A Stroll Through Caledon

Oh Dear, Oh My

2010-10-18T14:14:00.002-04:00

Upon looking at this aethernet journal, I realize that I have been rather remiss in my postings.

There have been many things going on and thus I have been distracted. I do promise that I shall begin posting again soon once things have settled a bit.

Victoriana to Close

2010-03-25T13:59:00.002-04:00

It is always sad to hear of a major Steamlands region closing and the community of Victoriana will be doing so at the end of the month. Mayor LittleBlackDuck Lindsay cited many reasons, first and foremost being his frustration with Linden Labs and many of their recent policies, oversights and inaction. I do feel for Victoriana's residents, as one does become vested in their community and I am sorry to hear of this happening.

For more information, you may peruse the following aethernet journals:
The Heliograph
Hibernia on the Skids
Through the Filter of a Victorian Aesthetic

New Steelhead Embassy in Winterfell Absinthe

2010-03-18T17:50:00.004-04:00

Lunar asked me about using my museum building for the new embassy in Winterfell Absinthe. With a few tweaks involving some wall removals, a new back doorway and a retexture, I placed it in a nice little spot next to the Hut des Jagers...I created a wallpaper texture based upon a William Morris design...And in the back, Lunar created a bit of Pacific Northwest woodlands for folks to enjoy. He is still in the process of moving welcome items and finishing its details, but do feel free to stop by and enjoy this piece of Steelhead!Being a bunny builder is hard work...

Town Meetings Like No Other...

2010-03-17T23:59:00.000-04:00

As I have been away for reasons explained in this post, I thought the easiest way to catch up on the unusual things that happen at Steelhead town meetings was to show you the photos themselves. It seems the town hall chandeliers are infested with crows and chickens...Was it something Fuzz said? Pies were being thrown left and right by attendees...Beware of tiny kitties in fancy dresses...After one meeting there was a hair-raising airship ride through all of Steelhead's sims with Emperor SteelCobra that involved being underwater and landing on pagodas...And speaking of the blue gent himself, he seemed rather ready for St. Patrick's Day...

Latest Issue of The Primgraph is Available

2010-02-10T03:06:00.000-05:00

Dame Ordinal Leaves

2010-01-31T16:13:00.000-05:00

I have been reading about the situation regarding Ordinal Malaprop's departure from the Grid with both sadness and interest. Mainly because as of late, I have often felt the same way.

Her concerns about the recent LiLa acquisition of Avatars United aside, I can understand the sense of logging in and feeling as if you are unproductive as a creator. Or unwilling to deal with whatever the latest drama the Grid or its citizens throw your way. I know that for me, logging into SL lately has been bringing more apprehension than enjoyment and I have always said that when it gets that way, why bother?

I used to love being inworld and creating and blogging. I used to love attending social events and exploring the Grid. I've gotten so tired of hearing about other people's dramas as they rant/complain/gripe their way through their time inworld. Why are you even in SL if it all sucks that much for you? That, combined with my own lack of motivation to create, has been a great source of inworld stress for me and you know what? I've been doing other things instead. I'm sure that it'll kick in and I'll be creative again. At least I hope so. Dia and I have talked a lot about "reclaiming one's SL", whether through downsizing, reinvention or taking a break from it (as I have been lately) to make it fun again. We can't be the only ones that have felt this sense of ennui.

As for Dame Ordinal, she's quite the inventor, scripter and personality. I took the pic above when we both got stuck at her shop in Caledon about 2 years ago. I was so excited to meet her for the first time. We had a great conversation and she demonstrated her latest product for me. Her presence--especially in the Steamlands of SL--will be missed.

Steelhead Town Mtg: 1st Chickening

2010-01-05T23:53:00.000-05:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting. We are having a lantern festival on the 15th, and there is a call for folks to create their own. You can find out more about it here. And poor Mrs. P was Steelhead's first afk chickening of the year...For more Steelhead events and goings-on, please peruse the Sentinel.

