I give you 2omb Raiders: Stop Screaming and Dance
My most sincere thanks once again to The Royal Society - particularly Kate Nicholas and Adso Krogstad, our DJ- Kiralette Kelley, and (of course) Zealot Benmergui, Baron BardHaven.
It has been an extremely busy, but good RL day after a phenomenal night in Loch Avie. Thanks go out to Lord BardHaven, Lady Kate Nicholas, Professor Adso Krogstad, and Lady Kiralette Kelley for all the hard work put into this event.
BardHaven has made a wonderful post, which I link for your enjoyment. I will be editing photos tonight and tomorrow. Hope to come up with a post adequate to show you what a fun evening was had at the BardHaven Ball: 2omb Raiders.
Muah!
October 22nd at 7pm SLT ~ Story-Telling Event On Grounds of the Monestary in Caer Blanco.
Caer Blanco is a special sim, created specially for Halloween by some of Second Life’s top designers. There is a fully furnished haunted castle, a crooked cottage, a ghostly ship, and a ruined monastery to explore. There are also silent auction items avaialable and many special events planned. All this will raise funds for a small medical clinic in Lesotho, Southern Africa, through the charity Partners for Others.
Hotspur O'Toole will lead the group in a story-telling session whose theme is Inner Fright. Come prepared to listen to several short-stories in this theme - and perhaps to share your own.
What scares YOU? Vampires? Spiders? The economy? Success?
October 23rd at 7pm-9pm SLT ~ Gypsy-Themed Dance on the Grounds Surrounding the Castle of Caer Blanco.
Diamanda Gustafson will DJ and I will provide hostessing assistance.
Theme: Gypsy
Muscial Style: Flamenco and Gypsy
There are other possible events, including a live musical performance, for this charity for this week as well. Once I have confirmation I will post the information on that.
And Finally....
It seems that my own dear friends in the Royal Society in their zeal for knowledge performed a survey of the grounds of Loch Avie. Professor Krogstad was quite beside himself when he discovered "something" underneath one of the smaller hills in my lands. So of course, he and Professor Nicholas immediately began digging (in their most I'm-not-going-to-let-the-thrill-of-the-possible-discovery-of-something-HUGE-get-in-the-way-of-scientific-process manner). They tell me that they believe they are on top of a large vault of some sort, but it will be a few days before they can safely break-through what they believe is the opening given the resonance that is showing up on their steam powered sound bouncing device.
But while they have been charged with excitement, I have had an increasing sense of dread. Something is not right. I have the feeling that something evil is approaching, but I cannot run nor hide. I must meet this evil face-to-face.
Meh.....Perhaps we'll dance.
Once again, the BardHaven Ball is coming this Halloween to grab Caledon by the throat and sacrifice it upon a dark and funkadelic altar.
This year BardHaven, the Duchy of Loch Avie and the Royal Society have joined forces to investigate rumors that the scholars have dug too deeply into the dark and twisted history of the House Bellambi. In their zeal to uncover the secrets of the past the intrepid adventurers of the Royal Society have set into motion a terrifying sequence of events.
An ancient tomb has been defiled.
A deathless curse has been invoked.
A multitude of decadent secrets have arisen.
A cornucopia of surprises have been scattered.
A vast array of gifts and door prizes have been assembled.
An unspeakably well-dressed horror has been unleashed upon Loch Avie and all of Caledon.
On Saturday Night, October 25th from 9 PM to 1 AM SLT ~ Caledon Loch Avie
Join Baron Bardhaven, the Duchess of Loch Avie, Dr. Kate Nicholas, and DJ Kiralette Kelley for a party the like of which Caledon and Winterfell have not seen since the LAST BardHaven Ball.
BardHaven Ball: 2omb Raiders…Stop Screaming and Dance.
adapted from BardHaven's post
The first of my reports back to the Royal Society and the Winterfell Bureau of Para-ætheric Investigations may be found here: The Riddle of the Crystal Skull
For the full story please read the entries found at the Boyarinya's Personal Winterfell Blog and that of Dr. Nichtstadt.
***
(Cue the deep rumbling noise and the dramatic soundtrack.)
Having just arrived home from a week's holiday in the snow-covered higher elevations, I found myself once more in Caledon among friends and neighbors. I spent only a little time at home in Loch Avie upon my arrival...really just long enough to sleep a few hours in my own bed, begin the unpacking and laundry, and to skim through the post that was awaiting me in my office in Taigh Ròis. I was anxious to be out inspecting my property, which appears to be in the early stages of the Spring thaw (although one never knows about the weather this time of year), and to be calling upon friends.
I had just begun my rounds in Loch Avie when a call came in via my secure Tesla Wireless Transmission Device that several Caledonian explorers had not been heard from and were presumed lost. There were cries for rescue parties even as the memorial service was beginning. MI5 was, of course, engaged immediately to join the search and rescue and I managed to get a message off to Lady Kate and the Royal Society geologists so that they might assist as well. Many further events related to this are relayed in the journal of Hotspur O'Toole (including a picture of me along with a few others in front of the Selenite specimen). Thankfully the party were alive and well! After some celebration and at least one Red Map of the sim, I returned home to ride through the Loch.
