Among the Steampunks - STEAM XII in Second Life?

Steampunk is...the love child of Hot Topic and a BBC costume drama.

Gail Carriger   

This is a strange time of the year in Real Life (RL).

(I’ll ignore Significant Other’s query about when isn’t it a strange time for me.  Some of us just look for life’s potentials.)

Lent has started for those who observe which means hangovers from Mardi Gras revelries for some.   

Presidents’ Day is past in the US. 

Saint Patrick’s Day beckons from afar.

And, most importantly, slightly further out, spring entices us with her warm imagery.  (As I write this, a horrible cold that I have makes the prospect of waiting for winter seem unbearable.)

Meanwhile, back in Second Life (SL), an old tradition begins anew! 

And, of course, I’m talking about the annual Mieville steampunk hunt, STEAM XII!

For those to whom this may be a new phenomenon in SL, STEAM XII is the twelfth (Hence the “XIi” for those who flunked Roman numerals in second grade arithmetic.) celebration of all that this is steampunk inworld. 

STEAM XII is, as always, hosted by the Mayor of Mieville and impresario extraordinaire, Perryn Peterson. 

The Hunt is a Grid wide event with dozens of merchants, all personally and carefully selected by Perryn himself, offering as gifts to intrepid hunters the very best of their wares.  Several merchants run their own mini-Hunts which adds to the fun.  Two hundred and five spots have been reserved for merchants this year so expect lots of great gifts!

Hunters look for clues and try to find the gifts which are free.  Some hunters gather into hunt parties and go out together.

Let’s take a closer look at STEAM XII.

STEAM is an acronym which stands for “Steampunk Travelers’ Event, Adventure & Megahunt.”  (Rather to the point if I do say so myself!)  STEAM was once a semi-annual event but the effort behind an event of this scale as well as all the other social activities on Mieville’s calendar have necessitated going to an annual schedule.

The theme for this year’s Hunt is Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon and this is the idea behind all the Hunt’s gifts.  (In case anyone is still unaware, I’m a big Jules Verne fan!)

This year’s poster has been done by a new artist, the talented Miss Unalunaqat. 

The Hunt begins at Laughing Gryphon House in the Mieville Victorian Doyle sim. 

From here, hunters launch out across the Grid in pursuit of their treasures.  There are over eighty-five stops to visit in this year’s Hunt.

This year’s contingent of merchants is varied with some back after a long time away, and others brand new, along with the regular, stalwart backbone of merchants. 

Brand new merchants are Johannes1977 Resident  of Mahlberg Tailors, and Loki Alphaville of Steamy Fox Labs.

Back after a long hiatus are Oriolus Oliva of The Golden Oriole, and Sidney Arctor of Arctor Shipyards. 

The gear (pictured) marks participating merchants and also contains their hint to help

find their gift.

Historical Hunts, Ltd., the sponsoring Mieville organization maintains a blog with Hunt details as well as pictures of gifts.  This blog is also a great resource for future Mieville activities.  Another helpful site can be found here.  Be sure to check them out!)

While you’re at it, why not join the Group?  A Historical Hunts, Ltd. group joiner is located at the first stop.  Just click it for instructions.  If you do not join the group, you will miss out on much information including updated notecards giving all of the locations and any current problems plus their solutions.

STEAM XII is a wonderful and fun filled community event in SL. 

It’s an opportunity to sample the wares of the creative merchants inworld and to meet and hang out with other residents. 

I strongly encourage all to participate and, if possible, to purchase some of the other merchandise offered by merchants in their shops.  After all, a strong SL economy is good for everyone. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Great Challenge of every Hunt!

Namely to complete the Hunt in its entirety, including mini-Hunts, in record time!

Who’s up for it?

See you at STEAM XII!

STEAM XII runs from March 1st to 31st so don’t miss out! 

And, don’t forget!  You’ll be voting for your FAVE FIVE merchants at the end of the hunt, so take notes!

