Honoring Baron Klaus Wulfenbach And Melanippe of Themiscyra

 

By Bixyl Shuftan,

 

 

After the passing of Melanippe of Themiscyra (Melanippe Karas), and Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (Klauswulfenbach Outlander), whom in real life were the same person, different areas of Second Life are paying their respects. On Saturday November 8, the Roma sim and community held a memorial service 

 

With deep sorrow, Roma announces the passing of Melanippe of Themiscyra (melanippe.karas), consul and one of the most beloved members of our community. ... you are all invited to attend the memorial ceremony

 

 The event was part funeral, and part roleplay, with two of the community playing the part of Roman priests. 

 

"But who was Melanippe of Themyscira? ...  Melanippe left us a life full of generosity and devotion. A silent illness took her, one that many of us were unaware of, because that was who she was: discreet in her pain, generous even in her suffering. She preferred to bear her cross in silence rather than worry us, as she so often did in life, always thinking more of others than of herself. ... 

 

"Her absence hurts, but her memory embraces us. In every kind gesture, every word of encouragement, every act of selflessness, Melanippe remains present. And although she is no longer physically among us, her legacy lives on in each of us who loved her.  Her generosity wasn't limited to the everyday. It extended to her commitment to causes she considered just, those that sought to alleviate the suffering of others, give hope, and build community. Relay For Life was one of them.  Melanippe didn't just participate; she was deeply involved. She walked alongside those who were struggling, those who had passed away, and those who still had a long way to go. She did so with conviction, with tenderness, with that blend of humility and strength that defined her. 

 

"For her, helping wasn't an occasional gesture; it was a way of being in the world. And those of us who shared those moments with her know that her presence was a beacon: discreet, yet constant. She never sought recognition; she only sought to do good. ..."

Besides the funeral ritual, there would be a parade and a feast scheduled. 

 

 People would say various things about her, "She had respect to all and she was very happy to help the others." "I did not know much about her real life, but if you needed a suggestion, an opinion, also regarding RL, she was there for you. I will miss her a lot." " ...As i got to know Mel, I realized, here, was a woman of distinction. Here was a woman of excellence. Here was a woman, of unusual ability, and understanding..."

 

 The event would last about two hours before people, locals and visitors, bade the others "vale," and went their separate ways. "Thank you everyone - Mela would have been so proud .   It was  a lovely service." "Thank you all for making this a beautiful memorial for Mela!" 

 * * * * *

 

At Caledon's Chapel of Hope, a wreath was left in honor of Baron Klaus Wulfenbach.

 

 There were also nameplates set up for both Melanippe and the Baron, as well as two other personas with the same player in real life, Tanarian Davie and "Corgi." There was also a nameplate for Crim Mip who passed away several weeks ago. 

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Mayfair/34/21/23

 

 

At the Capitol building in Antiquity Texas, the Baron was lying in state. Dropping by at one point, there was a tiny standing guard. 

 

 Cynthia Farshore and Shockwave Yareach, who have ties with Caledon, would also come by to pay their respects. As of now, no date has been given as to when the casket will me moved.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antiquity%20Tejas/151/173/26

 

Rest in peace,

 

Bisyl Shuftan 

 

Caledon Newcomers Ball

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

On Saturday November 21, the Caledon Newcomers Ball took place. The event took place at the Governor's Mansion at Caledon Oxbridge Village from about 7 to 9 SL time. The party is to celebrate recent arrivals in the community. "Welcome to Caledon and Second Life! To anyone here who is new-ish," one local spoke after my alt Rezzdammit arrived. Stero Nacht would comment, "We take all kinds! The only prerequisite is not to be bothered by the madness of their neighbours! (grin)"

There were a few seats available for those who didn't want to dance, as well as animesh butlers and maids offering drinks. On the wall were old maps of Caledon, one from just after it's founding, and another from a few years ago when it had a few more sims. The music was a mixture of pop tunes, classic rock, and some steampunkish songs.