Happy Holidays to You All!

2009-12-25T07:40:00.001-05:00

I would like to wish everyone in the Steamlands and beyond a wonderful holiday season!

O Steelhead Tartan Bustle Dress

2009-12-23T19:00:00.002-05:00

I have released the "O Steelhead" version of my tartan bustle dress, done in Steelhead's official tartan!

You may find it in my shop at Steelhead City.

I will be releasing the lumberjack shirt, waistcoat and full tartan dress with jacket soon, so be on the look out for them.

Riding Through Steelhead St Helens

2009-12-21T21:18:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd saddle up Flashy and go for a ride through Steelhead St Helen's...
First killer deer and now bears?I love all of the flags from those who have climbed to the top of the mountain...
St Helen's is a beautiful, rustic sim with forests, streams, hot springs, and even a geyser! Every time I go back it is different. You'll have to see it for yourself...

Aether Salon: Shanghai'ed

2009-12-20T20:56:00.000-05:00

There was a great turn out for the Aether Salon. The theme was "Shanghai'ed" and focused on Steelhead's Shanghai sim. Lunar discussed his influences for the Asian Steampunk look and feel of the sim, while Miss Riven Homewood discussed the RL influence of the Asian community on the Pacific Northwest. Miss Elegia Underwood spoke about roleplaying and RP'ing in Shanghai. I think everyone enjoyed it very much and it was nice to see so many visiting this wonderful sim.

Caledon Colony in Blue Mars

2009-12-15T23:59:00.000-05:00

Well, it's official...

The Guvnah has announced that there will be a Caledon colony in the virtual world of Blue Mars.

It will be available for preview there in a few days. For more information, please read more HERE.

Steelhead on Ice

2009-12-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

Just gliding around during our Friday night dance!

Skating in the Kokopelli

2009-12-06T23:08:00.001-05:00

I genuinely enjoy ice skating. I find it calming as I glide around on the ice and sometimes do tricks and jumps. This year, the Steelhead ice rink is located at the Kokopelli Stage in Steelhead Capital City instead of in the Gardens as in years past. There is a free skate box and skate vendor there if you'd like to as well.

Steelhead Sim Opening Dance and Killer Deer

2009-12-04T23:59:00.002-05:00

There was a nice turnout at tonight's dance celebrating the arrival of St Helen's...However, its resident deer ran amok, causing quite a bit of panic. It seems it did not forget my chasing after it in ferret form the other night. Yes...it really was staring directly at me. I was reduced to a bit of a state of paranoia which caused me to utter the following statement that is now on many a profile of those present:

"Crappity crap crap crap...I'm going to get killed by Bambi."

Steelhead Town Meeting: Ferrets & Airships

2009-12-01T23:59:00.000-05:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting. There were many "hoooos" regarding the arrival of St Helens. As I was still a ferret, I just got comfortable in the front of the room on the floor...
Afterwards, the Baron--who was a tiny critter himself--and I chatted...As Lunar rode on Tensai's airship, which was veering crazily around the room...For more information about events in Steelhead, please see HERE.

Steelhead Mt St Helen's is Here!

2009-11-30T23:59:00.001-05:00

Steelhead's latest sim--Mt St Helen's--arrived! Here I am at the top looking over the whole sim...
I love when a sim is brand new and everything is being terraformed and added to it. I love the waterfall and trees...Some of us gathered by the fire with marshmallows...Later, I couldn't think of a better place to be a critter and chase (and be chased by) the deer through the woods...

Leftovers Dance

2009-11-28T23:59:00.000-05:00

I went to Steelhead's "Thanksgiving Leftovers" dance as turkey bones...It looks like I ended up as soup stock...Hope you all had a great holiday!

Steelhead Shanghai Featured on "Designing Worlds"

2009-11-18T10:52:00.003-05:00

Steelhead Shanghai was featured on the "Designing Worlds" show. Hosts Saffia Widdershins and Elrik Merlin joined Lunar, Tensai and resident Elegia Underwood on a tour of the sim. For those who might have a problem viewing the video below, you can view it HERE...

