December 2011 Archives

2011 is coming to a close and it's been quite a year. Here are some of the interesting things that happened on AUSXIP in the course of the year. The highlight for me (in a year chock full of highlights) is AUSXIP's 15th birthday and the support I have received from my very loyal sidekicks Roger and Lori. Added to the mix was Lucy's active role in sending messages / pics throughout the year for various events and the wonderful interview she gave for the 15th Anniversary. Renee came to the 15th Anniversary party with a fantastic third interview with AUSXIP. Lots of good stuff happened in 2011 and some sadness as well. We lost some Xenites and a Thracian warrior, Andy Whitfield.

What's coming up in 2012? I can pretty much guarantee that AUSXIP will be around for another year. We will be live blogging the Final Journey Convention, The 6th AUSXIP Charity Auction will be held on 21-28 March 2012 and a whole bunch of other cool things which we don't know about yet.

May you all have an absolutely awesome end of year party and let's hope 2012 is all that you wish for and more.

Below is the highlights of the AUSXIP Year.

January

• AUSXIP Interviews Jessica Grace Smith (Diona) from Spartacus Gods of the Arena
• The Multifandom Queensland Flood Relief is organised and supported by AUSXIP
• AUSXIP Talking Xena Forum is 10 years old!

February

• Christchurch Earthquake News and Updates
• The Lucy's Resene Page Like Campaign and Argo Auction Watch
• Lucy sends in her Resene Argo Video Blogs and Pics showing us how she is painting Argo
• Lucy's No Ordinary Family Subsite created
• New AUSXIP Reporter: Gabsfan
• AUSXIP Celebrates Renee O'Connor's birthday

March

• AUSXIP's 2011 Charity Auction raises $11,859.50 for Starship and the ROC Outreach ($9,601 for Starship)
• AUSXIP celebrates Lucy's birthday
• Lucy Sends Message Of Support About AUSXIP Starship Auction
• AUSXIP Reporter Jo at Bare For Christchurch event + video
• AUSXIP Horse Committee buys Argo $2500!
• The Lucy's Resene Page Like Campaign and Argo Auction Watch Continues

April

• AUSXIP Lesley-Ann Brandt fan site merges with Official Site

May

• It was generally a quiet month ausxip related but lots of updates

June

• MaryD head to New Zealand and meets up with Starship; awesome bunch with new CEO Brad Clark!
• Lucy graciously signs a whole bunch of stuff for the new AUSXIP Charity Auction in 2012. Quite a few are incredible for Xena fans and Sparty fans.
• Viva Bianca and Katrina Law also contribute some incredible items...watch for those in the AUSXIP Charity Auction 21-28 March 2012!
• The 2012 Xena Convention Page added - The Final Journey
• AUSXIP Noir is born! AUSXIP Noir is Rob Tapert's new show on the Starz Network coming in 2012.
• AUSXIP TV Zone is now live (and will have a very short life)
• AUSXIP Viva Bianca is merged to become The Official Viva Bianca Site

July

• Official Campbell Cooley Site is born! Campbell appeared in Xena, Legend of the Seeker and now Spartacus. Long overdue site.
• AUSXIP Reporter Lori interviews Katrina Law, Liam McIntyre and Manu Bennett at Comic Con (hysterical "interview". Lori lost complete control and it became a fun free for all between the three castmates. Lori gave up trying to control or ask question. Watch here: Part 1 and Part 2
• I go insane during Comic Con (well more insane than normal). That was one very busy weekend and wish the Sparty kids would all go home and stop giving interviews.

August

• Lucy sends message about Dinner with Lucy and her artwork for Rainbow Warrior III
• AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Spartacus Subsite created
• Lucy sends Message about Upcoming Event with Al Gore 24 Hour of Reality
• New Movie Subsite on AUSXIP Renee O'Connor - Infinity
• AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Greenpeace subsite redesigned
• Who is Who and Who Does What on AUSXIP section updated
• AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Activist Subsites Index
• AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior III Event Page

September

• Andy Whitfield passes away and AUSXIP Andy Whitfield is now a tribute site
• Lucy Lawless sends message about Andy's passing and details on how to help Andy's family with the Andy Whitfield Trust Fund
• Starship Spring Clean Auction Watch
• AUSXIP Supports Lucy Lawless Feel The Love Week
• AUSXIP Frog Committee buys Lucy's Archey's Frog for Greenpeace and the print is donated to Starship

October

• Lucy sends message and photo from the NZ Vs Australia World Cup Rugby... All Blacks won..Aussies lost...big
• AUSXIP has a Facebook Page
• AUSXIP Lucy Lawless has its own Twitter page
• AUSXIP Noir has it's own twitter page

