through the broken glass and the morning light

There are so many entries I've saved to work on, so many things I want to talk about, but...there's something more important.

From Mr. Icterus Dagger:

As I am so disconnected with SL these days, and Caledon even moreso, I didn't know who else to contact. Miss Soliel Snook (a.k.a. Janet Wright) passed away early this morning, at home, after fighting cancer for the past year. Here is her daughter Happi's post (in part) from Facebook this morning:

"It's with a broken heart that I have to report that my mum, Janet Wright, passed away at 2:20am this morning. She died with both Bruce and I at either side; make further more comfortable from her meds supplied by the incredible team at Suncoast Hospice. However, it was so fast and started right after the night nurse had finished her checks and left. I immediately called Bruce as she asked; so it was just she, Bruce & I. Followed by a very protective Teddy steadfastly glued to her lap and who is, as most of you know, her beloved dog. Her cat Milo also sang her specifically a "song" of his people (as he often does at 3am) right after she left us..."

No funeral is planned, as far as I know, but Janet wanted a simple cremation and a "Quaker Irish" wake at the St. Petersburg, FL Quaker meetinghouse. Details, as you can imagine, are "TBD."

Janet was undergoing experimental treatment for an aggressive cancer (as chemo and other "traditional" methods were not successful). Although we all (her friends) knew her prognosis was very poor, everything happened so quickly this week.

Miss Snook was such an important part of the life and culture of Caledon and related lands, as well as serving up music and fun with Radio Riel. Please pass along this information to Caledon and such, if you please.

And this from Duchess Gabrielle Riel:

It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Radio Riel Presenter, current St John resident and former Caledon resident Soliel Snook passed away last night. I (Gabrielle Riel) am planning to hold a multi-hour-time-zone memorial service for her on May 12. Details to come. I need time to work though my grief, thus the memorial being scheduled a few weeks out. Soliel was one of my dearest friends in both lives. Things will never be the same without her.

Another shining light departs from Caledon, and while I wasn't as close as many of her stronger friends, I remember her with great fondness, and accept this news with great sorrow. My deepest sympathies go to her close friends and her family in their time of grief.

the difficult I'll do right now, the impossible will take a little while

I originally visited Reiko for the lucky boards:



because I wanted to stalk them on occasion, being as I likely could not afford to buy the dresses in the non-lucky versions.

I have to state formally, I was wrong. And pleased and happy to admit so!



First off, when you walk in, there are six dresses for free, plus a nifty little black-veiled hat.

Then there are the dresses themselves.



These come with the dress featured, in either red or green tartan (check the large picture for the green version), the shoes, the socks, and the small beret. For fifty Lindens, and that is not her sale price, that is her everyday price.



These could pass for Victorian young person (there's two more shown in the larger image).



These are definitely dollie outfits, and they come with the pantaloons, the bonnet, the cuffed socks, and I believe also come with the shoes. For--you guessed it--fifty Lindens, in white and pink (shown on the larger pic) and white and blue.

Not on the same topic, but I do have to state another intractable opinion on the blog:



I know, me, opinionated? Everyone's so shocked.

But seriously--if your name is ho Starflare, you are NOT ALLOWED to go ANYWHERE as a child av.



Especially if your concept of child-appropriate clothing includes tattoo layers, a ripped bra, Daisy Dukes of doom, and that much makeup.

Unless the look you're after is actually "Thai child prostitute", in which case, you've captured the look perfectly. Might need longer nails, maybe. And even most of them wear short skirts, not denim cut-offs.

Though--since I had my settings at 'show everything' instead of my usual chat/controls/HUDs off settings--check out the bit of preserved conversation in the lower left, in the larger image.

Fellow came in to the Solace Beach sales office. He wanted a house. We don't do that, we sell real estate for homes, but I tried to help him, and the first thing I did--the first thing I always do with these questions--was point him towards XStreet.

He honestly thought XStreet homes were only for mainland parcels.

I have two questions:

1. Who's telling newcomers that XStreet only sells goods for the mainland?

2. Who's telling people Solace Beach sells prefab homes?

Finally, I want to tell everyone, there's a new Radio Riel station, their fifth broadcast stream (and I'll be changing the music page and the in-world notecard I still give out to people to reflect this). It's called Reverie, and, while it's designed for stream play in Winterfell (and it will become Luctus Isle's standard stream the next time I'm home), anyone can use it to listen to medieval, pagan, and Celtic music and events.

(Good Day Sunshine sim before the repaving gig.)

For the past three weeks, whenever I have time, I have been building sidewalks on a commercial sim. This has taken so long because I'm basically figuring out techniques on the ground--I've been building for three years in SL, I'm not perfect by a long shot, but I think I can say I'm a good basic builder. But mostly, I align prims by eye; I move textures just enough to meet on the average; that's been good enough.

This is a commercial sim, though. So I've been getting into the math, working with planar textures, making sure textures are as perfectly seamed as I can manage. In a sim with round corners on almost every section, plus some sidewalks are four meters wide, some are eight meters wide, and at least one section is ten by twenty feet wide in a huge rectangle...and most of everything I'm doing, I'm doing in megaprims....It will get easier from here. But the first sim, I won't lie, it's been grueling.

(Good Day Sunshine sim after the repaving gig.)

Today, Lady Serra announced Reverie, and I flipped it up on the music stream, and three songs later, I had relaxed, and moved from corner to corner, seam to seam, and I managed to complete the final texture matching on a quarter of the sim. It's going well.