People talked about a few things. One was a pumpkin carving contest, of which the results would be the next day. Also the following day was an airship race. Someone commented, "I'm a refugee, I needed airspace to relocate my big airship to." Beth Ghostraven spoke, "At this year's Harvest Festival I'm exhibiting some pictures of a long ago airship race." Stereo would say, "I expect it will take an hour or so. The course is quite short. If even I can do it in less than a minute, we should have time enough for a few laps, even if we have to split the contestants in a few groups."

Of new members, Cynthia Farshore stated, "We had quite a few new citizens this year." Stero remarked, "We have a couple of 'not-quite newcomers' whose information had been lost in the mail at previous installments." He added the new members "did not *all* send me info. But I got a decent crop nonetheless!" A KayCooper spoke, "I'm not technically new, but was never properly introduced, so I'm up there too. ... I sort of snuck in while no one was looking and then I was just here all the time." Shockwave Yareach noted one name, "I swear I know the name Soup Johnson from someplace." Stereo chuckled, "But when I checked, he was never featured, so I *slightly* pressured him to provide some info. (grin)"

There was no tip jar, though there was a donation jar in the shape of a rotating Caledon coin for the upkeep of the Caledon Oxbridge University for newcomers. At one point, a number of people were dropping in amounts. Beth commented, "Heavens, that coin appears to be catching fire!" Stereo commented, "It *was* on fire; it is cooling down, now." Major General Badger (halesuhtem Resident) remarked, "I hope the fire systems have been tested recently." Shockwave suggested, "When the machine is on fire, turn it down a little." Stero added, "Pretty much everything is either highly flammable or flame-proof in Caledon. Since the mansion is still standing, I'd say it's the second case. (big grin)" Badger commented, "Flammable or inflammable - I keep getting those two mixed up." "Both mean the same, General!" "Really? Ha, no wonder my insurance company didn't payout."

When the song "White Rabbit" was played, Badger commented, "I'm chasing rabbits - damn things are digging up my garden!" Magda Kamenev (Magdalena Kamenev) responded, "I thought rabbits rightfully feared badgers." Shockwave suggested, "Build a steampowered fox." "Oh, that's a good idea." Cynthia commented, "And to think they were imported for sport." "I read recently that a Japanese village with a rabbit problem built a bunch of mechanical wolves." Badger told them, "I'm thinking of putting motions sensors out there hooked to a speaker." Cynthia mused, "What's it going to say General - 'Damn rabbits get off my lawn.'? Magda suggested, "YouTube loop of fox and wolf sounds? Maybe some cougars for variety?" To that, Badger answered, "I just googled cougar sounds - all I got was the clinking of champagne glasses." "Different type of Cougar, I'm afraid," someone responded. KayCooper suggested, "Train the bandicoots to team up and chase them away." Badger responded, "The rabbits and bandicoots just nose kiss each other." Cynthia then mused, "Then cops come in with siren from all the neighbors reporting a bunch of wolves, cougars, and God knows what else are running rampant all over the place."

Other songs got more conversation. When one Voltaire song played, Shockwave chuckled, "When you're eeeevillll ...." KayCooper added, "This song is so catchy." Badger misheard one line, "I'm the pea in your soup." Magdaresponded, "Um, don't most people like pea soup?" Badger grinned, "I misspelled pea," Shockwave chuckled, "Urine trouble now." KayCooper joked, "Don't let the bandicoots near your soup." Badger commented, "They have gourmet tastes." Magda commented, "I'm trying to think of a response that wouldn't get me thrown out of Caledon, and I'm failing." Badger then handed her a 'get-out-of-trouble card.' She then tucked it into her pocket, intending to use it "for the next time she gets near the Guvnah."

There were some other lines of conversations. And near the end, there were a few fireworks from outside the building. The dance was pretty much a fun event for all.

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview With Cynthia Farshore.

By Deaflegacy

Cynthia Farshore and I met at her place.  She offered me some tea and I accepted.  I asked Cynthia Farshore how she found out about Second Life.  "Real-life friend," said Cynthia Farshore, "Really talked it up and said would have things ready for me.  I hadn't had any experience in inworlds so didn't know beans about it."

