Through the Filter of a Victorian Aesthetic

Happy Founders Day New Babbage!

2012-01-23T13:31:00.004+11:00

Five years ago the very first of the New Babbage sims, Babbage Square, came online and the new residents were told to go in and build.

Khashai Steinbeck's factory to the left and Salazar Jack's Gasworks to the right.

The First Bank of New Babbage just above the embankment.

The Ginsberg building and the frame of the Imperial Theatre to the right. The Lindens changed the sun face for Martin Luther King Day.

First textured version of my shop.

My first New Babbage shop in its final state where it originally stood in Babbage Square.

Much has changed since then. At the time I was based in Caledon and New Babbage was only one sim. Flexiprims did not exist, nor sculpts, mesh or windlight.
Babbage is now 10 sims and I live here. I think there are only four of the original Founders still active in Babbage. But I enjoy the community that has evolved in this little corner of the grid.

Happy Founder's Week to all New Babbagites, both past and present.

Photos from the Aether Salon

2012-01-23T13:21:00.002+11:00

Thanks to Miss Bookworm Heinrichs for capturing some images of the event.

Your presenter for the event dressed in the Pearse arms.

Discussing the distinction between the various poses of animal charges.

Shield divisions and ordinaries.

An attentive audience

Edited transcript available here:
http://aethersalon.blogspot.com/2012/01/heraldry-edited-transcript.html

Æther Salon: Heraldry!

2012-01-15T08:01:00.000+11:00

The newly rebuilt Salon precariously straddles the Babbage Palisade & Academy of Industry sims, for cunning reasons of crowd balancing.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Babbage%20Palisade/254/60/106

and
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Academy%20of%20Industry/2/56/106

The Æther Salon is brought to you by Baron Klaus Wulfenbach and his assistants who take no responsibility for your lack of enlightenment should you choose not to attend. Everyone hopes fervently that you shall be amongst us tomorrow!

Bedlam in Babbage - Movie Stars!

2012-01-15T07:55:00.003+11:00

The popularity of the kinoscope grows at an astounding speed with some people even having magic lanterns in their own home!

Join Edward Pearse for a tribute to the "flicks".

2pm to 4pm SLT Saturday 14th of January.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

Or tune in on http://steampunk.radioriel.org

Bedlam in Babbage - Christmas Edition

2011-12-11T08:37:00.001+11:00

The Last Bedlam in Babbage for the year.

Join us for the horror that is Christmas and Holiday music. Bells, strings, hallmark lyrics and often references to snow.

Either that or Holmes & Watson dancing to the Christmas Macarena.

Bring lots of Christmas spirit. Mine's a whisky.

Snow comes to New Babbage!

2011-12-03T00:53:00.002+11:00

The annual scramble for extra prims has begun in earnest in New Babbage as winter arrives in full force.

I love this time of year, quite possibly because my typist has never had to shovel his car out from under the snow before leaving for work, or has been unable to travel because of the roads being iced over.

Still, the festive spirit has begun and I'm looking forward to seeing how things look.

Lest We Forget

2011-11-11T00:48:00.003+11:00

For the Fallen
By Laurence Binyon

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Pics from Halloween

2011-11-04T00:14:00.004+11:00

Halloween at the Seraph Club was a success this year and I'm only disappointed it last such a short time. Before you know it winter will be here and Christmas hard on its heels.

The Seraph Club looking a little dilapidated and with a condemned notice on the front door

Erica Fairywren and Jed Dagger

Widow Alora in one of the more gruesome outfits of the night

Miss Ahnya

Rafael & Breezy

Operator Zero

Joy Tremor doing the whole mad scientist thing

Tequila Krovac

Dido Belle and Da5id Abbot

Galactic Baroque and Tesla Tripsa

Erica Fairywren in a rather lovely stole

Foxy Bianca

Kujura Hancroft

Rip Wirefly as the biggest Boogie of them all

Kaylee who seemed to be missing an arm

Christine being charmed by my devilish good looks

Serafina Puchkina

Apologies to those I missed.

Band booked for Halloween

2011-10-26T11:45:00.005+11:00

Well the Seraph Club has booked the band for Halloween!

Sunday 30th October

6:00pm-9:00pm SLT

Bring your best Dieselpunk!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

The Bonaparts. They're dead good!

Weird Al Yankovic birthday celebrations

2011-10-22T22:37:00.001+11:00

Sadly RL circumstances cancelled last year's party but this year I'm back with a vengence!

Join Edward Pearse for a birthday tribute to the King of Parody on his 52nd birthday. From original tracks to more recent, and some unreleased tunes, join us at the The Clarendon in New Babbage.

Old tunes, new tunes and Weird tunes.

Free accordions and Twinkie Weiner Sandwiches for all!

October 23, 2011 - 3:00pm - 7:00pm SLT

The Clarendon, New Babbage.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

New Barmaid for the Seraph Club

2011-10-17T04:35:00.003+11:00

To cope with the upcoming Halloween party at the Seraph Club I've organised a new barmaid for the club.

Her name is Maria. Rumour has it she can be a bit of a tart.

(Maria is actually a 22 prim AV made by the legendary Aley Arai of Privateer Space Sim fame. Her freebies are better than some stuff people charge lindens for.)

Breakfast in Babbage - Schpooky Schtuff!

2011-10-09T01:36:00.000+11:00

The last Breakfast in Babbage before it moves to the afternoon slot!

Join us to get you moving into the Halloween spirit.
The spooky music to scare you with... or be scared of.

Join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon in New Babbage

8am to 10am Saturday 8th of October.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

Or tune in on http://steampunk.radioriel.org

OOMPA!

2011-09-23T01:54:00.002+10:00

Bay City Oktoberfest! Friday September 23rd 5-7PM SLT at the Bay City Fairgrounds. Roll out the barrel we’ve got an evening of fun!!! Come see the best biergarten Bay City has ever seen! We’ve got DJ Edward Pearse spinning Oktoberfull tunes for your dancing and dining pleasure. Bring your family, bring your friends… All are willkommen!

Old Skool @ The Seraph Club

2011-09-17T12:00:00.000+10:00

7-9pm SLT Tonight!

This month we delve into the depths of 1993: Dinosaurs walked the earth, Bill Clinton was President in the USA, and Intel announces the Pentium I.

Join Edward Pearse at the Seraph Club for a musical foray

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107
Or listen in at Radio Riel Dieselpunk

Breakfast in Babbage - Villains

2011-09-08T11:46:00.001+10:00

The Bad Guys. They have the cool outfits. If it's a musical, they have the cool song. And they have the cool moustaches. And sometimes, they turn out to be something far more complex than your average Pantomime catalyst (Why yes Alfred Bester, I'm talking about you.)

"No Mr. Bond, I expect you to dance!"

Join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon in New Babbage

8am to 10am Saturday 10th of September.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

Competition is a healthy thing

2011-08-31T09:29:00.003+10:00

Economists tell us that competition is a healthy thing. If that's the case then I've been getting in a little exercise recently.

Firstly was Seraph City's Soapbox Derby. Unfortunately my best time on the cart was a good 10 seconds behind the winning time, and that was with settings dropped down to their bare minimum to help with lag. I did however pick up the award for "Most Dieselpunk"

It's red so it goes faster. And fins!

This one didn't win anything but it gave me a little nostalgic buzz from when I use to build these as a kid.

Most recently I participated in the Wulfenbach Consulate Tiny Regatta.

The survivors.

Some entrants had crashed, and a swag of people came along to watch. Speed was never a problem. Turning in time to make the canal corner WAS. At the end I managed third place.

The trophy haul.

Seraph City Soapbox Derby!

2011-08-19T02:48:00.003+10:00

Seraph City will be hosting its first ever Soapbox Derby! There will be trophies for:
-Fastest Looking
-Best Looking
-Most Original
-Most Dieselpunk

Guidelines for entry:

* 30 prims
* in a dieselpunk or general 30's theme
* does not have to be drivable though there will be an exhibition race on Saturday
* number of entries will be limited by the number of prims the city has available on the showcase plot, so don't delay!

