HOLIDAY MASCOT SERIES: Interview with a Female Leprechaun 2024- Lanai Jarrico Reporting

 

Before we get into this extra peculiar interview with this year’s St Patrick’s day mascot, I wanted to remind St Patrick’s Day fans what the holiday is really about since it seems to be associated with drinking….heavily.

  St Patricks Day was first officially observed in 1631 when the church put together a feast day honoring St Patrick; the Patron Saint of Ireland.

 Back story time… Did you know St Patrick was kidnapped from Britain and sold into slavery in Ireland when he was 16 years old.  He escaped six years later and vowed to convert Ireland into Christianity and vanquished all snakes from Ireland not that there were any there to begin with. I think it's a metaphor for banishing evil.

 He wasn’t Irish nor was Patrick his real name. It was derived from the word “Patricus' ' in Latin; meaning nobleman or father figure. His real name was Maewyn Succat and he claimed that he deserved being kidnapped because of his lack of faith in God. He also claimed to hear voices and have visions too. Kinda like Joan of Arc. That’s pretty deep ya’ll.

Besides that, green wasn’t his favorite color either. It was blue. But be careful though…. rumor has it, If you don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, you might get pinched by a Leprechaun! 

Let me not even get started on the history of those holiday mascots...they are shoemakers that have some sort of fetish for gold that they hide at the end of a rainbow. If the gold is found, the little imp will grant three wishes.  Shrugs  I don’t know about you but I think it got a bit too Disney for me.

As far as the shamrock is concerned, there’s no evidence St Patrick was a gardener or ever wore a clover...It's a metaphor, a symbol for the holy trinity with the 3 leaves presenting the Father, the son and the holy spirit.

If we wanna throw it out there and keep it real. This holiday was really derived from Pagans,  there was a lot of that witchery going on back then. March 17th was originally Ostara; the spring equinox, celebrating rebirth and the balance of the universe but it got hijacked by another religion. Now it seems to hold no religious value at all.

I’m no historian or religious freak but I know a little somethin’.  I frankly don’t know what is being celebrated today though. It turned into a universal day of  heavy drinking, pub crawls, lots of green and a hangover the next day.

In Second life, the holiday is about venue hopping,music and dancing while double fisting virtual beverages. Our avatar is not responsible for our real person's consumption habits on this day or any other day for that matter.

 I think I like this version of holiday observation best because I can actually interview a leprechaun and not even feel weird about it.

 With that said…

St. Patrick’s day is right around the corner so off I ventured the grid in search of this year’s  little green dude to snatch up and interrogate errrr…. Interview. I went to my old haunt for holiday mascots and didn’t find any leprechauns at an AA meeting…oddly enough.

 I even tried looking for the end of a rainbow and it led me to an LGBTQIA club. I hung out there a bit with great music and friendly peeps,  then decided to go to the next best place…. The Blarney Stone -Irish Pub.

I was a bit hesitant to go inside at first because of past history that I do not care to discuss. Let’s just say it was so worth the SLE police report at the time lol.

Anyway, while ordering up a nice cold Guiness and scanning the place, I noticed what looked like a giant Leprechaun.  She seemed a bit intoxicated while dancing around and somewhat singing the lyrics to a song like a drunken karaoke superstar.

 I dropped my tab and tip on the bar and walked over to her. The first question I wanted to ask was where she shops when she voluntarily slurred out that she was a Leprechaun lookin for a good time. I found it a bit strange being that she was the height of an average avatar and that she was…. what appeared to be a woman…

Thinking to myself, this holiday cannot get any stranger with its constant evolution but decided I’ll interview her. What do I have to lose, except for readers who aren't into this crazy kinda shit.

INTERVIEW WITH JEZEBEL THE LEPRECHAUN

Lanai: Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. I wanted to ask…

Jezebel: Hey beautiful. Come dance with me.

Lanai: Oh thank you for the offer but I wasn’t hitting on you. I just wanted to know where you shop. That is a creative outfit you have on.

Jezebel: Ohh my bad. I’m a Leprechaun.. Well half. My dad is… my mom…she’s an elf. I get my ears from my momma.

Lanai: Who’d you get the height from?

Jezebel: My mother told me to never ask her those types of questions... She was a drunk when I was conceived and barely remembers my dad.

Lanai: Sorry I didn't mean to get all personal.

Jezebel: Not at all. I’ve been trying to get him to take a paternity test but he refused to give up gold in child support.

Lanai: Dang, Sorry to hear all that.  I must say you are the first female leprechaun I’ve met or even heard of.