Steelhead Town Meeting: Steelhead Mt St Helen's Prebooking Available

2009-11-17T23:59:00.002-05:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting. O'Toole had a very large drum to bang. You may find out more about local events HERE, but the big announcement of the evening is that Steelhead Mt St Helen will be arriving in December and is now available for prebooking!
What is that large mountain in the background? Oh, it's perfectly safe to live there...To summarize the info from Lunar:
Steelhead's sixth sim will be a rugged, frontier wilderness community in the Oregon Territories, tree-filled and more rural with unpaved roads. Steampunk is very much allowed as long as a western influence is present in the build. Think the wild Pacific Northwest and geothermal power. Industries such as logging, slaughterhouses, cattle ranching, shipfitting, and whaling are very welcome, and industry builds are allowed to spit out tons of smoke in the air as well as dump pollutants into the water (This was the era before the EPA).

If you are interested in living there, please contact TotalLunar Eclipse.

Steelhead's New Station

2009-11-15T08:15:00.000-05:00

Lunar and Tensai have built a brand new structure based upon this one to replace one of Steelhead's most well-known landmarks--the train station...
Steelhead's station has had a main train station for as long as I can remember. It serves as Steelhead's main welcome center and there is now plenty of room inside for new arrivals...
My favorite thing about it is the beautiful ceilings and beams...

Remember...Remember...

2009-11-06T23:59:00.001-05:00

I went to Steelhead for tonight's Guy Fawkes-inspired dance and found this note tacked to an underground room...As you can see, I was dressed in a tiny gunpowder keg. After making my way through the tunnels I found the revelers and joined their dancing...Afterwards, I thought I'd go home to Harborside and partake of a bit of fishing, as Lunar created a lovely area by the water to do so...I even managed to catch this pretty ultrarare fish!

Noodle's at Ho Ping's

2009-11-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

I stopped by the Steelhead Shanghai pawnshop establishment of Mr Ho Ping the other night, where I joined siblings Lunar and Lady Christine MacAllister for some noodles and sake. All that I can say is that elves must have a rather high tolerance for sake. I took care not to spill any of the broth onto my satin dress, although a vegetable (or at least I think it was a vegetable) escaped my chopsticks at one point.

Town Meeting: Of Squiddies and Spookiness

2009-11-04T23:59:00.000-05:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for the weekly town meeting, where it was announced that Miss Tibouchina Freschi won the trophy for Steelhead's Spookiest House...I was rather surprised to see the relatively reclusive Dr Alter present. It seems a John Doe was found in her pet squiddy thing last Friday and Sheriff Fuzz and Steelhead in general are to help solve the mystery of how he ended up there...

Bunnies Amok

2009-10-29T23:56:00.001-04:00

Yesterday Lunar and I amused ourselves by running amok as tiny bunnies. There is something to be said for the "instant happy" that being a tiny bunny seems to create, although it has been rumored that I tend to be rather destructive and mischievous about town when I am one--getting myself into all sorts of hijinks and shenanigans. I wonder if Sheriff Fuzz ever got the pawprints off of his ceiling...

Steelhead Port Harbor was listed in the Linden Lab Search Showcase as a "Hot Spot" so there has been quite an influx of new folks coming to town. We popped over to the landing point where Tensai was setting things out and highly amused some new visitors. She put down something shiny. I licked it and passed out for a spell. Oh dear.

Steelhead Town Meeting 10/27: Fuzzwolf

2009-10-28T23:59:00.000-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting. Sheriff Fuzz was a bit "fuzzier" than normal...Our spooky stories readings will continue on Sun., Nov 1 at the Steelhead Library Gardens at 11:30 SLT. You may check HERE for more events and goings-on in Steelhead.