I’d like to thank Perryn for his time and assistance in helping me prepare for this story.   Perryn is one of my oldest and closest friends inworld and I’m grateful for the time he takes from his busy schedule to help me.

I’d also like to thank The Companion for supplying the pictures used in this story.  More pictures from her visit to Doyle can be found here. 

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!

Among the Steampunks: STEAM XI in Second Life

Steam seems to have killed all gratitude in the hearts of sailors. 

Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

  

          The Holidays are past and winter is gradually releasing its icy grasp in Real Life (RL).

          In Second Life (SL), that lull which always seems to follow the New Year’s festivities seems to be drawing to a close as more friends whom I haven’t seen for some time are gradually reappearing inworld.  (Or, as Significant Other puts it, they’re just not as good at avoiding me as they used to be.)

          As I always look for things to keep my mind off of RLs weather at this time of the year and I’m rewarded by knowing that it’s time for the annual Mieville steampunk hunt, STEAM

XI, inworld. 

          For those to whom this may be a new phenomenon in SL, STEAM XI is the eleventh (Hence the “XI” for those who failed Roman numerals in second grade arithmetic.) celebration of all that this is steampunk inworld. 

          STEAM XI is, as always, hosted by the Mayor of Mieville and impresario extraordinaire, Perryn Peterson. 

          The Hunt is a Grid wide event with dozens of merchants, all personally and carefully selected by Perryn himself, offering as gifts to intrepid hunters the very best of their wares.  Several merchants run their own mini-Hunts which adds to the fun.  Two hundred and five spots have been reserved for merchants this year so expect lots of great gifts!

          Hunters look for clues and try to find the gifts which are free.  Some hunters gather into hunt parties and go out together.

          Let’s take a closer look at STEAM XI.

          STEAM is an acronym which stands for “Steampunk Travelers’ Event, Adventure & Megahunt.”  (Rather to the point if I do say so myself!)  STEAM was once a semi-annual event but the effort behind an event of this scale as well as all the other social activities on Mieville’s calendar have necessitated going to an annual schedule.

          I began covering these events with STEAM VII not long after I’d begun blogging. 

          The theme for this year’s Hunt is Realms of the Deep and this is the idea behind all the Hunt’s gifts.  (Shades of Captain Nemo!) 

          This year’s poster has been done once again by the talented Tattoo Lane.

          The Hunt begins at Laughing Gryphon House in the Mieville Doyle Victorian

Steampunk sim .

          From here, hunters launch out across the Grid in pursuit of their treasures.

          STEAM XI runs from March 1^st to 31^st so don’t miss out! 

          The gear (pictured) marks participating merchants and also contains their hint to help

find their gift. 

          Historical Hunts, Ltd., the sponsoring Mieville organization maintains a blog with Hunt details as well as pictures of gifts.  This blog is also a great resource for future Mieville activities.  Be sure to check it out!

          STEAM XI is a wonderful and fun filled community event in SL. 

          It’s an opportunity to sample the wares of the creative merchants inworld and to meet and hang out with other residents. 

          I strongly encourage all to participate and, if possible, to purchase some of the other merchandise offered by merchants in their shops.  After all, a strong SL economy is good for everyone. 

          I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Great Challenge of every Hunt!

          Namely to complete the Hunt in its entirety, including mini-Hunts, in record time!

          Who’s up for it?

 

 

 

 

          See you at STEAM XI!

 

          I’d like to thank Perryn for his time and assistance in helping me prepare for this story.   Perryn is one of my oldest and closest friends inworld and I’m grateful for the time he takes from his busy schedule to help 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!

 

 

 

         

STEAM X in Second Life

 There was something delightfully intimate about the relationship between predator and prey.

Nenia Campbell

  

          As I sit down to write this story about Second Life (SL), another 8 inches of show is falling outside of my home in Real Life (RL).

          Yet, hope springs eternal because The Weather Channel promises that spring is also around the corner.

