I did intend to take more pictures of the inside of the Clown House. For one, it's not a glass maze anymore. It's a set of mining tunnels, and I was so busy dodging the ones that were positioned to jump out at me that this was the only picture I got. But at the end of this tunnel, there's a ladder up. And when we take the ladder up...
The ladder literally throws the avatar into the air, and when that's done, there's a second, mini-carnival, comprised of a broken carousel, a few chain rides, some midway games, and wandering clowns. This is the entrance to the first ride.
It starts off like any other chain ride--touch a prim to rez a car, get in car, wait until car starts to move, and watch what happens when the car drives by the set pieces. Admittedly, it's what I like best about chain rides, virtual or real.
They've used a fifty-fifty mix of prim/mesh clowns and simple photo cutouts, but weirdly, most of the cutouts work, because you're glimpsing them through cutout windows into the center of the tent, and they're generally angled towards or away from the point of view. And...that actually works, I was impressed.
I had to capture this. It's a mesh monkey, but it's animated, from the pre-animesh era? So it rotates through sections of the body being visible and invisible. And this particular snap captured all positions of the cymbals. Great glitch moment, I was amused.
And this is the view of the carousel, some of the rest of the layout of Clownland, and make note of the large, blue and black building on the right. We're going there next, and I kid you not, it is the single most impressive retro chain ride I have ever been in on Second Life. And I do not say that lightly.
The clowns hate you, too. A maze adventure into the depths of clown hell. Carnival, funhouse, dark ride, evil clowns, theme park, haunted house, Halloween. Part of the Black Pearl Pleasure Beach Amusement Park & Solace Beach Estates.
I'm going back to meet the clowns. And I'm going in camouflage.
Now, this is a bit of trivia that has always fascinated me. First, though, before we address anything else, I'm fairly sure I've gone through this before, but it has substantially changed. Last time through, it was just a glass maze with pop-up clowns. This time...it's so, so much more.
But back to the Anatomical Venus. So part of the new layout is a freakshow tent, and scattered amongst the offerings is something the banner behind the display names as the "Anatomical Venus". Anatomical Venuses do exist, but are drastically different things, being entirely made of wax, marble, wood, or gutta percha for early medical studies. They're freakish enough on their own, but that's not the point of this.
What they're actually showing off is a Headless Girl. This was a very big deal from 1890 clear up until the 1950s, which wide-scale freak shows stopped being popular with crowds. Generally the trick was, a short woman would sit in a chair, wearing a dress with very tall, built-up shoulders. A hole in the back of the dress allowed her to recline her head back, while the arrangement of steel tubes and wires would fit inside the neck of the dress. No one was allowed close to the stage, which was blocked off anyway, so nothing could be seen of the model's head.
But doctors were invited onstage, and reported in shock that they detected a heartbeat! (Some were paid off, some where genuinely innocent, but both earnestly said beforehand that there was no way such a human being could continue to love.) And, as that article said, one of these Headless Girl displays even made it onstage at Ozzfest in the 1980s. That may have been the very last public showing of one, as far as I know.
After wandering the freakshow, I walked out and noticed something very haunt-like towards the back. It turned out to be a very tall haunt indeed, Poe's Haunted Castle. This is a shot taken from one landing below the top of the stairs (one enters at the top of the haunt, and works their way down).
It's obvious the castle was not designed with any strictures of geometry in mind...
This skeletal thing. I was in awe. It doesn't move, it's not a jump scare through a wall, it just stands there. And points. Into the void. It's awesome.
There's an up and down side to this. Note the labels, because yes, these are all game rips (and more than just that, I'm fairly sure.) But the main three are two characters from two different games. And that's bad. Bad and lazy and unethical and bad.
But the up side is kind of worthwhile--whomever got these, aftermarket, put animesh scripts and animations in them. But not the same ones. So the shaved-bald Alice struggles to get out of the straitjacket; the Alice in the wig sways side to side before falling down, looking stunned, then laboriously climbing back upright again; and Alma gleefully skips in a circle.
Movement does lessen the pain of seeing the rips used.
I chose to wander inland after the sideshow and carnival, instead of returning to the boat, and found a meandering path leading up to a haunted house. I found this tree along the way.
This room has three fireplaces...and the walls are dripping blood. So someone wants it very warm, and very...wet?
Inside the house, things are...odd. Like this room, where all the furnishings are on the ceiling.
