AUSXIP MaryD's Blog

September 2009 Archives

30 September 2009

Australian & NZ Red Cross Appeals for Tsunami Victims

News / Images are coming out of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga of the tsunami that has destroyed lives forever (113 dead and rising), I've been listening on the radio of some of the survivors and it breaks my heart hearing those tales of horror as the tsunami hit and people were ripped from their arms. The Australian Red Cross and the NZ Red Cross have started collecting money for relief:

Australian Red Cross Appeal | NZ Red Cross Appeal

I think it's not too late in the Lucy Lawless Feel The Love Week to donate and this would be a HUGE relief to those affected.

On Wednesday 30th September, a tsunami struck Samoa, hours after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in the early morning between the islands of Samoa and American Samoa. The wave reported was up to 1.7 metres in height and caused severe damage in island areas that are only a few feet above sea level, with homes and property swept out to sea.

If you can can spare some money and want to help...please donate

Australian Red Cross Appeal | NZ Red Cross Appeal

Continue reading Australian & NZ Red Cross Appeals for Tsunami Victims.

29 September 2009

Tsunami Alert for the Pacific!

I was alerted to this by an early morning email from my mate Jo in New Zealand...it's not something you want to read first thing in the morning from a mate who may be in the line of fire....

A POWERFUL 8.3 magnitude earthquake has struck in the Pacific, with reports of deaths after a tsunami hit Samoa and American Samoa.

The tsunami warning also covers New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, while Hawaii, where the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre is based, is on tsunami watch.

A spokesman for the centre told Sky News water levels were 2m above normal sea level in Samoa and American Samoa in the aftermath of the quake.

"That's potentially a very destructive tsunami."

There were reports of fatalities in both Samoa and American Samoa and of "walls of water" flattening coastal villages.

In New Zealand, residents of the Coromandel coast on the north island were told to leave low-lying areas with warnings of a 1m tsunami.

There was no threat to Australia this morning.

The US Geological Survey initially reported a 7.9 magnitude earthquake 204km south-southwest of Apia and at a depth of 85km.

But the tsunami centre later said an 8.3 magnitude quake had been recorded at a depth of 33km.

The resulting tsunami warning sent coastal residents fleeing to higher ground.

"I'm taking my family to a safe place. Everyone's getting out of coastal areas," Samoa resident Keni Lesa said from the capital Apia.

"We have done a lot of training for this.''

The tsunami warning also covered Niue Island, the Wallis and Futuna Islands, the Tokelau atolls, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Kermadec Islands, the Baker and Howland Islands, Jarvis Island, French Polynesia and the Palmyra Islands.

A tsunami watch was issued for Vanuatu, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Kosrae Island, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Pohnpei in Micronesia, the Wake Islands, Pitcairn and the Midway Islands.

"This warning is based only on the earthquake evaluation. An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicentre within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the warning centre said.

"Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility.''

With AFP

28 September 2009

A Bard In Need Auction Update

Firstly I want to say many many thanks to everyone who is supporting this auction; it's just so amazing to see the support in this fandom. Mesh has been organising this auction and doing a fantastic job. The following is an update:

An update to the Auction currently underway:

A couple last minute additions to "A Bard In Need Auction" auction on AUSXIP.

Signed Warlord Metal by D. Jordan Redhawk, donated by the author.
http://bit.ly/warlordmetal

Signed On Azrael's Wings by D. Jordan Redhawk, donated by the author.
http://bit.ly/onazraelswings

Unsigned Engravings of Wraith by Kiera Dellacroix (#2), donated by Roxanne.
http://bit.ly/engravingsofwraith

Unsigned Icehole by Kiera Dellacroix, donated by Roxanne.
http://bit.ly/icehole

Please note that while most items end on the 3rd, some may end on the 4th depending on the server time or your location.

There are several items there are more than one copies are listed of, peruse the category listing and bid away!
http://bit.ly/auctioncategory

Winning bidders can pay via Personal Check, Money Order or PayPal. Once the auctions close, you will be emailed payment details.

If you would like to help Kim but don't wish to bid on any items, you can email mesh[at]ausxip.org for Kim's mailing address to send donations to. You can also donate via paypal on the auction site:
http://bit.ly/bardinneed

For questions about the auction please email Mesh at mesh[at]ausxip.org

26 September 2009

Beyonce Classy Lady

I absolutely LOVE stuff like this; Beyonce is an extremely talented singer and from all I have heard about this woman, she is a class act. My mate Kim sent me a link to a video of Beyonce in concert in Sydney giving something very precious to a young girl. She didn't have to do this, but she did. That 3 minute moment with Beyonce will make Chelsea's battle with leukemia seem all that much easier to deal with; imagine this child's dreams and her waking moments will centre on this 3 minutes (actually less than 3 minutes - 2:45 minutes to be exact).

