Tinsel Silvera

Since becoming a Mentor I have been trying to spend a regular amount of time each day at the various Orientation and Help Islands.  It is truly an amazing experience that I wish everyone could have.  To see newbies being born (minus the nakedness) is really cool.  Their first step, first type, first flight.  For the most part  you answer their questions and they are on their way never to be seen again.  But occassionally you connect with someone and they end up on your Friends List.  And that too is really cool.  I wish everyone who came into Second Life loved it the way I do.  But some don’t and that’s okay.  There are other virtual worlds out there to be explored.

The Caledon Regency sim is being developed as I write.  It amazes me the pace that Governor Shang maintains to get this sim to the residents.  I stop by once a day to look upon the progress - I can see my lot waiting for me.  Not sure what home I will put on it though.  Need to do some checking around.  Maybe wait and see what the general theme will be with the other residents.

Mr. Avery is continuing to create for our impending steampunk business in Babbage Square.  I have already taken flight in one of his creations that I am sure will be a big seller once he releases it to the public.

Tin

Well another weekend has come and gone.  While out and about exploring this weekend I met a Gentleman named Mr. Avery, who is not only a fellow steampunker, but is also a builder and an inventor.  We have decided to combine forces and open a shop in the Babbage region.  I am very excited about this venture.  Truly an opportunity for me to learn building and scripting first hand.  I attended the RFL this weekend.  All the exhibits were amazing.  I am particularly proud of the Babbage sim.  Loki and the other residents did an amazing job of representing our town.  I also went skating at the Caledon exhibit.  There was one exhibit that was completely underwater in a Captain Nemo type theme.  This was amazing as well. (Got to increase my vocabulary beyond amazing!)  Isn’t there a saying, “misfortune begets fortune?”  Well that surely happened to me this weekend.  I was stranded for some time on one of the Volunteer sims during the grid difficulties.  I decided to take advantage and explore (when all else fails walk or fly).  I met a fellow Mentor named Stewart who is building an office complex for the Mentors.  He is one of the brillant teen grid crossovers who also happens to have a wicked sense of humour.  Needless to say I have signed on to his madcap adventures and now have an office space to work out of.  I also got to meet his partner Katie.  Very nice girl who lives not far from me in RL.  It is always weird to go into a place like SL that encompasses the whole world and end up meeting someone just down the road from me.  Can be a reality check.

Tin

I can’t believe it has been four days since my last post.  I have a new home.  I am no longer a renter in the Babbage Canals district.  I am now a land owner in the Babbage Square district.  The deal was finalized late Friday night.  The house is up and decorated including obligatory air ship parked above.  Of all the places I have lived in SL, this place is by far the most enjoyable.  I would post pics but I never got around to posting the pics for the SteamPunk Photo Contest so I won’t promise any more.  However, if you come visit me, you can see my place in person and see one of the three photos I entered in the photo contest hanging in my dining room.

I spent most of this past Thursday night reading through all the JIRA submissions and voting for the ones that I felt were needing my vote.  It is amazing the sheer volume of submissions; my hat comes off to the Lindens for being able to address the percentage that they do.  I also voted for the 2007 Linden Lab Innovation Awards which includes nominees like Jesse Malthus, Katharine Berry and Nicholaz Beresford.  Remember, if you don’t vote, you can’t complain about who does, or does not, win.

I am pleased to blog that P. irate & Co. has opened a store in Babbage Square.  I had the pleasure of speaking with co-owner Mr. Luciene a couple of times over the weekend.  I encourage everyone to check out their SteamPunk merchandise.  There is also a new museum and absinthe bar in the works for Babbage as well.  Mr. Pizzini has taken down the Fire House and replaced it with a canal dock and bridge that really compliments the area across from the Mall.  Any more Babbage news and I will have to change the name of this blog! {:o)

I have put my 512 parcel in West Haven on the market for anyone who is interested in that area.  I will miss the area and enjoyed the time I spent there.  I have priced it below market value to encourage a quick sale.

