lucy lawless in london
Friday 2nd May 2008
To be honest I wasn't really looking forward tothis. It was kind of like because it was in England I was obligated to go; that because it was Xena it had become a habit that I hadn't broken; that I was using it more of a social networking thing. But to be really honest I had a bloody fantastic time.
I was tired by the time I got to the Hilton Metropole, having got up early and caught the train from Bournemouth, then lugged my bags across London to the hotel only to find out my room wasn't ready and when it was it turned out to be a twin and not the double that we had booked. Katie was amazing, getting us changed to a double that turned out to be a disabled access, (big bed, big shower, plenty of space and buttons that got us into trouble a time or too - read on). In the midst of all that was registering for the convention itself which took forever in a lobby that appeared to have no air conditioning and we also managed to miss Adrienne Wilkinson's Q&A because of the aforementioned room difficulties. But with all that behind us the fun could begin.
Firstly greeting friends I've not seen in ages: Leigh and Mary, my lesbian parents - every lesbian has to have them, who despite living just the other side of London to me I only seem to see when we're in the States for a convention or somewhere north of the Watford Gap at a Midlands Fest. Then there's Laura from Oklahoma, an amzing 79 year old woman who has led this incredible life of travel and adventure and adores Xena and The L Word and reminds me a little of my Nan. (The travel and adventure bit, not the Xena and L Word part!) There's the other Americans: Nora, Laurie and Sandy and when they've arrived you know the party has started, very loudly and very enthusiastically. And of course there's my Xena meetup buddies: Lara, Debs, Steph, Sammy, Sofia, Emma, Sarah and Dani. We don't need an excuse to get together but Xena is always a good one.
Friday evening was the Celebrity Cabaret so those with their Gold Passes swanned off to that and then to the meet and greet. While those of us from the Riff Raff (General Admission) could be found lounging in the bar until exhaustion finally claimed us and we crawled to our respective rooms.
Saturday 3rd May 2008
Roll on Saturday morning and it's time to figure out what all the mysterious buttons do. In timing that can only be attained in an animated cartoon I discover the button that opens the curtains just as Katie gets out of bed... naked. Our full panoramic window looks out over the Edgeware Road area and right across the street is a Police Station House with a residential tower as tall as the hotel we're staying in. Strangely Katie did not find this as funny as I did. But Karma is a wonderful thing. Not 10 minutes later I decide it's time to use the bathroom and as I walk towards it I notice a red button next to the door that reads: 'Push to open door', thinking that was quite helpful I pushed the button and watched in horror as the door to our hotel room opens. Completely naked I dash to the door, trying to conceal my modesty as I struggle to close a door hell bent on staying open. Heed my warning people: 'NEVER PUSH THE RED BUTTON.'
Showered and suitably attired we head downstairs for the days events. Q&A with Paris Jefferson. Paris is always lovely, her responses are always honest and thoughtful - No, I'd never heard of the show before, Yes I've done work that I've wished I hadn't. When asked about the relationship between Athena and her right hand girl Ilainus Paris responded that if she were ever to have a girlfriend it would be Musetta.
After the auction it was the Brittany Powell Q&A. She first appeared at the Burbank 2007 convention, I missed her and really wished I hadn't. Made sure that I saw her at Burbank 2008 and was ready for more in London. This woman is as engaging as she is gorgeous; she adores her son, loves her work and revels in the fact that as Brunnhilda she straight up fancied the pants off Gabrielle. Her talk revealed so much more about her than I'd heard before, here I thought she was an ex playboy playmate who got lucky, but she is so much more. I loved listening to her talk about growing up and the different places she lived and how she got into acting and the things she has studied and practiced with it.
But Brittany is famous on the convention circuit - she auctions her bra for charity and the winner gets to remove it. There was a bidding war between the head of Brittany's fan club and the London Xena Meet. We may not have raised as much money as Brittany has got in the States but we provided more entertainment. We had both her and the audience in stitches as we pooled our money and emptied the change from our pockets. We lost. But second place had it's benefits when Brittany called us up to the stage for a personal thank you and hug. I had to get us a group photo op with her as a consolation prize. That lady rocks.
With the evening drawing closwer thoughts turned towards getting over to the Carling Academy for 'Lucy Lawless in Concert'. Now usually I don't go to these things, it's more money than I can afford on top of trans atlantic flights and hotel bills, and Katie isn't all that struck on Lucy's singing voice. But when Maureen presents Katie with two tickets for her birthday... well it seems rude not to. We cab, we queue, we crush to the front. Well I crushed and then sidled off to the side by the bar where there was less of the crowd. I hate crowds and so does sweet nuisance, we chatted and joked and passed water to those brave souls in the fray.
