Too Misty for Xena

I've always considered myself an avid Xena: Warrior Princess (XWP) fan, possessing a fortitude of knowledge in any and all things XWP-related and admitting with neither hesitation nor qualm to my level of geekness.  I remember XWP first aired around the same time I started my sophomore year in college.  Needless to say, I was young and impressionable at the time, yet refused to yield to society's norms even at that tender age.  Is it any wonder why I fell hard, possibly head-over-heels, for XWP?

XWP provided an escape from the mundane and predictable life of the islands.  It offered strong female lead characters (played by the beautiful and talented Lucy Lawless as Xena and Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle) with rich backgrounds who sought out their own way and paved their own paths in history despite the many obstacles they encountered along the way.  XWP also offered an interesting and plausible plot rife with drama and intrigue, just the right amount of humor and wit, and a whole lot of ass-kicking!  I followed Xena and Gabrielle to the very end of their story as they fought for good against evil, for life over death, for redemption and their very salvation, but most notably for honor, friendship, and love.

XWP captivated and inspired me, setting the stage for a life of adventure in a world far beyond my home on that small island in the vast Pacific Ocean.  I sought to incorporate and emulate the enduring values and universal message I garnered from XWP and its courageous and resilient female characters.  And in retrospect, XWP awakened that dormant part of me which questioned my burgeoning sexuality.  In layman's term, XWP opened my eyes to the definite probability that I liked girls way too much than any 'straight' girl should.

So why all this Xena nostalgia, you ask?  Well, as an avid XWP fan like myself, you'd think that I would be privy to a little event called Xena Con.  The truth is I haven't.  And this annual Xena Convention is in its 16th year!  Argh!  This knowledge makes me want to gouge my eyes out!  My geekness has dropped a few levels, but instead of jumping for joy at this fact, I feel utterly dreadful.  And now I just feel like crying.  I'm too misty for XWP.  Sigh.

And to top it all off, I won't be able to attend Xena Con in Los Angeles, CA this weekend (January 28-30 at the Los Angeles Marriott at LAX).  I'm doubling with pain as I type.

In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings,

a land in turmoil cried out for a hero.

She was Xena,

a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle.

The power. The passion. The danger.

Her courage will change the world.

-Xena : Warrior Princess, opening credits

When in doubt or in a bind, ask yourself "What would Xena do?"