Christmas tales with a sprinkle of sci-fi and a helping of Dickens

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous 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, December 6th, 14:00: Tea Time with Trolley

MiracleCome to Dr. Coppelius’s
Where all is bright and warm
And There’s no fear,
For I am here
To keep you safe from harm.

What happens when a man finds he’s taking the child of his date to a toy shop when he’d rather be going to a ball game – a child he didn’t even know his girlfriend had ?

What happens when he really doesn’t like kids at the best of times, and his girlfriend’s kid is intent on exploring the store, leading to them getting separated?

And what happens when the man discovers all really all it seems with the store?

Join Trolley Trollop as she reads two of Connie Willis’ seasonal tales from Miracle and Other Christmas Stories: In Coppelius’s Toyshop and The Pony.

Monday December 7th, 19:00: Mr. Dingle the Strong

Rod SterlingGyro Muggins concludes his reading of  Rod Sterling’s 1961 story for The Twilight Zone, Mr. Dingle The Strong.

Luther Dingle, vacuum-cleaner salesman and perennial loser, finds himself given the gift of super-strength by a curious Martian scientist. Returning to Earth to see how his subject is using his gift, the Martian finds Mr. Dingle is doing little more than gaining celebrity status through feats of super-human strength.

Taking back the gift, the Martian encounters a passing Venusian science team looking for a human test subject. He points them towards Luther Dingle…

Tuesday December 8th 19:00: Immovable Feast

Derry McMahon brings us a tale of Christmas in Paris.

Wednesday, December 9th 19:00 A Celtic Christmas

Faerie Maven-Pralou reads a selection from A Celtic Christmas, edited by Mairtin O’Griofa. Bringing together tales from early 20th Century Ireland, each unique in tone and style, be it humorous, tender, sentimental or a little bit spooky. This is an anthology right for the season, the tales a crammed with superstition and lore, ready to delight and charm.

Thursday, December 10th

19:00: Shandon Loring

A cabin. A cabin in the woods. Of it I have written before, and of it I write again. The same great fireplace piled high with logs fiercely ablaze. Again on either side of the fireplace are the hounds gazing meditatively into the fire. The same big table, and on it the same great book, leather-bound and worn by the hands of many generations. And at the strong table, bending over the sacred book, with one huge finger marking a sentence, the same whitened head, the same man, large of limb and large of feature–John Norton, the Trapper.

So begins William Henry Harrison Murray’s John Norton’s Vagabond, the second of two stories from Holiday Tales – Christmas in the Adirondacks, Originally published in  1897.

21:00 Finn Zeddmore

With Seanchai Late Night.

Saturday, December 12th

12:00 Noon: An Irish Country Christmas at Seanchai InWorldz

With Shandon and Caledonia – check the Seanchai blog nearer the date for LM details.

13:00 Second Life: The Dickens Project

Join Caledonia Skytower as she opens the 2015 season for The Dickens Project bringing us the story behind a Christmas classic – a look behind the story that had a profound effect on shaping the Christmas that we know, as well as revived an author’s career.

The dickens Project returns to Second Life
The Dickens Project returns to Second Life

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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 October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.

Additional Links

2015 RFL Xmas Expo in Second Life

2015 Xmas Expo
2015 Xmas Expo

The 2015 SL Christmas Expo opened on Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 and will run through until Monday, December 14th, 2015. As usual, this annual event offers something for everyone, including the opportunity to help raise funds for Relay For Life of Second Life, an official charity of the American Cancer Society.

Taking place across four regions, the Christmas Expo is supported by many top designers and brands from across SL, and offers visitors a great seasonal shopping experience coupled with a range of entertainments taking place throughout the Expo, together with a some very special events, including:

  • Photos with Santa: Santa and the elves will be at various locations around the expo in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, allowing you to grab a photo with him. As well as photo opportunities, don’t miss the chance to take one of Santa’s Sleigh Tours around the expo sims, or even hop on Rudolph and take a flight around the regions!
  • The Christmas Tree Lot: what better way to prepare for Christmas than by visiting the Expo Christmas Tree Lot and picking up one of the specially created Christmas trees? 100% proceeds of the sales go to the Relay For Life of Second Life
  • Hunt for the Bells: hunt for special bells scattered across the Expo. Each bell has  something very special from the merchant
  • The Holidays of Hope Ball: established in 2010, is one of Second Life’s brightest holiday season highlights and brings together residents from all corners of the virtual community to celebrate the holidays and to support the American Cancer Society. This year’s ball will take place on Sunday, December 13th from 15:00 through 19:00 SLT with the theme A Winter Wonderland.
2015 Xmas Expo - entertainments area
2015 Xmas Expo – entertainments area

So, be sure to get into the festive spirit and support RFL of Sl by visiting the 2015 Xmas Expo and supporting RFL of SL.

SLurl Details

All regions are rated Moderate.

