Category: Events

SL10BBCC: My picks of the day – Tuesday 18th

Posted on by Inara Pey

SL10BCC is well underway, with lots to see and do. Given the size of the event, trying to review everything on offer simply isn’t feasible, and some hardware issues at my end mean that I’m not in a position to do the kind of “region round-ups” I did last year.

So instead, I’m going to offer some personal picks from what’s on display by way of suggestions as possible stop-off points in your explorations.

Main Installations – A’stra Stage

Also referred to as the main stage or live stage, A’stra is the astonishing and brilliant set-piece by Grendel’s Toady Nakamura and Flea Bussy. And while it may seem like I’ve flogged it to death in these pages already (or that I’m possibly on Grendel’s payroll!), the fact of the matter is that A’stra is thoroughly deserving of attention – and careful exploration!

A'stra (live) stage detail
A’stra (live) stage detail

There really is a lot to see here. Some of it touches on whimsy, some of it is intended to raise a smile, some of it touches on th history of Second Life – and all of it comes together in the most marvellous way as one of the most outstanding builds I’ve seen in SL. A’stra is not just a place where you can enjoy music through the week – it’s a place to be savoured.

Just be warned – once you do start exploring, around, over and inside A’stra, you’re liable to keeping coming back to to see what else you can find! I confess, I’ve yet to discover the UFO …

"The artist"
“The artist” and thr A’stra (live) stage

Gwark Allen – Space and Time Telescope

I’m not a fan of huge towers at events and exhibitions in-world. Having too-high a build height tends to encourage what seems to be a “war of the towers” – who can go the highest in order to dominate the skyline, which tends to leave me going “ugh!” rather a lot and wishing organisers would say, “Sorry, nothing over 25 metres”.

However, every so often in wandering something like SL10BCC, you come across something which proves to be the exception and which clearly demonstrates that building up can be done with style, grace and meaning – and which offers a fascinating take on the theme of “Looking Back”. Gwark Allen’s Space and Time Telescope does both absolutely perfectly.

The Space and Time Telescope at SL10BCC
The Space and Time Telescope at SL10BCC

Resembling Seattle’s Space Needle (to my eyes at least), the Space Time Telescope soars majestically overhead, an elegant tower topped by a golden telescope. The elevator is admittedly a bit of a bumpy ride (hardly surprising, given all that is going on), and will take you to an observation platform where you can look out over the vast expanse of SL10BCC (or at least as far as your graphics card will let you before it starts whimpering…), and sit and chat with friends away from the hue and cry below. Or you can ride to the great telescope itself, sit in the comfy chair (yes! the Comfy Chair!), go to Mouselook and look back through time and space to previous SL birthdays.

Sp
Space and Time Telescope

I really like this build as the imagery involved is very clever as well as very eye-catching. As astronomers know only too well, the best way to get a really clear view of the cosmos is to get as far above as much of the distorting effects of the Earth’s atmosphere as possible – hence the graceful tower. Then, as astronomers also know, to look through a telescope is also to look back in time – the light of the starts they see commenced its journey millions of years ago; so a telescope is a very apt device with which to look back on past SL birthdays…

Continue reading “SL10BBCC: My picks of the day – Tuesday 18th” →

LL offer further SL10B gifts – this time in-world

Posted on by Inara Pey

SL10BLinden Lab have offered-up further gifts with which to celebrate SLs tenth birthday – only these are both numbers and time-limited, and only available in-world.

The first items are mesh varsity jackets in the SL colours and bearing the 10th anniversary logo on the front and the Lab’s logo on the left sleeve. These come in male and female styles and a range of sizes (items are no modify / no transfer) and with an Alpha layer base. Also on offer is an “SL10B teddy male” – actually two bears (father and son?) the smaller sitting on the larger one’s head.

The jackets and bears are limited to 1 per avatar, and only available until 23:59:00 SLT on Monday June 17th.

Limited offer SL10B varisty-style jacket available in-world
Limited offer SL10B varisty-style jacket available in-world

To get yours, visit the SL10B gift vendor in-world at SL10BCC (there are others scattered around the regions). If gifts are your thing, keep your eye on the vendor for future offerings…

The Dickens Project: looking back, looking forward

Posted on by Inara Pey

We’re all (hopefully) by now familiar with the them of this year’s SL10B Community Celebration: Looking Forward, Looking Back.

Well, the ideals of the theme aren’t restricted to just SL10BCC.

