Some Christmas Events in Second Life

 By Bixyl Shuftan

Christmastime in Second Life brought about a lot of parties. There were too many for me to keep track of, but I did attend a few.

Thursday December 17 had the Happy Vixen Beach club's "Twisted Christmas" party, which had Christmas parody tunes from mild to wild to "Oh emm, gee!" There are more pictures of which can be found (here).

Sunday December 20 had Caledon's Christmas Ball. There were people in formal dress, often Victorian, dancing to songs such as older Christmas songs, and more familiar ones such as "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rockin Rudolph."

The dancers talked about a few things such as someone hoping screenshots were being take, "I hope everyone is taking lots of pics, I can't take pics with this many avatars (giggle)." To someone surprised by how complex one of her outfits was, "I found one dress in my inventory that had a complexity of 1,700,000...." "1,700,000. complexity? HOW?!" "It had a lot of jewelry and maybe 17 flexi skirts." "I remember Tensai once crashed Steelhead by making a robot avatar with about 3000 individual screw and bolt prims." And more.

At one point, someone started to toss snowballs. But it stopped moments later when the Caledonian anthem, the final song of the ball, was being played. 

Monday December 21 had the National Space Society's Winter Solstice party. There were classic Christmas songs such as by Burt Ives, to more modern ones like Mannheim Steamroller. Some were skating on the pond, others were at the table chatting about various things, such as the brief time nukes were tested in space. Among the people there were ambient musician Cypress Rosewood.

The Sunweaver clubs would have various Christmas parties this week, such as the "Christmas Rock & Roll" at Xanadu on Tuesday Dec 22.

Starting in a half hour at Xanadu, DJ Christine returns for Part-2 of her 2 Christmas events this year.  Tonight's subject is Christmas Rock & Roll.  Featuring many rare tracks from our archives that haven't been dusted off for 60 odd years. 

The Happy Vixen would have "Frost and Sweets" and "Red and White," also on Tuesday Dec 22.

Club Zero Gravity had "Twas The Night Before Christmas" on Wednesday Dec 23.

Also that night was Club Cutlass' Christmas party.

Thursday December 24, Safra Nitely had a Christmas Eve party at Devon Dream.

As Safra and her friends partied, they saw Santa's progress on the NORAD tracker.

Also on December 24 was a Christmas party at Furry Fashion.

Amethyst Crystal, the owner of Furry Fashion, was there, offering a 3500 prize for the top three in the contest.

Sheeba Metaluna, the owner of the Flying Pickle Lounge in Montecito Bay, was the big winner.

Christmas Night, I took Cynthia Farshore's Santa Sleigh Ride out for a spin, while it was being worked on for bugs.

 Cynthia was still making sure all the bugs were gone so "Ho ho ho!" wouldn't turn into "Oh oh oh!"

On Christmas Day, many places were closed. But at the Grendle's Children store, a number of tinies from Raglan Shire were caroling,

[16:19] Raglan Shire Carolers:
~*~ It's beginning to look alot like Wootmas! ~*~
~*~ All across the shire you go! ~*~
~*~ Take a look at the village chalet, ~*~
~*~ The snowmen and the sleigh, ~*~
~*~ With candy canes and tinsel all aglow! ~*~
[16:19] Raglan Shire Carolers:
~*~ Its beginning to look a lot like Wootmas! ~*~
~*~ Tinies in every store! ~*~
~*~ But the nommiest site to see ~*~
~*~ Is the waffles that will be ~*~
~*~ Inside your own front door. ~*~

[16:19] Raglan Shire Carolers:
~*~ A pair of bunny hop shoes and lazors that shoot ~*~
~*~ Is the wish of Copper and Reign! ~*~
~*~ Dolls that will talk and go for a walk ~*~
~*~ Is the hope of Jillan and Jane! ~*~
~*~ And Kayak and Toady can hardly wait ~*~
~*~ Till Raglan U opens agaaain! ~*~
[16:19] Raglan Shire Carolers:
~*~ Its beginning to look alot like Wootmas ~*~
~*~ All across the shire you go! ~*~
~*~ Theres a great tree name of Steve, ~*~
~*~ That all the tinies can see, ~*~
~*~ He's GINORMOUS, and doesnt mind the snow! ~*~
[16:19] Raglan Shire Carolers:
~*~ Its beginning to look alot like Wootmas! ~*~
~*~ Soon the bells will start! ~*~
~*~ And the thing that will make them ring, ~*~
~*~ When all the tinies sing, ~*~
~*~ Is right within your heart!!! ~*~

