From: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org (chakram-refugees-digest) To: chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Subject: chakram-refugees-digest V2 #224 Reply-To: chakram-refugees@smoe.org Sender: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk chakram-refugees-digest Friday, August 16 2002 Volume 02 : Number 224 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [chakram-refugees] Fwd: [Flawless] Cherry Hill convention 1 (Friday/Saturday) [cr ] Re: [chakram-refugees] Cherry Hill Con Report [meredith ] [chakram-refugees] Renee at Cherry Hill ["Cheryl Ande" Subject: [chakram-refugees] Fwd: [Flawless] Cherry Hill convention 1 (Friday/Saturday) OK Meredith, copied by permission.... - ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: [Flawless] Cherry Hill convention 1 (Friday/Saturday) Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 18:16:24 -0400 From: BJFitzpat@aol.com To: flawless@yahoogroups.com Hi everyone- Before it gets to late (and my (frosted) blonde hair starts playing games with my memory) I thought I'd share my memories of this weekends Cherry Hill convention. First, you were missed Sharon!! Gary told us you were very busy editing footage of Coffee Talk 2, so we understand; but it would have been great seeing you again. O.K., so I left work early Friday and drove (low flying actually) to Cherry Hill. Got checked in at the hotel and lined up for pre-registration. The line was already pretty long by 7:15 (we Xenites all think alike I guess). Creation let us in early (which was great and kept us very happy), so pre-registration was actually completed by 8PM (when it was supposed to start). At 9PM the Claire and Danielle show started. They started with the excerpts from the Vagina Monologues. The Monologues were mostly performed by Dani, and she was absolutely amazing/brilliant!! She went into very different accents (Irish, American) at the drop of a hat and they were dead on perfect. In one part she was playing an old lady and more than the *voice* of an old woman, her face LOOKED shriveled and she held (and shook) her hands the way I've seen very old folks do. The entire room was spellbound and you could have heard a pin drop. After the Monologues there was a short film ("At Last 2" by Clair e). In this one the Callisto doll (from "At Last" 1) left the Alti doll. The Alti doll (in her Barbi Malibu sports car) hooks up with an Ephiny doll with some sage advice from guest star Eli (Tim Omundson). There was a prolonged bit with the Alti and Ephiny dolls beating up a cop doll that I could have done without, but overall it was a very cute film. After the video, Claire and Dani (in short hot pink and blue wigs) came out and read some fan fiction. Very funny. The entire evening was made more enjoyable by their interaction. It was great to see the way they supported each other while on stage (they are obviously friends); they were even directing each other. And by helping each other, they lifted themselves (and their performances) up I thought. I don't know how many of you saw the Claire and Claudia show in New York a few months ago, but during that performance it seemed to me that Claudia was hogging the spotlite at Claires expense. You could see Claire wasn't happy (t hough she pretended to be a good sport about it), but after that my opinion of Claudia really took a nose dive. After Cherry Hill (and their performance), I think even more highly (if thats really possible) of Claire and Dani. On Saturday Hudson held a Yoga class. I didn't sign up (knowing I would prefer to sleep in). Folks who did attend reported they enjoyed it very much. The first guest was Claire. Entertaining as always (I will admit to bias in this regard, I think Claire is terrific). I do remember her mentioning she has basically retired as an actor and is going to concentrate on directing (she has some projects lined up). But if an acting job comes her way, she isn't going to turn it down). She talked briefly about the first time she met Kevin (when she talked about him in New York she got chocked up). Her memories were very warm and it was nice hearing them. The next guest was Virginia Hey. I was out of the room for most of her time, but I do remember her mentioning that while she can't return to Farscape full time (the make up makes her sick), she would like to pop up once in awhile as a guest start. The last guest of the day was Danielle. I was really impressed with how she has matured over the years (both her on stage *presence* and her acting). I remember watching videos of her very first work (on Kiwi TV), and frankly she really wasn't that good I thought (Sorry Dani). And the last time I rememeber seeing her on stage (New York, I think ), she bounded on stage in a punk outfit, doing a punk number and was bouncing off the walls (way to much caffeine). But watching her perform Friday night and on stage Saturday I was really struck by how much she's grown as an artist. WOW! This post is long, so I'll continue with Saturday night/Sunday in the next post. Bonnie - ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> 4 DVDs Free +s&p Join Now http://us.click.yahoo.com/pt6YBB/NXiEAA/RN.GAA/J0HolB/TM - ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To unsubscribe: From your email program, send a blank message to: flawless-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ - ------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 20:39:33 +1200 From: cr Subject: [chakram-refugees] Fwd: [Flawless] Cherry Hill 2 (Sat/ night/Sunday) - ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: [Flawless] Cherry Hill 2 (Sat/ night/Sunday) Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 18:58:09 -0400 From: BJFitzpat@aol.com To: flawless@yahoogroups.com To continue: After getting our Claire and Danielle autographs several of us had dinner in the hotel. We were back on line at 6:45ish (I think) for the Renee and Tim performance of "Love Letters". Gary introduced Tim. Tim started a flowery introduction of Renee, when she stuck her head through the curtains. The crowd went wild. Tim stopped talking (I guess, he might have continued but no one would have heard him and all eyes were on Renee). She got a prolonged standing ovation. Then they started. I thought Renee and Tim did a great job! (Folks who also saw Renee do it in Pasedena said she was better this time. But small wonder since she was probably thinking about Kevin at Pasedena). The play was very moving (in fact, at several points you could have heard a pin drop in the room). At the end Renee, Tim and several people in the audience were crying. It was very touching. After the performance Renee came out and talked for a few minutes thanking us for all our support over the 6 years. Then she went behind the curtain and the room was cleared. I joined some folks who went out front for a cigarette. When we walked out the door I noticed a black car, doors open, engine ru nning, driver standing by his open door. Bells went off. I looked at the license plate and saw the word limoscene. I mentioned to my friends that they might not want to walk to far away. Sure enough not a minute later who comes out but Renee and her husband Steve. The few of us who were in front of the hotel applauded, shouted "Thanks for being here" and "We love you". She looked at all of us, smiled, waved and then was driven off. For a little while I felt good about Xena fans. We showed our affection and appreciation, but respected her space/privacy. Then later I heard that someone in the lobby had acousted her to get a photo with her and after that she walked with her hands up as if hiding her face. There was much subsequent discussion about how over eager fans spoil it for the rest of us and give us all a bad name. Now, instead of remembering the good fans (the ones who didn't rush the car, or rush her in the hotel lobby), she's going to remember the one fan who did rush her. I heard from several fans who felt disappointed that Renee didn't have more interaction with fans. We've come to expect a certain amount of interaction with the stars, so just to have them do a performance and leave is heard to get used to. That aside, it was still nice seeing Renee do something other than Gabrielle. I got up very early the next morning and by 8:15 was on line for the charity brunch. At about 8:30 I was joined by several other folks. When by 8:45 the room where it was supposed to be held (according to the schedule and an announcment made by Gary Saturday night), someone went to check. Sure enough, they changed the location of the brunch. We all schlepped to the new spot. Now instead of being first, I was 19th. I still got the table I wanted managed to save enough seats for everyone, but I was made because of the principle involved. If they changed locations, couldn't someone put a note on the door of the old location? Anyway, the brunch was fun (as always). There was a silent auction for things like the "Love Letters" scripts signed by Renee and Tim. An Hourglass signed by Alex and Claudia. Signed photos of Kevin and Renee. The Vagina Monolgues script signed by Claire and Danielle. And the real Vagina Monolgues signed by Lucy, Dani and Claire. All in all $7,500 was raised for the James Ellis foundation. Hudson didn't make it to all the tables (including mine). Some folks were upset (maybe someone should buy her a watch?). But since I got my photo taken with Claire and Dani and got to ask Tim about Judging Amy, I was happy. During the convention we saw a clip of Renee doing Shakespeare in the park. (great clip. Looking forward to the finished product). Tim came on and talked about what he's up to (mostly Juding Amy). Then he signed autographs (during which he wondered allowed about being part of a program billed as ""Xena and the Strong Women of Sci Fi". He mentioned he was going to have to talk to his agents). I like him. He seems like a nice and genuine guy. Was out of the room again for Virginia. Back in the room for Hudson. I noticed Hudson really doesn't answer questions. Her folks were there. Her mom said a few words to the crowd (she's funny). Then Hudson dragged her dad on stage (who said very little and was happy to leave the stage). At the end of her time Hudson took off her shoes, unzipped her dress, threw the mike and raced off the stage. (She said she had something to do and would be back in 2 minutes. A guy in the front row had to time her). 