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).

Support Ticket #01587329 X

Illustration from EPKhosting.com

During the past night I received two emails from my dear Theresa Linden.

The first one was sent at 00:31 CET (3:31 PM SLT).

"A comment has been added to your Case..

Case: 01587329
Avatar: Bock McMillan
Type: Other Inworld Issues
Status: Information Requested

Hi Bock,

You and I work well together as a team. I have to say, you are one of the most helpful SL cases I have ever come across! I only wish I could resolve this for you once and for all, but since I was not able to replicate this issue as your avatar inworld it is hard. I was thinking about having a developer look at this issue through a Jira case, but if like me if they can't replicate these issues, then I don't know how much more help we can be.

Is there any way to see if your ISP can run a check on your connection? Is there a friend's computer that can be tried to see if you are able to replicate the issues from that same connection, different computer?

Thanks Bock, let me know...

Theresa Linden
Second Life Support

To reply to this case, either Reply to this email, or visit : https://secondlife.com/my/support/?caseID=01587329

(To view the Case online, you will need to log into Secondlife.com with this Avatar: Bock McMillan)

The second one was sent at 02:18 CET (5.18 PM SLT).

"A comment has been added to your Case..

Case: 01587329
Avatar: Bock McMillan
Type: Other Inworld Issues
Status: Information Requested

Bock,

Good news! Someone filed a Jira on this issue today, and I have discovered now two other residents who have this issue now. You may not be able to see the Jira, but here it is: https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/BUG-1343. If you are not able to see or post to it, please let me know. This is what a developer had to say about this issue without having a bunch of details of the users specs:

Alexa Linden added a comment - 14/Jan/13 1:26 PM
The symptoms suggests this is related to packet loss in your network/internet connection: If you are on a wireless connection, try a wired connection to see if it solves your problem. Reduce/lower the bandwidth setting in Edit -> Preferences -> Network 

Could we try this last part and see what happens? Reduce/lower the bandwidth setting in Edit -> Preferences -> Network. If this does not help the situation, let me know, and we will need to update your info to this Jira. 

Thanks Bock,

Theresa Linden

To reply to this case, either Reply to this email, or visit : https://secondlife.com/my/support/?caseID=01587329

(To view the Case online, you will need to log into Secondlife.com with this Avatar: Bock McMillan)"

I sent this response to my dear friend Theresa when I had read her messages.

"Hello again Theresa,

I was not permitted to read the Jira or post to it. However Alexa Linden is an old acquaintance of mine. We have met on several occasions in-world and her first life husband with the SL name Taco Rubio is an old friend of mine. The three of us have usually met at the Swedish Lucia celebrations on December 13 at the Swedish Embassy in SL because Taco has been a member of the traditional pageant since its first time in SL. Unfortunately the pageant was cancelled 2012 and the Swedish Embassy was shut down on January 1st 2013 so 2011 was the last Lucia Pageant on the Swedish Embassy sim.

If you should happen to run into Alexa, please convey my greetings to both her and to my dear friend Taco.

I am hardwired and have my bandwidth set to 1500 on my SL-viewer at the moment. When I get in-world I will reduce it to 1000 and we shall see what happens. However, throughout the time when I have had these problems I have from time to time checked the performance thingy (the one under Lag Meter) and I have especially looked at the packet loss - I don´t know why really, maybe it was something someone told me - but I could never see that happening. All the same I will do as you ask me to and reduce to 1000 at first, and then try even lower bandwidth if that doesn´t help. I will tell you how it works out a.s.a.p.

On your questions in the previous email today I would like to say, that of course I could ask my ISP to run a check on my connection if I only knew what to ask them to check for. As far as trying on another computer, I will ask around and see if I can get to use a friends computer for an experiment. I will get back to you a.s.a.p. on this also.

From my point of view Theresa, you have been extremely helpful, kind and it has been a great pleasure to work with you. Then again I have always been exceptionally well treated whenever I have been in contact with customer support at Linden Lab. Alas the two I had most contact with Belinda Linden and Keira Linden have both left, Belinda during the terrible layoffs by M Linden and Keira later for unknown reasons.

Of course I hope we will - and still believe we can - resolve the problems I am having but even if we shouldn´t I am convinced that you have done everything possible from your end to sort it out and that they have nothing to do with the viewer or SecondLife itself. The rest will be up to me.

I hope to be able to get back to you soon, Theresa!