          I yearn for warmer weather and no ice and snow outside my door. (Significant Other now complains about cabin fever on a regular basis.)

          As I always look for things to keep my mind off of the weather at this time of the year (And to stay out of Significant Other’s way.) I’m rewarded by knowing that it’s time for the annual Mieville steampunk hunt, STEAM X, inworld.

          For those to whom this may be a new phenomenon in SL, STEAM X is the tenth (Hence the “X” for those who failed Roman numerals in second grade arithmetic.) celebration of all this is steampunk inworld. 

          STEAM X is, as always, hosted by the Mayor of Mieville and impresario extraordinaire, Perryn Peterson. 

         

The Hunt is a Grid wide event with dozens of merchants, all personally and carefully selected by Perryn himself, offering as gifts to intrepid hunters the very best of their wares.  Several merchants run their own mini-Hunts which adds to the fun. 

          Hunters look for clues and try to find the gifts which are free.  Some hunters gather into hunt parties and go out together.

          Let’s take a closer look at STEAM X.

          STEAM is an acronym which stands for “Steampunk Travelers’ Event, Adventure & Megahunt.”  (Rather to the point if I do say so myself!)  STEAM was once a semi-annual event but the effort behind an event of this scale as well as all the other social activities on Mieville’s calendar have necessitated going to an annual schedule.

          I began covering these events with STEAM VII not long after I’d begun blogging. 

          The theme for this year’s Hunt is Steam: The Dream and this is the idea behind all the Hunt’s gifts. 

          This year’s poster has been done once again by the talented Tattoo Lane.

          XMarieX Fairport’s gift’s (The Steam Dream Cog Chair) picture is included as a sample of the marvelous and creative gifts

prepared by the merchants for the Hunt.

          The Hunt begins at Laughing Gryphon House in the Mieville Doyle Victorian Steampunk sim .

          From here, hunters launch out across the Grid in pursuit of their treasures.

          STEAM X runs from March 1^st to 31^st so don’t miss out!

          Historical Hunts, Ltd., the sponsoring Mieville organization maintains a blog with Hunt details as well as pictures of gifts.  This blog is also a great resource for future Mieville activities.  Be sure to check it out!

          STEAM X is a wonderful and fun filled community event in SL. 

          It’s an opportunity to sample the wares of the creative merchants inworld and to meet and hang out with other residents. 

          I strongly encourage all to participate and, if possible, to purchase some of the other merchandise offered by merchants in their shops.  After all, a strong SL economy is good for everyone. 

          I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Great Challenge of every Hunt!

          Namely to complete the Hunt in its entirety, including mini-Hunts, in record time!

          Who’s up for it?

          See you at STEAM X!

          I’d like to thank Perryn for his time and assistance in helping me prepare for this story.   Perryn has become one of my closest friends inworld and I’m grateful for the time he takes from his busy schedule to help 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!

                                             

An Anniversary Celebration in Second Life!

 

Life is celebration, for those who know how to celebrate every moment.

Bharat Zanvar

 

After the gloom and doom that I engendered with my last post about the future of Second Life (SL).  I decided it was time to cheer up a bit.  The world’s not ending.  (At least not yet.)

So, after an intervention by some well-intentioned SL friends (Significant Other is giving me that “I told you so!” look as I write this.)  I decided to return to the happier events which surround us inworld.  (But, have no fear, I haven’t abandoned the Cause.  More to come!)

Fortunately for me, there is always cause for celebration in SL!

In particular, my very good friend inworld, Perryn Peterson, reminded me that this month is the sixth anniversary of the founding of the Mieville sim in SL.   Perryn, who is one of the most impressive impresarios whom I’ve met in either SL or Real Life (RL), is pulling out all the plugs for this one.

For those of you who are just joining us, Perryn is the mayor of Mieville, a collection of twelve sims in SL.  The theme is steampunk.  But, I’ve found them to be very open minded about what’s included in the genre. 