5 minutes and 11 seconds later she came back in her costume from the Bitter Suite. She auctioned it off. At one point her dad bid $1400. (Hudson wondered if the costume was going to be her Christmas present). When all was said and done the dress went for $3000. Later Hudson said her dad was going to donate the $1400 he bid to the James Ellis foundation. So, the costume went for $4400. That was great! Then Hudson starting signing autographs. It was after 9 by the time she was done. She posed for photos with folks who nev er had their picture taken with her before, then it was over. I got in my car and drove (in bumper to bumper traffic) home. I'm sure there's stuff I'm forgetting (and reading what others have to say will trigger memories I'm sure); but there it is. I must dash or I'll miss my bus. Later! Bonnie - ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> 4 DVDs Free +s&p Join Now http://us.click.yahoo.com/pt6YBB/NXiEAA/RN.GAA/J0HolB/TM - ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To unsubscribe: From your email program, send a blank message to: flawless-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ - ------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 20:40:03 +1200 From: cr Subject: [chakram-refugees] Fwd: [Flawless] Add on to convention report - ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: [Flawless] Add on to convention report Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2002 09:26:24 -0400 From: BJFitzpat@aol.com To: flawless@yahoogroups.com Hello again- I was in such a rush to make the last bus last night I neglected to include an important point in my Cherry Hill convention report. Add on to the Danielle section: While on stage Dani talked about and shared her memories about Kevin. They worked a lot together and she really has very warm memories about it. At one point she mentioned that many of the things she was saying for the first time. She said many papers and magazines wanted to interview her about him but she didn't do it because all they wanted to do was increase circulation. She said she was talking here [the convention] for the first time because we really appreciated Kevin. Unfortunately probably more than many of his countrymen did. She mentioned that acting isn't really considered a proper career in New Zealand and, to this day even with all her success, her dad still asks her when she's going to get a real job. Really makes you admire them all the more. Despite not getting any real respect at home these guys (the Kiwi actors) still persevere to do what they love (act). I'm glad they are able (and Kevin was able) to come here and see how they are respected and appreciated. Bonnie - ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> 4 DVDs Free +s&p Join Now http://us.click.yahoo.com/pt6YBB/NXiEAA/ySSFAA/J0HolB/TM - ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To unsubscribe: From your email program, send a blank message to: flawless-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ - ------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 20:55:43 +1200 From: cr Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Cherry Hill Con Report On Thursday 15 August 2002 11:46, Cheryl Ande wrote: > This is for you meredith > Thanks Cheryl.... I just cross-posted Bonnie Fitzpatrick's con report, but reading yours I think the two complement each other. > After and auction and the actress from Farscape Claudia Black? > (I was having a during with > Lee at this point), Danielle Cormack came out. She wore a very interesting > dress - sort what a 12 twelve year old would wear on Easter - a dirndl with > puffy sleeves . She began by thanking us for our support of Xena and > especially of Kevin Smith. She said the Xena fans had been more supportive > of him and than New Zealand had ever been. She seemed upset that NZ didn't > support their acting community or for that matter their most famous product > Xena. In defence of NZ Xenafans, I have to point out thagat Xena was *never* promoted here in NZ, in fact Pacific Renaissance's PR manager's main job appeared to be keeping Xena _out_ of the public view. I absolutely understand why - in terms of the overall Xena market, New Zealand might account for 0.5% of sales, and possibly more important, the less publicity the better so far as their filming is concerned. Bethells Beach for example was a *great* filmimng location, it's a mile long and on a typical (non-weekend) day there might be three people on it. The last thing they'd want would be thirty or three hundred fans all trying to get close to the action. Of course, for the supporting cast like Danielle, who would understandably like a bit of publicity, this isn't much consolation. cr ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 19:12:09 -0400 From: meredith Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Cherry Hill Con Report Hi, CherylA reported: >This is for you meredith Thank you! And thanks to Thelonius, too, for forwarding that report from the other list. I wish I could've made it this year, but Fenway Park awaited. Fortunately the Red Sox won both games we attended, and we even got to see Pedro Martinez pitch on Saturday, so it was definitely a worthy substitute. :) (For the non-American and non-sports-minded amongst us: the Boston Red Sox are our local major league baseball team, and Pedro Martinez is the best pitcher in the game. I've been a Sox fan since birth, but a Xenite only since 1997, so sometimes the priorities have to go a certain way. ) >The other bits were >lost due to atrocious sound. This seems to be endemic amongst the Creation cons ... what is up with that?! Hotel ballrooms aren't that big -- and I know