What’s Our Purpose in Second Life?

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.

Eleanor Roosevelt

The end of the year is approaching.

Recently, blogging about all the Christmas festivities at Mieville in Second Life (SL) started to get me into the mood along with Real Life (RL) events like Christmas, New Year’s, and all the other things that come with the closing down of another year.  (Some, like getting

ready for filing taxes are real mood killers.) 

Maybe I’m getting old but this time of the year has gotten me thinking about my purpose in SL and which also got me thinking about the rest of you.

(Significant Other groans and asks if this is going to be another one of those heavy, big thought stories.  Significant Other was hoping for one about elves.)

What’s your purpose in SL?

Let’s discuss it!

(Significant Other leaves to watch the DVD of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Apparently, the elves in that one have a high cuteness quotient.)

You probably have one in RL.  (If not then I can recommend some other blogs to you.)

But, SL?  Really?

Actually, believe it or not, most of actually do have a purpose inworld.

How can I say that?

The fact that we keep coming back.

Many rezz in either to leave never to return or come back a few times and then

disappear never to be heard from again. 

We’re what’s left. 

We’ve found something that brings us back. 

            Our purpose in SL!

            But, what’s our purpose you may ask.

            Aye, therein lies the rub!

            (BTW I think paraphrasing Shakespeare, no matter how badly, adds a certain cachet to my blog.  I’d really appreciate some feedback from my three loyal readers on this topic.)

            Now, there won’t be any great thoughts here.

            (Significant Other’s head pops in to say no surprises there.)

            Just what I’ve noticed over the years inworld as I’ve wandered and blogged. 

            People return to SL because they want to…

            Because they enjoy themselves…

            Because they find some value.

            What’s the value?

            Here the reasons vary.

            For some, it’s the companionship.

            For others, it’s the technical challenge.

            For the remainder like myself, it’s the lure of the unknown.

            (If you haven’t encountered the unknown inworld then you obviously have been visiting the wrong places.  Contact me and I’ll get you lost.  Promise!)

            We all have a purpose inworld.

            Even me, the itinerant wanderer.

            Maybe we all don’t realize it but we do. 

            Think about it.

            If you’re a regular inworld then obviously you have a purpose for being there.

            What is it?

            How about telling us and I’ll share it out to my three loyal readers!

            Thanks In advance!

As always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives. 

My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

I can be found on Google+ as webspelunker Ghostraven.

My flickr Photostream is located here.

On Skype I’m webspelunker Ghostraven.

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

            If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

            Open roads and kind fires!

A Mystical Christmas in Second Life

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more! 

Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

It’s that time of the year again.

We wonder where the past year has gone…

We look forward to the winter solstice…

And, with of all of this, some of us look forward to Christmas!

(I reassure Significant Other that a certain list has been received.)

In Second Life (SL), Christmas is very much alive just as in Real Life (RL).

But, perhaps, no more so than in Mieville where the indefatigable Perryn Peterson, its Mayor, and his elves have been pulling extra shifts to get ready for the Christmas Holiday inworld!   

In Christmases past, Mieville has been host to A Christmas Carol, an Elizabethan Christmas with a frozen River Thames, and a winter wonderland to name but a few themes.   

Perryn and his band of merry elves have not been lacking for ideas for this year’s Christmas. 

Its theme is Mystic Yule which as Perryn puts it is, “A full sim of snowy, forested, magical, faerie Christmas and Yule delights!”  (The man does have a way with words!)

And, it’s all waiting for you to come and enjoy!

There is much to see and do as always!

Visitors will be able to visit merchants in over one hundred booths and wagons peruse their goods.  There'll be entertainment, gachas, ice skating, dancing, food and drinks, and much more! 

And, of course, don’t forget the new and improved mini-hunt where each merchant will have a surprise gift hidden in their establishment for shoppers to try and find. 

Mieville wouldn’t be Mieville without new and magical attractions.