I attended the AM Linden Office Visit of Mr. Torley on Friday.  It was standing room only and a pleasure as always.

And finally I am very pleased to announce that I got an email notifying me that I have been picked to be an SL Mentor.  It is an honor to say the least and I thank the Lindens for believing that I am Mentor material.  I will do my best to put action to my words of gratitude.

I think that brings me current.  If I think of anything else I will update this entry.

Tin

Edit:  Added pic of new home.

As I have stated in previous posts, I own a home in West Haven.  Due to the constant newbie traffic I ultimately moved out of my home and installed an SL 512 Store (shameless plug for business).  And to be fair this wasn’t solely due to the newbie traffic.  The West Haven area has changed a lot since I moved in months back.  Now there are rentals all around and very few residents are ever seen walking the streets as they used to.  I am currently renting a row house in Babbage Canals while waiting to purchase property in Babbage, Caledon or both.  But I have now discovered a third place I would like to live.  The JunkYard/The Wastelands. I had heard about these sims some time back but they had got put on the ”places to see” list.  Well I finally went and saw.  And they are cool to say the least.  Reminds of Mad Max/Road Warrior and other post-apocalyptic movies.  Being a virtual world there is really no reason why I can’t live in all of these areas.  However does “because I want to” justify the expense?  I will definitely buy in Babbage.  The residents there are really nice and I like the general look and feel.  Beyond that I guess I will act when the land becomes available.

Tin

Well it wasn’t me {:o( or Miss Noble.  There were a lot of photos entered in the SteamPunk Photo Contest and I must say the competition was tough.  I had a blast taking photos for the contest and also got to learn my way around the Babbage and Caledon regions during the process.  I had not expected to win being an amateur amongst professionals.  However seeing my photos on the walls next to theirs I am happy to say that my photos held their own.  I will upload them and add them to this blog later this evening.  Congrats to all the winners and to all who participated.  And thank you Miss Osprey for having the contest. {:o)

Tin

Update:  Apparently I keep forgetting to upload my pics so I will cross that out for now.

And it did!  I am pleased that I got to attend the Babbage visitation of the traveling The Show Must Go On venue.  They are a talented group of artists including the likes of Osprey Therian, Salazar Jack and Young Geoffrion.  I was doubly blessed to be sitting between Miss Zoe Connolly and Miss Noble Ebbage.  I mean honestly guys.  Can life get any better than that?  *musn’t gush*  {:o)  I highly recommend that everyone try to catch the show when it visits their areas.  You won’t be disappointed.  I give it two thumbs up!

Tin

I attended my first Babbage Town Hall Meeting yesterday afternoon.  It was a delight to see a lot of the residents whom I know by name but not by face.  We discussed the upcoming Relay For Life Charity and our participation in the events.  There was a handful of SteamPunk Kids there and they were hilarious at times.  Several of them I have met and donated to their needs during my various walkabouts.  I had the pleasure of meeting Young Master Loki Eliot today as well.  Charming young man.  If you are looking for a pair of well made, well fitted boots, then this is the young man to see.  I am very pleased with the boots I bought today.  They are sold under the SteamPunk Kids designs.

Tin

I couldn’t think of a blog title so I’ll just use the time since for some reason I am unable to get the date and time to show on these posts.  Save that solution for when SL is down.

I have been into the SteamPunk scene for a bit now.  I have spent time and money on clothing, accessories, furniture, etc.  It dawned on me yesterday that I didn’t actually have a SteamPunk outfit.  All my clothes were Victorian, Eduardian or Caledonian.  So I remedied that quick like.  And the great thing is I did not have to leave the Babbage area.  I am including a pix of the first outfit to be worn in the SteamPunk style.  Who says the SL economy is slumping?  Not while I still have shopping to do!

The SteamPunk Photo Contest officially ended yesterday.  I’m excited to see all of the entries.  Later today (Saturday) at 1 pm is the Babbage Town Hall Meeting.  And then at 2 pm is The Show Must Go On talent show in the Babbage Stockyard.  I am planning to escort Miss Noble to both.  And speaking of Babbage, I ran into Miss Zoe this evening.  She was doing her usual multi-tasking so I didn’t stay for long.  Always a pleasure to see and talk with her. 