Jezebel: I get that all the time lol. I wasn’t born this way. With the abundance of acceptance in the SL community, my love of Lady Gaga and excessive amounts of makeup and lashes I am living my true self and loving it. 

Lanai: Well you go girl! Live your best Slife. There is nothing wrong with that!

Jezebel: Thank you! So you're a journalist huh?

Lanai: I’ve been called worse lol. Yes and was out looking for a Leprechaun to interview for St Patrick's day

Jezebel: Well you came to the right place honey. I’ll answer your questions since I’m technically one.

Lanai: *looks at her with a long contemplating stare*

Jezebel: What?

Lanai: This is the first time I'm lost for words. I don’t even know what to ask you.

Jezebel: I understand all that glitters is not gold and all those tacky sayings but you did hit the jackpot lady luck. I’ll be your best interview ever!

Lanai: Ok… So what are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?

Jezebel: I really didn’t have any plans, I was hoping you could give me some ideas.

Lanai: What’s the point if a leprechaun doesn’t even have plans? I think most avies nowadays just treat it like another day in SL. Others, I suppose visit St. Patty’s Day themed events to take advantage of any contests or sales happening. Other than that, I’m as stumped as you are.

Jezebel: As a leprechaun and unofficial St. Patrick’s Day representative I propose that everyone visit The Blarney Stone Irish Pub. It’s as Irish as it gets in SL. *shrugs* Besides that, name dropping their venue in The SL Enquirer might get me some popularity points with management. I’ve been looking for a job.

Lanai: FFS… Would you happen to know where the Easter Bunny likes to hang out?

Jezebel: Umm. Why am I suddenly feeling used for your next interview project?

Lanai:  Well yeah, thank you for the inspiration. I  wish you luck with your new job if you get it.

Jezebel: Thanks. Sorry gotta run!  my wife just pulled into the driveway, I was supposed to take chicken out of the freezer a couple hours ago to defrost. 

*oops* I’m so embarrassed. I didn’t mean to type that in open chat.

Lanai: *stares in disbelief*

Sometimes you have to admit defeat, even in the writing game. Not all interviews come easy and this one just baffled the hell out of me.

*Cheers* 

 Happy St Patrick's day!

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Giving the gift of Hope at Forget ME not This Christmas December 23rd

 

❄️ Winter has come to Forget ME not! Come wander this magical landscape, warm up and get yourself some hot cocoa and treats in the café, and raise your awareness by reading our patient stories in the little gingerbread huts. You will also find a few posing opportunities for your photos. If you need a mistletoe for an excuse, we have one of those too ;)

✨ On December 23 we are having "Forget ME not This Christmas" - a Christmas concert to benefit Open Medicine Foundation - leading research of ME/CFS, Long COVID, Fibromyalgia and related chronic conditions. We hope you would like to join us, support and enjoy! There will also be GIFTS for you under the tree from our generous sponsors. Current schedule: 1 PM slt - Live singer TAY 2 PM slt - DJ NEFASTIA A warm welcome! Our sponsors providing gifts under the tree: PurpleMoon BE BOLD KiB Designs Peechy. Kim's Kreations -Extra- PEACE

Landmark: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Super%20Island/163/7/1516 Website: https://www.forgetmenotsl.com/

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July 4th Events in Second Life

 

The 4th of July aka Independence Day is a national holiday in America. It is observed with family gatherings, BBQs and fireworks. On this day back in 1776, the second continental congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence separating the colonies' political connections from Great Britain. Most peeps are just glad to get the day off to do whatever it is they want to do.  In Second Life, Americans observe the day by going to a variety of events.  Here are some places to add to your SL plans.

July 4th Fireworks at Big Sur- July 4th 9am SLT

4th of July fireworks with Dj Alec

join us @ Big Sur to celebrate

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alpha%20Atoll/133/213/46

Come and join 12hrs of competitions to celebrate the birth of American Independence

July 4th at 12pm SLT.

Come and join 12hrs of competitions to celebrate the birth of American Independence.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virsino%20Games/122/134/23

Join us for the 4th, beach style with Dexter Swansen at Sky Music Park- July 4th at 12pm SLT 

Dexter is a great vocal talent that brings so much humor, laughter and fun to the stage  Dexter plays in bands all over the UK in RL and shares his passion for music here in SL singing a wide variety of genres from 60's to 00's. Dexter is a real entertainer who makes concerts a special moment and is one of the reasons his crowds are always happy. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Port%20Victoria%20Sound/48/133/3973 

July 4th at The Beach- July 4th at 12:00 pm SLT

Come on down in your swim suits and celebrate the 4th of July with us at the beach.... surfs up and enjoy independence day with us

The River: Rock Music at its Best

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20River/0/0/19

July 4th Event @ Club Carnage July 4th at 4pm SLT

From 4-6 Get dressed in your Stars and Stripes! Let's Hear it for the Red, White and Blue! Let's hear it for Uncle Sam!  This holiday celebrates the US adopting the Declaration of Independence.

