By Bixyl Shuftan
On
Saturday April 8, dozens of avatars gathered to remember the life of
Riven Homewood. Noted for her work on libraries, particularly those in
the steamlands, and in the Relay, she died suddenly on Monday April 3,
2017. As 10:30 AM approached, dozens of avatars gathered at Calimari
Island Park at Caledon South End, which had been owned by Riven, to
honor her and share stories in remembrance.. The area was a island park
with a number of seats. Gabrielle Riel announced that they were unable
to play music on the parcel, so she was playing some on her own stream
which could be accessed on the Internet via a music playing program.
Among those there were Honour McMillan, Crap Mariner, Baron Wulfenbach,
and many others.
"It
does not seem real that she is gone," Nyree Rain commented. JJ
Drinkwater, who helped organize the vent, spoke of one song, "I have no
idea why this song makes me cry for Riven, but it does." He then
continued, "There are a hundred things I want to say about Riven, that
I’ve thought of this week. But I’m going to save most of them for the
celebration or her life later this month. Because if anyone's worth
celebrating, Riven is. I don’t even know how to say what Riven was to
me. A good friend, a valuable, thoughtful, provoking colleague -
provoking in the very best way. She was also an inspiration - the kind
of student who teaches the teacher. Because she was a lifelong learner, a
lifelong explorer. One thing I loved about Riven is that she'd always
tell you what she appreciated about you. It’s not that she never found
fault - she could grouse with the best of them. We had some great
'Yeah, and another thing...' sessions. But she always returned to
enthusiasm, to appreciation, to excitement. She saw people kindly.
Something that, given how fragile life is, we could all stand to do more
of. I've been thinking about that a lot this week. This is what she had
as a tagline on one of her accounts: 'Life is short - Be swift to love,
make haste to be kind.' I’ve put it on her Pick in my profile, the
remind me to be as little more like her."
JJ
then excused himself, "I think that's all." Several people gave praise
for his words. Kghia Gherardi then spoke, "And next, Miso. Miso Susanowa
is representing not only herself but many of Riven's friends on Twitter
who could not make it." Miso then spoke, "Hi folks. As mentioned, I
knew Riven best through Twitter. She had many friends and conversation
partners there. I have chatted for YEARS with her there. As (lapsed)
Catholics, we had many long-ranging discussions about faith,
spirituality and the Church. I counted on her tweets for interesting,
critical or otherwise valuable information. Riven NEVER tweeted a link
that was boring! She was also a good ReTweeter, fascinating, personal
and care-full presence. She leaves a big hole in all our lives. She
leaves a big hole in many lives."
After Miso concluded
her speech, which was followed by some applause, Kghia told the group,
"Valibrarian Gregg is able to join us today via his phone, which is
limiting his experience a bit. He has asked me to paste his thought into
chat on his behalf." She then corrected herself, "I mean, She. *sigh* I
was doing so well. ... OK, Val shares the following....virtual path
shared / memories more real than dreams / cherished friend, Riven.
Valibrarian would also like to say that Riven was a foreword thinking
librarian and big supporter of the ALA ACRL virtual world interest group
- will be greatly missed. 'ty for sharing Kghia - I am blind on my
phone! but couldn't miss this.' "
Following
more applause, next was Madga Kamenev, "It's funny, that after knowing
Riven in the largely text-based environments of SL and Twitter - the
thing I will remember most about Riven is her voice. She was one of the
first avatars I heard on voice - and I think her voice epitomized her.
She had such a warm, earthy, infectious laugh. She was welcoming to all,
kind and generous and patient, but she had a fierce streak, as well as a
taste for mischief and adventure. She was endlessly curious, always
inventive, ALWAYS building bridges. She could have made her home
anywhere. I'm so glad she made her home here in SL, and in the
Steamlands. She made our world, our multiple words, virtual and
physical, better places for having her in them. Thank you, Riven. Thank
you, Jean. Rest in peace."
Kghia passed on a message
from noted blogger Inara Pey, "Please pass on condolences to Riven's
family. This is sad news and a loss to so many." She passed on another
from anothe rnoted blogger, Daniel Voyager, "Very sad news and huge loss
for Second Life." From Lludmarfie, "Riven was one of my earliest
friends."