And there's a maze. It's not hugely challenging, but it requires some concentration to get through, without being frustrating..
Overall, I liked this one. I'd like to return and go through the waterways, see what else turns up. Oh, and on the weekends, they throw parties on the roof of Club Dead, next to the sideshow, so feel free to come to those if you'd like. The event owner was highly encouraging for folks to come and play.
It's even on the Isla de Sanguinella, how perfect is that? Well, I mean, that's what the sim name translates to, Blood Island, but still...Anyway. To the haunt!
Things start off with a two-choice option--either travel by teleport pads (which are on the odd side, they only give you the next two locations in the chain), or travel by boat. I chose boat. After rezzing in, you get a speedboat with a skeleton pilot, and room for four to go with.
Oh no. I hear banjos. But first stop, the Sideshow! From the canal, it seemed like a glittering wonderland, reflected on the water as we grew closer. I really liked that effect.
Be careful in the Sideshow tent. There are some traps for the unwary...
Apparently, some patrons died waiting for the rides. That's not the best sign.
I'm not entirely sure the games are safe...I mean, the kids seem comfortable enough, but the half-carny wandering around in the booth is unnerving.
And the carousel is just gorgeous, though I didn't try to ride it.
So, a long long long time ago (and I do mean that, seriouslylong ago), I got a comment from a former member of This Way to the Egress. At the time, I remember thinking, oh, that's wonderful, I'll just ask her...and then life happened, as it does, the love life likely exploded again, there were bits and pieces of dramadramadrama, most likely (I mean, I don't remember anything specific, but this is me we're talking about)...and that small comment from Jami Jasmine got lost in the shuffle.
For over three years.
So, okay, I'm a flake, that's nothing new; but in the meantime, what's been happening with the band?
(from the media album; image is Copyright and All Rights Reserved to M.J. McCauley [http://mjmccauley.com/].)
Well, for one thing, they've released an EP and an album, near as I can figure, and they're going to be going on a tour with Voltaire, which sounds ideal for them, frankly.
And the Egress' Sarah also has a blog now. Go Sarah!
So for those who don't remember, who are these people, anyway? Well, the leader of the band describes them thusly:
This Way to the Egress...gypsy-gadabouts, pilgrims of the roads paved by song, traveling far and wide. There would not be an opportunity missed by these Katz of curiosities. Cut from dust and ruin, rises the shell of exuberant human tendencies. Shaking off last night's show, stitching together the holes in the knees of their pants, they got up to do it over again, for the thrill of the crowd, and to see their eyes widening with awe and disgust, before leaving the townies behind. They set off on their journey that included vagrant freak-shows, carnival clusters, and cabaret concoctions of the seediest kind. A raunchy yet curiously wholesome feeling fills the air when this bunch comes marching down your streets...and you'll know to follow them...in any direction they may lead...Just following the arrows...that claim...This Way To The Egress...
All of which sounds terribly artistic, but doesn't really describe their sound, does it?
Well, there's a musical embed on their main site, which gives you several songs to listen to and try to figure it out. YouTube initially wasn't as much help, but I still found a few here and there to weed through.
Unfortunately, they're mostly not labeled as to which song is playing! At least this one was labeled as being from a live show in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, in March of 2010. Even so, the actual song would be helpful...
This much I am sure about: Taylor Galassi started this thing, and he does most of the vocals, along with playing accordian (if not other instruments). Sarah I know plays accordion and violin (again, if not others), and Matt the drummer, who may just play drums, but I wouldn't put it past him to be as multi-talented as Taylor and Sarah.
Oh, and on occasion they do fabulous things with other bands. Witness their performance with Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band of the Harry Belafonte classic, "Jump in the Line":
Damn, yes. (And just because it amuses me, in the sidebar this came up. Hee!)
And--again, All Rights Reserved to M.J. McCauley for filming the video--here's "Flirtin' With Death" from one of their later shows:
This was filmed at their CD release party at the Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was June 24, 2011, so their sound hasn't changed so much as evolved, while still keeping true to their vagabond street-performer/wanderer roots.
They also pull off some of the most intriguing collaborations--here's "Saint" performed live with Mr. Joe Black:
And that was recorded on the tiny stage of the Slipper Room in New York.
(Just while we're here, finding fun linkages between fringe performers, let me give you a little reference for what Joe Black does when he's on his own:
(Because, well, that deserved to be seen by a wider audience.)
