Are You Going to STEAM IX in Second Life?

Not all those who wander are lost.

J. R. R. Tolkien

  

          Well, it’s that time of the year again!

          Spring is getting closer.  (At least for some of you.) Getting out and about after spending the winters indoors becomes more appealing.  (Significant Other can’t wait.) Meeting friends and doing things with the Sun on our faces can happen once again.

          All these things occur both in Real Life (RL) and Second Life (SL). 

          One of those things that occurs every year at this time is the only remaining Victorian STEAMpunk Hunt in SL, namely STEAM IX!  

          Continuing in my unbroken stream since STEAM VIII and STEAM VII (I sometimes go walkabout inworld and miss events.  Significant Other says I’m guilty of this in RL too.  What can I say other than I tend to wander.)  I’m here to blog about this year’s STEAM event which runs from March 1^st to 31^st across the Grid. 

          Once again, Perryn Peterson has outdone himself in organizing this event and bring together many merchants and residents to partake in all that SL has to offer. 

          The starting location for the Hunt is the Steampunk Information Center in Mieville.  From here hunters begin their hunts across 126 stops with 124 vendors participating all with gifts for them.  This year’s theme is “Romancing the STEAM” and if past Hunts are any guide, the merchants will be very creative in their offerings.

          Participation has been very good so far.

          Perryn reports that over 10,000 residents visited the starting point on the first weekend which was a new record for Mielville with over 1,000 actually starting the Hunt.  The kickoff party was held simultaneously with the Mardi Gras party and over 6,000 attended that.  (As I’ve reported before, Perryn does know how to throw a party!)  He also reports that this has been the smoothest kick off yet for a Hunt.

          There are new merchants and several are already in the running for the Fave Five trophies awarded to those merchants cited as being the best by the hunters.  So, maybe there’ll be some surprises this year! 

          For more information, there are a blog and website.  Pictures of the merchants’ gifts can be seen on the former, details of the Hunt at the latter.

          My old friend, Glorf Bulmer, has returned to SL and as is her custom has completed the entire Hunt (Glorf’s an overachiever.) and has reported on the gifts in her blog which I recommend to all!

          There is still time to visit the Hunt and see all the hard work and wonderful gifts from Perryn and the merchants.  So, please come and enjoy!  Tell ‘em web sent you! 

          Maybe we’ll meet there! 

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

          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’ve included below links to a few pictures of the Steampunk Information Center.  Hopefully, you get the sense of all that happens in Mieville there. 

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 Starting location

Photo No. 2 STEAM IX Poster

Photo No. 3 Mieville Tolkien Festival Poster (Coming soon!)

Photo No. 4 Steampunk Information Center Main Floor

Photo No. 5 Steampunk Information Center, Upstairs Library

Photo No. 6 Steampunk Information Center, View from Top Floor

Photo No. 7 Steampunk Information Center, Rooftop Greenhouse

Photo No. 8 Perryn Peterson  

 

Sex and the Single Avatar in Second Life VIII – Nude Among the Submissives

 There's the theory that nudity doesn't really make something sexy; the characters and their relationship make it sexy.

Tim Robbins  

               During my wanderings across Second Life (SL), I’ve been nude and I’ve visited BDSM sims.  But, I’ve never done both at the same time.  So, as I’ve been asking myself a lot lately inworld about a lot of things, why not? 

               I decide to head out and visit a few BDSM clubs in the altogether.  I hoped to take a friend along as several had indicated a willingness to accompany me on a jaunt like this but no one is available when I plan to go.  As in most things in my life, both SL and Real Life (RL), I’m on my own.  (Significant Other believes that when I’m off on my misadventures I should be on my own.  However, I’m always welcomed back.) 

          After a quick scan on SL’s search tool, I identify a few BDSM clubs to visit, check to make sure I’m naked (Yes, SL’s etiquette is different, isn’t it?), and off I go. 