November

• AUSXIP's 15th Anniversary Giveaway - Lucy & Renee Photo Ops or Mystery Gifts! Entries announced
• Message From Lucy - Her message to the NZ Goverment about the Deep Sea Oil Drillers
• Lucy not Arrested in OccupyOakland protest - Lucy sends mock mug shots and message

December

• AUSXIP Celebrates 15 Years Online!
• AUSXIP Interviews Lucy Lawless - Lucy took time out of her very hectic schedule to graciously agree to the third interview she has done with AUSXIP.
• AUSXIP Interviews Renee O'Connor - Renee took time of her busy schedule and graciously agreed to this interview. It was the third interview Renee has given to AUSXIP.
• New Banner for AUSXIP Lucy Lawless
• New Banner for AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Eco-Warrior Subsite
• AUSXIP migrates to a new server and is not updated until the server move is complete which takes 4 days.
• AUSXIP Greater Good Subsite Updated / Redesigned
  

See you in 2012!!

AfterEllen.com explores if there is a need for lesbian subtext in shows such as Rizzoli & Isles and other shows. Naturally Xena was mentioned since you can't talk about subtext without talking about Xena and her relationship with Gabrielle which has sparked thousands of subtext fanfic for over 15 years.

Here's an excerpt from the article:

It's been over a decade since Xena ushered in the golden age of lesbian subtext. For six seasons between 1995 and 2001, the show's writers danced around the issue of the Warrior Princess' relationship with Gabrielle. Perpetual innuendo, running jokes and subtle references to Xena and Gabby's sexuality permeated the plot and dialogue. And though Lucy Lawless is on record as calling the couple "married," the show's creative team never offered up a definitive answer about their relationship.

Read more of the article

The AUSXIP Convention news and multimedia section has been redesigned to include a news archive and easier access to all the conventions since 1997.

The convention section contains images and reports from all Creation and other fan conventions

Click here to view

Created some new Xena artwork based on Season 1, Episode 1 Sins of the Past

Xena (Lucy Lawless) journeys homeward determined to make amends for the sins of her past, but her efforts to begin a new life are challenged by the vengeful warlord Draco (Jay Laga'aia).

Click on the thumbnail to view the larger image

Bruce Campbell (@groovybruce) on Twitter was asked if it was weird to kiss Renee in the movie they starred in called Alien Apocalypse (that is such an odd question).

Bruce replies "More like Sa-weet!"

Click here to view original message

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that Season 3 of Xena (the season of the infamous rift between Xena & Gabrielle) will be re-released on DVD.

Anchor Bay released Season 3 back in 2004 and now the re-released version will be in stores on 13 March 2012 (in the US). The price will be $29.98.

The episode list:

3.01
The Furies
When the Furies find out that Xena (Lucy Lawless) never avenged the death of her father, they curse her with persecution and madness.

3.02
Been There, Done That
Only Xena (Lucy Lawless) can unravel the mystery when she awakens each morning to find that she and her companions are actually beginning the same day over and over again.

3.03
The Dirty Half Dozen
Xena (Lucy Lawless) enlists the help of four notorious criminals to go up against Ares (Kevin Smith) and his ambitious young protégé Agathon (Jonathon Roberts).

3.04
The Deliverer
While Xena (Lucy Lawless) and her former enemy Boadicea (Jennifer Ward-Lealand) join forces to battle Caesar (Karl Urban), Gabrielle's (Renee O'Connor) life is threatened by worshippers of the evil spirit Dahak.

3.05
Gabrielle's Hope
The devoted friendship between Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) is severely threatened when Gabrielle gives birth to the child of Dahak.

3.06
The Debt - Part 1
Xena (Lucy Lawless) is betrayed when she journeys to the Kingdom of Chin to settle a debt from her dark past.

3.07
The Debt - Part 2
Xena (Lucy Lawless) narrowly escapes execution for attempting to kill the ruthless young Emperor Ming T'ien (Daniel Sing) and finally repays the debt she owes her spiritual mentor, Lao Ma (Jacqueline Kim).

3.08
King of Assassins
When Joxer's (Ted Raimi) twin brother Jett (Ted Raimi) plans to assassinate Cleopatra (Gina Torres) with the help of Autolycus (Bruce Campbell), Gabrielle (Renee O' Connor) uses as many Xena-like tactics as possible to try to stop the murder.

3.09
Warrior...Priestess...Tramp
Xena (Lucy Lawless) foils an evil plot by Balius (MacGregor Cameron) with the help of her two look-alikes, the Hestian Priestess Leah (Lucy Lawless) and the lusty barmaid Meg (Lucy Lawless).