Store owners Flea Bussy and Toady Nakamura were there. It also happened to be Toady's birthday, "YAY TOADY!"

 Female Winslet was holding a party that day. It was near her "Season of Love and Friendship" display set up by volunteers. The music was being played by Crim (Crim Mip), whom had recently started DJing again after a break for a while.

 

 

Friday December 26, the day after Christmas, had one more Christmas party, at Club United. The club was a Christian-themed one. 

Alaskansnowwolf Barkley would tell me the party was actually for several groups, besides the Club United regulars there were people from Ann's Place of Grace, Chain of Love, Faith Filled Furries, House of Prayer, and The Fire Escape. He would go on to say, "all the groups came together for Jesus,and to show how we are all one under the name of Jesus. We want Jesus to get the recognition of course, the point of people knowing groups came together like this is to give people hope, different people can unite" 

 

Foxwing Tigerpaw would add this was the fifth year in a row they were doing the party. There were also about fifteen gifts around the area.

I would drop by The Dickens Project that weekend too, seeing some people do some ice skating. The area will be up until January 3.

The Dickens Project And Party At The Bellisseria Fairgrounds

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

The first minute you enter the Square at the Dickens Project, you know you are in a different time and space.  Pick up the map and wonderful TP hud in poster near the Gazebo. 

This will take you to places you will want to visit with much ease.

The Gazebo has a few offices and stores around it . Visit them. On the walls of two stores are wonderful free outfits to help you get into the era that is being celebrated here , one for men, one for women. You will feel much more comfortable clothed for the era and they are very smart.

To tour the nearby area before you use the hud take a leisurely coach ride and view the environs near by. It will take you by important places from Dickens books.

Every year it is a pleasure to see what is old and new in the project. This year there is a whole new region exposing the coal mining of the day. Find Sultan the horse  and take a tour of the mines themselves and then walk nearby to see the housing and other building associated with life then. 

If you want to attend an event during the week here is a schedule to check  https://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/dickens-events-calendar.html

If you have time explore the buildings surrounding the Christmas Past Square. I found two galleries , one with people who have played Scrooge across the ages, and one with posters from familiar remakes of the story in cartoon and film. On the way back if you walk stop into some of the homes along the way to experience some of the decor of the past.There is plenty of food almost everywhere you go!

I made it to an area I had missed in past years I guess,  a fascinating display and education of horses of the Victorian age . Find a tp at the stable near the homes. If you use the hud it is on there. There are so many locales for you to visit. I will leave some for you to find. This is a wonderful project and I hope it continues for many years. There is much to learn here  thanks to the Seanchai Library and the whole staff under the direction of Caledonia Skytower.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Dickens%20Project/125/118/22

Saturday I went to a holiday ball at the Bellisseria Fairgrounds. 

It was elegant and so well attended by many in formal dress dancing to the music of  FAR (fwdfwd Farslider) DJ while I was there .

The whole event was arranged by Giselle Lacombe.  I told her how lovely everything was and she explained the she had done it all with  help from Christhiana  of Needful Prims. She was really shocked by the response at the ball and I heard her exclaim later, ”When I had this crazy idea to do  this, I never thought it would turn out like this! You all are incredible.” It was lovely !

I think this will be my last article before Christmas so I want  to say Happy Holidays to all the readers of the SL Newser . If you are stuck where you are, rely on memories of past Christmas days that were so enjoyable and look forward to a better time coming. Our lives here in second life are safe!  I am telling Santa to grant you all your wishes!