The showcase is set up to display entries across from the Java Jive.
There will be stock soapbox cars in a rezzer to race starting Thursday, with prizes given to the top 3 track times.
This is the first event where bribes will not be accepted!
So get those wheels turning and wrenches polished up for some small scale action!

Breakfast in Babbage - Spies!

2011-08-14T03:13:00.001+10:00

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to attend Breakfast in Babbage, and enjoy some Spytactular tunes!

If you wish you can find something suitable to wear.

Bond, Solo, Smart, Hogan, Peel, Flint, Bourne, Gunn or even Reilly. You know you want to.

Join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon in New Babbage

8am to 10am Saturday 13th of August.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

Exploring SF on the grid: Jupiter 2

2011-08-06T03:53:00.004+10:00

This post almost borders on advertising more than an exploration but bear with me.

Most people will be familiar with the 60s TV series Lost In Space, which effectively became a space version of the Swiss Family Robinson. Sadly the initial villain of the piece, Dr. Smith, was turned into a parody of itself becoming more camp than a Boyscout Jamboree.

Jupiter 2 landed on the planet Preplanus.

Piloting and Life Support stations

Computers and the elevator to the lower deck

Lower Deck and The Robot.

A cute touch with some vintage reading material (the centre of plagiarism claims over who "created" Lost In Space).

The Jupiter 2 is a lovely build, if a little static. You can buy you own copy of the ship if you want to set up and RP sim as well as copies of the outfits from the series. (Mmmmm velour).

Jupiter II
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Southern%20Cross/219/130/1034

Seraph City Trivia Night

2011-08-03T16:57:00.002+10:00

Friday 5th August at 7:00pm SLT

Trivia at the Blue Angel Cafe with your Quizmaster Edward Pearse.

Think your brain is full of useless information?

Bring it along!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/154/153/106

Some building projects completed

2011-08-02T10:00:00.002+10:00

In addition to Christine's bakery in the New Babbage sim, she acquired a plot across the road.

Most of the building became the grocers.

Named "Eaton & Drynkin".

Christine assembled most of the contents but there are some freebies contained within.

Next door is the Babbage Tobacconists and News Agents

Containing a selection of tobaccos and smoking implements. Also a free pipe and box of matches.

As well as a large selection of magazines and periodicals, both historical and SL published. (Sadly these ones are display only)

It's a nice feeling when you get to complete a project.

Seraph City Machinima

2011-07-27T01:05:00.003+10:00

For a while now I've been watching the fantastic videos put together by Loki, Chaffro, Victor or Zoe.

After asking lots of questions and reading various WIKIs and finally getting my hands on some decent editing software (Windows Crash Maker? No Thanks).

I finally decided it was time to attempt a short film. No plot as such, just a showcase of images. Who, one day I may get around to doing a short film.

But here it is, a promo for Seraph City

And if you've never visited the sim, you should. Drop by the Seraph Club and say hi :-)

RFL Over For Another Year

2011-07-18T23:35:00.005+10:00

RFL has been put to bed for another year.

As always though, there were some outstanding efforts on the build front.

I'll start with New Babbage. While I didn't assist in building this year I did watch them grow piece by piece.

An alternate New Babbage (that ended up being nicknamed "George" after a very silly group chat discussion). About the size of a full sim.

The Merryman pub, named after Greg Merryman, a former Babbagite who passed away a little over a year ago.

Interior of the pub. The Art Nouveau Squid wallpaper is brilliant!

The Vole & Urchin. This one made me chuckle. There were at least 4 pubs in the display sim. Anyone would think Babbagers were fond of a drink.

Street scene along the canal.

A little further up was the New Babbage Hope Factory

Run by numerous little clockworks (who uttered some very funny comments as you explored)

All working to build Hope for distribution around the world.

Just next door to the Babbage City build was one from the Doctor Who team. Based on last year's Christmas Special, complete with cab shark flying around the windows.

Friends Fighting Cancer put up a suitably Norse build with Odin and Frigg looking on.

Harmony Hope's giant snowglobe build.

The Steelhead Salmons' classical arches.

With a ghostly couple dancing in the background.

The Aether Chrononauts' Chapel of Hope (which was also up for auction).

The Relay Wizards' team build which featured a lovely wizards tower full of books and cats.

Jara Jowell’s Tornado for Life, which caused a minor controversy.

The Green Lantern Corp went in for landscaping this year.

A rather stunning build from the BOSL Relay team.

The Great Pyramid in RFL Dedication.

Who get bonus brownie points from me for getting the interior chambers right.

The Armada Breakaway build

Pacifique Park: a foliage intense build.

JLU's team build

Team Caledon's seaside holiday build.

Possibly one of the largest relayers walking the track.

Kayle Matzerath's stunning forest build. It won first place in the designer sim awards.

Ministry of Dance's fun Beach party build, with all the cheerers in synched dance at the front.

Cameron Trenchcoat's beautiful Carnival build

A simple build, yet suddenly you feel about an inch tall.

Gorean RFL Teams' build the Tree of Life. Whatever your opinions of their RP choices, these guys certainly pull out the big guns when it comes to fundraising for RFL.

The RFL of SL Committee build

Team OD's haunted build featuring a skeletal rock band. Around the band was a series of tombstones for musicians who had died from cancer

Alia Baroque's giant tower

Which brings us full circle. Congratulations to all those who helped build, organise, placate, coordinate or otherwise participate in RFL for 2011.

Old Skool @ The Seraph Club

2011-07-16T01:00:00.002+10:00

7-9pm SLT Tonight!

This month we delve into the depths of 1977: Disco was King, Jimmy Carter was President in the USA, Australia changed its National Anthem, and a little movie called Star Wars was hitting it off with one or two people.

Join Edward Pearse at the Seraph Club for a musical foray

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

Breakfast in Babbage - 2nd Anniversary

2011-07-09T05:44:00.004+10:00

It's been two years! Join Edward Pearse for a look at some of the favourite tunes that have turned up at previous Breakfasts. Hey if they can do a "Best of" episode for TV I can do one for Breakfast!

Put on your dressing gown and grab the toast. Yeah Toast!

Join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon in New Babbage
http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

8am to 10am Saturday 9th of July.

BYO Bunny Slippers

New Babbage DJ Playoff

2011-06-30T06:19:00.003+10:00

Victor has said he will brush up on his Rolf Harris impersonation if
Edward brings on the Sean Connery one. Will it work? Will it be painful?
Will they care?

Victor vs Edward in a battle to the finish! Each DJ will play short sets swapping from one to the other for two hours. Come along and vote for your favourite.

Musical mayhem, all in the name of a good cause.

7-9pm SLT

Friday 1st July

Porthead Tavern, Port Babbage

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Port%20Babbage/217/150/114

Happy Fourth Anniversary

2011-06-16T09:00:00.001+10:00

Four years and we're still here. I'm sure it must be some sort of record. Thank you my dearest Christine for sharing them with me.

Breakfast in Babbage - Fairy Stories

2011-06-09T02:51:00.002+10:00

Once upon a time there lived a DJ. He had odd tastes in music. Weird. Yes especially him.

So he decided to share his enjoyment of this odd music with others. But then the Big Bad Wolf blew down Goldilocks' house while Rumplestiltskin was busy partying with the Seven Dwarfs.

Yeah it's like that.

Join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon in New Babbage http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

8am to 10am Saturday 18th of June.

(Due to Edward's typist being away at a SF Convention this weekend, Breakfast in Babbage is being run a week later than usual)

Old Skool @ The Seraph Club

2011-05-20T12:17:00.003+10:00

Friday 20th of May join Edward Pearse at Seraph City's most stylish club for an evening of classic tunes and entertainment.

