My agents in New Babbage have been diligently sending reports to me about Dr. Oblensky's overthrow of Mayor Tenk's government (while he was away, mind you) for weeks now.
The mysterious telegraminitially seemed to have no connection to such activities, but once I began investigating it's origin and sender identity, it seemed obvious.
Jed Dagger had sent the telegram remotely from outside New Babbage. "Tell Papa to expect six guests for supper." She meant that she and some of her officers &/or sailors would be heading to Roatan, I suspect for shelter or assistance (I still don't know which). And Papa was the name that some of the sailors had taken to calling Commodore O'Toole (most simply called him The Old Man).
I had been in close contact with Desmond and Lunar regarding the intelligence that we were getting from Babbage so that both Caledon and Steelhead could be prepared to take whatever action the nations felt appropriate as conditions in Babbage changed. I had also been giving regular briefings to the Wrath officers. In fact I was just on my way to discuss the telegram with O'Toole and Somme when I heard the excitement on the docks. Commander Murakami and the Commodore were on deck with a young signalman who was was sending a message. I looked in the general direction that he was facing.
"Ah - I see the telegram had been delayed in transit. She's already here!"
I took off running, grabbing every seaman in my path to meet the Babbage exiles; to assist in the mooring of the boats, and to help with any medical needs that might be present since they had likely not been escorted genteely out of the port.
What more will Jed and her crew be able to tell us? What do they need?
**** (OOC)**** For detail on the kinds of intel that MI-5 has received in this growing story please do refer to the following sites for the work of some of the Steamlands' residents:
The Primgraph - there are many entries in this journal from various authors. The first entry in the series appears to be here by Beq Janus. The rest of them may be found in reverse order including the story which runs parallel with the entry above in The Primgraph.
The New Babbage Ning also carries many stories and announcements regarding this.
I was pleased to host an intimate event last evening in my new home - my ancient familial homelands. We celebrated Rabbie Burns' 250th Birthday with whisky, haggis, story-telling, and poetry reading. There was plenty of commentary, laughter, and good cheer.
I believe Rabbie would have been pleased to have joined us.
Many good stories and wonderful poems were shared. Here is but a sampling:
From Mr. Burns:
Address to a Haggis (Eva Bellambi)
Scotch Drink (Eva Bellambi)
A Tippling Ballad (Eva Bellambi)
Auld Rob Morris (Eva Bellambi)
Robert Bruce's March To Bannockburn (Eva Bellambi)
The Gloomy Night is Gath'ring Fast (Exrex Somme)
My Bonnie Mary (Exrex Somme)
Ever the generous soul, Mr. Somme was trying to assure my comfort. also known as the danger of multipose cushions. :p
Hotspur tells the King of Locahlin.....
The King of Locahlin and His Three Beautiful Daughters (Hotspur O'Toole) The Fool of the World and His Airship (Hotspur O'Toole)
Walking with Boudicca by C.Connelly (Eva Bellambi)
And finally:
[2009/01/25 20:56] AnnechenLowey: Reply From a Haggisby J. G. Farrell [2009/01/25 20:56] Eva Bellambi grins [2009/01/25 20:56] AnnechenLowey: O' Lady o' Skye, ye addressed me weel,Which so befits a hielan' chiel, And tho' like you I'm far fraehame, I sure achieved my share of fame. [2009/01/25 20:56] Kara Timtam raises an eyebrow. A talking haggis? [2009/01/25 20:56] AnnechenLowey: I never thocht I'd see the day,I'd grace a trencher doon this way, In the brawest club in (Winterfell) toon,Tho' mony a mile frae bonny Doon. [2009/01/25 20:56] Eva Bellambi smiles broadly [2009/01/25 20:56] Exrex Somme is Offline [2009/01/25 20:56] AnnechenLowey: Once fit for only rustic table,I now enjoy a five star label,No longer classed as peasant grubFor now I grace the Skye's table. [2009/01/25 20:57] AnnechenLowey: I'm sometimes scorned by snobbish folks,And the butt of corny jokes,Such folks and jokes are unco phony,Now I'm acclaimed by Egon Ronay. [2009/01/25 20:57] Eva Bellambi laughs and laughs [2009/01/25 20:57] Kara Timtam barks with laughter! [2009/01/25 20:57] AnnechenLowey: The Power who made mankind her care,Set me above all other fare,For Scotland's sake I'll keep this place,An' aye be Chieftain of the pudden' race. [2009/01/25 20:57] Nabila Nadir: ha! [2009/01/25 20:57] AnnechenLowey: So to all you Braw Scots lads & lassiesThat here tonight I see,Uphold auldScotias good fair name,And from me - "Bon Appetite" [2009/01/25 20:57] AnnechenLowey: ... [2009/01/25 20:57] Eva Bellambi: BRAVO!! [2009/01/25 20:57] Nabila Nadir: excellent! [2009/01/25 20:57] Kara Timtam: Haggis Abu! [2009/01/25 20:57] Eva Bellambi: Oh wonderful!!
Chatting with Mrs. Peterman at the end of the last poem.
Just before 2pm SLT on May 11th quite a grand gathering of folks began in Loch Avie for the 2nd Annual Compliments Duel to benefit of the SL Relay for Life. (Last year saw JJ Drinkwater and Colonel Exrex Somme battling in Haiku and in Compliments on two seperate occasions.)
This time the Duel would be carried out 600m above Nellie's Cove in Loch Avie. Announcements and SLURLs were sent out. Folks began teleporting to the telehub as well. Thanks to a friend of Mr. Drinkwater's and to Lt. Colonel Hotspur O'Toole for directing folks to the jello cube teleportation device, and thanks to Baron Wulfenbach and to Seneschal Serra Annansi for so kindly sending teleports to many of the folks who were unable to use the slurls or rapidly locate the pub tp device.
The Loch Avie skyplat was transformed into a Steampunk Outdoor Theatre. The platform itself was formed from copper, and two brass sentries stood 60 meters tall with axes drawn. Of course a fully equipped bar was available at the rear of the seating area. The stage for the event was based on the Hatch Shell along the Esplanade in Boston, MA in the United States, with textured with steel on the outside and parquet wood on the interior and flooring. The pièce de résistance, however, was the steampunk seating of the Glaubner Middlesea Theater that Lt. Colonel O'Toole worked so hard to create along with Miss Frequency Picnic. (The only danger to the cushioned steel mesh dome seats was to those in large hats, who had a devil of a time standing until Col. O'Toole shared the secret with the group.)