My favorite line in that last one? "I'm going to send you into therapy."
Again while we're on strange linkages, here's Birdeatsbaby, recent finds and favorites, performing "Missed Me" by the Dresden dolls with Mr. Joe Black:
Which, weirdly, ties back into This Way to the Egress, because they've performed with Jason Webley in the past, who's half of Evelyn Evelyn and who still works a great deal with Amanda Palmer.
I swear, sometimes it's like playing Six Degrees of Amanda Palmer, you know? Name a cabaret noir/streetpunk/dark carnival/American roots band and figure out how soon you can link them back to Amanda Palmer or the Dresden Dolls. Extra points if you can fit Neil Gaiman in there somewhere...
But let's get back to This Way to the Egress--you can catch them on tour near the end of September on both coasts, so keep your eyes open; and if you want their full albums, just click here and you can buy either one directly from the band. If you have any liking for fantastic, frenetic street performance, gypsy cabaret, or just like the roots movement of music currently, I think you'll be pleased to give 'em a listen.
[04:49 PM] Emilly Orr: This is not going to win you friends and influence people [04:49 PM] StivRych Resident: Yeah that might be out the window [04:49 PM] StivRych Resident: Im sure I can find a fetish for this though
[04:50 PM] StivRych Resident: I mean, its scary without my add ons [04:50 PM] Emilly Orr: Probably [04:50 PM] Emilly Orr: I don't even know how you MADE an avatar like that [04:50 PM] StivRych Resident: It took time [04:50 PM] StivRych Resident: and laughter [04:50 PM] Emilly Orr: Only you
[04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: I mean [04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: look at this guy [04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: look at him [04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: This guy blows >[04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: I want tentacles [04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: but not [04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: IN YOUR FACE HOLE TENTACLES [04:51 PM] StivRych Resident: casual tentacles
I may have to develop that as a product line. Just because.
[04:57 PM] StivRych Resident: Welp [04:57 PM] StivRych Resident: no need to go shopping [04:58 PM] StivRych Resident: Im totally using a lady avatar [04:59 PM] Emilly Orr: You don't think 'Stiv' would be a giveaway? [04:59 PM] StivRych Resident: I changed it to what [04:59 PM] StivRych Resident: thats [04:59 PM] StivRych Resident: gender netural [04:59 PM] StivRych Resident: right?
I believe what you mean, God, is "gender neutral", but...hey, sure, it's all good.
[05:02 PM] StivRych Resident: Ok [05:02 PM] StivRych Resident: I think Im good [05:02 PM] StivRych Resident: Ill be Sailor Trap in two weeks [05:02 PM] StivRych Resident: Mark the day [05:02 PM] Emilly Orr: Ooookay. [05:03 PM] Emilly Orr backs away slowly
[05:04 PM] StivRych Resident: trying to find my [05:04 PM] StivRych Resident: old outfit [05:04 PM] Hank Rucker: Lemme see if I have anything prettier. [05:05 PM] StivRych Resident: HAH [05:05 PM] StivRych Resident: Found part of it [05:05 PM] StivRych Resident: HAHA [05:05 PM] StivRych Resident: I cant stop giggling [05:05 PM] Emilly Orr: AAAAAAH [05:05 PM] Hank Rucker: Oh god. Not one of those. [05:05 PM] Hank Rucker: I have nothing that looks good on that. [05:05 PM] StivRych Resident: SAILOR HAMBURGER [05:06 PM] Emilly Orr: You are deeply, deeply strange. [05:06 PM] Hank Rucker: Wow, is that one of the new free sets? [05:07 PM] Emilly Orr: You make me look normal at times, and I'm in therapy. You should realize that says a great deal. [05:07 PM] Hank Rucker: Nah, you just have to allow that he is chaotic random. [05:07 PM] Emilly Orr: True enough. [05:07 PM] Hank Rucker: Life gets easier downhill from that.
But he was bemoaning the loss of his famed (or infamous) Desubomb, and the much-lamented-by-me bukkake gun (which, really, is better off OUT of the world, thank you), so...I dug around in the vast uncharted reaches of my inventory, and found something.
[05:09 PM] Emilly Orr: There, never say I never gave you a gun [05:09 PM] StivRych Resident: w [05:09 PM] Hank Rucker: Heeee [05:09 PM] StivRych Resident: its [05:09 PM] StivRych Resident: what [05:09 PM] StivRych Resident: how [05:09 PM] Emilly Orr: I figured it'd go with Sailor Hamburger [05:09 PM] StivRych Resident: how do i shoot jesus
Hank having, of course, at this point rezzed out the Personal Jesus found last Easter on the Marketplace.