Steelhead Town Meeting: A Hot Hat

2009-10-22T19:22:00.004-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly meeting. As it has a section during which Tensai discusses the latest technological advances affecting our world, mention of a certain more "fluid" motion of one's bosom as recently implemented in a viewer was discussed. This of course led to a very Steelheadesque raucous discussion of certain floppy appendages. And to add further interest, O'Toole's hat was a bit hot for him and some sitting nearby took advantage of that fact...Many spooky events coming up, so do read more HERE about Steelhead's events and such.

Steelhead Town Meeting: Oct. 13

2009-10-13T23:59:00.000-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting. We're having an upcoming hunt and our Annual Spookiest House Contest and Tour on the 24th. There will also be a greet Spooky Readings event on the 18th and Nov 1. For more information about Steelhead events and goings-on, do read more HERE.

And you would think the squirrel jokes would get old by now, but alas...no, they don't seem to.

Sailing on the Firth and Over Nessie

2009-10-13T23:57:00.001-04:00

I took the Seredipity out for a spin...well, slow-going cruise. Phin gave it to me last year as a present for our one-year anniversary of being together. I thought I'd finally take it out on the Firth and set out from Messmer Harbor in Mayfair...
En route, I felt stuck on a prim or something and had to steer around it. Upon coming back it rezzed and I realized what I had almost run over. First duchesses and now Nessie? Oh dear...

Steelhead Town Meeting 10/6: Birthday Balloons

2009-10-07T13:27:00.003-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting last night, where we were all given red balloons to celebrate Mrs Peterman's birthday. Some of us floated with said balloons occasionally. Also, a mysterious letter was left on the front of town hall. Whoever could it be from and what does it portend?

For more Steelhead events and goings on, please find more information HERE.

Issue 8 of The Primgraph Available

2009-10-06T23:59:00.000-04:00

The latest issue of The Primgraph magazine is out, with articles of interest to those in the Steamlands and historic sims...

The Primgraph: Issue 8 - October 2009

Publish at Calaméo or browse others.

Steelhead Civic Project: Manhole Covers

2009-10-05T23:59:00.001-04:00

Lunar is constantly doing civic projects for Steelhead and like with the street signs all over, the new house numbers, and whatnot I get recruited to create things and textures for the town. The latest project he had for me? Manhole covers. Inspired by decorated Japanese manhole covers, some of which are gorgeous and look like woodcut drawings, I took out my sketchbook and drew Steelhead's namesake fish...
Using the sketch as my template, I then created the actual texture for the cover itself and voila! Finished manhole cover in Boomtown! There will be three more designs. Like the Japanese ones, they are unique to their location, so each Steelhead sim will have its own design. Do look out for them when you visit!

Steelhead Town Meeting Sept 29: Contest Winners

2009-09-29T23:59:00.000-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting. The winners of the steampunk build were announced. Livestock: 1st place--Steamgoat, 2nd place--Ugly Cow; Poultry: 1st place--Steam Phoenix, 2nd place--Gear Eyed Poultry; Exotic/Other: 1st place--Steam Chupacabra, 2nd place--Steam Willard. The winner of the tartan contest--Tanarian Davies, whose winning entry is below--was announced as well. Congrats to all winners and participants. For more Steelhead events and goings-on, please click HERE.

Farewell to Ice Castle Xero

2009-09-26T23:59:00.001-04:00

High in the skies above Caledon Morgaine, a beautiful castle of ice has been floating...
Owned by Xero Silverspar, many of us joined him and danced upon his ice crystal ballroom floor last night to bid it farewell...There he is behind me in the Strand cover with the Guvnah. I shall always remember being in my shop in Regency when it was new and seeing snow and knowing he was near...I stood in his crystal study, where I knew he had been trying to find a way back home...If the castle is leaving, then he must have succeeded in doing so then. If that is so, then I wish him much luck upon his journey home and he will be missed. It was always a bit warm for him here.