We had a bit of a scare when Mr. Drinkwater crashed and was unable to return for several minutes, but thankfully everyone seemed please to chat, tap dance and whatnot until he was able to reappear and the event could begin.
Judges were chosen by bids; the top 5 bidders "earned" the right to judge the contest.
Miss Safia Widdershins Baron Wulfenbach Miss Cornelia Rothschilds Miss Gloriana Maertens and YHN, Eva Bellambi
*The transcript that follows has been edited to remove much of the content; however, the full length of the compliments are included along with some of the crowd commentary to give those who were not there the flavor of the event. This is not a short read, but most enjoyable.*
The Rules were announced by me: [14:26] You: Ladies and Gentlemen - the rules of engagement for the event: [14:26] You: there will be 5 rounds of compliments.....the first determined by a coin toss by the senior judge [14:27] You: Each round - the audience may wish to show approval by applause and of course DONATIONS [14:27] You: and the judges will keep score privately.....on the quality of the compliments. [14:28] You: At the end of all 5 rounds the judges will inform the senior judge of their vote for winner, which will be announced at the end of our event [14:28] You: any questions? or anything that I have missed?
And thus Round 1 began after Mr. Drinkwater won the coin toss:
[14:34] JJ Drinkwater: At our last Duel, I began with a story about Somme...which I here recap, for those who have slept since then [14:34] Eva Bellambi grins [14:34] Shylah Garmes chuckles [14:34] JJ Drinkwater: It seems Colonel Somme died and went to Hell. He was met at the gate by Old Scratch himself...... [14:34] JJ Drinkwater: ...who most obligingly gave him the Dignitary's tour -- one prince to another, you know, but at the end .... [14:34] JJ Drinkwater: ....said "I am very sorry, Colonel, but you cannot stay." [14:35] JJ Drinkwater: Colonel Somme wished to know his reason, for surely a gentleman is welcome everywhere, he remarked. [14:35] JJ Drinkwater: The Devil concurred, but said, "I am worried about two things. [14:35] JJ Drinkwater: One is that your native virtue will undermine all my most infernal workings and put me out of business. [14:35] JJ Drinkwater: The other, is that you will make yourself quite at home, and show me up for a rank amatuer!" [14:35] JJ Drinkwater: In the intervening year, however..... [14:35] Exrex Somme chuckles [14:36] JJ Drinkwater: ..as I make it my busines to study all forms of excellence, I have thought much of my esteemed opponent [14:36] JJ Drinkwater: And I beleive I can condense that story somewhat [14:36] JJ Drinkwater: When a much admired Caledon Colonel [14:36] Entered chat range: Daisyblue Hefferman, Bryndal Ellison [14:37] JJ Drinkwater: Was consigned to the regions infernal [14:37] JJ Drinkwater: Old Scratch said "What, you? [14:37] JJ Drinkwater: "Somme, this really won't do. [14:37] JJ Drinkwater: "For you're rated with 'glory, eternal'."
[14:38] Exrex Somme: Your graces, lords and ladies, friends and my esteemed opponent, I should first of all like to thank you all for coming again [14:39] Exrex Somme: This duel is a highlight of year for me [14:39] Exrex Somme: And I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do [14:39] Exrex Somme: Now, as for my opponent [14:39] Hotspur Otoole: :-D [14:39] Exrex Somme: I should like to start by stating very clearly that Sir JJ is indeed a brick. [14:39] Riven Homewood: oh dear [14:39] Exrex Somme: I do not mean to imply that he is either square, or dense. [14:40] KlausWulfenbach Outlander chuckles [14:40] JJ Drinkwater studied the foundations, after all [14:40] Shylah Garmes perks an ear forward :) [14:40] Exrex Somme: Those ladies who have danced with him will certify the former is untrue, and anyone who has conversed with him will know that the later is unture as well [14:40] Riven Homewood: No one has ever accused Sir Jj of being a second story man [14:40] Exrex Somme: Nor do I refer to the Shakespearing "you blocks, you stones you worse than senseless things" [14:40] Gloriana Maertens murmurs, "He is many stories" [14:41] Eva Bellambi smiles [14:41] JJ Drinkwater: (that is because I knopw only one story, Miss Homewood) [14:41] Exrex Somme: Rather, it is because he is the keystone, as it were, of learning and culture in Caledon [14:41] Erasmus Margulis: hear him..hear him! [14:41] Riven Homewood: Huzzah! [14:41] Podruly Peccable: Ooooh, good one [14:41] Exrex Somme: His tireless work in building libraries, holding book discussion and inspiring learning in all forms [14:42] Exrex Somme: make him a veritable foundation of our fair state. [14:42] Kaye Robbiani: hear, hear! [14:42] Exrex Somme: Ladies and gentlemen, I nominate Sir JJ as the first official brick of Caledon
Round 2:
[14:43] You: Well done gents! Folks show your appreciation and drop some lindens into the kiosks [14:43] KlausWulfenbach Outlander applauds [14:43] JJ Drinkwater would almost be mortar-fied to make an answer [14:43] Otenth Paderborn applauds [14:43] You: And if you are so inclined, JJ, we are ready for round 2 [14:43] Rudolfo Woodget: well-done, Colonel [14:43] Shylah Garmes giggles [14:43] Serra Anansi groans [14:43] Exrex Somme: Go on, JJ, cement your reputation [14:44] Otenth Paderborn groans [14:44] Hotspur Otoole: I'm sure there's mortar come... [14:44] JJ Drinkwater: You have quite left me in the dust, sir, but I will not quite consider myself walled in [14:44] Eva Bellambi rolls her eyes and smirks [14:44] Exrex Somme: I look forward to more edificication, sir [14:44] JJ Drinkwater: We are speaking, then, of architecture.... [14:45] Shylah Garmes groans at all the puns :) [14:45] JJ Drinkwater: Of that which gives shape and sense to what are otherwise miscellaneous elements and materials [14:45] Exrex Somme: Sorry, no refunds :-) [14:46] JJ Drinkwater: If Caledon is an edifice, with the Guvnah as its architect...it s we who make the walls rise [14:47] Quinn Lanzius: Hear, hear! [14:48] JJ Drinkwater: And, that Caledon be a pleasant house, that we may better enjoy the masonry of our works and days...what is necessary but that it should be built in a spirit of generosity and civility? [14:49] Erasmus Margulis nods...true true [14:49] Eva Bellambi listens [14:49] JJ Drinkwater: And that, moreover, there be convivilaity and learning, such as the Colonel posesses, to let in the light? [14:50] JJ Drinkwater: Whenever I have the pleasure to speak to Somme, I feel I am given a window onto a more civilized, wider, and kinder world [14:50] Hotspur Otoole: As I'm sure he'll remind you repeatedly. :-D [14:50] Entered chat range: Searra Weatherwax, LittleToe Bartlett, Otenth Paderborn [14:51] JJ Drinkwater: And, as a house is but a dark and gloomy place with no windows...so I feel Caledon would be vastly dimmer, without my esteemed adversary here [14:51] Otenth Paderborn: bravo, sir! [14:51] Audrey Fotherington rings out her hanky once more [14:52] Eva Bellambi applauds [14:52] JJ Drinkwater: I therefore propse, that, for his infinitude of polite accomplishments, and all the other aspects of his character... [14:52] ShayLee Greenspan claps [14:52] JJ Drinkwater: Somme be henceforth known as the Foremost Pane of Caledon [14:52] Cornelia Rothschild giggles! [14:52] Exrex Somme chuckles [14:52] Eva Bellambi laughs and laughs [14:52] Gabrielle Riel applauds wildly [14:52] Shylah Garmes laughs and applauds!!!
