It's Saint Lucio's Day

And it's December 13th again, which means its the annual day for celebrating the saint Lucia from Syracuse in some of the Nordic countries.

In the Commonwealth of Southern Enchantment the day has been masculinized to Saint Lucio's day. This is the day when the laird runs around in the traditional white garb of the saint and wears the appropriate headdress with candles.

For those who wish to witness a more traditional Swedish Saint Lucia pageant you have the opportunity later today at Kicki's Jetty.

Kicki Springflower invites you all to her jetty for a proper Saint Lucia pageant at 1 PM SLT. After the pageant there will be some frivolous dancing.

Your sledge to Kicki's Jetty (SLurl).

Saint Lucia´s Day 2012 (UPDATED)

Myself as Saint Lucio in 2011

Today is the traditional Swedish day of Saint Lucia, the lady who gives us a promise that light will return in our deepest winter darkness. Unfortunately it seems that there will not be a celebration at the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife this year, and I have been too sick to even think about stepping in as Saint Lucio.

This is the first time in five years I miss out on this event. However do I know there is a Lucia pageant at the Yadkin Valley (SLurl) sim today at 12:30 PM SLT.

Usually Second Norway also has a Lucia pageant, but I don't have any information for that event either as yet.

I would love it and be grateful, if any other Lucia-pageant in SecondLife, would post the SLurls and times for their pageants in the comments.

UPDATE:
It seems like the only Swedes reading my blog these days are Apmel, Millimina and Vampi so I have been checking some of the other Swedish SecondLife blogs for tips myself. So far I have found this.

1. From the Nordic Events - Second Life blog
The Lucia Masquerade-Party at the Avalon Club 01 PM SLT.
Alfdeejay plays Christmas music and takes requests. You are welcome to dress up as Lucia or something else that is "christmasy" for the outfit-contest. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kalvatar/56/99/22

2. From Vampi Twine-DeSantis-McMillan-McMillan (honorary) comment below:
At Ormdricka we kick off at 12.30 slt (21.30 swed time) and DJ Tiddles will play some suitable music for the occasion.
You can dress up in anything lucia if you want but thats up to you - its not a must.
Santa lent us his sled for you to get here:)---> Take Santa´s sled to OrmDricka

Surprisingly the Second Norway blog doesn´t list a Lucia pageant this year, nor does Connemara Hills.

The Swedish Embassy Lucia 2011

The Swedish Embassy Lucia pageant made its traditional walk over the Swedish Embassy sims in SecondLife this year also, in spite of last minute arrangements.

Three avatars, who have been a part of the Swedish Lucia pageant in SecondLife since the start 2006 where there again and therefor deserve special mention, Taco Rubio (these days mostly referred to as King Bieber I), the kings consort Alexa Linden and of course PetGirl Bergman, the janitor/concierge of the embassy sims. 

Besides these three I should think we were in total about 25 people, Swedes and Internationals, to celebrate the occasion. Everyone was exceptionally beautiful in their Lucia outfits, except for Taco and I. The two of us looked as we always do, i.e. absolutely stunning!

Special thanks to Tienkie for stepping up and singing for us - when I could not get my voice to work - and to Adrina Welders for giving us another (traditional for the SecondLife pageants) burning of the Yule Bock. I would also like to thank all of those who were actually there and all of those who have told me they wished they could have been there with us. Maybe next time!

PetGirl has now promised that there will be a Swedish Embassy Lucia next year, I will hold her to her word.

As I was busy ordering people about and walking-the-walk I wasn´t able to take that many pictures, but I had the chance to get some at least. Enjoy!

Alexa Linden in white to the left, Tienkie in Lucia crown to the right

His majesty King Bieber I (Taco Rubio)

Zigadena Gabardini in the center watches the Yule bock burn

Sexy Horre with entourage

The Yule bock in ashes

The Saint Lucio Pageant 2011 (Updated)

What: The Saint Lucio pageant in SecondLife

When: December 13th, 2011, 11 AM SLT

Who: Everyone and anyone is welcome, either to join in the pageant or to join in the celebration as an onlooker. 

No prior notification or registration needed! Just be there in costume before the pageant starts walking at 11 AM SLT

Where: Swedish Embassy in SecondLife

SLurl for the participants in the pageant

SLurl for the audience

Why: 

We walk to combat the forces of darkness and the evil powers and for the return of light, warmth and love in the world.

What to wear (the eternal question): Depends mostly on if you are there as an onlooker or to walk in the pageant.

A) If you are a member of the audience - The sim is rated as General, so keep your private parts (boobs and genitalia) covered and tucked away.

B) If you want to join in the pageant there are several alternatives.

1.  Saint Lucia or Saint Lucio

Full length white gown with red silk ribbons around the waist and a crown of lit candles.

A beautiful version of the gown can be picked up at my friends, designers Zigadena Gabardini and Emerald Harveys, store ZE Designs Mainstore (SLurl) (the gown can also be used for the maids and maidservants and - I should think - the star boys too).

