Due to be demolished at some stage in the near future to make way for housing development.
Thursday, 31 July 2008
The Windemere Fan
Due to be demolished at some stage in the near future to make way for housing development.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Antipodean Winter
The nation of Victoriana celebrated Yule in July for those of us caught in the antipodes and "suffering" through winter at the moment. Well *I* think 4 degrees is cold. My brain just doesn't comprehend this -35 stuff.
Anyway. My Duchess and I headed over to enjoy the sights and to see if I could pretend that my careening out of control teakettle on the ice was not aiming for Mayor Lindsay. I even had a tiny kitten run out to view the shiny car and manage to only just survive a close brush with an axel.
Sadly RL kept me away from the Yule Ball but I hear it was a good night.
For those of you wanting to indulge in snowball fights and chipmunk carolling the Winter in July lasts a few more days.
Anyway. My Duchess and I headed over to enjoy the sights and to see if I could pretend that my careening out of control teakettle on the ice was not aiming for Mayor Lindsay. I even had a tiny kitten run out to view the shiny car and manage to only just survive a close brush with an axel.
Sadly RL kept me away from the Yule Ball but I hear it was a good night.
For those of you wanting to indulge in snowball fights and chipmunk carolling the Winter in July lasts a few more days.
Monday, 28 July 2008
Caledon welcomes four new sims
The Caledon Tectonic Guild have been hard at work again after their recent break. Thankfully the seismic shocks didn't damage my little undersea settlement.
Firstly, the only only one of the four new sims that had been officially announced. Though our dear Guv is known for sending out comment on group chat when others of us are asleep or something.
Caledon Windemere, finishing up the southern aspects of Caledon.
Then there was the first of the "Surprise Sims", my new neighbour: Caledon Dundee.
Caledon Oxbridge, an extension of Nova Civis Caledon and home to the University of Caledon Oxbridge. The Harry Potter RPers should be arriving any day now.
And lastly Caledon Westmoreland, linking the nation of Caledon to Brightfield.
This one will be dubbed something to do with teeth as soon as I have time to sit down and think of something appropriate.
Firstly, the only only one of the four new sims that had been officially announced. Though our dear Guv is known for sending out comment on group chat when others of us are asleep or something.
Caledon Windemere, finishing up the southern aspects of Caledon.
Then there was the first of the "Surprise Sims", my new neighbour: Caledon Dundee.
Caledon Oxbridge, an extension of Nova Civis Caledon and home to the University of Caledon Oxbridge. The Harry Potter RPers should be arriving any day now.
And lastly Caledon Westmoreland, linking the nation of Caledon to Brightfield.
This one will be dubbed something to do with teeth as soon as I have time to sit down and think of something appropriate.
Sunday, 27 July 2008
New footage of Metropolis
While browsing the net this evening I stumbled across an interesting little tid-bit of news.
It seems that a 16mm reduction negative of the original cut of the 1927 classic film Metropolis has been rediscovered in Argentina. This is not just a couple of extra scenes. The existing cut of Metropolis runs at 90 minutes. The 1990s restored version runs at 80.
This version runs at 210 minutes. That's 2 hours more footage than has previously been thought to exist.
It's apparently badly scratched and will take a huge amount of time and effort to restore it but I think it will be worth the effort. Even today Metropolis is visually stunning and voices a social commentary we still haven't resolved.
More information here
It seems that a 16mm reduction negative of the original cut of the 1927 classic film Metropolis has been rediscovered in Argentina. This is not just a couple of extra scenes. The existing cut of Metropolis runs at 90 minutes. The 1990s restored version runs at 80.
This version runs at 210 minutes. That's 2 hours more footage than has previously been thought to exist.
It's apparently badly scratched and will take a huge amount of time and effort to restore it but I think it will be worth the effort. Even today Metropolis is visually stunning and voices a social commentary we still haven't resolved.
More information here
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Why I'm not really Relaying
This year I made a conscious choice to have as little involvement in RFL as possible. After last year's cloying and overdone events schedule, where it was almost impossible to find a party/event/gig/product release that wasn't tied to RFL, there was also the guilt tripping of "why aren't you donating or doing laps"? On top of that was the fact it lasted for some 6 months. I know this is important but nothing needs to last half of our year for a single event.
While it's probable that research into cures for various cancers will come into world wide use (though given the way pharmaceutical companies like to patent everything from genes to molecules, who knows) I prefer helping out charities who are doing things on an international scale. At this stage the RFL in SL is still for the benefit of the American Cancer Society. I am unable to find anything relating to international sharing or distribution of the money raised to I'm assuming it will all go to ACS. Nothing I've seen on any official SLRFL activity or group mentions an international effort or contribution.
