Mechanicsburger Abroad

Not madmen - I can handle those.

I regret that the comments will have to be screened from this point forward, as to reduce the abuse of the system.

Being Dead is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral by Charlotte Hays

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


While the title purports the book to be a guide for Southern Ladies, it is focused on the traditions of The Delta in general and Greeneville in particular. Those with cholesterol issues are warned to stay away from this book, as it is half cookbook, and the funeral foods of the Delta are quite honestly comfort foods that are likely to cause another funeral. The other half of the book is gossipy comedic tales of Life In The South, which is a genre you either lived through or makes you feel better about your own kinfolk.

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Cross-posting from ongoing investigations.

I had thought yesterday would be a repeat of years past, and at first, it was. Unsuitable gifts from my brother and notes of well-wishes on my birthday were normal. Then in the evening, the Baron took the time to go sailing about Blake's Seas and invited me along. If you have the time to sail, do go. I noticed a few race course buoys, and we explored an island that seemed to be a smuggler's point.

He then had things to attend on the other side of the keyboard, and suggested I go dancing at Club Gearz, and he would be along later to go dancing. I had considered turning in early, but he made sure I would stay another half-hour.

Then, a few minutes to 2000 SLT, Tanarian left a note on plurk about the party.

Duchess Gabrielle Riel had organized an event in New Toulouse with the help of the Baron to get the invitations out without my knowledge. It was rather shocking that this many people could show up on a late weeknight. I danced with four heads of state while the fifth played my favorite music. People said embarrassingly nice things about my work and sent gifts. It was a lovely evening.

Thank you to everyone who made the night possible - Miss Genie, who made everyone aware of the date, even though she could not attend due to her typist's schedule; Duchess Gabi, who is capable of putting together a fantastic party with little notice; Caladon Rae, who made the IM rounds to invite everyone without using the groups, so it would be a surprise; Tanarian, who apparently rifled my files for Caladon; Kara and Miss Harbinger, who brought the cakes; Miss Anna Darwinian, who made party favors for everyone; the Baron, who made sure I would not miss my own party, and everyone who attended made it a very special night.

The news from Sheriff Ortegea was not entirely unexpected. He told me there was a possibility we might need to travel soon, but that Wolfgang might need to be restrained the night of the full moon. Despite my experience in dealing with out-of-control subjects, I have to admit, none of them were family. He has been evasive concerning what might happen, this full moon, and I had to restrain myself from using the stick on him. I have no idea if Lycans are as durable as Jägerkin when it comes to emphatic discussions.

It was a bit of a relief to discuss the situation with Captain Veles at last. "Of COURSE you should have told me, it is not as if I could not see something was WRONG, and FOR THE LOVE OF OFF-SET CAMS I OWE GENIE A DOZEN CHICKENS BUT SHE WILL NOT ACCEPT THEM!" At the last, the broom-handle shattered on Veles's shoulder.

Amarantis lighted on the ledge outside the window of my office just in time to see the end of the broom bounce off the casement. She waited to see if I was calm before opening the window, as Veles asked, "Hokay, hyu gotz dot out uf you zyztem, ja? Hyu going to be hokay for now?"

I nodded, "Yes, thank you." It is not often I lose my temper, and thankfully he understands when I do.

Amarantis checked my hands over for damage before saying, "Mama, it isn't as if we hid anything from you, it is just that we did not know for certain."

I scrubbed at my face, frustrated. "I know, but everyone being so careful not to say anything around me, and knowing the tales from home..."

"Ja, vaz to keep hyu from vorrying," Veles said as he picked the splinters out of his hair. "Not to mek hyu opzet. Zumtimez dhese tingz dun vork az vell az ve plan." He picked his beret up from the chair and dusted it off, and settled it on his head. "Der scheriff sayz he haz a plan, vun dot iz less draztic dhan der schtuff Dr Mason zuggested."

"Yes, Dr. Mason... I do wish we had more information on this new 'Jeremiah', though he is not at all like the other incarnations." I straightened my desk and picked up the stray bits of broken china.

"Ho, de antelope guy - he don't schmell like de schtuff Sawyer left, not to any uf der boyz. He alzo dun schmell like der ting dot kidnapped Koen eidder." Veles looked over to Amarantis as he used the broken broom to sweep up the rest of the detritus.

Amarantis shook her head, "I had a look over him while he was delirious, Papa. You and the boys are right - that is not Zaideh. He is not the Jeremiah the sheriff remembers either." She shrugged, "I don't know who he is, but he has been messing with some pretty strong stuff. I am going to need his cooperation to find anything of his past." The mantling of her wings must have been unconscious, as she seemed surprised she brushed the vase of roses. Steadying the vase, she added, "I will check in with the sheriff and let him know, and make another patrol before going to bed."

I nodded as Veles dumped the last of the broken bits and the broom-end in the dustbin, "You are still staying at the lab?"

"Safer than leaving the place empty, and the aetheric transmission antenna is there. If Father calls with anything else for Wolfie, I will let you know." With that she tumbled out the window and glided down to the city hall front doors.

I watched her enter the building and sensed Veles watching as well. "Sche vill be hokay, und zo vill Volfgang, vith der scheriff'z help," he said.

"From your lips to the Builder's ears," I murmured in response.

Today is the relay, and I hope to see you all there.