Steelhead's Harvest Festival Wraps Up

2009-09-25T23:59:00.000-04:00

After the farewell party at Ice Castle Xero in Caledon Morgaine, I arrived back in Steelhead to find the Harvest Moon Dance--the culmination of the Steelhead Days Harvest Festival activities--in full swing. Afterwards, I went to see the steampunk livestock in the building contest...
There were some rather fantastic (and hilarious) ones...To see these wonderful animals for yourself, do visit the barn in Steelhead City!

Steelhead Town Meeting: Sept. 22...Chickening

2009-09-23T15:02:00.003-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting last night. Not all of us--like Mr Daines here--were alert during it however. We had not done a good chickening in quite a while. Such a Steelhead time-honored tradition...
To read more about the events and goings on in Steelhead, do read more HERE.

Avast Ye Mateys

2009-09-19T11:59:00.000-04:00

Arrrr...

Yes. It was International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Steelhead Days State Fair Building Contest

2009-09-17T22:57:00.002-04:00

Don't miss out on the fun of creating your own steampunk animal for the Steelhead Days State Fair building contest!

You can create a steampunk animal in one of three categories: Livestock, Poultry, and Exotic or 'Other'

They can't be bigger than 10 x 5 for each category. and no more than 30 prims for each entry. Please only one entry per category per participant or group. Anyone can enter you dont have to be a landowner or citizen. Setup starts September 20th (landmark to come shortly), so get your entries in no later than the 23rd. Judging will be done before the dance with winners announced during Harvest Moon Festival.

The blue ribbon could be yours!

Steelhead Town Meeting: Sept. 15

2009-09-16T23:54:00.001-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly town meeting. No exploding cakes this time.

To find out more about the goings-on and upcoming events in Steelhead, please click HERE.

Racing Through Steelhead

2009-09-13T17:13:00.006-04:00

From elephants to snails to steampunked wheelchairs, we all gathered in Steelhead Harborside for the Steelhead Wrangler Cup Race last night. Mr Daines had a bit of a mishap with his shopping cart...
We lined up at the starting gate, awaiting the countdown to race through three sims for the coveted Wrangler Cup! My tiny pony Yin and I galloped quickly through Steelhead along with the others...Afterwards, in the Harborside Commons, we waited for Doc Wrangler to tell us the race results...
Second place was Frau Lowey, but the winner of the First Annual Steelhead Wrangler Cup Horse Race was VelesJaeger Munster!
I'm sure that everyone had a great time and couldn't stop laughing like I was, so it was only fitting for everyone to have fun dancing after all of the craziness! It really was a lot of fun.

Steelhead Wrangler Cup Horse Race

2009-09-12T00:41:00.004-04:00

Saturday Sept. 12th - 6 pm SLT

Steelhead will be hosting the Wrangler Horse Race Contest in Steelhead Harborside this evening, brought to you by Doc Wrangler's.

Bring your horses, ostrich, cow, other riding... animals and participate for the much coveted Wrangler Cup. Anyone can participate, bring your fun! If you do not have a horse, freebie ones will be provided.

Participants should be at the starting line at the Harborside Commons at 6 pm SLT.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Harborside/98/13/26

Americana Legends Dance to follow starting at 7pm SLT

Steelhead Town Meeting 9/8: Seagull Riding Hamsters

2009-09-09T14:26:00.001-04:00

Last night's town meeting moved quickly enough, with upcoming events such as Steelhead's upcoming Steelhead Days Harvest Festival being announced. Sure, I'd love to be able to say that nothing unusual was going on......but that wouldn't be a Steelhead meeting, now would it? After all, only there would the sim manager be a corn-chomping hamster riding a seagull. Aw, isn't Tensai cute? For more Steelhead events, do peruse HERE.