Kghia told everyone, "Will leave early to
make room for others. 'Be well, all.' " Linn Darkwatch, stated, "I will
go to make room also. I cannot say I knew Riven well; she was just one
of those people I saw at events sometimes, always one of the ones that
people are happy to see there." Miso was the third to speak along those
lines, "Ah, I think I also will leave so as to let others in.Thank you
all for your memories of Riven." Otenth Håkon Paderborn (Otenth
Paderborn) reminded the group, "The sim is set to 100 maximum avatars,
so no one needs to feel that they should leave to make room for other in
the sim."
Beth Ghostraven gave her words, "The last
time I talked with Riven, I mentioned how I wished I had a horse I could
ride--and she gave me one! A wonderfully generous spirit, she was a
librarian to the core, as well as a good friend. I'm going to miss her.
... I am curious about what she used this setting for--it's so perfect
for this occasion!" JJ told her, "The parcel description is 'Dedicated
to the people and places we miss.' "
RockAndRoll
Michigan was next, "First off, I think my first thought I want to share
about Riven will sound particularly unflattering at first, but I would
like to ask that you bear with me and I think it'll make sense, is that
fair? When I think of Riven, the first thing that comes to mind for me
is old shoe leather. Unflattering comparison, right? But I don't intend
it that way. When I think of old shoe leather, I think comfortable. You
slip on that pair of shoes and it's already broken in, soft and pliable,
and it just feels good to wear that kind of old shoes, you know?" A few
of the people nodded in agreement, "Yes, you did just slip into an easy
conversation with her."
Rock
continued, "Sometimes I'm afraid I've taken Riven's presence too much
for granted for that reason, too, but I've always felt deep respect for
her outlook on life and how she treats other people. She was a real gem
and I feel blessed to be somebody who can say that I was able to call
her 'friend' here in Second Life. Riven and I have really been out of
touch for a long while, as I've been out of touch with a lot of you. And
when I heard the news, it left a real void that really took me by
surprise. I didn't expect it to hit me that hard. I've had a lot to
process over the last two weeks, really the last year for that matter.
And losing Riven on top of everything else was shocking. One thing it's
prompted me to do is to start writing about my experiences in the last
almost 11 years here in Second Life, and how the things I've done,
people I've met, and general all-around life here has impacted who I am
in the real world. Riven just seems to have that kind of effect on
people.
"Going to miss you, Riven, my friend. Thank you for being old shoe leather!"
After
some applause, Princess Selena (SelenaAnansi Resident) spoke next, "I
didn't know Riven very well personally, but she was someone I saw
through out the steamlands as a force of good will, intelligence, and
generosity. And while I did not know her very well personally, she was
held in the highest of regard by the people who I hold in the highest of
regard, so by extension she was always someone I admired. I am feeling
the loss of her shining warmth through my friends and I regret not
getting the chance to get to know her better. Thank you for letting me
be here and share in this beautiful memorial for a lost friend." She
ended with a curtsy.
OldeSoul
Eldemar (OldeSoul Resident) followed, "I have had many of my very
special moments in SL spent with Ms. Homewood. As others have said,
she always kindly retweeted my tweets. Our friendship actually was
sharing our ABC horses. We both had sale barns at Brune's. She and I
bought each other's horses. She was very involved in showing horses and
at times, she would want to ride one of my horses in a show. She was
much cuter than me. Ms. Beth," she glanced to Beth, "there is a lot to
the horse story. So I would hand her a horse to ride - her horse of
choice. She would show the horse and of course, win! Then we would meet
in IM or later. She would return the horse and we would divide the
winnings - we would laugh uproarious and wink. I know some of the horse
folks here know what I speak of. We tossed our winnings in an RFL
kiosk. She was with Steelhead Salmons and with Team ACTS. So she would
contribute to Steelhead Salmons and I would contribute to Team ACTS. Our
relaying spirits were very kindred - we relayed for those we had lost
and we did it our way!
"On a more personal note, I
have located all of her horses - in four different places. Her family is
definitely in the hearts and minds of the ABC Community. She was very
well known and loved by all. I contacted all the VSRs and folks who have
her horses. Once I find out what the family desires to do - I will let
you know. They are very busy at the moment and her horses are all taken
care of. Thank you for these moments to share." As Olde was on one side
of the island, and out of chat range of part of the group, Kghia
repeated his speech for them.
