Interview with Lomgren Smalls (May 2009)

The following was originally printed in Second Life Newspaper in May 2009.

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If you’ve ever been at Luskwood (or the Cutlass Club), you may have noticed a resident so small, it’s hard to find him without looking for his nametag. This would be Lomgren Smalls. Having long been known for his six-inch high avie, and to a lesser extend occasional custom work on micro (and mega) avatars, he has made a little real-life news recently. I recently had a chance to talk with him.

Bixyl Shuftan: Where did you first hear about Second Life?

Lomgren Smalls: Well, I had heard about it several years ago, back when I hadn't even thought of joining. Probably a good three, four years, maybe more than that. I think it was probably during 2006, because that was my first year being at the El Goonish Shive forums at Keenspot (El Goonish Shive is an online comic).

Bixyl Shuftan: So what got you to take a look?

Lomgren Smalls: Well, I joined the Trillian Astra alpha back in early Jan 2007, or maybe Dec 2006. Trillian Astra is the next version of Trillian, which is an IM client aggregator of sorts. It allows you to connect to multiple IM Networks. AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, etc. One of the first people to add me as a friend on the Astra network was a furry on here already, and finally convinced me to go ahead and try Second Life.

Thus, my born date is late January 2007 ... but when I tried it ... it was so laggy that my avatar never loaded. So I gave up on it again. I finally decided to try again on March 3rd, 2007. Made it in, things loaded, and from there, met new friends, etc, and haven't left.

Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like things went well once you started.

Lomgren Smalls: *chuckles* As well as can be expected with SL.

Bixyl Shuftan: When did you first start building, and how did it lead to your work on avatars?

Lomgren Smalls: Heh. I started building and learning right from the start. My very first stop was Luskwood, on the recommendation of my friend from Trillian Astra. After a couple of days, I visited the Ivory Tower of Prims to learn about building. I remember thinking at the time that it'd be cool if I could build, but I never expected to be able to do this well at the time. I was building silly, simple little things at first for practice, like tables, chairs, the usual. And then I got it into my head to build something steampunk. So, me being the crazy kitty I am, I started on it as a major project, building in Perry. This actually took only a week for me to do, even back then ... and my first actual month in SL hadn't quite finished yet. Here's a pic, just check the date

Bixyl Shuftan: Thanks.

Lomgren Smalls: The picture was after it had been refined a bit and I was trying to package it for possible sale. But the last part of the original that I have was built and finished on Apr 1, 2007. I have tweaked it since then.

Bixyl Shuftan: Looks good

Lomgren Smalls: So, I was building from the very beginning. It took me about 6 months in SL to learn enough to make the original base of this av. But the main thing about me and building ... I love a challenge, and seeing just what I can do.

Bixyl Shuftan: Yes, looking at you, it's obvious someone did quite a bit of work on how small one could make an avatar. How did this begin?

Lomgren Smalls: Well, back to the El Goonish Shive forums, it was there that my online persona became a 6 inch tall male anthrofeline, if you want to describe it formally. So, naturally, one of the things I wanted to try and do in SL was make myself, well, myself. One of the first things I got was the original NorthStar micro, with help, as a kit. It was actually twice my current height, about a foot tall. But I customized it and eventually learned enough to make it move. I then took what I learned with that and made my own. Including my own animation and such to get it to work.

Bixyl Shuftan: How long did it take before it was fully ready?

Lomgren Smalls: Well, probably 20 hours at least, but I keep tweaking it and such. That was figuring out the scripting and figuring out how to shrink the head and tail down properly. The rest was me using the NorthStar micro as a pattern and trying to figure out how to improve upon it.

Bixyl Shuftan: I take it your micro was a hit with everyone on first sight?

Lomgren Smalls whispers: Hehe. A lot of people liked it, and I still get questions on "where did you get that?" and "how did you get so small?"

Bixyl Shuftan: *chuckles* What have been some of the more unusual reactions to your micro?

Lomgren Smalls: *chuckles* Well, they've ranged from the innocent to the adult... so... I've seen a lot

Bixyl Shuftan: Those who've read the paper for a while will recall you've also done work on macro avatars, super-large ones.

Lomgren Smalls: Yes, I've done some work on megas before, mainly to see just what was possible. Most people were saying even a 30 meter av was impossible. But, me being a builder, I knew what link limits and root prims were, and how they affected things. So, I was able to design and piece together a statue-style mega avatar that was ... a lot larger than anyone expected was possible.

Bixyl Shuftan: If I recall corectly, you built a mega-vixen about 224 feet tall

Lomgren Smalls: It was actually for Halloween, because I was becoming known as a micro ... and I built the vixen for a friend, and I made a mega version of my own regular av, around 65.5 and 68 meters tall, respectively.

Bixyl Shuftan: Did the work take about as long as your micro?

Lomgren Smalls: The vixen was built over the weekend before Halloween 2007, quite literally. My avatar was finished the Monday before. I recall Halloween being on that Tuesday

Bixyl Shuftan: Yes, I remember seeing her a few days later at Luskwood. Needless to say, she left quite an impression. ;-)

Lomgren Smalls: *grins*

Bixyl Shuftan: How easy is it to move in the megas?

Lomgren Smalls: Not easy. You literally have to fly them around. And hover, making them appear to stand on the ground.

Bixyl Shuftan: Do they lag a lot?

Lomgren Smalls: Not really. They are made of normal prims.

Bixyl Shuftan: So what other work have you done since then?

Lomgren Smalls: I do all sorts of work. I build stuff other than avatars. Everything here on my property, for instance. I've also built stuff for friends, castles ... let's see. I've done commissions, for micros, other avs... one of them was for The Phantom Creeps robot used by Rob Zombie in a few of his videos. So, just in general, a little of everything. Most recently, I've been finishing up some work on a couple of micros that I can actually sell, Relay for Life.

Bixyl Shuftan: What can you tell the readers about those?

Lomgren Smalls: Well, they're going to be based a lot on my current outfit ... because this is my "Relay for Life" outfit. The main difference is that the head actually is built by me, instead of being a shrunken version of the Luskwood Cat. I also have a female version of the av in progress, just needs a little more work.

Bixyl Shuftan: I've seen another micro done by you. About how many macros and micros have you made for others?

Lomgren Smalls: Macros ...  let's see ...  maybe 2-3, if that. Micros ...  closer to 8-10.

Bixyl Shuftan: Changing the subject, you recenly got a real life job through SL. How did you hear about it?

Lomgren Smalls: Well, I had been looking for a better job for a while. And my friends here in SL knew about it. So, through a couple of the online Second Life papers, they learned of an on-SL job fair being held by the state of Missouri. And they told me about it

Bixyl Shuftan: Yes, and your getting the job made a little real-life news as well. The articles stated your micro made quite an impression.

Lomgren Smalls: Yes. I know people probably think I'm crazy for going to a job fair as a micro, but to me, it makes sense. 1: it's who I am. 2: It shows what I am capable of doing. Of course, I was dressed for the occasion, wearing a dark gray tux.

Bixyl Shuftan: Have your new fellow employees spoken much about Second Life, considering how you got the job?

Lomgren Smalls: A bit, yes, as I've talked to them about it. They're happy with me working there, I'm happy working there, my boss/etc are happy with me.

Bixyl Shuftan: Great ... As I recall, you were also on local TV news.

Lomgren Smalls: Yes, a couple of times. Never expected to be on TV at all. *chuckles*

Bixyl Shuftan: Besides the RFL avatars, any future plans that you'd like to share?

Lomgren Smalls: Well, I plan on making non-RFL versions (of the avatar), and hopefully making a version 2.0 of the av someday in the future.