That gift is priceless; you can't measure the impact it will have on Chelsea. Beyonce, what a classy lady.

25 September 2009

Going Down Memory Lane...DUX Anyone?

I was having a nice chat with a friend today about being in the Xenaverse since forever. Along the way I found out he had AUSXIP's very first banner (why he kept this banner is a mystery to me) Thanks Saul! You're a worse pack rat than me!

You will all notice that AUSTRALIAN is missing from the banner although I did pick a very nice photo of our dynamic duo..I still like that photo; it's one of my favourites. Can't say much about the font or the bevilled banner (I was obsessed by bevilled images for some odd reason..good thing I grew out of that phase <g>)

I wasn't very creative about the name either but then what I really wanted to call the site was Down Under Xena (now obviously I didn't use that for very obvious reasons but the appreviation was fun DUX)

Seems like a lifetime ago...

25 September 2009

A Bard In Need Auction Update

As most of you are aware, AUSXIP has launched an auction to raise money for one of our own, Kim Pritekel who needs eye saving surgery. One of my biggest fears is losing my sight and I think that goes for many people. Faced with such a prospect and knowing there is something you can do to fix it but being unable to do so has to be such a terrible tangle. Kim finds herself in this position and that is why AUSXIP has come on board to help out.

While I was in New Zealand, Mesh has taken this under her wing and has set up the AUSXIP Auction page with over 158 items (and more to come). Bards and fans have banded together in donating items for this auction. I love this fandom and one of the major reasons is that it supports its own, the stars of the show and anyone remotely associated with Xena. For the Greator Good in this case is for one of our own. Thank you to everyone who contributed and who has bid/is bidding. There is also a paypal button on the auction site if you want to donate without bidding.

If you have previous registered for AUSXIP Auctions, you can bid on the items using the same username and password. If not, you can register by going here and if you are not sure what your username and password is - please go here

Mesh sent the following note about the latest auction updates:

Hi guys,

Last night MaryD's books were added alongside Susan Meagher's SF series. Today more signed and unsigned titles followed by CL Hart, Chris Anne Wolfe, Paula Christian and others. In the process of adding the last (rather large) batch of unsigned books.

Please make sure to start at the CATEGORY LIST at the following link, that way you won't scratch your head as to what is signed and what isn't.
http://scripts.cgispy.com/auctions/auction.pl?user=maryd

There's also a Twitter friendly short link y'all could add to your Facebook, Myspace and Twitter pages, blogs and whatnot: http://bit.ly/bardinneed

Be sure to check out the listing for Kim's Short Story you provide the ideas for at http://bit.ly/kimstory

Check http://bit.ly/1049club to bid on getting Kim's Upcoming 1049 Club Dedicated to You!

Exciting stuff, terrific donations from the authors, fans.

I love this fandom.

Mesh

23 September 2009

Under A Blood Red Sky...Or Orange...

Sydney turned into Mars for a day...and now from what I'm hearing on the news, it's New Zealand's turn to get all our topsoil/red dust. We Aussies are a sharing lot! Unbelievable weather today. What caused this? The drought we are having ripped the top soil off and carried it thousands of miles to Sydney and New South Wales (State) and into Queensland up north. We are desperate for rain but it doesn't look like it's heading our way. We are in an El Nino which means unusually hot weather and no significant rain.

This reminds me of one of my favourite poems by Dorothy Mackellar which best describes this big brown land.

Continue reading Under A Blood Red Sky...Or Orange....

22 September 2009

Sydney Goes Freaky Orange!

I get up this morning and there is a mini gale blowing outside. That's normal for Sydney on some days - we had a super hot day yesterday (yes it is Spring and not summer). Because it's so dark when I get up I don't notice anything until around 6 am when I look out the window and there is an orange haze...I figured we might be getting hail but this was not your normal 'Sydney is about to get a ton of stuff thrown at it' look.

Went online and found the cause. There is a blanket of dust covering the STATE and it's not due to lift until the evening (if that).

I have NEVER seen this before and I have live in Sydney my whole life. I've seen it go hazy because of bushfires but NEVER this colour. It's truly freaky.