And I honestly think I couldn't have done it as well without Reverie. So this is my public thank you, to Radio Riel for consistently being the best at what they do; to Duchess Gabi for deciding Radio Riel could support five public streams; and to Lady Serra for giving her the idea and pushing her to finish it. It's lovely, it really is.

On that, back into SL to match more seams.

you know they're only what they think of you

Miss Ariane brings up some of the difficulties roleplayers in Second Life are having. Not just with the new client, but with the new changes. I don't think she's wrong; I do think things are going to continue to go downhill, though. Because I truly don't think Linden Labs cares about who made their virtual world thrive; whomever that was, they feel, can now be safely pushed aside for the big money interests: corporations; television shows; universities; the military. That's where the money lies. Everything else just distracts from that pure vision, doesn't it?

So yes, I sympathize greatly. I think roleplayers are in a daunting plight, and that plight is only going to get worse for them. But redress from the Labs will never be forthcoming.

They don't care. And I am very, very sure they haven't even noticed the problem.

On the Labs' side, how'ver, I do feel compelled to add--Ariane's attitude, which is largely reflected in some RPers, is part of the problem we're now in. The get what you can, make it work attitude is fine for roleplay; the grab whatever's there, whether it's legal or not, because we're free artists and creative types...that's never gone over, and if they can't be bothered to worry about where that texture or that prim does come from, then yes, they're making the problem worse, and they're contributing to where we are now.

For new residents, new last names have been released again. For optimal Victorian/steamlands use, I would suggest the following:

* Acanthus. A common design element in Victorian architecture and furnishings.
* Bellflower. It also doubles as a good fantasy name.
* Broadmoor. Good for dark Victorian, Lovecraftian, and gothic personas.
* Callow. Good for villains.
* Canare. Good for villains and mad scientists.
* Canieri. Good for villains, mad scientists, and Italian tenors.
* Cygnet. Good for medieval roleplayers, as well as affably pretentious sorts.
* Danube. Simple, lovely and Germanic.
* Darkward. Again, best for dark Victorian, Lovecraftian, and gothic personas.
* Elegy. See above; it would also work for religious sorts.
* Evermore. Ideal for fans of Edgar Allen Poe; doubly so if the first name starts with "N".
* Farlight. Can pull double duty as a Space Ranger or a gentlemen-about-Victoria City.
* Feuilles. For French avatars, also for people who adore correcting pronunciations of their last name.
* Finlayson. Good. Sturdy. Scottish.
* Fragonard. Perfect for avatars who want to wear green-spam scents. Or who adore French culture.
* Godric. Perfect for medieval recreationists, and teddibly teddibly English sorts.
* Leleu. Again good for the French or those who like that lilt to their last names.
* Lycomedes. Perfect for fans of the Trojan War.
* Maggiore. Perfect for Italian avatars, and hoteliers of any stripe.
* Manx. I had to list this one. Imagine: an avatar walks in with the last name Manx. She has ears and whiskers, but no neko tail. (Oh, what? It would be PERFECT!)
* Marsault. It just sounds vintage, plus, again, if you're planning to open an inn...
* Minuet. Why not name yourself after a dance?
* Neopolitan. This one? Just sounds fun.
* Orchid. For those frail hothouse flowers amongst us.
* Ovis. Sort of an allusion-in-brief for bird lovers?
* Riverstone. Another sturdy English option.
* Starkford. Followed by this sturdy alternate.
* Tulliman. Your average pint-a-day dockworker, clark, or industrialist.
* Vervain. Herbal names are always good for vintage avatars.
* Visage. Good for costumers.
* Voix. Another very cool French name that is, for once, easy to spell! And pronounce!
* Woodside. Can't go wrong with references to English directions.

Neil Gaiman announces to the world he owns an interdimensional dog. I guess dogs have finally learned how to do what cats have been doing for millenia, now.

So, apparently there's a new sim coming soon--or it may already have popped--called Seraph City. A lot of New Babbage's brightest can be found on their Ning page, which is not necessarily confusing, as a lot of folks interested in turn-of-the-century ways are also interested in times forward from that, and past.

What makes Seraph City different? It's not Victorian. By description, it seems more Art Deco/Art Nouveau with a noir twist. They're already working on the roleplay aspect with a thread on slang of the era, and Duchess Gabrielle is pondering adding a dieselpunk channel to Radio Riel--and if you think there's debate on what is or isn't steampunk music, that's nothing on what fits into dieselpunk music.

The accepted trend (by most) seems to be sounding vintage, but not actually being vintage. For instance, Squirrel Nut Zippers, the Puppini Sisters, Janelle Monae, and possibly Paloma Faith, among others. But by that same extension, actual bands and singers of the era wouldn't fit in. So while dieselpunks might listen to Count Basie, Helen Kane, Bessie Smith, and Duke Ellington, these won't specifically inform the culture.

It seems a far finer line than steampunk, which generally widely accepts anything with a machine noise in it.

But I'll post more information when I can; pictures when the sim opens (if it's not already). Should be an interesting trip, at the least.

(Afterthought note: one wonders if singers like Fiona Apple qualify, when they make no other allusions to the time, but perform fairly faithful renditions of older material. But that's a question for another day.)

there's a bridge I need to burn before I leave

Meet Miss Kimiah Jupiter.



