January 2012 Archives   31 January 2012 Mr Bill Shatner Wants To Come To My Room To Check Out My Gadgets... I tell ya every time I write this down I crack up laughing. Let me explain. Over the course of the weekend I was interviewed twotimes by Mr Shatner and his crew (special shoutout to David and Kevin who I've come to like very much) and once on Thursday before the con met with David and Kevin at lunch. William Shatner and his crew were filming a documentary on Xena fandom and the Final Convention. I believe they were truly surprised by us and how we are so different from other fandoms. I'm not quite sure how this happened but I agreed to be interviewed and figured it was once. Mr Shatner had other ideas. It was intense and quite honest - he is a very good interviewer. I had surreal moment number 4829283 when Bill stopped me mid morning and asked me if I wouldn't mind telling my story - the story most of the Xenaverse has never heard about. I won't go into it now but when Mr Shatner asks me to come into my room and view my gadgets...you can't refuse :) That's what happened - myself, Bill, David (producer), Kevin (cameraman), Mark and Kip (boom and audio) and one more whose name I can't remember (sorry!). Also in the room were my mates who were quite a sight. I decided to play a practical joke before Bill arrived so my two friends decided to stay outside the room and act like security. It was HYSTERICAL. Check out the picture. Bill's assistant came first and was totally confused until Maria cracked. LOL! Then Bill turned up and turned the tables on the gals! That was just hysterical. In the picture...the brown haired blob behind them is ME :) LOL! For what it's worth...Maria is 5'7 and Jo is 6'2... We then got stuck into the interview and it lasted for an hour...a very intense hour. The whole experience was something I will never forget. William Shatner Wants To Come To My Room To Check Out My Gadgets...<giggle> I actually had to admit that I was in trek fandom in addition to the Xenaverse. What a surreal experience that was. I believe the doco will be shown at film festivals and eventually on DVD in 2013. More Of My Live Blogging the Con ▪ No Goodbyes...Just Good Memories 2012 Xena Convention Final Report ▪ 2012 Xena Convention Update - Lucy & Renee - The Final Journey ▪ 2012 Xena Con Update: Saturday Fun and Laughter! ▪ 2012 Xena Convention Friday Cabaret Update ▪ 2012 Xena Convention Update - Friday AM 27 January 2012 ▪ 2012 Xena Convention Update Fandoms Collide and Then Go BOOOOMMMMM! ▪ 2012 Xena Con - Thursday 26 January 2012 The Party is About To Begin! ▪ It's Time To Party! 2012 Xena Convention     28 January 2012 2012 Xena Convention Update - Friday AM 27 January 2012 Hey folks, Taking time out from the con for a quick update. We had the official start today. First up was Sharon Delaney welcoming everyone to the convention and I have to tell you folks, there was A LOT of people there. A LOT. I haven't seen this size before at a con (I wasn't here for the 2001 con). There are alot of con virgins which is cool to see! First guest was the wonderful Mr Sears. Steven brought along a special guest - his gorgeous dog Julian who I have to say stole the show. By Julian being there, he achieved what few could have - it stopped Steven from pacing around the stage and creating the problem of being unable to take photos of him. Having said that, my camera photo still got a fuzzy picture of him! LOL! I did get some great photos of him and Julian but the camera is otherwise occupied right now so this will do until I can upload the images. This year, Julian sat in his lap and looked absolutely cute as Steven answered questions. We all know the con ritual that some people ask for hugs..we have it at every con even though Creation asks people not to do it. I have alot of fun counting the hug requests just becuase it's so funny (says the woman who on meeting Rob Tapert in 2005 did exactly the same thing...in my defence all I can say is that my brain decided to go for a walk and not come back for the rest of the 2005 con). Well this year we started off with another hug request but with a difference. It wasn't for Steve (Steve does give great hugs) but for Julian! Congratulations Julian and Steve did indicate Julian would be available for hugs and adorable looks in the hotel lobby later :) Next was Adrienne Wilkinson who was just so beautiful and was funny and very delightful. She even did the Livia yell after a couple of requests! On closing I have to say William Shatner's production crew was out and about filming at the con as well which was fun for everyone. Lots of fun, lots of laughter. To Be Continued...     25 January 2012 It's Time To Party! 