Gemma Cleanslate

The CDS Inaugural Ball

 
by Bixyl Shuftan

On Saturday December 5, The Confederation of Democratic Simulators held it's Inaugural Ball. The CDS holds one twice a year, a few weeks after it's elections for Chancellor and Representative Assembly. The event is to celebrate the coming in of the new community leaders, Chancellor Kyoko Furse-Barzane (Samara Barzane) and the elected and reelected RA members.

You are invited to spend an 'Evening in Morocco' as we celebrate the Confederation of Democratic Sims' 34th Term and welcome our new Chancellor and Representative Assembly members! Tunes by our own Callipygian Christensen.

The theme for the party was "Evening in Morocco." So besides formal suits and dresses, people were encouraged to wear Middle Eastern outfits. Some were what one would expect to see in pictures from the country. Others were more in the spirit of some Hollywood movies set in the Sahara.

Callipygian Christensen was giving out to some of the people Tuk-Tuk Rezzers. For those not in the know, they're a kind of three-wheeled vehicle that's a kind of cross between a motor scooter and a small car common in some developing countries, though are occasionally used by postmen and policemen in America. Trying it out later, I found it a little tricky to use, but was driveable.

Yours truly got to the party a little late. But I did arrive in time to see a couple members of the RA take their oath of office such as Tanoujin.

"I, Tanoujin Milestone, having been elected as a Member of the Representative Assembly of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Confederation of Democratic Simulators."

Following that, "Kyoko, our new Chancellor, back to you." As the CDS anthem played, the new community leader spoke, "Okay apparently It's my turn. Thank you Delia. It is true that we are the oldest continuous democratic community in SL. We turned 'sweet sixteen' in September." She paused as there were various cheers from the crowd, "Yay!" *applause*, then continued, "But I'd be remiss if I didn't thank the 33rd Term government, especially Chancellor Rosie Gray for their hard work last term. Currently elected to the Representative Assembly are Rosie Gray, Tanoujin Milestone and Almut Brunswick." 

She paused again for another moment, followed by, "Cat walked across by screen, ahems." This was followed by a few chuckles, and she resumed, "Brooke Beandenburg and Lauewre Levenque will be joining me on the Executive team to work on our various projects. We do have a few up our sleeves (smile). I'm hoping that we will, with YOUR help move CDS forward as an amazing community and democracy. I think we have a few ideas (smile), so stay tuned!"

There was more applause followed by, "Thanks again to Delia," then spoke in a quieter tine, "Just IM her her with your desire to run for the RA, don't be shy." She concluded, "And of course the Divine Calii for the music and Brooke for all the comfy cushions here and there. Let the party continue!" She bowed to more applause, "Well said Chancellor."

There were a few jokes and musings, "I've been inhaling the Moroccan spices.. sorry mum." And some were very polite such as one geshia, "Ookini san dosu for inviting us Kyoko san and again Omedetou gozaimasu. (smile)" Kyoko was complementary of some of the choices of outfits, "Look at Richie of Arabia! ... Sab and Eve you look perfect!" "Everyone looks wonderful," someone else commented, "I will have to get some ideas from you, for my own use." Kyoko added, "Sab and Eve are members of Aesopica who has performed at CDS a number of times. Good friends indeed!" Of the tiny avatars present, "And the hedgies are so adorable."

Eventually, it was soon time to head out. There was some talk about the place recently having changed for winter with the snow, Delia saying, "The horse riding trails are now snow covered, and at the top of the Monastery mountain is the ski trail head. if you don't have skis no worries because you can help yourself from the free box." Kyoko commented, "I hear the lakes are about the freeze over so sharpen those skate blades."

After the party, I would walk around, and came across a few people talking. We chatted for a while about goings on in SL. One person had just moved in and was about to open a new shop. I would later hear that under their by-election procedures, Tor Karlsvalt had been made a member of their Representative Assembly.

And so ended the Dec 2020 CDS Inaugural Ball. But as the community changes it's leaders twice a year, it won't be too much longer before there's another one in mid-2021.

Bixyl Shuftan