To those who haven’t come across them, articles about Lomgren getting his state government IT job can be found here: http://assignmentfuture.blogspot.com/2008/09/finding-real-work-in-virtual-worlds.html .

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Lomgren would go on to put his "Lomtech" micro feline avatar up on the market. He also worked on an improved version of his existing avatar with more fluid movements, but whenever it danced, it would float a couple feet in the air. He never did find a way around that bug.

Lomgren remained a devoted member of the Passionate Redheads Relay for Life team. It's folding in 2013 was undoubtedly a bitter blow. He would go on to found another team, but shortly afterward, he took an indefinite hiatus from Second Life. I occasionally come across him in Facebook, Minecraft, and various Steam games. In the meantime, his neighbors in the Sunweaver community continue to talk about him, and wait for his return.


Bixyl Shuftan

Mystery Sim Celebrates Eight Years

Last week, the romance-themed Mystery sim celebrated its eighth anniversary in Second Life. People were invited to explore the sim, and enjoy the events at the "Queen of Hearts" riverboat club.

Saturday was their big day, with six hours of events. The last event was the formal ball from 2 to 4PM. Everyone was asked to wear their best outfits, and hop on over.

Amythe Moonlight, the manager of the sim and club, danced with a friend. DJ Breck provided the tunes with the wolfess hostess Aislinp welcoming newcomers and inviting them to take one of the plate of cupcakes, a glass of champagne, and a plate of sandwiches. When someone took a sandwich, it was a random variety of two foodstuffs. Someone ended up with a "snail and sardine" sandwich.

The 1000 Linden prize was split among five winners: a rare event at the riverboat club.

The following day, Sunday 18th, at Noon, Debi Latte sung live at the top deck of the club. It was an "Alice In Wonderland" themed event, with people in Wonderland style outfits. Debi looked the part of the Mad Hatter's tea party.

It was the close of a week of special anniversary events.

"Thank you everyone for joining us here at the Queen of Hearts for our eighth Anniversary!"

Bixyl Shuftan

Roleplaying Basics

By Theonlyjohnny Resident

Role playing, to some people, is a waste of time. However, to people like me, role playing is not a waste of time, in fact, we love to role play, and a lot of us role play on different sims, and even on different websites.

However, role playing can be a bit demanding, if you're not prepared. That is why I made this guide to role playing, to make sure you're prepared for role playing.

Let's start off at the beginning. The first thing you do, before you even make a character, is find out the story of the roleplay, and what has been going on recently. Just knowing the role play's back story is not enough. You must know what has happened, in the story, recently, so you don't jump on in, and become confused right away.

To find out the story, see if there are any info boards near the welcome area. If there are none, then go ahead and see if any of the sim's admins are online. If you do find one online, then ask them about the story.

Once you've found out about the story, you think you're ready to begin making your character right? Wrong. You still have to find out the rules. Most people would argue about this, and say that the rules are the first thing you look at. Why look at the rules, if you're not sure you're going to role play there yet?

To find out the rules, use the same method you did, to find out the story. Don't just look at the sim rules, look at the race rules and all that too.

Now that you've read the story, and the rules, it is finally time to make your character right? Well, technically yes and no. It is time to make your character, using clothes, and parts. A lot of times, the Character card will ask what your character wears, so this is a crucial part of making your character, so that you don't have to keep going back, and changing things, on your character sheet.

Go into the Marketplace, and look for the right genre of clothing, for your character, that fits the sim. If the sim is dark and gloomy, don't get bright colored clothing, get clothing that is dark colored. If it's a medieval sim, don't have your character wearing silk, unless they are of royalty. If it is a cyber themed roleplay, then it's probably not a good idea to be walking around, in a loin cloth (You'd be surprised how many times I've seen it happen.).

Well once you have your character's skin, clothing, shape, and attachments picked out, it's finally time to make your character.

Using the same method you did, for the story, and rules, get the character sheet, and start by filling out the basics.

Name, Age, Gender, Species, Clothing.

Those are simple, and easy to come up with.

When you have those finished, it's time to start on the major parts of it. These include the back story, strengths, weaknesses, disabilities, and other items like that.

Back story, while it may seem to come to some people easily, is the hardest part of making your character. However, it can be easy, if you just follow this design,

Where were they born? = What planet, city, that kind of thing. If the story is based in space, then planet or planet and city, if it's not, then you don't need planet.

Who were their parents? = Not their names. Just put their wealth (poor, middle class, wealthy), and what their jobs were.

Number of Siblings. = If your character had siblings, then put how many, if they were the youngest of say 3 then say that. If they were the oldest, then put that.

Did anything tragic happen to them? = If your character lost a friend, or a family member, then you put it in their back story, and put how they lost them.

How did they get here? = If the story is not based on your character's home, then how did they get there?

Why are they here? = What are their goals? What do they plan to accomplish?

And that will wrap up your back story nice and neat.

Strengths and weaknesses, are some of the easiest to come up with, yet they seem hard. Just think of it this way, what are their skills? What are they good at? Those are their strengths. Weaknesses would include their fears, allergies, and what would cause them to give up.

Some people consider disabilities a weakness, but that is not true. Look at how many disabled people can do things that everyone else can do. Disabilities include born without a part of their body, or a weak part of their body. Blindness would be considered a disability as well, same with deafness, and being mute (you can't talk).

Well once you have that finished, it's time to read over your character sheet. If there is something you don't like, then now is the time to change it. Some sims allow characters to be built as the story goes on, in which case after a while, your character will change more and more. In sims like that, you don't have to get your character the way you want the, to begin with, since you can just change them as the story goes on.

Once you've read over your character sheet, it's time to turn it in. However, once you turn it in, wait a few days, and go back to the sim, every so often, till your character has been accepted. If it has not been accepted, then simply ask them why, and change it accordingly.

Johnny

Interview With Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (And Baronin Zantabraxus)

When one goes to Steelhead, one comes across some interesting personalities. Some are involved in more than one region in the Steamlands, but still a big presence there. One such man is Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (Klauswulfenbach Outlander). He is better known for being the ruler of much of Europa in the chronicles of Professors Phil and Kaja Folio, known in some places as the "Girl Genius" graphic novels. But he can be encountered at various events involving the Steelheaders and other Steam communities, as well as Steelhead's group chat. A strong character, he is generally friendly to those polite to him. Second Life Newser recently met up with "The Baron," as he is often known for an interview. This was in Winterfell during it's Giant Snail Race, so there were a few distractions.

Bixyl Shuftan: "So, Sir, when did you first hear about Steelhead?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Hm. It has been quite some time. I suppose I heard about Steelhead in general Caledon chat. The other lands at that time were mentioned as there was already a good few with multiple citizenships. Frau Lowey and I visited, and found it quite pleasant and welcoming. It became our second Consulate office, a small brick building at first."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Perhaps I should have asked this question first (pardon my clumsiness as a near miss by a giant snail can be distracting) To those new to Steelhead and the Steamlands, how would you describe yourself and your role here?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: (chuckles) "No harm done. The Consulate has two main goals. One is to encourage inter-sim diplomacy, by enabling information exchange and sharing notice of events. The other is to make those who might be interested aware of Europa, our history and to share those materials. I serve as my own Consul, as we are unable to provide transport between dimensions safely, but without the Vice Consul, the work would have been immensely more difficult."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Transport between dimensions? Sounds pretty tricky."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Essentially experimental, ja. Zanta was rather perturbed with me when she worked through the ramifications of my presence here."

