The Diary of a New Toulouse Entrepeneur

Sea Monster Discovered In Caledon Firth!!!

2009-01-28T02:04:00.000-08:00

While paying parcel rents today, I discovered a new creature roaming the Firth of Caledon! I flew in to investigate...for a few moments, the creature paused and made odd sounds of communication to me, and swam off! I must investigate further!

2007-11-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

I should suppose that after two months, it would only be proper that I write concerning the most important, life-changing event, that has ever occured to me in Second Life (or for that matter, real life)! That is, my marriage to the most wonderful woman I have ever met, Abigail Cordelia. Abi has deepened my life in so many ways. We have been married since September 25th, and amazingly, in the world of Second Life, were relationships tend to last on average about two weeks, our bond has gotten stronger each day. Every day with my Abi is a new adventure, as we journey through this Second Life together. Not only have we helped each other grow as individuals, but are we truly growing together as a couple! I thank God and Goddess for bringing this most amazing of ladies into my life, my brave Lioness, my dear wife, Abigail Cordelia! I can honestly say, that in all my years of life, I have NEVER been this much in love with someone, or love someone so deeply.

I love you, my wife!

Amber

A Victorian Web Comic

2007-11-28T18:23:00.000-08:00

First, my apologies to all for not having posted in quite a long while. I won't bore you with excuses or reasons, just know I am sorry.

Now, on to fun stuff. I have recently "discovered" web comics. I knew they were always out there, I just never bothered before to look at them. I have several favorites already, but one is of a particular interest to us Neo-Victorians. It is relatively new, as there are only 43 pages so far, so it won't take long to get up to speed in the story-line, which already is showing itself to be interesting (it's #1 on both Buzz Comix! and Top Web Comics), so that should be indicative that it has already created an interested public. It's called "The Phoenix Requiem" and is billed as "A Victorian fantasy story about faith, love, and a whole lot of ghosts." I invite my readership (if I even still have one), to visit the site at http://requiem.seraph-inn.com/ . Enjoy!

The Journey to…the Mysterious Island - Amber's Part The Fourth : Chapter One

2007-08-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

HOOOO! Finally finished the text! (I had to banish myself from SL temproarrily to do so!)

Rather disappointed in spilling my Uisge Beatha upon our unceremonius crash landing on Phillip. I shot a glare toward Gnarli's penguin, about to berate it. Observing it more closely, however, I quickly noticed its bloodshot eyes and ruddy beak. It was the penguin Gnarli gave me! I had been teaching it to drink during our trip, partly to amuse myself, and partly to keep it too drunk to make any amorous advances on me. I had learned early on that these penguins had more than a little curiosity of the female form, and so to keep it from creeping into my bed whilst I slept, I made sure it remained in an inebriated state. Inexplicably, it had escaped my room. While everybody started making a commotion about Kiralette being discovered on board, and had their attention elsewhere, I kicked another penguin in the direction of mine, successfully knocking mine off the ship and into the water, and leaving the other standing in the spot of the guilty. I wasn't about to get connected indirectly to the shipwreck. I was certain at least Darkling knew I was training the flightless fowl bad habits, and perhaps there were others as well.

Seeing that the decision had been made for as to where and when to come to shore, and as it was unlikely the ship would be leaving anytime soon (from my angle of view, I was positive that I saw a rather large piece of pumice embedded in the hull, though I could be wrong), I set about trying to locate Millie. I would need her to port all my belongings to the beach, as the penguin at this point was useless to the task. I could already see him stumbling down the beach, with a dazed demeanor, looking for only Goddess knows what. I located Millie in our cabin, muttering her usual Noster Paters and Avie Maria's, glaring fearfully at Braveheart/Persaon. He in turn was stretched out on the bed, totally unconcered at our fate, grinning and winking at Millie teasingly.

"I tell you, m'lady, that dog gives me the shivers! He's possesed by a Demon!" she rasped forcefully.

"A daemon, Millie", I corrected, knowing that the distinction was uselessly given, seeing the dull glaze of unfazed incomprehension in her semi-good eye as she stared back at me vacuously. I would have better success at teacheing the lecherous sailors on board the art of celibacy than trying to explain the concept of familiars to Millie.

"Never mind Braveheart, Millie," I mumbled while dismissively waving my hand, "we have more important things to which we must attend. Start packing our belongings and bring them to shore, and try to set up a decent camp."

"Aye, m'lady," she muttered, while giving Braveheart one last wary look. "I don't like this place," she continued, grumbling, "I had nightmares last night, of giant demon-rabbits."

Rolling my eyes at her, and curtly telling her to at least try to do the task correctly, I gathered up a parasol, hoping it might keep the ever-present ash out of my hair, and went seeking another bottle of liquor. As I could still hear Captain Jaques Sparrow cursing at his crew and arguing with Lord Bardhaven in the most flambouyant of manners above-decks, I ambled to the Captain's cabin, and with a light touch of magic, opened the primitive lock to his gaudy room, and acquired another bottle of his Port.

I disembarked the ship to a scene of chaos. Sailors and servants where everywhere, scurrying about setting up various tents and cabins. Lady Darkling was doing something, Goddess alone knows what, to some unfortunate (or maybe fortunate), sailor, lying on the sand. She looked rather preoccupied, so I thought it best to leave her be. The Duchesses were complaining about the sand in their shoes, but it was little bother to me. As partly Fey, I actually preferred to go barefoot. There is a special, magical connection to the earth going in such a manner. Finding a nice, shady coconut tree, I sat on the ground and leaned back, watching the goings-on. Bardhaven was setting him up a lawn chair with an big umbrella over it, observing everything keenly. Though he wore his sunglasses, and appeared to be snoozing, by the self-satisfied, barely noticiable smirk on his face, I knew his beady litle eyes were taking it all in. Captain Jaques Sparrow pranced about like some marionette controlled by Bacchus. The Duchesses were more concerned with setting up the grammaphone than their tent. Gnarli went wandering off in the jungle while Kiralette was "playing" with the fishies. For awhile quite a commotion was made when Dr. Oolon shooed away Lady Darkling from the sailor, and his fellows, giving Darkling frightened yet hateful glares, carried off the man, apparently passed out from strenuous "activities" with the Lady. Dr. Oolon exclaimed "Lepus Giganticus!", which created quite the buzz, and he, Miss Terry, and Lady Eva busied themselves with taking measurements of this depression in the beach. Whilst I am fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, and several other lesser known tongues, and knew that Lepus Giganticus meant giant rabbit, looking about and seeing none around, I went back to surreptitiously sipping the bottle of Port. Usually Dr. Oolon's usage of the ancient languages was always correctly used contextually, unlike Lord Bardhaven. I thought perhaps too much sun and ash made Dr. Oolon a little daft this particualr afternoon.

As the day wore on, I noticed Millie got the camp set up to a semblence of civility. I walked over, and drew a circle in the sand around the tent. Muttering a few Sidhe words and passing my hand over the circle, I was satisfied the shield would keep both ash and mosquitoes out of my temporary dwelling. I could hear music from the Duchesses' gramaphone coming from their tent, accompanied with their gigglings.

Dr. Oolon and Miss Terry were seting up strange devices around the camp. Goddess only knew what they were up to. Dr. Oolon at one point during the journey made a great to-do of being a Time Lord, what ever that was. Time was cruel enough a Mistress, without needing a Lord, too. He had any number of queer gadgets, which once he decided he though he should to explain to me. I tried feigning a glassy-eyed look at the time, to subtly hint that perhaps he should expound his toys to one more interested and youthfully guillible. He didn't get the point, and rambled on. I discovered that he seemed to take an almost sadistic pleasure in appearing intellectually superior to others. And while I was fully within the realm of conversing with said gentleman on any number of topics, I had more important projects on my mind at the time....strip solitaire with my Tarot deck (I am an unabashed narcissist), and a bottle of Uisge Beatha. So I was forced to cast a spell to strengthen the pull of his eyes to my bosom, which got him to sputtering and blushing, and then looking sheepishly at Miss Terry, he finally wandered off with her, thankfully. Actually, I think Miss Terry pretty much made him leave. I like the good Doctor, bless his heart, but one can only take so much discussion on Daleks. As far as I was concerned, Daleks were most interestting when they made an appearance at a Duchess Rave, during the "Rocking the Tardis" song set.

Lord Bardhaven continued to purview his little domain. Indeed, his self-styled moniker fit him well, the Ruffian King. Because all the ruffian sailors and servants kow-towed to him like some sort of demigod, eagerly seeking the scraps he threw to them. The better-bred ones treated him with at best uneasy mistrust, at worst, respectful disdain.

My little penguin finally returned to my tent, pushing with his feet a wrinkled looking cocount, and "hronking" at me plaintively. Bending over, I picked up the coconut, and immediately smelt why pengui was upset. The coconut milk within had fermented, and he couldn't open it. Cutting open the nut, I gave him half, while I drank from the other, the pilfered port being long finished. Within the tent, I could hear Millie praying for deliverance from evil in her patience-sapping rasp, while Braveheart/Persaon snored louldy in the corner.

All the while, I could feel within the ground this throbbing...this music. Not the music wafting from the Duschesses' hut. But from the island itself. It filled me with a need. I got up and looked around. Seeing that we had foolishly set up camp on the leeward side of the island, which caused the pervasive presence of ash everywhere, I decided I needed to find a place of solace. I started to walk in a clockwise direction following the beach. Everybody being involved in their own little activities, I wandered off with no one knowing the better. Little pengui followed me, hoping for more to drink. I grinned to myself, knowing I have well-trained this one to forget about feminine charms. As I passed by Captain Sparrow's tent, I saw him passed out on his hammock, a half-filled bottle of rum precariaoulsy gripped in his left hand. As his senses completely left him and his fingers uncurled around the bottle, I deftly caught it before it had smashed and wasted precious alcohol, and moved on. As pengui and I marched onwards, I gave him a sip for every five of mine. He would gurgle and "hronk" happily, his eyes solidly fixed on the bottle in hand, and not my swaying hips. Well-tained indeed.

Eventually, as the sun was close to setting, I reached the windward side of the beach. No ash here! Happily, I discarded my clothing, and plunged into the ocean to wash off the grime. I could feel the rhythm of the island's music pull me. Donning just my lingerie, and leaving outer apparel behind, I walked forward along the beach, to where I felt a special tug at my soul.

I had found that for which my spirit yearned. In a little grove was a faerie mushroom ring! A place for me to match movement with my body to the incessant, hammering, pounding of the island's music. A place to dance to the God and Goddess!!!

In joy, opened up my inner being to the spirit world and danced!

And danced!

I felt that inner connection make contact as I danced, uninhibited, and un observed. I felt free.

Pengui watched, and started to sway to. I had suspected it was from the drink.

Well, I soon found myself swaying too, besides my gyrations of worship. The ground itself was shaking, which was not unusal, because since we had landed, Phillip, being in a constant unpleasant mood, often belched and rumbled. "Damnable volcanic island," I grumbled inwardly, as I assumed the shaking a result of volcanic and tectonic activity.

Suddenly pengui "hronked" loudly! "Hush Pengui!", I admonished, "I'm out of liquor. We must await till we return to camp." At that point I heard a loud crash as a eucalyptus tree crashed beside me. A drop bear, which had apparently been watching me hungrily, awaiting his opportunity to strike, leapt out of the branches, and squealing in loud fear, ran off in terror up the mountainside. I saw something furry on my left side....easily as big as my country manor in the Moors. I saw a matching furry thing on my right side. They looked like giant....rabbit's feet...with incredibly long, wicked talons. Pengui squealed and moaned in fear, and spinning in circles drunklingly, fled to hide behind a particularly large mushroom. A low wail of panic arose in my throat as I looked up...and up....and up....into the eyes beady giant eyes of the most humongous hare I had ever beheld.....easily thirty meters tall! "Lepus Giganticus!" I screamed at the top of my longs....obviously to no avail, as I was several miles away from camp, and on the other side of the volcanoe!

The giant bunny looked down on me, and tilted its head in a funny manner. I heard a rumbling from deep within him....not a rumble of hunger...well, not the hunger of being desirous of food, even though it had fangs easily longer than I was tall....but the hunger of .....most frightenly....lust!

Mewling in fear, I felt my knees give out before me, but not before the beast could snatch me up in it's powerful paws. I shrieked, and shrieked again! I had lost all sense, and in my terror could not even begin to recall the most simplest of spells to defend myself! The beast lifted me up to his face. I was sure I would die! Tears streaming down my face, I cried fiercely, certain my body would soon find itself a giant rabbit pellet of pooh on this God and Goddess forsaken island.

"Damn Bardhaven!" I bemoaned to myself. Now angry, I spewed execrations at the giant bunny, Lord Bardhaven, Phillip in general, and even myself for allowing myself to get into this mess. I knew I was about to have my spirit rejoin the supernatural world. But I wasn't ready to complete the circle of the journey of life!

But instead of eating me, the giant bunny looked down at me....in an almost tender fashion. He rumbled softly, almost seemingly smiling at me. With one long, curved, wicked claw of his index finger of his right paw, he poised it over my chest. "Oh Goddess," I cried, "Receive me with love!" Instead of plunging his talon into me, ending my life, he delicately pulled my bra top down, rumbling with pleasure. I looked into his face again, and could swear I saw him grin! I looked down and saw his giant.....at this point....in greater fear than I was before... I thankfully passed out.

I do not know how long I was out. All I know was that I awoke to much "hronkings" and squawkings! The giant rabbit still held me captive. I felt sore and abused, tore and bruised, ... yet only in my outer body...I knew I had not yet been violated....just brutalized from being held in the palm of this not-so-gentle giant. He was running and hopping fast, being chased by a throng of...could it be!....Gnarli's penguins, with my Pengui in the lead! (I could tell him by his red-rimmed eyes and ruddy nose!) The multitude of the little beasts were driving this monster into the the water! They were diving at him, squawking, pecking, harassing the rabbit continuously. The noise was incredible. Every now and then, the beast was able to punt a pengui into the distant jungle, mangling it against a tree, or an ignaceaous rock. But there were too many of them. The dumb beast tried to hold me close to its chest protectively, smothering me in its cloying smell of wild onions, garlic, and carrots. He wailed and thrashed as he ran deeper into the water, not knowing that the ocean was the perfect clime for a penguin. The further in he went, the more effective their attacks, the less efficient his.

Eventually they harried him to the island's shelf. There were no where near as many penguins as there were when the battle begun. The beach was strewn with them, as well as many floating dead in the water. But the deeper the bunny had fled into the water, the more they were able to wound him in the places that counted. Abruptly, the giant rabbit pulled me up to his face. He moaned, and looked at me....lovingly. Then I knew he was dying. It was at this point I felt compassion for this dumb beast. As I felt his fingers numbly let me go, the fire of life in his eyes dying out, I realized, if the penguins had not attacked him, and had me given the chance, I could have spelled him down to my size, and given him a human form, and would have had a man that a woman dreams of....one that would do anyhing for them, without question, with undying loyalty. I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders as he dropped below the island's shelf, releasing me. Oh well. No woman has ever been so blessed, nor ever will be.

The sun was rising. As I tread water, I could see our camp in the near distance. With an incredibly larger number of people than where there before. I thought i could see a large cast iron pot with smoke arising from under it. I cursed my luck at missing breakfast, and what appeared to be a party going on.

Out of nowhere, I heard a "hronk" and a splash! When I looked in that direction, all I saw was a ripple of water. Then there was another "hronk"! Another splash! Another ripple. I grew suspicious. After the third "hronk", splash and ripple, I started to count the penguins. They were disappearing rapidly! That is when I saw the fins of a hammerhead shark circling us. Suddenly feeling naked and vulnerable, I pulled my bra top back up. The penguins clustered around me protectively.

In the distance, I finally recognized that the Duchesses Gabi and Eva were in a cooking pot, surrounded by men wearing silly bowling shirts, dancing!

Looking at the shark making the waters roil about me and the penguins, I had the most bizarre thought...Not in the cooking pot, but in the broiling waters!

The Cockatiel

2007-08-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

I sense more than see the light. In the enveloping darkness, I open one eye, and look around. Still pretty dark. No matter. Outside I can hear the free birds starting to chirp their greetings to their family and friends. My neighbors, the lovebirds, and their children, also begin to rouse. I stretch one wing, and then another. Today would be a good to fly. To soar above the trees I see outside the window. I can feel a cool breeze against me, mildly tickling my feathers. But it's not the wind. It's almost continuous, and I have felt this breeze almost four cycles of the moon. I suppose another cycle or two, and the warm breezes will start. But I cannot fly. Not from lack of ability, but because of this cage. I curl and uncurl my toes around my perch. Not much else to do yet. I look in my food dish. Same thing I always have, put their by the big thing that from time to time intrudes into my little world. It gives me water, it gives me food. Sometimes it gives me something new and shiny to play with. Alot of times, the big thing is gone, for most of the day. That is when the little furry thing likes to sit on top of my cage, or the lovebird's cage, purring, and eyeing us hungrily. I have looked out the window, and have seen other little furry things kill the free birds. That which imprisons me also protects me. Thankfully, the big thing seldom lets the little furry thing in the house when it's gone. The big thing also has a big furry thing. Or had. I haven't seen the big furry thing for six cycles of the sun. I liked big furry thing. It left us alone, and once every cycle of the moon, these sirens outside would wail, and big furry thing would sing with the sirens, and I would join it in song. While the big thing sees to it that all my needs are met, I don't trust the big thing

My neighbors, the lovebirds, are a strange lot. But because they outnumber me four to one, I suppose I am The Stranger. I once saw the big thing playing around the box with the funny lights, and heard this music come from the box...."People are strange, when you're a stranger...." I often feel like that. I talk to the lovebirds. Sometimes they will talk to me, but mostly keep to their own kind. I'll sing to them, and often receive sharp rebukes from them. I like it when the big thing is home. Because it will sing with me sometimes.

Sometimes I feel despondent. I sit there. Big thing usually has a mirror in my cage. But I am smarter than to think it is another of my kind. Same food every day. Same water. I watch the love birds cuddle up to each other, both pairs. They look at me like I am different. I look different to them, I talk funny to them. They have someone, I don't. They don't always like or understand what I have to say.

Such is my life. I want to stretch my wings and be free. I want to feel that sense of belonging, that sense of community, the lovebirds have. But I am not like all the other birds, and they and I both know it. I want something different, new, exciting in my life. The same boring food, the same boring water. What is the purpose of all of this? I sigh and look around, as the dawn's light begins to stream through the window. This is how I feel, every day, to quote that song that big thing plays alot from the light box, "...nothing's fine I'm torn, I'm all out of faith, this is how I feel, cold and all alone, lying naked on the floor..."

Outside, the free birds begin their song. The lovebirds begin theirs. I look around. Big thing is still asleep. I make the decision. The same decision I make everyday. It doesn't matter my surroundings. It doesn't matter my condition. My body is trapped in this cage I can never escape. I am different from all those around me. But you know, it doesn't matter. My spirit can never be caged. Inside, I am free, and will always be so till the day I day. I might not be able to fly, but I am able to sing, according to another song big thing likes. Proudly I puff my chest, and burst forth into song. It's my own song, different from all the other birds. They can sing along, if they wish. They can listen contentedly, if that is their desire. They can try to whistle me down, drown my song. I will only sing louder. I can't control what happens by the hands of others around me, but I can control my reaction. I'll sing my own song till the day I die, proud to be me, different from all the others, yet with the same intrinsic value as big thing, big furry thing, little furry thing, the lovebirds, and free birds. And even though my heart may break, and tears stream down my feathered cheeks, I am still alive, I still survive, and wouldn't change who I am inside for the world. Pain will always be a part of life, but nevertheless I'll sing nonetheless. Bursting forth into brilliant song, I sing my heart out till big thing notices, awakes from its slumber, smiles at me in pleasure, and joins in!