7:00pm - 9:00pm SLT

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

Walpurgisnacht in Caledon

2011-05-01T12:38:00.002+10:00

The Consulate of Europa Wulfenbach invites you to celebrate Walpurgisnacht at the Consulate in Caledon Kittiwickshire.

Traditional bonfire with even more traditional drinking, and possible wild fire-dancing. Music by me.

9:00pm till midnight SLT

Caledon: 19th Century Victorian Steampunk?

2011-04-30T22:57:00.003+10:00

I try not to be too critical of other people's builds. Sure I'll discuss it with my friends but I'm not going to log into group chat and tell you your build sucks. But sometimes there are limits.

Earlier this month the Guvnah of Caledon sent out the following message to all Caledon residents:

..most of us love Caledon dearly, BUUUUT... would love to just tweak the theme ever so little to make it our own!

As you all know, I'm very easy going. But the difference between Caledon and mainland, in no small part, is our common vision. Please, everyone take a look at your builds... I love whimsy, I love daring builds... but ask yourselves... am I helping our theme, or not helping quite so much?

Gently,

Des

It's good to see that some residents of Victoria City are taking close heed of such requests...

Because glowing blue grass and sparkling mushrooms are now Victorian Steampunk.

Seriously people, if you want to live in an elven forest, move to Avilion, or at the very least Tanglewood. But not in the capital city of Caledon.

Breakfast in Babbage - Pirates!

2011-04-08T09:54:00.002+10:00

Back to the Breakfast format!

(Now that everyone has stopped fiddling with their Clocks we can stay on mornings until Daylight Savings starts all over again).

Aaarrrgghh! And furthermore, Scurvey Dogs! Or something of that nature.

Join Edward Pearse at the Clarendon Lab for two hours of musical exploration and scalleywaggery!

8AM to 10AM (that's AM) Saturday 9th of April.

Come along and shake your Booty!

Happy Birthday Seraph City

2011-04-02T06:09:00.003+11:00

Tomorrow marks the 1st anniversary of Seraph City. To help start the celebrations the début of "Swing Time at The Seraph Club" with music presenter Gabriel Riel will be held on Saturday the 2nd of April between 7-9pm SLT.

Kit on your best 1920s and 30s attire and join us for both classic and contemporary swingtime. If you can't make it, listen in on Radio Riel Dieselpunk - http://dieselpunk.radioriel.org

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

Bedlam in Babbage: Time Travel

2011-03-12T00:39:00.000+11:00

If I could Turn Back Time...
(I certainly wouldn't wear a body suit made of gaffa tape!)

Join Edward Pearse at the Clarendon for a few hours of Temporal related musical discovery.

Saturday the 12th of March from 2pm to 4pm SLT

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

Pictures of the Grand Tour

2011-03-05T04:58:00.006+11:00

The ever busy event photographer, Miss Bookworm Heinrichs, snapped some of the attendees at the Seraph Club leg of the Steamlands Grand Tour recently.

Full set can be found here.

Caledon also celebrated its 5th Birthday on the SL grid.

Fireworks and dancing were the order of the day.

Nicholas Courtney 1929-2011

The end of February's Doctor Who Podshock Meetup also became a Brigadier Tribute with the sad passing of Nicholas Courtney, who's Brigadier character is probably the most well know of all the Doctor's allies.

Full Scale Enterprise

2011-02-15T03:39:00.003+11:00

In my recent explorations of Star Trek sims on the grid (which have inspired a semi-sekret Project) I stumbled across this:

To give you an idea of scale, the little black mark towards the edge of the saucer section is me .

Malic is heading up a group aiming to build a full scale recreation of the movie USS Enterprise. Ultimately, with the use of rezzers, you will be able to configure the interior to your preference, whether Motion Picture, Wrath of Khan, or The Undiscovered Country.

If you want to pop by for a look yourself drop on over:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Vanadiel/125/124/22

Bedlam in Babbage - Valentine's Day Special

2011-02-13T08:43:00.001+11:00

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned"
- Zara in Act III, Scene VIII, The Mourning Bride (1697)

Not your usual quotient of saccharine soppy romantic mush that will make a diabetic go into shock. Not a Hallmark moment in sight.

Join Edward Pearse at the Clarendon for a few hours of cynicism before the roses and teddybears start to bloom.

Saturday the 12th of February from 2pm to 4pm SLT

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

Stupid Friggen Lindens

2011-02-03T01:00:00.002+11:00

Some clever cloggs at Linden Labs added a little tweek to the latest round of server updates. In addition to the usual server stuff, someone added a small thing that removed megaprims (and whatever was linked to them) that had been created by "Crowley Auro". Now I realise megaprims are an exploit but it would be nice if there'd been a little warning.

Yeah yeah, I know, asking for rational behaviour from The Lab is like wishing for it to start raining marshmallows.

So currently The Clarendon in New Babbage looks like this.

I've hunted through my inventory trying to find a copy of the build to no avail. I know I've HAD to have a copy of this building because it started life as the Radio Riel Conservatory in from Caledon.

I've spoken with Miss Tripsa who is going to try for a roll-back.

*Fingers Crossed*

New releases from Pearse'd & Cut

2011-01-31T04:08:00.002+11:00

A set of vintage cricket whites for the sportsman in the colours of the I Zingari Amateur Club. Perfect for Players or Gentlemen.

A uniform for the law enforcement types. Inspired by several uniforms of the 1920s it's been designed with Seraph City in mind for RP but, being mod, can be adapted to other areas.

Both these items are available from Pearse'd & Cut's flagship location in Babbage Palisades
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Babbage%20Palisade/163/24/106

2011-01-26T02:15:00.002+11:00

Come along and join the fun
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Academy%20of%20Industry/212/101/111

Old Skool @ The Seraph Club

2011-01-13T19:13:00.002+11:00

Friday 21st of January join Edward Pearse at Seraph City's most stylish club for an evening of classic tunes and entertainment.

7:00pm - 9:00pm SLT

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

Bedlam in Babbage: Space Edition

2011-01-13T19:11:00.002+11:00

Space, the Final Frontier. To boldy go where no Gentleman has gone before!

Join Edward Pearse at the Clarendon for a few hours of science fiction related musical discovery.

Saturday the 15th of January from 2pm to 4pm SLT

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/210/63/103

Downton Abbey

2011-01-03T22:35:00.006+11:00

Thanks to a little tip off from Miss Cornelia, the Duchess of Teslace, I've been made aware of a TV miniseries called Downton Abbey.

Written by Julian Fellowes who seems to make a speciality of Edwardian drama, having written the screenplay for Gosford Park as well as portraying people such as Winston Churchill and George IV during his acting, again brings the lives of the aristocracy vs. their servants into scrutiny.

The Earl of Grantham, his wife, three daughters and a multitude of servants currently live in Downton Abbey. The first episode opens with news that the Earl's cousin, the Heir Presumptive, and his son are both among those lost aboard the Titanic. It turns out that under the inheritance entailment that whoever becomes the new Earl will also inherit the entirety of the Estate. The miniseries follows the twists and turns of the family up until the start of World War 1.

English inheritance law has been the subject of drama before, most notably in Dickens' Bleak House. Viewing numbers for the ITV production were impressive to the point where it has been confirmed a second series will go into production. However executives at PBS, who have bought American screening rights, are a little concerned that the detailed plot might be too much for their audience and plan to cut 2 hours out of the 8 hours of the series. Rebecca Eaton, an executive producer for the PBS network admits that American audiences demand a 'different speed' to their shows. And because they're taking an axe to it PBS also believes its audiences will need an American to outline the key themes of the show so Laura Linney is going to give an introduction to the series.

I'm surprised they haven't added subtitles to help poor American audiences cope with the Northern accents of the servants.

Frankly I would urge potential American viewers to contact PBS letting them know that despite a seemingly endless supply of "reality" shows you do not have the IQ of a goldfish and would prefer to see the series in its entirety.