It's not that she's unattractive. It's that she showed up nude on the port-in point.



And bald. Then, after several moments, she got dressed.



In a belt.



Then jeans, sans top.



And a pipe. Apparently adjusted sideways.

There's a joke in there, somewhere...

I admit, I stood right where I'd ported in, because really--we see a lot of casual nudity on the grid, and some of it's intentional, and some of it's the result of accidental porting in the midst of changing--I think that's happened to practically everyone, me included.

But this was just so odd--I mean, if it were a graphics error, why wouldn't I see her prims, or see the system layers without the prims? No, I just stood there, wondering if it was a rezzing problem, while everything behind us rezzed in just fine, and she...remained nude.

Until the belt.

And the jeans.

And the pipe.

"The biggest lesson I take away from this, is that the next time someone tells me they are angry with me, or if I hear that someone is angry with me, I am going to immediately make private and direct contact, and ask them to tell me, step by step, piece by piece, why they are upset with me. "

Duchess, I do believe you know why I'm upset with you. I don't think I need to mention it past this point, and, while I laud your offer to mend the ways (even if sent in the most general sense), I don't think it will help, in the long run--neither of us will change our minds, and it certainly won't ease any of the hurt of the past. Only time will do that, and I think time is doing the best that it can as it spins on.

Honestly, I think we'll both deal, and for my part, I still think what you're doing is amazing. I still support Radio Riel, even if I don't attend many events; and I still tell people to listen, when I get the opportunity. More than that, I really think you can't ask; and it may be the very best any of us can hope for.

I am glad you seem to have mended the breach with Colonel O'Toole. Public disagreements, as we both well know, can harm business and personal associations alike.

Onward!

This is more of an RL issue, but I think it still qualifies for a mention--everyone should read up on the Lollipop Theater. In short--though there's a TON more information on that blog entry--they're trying to raise awareness for the charity, and it's a very good one. Their goal: raise funds to present movie premieres of movies only seen in theatres for children in hospitals and care wards. Whether through disability, compromised immune systems, or upcoming fatality, these children aren't going to have the opportunity to go to the theatre and see the films with their friends. Lollipop Theater wants to change that as much as they can. If the kids can't go to the theatre, they figure, they'll bring the theatre to them.

They want people to raise awareness by using the #lollipoptheater hashtag on Twitter, mentioning the charity to their friends, and/or donating some to help out. I've got two of three, and I'll work on the third. Help however you can, if you can.

Finally, as I've said before, two people I dearly love play City of Heroes, semi-obsessively. Miss Neome to the point that she generally keeps a browser window pointed at their forums, so she can stay up to date on the latest happenings.

Apparently another power set was released--these are sets of specific animations paired with particle effects, to imitate superpowers for the characters in that world--and people were complaining that it wasn't 'masculine' enough. "Not another prancy power move," someone moaned.

This was the reply to that complaint. I had Miss Neome save it and send it to me, because it's just that perfect.

And that's the random news for today; I'm off to see if I can't track down more trouble...I mean, stories. Or...something.

there's an awful lot of breathing room, but I can hardly move

Philip Pullman delivers one of the best statements on the rights of free speech I've ever heard. Like the book, don't like the book--the book is not the point. The point is, free speech means there will be things said that horrify you. That's allowed. There are things said that may hurt you. That's allowed. There are things said that you may feel the strong urge to stand up and say hurtful things on your own. THAT'S ALLOWED.

What isn't allowed is striking back physically. It is his right to say something you find shocking, or appalling, or even untrue--it is his right, and that right is absolute and defensible. You have the same right to say things he, or anyone else, might find shocking, or appalling, or even feel are untrue.

Free speech is only free if we protect those we don't like, saying things, as well as those we do. Free speech means life gets uncomfortable on occasion. Free speech means standing up occasionally for what you don't believe in, and trusting in the system to stand up for you when people don't believe you in return.

That's the whole point.

Crap Mariner questions rebroadcast rights in SL. I know nothing about BOSL, or Radio Radio--apart from listening to Radio Radio, and they've got some good people, there.

I do know about Radio Riel.

Unless things have changed, I know Gabrielle Riel worked her ass off getting approval from individual artists--almost everything played on the Steampunk channel runs off individual-artist approval--as well as getting streaming rights from music sources like Magnatune, to whom--yes, really--fees are paid. With the help of Laird Brideswell, Elrik Merlin, Radio Riel managed to find a rights-protection radio service that acts as intercessor if they fall within their guidelines, which I know they work hard to do. I also know that at least until I left, if not after, Prim Minister Riel was working alongside music licensing advocates in England and America, and trying her very hardest to keep within compliance with existing rights and restrictions.

Now, is everything played at Radio Riel fully licensed to be rebroadcast? No, of course not. Not everything at Radio Radio is, either, and I'd be willing to go out on that limb and say the same thing for BOSL. But--as far as Radio Riel goes--everything that can be authorized usually has been, and much of what is played--at least for classical and 1800s-era music--on the main channel is either rights-granted or royalty-free.

Things might have changed since I left, yes. But when I was hosting there, I'd say the radio station went from 3% compliance to easily 87%, and they may be higher now.

And let's be fair, here--I understand the line of questioning, but RL radio stations don't run under 100% compliance, either, no matter how big they are. Generally the songs played, yes, absolutely (and in some cases, even then, most of the time), but some of the morning shows play fast and loose with the music and media clips they play.