 

Stories long and short to entertain and delight

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous 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 29th, 14:00: Tea Time with Caledonia and Kayden

Caledonia Skytower and Kayden Oconnell share fun short stories and scenes to ease people over the holiday hump between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Monday November 30th, 19:00: Murder Will In / Mr. Dingle the Strong

Rod SterlingGyro Muggins concludes his reading of Frank Herbert’s Murder Will In, which first appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1970, and most recently formed one of the stories in the collection Eye, published in 2014. Afterwards he commences Rod Sterling’s 1961 story for The Twilight Zone, Mr. Dingle The Strong.

Luther Dingle,  vacuum-cleaner salesman and perennial loser, finds himself given the gift of super-strength by a curious Martian scientist. Returning to Earth to see how his subject is using his gift, the Martian finds Mr. Dingle is doing little more than gaining celebrity status through feats of super-human strength. Taking back the gift, the Martian encounters a passing Venusian science team looking for a human test subject. He points them towards Luther Dingle…

Tuesday December 1st 19:00: Mama Makes Up Her Mind

Mama makes up her mindWelcome to the unique world of Bailey White. Her aunt Belle may take you to see her bellowing pet alligator. Her uncle Jimbuddy may appal you with his knack for losing pieces of himself. Most of all, you may succumb utterly to the charms of Baileys mama, who will take you to a joint so raunchy it scared Ernest Hemingway or tuck you into her antique guest bed that has the disconcerting habit of folding up on people while they sleep.

White’s indelible vignettes of Southern eccentricity have entranced millions who have heard her read them on NPR. Mama Makes Up Her Mind is as sweetly intoxicating as a mint julep and as invigorating as a walk in Whites own overgrown garden.

Join Trolley Trollop, Kayden Oconnell, and Caledonia Skytower as they commence a romp through this wonderful series of vignettes

Wednesday, December 2nd 19:00 The Oxford Book of Christmas Stories

Faerie Maven-Pralou officially starts-up Seanchai’s Christmas season by opening the covers of this treasury of 30 seasonal tales which brings together stories from writers of many eras and styles, including Charles Dickens, Shirley Jackson, and Sue Townsend and Robert Swindells and Philippa Pearche.

Featuring a host of characters and stories covering every Christmas theme, including 10 specifically commissioned for this anthology, The Oxford Book of Christmas Stories is the ideal way to slip into the festive spirit, whatever your age!

Thursday, December 3rd 19:00: Christmas Stories

Shandon Loring shares James Allen’s The Realm of Midnight and other Christmas stories.

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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 October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.

Additional Links

Team Diabetes Winter Art Show and Showcase in Second Life

Winter ShowTeam Diabetes of Second Life have announced their first Windlight Winter Art Show and Winter Showcase event for Second Life.

Starting on Monday, December 7th and running through until Sunday, December 13th, the Art Show and Showcase will feature a week of entertainment from Tribute bands and DJ sets, and there will be ice skating, ice fishing, a Santa hunt, a gingerbread house building contest, raffles, a winter photo contest and a special Christmas Masquerade Ball.

The Art show, sponsored and produced by Windlight Magazine and Windlight Art Gallery, will feature the work of Honey Bender, WrenNoir Cerise, Ilyra Chardin, Warm Clarity, Sparkie Cyberstar, Dawnbeam Dreamscape, Cica Ghost, Kayly Iali, JudiLynn India, Layachi Inhen, Wicca Merlin, Richie Narstrom, Bryn Oh, Inara Pey, Skip Staheli, Bluesrocker Resident, Eeraftr Resident, Johannes1977 Resident, Roffellos Resident, Saoiriseheart Resident, and Tripleplaynitely Resident.

The Winter Showcase, sponsored by Tayren’s Fantasy Fashions, will feature the brands: The House of Avro,  Kittycat’s Creations, Tayren’s Fantasy Fashions, Moonstar, Feyline Fashions, Wiccas Wardrobe, Zuri Rayna Jewelry, Spyralle, An Lema, Park Place Home Décor, Pink Ice Boutique, A Little Bit of Everything by Neck, Jamie Wolf Photography, Potomac Signature Homes, Lyrical B!zarre Templates, [JOH], Hearthaven Photography, Kaerri, and Meshopotomia.

In addition, the modelling house Solaris will be producing a winter queen themed fashion show featuring jewellery by Chop Zuey.

Bloggers wishing to cover the event can do so by completing the blogging application form to gain access to the Press Day for the event, and early access.

About Team Diabetes of Second Life

TD-logoSome 387 million people globally live with diabetes, and the World Health Organisation estimates that diabetes could be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030.

Founded by Jessi2009 Warrhol and Johannes1977 Resident, Team Diabetes is the official and authorised team of the American Diabetes Association in Second Life. Functioning as an advisory board, Team Diabetes of Second Life comprises members Jessii2009 Warrhol, Johannes1977 Resident, Emma Portilo, Veruca Tammas, Sandie Loxingly, Rob Fenwitch and Earth Nirvana, with Saiyge Lotus serving as special advisor to the board.

Team Diabetes of Second Life’s mission is to raise awareness of diabetes, promote greater understanding of the issues those suffering from diabetes face, and to raise funds to further research into cures for diabetes.

