Music, Dancing, Laughter, Haggification - Everything a Great Ceilidh Should Be

Hosting a Highland Gathering of sorts had been something that I wanted to do since I moved into the Loch so many months ago now. The concept had been brewing in my mind. Always that concept involved music and dancing and (hopefully) fun for as many residents of Caledon, and friends from all over, as we could pack into the sim.

Closing the Harvest Festival with this event was an added bonus for me. Being part of something that the larger collective of Caledon and Steelhead is a powerful thing. At one point Loch Avie hosted over 40 avatars in the sky-arena-become-dance-pavilion. Loch Avie held up very well indeed.



Music was provided by Lord Primbroke, who is also a member of my clan. Despite some technical difficulties on his end, and that he was stitching up the last hem on Baron Wulfenbach's custom kilt until the last possible minute, he supplied the gathering with WONDERFUL Scots and Celtic tunes...as well as some fantastic dance music, which happened to have some connection to Scotland.
Buidheachas, mo charaid!

Lady Primbroke and her brother, TotalLunar Eclipse.
I nearly fainted away (and no my corset was not laced too tightly) at the sight of Lunar in a kilt. I never thought I would see the day! Lunar - thank you, my friend. Your presence in my homeland was valued and most appreciated.

The Bellambi Bustle Bump - the latest Bellambi Clan dance - must be done in the family tartan. With Lady Primbroke.

The view from above - fairly early in the evening

Miss Cornelia Rothschild looking particularly beautiful.

Lady Autopilotpatty and Duke Regent Kintyre (Erasmus Margulis) enjoying the festivities together.

The Графиня (Grafinya), Lady Kate Nicholas shows off the Clan Tartan

A trifecta of Ducal Dance: Cymru, Murdann, and Loch Avie

Clan Bellambi represents - (above, l-r) Lady Christine, Hotspur O'Toole, Lady Kate, Loch Avie

As the evening progressed it seemed only appropriate to reflect on the day....

Caber Tossing.....

Academy of Arms Tournament....that brought out the Warrior Duchess and the gents recalled that most do not fight on the sands with shirts and coats on.

Of course no party is complete without a visit from the Daleks. They didn't want to miss out on the battles.

And George, my newly tamed, wild haggis (ah! So that's what haggification is) came out to visit despite the fact that domesticated haggi had been boiled and roasted earlier in the day. I could never eat George, though. "I'll love him and hug him and call him my own."

We danced into the wee hours of the morning. Such a bonny day!

And the end to a wonderful week in Steelhead and Caledon.

Tournament of the Loch Avie Academy of Arms

The second major event of the Highland Fling was the Tournament of the Loch Avie Academy of Arms. Sir Telemachus took care of the details of the tournament itself - signing the combatants, determining the matches, setting the rules, and then emceeing and refereeing the event.

I was thrilled to rez the Loch Avie Sky Arena (which may yet get a gælic name) high above the loch itself. The arena had been created just for me as a possible venue for the Tournament for Life, which we held as a demonstration event and fundraiser for the Relay for Life several months ago now. Ultimately we chose another arena for that event. But the Sky Arena is now the official tournament field for the Academy of Arms. (Makes a very fine party/dancing space as well. This will be demonstrated in the very next post.)

Greeting the very first arrivals to the arena
Sir Telemachus, Miss Diamanda Gustafson, Miss Kashi Babii, His Grace Cymru.

Miss Laval prepares to battle Miss Gustafson

Battle number one went to Miss Gustafson.

A nice crowd gathers in the Loch Avie Sky Arena

Miss Poppy was paired against her love, the Duke Regent of Kintyre. To the surprise of most, he indeed did fight to win and defeated Miss Poppy in the second match.

Two members of my clan battle in match number 3. Mr. O'Toole defeated Sir ZenMondo.

Miss Babii readies herself for battle (against her father).

The battle begins - Cymru against his own daughter. Miss Babii took the match

The FINAL battle was between Miss Gustafson and Miss Babii. Miss Gustafson prevailed! She is now the Highland Fling's first champion.

