Loch Avie to Host Second Annual Snowflake Ball

In this time of reflection and of looking into the future, it is with great pleasure that I announce the upcoming Snowflake Ball to be held in and out of the gorgeous conservatory building created particularly for me by Mr. TotalLunar Eclipse.

However, as I have been planning the event, I have also been talking to friends about last year's ball hosted by Her Grace, Shenlei Flasheart in the relatively new Duchy of Loch Avie. While I found my old chat log, which was a great late night read this past week (many of our European citizens stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to dance with us; Hotspur O'Toole made his Caledon debut thanks to Colonel Somme; the Moodys were there in all their amphibian glory; and the Royal Society staff were happily twittering away about the Loch's newly found each beatha as we had just completed a study of her, which was recently published in our first edition Proceedings), I have not been able to locate any photos from that night. However, Lady Kate came to my rescue in this regard and supplied me with three nice pictures to help us remember.

The lovely locale

The Honourable Kate Nicholas (not yet Grafinya) and Mr. Edward Pearse (not yet knighted, nor Lord Primbroke) dance in the foreground.

Miss Kate and I (not yet a Peer) dance as we chat with our friends.

While the Loch has hosted many wonderful events over the last 15 months, this event holds a special place in my heart. I truly look forward to a grand gathering of friends as we continue to celebrate the Season in Caledon.

Thanksgiving Formal Ball - Another in the Caledon Social Season Series

What a grand success in my estimation!

Lady Kirawill Collingwood, Baroness Bardhaven, Marquessa East Speirling, was gracious enough to accept my invitation to co-host this event on rather short notice last week. Over the course of three days or so, she helped me plan for the event and prepare the Loch for the ball. My sincere thanks go to her. Now, Lady Kirawill--imagine what we could do if we had a whole week to plan something together! *smiles widely*

I also must send my thanks to Edwina Heron, His Grace Murdann, and to Mitsu Figaro for assisting with the group announcements, making the music happen on such short notice, and for advice and assistance with a few other technical issues.

This being an official event of the Social Season, it was formal, and dancing was planned with notecards. The movement between partners seemed to happen quite smoothly and I was pleased.

I did not, however, bring Taigh Róis out of the mist for the event. Instead we created a dancing venue under the stars, and the effect was quite lovely.

Comments were heard about this dance feeling much as the balls of the early days in Caledon. I took that as a very high compliment indeed. All comers were gracious, beautifully attired, and of course, the debutantes were as lovely as could be. The conversations were most interesting and varied. And surprisingly, though the sim hosted over 40 people throughout most of the event, there was not a griefer to be found. We did have a few visitors fly over out of curiosity, but no problems at all. And the sim held very well.

Our beautiful setting in Loch Avie. A view of the ball at the mid-point in the evening.

Newlyweds, Lady Kintyre and Sir ZenMondo Wormser enjoying the dance floor together.

Colonel Hotspur O'Toole, and Miss Frequency Picnic trip the light fantastic.

Here I dance with Mr. Iason Hassanov, who quite literally swept me off my feet.

Lancer, Mr Gryffin Hax, and Miss Messmer enjoy a slow dance together.

Mr. Expedition Offcourse and Miss Diamanda Gustafson

Dancing with Mr. O'Toole as the revelers continue to arrive.

I was thrilled that Mr. TotalLunar Eclipse arrived from Steelhead and joined us for part of the ball.

The now famous Waltz-Jig with Lady Darkling. We kicked off our shoes under all those skirts and felt the cool marble on our toes as we thoroughly enjoyed the bagpipes playing.

View from 1500 meters. (OK - so I took a little liberty there with the distance - but you get the point.)

Lord Primbroke - I think he must have been pining for his Lady. She should return soon, sir. Chin up.

A lovely tango with Sir ZenMondo. His wife can be seen dancing with Miss Lane (one of our debutantes this season) in the background.

Dancing with my cousin, Her Grace Carntaigh (foreground). We are happy that she has returned to us from that strange place called Hollywood.

And finally - My dear friend and co-host for the evening, Lady Kirawill, and I waltzed in our Caledonian colors as we plotted future grand events together.

So many events - so little time to blog (Part the first)

Once again I find myself in the position of needing to play catch-up with my narrative and pictoral evidence of a second life being lived to the fullest. I am most fortunate to have so many friends and neighbors with whom I enjoy spending time, both within Caledon and without. Confession, they say, is good for the soul; therefore, let me confess that I have not been spending nearly enough time on the final builds and textures on my manse. I MUST FINISH THIS BUILD and get the house down to ground level! And I would like to do that soon. Perhaps I will be able to complete this task within the next week. I really must call upon Kate. With her help, I should be able to get things completed and the house planted on terra firma, although the furnishings will be sparse.

The human behind this avatar will be traveling much over the next several weeks with no guarantee of a portal into this world (Gah!) so I really do need to get cracking.

At any rate, this will be a lengthy post as I try to provide a little narration for each picture displayed. Thank you for indulging me. Where there have been related posts created on other favorite blogs, I will also provide a link.

**THE LAST BALL OF THE CALEDON SOCIAL SEASON


Arriving somewhat late due to RL circumstances, I was pleased that the dance cards were not all full, and that a few gentlemen still had some dances available. Here I dance with the very romantic, Mr JJ Drinkwater, who suggested that we might dance outside the ballroom in the lovely garden. Sadly the dance was all too short, but wonderful, and the conversation was grand.


My next dance was with the handsome Major Erasmus Margulis. He was a delightful dance partner as always.


The Duchess Carntaigh and I bid farewell to our guests at the end of the evening along with Sir Red Caliber, who was a fine DJ for this last ball of the Season.

**GOD SAVE QUEEN VICTORIA - Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday at Sir Edward Pearse and Christine McAllister's home


One last play of the organ in the chapel of the (now closed) Dickens sim, then off to the party.


The ever charming and handsome, Mr Exrex Somme, invited me to the first dance of the evening after our fine tour of the beautiful home that Edward and Christine have made together.


Dancing in the garden of Davaar.




The talented, Sir Red Caliber dances with me even as he prepares to DJ a portion of the event....giving it his best Canadian spin....and changing the pace of the music quite a lot.


(in the foreground) Sir Edward speaks with Ms Virrginia Tombola


Dancing to the up tempo songs chosen by Sir Red.


The lovely Ms Qli Project joining in on the party.


Gettin' jiggy wit' it! (My apologies to Her Majesty. I could not resist.)

More information and photos may be found at Sir Edward's site.


***DUEL - HAIKU THE WEAPON OF CHOICE!

The story posted in other blogs that I have seen indicates that there is no memory of the insult which occured at Kate's Rez Day Party causing Mr JJ Drinkwater and Mr Exrex Somme to challenge and be challenged to this unusual duel. I have a very distinct memory of it, but in the event that neither gentleman actually wishes to see it posted for all to read, I shall refrain from divulging any more information at this time.


The crowd assembled for the Relay for Life Dueling event.


Mr Drinkwater looking very cool under pressure.


Mr Drinkwater's second, Sir ZenMondo, announces the judges of the Haiku competition.


Colonel O'Toole as Colonel Somme's very fine second.


The lovely Ms Shylah Garmes as chief judge and documentarian of the event.

My dear Colonel Somme - someone has snatched your photo from my album! I am so sorry that this post does not include a proper picture of your handsome self looking cool and confident as you waged fine Haiku war (for life) with Mr Drinkwater. I shall endeavor to make it up to you sir.

More information may be found here.