The gig was incredible. Lucy 'can' sing, and hit the ocassional bad note and sometimes get her words mixed up but I don't care she is an incredible entertainer and looks incredible in chaps. She knows her audience and they know her and I think that made the whole experience just... WOW!
The songlist is perfect for her; some Patti Smith, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Tyler, Meredith Brooks favourites and even a rendition of Prince's 'When Doves Cry' which was beautiful. And Katie only had one thing to say at the end, 'This is the best birthday'. (That's right my girly is another year older, closing it to only a four year gap between our ages which is so much better than the three months a year when it's five years.)
Sunday 4th May 2008
Sunday morning meant it was time to check out of our room and sling our bags into Maureen's room until it's time to head home. Except that Maureen tells us that two of their number are leaving that day and did we want to stay the extra night. That took all of two minutes to think about and another two minutes to buy concert tickets for the gig that night.
1pm gets closer we all take our seats as the reason we are all here has arrived. Lucy Lawless. She was tired but riding a buzz from the night before and ready to answer questions. Warned not to prefix our questions with 'I love you Lucy' because we already know that and 'No hugs because your stick insect named Xena died and you're upset' we get underway. The questions at this event turned out to be quite interesting and thought provoking. One fan said that this was a 'Shazam' moment for her and did Lucy still get those. Did she keep a journal while she was filming Xena? (No, because it would have been really boring.) Was there anything she was afraid to do? (Not really, because she doesn't have the urge to throw herself out of an plane, but has bungeed from a helicopter.)
As usual she leaves the stage far too soon for our liking, but she has another gig to get ready for.
This time when we arrive at the venue we get to cut in a little as we've had people waiting there for hours. We end up in a similar place to the previous night but the section just in front of us is roped off for our buddy Sarah and her chair. This provided plenty of space and a great view of Lucy when she hits the stage in her chaps. What more could a girl ask for? Perhaps a more comfortable place to sleep than a single blow up bed with my girlfriend, but I'm telling you the sacrifice was more than worth it. (And maybe Renee O'Connor, in chaps.)
Before bed we spect a good couple of hours just chilling and unwinding with Maureen, Nora, Laurie, Sandy and Pam. A nice end to a great weekend.
And finally, no matter what, XWP still rules. (Yes I'm still a geek.)
...
To be honest I wasn't really looking forward tothis. It was kind of like because it was in England I was obligated to go; that because it was Xena it had become a habit that I hadn't broken; that I was using it more of a social networking thing. But to be really honest I had a bloody fantastic time.
I was tired by the time I got to the Hilton Metropole, having got up early and caught the train from Bournemouth, then lugged my bags across London to the hotel only to find out my room wasn't ready and when it was it turned out to be a twin and not the double that we had booked. Katie was amazing, getting us changed to a double that turned out to be a disabled access, (big bed, big shower, plenty of space and buttons that got us into trouble a time or too - read on). In the midst of all that was registering for the convention itself which took forever in a lobby that appeared to have no air conditioning and we also managed to miss Adrienne Wilkinson's Q&A because of the aforementioned room difficulties. But with all that behind us the fun could begin.
Firstly greeting friends I've not seen in ages: Leigh and Mary, my lesbian parents - every lesbian has to have them, who despite living just the other side of London to me I only seem to see when we're in the States for a convention or somewhere north of the Watford Gap at a Midlands Fest. Then there's Laura from Oklahoma, an amzing 79 year old woman who has led this incredible life of travel and adventure and adores Xena and The L Word and reminds me a little of my Nan. (The travel and adventure bit, not the Xena and L Word part!) There's the other Americans: Nora, Laurie and Sandy and when they've arrived you know the party has started, very loudly and very enthusiastically. And of course there's my Xena meetup buddies: Lara, Debs, Steph, Sammy, Sofia, Emma, Sarah and Dani. We don't need an excuse to get together but Xena is always a good one.
Friday evening was the Celebrity Cabaret so those with their Gold Passes swanned off to that and then to the meet and greet. While those of us from the Riff Raff (General Admission) could be found lounging in the bar until exhaustion finally claimed us and we crawled to our respective rooms.
Saturday 3rd May 2008
Roll on Saturday morning and it's time to figure out what all the mysterious buttons do. In timing that can only be attained in an animated cartoon I discover the button that opens the curtains just as Katie gets out of bed... naked. Our full panoramic window looks out over the Edgeware Road area and right across the street is a Police Station House with a residential tower as tall as the hotel we're staying in. Strangely Katie did not find this as funny as I did. But Karma is a wonderful thing. Not 10 minutes later I decide it's time to use the bathroom and as I walk towards it I notice a red button next to the door that reads: 'Push to open door', thinking that was quite helpful I pushed the button and watched in horror as the door to our hotel room opens. Completely naked I dash to the door, trying to conceal my modesty as I struggle to close a door hell bent on staying open. Heed my warning people: 'NEVER PUSH THE RED BUTTON.'