The Dickens Project, December 2012
The Dickens Project, December 2012

In December 2012, as  part of festivities which took place around the world to mark the Dickens Bicentenary Year, the folk at Storyfests SL organised The Dickens Project.  This was a 13-day celebration of Dickens’ work, primarily focused on A Christmas Carol, but which included selections from other novels and short stories.

During the 13 days of the event, some 20 hours of readings and performances took place, featuring an international cast in a purpose-built themed environment in Second Life which not only reproduced the world of Dickens’ novels, but which provided a number of levels of interaction for visitors and audiences, allowing them to immerse themselves in the environment and discover more about Dickens, his life and works, and the era in which he lived.

The Dickens Project, 2012
The Dickens Project, 2012

The concept provided a further means of demonstrating the interactive, immersive possibilities virtual environments have for storytelling and discovery on a global level.

Now, as a part of a broader project, Judith Cullen (Caledonia Skytower in SL), one of the prime movers behind The Dickens Project, has put together a short video looking back at the project before looking towards the possible future expansion of the concept of immersive storytelling.

It’s a fascinating insight, both from a historical standpoint looking back at the Project itself, and the potential for future developments with the overall theme.

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SL10BCC: My picks of the day – Monday 17th

Posted on by Inara Pey

We’re into the first full day of festivities at SL10BCC. Given the size of the event, trying to review everything on offer simply isn’t feasible, and some hardware issues at my end mean that I’m not in a position to do the kind of “region round-ups” I did last year.

So instead, I’m going to offer some personal picks from what’s on display by way of suggestions as possible stop-off points in your explorations.

Main installations: History Walk

Marianne McCann’s History Walk is a must-see. Find out about the entire history of SL year-by-year, from the earliest glimmerings through to the present day. Find the year you first came in-world and read-up on the notable events.

Genuinely one of the highlights of SL10BCC.

The SL10B History Walk
The SL10B History Walk and 2006, the year I was “born” in SL … twice!

Exhibits

Crap Mariner’s Shatoetry

Crap Mariner's Shatoetry at SL10BCC
Crap Mariner’s Shatoetry at SL10BCC

I mentioned this in passing yesterday, but didn’t give the SLurl or go into specifics. For those not in the know, Shatoetry is an app that lets you arrange words – into statements, comments, messages, sentences, phrases, haiku, poetry, or even just random words. Once arranged, you can then hear the inimitable William Shatner speak it back to you in his own unique way, and presto! – You have created a Shatism!

Crap, with the assistance of a few friends, has put together a series of SL-focused Shatisms for your aural enjoyment. Just step on to the parcel and enjoy Mr. Shatner’s ruminations on Second Life.

Shat-1a_001
Crap Mariner’s Shatoetry at SL10BCC

Want to add your SL-related Shatism to the build? You can!

If you have the Shatoetry app (iOS only), record your own and e-mail it to isfullofcrap-at-gmail.com. If you don’t have the app, read  the Shatoetry word lists and IM Crap with your Shatisms he’ll then render them for you. Remember! in order to work in-world, although remember that all recording must be 10 seconds or less in length in order to play in-world.

You can also see a list of current SL Shatisms in the build here.

AineMari Flanagan’s Fantasy Roleplay in SL

Ani
AineMari Flanagan’s Fantasy Roleplay in SL

I chose this exhibit because it is it is eye-catching, simple and highly effective, making it very photogenic. The piece looks at storytelling through fantasy role-play in SL, with a focus on Ynys Seamaide, a “Celtic medieval RP” immersive environment with an “emphasis on story and character not meters or guilds.”Small this build may be compared to others, but it is worthwhile taking a look around it carefully; there are some very subtle details which can be missed in a rapid look-see.

ani
AineMari Flanagan’s Fantasy Roleplay in SL

You can also find-out more about Ynys Seamaide:

I bumped into this suspicious-looking geezer hanging around the Time Capsules area ...
I bumped into this suspicious-looking geezer hanging around the Time Capsules area … Guess you meet all kinds at a birthday bash!

SL10BCC: gather, hunt, meet and follow Crap’s footsteps

Posted on by Inara Pey

Note: This is a personal piece, and not reflective of any stance from the organisers of SL10BCC. As I’ve previously stated on this blog, items which express a personal opinion here do not carry the SL10BCC logo. They do not form announcements, but are my personal take on events, activities, and where to find information I believe to be of value to people attending the celebrations. 