          I begin with The Rose Unleashed BDSM Club.  I arrive at a club entrance in front of a marina.  The club is fairly typical if not outright vanilla.  A dance floor, a bar, a discussion area, and a game room (I see my first billiards table in SL here.) upstairs that opens onto the dance floor below form the club.

          When I arrive a few people in various states of dress are dancing out on the dance floor.  I wander about.  A few patrons greet me but seem nonplussed by my state of undress and uninterested in me.  (That’s not a criticism.  Anything less than outright aggression is fine with me.) 

          Walking back to the entrance I see a destination guide and select the “Play House” which TP’s me to another building filled with BDSM furniture and equipment.  No one is around which is a shame because the facilities are fairly complete for a variety of practices.  Since things are quiet, I move onto my next destination.

          My port of call is The Gateway to BDSM where I rezz into an open area in front of several destination boards.  Buildings in a classical Greek motif surround me.  A group of clothed people are sitting around talking and take no notice of me.  (I’m unsure if they were either just politely ignoring me or just too busy talking among themselves.)

          I return to the destination boards and select the “Theme Area” and am TP’d to a large room filled with a few pieces of BDSM equipment. A large image of a crucified woman dominates the space.  But, as at my last destination, no one is about.  I’m noticing a pattern here.  (Although, in fairness, my biological clock may be running contrary to everyone else’s.)  So, once again I move on.

          My third and final stop is Naughtyland BDSM Castle.  I land in a fully enclosed room with no doors or windows.  (I don’t know about anyone else but I hate these places inworld.  What if there’s a fire?  How do you get out?  They’re worse than casinos in Las Vegas.)  The space is crammed with BDSM equipment, furniture, and gaming equipment. 

          A walkway reached by stairs surrounds the open area.  One side has a large fireplace with comfortable armchairs which I avail myself of.  (What?  Walking around like I do would tire anyone out.)  On the other side, several rooms, one made out for private encounters of an intimate nature, open off the walkway.

          Still no one around.  Although I do spot someone nearby on the map whom I IM after reading her profile.  (Always read the profiles, they’re there for a reason.)  She practices Wicca in both SL and RL.  I’ve been trying to meet members of this community inworld for a story and will shortly come back with one about Wicca in SL. 

          From here I return to my home in Nowaki. 

          What have I learned from my nude foray into BDSM in SL?

          First, there are BDSM clubs out there that accept nudity.  What I also learned is that there may not be too many patrons there when you drop in.  Going alone may not be a good strategy. (Unless of course, you’re a wandering blogger who doesn’t know any better.)  Bring along a friend or friends (Wow, imagine that, actually having multiple friends!)  because the facilities are well equipped and can be enjoyed. Of course, varying the times of your visits may produce larger crowds than I encountered.  (And, no, unlike what Siginificant Other suggested, I don’t think all of SL is trying to avoid me!) 

          Next, while most of the clubs have similar facilities and equipment, their styles and layouts vary.  (What’s with all those large black and white posters of women in bondage? Doesn’t anyone ever tie up guys?  Sheesh!)  You should be able to find something you like.  I suspect that the atmosphere and clienteles vary as well.  I only selected three for this story.  There are many more.  Go out, explore! 

          Another observation as I traveled about.  All the clubs have tip jars and notices asking for donations to cover costs.  If you frequent these places regularly please make a donation to help maintain them and remember to tell your friends, or strangers for that matter, if you enjoyed yourself.   

          Below please find links to some pictures that I took along the way.  Since as Glorf Bulmer  would say we’re not that sort of blog, everyone has their clothes on.  But you can see the clubs.  Go inworld if you want to see anything else! 