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Annechen.Lowey

So we proceed with the haphazard tour - no, these are not in order as they are around the track, that just means you will have to Watch For Them. Again, click the images Miss Tanarian provided to see them in more detail. ( Now on to the Image Heavy Post! )

Wolfgang is almost entirely nocturnal, now. I have caught him several times sneaking in his bedroom window at dawn, and there have been too many times he was asleep in class. Even though his marks have remained high, I still worry. He has been switched to independent study under the regular conditions: reports every week, at least three substantial papers per quarter, and no property damage. I have also asked him to either stay in town, or stick with the Jägerkin on night patrol, if he takes to the hills.

We still know so little about the wilderness beyond the city's reach. It does not take a long hike to lose the view of the town, just over the next ridge, and at night, there are not many sources of light that penetrate the forest. One can spot the lighthousen from a high point, but the forest is mostly untouched. I am still nervous about the woods here. Anyone raised with the dire lectures of the dangers of the Wastelands would be, I think. The glimpses I have had of something moving in the woods beyond the house in Harborside, generally when we have had excitement in town, have compounded my nervousness.

Most of the children from home are loathe to leave the pavements, with some exceptions. Anya is curious, but is still not quite comfortable here, even though she seems to happy to be living with her father. Some of the bolder ones have struck up friendships with the more daring Steelhead children, and luckily their exploits have been viewed as normal childish pranks, save for the incident that created the new sub-basement. Even that turned out to be beneficial, once the new artesian well was properly capped and the water pressure was under control.

Then there are the extreme examples. Rengerin has been had to be reigned in in defending the Baron, and - well, anyone who was exposed to the Jägerbrau at such a young age is likely to be fearless, and her combat skills have been well trained. But she has not shared all of her story with me, citing "paradox", and rapidly changing the subject. The Pensevey sisters would prefer to use telescopes to study anything outside the city, and considering the field their parents study, it is an understandable stance. Wolfgang used to be more cautious, like the Penseveys.

Now... he has been running patrol with Sgt Hellershanks, and when the sergeant is on long patrol, Wolfie has been following any of the patrols who would allow it. Captain Veles has been... cautious when discussing Wolfgang. It is as if he wishes to ask questions but is afraid of my reaction. I may need to get a large stick to discuss it with him.

The Steelhead Salmons Relay for Life of Second Life have stars and butterflies in their garden, and wish to share!

Random Calliope's jewellery is some of the most lovely and complex in Second Life. Two sets, Ode and Wish, are only available through hunts for butterflies and shooting stars, respectively.

Now thanks to the generosity of Random and his dedicated hunters, you too can wear these ornate gems. Purchase a key for either Ode Butterflies or Wish Stars, from the RFL vendors in the garden at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Harborside/236/164/27 . Then just wear it and approach the appropriate Jewel Box by the fountain in the garden, for a random colour-set of tradeable jewellery!

The Ode Sets include Bracelet, Brooch, Earrings, Hair Ornament, Necklace, Pendant and Ring, in one of 20 possible colours.

The Wish sets in these vendors include Necklace, Bracelet, Corona and a pair of Earrings (of a possible 16 different pairs!) in one of 7 possible colours.

Next, the Auction! Six sets of Ode and two sets of Wish are being auctioned for RFL!

The sets of Wish Jewelry are COMPLETE sets - Seven colours times three basic pieces of Bracelet/Corona/Necklace plus sixteen possible pairs of earrings equals 245 pieces. Yes, two hundred and forty-five individual pieces of jewellery per Utterly Complete Set of WISH.

The Ode Sets represented here are classified as Rare or Ultra Rare - The Platinum, Twilight and Water & Sky sets include the necklace, pendant, brooch, hair ornament, bracelet, ring and earrings. The Morning Rainbow, Princess Pink and Shades of Golden sets include the necklace, pendant, brooch, hair ornament, bracelet, ring and earrings WITH the Garland. The Garland is the Rarest of the Rare pieces in any colour.

Bids are taken by the boards in the garden - there is a board for each set. The auction concludes at 1700hrs/5pm SLT on Sunday 5 July 2009 at The Airship Garden in Steelhead Harborside. Many thanks to Miss Searra Weatherwax for hosting the auction boards.

Winning bids will be taken by an official RFL kiosk in the presence of Mrs Birdsan Weezles-Timeless, who will then give the item to the registered bidder.

These sets of jewelry were donated by Birdsan and her fellow hunters of Ode and Wish for the benefit of Relay for Life of Second Life. Many heartfelt thanks for the generosity of the following hunters! These ladies (and one gentleman!) supplied the jewellery that makes up the sets being donated for this RFL 2009 fundraising project:

Neit Tackleberry
Kalinda Rush
LadyStargazer Graves
Rengerin Skytower **
Elizabeth Tinsley
Ellie Bearcat
carameldore Dreamscape **
Mr. Tomoyuki Batra
Tanarian Davies
Doktor Sweetwater


** These donors also provided all the Rares and Ultra-Rares up for auction!

The out-world agent is back at her home desk, after ten days exploring. Travelling with a Davies sister to visit another, meeting the Dacostas, and an introduction to another member of Clan Far Flung was quite enjoyable, even with the heat.

My only regret was that the emergency that occupied the Baron's motivating spirit made a meeting this trip logistically impossible.I am glad everything worked out so far for his local staff, and hope that the assignments are amenable to all soon.

Through the grace of my hosts along the way, I was able to check in at irregular intervals. It was good to hear Dr Mason again, if only through a relay.

Now to finish preparations for the Midsummer Grand Tour, and help Birdie set up her auctions. As well as remembering Miss Em's birthday.

Perhaps next week, I may indulge in the "Inspirations" meme that has been going about - after sleeping.