The Journey to…the Mysterious Island - Amber's Part The Third

2007-08-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

[At Darkling's suggestion, I split the original post into three parts]

The tedious voyage continued for a couple days. Boring of Bardhaven after the first meal with the nobles (NOT that I bored of Duchess Riel or Duchess Loch Avie, but one can only handle so much of Bardhaven's self-aggrandizement), I decided to eat my further meals with the more "common people" below decks. One day, after I watched the poor wretches eating meal-worm infested hardtack while I munched slowly upon my Cantal, sipping rum I pilfered from the captain's cabin, I was more than amused by Mr. Gnarli's regaling of amourous dolphins. While asking him questions, as his and Dr. Oolon's gaze continuously settled on my bossom, I would swipe their full glasses of drink for my empty ones. Captain Sparrow had a notorious policy of charging by the drink. And by God and Goddess, being forced to endure this nit and flea infested vessel, manned by the most hideous of seamen, I refused to pay his charge for the bottle. When we returned Gnarli would be more than repaid with all the honours attendent to knighthoood. As for Dr. Oolon, everytime I pilfered one of his drinks, I would push to Terry a copy of a useful spell. My Lindens were short, but spells I had in plenty.

One day, I was standing on deck with the Duchesses, and Baroness Darkling, when heard from the crow's nest, "Land Ho!" "What a bloody fool," I thought. We could see Phillip from the Cay. I was surprised it took us this bleeding long to get there, considering I could ride and sail from Loch Avie to Regency in less than an hour. I suspected Captain Cousteuea Robin....ermmmm, Palance Bluejay, no, that's not it....Sprat Mockingbird...no, no, no....Jaques Sparrow, yes, that's the chap's name....that villeinous captain was going to get more than his money's worth, and sailed around the forking volcanic island nine or ten times before deciding to land. I took a sip of Duchess Eva's Uisge Beatha, which she so kindly offered me just moments before, when suddenly something unusually silly happened involving one of Gnarli's surviving penguins and the helm. I'm not sure exactly what, as I had been pretty inebriated the past several days, but suddenly we were grounded! Oh dear! I just spilled my Uisge Beatha!

The Journey to…the Mysterious Island - Amber's Part The Second

2007-08-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

[At Darkling Elytis' suggestion, I divided my original post into three parts. Also there is a correctional edit in this post (sorry Qli, I fixed it now)].

Though hung-over, I awoke early. I knew I had to be in the Cay before Bardhaven's rented ship set sail. I knew it was called the Arranax...or was it Arrownocks, maybe it was the Adirondacks...goddess, I didn't know, and could really care less what it was called, I just knew to look for the only ship willing to set sail in broiling waters. I decided to dress in something naughty, something that drew attention to my buxom bossom...Goddess knew I had reason to do so (one of the reasons to read my "serious" intermission above). Then I went to the stables to see to it that Sean would get the carriage ready for the trip.

Well, that was a lesson in futility. Apparently Sean and Bernie drank too much the night before, and not only were both lads passed out stone cold from the Uisge Beatha, but somehow managed to break the rear axle of the carriage. Which managed to tilt over and crash upon my cask of Uisge. Sucking what little of the whiskey I could off the straw in the stables, I growled and cursed Sean and Bernie, and gave them each a kick, but they just stopped their loud snorings long enough to roll over and mutter deprecations in their sleep, before snoring louder than before.

Grumbling curses under my breath, I returned to the manor in no less than a foul mood. when I arrived there, there was a post from Dr. Darien Mason....a letter post-marked from the Caledon Regency Hospital....stating his search for Qli's mother Lucien, formerly known as Sumalee, from the Bloodtail Neko Tribe, and his desire that I would seek clues concerning her whereabouts! Apparently he believes there may be a connection between the various volcanoes of the world. He included this dagguerrotype:

Hot ash was floating everywhere, and there was crazy old Gott out in the pavillion yard with his hydrogen blimp, getting ready to make flight. Well, that in and of itself wouldn't bother me, because if the blimp exploded with him on it, that would be one less problem with which I had to deal. But the fact was, the fool wanted to take my babies for a ride. After a brief argument, I got the idiot to see that he could actually kill them. At which point he began to cry, and begged my forgiveness, and abandoned his plan.

Sighing deeply, I entered the manor, and there was poor old Millie, still hopping about like yesterday. Goddess, why is good help so hard to find? "Millie!" I exclaimed. As she did not know I was standing behind her, she veritably leaped in the air as if Bardhaven himself where there (and not a bad leap for an arthritic, hunchbacked, club-footed woman).

Trembling, she turned to look at me. "Oh m'lady, m'lady, m'lady...I had a horrible dream that Phillip would try to eat you!"

Again I groaned inwardly, "Goddess, why is good help so hard to find?"

"Millie," I said as patiently as I could, which was very little, actually, "Go to my room and pack my clothes. And my weapons. And while you are at it, scour every inch of my properties for any ounce of alcohol!"

"What clothes would m'lady desire?", she murmured.

I pondered a moment. I hadn't thought about that. But my musings were for just a breif flash in time. "Why all of them, of course, " I exclaimed, as if explaining to a child why it had to urinate IN the chamber pot, and not all around it, "I never will know what social circumstances will arise, and I rather have the appropriate wear and not need it, rather than not have the right outfit and need it."

She looked at me puzzled-like, not understanding my explanation. "Just pack the bloody clothing, will you Millie?! ALL of it!!" I exclaimed, "And ALL my weapons!....and, and....alcohol, every drop you can find!"

As I figured there were alot of "responsible" adults going with us, they would bring an abundant supply of all the other necessities, and I could always "glom" or buy it off of them. No sense in my bringing something someone else was going to bring anyways. Besides, it helped cultivate the idea that I was a sot that had no clue to the realities about me. But then I suddenly recalled that their food tastes might not be mine. "Oh yes, Millie! Don't forget to pack the Asiago, Romano, Parmesan, and Cantal cheeses! For that matter, all the cheeses!" One never knew if one of the Duchesses decided to have a cheese and wine tasting event along the way.

"Oh! And pack alot of bones as well!" I suddenly exclaimed (just another reason for my gentle readers to peruse the boring and "serious" backstory I wrote above).

Millie looked at me puzzledly, and asked, "Is Braveheart going as well?"

"Yes, ermm, I mean no, I mean....bloody hell, woman, it's not your job to question my orders! Just do it!"

Sensing that I was in a foul mood, which I have been in of late, she shuffled off in her odd, twisting gait to follow my demands. Meanwhile, I went to the kitchen, and acquired another bottle of sherry. I then proceeded to scourge all the furniture in the house, looking between and under the cushions for any lost Lindens or Caledonian pounds. Having found $53.28 L, I secured them in my reticule, then went to the stables to wake up the "boys". As they were still sleeping, I took a bucket, and scooping water out of the trough, rudely splashed them awake.

"Oh boys," I sing-sang unto them. Sputtering and cussing at first, when they suddenly saw it was me, they silenced their tongues. "Boys," I purred, in a sweetly menacing tone, "you have one of two choices." I took a swig of the cooking sherry.

"Yes, m'lady," they both stammered.

"You can either tell me why you disobeyed my orders last night, wrecked my carriage, and ruined my cask of Uisge Beatha....OR....you can follow through with the task which I am about to give you," I offered demurly, smiling as sickenly sweet as rotted melon.

They glanced at each other, then the carriage, then the ruined cask of Uisge. Finally, they stammered almost in unison, "What do you wish, m'lady?"

As I had already determined from the train station, that travel by train was imposssible because the high ash level in the atmosphere negatively affected the operation of Caledon's premier public transportation system, and as my buggy was defunct, and as all my horses except Iontaofa were completely spooked by Phillip's constant rumbling and gaseous expellations, I needed a porter system. So saddling Iontafa, I rode back to the manor with Sean and Bernie in glum tow behind me.

Millie had finished packing by then, so I then got Millie and the two lads to cart the items for me. Millie's hunched back and wiry strength proved her to be a better porter than Sean and Bernie combined, even if she did shuffle along at a slower, if yet steady gait. Kissing my babies "good-bye", and threatening Gott with DIRE consequences to his blimp if my bairns even had a scratch on them when I returned, I again leapt into Iontaofa.

Once again I headed to the Cay. After a side-stop at Aldo Stern's Falling Anvil Pub to stock up on the Guinesss, a tedious journey ensued of listening Bernie and Sean accuse each other of wrecking "m'lady's carriage", and Millie muttering "Mea Culpa's", "Noster Pater's", and "Avie Maria's", we finally reached the Cay docks. I directed my underlings to load my goods on the good ship Lolly Pop, Adirondack, Arranox, whatever it bloody well was called, and by this time was too drunk to care. I got into an argument with a vendor who claimed I was too drunk for him to sell me Lava Lager...turning my back to him, I took a swallow of my "antidote" (yet ONE more reason to read my backstory intermission), and after a minute proved I could handle my liquor. He sold me the lager I desired. My Sidhe senses picked up Lord Bardhaven's idle comment about me being the "bearded lady". After looking in my pocket mirror, and seeing no facial hair, but indeed a dab (just a small smidgeon), of lager froth on my chin, I assumed the Baron was less educated than he purported, and meant, in childish English, to say "beered" lady....now I know that is not even close to recognizable to proper usage of Queen's English, but then again, I suspect his education is not as well-schooled as he pretends. His inability to appropriately to apply the correct Latin phrases for a given situation already proved that.

Sending Sean and Bernie away home with Iontaofa, I started down the dock toward the ship (at this point I was way too drunk to care what it was called, and even more drunk than to care about its crude sailors, and garish captain, who apparently thought of himself as some Wolf Larson-Blackbeard inbred offspring, sporting an eyepatch (which from time to time he lifted up surreptitiosly and peered at any woman he thought beauteous), with a plushie-toy parrot attached to his shoulder, which he would squeeze when a Lady passed by him, and it would say to them, "Awwrackkk ... your a pretty girl!". He called himself Capt. Jacques Sparrow. He wore a hat that was a hundred years out of fashion, under which dreadlocks poked out, and had a meat-hook duck-taped around his left hand. He claimed he lost his hand to a shark, but I could clearly see several finger tips poking out from under the tape. Even though his beard was black, I could see his blonde and grey roots. It seemed he and all his sailors were all preoccupied with my bossom, and even though I had a tinkling in the back of my mind why they should, I couldn't put my finger on it (YET another reason to read my boring and "serious" intermission backstory.

Shortly afterword, halfway up the dock, I ran into Lord Bad-behavin' himself (OOOPS! Did I say that outloud?), ermm, I mean Lord Bardhaven himself. He said some comments to Millie, which sent her into a frothing tizzy. Looking her firmly in the eye, I said, "Fertig Jetz!" and smacked her hard in the face. She fell to the ground, shuddered, said a Noster Pater, and looking at me with new awe in her good eye (bad one being sewed up), and rasped respectfully, "Thank you M'Lady!"

When I boarded, I heard Duchess Gabrielle ask the best question I heard all day. "Dom Perignon, anybody?"

Hastily raising my hand, and putting away my silver flask of cooking sherry, I took that which she offered. I tottered over to Gnarlihotep Abel. He was seated on an apple barrle. I knew that, as the barrel was clearly marked "Apples", even though I saw a tail swishing out of one of it more than numerous holes, more than is necessary in an apple barrel. Besides, I could smell apples wafting from it. I had determined I wanted one of his penguins. Not as a meal, mind you, as Bardhaven so clearly wanted, but as a porter. They seemed so much more deft at the task than Millie. After a prolonged wrangling bartering session, and in which he kept glancing at my bossom (in my drunken state I still couldn't figure out why), I finally convicned the young Gnarli to surrender me one of his penguins with the promise of not only a commission as a Major in my Bauerhoff Cavalry Homeguard, but the titling of knighthood, which would surely assure him of a future union with Kiralete, Bardhaven's ward. At the mention of knighthood for Gnarli, I could have sworn I heard a pleasant "mew" from the barrel.

The deal sealed, he ambled off. At this point I was hungry, and eyed the apple barrel. Looking around to ensure no one was looking, I opened the lid to pilfer an apple. As I reached in, I saw a red-headed Neko. Not Kirawell red, but Kiralette Red. The red only a good but mischievous kitty would have. She smiled sheepishishly and mewed. I smiled conspiratorily and winked back. At that point, I heard an "ahem", and quickly thrusting the lid home, turned to see Lord Bardhaven! Blessedly, I had grabbed an apple from the barrel already, and turned and smiling at him, in my most pretend drunken way (AGAIN, another reason to read the backstory!!!!!!), giggled rather inappropriately as he started at my chest continuoulsy (and laughing inside myself as I finally remmebered WHY he and everybody else was!), said most coyly, "Ahhhh, Baron Bardhaven!" He smiled brazenly, until I said in a mysterious tone, "or should I say "Dread Baron?"

He suddenly looked agitated, enough so that he didn't notice Kiralette's tail switching nervously from the apple barrel. But I did, and backed up enough to allow my voluminous gown to cover Kiralette's tail. I smiled in my most demure manner, and taking a bite from the apple, offered him a bite. He declined. I expected as much. We both often let on that we underestimate each other, but I suspected he suspected more of me than he let on, and vice versa. Finally summoning the strength to look away from my bossom (it was then I knew he had enough power to be drawn to my locket, yet had not enough power to discern why), he looked down at my trailing skirts.

"Lady Amber," he enquired as graciously as he could, "is that a tip of a tail I see peeking beneath your frock?"

Remembering the Neko blood that faintly ran through my mother's veins, I allowed my feline ears to grow just so, and pushing my luxurious raven locks out of the way, revealed them to Bardhaven. "Ahhhhhh, yes, m'lord! Did you not know I have a smidgeon of neko blood in me?"

Taken aback, the dark baron replied, "Why no, I mean yes...of course, Lady Amber...enjoy your drink....as a matter of fact, have another....", he offered, as he poured me a drink from his flagon and wandered away, more than a little confused, it appeared to me.

I whispered to Kiralette-in-a-barrel, "Your secret is mine!", as I ambled below-decks to find my cabin. On the way down, I ran across Dr. Oolon Sputnik. He seemed pleasanlty surprised to see me, and as he made small-talk finding our cabins, his gaze kept wandering to my bossom. Well, at least I know the spell works!

And at last! Just as the ship was about to set sail, Persaon jumped aboard and joined my side. He mentally gave me the report I needed to know. (AGAIN...that BORING, serious backstory needed). I glared briefly at Bardhaven conversing unsuccesfully with Captain Jaques "Cousteu" Sparrow. "The Ruffian King indeed!", I harumphed mentally!

The Journey to…the Mysterious Island - Amber's Back-Story Intermission

2007-08-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

[To my Gentle Readers: The first part of this post is really a back-story intermission which I weave in with the Mysterious Island blog series....it is not necessary to read, and is of a much more serious note than the typical humour to be expected of the Mysterious Island series....SOOOO.... if you want to skip it to go to the funny stuff, go right ahead....though do so with this warning ... you might miss out on some insight to my behaviour later in the series *grins*]

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BACK-STORY INTERMISSION

Heady with my victory over Gott, and still clutching the Letters Patent possessively, I stumbled along somewhat drunkenly toward the front door. Seeing my faithful dog Braveheart lying lazily by the door, I whistled him to me. I had need for him for an important task later this evening (ACK! You dirty-minded people...NOT that!). He followed me obediently out of the manor, as I headed toward the stables. When I reached the shade of the ancient oak, I hid myself in its shadows. I fumbled in the leather pouch hidden within the folds of my gown, the pouch in which I held all my important vials of tinctures and bundles of herbs. Each vial had its own distinctive shape, and feeling for the right one, I pulled it out and took a small swallow. I waited a moment till the haze of drunkenes faded away to nothing, and mental clarity filled my mind with sharpness. I smiled inwardly at the spirit of my deceased mother, dead now for half a century, who had taught me how to brew this potent potion. I had very important work to do for now, and needed every bit of my wits about me.

Making sure nobody was looking, I started to head towards my Fortune Telling Parlour instead, now feigning a drunk's walk and muttering to myself, just in case somebody were to see me. Playing the drunken fool, I had found out long ago was a sure way to keep peoples' eyes off of you, and think you no more a threat than a sot. I liked to keep enemies, actual and potential, off guard. Going through the front door, I locked it behind me. I went upstairs and changed into a special black gown, worn only for special ceremonies, then turned on a lamp, and cast a little shadow & thump spell, to make it seem to anybody outside that I was drunkenly ambling about in the upper chambers. If they knocked and I didn't answer, they would assume I was too liquored-up to hear them, or to care. Going back downstairs, I lit a small candle, and did a quick Tarot reading to assure the time was auspicious for what I was about to do. It was. Blowing out the candle, I went out the back door, Braveheart still following. Making sure the gate to the garden courtyard was looked, I cast about the highwalls with my inner senses to feel if there were intruders nearby. There weren't. What I was about to do required the utmost of concentration.

In the center of the courtyard was a circle of white sand, held within a circle of pure gold, and inlaid with a pure gold pentacle. In the midst of the pentacle was an alabaster altar, with all the accoutrements necessary for my ceremonies. Slipping off my shoes, I entered into the sacred area barefoot, feeling the delicate sand between my toes, bring Braveheart in it with me. As usual, my skin goosefleshed and the little hairs on my arm stood upright, as I felt tingle of the otherworldly forces course through me. Closing my eyes and breathing in deep, I curled my toes and clenched my fists at the near ecstatic feeling of being on the cusp of communication with the nether realms. In reverence, I went to each of the quarter candles in turn, lighting them, and saying the appropriate incantation in the ancient Sidhe language my mother taught me, as her mother before her, and so on for the past several thousands years back. Going back to the altar, I lit the two candles, one for Father Yah, and one for Mother Hawah, invoking them. Then with Athame in hand, I walked the circle, cutting it. As I finished the circle, I could feel forces rise up, shielding me from any influences of the world of the living. I was in a realm where time meant nothing. Now unseen to mortal eyes, I could spend hours within the circle, doing that which needed doing, while only mere moments would have passed outside of it.

div>First I lay the Letters Patent on a small pentacle on the altar. I dipped my fingers in the waterbowl to purify them. Then after anointing myself with oil, I offered a hymn of thanksgiving to Yah and Hawah. I drank from the chalice and ate of the bread dipped in honey, after first giving an oblation to the God and Goddess. Finally, I ate a little sorrel, to open my mind to the forces I was about to channel around me. I was ready to invoke great powers.

First came the easy task. Book of Shadows in hand, I consecrated the Letters Patent with the Athame. "Maximus est Minimus!", I invoked. I watched as the document shrink to the size of a postage stamp. "Aquae est Vitae!", I chanted, imbuing the document with the power of water. A little cloud of mist hovered over the document. The document was now water-proof. The next incantation I ultimately intended, one which would fire-proof it as well, would the destroy the document now protected by the water elemental, unless I first summoned the spell of paradoxes. "Black be white, white be black, fire taketh away, and water giveth back!" The air hummed with power as I quickly made the final link before the paradox would fall apart without the necessary confusion of the final spell..."Pyrus est Vitae!" Now a little flame suddenly vortexed over the tiny document as well. The mist and flame danced and twisted, while the hum deepened into a bass rumble. There was pop, and the air about was both filled with light and darkness at the same time, and then all seemed normal, as the mist and fire harmoniously sunk into the Letters Patent. Smiling, I picked up the document, and enclosing it in a locket, I hung it around my neck, chanting "Videre Non!" While technically not truly invisible, this particular spell was useful in that whenever a viewer locked upon the object, his or her mind was immediately distracted by the view of my breasts, inciting just enough lust and/or envy so as to cause them to immediately forget they saw the locket (yet not enough so to cause them to do anything untoward). As I have been known to drunkenly dance topless at the Duchess raves, and also did several stints as an exotic dancer on the mainland (Gott spend the entire fortune on bad business deals, what else is a girl going to do to keep the money incoming?), it bothered me not in the least if people enjoyed the view.