Now zombies don't have to lurch alone--Zombie Harmony is here. (I adore how gender has no factor in finding other zombie singles.)

Miss Arwen Serpente of Arwen's Creations had an odd definition of "modest", I thought:



I admit, I don't entirely get all the ins and outs of the Gorean subculture on SL, but if this is modest, what's flirtatious?

Still, some wonderful texturing on the outfit itself:



And it comes with a scarf, shawl and veil.



(Shawl and veil shown.)

She also offers a 'winter wear' version, as well:



(Seen with scarf and veil.) And here's a close-up of the plain, nubbed winter fabric from the back:



In fact, the entire thing didn't make sense to me until I saw the vendor above it and put two and two together:



and realized the red plaid outfit is designed to be worn over the bodysuit.



And a shot with self-fabric veil and shawl (the scarf, shawl, simple flats, and both 'summer' and 'winter' veils with the bodysuits are tintable by chat command), so you can see how they work together.

All are free at her main store currently (at the SLUrl above), for a limited time.

"Whether this technology can portray a virtual world, and perform all the calculations that are inherent in the MMO experience, isn’t important today. What is important is that the tech exists and that its baby steps are impressive."

Mr. Nix Sands is spearheading inquiries on the Steamlander forums, gathering data on names and desired intent, for a potential proposed group that would encompass all grid-dwellers of a historical bent. The era in question has been proposed as the 1800s, plus or minus a decade, so there's room for everything in there from the Old West to the very beginning of WWI. Or at least, what led to WWI.

Go there to cast your vote, toss in your name suggestions, and get involved in the discussion. I currently belong to two multi-groups, though they're both more geared for business owners (the Victorian Shopkeepers Association, and the United Fantasy Merchants). I like the concept. Will I be able to commit to being a part of such a group, especially if the traffic is as high as I think it will be? Time will tell, but it's not an impossibility.

My only fear is that the development and execution of a multi-sim, multi-era chat/notice/event listing group will result in people advertising things there, AND things in ISC, AND things in Winterfell, AND things in the Wulfenbach Consulate, AND things in Steelhead chat, AND things in Edison, AND things in New Toulouse...so the same advertisement could potentially go out seven times. Making us all crazy.

Still, that's the morbid pessimist in me talking. I'm very comfortable with my morbid pessimism, we have tea frequently. Occasionally, we cuddle. But I may be wrong. The pale and nervous optimist in me hopes I am.

tell me what it's like to be the one and only all-American girl

Colonel O'Toole's post on the Ball.
Lord Bardhaven's post on the Ball.
Duchess Eva Bellambi's post on the Ball.
Duchess Gabrielle Riel's post on the Ball.

As of this writing, I can't find Alastair Whybrow's blog to link. I'm not entirely sure it exists.

There is one thing I clearly and distinctly want understood:

"I was completely unaware that a firestorm of drama had erupted and that I was being crucified on several Blogs, in Plurk, in IMs and anywhere else people could get a foothold to scream about how horrible I am."

I am unaware of how four blog entries could, in any universe, constitute a "firestorm of drama". (Which does not include Duchess Gabi's, of course; prior to her entry, it remained four entries.) I am also baffled by how anything I have said means I am 'crucifying' Gabrielle Riel. I can only assume she's referring to other entries...none of which seem to be 'crucifying' her in any way.

"It seems that several people have turned a simple oversight into the Crime Of The Century Against The Independent State of Caledon."

I also remain intensely curious as to how myself, the Colonel, Lord Bardhaven, and Duchess Eva Bellambi constitute "several people". Still, we four do comprise a number higher than three; I suppose that's one explanation.

"...they have posted vociferous entries on their personal Blogs about how I am the Essence of Evil."

Really? We have? I agree that the Colonel tagging Duchess Gabi as the "Crazy Cat Lady" is not in any way a favorable comment. But calling her the Essence of Evil? Truly?

Lord Bardhaven didn't. Hotspur O'Toole didn't. Duchess Eva Bellambi certainly didn't. And I didn't.

So who did, one wonders? Perhaps that mysterious Mr. Whybrow person, of whom no blog-based information can be found.

LET ME MAKE THIS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, PEOPLE.

I am not attacking Gabrielle Riel. I am not attacking Radio Riel. I am not attacking the concept of banning people from private parcels. I am not ATTACKING. PERIOD.

And believe me, if I wanted to attack the Duchess, I could on my own. I am more than sufficiently armed and I still carry more than a small amount of slight considering my departure from Radio Riel, AND WHY. How'ver, I am not attacking Gabrielle Riel, or anyone. If anyone is looking in my direction to fume and spout on treasonous behavior and carry on, you're looking to the wrong soul in all of this.

If we cannot concentrate on the issue, there is no point to the discussion.

Moving to other news.

'Would you play a Magic: the Gathering MMO?', Justin Webb asks. That's an interesting question, but I think the question is more interesting than any potential answer. I think the folks at WotC decided they have more than enough to do with D&D and new Tournament play cards; I really don't think they're interested in MMO gaming anymore.

I could be wrong, though. Would I play a Magic MMO? I adore the card game, but only until the Tournament rules changed to disallow any cards older than three expansions back. Now I play for fun, if I play at all, and most of the cards are sitting on the back shelf, gathering dust.

I still like the game; I just don't think I'd be interested in investing in an online version.