Exploring SF on the grid: Starbase 11

2011-01-03T13:54:00.003+11:00

I used to be a big Star Trek fan. I still am in many respects though Deep Space 9 was where I started losing interest. However I'm enough of a fan to recognise the amount of work that has gone into building Starbase 11.

Starbase 11

Starbase 11 from the Original series episode "Court Martial" (retouched from the rerelease DVD collection)

Star Trek has been pretty big on SL. Though sims have come and gone over the years you can always track down a Trek RP sim somewhere.

View from the orbiting shuttle dock.

Transporter room (with the NOMAD probe from the episode "The Changeling")

Living quarters on Starbase 11 are finely detailed

The local flora has been recreated to match.

Screen with an image taken from the Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual a fan publication from the 80s.

Even down to getting the food from the original series correct.

There's even a Starship Enterprise for you to explore.

Enterprise corridor

The famous bridge of the starship

Scotty would be proud.

It's an impressive build and certainly helps for setting the scene for any Trek based role-playing. Even if you're not a hard core Trek fan the sim is worth exploring. The build is top notch. Kudos to all the people who have helped to put it together.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cruzoria/200/191/27

Old Skool at The Seraph Club

2010-12-16T00:48:00.003+11:00

Friday the 17th of December join Edward Pearse at the Seraph Club as he spins some classic tunes.

This is the first of what will be an ongoing monthly event.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

Hill Valley 2015

2010-11-24T14:44:00.004+11:00

Back in 2008 someone made an excellent go of recreating Back to the Future's Hill Valley from 1955.

Photo by GoSpeed Racer

This time round Latok Neumann has recreated Hill Valley in its 2015 incarnation.
BakaBots (185, 167, 36)

Main Square

Left of the Square. This area only got a brief glimpse in the movie

Home of Gray's Sports Almanac.

Texaco Station with the 7/11 underneath

Off to the right hand side of the Square

Wilson Hover Conversions

Cafe 80s. I assume the Donkey Kong will eventually become the Wild Gunman arcade game.

Thankfully the Jaws franchise stopped after the fourth movie

Possibly this little gem was found via behind the scenes photos, but I love the name.

It's still being built but the brief chat I had with Miss Neumann said it was just taking forever so she opened it now. Drop by for a look. It's an amazing build.

SL Podshock party - celebrating 47th Doctor Who Anniversary.

2010-11-18T18:25:00.004+11:00

3-6pm SLT Music to be supplied by yours truly. Groove it baby!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Katrina/108/240/28

Bedlam in Babbage - Christmas Edition

2010-11-17T19:53:00.000+11:00

With the shifting of timezone intersections around the world Breakfast in Babbage moves to an afternoon time slot and becomes Bedlam in Babbage.

Join Edward Pearse at the Clarendon for a seasonal take on his musical meanderings with everything from Jasper Carrot and Los Lobos, to Geraldine McQueen and Scruffy the Elf.

Lest We Forget

2010-11-11T08:21:00.000+11:00

I still cry like a baby when I hear this version.

Seraph Club Halloween.

2010-11-02T15:20:00.002+11:00

By all accounts those who attended had a great time and I certainly enjoyed it as well. I may even have to make a proper version of the Mephistopheles outfit for sale :-)

The Diabolical Duke

Some impressive outfits on the night as seen by this group photo

Full album here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lordprimbroke/SeraphCity#
There are still a couple if photos whose names I can't remember. If you can name them, let me know.

And Miss Jed asked me to post the playlist:

1. Buffy - Hush - Rhyme
2. Deathwatch Beetle Repairman - The Carny Of Mr. Dark
3. Michael Hutchence - The Passenger
4. Sting - Moon Over Bourbon Street
5. Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You
6. Tito & Tarantula - After Dark
7. Echo & The Bunnymen - People Are Strange
8. Concrete Blond - Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)
9. Jace Everett - Bad Things
10. Within Temptation - The Howling
11. Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
12. Abney Park - Stigmata Martyr
13. Jonathan Coulton - Re: Your Brains
14. Michael Jackson - Bad VS Ghostbusters Theme
15. Warren Zevon - Werewolves Of London
16. Rob Zombie - Living Dead Girl
17. Love Lies Bleeding - Dark Beauty
18. Inkubus Sukkubus - Paint It Black
19. My Chemical Romance - Desolation Row
20. Alice Cooper - Can't Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me
21. Toto Coelo - Dracula's Tango
22. Weird Al Yankovic - Nature Trail to Hell
23. Kylie Minogue vs New Order - Can't Get Blue Monday Out of My Head
24. Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party
25. Robbie Williams - Sin Sin Sin
26. The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil
27. Elvis Presley - (You're The) Devil In Disguise
28. John Du Prez - Once Bitten
29. Palast Orchester Mit Max Raabe - Miss California
30. Abney Park - Until the Day You Die
31. Alien Fashion Show - Detroit Swing City
32. The Moon-Rays - You've Got Me Voodoo'd
33. Zombina & The Skeletones - Nobody Likes You (When You're Dead)
34. The Swing Cats - Swing Cat Stomp
35. Christina Aguilera - Candyman
36. Kay Starr - The Headless Horseman
37. The Andrews Sisters - Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Means That You're Grand)
38. Flying Neutrinos - Mr. Zoot Suit
39. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Mr. Pinstripe Suit
40. Royal Crown Revue - Hey Pachuco
41. Squirrel Nut Zippers - Hell
42. Black Cat Zoot - No Swinging In Your Walking
43. Benny Goodman - Sing Sing Sing
44. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - So Long-Farewell-Goodbye

Seasoning

2010-11-02T14:58:00.004+11:00

This is a belated photo from doing shots for the Shirtless Against Breast Cancer calendar.

I've titled it "Seasoning" :-)

Happy Halloween to all!

2010-10-31T18:10:00.002+11:00

Boo!

Hallowe'en at the Seraph Club

2010-10-27T16:04:00.002+11:00

Halloween at the Seraph Club in Seraph City - SL's only Dieselpunk sim

Come and celebrate Halloween Dieselpunk style!

Dress as your favourite gangster, borrow the Rocketeer's jetpack, or snaffle Bertie Wooster's Halloween duds.

Music, dancing, Trick or Treat

6pm - 9pm SLT

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

Sucker Punch Teaser

2010-10-20T23:46:00.003+11:00

Take all the movie tropes that geeks love: martial arts, war movies, giant robots, mech suits, hot girls, dragons, Zeppelins, and throw in a little burlesque for good measure. Blend.

No idea what the plot is beyond 5 girls being institutionalised by their wicked stepfathers, but holy crap I want to see it!

Who Knows About Your Second Life?

2010-10-20T00:42:00.002+11:00

(*Stolen from Zaida, who stole it from SLuniverse*)

Who knows about your avatar?
Only a few friends know my AV specifically, but most family and friends know I'm on SL.

Who doesn't?
Work. Uni. Although my Uni had/has a sim in SL I don't think they ever did much with it.

Are you 'proud' to have a Second Life avatar?
Not proud, but not ashamed.

Are you proud enough to tell your friends?
Have done. A few have even come into SL and met the AV directly. Even discovered one Babbagite was an old RL friend because I recognised her voice on a sound file.

Are you proud enough to tell your family?
I've told them I play SL (though Mum's probably forgotten). My mother has enough trouble working out how to save a picture attachment from email. I'm not about to explain the intricacies of a virtual world.

If you do tell, how do they react?
A few friends have tried it but it didn't grab them. Omega and Grrbrool have been in SL but have moved on.

Do you think their reaction is because something is wrong with having a SL avatar or that they're daft and closed minded about your game life?
No. Most are busy with their specific hobbies, be it Lego, Star Wars, or whatever. I had a couple of friends who came along to the last Doctor Who podshock and have listened to my Breakfasts in Babbage without being in SL but nothing beyond that.

Greg Merryman's passing a few months back has made me think I need to organise a "If I'm dead" file. No-one else has access to my email and I don't have a partner who could pass on that information. And I do my best to encourage the cat to stay off the computer.