Now came the hardest and most dangerous part. I began to chant in the ancient language of the daemon familiars, a language known to few Sidhe, and even fewer humans. Focusing my eyes on the little pentacle on the altar, I entered into a trance, reciting by memory a powerful spell so steeped in antiquity, that some claim it almost went back to the days of the Elder Ones. How long I stood there I know not, hours or days could have passed by in a relative sense, though still only seconds ticked away outside of the circle. Soon I became aware of a presence, a smokey, shadowy figure hovered over the little pentacle.

In my mind I spoke to him, "Bontaya, melo-Persaon, blessings of Yah Hawah be upon you!"

I heard his mellow baritone respond in my mind, "Bontaya, melo-Ambera, blessings returned! It has been many years since you last summoned me...50 or 70 of your years, I think."

"Yes, dear friend, I have missed you greatly. But you know the power it takes to resummon you when your host form dies. It requires much time for me to recover the strength necessary to perform the spell. Besides, there was that little problem of my Vampyrism with which I was infected some years back. Thankfully, Dr. Mason was able to cure me of that, but I yet fear the consequences of that remedy. And finally the need must be great. I have great need of you once more."

"I have sensed disturbances between the realms, dear little melo-Ambera. I shall be glad to once more assist you, chylde."

I smiled at my childhood companion, the one who accompanied me for 40 from when I was indeed a babe of 14 years of age. The one whom my mother taught to summon. At that time, I summoned him into the body of a Raven, a pet my mother had given me. We had had many joyful experiences together, as well as weathering heartache and tears together, especially after my mother's life had been brutally ended centuries before she was supposed to die. Sadly, as the Raven was already 200 years old when I first had him, he died of old age. Persaon had left me.

He continued, "Yet we can save the small talk after till the bond is complete, and we must act quickly. Dr. Mason's invoking the most dangerous of the Elder Ones to save you has made your presence in this realm more than noticeable to That One, now that you have opened a Portal! Do what must be done quickly, and close the Gateway!"

Nodding in agreement, I called Braveheart to me. He came over to me, wagging his tail, expecting a treat, totally oblivious to the forces around him. I indeed gave him a treat, feeding him a little ceremonial bread dipped in honey, along with a handful of wine from the chalice, and some sorrel. Suddenly his awareness grew to embrace the supernatural worlds, and he whined now nervously, knowing something was different, yet just what his canine intelligence was unable to comprehend. Casting a spell to numb his pain, I pulled out a small knife and pricked his left ear, till some blood oozed forth. Then I pricked my right thumb, and my left forefinger, allowing the blood to flow in each. Pressing my right thumb against Braveheart's wounded ear, I pressed my left forefinger to the small pentacle. I gasped as I felt the power of Persaon's spirit sudenly start to sweep through me, and enter into Braveheart. Shuddering in ecstasy and pain, I began to feel the bond again, one I had not enjoyed in more than sixty years. I could feel Braveheart's animal spirit agitate, not sure what was going on, yet no match for my spirit's control, and even less a match for Persaon's, as the daemon slowly intertwined itself with Braveheart's, passing through mine to again share that essence. I kept a corner of my mind's awareness focused toward the direction of the slumbering Elder One, to safe-guard against His sensing my presence, and awaking, and using this opportunity of the Portals between realms being opened to claim me for recompense of Dr. Mason using Him to free me. I shuddered inwardly when I saw Him start to rouse from His slumber!

"Hurry, melo-Persaon! He's awakening!" I mentally hissed.

Just as I felt the last of Persaon's spirit pass through me into Braveheart, I saw Cthulu's eyes start to open. Swiftly pulling my finger away from the small pentacle and my thum from Braveheart's ears, I shouted, "Incantatus Finis!" There was a silent impact within the circle, that knocked both Braveheart-Persaon and I to the ground. Trembling severely, I rose to my feet as quickly as I was able to. Though the imminent danger of Cthulu coming through the portal was ended, there was still peril. I had to end the circle's stay in the realm bewteen worlds, because not only could Cthulu still come for me (REAL bad for me), even if a little harder for Him, but He could come and swallow the entire Mortal realm (REALLY, REALLY for all of us...this would make Phillip seem like a weiner and marshmellow roast on the beach!). Tottering a little from the impact of the spells woven, I still made all the necessary steps and succesfully closed the circle's connection to the other realms, blowing out each of the quarter candles, and finally the God and Goddess candles. Suddenly my senses where overwhelmed once again by sights and sounds familiar to me...crickets chirping, cicada's buzzing, owls hooting, wolves howling. In the distance, I could hear Sean and and Bernie singing a rawdy bar room song over at the stables. The warm humid August night air enveloped me, and I began to sweat profusely after being so long in the cool nether realms. I looked down at Persaon, my old childhood friend, now inhabiting Braveheart, and smiled at them. Persaon smiled back, and Braveheart wagged his tale.

"Welcome back, Master Persaon," I said.

"Thank you, Mistress Amber," he replied.

Many people don't understand, but summoner and summoned are both served and serve the other. Persaon serves me by performing the tasks I give him, while I serve him by giving him a corporal life for a time. His presence in Braveheart could extend the dog's life for 40 or 50 years, while unlocking a new comprehension in Braveheart's mind as well...thus in many ways serving Braveheart as well as Braveheart serving Persaon by being a host.

Weary from the exertions, I sat down on the grass outside the circle, my legs crossed under me. Rubbing my feet sore from standing for hours on end within the circle, I explained to Persaon his task. I told him how I needed him to be my eyes and ears for me in places where I could not be. Because of the bond, at will, I could see what he saw, hear what he heard, feel what he felt, smell what he smelled. We could communicate with each other mentally whenever we needed to, no matter how far apart. His first task was to go to a certain dwelling at the southwest corner of Mayfair, and get a sense of what the presence of the master of that Manor felt like. Then he was to scour the entire coastline of Caledon, looking for a specific ship. I wanted him to see if the owner of this ship was the same owner of this particular household. Something Gott had said aroused my cautionary instinct, and even though Gott might be insane, there was a niggling feeling inside of me that there was a germ of Truth to hs ramblings. I told Persaon to then come to me, I would probably be at the Cay docks on the morrow's afternoon.

After Persaon nuzzled me, he started trotting off. Rubbing my eyes wearily, I arose. I felt I needed a drink bad, and was sorely tempted to drink the antidote to the anti-drinking antidote, to restore my drunken state, and then join Sean and Bernie. But I had one more important thing to which to attend. Sneaking back to the manor, I slipped in through the servant's entry. I could still hear Millie muttering downstairs. The sounds of Gott playing with a gleeful Raivyn Elizabeth drifted to me from the upstairs. I could hear my butler Edgar snoring away in his room. Still barefoot, I tiptoed upstairs to my room, and donned my Dragoon's uniform.

Carrying my boots in hand, I slipped back down and out the manor house, where I donned my boots. I hied myself to the stables. Sean and Bernie were bragging to each other about the women they had , and casting a shimmer spell on the far wall, it caught their attention, whilst I worked my way to Iontaofa's stall and silently led her out.

Going a small distance, I mounted her, then trotting her at first, galloped to Tanglewood. There I met up with my fellow Dragoons, and went to honour Dame Lapin Paris, now freshly knighted! Once I got there, I drank the anti-anti-drinking antidote. We hooed alot, I got a little drunk again, and danced a bit with Major Erasmus, before I returned to my Manor in the Moors.

Slipping out of my clothes, I tumbled into bed, and passed out in complete exhaustion.

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Two Very Important Events, and a Lighthouse Update

2007-08-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

I desire to take an intermission from the Mysterious Island account, and briefly bring to my gentle readers' attention two extremely important events that took place these past several days...the awarding of the Lapin D'Or to Caledon's beloved Librarian, Mr. JJ Drinkwater and the awarding of the Lapin d'Argent to the rest of the Library staff, and the Bookbinder's Ball. Those awards were preseneted by Her Grace the Duchess of Primvernesse, Lady CoyoteAngel Dimsum. The other important event was the knighting of Dame Lapin Paris, to Caledon's highest Order, by Her Majesty Vicereine Kamillah Hauotmann, Duchess of Lionsgate. Her Grace the Duchess of Carntaigh Lady Gabrielle Riel provided the music for both events. Pictures of both events shall sohrtly follow. One final thing I desire to mention before I get to the pictures, and that is I have added Miss Zoe Connoly's Lighthouse in Caledon's newest sim, Regency, to my gallery of Caledon Lighthouses here... http://amberpalowakski.blogspot.com/2007/07/lighthouses-of-caledon-steelhead.html . If you enjoyed that post do take time to see the latest addition!

What Is True

2007-08-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

I went to a party,
That's when I saw you standing there,
I said "Hello" and you said nothing,
That's when you gave me quite a scare,
You vanished off into the thin air,
And then you later told me to go,
I couldn't even be your friend,
We really now have reached the end,
And we have nothing more to say.

You think that you are alone,
That only you can hurt this way,
You think that I betrayed you,
That I wanted it to die this way,
That I didn't love you anymore,
Well that's not even the truth!
My heart's still breaking into two,
And I still think and cry for you,
Even though I can't be with you.

You had promised me a new life,
One filled with all the joys of you,
And I was going to be your wife,
And one become instead of two,
But your lying words to my heart they just won't heal,
And all my soul can only feel,
The emptiness of dark despair,
My dreams have vansihed in the air,
I felt a knife twist in my back,
And you think I shouldn't care!

I took a stroll last evening,
I saw you standing from afar,
My heart yearned to go to you,
But you had made it very clear to me,
That me you no longer wanted to see,
So I just turned and walked away,
I have to take a differnt path,
Though my heart won't let go of the past,
And still I cry tears.

You think think that I never loved you,
Well darling that just isn't true!
My heart is ripping into shreds,
But that isn't something new.
Don't hate me 'cause I can move on,
and say "Goodbye" to what is gone!
I never wanted it this way!
To face each every empty day,
And sweetie I still miss you,
Even though it is the end,
And dearest that's true.

Amber Palowakski, August 6th, 2007

The Journey to…the Mysterious Island - Amber's Part The First

2007-08-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

As I moodily contemplated the future of Caledon, I watched a band of urchins thronging about Lord Bardhaven, their grasping, grimy hands grappling about him while he batted them them away with disdainful disgust. A manged mutt of indiscriminate breeding, with threatening growls attempted to bite the lord in defense of its little master, only to be the recipient of such a glare that suddenly whimpering, it tucked its tail between it legs and tried to escape, but not before Bardhaven's boot caught it solidly in its rump, sending it yelping and tumbling floppy-eared head-over-tail several yards, uncermoniously skidding into a sickening thump against a Phillip plushie toy vendor stall, knocking it over and scattering little toy volcanoes across the market square, which where soon lost in a wash of hands. One of the little buggers managed to snatch a copper from the gentleman of Three Graces(which term I at times thought questionable to apply to the Baron, but always kept such musings to myself), just as lady Eva urged her powerful steed Bucephalus into the crowd, scattering them. The frightened little thief sped toward my direction, cluthing his ill-gotten possesion tightly, and as he passed by me, with Fey speed and strength I grabbed ahold of his scrawny wrist, and applying pressure, forced him to open his palm. Thrashing with wild futility, he stared at me with wide eyes while I calmly plucked his treasure from his grip.

"I'll take this, thank you lad...that is, unless you want the law involved", I growled, while pointing my eyes toward a pair of bobbies striding toward the disbanded mob of cutpurses.

With tears in his bulging eyes, the youngling immediately lost all fight, and relinquishing any claim on the pence, slunkered away in defeat. When I turned my eyes back towards Bardhaven's direction, he was already in his carriage, speeding away to Three Graces, leaving the crowd to find its own means of avoiding his hasty departure. "Oh well, I'll return him his copper later," I thought to myself, and handing it to Sean, directed him to get me another lager.

Sir Alex having taked his own steed on to attend to the business of forming my household cavalry, Sean drove Millie, the babies and I back to my country manor. The ride back to Bauerhoff in the Moors was unevently, filled with the usual inanities and insanities of Millie muttering to herself, going on and on about "that Devil" and "Phillip", occasionally mumbling a Noster Pater or an Ave Maria regarding either problem to herself. Seeing that I was in a foul mood, she averted her eye from mine the entire trip. My second lager long since empty, I directed Sean to stop at the Pavillion. I had hoped to find maybe one more drop of liquor left. To my great aggravation, I discovered Millie was only partly correct in her assessment of my lack of alcohol. Indeed, two of the bottles of Uisge Beatha were empty, but the cask was quite full. Filling up one of the used bottles from the barrel, I stalked back to my carriage fuming, taking several calming sips. I ordered Millie to carry the cask back to the buggy as punishment for her inability to properly foresee what my needs would be. Even though she was scrawny, she had amazing wiry strength. Besides which, her humpback proved a perfect location for porting heavy items such as casks, and crates and what-not, which might be said to be the only advantage of her services to me, which I would soon all-to-well discover. I sent Millie back to the Pavillion to clean up the mess from the previous evening's Lughnassad festivities, while I decided to direct Sean to the manor.

Upon our arrival I regretted leaving Millie behind at the pavillion, as I still had to unload the cask from the hansom. But Sean, bless his bright-eyed heart, had a steady hand, and quite some strength for a strapling young man of 18 summers, and he cheerily offered to unload it. I promised him that after he attended to his normal duties, as well as a special task I had for him that afternoon and evening, that he could later invite his friend Bernie over and share a bottle's worth of the Uisge. He grinned immensely, and being a bright lad, quickly went about his duties. I informed him that first he had to baby sit the children for me, which he didn't mind, as he liked to often play with them, and besides me, he was the only person Elijah would never bite.

Having accomplished said tasks, I attended the tea that late afternoon in Kittiwickshire, then hied myself to the Bookbinder's Ball (which incidently was a magnificent event...it made me proud to be a Caledonian, and greatly honoured that Sir JJ Drinkwater and the librarians had taken residence in Caledon). Lady Eva had cleansed spiritually the Primvernesse Ballroom, and there was nothing other but joy and goodwill the entire evening. Sir JJ recieved the highest honour of the Lapin d'Or, whilst the other librarians the Lapin d'Argent. After the ball, I made a swift journey through the portals left by ancient Elder Ones to Steelhead to attend another event. But I was quite anxious to return home. I was expecting a very important post, which was supposed to arrive by day's end.

When I returned, Sean and Bernie were practically bouncing on their feet awaiting my arrival. Being in a good mood after several relaxing and joyful events, I graciously gave each of the lads each a bottle full and sent them on their way to the stables, warning them to not roam the countryside afterwards. I checked in on my babes, they were sleeping peacefully. I could hear Millie's ramblings echoing up from the cellar, so I proceeded, bottle in hand, to my study, where Sean would have left any posts. After such a bad start to the day, it was ending splendidly, and if I received that for which I long-awaited, all the miseries of the morning would be quickly forgotten!

To my surprise, my study door was partly open, lit within by lamplight. I scowled, thinking about the reprimand I would give Sean in the morning. Opening the door all the way, I stormed in and stopped in shock. There was someone sitting in my chair, at my desk, with their back to me! "What is the meaning of this!" I exclaimed angrily.

Slowly the chair turned. "Tsk, tsk, what a way to greet a kinsman, my dear Amber, after being absent many months," a well-familiar mellow bass rumbled.

I never knew the bottle left my hand, till I heard it smash on the floor, each individual scintillating tinkle of shattering glass acutely heard, as I stared with open-mouthed shock into the face of Colonel Gottfried Eusebio, abdicated 15th Baron of Bauerhoff...my brother! In his hands were two envelopes...one unopened, with the seal of the house of Bardhaven, the other, opened, with the seal of the Chancery's Office...the post which I long-awaited!

"Gott," I whispered, my throat suddenly gone dry, "What are you doing here?!" At this point I deeply regretted dropping the Uisge.

His right leg draped gracefully over the other, he took a long draw from his pipe, blowing aromatic smoke rings in the air...rum-scented, to be exact, which set a craving off within me, while he regarded me steadily, his green werewolf eyes glowing softly. He seemed so much more...sane...than the last time I beheld him. I shuddered involuntarily, foreboding coming over me.

"My, my, sister dear, don't be so overjoyed at seeing me," he purred, "You don't even seem concerned about how I have been this past year. Oh, by the way, I think this is yours."

He casually tossed me the unopened envelope, with the Bardhaven seal, which, my senses returning to me, I deftly caught, but intentionally ignored. My eyes riveted on the very important envelope in his hands, the one addressed to me, the one he opened, I casually sparred back in a flat tone, "How have you been, dear brother," while in a more sharp note stated, "And I believe the other mine is mine as well."

"Ahhh, yes, we'll get to the matter of this presently," he drawled, flourishing the Chancery Office envelope dramatically. "But first, as to where I was..." His eyes grew distant, his voice softer, "I was incensed with madness, dear sister. After having abdicated the Barony to you, and forced to face the ignoble and humiliating experience of giving you my beloved blimp, my mind lost all grasp of reason. Visions and voices filled my head. I was compelled to travel to Lauk, to the land of the Itchysporkchowchow..."

At this point I was getting aggravated at his sense of the melodrama, and interrupted, "Gott, that is silly...you went to the land of the Icky-icky-icky-icky-P'tang, Zzoo-Boing, gdgdbaaoizen?!"

Suddenly coming out of his revery, he said in a decidedly patronizing tone, "Now you are being silly, sister...not the land of the Knights till have recently said 'Ni'... the land of the Itchysporkchowchow! I was in search of something quite valuable there, till the land was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption. I barely escaped with my life, stowing away on this ship quickening to set sail from Port Lauk 'The Ruffian King'."

Suddenly, he leapt to his feet, the mad glaze back in his eyes, shouting, "If I would have had my bloody blimp, which you finagled off of me, I would not have had to do unspeakable things to mollify the captain of the ship from telling the owner of the ship, some dread Baron Bardhoffen-something-or-the-other, of my presence, and escaped on my own!!!" Spittle flew from his mouth as he ranted, and some foam dribbled down his wolfen furry chin.

I rolled my eyes at him, now definitely assured that he was still crazy. I really needed a drink. Then I recalled that in the drawer of my writing desk there was a bottle of Absinthe, one of those little complimentary types you get at hotels, which I acquired from Sheriff Thaddeus Riel while making a visit to Tombstone in search of my long-lost Laudanum-driven cousin Copal Riel, who went mad pining for her sailor husband who failed to return from his nautical voyagings for 10 years. Opening the drawer I snatched the little treasure out, and finished it in one pull. I then gave Gott the look only a mother can give to a wayward 3 year-old, or a nurse at the Tamrannoch Sanitorium gave its patients. "OK, Gotti," I said soothingly, "It's ok. You are safe now, home, with sissy here to take care of you."