from experience that a very capable sound system that will reach the back of the room without deafening the folks in front can be rented for a quite reasonable price. >Saturday began for at a yoga class taught by Hudson. Wow, that's cool. I knew about her being a yoga instructor -- it's great that they made it part of the con! (Not that I would've attended, mind you - -- sleep always prevails. :) >Saturday afternoon the convention got off to a good start. Gary Berman came >out and ask how many people would be interested in Xena DVDs. It seems >Creations has been approached about doing them with the possibility of >commentary by Lucy and Renee. Fascinating. (See below.) >So get thee over to Universal feedback make >sure they know you want DVDs - keep the pressure up gang. I'd be really interested to hear what responses y'all get when you do this. When I wrote them last month, I got a response a couple weeks later that said, quite succinctly, "No Xena DVDs planned at this time." I wonder what made them suddenly change their minds, or if they indeed have?? >-but suddenly she got a call to read for Quentin Tarratino. She said he >was a Xena fan and although she apparently didn't get the part she has becomes >friends with him. She said she hoped to introduce him to Lucy. Claire is a >very militant Lucy friend and she is always very adamant that Lucy should be a >movie star. Ooooh. I *so* hope something comes of that. LL in a Tarantino film. > She also said she had dinner just recently with Lucy and Rob - >that despite being THE TAPERT he made very good steak and potatoes. She said >he was building a studio in New Zealand and although she didn't know what he >was up to she thought perhaps he had a new show in mind. Well, Tapert and Raimi do have that new deal that was announced a little while back -- I wonder if it's for making whatever movies come of that. >After and auction and the actress from Farscape (I was having a during with >Lee at this point) (N.B. to Thel: the other report indicated this was Virginia Hey. If it had been Claudia Black, I'd *definitely* have blown off the Red Sox! ) Please do continue your report, Cheryl -- it's great to get different perspectives! ============================================== Meredith Tarr New Haven, CT USA mailto:meth@smoe.org http://www.smoe.org/meth ============================================== Live At The House O'Muzak House Concert Series http://www.smoe.org/meth/muzak.html ============================================== ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 19:21:10 -0400 From: "Cheryl Ande" Subject: [chakram-refugees] Renee at Cherry Hill Of course the major reason a lot of people came to Cherry Hill was to see Renee in person. Saturday we had a small taste of Renee from Shakespeare by the Sea. Creations showed a small snippet of a rough cut of their interview with Renee which will be included in the next fan kit. Renee looked very relaxed and chatted amiably with Sharon about acting and the fans who have shown up to see her. She was particularly funny when she comparing herself unfavorably to Judy Dench. She has lost a bit of the baby weight she had at Pasadena (now she didn't put on much weight but it was bit obvious that she was nursing Miles). She goofed around a bit with her yoga exercises - struggling to her stretches for comic effect. Then we saw her reciting Lady Mac "unsex me" speech. I think she was very good - it is a very much a stage performance a little broader than you would see on film which is necessary and was obvious being careful to pronounce her ds and ts (Americans have a tough time with them - we have tendency to slur them). She however gave a very thoughtful reading and you saw just a bit of her interpretation of Lady M as a thoughtful woman who is trying to argue herself into killing the king. Some one I was talking to said she wasn't as good as Judy Dench - well duh - but give Renee 20 years and a lot of experience and I think she has that kind potential. The play itself had a touch of suspense Saturday. Tim had forgotten his paper ticket for the plane and after some concern that he wasn't going to make it arrived in the nick of time. Thus we were denied the odd experience of having Claire, Hudson, or Danielle reading the man's role. ( I think Hudson would have been good and probably taken it the most serious of the three). Before the play there were some people beside the stage. A very good-looking guy in a leather jacket who turned out to be Renee's husband and young woman with a two rambunctious boys. After speculating that the toddle was Miles and after much counting of months we decided that it was not him (turned out to be Tim's sister and nephews). Time for the play to start. Gary introtroduced Tim who looked very handsome in his neatly pressed suit (man or his wife must be a great packer). Tim started to introduce Renee but was upstaged when a little redhead stuck her head through the curtain and a laughing Renee came on stage. Renee looked very cool and summery in a pink top with spaghetti straps and a beautiful pair of floral slacks. I saw the play in Pasadena and once again Renee was excellent doing the part of the Melissa but this time she seemed more relaxed and confident, not flustered if she made a small mistake. The character is a real departure from Gabrielle. Melissa is the poor rich girl with uncaring