[14:53] You: And how shall you respond to that, Colonel Pane? [14:53] Audrey Fotherington: :) [14:53] Exrex Somme: I thank your grace [14:53] Saffia Widdershins applauds [14:53] Gloriana Maertens murmurs, "A hit! A palapable hit!" [14:54] KlausWulfenbach Outlander wonders if Caledon will crack the L$1 million mark here [14:54] Exrex Somme: Sir JJ, you speak of "Of that which gives shape and sense to what are otherwise miscellaneous elements and materials" [14:54] Exrex Somme: I say to you that what gives shape to those things is knowledge, learning and erudition [14:54] Exrex Somme: Some may say that we military types are the guardians of our civilization, but I say them nay [14:55] Exrex Somme: I say that you librarians, the keepers of our knowledge and culture, are the guardians [14:55] Exrex Somme: Mounted on your stools, equiped with flashing ruler and polished pen nib [14:55] Exrex Somme: Charging under you mighty battle cry of "Shooooooosh" [14:56] KlausWulfenbach Outlander chuckles [14:56] Exrex Somme: It is you who fight back the forces of barbarism and ignorance, and help to shape our beloved Caledon into the wonderful place it has become. [14:56] Riven Homewood is waiting for the rimshot [14:57] Riven Homewood: but the trumpets were more appropriate [14:57] Exrex Somme: For you are truly correct, this place is built by its people, but without the forces of the Library Mounted Infantry, we should be as nothing amoung the states of world [14:58] Exrex Somme: And you sir, are the leader of that noble unit, and the very model of those we seek to emulate. [14:58] Desmond Shang is Online [14:58] Exrex Somme: Let us all yell a mighty "Shooooosh" in honour of brave Sir LL :-) [14:58] Exrex Somme shouts: Shooooooosh [14:58] KlausWulfenbach Outlander: Shoooooosh [14:58] Autopilotpatty Poppy: Shoooooooosh! [14:58] Quinn Lanzius: Shooooosh! [14:58] Cornelia Rothschild: Shoooosh! [14:58] Gloriana Maertens: Shoooooosh [14:58] You: Shooooooooosh! [14:58] Foxguards Henhouse: Shooosh! [14:58] Kaye Robbiani: Sir LL? [14:58] Otenth Paderborn: Shooooosh! [14:58] Zoe Connolly: Shooooooosh! [14:58] Rudolfo Woodget shouts: Shooooooosh! [14:58] Derry McMahon: shoooooosh! [14:58] ShayLee Greenspan: Shoooooooosh [14:58] Erasmus Margulis: Shooooooosh! [14:58] Podruly Peccable: Shush [14:58] Kaye Robbiani: Shoooooooosh! [14:58] Aberdon Enigma: Shoooooosh! [14:58] Audrey Fotherington: shhhhhh [14:58] Exrex Somme: er, Sir JJ [14:58] Riven Homewood: SHOOOOOOSH! [14:58] ZenMondo Wormser: Shoooooooooosh! [14:58] Saffia Widdershins: Shooooosh! [14:58] Eva Bellambi applauds [14:58] LadyStargazer Graves: shooosh [14:59] Galactic Baroque: SHOOOOOOSH! [14:59] Daisyblue Hefferman: Shooooooooooosh! from 1 libraria to another [14:59] Lavendar Beaumont: shooosh [14:59] Exrex Somme bows to his esteemed opponent [14:59] Riven Homewood: although to yell a shoosh is contrary to all library etiquette
[15:00] You shout: Ladies and Gentlemen - Team Caledon has passed 900,000 Lindens
*Much Rejoicing ensued along with challenges to hit 1 Million Lindens*
Round 3:
[15:01] Hotspur Otoole: Exrex,the Folks at Not Possible in Real Life have sent me to donate 1000L: THANK YOU NPIRL [15:01] You: JJ - when you are ready [15:01] JJ Drinkwater: It pleases my noble opponent to give me credit for fighting the battle of knowledge and literacy.... [15:01] Hotspur Otoole: which I will naturally put in your shako. [15:01] Hotspur Otoole: :-D [15:01] Exrex Somme: Please thank them, Otoole, profusely [15:02] KlausWulfenbach Outlander: Huzzah for NPIRL! [15:02] JJ Drinkwater: Ignoring the fact that he is himself a might warrior in that cause, as is known to all the librarians of Caledon from his tendency to, for instance, check out the entire History section at once [15:02] Barbara Schwarz: Watch out he's winding the watch of his wit, by and by it will strike [15:02] Hotspur Otoole: Done! [15:02] Exrex Somme switches hats for luck [15:03] JJ Drinkwater: But is it only we who have the privilege to serve literacy professionally who may be credited with fighting its battles? [15:03] JJ Drinkwater: I do not feel we may that with any certainty! [15:03] Gabrielle Riel swoons at the hat change [15:03] Cornelia Rothschild giggles at Her Grace. [15:04] JJ Drinkwater: Besides Somme's undoubted devotion to literacy, knowledge, & education...to which no mere praise of mine can do justice, I wish to priase his profession [15:04] Multi Gadget v1.54.1: Daisyblue Hefferman, Bryndal Ellison, Annechen Lowey [15:05] JJ Drinkwater: If I may, I will quote John Adams... [15:05] JJ Drinkwater: A soldier and ststeman, as is somme... [15:05] JJ Drinkwater: ..and a very devoted husband, as is Somme [15:05] JJ Drinkwater: Adams said, in a letter to his wife... [15:06] Exrex Somme bows to his opponent for that kind comment [15:06] You: smiles [15:06] JJ Drinkwater: "I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine." [15:07] Kaye Robbiani: well said! [15:07] Lavendar Beaumont: hazzah [15:07] Derry McMahon: so true! [15:07] JJ Drinkwater: Those who fight on the real battlefields of the world, that the more rarefied pursuits of life may have oportunity to thrive, are equally champinons in the cause of literacy [15:08] JJ Drinkwater: Such a one is Colonel Somme....as his wife, who has many times battled though his stacks of overdue library books, has every cause to know...just as Abigail did of John