Bock"

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.

Mission Accomplished

Sometimes I wonder if I am ever going to get well again? If I am ever going to get off the happy pills and be able to enjoy life without them and return to my normal life with excess energy in abundance.

It´s been almost two years now since my Ars passed away, and I am doing much better much of the time - really - but then sometimes its like my "energy bubble" just bursts and I end up wasted. Not nearly as often as before and not for as long periods as earlier, but still its like running into a wall. I am fed up with it, this is nothing like my usual self. I want to get back to normal - now!

After the rush the last week or so to first make up my mind whether or not to do the pageant and then to follow through with it I feel exhausted, much like a wet puddle as the Swedish saying goes (hence the illustration to this post).

I think the event was an unexpectedly  great success and the support from all the people who came and joined in the fun was overwhelming and made me really happy. The only thing that didn't work as planned was my singing in voice.

All the while after I had decided to go through with the pageant even if it would only be Taco and myself walking I had this nagging thought, "Test your headset, man!", but somehow something always came in the way. It was really exasperating for me when the damn thing didn't work for the occasion because I had been rehearsing myself all day at work (my co-workers must have thought I was going completely bonkers, but they are used to me by now).

I love all of you who were there and all those of you who couldn't be there for some reason or another but gave me and the others your support. With our little happening we did accomplish to keep the tradition of celebrating  Lucia at the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife unbroken, that is well enough for now!

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.

Bock Hits the International Press

Not the picture used by the press

My bosom buddy Apmel found this, so I am going to direct traffic to him, go look here.

The Lucia pageant, if you still remember that, well it seems it made the International Press, including a beautiful picture of yours truly in full Lucia attire and regalia!

OK, OK the article in the January 2011 issue of "Best of SecondLife Magazine" (BOSL) does mention Lucia herself also, but I am sure the reporter felt she had to do that.

Trust

This evening I have been thinking about the meaning of the word "trust". There are three reasons for this
1) a few incidents relating to the Lucia pageant last Sunday,
2) an e-mail I received today and
3) a survey published today in the Swedish press.

I seem to remember having read somewhere, that trust is a result of clarification of expectations, delivery on expectations and straightforward communication.

The reason Ars and I trusted each other without any doubts or reservations is, I think, that we always took great pains in talking things through and being completely honest with one another. Trust never comes lightly, it is earned by hard work, respect, constant communication and - of course - delivery.

On a lighter note a Swedish company today released a survey concerning which occupations have the highest and lowest confidence among Swedes (20-74 years old).

The results were not really surprising but still interesting. The doctors won with a 55 % confidence rating, closely followed by the police at 50 %. My own profession the lawyers come in at a measly 21 %. In the bottom end we find estate agents 5 %, journalists 4 % and car dealers at 1 %

So Happy and So Tired

Just a quick post before I pull the covers over myself!

Thanks again to all the people taking the time to organize and take part in this
Zigadena as our beautiful Lucia
Kay as maid
Arctic as maid
WaltzingMatilda as maid
Pirkka as maid
Gojster as starboy
Snowy as starboy
Taco as gingerbread man
Emarald as chimney sweeper
Apmel as angel
PetGirl as Santa Mum
Adrina as bock, no not me, the hay goat.

Midnattsdotter as musical coordinator and DJ
Vampi as security
sirhc as security

junivers, Medora and the Imaginals, for the musical show
Bara Jonson for the musical entertainment
Ambrooshia and Jannne for the amazing fireworks

It was so good to work with you all, - and if I forgot a name in the list above - please do not shoot me I am very tired and happy right now!

And especially I thank our patient and enthusiastic audience! You were the greatest, it was fun working for you! And yes, I do include the Julian Assange/WikiLeaks protesters in this also! Except for a moron or two making troubles you guys were fun too! (Is there really such a thing as too many exclamation marks?)

We had an awesome event with close to 70 avatars on the main audience sim and close to 30 on the pageant sim from 11 am almost to the end. It was awesome!

I just hastily copied in the pictures I remembered to download. Hugs everyone and thanks for tonight!

It´s Showtime For Lucia!

We hope to see you all later today!

The pageant will be walking at 11 am and 1 pm SLT!

Please use this limousine for your speedy and safe transportation to the audience area. 

junivers Stockholm, Medora and The Imaginals with a lightshow by firemasters extraordinaire Jannne Janus and Ambrooshia DeCuir at about 11:30 AM SLT

Bara Jonson sings LIVE at about 12:10 PM SLT

Big party afterward with amazing DJ Midnattsdotter Fride.