This year's RFL has thankfully not been quite so in your face. Unfortunately the guilt tripping has reared it's head in a couple of places but some people seem unwilling or unable to understand that not everyone shares their fanaticism.
Cancer is a problem. I have several relatives who have been diagnosed with it and I've had friends lose parents to it, but I find it surprising that there are people treating this as the most important charity in the world. I'm happy to donate my lindens, when I have them, but a barrage of spam and guilt is more likely to have me ignore you completely regardless of how worthy your cause is.
I'm sure my comments may put a few noses out of joint, but it wouldn't be RFL without a little drama.
One thing about the actual Relay itself is that it brings out some excellent ideas in theme builds. This year we have inspirations from Willie Wonka, to Troy to things that sail and fly, here's my selection from the 2008 builds for RFL. Hopefully the sim crashes will be resolved by the time of the actual Relay. Not holding my breath though.
The City of Troy
Passionate Redheads theme park build
An Alice in Wonderland build by Oakie Doakies
SL M*A*S*H*
A King Arthur inspired build
Carusoe's Island. Built by Friday
The Green Lantern Core [sic]
Giant Snail Racing
Frozen Peas' giant garden. They should be wary of the giant snails down the road.
This was called "ACT Sailing Venice Elven". I'm not sure I see the connection but who knows.
The secret machine that powers Caledon
A lovely glass gazebo on the Caledon build
A wider view of the Caledon sim
Fairy Tales group. The St. George's Dragon Annual Picnic & Knight Roast
Hansel & Gretal's Bakery
Rapunzel's Wig Shop.
Beauty's Mattress Mart.
There were some great ideas in this section. The Chinny Chin Inn and the Huff & Puff housing Co-op, and Lil' Red's clothing boutique were among others.
The Adventures of Mark Twain.
The Survivor's group. I'll admit I don't understand the imagery of the wagon on the cloud but it was a nice build
Designers for a Cure group's rather cute looking build
The HELP & Planning Committee Camp's African themed build
VBA's picnic build
More of the picnic
The extremely purple Wonka Factory. Purple was obviously the colour of choice this year.
New Babbage's Railway Station
Chester goes out for a bite in the Sailing For Life build
Some of the fishermen at Sailing For Life
Steelhead in miniature. Good for Godzilla AVs
With the giant Castle Wulfenbach flying overhead
Royal Bretons' wonderful recreation of Isaac Mendez's Studio from the TV series Heroes.
The military encampment of Roma Pro Vita
Relay's Flying Aces. Complete with blimp tour of the sims.
Hogwart's Castle. This build is actually for auction.
The Avilion build
Radio Radio's Mysterious courtyard. This leads you to...
Sky Dalek! Let's see this turn up the next time someone plays Doctoring the Tardis. To give you an idea of scale the black splodge on the landing deck is me.
Flash! Aaaa aahhhh!
Dr.Flexi J Hans Zarkov's rocket ship.
Ming's Throne Room.
This is a good build in that it also includes sound samples from the movie. The heavy drumbeat should help propel relay lappers through the section.
While it's probable that research into cures for various cancers will come into world wide use (though given the way pharmaceutical companies like to patent everything from genes to molecules, who knows) I prefer helping out charities who are doing things on an international scale. At this stage the RFL in SL is still for the benefit of the American Cancer Society. I am unable to find anything relating to international sharing or distribution of the money raised to I'm assuming it will all go to ACS. Nothing I've seen on any official SLRFL activity or group mentions an international effort or contribution.
This year's RFL has thankfully not been quite so in your face. Unfortunately the guilt tripping has reared it's head in a couple of places but some people seem unwilling or unable to understand that not everyone shares their fanaticism.
Cancer is a problem. I have several relatives who have been diagnosed with it and I've had friends lose parents to it, but I find it surprising that there are people treating this as the most important charity in the world. I'm happy to donate my lindens, when I have them, but a barrage of spam and guilt is more likely to have me ignore you completely regardless of how worthy your cause is.
I'm sure my comments may put a few noses out of joint, but it wouldn't be RFL without a little drama.
One thing about the actual Relay itself is that it brings out some excellent ideas in theme builds. This year we have inspirations from Willie Wonka, to Troy to things that sail and fly, here's my selection from the 2008 builds for RFL. Hopefully the sim crashes will be resolved by the time of the actual Relay. Not holding my breath though.
The City of Troy
Passionate Redheads theme park build
An Alice in Wonderland build by Oakie Doakies
SL M*A*S*H*
A King Arthur inspired build
Carusoe's Island. Built by Friday
The Green Lantern Core [sic]
Giant Snail Racing
Frozen Peas' giant garden. They should be wary of the giant snails down the road.