Elle on Travel: Of Interest to Aviator Types

2009-09-07T14:36:00.007-04:00

For some years I have been afflicted with the belief that flight is possible to man. --Wilbur Wright

Recent travel with friends and family took me to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I soon realized that we were very, very close to an important site to aviators worldwide: Kill Devil Hills (Kitty Hawk). In 1903, this windy expanse was where the Wright Brothers did their glider experiments and are recognized as having successfully made the first sustained powered aircraft flight...While at the Wright Bros. National Memorial, I walked the length of the marker for the first flight (120 feet) to the 4th--852 feet away from the takeoff point. Looking back down the way, I realized how phenomenal that must have been at the time. People thought they were crazy...
...but thanks to them, we can cross oceans and have even left the Earth altogether. We now take for granted what was but a dream to them then.

Steelhead Shanghai Sim Opening Celebration

2009-08-28T10:23:00.000-04:00

All are invited to join the citizens of Steelhead for the official opening celebration of their latest sim, Steelhead Shanghai!

WHERE: Behind the Shanghai Slums on the isle across from the pagoda
WHEN: 7 - 9 PM SLT

Lord & Lady Fluffytail Set Sail

2009-08-26T23:59:00.000-04:00

After coming from a friend's Rez Day party in Raglan Shire, I went to Steeltopia for the grand opening of the Pneumatic Club. Dia was the musical presenter and I had another surprise as Edwina was there as well! It has been quite a while since the three of us were at a dance together. Eds complimented me on the fluffiness of my tail and asked me what beauty products have I been using for it...
Afterwards, I convinced Phin to climb into my tiny sailboat and we sailed all over the waters of Steelhead...I moored the boat and we explored Shanghai. We found a door at Ho Ping's Knick Knack Paddywhacks. Being tiny rodents, we could not help but to be a bit curious. I was relieved when Phin made it back...

The Emperor's New Things

2009-08-25T23:59:00.000-04:00

"Ellie, can you come over and see my new toy?" was the message that I received from Steel, also known as the Mad Blue Emperor of Steeltopia. Only he and one other in this world can get away with calling me by that nickname, and when he says "new toy", I am admittedly always a little nervous. When I arrived, he showed off the latest vessel in his naval fleet...
I did enjoy the blasting of its cannons and guns very much, but its Steeltopia colors fireworks was quite a pleasant surprise!Afterwards, I braced myself as we rattled through the streets in what I can only describe as Steel's "Transport O'Doom"...And he showed me the latest structure in town...the new Pneumatic Club, which has a fantastic central floor and should be a nice place for his dances and such in the future.

Steelhead Town Mtg: 8/25

2009-08-25T23:45:00.000-04:00

Tonight, the citizens of Steelhead gathered for the weekly town meeting. What would one be without something unusual happening? Of course Lunar's birthday cake exploded! For more Steelhead events and goings-on, please peruse HERE.

Steelhead Shanghai Open to Public

2009-08-21T12:39:00.002-04:00

I paused at the bridge to Steelhead Shanghai, marvelling at its structures...
What a fantastic sim this is shaping up to be...And who knows what mystery and adventures await?!

Steelhead Town Meeting: Aug 18

2009-08-19T13:05:00.000-04:00

The citizens of Steelhead gathered for their weekly meeting last night. Given that the rainy Pacific Northwest weather was upon us that evening, there was a bit of a surprise at the leaky roof. The meeting went on anyway, with all of us raising our umbrellas anyway. To read more about events and goings on in Steelhead, please read on HERE.

Primgraph 7 Now Available

2009-08-18T13:14:00.001-04:00

The latest issue of the Primgraph is out. As always, fantastic articles about and related to the historic sims and Steamlands...

The Primgraph: Issue 7 - September 2009

Publish at Calaméo or browse others.

Home with the Bunnies

2009-08-14T11:24:00.000-04:00

I was working on something for Lunar the other night and sat down in the grass of my front lawn for a moment. Not too long afterwards, my bunny rabbit Sunneh hopped into my lap--and promptly went to sleep. I love unexpected moments like that. So cute.

Elle Overseas: Funicular Railways

2009-08-13T09:37:00.001-04:00

My goal? The top of the Montmartre Butte. My reality? There was no way that I was going to make it up all of those stairs (300!) to its summit and Sacre Coeur. What's a lady to do? The funiculaire!