This year has almost all new buildings, gorgeous landscaping by Mike Olbracht,

beautiful dance area, wintery rides and the Wizard's Tower!  (Hint: Which you can find your way out of by following the "down" doors which are clearly marked!)    

Perryn and his crew wanted to do something faerie-like and mysterious, home in on the mystical nature of Christmas, and to cater to their large fantasy following.

They’ve outdone themselves as usual!

(Yes, admittedly, I’m biased.  But, given the wonderful experiences which Perryn and his team produce consistently for their visitors, I think I’m entitled!)

I heartily recommend visiting Mystic Yule in Mieville which runs from December 1^st to January 1^st and can be located here! 

Maybe you’ll even run into me there!

I’d like to thank Perryn and his elves for another wonderful seasonal event and for

assisting me in preparing this story for all my loyal readers!  (All three of you!) 

I’d also like to thank The Companion who took all the beautiful photos used in this story and the others which can be found on this flickr page. 

Happy Holidays to all from Significant Other and me! 

As always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives. 

My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

I can be found on Google+ as webspelunker Ghostraven.

My flickr Photostream is located here.

On Skype I’m webspelunker Ghostraven.

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

            If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

            Open roads and kind fires!

Christkindlmarkt in Second Life

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

Clement Clarke Moore

 

          After blogging about Holidays in Second Life (SL), I seem to be on something of a roll because immediately after that I wrote about my visit to the Utopia Naked Isle Resort Winter Wonderland and now I’m blogging about Perryn Peterson’s latest Christmas spectacular. 

          Perryn is bringing Christkindlmarkt to SL for the month of December! 

A Christkindlmarkt is a German street market associated with the celebration of Christmas. Generally held in the town square and any adjacent pedestrian zones, the market sells food, drink, and seasonal items from open-air stalls.  Traditional singing and dancing are customary entertainments.

          Last year, Perryn put on A Christmas Carol which was a very realistic recreation inworld of that classic Christmas tale.  (OK, I’m biased, I like both Dickens and A Christmas Carol.)

          Perryn’s been mentioning this event for a while and I was finally able to schedule a visit with him to receive a tour of the sim. 

          I arrive at the landing zone and meet Perryn who has somehow managed to turn a couple of dreidels into a pair of earrings.  Apparently, the Mieville Weekly Theme dance is going to be more interesting than usual this week.

          Upon arriving, I’m first struck by all the lights.  It reminds me of European cities that go all out for Christmas.  Perryn tells me that light is indeed the theme for this year’s Holiday festivities. 

          Realistic light is not easy to create in SL.  (OK, at least for me it isn’t.  But, then I have trouble with matches in Real Life (RL).)  To do it on this scale takes skill.  As Perryn and I stroll through the streets and alleys of Christkindlmarkt, I notice that they are dominated by a large backdrop of a RL one.  Perryn explains that it is the actual Christkindlmarkt from Frankfurt in 2010.  The blending of the RL pictures with the SL prims and lighting effects is artistically and seamlessly done. The effects of depth and distance are very lifelike.  The sim could be seen for this technical wizardry alone.

          But, if someone were to do that then they would miss the shops, booths, and carts of over seventy-five merchants and all their merchandise.  What’s available extends from Christmas themed treats and some tricks (Like the dancing red Santa skulls) to a large variety of artwork, clothing, household goods, and a lot more. Perryn adds that there are over a “kajilion” freebies for visitors.

          Of course, Christmas is not just a commercial venture for Perryn.  He is one of the few remaining ones who remembers the traditions and joys of Christmases past. (I am another one.  Although, Significant Other says that I’m just old fashioned.) 

          For instance, there is the large ice skating rink with free skates available.  In front of Santa’s throne room (where there are gifts galore), a Christmas themed toy train that can be ridden slowly circles.  This particular piece of work was done by Wyvern Dryke, one of the creative souls who work with Perryn on his projects. 

          Further along the way, Santa’s reindeer and in their pen waiting for the word to ride out on Christmas Eve.  (Although, there appear to be three Rudolphs and the elves looked a little miffed to me.) 