[15:10] Exrex Somme: Well, Sir, you speak of the virtues martial, and I cannot disagree with your assesment, for to do so would be to denegrate my fellow Lancers [15:10] Derry McMahon thinks nothing is sheepish about himself [15:10] Gabrielle Riel whispers to Miss Rothschild: do you have any smelling salts..I feel....weak [15:11] Exrex Somme: And I have been known to take the occasional volume of Tacitcus, or a copy of Frederick the Great's instructions to his generals from your voluminous stacks [15:11] KlausWulfenbach Outlander hopes he's close enough to catch the Duchess if she swoons out of her seat [15:11] Cornelia Rothschild looks helplessly at the duchess Carntaigh. "I'm afraid not, as they don't help me when *I* swoon. Here, have my fan, though." [15:11] JJ Drinkwater: (getting a little personal there, Somme!) [15:11] You: Don't worry her hat will keep her in the seat [15:11] Exrex Somme: But you say what you say, Sir, whilst standing here in hessian boots, a uniform, and epaullets [15:12] Exrex Somme: And I think you yourself Sir represent the militant aspects of librarianism [15:12] Riven Homewood: The Librarians of Second Life have sent a $1500L donation for Sir JJ Thank You Librarians of Second Life [15:12] You: Huzzah! [15:12] Lavendar Beaumont: \M/YAY\M/ [15:12] Lavendar Beaumont: \o/ [15:12] Shylah Garmes: huzzah!!! [15:12] KlausWulfenbach Outlander applauds the Librarians [15:12] Exrex Somme: And while I may study certain parts of the library, you are indeed a master of all its component parts [15:13] Exrex Somme: All of the knowledge in our various libraries flows to you, and I think we can therefore safely nomination you as [15:13] Exrex Somme: wait for it [15:13] Exrex Somme: Caledon's Literary Sump [15:13] Derry McMahon waits eagerly! [15:13] DrBob Margulies is enjoying the hat duel [15:13] Shylah Garmes flicks her tal and giggles!! [15:13] Eva Bellambi applauds [15:13] KlausWulfenbach Outlander laughs [15:13] Saffia Widdershins laughs [15:13] Gloriana Maertens laughs [15:13] Autopilotpatty Poppy APPLAUDS!!!
[15:14] Riven Homewood: $300 from Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library in Cybrary City Thank you Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library! [15:15] KlausWulfenbach Outlander applauds the donation [15:15] You: Our total just keeps growing!! [15:15] Shylah Garmes: yay!! [15:15] You: 916,940L so far!!
Round 4:
[15:17] JJ Drinkwater: Well, sir, it seems we have wondered into domestic architecture, as a theme [15:18] Gabrielle Riel blows a chaste kiss to Mr. Woodget [15:18] Eva Bellambi places her rose top hat on in symbolic support of both gentlemen. [15:18] Riven Homewood greatly admires the concept of a chaste kiss [15:18] Hotspur Otoole: Humph, get 'em all the time.. Sigh [15:19] Gabrielle Riel can pull it off...really [15:19] JJ Drinkwater: And I would indeed speak of houses...for, with such persons as yourself to guard the physical and civil and literary well being of the state, we are all, as the saying is "as safe as houses" [15:20] JJ Drinkwater: Now, while you are the most modest of me, Colonel, I know you take no little pride in your HOuse, the illustrious House of Somme [15:20] Exrex Somme looks closely at JJ [15:20] Bellambi Estates - Uisge Beatha: Drink it in good health, Quinn Lanzius! [15:20] Bellambi Estates - Uisge Beatha: 43 yet left to pour. [15:20] JJ Drinkwater: And it is upon your family, and your antecedents, and those who have the happiness to be of your line, that I now wish to comment [15:21] Otenth Paderborn adjusts his seatbelt. [15:21] JJ Drinkwater: And as we have had mention of music, what better thing can I do but to nate that.... [15:21] JJ Drinkwater: That Illustrious family, the Sommes [15:21] JJ Drinkwater: Have weathered the storms and the calms [15:22] JJ Drinkwater: When Exrex appears [15:22] JJ Drinkwater: The inner ear hears [15:22] JJ Drinkwater: A fanfare, on sackbutts and shawms
[15:22] Desmond Shang shouts: yay! [15:23] Otenth Paderborn applauds. [15:23] Shylah Garmes applauds! [15:23] Gabrielle Riel: Des???? [15:23] Aberdon Enigma applauds! [15:23] Erasmus Margulis: I think what JJ just said was Somme men have it...others don't [15:23] Exrex Somme: I thank you for the compliment to my house and name [15:23] You: Ah the Guv snuck in on us [15:23] Saffia Widdershins applauds [15:23] Gabrielle Riel laughs [15:23] Gloriana Maertens applauds the Early Music references!
