6th Gathering of the Fans -

A report of affairs by Roving Reporter "Damnation".

"I don't have anything in purple, mauve, or fuchsia!"

Now, why did that matter? Because it was the 6th gathering of the Xena fans and there was a theme to fulfill! After huffing and puffing and rummaging through the disaster area that was my wardrobe another time, I decided to spray my hair purple and make do with it. Come to think of it, what would Xena herself do? Dye her leathers purple? Then again, Xena could appear in a purple potato sack and still look brilliant. Some people have all the luck.

The gathering, like the previous one, was held at Istvan's Cafe. Big screen TV, continuous supply of coffee; smooth, hot chocolate; refreshing, cool soft drinks; mouth-watering foccacias; cheese; fresh, green, leafy salad... Um, where was I? Yes, Xena. Of course. Three much awaited Season 6 episodes were screened -- I *did* mention the big screen TV, didn't I? It was excellent; Xena looked twice as big -- with trivias and games played during the intermission. The questions designed by Mark, our Quiz Master, were challenging and stumped not a few people on occasions [and once, even himself! *grin*]. However, the fantastic prizes were enough of a motivation for the fans to keep on trying. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I learnt that the prizes that were up for grabs were as much an attraction as Xena was! Of course, it helped that all the prizes that were contributed by generous Xenaphiles were Xena-related.

When the lights remained dim after the screening of one of the Xena episodes, the last thing everyone expected was for a birthday song to be bawled out to an unsuspecting fan. It turned out that she didn't suspect a thing because she wasn't the birthday girl! But for those who thought that it was a blunder on the management's part, it wasn't. The event was, um, set up in such a way that it would be a *real* surprise for the birthday girl. Don't you agree that the identity of the birthday girl is now firmly planted in our heads? That we would come to a gathering months down the road, look back, and go, "Remember the time we sang the birthday song to the wrong girl?" *grin*

Happy Faces on the Day

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The 6th gathering was like having a Christmas in February. On top of all the prizes won during the trivia, Sue dug up more objects in wrapping and started dishing them out -- to Jennifer, who attended all six gatherings (now that's an obsession!); to Mark in appreciation of his technical expertise in getting sounds and pics working; to Carolyn and Jenny for putting together a pretty impressive PowerPoint presentation to go with Mark's quiz. Okay, so we didn't actually get to see the presentation - someone forgot the cable (no names mentioned here) - but it's the effort that counts. This just goes to show how everyone is appreciated and recognised for their actions. Yup, Big Sue is watching... *Insert Big Brother Theme Song*

By this time, I had gone to the toilet several times to wash the purple stain from my hands -- courtesy of the spray-on dye on my hair, if you kindly recall. Which, brings me back to the purple theme. Our theme winner of the night, Terri, received a box full of purple objects that she could match with her purple dress! If only I had laid hands on that box at the start of the night; it would have saved me from looking like a blueberry thief.

And, just when you thought it was over, another bag pops out of nowhere and everyone gets a copy of 'Chakram' and travelling kits, courtesy of Cyrene's Tavern! I know where I want to be this Christmas; imagine the goodies I'll get to lug home then! I laughed a fit while going through the descriptions of some of the contents of the travelling kit. One of my favourites goes:

"Chopsticks - Strange eating implements from far, far, really far away. Note: the morsel is collected between the sharpened ends, and not impaled upon them -- you do that to the enemy. Also useful to hold back soft, beautiful, dark, flowing hair, and, perhaps, to gently, slowly, sensuously remove... ahem! Where was I? Oh yes..."

When my friends ask me how the hell I even manage to be reminded of Xena when I use chopsticks, I'd know who to blame, wouldn't I?

All in all, it was yet another memorable gathering of the Xena fans. The few "glitches, hiccups, faux pas, stuff-ups and things that just didn't go quite right" mentioned in Sue's 'Thank You' letter only served to make it a more enjoyable event.

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