Snow and Spies

My rezday party last night was, I believe, a success.  Everyone seemed to have fun, and I know I certainly did!  Edward played a great set with a lot of entertaining commentary, and he kept us all dancing the whole time.  I don't think anyone touched any of the pie or liquor I put out, but that's fine with me - I'd rather have people frolicking and dancing than sitting around running pie-eating animations.

Oh, did I mention there was snow?  YES!  One night when a bunch of us were sitting around at Sky and Scottie's bar, 'Cuffs, Ms. Kimika Yang pulled a snow machine of of her inventory.  At the time there was still a serious heatwave going on in the United States, and it was fun diversion to be sitting in a room where it was snowing.  I decided then that I would buy one of the snow machines and put it out at my party.

So last night when I put out the snow machine, I realized that the particle effects were much too small for such a large hall.  But when I turned around, Nat had piled snow up all around, and there flakes were falling throughout the hall.

We had a marvelous snowball fight, lots of dancing and goofing around.  We broke in Ms. Lia's Liberty Hall (without actually breaking anything), and generally had a good time.  I couldn't have asked for a better rezday.

Edward Pearse, in his DJ booth.

(Incidentally, I was unable to lob a snowball

up and over his booth. Lucky for him!)

 Rowdy fun in the snow. 

That's me holding a snowball in the foreground.

Rolling, spinning, and dancing in the snow.

Jed and Kimika sharing a slow dance while Scottie and Sky goof around.

(Oh, sure, they were probably dancing, but doesn't it look like they're playing?)

Michael O'Mainin dancing.  He was a lot of fun!

Vic, Hono, and Lia, dancing.
(And an igloo...where did that come from?!)



 Jed came over to shoot the breeze later on, I stayed up too late, and woke up early for Breakfast in Babbage this morning.  This month's theme was Spies!  As soon as the theme was announced last month, I knew who I would dress as:  Mata Hari.  I've been fascinated with her for a long time, to such a degree that there are two pictures of her in Ruthorford House.  Even though I doubt she was really a spy, she was executed as one, so she counts as a spy in my book (at least for the purposes of a spy party...)  Anyway, there were some great costumes this morning, and two hours of sneaky spy theme music!

A busy weekend ahead

This coming weekend promises to be busy.  My rezday party is tomorrow, Breakfast in Babbage is on Saturday, and the Sunday Night Sock-out after that.  Tonight was busy as well in preparation, with a bit of fun thrown in for good measure.

I've started to really enjoy Thursdays.  I've begun attending the Thursday evening Radio Riel Theater at the Clarendon Conservatory every week, which I adore.  Tonight I ventured to take my aunt, Mumsy Abigail, who insisted on getting out of the house for a short while.  She had a chance to meet Mr. Pearse, and later on, when I found her wandering in the Academy Commons, I discovered that she had also met Mr. Hono Beruda.

After getting her home I popped over to have my picture taken for a boxing poster.  I've been matched up against Ms. Bookworm Hienrichs in Sunday night's fight, which promises to be great fun.  While I waited for Bianca to finish the poster, Lady Christine Pearse came to visit. I've not had an opportunity to really chat with her before this; usually when I see her it's during some event or other when there is a lot going on. It was enjoyable passing the time with her and Bianca.  (And oh, I discovered what bad influences we three can be on one another! But I won't say another word!)

Let's see....so after that I went and picked up squid from around the Academy sim. Victor had found a few more that I'd shot out of my squid gun the other night.  Apparently my temporary squid weren't so temporary. Victor mentioned that there is some bug that occurs where temp objects fired from guns aren't automatically deleted. So there are likely a bunch more little blue squid babies littering the sim, all courtesy of yours truly. Blah.  See what I said?  NOOB!

I spent some time creating my "old Junie" pics for my rezday tomorrow.  I don't have many old snapshots, but I've collected a few from various sources.  And because I still have access to my original AV, I was able to put on my very first shape, skin, and clothes to get a shot of what I looked like way back when.  So, yay!  An embarassing first AV pic!

Finally, I invited over my aunt's solicitor, Mr. Palmer, to sample my new pies.  He pronounced them a success.  I put in an order for a great number of bottles of liquor, and I think I'm ready for my party!

Mr. Palmer.  What a milquetoast.

The Poles of My World

Tonight, I attended the regular Thursday evening Radio Riel Theater listening party at The Clarendon Conservatory in New Babbage.  There were only a few of us there, but an enjoyable time was had by all.

In contrast to the tranquility of the above scene, I offer a picture of the Sunday Night Sock-Out, a boxing match that took place in a new venue called The Pit.  In this snapshot, Edward "The Duke" Pearse prepares to give Dr. Watson a sound thrashing.  Also fighting that night were Mr. Mornington and Mr. Holmes (who managed to win!)

I feel that these two images give a fair representation of life in New Babbage.  It is every bit as rough as it is refined, but perhaps there is a bit more of the former than the latter. 

Just the way I like it.

(Me, decompressing at 'Cuffs after the boxing match)

Radio Shows, Burlesque, and Motorbikes

When I went inworld tonight, I had nothing to do.  It wasn't long, however, before I found a remedy. Then I had things to do all evening.

First, Radio Riel Theater at the Clarendon Conservatory in New Babbage.  Besides Edward Pearse, I was the only one to show up in person, but it was a fantastic show.  We listened to a couple episodes of Red Panda Adventures, and now I'm hooked.  I really want to listen to more now.