The Lucia pageant in SecondLife 2010 is brought to you by courtesy of 
The Bock McMillan Entertainment Group Inc (a part of the BMcM Corporation) and 
Swedish People in SL (a group in SecondLife)
Funded by The Swedish Institute, who also allows us the use of their beautiful sims.

The Long-Awaited Day is Finally Here

The day of the light-queen in SecondLife has arrived!

All the preparations are over - only one final dress rehearsal before it´s S-H-O-W-T-I-M-E and then S-H-O-W-T-I-M-E once again.

It has been pure joy working with the troops! I am confidant that they will give us a good pageant at the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife, for the fifth consecutive year. They have kept their happiest faces on through it all, despite my ramblings and ordering about. Even my enfante terrible, the anti-authoritarian little angel, has been extremely patient with me through it all.

We hope to see you all later today at 11 am and 1 pm SLT! Please use this limousine for your speedy and safe transportation to the audience area.

The Lucia pageant in SecondLife 2010 is brought to you by courtesy of 
The Bock McMillan Entertainment Group Inc (a part of the BMcM Corporation) and 
Swedish People in SL (a group in SecondLife)
Funded by The Swedish Institute, who also allows us the use of their beautiful sims.

Don´t Forget Our Date Tomorrow

Tomorrow Sunday December 12th, 2010, at 11 am and 1 pm SLT I hope to see you all at the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife for the Celebration of Saint Lucia.

junivers Stockholm, Medora and The Imaginals with a lightshow by firemasters extraordinaire Jannne Janus and Ambrooshia DeCuir at about 11:30 AM SLT

Bara Jonson sings LIVE at about 12:10 PM SLT

Big party afterwards with amazing DJ Midnattsdotter Fride.

Come and see Bock McMillan in his first leading role as Starboy #3 (...or was it #4?).

We are doing this just for fun and for the fifth consecutive year in SecondLife. No competition with other pageants is intended.

Taxi to Swedish Orientation

Produced by: The Bock McMillan Entertainment Group Inc (part of the BMcM Corporation) Swedish People in SL
Funded by The Swedish Institute.

"I Love My Troops" says Bock

Today there was another practice at the Swedish Embassy sims in SecondLife.

This blogger talked to generalissimo Bock McMillan immediately after the rehearsal had finished.

He was elated at the great progress his troops had shown and burst out as soon as he saw my press card, "I love my troops, every single one of them! Admittedly they are a group of chatterboxes but they are worth their weight in gold."

The general continues with a huge charming smile all over his handsome face, "Sure there is always a bit of a problem with the anti-authoritarian Mr. A. but he is so cute and talented I wouldn´t do this without him. And Miss Z, what can I say without starting to weep? Adorable, she is simply adorable! And all the rest of them from A to Z are the most talented group of avatars one can have the joy to work with."

Well people, if we can trust general McMillan, it seems we will be in for a treat on Sunday December 12th at 11 am or 1 pm SLT. This blogger certainly will not miss that event!

"And the voices, old chap, the angelic voices of both the men and the women ahhhh pure joy, unadulterated ecstasy...", I hear the general say to another Scandinavian blogger as I sneak away.

It was rumored that the competitors from other pageants in SecondLife had sent alts to get a sneak preview of what the Embassy Lucia pageant was up to, but seemingly the general had told his security to just observe these interlopers "Its a free world and we only kick off people who disturb the peace here! Let them watch and learn" as one of the security agents told me. "We could only wish other sims were not so fast to block out avatars for no clear reasons."

Multiple Lucia Pageants in SecondLife

It saddens me greatly to see that so many of the other Scandinavian SecondLife blogs are pretending that the Swedish Embassy´s Lucia pageant does not exist by calling it "another event" or even "another possible event".

I will rise above this childish and petty rivalry and tell you about them all (as I have done before).

If there are any more that I do not know about yet please inform me and I will be happy to mention those also. I have no qualms about mentioning other pageants and wish them all the best of luck!

As I have told you early on the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife will for the fifth consecutive year have its traditional Lucia pageant on Sunday December 12th, 2010, at 11 am and 1 pm, this year under the leadership of yours truly.

This is the official and oldest Lucia pageant in SecondLife.