Funicular railways were devised as a way to move passengers or loads up and down steep inclines by a means of counterbalancing the cars. For example, as one goes up the track the other is going down. If you look at the postcard of the original one above (which was completed in 1900), it follows the standard parallel track configuration that was popular until the 1890s, when passing tracks became the standard--allowing the cars to pass mid-track. Montmartre's original funicular was powered by water, moving the cars as the cisterns filled or emptied.

Although this is the more modern incarnation of it, I thought I'd share my ride up with you:

Shanghai Surprise...

2009-08-12T22:47:00.002-04:00

Where in Steelhead Shanghai am I? Let us just say that when the sim is ready you will have to explore and find out for yourself!

Elle Overseas: The Eiffel Tower as Steampunk Monument

2009-08-12T12:45:00.004-04:00

"Here is the string of iron that the wizard has thrown up to the heavens...which he invites his friends to climb..." --Jean Giraudoux

I have returned home from my travels overseas and while in Paris, I once again visited that most recognizable and magnificent of steampunk edifices--the Eiffel Tower...Called everything from a "tragic street lamp" to a "hole-riddled suppository", the Tower was rather reviled at the time of its construction for the Exposition. In 1887, leading artists and tastemakers of the time thought it would bring a "dishonor and ugliness that could not be corrected." Naysayers be damned, no? It was the vision of its creator Gustave Eiffel, whose main design consideration was actually wind resistance and stability--as any proper engineer would be mindful of. He believed that the Tower would "possess its own beauty..." and mused "Do people believe that because we are engineers, beauty plays no part in what we build...?"Completed in 1889, Eiffel's masterpiece stands 1063 ft tall (including its antenna), weighs 7300 tons, has 2,500,000 rivets (like those of boilers and locomotives) and 18,038 iron parts that were created in the Fould-Dupont factories as seen below... Eiffel saw the Tower's scientific possibilities and encouraged it to be used for metereological and aerodynamics purposes, maintaining a lab upon it and encouraging other scientists to perform experiments there as well. This is a shot of the elevator wheels in the North pillar. While waiting to go up, I could see the counterweights and such. What an impressive hydraulics system for its time! Although I have visited the Tower before, I was still in awe of this stunning engineering marvel...

Town Meeting: August 11

2009-08-11T23:59:00.000-04:00

The citizens gathered for the weekly town meeting. No unusual hijinks or incarnations of folks to report this time around, but as always, there was much "Hoooo"-ing to be heard. To read the highlights and this week's events in Steelhead, please click HERE.

Steelhead Shanghai Has Landed

2009-08-09T23:59:00.001-04:00

I went away for a few days and came back to a new lighthouse at Miss Katt's island...And the ability to look at Port Harbor and Capital City from the brand new sim of Steelhead Shanghai, which landed while I was gone! There are only a few lots left there, so do contact TotalLunar Eclipse if you want them, as it looks promising! It is always so exciting when a new sim lands. Oh, the possibilities!

Off to See the Sights

2009-07-29T10:23:00.004-04:00

Gentle Readers, I shall be away for a week or so to see the sights. I look forward to visiting Paris again. Being a bit--a lot--afraid of heights, I do not know if I will ascend into that engineering marvel of a Tower. Perhaps I will have a crepe and wait at its base, but at some point I shall definitely sit at a cafe and partake of coffee and people watching...I am also spending time in another favorite city, London, which greatly reminds me of my own home city. I love the hustle and bustle there...And friends will be taking us on a side trip to visit Glastonbury. I look forward to seeing the Tor and the Abbey ruins...
I shall be back on the 9th and will resume this aethernet journal upon my return. Do try to not destroy the Grid in my absence. Think of the hopping bunnies.