 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  The Rose Unleashed Club - Entrance

Photo No. 2  The Rose Unleashed Club – Destination Guide

Photo No. 3  The Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House I

Photo No. 4  The Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House II

Photo No. 5  The Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House III

Photo No. 6  The Rose Unleashed Club – The Play House IV

Photo No. 7  The Gateway to BDSM - LZ

Photo No. 8  The Gateway to BDSM – Destination Guide

Photo No. 9  The Gateway to BDSM – Theme Area I

Photo No. 10   The Gateway to BDSM – Theme Area II

Photo No. 11  The Gateway to BDSM – Theme Area III

Photo No. 12  Naughtyland BDSM Castle - LZ

Photo No. 13  Naughtyland BDSM Castle I – Truth or Dare Game

Photo No. 14  Naughtyland BDSM Castle II – Bedroom

Photo No. 15  Naughtyland BDSM Castle III - Fireplace                  

My 100th Story

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.

Ernest Hemingway

            I’ve done it!  This is my one hundredth story that I’ve posted since I began blogging about Second Life (SL) last year. 

            Now some may argue is this really my one hundredth story.  Was every posting really a story or maybe just a public service announcement or a simple request?  I don’t care.  I’m putting a stake in the ground and declaring this to be my one hundredth story.  (For the fact checkers out there, make sure you include my first stories on CNN iReports before I was unceremoniously dumped – not for cause.) 

            Some may ask “Who cares?”  Well, for one I do.  (After all it is my blog.)  Several readers have reached out to tell me they enjoy my writings and that they look forward to each story. (No, Significant Other isn’t one of these.)  This is important to me because I stuck it out and kept writing.  One hundred stories is an achievement even if I do say so myself. 

            When I began blogging about SL way back when, I looked at other blogs which had great concepts and good writing. Unfortunately, after a strong start, they would peter out after a handful of postings.  At the time, I thought the Great Recession of 2008 had something to do with this.  But, after having written one hundred stories myself, I have a better appreciation for what’s involved in writing regularly.  It’s work especially when interviews and research are involved.  (Contrary to popular belief, I don’t simply “make it up”.)  At the risk of sounding immodest, I’m kinda proud of what I’ve done.    

            Why do I blog?  First, I enjoy blogging.  I enjoy going inworld meeting people, visiting places, and having new experiences.  And, I especially enjoy bringing all this back to my readers.  Second, this is fun.  I get to do things and see things that I wouldn’t normally do in Real Life (RL).  Finally, there’s a need for a blog like this.  There are many very good boutique blogs about SL out there but I haven’t come across too many generalist SL blogs that are still active.  (If I’ve missed someone’s blog, it’s not by intent.  Please send me your link, I’ll check it out, and maybe add it to my blog roll.)  I try to cover the unconventional.  (Who else do you know who has visited BDSM clubs and interviewed a Tarot card reader?) 

            For those of my loyal readers who may ask “Will I continue to blog?”  The answer is a resounding “Yes, I will!”  For all the reasons I just gave, enjoyment, fun, and need, I will continue.  It was only five months ago when I blogged about my first anniversary as a SL blogger.  When I look back to that story and think about the all people I’d met up to that time and all whom I’ve met subsequently, I’m amazed that I’ve been able to meet them all.  (Significant Other is amazed that I still have a RL.) 

            But that’s how SL is.  Meeting people and forming friendships just seems to happen.  People do come and go.  Sometimes they just disappear and we hope that all is well in RL. 

            What have I learned after writing one hundred stories?  Besides the mechanics of blogging (and I still have a lot to learn there!), I’ve learned about the friendship, social life, and humor among residents and their communities.  The creativity of SL is shown in events like the steampunk communities’ STEAM 7 and Day of the Dead events.  Tribute City shows their creativity in one of their fashion shows and Halloween activities. 

            I continued to push the edges of the envelope with stories about naturism and sex in SL.  I also began the series “Sex and the Single Avatar in SL”.  Lifestyles are an important part of life in SL and these stories probed them. 

