Keep the home fires burning...

It had grown excessively quiet in the back room. The flames had died down to a flickering glow in the hearth. Part of this could be explained by the fact that so many of the clan were busy doing things in their town, county, profession, trade, nation, army, university, church and so on and so forth. But still, it was too quiet in here.

Drac throws another log on the fire, watches the flame slowly spread again.

Another MacTavish Steward!

Hebrin MacTavish has been elected the next Steward of Scotland.

Hebrin is the second MacTavish Steward, following my recent occupation of the position (I stepped down at the natural conclusion of my term). He came in the same way I did, a result of a last minute switcheroo to get him into the Assembly (thanks Barseback for stepping aside for this purpose). The final vote of the Assembly was a very clear majority for Hebrin over the competition (Jefferson Davis Forbes, again).

Asbgas MacTavish has taken the Assembly seat vacated by Hebrin upon his election.

Congratulations Hebrin!

Why I am in Retreat and Other Mysteries

Hello, family!

LadyRobin here, stealing a little space to let you know that even though I'm currently bouncing between 5 minute player and retreat, I'm not going anywhere! I've been swamped with Real Life (school, cancer treatment, illness of parents, etc.) and needed to step back for a bit.

Hopefully, if all goes well, I'll be back in the saddle full time by April. They've changed my chemo and so we are waiting to see how this one works. I have the second round of the latest, mean chemo this Friday, and the first round kicked my butt!

IG, I am on a trip with young Raibeart, hiding from his evil relatives as they come looking to take him away from me. Rage is holding down the fort while we're gone, but I promise we'll be back!

I hope this finds you all well and looking forward to spring/April (not sure if that's spring in Australia, truthfully!)

Your erstwhile relative,
LadyRobin

Steward MacTavish of Scotland

I woke up one morning and found myself Steward of Scotland, a most peculiar experience indeed! It came about as follows.

I was asked by a number of members of the National Assembly to consider taking up one of our Clan's two representative positions within the Assembly so that they could nominate me to become Steward at the end of Korna Fraser's second term. Although I wasn't keen to politik my way to the job, i realised that other people were already doing it. As I tended to trust the people who approached me and we had a vacancy anyway, I put myself forward. In the subsequent poll for Steward, Pebm McKenzie was elected with a majority of one vote over myself. I breathed a sigh of relief.

A short while passed, and then Pebm McKenzie migrated to Ireland upon the formation of the new colony there. Scotland was again without a Steward. This was disappointing and a disconcerting. The Assembly immediately set about chosing a new Steward. I was nominated by one of those who had earlier approached me. There wasn't much opposition. I was elected Steward.

Really really weird, to achieve such an honoured position without saying a word or doing anything but say 'yes'. There must be something right with our system of government that allows one to achieve this without having to argue and stab one's way to the top.

Of course, staying there is another issue ...

Map of the World

For interest's sake, I hijacked this from an unattributed source on the official forums. Click on the image to see it fullsize.

Happy Hogmonay - 1457

May your road rise with you!