*Much lively celebrating of our illustrious Guvnah's presence ensued*
[15:24] Exrex Somme: The arrival of our esteemed Guv'nor allows me to give my opponent his due [15:24] Exrex Somme: He has referred very kindly to the honour of my house and for that i thank him [15:25] JJ Drinkwater admires the Colonels very fine taste in hats [15:25] Exrex Somme: I wish in return to speak of the house of Drinkwater [15:25] Exrex Somme: I suspect sir, that the name of your house reflects that it did indeed rise from humble circumstances [15:25] Exrex Somme: until its finest flowing in your [15:25] Exrex Somme: recent promotion to knighthood [15:26] Exrex Somme: For all of us know that honour and nobility are not earned, or given, but are recognized [15:26] Gabrielle Riel smiles [15:26] Exrex Somme: And your knighthood sir, is recognition from the Governor and people of Caledon of all that you have contributed [15:26] KlausWulfenbach Outlander: Well said. [15:26] Exrex Somme: and there can be no finer tribute than that [15:26] Shylah Garmes: very well said [15:26] Gloriana Maertens: Well said indeed [15:26] Exrex Somme: I would doff my hat to your Sir, if I thought i would stay in my hand :-) [15:27] Otenth Paderborn: Bravo, sir!
THE FINAL ROUND
[15:27] You: Ladies and Gentlemen - we have made it to the beginning of our last round! [15:27] You: Send those Lindens to the kiosks! [15:27] Saffia Widdershins applauds [15:28] You shout: We are at 919380L! [15:28] Gershom Wycliffe: title blue Go Duelists!!!!
[15:29] You: JJ - you may procede, sir [15:29] JJ Drinkwater takes a deep breath [15:29] JJ Drinkwater: I am so stunned by the Colonel's politesse, as well as by his hats, that I am, for the moment, at a loss for words [15:30] JJ Drinkwater pretends to think [15:30] Exrex Somme thinks that unlikely, to say the least [15:30] JJ Drinkwater: It is true, sir, that in a land of magnanimous spirit, as this, our Caledon, we rise as we are able [15:31] JJ Drinkwater: And yet, it is not only those who are poor who are honest, nor yet only those of humble origins who exemplify Nature's Nobility [15:32] JJ Drinkwater: And, as I have repeatedly said, here today and on many another ocassion [15:32] JJ Drinkwater: Your love of learning do you the most irreproachable credit [15:33] JJ Drinkwater: As I am at a loss for words, I think I must let pictures tell, in the main, my story.... [15:33] Exrex Somme looks nervous [15:33] You: oh my! [15:33] Lavendar Beaumont giggles softly [15:33] JJ Drinkwater: As you know, it is the custom of the Caledon library to name its brances and, when possible, its collections, after persons of note [15:34] Exrex Somme trusts he fellow lancers will cover his retreat [15:34] JJ Drinkwater: viz the Marie Curie and HG Wells memroial branches [15:34] QatanI Damdin is Online [15:34] JJ Drinkwater: And the Ellen Throckmorton Etiquette collection [15:35] JJ Drinkwater: Now, the glory of the Caledon library (second only to its patrons and supporters) is its collections [15:35] JJ Drinkwater: And when we went to name our Reference Collection [15:35] Exrex Somme blushes [15:35] Eva Bellambi begins to smile broadly [15:35] JJ Drinkwater: We felt that we must name it for someone of suitably compendious learning, and widespread intellectual curiosity [15:36] JJ Drinkwater: Which is why, sir, we could do no better that to create.... [15:37] Exrex Somme: Good lord [15:37] You: OH my!
[15:37] Gloriana Maertens gasps [15:37] Cornelia Rothschild: o_o [15:37] JJ Drinkwater: The Colonel Exrex Somme Reference Collection [15:37] Eva Bellambi applauds wildly! [15:37] Cornelia Rothschild: Oooh. [15:37] Kghia Gherardi applauds [15:37] Desmond Shang shouts: wah! [15:37] Lavendar Beaumont: Hazzah! [15:37] Kaye Robbiani: whooo hoooo! [15:37] You: Bravo JJ! Bravo Colonel Somme!! [15:38] Searra Weatherwax applauds [15:38] ShayLee Greenspan: Hoooo-ooo-oo-ooooooo!!!!!!! [15:38] Saffia Widdershins cheers [15:38] Gloriana Maertens applauds furiously [15:38] Autopilotpatty Poppy APPLAUDS!!! [15:38] JJ Drinkwater: IT is but a small tribute, sir, to your true desserts [15:38] Otenth Paderborn applauds with vigor. [15:38] Riven Homewood: WOW! [15:38] Cornelia Rothschild: That was obscenely flash. [15:38] Exrex Somme bows to his opponent [15:38] Hotspur Otoole: I would be quite undone. [15:38] KlausWulfenbach Outlander: Well said, Fraulein Rothschild. [15:38] Podruly Peccable: hooray!
[15:42] Exrex Somme: You have honoured me more than you can know by naming the reference collection after me, JJ [15:43] Otenth Paderborn bows to Miss Christensen and admires her hair. [15:43] Eva Bellambi smiles softly [15:43] Exrex Somme: Coming from one who I consider to be a living reference collection it is high praise indeed [15:43] Exrex Somme: But without your tireless efforts to build libraries, raise the level of our culture and our knowledge the names of the edifices would be for naught [15:44] Exrex Somme: So, in the paraphrased words of the immortal bard, if I may [15:44] Exrex Somme: And the Relay for Life shall ne'er go by From this day to the ending of the world [15:44] Exrex Somme: But bold librarians be rememberèd, Those few, those bookish few, that band of scribblers. [15:44] JJ Drinkwater as ever, tune his ear to the Colonel's words [15:44] Exrex Somme: For he today that duels with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so mild, [15:44] Exrex Somme: This day shall honour his condition. And gentlefolk in Caledon now abed [15:44] Exrex Somme: Shall weep for sorrow they were not here, And hold their lindens cheap, whiles any speaks That stood with us upon Saint Mamertus’ day. [15:45] Podruly Peccable: Hear him! [15:45] Exrex Somme: Ladies and Gentlemen [15:45] KlausWulfenbach Outlander applauds [15:45] Exrex Somme: There can be no finer title than that of Librarian of Caledon [15:45] Exrex Somme: I give you Sir JJ [15:45] Riven Homewood us awestruck [15:45] Callipygian Christensen applauds, both the speaker and the subject [15:45] Eva Bellambi applauds! [15:45] KlausWulfenbach Outlander applauds some more
15:46] You: Ladies and Gentlemen! [15:47] You: Colonel Somme and Sir JJ Drinkwater! [15:47] You: Another round of applause! [15:47] Desmond Shang shouts: yaaay! [15:47] Callipygian Christensen applauds and whistles in a most unladylike fashion [15:47] Kghia Gherardi applauds [15:47] Eva Bellambi claps [15:47] Erasmus Margulis: Hoooo! [15:47] Autopilotpatty Poppy APPLAUDS!!! [15:47] KlausWulfenbach Outlander gives a standing ovation [15:47] Phineas Messmer: Hoooo! [15:47] Autopilotpatty Poppy APPLAUDS!!! [15:47] Podruly Peccable: Hoooo! [15:47] Gloriana Maertens stands and applauds [15:47] Wildstar Beaumont claps enthusiastically [15:47] Exrex Somme: Thank you all for your donations ,and your applause [15:47] Zoe Connolly: Hoooo! [15:47] Gloriana Maertens: Hoooo! [15:47] JJ Drinkwater claps furiously for the Colonel, the People of Caledon, and the Great Cause of RFL [15:47] Annechen Lowey: Brilliant!!!!!! [15:47] You: Keep the lindens coming to the kiosks [15:47] Riven Homewood: HooOOOOHHH!!!!