In preparation for the Edison Grand Ball and Masquerade, which takes place in Loch Avie this Friday, I began making prim space and choosing some simple, yet elegant, decór. As I was reviewing plans with Mr. Syxx Craig, I had a call from Sir Telemachus wishing me a welcome home. He informed me that he was chatting with Torvold, Viderian, and Hotspur, and trying out some of the new weapons from his smithy. I wondered aloud whether I might crash the male bonding and say hello to everyone, as well as get a peek at the new Spear of Darkness, and any of the other new choices for sale there.
Happily, I was able to join them and witness the use of the new weapons as well as get a little practice with my bow. We also posed for a few pictures. This was really perfect timing for me as I have been trying to update my profile picks for the last few days. The Loch Avie Academy of Arms now has quite the picture on display there. :-)
Sometime later, I returned to the Loch and resumed my patrol and inspection. Having reached the most southern end of the rail line, I stood there for a moment gazing over into Lovelace and into the stretch of clean, cool water between us.
It was then that I saw it.....something large and metal submerged below the surface of the water. It did not appear to be a submarine - a least not from the surface. I scrambled back into Taigh Ròis to put on my dive gear and headed into the cold winter water. Thank God for dry suits.
I could hardly believe my eyes. It was a very old rail car and engine! How is this possible? I know of no wrecks occuring off the end of the rail line here in my home. And it appears to be of sufficiently advanced decay leading me to believe that it has been here for some time - possibly covered under silt or dirt until now.
Based on my readings of Mr. James Hall, the American geologist and paleontologist, I wonder if his Geosyncline Theory might begin to explain this. The crust movement that occured when Lovelace appeared off the southern coast of Loch Avie may have exposed the old train. I, however, am not the geology expert in the Royal Society. I determined to send a dispatch to Professor Krogstad immediately, so that he might come examine the wreckage and give us a clue to it's origin, how it came to rest in the waters here, and how it became exposed.
So now I sit in the comfort of the distillery, listening to the bubbling and crackling of the stills and the fires, sipping a little hot tea, and writing my note to Adso.
My oh my - what a first day back from holiday. And you know? I'm just silly enough to enjoy it.
Sláinte!
After completing my packing list whilst having tea with Gabrielle, I decided that I needed to get back to Loch Avie and have my own crates and trunks brought into the manse so that I could begin preparations for the journey to Phillip.
So many things were running through my mind.
Obviously the sudden appearance of Phillip seems to point to sinister things. I began to wonder who or what might actually be controlling this....the forces of nature. I heard rumors while I was riding around the Cay earlier that Baron Bardhaven - a member of my own court - might have planned this. Perhaps it is true, but I find it hard to believe that he would have done such a thing without first warning me, as he generally does out of respect (or just to see me squirm), when he has plotted some devilish event.
Now that my "invitation" to join the circus - or rather, the expeditionary team - to Phillip had arrived as predicted, I also wondered about the other members of the group. All are familiars:
Dr. Oolon Sputnik, whose powers as Timelord should offer obvious advantages. I understand that he is likely to bring his companion along. She is interesting and delightful by all accounts, and I certainly have no objections to this as long as she will pull her weight in the work of the mission.
Gnarlihotep Abel. A grand adventurer and the owner/trainer of what will be our Sherpa fleet. The penguins.
Lady Darkling Elytis. Despite her recent bouts of falling out of thin air, or off of roof tops, her powers of divination and other magik are well-known. And she has always been a bonny raving companion.
Lady Amber Palowakski. The spirits are strong with this one, too. This assumes that she does not dip into the imported or distilled spirits too often along the way. With the three of us (Lady Darkling, Lady Amber, and me) on board, the God and Goddess should never be far from the expedition's side.
Her Grace Gabrielle Riel. She is convinced to come along, and tells me that she has received her letter of invitation as well. She will bring fight and fire to this adventure - Phillip may have met his match. And she does have the music for the parties in the event that we need to entertain ourselves or the natives.
Zealot Benmergui, Baron of Bardhaven. Of which much has been written, but little evidence found. He who would lead this group to Phillip with uncertain motives.
And me. Duchess. Scientist. Distiller (that bit should also come in handy along the way). I have some knowledge of intelligence work and battles.
As I went about the house thinking about this motley crew, and collecting the items I needed, I decided that there were a few things to do before heading to the dock.
Calling on my Knight, Sir Telemachus, I requested some instruction and sparing with the new bow that I had just received from the north lands.
Bows, pistol, Claymore, sword, dirk, whisky, ladies spy camera, clothes....