Showered and suitably attired we head downstairs for the days events. Q&A with Paris Jefferson. Paris is always lovely, her responses are always honest and thoughtful - No, I'd never heard of the show before, Yes I've done work that I've wished I hadn't. When asked about the relationship between Athena and her right hand girl Ilainus Paris responded that if she were ever to have a girlfriend it would be Musetta.
After the auction it was the Brittany Powell Q&A. She first appeared at the Burbank 2007 convention, I missed her and really wished I hadn't. Made sure that I saw her at Burbank 2008 and was ready for more in London. This woman is as engaging as she is gorgeous; she adores her son, loves her work and revels in the fact that as Brunnhilda she straight up fancied the pants off Gabrielle. Her talk revealed so much more about her than I'd heard before, here I thought she was an ex playboy playmate who got lucky, but she is so much more. I loved listening to her talk about growing up and the different places she lived and how she got into acting and the things she has studied and practiced with it.
But Brittany is famous on the convention circuit - she auctions her bra for charity and the winner gets to remove it. There was a bidding war between the head of Brittany's fan club and the London Xena Meet. We may not have raised as much money as Brittany has got in the States but we provided more entertainment. We had both her and the audience in stitches as we pooled our money and emptied the change from our pockets. We lost. But second place had it's benefits when Brittany called us up to the stage for a personal thank you and hug. I had to get us a group photo op with her as a consolation prize. That lady rocks.
With the evening drawing closwer thoughts turned towards getting over to the Carling Academy for 'Lucy Lawless in Concert'. Now usually I don't go to these things, it's more money than I can afford on top of trans atlantic flights and hotel bills, and Katie isn't all that struck on Lucy's singing voice. But when Maureen presents Katie with two tickets for her birthday... well it seems rude not to. We cab, we queue, we crush to the front. Well I crushed and then sidled off to the side by the bar where there was less of the crowd. I hate crowds and so does sweet nuisance, we chatted and joked and passed water to those brave souls in the fray.
The gig was incredible. Lucy 'can' sing, and hit the ocassional bad note and sometimes get her words mixed up but I don't care she is an incredible entertainer and looks incredible in chaps. She knows her audience and they know her and I think that made the whole experience just... WOW!
The songlist is perfect for her; some Patti Smith, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Tyler, Meredith Brooks favourites and even a rendition of Prince's 'When Doves Cry' which was beautiful. And Katie only had one thing to say at the end, 'This is the best birthday'. (That's right my girly is another year older, closing it to only a four year gap between our ages which is so much better than the three months a year when it's five years.)
Sunday 4th May 2008
Sunday morning meant it was time to check out of our room and sling our bags into Maureen's room until it's time to head home. Except that Maureen tells us that two of their number are leaving that day and did we want to stay the extra night. That took all of two minutes to think about and another two minutes to buy concert tickets for the gig that night.
1pm gets closer we all take our seats as the reason we are all here has arrived. Lucy Lawless. She was tired but riding a buzz from the night before and ready to answer questions. Warned not to prefix our questions with 'I love you Lucy' because we already know that and 'No hugs because your stick insect named Xena died and you're upset' we get underway. The questions at this event turned out to be quite interesting and thought provoking. One fan said that this was a 'Shazam' moment for her and did Lucy still get those. Did she keep a journal while she was filming Xena? (No, because it would have been really boring.) Was there anything she was afraid to do? (Not really, because she doesn't have the urge to throw herself out of an plane, but has bungeed from a helicopter.)
As usual she leaves the stage far too soon for our liking, but she has another gig to get ready for.
This time when we arrive at the venue we get to cut in a little as we've had people waiting there for hours. We end up in a similar place to the previous night but the section just in front of us is roped off for our buddy Sarah and her chair. This provided plenty of space and a great view of Lucy when she hits the stage in her chaps. What more could a girl ask for? Perhaps a more comfortable place to sleep than a single blow up bed with my girlfriend, but I'm telling you the sacrifice was more than worth it. (And maybe Renee O'Connor, in chaps.)
Before bed we spect a good couple of hours just chilling and unwinding with Maureen, Nora, Laurie, Sandy and Pam. A nice end to a great weekend.
And finally, no matter what, XWP still rules. (Yes I'm still a geek.)
...