The time has come. The regions are open. Are you ready to party? Have you staked-out your spot to watch the hoisting of the flags?

To help you get the best vantage-point from which to see the flags being hoist at 13:00 SLT on Sunday June 16th,  a map has been produced showing exactly where the flag will rise – simply pick a spot close to any one of red Xs ahead of the ceremony.

X marks the spots – where the SL10B flags will be hoist to mark the official start of SL10BCC and a week of celebrations (click to enlarge)

What to See, Where to Go?

SL10BCC offers twenty regions, many with 36 exhibits apiece in them, plus the Cornfield and Bear Island, and all the various entertainments running 24/7 on the main stages and elsewhere in the regions – and only eight days in which to see it all!

When you have limited in-world time, the numbers can be overwhelming and leave you wondering just how you’ll manage to see all the best bits.

Well, help is at hand. Crap Mariner, SLB veteran, raconteur and robot-about-SL has put together an informative, if personal, guide to all there is at SL10BCC. Each and every exhibit is located, named, and rated. I perosnally find it an invaluable guide if you want to cut to the quick and use your time to the best advantage.

If you are bewildered or befuddled by all there is to see, check-out R. Crap Mariner’s Brutally Honest SL10B Sim Tour.

And don’t forget to check-out his Shatoetry exhibit while you’re at it. After all, where else are you ever likely to come across Crap Mariner and William Shatner in the same space, other than in Second Life!

Crap Mariner's exhibit at SL10BCC
Crap Mariner’s Shatoetry exhibit at SL10BCC

Take a Long Walk

If you want to add some fun to your explorations of SL10BCC but are unsure of where to go, you might consider following in David Abbot’s footsteps as he start out on The Long Walk.

The Long Walk will lead you through the streets of the SL10BCC regions on a journey of discovery.

David Abbot and The Long Walk poster

Every day for the Birthday Week, David will be posting an account to the official SL10BCC blog of his explorations of the celebration regions and recounting some of the amazing sights he sees along the way.

All you have to do is follow in his footsteps. Along each stage of the journey, if you pick-up on the hints and keep your eyes peeled, you can pick up one or two special gifts. But be warned! These may not always be in the locations he mentions directly, although the clues will be there – even if they take the form of an X marking the spot!

He’s already posted his first diary entry in preparation for his explorations, so be such to catch-up with David through the blog and follow in his footsteps daily!

Make Time to Meet The Designers

If you’re not in the mood for partying, or if you’re simply partied-out from the pre-opening entertainments, then why not drop-in to the SL10BCC Auditorium? There will talks and presentations in the auditorium throughout the week, kicking-off with two special Meet the Designers events on Sunday June 16th, hosted by Saffia Widdershins of Prim Perfect:

  • 13:15 SLT – Just Meshing About with guests Maxwell Graf, Cain Maven and Froukje Hoorenbeeke
  • 16:00 SLT – The A’stra Team of Toady Nakamura and Flea Bussy will be talking all things – which will doubtless include their beloved and astounding Grendels. As Philip Rosedale once remarked: As goes Grendels, so goes the grid.” Find out why as Toady and Flea sit down with Saffia.

Catch up with the complete Auditorium Schedule for the week.

Toady and Flea's amazing A'stra Live stage at SL10BCC
Toady and Flea’s amazing A’stra Live stage at SL10BCC

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Minstrels, balloons, and a return to an ancient city of the future

Posted on by Inara Pey

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in Voice, brought to Second Life by the staff of the Seanchai Library SL.

As always, all times SLT, and unless otherwise stated, events will be held on the Seanchai Library’s home on Imagination Island.

Sunday 16th June

13:30: Tea Time in Sherwood Forest

Robin-hoodIt’s June in the evergreen woods of Sherwood Forest, and with it comes a month of tales from Howard Pyle’s The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, brought to us by Caledonia Skytower and Corwyn Allen, complete with original songs by Corwyn!

An American illustrator and writer, Pyle published The Merry Adeventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire (to give the book its original full title) in 1883. With it, he helped solidify the heroic / romantic image of Robin Hood witnessed in works such as Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe (1819).

The stories Pyle built for the book were drawn from various ballads, which he drew together to form a cohesive tale, rewriting the songs to suit a younger audience and further establishing the role of Robin Hood as a heroic outlaw who robs the rich to feed the poor – a role in sharp contrast to the way in which the ballads actually portrayed him (which was principally as a through-and-through villain).