As he was pacing back and forth distraughtly, my presence all forgotten, mumbling constantly "The horror, the horror," I decided to give him time to recover some semblance of normality, and opened up Bardhaven's missive. It began with the usual pompous ramblings of the self-obsessed, "The Lord Bardhaven, Lord Zealot Benmurgui, yada-yada-yada, by the grace of blah-blah-blah, under the Authority of Vicereine Kamillah Hauptmann, King Phillip Linden the First, Guv'nah Desmond Shang, The Duchesses of Carntaigh, Loch Avie, Lionsgate, and Primvernesse, and the Auspices of the Royal Society...etc., etc., etc...(interspersed with all sorts of phrases in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and the Edler Ones' tongue), I do hereby summon you to join this expedition to NEWLY FORMED VOLCANIC ISLAND OF PHILLIP, situated in the Middle Sea of Caledon, and so forth...."

I stood stock-still, staring at the letter. I read it again. I couldn't believe I was being drawn into what I was certain would become a debacle. Yet if the Duchesses were going, I couldn't be left behind. I couldn't refuse. What would people say? I would most definitely lose the respect of my society. Sighing deeply, I knew what I had to do.

Leaving Gott to his ramblings about being in the midst of the heart of darkness, I swiftly made my way to the kitchem and grabbing a bottle of cooking sherry downed it in one swallow. Snatching another bottle, I returned to my study, where Gott was still raving, though in a much more subdued manner. When he saw me, the madness left his eyes once again, and a dangerous cunning shone forth. He waved the missive from the Chancery's Office before my eyes, which said organs followed possesively and hungrily. I couldn't let him have that!

"Well, well, well, my dear sister, you decided to remember there are more important things than your precious bottle! Come back for this, did you?" he rumbled in a threatening tone. "Well, I won't let you have it, except on one condition!"

All my hopes settled on that one piece of paper, that ancient document, that Letters Patent dating back to April 6th, 1560, establishing the Bauerhoff Barony and its crest from Queen Elizabether the First herself. Gott had sent to the Chancery's Office his own abdication of his position as Baron under my insistence a year ago, and now it had been approved by the Crown itself, King Phillip Linden the First, and the original Letters Patent sent to me, to be in my possesion. But if Gott refused now to give me what was rightfully mine....

"What, Gott? What? What do you want?", I said almost pleadingly, tears in my eyes. "What do you wish of me?" I pulled long and hard from the sherry, to give me strength for his demands.

"I want my blimp back!" he asserted boldy, the madness clear in his eyes. "I want it, I want, I want it!!!", he began to rail like a two-year-old robbed of its toy, stomping his foot petulantly and pouting. "It's mine, and I want it back!"

A slow smile crossed my face, as I found a solution to two problems. As always, when Gott became like this, he became putty in my hands. Giving him my kindest smile, I purred, "Sure Gott, you can have your blimp back, on one condition..."

Malleable as ever, now mollified, meekly he murmured, "Really? I can? what's the condition?"

Now for the tour-de-force, because the only thing I could ever trust Gott with were my babes...he doted on them beyond reason, and was fiercely protective of them, his niece and nephew, heirs to the Barony, because he knew under his condition he never could have children. "Gott dear," I manipulatively intoned, "You can take care of my babies for a month, if you give me the Letters Patent. AND you can have your blimp back!" I callously failed to mention I had a better blimp, a zeppelin actually, the LS0001 Graf Luftschiff.

I didn't need his silly old blimp anymore. He suddenly melted like butter in a pan, tears of happiness rolling from his eyes. I smiled my sweetest, and reaching into my reticule pulled out the keys to his blimp, and gesturing with my eyes toward the prize I sought the most, dangled the keys before his eyes. Like a puppy at the teat, he took the keys, absent-mindedly dropping the documents to the floor, and started prancing about like a pixie in a poppy field.

Grinning, I deftly snatched up the documents, and perused them. I proudly read that venerable decree from long ago:

Elizabeth, Dei gratia Angliæ, Franciæ & Hiberniæ Regina, fidei defensor,&c.
Omnibus ad quos præsentes literæ pervenerint, salutem.

Be it hereby recognized by all, that the Crowne hereby granteth this Letters Patent,
which certifyeth that our Loyal Servant, Sir Rufus Eusebio-Palowakski, Baronet of
Bauerhoff, be hereby entered into the rolls of the Peerage, with all said privelages as pertaineth unto a Baron of the Realm, including the rights of said Title, and fiefdomme of the Barony of Bauerhoff de Caledon, and seat in Parliamente, and Coat of Arms, which shall consist of a shield tierced pallwise, on the chief a field Gules shall be a Chalice Or emblazoned with the fluer de lis Vert, on the Dexter a field Or shall be a Crowned Lion Rampant Gules facing Sinister, on the Sinister a field Vert shall be a Pascal Lamb Passant Argent, the crest being a Unicorn Head Caboshed Argent with tongue Gules, facing Sinister, and a Mantle of the colours of the Tartan Caledon. This title and and attendant privelages shall be considered in pertuata, with the especial privelage granteth by the Crowne which permitteth said holder to name his successor, be it sonne or daughter, brother or sister, but if no such heir exists, said title and lands thereby return to the Crowne.

Dat. apud Palacium nostrum de Westmonasterio, sexto die Aprilis. Anno regni nostri secundo.

At long last, my hopes have been attained! No longer just heir-apparent, acting Baroness of the Barony of Bauerhoff de Caledon, but Baroness indeed! Now only one thing remained. Well, two things. First and foremost, joining Lord Bardhaven's expedition to Phillip, to ensure that Caledon (AND, most importantly, my Barony, which was now fully and rightfully mine), were not destroyed, as well as to keep an eye on Bardhaven, which some sources rumoured that he had his eyes on my Barony anyways, as they claimed, (though I was not able to ascertain for sure), that he was distantly related to me on my great-aunt's uncle-in-law's great-grandfater's cousin's niece's husband's mother's father's side), and that he could prove it, though I doubted it. The other thing was to make sure Gott was committed to the Tamrannoch Sanitorium when I returned. Anybody who spouted off nonsense about imaginary lands called Lauk inhabited by equally ridicululously named inhabitants such as Itchysporkchowchow surely needed better care than that to which I could attain. I need to talk to my inside source there, Mr. Icterus Dagger, upon my return from this mysterious journey.

Tomorrow I shall begin packing for this venture. As dear, old, crazy brother Gott scampered off to play with the bairns, I headed to the stables to join Sean and Bernie for a drink or two or three (or 10 or 12). And maybe other fun, if I didn't pass out.

The Journey to…the Mysterious Island - Amber's Prologue - Installment Two

2007-08-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

After what seemed like forever, Millie ambled in, her shuffling gait making the floorboards squeak in an odd fashion. Scowling at her, I snatched the martini and took a swallow, immediately spewing the contents out. Thankfully she was in the path of the liquid projectile, sparing my wallpaper and carpet a mess she would have made worse in her pathetic attempts to clean. And as she always seemed filthy anyways, the martini now dripping down her face might actually be the closest she would come to a bath in months.

"Goddess, Millie! This is awful! What did you do to my drink?" I angrily exclaimed.

She immediately began her nervous foot-hopping, hand-wringing routine again, head hanging down as I glared at her. Elijah perched on one hip, my hand on the other, I tapped my foot impatiently, awaiting an answer. In a way, I felt sorry for the half-witted wretch, but this just will not do. My patience was already strained to its limits for the morning. All I wanted a simple martini.

"I...I..I'm sorry, m...m..m'lady," she stammered, "but we are out of gin and vermouth....I...I...improvised."

I arched an eyebrow. "Improvised?"

"Yes, m'lady, I used cooking sherry and pine oil."

I was flabbergasted. The day was already getting worse, if that were possible. "Why didn't you go to the pavillion and get some Uisge Beatha?"

"I did go, m'lady," she replied in a whisper, "Your guests drank it all last night."

I sighed aloud. "No matter. We have something important to do. Gather up Elizabeth, and let's go find Sean, and have him hitch up the carriage." We would have to take the babies with us, as my last nanny, Bessy, upon hearing that gambling was now banned everywhere, went into a state of mental depression so deep she became catatonic and I had to commit the poor lass to the Tamrannoch Sanitorium, and I daren't trust Millie to the babies alone.

As she shuffled to the stables, I made a detour to the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of cooking sherry. By the time I reached the coach, I already had half the bottle empty. Sean gave me a bright salute and cheery smile, as he held the door open for me and assisted Millie and me up into the carriage. I told him to go to the Cay, and set my mind on brooding while I rocked Elijah.

It seems that I was not the only person headed to the Cay. Indeed, it seemed as if all of Caledon, and a good portion of Steelhead, New Babbage, both Tombstones, Neufreistadt, Neualtenburg, and Deadwood/Yankton were crowding in the port village. Sean had a difficult time manuevering around the milling curiosity-seekers. There was quite the festive atmosphere, and apparently some intrepid mainland former casino owners had set up stalls everywhere, selling all sorts of "Phillip" items, and taking side-bets on how long Caledon would last. Admitedly I was quite confused. At last I saw Sir Alex in the crowd, looking for me. I had Sean stop the buggy, and I alit from my seat. I felt like I was in the middle of a carnival. Apparently there was this huge volcanic island poking out of the Middle Sea. Every now and then it would belch forth magma balls, and the crowd would "ooohh" and "aahhh" as if there were a fireworks show in process. Sir Alex came up to me, and humbly bowing, stated he was glad to see me well. Seeing a "Lava-Lager" venodr nearby, I sent Sean to pick me one up, as I had by now finished the sherry. Sir Alex filled me in on some of the details of the recent events as we awaited Sean's return. Now at last I knew who "Phillip" was, a massive inhabited volcanic island in the Middle Sea, about to destroy life as we know it. When Sean brought back my lager, I ordered him to stay with the carriage while I and my small entourage made our way to the docks.

There, Countess Kate Nichols and the entirety of the Royal Society for the Advancement of Knowledge in the Natural Sciences were gathered and seemed to be in quite a state of panic and dismay. The Duchesses Carntaigh and Loch Avi were milling about, agitated as well. From what snatches of conversation I could get, it seemed the end of the world (or Caledon, at any rate), was at hand, and the Society had no funds to send an expedition to stop the event. I began to grow concerned, and fishing in my reticule I found my last seven Lindens, (the rest having been spent on parcel rents, SLRFL, and tipping the DJ's at my ball last night), and offered them to the Society. Lady Kate stared at me blankly for a moment, then sweetly smiled and thanked me but suggested I could better help the Society if I donated my prim hat. Always wanting to help charities, I gladly gave it to her, and told her I had more back at that manor.

At that point, I saw Lord Bardhaven approach. He flashed me a smile, then turned a cool gaze on Millie. She cringed and hissed and made the sign of the cross, spitting out the words "Devil!" His smile turned to ice, and sqealing in terror, Millie hid behind me, and began reciting the Ave Maria in Latin. Lord Bardhaven flashed his smile at me again, and said to me, "I am glad to see things are working out with your help." I just grunted and curtsied, as he flourished a bow, and then he proceeded to address the Royal Society.

“I couldn’t help but overhear that you are a bit strapped for operating funds, vis a vis, an expedition to dear Phillip out there. I think I could see my way clear to underwriting such important work pro bono…of course, quid pro quo, ipso facto, there would be certain…accommodations I would demand, ad nauseaum, habeas corpus, e pluribus unum.”

The Society on their part gladly accepted Lord Bardhaven's offer, though I had a deep suspicion that they were going to get a "Millie" on their hands. In the pit of my stomach I had a deep foreboding. Indeed, the day was getting worse, and my lager was empty.

The Journey to…the Mysterious Island - Amber's Prologue - Installment One

2007-08-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

I groaned in a decidedly unpleasant manner, and threw the blankets over my head, disturbed at the unpleasant feeling of sudden unexpected rays of sunlight stabbing at my sleeping eyes, and the god-awful sound of Millie singing to herself in a raspy, grating voice that only is perfected with the practice of nurturing untrainable vocal chords for 70-plus years. Head still pounding from last night's adventures with the bottle, and something else I still coudn't put my mental fingers on, I rolled over in my bed in disgust.

"Good morning to you, m'lady!" Millie sing-songed, her voice causing my ears to itch as if a dozen fleas decided to take up residence there.

Why I keep the woman I don't know. She can't clean worth a lick, and is a horrid cook. Oh yes, that's right. Some years back, at the Hotel in Steelhead, I had gotten into an Absinthe drinking contest with Lord Bardhaven. Half-way through, we had settled on this bet with a ridiculously high monetary value, to see who can out-drink the other. I was totally stunned that I had actually lost to the man. His constitution far exceeded that which I expected of him, as pale as he always looked. In any event, dear ole brother Gott had just sunk the entire family fortune in a business venture involving the production of gun-powder propelled Hydrogen-balloon airships on the island nation of Zwabalabbaland. One of the local drunken native workers decided to smoke a cigar while sitting on a powder keg and fell asleep. Needless to say, the factory as well the entire island no longer exist and there went $50,000,000 Lindens up in smoke. As poppy was the major cash crop of the island, the plume that arose from that island was soon drifted over another island, getting all the locals there so high as they went on a rampage, and then ran lemming-like over the cliff. In short, I had no money, and Lord Bradhaven insisted that he would be genteel enough as to let me take the hag off of his hands, "as she is quite expensive to room and board," and I would be saving him more money than he would have gained if I actually could pay my debt. So now I was stuck with this pathetic excuse for a maid. I soon found out she was hardly an expense, seeming content to sleep in the cellar and eat the resident vermin there, but her brutish personality and clumsy skills often caused me such consternation as to think Lord Bardhaven isn't as noble as he pretended to be. Sadly, the burden of noblesse oblige settled heavily upon my shoulders, and as I can't bear the thought of sending even the most villainous of souls out in the streets homeless, I was stuck with the cretinous servant till such a time availed of itself whereas I could pawn her upon some unwitting person. Hmmmmmm. Colonel O'Toole is in need of a new servant. Maybe I can challenge him to an Absinthe duel...

It was senseless trying to sleep any longer. Millie was hovering over my bed, prattling some nonesense about "Phillip." I opened my eyes, and there she was, her one good bulbous eye nigh unto popping out of its socket, all pale and glazed over, peering at me. Her other eye was missing, the skin over its former home sewn tightly shut. How she lost I don't know, and didn't want to ask. I always suspected though that one of her meals was still alive while she tried to eat it, and bit back. She grinned at me, well if you could call the peculiar way she contorted her mouth a grin. She had less teeth than a viper, and the one she did have was jagged and stained an odd greyish blue colour. Her hunched body was literally hopping up and down from foot to club foot in manic glee, her wisps of hair whipping about like Medusan adders, wringing her gnarled fingers together nervously.

"Wake up, m'lady, wake up!" she croaked, her fetid breath washing over my face as she leaned in close to me, "It's Phillip! Phillip is here!"

My internals heaving nauseously, I decided to close my eyes again, and threw the covers over my head for good measure. Goddess, I drank too much last night, and this wasn't helping me any.

"What nonsense are you talking about Millie?", my muffled grumbles enquired of her, "Is King Phillip Linden coming to Caledon for a visit? If it is to him you are referring, you will use the proper address of royals!"

"Noooooo, m'lady, Phillip...", she ended her statement with a shriek of fear. The cause of her terror-laden wail was the same cause that had me suddenly jolt upright in bed, the blankets and sheets sliding off my naked body. Because at that very moment the whole house shook violently. Even though it was a clear day, it suddenly got darker as a black roiling cloud passed over the face of the sun. Goosebumps covered my flesh, and my skin tightened in the most inconvenient of places, considering the circumstances. Feeling Millie's leering gaze upon my body like rancid oil sliding over me, I quickly pulled my blankets back up over my body.

"what in blazes was that!?" I tremblingly asked.

"Phillip, m'lady! Phillip!" she rasped, going back to her hopping about.

Surely the woman was mad. At that moment, the ground shook again, waking up poor Elijah Bastillion. Raivyn Elizabeth slept on, oblivious to the commotion. Elijah on the other hand was now caterwauling, so I directed Millie to bring him to me. Even though Dr. Mason cured both my children of their vampyrism, Raivyn liked to sleep the days away, and Elijah never lost his fangs, and still liked to bite. He especially liked to bite Millie. Which he promptly did when she picked him up. She grimaced but brought him to me nonetheless, knowing I could have quite a temper in the mornings. For some reason Elijah now seemed content, and was smiling and cooing by the time he reached my arms.

I could hear a banging on the door downstairs, so I sent Millie out to see who was so insistently knocking. As soon as she left the room, I arose from bed and put the now content Elijah in his crib, while I got dressed. Looking out the window, I could see that there was alot of smoke in the direction of the Cay. I wondered if maybe the aliens were attacking again. By the time I was dressed, Millie returned, holding an envelope. I proceeded to take it from her, and ordered her to get me a martini. Shaken, not stirred. Extra dry. She would probably mess it up, but I needed a stiff drink. I opened the envelope. It was a telegraph from my Steward, Sir Alex Chadbourne. He urgently insisted I come to the Cay, post haste, as it was an issue of national emergency. The ground shook again, which set Elijah to wailing once more. Sighing deeply, I picked up my bairn and rocked him till he was soothed, awaiting my drink, and pondering what was happening. Earthquakes, black belching smoke, national emergency in the Cay, crying babies, banging headache, and an incompetent maid who was taking way too long to get me my martini. This was going to be one of those days.

Dolly Parton - I will always love you

2007-07-30T17:34:00.001-07:00

What I Wanted To Hear Instead of Angry Songs

2007-07-29T20:26:00.001-07:00

Lighthouses of Caledon & Steelhead

2007-07-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's nice to find a beacon that guides one from the burdens that press so darkly upon the heart. What I needed was some light to shine its way through the fogs and troubled waters of hopes dashed, and a heart drowning in the oceans of sorrow. What better a symbol of hope to sailors fearful of being awashed upon the treacherous shoals of life, than the welcoming ray of warmth emanating from a stately lighthouse. And so, to honour those fellow Caledonians and Steelheadians who have reached out their arms of love to me, and pulled me in safe from the storm, I give you this gift...the lighthouses of Steelhead and Caledon. It was a project I had begun several days prior, and thought now was a fitting time to finish it.

I would like to give a special thanks to Lady "Whoop-ass" Protector Diamanda Gustavson, who went with me on most of this journey of the soul photography yesterday evening, giving me her company and a ready ear! Another thanks goes to Major Erasmus Margulis, who offered me the sanctuary of his lighthouse. I don't think he expected me to use it in this way. *smiles softly*

Kattryn Severin's Lighthouse in Steelhead

Joni Vargas' Lighthouse in The Moors

Ordinal Malaprop's Steampunk Lighthouse in Caledon Prime

Reitsuki Kojima's Lighthouse in The Port

Major Erasmus Margulis' Lighthouse in The Cay

Doc Wrangler's Lighthouse in Kittiwickshire

Zoe Connoly's Lighthouse in Regency

A Broken Engagement

2007-07-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

This perhaps will be one of the saddest entries ever in my journal. I found it to be necessary last evening to break my engagement to Mr. Americanpsycho98 Book. We are no longer a couple. I have no desire to explain publicly why. If asked privately, I may or may not tell you, depending on how well I know you. I do want to say this, though. He is still a friend, and remains so, and I will continue to allow him to sell his goods from my Boutique in the Moors. I would hope my friends continue to treat him respectfully, courteously, and kindly, as they always have in the past. I am in no way making any public denouncements of him. He is hurting as much as I am right now, maybe even more so. He has done many good things to me and for me (such as keeping my parcels in Caledon alive while my computer was dead for 40 days). Being single again will take alot of getting used to. This is something that I don't want to do, but it is also something I have to do. Thank you, 98, for all the good memories. I will cherish them. And thank you my friends (you know who you are), who have taken time to comfort and support me in this time of emotional trial. *wipes her tears and gets ready for the tea*

The Harry Potter Dance

2007-07-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

Miss Shylah Garmes, winner of the costume contest.