Related Links

Santalarity: calling builders and performers in Second Life

santa-1Like a fable borne upon a mist of time, a magical, mysterious transformation is wrought upon the ancient dry lake bed we know as the playa. When the mist clears you see an alpine wonderland of mountains, hills and valleys.

Oh, but that is not all! As you draw in for a closer look, you notice something incredible: everything is small in size. You are surrounded by miniature villages and diminutive trains, with Lilliputian creatures and beings populating the scene. But don’t let their small sizes fool you – things are rarely as they appear.

So reads the opening of the Press Release for the BURN2 seasonal event, Santalarity, which this year has the theme of Great Thing come In Small Packages. The event will open its doors on Saturday, December 12th and run through until Sunday, December 13th.

Right now, there is an open invitation to builders and performers to be a part of the festive event, with a very special invitation for tinies, petites and other small avatars to be a part of proceedings and perform or build or DJ.

Those wishing to obtain one of the limited number of FREE builders plots which are available for the event should sign-up now. DJs and performers who wish to join in with the fun of the event can book their preferred spots through the DJ/Performer Sign-up. If you fancy helping out as a greeter, drop a line in-world to Freia Guillaume, and she’ll get your sorted and signed-up.

Further information on Santalarity 2015 will be available through the BURN 2 website, and I’ll hopefully also include updates in these pages, as they are announced.

Home-grown stories, milky tales and Thanksgiving anecdotes

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous 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 22nd

14:00: Tea Time with Caledonia

Caledonia Skytower reads the final story from her soon to be published collection Two Houses.

18:00: Magicland Park – Fortunately, the Milk

fortunately the milk“This is quite possibly the most exciting adventure ever to be written about milk since Tolstoy’s epic novel War and Milk. Also it has aliens, pirates, dinosaurs and wumpires in it (but not the handsome, misunderstood kind), also a never-adequately-explained-bowl-of-piranhas, not to mention a Volcano God.”

– Neil Gaiman.

What do you do when your wife is away on a business trip, you pop down to the corner shop to get a pint of milk for the kids’ breakfast, get caught in conversation and eventually return home to the accusing stares of your two children delivered across milk-less bowls of cereal? Do you admit that yes, in fact you had been gossiping, or do you opt for the safer way out and offer-up the most outlandish tale?

Guess which course of action this particular father took?

Join Caledonia Skytower as she gives an encore reading of Neil Gaiman’s delightful tale in the art of trolling the kids, which will take place at Magicland Park.

Monday November 23rd, 19:00: Murder Will In

Gyro Muggins presents a short story by Frank Herbert, which first appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1970, and most recently formed one of the stories in the collection Eye, published in 2014.

Tuesday November 24th 19:00: Mama Makes Up Her Mind

Mama makes up her mindWelcome to the unique world of Bailey White. Her aunt Belle may take you to see her bellowing pet alligator. Her uncle Jimbuddy may appal you with his knack for losing pieces of himself. Most of all, you may succumb utterly to the charms of Baileys mama, who will take you to a joint so raunchy it scared Ernest Hemingway or tuck you into her antique guest bed that has the disconcerting habit of folding up on people while they sleep.

White’s indelible vignettes of Southern eccentricity have entranced millions who have heard her read them on NPR. Mama Makes Up Her Mind is as sweetly intoxicating as a mint julep and as invigorating as a walk in Whites own overgrown garden.

Join Trolley Trollop, Kayden Oconnell, and Caledonia Skytower as they commence a romp through this wonderful series of vignettes

Wednesday, November 25th 19:00 The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl’s short stories are known for their unexpected endings and his children’s books for their unsentimental, macabre, often darkly comic content, featuring villainous adult enemies of the child characters. Join Faerie Maven-Pralou as she brings more of these tales to life.

Thursday, November 26th 11:00: Alice’s Restaurant Massacree

restaurantYou can get anything that you want
At Alice’s restaurant.
You can get anything that you want
At Alice’s restaurant.
Walk right in, it’s around the back,
Just a half-a-mile from the railroad tracks
,
And you can get anything that you want
At Alice’s restaurant
.

As Thanksgiving arrives in the United States, Shandon Loring presents singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie’s famous 1967 musical monologue, Alice’s Restaurant Massacree (also popularly known as Alice’s Restaurant, and the inspiration of the 1969 Arthur Penn film of that name, starring Guthrie himself).

Aside from the opening and closing chorus, the song is delivered as the spoken word accompanied by a ragtime guitar. The story is based on a true incident in Guthrie’s life when, in 1965, he (then 18) and a friend were arrested for illegally dumping garbage from Alice’s restaurant after discovering that the town dump was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

So, join Shandon for what is a Seanchai tradition for Thanksgiving as he reading this convoluted tale which encompasses fines, blind judges, guide dogs, 27 8×10 copiously annotated glossy photos related to the littering, frustrated police officers, the Vietnam War draft and, ultimately, the inexplicable ways in which bureaucracy moves to foil itself, just when you’ve given up hope of foiling it yourself.

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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 October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.

Additional Links