            I’ve also been exploring the creativity within SL with visits to ancient sites such as Alexandria and the start of a series visiting the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 

            My recent stories are also making me realize that there seem to be two types of sims inworld.  One based around people and the communities they form based on some common interest.  The other is monuments, works of art if you will.  The former have many visitors whenever I rezz in and the latter are empty though striking in their beauty.  Something for me to look into in the future. 

            Any look back wouldn’t be complete without thanking all the people inworld whom I’ve met and have befriended me.  Folks like Perryn Peterson  who organizes his famous steampunk hunts and other events.  GraciAnne Harte for helping me realize my total lack of fashion sense and what I need to do about it.  (I’m a work in progress.)  Jessii Warrhol who keeps me up to date on Tribute City events.  Spec Belfire and his particle dance performances.  Glorf Bulmer, who is my favorite mad scientist in either SL or RL.  (OK, I don’t know any mad scientists in RL but you get the idea.)  My friends, Janey Bracken and Hibiscus Hastings, whom I first met when we all blogged on CNN iReports.  (I will have that game of Greedy-Greedy this year!) 

            There are many others too numerous to mention and I thank all of you! 

As always, I’m grateful to all those, while not being “formal” friends, for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.

I’ve included links to several pictures from my various journeys inworld.  But, as I always ask, please go and see for yourselves.  Pictures, especially when I’m the photographer, are never as good as being there.  The personal interaction alone is worth more than any picture. 

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 Vampire Empire Landing Pentagram

Photo No. 2 Vampire Wedding Party

Photo No. 3 Phaze Demesnes – Flying Crane Tour

Photo No. 4 1920’s Berlin Restored Bath House

Photo No. 5 Wild Coast Naturist Resort

Photo No. 6 Ancient Alexandria Portside

Photo No. 7 Ancient Alexandria Harbor Lighthouse

Photo No. 8 STEAM 7 Laughing Gryphon House

Photo No. 9 Perryn Peterson

Photo No. 10 Mieville Arcadia Asylum City

Photo No. 11 Great Pyramid at Giza

Photo No. 12 El Dia de Los Muertos

Sex and the Single Avatar in Second Life I

Love is the answer, but while you are waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions.

Woody Allen

 

           There!  Once again I’ve shamelessly caught your attention with the word “sex”.  (See my earlier story about “Sex in Second Life (SL)” to see how I did it the first time.)  Since I first started writing about nudity in SL then moving along to BDSM and bouncing into sex resorts, I’m learning that there’s a lot of sex inworld.  (If you’re wondering how this all happened check out my story about how I write.)  I mean I think there may be even more sex in SL than in Real Life (RL)!    

          When I first started blogging about SL I thought that sex in SL would be an occasional aside, nothing too big.  Boy, did I ever get that wrong.  (Significant Other claims not to be surprised.)  So, being the investigative journalist that I am (apologies to 60 Minutes) I’ve decided to write about it more regularly in a series entitled Sex and the Single Avatar in Second Life. 

          Don’t worry, as my friend, Glorf Bulmer, would say, this won’t become that kind of blog.  (Anyone desiring that kind of titillation should check out Literotica instead.)  I’ll try to blog monthly about what’s going in the world of sex in SL.  I’ll do my best to be informative and, as always humorous.  As Bette Davis once said, “Sex is God’s joke on human beings.”  But, for anything else, like I just wrote, check out Literotica. 

          For now, I just want to go over how much sex is in SL. There are a lot of places dedicated to it, all sorts of practices, and, of course, people merrily engaged in sex. 

          What kinds of places?  Well, there are clubs like Exxotic Pleasures and Cleo Beach.  Dancing and music with rooms off somewhere where people can go and do what people do when they’re all alone in a room with furniture programmed for a variety of sexual experiences.  (Not to mention the freely available pose balls.)  Large numbers of BDSM dungeons do business across the grid.  Then there are resorts such as Turtle Coast and The Island of Bare Naked Angels.  Many of these require nudity and come fully equipped for whatever sexual experiences or preferences are desired.  Then there is the recently opened SL adult continent, Zindra. 