Bixyl Shuftan:  "The ramifications?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Interdimensional experimental travel? I could have been killed. Permanently."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Perhaps this question is painfully obvious, but what were among the things that could have gone wrong?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We had already tested for a compatible environment on this side - as odd as this environment can be at times, so that was the least likely. Gates could fail during translation, causing travellers to be lost without options for recovery. There could have been hostile situations on this side undiscovered by testing. Also, dismemberment."

Bixyl Shuftan: "I guess there are plenty of risks into the unknown. (pause) I take it your very first trip through was uneventful?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Very, although I was surprised to find a poster of Lady Heterodyne inside a shop. Somehow the histories had 'leaked' over here - which is why I was recognized by a few Caledonians when I introduced myself. There were Jaegermonsters here as well, one of the Generals and a few others. Why I was not aware of this is a matter for some discussion elsewhere."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds interesting. So a few travelers spread word about you?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "I introduced myself to Caledon society, and decided the best way to manage exploration and also, to make my time here productive, was diplomatically. I made an appointment with Herr Guvnah and established the first Consulate office."

Bixyl Shuftan: "How did things go with the group of Jagers that were here?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Quite well. I was glad to see them, as they are always good to have on hand, and they appreciated my presence as well. In fact, in short order the Vice Consul was made a Colonel."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Encounters with Jagers for most can sometimes be, interesting. I take it there were some events between they and the locals before your arrival?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Hm. I am not sure on that, Herr General did not provide reports to me, and since there were no crowds with pitchforks and torches after them, it was not a concern."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds like they managed to avoid any serious incidents. What have been some of your more interesting challenges in the Steamlands since establishing your consulates?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Hmmm... good question, but I have an interruption. Bitte, a moment." The Baron stepped away momentarily to take care of some matters over a wireless, then returned, "Danke. ... Challenges, getting used to how this place works, of course. Armies are pointless, death is less inconvenient than a loss of garments or furniture."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Those do sound like some interesting challenges."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Learning the scale of values here - both financial and philosophical. Building and financing has been challenging, both positively and negatively. Frau Lowey has become quite good at all sorts of construction (I have rarely had sufficient uninterrupted time).

Bixyl Shuftan: "Of the consulate in Steelhead, how long before the building was expanded?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (klauswulfenbach.outlander): "Hm. Herr Lunar started to fix the parcelling, which was left over from before the Ambertown flood, and offered not only a larger area, but to build it himself. I would estimate that was... perhaps late 2008, 2009 Linden Era?"

Bixyl Shuftan: "That was a few years ago."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Some mentions about other events lately have made me realize how long ago some things have taken place. We had that new building for quite some time - three stories, a basement, and a handful of events in the ballroom."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What were some of the most noteworthy builds besides the consulates?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Herr Lunar built a... not a replica, but a model inspired by the Castle Wulfenbach for Steelhead's first RFL, and has since given it to me for Europa." *points off to the southwest* "Beautiful work. Herr Liam Bean and Herr General Szondi did most of the work on the island, incidentally. The Jaegermeister did the RAW and the mushroom-trees; Herr Liam did the lava pump and some of the other building. Frau Lowey built the Luftlowen so we would have a dedicated area for boardgames and such."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds like quite a bit of work was done"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We need to find some spare prims, in fact. I had a few things returned despite what seemed a liberal margin when I was adjusting the build for Walpurgisnacht. We have our own 'sandbox' at height. Frau Lowey and Fraulein Nika both have constructions in work up there."

Bixyl Shuftan: "I imagine they can be busy sometimes"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Of course. There are those who see the staff group and expect it is some sort of 'appreciation society', but I expect everyone on my staff to be productive. We have an associated group for those who are merely interested." *looks at the notepad and adds, 'Wulfenbachian Emigres', open enrollment*

It was about this time a lady arrived, the Baron's wife, Baronin Zantabraxus (Zantabraxus Aristocarnas), "Greetings, Bixyl." We talked briefly about the race, then Zantabraxus steered our attention back, "It is not my intention to interrupt. Pray, carry on."

Bixyl Shuftan: "If you don't mind my asking, Baron, how did you and Zantabraxus meet?"

The Baron responded with a bit of laughter, with Zantabraxus giving a grin.

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "The time that mattered was when my lover drugged me instead of killing me outright and effectively dumped me in Skifander without resources or means to return home."

Zantabraxus: "He was rather charmingly lost."

Bixyl Shuftan looks a bit startled, "Well, an interesting way of meeting up to say the least."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Eventually, I helped her regain her rightful throne and we were together until I felt forced to leave urgently for reasons which I promised the Professors I would not discuss in detail."

Zantabraxus slides an arm around him, "It has been very good to see him again."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "It took me six years to get her here."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Did you mean Professors Phil and Kaja Foglio?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "They are writing a popular history of Lady Heterodyne's early years, ja."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, how well do you get along with them?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Sufficiently. It is Agatha who tries to kill them on occasion."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Trying to 'shoot the messenger?' "

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "She does not appreciate some of the more... hm... creative presentations. I have already been through that with those absurd and amusing Heterodyne Boys stories, so I am not as concerned with what might be said about me."

Zantabraxus: "That girl has a temper. I can see why our son likes her."

The Baron chuckled a bit, and Zantabraxus grinned slightly.

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh, Sounds like a few interesting stories."

Zantabraxus: "Klaus of course does not like a woman with a temper."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach snorted in amusement, "There was, seasonally speaking, that one story where Lady Heterodyne ended up in the rabbit suit."

Zantabraxus laughs, "Zeetha's suit was rather handsome."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh, sounds funny, not to mention appropriate for Easter. (grin)"

It was about this time that our attention was momentarily distracted by the Giant Snail race, but we soon got back on track.

Bixyl Shuftan: "Let's see, besides the building, what have been some of your more interesting experiences here, after the beginning?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Shapechanging is rather fascinating. Meeting Tinies."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, the Tinies have a good reputation."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We have something in common, it turned out."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh? What might this be?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach): "Waffles, (pause) Since my son so considerately let that slip."

Bixyl Shuftan chuckles a bit, "They found out through your son?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "The Professors included it in their histories."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Lots of people like waffles, but the Tinies do seem to have taken their appreciation of them to an art form."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "They have this substance, 'Essence of Waffle'. Like ambrosia. Although, it is liquid, so perhaps nectar is a better name."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds like something that would be useful for a Belgian chef."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "He would have to get it away from me first."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh, of course Sir. (grins) So, besides Tinies and waffles, what other events have been among your favorites?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "The Relay For Life is notable, in part because Frau Lowey is quite engaged in it. Winterfell's 'Boobiethon', as undignified as name as it may have had, was an excellent effort for a good cause. The Consulate staff did a calendar for three years supporting the same efforts."

Zantabraxus (zantabraxus.aristocarnas) looks amused.

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, a major event here in Steelhead." *chuckles at the name*

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Steelhead participated as well, ja. Unfortunately, in some ways, this last year's event was the last one."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh, sorry to hear."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "The organizers felt it had done what they set out to do. They needed their energies placed elsewhere."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh, I see. (pause) What were some of the plans for the Steelhead Salmons this year?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "I do not know. I believe there is, or will be a merchant area set up in the train station, but I am not part of the subgroup. I support the campaign as a whole when and how I may, but there are at least four teams to which I must attend, ja."

Zantabraxus: "Fuzzball Ortega would know more about the Salmons."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What were the other teams? Four does sound pretty busy."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Steelhead Salmons, ACTS, Caledon, New Babbage... perhaps more, I am not sure. ACTS covers many communities. When the Consulate sponsored an RFL sim... two years ago, I believe, we had to credit it to Æther Chrononauts (now ACTS) to be as fair as possible."