3.10
The Quill is Mightier
Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) gains new respect for the power of the word when Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings) casts a spell on her scroll, turning everything she writes into reality.

3.11
Maternal Instincts
Imbued with the evil power of her father Dahak, Gabrielle's (Renee O'Connor) daughter Hope (Amy Morrison) joins forces with Callisto (Hudson Leick) to kill Xena's (Lucy Lawless) son Solan (David Taylor).

3.12
The Bitter Suite
The bitter conflict between Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) reaches a crescendo in this musical episode, set in the dreamworld of Illusia.

3.13
One Against an Army
When Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) is struck with a poisonous arrow, Xena (Lucy Lawless) must find a way to save her while battling the entire Persian army on her own.

3.14
Forgiven
When Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) set out to recover the stolen Urn of Apollo, they are joined by Tara (Shiri Appleby), a feisty 16-year old who wants a chance to turn her life around.

3.15
King Con
When Joxer is badly beaten up, Xena sets out with two conmen and Gabrielle to scam the man behind it.

3.16
When in Rome
Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) go up against the ruthless Caesar (Karl Urban) to rescue the mighty Gaul warrior, Vercinix (Tamati Rice).

3.17
Forget Me Not
Haunted by images of the past, Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) goes to the Temple of Mnemosyne to forget her painful memories

3.18
Fins, Femmes & Gems
When Aphrodite (Alexandra Tydings) obtains the stolen Mystic Diamond, she puts a spell on Xena (Lucy Lawless), Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) and Joxer (Ted Raimi) to distract them from rescuing the prized jewel.

3.19
Tsunami
Xena (Lucy Lawless), Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) and Autolycus (Bruce Campbell) summon all their resources to escape from a ship submerged by a monstrous tidal wave.

3.20
Vanishing Act
Xena (Lucy Lawless), Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) and Autolycus (Bruce Campbell) pull off a spectacular heist to retrieve the golden statue of Pax.

3.21
Sacrifice P art 1
Xena (Lucy Lawless), Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) and Autolycus (Bruce Campbell) pull off a spectacular heist to retrieve the golden statue of Pax.

3.22
Sacrifice - Part 2
Xena (Lucy Lawless) reluctantly agrees to join forces with Callisto (Hudson Leick) to kill Gabrielle's (Renee O'Connor) evil daughter Hope (Renee O'Connor).

Renee has posted a new message on her site in time for the holiday season.

Click here to read

She has also updated her Talking With and 5 Ways videos:

Talking With... (Interview) - We have another interview this month, continuing our conversation with the charismatic Risa Bramon Garcia. I hope you enjoy hearing from her as much as I enjoyed talking with her. Also at www.talkingwith.tv

5 Ways to ... (Comedy Short) - 5 Ways to 'Train a New Hire'. Hoping you find humor within yourself, in all the situations life presents. Also at www.5Ways.tv

Creation Entertainment has posted the following notice on the 2012 Xena Convention Page asking fans if they want another convention:

XENA CONVENTIONS BEYOND 2012?
LET US KNOW YOUR OPINION!

We value your feedback, and would appreciate if you took a few moments to respond to a single question about the future of Creation Entertainment's Official Xena Conventions.

Click here to submit

Please note: You will have to turn on pop ups in your browser for the survey to pop up on your screen so you can vote:

What becomes a legend most? IMDb editors Melanie McFarland and Mark Englehart talk about the notable films and television shows that have created and chronicled the origin stories of some of our favorite classic and contemporary heroes and heroines.

It's probably enough that "Xena: Warrior Princess" executive producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert introduced the world to the incomparable Lucy Lawless with this syndicated television swashbuckler. "Xena's" die-hard fans, however, saw something much more profound in Xena's redemption story. The show's writers greatly capitalized on Xena's (and Lawless's) remarkable athleticism, and her ability to best nearly all challengers in hand-to-hand combat. They also had fun expanding her history of being a village girl transformed by vengeance into a warlord before, with the help of Hercules, turning into an agent for the greater good seeking redemption for past crimes.

But the beating heart of "Xena: Warrior Princess" was the heroine's relationship with her best friend, the shepherdess-turned-bard Gabrielle. As the series progressed, Xena taught Gabrielle how to defend herself, eventually making her quite a force to be reckoned with on her own. Gabrielle, meanwhile, made sure Xena never lost her morality. And their bond felt real in the best and worst ways: Xena and Gabrielle turned away from each other, even betrayed one another, over the course of the series. In the end, their friendship was stronger than every obstacle -- including death.

Source

News submitted by MET