Another article from MMORPG goes into the future of sf MMOs; I'm not so much linking it for that as for the mention of Black Prophecy (they're looking for beta testers now; sign up if you want a chance at early access), entirely due to an amazing new feature. I'll let them tell you about it:

Modular ship design
Player ships are not sold as whole, but instead consist of modules like cockpits, wings, engines etc. All these modules are available in different shapes and sizes, which allows the players to customize their ships.

Item modification system
In addition to the modular ship design, players can also further customize their ships by adding modifications to their ship's modules and weapons.

Modular clan station system
Player clans can build clan stations that are expandable through a module system. Different modules add different functionalities to the station.

I don't know about you, but the chance to pick whether I'm flying a sleek gunner, a heavy battlenaught, or a tropical fish is pretty cool, all things considered. And they're pushing it farther--customize your ship! Customize your clan stations! Customize your game, that's fantastic for an MMO!

Lastly, Wales is apparently going to receive a giant sculpture of a red dragon. I realize, as public art goes, that's staggeringly expensive on the price tag--but the cool factor cannot be discounted. That, quite frankly, rocks, and kudos to Wales for dreaming it up. Y Ddraig Goch will fly again.

you stoop to feed the crows to let 'em scratch the truth

All right. I'm only saying this once more, because apparently folks are still confused.

Yes, I was fired from Radio Riel. It was over a difference of opinion. No, it was not my decision to leave. Yes, I'm not thrilled about it. No, there's nothing I can do about it, and no, I don't want to boycott Radio Riel over it.

Is everyone caught up now? Let's move on.

The two pictures I captured during the ten-box S.I.C. hunt (in the sims sick and sick5) were when I was standing outside of the Weapons Shop, just a step away from the port-in point in the main sim.



They won't really show you how cool this was; you should go look for yourself.



(By the way, while you're wandering the sick chain, check out the small Hallows fair in sick5. Fun seasonal freebies to take home and treasure, including a crow machine!)



(I'm not kidding about the crow machine.)

The boxes you're looking for are like always--small tarnished metal boxes, with handles, and a center rotating glowing blue "active" beacon:



This one, at least, is relatively easy; you don't have to wear a HUD, you don't have to take the completed HUD to the central computer core and wait for prize delivery. Just collect the boxes. Ten collected, will unpack into a pretty nifty set of cyber-armor. In what might even be holiday tones.

In other news, I received this notice from the Octoberville Group:

Group Notice From: Master Kaos

We are reverting to the original policing policies only [involving] abuse, harassment of people on the sim.

WE WILL NOT BE POLICING ARC ANY LONGER. WE WILL NOT BE POLICING CHEATING ANY LONGER. We have tried to do our best, being that this is a sim built for everyone in SL just to have fun and explore and have something interesting to do, and no longer wish to be cussed out, threatened, reported, badly represented, and have false claims sent out in notecards in mass mailings. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Okay, first off, what the hell? And second...no, it's still WHAT THE HELL?!?

I have to find out why this was sent out. Because this just sounds insane. Notecards sent in mass mailings threatening Octoberville? Because they had the audacity to have a scavenger hunt?!?

I'll tell you more when I know more, but this is surreal.

and if I fall, I will find a way back to my hands

I had intended my next entry to be about the principles of fair use, and what constitutes fair use in SL.

That's changed. Radio Riel lacks one host, now.

This potentially is a great problem, how'ver; because as far as I know, barring Touma-san, we--they--don't have any other hosts.

So. A small guide to hosting, if you care to read along, and then whom to contact to apply.

First, remember, your value as a host: be polite, be charming, be approachable. You aren't the life of the party, as such; but you are an important gear that keeps the party moving. If the conversation lags, see about asking someone something. Comment on the music, comment on the clothes, comment on topics of the day.

Second, be aware that while spelling isn't everything, since most of Radio Riel's gigs are in and around Caledon and the steamlands, it's not nothing, either. Typos are typos, they happen to everyone, but try to avoid common spelling/chat pitfalls like "r u sur?" or "o i c" or "gr8". Caledon as a whole values literacy; values intelligence; and while propriety and proper dress (and address) may have fallen by the wayside, intelligence and literacy are still guideposts to success.

Third, it helps to have a large wardrobe, but if you have one or two nice pieces, that's really all you need. Don't be afraid to ask fellow Hosts or Presenters, depending, if they have something more formal they can loan you; they're usually more than willing to, if they have transferable gowns or suits.

Fourth, don't be afraid to like places--for example, I adore the crowd at Terpsichore Tuesdays, and I'm going to miss them; in time, I think I'd have fun going back and dancing not as a paid Host. If you like a venue, and it works out for you to take that slot, unless someone else really adores it too, don't feel bad about taking that. Having changing Hosts and Presenters is fine; but having consistency never hurts either.

Above all, only take a job hosting if you want to. It will pay rent, it won't support shopping sprees. And if you're doing it to make big money, or to get you by until 'something better' comes along--don't bother. Only go in if you're committed, and happy, to host for Radio Riel.

And, if you have aspirations to Present--to be an SL/internet DJ--getting your feet wet as a Radio Riel Host is never a bad way to go. You can learn by watching the Presenters present; by listening; and by asking questions. You're already halfway there, and they are always looking for Presenters, for new shows, new events, and all-day stints of running Radio Riel's main stream.