2012 Xena Convention Hey folks, it's coming close to the convention and all the AUSXIP editing staff will be at the con - first time this has happened which is interesting. From Wednesday the site will be in skeleton staff mode. Updates will still occur but a bit later than normal. I will be live blogging from the convention and you can follow directly on the AUSXIP Convention Page, on twitter or facebook. This is going to be my last convention (whether Creation does another is up in the air judging by the poll they have on their site) It's going to be emotional and I'm packing the tissues. Let's all go out and have a great time, laugh and cry and then laugh some more. We are a family - sometimes a dysfunctional family but a family. The Xenaverse truly rocks and it's the best fandom I've ever been in or will be in. Let's go party people!! MaryD     25 January 2012 Greetings From LA and A Boy Named Eli I fell in love in Los Angeles on Sunday...he has gorgeous blue eyes and he was mighty happy to have me around...heh. For those that have been wanting pics of me..well here is one..sorta :) The boy in question is Lesley-Ann Brandt's gorgeous dog Eli. Check out the pic! He's a husky with gorgeous blue eyes - I used to think my kitty could do the guilt-trip-give-me-some-chicken-or-else-I'll-continue-to-beg look with ease but Eli had it beat. Those blue eyes and that begging look…it must be the blue eyes <g> I am so tempted to dognap him. Hope everyone is having a great time. Lori is doing a fantastic job and she's going to get a bit of a rest when all the editing staff descend on LA for the convention. There will be a live blog and pictures from me and all the AUSXIP staff. There will not be a class photo since the majority of us are camera shy but we will give you updates :) Stay safe!     19 January 2012 MaryD Reviews Spartacus Pemiere & Spartacus After Party 18 January 2012 Goodness gracious me. That was some night! I'm back from the premiere and the after party and let me tell you folks, it was seriously mega fun. Firstly I want to say how much I adore Rob Tapert. Yes yes yes you all know this but tonight, he moved me so much with his words. there was a couple of speeches before the show started and Rob came on the stage. He thanked everyone for coming, for the work Steven DeKnight and all the actors have done and then his voice broke. He spoke of Andy Whitfield. Rob genuinly loved this man and it showed. It was the first time I had heard Rob this way and it brought a lump to my throat. During the afterparty I had another opportunity to congratulate him on a wonderful job and we talked about the speech. His voice broke again and I just found him to be such a decent man. I adore Rob Tapert even more after tonight. And now to the pre-show - the fans were lined up from 9:30 am - yep that is not a typo and the first fan was Rachelle, a Xenite :) I must say that line looked very different from the usual xena lines! LOL! The stars made their red carpet appearance - I was on the other side of the red carpet (actually black carpet but who cares) and waited around. Saw Lucy turn up looking SPECTACULAR, saw Liam, Manu, Katrina and Cynthia - I missed Viva's entrance. Then went inside while the stars were doing their thang in the front. My wingmen, Ruth and Kathi, were outside taking photos in the fan line. AUSXIP Reporters are everywhere :) I got the opportunity to meet Jaime Murray (Gaia) and Marissa Ramirez (Melitta) - what beautiful ladies and so nice. The episode is INCREDIBLE on the big screen and I have to say that's where it belongs. The episode lays the ground work for what is to come. Have a read of my episode preview/review for more on that. The afterparty was a hoot. It was also very loud and you could barely see but a hoot. My first Hollywood afterparty and just fun. Standout moments were Rob, Lucy, Viva, shaking Steven DeKnight's hand, thanking for his evilness and incredible storytelling and then doing something I never thought I would do and that was going up to Peter Mensah and shaking his hand. For those that don't know, in 2009 I could barely say two words to the man without clamming up. It might have been because the place was really dark and it was easier to do but oh my goodness, he is a gorgeous man! Lucy took time out at the afterparty for some photos with me and here are a couple. The photographer is Lucy - she just took the camera from my hand and with those long arms of hers and just snapped away :) Since I never post photos of myself on AUSXIP..you just get Lucy. A special shoutout to Sharon Delaney who I ran into at the Guest Ticket area; she took me under her wing and basically showed me how things worked since I was a newbie at premieres and afterpartys. That was mega cool and it was nice to spend some time with her and Toni (who also works at Creation). Well that is my report. Here are some pictures and there will be more photos tomorrow after I get some sleep!     