Caledonians and Steelheadians love to party, and don't have to look hard to find a reason. In this case it was the occassion of the release of the final Harry Potter book. Though most attendees were well-versed in the series, there were several, myself included, who know next to nothing about the books. Like I said, we need little excuse to find a reason to party. grins broadly This dance was part of a larger series of Harry Potter-related events scattered throughout Caledon. There was a trivia event (as I am in near total ignorance of the subject matter, I thought to leave that one alone). There was a sorting the hat event ( before I went to the dance, I had no clue what that meant, so I didn't go to that event either...however, once I got to the ball, the term was explained to me, and I went to the website to which I was directed, took an incredibly long test, and found out I was a member of the Ravenclaw House, which after I read the discription of said house, came as no surprise at all to me). The dance event was hosted by Librarians Mr. JJ and Miss Mica, held on land graciously provided by Her Grace, the Duchess of Primvernesse, Lady CoyoteAngel Dimsum, and was DJ'ed by none other than Her Grace the Duchess of Carntaigh, Lady Gabrielle Riel. The music was fantastic, and the conversation quite witty, with numerous humourous limericks exchanged among the guests about each other (which will be posted by Lady Gabi in her blog...I'm looking forward to it). I took photos of a number of the guests, shown below.

Sir Hotspur "Hotsie" O'Toole, Colonel

Caledon's Premier Librarian JJ Drinkwater

Her Grace The Duchess of Carntaigh, Lady Gabrielle Riel, DJ for the event

Jarl Otenth Paderborn (I think)

98 and I

Lady Protector Diamanda Gustavson

Dr. Mitsu Figaro

Miss CeAire and Mr. Hawk Decosta (I think)

Lord Edaward Pearse and Lady Christine McAllister-Pearse

Harry Potter Party-goers

Miss Hermione Pennyfeather

An owl watches over the festivities

Flaming pitchforks and torches! Oh my!

Lord Edward Pearse as a very wizardly-looking but deadly dangerous drop bear (not to be confused with the kind and cuddly koala bear). I think if Lord Edward wore this avi, he would have won the contest.

Miss Eugenia Burton

A true Hogwarts night!

The importance of Libraries in our SL communities!

My Hogwarts House

2007-07-20T19:33:00.001-07:00

The sorting hat says that I belong in Ravenclaw!

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose intelligence is surest."

Ravenclaw students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent, and knowledgeable.
Notable residents include Cho Chang and Padma Patil (objects of Harry and Ron's affections), and Luna Lovegood (daughter of The Quibbler magazine's editor).

Take the most scientific Harry Potter
Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

The Bloodwing Foundation Caledon Red Cross Fund-Raver

2007-07-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Bloodwing Foundation in Steelhead

Last night a "fund-raver" was held at the Bloodwing Foundation in Steelhead, to raise funds for the forthcoming Red Cross Hospital that will be erected in soon-to-be and greatly anticipated Caledon Regency sim. The event was hosted by Dr. Darien Mason-Bloodwing. For the event, the uber-DJ of Caledon's Radio Riel, Her Grace the Duchess of Carntaigh, Gabrielle Lady Riel, provided us the audio ear candy.

Of course, the usual suspects of Caledonians and Steelheadians were in attendance, plus Tombstone's Mayor Wraith Sardyk (sp?) and Tombstone's Sheriff Thaddeus Riel. A hungry street urchin stopped in, to whom we gave cake to eat (please, no Marie Antoinette joke here, it *was* a late night affair, and supper being long past, and the servants already sent to their respective homes for the evening, the only food available was cake). There was another stranger in atendance, upon whom I will comment momentarily.

The lovely and very well-made cake was provided by Steelhead's premier baker, Lady Christine McAllister-Pearse. Great fun and fantastic music was to be had by all, a Dalek battle ensued when the Dr. Who song came on, and of course it ended in semi-nakedness (of the PG sort), and some interesting discussion of pasties (of the not-so-PG sort). It seems alot of Absinthe flowed. I discovered there are interesting effects to mixing Absinthe and cake...I sure saw alot of faeries flying about, strangely they weren't green. Once again, 98 requested the song "Angel of Mine" for the final tune of the evening. smiles and blushes As is usual for the Caledon and Steelhead dances, I had a great time, and I hope that enough money was raised to get the hospital erected post-haste.

The lovely and appropriate cake designed by Lady Christine

There was a moment of unease, however. Sheriff Fuzzball Ortega had to step out to make his nightly rounds of Steelhead, ensuring no criminal activity was taking place. In his brief absence, and only moments after he left, a stranger came in. Though I had never met him before, I know by descriptions given to me by Sheriff Ortega that this could be none other than the notorious Jobias Barthelmess, were-wolf hunter of the Old World. And when he spoke, his thick accent immediately proved my suspicions true. Sheriff Ortega's cousin Purdie was visibly agitated, and several other of the guests showed signs of discomfort with the presence of this uninvited, and unwelcome guest, though in true Victorian fashion, everybody remained more than courteous.

One of the self-appointed "righteous ones", his breed of self-piety is most dangerous to all others, because such people believe with all their heart that they are the only upholders of the truth, and that they have a God-given right to exterminate all things they consider in their belief system to be evil, and that in their minds, the end justifies the means, hence any method of eradicating those who oppose their views is acceptable. And Mr. Barthelmess is known to have deposed a king that didn't hold to his viewpoint.

I knew I had to be careful, but couldn't help exchanging verbal sabers with the said "gentleman". While our tone remained civil, thee was no doubt to the undercurrent of tension between us as we made feints, thrusts, and parries of the conversational sort, testing each other's strengths and weaknesses. I tried to get answers from him as to why he was there, at our rave. He answered like a drunk man walks, going everywhere except where he is supposed to be going. Finally, as he bade us farewell, I gave my last parting touche, "There are many people who think to hunt the shadows of evil ... be careful the shadow you hunt is not your own." With those words, the umbra of brooding vengeance left the room, and we returned to our good cheer.

Steelhead's Sheriff Fuzzball Ortega

The mysterious and dangerous Mr. Jobias Barthelmess

Hoooo! Me in my lovely morning dress by Fuschia Begonia (I'm a Baroness, I can wear a morning dress in the evening if I want to!)

Dr. Darien Mason-Bloodwing Earl Edward Lord Pearse and his bride Countess Christine Lady McAllister-Pearse

Dr. Mistu Figaro (I think, too shadowy to tell for sure), Major Erasmus, Lady Gabi, and Lady Lavendar

98, Miss Dia, Lady Eva

A skeleton that wandered out of one of the Foundation's basement closets and danced with us

My sweetie 98, Miss Diamanda Gustavson in the background

Miss Lumina Elvjeheim

Sir Telemechus Dean, with Major Erasmus in the background

Attendees to the fundraiser enjoying the Radio Riel tunes

Myself and the others dancing in a state of semi-dress...notice one of the faeries flying by...maybe it wasn't the Absinthe and cake

Tombstone's Sheriff Thaddeus Riel looks like he feels out of place surrounded by semi-nude kilt dancers

3-D Van Gogh Art Exhibit

2007-07-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Today, thanks to a friend of mine in SL, Miss Joie Flanagan, 98 and I were directed to a most interesting set of builds. Totally in character for Victorian rp, the Vincent Van Gogh 3 Art Exhibit at Virtual Starry Night in Luctesa

(SLURL = http://slurl.com/secondlife/Luctesa/140/183/66/?x=1024&y=1024&img=http%3A//bp3.blogger.com/_jf7iT2VW01s/Rp6r0kcBjwI/AAAAAAAAAL8/94uiQ0-ULuU/s1600-h/VanGoghExhibit_011.bmp&title=Must-See%20Van%20Gogh%20Art%20in%203d&msg=This%20exhibit%20is%20incredible%21) is a *Must-See*! Thoough at times the art is displayed in modern and futuristic buildings, seeing the paintings, and then a very realistic 3-D build beside it is breath-taking. Words cannot describe the magnificence of this exhibit, and the following pictures I took do not do the show justice. It is something you must see yourself! Enjoy these piccies, then go enjoy the exhibit!

I Have Got To Have One Of These!

2007-07-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is what I want for Christmas!

Old News Part III - Alien Invasion

2007-07-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

Looking over the wreckage of a downed alien craft.

I was tending to my own business of building back at my Pavillion when I heard the call go out over the aether...aliens invading Kittiwickshire. At first I thought it might be just a silly game, and smiled in amusement and continued my tasks. But when the calls grew more frantic, I thought it best to investigate. Arriving at Kitti's hub, I saw alot of commotion, some flames and smoke, but no sign of any invaders. I thought perhaps a mob of drunken sailors from the Salty Mermaid might have gotten out of hand. But then I heard this bizarre sound, something like an "oooooolllllaahhhhh". Perplexed, I turned to see the source of eerie babbling, and found myself looking at this green daguerrotype lens-like protrosuion from a round steel-plated body with three spindly legs dangling from it, as it floated in the sky. My Sidhe senses warned me, and I dove to the side just as a blast from a heat ray shot out from it at me. God and Goddess be praised, I happened to have my Ordinal Malaprop repeating engine rifle with me, and returned fire. I soon found myself in a firefight with two of these creatures. The Kitti boardwalk was soon in flames. I fired away at the beasts, till I finally was able to knock one down at the Tanglewood border, but then my rifle over-heated and ceased.

My beloved 98 joined me, just when it seemed the attack ended. Not sure if the threat was ended, I decided I needed something more appropriate with which to battle the invaders. So I did the only sensible thing any good Victorian lady would do...I went shopping for a decent outfit to wear while fighting Martians! 98 wisely grins and winks agreed with me. Knowing Miss Virginia had some good selections for the adventurous woman, we made haste to her shoppe in Eyre, where I purchased her aviatrix outfit. It had a smart fit, and I thought looked quite dashing on me.

Mounting my blimp, 98 and I decided to do some aerial recoinnasance. Flying into Tanglewood, we had discovered Blue camp was in shambles. Some of the tents were aflame, and there was an object that looked like nothing else than an extremely large, hollow bullet that was split open, embedded nose-first into the ground. Captain Viderian Vollmar of the Dragoons suggested that this was the vehicle used by the metallic spidery outworlders to reach our faire land.

While we were discussing whether the menace would return, suddenly, they most certainly did. It was a horrific battle. At first 98 and I tried to use our blimps, but it was hard to maneuver them in the trees at night. Besides which, 98's blimp was downed. He very narrowly escaped the fireball of hydrogen gas by diving out of his aircraft before it exploded. It's my opinion that this leap for safetly was what caused the intial damage to his leg, that would result ultimately in it being broken.

Concluding that flying about in potential bombs being shot at with heat rays was probably inadvisable at the least, I took to my faithful mount, Iontaofa. The beautiful Bay is a fiesty creature, and she had no fear of any enemies. I soon discovered that the best tactic was to ride underneath the belly of the creatures, and fire up at them, as they had no line of fire back from their bottoms. They couldn't fly too high above the trees, as then they couldn't see what they were marauding, and down below in the trees, as Captain Vollmar soon noted, they were vulnerable insofar as they were unable to much maneuver. I believe this is the main reason they started to set the trees on fire, to clear them out for better visibility.

All the calls on the aether about the alien attack and the fires in Tanglewood soon drew the attention of Lady Gabrielle, who thought we were being beset by griefers. When we appraised the Duchess of the situation, and the great danger to her body, she realized that she would have to leave the combat up to us, because Caledon could ill-afford to lose one of their leaders. Her Grace was taken to a safer locale as the battle raged on.

In the end, we repelled the invaders from the camp and assessed the damage. There were a number of wounded, Miss Diamanda, 98, and myself included. One of the heat rays burned a gash in my right leg, and 98's leg was broken. The medical team, consisting of Dr. Mitsu Figaro, Lady Lavendar, and Touma-san, worked valiantly to heal our hurts. The camp was in ruins and had to be moved. I myself passed out from the pain for several hours, while Colonel Scaggs ordered the camp to me moved to a safer locale.

When I had awakened, I sat with the Dragoons for a bit. A comraderie having been established with the Blue Militia as a result of fighting side-by-side with them against the Martians, I asked Colonel Scaggs to allow us to join them. Colonel Scaggs graciously accepted our applications, and we became Dragoons. When one has battled foes together, supported each other, helped each other out of precarious situations, one cannot but help to feel a bond develope.

Lying in the medic's tents after being sorely wounded to the right leg with a horrible gash

Dr. Mitsu Figaro and 98 tending to my wounds.

Suddenly, another call came over the aether. Caledon's Fire Chief, Qlippotic Projects, was overcome fighting off one of the remaining fires in Kittiwickshire. Against the protests of Dr. Mitsu and Lady Lavendar, I hobbled on my crutch over to my airship, 98 at my side. I was going to attempt a rescue airlift of my friend. Even if I hadn't felt a debt to Qli's father, Dr. Mason-Bloodwing, for his curing me and my babies from Vampyrism, I still would have made the attempt to save my dear and valiant friend. When we arrived in Kittiwickshire, the situation was worse then we expected. Qli lie unconscious by a roaring inferno. A crowd of onlookers stood by, greatly desirous to help, but unsure how. I lowered the craft dangerously close to the flames. 98 alighted from the craft, and with the aid of Sheriff Ortega, they managed to get Qli onto the airship, and secured her as best as they could. As her clay golem form was particularly heavy, it was decided that it would be unsafe to fly the craft with 98 also on board. He headed back to Tanglewood on horseback, while I flew back to Camp Cuddles II. We were close to camp, when Qli floated back into consciousness. She mumbled somtheing about overheating. I started to take the craft to a higher altitude at a faster speed, to cool her off, but as I was banking back down toward camp, the cables fastening her to the craft came loose. "I've failed", she bemoaned, just before she tumbled out of the craft. Too far above the trees to see where she fell, I landed the craft at camp, and we assembled a search party. Shortly after, we found her, encased in some device that apparently was restoring her "dermal layer", whatever that meant. Captain Vollmar explained it meant skin.

While Qli was reparing herself, another call came out over the aether. The Red Camp was under attack. Already weary from the battles earlier, and our wounds, we hurried over to Loch Avie. 98 and Captain Vollmar joined me on my airship, and we flew there, doing an aerial scout on the way over. When we arrived, we found the camp under similar conditions of damage as the Blue camp, but no aliens. Lord Edward took his bride and the Duchess Carntaigh on his large zeppelin to look for aliens, while we explored the camp, looking for more clues as to the nature of the attackers. There was another downed alien craft, and many flames. It was then that the aliens attacked again. We offered a fierce resistance, and chased the invaders into Victoria City. There a fierce firefight ensued, where the defenders...Reds and Blues together, fought entrenched to protect the Guvnah's Mansion. The invaders focused most of their attention on the Mansion and the square. Faithful Iontafa was shot out from under me, and I took a minor wound to my hand. Thankfully, her wounds were not as serious as I first feared, and she is recovering well at the stables. After what seemed to be forever, we finally ran them out of Victoria City.

But we had no respite. The call was out again. Eyre was under attack. The aliens were becoming more clever, and tougher than earlier. But Caledonians were becoming more organized as well, and in greater numbers. Nevertheless, we were being beaten down with wounds and battle-weariness. 98 took a life-threatening wound to the chest, which Dr. Mitsu was able to stop the bleeding. My left arm was broken when my other steed, Meán-Oíche, was knocked over by a blast. Blessedly, his wounds were not as serious as mine. It was finally determined that Medic Touma-san, 98, Shylah Garmes, and myself, needed to return to the medics tents in Tanglewood. There Dr. Mason arrived, and under somewhat safer conditions, he was able to finish the work Dr. Mitsu started. Weary, broken, and despondant, I stood watch, and lured away any wandering aliens that came too close to our camp.

You can't see the alien in this pic unless you click on it to see the enlarged version

Finally, unable to stand any longer, 98 and I returned to my estate in the Moors. The war continued long after I withdrew from the field of combat, and there were many valiant deeds performed by my fellow Caledonians, of which I was not a witness. Caledon's darkest hour was also its finest hour. Her citizens rose to the task of repelling the Martian invasion, united together against a common foe, despite their own differences. For one night, I saw what determined resolve can be found within the hearts of its citizens, when it came to the defense of the land we love so deeply. It was a night that brought us together as a country unlike any other time before. Long live Caledon! Long live Guv'nah Shang!

Someone thought to use a war elephant to fight the aliens.

Old News Part II - The Dark Victorian Ball

2007-07-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

Attendees at the Dark Victorian Ball

Another event, that took place Saturday, July 7th, that I wanted to talk about, was the Dark Victorian Fashion Show and Ball. Sadly, the evening of the ball, my human had to go back to work, so I missed alot of it. I greatly enjoyed the fashion show, and ended up buying two Lapointe outfits, and a Fuschia Begonia outfit. Later, my sweetie got me two more Lapointe designs, and got himself one as well. This was the first SL fashion show I had ever attended, and all in all, I consider it well worth it. After the fashion show was over, 98 and I explored the Gothic/Dark Victorian sky platform, mingled with the crowd, then hied ourselves to Fuschia's and Lapointe's.

Sadly, my human was wore out from all the hours spent at work, and took a nap, thus missing the great werewolf hunt! From what I have been told, Miss Diamanda Gustafson put an end to the Beast's marauding of the Caledonian countryside, and Dr. Darien Mason-Bloodwing examined the body and found it to be of an almost demonic origin, not like the normal Lycan such as my brother Colonel Gottfried Lord Eusebio or Sheriff Fuzzball Ortega of Steelhead. While in some ways I am saddened by the Beast's demise, as I still held hope that he could be rehabilitated (I had hoped to complete my Wiccan altar and cast the appropriate incantions to help him), nevertheless, I am pleased that Caledonians no longer lived in terror of him.

Having awakened from her slumber, my human was able to rejoin me with 98, and off we were to the Dark Victorian Ball. Whilst my human only had a very brief time before she was off to work again, for the second time that day, I greatly enjoyed the ball, of what I was able to atend. Of especial humour was Colonel O'Toole shooting human brains and eyes. That damn O'Toole can bring incedibly crass and offensive material anywhere, and create smiles, laughter, (and the occasional rolling of the eyes, from the bystanders watching his antics)! The lag was incredibly high, and apparently I missed (THANKFULLY!!!!!) a heated discussion on whether slaying the Were was the correct thing to do, before I arrived...but overall, it was a grande day, as is most usual, in Caledon!

Me dancing in my new Lapointe outfit with 98

Lord Edward Pearse DJ'ing in his usual splendid form, with his lovely bride Lady Christine McAllister-Pearse dancing before him

Old News Part I - 4th of July Celebrations at the Duchy of Carntaigh

2007-07-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

Party-goers at Lady Gabi's

I know this is like two weeks late in the posting, but real-life work kept my human working for 11 days straight, so most of her time was spent in SL alone. But I have been wanting to post these pictures from Lady Gabrielle Riel's most excellent and enjoyably United States Independence Day celebrations. Some of the pictures are too small for my eyes to recognize who the participants are, so if you see yourself, and I haven't noted who it is, please tell me, and I will add the appropriate caption to the picture. I and the other attendees had a marvelous time during this afternoon party. I immensely enjoyed myself, thanks to the fantastic company, and incomparable DJ'ing by Her Grace Lady Gabrielle Riel (I personally can not recall one event where Lady Gabi DJ'ed that I did not enjoy completely).