Cale (Caledonia Skytower)
was next, she making sure everyone around heard, "I am not a paragraph
post-er, so please be patient with me. And pardon the shout posting so
that all can read (hopefully). It is incredible for me, to think that
Riven has joined the phenomena of ultimate virtuality ... a singular
place where mass may be insubstantial, but the sense of loss and grief
we share is not.
She joins Circe, Eppie, Stosh, Clark,
Serene, and others. I see their names, there as I scroll, (so much
more than just names on a list) and I know that their names will never
show in bold again. But their memories will: pungent, poignant, and
treasured. Some people are in your life for a long walk, some just for a
moment. All of them shape our journey. Never to be forgotten. Never to
be deleted. Thank you, Riven, for all and all, and thank you, all."
Podruly
Peccable was the next to speak, "I didn't know Riven that well, but we
shared some sessions for a number of months outside of Second Life, in
Lord of the Rings Online. We would talk on Skype as we negotiated that
online world. Of course, she was a mage with spirit animals... she had a
high regard for animals. She had such a sharp mind, a great sense of
humour, and, as JJ says, a great kindness and ease. And all I can say is
that she was a great companiion on an adventure, and I'll miss that. "
Princess Selena nodded, "Oh yes, I played LoTRs with her too, I had
forgotten that! She did have a great sense of humor and I was impressed
how fast she caught on to the gaming." Podruly added, "She love to see
what was next, over the horizon." Rock commented, "I'm sure she faced
this new horizon to cross with the same sense of adventure that she
faced the rest of her life."
Bain Finch stated, "My
path with Riven never crossed into friendship, but we did crossed paths
at many events around these lands of ours, over the years, and from the
very start, I could see, Riven was one of these beautiful peoples, I
like to call nexus peoples. Nexus people are like a magical key part to
any community, that radiated love, life, friends, and making the best of
times, happen."
Samantha
Poindexter would be the last to give a statement, "I met Riven through
Caledon events, and she became a parishioner at my ha-ha-only-serious
First Church of Rosedale. She once suggested that we set up a library,
for outreach and general edification, and I wish I'd had the time and
energy to take her up on that. I'll miss her. Those wanting another look
at her animating spirit might like to know that video footage from SLCC
2011 is still online." She then put up two links to videos:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16618420 (What Being in SL Has Taught Me About My RL Profession) and
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16645678 (Victoriana and Steampunk in Communties in SL).
"Before
we all depart, I would like to recommend a book I read recently.
(Librarian here) I think it is the best thing I've ever read about
having a virtual life - and it never mentions Second Life or virtual
worlds. It's 'My Real Children' by Jo Walton. feel like I should end
with some sort of parodic scripture, 'Data thou art, and to the asset
server thou shalt return,' but I don't really have the heart. Thank you
all."
Kghia Gherardi told everyone, "Thank you all for
coming and sharing your stories and your energy." RockandRoll added, "
Amen, and I think all of us have some portion of Riven's spirit that we
will always have with us, whatever she meant to us, there will always be
something that she has given to each of us that we will always have as
our own personal part of what we can take away from our time with
Riven." JJ Drinkwater reminded everyone, "There will be another memorial
- a celebration of Rivens life, on April 23rd, at Noon SLT. This
happened so fast we know a lot of her friends couldn't come, so I hope
the 23rd’s long enough ahead for people to plan for. JJ Drinkwater:
There will be another memorial - a celebration of Rivens life, on April
23rd, at noon SLT. For that, I’ll be sending out the usual request for
pictures of Riven,
books she’s made etc." Someone asked, "Someone make sure her name gets
on the Pyramid at the Linden Remembrance sim."
People
would continue to hang around and chat for a while longer after the
event had pretty much ended, talking about how much they would miss
their friend and inspiration.
Bixyl Shuftan
Ari wanted to make sure that I post his standard disclosure. Ari standard disclosure is, "I have long dreamed of using the piano to connect with others and share my feelings with them. Although I can't play in real life, I *can* select both the pieces and performance styles which most closely mirror what I would play if I could. And virtual realities like Second Life give me the chance to play for you and breathe life into my dreams."
"I love Ari's piano music. It puts my mind and heart at ease." said Jonquil, "And I love sharing it in a group with friends here in Perfect Paradise."