No one EVER HAS to dress for events here. A lot of people come to hear the awesome music and socialize.

FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/ClubCarnageSL

TP: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Young/195/214/30 

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Visit the Nightmare Before the Grinch Stole Christmas!

 

What's this? What's THIS!? Calling all fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas! Visit Halloween Town and Christmas Town with Jack as Sandy Claws. Snap a picture atop Spiral Hill and dance with Oogie Boogie. Then, hitch a teleport to Whoville, and visit the big greenie meanie at snowy Mount Crumpit. There are several more areas to explore--games and beach area, a Stranger Things-themed area with a skating rink, and a Ghostbusters area with a winterized NYC! There's something for everyone at this unique destination!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ryo/211/211/1525 Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/wcuaxZsUmf https://www.flickr.com/groups/14809949@N23/

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Happy Thanksgiving From the Sports and Leisure Desk at SLE- Stacey Cardalines Reporting...

 

Gobble Gobble!

Thanksgiving and Halloween are sorts of the co-anchors of the Autumn season. Autumn starts in September, but September and early October can still have some nice days, at least where I live (Massachusetts). Halloween and Thanksgiving fall (no pun intended) is a time of year when there is no doubt that Summer has left the building. I've bundled my children up in winter coats to send them trick or treating, and I've sat at a Thanksgiving football game where it was 12 degrees outside.

This cold dichotomy may lead some people to hate Autumn, but not this reporter. I love the change of seasons, I love the fall foliage and I love all the harvest stuff going on at local farms. One of the reasons that I haven't written here in a while is that I spent a lot of October and November driving around to look at trees changing color or roaming through pumpkin patches like Linus. There are other reasons, but they are sad ones, and this is supposed to be the Enquirer's funny column, so no need to drag that all up here.

I was looking to write about Thanksgiving and especially Plymouth. Plymouth is the birthplace of Thanksgiving (Jamestown had the real first Thanksgiving, but Virginians need to argue with their underperforming public relations staff, not me). I live deep enough in real-life Plymouth County that I can see the Mayflower II across the bay from my house. Seeking to capitalize on this unearned Dad-bought-a-house-here expertise, I hunt incessantly for Plymouth-related sims every November so that I can let the people know my wisdom.

Only once in my years working for this publication have I found Plymouth on SL, and- to be frank- it looked more like northern California... and I say that in the "Sacramento is not California" sense that Rush Street Reggie made famous. They had a Mayflower, a few colonial-looking cabins, and some turkeys running about. I was very pleased, and Lanai got a Thanksgiving article out of me that year. That sim is something else these days, and I could find no substitute for it any other year I looked.

This year also failed to net me a Plymouth, but that doesn't mean my deadline goes away, so I had to hunt me up some Autumn somewhere.

I found Autumn in spades at the Mieville Thanksgiving Street Fair. This is a very nice sim that is all set up for the Fall season. as you can see from the pictures, they have turkeys, fireplaces, fall foliage, November-blooming flowers... all that good stuff.  The sim is cleverly constructed so the visitor walks around a pastoral autumn scene, but as they do, they go by little sales kiosks where they can purchase seasonally-themed products.

It makes for a very nice walk and is a good setting for some cute pictures. I heartily recommend it. They have the autumnal theme running through the 25th, so hurry on down this long weekend. Much like real life, there isn't much time for you to see Fall things... it will be December before you and I speak again.

People take things in SL for granted. If you go to a sim where it is done up for Autumn, you should rightfully praise whoever set the sim up. You should also, however, appreciate the infrastructure which provides the things that you see at that sim. You have to find someone who sells Autumn trees, turkeys, horns-o-plenty, Mayflowers, and what have you. SL is funny like that- many people play SL just to have cyber sex, but there are people who log on to SL and spend the day making Pilgrim hats. Because of them and the sacrifices they made, the sim you get laid at has a nice, comforting Autumn look. A timeless Norman Rockwell background takes some of the shame out of av-fucking a stranger.