Bixyl Shuftan: "You sponsored a sim? That was generous"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "They were just starting at that time as well, and allowed them some extra success that first year. My budget was treating me well at the opportune time. ... RFL's run weekend, Fantasy Faire, events such as that - they allow the most extraordinary builds to be created. Fascinating work, always enjoyable to see what can be done. On a smaller scale, Walpurgisnacht always provokes some amazing costuming from the attendees."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, I think I was there, interesting event."(for those who don't know, Walpurgis Night is an European holiday much like Halloween about six months away from it)

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Our first annual event, and persisting yet (grins)."

Zantabraxus laughed.

Bixyl Shuftan: "Heh, I take it went better than planned?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "I believe the first was... 2008, ja. It had to have been. Some events need some momentum for success. Walpurgisnacht has always been extremely well attended. From the very first, in fact. Because of its success, we usually host one on Steelhead's nearest Friday, and we have started holding a third, somewhat experimentally."

Zantabraxus: "It has an interesting historical background, which I find appealing."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Duchess Eva and I have had to be careful about our scheduling, however. She has her Beltane celebration in the same timeframe, although hers always started earlier in the evening, and Walpurgisnacht times itself to include midnight specifically. This year she has it early, due to her personal schedule and the holiday being right in the middle of the week."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh, so a slight change of plans?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "More room. No conflicts, as the Caledon celebration is literalist - on the eve itself, until midnight. The other two events will be on the weekend. Beltane will be the weekend prior this time. Zanta, perhaps he would like to note the history you mentioned." *nudges her to explain*

Zantabraxus: "I need a few seconds, love. Could you start?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Ah, certainly. The holiday predates Christianity, but was given as the feast day for Saint Walpurgis, a martyred virgin. The older idea is that the eve of May 1, like the eve of November 1, is when the 'veils between the worlds' grow thin. Spirits can move back and forth easily, including malign spirits."

Zantabraxus: "It is celebrated in Europe, traditionally, and is 6 months distanced from All Hallow's Eve."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Mortals dress up in fancy dress, like demons themselves, to avoid being taken by the spirits."

Zantabraxus: "In Germany, in particular, it is linked to stories about the Brocken Mountain."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Which is why we have that on the Consulate lot during the dance."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Brocken Mountain?"

Zantabraxus: "It is one of the highest mountains in ... Harz, I think, in northern Germany."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "The temperatures at the peak are more extreme than its height would normally predict. ... Saxony, really."

Zantabraxus: "Similar to All Hallow's Eve, bonfires are prevalent."

Bixyl Shuftan: "It does sound like something American fans of Halloween would enjoy."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach *studies futuristic borders and shakes his head at the confusion made of things*

Zantabraxus: "In the case of Walpurgisnacht, it is to encourage the warmth of spring and the light of the sun to come, to welcome the change of seasons."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "And hide from the evil spirits. (grins)"

Zantabraxus: "I think secretly to help people feel less frightened of malign spirits. But 'welcoming the Spring' sounds less embarrassing for people than 'Hiding from the ghosts' hm? (grins)"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: Our version is simplified - fancy dress and dancing. Duchess Eva welcomes the spring. We hide from the demons."

Zantabraxus: "That is the historical context."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Found Brocken Mountain on the map, a little more than a kilometer high."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "It acts taller than it looks."

Zantabraxus: "Our celebration is, as Klaus said, the night celebration with fires and spirits. It makes me think of that theatrical production I saw on the machines here, Klaus, 'Night on Bald Mountain.' One of the staff recommended it to me."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Ahh, from the entertainment, ja."

Bixyl Shuftan: "What was it about?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "It is part of a presentation called 'Fantasia'. We use the image for that on top of our own 'Brocken.' "

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, that's more widely known."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Although the music is written about St. John's Eve, it was used to illustrate this Walpurgisnacht-like scene in a most fabulous and artistic manner. The master demon, in fact, has a Russian name, not a Germanic one."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds like there's much being planned for this year ... a Russian name for the master demon?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "It was a useful base for imagery. 'Chernobog'. One of the old Slavic gods, as the researchers have it, who was demonised by the Churches' influences. None of this is Scientific in any way, but it is a popular spring celebration that we share here."

Zantabraxus: "Czernobog?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Another spelling in Roman alphabet, ja. It does not always transliterate well."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds like the event this year will be bigger than usual."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "With the 'Early Bird' time in addition, possibly so. Gräfin Wulfriðe will be helping host that, as she is an Easterner and will be well awake for it. Duchess Gabrielle will be doing the music there; Duchess Patty for Caledon, and I believe Fraulein Zanya Cross for Steelhead. So: Caledon, Wednesday the 30th 22.00-midnight, Steelhead, Friday the 2nd 19.00-22.00 including the 'afterparty', and Europa, 09.00-11.00 Saturday the 3rd."

It was about this time when the interview was interrupted by more giant snails "and a giant Herr Gullwing." After a bit, we composed ourseves again.

Bixyl Shuftan: "Perhaps I should have asked you this earlier, but whom have been the more interesting residents to interact with in Steelhead besides those mentioned?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "In Steelhead specifically? There are always the exiled Steeltopians, of course."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Exiled Steeltopians?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "For want of a better collective name, since Steeltopia vanished. The Emperor himself is in durance vile."

Zantabraxus: "The Bad Blue Wolf springs to mind."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, I recall a number of encounters with him."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Invertigo Caldwell, ja. (pause) Let me see... the Managers, of course, are quite worthy of note. Tensai has been a very courteous and gentle hostess, especially when I was introduced to Steelhead. Extraordinary work that they do, when they have time to concentrate on it. Their RFL sim, for example, that was the inspiration for Nevermoor."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Now that sounds interesting. So that was the inspiration for Nevermoor?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Many of the elements built for that were transferred to the neighbourhood. Frau Tensai's Teslatron was in Port Harbor for a bit as well."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Sounds like you've been pretty busy, were there some future plans beyond the festival later this month that you can discuss?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We have a new, small office in Philomenaville; we hope to be able to contribute to that community. The Baronin is hoping her schedule will permit her to enter some En Garde tournaments, and we should like to host some of those around the Steamlands as well."

Bixyl Shuftan: "The fencing games?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We have several pistes, along with Tuesday classes, over in Europa; one here on the pub. I should like to invest in a few more, gradually."

Bixyl Shuftan: "I'm sure fencing fans will approve."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach then chuckled a bit.

Zantabraxus: "I should like to practice some today, speaking of."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We have on staff, due to Fraulein Käpitanin Stereo Nacht, one of the En Garde... hm. Mentors, perhaps? I am not sure of her title. She and her wife are also exceptional builders, and are redoing the Wulfenbach Aerodrome."

Zantabraxus: "It is exciting to see the updates they have sent pictures of."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Redoing the Areodome? About how soon will the changes be finished?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "There is no firm deadline, and the visual changes will be minimal. It is more for efficiency - she is doing it in mesh. A few prims here, a little land impact there.... We have customised Warbugs, although I am not sure how often they are used. They are, however, available for any to fly."

Bixyl Shuftan: "I haven't heard them mentioned in a while."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We had someone that I thought would be hosting a regular flight, but he seems to have lost interest quickly enough. We left the time-block on the calendar, however."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Perhaps you'll find someone else soon."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach smiles, "It would be pleasant to know that the island is in frequent use by all sorts. Fencers, fliers, zombie-hunters...."