This was called "ACT Sailing Venice Elven". I'm not sure I see the connection but who knows.
The secret machine that powers Caledon
A lovely glass gazebo on the Caledon build
A wider view of the Caledon sim
Fairy Tales group. The St. George's Dragon Annual Picnic & Knight Roast
Hansel & Gretal's Bakery
Rapunzel's Wig Shop.
Beauty's Mattress Mart.
There were some great ideas in this section. The Chinny Chin Inn and the Huff & Puff housing Co-op, and Lil' Red's clothing boutique were among others.
The Adventures of Mark Twain.
The Survivor's group. I'll admit I don't understand the imagery of the wagon on the cloud but it was a nice build
Designers for a Cure group's rather cute looking build
The HELP & Planning Committee Camp's African themed build
VBA's picnic build
More of the picnic
The extremely purple Wonka Factory. Purple was obviously the colour of choice this year.
New Babbage's Railway Station
Chester goes out for a bite in the Sailing For Life build
Some of the fishermen at Sailing For Life
Steelhead in miniature. Good for Godzilla AVs
With the giant Castle Wulfenbach flying overhead
Royal Bretons' wonderful recreation of Isaac Mendez's Studio from the TV series Heroes.
The military encampment of Roma Pro Vita
Relay's Flying Aces. Complete with blimp tour of the sims.
Hogwart's Castle. This build is actually for auction.
The Avilion build
Radio Radio's Mysterious courtyard. This leads you to...
Sky Dalek! Let's see this turn up the next time someone plays Doctoring the Tardis. To give you an idea of scale the black splodge on the landing deck is me.
Flash! Aaaa aahhhh!
Dr.
Ming's Throne Room.
This is a good build in that it also includes sound samples from the movie. The heavy drumbeat should help propel relay lappers through the section.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Anniversary Party
Last night was the 1 Year and 1 month anniversary of Christine's and my official handfasting. RL got in the way of our actual anniversary and did it's best to intervene this time as well.
She contacted me about half an hour before the party was due to start letting me know her typist's home had had a close brush with a Tornado and the town was without power and that she would be there in spirit if not actual presence.
The party itself went well with quite a gathering over the night. There have even been suggestions of a repeat performance but with the lady of honour in attendance.
We shall see.
As the evening wore on we were down to the Baron, Miss Emilly, and Miss Homewood who I took on an impromptu tour of the tunnels, after which I asked Emilly for a suggestion of a recent sim worth visiting. She took me to Loco Pocos island. Very interesting build and there's even a treasure hunt to help you explore the sim.
It was a good night. If only My Duchess had been there as well.
She contacted me about half an hour before the party was due to start letting me know her typist's home had had a close brush with a Tornado and the town was without power and that she would be there in spirit if not actual presence.
The party itself went well with quite a gathering over the night. There have even been suggestions of a repeat performance but with the lady of honour in attendance.
We shall see.
As the evening wore on we were down to the Baron, Miss Emilly, and Miss Homewood who I took on an impromptu tour of the tunnels, after which I asked Emilly for a suggestion of a recent sim worth visiting. She took me to Loco Pocos island. Very interesting build and there's even a treasure hunt to help you explore the sim.
It was a good night. If only My Duchess had been there as well.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Home scents for RL
Does your place smell a bit more cardboard packing crate than ages leather? Do you have aroma au doggy rather than the smell of wood polish? Are you the sort of person who can't walk past a second hand bookshop without *smelling* the place?
If so here's something for you.
Possibly this is in the same vane as being able to buy "New Car smell" for your ageing Auto but the people at CB I Hate Perfume have released this new scent for your home called In The Library.
Not having sampled it first-hand you'll just have to go by the advertising spiel:
This scent is for those who can’t walk past a second-hand bookstore without coming away with at least one additional volume…It’s not so much the exact recreation of the musty, antique smell of the pages of old book as much as it is the entire book…a hint of worn leather bindings, a whisper of the frayed cloth and the wisp of wood polish from the shelves it sits on and even a bit of sweetness we can’t place.
Hat tip to The Steampunk Home
If so here's something for you.
Possibly this is in the same vane as being able to buy "New Car smell" for your ageing Auto but the people at CB I Hate Perfume have released this new scent for your home called In The Library.
Not having sampled it first-hand you'll just have to go by the advertising spiel:
This scent is for those who can’t walk past a second-hand bookstore without coming away with at least one additional volume…It’s not so much the exact recreation of the musty, antique smell of the pages of old book as much as it is the entire book…a hint of worn leather bindings, a whisper of the frayed cloth and the wisp of wood polish from the shelves it sits on and even a bit of sweetness we can’t place.
Hat tip to The Steampunk Home
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