Afterward I bumped into Ms. Bianca Namori, Mr. Victor1st Mornington, and Ms. Gabrielle Antara as I walked through the Gut.  They were obviously up to no good, so I had to join them immediately.  We chatted for awhile, Vic left, and at some point we noticed an intrepid group of explorers wandering through the sim.  Quite suddenly we were all under attack and the voyagers were taking cover near us. 

Apparently an unseen assailant started lobbing bombs (of all things) at them, and then at us, and panic ensued.  I have to admit that I pulled out my pistol and gave the bugger a fistful of whatfor.  Or at least, ther person who I assumed was the bugger....there is a remote possibility that I opened fire on the wrong person. 

See why I'm against guns in RL?

Anyway, that was an exciting diversion, but eventually the explorers flew off in their airship, the bomber apparently lost interest and we were left to our chat.  Ms. Bianca dances at a burlesque club in Seraph City and had to leave for a show, so I tagged along.  I've never been to a burlesque show. It was.....enlightening!  Really great fun.

While I was there watching the last dancer, Ms. Jedburgh30 Dagger (another New Babbager) came in for the last part of the show.  We visited for awhile and she gave me a ride on her motorcycle to see the garage she owns in Seraph City.  The whole dieselpunk concept is quite new to me, but the builds in Seraph City are just beautiful.  From talking with Jed I think it's another case of me having loved dieselpunk all along and just not realizing there was a name for it, very much the way I developed an interest in steampunk.  "Oh, that's what they call that? Okay..."

In any case, it was a lively evening.

New Babbage goings on

Because I've not seen the SL "steamlands" outside of New Babbage and Caledon, I've decided to take some walking tours.  I posted on the City of New Babbage Reader about my upcoming excursions, which I decided to call "whistle-stop tours," and extended an open invitation to anyone who'd like to join me.  I got a great response, and am planning to go on my first walk tonight. Since New Toulouse is based on turn-of-the-century New Orleans French Quarter, and since today is Bastille Day, I thought it would be a good place to start.

On the thread about touring New Toulouse, Edward Pearse mentioned that I should watch out for zombies, since they are known to haunt some areas of the city. I joked that I would bring some sort of repellent, something with two barrels, which led to further discussion about how it's mandatory for redheads in New Babbage to be armed.

I don't have much experience with roleplay, but the stories being told in New Babbage are fantastic, and I have been wanting to get involved. It's a minor thing, but I decided to start by buying a gun.

In RL I'm very against firearms, but in New Babbage RP, it's great fun. I think I look rather badass, if I do say so. I was aiming (heh) for a "Dirty Harry" kind of picture.

Last night I saw an opportunity to squeeze into the periphery of an ongoing RP; it was in a rather unpleasant way, but hopefully I provided a bit of comedic relief on the thread.  I've found that I am much more comfortable with self-deprecating humor than with serious drama, and so I feel it was a good way to bring my character...er...myself into the story.

My first visitor!

While I was hanging wallpaper in Ruthorford House last night, Mr. Edward Pearse stopped by to say hello and see my build. He took a gander at the exterior, and I invited him in to see how the interior is coming along. 

I was glad I'd gotten most of the floor and walls done on the main level because I think it would have been too humiliating to show anyone otherwise.  There are still a few architectural elements I'd like to add inside, but I couldn't stand being in there without improving the aesthetic just a bit.

Mr. Pearse and I chatted amiably for a bit, discussing various builds in the city. As he attempted to describe where Watson and Holmes are located he asked if I was up for a tour. So for the next couple of hours he led me on a whirlwind excursion through the city, pointing out sites of interest, secret passageways (almost all of which lead to the sewers), and prominent builds.  We spent that much time walking and still didn't hit Vernian Deep, Wheatstone, or New Babbage, where I'd already spent a good deal of time.  There really is that much to see!

Mr. Pearse was a superb guide, and he kindly introduced me to a few folks as we encountered them during our walk.  It was a welcome diversion and a much-needed break from building. I was in the mood for company, so it all worked out well. :-)

I'm beginning to feel quite at home!

The Pearse Anniversary

Friday night was Edward Pearse and Christine McAllister Pearse's 4th anniversary celebration.  It was held in a beautiful location in the Vernian Deep, where I'd not yet visited.

The Vernian Deep itself is a marvelous set of builds, all running along the sea floor.  I didn't spend any time exploring, but just the walk between the elevator and the ballroom was enough to raise my interest.  Imagine an underwater Victorian steampunk city - this is the flavor of the Vernian Deep.

This was the first event at which I was asked to dance.  I spent a great deal of time dancing with Dr. Kristos Sonnerstein, who was quite charming and well-mannered.  The chatter in the room was festive and enjoyable, and I stayed until the end.

Dr. Sonnerstein asks me to dance:

Whirling around the room:

When I got home to the tavern, I stood on the balcony for awhile and contemplated my hardware troubles, and took some comparison snapshots.  On the left is what I usually see with the viewer set to levels that allow me to actually function in-world.  On the right is what I would see if I had hardware capable of displaying the highest quality graphics.  (Well, to be fair, I suppose that my hardware is capable, I just can't do anything when rendering is set so high.)

I feel like I'm missing so much.  Something must be done!