Day: November 27, 2016

From Baker Street to the Baltic with Seanchai Library

Posted on by Inara Pey
Enter the lounge at 221B Baker Street to join Seanchai Library for more Holmesian adventures
Enter the lounge at 221B Baker Street to join Seanchai Library for more Holmesian adventures

It’s time to kick-off a week of story-telling in voice, brought to our virtual lives by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday, November 27th, 13:00: Tea-time at Baker Street

Tea-time at Baker Street sees Caledonia Skytower, John Morland and Kayden Oconnell open the pages of the second full-length novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. Originally commissioned for Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine, for which it was serialised under the original title The Sign of the Four; or The Problem of the Sholtos. This was reduced to The Sign of the Four in later serialisations and when published in book form in 1890 – a title which itself was further abbreviated to The Sign of Four for various film and television adaptations.

Sign-of-fourIn 1888, Mary Morstan comes to Sherlock Holmes seeking his assistance in two matters. The first is with regards to her father. Having returned safely from India in 1878, Captain Arthur Morstan had arranged to meet his daughter at the Langham Hotel, London – but he had vanished from the hotel prior to her arrival. In the decade since, no trace of his whereabouts has ever been discovered.

However following his disappearance – and possibly pursuant to it – is the second reason for Miss Marstan’s visit. Every year from 1882 onwards, she has been in receipt of a single pearl, which started arriving after she had responded to a strange newspaper advert inquiring for her. The latest such pearl to arrive had come with a letter, indicating she had somehow been wronged, the sender asking to meet with her.

Holmes discovers that the pearls started arriving shortly after the death of a Major Sholto, who served with Arthur Morstan in India. His investigations leave him convinced there is a complex set of connections between Morstan and Sholto, which involves an Indian fortress, the names of three Sikhs, an Englishman by the name of Jonathan Small and Sholto’s two sons. If all that weren’t enough, it would seem that greed and treasure may lay at the heart of matters…

Monday, November 28th 19:00: Versus

Gyro Muggins and Trolley Trollop present a tongue in cheek story from a series about a witch who writes Romance Novels as a way to pay the bills. She and her 300 year old vampire boyfriend encounter a bit more trouble than rumours and back-biting at a Halloween party for people in her writers’ guild.

Tuesday, November 29th 19:00: Serafina and the Twisted Staff

Caledonia Skytower reads the second adventure for Robert Beatty’s young heroine, Serafina, published in July 2016.

serafina-2Introduced in Serafina and the Black Cloak, the titular heroine had, up until the events of that story, lived a secret life in the basement bowels of the manor house on Biltmore Estate. However, she was forced to reveal herself to the estate owner’s young nephew in order that together, they might discover why the children on the estate were mysteriously vanishing.

Now, just a few weeks after those events, Serafina and her new friends must confront a new danger, one worse than the Black Cloak.

In doing so, they well face tests that will strain friendships, while Serafina learns more about her unique talent and abilities, allowing her to grow from introspective “other”, to a young girl accepting of herself. Nor is she alone in her growth; Braeden also is able to come into his own, understanding his own particular gifts,

Intended for younger readers, the Serafina books have a richness of prose and an approach to storytelling guaranteed to keep readers – and listeners – of all ages enthralled. Join Caledonia to find out more!

Wednesday, November 30th 19:00: TBA

Check the Seanchai blog for details.

Thursday, December 1st

19:00: Joulutarina – The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Shandon Loring presents Julie Lane.s classic story for Christmas.

Nicholas the orphan becomes Nicholas the wood carver, whose job is to create a gift for every child in his small village on the Baltic Sea. As he grows older, explanations for many beloved Christmas traditions are woven into the story as the true spirit of Christmas is revealed.

21:00: Seanchai Late Night

With Finn Zeddmore.

Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.

The featured charity for November-December is Reach Out and Read, a non-profit organization that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into paediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.

 

A journey to Let It Snow! in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts; Inara Pey, November 2016, on Flickr Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts – click any image for full size

For the last two years, a regular seasonal destination for the Pey household has been Milly Sharple’s Let It Snow!, and I’m happy to say that it is once again back, and Caitlyn and I donned our woollies and our boots to explore the delights that artist Milly Sharple has again cooked up to help people into the Christmas mood.

The venue this year is slightly different to those of the past: rather than occupying its own region, Let It Snow! has been relocated to the sky over Milly’s arts community of Timamoon Arts – but this doesn’t make it any less enchanting a place to visit; there’s just as much to explore, see and discover as ever.

Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts; Inara Pey, November 2016, on Flickr Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts

Journeys begin, appropriately enough, on the north side of the setting, where sits a little paved square with Christmas shop and coffee-house waiting to wrap visitors in their warm embrace after a wander through the waiting landscape. A gentle snow is falling, softening the outline of distant forested crags and peaks.

A rocky hill also raises it head and shoulders from the middle of the landscape, encouraging visitors to go either east or west around it, a path marked by rounded rocks and stone perhaps encouraging most to try that way first. Whichever way you opt to go – along stone-marked path or over virgin snow, rest assured the two routes will reunite on the far side of the hill.

Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts; Inara Pey, November 2016, on Flickr Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts

Eastward, over the snow, lies a romantic little gazebo across a frozen stream, and open countryside sweeping around to a small park with carousels and merry-go-rounds. Milly’s collection of Snowboys are one again at play here, and a pair of little figure up on the slope a duet sing carols.

Westward, the path swings past a snow-laden house looking out over frosted trees to where a converted greenhouse welcomes couples and groups into its warmth. Follow the path beyond these, and it’ll take you by way of Santa’s grotto to where it branches, one arm leading its way up the rocky slope of the central peak, the other pointing the way to a crystal palace glittering in the snow, waiting to welcome visitors to the events which will be held within.

Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts; Inara Pey, November 2016, on Flickr> Let It Snow!, Timamoon Arts

Should you feel in the mood, a frozen pond offers the chance for ice skating, whiles signs and givers can be found through offering wearing sleds and skis for the venturesome. For those fancying something a little less exerting, the carousels and merry-go-round mentioned above might be just the ticket!

With swings and snugs and seats scattered throughout, Let It Snow! is a place which encourages folk to tarry; Caitlyn and I watched the world walk and run by from the cosy blankets of a sleigh.

SLurl Details