          Across the street from the reindeer is a very large cup of cocoa which makes for some hilarious group pictures when Perryn cajoled poor Lenny Kenyon into joining us.  (She may never speak to us again especially after the picture (see below) gets out.) 

          As usual, Perryn ensures that food and drink are in abundance.  In front of a large dining hall with a warm and inviting fireplace, a booth serves free, hot cocoa. 

          On the outside wall of the dining hall, a large Advent calendar hangs.  Unlike traditional Advent calendars that run up to Christmas, December 25^th, Perryn’s runs to December 31^st.  (OK, maybe he’s not such a traditionalist after all.)  Each day offers a new freebie to visitors. 

          Elsewhere, strollers can have free Christmas cards made.  (I hope inworld postage is cheaper than what it currently is in the US now.)  A Christmas tree farm lies at the corner of a large street leading away from Santa’s throne.  Ambient music is supplied by Rufus Gracemount of The Arcadian Minstrel. 

          Perryn hits the right balance with the Christmas decorations.  I find there is a right way and a wrong way like most things in life whether Real or Second.  The right way is an appropriate blend of light, color, and wonder.  Look at a child’s eyes and you’ll see what I mean.  The wrong way looks like a rundown department store one step away from bankruptcy.  Sadly, there have been too many of these in America of late. 

          But to happier matters, once again Perryn has attracted the best and the brightest of SL merchants to his extravaganza.  I can’t mention all of them or this would turn into the Yellow Pages.  I call out several but mean no slight to those not mentioned.  Saraid Dalglish returns with the Mad Hattery and its creative hats.  Sanna Jupiter, a RL neuroscientist, is presenting her wares.  Cyne Christenson displays his original artwork from Sunlight Studios. 

          And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the work of Arcadia Asylum, who has returned to SL as Aley Resident, is available and shouldn’t be missed. 

          Our tour comes to an end and I thank Perryn for his time and wish him Happy Holidays.  I watch him walk off down the street as I copy down my notes.  The man seems very happy in his work.  Wouldn’t you? 

          A tour through one of Perryn’s events always seems like a whirlwind and I feel that I never do justice to it all but I hope the little that I’ve described entices you to visit.  Even if you either don’t observe Christmas or are an Ebenezer Scrooge (The two are mutually exclusive, I’m not implying anything!), drop by and see very creative and original work and a little bit of the magic!

          Christkindlmarkt will be open until December 31^st and Santa Claus himself will be on hand sometimes when he can pull himself away from his North Pole workshop. 

I’ve included a few pictures from my tour around Christkindlmarkt.  But, please go and see the sim for yourselves and have a good time!  You’ll be glad you did.       

As always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.    

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

          If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

  

Photo No. 1  Lenny, Perryn, and Me

Photo No. 2  View from Landing Zone

Photo No. 3  Softlight Studios

Photo No. 4  Town Backdrop

Photo No. 5  Merchants Lane

Photo No. 6  Gingerbread Shops

Photo No. 7  Santa Skulls

Photo No. 8  Christmas Train

Photo No. 9  Ice Skating Rink

Photo No. 10 Santa’s Throne

Photo No. 11 Santa’s Reindeer

Photo No. 12 Hot Cocoa!

Photo No. 13 In from the Cold with Food and Drink

Photo No. 14 Advent Calendar with Daily Gifts

Photo No. 15 Another View of the Town

Photo No. 16 Carousel

Photo No. 17 Large Hot Chocolate Cup

Photo No. 18 Seasons Greetings!

Photo No. 19 Merchants’ Carts

Photo No. 20 Christmas Trees

Photo No. 21 Merchants’ Booths

Photo No. 22 The Mad Hattery

 

The Holidays Are Coming to Second Life or Are They?

I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up - they have no holidays.

Henny Youngman

 

          I hope I haven’t seemed too self-absorbed lately.