Sparklers!

Lady Gabrielle Riel (our gracious host), and Mister Squirrel (I think), diusplaying his "True American" outfit

Major Erasmus Margulis' lovely dragon avi.

Mr. Lucien Commodore

Captain Viderian Vollmar

Myself in my Colonial-period out proudly waving an 1851 U.S. flag, and my sweetie 98

Admiral Carrice Wind

Lord Bardhaven

Lady Lavendar

Major Erasmus getting down

Miss Fuschia Begonia

Miss Fuschia Begonia, her newbie friend (I forget his name, only met him that day)

Mr. Lucien Commodore and his lady friend Zoriada Rossini

M. Soliel (I think that is the correct spelling)

Rane Monkey (I think), I forget who the young lady is

Me sporting my Taliah Talamasca Design's Colonial outfit

My Daemon

2007-07-17T15:59:00.001-07:00

I first discovered this at Lady Hermion's blog.

Currently, Persaon is a mouse. I would be interested in seeing how he evolves, so let me know what you think by taking the test of your perceptions of me.

Addenda....it seems that Persaon keeps transforming back and forth between a rabbit and a jackal.

Concerning Titles in Caledon

2007-07-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

Apparently, and to my great surprise, as if Caledon does not already have enough issues that are dividing us, there is now a controversy concerning the usage of titles in Caledon. sighs deeply in sorrow So I have decided to repost this comment I had made on Lady Lavendar's blog regarding this issue, to more publicly air my opinion on the matter.

First, it should be noted, as far as Caledon goes, Des supports, and even encourages the usage of titles. One only has to read the Caledon covenant. He created the Duchies. He recognized my brother and me as Baron and Baroness before we arrived to Caledon, and after arriving in Caledon, he noted us with our titles as such in the covenant. Indeed, one of the streets of Victoria City Des named "Bauerhoff"...that is the name of my baronial title. Desmond created the Duchies, he named Kamillah Hauptmann as Vicerein. And as you noted, he gives us the title "Aristocrat" when we join the Caledon group.As Desmond is the owner of Caledon, and it is primarily *his* vision of Steampunk Victoriana to which we are drawn, if he wants titled nobility and gentry in Caledon, that is *his* call.

Now, if we personally choose to take, or not take, a title...that is accordingly *our* call. I will not look down upon a person who prefers not to have a title. I only expect the same respect from that person towards me for choosing to wear one. The whole idea of SL is one of fun and rp. We are, for the most part, what we can't be in rl...Fey, Nekos, Furries, Vampyres, ...and the titled..., etc. If we are going to discriminate against a person because they choose to wear (or not wear) a title, then who are we going to discriminate against next, just because they don't rp the way we want to rp? If everybody in Caledon lived by this motto, "Live your own life freely, without seeking to harm others", this whole brouhaha about whether Caldonians should where titles would vanish. Live and let live.

An Apology And Explanation In Regards To Last Night's Fiasco

2007-07-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

To my Fellow Caledonians, especially those of the Red Team:

First, I offer my apologies, for my actions based on *ignorance*. When I joined the Blue team several days ago, I was under the impression I was an accepted member of the rp. There was a lack of communication between Miss Lapin and Colonel Scaggs, and they never added me to the third rp group of which both teams were members. So I never heard the announcement of a second attack launch time. When I enetered the Red Camp, I had done so with the understanding that the combat had already begun. As it was in the heat of battle, I was really paying no attention to the normal chat. I never saw requests for returning to my camp in normal chat, and was not aware there was a command to return to camp in the third encompassing rp chat. So I attacked.

Now I know *nothing* of orbitting, except at the very outset, when i accidently killed one of my own team members in the distance, thinking red team was invading our camp, and that team member then orbitted me. After that point, I was working my way on my own to your camp. The entire time I used Ordinal Malaprop's revolver. Everyone I shot, "died" according to the HUD, myself included. Not one person I shot was orbited. After I "died" the 5th time, I withdrew from the field of battle to the medics' tents, where I pretty much sat out most of the second half of the combat as a wounded soldier. While I lie in the tents as a wounded, I was attacked several times by red team members. I grumbled to the medical staff about it, and about why no one else would avail the uses of the Dr.'s and nurses in the field. But I didn't make a stink of it to anybody else.

As far as flags go...I tried *multiple* times to steal the flag you were carrying. Oddly, I wasn't able to take it from you. I automatically *assumed* it was a glitch. It never even crossed my mind that you made a false flag, or tinkered with the flag to make it unobtainable. As lag was incredibly high, I wrote it off as that.

After the combat was over, I was accused of cheating. That broke my heart. I LITERALLY (in RL) cried for three hours over that. Anybody who knows me should know that my behaviour in Caledon has almost 99.999999% consistently had been one of behaving *honourably*. Goddess, I would never risk loosing friends (and I would like to think I have friends on both teams), over a stupid, old silly "capture the flag game". I found out *after the fact* that I had upset people, but God and Goddess is my witness, I *never* intentionally tried to harm anybody, nor did I ever intend to cheat. I do apologize for my actions, but I hope with all my heart that you all recognize that what I have done was done out of *ignorance*. If I had known there was a third chat group, I would have asked to be made a member of it. If that would have been the case, I would have heard the command not to commence the attack yet, and I ***NEVER*** would have attacked red team till the signal was given. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. I have been close to tears (RL), all day over this, anguishing over the potential loss of friends because of this fiasco. And to me, my friends in Caledon are dear to my heart, and I desire to lose none of them.

Lady Amber

The Return of Raivyn Elizabeth Palowakski

2007-07-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Little Raivyn and I

I stand in the gardens of my Ballroom Pavillion, with my beloved 98, with a nervous half-hearted attempt to continue my project on my Wiccan Ritual altar, at this point the cauldron. I couldn't keep my mind on my work as the setting sun's rays splashed off of the golden chalice and platten, the silver of the minature Anthame version of Fiochmhar Fearg and the candle sticks sparkling with an uncommon warm amber hue. I wanted to finish the altar and it accoutrements with increased urgency, not only to cure the were of his affliction, but now rescue my daughter, if such an endeavor were possible. I was standing more than working, pacing more than standing, hoping for the best, fearing the worst. We had just earlier before arrived home from Kittiwickshire, after recieving a telegraph from a friend of Doctor Mason's, informing us of a package the doctor wished to deliver to me. As soon as I had arrived at the manor, I had sent my coachman post haste to the Victoria City train station, to pick up the good Doctor on his arrival from parts unstated by him.

But I had known where he was. Having had used my scrying ball earlier, after receiving a tip from a friend, the last I had seen of him was he lying unconsicous in Hades, at the feet of the Nameless One Himself, the Keeper of the Dead, along with his former possessor, Bloodwing, before he had been merged once more with the Demon. But worst of all of it, the Keeper had my own precious daughter, my other child still not cured of Vampyrism, little helpless Raivyn Elizabeth. The Nameless One had charged Bloodwing-Dr. Mason with raising my daughter. I had fainted at the sight, and never saw what more had progressed.

Now trepidation mingled with yearning for succor to my heart-twisted predicament battled within my chest. Filled at times with nervous giggles, and at others with wrenching sobs and stinging tears, I wringed my hands as I once again fumbled and made another mistake with my cauldron. I sighed, frustrated that Doctor had not yet arrived.

"Surely he should be back by now," I thought, while I gave 98 a reassuring if tight-lipped smile.
I don't like people seeing me in weakness, especially my fiance. "You're a Baroness," I reminded myself, "a strong woman of Caledon. Comport yourself as such."

Suddenly I tilted my head, my superior Sidhe ears hearing the distant cloppity clop of Foighne, my carriage horse. I heard Meán-Oíche and Iontaofa whinney their greetings from the stables, and Foighne snort an his answer in return. Shortly I saw Sean drive the carriage up along the rail to the pavillion. With only the gentlest of tugs on the reins, Foighne lived up to her name, and stopped, patiently awaiting her next command. Leaping off the seat as only a youngling could do with dextrous sureness, he quickly doffed his pitchely and bowed to me, before opening the coach door to allow Dr. Mason out.

"Sorry, m'Lady, for the delay, it appears that there was a train wreck once more between The City and the Moors."

I nodded in understanding to the boy, and smiled softly so as to let him know he was not in trouble, then turned my attention to what I felt at this time would be the most important vistor to my estate, even more so than the Guvnah or the Vicereine...considering the circumstances. Helped down by Sean, Dr. Mason descended from the carriage, bundling something protectively in his cloak, to safe-guard it from the night vapours of the mists that began to arise and swirl about malevolently in Moors. A lone wolf howled in the distance, and I shuddered, hoping that the were would not make his presence known at this most momentous of occassions.

The familiar, soft cooing and gurgling I heard emanating from under his garment sent my heart with a thrill. I KNEW the Dr. had my Raivyn, yet there was something different about her voice. She sounded so much more....alive. Dr. Mason bowed deeply with a practiced flourish, while deftly producing little Raivyn Elizabeth to me at the lowest extent of his genuflection, extending her in his arms toward me, an offering made of greater friendship than any could give to a Mother...the return of her own child, the one she swaddled, the one she nursed in her bosom, the one she comforted when the wind howled wild in the wintry nights after Samhain.

It was then that I noticed Raivyn looked different...less pale, less defiled, more pure, more innocent, more like a newborn infant (it should be recalled, that a Vampyre never ages...little Raivyn, though a year and some weeks old, still looked newborn), should look...more alive. And Doctor Mason looked different too. He looked vibrant with life...and with power. My Sidhe senses could almost feel the air crackle with something indefinable, like he was stronger than ever before, and yet more vulnerable than ever before. Clearly there were things which took place of which I was unaware.

"Your Grace," he most courteously announced (he always called me "Your Grace", though I prefer the much more humble "m'Lady", or "Lady Amber"), "May I present and return to you your daughter."

Like the river swollen with the spring rains, whose banks could no longer contain the overflow, tears flowed down my face, washing away the debris of make-up, allowing the light of the soft glow of the after-susnset heighten the unsurpassed natural beauty that is only to be found in that of a mother with her beloved child. I looked at the Doctor with joy, my body trembling no longer from anguish of the soul, but repalced with a spiritual ecstasy I could not expain unless you were a mother whose own child had been endangered, but was returned to you nurturing arms, unharmed and healthy. I was astounded.

"But doctor....how....?" I could not get much more out.

He explained how that he was now both Bloodwing and Dr. Mason, and that each being had half the antidote, that would not work till they were re-merged. That he was now mortal. That he was finally freed from the grips of the Keeper, by renouncing Him, in a surprisingly reverse parallel decision akin to the Keeper's denial of Yah Hawah as recorded in Milton's Paradise Lost . And that by allowing Raivyn to feed off of him, the antidote passed on the child, *my* child, *my* daughter!

"How could I ever repay you," I queried. But in a blink of an eye, he was gone, no answer given.

More powerful indeed, even if now just "merely" mortal.

Now I lay in bed, with Raivyn Elizabeth and Elijah Bastillion contedly suckling, neither desirous of blood, just the milk of life my body willingly, lovingly, desirously gives to them, strengthening them so they may grow. I now owe Dr. Mason three debts, for curing me and my two children of our Vampyrism. And while the invocations to Cth**u used to restore me and Elijah may come back to haunt us both later in our lives, in a way removing a known curse for a possibility of a greater curse later in life, I am pleased to know that at least one scion in the fortune-plagued Bauerhoff family will walk into life unhindered by Vampyrism, lycanthropy, or a Cth**u-come-a-calling! What a way to end the American Independence Day...the Independence of my daughter, Raivyn Elizabeth Palowakski!

Celebrating the Unofficial First Annual Caledon Zeppelin Day

2007-07-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

Initial entry onto Caledon Tamrannoch

Taking the hint from Her Grace Lady Eva Bellambi, as she recorded in her blog yesterday about it being the anniversary of the first launching of a Zeppelin 107 years ago (see her post, if you haven not already done so, at http://redroseofcaledon.blogspot.com/2007/07/on-this-day-in-history.html ), I cajoled my brother Colonel (Ret.) Gottfried Lord Eusebio into giving me a copy of his old blimp he acquired last summer, so I could go celebrate and explore Caledon by air. Reticent at first, and grumbling something about as if it weren't bad enough I took full control over the estate and his money, I had to take his toys too now, he finally conceded after I pointed out that if it were not for me, he would be homeless on the mainland right now. (I had to take over the estate, as his lycanthropy has caused him considerable loss of judgement with an ever-increasing ego, and somebody had to keep our landholdings together, especially after last year, when he almost forced the estate into bankruptcy by trying to increase our land-holdings far beyond what our familial finances could afford, causing even I to have to take on a less-than-reputable occupation upon the mainland for a stretch, merely to get our Barony back in the black again. He did not a thing to ameliorate the situation and fell into an evergrowing state of melancholy, and hiding himself more often that not, except for the occassional ramblings through the Moors on their lonliest evenings). But I digress.

Bringing along my beloved soon-to-be husband and Knight of the Estate, 98, we departed my Ballroom Pavillion in the Moors and headed for Tamrannoch. We ran into considerable turbulance that forced us to land (well, actually, the blimp dumped us unceremoniously from it just before it crashed0 just as we were entering Tam). It didn't help that this was my first time navigating this craft, and that it was a one-seater, so 98 was forced to sit on one of the outriggers, causing considerable imbalance to the device. After an initial worry that we would not take flight again, I inspected the damage, and seeing that the worst effect of the crash was upon our pride and not our bodies, we took launch again. Before venturing too far, I played with the lifts in such a way as to balance 98's weight on the right side of the airship. We quickly found it not to be the most maneuverable of conveyances, but as it was extremely slow, I discovered I usually had ample to to compensate.

Mt. Caledon as seen from above the main Caledon II-Tamrannoch rail line.

Drifting above Tamrannoch village at first, we made our way along the road that runs by my sweetie's home.Upon seeing Mt. Caledon, I charted our course toward On Sea. I thought it would be nice to see if the old monastery was still up on the mountain, above the secret spring from whence I recover the water to offer at my cafe in the Moors. The view was as spectacular as expected, and we were surprised to see a visitor from the mainland showing her respects. Apparently she was frightened by our approach and fled.

Approaching Mt. Caledon.

The Old Monsatery atop Mt. Caledon, with On Sea's coasline in the distance.

Steering the airship across On Sea, and over Free Flow, the former seat of the Barony of Bauerhoff de Caledon which I had to sell to Sir ZenMondo Wormser in order to escape the family debt my brother accrued, I pointed our little craft toward the Highlands. It is always rewarding to see some of the great architectural structures from both the past and present in the Highlands, such as the Academy of Virtual Wizardry, the Observatory, and Olf Fort Caledon.

The Academy of Virtual Wizardry in the Highlands.

The Observatory and Old Fort Caledon in the Highlands.

Towards the border of the Highlands and Port Caledon, the fog seemed to have momentarily cleared, and we got a magnificent view of Her Grace the Lady Kamillah Haptmann's Duchy of Liongate. The mountains on her island are by far the tallest in Caledon, and the tallest volcanic peak seemed more than a little active, and could be seen in the distance spewing smoke, flames and lava.

The Duchy of Lionsgate.

We headed then posthaste toward the Port, as the day was fast dying. The late afternoon sun gleamed brilliantly off the waters of the Port, while the ships and boats bobbed rhythmically with the waves. There seemed to be little of the usual bustle of sailors and hawkers. Perhaps the weather being as warm as it been this High Summer, people decided to follw the customs of those of warmer climes, and decided to take a fiesta. Or mamybe they were preparing their own lighter-than-air ships to commemorate the day.

Caledon's usually industrious Port sits quiet and unburdened with labour in the warm sun.

I decided I wanted to take a closer look at our vast growing forest to the north, and steered the craft toward Tanglewood via the Duchy of Lionsgate. At first timid, and uncertain what the warm vapours of a volcanoe would do to a Zeppelin, I steered the craft close enough to get a view of the crater atop the mount, but not to close, as we pressed onward to Tanglewood. Indeed, it is a spectaculr sight to see a three-sim forest from above. The effect is impressive!

Poisonous gasses seeping from Lionsgate's mountainous maw.

Viewing the tri-sim forest of Tanglewood, Kittiwickshire, and Eyre from the air.

Having by now accustomed myself to the controls, and grew braver, and on our return trip, passed close to volcanoe, to inspect how active it was. Seeing the molten rock bubble unhindered was a most humbling experience, and fearing the noxious fumes could overcome us at any moment and plunge us to our deaths to in the ocean's depths, I decided to hastily move on. As if in vengeance, when I thought we had safely escaped the range of the insentient beast, a sudden blast of hot air sent us spinning out of control. 98 and I clung to the craft in terror, as I struggled mightily to regain control of the craft. I almost feared Cthulu himself would come forth raging after us, to extract the inevitable toll he would demand for my escaping the clutches of Vampyrism as a result of Dr. Mason's invoking Cthulu to free me of the dread disease. Finally acheiving mastery of the little zeppelin, we forged onward to Caledon I. Finally we were greeted with one of the most lovely sunsets I have seen in Caledon. The lingering fingers of light caressed the early evening sky as the sun sought it's rest in the bosom of the the earth, to suckle in comfort from the Mother till he regained his strength to begin his journey anew the next day.

The Jaws of Death grinning at us with hunger.

Sunset in Caledon Prime.

Continuing to head south, we were greated by a picturesque moonrise in Steam City. I was amazed at the number of zeppelins that can be found lurkng throughout Caledon's airspace, most many times larger than my little skiff of the skies. Turning back through Caledon Prime and Caledon II, as we entered into Tamrannoch, our eyes were greeted with an ironic setting ... a full moon rising over the Sanitorium. At the time I thought nothing other than that the Sanitorium's resident gargoyle would enjoy this picture. Little did I know that later that evening, Mr. Dagger himself would tell us of his RL need to extremely reduce his time in SL, and that he was in essence saying "goodbye". I literally cried, because over the past several weeks, he had becaome a good friend of 98 and me, often stopping by to chat with us at either of our estates, go werewolf hunting with us, or taking building lessons from me. He built me a beautiful sign for my just-opening boutique at my Pavillion (more of that in the next post, when I have put the last of my builds I will sell in it, and have an official Grande Opening!), which I will cherish as a memento from a friend dear to me and my beloved 98. His leaving will be a loss to Caledon, as he is one of the "good ones" that quickly escape the savagery of the mainland, and find refuge in our faire Independant Commonwealth. Even now as I write this, my eyes literally moisten. It's always hard saying "goodbye" to a friend.

Moonrise over SteamCity.

Full Moon over Tamrannoch's Sanitorium.

Finally, our journey had come full circle, and we returned to the Moors. My most beloved and I gazed down from the heavens upon my Pavillion, all of the architectural structures my own work. There is a sense of satisfaction in knowing one's builds bring great pleasure to others. Though I hardly make a Linden off of it, it is my most heavily-trafficked property, often being over 400, and frequently enough over 1000 people, and one time my traffic there was over 4000!

