It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in Voice, brought to Second Life by the staff and volunteers at 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 February 9th
13:30: Tea-time at Baker Street: The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge, Part 2
Tea-time at Baker Street embarks on a new series of adventures as Caledonia Skytower, Corwyn Allen and Kayden Oconnell commence reading from His Last Bow.
A 1917 anthology of previously published Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, His Last Bow originally comprised seven stories published byThe Strand Magazine between 1908 and 1917. However, later editions of the book saw an eighth story included, The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, originally published in 1892.
Today we hear the second part of The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge, a two-part story originally published in September 1908, and which forms the first tale in the volume. As a two-part story, the adventure comprises The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles and The Tiger of San Pedro.
In the first installment of the tale, we heard of how the gentleman of the title, Mr. John Scott Eccles of Surrey, arrived at 221B Baker Street in an agitated state, wishing to discuss something of a “grotesque” nature with Holmes and Watson. But no sooner has he arrived than so did Inspector Gregson of the Yard, accompanied by Inspector Baynes of the Surrey constabulary, wishing to question Eccles about the murder of a Spanish national at a house in which Eccles had spent the previous night.
Now, in the second part of the tale, with Eccles’ story of the events of the previous day told, Holmes and Watson visit the scene of the crime with Inspector Baynes. Here, more mystery awaits, with the constable left to guard the house reporting seeing a brutish-looking man at the window, and a number of odd items within the property leading Holmes to believe voodoo may be involved, and confirming his suspicions that far more is going on than meets the eye. But when Baynes arrests the cook from the house on suspicion of the murder, the case appears to be resolved – at least for the police. Sherlock Holmes, however, is far from convinced.
Find out more by joining Caledonia, Corwyn and Kayden!
18:00: Magicland Storytime
The Pooh Bear Pajama Party! Come suitably attired and join Caledonia Skytower at Magicland Park.
Monday February 10th, 19:00: From an Alien Point of View
When humans interact with aliens, who are actually alien, we run into the fact that we’re as weird to them as they are to us. This can cause the most remarkable misunderstandings…. More thought-provoking sci-fi from the collection of Gyro Muggins.
Tuesday February 11th, 19:00: The Te of Piglet Continues
Winnie the Pooh may have been a Bear Of Very Little Brain often bothered by long words, but in 1982, through 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.
That work was covered in a series of readings in mid-2013 by Caledonia and Kayden. Now they conclude their reading of the 1992 companion volume to that work, The Te of Piglet.
Te is a Chinese word commonly interpreted to mean ‘power’ or ‘virtue’, but which has far more depth than either, being more a special quality of character, spiritual strength, or hidden potential unique to the individual. Through this book, Hoff further explores Taoist concepts, notably that ‘the virtue of the small’, showing how Piglet has great Te, not just because of his diminutive stature, but because he has Tz’u – a great heart, even if – as is so often the case – he’s generally unaware of the fact that he has.
Taking a somewhat different approach to the original Tao of Pooh, this book uses the other characters from the 100 Acre Wood to show how our own humanity, in is different facets and forms, is seen by the Taoist as a series of impediments to our living in harmony with the Tao.
Wednesday February 12th, 19:00: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
In 1915, a 54-year-old Sherlock Holmes find his retirement to the Sussex Downs, where he is studying the habits of the honey bee, to be interrupted by the unexpected arrival of 15-year-old Mary Russell. American by birth, Ms. Russell had come to England to live with her Aunt following the tragic death of her parents in an automobile accident.
Holmes is impressed by the young lady’s wit and intellect, ne before he knows it, he finds himself teaching her his former tradecraft of solving crimes. Thus was formed a new partnership is formed between the very modern young Miss Russell and the very Victorian Great Detective.
Now Caledonia returns with more tales from the pen of Laurie R. King, and her series of stories for young adults which focus on the adventure Ms Russell and Mr. Sherlock Holmes shared.
Thursday February 13th
15:30: The Ballad of Donny Granger
The Ballads of Donny Granger, Book One is the first full-length illustrated novel from the mind Stephanie Mesler, also known in Second Life as Freda Frostbite. Want to know more? Then join Freda at the Seanchai library!
19:00: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers
Shandon Loring dips into another anthology edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. This is a volume dealing with love, lust, want and need of a most unusual kind, all bound together in twenty-two tales of sensual and erotic stories by the likes of Neil Gaiman, Jan Yolen, Michael Swanwick, Tanith Lee, and Joyce Carol Oates.
Incubi and succubi, windows, sirens and daemons and more are all brought forth in a series of bewitching tales with distinctly adult themes, all imaginatively told and, as one might expect, at times containing a twist or two along the way.
So be prepared to be seduced by powerful magic, and to submit to darkest delights!
21:00: Seanchai Late Night
Details still TBA, so please check with the Seanchai Library blog as the week progresses.
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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 January and February is The Xerces Society and their efforts at world-wide conservation and education for some of the smallest creatures on our earth.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 