Perryn, whom I selected last year as one of the most interesting SL residents whom I’ve met, acts as the creative spark and organizer behind all that happens in Mieville.  I still don’t know how he balances RL and SL.  (There is a rumor that he only exists inworld but I’m not touching that one until I have some more facts.  I do have some standards you know!)

His career inworld began with Gor.  But he wasn’t satisfied there.  (Gor can be a demanding and rigid roleplaying environment inworld.)  Perryn didn’t feel that he was getting all that he wanted or could get from SL in Gor.  In RL, He’s always been fond of Victorian times and lives in a house built in 1892.  (For my non-American readers, that’s a very old house by our standards!)

When the Doyle sim became available six years ago, Perryn felt that he could do something with it. Initially, he was working with his STEAM: The Hunt project.  Perryn also faced a monumental task of replacing all the prims that came with the sim because title didn’t pass to him with the sale.  He says now he knows better.  The replacement of all the sims took years Perryn tells me. 

Ultimately, Perryn and his SL partner, Mike Olbracht, the landscaping wunderkind, left Gor completely two years ago to focus on Mieville exclusively. 

And, he does need the time because in addition to STEAM, he’s introduced the recurring Renaissance Faire and Hunt, and The Silk Road Hunt. 

In addition to these regularly scheduled functions, Perryn has special one off functions for Christmas, the gacha fad, a Tolkien Festival, and Route 66 to name but a few.  Regular followers of my blog know that by now few seasons go by without some sort of special Perryn function in Mieville.

Perryn also has weekly town hall meetings for the merchants and residents of Mieville.  He also sponsors weekly dances with different themes.  (Ebbe Altberg and Linden Lab could learn a few things from him but I digress.)

Mieville now comprises twelve sims.  Besides the original Doyle, Twain, Poe, Wells, Verne, Chesterton, Dickens, Lakes, Stevenson, Kipling, Shelley, and Pond have been added.  Tinyopolis now occupies one of these sims.  Another Perryn property is Renaissance Fairy Island which is on the mainland. 

Helping Perryn along the way were folks like Mike, Jalynne Ohmai, and Wyvern Dryke to name but a few.  (To those whose names I’ve omitted, my apologies, I’ll get you in my next story!) 

Now Perryn wouldn’t be Perryn if he didn’t have some sort of celebrations planned for this event and he does!

There will be a yard sale to assist a member of the community with RL medical bills.  Please be generous when you stop by here.

Airship races, a boat regatta, something to do with warbugs, a Victorian dance, a picnic, opening of a new public building, a chef’s cook-off, and much more!  There’s something for everyone.

          But, hurry!  The festivities only last until July 13^th.  Come and meet Perryn and the wonderful people who make up the Mieville community!  Maybe you’ll even run into me!  (Please don’t use that as your excuse for not coming, Perryn won’t invite me back if you do!)

          The poster shown below will give you a detailed program when you click it inworld.  (A not so subtle way to get you to go in!) 

          Also, one final note for now, as part of the Mieville 6^th Anniversary Celebrations, I with two brave companions will shortly begin a boat tour of the Mieville sims.  Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to cast off into the unexplored reaches of Mieville!  (Sorry Perryn, I just had to be overly dramatic here!)

           I would like to thank Perryn for taking the time to meet with me to answer my questions to permit to write this story.  As always, he is a most gracious and hospitable host.

Remember to drop by!

I’ve included a few pictures of some of the beautiful places in Mieville.  There are many more, go and see them for yourselves!

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 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 Perryn Peterson, Mayor of Mieville

Photo No. 2 Mieville 6^th Anniversary Celebration Poster

Photo No. 3 Merchants’ Lane at a Renaissance Faire

Photo No. 4 Airships from STEAM 8

Photo No. 5 Irish Countryside from St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Photo No. 6 Gacha Machines at Gacha Expo

Photo No. 7 Yardsale I

Photo No. 8 Yardsale II

Photo No. 9 Yardsale III

Photo No. 10 Mieville Doyle – Where It All Began!

 

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