Zantabraxus: "We should put some effort into locating somebody, Klaus."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "We might need someone active in the dogfighting first, and then persuade them to come base their activities on Europa."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Zombie hunters? Sounds like something another of my writers would enjoy looking into"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Wander around Europa, you never know what you might find."

Bixyl Shuftan: "I imagine it gets interesting."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Eventually, it would be pleasing to expand our landmass, but the economy would have to improve considerably first."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Yes, I imagine many people are having problems in that department."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach noded, a bit grimly. Zantabraxus put a hand on his shoulder, nodding too.

Bixyl Shuftan *checks his watch* "We've been where a while. Was there anything , or anyone, else that you wanted to mention?"

 Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Fraulein Zanya Cross has been responsible for the Wulfenbach clank troops that can be seen in a few locations; she has also created the amazing and popular hunting events during our twice-yearly Games Day."

 Bixyl Shuftan: "Oh yes, those events can be fun."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Fraulein Käpitanin Stereo Nacht created Games Day for us, and it is held during the summer and winter, depending on schedules (no fixed dates).  We try to involve as many communities as possible, time permitting. (pause) Ah... Zantabraxus, anything else we can add?"

 Zantabraxus: "Annechen is responsible for most of the buildings we have. She is a talented and strong right hand to my husband."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Ah, I never mentioned the Æther Salon. It was started over five years ago, and given over to me after three. Technically, it is a New Babbage event, but it is open to all Steamlanders. We have speakers from everywhere, on a variety of subjects."

Bixyl Shuftan: "When is it?"

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Third Sunday of the month at 2 PM. There is an aether-journal for transcripts, http://aethersalon.blogspot.com/. "

Bixyl Shuftan: "I'll try to drop by the next one, once I find out where it is."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "I am surprised you were not aware of it. I have included it in Steelhead's notes for announcement often, and Aether Chrononauts as well."

Bixyl Shuftan: "Guess I just put off giving it a visit ... I'll check it out next time. Or rather, this upcoming time."

Baron Klaus Wulfenbach: "Heh. Herr Jimmy's presentation will be an exception. Instead of tomorrow, it has been deferred to the 27th. We ran head-on into Easter."

It was about this time the interview came to an end. We talked for a few more minutes about Steelhead's mischevious blue wolf Invertigo Cadwell, "Oh, sweet lightning, his roadtrips alone, his infested mines, his mortal enemies trying to bribe me." But eventually we soon went our separate ways.

Bixyl Shuftan

Grace Baptist Church of Second Life

By Bixyl Shuftan

Where can one go in Second Life to go to church? One such location is the Grace Baptist Church of Second Life. Located in Lionheart Pumbaa, the location is the setting of an active church on the Grid that has several events every week. The church also has members in a Relay for Life team: Crusaders for Christ.

The church makes it's home in the Lionheart Estates, which Becky Shaman described in an article last year, mentioning it at the end. The grounds are made up of two brick buildings, plus a yard between them. The building on the right (facing west) is the main one, where the congregation meets and most of the official events are held. Besides sermons, inspirational Christian videos are also shown in the chapel area. At the front of the building, one can get information about the church, or donate to a Relay kiosk.

Not all meetings are held inside the building. In the yard area is a circle of chairs, which can be used for discussion groups. The left, or Southern, building is a game room with bowling, carnival, and arcade games, with a teleporter to a paintball arena.

I met up with the pastor of the church, Pastor Bryan Sarjeant (leroy.zoon). So what defines a Baptist church from other denominations? "All Baptist Churches are independent churches joined together to support missionaries," Bryan told me, "We also all believe that (people) can only be saved or born again after they reach that age they truly know right from wrong - so no infant baptism."

Grace Baptist Church is less than a year old, established on June 3, 2013. Bryan informed, "In first life I am a Southern Baptist Chaplain and my associate pastor (or co-pastor) has 15 years experience as a Southern Baptist Youth Pastor." The two had met in August 2013.

Bryan is also a Relay for Life team captain, Team Crusaders for Christ, "I found out about Relay for Life through the Tombstone AZ team, "To Tough to Die" last season. I decided to start a church based team this year and we have members from multiple churches on the team. ... The office/HQ is on the other side of this region. ... My home (real life) church actually has its own team so I am on two RFL teams - one in SL and one in real life. I am a retired army and a disabled vet. So while my wife and kids will walk the track in real life, I will be manning the tent."

Grace Baptist Church has worship services on Saturday at 5AM and 5PM, and Sunday at 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM. Other events include a Wednesday service at 5PM and a Friday Night Bible study at 5PM.

Lionheart Pumbaa (39/72/29)

Samantha Nightfire and New Millennium Wrestling

SamanthaS Nightfire was a writer for the Newser in 2010. In early 2011, she hosted the Virtual Tonight show. More recently, she's gotten into a different field: wrestling. She is taking part in the start of a new wrestling group in Second Life, and recently invited me over to discuss the details.

Wrestling isn't new to Samantha, at least as a fan. A few years ago, she invited me over to see a match between a couple women wrestlers. In a recent conversation when I asked how she'd been doing, she offered to show me, and send a teleport request for me to head to Unforgiven Island. "Good to see you," she told me. The land itself was sand with palm trees, with a large building in front of us, "I terraformed this sim, it's a partnership of a few freinds." She then told me,"Recall my show Virtual Tonight? Well, at one of my show interviews, I became good friends with Salvatore over there," she pointed to a man, Sam Luciano (Salvatorelucania) whom was resting from being Away From Keyboard at the moment, "from that show on we hit it off. He was one of the producers of another show." And his show was about wrestling, UWS Wrestling, which was produced by the same network that did hers, Virtual World Network, "He invited me then to join them as a promoter and their marketer." And so she did, and things went well.

"Anyways, we've come a long way together and the end result is many partnerships with him. currently, I am in training to become a wrestler for (a) new wrestling federation called New Millennium Wrestling (NMW). ... We are so new that we haven't had a show yet." She wasn't just going to promote the show, but also be one of the participants, "wrestling is very exciting."

She then showed me around a little. At the entrance to the building was a kiosk with applications for new wrestlers. One could enter straight into the main building where the wrestling ring and the seating around it was, or take a teleport door to the upper seating looking over the ring.

It was about then that Sam Luciano joined us. Talking to us in voice, he had come up with the idea for New Millennium between two and three years ago. As of now, one show a week is being planned, most likely for Fridays from 4 to 6PM SL time. Whom else was on the team? David Hawk Actor was the organization's president and de-facto owner while Sam himself was the general manager. There were not many others on the team, "I believe in having a small staff ... I'd rather go through one or two guys than ten or eleven."

"We are inviting the general public to become wrestlers," They told me. What were they looking for in applicants? Sammantha answered, "trainable, willing and able, no drama except for while in a match. ... They must also be willing to be directed, as we have goals of filming." How long did it take to train an applicant? Sam answered it depended on the trainee's experience, "they can pretty much learn in two or three weeks, if they practice a few days a week. It's been done in about a week." The ratio of male and female applicants was somewhat close to even, a couple more men than women. Did female wrestlers tend to be more vicious than the males? Sam answered, "It depends how you look at it, ... different styles. Some in the past have had some especially vicious matches, others just wrestle." Of the applicants, Samantha was the only one who came in without any prior experience.

They mentioned the wrestlers in the group performed through the use of a HUD. There was another group that did so through use of poseballs, but they didn't consider them professional. During our conversation, I asked half-seriously if anything like real-life pro wrestler "Jake the Snake's" boa constrictor could be made. Samantha told me it actually wouldn't be too hard to make, "Props are easy to get. Many wrestlers are also (content) creators, animations, moves and props as well as rings, arenas etc. Almost anything can be made." Phara Akula and Stuart Warf stood out as builders of wrestling content. "Then there (are) the championship belts," Samantha told me, "those are beautiful, they are so intricate ... Derek Zane is the creator."

