The Fourth Annual Snowflake Ball

Snowflake Ball 2010

(dispensing with "YHN" voice and my general prohibition about reporting on YADEs for this post)

This is an event that has special meaning to your correspondent. Four years ago, give or take a week, I arrived at a newish Victorian themed sim community named Caledon (it had been around for less than a year, but was growing fast at (I think) 8 sims at that point). The event was "The SnowFlake Winter Ball" and it was held by a "Duchess" Shenlei Flasheart, at a sim are called Loch Avie.

Frequency, Hotspur, and Frequency's Hairdo go for a Spin (Courtesy FP)

Two Commodores 01 (courtesy J. Dagger)

Two Commodores 02 (courtesy J. Dagger)

I showed up with a pack of SL hobos and reprobates in tow. They misbehaved, according to that lady's strict standards, and were soon ejected. I left with them, but came back later. That night, I met individuals like Miss Virrginia Tombola (although we didn't say much at the time), Miss Gabriele Riel (already another one of these "Duchesses") Miss Eva Bellambi (at the time, a member of the Caledon Royal Society and a distiller) and Miss Kate Nicholas (also a member of the society).

Lady Bellambi greets guests

Mr. Exrex Somme I already knew, but i had the pleasure of meeting his wife Callypigian and the aforementioned Shenlei at the event. Everyone was speaking in a polite semi-Victorian argot that I appreciated (amateur historian that I am), and played along with-- a subdued performance, but the crowd accepted it.

Citizens old and new from all over the Steamlands attended.

Since then, I have made a point of attending the Snowflake-- at Loch Avie, at Port Caledon, and now at Isle of Skye. The event represents the start of my transformation from being an observer (and an anarchistic one at that) to being a participant in themed communities in Virtual Worlds.

Although I crashed twice, I only looked upon that as a sign of social success.

Many things have transpired in the four years since then, good, bad and indifferent. I have enjoyed my time in Caledon, Steelhead, Babbage, and Port Merrimac. I look upon the Snowflake Ball as the Anniversary of me becoming a Second Life Steampunk.

Miss Eleanor Anderton captured the event far more conclusively and with greater quality than my humble efforts can attest to. Here is a slideshow of her photographic efforts:

Thank you, Lady Bellambi, for being an excellent hostess and party planner. Thank you, Mr. Icarus Ghost, for your excellent play list and DJ skill. I sincerely had a wonderful time and I hope to be at Snowflake Ball number five. If we are fortunate denizens, the both of you will be involved in throwing that party. :-D

Snowflake 2009

Snowflake 2008