*More and more applause and cheering as the votes were tallied*
[15:50] You shout: The votes are in! [15:51] JJ Drinkwater rummages for that Golden Apple he's had kicking around in the archives since who knows when [15:51] You shout: The voting is complete and the votes are Colonel Somme - 2, Sir JJ Drinkwater - 3. [15:51] Shylah Garmes cheers! [15:51] KlausWulfenbach Outlander: Oh, very close! [15:51] Exrex Somme bows to Sir JJ [15:51] Gloriana Maertens: Huzzah!!!! [15:51] Otenth Paderborn: Huzzah! [15:51] Autopilotpatty Poppy APPLAUDS!!! [15:51] Hotspur Otoole: huzzah! [15:51] ShayLee Greenspan claps [15:51] Serra Anansi beams [15:51] Cornelia Rothschild yays! [15:51] Diamanda Gustafson claps [15:51] Riven Homewood: Yea!! [15:51] You: Congratulations - Sir JJ! Compliments Duel 2.0 Champion! [15:51] KlausWulfenbach Outlander: Congratulations, Sir JJ! [15:51] Erasmus Margulis: Very Well Played Gentlemen [15:51] Kiralette Kelley roars happily [15:51] Wildstar Beaumont claps [15:51] JJ Drinkwater's jaw drops [15:51] Serra Anansi applauds wildly
Such a wonderful event! I am grateful for being permitted to, once again, allow Loch Avie to host the Compliments Duel. Thanks to all who attended, those who donated, and those who donated even in absentia.
Well done Sir JJ, and Colonel Somme!! Well done indeed!
**For those interested parties a small Youtube, which is merely a slideshow of pictures roughly along the timeline of the event, and the song of the evening.**
*stops singing suddenly realizing that this blog post is about Compliments, not Carmen.*
The stage is being set.....
JJ Drinkwater and Exrex Somme request the pleasure of your attendance (and your kind donation of Lindens to RFL) at their
Second Annual Compliments Duel Compliments Duel - The Return of the Backhanded Compliment
May 11th, 2008 2 PM SL Time
Caledon Loch Avie
The purpose of the duel, as it was last year, is to raise funds for the Relay for Life. Five Judgeships will be auctioned to the highest bidder - the first judgeship sold shall be the senior judge. The panel of Judges will determine the ultimate winner of the duel, based on such criteria as they determine. Her Grace of Loch Avie will conduct the auction, but she is also not precluded from bidding or being a judge.
Each of the duellists will pay their opponent five compliments, with the first passage du politesse determined by a coin flip made by the senior judge on the day. There is no restriction on the length, type, nature etc. of the compliments (although JJ is NOT allowed to bring a library with him to the duel).
Each Duellist will also have a tip jar present and we hope that you will donate if you like the turns of phrase produced. All proceeds from the sale of judgeships, tip jars etc. shall be paid into the Caledon Relay for Life Fund after the duel. You are also invited to cheer on your favourite, and appropriate witty comments from the audience are encouraged, nay, demanded.
In addition to the above, the office of Chevalier(e) du Politesse will be available (as all the best honorary offices traditionally are) to purchase, for the very reasonable price of L6,000. Holders of this office (in the Caledon Library Group) have the the right to display the title - "Politesse shines in", and are authorized to improve the level of polite discourse and courtesy within and without Caledon for the upcoming year
Hope to see you there. Bring Lindens!
I am now accepting bids for the position of judge for this event. Please feel free to send a notecard to me along with your bid, which will be due at the time of the event.
I have found myself, of late, reading a lot of Yeats. I have enjoyed a few of his poems for years, but am just now really becoming acquainted with the full scope of his life and his life's work. I find that I am enjoying tracing his life by the changing themes and tone of his poetry. Having found a number of very good biographical sites for Mr. Yeats here in the æther, I rather like the succinct nature of the following quote from the Nobel Lectures, Literature 1901-1967, Editor Horst Frenz, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1969.
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939) was born in Dublin. His father was a lawyer and a well-known portrait painter. Yeats was educated in London and in Dublin, but he spent his summers in the west of Ireland in the family's summer house at Connaught. The young Yeats was very much part of the fin de siècle in London; at the same time he was active in societies that attempted an Irish literary revival. His first volume of verse appeared in 1887, but in his earlier period his dramatic production outweighed his poetry both in bulk and in import. Together with Lady Gregory he founded the Irish Theatre, which was to become the Abbey Theatre, and served as its chief playwright until the movement was joined by John Synge. His plays usually treat Irish legends; they also reflect his fascination with mysticism and spiritualism. The Countess Cathleen (1892), The Land of Heart's Desire (1894), Cathleen ni Houlihan (1902), The King's Threshold (1904), and Deirdre (1907) are among the best known. After 1910, Yeats's dramatic art took a sharp turn toward a highly poetical, static, and esoteric style. His later plays were written for small audiences; they experiment with masks, dance, and music, and were profoundly influenced by the Japanese Noh plays. Although a convinced patriot, Yeats deplored the hatred and the bigotry of the Nationalist movement, and his poetry is full of moving protests against it. He was appointed to the Irish Senate in 1922. Yeats is one of the few writers whose greatest works were written after the award of the Nobel Prize. Whereas he received the Prize chiefly for his dramatic works, his significance today rests on his lyric achievement. His poetry, especially the volumes The Wild Swans at Coole (1919), Michael Robartes and the Dancer (1921), The Tower (1928), The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1933), and Last Poems and Plays (1940), made him one of the outstanding and most influential twentieth-century poets writing in English. His recurrent themes are the contrast of art and life, masks, cyclical theories of life (the symbol of the winding stairs), and the ideal of beauty and ceremony contrasting with the hubbub of modern life.