Caledon has been so lovely of late. Summertime events. Relay For Life now successfully completed. Dancing and talking with friends. Carriage rides through the towns. Picnics on the green. Despite all this, you may have noticed that many of my recent activities have taken me further afield and into different circumstances. Although, I continue to enjoy planning future events - really now, those of you who know me know that I LOVE planning events for Loch Avie and for Caledon - and spending time with my wonderful friends and neighbors, I find that I have a desire or need to have an adventure. Here or elsewhere.
Perhaps because I am descended from the warriors and strong women of old and those who fought bravely at Culloden, and having been trained by my father and his clansmen (as his only heir) in the finer points of exploration, intelligence gathering, and combat, I find my mind drifting toward some greater adventure. Or maybe it is the scientist in me that needs something greater to occupy my time. Just a mid-year itch? Who knows?
I decided to have a walk the other day to clear my mind and try to determine the cause of this wanderlust.
As I roamed around the Loch, I found Professor Krogstad (Sir Adso), digging in the glen near Nellie's cove.
Excitedly he told me that he believes that he has found remains of a Bronze Age person right in my back yard! I am so pleased for I delight in history and discovery, too.
He has certainly found his adventure for some time to come. Perhaps he will need some assistance from me, although, he assured me that Lady Kate Nicholas is planning on assisting with this dig personally. I suspect they have begun to unlock some mysteries, and I am sure we will all know more about that soon.
Sitting in Bookend reading poetry along with my dear cousin, Gabrielle, and our esteemed Librarian of Caledon, JJ Drinkwater. (Yes - that is me in my best Terry Lightfoot Faerie look. "I'm the Blue Faerie")
Mr. Drinkwater, The Duchess Carntaigh, The Duchess Loch Avie - sharing favorite poetry.
As we sat there reading, I happened across this poem by Ruth Whitman:
HATSHEPSUT:
Before my father came to the throne
there was chaos in our double kingdom-
from the Great Green Sea on the north
to the land of Nubia on our south.
Men without breasts love war.
They measure their height
by the mountains of severed hands
piled up, cut from their enemies.
But I saw our land laid out in peace:
Thebes, the southern city, the horizon of earth
stretching east to west
and the fecund river cleaving the land
south to north.
Sun and moon
sail from east to west
across the Nile,
from life to death
and back again.
Symmetry. Order.
The Nile
floods, recedes, floods.
And over us stretches Nut,
the goddess who is the sky.
The sun travels by night
through her body,
the moon and stars by day.
Her toes touch the east,
her fingers reach to the west,
she arches over us,
rainbow mother of night and day.
Happy 1st Rez Day to my first friend in Second Life, my colleague in the Royal Society, and the Countess of Inbhir Abigh in the Duchy of Loch Avie.
We celebrated Kate Nicholas last evening during a lovely sunset and the full moon that followed. She looked radiant in her new deep red Silent Sparrow gown, as she danced the night away with her friends and neighbors.
Notable special friends of hers in attendence were:
Her Grace, Gabrielle Riel, Duchess of Carntaigh
Shenlei Flasheart
Callipygian Christensen
Colonel Exrex Somme
Sir Adso Krogstad, ORR
Sir Red Caliber
Sir Edward Pearse
Sir ZenMondo Wormser
Lady Amber Palowakski
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Thanks to the depth of the archives at the offices of the Royal Society for the Advancement of the Natural Sciences, and the brilliant research work of The Honourable Kate Nicholas, we now have the icons of St. Melangell.
A little research on the part of this writer, who is a Fellow of the Royal Society, but whose scientific work has been superceded by her charity work and acts of noblesse oblige of late(and all those parties and Duchess Sandwiches...but I digress), has resulted in the following historical information on St. Melangell.
St. Melangell was the daughter of a Scottish king and an Irish woman and was descended from the Emperor Maximus and his British wife Elen.
The story goes that her father desired to marry her to a chieftain under him, but either she disliked the man or the thought of marriage, and determined to run away. Accordingly she found an opportunity to escape, and secreted herself at Pennant, one of the most lonely and lovely spots in Montgomeryshire, at the head of the Tanat. Her story is represented on the frieze of the carved oak screen of the church there.
In this spot, sleeping on bare rock, she remained for fifteen years. One day Brochwel Ysgythrog, Prince of Powys, was hunting and in pursuit of a hare, when the hare escaped into a thicket, and took refuge under the robe of a virgin of great beauty (Melangell). She faced and drove back the hounds. The huntsman then put his horn to his lips, and there it stuck as if glued. The prince at once granted a parcel of land to Melangell, to serve as a sanctuary.
There she founded a community of women, serving as abbess for thirty-seven years. She lived in a cell which still remains, though somewhat altered, at the east end of the church. She was buried in the church, which was after her death called Pennant Melangell.
Melangell is considered the patroness of hares, which are termed her lambs. Until last century so strong a superstition prevailed that no person would kill a hare in the parish; and even later, when a hare was pursued by dogs, it was believed that if any one cried "God and Melangell be with thee," it would surely escape..jpg)
Patron Saint of Caledon and our Guvnah indeed!!
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