Sir Telemachus announces the winner: Miss Diamanda Gustafson.

The Battle Royale begins - all comers are welcome to battle during these times.

(left to right) Miss Babii, Sir ZenMondo, Lord Primbroke, Sir Telemachus, Mr. O'toole.

The final four of the Battle Royale.

My thanks to all who participated in this event, and to those who continue to spar and practice - awaiting the next time. A reminder that the weapons system is free to all who desire to use it.

And the Tossing Champion Is......

The 1st Annual Highland Fling Caber Tossing Champion Trophy
created by Professor Alfonso Avalanche

Loch Avie saw the first Highland Fling Caber Toss Competition this past Saturday afternoon. It was a grand event, very well attended and with some very skilled competitors.

When I first thought of hosting a Highland Games event, I knew that we MUST have caber toss. There is very little else that represents traditional Scots competition than this. Having not heard of any caber events in SL prior to this one, I contacted my good friend, Professor Alfonso Avalanche. The Professor and I discussed exactly what I was looking for, and after he returned from some well-deserved time away, he began work on the prototype of the caber and competition meter. I happily tried the device out one day in the Loch - and it worked beautifully. A perfect and simple to use device, which allows one to toss the caber when in mouse look. The meter judges how straight the caber is tossed (on a north/south axis), distance, and straightness, and scores each toss from 0-1000.

Mr. O'Toole at the line for his first throw.


Mr. Exrex Somme awaits his turn at the toss as Baron Wulfenbach looks on.

There were some very skilled tossers in the match. In the final round, 3 tough competitors were in a toss-off as they were tied at 988. Baron Wulfenbach, Mr. Hotspur O'Toole, and Mr. Roy Smashcan.

The Baron's final toss.

Mr. Roy Smashcan makes his final attempt

At the end of the competition it was Mr. Hotspur O'Toole with a nearly perfect score of 999, who took home the trophy.

Slainte, sir! Well done!

OOC - A few words about Boobie-Thon

This annual event showcases female and male bloggers showing their (covered and uncovered) breasts in order to raise money for charity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please check back in the upcoming days for more information and news about this years event.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Boobie-Thon will run from October 1, 2007-October 8, 2007. The main page houses covered breasts and is free for all to view. For at least a $50.00 donation one may enter the "pay per boobie" site, which includes the uncovered breasts that many will submit.

I, the typist behind Eva Bellambi, have been a past participant in the event, and will be participating again this year. In fact I have just submitted my photos for posting.

I encourage all of you to donate for this cause, whether by viewing the breasts of those who support this particular event, or by choosing to donate elsewhere. I also want to ensure that we are all reminded to, Feel Your Boobies as the ad campaign says. Perform self breast exams at least once per month, and discuss any changes with your doctor.

Be safe and well!

We're Off to See the Wizard...

the Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

If ever oh ever a Wiz there was....because because because because because

I dropped into the dance about midway through. But it was great fun! These pictures are likely more than I could possibly offer in words.

Enjoy!

Mr. Exrex Somme as the Scarecrow.

Tensai's flying monkey. Brilliant!!

The Emerald City Duo - Lord and Lady Primbroke

Aza Zymurgy as the scariest scarecrow of them all.

The Tin Man (Hotspur O'Toole) and his other self (Frequency Picnic as Hank the Farm Hand)salsa their way across to the Great Oz

GAH! IM Storm!?! NO! Just a couple of twisters! (Frequency and Hotspur)

"We have cows!"

Even in Oz the Daleks come out to fight when Dr. Who is played.

(yours truly) Loch Avie as the Glenda the Good Witch.

After the dance, I returned to Loch Avie to prepare for the Highland Fling. As I stepped onto the sands of the newly placed sky arena, His Grace, Garnlihotep Abel and Sir Telemachus Dean joined me to take the tour. Soon I decided to change out of my costune and into something much more practical. And then it just got silly as Lord Greystoke (Gnarli) handed out some Gnarlikitties for us to ride and even to shoot each other while on. Good SL fun. Tee Hee.