Although the bulk of his work was written after our particular time-frame of reference here in the Caledon of the 19th Century, the major themes and underlying struggles and joys are familiar to us.
In my previous post, I mentioned that my thoughts have been turning to romance (and spring) of late - and you will see some of that here - however, not all of the poetry I present for your enjoyment will fit that mold. These are just a sampling of what I have been reading; some have found particular personal meaning for me. Others have simply conjured brilliant images.
Enjoy.
MEN IMPROVE WITH THE YEARS
I am worn out with dreams; A weather-worn, marble triton Among the streams; And all day long I look Upon this lady's beauty As though I had found in a book A pictured beauty, pleased to have filled the eyes Or the discerning ears, Delighted to be but wise, For men improve with the years; And yet, and yet, Is this my dream, or the truth? O would that we had met When I had my burning youth! But I grow old among dreams, A weather-worn, marble triton Among the streams.
A man and his lady-fair. Colonel Exrex Somme and his bride, Callipygian Christiensen (From the RFL event in Loch Avie last season)
SOLOMON TO SHEBA
Sang Solomon to Sheba, And kissed her dusky face, 'All day long from mid-day We have talked in the one place, All day long from shadowless noon We have gone round and round In the narrow theme of love Like a old horse in a pound.'
To Solomon sang Sheba, Plated on his knees, 'If you had broached a matter That might the learned please, You had before the sun had thrown Our shadows on the ground Discovered that my thoughts, not it, Are but a narrow pound.'
Said Solomon to Sheba, And kissed her Arab eyes, 'There's not a man or woman Born under the skies Dare match in learning with us two, And all day long we have found There's not a thing but love can make The world a narrow pound.'
Eva as Sheba in her tent
ON WOMAN
May God be praised for woman That gives up all her mind, A man may find in no man A friendship of her kind That covers all he has brought As with her flesh and bone, Nor quarrels with a thought Because it is not her own.
Though pedantry denies, It's plain the Bible means That Solomon grew wise While talking with his queens, Yet never could, although They say he counted grass, Count all the praises due When Sheba was his lass, When she the iron wrought, or When from the smithy fire It shuddered in the water: Harshness of their desire That made them stretch and yawn, Pleasure that comes with sleep, Shudder that made them one. What else He give or keep God grant me -- no, not here, For I am not so bold To hope a thing so dear Now I am growing old, But when, if the tale's true, The Pestle of the moon That pounds up all anew Brings me to birth again -- To find what once I have known, Until I am driven mad, Sleep driven from my bed, By tenderness and care, Pity, an aching head, Gnashing of teeth, despair; And all because of some one Perverse creature of chance, And live like Solomon That Sheba led a dance.
Eva as Sheba awaiting Solomon "...pleasure that comes with sleep, shudder that made them one"
AN IRISH AIRMAN FORESEES HIS DEATH
I KNOW that I shall meet my fate Somewhere among the clouds above; Those that I fight I do not hate, Those that I guard I do not love; My county is Kiltartan Cross, My countrymen Kiltartan's poor, No likely end could bring them loss Or leave them happier than before. Nor law, nor duty bade me fight, Nor public men, nor cheering crowds, A lonely impulse of delight Drove to this tumult in the clouds; I balanced all, brought all to mind, The years to come seemed waste of breath, A waste of breath the years behind
Thank you to Colonel Hotspur O'Toole for the use of these photos previously posted in Hibernia on the Skids.
THE LOVER TELLS OF THE ROSE IN HIS HEART
All things uncomely and broken, all things worn out and old, The cry of a child by the roadway, the creak of a lum- bering cart, The heavy steps of the ploughman, splashing the wintry mould, Are wronging your image that blossoms a rose in the deeps of my heart.
The wrong of unshapely things is a wrong too great to be told; I hunger to build them anew and sit on a green knoll apart, With the earth and the sky and the water, re-made, like a casket of gold For my dreams of your image that blossoms a rose in the deeps of my heart. In balance with this life, this death.
Everyone needs a little holiday every now and then. So once the Snowflake Ball and the Burns Night events were done, I determined that I should get away for a little while and take a holiday. Rather than searching for warmer climates, I decided to take advantage of the cold and head to the mountains where I might find even cooler, more crisp air. And SNOW! I do love to ski.
Thankfully, the last minute details of ensuring that Loch Avie is cared for, and that the distillery, MI5, and the Academy training grounds are monitored came together quite nicely. Lady Kate Nicholas has volunteered to mind the distillery for me as well as tend to the day-to-day needs of Nellie and the Loch. She has been working on a water pumping and filtration system for the distillery anyway, so this seemed like not too much of an imposition on her.
Colonel Somme with his new Lancers riding gear.
Colonel Somme, Commanding Officer of the Caledon First Lancers, came by to offer his assistance, and I was pleased to take him up on it. He and Lt. Colonel O'Toole will assist by having the Lancers patrol the Loch on a little more frequent basis, and will ensure - along with Sir Telemachus - that the Academy training grounds are safe and maintained. I also have made arrangements with a few of my operatives to keep MI5 running smoothly in my absence.
Once I completed the details with Lady Kate and Colonel Somme, I had a little time to make my rounds and to wait on the water taxi, which would ferry me to the waiting airship.
I truly look forward to my time in the mountains. The beauty of them renews my soul as does that first run in the morning. That run in which my skis make the first tracks in the virgin snow, and all that may be heard is the schooshing of my skis, the soft falling of snow, and the sounds of nature.
a skiing poem by Jim Vaughn
The landscape, surrounded by whispers of snow, and the occasional glimmer of dancing sunlight, as it kisses the clouds.
Standing before me, beckoning me, like the siren’s call, of the ancient mariner.
Drawing me out, upon the steep pitch, coaxing me ever closer to the abyss of pleasure.
I ascend into the chute, careening like a bowling ball, thrown downward, bouncing, picking up speed by the second.
I stick my pole, deep into the virgin snow, which had yet to be tracked that day.
Feeling it sink, then suddenly take hold, I turn, and before my eyes, is the euphoric rush, of seeing nothing but the trees, entrenched into the rock wall, like centurions poised to repel attack.
The ski’s under my feet become weightless, I hang ever so delicately, in the sweet embrace of gravity.