I attended the Linden Office Visit of Torley yesterday AM.  Got to see several regulars like Randal, Laetizia, Chase and Hazelee.  Also got to meet some new people as well.  It was the usual combination of entertainment and education.  Torley really should be an SL instructor of some kind.  At one point I asked Torley “So once a name is retired it is gone forever?” to which he replied, “Names are kinda like Beanie Babies that way.”  I must say that had I not been setting down I would have been ROFLMAO.  Truly a priceless comment.  And yes I did ask Torley if I could quote him in my blog.

And that brings things to this moment.  There are other things I’m sure but they escape me at this hour of the morning.  And speaking of that, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. {:o)

Tin

I alluded some time back to making an announcement in the near future.  Well it is now the near future.  I HAVE AN SL JOB!  I know, most of you are thinking, yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever!  Until the official announcements are made, I will just say that I am excited to be joining this group and helping them get their project off the ground.

I have submitted my three photos to Osprey for the SteamPunk Photo Contest, also referenced in earlier blogs.  I ended up taking more than 50 photos so it was difficult to chose which three to submit.  I am still second guessing myself.  I got an IM from Miss Noble that she was near decided on her selections to submit as well.  I am curious as to what her photos will be.  There were times when we were out and about and I would hear that “shutter” sound of a snapshot being taken (I would pretend not to notice).  Aren’t I just the perfect Gentleman? {:o)

I have found two excellent places recently to purchase low prim victorian furniture.  One place is called Very Victorian and the other is The Antique Barn.  I spent more than I should but I was celebrating the new job and preparing for a place in the Caledon area.

I ran into Miss Zoe this weekend in Babbage Canals.  I realize that FL has its demands but I do so wish she was able to spend more time in SL.  It is always a pleasure to talk with her.  I also ran into Mr. Pizzini and Mayor Shaunathan.  Mr. Pizzini was putting up a Star Gate on top of his Mall in Babbage Canals.  I got to walk thru the blue force field.  Very cool since I am a big sci-fi fan in FL.

That is all for now.  If I think of more I will Edit said post.

Tin

As we celebrate this holiday (Happy 4th of July to everyone!) I am also celebrating two dates of my own.  A small one - I have been living in Babbage Canals for a week now and have enjoyed every minute of it.  A larger one - and more important one - I am approaching my six month anniversary in SL.  I know a lot of you Elders who are reading this are thinking “yea, whatever” but not only am I honored to have spent six months in SL, I am also amazed at how fast the time has gone by.  Am I still a newbie?  At what point do I stop being a newbie?  I don’t feel like a newbie anymore.  Is there such a thing as a midbie? 

It’s no secret that I am a blog-a-holic.  My home page is set to World of SL and I read most everyone’s blogs.  I will be the first to acknowledge that opinions are like a certain part of the body, we all have one.  But it amazes me how many people do nothing but complain 24/7 about SL.  I am not talking about the occassional up-in-arms about an issue that ones feels strongly for or against.  I am talking about constant negativity.  I always think to myself, “why don’t they go somewhere else?  why stay where you are not happy, making the rest of us miserable along with you?”  I try very hard not to harp on every single issue that pops up in SL.  Not because I am trying to impress anyone, or get on anyone’s good side, but simply because most of these issues seldom come to fruition and instead pass without any impact one way or the other.  I try instead to focus on a few simple thoughts.  One - Linden Lab owns Second Life.  Two - They can operate it in what manner they chose, whether you or I like it or not.  Three - I am grateful to have Second Life to go to each day. 

Just remember:  “Makers of Second Life” trumps “Your World Your Imagination”

Forgive me.  I have gone and gotten all preachy on things!  Today is a day to celebrate.  To celebrate the freedom of our country AND to celebrate the freedom to be in Second Life.  And this is just my own humble opinion.

Tin