What A Party!!

Memories of Santas & Shotguns



A Wicked Fun Time at Hotspur O'Toole's 3rd Rez Day party!! Many thanks to DJ Freq! for the fantastical playlist and to the Boys in the Backroom (Murakami and Huszar) for the Reindeer skeet shooting game. And thanks to everyone who join us for the silliness - you made the party what it was. :-D

Roller Disco, Man

After posing for some pictures for Boobie-Thon (images of me and Miss Serra to be seen at a later date :-D ) last night, I made my way to Steelhead and the Hobo Roller Disco Party hosted by Frequency Picnic and Hotspur O' Toole. It was a great time!

I went for a Farrah-like look (that was some BIG hair) and was surrounded by hobos, jaegers, furries, and other humanoids all dressed in flowers, swirls, and plaids. Lots of Afros to be found...but even more fun.

It was a pleasure to have the lovely Callipygian Christensen drop by towards the end of the night, too. I had not seen her in such a long time.

The Prodigal "Sister" Returns

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 telegram initially 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.

Jedburg Dagger's Journal - here and here.

A Caledonian Journey

And Hibernia on the Skids

We'll see you Thursday for the battle in Port Babbage - part of our Ironclad Melee series. 7:30pm SLT.

Burns Night Celebration - Isle of Skye

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] Annechen Lowey: Reply From a Haggis by J. G. Farrell
[2009/01/25 20:56] Eva Bellambi grins
[2009/01/25 20:56] Annechen Lowey: O' Lady o' Skye, ye addressed me weel, Which so befits a hielan' chiel,
And tho' like you I'm far frae hame,
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] Annechen Lowey: 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] Annechen Lowey: Once fit for only rustic table, I now enjoy a five star label, No longer classed as peasant grub For now I grace the Skye's table.
[2009/01/25 20:57] Annechen Lowey: 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] Annechen Lowey: 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] Annechen Lowey: So to all you Braw Scots lads & lassies That here tonight I see, Uphold auld Scotias good fair name, And from me - "Bon Appetite"
[2009/01/25 20:57] Annechen Lowey: ...
[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.

Sea Fever

A lovely undersea scene - in fitting tribute to my late Cousin Kendra.
Blake's Kendra

As has been reported in several other journals including ZATZAi, Hibernia, and a Caledonian Journey.

Today, I found myself over in Roatan checking the progress on the docks and the sea was so quiet and lovely, I pulled my Columbia out of storage and went for a sail.

It was truly wonderful - and I barely scratched the surface of the available water.

Heading out to Blake's Kendra past Breaker's Rock

The open sea!

Vast and beautiful water

Approaching Althorn Point

Dropping anchor at Althorn Point

Sunset at Althorn Point overlooking my boat

Back in Roatan

Sea Fever

by John Masefield

I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
All I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

And now...A fine post from Hotspur

As I have said in a few venues, I have not really had a chance to sit down and write for the last few days, but I have been able to catch up on some of my reading during lunch and whatnot.

Here is a very fine post regarding community development and psychology found in the pages of Hibernia on the Skids.

A Rez Day party of epic proportions

Gads! Put Exrex, Calli, and me on the case of a great Rez Day party and what do you get?

Avatars filling the Oceanside venue at Artificial Isle (Thanks again, Zatz!), folks from Caledon, Steelhead, Babbage, Anitquity, Winterfell, and several other sims. Hobos, NPIRL artists, Vicereines (who seem to enjoy caging Duchesses while they are away and moving them onto the stage with intent to orbit, but the stage did not cooperate- Hmph!), several Wrath Fleet members, and many others.

We had mud wrestling, water slides, swimming, dancing, fencing, joke telling, capture the flag (boats), and all around revelry. After the main party ended, there were enough folks who wanted to continue the fun that it was moved to Steelhead for another hour or so.

Thanks to all who assisted, and particularly Therese Slade and her wonderful music!

Happy 2nd Rez Day, Hotspur!

A Grand Celebration

Words cannot express how truly wonderful the event in Artificial Isle last night was (despite one very rude guest, who will be dealt with privately and with MI-5 tact, but deserves no more ætheric time here). After nearly one month of planning and work on the Military Winter Holiday Celebration, it was with great pleasure that I watched the magic of it unfold before my eyes last night.

I arrived in world about 45 minutes prior to the event announced start time and ensured that the grog had been adequately prepared by the officers assigned to such a chore. Really they do this with glee every time assuming that they will never be sentenced to such a thing. It was brilliantly sinister (zinfindel, whisky, rum, onion, sausages, meade, and several other unidentifiable ingredients).

I found when I arrived that ZATZAi and Hotspur were already there attending to various tasks before the guests arrived. The hall looked beautiful. Pray allow me to acknowledge the efforts of so many willing participants as this event was in the planning stages. Without their help, we would not have had the gorgeous setting.