I had intended to continue our journey through the eastern Caledonian sims, but without warning, the zeppelin gave my problems beyond my control over my Fortune Telling Parlour. I asked my dearest love if he had a parachute. He said, "I used to have one." That boded ill for me. At over 250 meters in elevation, we had to jump ship. I guess what they say about cats always landing on their feet is true, because my Neko honey landed on the ground in no worse a state than while he was still in the craft. I wasn't about to trust my fate to the unknown, and donning my chute, I jumped. At 200 meters the device worked, and the chute opened, and I landed safely on Terra Firma. After some searching, I managed to find my blimp, and hiring a teamster and his wagon, had the aircraft carried back to my estate for repairs.

My Ballroom Pavillion and Boutique in an aerial shot.

Safely parachuting to earth!

I had thought that would be the end of my adventures in a zeppelin for the day, but I was sorely wrong. While I was constructing my Wiccan Altar later that evening for a ceremony that might perhaps cure the wandering werewolf of his lycanthropy (and my brother's as well), the irrascable Colonel O'Toole flew by in his lighter-than-air craft. After a moment of exchanged pleasantries, he informed us he must be on his way to a blimp joust proclaimed by Lady Eva. I first begged his indulgence to see his new lancer's uniform up close, the one magnificently designed by Miss Virginia Tombola. (If you haven't seen the uniforms yet, you can get a good glimpse at the Colonel's blog ... http://hiberniaskids.blogspot.com/2007/06/lancer-uniforms-delivered.html ). Thankful that I had repaired my craft, I grabbed an old ancestral lance from 10 generations ago, and 98 and I proceeded to Caledon Eyre. While there was great fun to be had, the aerial conditions were obnoxious, and the speed and manuerverability of my small craft were laughable, compared to most all of the other airships. Finally abandoning the lance as a useless weapon considering the comparison between my airship and the others present, I pulled out my Ordinal Malaprop repeating engine rifle. Needless to say, the wind wasn't right, and trying to fire a heavy ordinance weapon while flying in an imbalanced, slow-moving, even slower-turning blimp in the best of condtions is barely tenable, I finally settled for remaining stationary and firing hapharzardly and randomly at passing by aircraft. In return for our efforts, 98 and I were "honoured" by several rams from the impregnable Pearse war blimp. Finally, it was announced that the aerial tourney was over, and we all parted to our several locales of personal residence.

Sir Edward Pearse and Lady Christine McCallister-Peare's humongo-giga-gigantic Zeppelin

A bevy of airships.

Frequency Picnic's Hobo Blimp above us in the distance.

Heading Home.

With such an eventful day behind us, 98 and I headed back to his Tamrannoch manse for some personal time. Somewhere in Caledon Prime, we ran across Sir Edward and Lady Christine, and had a pleasant aerial conversation discussing the futures of Caledon, Steelhead, New Babbage, and the several Tombstone sims. After parting their company, 98 and I arrived at his manor, and the rest of the night is definitely not for the readers of this blog! *grins*

The Werewolf Finally Captured....on Daguerotype!

2007-06-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

My brave soon-to-be-knighted Americanpsycho98 Book Battleing the WereWolf!

What a most interesting of Caledonian nights!

Finally caught a decent piccie of the beast....

Ok, here I was, hard at work at my Estate in the Moors, working with urgency on my Wiccan Ritual Altar, in part to find a cure and protection from "The Were". As I diligently laboureded on micro-primming, by my Fey powers I was aware the were-beast was about to pass close, but safe-assured in the protection my future knight of the estate, Americanpsycho98 Book, I contnued to work unabated and undaunted by the werewolf's swiftly encroaching lope. Sure enough, he passed by us close, and 98 gave immediate chase. Nonchalantely, I continued working, till 98 decided I needed to be near him for safety. I joined him anon, and was greeted by quite a large crowd of Caledonians, some thirsty for the blood of the beast, and some hungering to help and rehabilitate him.

Another shot of the critter, crouching...whether in anticipated attack, or fear, I know not...

So I joined my beloved at the Moors cemetary, where quite a large crowd had gathered. There was much ado about nothing at first. 98 apparently wounded the beast with his silver-forged sword Bloodfang, but the other-worldly creature continued his prowl of the Caledonian country and town-side unfazed. Without warning, suddenly a number of people equipped with the anti-werewolf talisman, developed by the inteprid and industrious Mr. Lucius Sin, gave signal that the were-critter was upon us! Using my Fey powers, I enhanced my dagguerrotype with a lighting exceptionally above at what is normal night in our faire nation. I caught the above-two shots using this ancient and arcane magyck. It's amazing what the Fey can see at night, and how well, that mer emortals are incapable of.

Suddenly, I decided to give the beast a chase, using my Sidhe abilities of swift flight. I ran him into Professor Avalanche's Werewolf-trapping cage, but before the cage could close entirely, with super-human speed the rascalry lycanthrope escaped at he last minute! I hounded the monster into Caledon Tamrannoch, where I lost him. Anon, my beloved 98 joined me. As we stood discussing the creature's habits, he suddenly rushed past us! 98 took immediate chase! He had already wounded the creature this evening, and thought he could catch him, but the lyc's super-bestial strength allowed him to escape. We returned to the Moors cemetary, where a large crowd of Werewolf hunters were gathered.

Werewolf hunters, with my VERY brave 98 standing guard over me!

Certain of my Fey protection, I was positive the Were could not harm me, but 98 insisted on protecting me! (Goddess, isn't he sweet!) It was then I decided I needed a talisman developed by Mr. Lucius Sin, which is available at the Caledon Moors telehub for $100L, and helps support Relay For Life (not to keep me safe, but to help me be aware of the the were's presence!) Sure enough, the Werewolf appeared AGAIN! I am beginning to believe my 98's assertion that the lycanthrope has plans for me. We all gave him chase, but at the Moors/Tamrannoch border, he esacaped,

Chasing the Were the fourth time for the night!

In any event, returning *again* to the Moors cemetary, we encountered an outworlder police officer, who had the temerity to try to make order of our Caledon lynchmob. Being the highest-ranking Caledon nobility in the vicinity, I took it upon myself to firmly inform the outworlder that we Caledonians have our own law, and having no Guvnah, Vicereine, Duchesses, or Countesse at hand, and being mere feet away from my Baronial estate, I let it be known that she had no authority in our nation...especially AFTER she rudely told me she was going to take me in for questioning! Needless to say, the grim but silent affirmation of my fellow Caledonians silenced her. Indeed, quite an eventful night in Caledon, when I was expecting to merely do some building, and spend time with my sweetie!

The Honourable Mr. JJ Drinkwater's Rezz Day Party

2007-06-27T17:14:00.001-07:00

Me and my fiance 98 working the dance floor at JJ's Rezz Day party

Once again, Caledonians and Steelhead citizens gathered together to celebrate...in this case Caledon's honourable Librarian Extraordinarre Mr. JJ Drinkwater's Rezz Day. As per usual, the DJ'ing was performed by none other than the incomparable Duchess of Carntaigh, Lady Gabrielle Riel, through her Riel Radio programme. It was hosted by the wonderful Duchess of Primvernesse, Lady CoyoteAngel Dimsum, on her fantabulous Steampunk Estate, on a sky platform of wonderful modern technology.

The music was awesome, the venue fabulous, and the company inestimable. The highpoint of the evening was the Haiku Manwich, which was enjoyed by 99.99999999999999999% of the guests (myself included among those who enjoyed the festivities. Sir ZenMondo Wormser, and the Rezz Day Boy himself, "dueled" it out with a series of 5-7-5 haiku's honouring the Duchess' grace and beauty.

Sir Zen and Mr. Drinkwater exhibiting their their Haiku skills, among other things.

For those who missed it, I include a transcript of the Haiku exhibition:

JJ Drinkwater: Good Sir ZenMondo/I think it now behooves us/ to Oblige Her Grace?
ZenMondo Wormser: To oblige her grace / no greater honor is this / to serve great beauty
JJ Drinkwater: to serve great beauty/ one poet tries with his skill/ *two* must use teamwork
ZenMondo Wormser: Two must use teamwork / a bond not to be broken / Three is much stronger
JJ Drinkwater: Three *is* much stronger/ a number famed in magic/ three wishes, three fates....
ZenMondo Wormser: Three Wishes, Three Fates / three dancers are intertwined / Grace is apperant.
JJ Drinkwater: Grace is apparent/ if Grace turns away from one/ the next will catch her
ZenMondo Wormser: The next will catch her / If one is falling in love / never hit bottom
JJ Drinkwater: never hit bottom/ when Beauty's held by we who/ pass Grace hand to hand
ZenMondo Wormser: Pass Grace hand to hand / whispers will pass heart to heart / sharing the beauty.
JJ Drinkwater: Sharing the beauty/ to have a fellow who knows/ my meter, is joy
ZenMondo Wormser: "My Meter is Joy" / I think Drinkwater's Bragging / there is more than size.
JJ Drinkwater: there is more than size/ when as well as height and breadth/ we measure in rhyme
ZenMondo Wormser: we measure in rhyme / passion surely is no crime /while dancing in time
JJ Drinkwater: while dancing in time/ we find, too, that there is space/ for this energy
ZenMondo Wormser: for this energy / propelling us to the sky /more than potential

I am certain Mr. Drinkwater enjoyed himself for the extremely largest part of the evening, as could be said for the extremely vast majority of the other atendees. Once again, Happy Rezz Day JJ!

The Shat sings Common People

2007-06-26T13:50:00.001-07:00

Thought I would share this live version of the The Shat and Joe Jackson singing Common People on The Tonight Show. Enjoy!

The Engagement Party

2007-06-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Last evening 98 and I celebrated our engagement with a wonderful party hosted by 98 at his estate. I got to spend several intimate moments with the love of my life.

I must admit this is all so thrilling and exciting to me, while yet being a little bit frightening. Yet I always feel safe in his caring arms. It's nice to know that there is someone out there that views you as special. The feeling of loving and being loved is intoxicating.

Many of the usual suspects were there, and a number of others. It was a warming feeling knowing so many people care about me. Of course, the Duchesses were there, Ladies Eva and Gabrielle (and Gabi was hosting her own GenX event in Mayfair at the same time...I was greatly honoured she was able to make it!) Among the Caledonians, Lady Kate Nicholas was there as well as Caledon's notorious Colonel (or is it now Post Captain, I get so confused who is titled and ranked as what anymore), Hotspur O'Toole, master code poet Sir ZenMondo Wormser, the intrepid Qlippothic Projects, Miss Lavendar Beaumont, Miss Abigail Raymaker, Diamanda Gustafson, Astronomer and equestrian Mr. Nerk Noonan, Mr. Roy Smashcan, the indomitable Miss Hermoine Pennyfeather, inventor dragon extraordinairre Dominic Webb, Miss Taibah Takahe (sp?), Starlight Vandemer (sp again?), Dr. Darien Mason, and several other Caledonians who I just met that night and whose names escape me. 98's furry friends Tossi, Tails, Amy, and Roze, and another of his friends, Chloe (who I believe is a queen or princess in her land), also were in attendance. I am sure I missed several others, and my apologies are already forthcoming for haven forgetten you.

We did have a surprise visitor...the WEREWOLF! Miss Diamanda Gustafson managed to get this picture of him as he fled. If I had been prepared, I would have had a beautiful pic of him leaping over the guests. Needless to say, by the time I got my camaera in angle, he managed to disappear in the shadows before I could get a shot off. I doubted the rumours before, but now I know they are true!

As the party wound down, there was only 98 and myself, and Tossi and Tails dancing. Tossi is a dear friend of 98's, and contributed his time as D.J. for the event as his engagement gift to us.

Tossi and Tails working it.

Finally, it was just 98 and I. What a wonderful evening, filled with good friends, good times, and good memories. I love this red dress 98 got me, it matches the new shoes I got just the other night at Lassitude & Ennui in Victoria City. I must admit, I came near to tears when 98 had Tossi dedicate the song "Angel" by Evanessance to to me. That is our special song, and whenever I hear it, I think of 98. Thank you all who came, and thank you, 98 for a romantic evening!

Jurassic Caledon Eyre

2007-06-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

With the expansion of Caledon into Eyre, certain new information of Caledon's ancient prehistory has come to light. Apparently, when 98 and I entered the new territory, a tear in the time-space fabric allowed us to enter into Caledon's Jurassic past. As we climbed the highest peaks of Eyre, our eyes took in the lovely sights of Tanglewood and and Kittiwickshire, with Lionsgate's lofty mount seen in the hazy distance. We turned our gaze to Eyre's valley, and we were surprised at seeing these magnificient beasts!

We quickly descended the ridge into the verdant valley below. Perhaps Darwin or one of his students could describe to us what manner of creatures these might be.

They seemed to be a peaceful sort, wallowing in the swamp, lazily grazing upon the lush foliage. They didn't seem to mind our presence, as we wandered amongst them

Caledon is filled with surprises. Eventually, time warped back to it's normal sense, and the gentle giants were gone. It's my believe that the Historical and archeological Societies commence a dig, and discover what bones may be unearthed throughout Caledon, giving us insight to our mysterious distant past.

(Special thanks to Burtram Forester for creating these wonderful dinosaurs, and allowing me to photograph them, and also to Desmond Shang allowing Caledon Eyre to be a sandbox for a night so they could be built and shared)!

Engaged!!!!

2007-06-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Well, on to the most thrilling of news. My beau, americanpsycho98 Book (who I affectionately call 98), has proposed to me! He gave me a lovely engagement ring, and has asked me to be his Second Life bride! While I admit I am a little scared about that, I am also very excited. All my previous romances in SL have ended in tragedy. Having experimented for a long while in D/s relationships, I have found them to be greatly lacking in the romance field, or if there was romance, it always failed. And my first partnership with Tyrus Collingwood left me devastated, as she was abusive. But 98 is one of the kindest, sweetest gentlemen I ever found in SL. A true Caledonian gentleman, this Neko has furred his way into my heart! *grins* He is patient with me, kind, gentle, and allows me to go and grow at my own pace, never rushing me. And it is wonderful to see him grow too! What every woman really needs, a true Mensch! I look forward to watching us grow together in SL! Tonight he is holding an engagement party at his estate in Tamrannoch, so I hope to see all my Victorian friends there!

Getting Up To Speed

2007-06-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Haiku Duel Between Colonel Somme and Mr. Drinkwater at the Duchy of Caledon Primvernesse

Well, it would appear that alot has happened in the last month. I must beg my readers' forgiveness for being so slow to returning to my diary. At the best of times, I am not the most diligent of writers, and the hectic and fast-paced events of Caledon has kept me from my duties in regards to my journal.

How can I even begin? To start with, I returned to the land of the living May 11th. After 40 days and 40 nights in the Underworld with no blood to sustain my Vampyric tendencies, they were weakened to the point that Dr. Darien Mason was able, through the use of ancient and arcane means, to restore my spirit pristine to to my Fae body, purified from the taint of Vampyrism. I once again walk the land of the living, as one of the living. The same Dr. also kindly restored my son Elijah Bastillion, freeing him from that curse as well, through the usages of Magycks even I am fearful to call upon (such as invoking that Nameless Ancient One, Cth***). Sadly, while I was gone, evil forces managed to kidnap my daughter, Raivyn Elizabeth, and until I can recover her, she is yet infected. Hopefully, the stasis spell I have placed upon her will keep her safe till she is once again in my arms.

Caledon is indeed the place of parties. It seems like upon my return, there were more parties on my social schedule than I almost could handle. We celebrated my Rezz Day at my pavillion the night of my return, as well as it being a welcome back party of sorts. It was indeed a pleasurable time. We also during this past month celebrated both the Honourable Kate Nicholas' and Her Grace the Duchess of Loch Avie, Lady Eva Bellambi's Rezz Days. Of course, there was also the party launching the opening of Her Grace the Duchess of Carntaigh, Lady Gabrielle Riel's "Radio Riel". We had the final ball of the Caledon Spring Social Season, and the Relay For Life Pirate's Ball event. As usual, most of these events "degenerated" into raves, with topless Baronesses and Duchesses, Mr. Drinkwater in a thong, and many men just wearing kilts. There were several infamaous Duchess sandwiches, with Red Caliber, Kate Nichols, and myself all serving as luscious meats. We even had a mud wrestling match once (very humorous).

There was a magnificent Haiku Duel (another Relay For Life event), between Caledon Librarian J.J. Drinkwater and Colonel Exrex Somme. Sir ZenMondo Wormser served as Mr. Drinkwater's second, while Colonel Hotspur O'Toole stood as Colonel Somme's second. The beautiful Shylah Garmes moderated. It was a close match, quite humorous and bitingly sarcastic at times, but both gentlemen ended the duel in a most honourable manner, and Mr. Drinkwater won the event. Lots of money was raised for Relay For Life.

Another big event was the Tournament For Life, held by Duchess Eva, and her friend Telemachus Dean, whereas there was an exchange of cultural ideas between Gor and Caledon, and a magnificent series of duels. Though our Colonel Hotspur O'Toole was smaller than the Gorean warriors, he held out quite well during his match, and though he lost, he did so bringing honour to Caledon. Once again, much money was raised for Relay For Life.

J.J. Drinkwater held several events of note. One was a very fascinating discussion on steam-powered, armoured naval vessels during the Victorian era at the library. Another was an exposition on the Brownings. Both were very informative. I myself am grateful for Mr. Drinkwater's contribution to the intellectual expansion of Caledon!

Some really exciting news is how fast Caledon is growing. With over 500 residents, Caledon now has 18 sims. Caledon Kittiwickshire, and Caledon Eyre, are it's newest additions. By the look of it, our great Guvnah, Desmond Shang, has at least 10 more sims planned, with two large mountainous islands to the north of the mainland, and a middle sea. You have to see the map of what Desmond has planned at the Guvnah's Mansion in Victoria City, if you haven't already.

Recently, I visited the relatively new Victorian Wild West sim of Tombstone. Contrary to the rumours I have heard from others, it is NOT a bad place. I saw no shootouts. I was treated quite gentlemanly by the Sheriff, Thaddeus Riel, and also by it's Mayor, a certain Mr. Wraith (his last name sadly escapes me). The residents are very friendly. One in particualar, Navajo Elder Waya Babii, took 98 and I to her village, and we were shown great hospitality. Though it does not have the amenities of civilaztion to which I am accustomed that Caledon, New Babbage, Neualtenberg, or Steelhead have to offer, nevertheless, I highly recommend a visit to the Tombstone. It would appear that they are in a sort of feud with a rival sim named Tombstone Arizona. As I firmly believe in the addage that one who meddles in the disputes of others is like one who grabs a lion by it's private parts, I am steering clear of those hostilities.

Finally, it seems that trouble still lurks Caledon. Even as the winds of war with Neualtenberg calm down, a new threat looms. There is a rumor of a werewolf roaming Caledon. I have not seen the creature myself, but numerous reliable witnesses attest to having seen the lycanthrope. Colonel O'Toole gives a description of his chase of the beast, ending at my pavillion, though I swear I never noticed it pass by.

There is also something of persoanl importance to me, that has taken place, but I will reserve that for my next post!

So Close, And Yet, So Far

2007-05-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got the hardware issues of my computer straightened out, but now I have software problems. When I installed the new mother board, I needed to repair my installation of Windows XP. Alas, while I was repairing the OS, it asked for my product key, and I gave it the one on the side of my computer. Sadly, because I was using a repair cd from the tech shoppe, the poduct key didn't match with the XP on the cd. So I can't finish the installation. I called the tech store, they said call Microsoft. I called Microsoft, and after 40 minutes on the phone, they said call the tech store. I spent the whole day trying to reach the tech guy, but he's out on a service call.

God and Goddess, will this nightmare EVER end??!!!!