Finally, no discussion of places associated with sex in SL would be complete without talking about the stores.  Shopping for sex in SL has a couple of additional twists not found in RL.  For example, one can go and replace one’s sexual organs complete with a HUD for whatever options one may need.  And, of course what avatar would be complete without birth control, Viagra, or pregnancy test kit?  Who knew? 

Clothing, furniture, BDSM equipment, restraints are but a few of the other accessories available for purchase inworld for those with the necessary Lindens.  (Although, many of these items are freely available in SL as well.) 

          Sexual practices?  Everything from the missionary position to whatever one can imagine or script is possible.  It’s wonderful what can happen when the laws of physics can be ignored.  Then there’s BDSM.  In fact, I think BDSM may be the largest lifestyle community in SL based on my informal, unscientific survey.  For those who are either too tired for intercourse or merely curious, there are sims for those who are feeling a bit voyeuristic.  And, of course, I can’t talk about sex in SL without at least mentioning the practice of collaring. 

As for the people?  They come in all shapes and sizes with all types of practices, straight, gay, BDSM, swingers, and group enthusiasts to name just a few.  For some, sex is a totally uninhibited experience inworld.  I ought to know.  I walked by some of them while they were going at it.  Others are more private.  Engaging in whatever they engage in behind closed doors.  Some are shy about meeting new partners.  Others work as escorts.  Interestingly, when I visited a recently opened sex sim, I noticed many avatars roaming about who were just one or two days old. Makes me think that some aren’t as daring as me when it comes to walking about inworld. Many people are join into groups around whatever their particular interest may be. 

Sex in SL also goes beyond the grid.  Both Barnes & Noble and Amazon sell many fiction and non-fiction ebooks about sex in SL.  (Although, admittedly, most of them seem to be by the same author, Misty Crimsonlay.) Some are about the social aspects of sex in SL, others are memoirs, and some are simply erotica that is SL themed. 

          So what’s this all about?  Besides the sex?  Finding out more about the people and communities that make up SL.  SL is about more than just builds and role playing.  Just as sex is part of everyday life in RL, whether people admit it or not, sex is part of everyday day in SL as well.  I just think people may use the anonymity of SL to experience things they might not otherwise in RL.  Hey guys, do you really think that there are real women behind all those good looking female avatars in SL? Or, that RL women aren’t checking out what it’s like to ill-mannered and rude for a change? 

          In future stories in this series, I’ll write about these different aspects of human sexuality in SL.  And, yes, I do mean human because as many continually remind inworld there’s a real person with real feelings behind that avatar we’re interacting with. 

          I welcome anyone who would like to share their experiences or opinions of SL sexuality with me.  I’d like to include these in my future stories in this series.  I look forward to hearing from you! 

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.

Below are a few pictures of the places I visited for this story.  And, no, there is neither nudity nor activity of a sexual nature contained therein.  If you want to see that then you’ll have to go there yourself! 

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 Turtle Coast

Photo No. 2 The Island of Bare Naked Angels

Photo No. 3 Exxotic Pleasures

Photo No. 4 Cleo Beach

Photo No. 5 Zindra  

 

 

STEAM 7: Back Among the Steampunks

If some animals are good at hunting and others are suitable for hunting, then the Gods must clearly smile on hunting.

Aristotle

Recently, after my attempt at humor inworld, one of my oldest friends in Second Life (SL), Perryn Peterson  (That’s in terms of how long I’ve known him and not how old he is!) reminded me that the semi-annual STEAM: The Hunt was coming up.  This would be STEAM 7. (STEAM is an acronym which stands for “Steampunk Travelers’ Event, Adventure & Megahunt”)  

          I had to admit time has escaped me since I’d last written about a Hunt. That had been in last September.  Real Life (RL) technical and health issues had kept me away from STEAM 6 in March and I didn’t want to miss this chance to catch up with events.

