~ Convention Report ~
Virginia & Lourdes S
twinxenas@netzero.net
Time sure flies fast. It's been a week since we attended the "Big One" in Pasadena, the Xena Convention that is. We anticipated this event ever since Creation began selling tickets on July 4, 2000 when we missed out on GOLD WEEKEND SEATINGS. We ended up with PREFERRED WEEKEND SEATINGS. There was nothing we could think of all through those months. We would get excited just by thinking about the convention - the stars, the events, the friends we were going to see again and those we were going to meet for the first time, the fans and the merchandise.The first day of the convention finally came and it was surreal. We arrived early just in time for the registration and shiny, silver wristbands were placed around our wrists. The doors opened and off we went. After roaming around the dealers rooms, we were quite disappointed because not all of the merchandise was Xena related. Our Xena list was already on hand but only ended up buying three merchandise on our list. There were no standees being sold, they were only selling one style of the Xena clock - Chicks Kick Ass (which we ended up buying even though what we wanted was the X&G one in the tub), no Gabrielle mugs (the earlier kind) and the 8X10 pictures were mostly from recent episodes (we were looking for a specific pic from an earlier episode). Oxygen was giving out Xena keychains so we took advantage of that.
As much as we wanted to be closer to the stage, our seats on the 17th row were just fine with our trusty and handy binoculars within reach. Selected videos started the day, followed by Sharon Delaney's welcome address.
Robert Trebor was up first and he was so funny and we enjoyed listening to his good-sounding voice.
Next up, the lady in red, Hudson Leick, graced us with her presence and this was the first time we've seen her on stage and she didn't disappoint. She was so spunky, alive, awesome, mesmerizing and really captivating. She gave out a lot of kisses (chocolate kisses) but we didn't get any because we were busy taking her pictures as she passed through the aisles. She even asked her mom and dad to come up on stage and her mom surprised us by singing, "We are the parents. The mighty, mighty parents" to the tune of "Joxer, The Mighty."
Zoe Bell and Paul Grinder, Xena's stunt double and 2nd unit director came out and we took bathroom and food breaks.
The ruggedly handsome and barefoot, Karl Urban, came out and told the crowd that he got drunk the night before and got his toenails painted. He then asked two of the people responsible for his behavior to come up on stage. Our Xena look-alike friend, Deborah Abbott, was one of them and Kimmie Kat. Karl then kissed them and gave them his movie posters (The Price Of Milk). He also handed out some posters to the fans.
Bruce Campbell came out next and he was so entertaining and funny. He kept promoting his shirt/book (The Life Of A B-movie Actor) and someone pointed out that he was wearing the same Hawaiian shirt from a past convention.
While the latter stars were on stage, autographs with Robert and Hudson were going on so row after row, GOLD patrons were standing and lining up.
The highlight of the day for us was when we spotted Hudson Leick being whisked away. We dashed through an entire row of empty seats and we couldn't decide whether to take a picture or ask for an autograph because everything was happening so fast so we ended up pulling her hands for a handshake. I (Virginia) was holding her left hand while I (Lourdes) was holding her right hand and then she looked at us as we said, "HI" then she said "HI" back, smiled and said, "Twins!!!" Then, we said "Yes!!!" And then she had to go but before she left she flashed us her sweetest smile ever. We were on cloud nine.
We were up and early for the second day of the event. We were wearing Chinese dresses and people kept telling us that we looked great and posed pictures with us. We were referred to as Lao Ma's twin daughters (Chin Twins) all day and night. We didn't really plan it, we just wanted to wear Chinese outfits.
Another welcome address from Sharon Delaney started the day.
Adrienne Wilkinson and William Gregory Lee both came out on stage and took turns answering questions from the audience. They looked cute together.
Then out came Tim Omundson and he was funny as ever poking fun at his Eli character. He even played a tune on his harmonica.
The sultry, Claire Stansfield, delighted the audience after the auction. This was the third time we've seen her and she still captivated and interested us. She will always look like a supermodel to us. She was so sweet even though she swears a lot much to the dismay of Creation.
The bubbly, Alexandra Tydings, was so energetic as she pranced through the stage sharing her Sheena experiences. Yes, Sheena!
Ted Raimi was so funny. His fans were mostly kids and teenagers asking him questions and posing with him. He even asked the audience to join him on stage to sing his theme. A little Xena fan did the battle cry while another little Xena sang to him the opening Xena theme. She was so cute. We can't even pronounce the words, let alone sing it.
