called JIBland. Ricky was a guest at that a couple of times, and he was such an exuberarent character that he became a fan favourite. After Covid, Daniela retired JIBland to concentrate on JIB, but Ricky had been so popular, Daniela liked him, the fans liked him and he loved the whole JIB experience so much, he asked to be invited to JIB, and he's been a regular fixture ever since.
Of course, we had to also take our obligatory group photo - this time showing our support for a another JIB next year - which would be JIB 17.
And yes, it's happening!
On Monday, after the convention a day in Rome was order of the day, just mooching around and having a bit of lunch as we gradually made out way to the venue of the Monday concert
And finally, after the concert, to round up the whole lovely weekend, a selfie with Daniela
And finally, to Tuesday,
heavenli24 and I were on the same flight home, and so decided to enjoy one last gelato together before we headed back to England.Because, as the saying goes, when in Rome...