[05:10 PM] Emilly Orr: God gets a gun, the first thing God ponders is how to kill Jesus. [05:10 PM] Emilly Orr: This is bizarrely appropriate. [05:10 PM] Hank Rucker laughs [05:11 PM] Hank Rucker: It's a pretty gun. [05:11 PM] Hank Rucker: For a pretty, pretty princess.
[05:12 PM] Emilly Orr: Great, now Sailor Bwuh has tattoos [05:12 PM] StivRych Resident: YEAH [05:12 PM] StivRych Resident: FUCK YOU [05:12 PM] StivRych Resident: LORD [05:12 PM] StivRych Resident: GET SOME [05:13 PM] Emilly Orr: I think I'm having a crisis of faith.
[05:14 PM] StivRych Resident: I see danger [05:14 PM] Hank Rucker: Indeed [05:14 PM] Emilly Orr contemplates backing away again [05:14 PM] StivRych Resident: I WILL SHOOT HER WITH FLOWERS [05:15 PM] Hank Rucker laughs [05:15 PM] StivRych Resident: IN THE EAR [05:15 PM] Emilly Orr: Dude! Hiding behind me? Not cool! [05:15 PM] StivRych Resident: Not cool, but practical [05:15 PM] Emilly Orr: Well, practical I'll buy. [05:15 PM] Hank Rucker cackles - I've totally forgotten how amusing it is to have a Stiv.
Stiv was deeply dismayed when, as he discovered through the new search system, people were now charging for what his griefing brethren once gave with an open heart. He pondered solutions.
[05:23 PM] StivRych Resident: hmm [05:23 PM] StivRych Resident: Maybe I can use my clout [05:23 PM] Emilly Orr: You have clout? [05:24 PM] StivRych Resident: I could have clout [05:24 PM] StivRych Resident: you never no [05:24 PM] StivRych Resident: its like [05:24 PM] StivRych Resident: in your heart and shit [05:24 PM] StivRych Resident: right? [05:24 PM] StivRych Resident: or thats hope [05:24 PM] Alexandra Rucker: depends on if they remember you [05:24 PM] Emilly Orr backs away again [05:24 PM] StivRych Resident: or the allspark
[05:25 PM] StivRych Resident: FIRE [05:25 PM] Hank Rucker: YES [05:25 PM] Hank Rucker whispers: I still have FIRE! [05:25 PM] Hank Rucker: Heee [05:25 PM] StivRych Resident: Adding flowers to fire seems to help [05:25 PM] Emilly Orr: Apparently.
He ran around for a bit, but it didn't seem to help much. All we could see were flames and pink pigtails.
[05:26 PM] StivRych Resident: Well, I got to help my cousin in [05:26 PM] StivRych Resident: FL? [05:26 PM] StivRych Resident: RL? [05:26 PM] Emilly Orr: Florida MIGHT be RL, yeah....we're still not sure. [05:26 PM] Alexandra Rucker: they do seem to be off in their own little world [05:26 PM] Alexandra Rucker: the sun fries their brains or somethin' [05:26 PM] Emilly Orr: It's the lack of dirt. The lack of dirt makes them all crazy. [05:26 PM] StivRych Resident: Ill shall see you all at a later date, time [05:26 PM] Alexandra Rucker: hee! [05:26 PM] StivRych Resident: Nice being [05:26 PM] StivRych Resident: sailor man [05:26 PM] Alexandra Rucker: lol [05:26 PM] Emilly Orr: Or something.
Then a chill blew through the blasted wasteland...
All in all, though I'm fairly sure nothing will happen...Should you happen across a pink-haired Sailor Moon variant with skinny arms and legs who suddenly starts singing strange Japanese songs...I would suggest running.
Engadget has a short but zippy review of Sony's NGP handheld. I'm not a big handheld gamer--though I do love my iPod--but the handheld gaming addict in our house is thinking seriously of upgrading, depending on price; there are so many new features she's thinking it would be a great upgrade on what she already has (the PSP a generation back). Which we'll likely know soon, because they're planning on releasing it in December of 2011.
Defining what a user experience designer is can be difficult...but this little video does so in a charming, witty, and absurdly retro way. It's well worth watching.