parents but with artistic talent that she squanders. Melissa is funny but Renee captures the despair beneath. Tim did a yeoman's job as David Melissa's girlhood friend and too late lover. I have to say Tim was not as good as Michael Hurst who really was terrific as the boy and brought a nice sense of decency to the man who couldn't bring himself to challenge the stats quo. Time however was wonderful in the last scene as he wrote a condolence letter to Melissa's mother - he allowed his character for once to be emotional so that Melissa's ghostly comments were very touching. Play ends and the crowd goes wild - yeah (as Kermit says). There is a curtain call. Renee gets flowers from Steve and we start to file out. Then suddenly Renee pops back and chats with the audience as we dash back to see her. She is charming. Now I have forgotten to say that before the play began she thanks us all for supporting Kevin's family and I think all charities. Now she just sort of chatted and was relaxed. Some asked if she would be doing an east coast play and she said she working on it. She also said she enjoyed her time off with Miles (to be frank I can't remember she said that but she did - I'm a lousy reporter). Then we actually left and while chatting in the lobby Renee and Steve came through. No one really bothered her - I think some one got a picture but she was smiling and waiving at us. Some one said Steve was carrying Miles but I didn't notice (I must have been busy looking at Renee). She really is a slight little thing and more fragile looking than I expected but she has the big Gabby grin. She looked very happy and relaxed. I was a very happy Xenite Saturday. CherylA ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 22:16:22 EDT From: Wizdym4@aol.com Subject: [chakram-refugees] re:Hail Lucy Hey Folks!! I had written a letter to someone who had a return addy that looked like it might be Lucy so I wrote her: Hail Lucy!! Is that you?!? I saw your post on Forever_Xena and Gabrielle and noted your return address. I'm ambivelent, not really sure if you are really Lucy Lawless or just another fan using that name as a handle. On the slim hope that it reallly is you, Lucy, I'm writing this note. So....who knows if this really is you?, Lucy...but, gosh, it just might be! I hope it is! You prolly got it figured that I'm a real HCNB...(Hard-Core, Nut-ball) fan. Yep, I confess I am...it's fascinating to be so enthralled, especially for a guy my age!..I'm about 50 ...but my gosh! What an excellent Production XWP is/was!! ..and I felt so emotionally for the characters, especially you as Xena, whenever you had that "poignant-love" expression it touched my heart. Many times my eyes watered, several time I cried and cried.... I was crying through all of part-two of FIN(Friend In Need)cause I had heard rumors of Xena's demise...and then to watch it happen...It was So well-produced, I thought. The brutality and indignity of Xena's death was too vivid for many. I know there are many fans who didn't see the message that Xena's spirit was living on with Gabrielle.."..even in death... I will never leave you..." . Xena's image is certainly living on in my life!..."My gosh your beautiful!!!!!"...lol..'remember Gabby sayin' that!?...well, it's true, Lucy, you are beautiful, particularly in your Xena garb...Just last week I got my favorite picture of you blown up. It's a head shot, looking out at the viewer with a "Mona Lisa" smile, and deep, penetrating eyes...anyway, I had it blown up to 28"x36"...Wow!!... I so hope that Sam Raimi will use some of his profits from Spiderman on a Xena movie or mini-series. I long to read about such news.... I JUST GOT HER REPLY, Cause she said, "Yabber away" , I think she wanted me to spread this 'round, that she says with "a happy heart", leaves me veeling very postive, + optimistic 'bout a film... Hello Wizdym4@aol.com It is highly unlikely that there will be any sort of film made without the participation of the original actors and producers involved. So now ya can yabber away about this with a happy heart. All the best Lucy ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 23:22:20 -0400 From: "Lee Daley" Subject: RE: [chakram-refugees] Cherry Hill Con Report > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-chakram-refugees@smoe.org On Behalf Of meredith > >The other bits were > >lost due to atrocious sound. > > This seems to be endemic amongst the Creation cons ... what is up with > that?! Hotel ballrooms aren't that big -- and I know from > experience that > a very capable sound system that will reach the back of the room without > deafening the folks in front can be rented for a quite reasonable price. > That is if the rental stuff actually works. Back in my college days I did a lot of lighting and sound work, (Yes, we DID have electricity back then ) and in many cases the rental equipment was in bad shape. And the various banquet facilities will tell you that they have decent equipment, and it's junk. So I'll give Creation a little slack, but they should know better by now. Wonder what the Hilton told Sharon when she booked the place. PS The stage was at least 2 ft. too low and the lighting was horrid too. Oh the joys of taking a show on the road! LeeD ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ End of chakram-refugees-digest V2 #224 **************************************