There will also be a Lucia pageant by the Swedish group at Tara Hill the same day at 1:30 pm.

Our Scandinavian friends in Second Norway will have a Lucia pageant - on the correct date - Monday December 13th, 2010, at 11 am.









The more the merrier, I say, just as in real life!

Don´t Forget We Have a Date!

I am expecting to see you all here in a couple of days. 

Mark the day and times in your calendars, my friends, Sunday December 12th, 2010, at 11 am and 1 pm SLT.

Decisions, Decisions

Being the general for the Lucia-pageant at the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife means you have to make decisions constantly concerning all the brilliant - and sometimes not-so-brilliant - ideas that the troops come up with.

Right now I have to consider this publicly suggested idea from Apmel, my enfant terrible....

OK Apmel, my lovely, I am not saying no yet - but first show it to me in you natural skin and with the glasses off... and perhaps with both a white tank top on and without...

Hmmm decisions, decisions...

In a Generals Head

Ever since I got the privilege of organizing the Lucia pageant at the Swedish Embassy sims my life has been turned upside down. My head is constantly full of game plans at the moment -  and variations - for the big upcoming event.

It takes place on Sunday December 12th and I am thinking of revolutionizing the traditional celebration.

Some of the things I am considering at this moment are:

1. What if we set Lucia on fire at the end? Hell, we could even let the whole pageant go up in flames, wouldn´t that give a much needed rawness to the event?

2. Wouldn´t it be lovely if we have the pageant flying in - in beautiful formation - and doing tricks above the heads of the amazed crowds? The walking thing has been done too many times before, I am fed up with it and this is SecondLife after all!

3. How about if we had a blonde, stunningly handsome, titled man - possibly even a general - in the prime of his manhood as a Saint Lucio instead? That would shake it up a bit for sure!

4. What if we do the "Sankta Lucia-song" and the rest of those dreary old traditional tunes in House, Heavy Metal or Trance style instead, wouldn't´t that be cool?

5. We could even have a pageant of big muscular men scantily clad in black leather harnesses, thongs and knee high boots.

Or I could do a combination of all five variations...?

Ahhh so little time and so many ideas..

All I can say is, look out Second Norway and Tara Hill, you ain't seen nothing yet!

First Rehearsal for the Swedish Embassy´s Lucia

The Lucia is still a secret!

This is just to let you know. I had the first rehearsal today with the majority of the participants my troops in the Swedish Embassy´s Lucia-pageant.

I had been a bit worried about it beforehand, but as it turned out there was no need for that at all! They were all attentive and performed exceptionally well from start to finish.

I feel like a proud father, or how I think a proud father would feel...

This is going to be sooo bloody awesome!

The girls are sooooo beautiful, and the guys, the guys ... Oh my God, I must tell the truth, the guys are actually even better - totally yummylicious!

Don´t forget to book the day for this, people, and by all means bring the friends you love the most along. 

Sunday December 12th, 2010, at 11 am and 1 pm SLT. 

Remember to bring your handkerchiefs also - you will surely need them! We are set on making you weep with a big smile on your face!

Generalissimo McMillan in Exclusive Interview

"I will demand total submission and obediance from the Lucia and the rest of my troops in white. And that goes for the Gingerbread Man, the Chimney Sweep and especially that sassy badmouthing Santa Mum also.", says Bock McMillan, who recently was appointed as leader of the Lucia-pageant at the Swedish Embassy in SecondLife this year.

We meet  The Much Honoured Bock McMillan, Laird of Southern Charm, on the back porch of his palatial mansion on his estate Southern Charm. He seems rather relaxed in the face of the immense task that awaits him, but then the explanations comes as he continues. 

"I am no noob when it comes to Lucia-pageants.", Bock says as he looks sternly at this blogger, "I am after all Swedish and have done this pageant thing countless times before in real life and four times before in SecondLife. If my troops just follow my instructions we will give the spectators a beautiful show that will bring tears to their eyes."

"You can safely tell your readers that this pageant will be memorable, and this time not only for my appearance in it, We have chosen a great team - oh well lets call my minions that, it will make them happy - and they are beautiful too. Unfortunately I am not at liberty to tell you who the others in the pageant will be but let me assure you it will be bloody awesome. You can count on that!", the laird concludes as he waves to his security to usher me off the grounds.

Well people, it looks like we are in for something spectacular come Sunday December 12th, you better be there or you will regret it.