From Jaden Davi's bio:
NOTE: ALL CHATS ARE LOGGED AND FILED..PROTECTED BY TOS AND POLICIES OF SL AND USED AS NEEDED
Okay, people, let me go over this once again for the kids that didn't catch it the first time around: THIS MEANS NOTHING. There is not a single solitary provision in Second Life, or in the Linden Labs Terms of Service, that gives anyone any "right" to log chat or "right" to not be logged. It's a feature; that's all.
Oh, and for the nth time, let me state this outright again, too, because I keep getting complaints: while I try to comply with peoples' wishes--that's MY choice, mind--there is no legal clause or paragraph in the Terms of Service that makes it illegal for me to log chat in world, and post it out of world. Posting it in world, especially to uninvolved parties, yeah, that's always been against ToS. But grabbing it in one place, and posting it on a blog? I'm absolutely, utterly clear.
The passage you'd be looking for on this one? Is this one: "Remotely monitoring conversations, posting conversation logs, or sharing conversation logs without consent are all prohibited in Second Life and on the Second Life Forums."
Now, if you ask, and I agree with you, I can--and have, mind--taken chat segments down. But if you yell at me or threaten legal action, I don't have to do a damned thing, and you know it--or should. In fact, your lawyer, should you even have one, will know that too.
How'ver, as far as the folks posting those ridiculous "By virtue of the ToS" statements in their profiles, feel free to track down a "point and laugh" animation if you see them in world. Because maybe that will finally snap this rumor's spine at long last.
And I'm not showing what's in the next booth over. You want to go see, and you have a strong stomach, the SLUrl's right there. Otherwise, I don't recommend it.
More on the "Bloody Circus" dress.
First I went to Weird Designs. Miss Benelli has retired a lot of old designs, though, along with a pretty fab new store build, so no luck there.
Along my way I hit Raven's Hollow, which is apparently an RP sim now, but has a shopping area. The shopping area didn't pan out for the dress, or even for "doll stuff" in general (someone's dim recollection of a maybe to toss on the list). But the sim itself had amusing rules.
This is a privately owned sim you may visit here and shop here but if you break the rules you will be sent away. No Nudity all bits must be covered, see through doesn't count, no private bits to show. No begging or asking for money you will be ejected and banned if you do so. Second life has lots of ways to earn money so no need to beg. NO NOT EVER ARE SEX PARTS TO SHOW. Also if you have an ao that animates you to wear you look like your hummpin the air the floor ect or such please turn it off while in sim we really do not want to see that ok thanks No attacks on others,no shooting no caging no pushing or saying rude things to others Harassment of any kind will lead to ejecting and banning and reports to linden labs. goreans are welcome but no sexual poses can be used, no punishing while here, no sexual talk in open chat. all tinies,furries,neko, vamps(vamps we love ya but no biting ok thanks) kid,and teen avis are welcome here,furries please wear clothes over bits as well. NO gambling, No sexual acts by anyone go to your own land for that . Any and all violations of linden labs TOS is an eject and ban offense and will be reported. land owner has final say in all banning. If you wish to rent a store please read the notecard in the rental boxes. There is an RPG here to rp here you must be in the rp, no one may rp here if not a member of the rpg. members of the role players may not annoy shoppers or shop renters do so and you will be sent packing. The only people who work here are the sim owner and her officers in the group nevermore. If anyone else says they work here or can rent you land here or a store here they are lying. If you have any questions about the sim please read the attached note
Fair enough, though positively riddled with run-on sentences. They're not bad rules, per se--don't let me give you that impression--and they're pretty clear about what they do and don't want on the sim. It was more the lack of ANY pauses, and the occasional forgetting about the fact that sentences do, in fact, END, that made me giggle.
Nothing else panned out, though--as Serenity pointed out--the Circus of the Damned outfits--the "Bloody Bigtop" tutu and long skirt, f'rinstance--are similar. Are they exact? No, not as far as I know. But they are similar, and maybe that's what struck the frontal lobes with Hmm, I think I've seen this before... musings.
And check out Winterbells if you have some free time. It's a free flash game; I don't know if there's a downloadable version for any mobile device. Your job: hop on the bells. Bonus points: hop on wandering birds. You can change the arc of your jump by moving the mouse, otherwise it's mostly chance and aiming your bunny in the right direction. But the music is lovely and the animation is sublime and very simple in the best sense.