Samantha showed me the training center, which had four separate rings. There was also some exercise equipment. Getting in one of the rings, Samantha demonstrated a few moves. Besides the animations, there were gestures, "we have to make fans believe in the pain, when we get hit, we have to make it believable." Despite her skill, she did glitch at one point, "I have a lot to learn...mostly what moves make sense for what. And there are many. Also martial arts moves are included it if fits with a character, even gymnastics. ... Having confidence is most important with the moves. I wish I was good but so not ready yet."

"My character will be what i am familiar with, my Hawaiian heritage, also my martial arts," Samantha told me, "I will use Hawaiiana with my character." I asked about martial arts and Hawaii. She told me, "Well, it's really popular here. Krav Maga is also catching on fast." She told me this martial art is a bit more practical and less art than most popular styles, "very vicious."

Besides her wrestling gig, Samantha was writing a book in real life, "fiction, I got the idea in a dream."

It was soon time for Samantha and I to part, and we went our separate ways.

Stay tuned for announcements about New Millennium's Grand Opening and it's first event. No doubt Samantha will be continuing to have an impact in Second Life, and not just on opposing wrestlers in the ring.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Oldbie Project – Aley aka Arcadia Asylum

By DrFran Babcock

There are some residents in Second Life™ that fill me with awe and admiration. Arcadia Asylum is one of those people, and her legacy is sprinkled across the grid in the plethora of builds that bear her name. Almost everything that she has created is available free and full perm. Everyone is encouraged to rip apart her masterpieces, change, improve, use parts, and admire. Arcadia left Second Life™ some time ago, but has always been around with some name or other. She is currently using the name Aley.

SLNewser’s very own Gemma Cleanslate wrote twice  about the Aley’s LEA build in April of 2012 (http://slnewserdesign.blogspot.com/2012/04/sea-of-aley.html  ) and the Arcadia Asylum library in August of 2012 (http://slnewserdesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/arcadia-asylum-library.html  ). She is compelling and cannot seem to stop building. Her current build is the underground amusement park: Seaview, that I have visited already several times. There is a lot to do there, and I had to come back a few times to take it all in. I brought friends each time, and they delighted in the offbeat humor of the constructions. At the urging of my co-worker Gemma, I asked Aley if she would consent to an interview, and she was more than gracious in agreeing. When I first teleported into Aley’s underwater sandbox, she was playing with a build of a shrimp boat. A few visitors came and went to pay regards during the interview. Aley was always friendly and welcoming. She admitted that she could chatter on forever, and that seemed to be what happened. The interview that follows is candid and interesting. Was she pulling my leg…I am not sure? I will report what I witnessed, as that is my responsibility as a reporter. 

Join me as we visit with a Second Life™ original:

Aley: This version (of the shrimp boat) will be able to net scoop stuff and, there’s the nets deployed. I'm going to sail around the Blake Sea and catch more mermaids.

SL Newser: It is common knowledge that you are Arcadia ?

Aley: Yups.  No need to look for the name; just follow the thousands of full perm freebies.

SL  Newser: When did Arcadia come here?

Aley: Oh, Arcadia wasn’t my first account [smile]. I first heard of SL in the late 90s when it was barely in Beta. Linden Lab was getting some web news and real life news about them trying to start a virtual world. Well, SL sounded like a huge dot com scam deluxe: “Pay exorbitant rates to rent server space and call it land.  So, I followed SL before it was open to the general public. I wasn’t about to “pay” to look at it. When SL opened free accounts, I started one. I think my first account was named Bubbles. I goofed around a while till that account was fried by glitches. You could totally loose your account due to the bugs back then

Hmmm, let’s see when I started the Arcadia account I was miffed and let some time lapse. I started hanging out at the old Calleta Hobo Info Hub, and got into open sourcing there.

Eventually, I got sick of SL bugs and semi-quit for two months. When I tried to log back in LL had deleted my whole inventory. The eventually restored it, but I was pissed off,  and stayed away as best I could. Back then Linden Lab was scrubbing account data if they were dormant for a month. Those were the wild old days in SL

The whole grid would semi regularly be crashed offline by organized griefer attacks.

Anyone could fart and crash a whole sim offline for hours. Building stuff was tricky, as a crash and rollback would even remove back up copies from your inventory. SL had deadly bugs for a decade, but is way more stable now.

At this point we were visited by Heather, a mermaid, and she hung around for a while begging Aley to write a book of her life. Aley said it would never happen. Instead, we started talking about gender in Second Life™.

 Aley: I use pretty gender neutral avatars. At my age I'm more asexual than anything

Heather: Asexual is good. Less time fending off idiots.

Aley: It unclutters alot of life.

SL Newser: Well, to change the subject…why do you offer so much for free?

Aley: I was retired all through the SL business, and wanted nothing to do with clients and stuff anymore. I have social security and a small pension, and I live like a church mouse.

SL Newser: How did you learn to build so well, Aley?

Aley: Oh, I was a CAD engineering draftsperson for probably 20years, so I could fart out 3D models. My whole family was into construction. My youngest sister is a professional welder. My dad was an engineer at a huge contracting corportation that did the NASA contracts.

SL Newser: What was your favorite build from those days?

Aley: I have no favorite builds, just favorite projects. I live for big projects. The old slum city project was great (http://spiritofarcadia.wordpress.com/a-slum-city-video/ ). The sim owner eventualy turned the sim into a BDSM porno sim, so I deleted it all. As if SL doesnt have enough of those already. I had anger management issues back then, but I’m better medicated now. Better living through psychiatric pharmacology. Current therapist hasn’t a clue what to do with me. How to you write a treatment plan for a nutcase with no common craziness issues.

SL Newser: Awwwwww. I am not going to write about this…

Aley: Please go ahead. I was never in the closet about being a mental patient. I want it out and known that you can do pretty well with your life with mental illnesses, if you get help and work with it.

I lost track, what was I rambling about?

SL Newser: What 3D software do you use?

Aley: Now? SL is my main 3D software these days

SL Newser: So, you are not making mesh, but using sculpts ?

Aley: I have fiddled with stuff like Maya, etc., but LL punishes mesh. You get more vertices with sculpts then equivalent mesh, and no size penalties. I use a dozen in world tools. Here’s the thing: I worked for around 20 years hunched over auto CAD and, I’m NOT going back to that hell. In SL I have direct interaction. I can model and play and chatter, and best of all get direct feedback and help. This isn’t a job, it's a social hobby to me. Little, if any of my work here is truly original. I pester everyone around me for ideas and bits and pieces. As i don’t sell anything and give it all away free, few have any qualms about playing.

SL Newser: So, tell me about your current build, Seaview, the underwater amusement park. What was the inspiration ?

Aley: Thats all Ardour Allen's idea. You know about the old Privateer Space Project? (for more information about the Privateer build read my friend Lauren’s aricles : http://npirl.blogspot.com/2008/01/aleys-privateer-island-part-i.html and http://npirl.blogspot.com/2008/01/aleys-privateer-island-part-ii.html )

SL Newser: Yes, in fact, a friend of mine asked me to ask you what happened to it ?

Aley: LL happened. That ended during M. Linden’s mis-management. The idea behind it was to fully utilize a whole sim, to build up to the sim ceiling. You see, people in general think in two dimensions—out of sight; out of mind. I wanted to experiment with making something that would force people to think up and down too. A few caught onto the idea. There was a place called Starbase Alpha, or something that was based on the concept after I worked it out. 