Steampunk is not a lifestyle

2010-10-10T18:31:00.003+11:00

So many people seem desperate to add things to Steampunk that aren't there or that are parts of other subcultures they like. Steampunk is, at it's most basic, a nostalgia concept. Nostalgia for the Victorian era. This is not a new concept either. Looking back at a time where manners were arguably better, where goods and clothing were made to last (even the ones that came off a production line), where war was something you might read about in the paper but there was little chance of it arriving on your doorstep, is something that people have been doing for decades. "The Good Old Days" always have a heavy rose tint about them and will ignore or gloss over the poverty, vilification and abuse of the time.

Steampunk tries to incorporate the nostalgia of the past with the social conscience of today. Racial slurs are out, exploitation of the poor is a bad thing, and trampling on foreign countries because you have more guns is *bad*. We've added to that the SF elements of a more advanced technology, so we can have our computers but with bevelled edges and lacework, or our rayguns, or we learn how to say thank you.

There's no DIY ethic in Steampunk. Sure some of the people involved love learning how old tech works. But Fred Dibnah was not a steampunk despite being more DIY with steam engines than anyone I know. Most of the DIY is simply practical. If I want my computer to have old typewriter keys then I have to do it myself because the local Radio Shack doesn't sell them that way. Any "anti-corporate" and recycling concepts would vanish under a deluge of credit card purchases if Dell brought out a "pre-steampunked" laptop.

Railing against human rights abuses, globalisation, working conditions and equal opportunity are also not Steampunk. Yes steampunks may have views on those topics but so do most politicians. The current US President is trying to get a healthcare package through so that poor people can get access to basic medical attention. Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize for trying to bring democracy to China. Neither of them are steampunk.

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call steampunk a fetishism of 19th century technology but it can be close. The high nostalgia element is certainly there as I said. But that doesn't make it punk. Choosing to not eat meat because you dislike animal cruelty makes you a vegetarian, not a punk decrying the Establishment.

People who claim steampunk is a lifestyle are mistaken. Steampunk has no political agenda. There is no "steampunk world view". Choosing to wear waistcoats or button-up boots 7 days a week hardly qualifies for a "lifestyle". It's like being a sports fan. You have your chosen sport and often a specific club that you may be passionate about but there's no "Red Socks Lifestyle" or "Manchester United Lifestyle". It's just called being a fan.

Breakfast in Babbage - Spooky Edition 2

2010-10-09T04:59:00.002+11:00

Boo!

October is the time for all the ghouls and ghosts to come out of the woodwork. It's also a couple of days shy of my 4th RezDay! So dust off the fake angel wings, pull out a clean sheet to cut eyeholes in or cut off your very own head and join us for the spooky edition of Breakfast in Babbage!

Join us at The Clarendon in New Babbage.

Hurricane Adolphe ravages New Toulouse

2010-09-28T23:36:00.004+10:00

Widespread flooding, rain, lightning strikes and even zombie sightings have all plagued New Toulouse in recent days. The residents however seem to have shrugged it off and got on with things. Sandbags were the order of the day and storm shutters were given a good workout.

Even the animals seemed to take it in their stride.

Edward's arm in RL

2010-09-12T21:34:00.004+10:00

If Edward's mechanical arm were in RL rather than in SL it might look something like this.

Full details over on Boing Boing

Breakfast in Babbage - Food Glorious Food!

2010-09-10T11:00:00.001+10:00

Waffles, Hot Dogs, Pie and cake! Breakfast foods and vegetables.

Lettuce all join in for music that can't be beet. Assuming there is no leek, it will be a plum show. Music from some Swedes too possibly.

Join me at The Clarendon in New Babbage

**This will be the last Breakfast in Babbage before Daylight Savings throws things into a spin yet again**

Doctor Who Podshock Party August 2010

2010-08-19T00:26:00.002+10:00

Podshock Party August 2010Podshock Party August 2010
Join us in the Katrina sim this Saturday for the double celebration: 5 years of the Podshock podcast, and 25 years of the Gallyfreyan Embassy.

Tardis Tours run from 1-3pm SLT

Music and party, with choons provided by Edward Pearse, from 3-6pm SLT

Come along, meet other fans, talk nerdy stuff and listen to fantabulous music.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Katrina/108/240/28

Breakfast in Babbage - Cold Hard Cash

2010-08-14T23:06:00.001+10:00

Money (That's what I want)! You don't get Money for Nothing, and often Money's Too Tight To Mention. Why Don't You Get A Job? because then you'd be a Corporate Slave.

Join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon for a cash themed Breakfast. Dijon Ketchup supplied.

A TARDIS mishap: conclusion

2010-08-08T01:11:00.004+10:00

That last thing I remember was a feeling of pins and needles running through every part of my body. And then I blacked out.

I awoke some time later in a strange bed. It appears Mr. Gears had recovered from the blast, pulled himself up and taken me to the nearest medical facility. Dr. Kaligawa's Clinic proved to be closest.

Mr. Gears has ensured I've been watched at all times. Physically there is nothing wrong with me, no broken bones, no burnt skin, no detectable diseases. I think perhaps I'll need to speak with Sputters and see if he can shed any light on the matter.

What is odd though is my appearance. It's almost the same but it's different in various subtleties. I have gained weight being of stockier build than I was. My jaw is squarer yet I still have the same facial hair.

I feel fine but already Christine has remarked on the difference. Not as bad as she feared, I think were her words.

It will take some getting used to but it could have been far worse. At least I don't have cravings for fish custard.

OOC:

A little background I feel is necessary to explain this post and the first instalment. Almost four years ago (has it been that long?) when I came to Second Life, I arrived to be part of a steampunk sim called Caledon. To my knowledge I was the first person in SL to have heard of Caledon before going there. At the time Caledon was 7 sims, there was no New Babbage, no Antiquity or Winterfell. Steelhead existed, though it was still heavily influenced by it's Western Gold Rush roots.

When scrolling through the list of available surnames in the SL registration page, I saw "Pearse" and inspiration struck. As I mentioned in my first blog post I was a fan of The Great Train Robbery and confirmed that "Edward Pearse" was available as a name. Edward in SL was based on a mixture of Connery from TGTR but with Sgt. Dravot's whiskers from The Man Who Would Be King.

At first he was all slider hair and noob skin but as time progressed he got prim hair and finally a commissioned skin. The shape however got some tweeks here and there but was still very similar to the initial shape I had made when I first landed on Orientation Island. For a long time I searched the celebrity shape makers looking for a Connery shape. Surprisingly it wasn't until a couple of months ago when I finally found one.

It's for a younger "Bond" style Connery that his later whiskered self but it was a close match. Despite having been four years with the other shape I thought an update was due. He hasn't completely changed. The original SL's grey eyes and auburn hair have stayed. Finding good male hair that doesn't look like you just got out of bed took ages to find, so I wasn't about to ditch that. The prim facial hair I found ages ago but it didn't really work with the previous shape. I think it works with this one.

Anyway, that's the reason for the change. We'll see what happens from here.

A TARDIS mishap pt. 1

2010-08-02T20:32:00.006+10:00

The other evening, I was hard at work attempting to upgrade some of the control circuits on the TARDIS. Mr. Gears was providing assistance.

We were installing a new piece of the linking circuits to the Time Vector Generator when...

BOOM!

The explosion threw both of us across the floor and the released energy seems to have reacted with the small core of bernalium powering my arm.

The results were unexpected to say the least...

Continued here

Grand opening of the Seraph Club

2010-07-27T03:36:00.003+10:00

For those of you wondering what I've been doing with my spare time: I've been busy building a Dieselpunk nightclub. "Dieselpunk?" you say. That what kids today are calling Pulp/Noir stuff with a bit of Science Fiction thrown in.

There'll be old music from the 20s, 30s & 40s, som swing revival, and a few cinema pieces.

