This convention report is done by: Cathy [CFH32756@aol.com]
Thank you Cathy.

This was an historical event, beyond my wildest dreams! I flew all the way
from Florida, spent almost $1000 to go to this thing ( I stayed extra day in
L.A to sightsee) and have had a furking grin on my face ever since I got
back!!! I've got scoops for you guys, I even wrote them down so I would'nt
forget to tell you anything! I'm going to give you guys who could'nt go a
surprise scoop right off the bat: there will be another one, probably this
year, probably east coast, probably in the fall. This was from the
"creator"of both series and Lucys main man: Rob Tapert. As you know, Xena day
was sold out,people were in the lobby begging for tickets, standing in the
rain begging for tickets. Hercules day did not sell out..... although those
that went to it said Kevin Sorbo was absolutely charming. Next, merchandise:
I hit the color 8x10's and t-shirts. Hudson as "Callisto" sold out on Herc
day (furk!) -- there were scripts to buy also. Okay, others have given you
the details...so heres some scoops..For you Gab fans: RENEE 'O CONNOR'S MOM
IS AN ABSOLUTE SWEET HEART DOLL WONDERFUL PERSON!! We all love this
woman--and she loves us too! She hugged us, posed for pictures with us and
told me lots of good things about her daughter...I got to talk to her for
several minutes and guess what guys...she and Renee just signed up with an
on-line service internet provider!!But, she and Renee don't know how to use
it yet!! and Renee's Mom said "we need help"...Well, let me tell you,
Kit&Jacqrat&I jumped right in here and told her all about mailing lists, told
her to get on Xenaverse&Chakram. So, be kind, Renee will probably soon be
reading your posts!! Her mom said she loved the episode analyzes and skits we
do that she was given last year. To make this simple,heres some Renee stuff
from the woman who gave birth to the bard (she laughed when I called her
that!)
**Renee has just taken up boxing....gets up every morning at 4am to work out.
** Get this-- thinks we all want to see just Lucy!!! So her Mom was
videotaping fans to show her we like her too!!! We were appalled!  We love
the bard! we want the bard! ( I think Renee's mom got the message)
** The popularity of the show has both surprised and scared Renee.
** She did'nt come to the con because the episode filming the week before
was'nt finished and she was exhausted...she really wanted too though. 
** To me this is the best scoop of all: I mentioned to her that without
Renee, the show would never be as successful as it is today because of the
chemistry between LL and Renee. Her Mom grabbed my wrist and said "Its not
acting , they ADORE each other " 
** Renee's mom is a petite woman, with BLACK hair and brown eyes...but Renee
and her have the same facial features..you can really see the resemblance. If
Renee is half as sweet as her Mom then she deserves much much success.
 Next, I'll move on to Tyldus, our main man .... I was much impressed by Mr.
Sears...he spent alot of time milling about talking to fans and meeting his
internet buddies here on Xenaverse. He and Liz Friedman gave a wonderful
informal Q&A session although he did punch Liz in the nose in front of us all
to our horror!!! ( it was an accident, Tyldus is very demonstrative when he
speaks and Liz was standing a little too close) Tyldus you are a sweetie!!! 
 Hudson Leick: This girl is a hoot! She had a ball doing this you could tell.
She did the "Callisto" scream for us and Tyldus told us that when Hudson
auditioned for the part she scared them all..so she got it. By the way, she
is gorgeous! Beautiful eyes, like Lucy and wicked sense of humor. I watched
her sign autographs and talk to the fans, and she was having a blast. 
 Ted Raimi : Not being a Joxer fan, I came away with much respect for Ted
Raimi. He knows we don't like his character..but what a good sport he is. He
was incredibly sweet and easy to talk to. I will now cut Joxer some slack,
Ted is just too nice. 
 Rob Tapert: I went to this con with the intention of scoping this guy out. I
got him in my sights and went after him...I wanted to talk to the man who had
the vision to create Xena and the guy who holds Lucy's heart in his hands.
Let me tell you, this guy is another sweetheart. I shook his hand and thanked
him for creating this wonderful woman warrior character that we all love so
much ...he signed my program," Hope you enjoy the new season, Rob Tapert"
Sigh...
  Lucy: My impressions of Lucy were this...she was relaxed, loves her fans,
and also had alot of fun doing this. She is drop dead gorgeoous guys!!  Those
eyes, those eyes, in the autograph line, I said something stupid like,
"Thanks for doing this for all your fans, it means alot to us" , she looked
up and smiled, and said "Thank YOU". Making eye contact with her is something
I will never forget, as fleeting as it was.