Because there are designers who make turkey tailfeathers and Pilgrim costumes, my sister Courtney and I have seasonally-themed outfits for our job as dancers. Being from Plymouth, I was a natural for the Naughty Pilgrim costume. Not being from Plymouth, my sister ended up having to be a turkey. I didn't think to include my costume, which is just black lingerie with a Priscilla Alden bonnet, in this article. There was no way in Hell I was going to forget to highlight my sister with goofy turkey feathers attached to her lower spine. 

I won the next season, too... I get to dance as Mrs. Claus, while Courtney will spend December wearing reindeer antlers with blinking Christmas tree lights on them. Much like her tailfeathers, she loves when people ask about her antlers, why she has to wear them, whether she lost a bet or not... go on down and say hello.

People should also not take Autumn for granted. Autumn gets a bad rap, basically because it is Summer's pallbearer. Never forget that Autumn stands between Summer and the ice/cold/snow of Winter. Winter's main holiday- Christmas- is all about snow and cold. There will be months where you'd be thrilled to see a forecast for the day as "highs in the 40s, lows in the 30s." People in western New York right now wish it was 48 degrees.

The key is to see the bright side. Go out even on SL- and see some trees changing color. Get an apple cider donut. Watch some farmer harvest something. Remember, in about a month, it will be too cold to go out. Go down to the Mieville Thanksgiving Street Fair and see some Autumn. Otherwise, once you go down the list some, you'll end up at Divas, watching a stripper journalist dressed as a Pilgrim... or her sister Courtney, dressed as a turkey.

The positive part of journalism is informing the public, sharing your adventures, helping someone who needs help, promoting good causes, blah blah blah... the negative but fun part of journalism is using your column to humiliate your sister, who might have to dance for all comers dressed as a turkey.

Mieville Thanksgiving Street Fair = http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mieville%20Dragonsworn/130/198/701

Divas = http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Grant/116/142/461

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A Visit To Tex's Tree Farm- Stacey Cardalines reporting...

 

A lot of people get their trees from Wal-Mart, or a gas station, or some vacant lot where a bunch of trees are stacked against a fence. Someone playing SL can order one from the SL Marketplace, None of these is a good option.

Unless you are a complete zero, you instead want to head out into the country, find a cut n carry tree farm, and hack down your own tree with a big ax like a goddamned man! A girl can cut a tree down too, but it's more fun to tease men. Societal expectations can cut both ways, and a girl can get away socially with saying "Like I'm gonna cut down a tree..."

My husband has a pretty hard job, and he likes to rest on his off days. That's all well and good, but we have to drive from Duxbury to West Bridgewater- about 45 minutes in the car- passing several Wal-Marts and Home Depots on the way- and get our tree from a farm. There is a "Sorry, kids. Mommy gave up this year" vibe to get a tree from a gas station, and I won't do that to my kids. I also only choose the tree, after which my husband cuts it, carries it, ties it to the car, drives it home, and fits it into the stand for the kids and I to decorate. God made my husband bigger and handier, so blame him.

Once you shame your man into doing the cutting, you need to find a place out in the sticks where you can go all Jack Torrance on a spruce tree. Fortunately, Stacey has taken care of that for you.

Tex's Tree Farm = http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Larsen/110/144/103

Tex's is unique in that you can go there, find a tree that is ostensibly growing, and take an axe to it. It will then be moved into your inventory (after you give Tex a little Linden Love, of course) and you can do what you wish with it after. 

Even if you don't have a house or a business to decorate, there are worse ways to spend a December day than walking around a Christmas tree farm. There is a Ghetto Christmas aspect to this, but it beats sitting in a tavern... although I'd recommend sitting in the tavern while before going, so you are properly Jolly.

There isn't much time left before Christmas, so hustle out to Tex's Tree Farm and get you some!

Added SLE Bonus: Fun Christmas Tree Facts!

- Christmas trees date back to medieval Latvia and Estonia, and non-Christian decorated trees may go back to the caveman days. Evergreen trees were decorated in ancient China and Egypt. 

- The custom spread through Germanic territories to Western Europe, usually by the upper classes. Trees are referenced in 1400s Portugal and 1500s France. 

- The Christmas tree came to America with German immigrants. Our founding fathers failed to get in on this trend early, as North America's first Christmas tree was put up by Hessian soldiers stationed in Quebec. Remember, Massachusetts was founded by people stuffy enough to ban Christmas in the 1600s, and the only things they hung off trees here were Witches.

- Your typical Christmas tree is some form of evergreen conifer, like pine, fir, and spruce. Some folks use juniper or cypress, and wouldn't The Starry Night look cooler if Van Gogh had painted some tinsel onto the cypress?