SL Newser: Thanks.

 Aley: The Blake Deeps is 13 sims and owned by Hollywood Rentals. They own and manage about 200 sims. Well, I started hanging out with the local pirate and sailing community about three years ago, and rented that plot where Flotsam Town (another Blake Deeps build by Aley) is located. I started guerilla decorating the seabeds in these sims, meaning the owners dident know what i was up to.

Setting up Flotsam in Blake Diego boosted its traffic a dozen fold, and the little sneak stuff i did here boosted general boating traffic.

SL Newser:  So, they kept you.

Aley: When Fanci passed away and her properties were at risk the main owner of Hollywood Rentals bought them up, and made four new open water sims named after Fanci. This time they asked me to decorate the place on purpose [laughs].

The owners wanted to expand from just pirate and age of sail theme to the mer community, so we started a crazy experiment to see if you could combine rentals underwater with events on top of the water, and keep waterway clearance for sailing

Ninety percent of these sims are homesteads with a quarter of the prim allotment. I developed ways to develop homesteads by pirating LL owned ocean sims. There’s a glitch, or was,  where some rollouts could reset auto return to zero. That made it extra fun (smile).

The average prim counts for all the underwater stuff in each sim is around 200 prims. That leaves 300prims for passing ships, boats, and planes, and the rest go to the renters. Detailing 80% to 100% of a sim wide seabed in 200 prims is a major challenge. The Blake Sea ocean homestead sims use around 1,000 to 2,000 prims for their seabeds, and you have seen how barren they all look

Well, Mark (Hollywood Rentals) wanted to bring in mermaids, and I was the only one around who was developing homestead seabeds, so I volunteered to get in on this. We dragged in the Safe Waters Foundation to help with community building

SeaView Park is the result of being totally out of ideas for what more underwater stuff to make. I tried to make an arctic underwater area but ran into all kinds of problems, so I gave up. Ardo (Ardour Allen) said: “Make an amusement park.”

I was desperate enough for anything, so I told Ardo to start building it. It ends up as a nice Victorian era amusement part. I managed to drag that project out to almost three months, and now it’s done.

I'm more interested in lower prim impact then perfection

SL Newser: No one complains about your work

Aley: Sure they do! I closed down at least five marketplace shops. Some folks can't compete with freebies, especially when there a fraction the prims. SL is a sort of social game. My game play is less prims and free

At this point we sort of drifted off into talking about other content creators and how scultpts were superior to mesh. At times it seemed as if Aley was impatient with me because I didn’t know enough about her body of work, which was true.

I haven’t put in all that she told me, but probably more than I should have. Aley is a remarkable person, at turns confident and proud, then a bit less so, as when she told me that the builder of the Nemo sims’ textures made hers look like crayon drawings.

There is too, too much information out there, for me to give you a list of resources. You can go and see recreations of actual builds at an Arcadia Asylum Museum. Aley herself has a marketplace store full of full perm freebies, and the grid abounds with lore and goodies all from this prolific woman.

Do spend some time learning what you can, and if you see me in Fanci’s Deep at the Seaview Amusement park, say hello.


DrFran Babcock

Where Are They Now? Covadonga Writer

In the days before Second Life Newser, some of the staff worked at JamesT Juno and Dana Vanmoer's Second Life Newspaper. Among the other writers there was Covadonga Writer. Covadonga, known to friends as simply "Cova," had the distinction of writing for a real life newspaper in Argentina, and besides her journalistic articles did some Second Life-inspired fiction, notably her series in which her avatar has somehow made it to real life and taken an identity of it's own.

Unlike many former writers, Covadonga has made an effort to stay in contact with her former coworkers, as well as their new teammates, hosting staff parties at her beach "Cova's Cove." Recently, I met up with her there to talk about her time in Second Life since her days at SLN. 

Covadonaga described herself as doing, "Very well, indeed. This is, truly, very much like real life. I've lost some friends that left SL, because they had a broken heart or just got bored, and I still miss them. But I have found new wonderful friends. It's very important to have good friends here to share the experience. Its sad otherwise. Plus, they tell me me and my partner are a strange kind of couple here.... we have been together for 7 years now."

 Asking about her partner Ruffian Offcourse, Cova answered, "He is great, thanks. Couples don't tend to last that long here. Time seems to run faster than in real life." "Do they ask how you stay together?" "Oh yes, we get that a lot. People ask, but there's no formula. Like in real lfie. I think it has to do with learning to balance real life and SL properly. And having been lucky enough to find someone that is a good match."

Cova went on, "I also enjoy having learned a lot about building. Well, enough for what I want. Just for us, I don't mean to start a business or anything , but I have come a long way from when I wore the boxes. Hahahah!" She momentarily paused, "I also wish I had more spare time to do more stuff here. But for now I don't." She described her real life as "Hectic. My (real) life always has been like this. But at first this was so exciting, I used sleeping time to stay awake in SL. But now I can't so much. I get tired, hahaha!  I was hoping to find time to dedicate to learning how to do machinima in here."

I brought up her Second Life fiction. Cova answered, "That was the Real Life Raider saga, hahaha! That came out quite well, if I may say so, yes? I would love to bring her back. Today she would be trying to discover what happened to the missing airplane (link)." I asked if there was any chance of that being written anytime soon. Cova answered, "Well, in the end, before managing to get back into SL, she met ME, in real life (grin). The ending was open so I could pick it up sometime. I think sometime I will."

I asked how her real-life journalism job was. She answered right now she was writing,  "for a magazine, ... but freelance. Mostly I am teaching scriptwriting and writing for TV. That's why I am interested in making videos here. ... I almost got started, I met a couple of people who did very interesting stuff." One of the two was, "Stampshady Grimm. He was the best one, Very nice serious guy." Stampshady had done a number of short stories, "they even hosted a festival I attended."

Cova and I chatted for a while about both Second Life Newser, as well as certain events. She had not read up much on the new CEO, and asked about him. She did say she would write for the Newser if events in real life permitted.

Eventually, she had to take care of some matters in real life, "Please, tell the readers I said you are my favorite managing editor ever."

Covadonga Writer invited the Newser staff to hold another party at her beach. It may not be long before we have another there.

Bixyl Shuftan

Where Are They Now? Netera Landar

By Bixyl Shuftan

Netera Landar, a published writer under her real life name, Denise Flescher, was known for hosting weekly interviews and discussions at her "Netera's Coffee Lounge," and wrote for the Newser from 2011 to early 2012. So what has been going on with her since? I contacted her, and we agreed to meet up for a chat about what she's been doing since.

Netera and I met up at her home by the shore. She told me she had just gotten the place yesterday. Beforehand, she had been living with friends for a few months. Then for a month, she'd been living at a place for about 590L a month, "Just a hundred and ten more here."

Taking to Netera, she explained that after her time with the Newser she worked at Metaverse for a while, covering the music and art scenes. She then founded "Unforgetable" Magazine, and blog. There, she specialized in covering musicians and writers. Second Life, she explained, has lots of talent, and wanted to tell about the special people there. One interview she did, she needed five sittings to make sure she had a good tape. She was also a contributing writer for the Bowler Business Review. While writing for the BBR, she ran into graphic artist Eleanor Medier while at a Chicago 1920s sim to study roleplaying. When the BBR folded, Eleanor would go on to create the Sim Street Journal. Netera also worked with Eleanor at Music Matters magazine

Netera continues to be hard at work on her writing, "I work a lot with GottaWrite," she told of her own blog GottaWriteNetwork. There, she does a number of book and author reviews. As of now, she has a list of 45 books yet to review, "Six just for Penguin. I love reading cozy mysteries, women amateur sleuths." She told of liking Southern settings the best, "crazy and wonderful attitude." The blog does bring in a little ad money for a supplemental income, "I'm doing pretty well in content, authors waiting to be interviewed." She was currently going through a few books, including "Spinning in Her Grave."