I feel the air rushing around me, the kaleidoscope of colors, that once, was the rock wall, flashes by.
My eyes begin to focus, forever it seems, I’m free of the restraints that bind me to the earth.
Abruptly, my descent stops, jarred back into reality, my legs start pumping again, I slide into the next turn, and start the whole process over again.
Assembled in Port Caledon (Thanks to Lord Primbroke for use of this photograph.)
It was with great pride that I rode with the Caledon Lancers on Monday, September 10th, through the sims of the Independent State. The troops had not yet been reviewed by me, nor had they yet paraded past the citizens of our fair land until last night.
Colonel Somme and his second in command, Lt Colonel O'Toole chose the route with great care, yet despite the best planning the lag was a difficult obstacle to overcome. But overcome they did! Pride and perseverance moved them onward. There were nice crowds all along the way from Port Caledon to Loch Avie. The Lancers received the cheers and best wishes from all they passed.
The Lancers are: Colonel Exrex Somme Lt. Colonel Hotspur O'Toole Trooper Telemachus Dean Trooper Edward Pearse Trooper Diamanda Gustafson
I should like to have a few more pictures from this grand parade. Alas the temperament of SL did not permit such, for I was terribly out of uniform after my first crash of the evening. Let us say that the sponsor of the Lancers does NOT wear a sleeveless uniform jacket, nor does she permit her photograph to be taken with only part of her updo on her head.
However, once we were in Loch Avie and the cheers of the assembled masses died down, I was able to slip over to the distillery to compose myself.
Colonel Somme calls the troopers to attention.
Review and thanks by Loch Avie
Upon my return, the Lancers were called to attention in formation by Colonel Exrex Somme. Riding the ranks, I felt my heart swell with pride for this elite group of horsemen and women, who would - and often have - given their all for Caledon and Loch Avie.
(photo credit: Lord Primbroke)
At the end of the formal segment of the evening's festivities, we retired to the pub, where I served the first round of Uisge Beatha to all present. Many toasts later, the group settled into many discussions, jokes, and dancing. We even gained a new volunteer or two.
The (tasty?) little beastie.
Trooper Pearse (aka Lord Primbroke) even dared to show us the wild haggis he had captured that very day. He and I have been discussing the re-haggification of the Loch. I suspect we will need to ask Lady Kate of the Royal Society and my House, to provide an animal specialist to assist in this endeavor. They MUST have someone knowledgeable in the needs and ways of the wild haggis. (Poor little dear must have been scared half out of his wits as many of us discussed the finer points of cooking a haggis and particular haggis ingredients.)
At any rate - and despite, or perhaps because of - our silliness, I am honored to be the patron of the Caledon Lancers.
A couple of evenings ago I found myself walking in Caledon over near the Royal Society Offices in Tamrannoch. Suddenly I heard some laughter coming from the general direction of the Anvil. That being one of my favorite gathering places in all of Caledon, it was not a difficult decision to change the course of my evening walk in order to discover what friends might be assembled there. As I approached, I heard the familiar voices of Colonel Exrex Somme, and Mr Aldo Stern, the proprietor. Also there were a Miss Beaumont and a Mr. Merlin, both of whom were friends of Mr Stern from Renaissance Island. Mr. Merlin, though, is now the newest resident of Tamrannoch as well. The conversation, whisky, and ale were superb. As I learned more of what was being done at Renaissance Island, though, I realized that I was anxious to be on my way...to have a little exploration of the place. Mr. Stern and Miss Betty Doyle have been hard at work there (with several others) for some time now. And I was hearing that the results were quite dramatic...most impressive. Since Mr. Merlin had been so kind as to give me several landmarks for the place, I soon excused myself to take a tour. Dear Colonel Somme asked whether he might accompany me. I was happy for the company, and so we two friends set off for the waterfront in Renaissance Island.
We arrived and went straight to the docks to see the ship about which Mr. Stern was so pleased.
Colonel Somme informed me that the galleon had been retrofitted with many improvements by Mr. Stern. She is a most impressive ship.
I wonder how she would sail in the Loch....
After touring the ship, I followed Colonel Somme to the Globe Theatre. The build is exceptional! See for yourself.
Approach from the waterfront.
Interior of the Globe Theatre - view from near the stage.
Colonel Somme practices his lines:
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady, O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were! She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that? Her eye discourses; I will answer it. I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!
As one might imagine....I nearly swooned.
Standing on the stage balcony, Colonel Somme coached me on my lines...and we enjoyed the view. Duchess Loch Avie:
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name which is no part of thee Take all myself.
We agreed that we would truly enjoy seeing a production in this space. I wondered whether I might be able to use the space for some of my poetry readings or other artistic productions. Colonel Somme was kind enough to make some inquiries on my behalf. As we walked on to the Village Square,
we saw cute little brood of piglets in a kitchen yard.
Market Square
The builders of the island have incorporated many helpful notecards throughout. Here is an excerpt from the general information notecard.
...is one of the many Elizabethan communities with a growing merchant and tradesman class. Many of these people live and carry on business along the Lane of Tradesmen...a closely packed street of overhanging half-timbered mixed commercial/residential structures and some smaller workshops. As in many English towns of the period, a major part of local trade here involves cloth--many of these shops will offer something related to that business. On the back side of this is an open area fronted by workshops of craftsmen such as metal workers and smiths.
The dense placement of structures reflects the growing value of land. Many of the buildings incorporate walls and other elements of earlier structures (or sometimes the wall of a building next door). This is a reflection both of the practical, frugal nature of the tradesmen and merchants, and the fact that people have been occupying this site for centuries.
Further into the town is the market, a central paved public square, with the ancient market cross as its focal point (a monument at the foot of which monks once came to preach to the common people on market days). Around the square are arranged buildings that house businesses and homes of merchants, as well as a tavern, and a livestock pen and platform for calling auctions...
I look forward to further exploration as the sim continues to evolve. Thank you Colonel Somme for your safe escort and your wonderful company. And thanks to Mr. Stern and Mr Merlin for their hard work on the sim and for reminding me that I needed to make a visit.
Lady Chief of Clan Bellambi, The Lady of Skye -
Event planner; Estate Manager - Caledon; Distiller; Fellow of the Royal Society for the Advancement of Natural Sciences; Patron of the Order of the Red Rose; Patron of the Lancers of Skye; Intel Officer - Wrath Fleet; Head MI-5 -
Lover of romance, music, art, literature, and exploration