But on your best evening wear and head on over.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/62/142/107

Builds of the 2010 RFL

2010-07-23T21:10:00.001+10:00

As most people know I have reservations on how RFL is conducted in SL, so I don't Relay. I do however try and get around the track to have a look at some of the magnificent builds that people put up to celebrate their communities in SL.

Last year's attempt at referencing the worldwide nature of RFL, rather than focussing solely on the American Cancer Society link seemed to have been dropped. There was very little in the way of international stuff. The build levels seemed down this year. Or perhaps it was the presence of a few outstanding builds that just made the rest look average by comparison. I disagreed with most of the judging finals but that's another story.

Here's some of the ones I thought were worth looking at this year.

The starting point for the track. High above the cliffs of a rainforest.

The rainforest.

The JLU campsite showing just how paint-dryingly-slow the texture loading was this year.

The entrance to the New Babbage camp.

New Babbage's wishing well drill platform. Signed off on by BP!

The memorial to Greg Merryman who passed away on the 15th, the day before the builds opened to the general public.

Across the road from Babbage was one of the Star Trek sims.

Alix Stoanes' impressive build the Glasshouse.

An nice build inspired by Bioshock

Inside Rapture

Sort a Crystal Palace thing. Not really sure what was going on with this build.

An impressive Cathedral build. This was being Auctioned as part of the RFL weekend.

The Central Aisle

Closeup of one of the stained glass windows.

The cake is real!

Lunar and Tensai's stunning build with a theme of "Alice"

The interior of the Hydro-Teslatron, based on the real thing in Fairview Casino at Niagra Falls.

Mechanical caterpillar

Lunar's tower

Shrine

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Really the photos don't do the build justice. I think they got jibbed with the three-way tie for third place. I certainly think it was waaaaay more impressive that the designer sim that won first.

One of several sims that used Neverland as the inspiration for its build

An interesting Oz theme that showed Kansas in black and white...

... and Oz in colour.

Armada Breakaway's build with walking ships.

Another cathedral but this time of a more Gothic style

Caledon's build, which received a placing in the awards

All the pink flamingos you could ever need.

A lovely build featuring the Aurora Borealis

High degree landscaping.

I found this one very impressive. It's a simple build but it had just the right elements to give it a great look.

One of the Gorean shipping builds.

Green Lantern HQ

A giant bedroom from the Purple Dream Team (I think?). A group of them stopped and patted me while I was in polar bear form. Fun.

Scary Egyptian build with a giant toy sphynx.

Extinction land, with a dinosaur ride that reminded me of the opening of Land of the Lost.

The Epic Toy Factory build, sort of Willie Wonka-esque.

Bear on a train

An impressively built fantasy forest sim. Complete with elves and unicorns. It reminded me of the forest out of Legend.

Possibly the best waterfall I've seen in SL.

It's a worry when the hallucinations start before you eat the giant purple mushies.

Fuzz joins Team Jacob

2010-07-20T03:37:00.002+10:00

In a mark of solidarity with the modern metrosexual werewolf who shave and waxes, Fuzz has gone for the smooth look.

Before

After.

Actually it's a pledge he made for funds raised during RFL this year. He's going bald for a year.

Mr. Sheen never looked so manly.

Breakfast in Babbage - Disco Version

2010-07-10T02:27:00.001+10:00

Get up and Boogie! That's right!

Disco stuff is almost a parody in itself now without me going looking for the weird stuff. But fear not! Some scary tunes amongst the tragedy.

How many of you knew there was a disco version of the original Star Wars theme released? Did you own it? Did you know Ron Grainer made his own disco version of the Doctor Who theme?

Are you scared yet?

Join me at The Clarendon in New Babbage

Happy Third Anniversary!

2010-06-16T15:02:00.001+10:00

Thank you for being there with me my love.

A Prickly Pair

2010-06-13T13:47:00.003+10:00

Often people will make some sort of effort to accessorize their outfit for the theme Breakfast in Babbage is running that month.

This has got to be one of the better ones:

Messrs Holmes and Watson don a lovely little cactus number.

Thanks to Miss Hienrichs for the picture.

The playlist for those who asked:

1. Weird Al Yankovic - Fun Zone
2. Tombstone - Chopin
3. Erich Kunzel: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra - Bernstein (E): The Magnificent Seven
4. TV Theme - The Wild Wild West
5. Kenny Price - The Sheriff Of Boone County
6. Larry Verne - Mr. Custer
7. Roger Miller - You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd
8. TV Theme - F-Troop
9. Johnny Cash - Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog
10. Kylie Minogue - Cowboy Style
11. Boys Don't Cry - I Wanna Be A Cowboy
12. Big & Rich - Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)
13. Riders in the Sky - Origin of the Yodel
14. Frank Gallop - The Ballad Of Irving
15. City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra - Good, The Bad And The Ugly
16. TV Theme - The Adventures of Brisco County Jr
17. TV Theme - Legend
18. Clint Eastwood - San Antonio Rose
19. Lee Marvin - Wandering Star
20. ZZ Top - Doubleback
21. David Schwartz - Theme From Deadwood
22. Slim Whitman - Indian Love Call
23. The Legendary Stardust Cowboy - Who's Knocking At My Door (Cut short on compassionate grounds)
24. Bon Jovi - Blaze Of Glory
25. The Notorious Cherry Bombs - It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long
26. Mac Davis - It's Hard To Be Humble
27. Brad Paisley - Online
28. Tom Jones - Riders In The Sky
29. The Blues Brothers - Theme From Rawhide
30. Lorne Greene - Ringo
31. Willie Nelson - Ride In My Little Red Wagon
32. TV Theme - Zorro
33. Roy Rogers & Dale Evans - Happy Trails
34. Charlie Daniels Band - Dueling Banjos
35. Benny Hill - Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West
36. Weird Al Yankovic - Truck Drivin' Song
37. Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie - Jesus Was A Cowboy
38. Brad Paisley - I'm Still A Guy
39. Toby Keith & Willie Nelson - Beer For My Horses
40. Henry Mancini & His Orchestra - He Shouldn't-A, Hadn't-A, Oughtn't-A Swang On Me!

Breakfast in Babbage - The Western

2010-06-08T01:33:00.003+10:00

Bring out yer six guns and mosey on over to The Clarendon for heap o' both kinds o' music! Yessir we got yer Western Special here ta go! Sit around the camp-fire toasting hot schmoes, wearing your 38 litre hat.

Duded-up egg-suckin' gutter trash welcome too.

Doctor Who Podshock Party Spring 2010

2010-05-11T23:45:00.005+10:00

The first get together since the new series began broadcasting. Come along for a tour of the sims from 1-3 and then join the music and conversation from 3-6.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Katrina/108/240/28

Music provided by Yours Truly!

Breakfast in Babbage - Superhero Special

2010-05-06T04:05:00.000+10:00

Heroic poses and too tiny waists, impossible physics and spectacles that convince everyone you're not a superhero. Join Edward Pearse at the Clarendon Lab for this month's Breakfast in Babbage wake-up.

Underpants on the outside are fine as long as they're clean.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/New%20Babbage/211/66/103

Coming Soon...

2010-05-03T01:01:00.000+10:00

Breakfast in Babbage - The Return

2010-04-07T02:07:00.001+10:00

Now that international time zone have moved again and everyone who is going on or coming off Daylight Savings Time has done so, Bedlam in Babbage returns to its original breakfast timeslot.
Come on over to The Clarendon dance Lab and get your day started or your afternoon finished with Edward Pearse eclectic collection of tunes. Something to get the morning fuzzies exercised!

Real Life Steampunk House!

2010-04-07T01:46:00.004+10:00

A while back Jack Von Slatt posted some pictures of a house in Massachusetts that a chap has been fixing up as his own.

This time there are pictures of the converted pipe organ computer workstation.

I think I'd kill to have something like this. Maybe even a kitten.