Another impression I picked up on too, is although the friendship between
Xena and Gabrielle is the stuff of legends and had a rocky start this
year....it seems that LL and ROC have truly bonded "closer than blood ever
could". The first thing out of Lucy's mouth when she hit the stage was how
much she wished Renee was here and that she sent her love. A fan asked Lucy
who she enjoyed working with most in her career and she said, "Renee and I
have worked together so long now, and shes so easy for me to work with, were
friends, BEST friends, actually". This is the first time Lucy has referred to
Renee this way to my knowledge. I thought this along with what Renee's Mom
told me about how "they adore each other" was really neat. 
If you saw "ET" what Lucy was throwing to the audience was two frisbees
someone had made into chakrums which she autographed. She sang for us, "I've
got a lovely bunch of Coconuts" and did the "Xena" yell. Another neat thing,
Lucy loves doing "Xena" and never wants it to end. This to me is good news!
So, many times, actors get bored doing a character or want to do other
things. By the way, Lucy was supposed to stay only 2 hours signing
autographs, but guys, she stayed over until EVERY person (close to 2000
people) got her autograph!!  
Now--if you've stayed with me, YOU CAN GET THE BLOOPER REEL ON VIDEO!!
 This was worth the price of admission alone..Xena and Gabby as vampires
singing "Deep in the Heart of Texas", Lucy hanging on a cross singing "I've
got a lovely bunch of coconuts", lots of cracking up filming "The greater
good", about 10 minutes worth of screw ups, guffaws, etc. Okay, I hear you
screaming how do I get this!!!
At the con, Creation was signing people up for the official Xena fan
club(theirs). You get 4 lithographs, a video welcome from Lucy& the blooper
reel shown at the con.(you get other goodies too). For about $30 to join, and
they will ship in March.
I specifically asked,"Is the blooper reel we get on video the one shown
today?" answer was "YES".. This is worth the membership price right here.
They were only taking orders at the con, but if you cry and beg , maybe
they'll let you order one too.
Now, I got a phone number for creation if you want to TRY to get this:
818-409-0960. Good luck. 
Another scoop from Rob: Herc trilogy will be released on video from MCA.!!  
He announced this on Herc day. YES!
Future episodes: Tyldus told us about another "Kick ass Amazon" episode
coming up.  Hudson told us Callisto is back and is obsessed with Xena in
"EVERY" way (with Callisto's wicked grin). Lucy gave someone at the autograph
line a wonderful spoiler for "innuendo" fans, something about her & Renee in
a hot tub?!! ( Xenas wicked grin).  
Funny con stories: When Lucy had to "pee", they made everyone get out of the
womans bathroom and wait until she was done. This bathroom had 30 stalls in
it..yet the "warrior princess" had it all to herself. When Hudson had to
"pee" she just ran in, did it with the rest of us and someone (Diva?) I
think, told me it was really odd washing their hands in the bathroom next to
"Callisto". 
OKAY HUGE SCOOP: if you've read this post this far you deserve it. Lucy told
us who the original actress was that was chosen to play Xena......drum
roll...hint: shes already in another series in syndication..drum
roll....still can't guess?....I could'nt have either. It was , are you ready?
VANESSA ANGEL  from "Weird Science" !!!
Lucy probably got in trouble for doing this, and she hesitated, but we kept
screaming, " TELL US !!" and I guess she figured "What the furk".... 
I'm sure by this point, you must be panting, and need a drink of water. All
these incredible scoops, could there possibly be more? Well, Hudson did tell
us she just got another job as an "Angel" and will be in guest starring in
"Hercules"...by the way, she mentioned her boyfriend was with her and this
guy I swear is River Phoenix's brother that was in " To die for" with Nicole
Kidman. I can't remember his name, but I swear that was him. 
Heres an interesting tidbit: It takes 20 hours of film per episode. Poor
Avicus. This guy really has an important job, what to cut and what not to
cut. The clip from "The greater good" that was cut was hysterical...the sick
Xena asking Salmoneus to get her breast dagger, and him with a lear reaching
for her breasts and then Xena barking," MY breast dagger is in the
saddlebag!!!" 
Finally, heres the end of my post about the con. Let me tell you, "Xena: XWP"
is not just Lucy& Renee. Its alot of people who absolutely love this show. It
comes full circle to US the fans; if we did'nt love it, it would all be over.
Fineto.And believe me, they know it; everyone associated with XWP was
gracious and friendly. I personally am more "rabid" a fan than ever. At this
point, I would go to Auckland if they held a convention there for this show.
I'm on a "Xenahigh" that will last at least a week...My autographed picture
of Lucy is something I will always treasure as well as the wonderful weekend
I spent in L.A. this past weekend.