A New Addition to the Caledon Library

I am in receipt of an advanced copy of the newest edition of etiquette references for the Caledon Library. This particular selection will be housed in the Caledon Library Special Collections Branch in Tanglewood. I am sure this will come in handy for all those late night occasions, so please be sure to ask you nearest Reference Librarian to pull this one from the stacks for you.



Following is an excerpt from the contents page as was provided to me by the editor:

Colonel Somme's Caledon Compendium of Correct Behavior for All
Occasions: Chapter 14: What to Say to a Naked Duchess.
Section a: When Raving
1. In Caledon
2. Outside Caledon
Section b: When covered in mud
Section c: Aboard ship or in a dirigible

Happy researching Caledon!

Message Received Cousin Kendra!!

Plans are well underway. Soon you will be free.

The Joys of Spring - Celtic Fertility Rites? or Raising Funds for Relay for Life?

I crawled out of bed this morning after much dancing and debauchery last night with a head that was not quite clear and vision that was slightly blurry. What is very clear, however, was that a grand time was had by all in attendance at the First (of many?) Naughty Duchess challenge in Caledon, and that many thousands of dollars were raised in the name of nudity and hedonistic pleasure - all for a good cause. Relay for Life.

Let me take you to the beginning of this story. It was not so long ago that many of us were in Coughton Court enjoying an impromptu ball-turned-rave. This event was chronicled in many places including this very publication. The idea of Drunken, Dancing, and Naughty Duchesses was first developed (publicly anyway) at this event. In Duchess Carntaigh's and my circle of friends, this concept has become a source of hilarious discussions and often of (not so subtle) inuendo.

As members of the peerage in Caledon, it is not often that we even have the time to think of such activities. Normally both of us are quite involved with the commuity, the war efforts, our various obligations and work. However, I will not try to deny that I remember precisely what happened last night. Nor will I deny enjoyment of it. Sadly this seems to have been done by Her Grace Carntaigh in Lord BardHaven's fine ætheric site. Does that automatically make me the winner for Naughtier Duchess in this round?

After doing some shopping and exploring on Friday night, I recalled that Steelhead was hosting a 70s Disco party. So I looked through the wardrobe and did my best to find something appropriate. Having done the best I could with this, I called for a tp and joined the impressive crowd.



It was at this event that the Sir Edward Pearse notified me that his Naughty Victorian group titles had changed for the Duchess Carntaigh and for Duchess Loch Avie. I changed my group to find that I was now titled, "Naughty Duchess". A laugh escaped me and the comments began to roll. Sir Edward - as a silver disco ball avi that I wish I had a snapshot of - mentioned that he thought he should have given Gabrielle the title of "Naughtier Duchess". I thought about that and said that I thought she and I were fairly evenly matched. Suddenly it was as if the gauntlet had been dropped....calls for a Naughty Duchess challenge were coming from everywhere in the crowd. It was quite amusing.

This brings us to the Ren Faire in Carntaigh yesterday evening. Many of us were standing about the event watching Exrex Somme and ZenMondo Wormser spar with swords, prim joust, and begin to look more eastern than Caledonian. We also admired the siege engine as it tossed many a Caledonian deep into the water around Carntaigh. Admiral O'Toole brought his newest airship to the event as well and had several, including the redoubtable Hermoine Pennyfeather, climb aboard her as we chatted. Eventually Duchess Riel and I were laughing about the very thought of a Naughty Duchess challenge. Shouts of "mud!" "jello!" and "chocolate pudding!" filled the air as did much laughter.

Gabrielle decided that she would love an impromtu rave at the faire grounds and so the plan was hatched. As the crowds gathered, we changed into more comfortable and revealing clothing. The music changed entirely...and fairly early on a few in the crowd began showing more flesh than we did. Most notable were Jabb3r and Ms Poppy.


The crowd assembles.

Funds were raised with the full support of our Relay For Life Captain, Lapin Paris. Both of us ended up in the dunking tank, which was most refreshing as several of our gentlemen friends were able to help us find our way, rather abruptly, into the water.


Here I am waiting for the inevitible while I taunt ZenMondo Wormser, Exrex Somme, Darien Mason, Hotspur O'Toole, and Edward Pearse. "You silly English Knnnnnnigggguts. Come back here and I will taunt you a second time-uh". (channeling Python there for a moment.....)