Netera finished her third novel, "Deadly Reservations," which she describes as a "paranormal mystery." In the story, a detective and a psychic investigate a businessman controlling a small town. In truth, the businessman is actually a fallen angel, and the psychic eventually comes to discover she herself is more than human. The fiction is out in hardcover, a paperback edition for $14.95, and kindle version for $9.95. She did some research before writing certain scenes, including talking with a homicide investigator and someone with the FBI. After coming to Second Life, she ended up having to redo her work. Still, she had fun writing it. She originally wrote it four years ago, "Took me that long to publish it due to the stinking economy." She did both real life and virtual readings of segments of the story, taking it to Horrorfest at Park Ridge Illinois.

Netera described herself as "doing so many different things, it's crazy" at times. In real life she had recently taken up knitting, in addition to continue to write for a community newspaper in the Chicago suburbs since 1985. She has had to adapt to the changing economy, having to sell her old house and move to a smaller one. She has a daughter, now 22.

In both her writing and in other things, Netera is staying busy.

(story edited for corrections)

Bixyl Shuftan

Grease Coakes Latest Book: College in Cleveland

By Grey Lupindo

         Grease Coakes has done what most of us only dream about---he’s published multiple books.   That feat alone is challenging, but Grease has published in two categories, children’s fiction and adult fiction.  His books are about the Griffin family, who are griffins, and the unusual world they inhabit.

            Grease is a long-time SL resident and news reporter for SL Newser.   He’s been on a temporary leave of absence while he’s been working on his book series and other RL projects.   College in Cleveland, which is available as a Kindle book, came out in late December.   The book is described on Amazon this way:    “Glenda Baker, a 19 year old griffin woman, goes to college as a freshman in a world where there's no humans.  She's different as she's colored pink due to her having a white griffin father and a red griffin mother.  ...   She sometimes sees future events.  Follow in Glenda's paw prints and see a different world as she experiences college.“

       I met up with Grease in the SL Newser conference room a few weeks ago, and we talked about his latest book. 

Grey Lupindo:   So tell me about this book.  What has been the response?

Grease Coakes:   Well, my friend Amehana saw it as a journey for the young Glenda Baker, who turns into Glenda Griffin later.   ....  It's more like a prequel.  Ginny Griffin  [the character in his first book]  was more like a springboard for the furry alternate universe.

Grey Lupindo:   Amazon mentioned a "mature theme" or words to that effect.  What does that involve?

Grease Coakes: I think stories aimed at adults have a wider audience.   I'm walking more in that direction with Glenda as the main character now.

Grey Lupindo: Does she encounter sex or violence?

Grease Coakes:   Yes, she does.  Sexual themes and bloodshed.   I can say one character does get it for the bad things he did and is doing.   But the main villain is forced into a “do or die” situation, so he's not a villain just to be a villain.   He actually has a reason to do what he does.

 Grey Lupindo:  It must be really hard to promote an e-book. You can't have a signing, for example. Or can you?

Grease Coakes: I know Jackson Arthur from Book Island.   He knows how to promote through Twitter. And my friend Amehana Ishtari can help as well. So I'm not alone.  I can ask for help.   In the mean time I can start on the next chapter of the series. ^.^

Grey Lupindo: That's great.  I'm so impressed that you've written so much. I'm still one of those "drafts in the drawer" writers.   What's your secret for being able to juggle two lives AND write?

 Grease Coakes:  I haven't been in Second Life much lately.  But I do have a routine.  I do my best to write even on days when I work in RL.  A few hours a day gets it done over time.

Grey Lupindo:  You mentioned Book Island and Jackson Arthur. Has that been helpful to you as a writer?

Grease Coakes: Yes, being around writers has been helpful. The micro fiction meetings and his book biz were always fun to go to.  It helped to talk ideas out and hear his ideas and stories.   And I shared my ideas and plots.  Being around like minded people helped to push me to keep writing and not stop.

Grey Lupindo:  I've been involved in a couple of writers groups due to living in a couple of different places.  One was great.  One, not so much.

Grease Coakes:  Oh?  What set apart the good writing group from the not so great one?

Grey Lupindo:  Motivation is hard to keep going.  The good group focused much more on challenges...so many pages per day, per month, etc.   They had mini-contests to help develop writing skills.

 Grease Coakes: That sounds like a fun group to be in.

Grey Lupindo: Yes, I miss them.    But tell me about your plans for your next book.

 Grease Coakes: Basically the next one is summer in Cleveland.  It's about the characters having fun and having a summer job.  Recurring characters come back, and it shows the underground rave scene.  In RL I went to clubs.   So I'll have fun writing about electronic dance music before it became mainstream, like it is now.

 Grey Lupindo:  Neat.  What's the conflict in that one?   Or is that still a work in progress?

Grease Coakes: There will be a conflict or two.

Grey Lupindo: Will Glenda be the main character?

 Grease Coakes:  Yes.  She and her roommate get a summer job through a new character, Glenda's mother.  But I can say Glenda sometimes has the strange curse or gift of seeing future events.  Ginny isn't born yet.

Grey Lupindo:  So you're staying in the prequel mode?

Grease Coakes: Yes, eventually the prequels will lead up to Ginny being born.  Well, it's at the start of the story so I’m not giving anything away.   Glenda gives birth to a perfect hybrid griffin which can fly and is strong.  Most of the time griffins are only one or the other.  So at age 15 she legally lets this married couple in Italy have her son for $150,000.

Grey Lupindo:  Why would she do that?

Grease Coakes:  So her college education is paid for and more.   The reverse could have happened --  she would have been stuck with a child and no money.

Grey Lupindo:  Because she's so young?

 Grease Coakes:  Yes, it's either she gives up her child for adoption or she faces poverty.   Her father is dead so only her mother supports her.

Grey Lupindo: That's a hard decision she has to make.   Speaking from a mother's point of view.

Grease Coakes: I'll take your word for it.  ^.^   But I would imagine it would be hard.

Grey Lupindo:  It's impressive that you have developed a character that you can continue to grow.

Grease Coakes: Oh, thank you.

Grey Lupindo: When do you expect this one to be out?

Grease Coakes: Maybe in a few months  if I write a few pages every day.  But "College in Cleveland" just came out so don't rush me. 

Grease Coakes: *GIGGLES* :)~~~~

Grey Lupindo:  LOL.   I can't finish anything, but I expect others to!

 Grease Coakes: Haha

 Grease Coakes: I have the stories in my mind. Someone will die in the third book.

 Grey Lupindo: Now that’s a teaser our readers will love!  Should readers know anything about griffins before they read the book?

Grease Coakes:  Hmmmm.   Something to think about that I read from Wikipedia is that the griffin's enemy is the horse.   Glenda's rival will be as smart as her and stronger.  Glenda can’t just outthink her.

Grey Lupindo:  Yes, the rivals must be strong to make the character better.

Grease Coakes:  Sure, if nothing happened to the character --  if he or she passed every challenge easily -- not many people would want to read about him or her.

       If you enjoy alternative worlds, fantasy, and furries, you’ll want to read Grease Coakes’ latest book, College in Cleveland.  Find it on Amazon under his RL name, John Krauss, at  http://www.amazon.com/College-Cleveland-Glenda-Baker-book-ebook/dp/B00HOWGH1S/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Grey Lupindo