Before change out of costume.


After


On the Gnarlikitty. Woot!

Maritime Races, Poetry, and Butterfly Hunts

In truth, though Lady Kate and I enjoyed breakfast together the day after the Highland Fling when she unexpectedly dropped by to help with some of the clean up duties, the real reason that the events of the week and weekend have gone without mention in my blog for so long is that my typist decided to spend all afternoon and evening at the local Renaissance Faire. What a wonderful event! This was Scottish Weekend at the Faire. How very appropriate. (But more on that later - perhaps with pictures - we'll see.)

So now I see here reflecting happily on the events of the latter part of last week. All in all the Harvest Festival was a huge success in my estimation. As the life of my typist does actually have to come first before my own, I did not nearly attend all of the events that Harvest Festival had to offer. Here are a couple of them presented alongside some poetry that came my way this week.

The Firth of Caledon was certainly the scene of much activity this last week. I was fortunate to be invited to join His Grace, Otenth Paderborn, Duke of Murdann on the sky platform over the start/finish line. The company of citizens gathered there was most convivial, and the races quite exciting. All in all a very good event.

The Hunley - Mr. O'Toole's entry in the steam race

Lord Primbroke's Steamray - Winner of the steam race. (Being followed by Mr Expedition Offcourse's new airship.)

On Wednesday evening, the Loch hosted a Butterfly Hunt. The butterflies were either filled with jewelry by Random Calliope, or were decoys. Guest began arriving at just before 7pm anxiously awaiting the race for the jewels. While we had a good number of Caledonians and Steelheadians (??) present for this, I have estimated that over 60% of those in attendance were from other sims. Mr Calliope does draw a crowd! And I heard more than one person exclaim what a wonderful sim Caledon Loch Avie is....and taht they should go explore more of Caledon/Steelhead. Hurray! Just the effect we hoped for.
Sadly, I was actually called away from my own event a couple of times due to RL needs, but even when I slipped away for good, the folks hunting the butterflies seemed to feel unoffended as they scoured the Loch. *smiles happily*

And now a little poetry:

George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron. 1788–1824

She walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that 's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!


W.B. Yeats (1865–1939). Responsibilities and Other Poems. 1916.

The Mountain Tomb

Pour wine and dance if Manhood still have pride
Bring roses if the rose be yet in bloom;
The cataract smokes upon the mountain side,
Our Father Rosicross is in his tomb.

Pull down the blinds, bring fiddle and clarionet
That there be no foot silent in the room
Nor mouth from kissing, nor from wine unwet;
Our Father Rosicross is in his tomb.

In vain, in vain; the cataract still cries
The everlasting taper lights the gloom;
All wisdom shut into his onyx eyes
Our Father Rosicross sleeps in his tomb.


W.B. Yeats (1865–1939). The Wild Swans at Coole. 1919.

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 country 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
In balance with this life, this death.


W.B. Yeats (1865–1939). The Wild Swans at Coole. 1919.

The Wild Swans at Coole

THE TREES are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine and fifty swans.
The nineteenth Autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings.
I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,
And now my heart is sore.
All’s changed since I, hearing at twilight,
The first time on this shore,
The bell-beat of their wings above my head,
Trod with a lighter tread.
Unwearied still, lover by lover,
They paddle in the cold,
Companionable streams or climb the air;
Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.
But now they drift on the still water
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake’s edge or pool
Delight men’s eyes, when I awake some day
To find they have flown away?

Wonderful Last Few Days of the Harvest Festival

Sitting here in the breakfast room with Lady Kate Nicholas this morning drinking strong Italian coffee and eating scones and blackberries, I blearily stare at all the pictures from the last few days.

Butterfly Hunt
Caber Toss
Maritime Races
Wizard of Oz Dance in Steelhead
Loch Avie Academy of Arms Weapons Contest
Cielidh
(and there were so many more that I could not attend)

Well Lady Kate and I decided that we would run through the photos sometime today. Then I can take time to fully write in my journal. But perhaps a nap first......