"Could you please describe to me what your first days on Second Life were like?" I asked Cynthia. She replied, "Mmm, first days.  I was really shy. ... October 3 was my ninth Rezz Day so we're covering about nine years in a hurry."  I wished Cynthia Farshore a happy belated Rezz Day, then she continued, "Now, one of the people to bring me in was Raschid Marenwolf who I stuck with til Eternity. But that sim group was dying. ... Well there's more to the story than that. Actually my first home was 7isles and that is my destroyed land felled by strange magic.  In other words, Linden Lab screwed things up. But that's another story.  Then I traveled to Eternity Castle where I met a few like Liska." 

"... I Looked around and had been told of the Sunweavers," Cynthia Farshore continued on, "Now I had a rough growing up, wasn't liked in High School, was bullied some. The Navy wasn't the best place to have REAL friends, so I was outgoing.  Why I say that is so you understand why I was sneaking around Sunweaver.  I didn't know what kind of people I was going to run into and my experience so far in Medieval roleplay sims was not always the warmest.  But one day, I was floating around, cause I would less likely to be seen or contacted. I ran across a pyramid building and saw a line of furries dancing in sync.  I thought I would like to be a part of that.  I began to explore the building and then realized Raschid knew some of the residents."

Cynthia Farshore went on, "'Ok so must be a good place,' so I got brave and walked in during a dance.  There, one of the first to greet me and start talking to me was Shockwave, and we hit it off right there.  On the roleplay sims you get a casual greeting. But once there, I found people actually talk to you.  Finally a place I felt welcomed and was happy.  Once I was comfortable I began asking questions on how things worked and started building my first house, and it looked like it. Thus comes in Shocky.  With his help, I learned and my skills grew.  Now Caledon, well that came much later.  I collect some antiques, so of course 19th century steampunk attracted me."

At that point, Shockwave Yareach came in and Cynthia Farshore greeted him.  I asked Shockwave  if he didsn't mind having his name mentioned in the article.  Shockwave replied, "Not a bit.  I'm proud to be with my lady." Cynthia explained that we were talking about coming to Sunweaver.  "You were.... hesitant." replied Shockwave  "And the first time I walked in to Cutlass which was the first real Sunweaver contact and the wolf was one of the very first to say hello.  So now we're at coming to Caledon. Again I sort of hid in the shadows and looked around.  This time 'cause being furry I found places like 1920's Berlin and Civil War RP to not be so happy about some one with more hair than them.  But soon I found enough to see it was open." said Cynthia Farshore.  "Place was not so populated so getting anywhere in membership and a place was slow.  Finally found some one who granted me citizenship.  It took a bit but finally got this parcel we're on and found a ready made store that would fit in perfectly."

My next question was about Cynthia Farshore's projects, especially the award winning build she did for Relay For Life a few years ago.  She answered, "Mmmm.  Ok well, I was just building small for myself when there was a disturbance in the force so to speak.  Someone who had built a lot of Sunweaver things, took their ball and went home.  So I being able and feeling I could help started by replacing the fishing deck that Zorro uses today on Sunweaver Space, in addition to having been asked to build a new Cutlass.  Course my jaws dropped off my skull.  It's the buckets of bolts hanging in the sky today.  I had the sim Pacific Waters and went nuts building there, since I'm from an aviation family: Air field! 

"Which lead to the air show idea after I joined our Relay For Life team.  Naturally once on that team, Rita the Chief, the two of us, " she pointed to Shockwave, "got called out to build.  We decided to take turns being chief builder per year.  Ohhh, my first camp nearly killed me, was fighting to get things to work to the last hour.  Was up all the night.  Learned a lot what NOT do do.  That was a couple years later and it was the theme Once Upon A Cure, so I thought story book let's just make a story then.  So this was different."

My last question was about "Bid Me Foxy." She answered, "Bid me Foxy, ohh boy," replied Cynthia, "I have been a goat all my SL life, until then.  It started with my friend Liska (doing a) 'Bid me Goat,' guess why goat (grin). So in response I got brave and put in for 'Bid me Fox.'  As Liska had basically my avatar as I am a heavy modded AV, I found her fox still available, the game was on.