*wails in despair and weeps*

Fond Memories of Steelhead

2007-05-06T18:47:00.000-07:00

As I promised about a week ago, I think I would like to think back upon my first encounters with Steelhead. A little bit of back-history is necessary first, though.

As I noted in a previous post, I had spent alot of time socializing at the Yakkity Yak Cafe at the south-east corner of the intersection at the Caledon Prime telehub. It was there that I met the beautiful Absinthe Nosferatu, an avowed addict of her first namesake, and suspectible to dalliances with the ilk of her second namesake. But she was endowed with not only ravishing looks, but a personality that swept one into her vortex helplessly. I also knew she had a job as a Madame at a brothel, but I didn't know where. I just knew it was in a Victorian sim other than Caledon. She had a suitor, Mr. Rogue Desmoulins, who was in every manner of behaviour so like his namesake, with a Victorian veneer of gentility, while a villanous rascal broiled under the paen social etiquette. She, in many ways a helpless lass, hung on every word of Mr. Desmoulins, until this Vampyre came onto the scene, Mr. Ikaboem Quine. Suddenly, Rogue, who so liked to handle the young miss like a marionate, became consummately jealous, and sought my help in the matter. At that point, I didn't know Rogue was really a rogue....he can play a smooth part when he wants to, so I initially agreed to help him. But it wasn't long before I discovered Ikkaboem was the true gentleman, and Roge an insidious viper.

Thoughout all of this, unbeknownst to me, Miss Absinthe had taken a shine to me as well. While I was interested in her charms, I was uncertain that she was of the persuasion of being interested in women as well as men. While the drama unfolded between those three, I was one evening at a ball at Miss Leosanni Somme's Crystal Pavillion in Caledon II. As I recall, it was a Relay For Life Ball. It was a splendid event, with Bachman Bastillion putting on a marvelous fireworks display over the living Chessboard. I first met my SL sister Jamie Demar there (well, I already knew her as my alt, but at that time, she didn't know she knew me already, till the next day). It was there at that ball that I met Miss Rea Zaftig. There was a little role play involved over the next several days, when she almost seemed to be a mysterious Vampyre hunter seeking me as her prey. As things turned out, she had a romantic interest in me, if she had somewhat aggressive tactics, and we hit it off quite well, and I became her sub.

Well, as things would have it, it turned out that Miss Rea was actually an alt of Miss Absinthe. Shortly afterward, we concocted a plan to expose Rogue Desmoulins' infidelity to Miss Absinthe. Rogue frequently had hit on me, and I had turned him down each time. Rogue didn't know Rea was Absinthe's alt, and even though he did know Rea, he thought Rea was a rl friend of Absinthe's, and that they called each other alot. One day the three of us sat down for tea at the Yakkity Yak. Miss Rea made a number of shows of public affection toward me, and we could tell Rogue was showing signs of displeasure. We finally got him to admit openly that he wanted to have his way sexually with me. That's what Absinthe/Rea needed to hear, because Rogue had frequently told Absinthe that he was desparately in love with her. Well, all that was the set-up for the next day, July 4th.

Absinthe invited me to join her at Le Jardin de L'amore (sp?), the brothel in Steelhead. It was a wonderful, fun day. Absinthe and I had a little time for romance, while she gave me a tour of Le Jardin. Interestingly, Rogue Desmoulins decided to show up. First we tricked him into giving me $200L for a kiss. I gave him my most coldest, Vampyric kiss I could. He was outraged, saying that it was the worst kiss he ever had. With wicked delight, I lounged about Absinthe in scanty lingerie, while Rogue sat on a coffee table and moped most of the day. As a result of this, Rogue disappeared from SL for quite a long time, giving Miss Absinthe the peace of mind she so desparately wanted. It also gave a number in Caledon no small amount of happiness, people such as Abbey Underall and Mystical Cookie, who had grown to a point of outrage at Mr. Desmoulins' treatment of Absinthe, and were all but ready to start a witch-hunt against him.

David Petrichor, a Caledon and Steelhead frequentor, popped in and out most of that day. I got to meet Arianna Pinkerton, a child avi of about five years of age to whom Absinthe was the guardian. Eventually, I ended up adopting the child and her twin brother Folco Boffin, because Absinthe thought a brothel was a poor place to raise a child. I also met a certain Giselle Lang, who a couple of weeks after Absinthe and I broke up became my next Mistress. Later, Giselle and I would steal away to Le Jardin for some time alone. :)

July 4th was also the day that I met Steelwolf Pascal, the then Mayor of Steelhead. We got to talking quite a bit. He gave me a tour of the Grand Hotel, showed me the ship in the dock, and the shopping area, and showed me all his builds. I built him an American flag from the early 1850's (which of course, Steelhead is an 1850's Oregon Territory sim, formerly known as Ambertown, if memory serves correctly). That night was the first of the many balls I would attend in Steelhead, with more hopefully to come.

Of course, my other big tie to Steelhead is Qlippothic Projects, and to a lesser degree, her father, Dr. Darien Mason, who at that time was Steelhead's Sheriff, and an incubus of sorts. I met Qli actually at my cafe which at the time was in Caledon Tamrannoch. We had a pleasant, if brief romance, though we still remain friends, and her or her father often invited me to Steelhead Balls. Most of my friendships in Steelhead sadly are limited to ball room pleasantries...I just wish I had the time to deepen these friendships.

While Steelwolf was still Mayor, he and Desmond Shang negotiated where I would be Caledon's Ambassador to Steelhead. Sadly, shortly after, Steelwolf ceased being Steelhead's mayor, and it now seems that my status as Ambassador hangs in Limbo. Nevertheless, I'll never forget July 4th, 2006, and the day and night and morning I spent in Steelhead.

It never ceases to amaze me at the interconnection of peoples in SL. A more modern case in point, the forthcoming marriage of Christine McAllister and Edward Pearse, linking together Caledon and Steelhead even more closely. It is my hope, that in these ti9mes of war between Caledon and Neualtenburg, that Steelhead and Caledon can maintain our amicable status of international friendship! May both live as long as SL does!

A Note For Miss Emily Orr

2007-05-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Miss Emily, it seems that everytime I access your blog, I can see the title to your posts, but not the posts themselves, nor any place to leave a comment. Thought you should know that. *hugs*

Gentle Memories of Caledon on My Mind

2007-05-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today is Belatne, so I decided to leave everybody with a Beltane gift, my scattered memories of Caledon.

I first discovered Caledon last April in the SL Forums, while suffering from SL withdrawal symptoms because SL was down for most of the night. Almost immediately, when SL reopened, I went to explore this Independant Nation. I was intrigued with the idea of a virtual nation, and a Victorian one at that.

I was still basically a newb, and just begun a virtual pregnancy. At that time, Caledon only had two sims, Caledon Prime and Caledon II. If memory serves me correctly, I tp'd into Caledon II. The first person I met was Raine Dalidig. I asked her where I could buy Victorian clothing, She took me to Silver Sparrow. I believe I bought the "Nachtmouse" gown (as my partner at the time, Tyrus Collingwood was into Vampyre scene, and I wanted to please her, I was rp'ing in that genre as well. That is where I then met Lord Puck Goodliffe, a friendship that remains in place to this day.

I then later took two of my friends to Caledon Prime, to the Silver Rose, and we met Josette Sullivan and Bastillion Bachman. Bastillion invited us to his hedge maze. I still cherish my friendship with Bastillion, the epitome of a furry gentleman, though at that time, I had no idea what being a furry was, other than having an andro-animal avatar. We had a splendid time, and by now my love for Caledon was fixed.

The next time I visited Caledon, I took Tyrus there, and showed her Silver Rose. We visited Kashai Steinbeck's bookstore across the street (I bought Tyrus a copy of "Dracula" there). I was fascinated by this wall clock, which I learned was built by Shaunathan Sprocket (I later contacted him, and he tp'd me to his shoppe, then in Caledon Prime). Then Tyrus and I checked out Yakkity Yak cafe, which soon became my favourite hangout in Caledon.

Those early days in Caledon were simple, just two sims. But it didn't take long for Port Caledon to open, then Caledon Highlands. That is when I first met Raivyn McLean, with whom I had a brief but wonderfully pleasant time as her submissive, after I left my partner Tyrus for various reasons I would rather not get into. Staying at Raivyn's manor in the Highlands was a highlight of my time as a non-official Caledonian, before I sold my mainland Barony and became one of Caledon's Landed Nobility.

I remember the day I met Desmond Shang. I was roaming Caledon, and he was giving a group of people a whirlwind tour of the four sims. I told him I was interested in Caledon, and he added me to the group, and invited me along on the tour. It was jolly fun, especially when he took us into the catacombes of the Academy of Virtual Wizardry, and took us past a wickerman (it must have been last Beltane, now that I think about it....it might or might not have been Lord Puck's Wickerman). He also showed us the wonders of the Port, and the then still -in-planning stages trolley station. By now I was positive I had to move to Caledon.

It was thrilling to reserve land in Tamrannoch. Offiically being a Caledonian is one of the greatest of honours in SL in my opinion. 95% of my best memories are in Caledon. running around as a tiny with Desmond and a bunch of others and "terrorizing" Mr. Sprocket as he was working, the mad hatter's party at Yakkity Yak, cupid hunting with Mystical Cookie, the unofficial yard sale in Port Caledon overlooking the Tesla Coils, toilet paper and snowball and watermelon shoot-outs with Lord Puck and Mysti (mystical Cookie), the hours of Victorian gossip rp with Dr. Holiday, Rogue Desmoulins, Absinthe Nesfaratu, David Petrichor, Aldo Stern, Bastillion Bachman, Khashai Steinbeck, Jeremy Pertwee, Lord Puck, Mr. Exrex Somme, et al, at the Yakkity Yak (god and goddess, I would sit there for hours, people watching and gossiping, and showing off my latest finery). At that time, Yakkity Yak was THE place to see and be seen in Caledon. And the seasonal grand balls held at the Leosanni Somme's and Cavalo Udal's Crystal Pavillionwere awesome!

When Tamrannoch finally arrived, the nature of Caledon started to change a little. Soon, there were new people, and old ones were leaving. I had my twins Raivyn Elizabeth and Elijah Bastillion in my old manor in Tam, on the hill by the monoliths, on Midsummer's eve. Dr. JohnHenry Holiday delivered my twins, with the assistance of my SL sister, Jamie Demar. It was one of the most moving experiences I ever had in SL. Before On Sea came along, it was a wonderful property. On the big hill by the monoliths, I had my manor house and gardens. Across the street I had my cafe, and a laboratory I was building. There was a lovely little tor there, and I placed a bell tower atop it, with a church bell made by Shaunathon Sprocket. I had my sheep in the fields overlooking the ocean. Soon, the Yakkity Yak faded as a hangout, and Mr. Stern's Falling Anvil Pub, and my cafe, to a lesser extent, became new hangouts. Mystical Cookie was now my neighbor, and she and I kept lovely gardens. I became the patron of a new young inventor in SL, Dominic Webb, and we spent hours, with me building, and he scripting. While I was in Tam, I became the first official casualty of the new train line. The rail sat unused for months, and I was standing in the middle of the tracks, in deep thought. I never heard Desmond and Serra shout out, "Amber, loook ouuuuuuuttttt!!!!" until it was too late. Next thing I know, I was like, "what in the..." as this train rolled over me. *grins* Ahhhh, the memories. In a way, I was kind of sad when On Sea came into existence, because it killed the charm of my property, so I split it, and kept part in Tam, and part in On Sea on a bluff. I moved my cafe across the street, and moved my manor to On Sea. It was at my cafe's new location that I met my current beau, americanpsycho98 Book, though at the time he was kinda dating my SL cousin, Copal Riel. Nerk Noonan, astronomer and horse afficianado, often stopped by my cafe to visit and chat. Messers. Somme and Sprocket were also frequent visitors to my cafe in those days.

One exciting aspect of my Caledon life was being involved in the 2006 Caledon Relay For Life team, at the urging of Leosanni Somme. She had a way of encouraging me to go beyond my fears, and take active part in the program. I particurlly remember the RFL jail, and the carnival. Messers. Bachman and Pertwee unveiled this remarkable caliope. A wonderful, magnificent invention. Sadly, due to numerous technical issues, I am currently unable to particiapte in the 2007 Caledon RFL team as much as I would like, and am missing many wonderful events. *pouts*

Alot has happened in the past year in Caledon. Many of the oldtimers are gone, and I have made new friends. My old Tamrannoch plot has changed hands several times. I sold my On Sea plot to ZenMondo Wormser. I definitely love my home in the Moors, I wanted to live in the Moors since I first heard Desmond mention it was a sim that he at that time was planning for the future. Caledon has grown into 17 sims, with many more planned. Desmond doesn't have nowhere near the time he used to have to relax with us. Each new sim is as intriguing as the last, but the character of Caledon has changed forever. Not in a bad way, but in a good and vibrant way. Still, it's always nice to look back on fond memories.

I guess I could write for hours, reminiscing, but these are some of my best memories of Caledon, in it's earliest years, when everything was so new to me. Since I have moved to the Moors, I have grown, matured, and maybe even grown a little jaded. The people of Caledon are still just as wonderful (there are just so many now, it's almost impossible to meet and know them all, as opposed to when Caledon was smaller), and their builds are just as exciting, and Caledon is still my dream-home, with my heart more loyal to this virtual nation than to any real life one. It's the spirit of the Caledonians, and Desmond's dream coming to life, that make this a wonderful place. Yet in a way, one can't help but be nostalgic, going back to simpler days, when Desmond didn't have to manage as much, and could spend more time playing with us, and Caledon was not just new to me, but to everybody. May the God and Goddess bless Desmond, Caledon, and ALL its residents for as long as we can keep this virtual Independant nation alive! *begins to cry in joy of all that is Caledon, and in anguish that she can't be there right now*

Anticipated Beltane Disappointments

2007-04-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

It's Beltane's Eve, and I am crushed. I am so very close to getting back to the real world, to Caledon, to escape this etheral realm of the dead. Yet I am doubting I will be close enough to getting back in time for Beltane. Sadly, this will be the first Sabbat, Major or Minor, that I will have missed in Caledon since Midsummer's last year, when my twins Elijah Bastillion and Raivyn Elizabeth were born, when I had my manor house and cafe originally in Caledon Tamrannoch. Perhaps I will see a Beltane miracle, and the Fae forces pull me from this realm of the dead in time, but I am not holding out much hope. sighs and tears up I shall greatly miss the festivities, and I do hope everybody knows that my spirit is there with you, if my physical body is trapped here. turns away as she fights back her tears, trying to keep the composure expected of a Baroness. I love you all dearly, please do know that!

Project Open Letter

2007-04-27T16:30:00.001-07:00

I heard of this from Miss Emily Orr's blog. It is an open letter to Linden Labs to encourage them to fix several of SL's problems. I signed it, and I encourage you, dear readers, to sign it as well. http://www.projectopenletter.com/

Hope For My Twins?

2007-04-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

I'm still in this limbo between worlds, but it appears that Dr, Mason might have a cure for my infant twins. I eagerly look forward to hearing more of his ideas. Being unable to actively interact in the realms of Caledon and Steelhead is frustrating, but it is wonderful that I am able to keep up at least some form of communication with them. Hopefully soon this nightmare will end.

A Possible Cure?

2007-04-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

It seems as if there might be a positive side effect of being trapped in this realm of the dead. After reading Dr. Mason's account of escaping from the Demon, it gave me some ideas of how at last I might cure my Vampyrism. I immediately began perusing my tomes of Magyck. Sure enough, in an ancient tome 5000 years old, I found an obscure referrence. It appears that once a Vampyre actually dies, it is dead for good. If I can thus return my spirit to my body, the taint of Vampyrism should be left behind! I am excited by this discovery. I must set to work endeavoring harder to return my spirit to my body. If I can try to be ready by Beltane, the veil between the realms of the living and dead is the thinnest. I have my greatest chances there! Success seems so close and yet so far. Perhaps I can make it back in time for Duchess Eva's Beltane ball. The only problem I will have once I return is how to cure my twins Elijah Bastillion and Raivyn Elizabeth of their Vampyrism. I must consult with Dr. Mason forthwith, as soon as I return.

Failure, failure, failure!

2007-04-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

I lay crumpled on the ground exhausted, in tears. I had worked long into the night, casting all the appropriate spells, using all the correct forms. I was able to get the necessary components for the spell (aka a brand new working mother board and power supply). I know the spell forms are correct, because I was able to feel the power flow through me, and made a tenuous start to the realms of the living (the computer booted up). But after that, everything went haywire. There was an unrealized shiled sent by the Keeper of the Underworld to block further efforts (it turns out my dvd player wouldn't open, I couldn't get the system repair dvd into it). Then, out of the blue, all the energies of my spell ceased (the same problem as before, the computer wouldn't power up at all). I am at wit's end. What am I to do? I can stand no longer to be trapped in this realm of shrouded fog. I must make it back to Caledon before Beltane!

Can escape actually be possible?

2007-04-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Grey mists swirl about me, the tendrils of the evil fog binding me to this realm of the Dead. Yet I do have a few tricks up my sleeve. I managed to conjure a few ancient tomes of Magyck, which I peruse at great peril. The incantations are powerful, deadly, but I think perhaps I have found a way to return to the land of the living...to my beloved Caledon. The spells will be a long and arduous task, but with any luck, I may once again be able to walk freely in my estate in the Moors by Tuesday. I can only pray to the God and Goddess that my venture will be succesful.

Living Caledon Vicariously

2007-04-20T19:05:00.000-07:00

The mists of the Aethernet swirls about me...I try to peer into Caledon, but a fog obscures my vision. My prison still holds firm. But wait....I have descried a crack in the gloom....not a window into Caledon and the realms of Second Life itself, but rather, into the minds of certain residents therein...it must be some form of clairvoyance whereas I, who am trapped in the Keeper's Realm of the dead, can peer into their thoughts, and live the life of a Caledonian vicariously....I think the spirit realm calls it a blog...."Hello? Can anybody hear my thoughts?" It seems as if at least two have...the Lady Eva Bellambi and Sir Edward Pearse! I must explore this phenomena further....

April Blahs

2007-04-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

Live as a benign Fey Vampyress has its difficult moments. Indeed the dark forces are arrayed against me. My soul has been imprisoned. First it appeared that I suffered what seemed to be a tenuous connection with the world of the living...[aka losing DSL and accessing SL through dial-up]. For about 6 weeks I suffered this malady, slogging slowly through the Moors, hills, forests, towns and cities of Caledon. Yet I could talk to people, and they could see me, even if at times I hovered in a realm between worlds, half-there, half not. But finally my fey powers conquered that attack by the Keeper of the Dead. On March 31st, I returned fully to the world of the living. I was overjoyed.

However, it appears the Keeper Himself found away to torment me even worse for escaping his clutches. April 1st, the rezz day of my brother Colonel Gottried Lord Eusebio, 15th Baron of Bauerhoff de Caledon, started as any other day. I was able to do some building for my Ballroom Pavillion in the Moors. I took a respite from my work. When I woke up, I found that the Nameless One had put a veil of death around me. I lost contact with the country I love....Caledon, and the world of SL at large [aka death of a computer, and being forced to use a friend's computer that only has Windows 98]. Now, like a wraith using seances to communicate with the living, there are a few I can talk to, in an other-worldly channeling method [aka Yahoo IM]. Perhaps soon I can escape the clutches of this evil demon that is determined to keep me away from the land I love, my native country of Caledon. Perhaps there are those who can hear my howls as they pass by my grave. Soon, soon, I shall find a way to escape, and rejoin my friends and loved ones....