Abnor Mole's Trolley Ride

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

On Wednesday December 28, I noticed Abnor Mole ask a question in Bellisseria chat, "How many people can fit on a trolley?" Someone responded, "No. But you can always call over people and find out." Abnor then sent a link to a location in Chippewa Junction. I sent an alt over, and a number of residents were already over, joining Abnor and Moonstruck Mole. "Make sure you turn your AO off and sit on an empty seat." "Click on a seat, not just the train." But there was soon little to no room on the seats, "Looks like the roof is a good place to sit too."

 

About twenty were about to get on the trolley, including myself and the two moles. We then headed down the track, going around the "boot" of the older part of western Bellisseria. Moonstruck commented, "Abnor and I weren't just looking for excuses to ride around today, nope. Not us." Of the one guy on the roof, there were some jokes, "Sit down you will be loosing your head when we come across a tunnel." He just chuckled, "Nice time for my face to be frozen in a terrified grin ...."

Our trip took us through some scenery, "Hey, we just passed my cafe!" We went through the campground area, "The only thing missing is the cables, and the eerie electrical noise they make at times." It would also take us through some rough but picturesque terrain. Someone got knocked off, but got back on, "Omg, I saw myself in the air!!!" The guy on the roof stayed on, though, "Good thing we don't want you to loose your head." "(chuckle) Thanks ... I don't either. Expensive head (chuckle)." Eventually though, we passed under a bar, "Careful of your head! Eep!" "Marius, did you keep your head?" "Marius is dead now." But the guy smiled, "I am reborn!"

Talk about the seating arrangement continued, "Try to seat on an empty seat." "Trying to sit but it says nothing available. Oh wait, I'm on it now." "I tried a seat and ended up on the levers. The train decides!" "Yes sitting backwards like I'm going to fall off. *evily laughs*" The guy on the roof commented, "It does decide as it keeps putting me up here." "... f sat properly we should get a menu upon seating and be able to change place if there is at least one left free." "I think we're out of seats... it's just attaching us to door frames and stuff." "I think the trolley needs seating poses that have us hanging from the poles like in real-life (grin)."

Still, the trip went on, "This tram is made especially for Bellisseria, so its perfect for here... and for riding with friends (smile)." "It is a good looking trolley." "Yes, I love the look." "The rail system is one of the most exciting things happening these days.  It's so cool to witness it being worked on." Moonstruck would say, "They do have a bunch of diff ones." 

Then the trail seemed to be getting off the tracks. "Derailing!" "Trolley!! NO!! You can do it!! We believe in you!" "Calls Squeaky.... we need help!!" Then the car got back on the rails, "Oh .... ok again *phew*" "Poor trolley," Moonstruck commented, "didnt want to go home yet." "Think it feels abused" someone asked. Moonstruck didn't think so, "It likes you all I think." "Gonna need loads of maint soon, haha." Abnor admitted, "The script errors are getting very graphic."

Eventually, the trip ended back where it had started, Chippewa Junction. "Home again, Home again jiggity jig," Moonstruck mused. We got off, thanked Abnor for the ride, "Thanks for the fun ride." "Thank you too for inviting us." "Thanks for the ride!... and the fun!!" "That was so fun! Thank you for the invitation!" " Have a wonderful day, everyone! Thanks for the fun times." Abnor thanked us back, "Thank you everyone for the successful pile on test." "Thank you all so much for taking a ride with us!" Moonstruck told everyone, then mused, "Make sure to pick Abnors pocket before you go!"

 

It was a fun little trolley ride with two of the Linden Moles.

Bixyl Shuftan

Mary and Joseph Near the End of their Journey

By Klaus Bereznyak,

In Mexico, the lead up to Christmas day is marked in many places by the tradition of "Posada". Each night, Mary and Joseph are figuratively "hosted" in a different home in a village, with a parade and ceremony marking their progress from one home to the next. This tradition has become increasingly popular beyond Mexico, and it even has an equivalent in Second Life.

Since 2009, the Anglicans of Second Life group has hosted an annual Posada in which figures of Mary and Joseph are passed from one volunteer host to another through the season of Advent, staying over in chapels, gardens, campuses, cafes, private homes - wherever a space can be made for them. They reach their destination in the crib scene at The Anglican Cathedral of Second Life on Epiphany Island on Christmas Eve.

The Posada provides a simple moment for people to get together. Sometimes hosts will provide food or entertainment as part of having Mary and Joseph to stay on their sim or parcel. This year, for instance, there was a performance of the St. Columba Choir before the figures moved from Salem Land School to St. Columba's. While the event is run by the Anglicans of Second Life, hosts may come from any or no church or denomination in Second Life - all it takes is a willingness to show hospitality.

Coordinating hosts and handovers across multiple time zones is an enormous task that usually falls to a single volunteer. This year, nobody felt they quite had the time or energy to take on the responsibility, and the event was cancelled. However, it has been such a popular feature of this time of year that the community rallied and Hunny Spiritweaver volunteered at the last minute to make it happen.

"It was an honour and a privilege to coordinate the Posada this year," she tells me. "I was nervous, because the past coordinators did such a splendid job, and those were big shoes to fill."
 
I asked her about her best moment in coordinating the Posada. She is quick to point out how important the wider community is to the success of the event. "It was a pleasant surprise to meet so many generous people who embodied the spirit of generosity that we honour in the Posada tradition. It wouldn't have been possible without the support form Vincent Markovic, as he kept the times organized and took really nice pictures."

The figures will complete their journey around the grid by returning to Epiphany Island on the 24th December at noon. Following a short service in the Cathedral for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, they will be handed to the Second Life Anglican Lay Pastor, Helene Milena, by the final host,  Father Nolasco at the Mater Dolorosa Cathedral. A stable has been made ready at the entrance to the Cathedral and the crib scene can be visited throughout the Christmas season.

More information on Posada hosts and handover times is available inworld at

Epiphany Island - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Epiphany/100/147/50

St. Columba Abbey- http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Toyah/205/12/22 

Klaus Bereznyak