"Booyy I had no idea the Sunnies would sentence me to twelve weeks!!  And if we include Shocky he also got twelve weeks as a goat!  But hey, we raised over 64 K.  So for 12 weeks me and Shocky was close to reversed."

I asked Cynthia  if there was anything else she would like me to mention in the article.  She relied, "Oh, and the DJing and two radio steams.  One is classic rock and the other steampunk or events.  For someone to have come in hiding behind trees, I now build, DJ, holder of two sims and two parcels, am a Duchy in Caledon and have a large number of friends.  Second Life has helped me in my real self. I have DJed for Sunweavers, Nydia's Angels, Caledon Nights and still do some as a matter of facts I'm DJing this weekend for Caledon Oxbridge University fund drive tomorrow night  (Saturday Oct. 20) 7 - 9 SL time." Cynthia Farshore went on to say that she will also be DJing  on Oct. 27th from 6-8PM SL time at the Goblin Cave Entertainment Center in Caledon Downs (104,89,32).

Over the past nine years, "The goat you got," as she once called herself, has come a long way.

Deaflegacy

Master Shipwright SimplyAmy Iwish

Living in the moment might be good psychology, but it can be very limiting. So I decided to take a step back in time, to the Victorian era at Caledon Victoria City (174,29,45). While there I met up with Master Shipwright SimplyAmy Iwish, who owns Wicked Kitty Industries (W.K.I.) We talked about her latest projects, the Steamrunner Full Mark 1.0 and the soon-to-be released Leviathan.

We started at the office shared by Black Kat Studios, W.K.I., and Dragentek, located at Caledon Victoria City (153,30,22). But don’t be surprised if you get teleported to the gazebo in the town square. Just walk through the Shopkeepers Association, through Goode Garden Books and Art, and turn left. You can’t miss the Steamrunner moored at the building’s rooftop.

Iwish began building her airships shortly after coming to SL, nearly three years ago. A fan of Jules Vern and H.G. Wells, it was natural for her to build in a Victorian steampunk theme. Both the Steamrunner Full Mark and the Leviathan are fully flying airships, and they have the engine sounds to prove it.

First we looked at the Steamrunner, which is 246 prims and can be flown or used as a skybox home. This one is owned by resident Kat Burger, who owns Black Kat Industries. She made the Steamrunner’s furniture, too. The ship is roomy and comfortable, with a fireplace in the lounge. The bed and couches have pose sets, the windows have privacy options, and the boarding ramp raises and lowers. It can even go into hyper jump/warp!

Iwish’s newest project is the Leviathan, the first of a new line she has planned. Iwish described it as “a 35x35x70m, 256 prim one link set non-physical fully flyable ship”. I appreciated the size better when we viewed it from outside. Someone who is standing in the front part of the ship will be out of chat range from anyone at back of ship. An evolution of her earlier work, the Leviathan is incredibly detailed. The furniture is by Kat Alderson, and nearly everything is scripted. There is even a telescope that views the sky when you sit down!

Graphics and animation have always been Iwish’s hobbies, and she puts them to good use here in SL. She has made many of the components on the Leviathan look like they contain even more prims than they do. Laughing, Iwish said, “Bending prims in SL is stress relief!”

As we toured the airship, I was impressed by the detail and spaciousness. In addition to the large lounge, there are bedrooms for guests, crew or labs. In the Captain’s quarters, along with the usual bedroom furniture, there is also a writing desk and working chest of drawers. The writing desk even has a sculpted pencil and an envelope closed with a sealing wax!

The engine, which is visible from a viewing window as well as the engine room, is robust, with plenty of steampunk flavor. Stairs lead from the main area down to the engine room and pass through the hangar bay where a smaller plane will be stored.

The specific release date of the Leviathan has not yet been announced, but it will be soon. Iwish has already test flown it. Now she is putting in the finishing touches. I have already added it to my wish list.

Grey Lupindo