An Inspiring Memorial

2010-03-28T23:27:00.002+11:00

While going through the "recommended" entries on my Google Reader I was showing this post on the Memorial to James Gordon Bennett in New York, the former publisher of the New York Herald.

The memorial (locally also known the Bellringers Monument) is made up from statuary that used to adorn the former New York Herald prior to its demolition in 1921. The statue of Minerva and the two bellringers was created by French sculptor Jean Antonin Carles. The bellringers themselves have been nicknamed “Stuff and Guff” or “Gog and Magog”.

But the best bit is the clock at the top.

The eyes of the owls on either side glow green at the striking of the hours.

Love it!

Victoriana closes its Doors

2010-03-24T03:04:00.006+11:00

It is with great sadness that I discovered that LittleBlackDuck Lindsay, the Mayor of Victoriana, will be closing down the sims very soon. After a glitch left his account without the ability to edit objects belonging to him (which is 90% of the infrastructure of Victoriana) and LL being unwilling or unable to fix the problem, LBD has decided to stop banging his head against the wall and pack up shop.

While I've only officially had a shop there for some three weeks, I've watched the sims grow and have stood in awe of the texturing finesse LBD displayed on his buildings. From his Caledopoly creation to his Golden Harp Pub the details were always done so that they looked like real buildings.

The main station at Victoriana Square.

Victoriana Town Hall

The Golden Acorn Pub - recreated from the Golden Harp.

The Interior of one of the Victoriana Trains. Each platform had a train announcement in English, German and French. And they run on time!

Victoriana Pavilion. Modelled after the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney the same as my own considerably prim-starved version in Babbage Square.

Mountain rail cars for the unfinished Victoriana Alpine sim

Pavilion Station

Based on Fort Denison in Sydney Harbour

The Pearl - possibly the longest running bawdyhouse on the grid.

The waterfront on Victoriana Harbour.

Victoriana Carnivale

The Salty Squirrel in Victoriana Lakeside.

I know several friends who have homes in Victoriana who will be much disappointed by this turn of events. Apart from being one of the best builds in SL, a community had developed that included tinies (the slightly less manic ones), and lovers of Victorian style. Victoriana was unusual in that it was probably one of the few 19th century sims that did not have steampunk or vampires wandering the streets. Floating castles were strictly forbidden and the sims were much nicer for it.

I wish LBD all the best on whatever future endeavours he attempts and hope that he may find a way to recreate this idea in some other form.

You'll be missed sir.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec

2010-03-23T04:02:00.003+11:00

Luc Besson, the man responsible for The Fifth Element, joins the bandwagon with a movie based on a comic book series.

Finally there's a trailer out with English subtitles.

Looks spectacular!!

A New Home

2010-03-22T02:36:00.005+11:00

After many weeks and a large number of carts, crates and tea chests, not to mention some amazing feats of engineering, Primbroke Manor has been relocated to New Babbage.

My announcement that we were now officially based in Babbage came a surprise to a few. Some already thought I had a home base here. I supposed I've grown into the community.

The grounds will take some time to get into order but I'm happy to have a Mooring Tower again installed in the house. It's nice to have a home base.

Bedlam in Babbage

2010-03-09T19:56:00.002+11:00

Join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon for the last Bedlam in Babbage before Daylight Savings throws things a'kilter again.

Corky & The Juice Pigs, The Doug Anthony Allstars, Billy Connolly, Jonathan Coulton, They Might Be Giants, Tom Lehrer, The Arrogant Worms, Shirley Bassey, Deuce, Pink, The Clash and of course Weird Al Yankovic are just some of the artists lined up for the playlist this month.

Join us for a few hours fun, frivolity, inappropriate subject matter and rockin' revelry.

The End of an Era

2010-03-03T03:27:00.000+11:00

Shortly after I arrived in Second Life in 2006 I reserved a corner plot on the upcoming sim of Caledon Victoria City.

It held my first home, my first shop, a subterranean house when I expanded the shop in its second incarnation, and then tunnels linked to the sewer system when the shop hit it's third incarnation.

Sadly, like so many others, I'm finding that things need to be consolidated and I've made the reluctant decision to part with the plot.

Pearse'd & Cut is relocating to Caledon SouthEnd but I cannot help but feel sad at passing with a spot that holds many memories.

Household Portrait

2010-02-28T03:10:00.004+11:00

This was something that Christine and I had intended to have ready some time ago, but in between house moves, gardening, winter, and various other sundry things we never seemed to be able to get everyone together for the portrait.

However earlier this month we finally got everyone together for the household portrait. Mrs. Clowes, Giles, Gears and Nell all had their best uniforms on. And Nell is such a slight lass. The staff have been given holidays, with most visiting family. Gears is off exploring but I get regular messages.

Christine has made the rooms in the Rokery comfortable for the moment, until such time as the new house is ready. It's rather more pokey than I'm used to dealing with though I'm sure I'll survive.

A very busy week

2010-02-24T19:01:00.003+11:00

This week had been very full for me.

Saturday was the Doctor Who Podshock party at the Doctor Who Experience sim of Katrina - the oldest Doctor Who sim in SL.

Yours truly playing in front of the burning wreck of the TARDIS - last seen hurtling out of control at the End of Time.

A selection of visitors to the party.
(Thanks to Nat Merrit for the photos)

I had a great time and have discovered Trock as a result of some suggestions given to me beforehand. Some very good stuff out there.

Sunday I was back in New Babbage as the guest speaker for this month's Salon.

(Thanks to Bookworm Hienrichs for the pictures)
Despite having a sim crash that took me and half the attendees with it, it went well. I seemed to answer a few "back of the mind" questions that people had about buttons and things. Sadly my knowledge of Bohemian lifestyles is not up to lengthy discussion.

And today was the Big Brass Balls at SteamSky City.

It's been ages since I played here but it was nice to meet some new people as well as have some of the familiar ones turn up as well.

Doctor Who Podshock Party Spring 2010

2010-02-16T23:20:00.003+11:00

Join us on Saturday, 20th of February when we all come together once again for a Gallifreyan Embassy/Doctor Who: Podshock virtual meet up!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Katrina/108/240/28

Starting at 1pm SLT Victor1st will be giving demonstrations of the TARDIS console. There are various Doctor Who and Torchwood simulations which many had not seen last time because they did not want to leave the party. So before party begins, you now will have a chance to check out the various incarnations of the TARDIS console room, peruse the virtual Doctor Who museum, and more. Perhaps even visit the Torchwood Hub.

Then at 3pm to 6pm SLT yours truly will mix the tunes for another fun party. I've been digging into the archives of Doctor Who music and by the gods there's some scary stuff! Fear Not though, I won't be subjecting you to all of it. There's some more boppy tunes to get your TARDIS tapping and your Daleks dancing.

See you there!

Farewell Edison.

2010-02-13T03:54:00.004+11:00

*sighs*

The tea chests and moving crates are littered through the house. Mr. Giles and Mr. Gears and tackling the heavier stuff while Christine and Nell are wrapping ornaments and packing them into straw and boxes.

We moved to Edison in May when the realities of finance were faced and giving up the quarter sim in Rothesay was the only practical option. True we didn't move into a bedsit in Edison but it was still sad. This time however the choice has not been ours.

Edison will cease to exist and the sim itself will be reborn as another part of New Toulouse. While we have some friends there, including its owner, NT was never a sim that had any pull for me. Gators and swamps, zombies, and worst of all, NO WINTER! We were offered a spot in the forthcoming Jardin sim based on the Garden district of New Orleans. Historically this area tried very hard to break away from the French architecture and styles and move towards a more Anglicised look. It might have worked, but I felt I would be like some of the people in Caledon or Steelhead who had a house there because it was cheap, not because they had any particular affinity for the sim.

So we're currently passing notes and looking at options but New Babbage may become not just a work and social destination, but home as well. I wonder if the sootites are ready for Christine's spit, polish and elbow grease? :-)

Either gentlemen with no necks and large knuckles may start visiting people in Wheatstone to make them *offers* or there may be one or two *disappearances* in the Palisades.