The highlights of the day for us were: 1) when we were talking to our friend, Nina Knapp, William Gregory Lee accompanied by Sharon D. walked by us on their way to the men's room. So we waited until Greg came out and just a couple of people noticed then the crowd grew as autographs and pictures were being asked of him. We were standing so close to him and just took pictures. When he was attending to the other fans, we both said, "We just want to shake your hand" and to our surprise, he turned around and shook our hands. My, he has such big hands! Then he was whisked away so we were walking ahead of him and Sharon asked him, "What happened?" and Greg replied, "I don't know. I just went to the restroom." 2) when we took our break, we were on our way to the dealers rooms and noticed that Karl Urban, accompanied by Jamester (Cupid), was walking in front of us. We followed and he posed for pictures and signed autographs for his club or something. We gathered enough courage to ask for a picture with him. Because we're tiny and he was tall, he went down to our level. Then we asked for an autograph. 3) when the last row was called for autographs, we decided to sneak in and we were successful. While waiting in line, Ted, Claire and Alex decided to just walk through the lines so we were told to prepare whatever we wanted signed. Ted was so sweet. Claire told us that we both looked great, we made eye contact and after signing she shook my (Virginia) hand. Alex also commented that we both looked great. I (Lourdes) managed to touch their hands while they were all signing then to my surprise, Ted touched my hand after he signed my autograph book.
The third and final day of the convention and we didn't want it to end. Today we came in costumes which we did ourselves. We went as "Go-go Xena and her body double." We attended the little gathering of Adrienne Wilkinson's fan club at the Little Theater. She saw us in the crowd and said that we looked great.
We were on our way to the auditorium when the most embarrassing thing happened to me (Lourdes). The bottom half of my right shoe totally came off so we just decided to walk barefoot (not totally, we were wearing knee-high socks). So we missed out on Missy Good.
Ebonie Smith was lively and vibrant as ever.
Tsianina Joelson looked ravishing. She was sweet to the fans as she posed and even recited lines from her cheer in the movie, "Bring It On."
The motherly, Darien Takle, sang to the audience and was sweet as well.
The big moment that everyone has been waiting for: LUCY and RENEE together on stage. The video salute to Xena and Gabrielle wasn't that moving or heartbreaking, in our opinions, as compared to last year's salute to Hercules and Iolaus. When RENEE came on stage everyone was standing and for being so short we stood on our chairs. Of course, the same thing happened when LUCY came out. LUCY and RENEE singing was the best moment. We were so happy to see them, but wished their time on stage was more livelier, more captivating and more involving. Nonetheless, it was great to be in the crowd supporting them and saying goodbye.
The costume contest was great. All of the costumed fans were so creative and talented. The kids were so cute and adorable. The adults were amazing. The Fury was so good. The Amazons with Xena and baby Eve looked great, too. But the most magnificent and remarkable costumed fan was Deborah Abbott in her Antony and Cleopatra outfit (in chains with her own carpet and key). Very original and creative. She was also dressed as Cleopatra in A&C on Friday and as Fatima in Who's Gurkhan on Saturday.
We surprised the audience by coming out with protruding bellies (preggers Xena in a go-go outfit). So we were barefoot and pregnant on stage. Tsianina, Darien and Ebonie judged the event. We got an 8X10 Xena &Gabrielle pic (the dance from HOD) as consolation prizes. Before stepping off the stage, we shook hands with the judges. They all remarked that we looked great and that they had a hard time choosing the winners. Autograph signing followed and we waited for our turn (they were letting Preferred patrons in). We again saw them face to face. They were gracious enough to let us take their pictures. Ebonie even remembered our names and we commented that she has a great memory and she replied that "how can anyone forget you guys?" Then Ebonie's mom took our picture.
We enjoyed ourselves during the three day event. It's what we expected and more. It was a delight to meet people we exchange emails with and those we talk to at the Poteidaia Scrolls (at Tom's site), World Wide Deb and Texaspupmeet groups. We have changed since the first time we have attended a Xena con, where we merely observed people. Now, we were like the seasoned con-goers exchanging handshakes, hugs, kisses and smiles with friends (old and new). It was weird recognizing familiar faces like we've known them for ages. We enjoyed posing with people, having our pictures taken and having important people like Katherine Fugate approach us. It was like we were stars for a day. We will surely miss Xena, the stars, the fans, the experience and the atmosphere of being with people who enjoy the show for all the different reasons.
That's a wrap! We hope Creation will sell the videotape soon so we'll be able to relive the experience over and over again.
Xena Fans always, Virginia and Lourdes aka TwinXenas