To submit applications or for further information, contact Autopilotpatty Poppy, the Radio Riel events manager, or Gabrielle Riel, Radio Riel Presenter and owner.

life is good when you're full of blood

And now, pictures as promised.



(The Clockwinder went blond! His tag read, Obviously Not/Mossaveno Tenk, so maybe I'm wrong. He also seemed much...taller.)



(Malookus Kalnoky mostly stayed on the edges of the dance, and wore a tag that said LDS furry. That was unusual enough, but I think I was more confused by the yellow leather cuffs, collar and bondage belt he wore.)



(Miss Jaina Quartz showed up as a white tiger, in casual pinks and blacks. Pretty. Epsilon Mabellan is the pink-feathered fledgling behind her. They are...mother and...daughter? Son? I wasn't sure and didn't check, on gender of child.)



(Barbara Collazo showed up as the cutest little monkey avatar. The, err, non-poo-throwing kind.)




(Miss Kaylee Korbitza won the costume contest, in her patriotic striped gown--I think honestly the judge swung in her favor due to the flag headband.)



(Is it just me? I'm suddenly seeing Rick Springfield on the bridge of the Enterprise. But this is Jaffee Gaffer, smiling in the striped pants.)



(Lady and sim owner Valentine Janus, in a simple but lovely gold dress.)



(Little Miss Abigail Artful from the last entry, looking winsome in teal and white.)



(Dr. Mitsu Figaro on the left, myself in the center, and Miss CowtownMom Foxclaw dancing.)



(Mr. Mathoni Zuhrah and Miss Ingeborg Apfelbaum, in front, Lindyhopping in the lag, while Brad Moonwall waves a flag to the right.)



(Miss Amari Starship in black; she heard there was a costume contest, so she went home to throw 'a costume' on. I think the 'costume' she had in mind was Elvira, but she looked stunning in it.)



(Miss Lotty Landar and her spoon, and the flag wings.)



(LilPrincess Serenity, in her big blonde braided hair and firework-patterned sneaks.)



(Miss Pear Dumpling with very inventive sparklers. And very inventive name, to boot.)



(The party, a bit diminished after the departure of the Moronic Twins, but still going.)

All in all, I think the after-parade dance went quite well. The evening tied up with fireworks in the Park and magic carpet rides by the dock following. I can't help but think that's kind of cool, hometown and charming all in one.

and all the comebacks in the world are in your head, and it's just you and your imaginary friends

This scares me deeply.

News from Grand Tour III was surprisingly positive, in spite of the grid falling in shreds around the participants. Some animosities were cemented, some drama was created, though few want to talk about it and after this morning's contretemps at the last stop, I'm just going to keep my head down and not ask people questions.

(Actually...no. I can't let this sit here, though I really, deeply want to.

(But I'm finding I'm getting upset at Caledon all over again. What gives anyone the right to label anyone else--much less someone who's not even present--as "racist" simply because they don't favor the style of roleplay? Which in Caledon has always, always been voluntary? Or perhaps no other Wulfenbach staffer has had to put out fires of "Nazi roleplayers" but me? [And yes, it's happened.]

(People really need to think before they speak. And I'm including me in that, but I'm not the only one in this.)

Apparently the Duchess Sandwich over at SteamSky City really was a sandwich, too, which still hurts my head. But onward.

Spent the last few moments of the Fantasy Faire, wandering around. Not best pleased with this year, both in terms of personal poverty (Hair Fair's going to KILL me, and what IS it with everything happening at the same time?!?), and in terms of script usage.

What peabrain told the Fantasy Faire folk that excess scripted rotating objects decrease lag? Because I swear, they were EVERYWHERE--floating fish, floating PLANETS, swirling petals--every single sim had at least one inanely horrifying example of Why This Sim is Lagged; and they had nine sims this year.



One vendor had set out that lovely swirling seafoam texture...on grass. With a dolphin leaping up. Talk about creepy.



A view from three steps up on the 'pier' from the grass. Looks slightly more normal from this angle, but still...



Apparently they did sink the land, a little, as witness by my standing in 'water' that was knee-deep. Even so, knee-deep is not dolphin-leaping deep in the least.



One of the floating, flexi, scripted octopi at the Mer Market. Lovely, but...flexi. Scripted. Moving on its own.



The Scripted Water Guardian Octopus...in the larger version, he's swimming over an entire primmed-out sunken ship.



And the first trip into Hair Fair 2009...wherein the wisdom learned from Fantasy Faire was put into play.

....

Are these people ON CRACK?!? I mean, SERIOUSLY now. First of all, it's going to be several sims of candyland to see the hair; secondly, it's several sims of big sculpted objects to rez in! They've lost their MINDS.

So, okay, fine, we'll cope, or not, as it is, and get through what we can, and if it doesn't work--or we go made from sugar-prim overdose--well, it's only what they deserve.

Remember, Radio Riel Steampunk premieres Monday! We're still gathering music as fast as we can, but we're going to add to it and present what we have still on Monday, and keep things moving. Orchestral, industrial, early techno, goth, darkwave, dark cabaret, worldpop--whatever our DJs think fits. And we all have different definitions of what does, so it should be fun.