          I meet Perryn at the recently renovated Laughing Gryphon House in Mieville Doyle Victorian Steampunk sim which is also the starting point for the Hunts.  We settle in the comfortable armchairs in an atmosphere comparable to a nineteenth century London gentlemen’s club (I’ll explain some other time how I happen to know what one of those looks like.) and begin our interview about STEAM 7. 

          Perryn has been running Hunts for over three years now and reminisces about how fast time has flown. 

          STEAM 7 will run from September 1^st to 30^th as the autumn one typically does.  As usual the Hunt has a subtheme to main steampunk one.  This time it’s “Time & Space” honoring H. G. Wells.  Participating merchants will try to incorporate this concept into their gifts to the hunters.    

          Speaking of the merchants, Perryn estimates that there will be about one hundred and forty for STEAM 7 including some hunters like Glorf Bulmer who are now merchants themselves.  Several dozen merchants are new to the Hunt which Perryn believes is a real plus to the increasing popularity of the Hunts.  Unlike when he first started the Hunts and had to “scour the bushes” looking for merchants to participate, he now has to “beat them off with a stick”!  Sounds like things are looking good in world. 

          From the Laughing Gryphon the hunters will first visit the shops of two other Hunt organizers, JoseDiego Silverspar and Wyvern Dryke.   

          Other participating merchants include Mayah Parx of Epic Toy, Janeel Kharg of Ankh Morpork, Noddigton Schmooz, Moggio Morigi, Albus Weka, Villain Baroque and Lexx Bondar.   

Lexx Bondar will be participating in her third Hunt.  (STEAM 5 and STEAM 6 were her earlier forays.)  In the past she has contributed gifts such as a steampunk jetpack and a single seat airship. While Lexx hasn’t made up her mind as to her gift for STEAM 7, she’s leaning towards either a steampunk submersible or a steam powered rocket ship.  Sounds like fun either way!  Lexx enjoys making gifts that hunters will continue to reuse and enjoy.  She sees her sales and traffic go up with each Hunt and feels Hunts are a win-win for everyone. 

Villain Baroque has been participating in the Hunts since STEAM 2 and it is his favorite hunt inworld.  H. G. Wells happens to be one of his favorite writers and will be preparing a special gift based on the “Time & Space” theme.  It’ll be a "Wells Musical Timemachine".   A Steampunk Musicplayer that walks the listener  through the decades from 1860 to 2012 by playing a song of this time, a song somehow related to "Time" like "Beatles - Yesterday" for the 60’s or "Bill Haley - Rock Around the Clock" for the 50’s.  Sounds like another winner!

          Perryn also talks about the sense of community that is built among the hunters who comment on how wonderful the group is, how they’ve made friends, and how friendly and helpful everyone is. 

          Then there’s the business aspect of the Hunts.  Perryn says the merchants are seeing increased traffic and purchases.  Group membership also sees increases after the Hunts. 

          Perryn highlights the poster for STEAM 7 which was done by a new artist, Tattoo Lane. 

          At the risk of editorializing (Why not? It’s my blog after all!), I must say the STEAM: The Hunts are fun events well worth the time.  I’ve met hunters who have do the entire stretch and others who do parts.  All have enjoyed themselves and plan to come back in the future.  I’ll be in and out over the course of the month.  (Perryn, sorry if that keeps some away!) 

          See you there!

          I thank Perryn for his time and assistance and take my leave looking forward to visiting with the hunters and merchants in the Hunt next month.  I would also like to thank Lexx Bondar and Villain Baroque for taking the time to reply to my queries. 

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.

Below are a few pictures of some of the communities I’ve visited inworld, which at the time seemed a little humorous.  I hope you find them that way too! 

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 STEAM 7: The Hunt Poster (with credit to Tattoo Lane)

Photo No. 2 Perryn Peterson

Photo No. 3 Laughing Gryphon House

Photo No. 4 Refurbished Main Room