          My last two posts to this blog have been about life and living in Second Life (SL).   Why?  Don’t worry I’ll avoid the snarky reply of “because it’s my blog”.  But I have been engaged in a bit of navel gazing as of late (Significant Other smiles and says why should SL be any different from Real Life (RL).) and this story may be in the same vein.  (Spoiler alert!)

          So, back to the question, why? Maybe, and this may sound lame, it’s because the end of the year seems to be approaching too quickly again and with that the Holidays. 

          For me as an American, that means I’ve just gotten past Halloween and Thanksgiving is staring me in the face and Christmas is not too far behind and how did Hanukkah sneak up right after Thanksgiving this year?  (Why can’t all holidays stay in one place and play nice like July 4^th does? BTW, be warned, this story is going to have a very strong American, NYC bent to it.  I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam as Popeye would say.)    

          I’m sitting here, immersed inworld, thinking big thoughts about the convergence of SL and RL, and just over the horizon is the oncoming freight train of the yearend Holidays. 

          In RL, this means getting together with family and friends, turkey (especially the drumsticks), the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Yes, I am a sucker for sentimentality.), shopping, gift giving, and everything else that the Holidays represent to us in our late consumerist society.  And, in case, you’re wondering, I’ll be charging off at midnight on Thanksgiving to hit the stores.  (Don’t worry, I’m only there as an observer.  Online shopping and gift cards have been a godsend for me. Did I say that I was a traditionalist?)

          Back to SL.  Do we experience all this inworld?  Do we have holidays in SL? At one level we do.  My good friend, Perryn Peterson, hasn’t met a holiday he doesn’t like and can’t pull a legs up social event around inworld.   

          But are we really having holidays inworld?  If Perryn and his merry band weren’t there, would we be celebrating inworld? 

          Yes, I know, if we wander through SL, we’ll come across any number of sims that have Christmas trees, lights, Yule logs, and a Santa Claus somewhere.  But, that’s like the department stores that trot out their decorations every year.  For me, this is the virtual equivalent of kissing your sister. 

          I think what I’m getting at here is along the lines of what comes first the chicken or the egg. (This is where Significant Other’s eyes roll and I’m reminded of Freud’s old dictum that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.  But, I digress.)  Would we have holidays inworld except for the efforts of a few? 

          Granted that many are too busy with their own RL lives to go carousing inworld during the Holidays but do we, can we truly experience the Holidays inworld?  Some might ask if we even should.

          Are we merely mimicking our RL Holiday traditions inworld or are we actually engaging in community activities which have a life of their own?  Of course, one might argue that a party is a party and to just get on with it.  But, there’s more to it than just that.

          Traditions and oral histories are important part of communities and pass down from one generation to the next.  There are minor changes along the way.  (Like, thankfully, eggnog seems to be going away along with the unfortunate demise of mince pie.)  But, they are self-sustaining. 

          A few times in my blog, I’ve talked about SL’s long term viability.  Whether it can be something more than just a cyber haunt for those lost in the Metaverse or can it become something more.  Celebrations and festivities will need to be part of that, IMHO.  RL holidays needn’t be brought over, SL could evolve its own. 

          I hope I haven’t gotten too heavy as the Holidays approach us but I like to call out what I see as anomalies from time to time because they will be important to those of us who reside inworld and want to see SL live up to its promise. 

          I’ll be wandering around inworld as the Holiday season approaches this year and will report back on the festivities.  If you’re sponsoring or participating in any Holiday functions as we approach the New Year then please give me a shout out and I’ll do my best to join you!  (Or, if you don’t want me hanging around then either tell me outright or don’t tell me about your fun stuff.)

          Happy Thanksgiving! 

As always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.    

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

          If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here. 

Christmas in Second Life

At Christmas, all roads lead home.

Marjorie Holmes

          As I wrote in my last story, I’m rushing around inworld visiting places that will soon be closing down for the year.  With today being Christmas Eve, I wanted to see several Christmas sims before the Holiday. 