These are the direct-access codes you'll need, keep them in mind:

Old name	^&^	music.radioriel.org	^&^	New name	^&^	main.radioriel.org
Old name	^&^	music2.radioriel.org	^&^	New name	^&^	event.radioriel.org
Old name	^&^	music3.radioriel.org	^&^	New name	^&^	newtoulouse.radioriel.org
Old name	^&^	music4.radioriel.org	^&^	New name	^&^	graceful.radioriel.org
Old name	^&^	music5.radioriel.org	^&^	New name	^&^	steampunk.radioriel.org

Now, very few people knew beyond "music" and "music2"; on rare opportunities we advertised events happening on Graceful or someone else's permastream. But this is now all in-house, both to bring great variety to what we play, and also, because Duchess Gabi really felt New Toulouse and New Babbage needed their own soundtrack.

Which may have been a very good thing; since Dr. Obolensky has kidnapped the Clockwinder away, Radio Riel will be the voice of the resistance in New Babbage!

Can't stop the signal.

the grass isn't greener on the other side, we set it on fire

Last night, the grid went down--and hard. Between then and now, over six thousand regions in SL were affected when the data center--which apparently also controls users logging in and out--lost power. Slowly but surely, the grid's restoring, but it's going to take some time.

In the meantime, major changes at Radio Riel--Duchess Gabi sent an email out to all staff:

For almost 2 years, we have used the subdomains "music", "music2" etc as user friendly URLs for our listeners. I want to start transitioning to a new standard for our user friendly URLs.

As of now we have the following redirects in place:

Main = music.radioriel.org - New Name = main.radioriel.org
Event = music2.radioriel.org - New Name = event.radioriel.org
New Toulouse = music3.radioriel.org - New Name = newtoulouse.radioriel.org
Graceful = music4.radioriel.org - New Name = graceful.radioriel.org
Steampunk = music5.radioriel.org - New Name = steampunk.radioriel.org

So keep these in mind, start using them on your parcels--"music.radioriel" and "music2.radioriel" are going away, and we're adding three more.

*scurries off with the steampunk channel in tow*

Lady Kira reminded me of a potentially staggering problem I hadn't even thought of before--granted, the grid has been unstable and glitchy for the better part of the day, but--every time she's been logged out, from Caledon, she gets logged back in in Zindra.

This presents a whole new complication. Say one lives in Caledon. Say said one has no interest in adult matters in the least, and hasn't even bothered to age-verify, because what would be the point? Say Caledon II goes down, and that user is then relogged into Mosh, when they attempt to return to the grid?

Now we have a new situation--here we were pondering how best to keep people who have rated Adult--but seem to have no earthly concept of what that means in terms of appropriate behavior--from being stupid in Zindra. Now we have the problem of people who are rated deliberately PG, who get shunted to Zindra anyway.

Oh, no, that's not a PR nightmare waiting to happen! Not in the least. No, that won't have an impact if some fundamentalist housewife gets shunted to the red-light district from virtual church of a moment. No news stories there...

Honestly. It's a big business. Are there working brains at the Labs? I mean, anywhere? I've been assuming this, based on the fact they can type and walk upright, but...maybe I've been being too generous with them...

In the meantime, according to the Labs, there will be data center maintenance tonight, in, oh, about three hours...Over five thousand regions will be down, then.

Perfect. The day of the Grand Tour directly in support of cancer research. And today's been down-up-down-down-up-really down-way down-down-down-up-down. There's no way to win.

this chaos, this calamity, this garden once was perfect

This is what LL spends it's time doing: breaking the service that people pay money for in pursuit of goals of questionable utility. Lillie Yifu has a point.

And Ursula will now be...Zindra? What? They thought a name change would solve the issues of adult content on the grid?!?



Happy Anniversary, Radio Riel! And you made it all possible, Duchess.

Remember, drop by the Clarendon in New Babbage if you have the time--here's all the information you need!

and what do you see within the water?

Nothing for it but I must admit ill planning on my part--I'll do the best I can on short notice, with more notice in world, but alas, I am dispossessed of all relevant information.

The lovely ladies who own New Boston Station are holding an Open House from four to eight pm, SLT, today--yes, you see, I meant to announce this yesterday. Alas.



Still and all, you're warmly invited to come see the changes in New Boston Station, and please note, they have a number of beautiful lots for sale. Half tier for the first month will apply to all new rentals, with all proceeds from tier payments going to the Alliance Virtual Library, with which the Caledon library system is capably affiliated.



The Open House will concur with a semi-formal dance to classical music spun by Jarl (and Radio Riel DJ) Otenth Paderborn from five to seven pm SLT. They invite all reading these words to come and wander, come and dance, come with your questions and your wide-open eyes, and help them celebrate.



It truly is a lovely sim, and so far, unless that's changed, it has the only library dedicated to H.P. Lovecraft on the grid. :)

And please, if you don't see this until later tonight, or days from now--you're still welcome to come in and wander. Miss Holly Chase and Miss Hypatia Dejavu are happy to answer all questions, or provide you with a lovely little spot on New Boston of your own.

God's gift to ballroom notoriety

We wanted to do something special for the Radio Riel office party this year. Sadly, our Fearless Leader, Duchess Gabrielle Riel, couldn't be with us, but we were granted the use of Coquette, newly arrived on the grid. It was a lovely little spot; still snowed in, but very pretty.

Every DJ we could contact to be there, was. I ended up arriving late, because SL was having issues, but as it turned out, everyone else was having problems, so they'd only just started the spin-off when I arrived.