Either way they will have nothing to do with me.

Bedlam in Babbage - the Cocktail!

2010-02-09T14:12:00.002+11:00

This Saturday afternoon join Edward Pearse at The Clarendon for a stout mix of tunes, distilled from a spirited source.

Still good for what ales you.

Servant's Livery Suit

2010-02-07T00:12:00.004+11:00

After a great deal of procrastination, Pearse'd & Cut is proud to announce the release of a Servant's Livery Suit to accompany the Maid's Uniform already in stock.

Based on a 1900 pattern of Domestic Servant's Uniform the suit should be the perfect addition for those needing to clothe their male staff in something more formal.

Available from Pearse'd & Cut Victoria City, New Babbage and Edison.

English as she are talked

2010-02-01T16:05:00.002+11:00

Although I've not teased her about it for some time, for a while there was much good natured ribbing over accents and the apparent difficulty in pronouncing "Warwickshire".

But surnames, like place names, will often retain a spelling from five hundred or even a thousand years ago while the pronunciation changes with emigration, education or isolation.

Some examples of surnames not pronounced as they are spelt:

Beaconsfield - Beckonsfield
Beauchamp - Beecham
Belvoir - Beaver
Cholmondeley - Chumley
Marjoribanks - Marchbanks
Wemys - Weems
Hairstones - Hastings
Eyre - Air
Geoffrey - Jeffrey
Colquhoun - Cohoon
Urquhart - Urhart or Urkurt
Dyllwyn - Dillun
Waldegrave - Walgrave
Cockburn - Coburn
Mainwaring - Mannering
Cowper - Cooper
Froude - Frood
Knollys - Knowles
Gower - Gor
Meux - Mews
Kerr - Car
McLeod - McCloud
Ruthven - Ri’ven
St. John - Sin Jin
St. Clair - Sinkler
Bourne - Burn
Featherstonehaugh - Fanshaw

Additionally, the printed page will alter the way a word is pronounced. In Scots (also known as Lowland Scots) there was no Z (Zed). There was however a character called a Yogh. This made a nj sound (smiliar to the ñ in Spanish).

The character looked like this: .

With the introduction of moveable type, it was found easier to substitute the Z block for the Yogh and just pronounce it the right way. But lack of education and an influx of people who could read English but not Scots gave a shift with such names as Menzies or McKenzie, which should be pronounced mingis and makenyie respectively.

Is it any wonder that the old practice of "sound the word out" will only further confuse rather than assist though who read the language rather than speak it.

Terpsichore Tuesday

2010-01-21T23:57:00.002+11:00

This week for Terpsichore Tuesday I played some of the Goth stuff and a few favourites from my old DJing days in RL.

I was asked to post a playlist of the event to here it is for your enjoyment.

1. Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead
2. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
3. Siouxsie & The Banshees - Spellbound
4. Killing Joke - Love Like Blood
5. Sisters of Mercy - This Corrosion
6. Front 242 - Headhunter V1.0
7. The Faces of Sarah - ...baby one more time
8. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
9. Mesh - Leave You Nothing
10. London After Midnight - Where Good Girls Go To Die
11. Snog - Flesh
12. Vast - Touched
13. Juno Reactor - God Is God
14. Rasputina - Transylvanian Concubine
15. The Merry Thoughts - Pale Empress
16. Rosetta Stone - Adrenaline
17. New Order - Blue Monday (2002)
18. The Cure - A Forest

Bedlam in Babbage - Underwater Special

2010-01-08T16:14:00.003+11:00

Join Edward Pearse and Radio Riel at The Clarendon for some Deep music. The sort of think you can Sink into. We'll have a Whale of a time.

Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year

2009-12-25T02:16:00.000+11:00

On behalf of Christine and myself I would like to wish you all the best of the Season and a safe and happy holiday to you and yours.

To our friends in the Steamlands of Caledon, New Babbage, Steelhead, Edison, Steeltopia and beyond may Steam Santa bring you lots of coal for your furnaces and possibly a few pressies to go with it.

Fàilte na Nollaige ort!

Bedlam in Babbage

2009-12-09T13:39:00.004+11:00

Taking over from Breakfast in Babbage (to take into account all those wonderful changes with Daylight Savings Time across the globe) Edward Pearse's infamous music celebrations move into winter with a Christmas Special called Bedlam in Babbage.

Featuring Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan, Royal Crown Revue, Los Del Rio (yes Virginia, there is a Christmas edition of the Macarena), Carols of the Old Ones, Tom Lehrer and Geraldine McQueen. All this and more.

Join us at Radio Riel's The Clarendon for an afternoon of tragic Christmas Choones and Winter Warbling guaranteed to have to have you reaching for the Christmas Spirit.

Winter in New Babbage

2009-12-09T13:23:00.003+11:00

It can be chilly out there.

A selection of fine upstanding New Babbage citizens model the latest gift from Pearse'd & Cut.

Pop by the shop in Babbage Square and pick up your winter freebies including this marvellous scarf in the colours of the New Babbage flag.

Located on the corner of Jefferson Way and Perdido Street

St Andrew's Day Party

2009-11-30T12:59:00.004+11:00

Join in the Caber Toss and Hammer Throw to be held outside the city wall and then finish the evening up with a dance at The Clarendon in New Babbage.

Whisky and haggis for all as well as IRN BRU for the teetotallers.

New Babbage Fleetweek finishes

2009-11-26T09:46:00.004+11:00

A great video created by young Loki capturing some of the events of Fleet Week.

Christine and I enjoyed the Uniform Ball after the day spent racing submarines around the Vernian (Thanks to Miss Hienricks for the photo).

While timezones kill a lot of things with SL there was enough on during this week that even the small part I dipped into was great. 2nd place in the Submarine races and equal first prize for Best Uniform.

A hearty congratulations to all involved in making Fleet Week as success especially Miss Breezy and Mr. Cleanslate. Even my anticipated downside did not emerge.

Marvellous!

Shanghaid!

2009-11-15T00:28:00.003+11:00

Mr. Ho Ping had asked me to create a shop for him in Steelhead Shanghai. After seeing my Pawnbrokers in Clockhaven he asked if I could incorporate some of the elements into the new building. Apparently a pawnbrokers would be a good front.

It's quite a good front I think. I even got the right character for Pawnbroker. I also installed Elfguard^TM at his request.

Some bric-a-brac within the front shop.

Upstairs for Mr. Ho's offices

I've added the beds I was going to make back when the Taiyou was standing in Steelhead.

Doctor Who Podshock Party

2009-11-12T01:02:00.004+11:00

Yes it's time again for all the long scarf fetishists and and Captain Jack Wannabees to meet, sing, dance and covort.

Come one come all to the November Podshock.

DJing by Yours Truly from 3-6 SLT.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Katrina/108/237/27

The actual Primgraph Press

2009-10-31T02:11:00.003+11:00

Back in June I finished the offices for the Primgraph Press. At the time it was mused that it would be lovely if the Primgraph actually did have a Press.

In my spare time since I've dabbled with creating one. I had very little knowledge of how one worked. I knew how a Gutenberg press worked and I'd seen some very modern presses that sped a newspaper through in a matter of seconds. But, thanks to the aetherweb I have a far better understanding of how a 19th century press works.

Today however I was able to deliver to Miss Saffia the finished product. The Primgraph now has a scripted printing press to add that little extra flavour to the offices.

A very special thanks to Professor Avalanche for helping with the scripting.

Weird Al Birthday Celebrations

2009-10-24T00:06:00.003+11:00

Join Edward Pearse for a musical tribute to the King of Parody on his 50th birthday. From original tracks to more recent, and some unreleased tunes, join us at the The Clarendon in New Babbage.

Old tunes, new tunes and Weird tunes.

Free accordions and Twinkie Weiner Sandwiches for all!