          Juggling Real Life (RL) Holiday activities, I managed to get some time in Second Life (SL) to TP into a few Christmas sims and drop by some friends’ places done up for the Holiday.  (While this was going on, Significant Other]s eyes were rolling believing that most people have enough trouble dealing with the Holidays in RL let alone adding in SL.) 

          I randomly select three Christmas sites listed on the SL Destination Guide (OK, maybe it wasn’t a scientific sampling, I went for the names that sounded appealing.)  and head off on my Holiday jaunt. 

          First, I TP into 2012 Christmas Town.  A good crowd of other celebrators is about and lag doesn’t appear to be bad.  The setting is an urban area feted out for Christmas. 

          From here, I head off to Christmas at Calas.  Again, there’s a fair sized crowd of merry makers about and no signs of lag about.  (I guess the lag Grinch is off somewhere else today.)  This sim is an appealing country winter scene fitted out for the Holidays. 

          My last pick from the Destination Guide is Christmas at Winter Holiday Village  which is a small village suitably done up for the season.  As with my last two stops, people are celebrating and lag is nowhere to be found. 

          After my random pass through Christmas sims from the Destination Guide, I head off to visit the homes of several friends who make a point of decorating for the Holidays.  (Unlike me whose Nowaki home looks about as Christmasy as well, you get the idea.) 

          I’d read that Lindal Kidd had done up her tropical home for the Holidays so I dropped by at her home at Masocado to check her handiwork out.  As I tend to come and go in SL at odd RL times, I wasn’t able to meet Lindal or anyone else when I arrived. But the decorations were beautiful and fun to see.  If anyone can make the tropics look like Christmas it’s Lindal!

          Next, I’m off to Christmas at Jamaica Inn to check in Hibiscus Hastings’ and Janey Bracken’s handiwork with their Christmas decorations.  As usual, they’ve done a beautiful job from the crèche to the Santa Claus scenes.  (If you drop by make sure to check out the Christmas shop!)

          My next stop is Holiday Fest in Tribute City which I’ve written about earlier.  SL’s answer to Venice had been done up in classic Christmas style.  (OK, RL Venetians might have other opinions but I like it!)  Jessii Warrhol was about so I got to wish her a Merry Christmas.  Many other residents were in evidence as I wandered about. 

          Finally, I TP over to see Arik Metzger’s Lovecraftian opus dedicated to Christmas which I recommend to anyone looking for something a bit different for the Holidays. 

          This has been a bit of a whirl wind tour for me.  I wanted to see some of the Christmas sims before the Holiday and when they begin to close down.  I wish I’d taken the time to spend more time there with friends but this sounds like a project for the New Year.  (More on these in a later post!)

          The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in SL.  Even when the sim does not have a direct tie in to Christmas, trees, wreaths, lights, and other decorations are very much in evidence inworld.  (Even when there is a very real culture clash not to mention aesthetics.) 

If you haven’t already done so,I also suggest that you drop by to visit Perryn Peterson‘s  A Christmas Carol which will also close on December 31^st. 

          But Christmas isn’t about the decorations, the glitter, and gifts.  Christmas is about our humanity to each other and reaching back to our homes.  While I would never suggest that SL should supplant RL when it comes to home, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saving a little home for SL and our friends there.

          Merry Christmas everyone!                   

          Below are links to a few pictures from my visits.  They give a sense of what they’re like.  But you really have to see and experience them for yourselves.

As always, I’m grateful to all for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

     If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

Photo No. 1  2012 Christmas Town

Photo No. 2 Christmas at Calas

Photo No. 3 Christmas at Winter Holiday Village

Photo No. 4 Nativity Scene at Jamaica Inn

Photo No. 5 Snow Falling at Jamaica Inn

Photo No. 6 Holiday Fest in Tribute City

Photo No. 7 Christmas Tree at Masocado

Photo No. 8 A Lovecraftian Christmas

 

Photo No. 9 A Christmas Carol – The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come