After these smaller events, which raised a fair amount of money for the Relay For Life, the bidding was opened for the Duchess Sandwich...for those who would be the meat of the sandwich...male, female, furry, demon....all given equal opportunity to give generously for our noble cause. At the end of the bidding, Mr ZenMondo Wormser was victorious and donated the stunning sum of 6000L for cancer care and research. Well done sir! And now his reward.....


The infamous Duchess Sandwich with ZenMondo the winning bidder...and the very fine meat to this sandwich.


The view from a demon's eyes (or a photo shot from Darien Mason's perspective)


Well this one rather speaks for itself doesn't it?

Others have reported on the events of the night, including my particular friends, Hotspur O'Toole and Lord BardHaven.

And now my thanks to all who have given so generously at ALL of the RFL events. And thanks to everyone who partied with us last night. Oh! So much fun!

Eva

Relay for Life, Fun at the Seashore, Building at the Loch, and Oh! So Much Fun at Coughton Court

Given the many events of the weekend, it is a wonder that I can even begin to write this brief journal entry. Let me try to reconstruct the events for you. As I continue in this missive, you will understand why my memory may also be cloudy about some of the events....

Saturday was lovely in Caledon. I found myself in the Loch fairly early in the day meeting with my dear friend, Lady Kate Nicholas. Not only is she the founder of the Royal Society for the Advancement of Natural Sciences, a fine scientist, a member of the Ducal Court, she is also a very fine architect and builder. We conferenced for some time about my vision for the manor house in the Loch. My thought, dear friends, is to create something from my Highlands home - a manor house based on the Fraser Castle. We developed a template for the build and together began placing the prims. I am still selecting textures for the exterior. Late Sunday afternoon we dropped the tower template into place on the Loch. The rest of the build "pad" remains in the sky for now.

Later in the afternoon on Saturday, I ventured over to assist Ms. Virrginia Tombola in set-up for her event at the Caledon-on-Sea Pier. She did a wonderful job with this event! Cheers to you, Virrginia!


Mr Aldo Stern was demonstrating remarkable strength and stamina as he stood on his hands for most of the afternoon at the beach. His lovely wife, Betty Doyle and several others of us looked on as we waded in the water.

As I returned to Caledon later in the day, I discovered that an impromptu ball was being held at Her Grace, Duchess of Carntaigh's Coughton Court. Of course I HAD to join in on the fun. I do love to dance and be with friends after all. Upon my arrival I found a crowd of beautifully dressed and graceful Caledonians and several friends. Shortly thereafter my wonderful friend, Colonel Exrex Somme invited me for a dance. Duchess Riel was dancing nearby with her guest, Adec Alexander.



We all danced so splendidly together that some joked that a new event for the Caledon Olympics should be, "Synchronized Duchess Dancing"

It was not long after our dance was completed, that Duchess Riel changed the tempo and mood of the event. We were all encouraged to get a bit more comfortable and join in as the music became very electronic - and very....well...driving.
The mood of the assembled crowd changed dramatically. I believe that I can safely say a GOOD time was had by all. I believe I shall let the following images speak for themselves for the most part.


Kate Nicholas really let the music take over as she and Colonel Somme danced near an object that was created just for her at my suggestion by Duchess Riel. (above)



Not wishing to be be outdone by Colonel Somme and Ms Nicholas, my dear friend, Mr O'Toole and I got in on the act. (above)



A sultry tango with Mr. ZenMondo Wormser. (above)



The excitement and wild abandon lasted well into the wee morning hours.


The next day it was, perhaps, a little difficult to arise from my bed. One really should remember that drinking and dancing well into the early morning can and does decrease one's ability to get moving several hours later. Oh well - I daresay that the sights and sounds of the "Drunken Duchesses" and the "Duchess Sandwich" *ahem* will not soon be forgotten. Even in Caledon, we do need to let our hair down every now and then.

Later in the afternoon I was most privileged to join the rest of the Caledon Relay for Life team and many other guests at Coughton Court for the Kickoff Event. Sadly the lag was so bad for me that day, that I captured no photographs of the beautiful event. But I am so pleased to report that over $15000L were raised to assist in the battle against cancers of all types. WONDERFUL!! Thanks to everyone for their continuing generosity. And do be on the lookout for more Relay events - including WAR. But more on that later....