Last Names Are Coming Back

My blogger friend Sven Idyll over at Svens(k) Idyll just published the news that Rodvik Linden (in first life a.k.a. Rod Humble, CEO of Linden Lab makers of SecondLife) dropped a bomb today announcing that last names will be back in SecondLife hopefully by the end of January 2012. (source).

This news comes after an extremely long and powerful campaign by users that last names should be re-introduced.

Rodvik says, "Hopefully we will roll out what we are thinking early January latest. Identity is very important so as we touch it we need to make sure we are adding something great."


(P.S. It seems that Daniel Voyager also has the story, but I saw it first at Svens blogg.)

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.

You Are Never Alone 2011

I have posted this song by Mauro Scocco a few times before, but this time it is not only for my own benefit.



You Are Never Alone
by Mauro Scocco (translated to English by Bock McMillan)

When the storm blows, when the bridges burn
When hope and meaning, just disappear
When you feel small, and when no one is there
You will never be alone anyway, as long as I am here

I can walk all night, take a plane or train
It doesn't matter where you are
I´ll get there - anyway

You are never alone, as long as I breathe
As long as my heart - can beat
You are never alone, never forget it
I'll do anything for you, I hope that you know
Yes, I hope that you know

If those you trust fail you, if your dream fell apart
Then I can remind you of how much you're worth
That the fear you feel, it is not you
And how scary as it may seem, it will fade away

I can walk all night, take a plane or train
It doesn't matter where you are
I´ll get there - anyway

You are never alone, as long as I breathe
As long as my heart - can beat
You are never alone, never forget it
I'll do anything for you, I hope that you know
Yes, I hope that you know

So when you no longer cope, then I´ll cope for us both
When you cannot find a way out, I´ll find one anyway
You have given me so much over the years that have passed
The biggest thing one can get, you have given it to me

You are never alone, as long as I breathe
As long as my heart - can beat
You are never alone, never forget it
I'll do anything for you, I hope that you know
Yes, I hope that you know
Yes, I hope that you know

And I know, that you know

Great Design Sells

For the man - or woman - who has everything, well almost...

This "simply-must-have" is my suggestion for a Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa gift to all your loved ones this year.

This discreet and compact vibrator is a product that has a timeless elegance, eternal usability and is for all ages above 15. (Admittedly some under 15 would like to use it also, but it would be creepy and perverted to gift it to them.) 

I would buy it for the design alone. To read more about Crave go this webpage.

We Deal In Solutions

Having problems logging in to SecondLife today?

My buddy Eddi Haskell has a helpful tip for you here.