• ZATZAi Asturias for asking us to host this event and for the use of his sim and amphitheatre; for creating a collaborative environment. He made working on this a true pleasure. He also provided the large tree, several presents, and furnishings.
  
• Kate Nicholas for allowing me to modify several of her textures for the walls of the venue, for making the fine tables and chairs as well as the parading animation.
  
• Kamilah Hauptmann for the grog mug and animation, Radslns Hutchence for the creation of the grog punch bowl.
  
• Christine McAllister for donation of cigars and brandy
  
• Ordinal Malaprop for the creation of the dinner roll thrower.
• Soliel Snook for her wonderful music program creation.

Of course none of the above would have mattered one whit without all of our guests and active participants (photos follow).

The ceremony was loosely based on the Military Dining In/Out ceremony. Adapting this to SL in a multisim/multi-branch military event was interesting. As I wrote the program, I carefully pulled what I could - what made sense - into our ceremony.

• President and Vice President of the Mess
• Honored guests
• Toasting which began with the countries and sovereigns or leaders represented.
• Limericks and grog
• Parading of the beef
• A guest speaker - telling a short story in this case
• Dancing and general frivolity after the smoking lamp was lit

Our President - Governor AngusGraham Caewlin
Mr. Vice - Commodore Hotspur O'Toole
Honored Guests - ZATZAi Asturias and Fanci Bebee from the United Sailing Sims
Honored Guests - Gregg Barrymore and Angel Magellan, Grand Duke and Duchess of Antiquity
Honored Guest - Kamilah Hauptmann, Vicereine of Caledon
Honored Guest - Sharrah Brendel, Baroness, Antiquity, partner of Governor Caewlin
Honored Guest and speaker - Breezy Carver of Babbage and Steelhead
Honored Guest - Commodore Scattered Sideways, Antiquity
Honored Guest - Colonel Exrex Somme, First Caledon Lancers - Loch Avie's Own
Honored Guest and Music Director - Soliel Snook, Marchioness of Bigglesford

Not only was the evening simply a pleasure, if very intense in management, but we met the goals we established at the outset with ZATZAi. We had a desire to bring several communities with like interests in naval and military activities together, building relationships and offering opportunities which are not always available to single RP or theme groups.

*smiles happily*

I do believe we did this.

This is only the first of many cross-sim events to come. Next? Story-telling and SPD ship battles.

See you there!!

Hosts and DJ confer

Guests begin to arrive

Angus and Sharrah arrive

A Room Full of Guests

Baron Wulfenbach and Miss Lowey of Europa (above)



The Grand Duke and Duchess enjoy themselves

The Head Table

ZATZAi and Fanci toasting

Our friends from the Prussian Navy, Antiquity

Colonel Somme parading the roast beef as per tradition

Alin Hendrassen takes his turn at the grog

Kamilah Hauptmann

The evening wanes as the last few couples remain on the dance floor

The Art of Story-Telling

October 30th provided opportunity to hear some very fine story-telling. Events were held in Caer Blanco and in Steelhead.

As previously reported in this journal, Baron BardHaven read 2 stories, which were broadcast to the audience via media stream with discussion before and after each reading. BardHaven's event was well attended and monies raised toward the medical clinic build. Those in attendance seemed to enjoy hearing the stories as the emotions were vocally conveyed well.




Then later in SLT, Steelhead hosted the continuation of their Spooky Story Festival with Hotspur O'Toole and Elgia Underwood mesmerizing us with their tales by Ambrose Bierce, Robert Howard, and Anatole France told both in text and voice. They were all well told and well received.




Grand fun. My typist called me away from the event at around Midnight so she could follow another story type that has really caught her attention. True Blood on HBO.

Tales of Fear

The event in Caer Blanco went very well last night, I am pleased to report. Our story-telling session led by Mr. Hotspur O'Toole was attended by a very enthusiastic audience. Maximum attendance was 17. Donations collected directly were over $8000L, unsure of others made in the kiosk near the teleportation site.

There were four stories told by Mr. O'Toole.
The Foundations of Our Traditions: a zombie invasion short story
The Tell Tale Heart: Poe's story of obsession and murder
The Bowmen: a story about a supernatural salvation
Dey Ain't No Ghosts: done in dialect,and edited for language

And now I shall let the story of the evening unfold through pictures.

Skusting Dagger and Breezy Carver from New Babbage along with Miss J. Dagger.

Miss Serafina Puchkina and Mr. Gatsby Szuster (foreground)

A motley crew: Miss Nabila Nadir, Colonel Exrex Somme, Eva, and Mr. Hotspur O'Toole

Miss CeAire DeCosta

Madame Bing, and Miss Quintessa

Master Jimmy Branagh, Mr. Mosseveno Tenk, and Dr. Augustus Dayafter

"Oooo. Did you hear that, Somme?"

Spinning the tale

The Ruins

The teller of the tales.

Thanks to Hotspur and to all who attended and were so generous with their hard earned (or purchased) Lindens.

Announcement of Three Special Events This Week - DATES CORRECTED

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