These were the assignments for each musical set, sent out by Duchess Gabi:

Rik - Baroque and Contemporary Celtic

Dia - Medieval and Early Rock and Roll (50s-60s)
Soliel - Renaissance and Contemporary Pop
Gabi - Classical and Disco
Edward - Big Band and World Music
Mitsu - Romantic Classical and Contemporary Electronica/Dance

Laird Brideswell, Elrik Merlin, was playing the acoustic version Herr Mannelig by In Extremo when I got to Coquette [actually, this was Dia, I'm informed], and earlier, he'd played tracks from The Bones of All Men by Philip Pickett and Richard Thompson, and "Scotland the Brave" from Celtic Grooves (Ian Campbell & Brad Rogers).

Then we moved on to Duke Murdann, Otenth Paderborn, who'd decided at the last minute to play in. He was followed by Duchess Diamanda Gustafson, then Soliel Snook, I believe, then Sir Edward Pearse, and, since Dr. Mitsu Figaro had not yet arrived, we started again with Elrik.

[Editrix insert: reverse these, somewhat. It went Dia, then I think Soliel, then Otenth]

I don't, sadly, remember who played in which set (I should've posted this yesterday, when I knew who played what), and I don't think I managed to get all the songs, but roughly in order, this was what we heard:

Duchess Diamanda led off with "Trotto" by Angels of Venice--I had little luck tracking that down, but I did find "Within You Without You", which has a similar feel. From there we went to "Herr Mannelig" (the acoustic version), and we were off:

"Berkay Oyun Havası" (I think) by Mogollar (Turkish rock band, and I have to hear more from them!)
"Miserlou" by Dick Dale
"Hawaii 5-0", from the series of the same name

Soliel Snook picked up from here with "Alone Again Or" by Calexico, and then what's becoming a mutual Radio Riel love affair with the boys from Germany:
"In Taberna" by Corvus Corax
"Mercy" by Duffy (I do know Soliel Snook played "Mercy")
"Tainted Love" by Max Raabe and the Palaster Orchestra
"Glenmalambo: Glenmore" by Macumba (this isn't them, I don't think, but it's the nearest I could find)
"La Serenissima" (the extended remix) by Rondo Veneziano (I believe we'd cycled through everyone, and were back to Elrik at this point)

[Editrix insert: Actually, we'd gone past and were at Dia again for the bit from Garmarna:]
"Polska" by Garmarna (I couldn't track down any mention of "Polska" anywhere, but for a taste of Garmarna, try "Den Bortsalda")
"Saltarello/Ductia/Trotto" by Corvus Corax
"Hullunhumppa" by Korpiklaani (I couldn't find that song, but I found this one--got me what it's called, though, but it gives you an idea of their sound)
"Sabre Dance" by Skyclad
"Rockibus" by Teribus (again, couldn't find anything, but this clip of their performance at Silverleaf Ren Faire, and the Bagad Suite by Teribus should serve as an introduction)

[Then it was Soliel again:]
"Rumba Escocia/Cro Chinn T-Saile" by Salsa Celtica (again, failed to find that, but found this unlabeled snippet and this bit of bio-musica instead)
"Sweaty Things" by Braxton Bragg (friends and neighbors, you don't even WANT to know what comes up when I type in any variation of these words--suffice it to say it's not on YouTube and we're moving on)
"Personal Jesus" by Johnny Cash

"The Little Drummer Boy" by the Klezmonauts (this one I know Otenth played) (also, couldn't find it for perusal, but did track down the "Tangissimo" and "Donna Donna", both performed at the Llanidloes Green Fair, October of 2007)
"Carol of the Bells" by Abney Park (couldn't find anything, but have a taste of "I Am Stretched On Your Grave" which is done wonderfully well by AP)
"Dance of the Sugar Plumb Fairies" by Abney Park (again, no joy, but I found a live performance of "Herr Drosselmyer's Doll" by AP)
"Airship Pirate" by Abney Park

By then Mitsu was there, and led off, in usual style, with inventive J-pop:

"Cloud Age Symphony" from The Last Exile
"UB Devoid" by Way Out West

Unfort, I missed her next number, but we picked up again with Edward's set, which (I think) started with this one:

"Do You Want To" by Franz Ferdinand
"Blue Monday" by New Order
"Paint It Black" by Inkubus Sukkubus (and I will agree with the folk on-site, there is a delicious irony to a goth band singing this song)
"Walk On the Wild Side" by the Wiggles (Edward played this, and I can't track it down, but just imagine this song being sung by these guys)
"I'm On My Way" by the Proclaimers (which is one of the world's bounciest pop songs anyway)
"Doctorin' the Tardis" by the Timelords (and shock! Horror! We got through this without one single Dalek--though Edward did transform into a Cyberman)
"Big Balls" by AC/DC
"Start Wearing Purple" by Gogol Bordello
"Biker Chick" by Jo Dee Messina
"You Can Leave Your Hat On", aka Soliel's theme song (weirdly, I couldn't find the actual video, but I found this piece--which is possibly not safe for some workplaces)
"Black Black Heart" by David Usher

and we ended with "Black Milk" by Massive Attack.



(Towards the end of the party, we dance in beautiful, snowy Coquette.)



(Another angle. Note presence of large red arrow: Coquette's coquette-in-chief, Edwina Heron, had tired at that point of folks asking her where the dance machine was.)

All in all, it was a great way to send out the year. By the way, anyone who does remember, fill me in on who played what? And I am so looking forward to listening at the next office party!