18 January 2012 MaryD Previews Spartacus: Vengeance Episode 1: Fugitivus - SPOILER FREE Preview/Review of Spartacus Vengeance Episode 1 By MaryD I'm writing this preview from my balcony of my hotel in the coolish sunny day in Los Angeles after having watched the screener of the first episode of Spartacus: Vengeance from the Starz Press Kit. We last saw Spartacus and his gladiators in the fantastic season finale Kill Them All where Spartacus brought about the death and destruction of the house of Batiatus. We flash forward to Spartacus: Vengeance and the aftermath of that rebellion. Starz has the following outline of what is to transpire in this series: On the heels of the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus that concluded "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" the gladiator rebellion continues and begins to strike fear into the heart of the Roman Republic in "Spartacus: Vengeance" Gaius Claudius Glaber and his Roman troops are sent to Capua to crush the growing band of freed slaves that Spartacus leads before it can inflict further damage. Spartacus is presented the choice of satisfying his personal need for vengeance against the man that condemned his wife to slavery and eventual death, or making the larger sacrifices necessary to keep his budding army from breaking apart. Containing all of the blood-soaked action, exotic sexuality, and villainy and heroism that has come to distinguish the series, the tale of Spartacus resumes in epic fashion. The first episode is called Fugitivus and the log line is: Spartacus learns that being a leader of freed slaves brings great responsibilities; Spartacus tries to keep his rebellious band intact. Read Preview by MaryD     12 January 2012 Leaving on a Jet Plane.... Hey folks, RightO! I'm off on my annual holiday and this time I'm trekking across the pond to the US for a few weeks to catch up with mates, attend the 2012 Final Journey Xena Convention and just have a great time! While I'm away, Lori will be taking over and updating AUSXIP and the rest of the sites. I'm looking forward to watching the Spartacus premiere (I'll have a review/preview of the first two episodes next week). ALL the AUSXIP staff will be at the Xena Convention so I'll pop in by live blogging the convention with news, photos and other assorted goodies; you can follow this on AUSXIP or twitter and facebook. It's going to be mega fun and mega emotional. Spartacus is going to be HUGE and the Xena Con will be INCREDIBLE! I'll be back on board around 8th Feb! Battle On! MaryD     4 January 2012 Madeleine Sami & Jessica Grace Smith In Sione's 2: Unfinished Business Madeleine Sami (Super City) and Jessica Grace Smith (Spartacus: Gods of the Arena) are in a new New Zealand movie called Sione's 2: Unfinished Business. I think Madeleine is an excellent comedic actress but I haven't seen Jessica in anything other than Spartacus so it would be cool to see her in something like a comedy.     Sione's 2: Unfinished Business, the sequel to New Zealand's blockbuster film Sione's Wedding is coming to a cinema near you - January 19, 2012. Five years ago our heroes the Duckrockers thought they had figured it all out - they had found themselves girlfriends to take to Siones wedding and the future was looking bright: Michael had come to accept that commitment wasnt for him and he was always going to fancy white girls; Albert had finally hooked up with his co-worker Tania; Stanley, always the weird one, had managed to find himself a nice girl one of the catering staff from the wedding; and Sefa had even got the courage to propose to his long term girlfriend, Leilani. And Bolo? Well, apparently his name is actually Paul. Fast-forward five years and things havent quite gone as the boys might have planned: Albert is now married to Tania and they are living in suburbia, both working in insurance and also trying (unsuccessfully) to have a baby; Sefa and Leilani are still together and now have two kids although despite Sefas proposal, theyre still not married. And while Sefas business is falling apart, Leilani seems to be living life to the full; Stanley is now a trainee Deacon in the Future Church; Michael has moved to Australia but the boys dont hear from him often; and Bolo has thrown in his job with Sefa and taken up work with Sione, Michaels younger brother. Growing up appears to be driving the Duckrockers apart but when theyre confronted with one of lifes unexpected turns and Bolo goes missing, their Minister once again brings them together and sends them on a quest. Their mission: to find Bolo. Where do you start when you are looking for this one Samoan in the worlds largest Polynesian city? As they set off on the physical search for Bolo, each of the Duckrockers is also on a personal journey of sorts. But of course, the Boys being the Boys, the way they deal with things can only go wrong     Read More Archives