The beautiful crown is designed by Cur Waydelich at CurWay Creations and can be picked up for free at his store SLurl CurWay Mainstore (SLurl)

2. Saint Lucia´s maids or maidservants (a.k.a. "tärnor")

Full length white gown with halos and waistbands of glitter and a lit candle in one hand.

3. Star boys or star girls

Full length white gowns with tall conical white hats sprinkled with stars and a star on a stick in one hand.

4. Gingerbread men or women

Brown outfits of varying design with white frosting and wearing a brown top hat

5. Santa´s and Santa mums

Red and white outfits (well you have seen them before)

6. Chimney sweeps

Black outfits with the paraphernalia of a traditional chimney sweeper, black top hat and black rope etc.

7. Yule bock

Shape shift into a goat made of straw with red silk ribbons around your body and horns. (This group is mainly represented by the designer Ms. Adrina Welders)

Thanks to the janitor of the Embassy sims, Ms. PetGirl Bergman, free ready made outfits are now available in the reception of the Embassy (SLurl) 50 meters from the landing spot for the pageant.

After the pageant has walked - and sang a cappella (or made noises without music) - we will also witness the burning of the Yule bock, thanks to the gracious offer of my friend the designer Ms. Adrina Welders.

One last thing, remember we are doing this to have FUN!

Filling In For Saint Lucia

Saint Lucio in the crown
created by CurWay
for Lucia in SecondLife

The queen of Second Sweden, Ms. PetGirl Bergman (a.k.a. Tina Dahl) has taken a well deserved hiatus from her regular duties as regent, janitor, concierge, jack-of-all-trades and inspiring overseer of events.

Meanwhile we have reached the time in the year which usually sees the most magnificent and most well known event at the Swedish Embassy sims in SecondLife, the annual Lucia pageant. This event is traditionally celebrated every December 13th (or sometimes - in SecondLife - the weekend closest to that date).

When it became apparent to the Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm and prince of Cascade Falls, that there seemingly wouldn't be a Lucia Pageant at the Embassy this year, he called for a summit meeting of his staff to confer on this crisis.

After some of the uproar that the lairds news caused among his princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses etc. etc. it was determined that there would be pageants on some of the other Scandinavian sims and a Lucia Party at the friendly Club OrmDricka. Although the laird was somewhat calmed by the information about the OrmDricka festivities he - after a deep sigh - spoke up:

"It is not enough! We cannot let this responsibility be passed on to anyone else. We must take it upon ourselves to see to it that there is a pageant at the Embassy this year like every other year in the history of SecondLife!

Let it therefor be known that Saint Lucio will be filling in for Lucia this year and even if I have to make the walk myself it will be done, as it must be done! 

Inform his majesty king Bieber I at once of my decision, he may want to join with his consort the beautiful lady Nethermind.

Also inform all Swedes and all other people in SecondLife that they will be welcome to join me and walk the walk for Sweden and for SecondLife. We will need Lucias, Lucios, star boys, gingerbread men, chimney sweeps and Santas lots of them all.

The pageant walks on Tuesday December 13th, 2011, 11 AM SLT. Tell all willing and able bodied men and women to be there at 10.30 to get outfitted and ready. Warn them that the laird may decide to sing in voice..."

Landmarks to the pageant and to the viewing section and additional information will be supplied tomorrow Monday December 12th.

My Day In Hibernation

I took this day off because it´s been a rough fortnight in both my first and second lives. I have been dealing with a lot in my mind and finally I felt like I reached a point of "sensory and mental overload".

I needed to shut down "the brain-machine" and do a reboot to let the dust settle in my mind and get a fresh look on things. The excuse I used to myself and others was that I needed to go out and buy Christmas presents, which sounds acceptable because of the time of the year.

The alarm was set to wake me up at 9 AM this morning and I got out of bed and turned on the computer to read my mail. There were two of interest, from two of the living people that I love the most in real life and SecondLife, although I was really happy to receive them and for the good news they contained, I found myself lacking in energy to respond directly. Two hours later I went back to bed and lay there sleeping (mostly) or thinking, avoiding the cold, the darkness and the storm brewing outside. Finally I woke up at 9 PM and got out of bed and made coffee.

Sometimes I earnestly wish that I could change my personality as easily as I change skin, shape, hair and eyes in SecondLife. I wish I could stay calm, cool and collected at all times and wasn't prone to follow my passions  I wish my parents, my school and my mentors in life had taught me, that I do not need to share my opinion on every matter I feel strongly about or that I do not always have to react when I see what I perceive as injustices. The world can do well enough with out my opinionated rantings.

After the first two cups of coffee I realized my thoughts were futile, it is not possible - yet - to change your personality in a radical way when one is close to 42 years old. I must do the best I can with what I have and follow my path. What I can do is perhaps to be clearer about why I do and say things and hopefully make it clear to everyone that my intentions - mostly - are good and honest.

Enough of being self centered, tomorrow is another day! Christmas presents, Christmas cards and the Saint Lucio Walk of Sha.. ummm, ummm Honor at the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife on December 13th are on my to do list for the weekend.