- The star and the angel that you see on top of Christmas trees are symbolic of Bible stuff. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Magi to the manger where Jesus lay. The angel represents God's messenger, Gabriel. You know him from the Annunciation, which was when God, through Gabriel, told Mary that she would bear Jesus. I'm agnostic and apologize for the religious stuff, but it is good for one to know such things.

- Elaborate snowflakes are the most common non-religious tree topper.

- Christmas trees generally go up, even unintentionally with non-religious people, along the lines of Advent, which is the 4th Sunday before Christmas. This coincides with "right after Thanksgiving" in the US.

- The tree tends to come down around the Epiphany, aka the Adoration of the Magi, which is when the Three Kings found Jesus.

- Traditionally, the tree went up on Christmas Eve and would come down on January 6th. This time span is what we now know as the Twelve Days of Christmas.

- The Twelve Days Of Christmas song uses a pear tree, not spruce or fir.

- Queen Victoria and her Germanic Albert were sketched with their children by a Christmas tree in 1848, which boosted tree love in the UK and the USA.

- The first White House tree was put up by Benjamin Harrison in 1889.

-Teddy Roosevelt, an ardent conservation guy, refused to put up a tree. He was unaware that a tree farm generally plants more trees than they cut down.

- Thomas Edison's assistants invented electric Christmas tree lights. Candles were used before then, and fires were common.

- The Rockefeller Center tree first went up in the Depression, when construction workers pooled their assets and bought a tree. The tree is presently topped by a 500-pound crystal star. The tree has been up to 100 feet high and has 30,000 lights.

- Oregon produces the most real Christmas trees. China produces the most (80%) artificial ones.

- Balsam Fir and Scotch Pine are the most popular trees, although it varies by region.

- 35% of trees are sold at garden centers/retail stores. 25% from cut/carry farms, 15% from tree lots and 15% from non-profits.

- Every year, Boston is given a giant tree from Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is a thank you for Boston sending aid to Halifax after a 1917 explosion destroyed half of the city.

- "Christmas tree" came in 8th in a poll of American's favorite smells. They were one spot higher than perfume and one behind bacon. 

- Several murders and beatings have been committed by a husband and wife debating "white lights vs multi-color lights." I've struck my own husband over this debate.

- American songbird Taylor Swift was raised on a Christmas tree farm.

- "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" was written by Johnny Marks. Marks is an obscure artist, which is amazing because he also wrote "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and all the songs in the Rudolph animated special, including "Silver And Gold" and "Have A Holly Jolly Christmas." He is also the author of "I Don't Want A Lot For Christmas," which means that Mariah Carey owes him a little somethin' somethin'. Of course, he was Jewish.

- Since 9/11, the most famous fire in New York City involved a homeless man putting a Bic to the Fox News Christmas Tree.

- Charlie Brown was once ridiculed for buying a small tree for the Peanuts Christmas pageant. However, small trees have since become fashionable. and are often referred to as Charlie Brown trees. In the real world, that would get Charlie laid, but the Peanuts cartoon beats the hell out of that poor kid, and I always expected to see him shooting up the high school in some special. Lucy consoled Charlie Brown by telling him that "Everyone knows that Christmas is a racket run by some big eastern syndicate."

- "I own a cat" ranked higher than "I am not a Christian" among people surveyed about not having a Christmas tree, and by a large margin. An indoor tree, filled with shiny things to swat at, is irresistible to a cat.

- The American carol "Oh Christmas Tree" is actually a remix of "O Tannenbaum," a German song that doesn't mention Christmas and which may be about a faithless lover.

- A freshly cut tree will drink a quart of water a day.

- Christmas trees take 7-10 years to mature..

- Christmas trees are involved in one-tenth of one percent of U.S. residential fires. Cut and carry Christmas tree farms figure into .027% of ax-related injuries in America, an impressive number considering they are a seasonal item and that America has a lot of lumberjacks.

- America has since come correct on conifers.  America produces about 35 million Christmas trees a year, with Europe being good for another 60 million. 

- Americans spent 2 billion dollars on trees in 2016, making a liar of whoever said "Money doesn't grow on trees." We, sadly, spent $1.8 billion on fake trees. The average price of a tree in 2017 was $73, and that price is about the same today. 

- America has 15,000 tree farms, not including Tex's Tree Farm, which is animated. They provide at least seasonal employment for 100,000 Americans, including journalists like me who have a boss going, "One Christmas tree article? Please?"

- A third of these tree farms are, like Tex's, chosen and cut. This is good because axes and chainsaws are always fun. No holiday is lessened by chainsaw use.

(pause)

OK, maybe Arbor Day.

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