The news.com.au site has this report:

HTML clipboard

RESIDENTS of Sydney and parts of New South Wales have awoken to scenes likened to "armageddon", with limited visibility and orange skies.

Large areas have been shrouded in dust as the state experiences severe winds and unseasonably warm temperatures.

Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman Jane Golding said dust had settled on much of the state, including Sydney.

"It's pretty widespread," she told ABC Radio.

"We've had reports of low visibility up out as far up as Moree, Dubbo, Canberra's got some raised dust in the area and Wollongong, so it's very widespread."

Continue reading Sydney Goes Freaky Orange!.

21 September 2009

MaryD And Anubis The Cheetah!

Isn't this such a gorgeous picture? Look at that face! This was taken at the Auckland Zoo during a Cheetah stroll on my recent visit. The keepers take Anubis and his brother Osiris for a stroll in the morning through the zoo before it opens to the public. You can join in the stroll (if you pay $150) and it is one of the most unbelievable experiences I've had. Walking with two giant cats is just mind blowing. You also have multiple chances for photo ops when you are inches away from him and you get to pet him. Unfreakin'believable.

If you are in Auckland and would like to experience something truly special, go to the Auckland Zoo site and their Zoom Ultimate Animal Encounters and for a paltry $150 you get to look into the eyes of a cheetah and it's PRICELESS.

20 September 2009

I'm Back!

Kia Ora Everyone!

I'm back home on Aussie shores. What a great holiday I had across the ditch. New Zealand truly lives up to it's reputation and is now my equal favourite place (other than home) sharing it with Seattle. Firstly I would like to thank Mesh for taking care of the babies while I was gone. I can't see any redesigns and everything is where I left it so things must have gone smoothly J Thanks mate!

Just to take a moment to thank a few other people; my mate Jo who looked after me and did a stellar job. She didn't lose me and put up with my quirky sense of humour.

I had the opportunity to go to Starship and let me just say these people need our help/support. The stuff they do with the little they get it AMAZING. Andrew Young, Bobbie Brown and the rest of the team are SUPER and I was totally overwhelmed. Children's Hospitals are emotional for me and this trip was no different.

Some time ago I decided that AUSXIP will be affiliated and have Starship as the official charity and I'm so glad I did. Seeing it close up gives me a greater understanding of how important it is. I can also understand why Lucy supports them.

September 21 sees Lucy Lawless Feel The Love Day(leading into a week of charitable acts in Lucy's name) and let me tell you folks, if you want to do something awesome, then donate to Starship. They need the money and it would make you feel good and support the Lucy Lawless Feel the Love Day (Week).

Now this leads me to the reason I crossed the ditch. The Starship Supernova. It was SPECTACULAR. Lucy was on fire. Her voice was so strong and her stage presence was something to behold (you can see it on the you tube videos). She truly owned that stage. Good on ya Lucy! Lucy wore a gorgeous Liz Mitchell blue dress (I'm a fashion tragic so fashion descriptions isn't my thing and it's a miracle I remembered/knew who designed it.) and then that absolute gorgeous Alec design dress we saw on Celebrity Duets. Her duet with Peter Urlich was so fun! Our girl did good. Roll on February and I want to see more Lucy in concert. I don't care what style it is; swing, rock, folk, blues, jazz..whatever it is, I want to hear Lucy do her thang.

The rest of the performers surprised me - I was not aware of the Lady Killers and rest of the performers but man they were fantastic! I love Swing and if I didn't have two left feet I would have joined in the dancing when it was opened to the VIP peeps. Alas I wasn't blessed with rhythm so I sat in my chair and did a pretty cool chair boogie.

Starship raised around $100,000 which was FANTASTIC! I sure hope they continue to do these because I can see many more trips across the ditch to support them! I know that's going to be very hard but it's a sacrifice I'm prepared to make J

I also got the chance to meet the Spartacus cast at the concert! What a great bunch of people. Many thanks to Andy, Jai, Lesley Ann, Viva, Peter, Katrina Law and her partner Keith for being so cool (sure hope I didn't forget anyone). Those guys came to support Lucy and that in my book is MEGA cool. Andy has such a presence, he's a quiet bloke but there is something about him that tells me this guy is going to be one hell of a Spartacus. Peter has the most gorgeous smile and so tall and before anyone says that everyone is taller than me, pfft J. Jai what a cutie...I seriously wanted to run my fingers through his curly blond hair (I did resist the urge). I didn't meet Manu but admired from afar when he was dancing. Lesley, Viva and Katrina are very beautiful women (they have that something that I can't put into words; their pictures don't do them justice) but they were also so sweet and down to earth. Damn, Rob Tapert sure knows how to cast people that are stellar. I'm looking forward to seeing these great actors on screen.