So popular was Pyle’s work that it led to several more children’s books about Robin Hood over the next three decades, firmly establishing the legend as a respectable subject for children’s literature.

We begin the saga of Allan-a-Dale, which starts with meeting the minstrel and learning of his troubles.  As Robin befriends him, delighting in his sweet music, he starts a series of adventures that eventually lead to a church and to our old friend the Sheriff of Nottingham once more.

18:00 Storytime at Magicland

More original short stories with Caledonia Skytower, brought to us from Magicland Park.

Monday 17th June, 19:00 – The Twenty-one Balloons (Conclusion)

21-balloonsCaledonia Skytower reads from William Pène du Bois’ 1947 children’s classic, The Twenty-one Balloons.

A steamship en route across the North Atlantic comes across the strange wreckage of twenty deflated gas balloons and rescue, much to their surprise, a lone man – one Professor William Waterman Sherman.

The professor had last been seen some three weeks previously, departing San Francisco aboard a giant balloon, determined to spend a year aloft and drifting on his own.

Now, as word spreads that the professor has been found alive and well – and in completely the wrong ocean to the one he had last been seen flying towards – the world awaits the story of how he came to circumnavigate the globe in record time, only to be fished from the wreckage of twenty balloons when he had started with just the one. When he has sufficiently rested and recovered after receiving a hero’s welcome on his homecoming, the good professor tells a tale most fantastic…

Tuesday 18th June, 19:00: More from The City and the Stars

city-starsIn 1948 Arthur C. Clarke saw his first novel, Against the Fall of Night published in the magazine Startling Stories. Later, in 1953, it appeared as a novella in its own right, prior to becoming the basis of a much expanded work, The City and the Stars, published in 1956. Both focus on the same setting and principal character: the City of Diaspar and a young man called Alvin, but they tell individually unique tales – so much so that both remain in circulation,enjoying equal popularity.

One billion years in the future, Diaspar stands amidst the desert of Earth as the last, self-perpetuating city of humankind. Here, the Central Computer watches over people who live multiple lives over thousands of years before they return to storage, only to be “reborn” at a time selected by the Central Computer. Diaspar is utopian: poverty and need have long been eradicated and there is little strife. Life within the city is focused on creativity and art and in the deeper exploration of already well-understood fields. Enclosed, cyclical and ultimately static, Diaspar is both the culmination and twilight of human endeavour.

Join Gyro Muggins as he once again delves into the story which has been hailed as one of Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s best works.

Wednesday 19th June, 19:00: The Tao of Pooh (Part 2)

Winnie the Pooh may have been a Bear Of Very Little Brain often bothered by long words, but in him, his friends in the 100 Acre Wood and their adventures, Benjamin Hoff found the perfect means of introducing a western audience to the principles and ideals of Taoism.

Starting with a description of the Vinegar Tasters, a traditional subject in Chinese religious painting depicting three founders of China’s major religious and philosophical traditions: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism., Hoff uses Pooh and other characters from A.A. Milne’s stories to reveal Taoism to his readers, going so far as to cite how the characters exemplify Taoist principles and concepts. For example, he explains how Pooh personifies the principles of wei wu wei, the Taoist concept of “effortless doing,” and pu, the concept of being open to but unburdened by experience.

Complete with excerpts from various prominent Taoist texts, from authors such as Laozi and Zhuangzi, the book is an engaging read which topped the New York Times best seller list for some 49 weeks. So why not join Kayden Oconnell and Caledonia Skytower as they continue a reading of this fascinating work?

Thursday 20th June, 19:00: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers

SirensPrepare to be seduced by powerful magic — the sorcery of lust, need, and sensuality. Multiple award-winners Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have gathered together twenty-two tales of unearthly temptations wickedly concocted by some of today’s most potent literary conjurers — including Neil Gaiman, Jan Yolen, Michael Swanwick, and Joyce Carol Oates. Here are stories of incubi and succubi, of forbidden fruits harvested in erotic gardens, of pleasures that persist beyond death. So heed the sirens’ song.

Join Shandon Loring at Seanchai Library, and then lie back, relax, and submit to the darkest delights you have ever experienced as he reads from these bewitching tales.

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Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and additions to the week’s schedule. In May, library guests are invited to support Seanchai Library’s featured real world charity Heifer International. Have questions? IM or notecard Caledonia Skytower.

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