Okay this report is longer than I thought and turning into one of my novels!

Boogie On!
MaryD

13 September 2009

Out and About With Lucy...

Greetings from Auckland New Zealand! I was out and about, taking in the sights and who should pop up but Lucy Lawless! You just never know when this kiwi will show up and there she was - larger than life and taller than she normally is....

On the side of an Auckland building :)

Jo and I were out sightseeing and what do we spot but Lucy's happy face...

Nice eh? Very nice indeed. I did have to get into the bushes to take a decent photo of it since the sun was going to be in my eyes but it was worth the bush hop and the stares...heh. You CANNOT go past a huge building with Lucy's face on it and not take a photo..now can you? Of course not!

Auckland is smashing! What a cool town and I've loving it. Kiwis are just a fun lot...this is my kind of town. Love it!

That's it from me...

MaryD

6 September 2009

We're All Going On A Summ...er..Spring Holiday...

Actually you won't be but I am! Not a summer one because Summer hasn't sprung yet in Oz but Spring has. It's been very warm and toasty lately but that's going to come to a crashing halt next week. I'm off to the Land of the Long White Cloud...crossing the ditch and setting foot on New Zealand where I hear it's cold..as in VERY cold. Ah well, need to take out the gloves, beanie and assorted scarves..I know they are here someplace.

This will be my first trip to the country Aussies love to beat at any sport (let's not talk about the rugby..what a disgrace). You would have thunk I would have made this trip sooner..but no I travel to the other side of the planet first rather than in my own backyard. Tsk. In any event I am going to remedy that oversight.

My principle aim is to watch a certain kiwi songbird do her thang at the Starship Supernova event and take in some hiking through lush rainforests, some sights, sounds, tastes and sample some Kiwi hospitality.

While I'm away from Monday, Mesh will be taking over taking care of the babies. You all know the drill by now...send her the articles, pics, news reports, artwork etc to mesh@ausxip.org and she promises to behave <g>

I'll be officially on holidays from the site for 2 weeks so instead of fishing (which I've given up - see my post about Lucy's role in PAW Justice), I'm going across the ditch! I promise to report in with a concert report and some pics (if I can).

E noho rā (this internets is a cool new fangled device where you can find all sorts of interesting stuff..)

MaryD

6 September 2009

Welcome to My Little Playground...

This has really taken a bit of a yes/no/yes/no kind of thing and I've finally decided that yes I will have a blog :)

It won't be deep and meaningful but it's stuff I may want to share. It won't be too personal (I don't particularly like to share with you all what I had for breakfast and what colour socks I'm wearing..okay I'll give in on the socks...they are squirrel socks..truly they are a joy to behold) but it may be stuff that I find interesting, news items that jump out at me or interesting links that doesn't fit into any of the other bazillion areas of ausxip and stuff like that.

Let's hope it's not too boring :) Let me know what you think.

6 September 2009

Lucy in New Campaign to Prevent Cruelty to Animals

This is a topic near and dear to my heart and I'm thrilled that Lucy has joined the team at Paw Justice. Being an animal lover, anything done to a defenceless, innocent animal is a crime and they can't speak up, but we can. I haven't read the stories on the Paw Justice site and I'm not going to because they will stick in my head and won't ever come out. I get a knotted, sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach when I hear about animals being tortured and it's better I NEVER read stories about that. I used to love to fish (goes back to when I was a kid fishing with my family and some VERY happy memories) but couldn't bear the thought of taking the hook out of the fish's mouth and decided that I should stop fishing which I have done.

I fully support Paw Justice but that's for the Kiwis. Over here in Oz we have our own Animals Australia and RSPCA Australia and one of my favourites WildLife Rescue (WIRES)

Lucy has lent her name to another worthy endeavour in NZ; stopping the cruelty to animals. She appears in this video just after the start.

An organisation called Paw Justice has launched a petition to increase the maximum jail sentence for animal abuse or neglect. The petition calls for Parliament to increase the sentence for neglect from 6 months to one year, and for wilful ill-treatment from 3 years to 5 years. Promotional videos for the campaign are fronted by an assortment of Kiwi stars, including Lucy Lawless, Erika Takacs and cast members from Shortland Street and Outrageous Fortune.

The petition is available here. | The official site is here