Caledon Project: Day 12, Caledon Wellsian

2009-07-26T23:44:00.000-04:00

Journal Entry, Day 12, Caledon Wellsian
I hiked up into the mountains in Wellsian. It has always had a rather rugged feel to me, with its crisscrossing of railway and mining car tracks. While the northern side is walkable and along the coast of the waters there, its southern coast has always felt a bit more inaccessible to visitors. To me, it is Wellsian's mountains that define it most and you will find paths cuts through them that lead across the Northern sims...

Caledon Project: Day 11, Caledon Morgaine

2009-07-24T23:59:00.001-04:00

Journal Entry, Day 11, Caledon Morgaine
I remember watching Morgaine's floating cavorite-laden mountain rise into the air. It is a wonder of Caledon. Morgaine itself is mainly residential, especially within its central section, where waters from the Firth wind through. It is not really an easily "walkable" sim given its configuration, but I did find some things of interest besides the mountain...a cavorite factory (presumably to take advantage of the mountain's resources) and one resident's fortifications. If anything, Morgaine would be well-defended from any attacks coming in from the Firth...

Caledon Project: Day 10, Caledon Cape Wrath

2009-07-23T23:59:00.000-04:00

Journal Entry, Day 10, Caledon Cape Wrath
Cape Wrath has the distinction of being the first Caledon sim to connect to another nation. With its joining to Winterfell, the "Realm of the Roses" was established. I remember watching its new land spread itself out and running across it with others, including the Guvnah, to talk to Winterfell folks on the other side. Cape Wrath seems to be a quiet port town sim, with little shops and residences. One can stand and look across at Winterfell or enjoy the view from the higher part of Cape Wrath, which allows you to see most of the sim...

Steelhead's Street Signs

2009-07-23T10:42:00.000-04:00

As part of Lunar's ongoing civic beautification projects in Steelhead, he has placed street signs all over town...
He recruited me to make the signs themselves. Each sim has a different icon: the Steelhead flag for Capital City, Narrows Bridge for Harborside, a trout for Boomtown and the bridge arch for Port Harbor. The street that ends at my home in Harborside has one of the most unusual names in Steelhead...How did it get that name? I suggested it since Tensai set my seagull afire almost as soon as rental poles were put up in Harborside. I just never bothered to douse the flames. The gull does not seem to mind...

Steelhead Town Meeting: 7/21 & Shanghai Map is Out!

2009-07-22T17:01:00.003-04:00

We gathered for the weekly Steelhead town meeting last night. At one point Miss Rossi Portland floated in the air and twirled for a moment. I would say that was unusual, but we all know better when it comes to our meetings. We discussed SL RFL and the Salmons raised over $229, 300L! We also ranked as the #5 team overall for offline donations, reaching a total so far of $925 USD. 93% of our goal of $1000 USD, with with Frau Lowey being #4 in terms of raising offline donations overall.

The map for Steelhead Shanghai is now available in the Town Hall foyer for viewing. By the looks of its layout, it promises to be an interesting, exciting new sim! If you would like a lot for yourself, please contact TotalLunar Eclipse.

For more meeting goings-on and Steelhead events and information, please click HERE.

Steelhead Museum of Historic Preservation Open!

2009-07-21T23:59:00.000-04:00

I've been hard at work for the past month making the Steelhead Museum of Historic Preservation, which is located in Steelhead Harborside. It is in a re-creation I built inspired by the real-life 1897 Antelope Community Church located in Antelope, OR. Its exhibit--showing Steelhead's virtual builds and their real-life counterparts--also includes preservation information and links to national and Pacific Northwest historic preservation websites so that visitors may find out more information...Steelhead is a town with beautiful architecture. As you stroll through it, you will come across many buildings that are inspired by real life structures. Look for the site markers that allow you to click on them to find out more about its RL inspiration...
SL is a fantastic medium for builders and architects, enabling them to use it to re-create historic buildings and structures. In turn, this allows citizens from around the world to visit and appreciate them as well. I created this museum so that others can learn more about these historic structures and perhaps become inspired to look at, or even help to preserve or save, the ones in their RL communities. To visit the Museum, click HERE...http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Harborside/117/90/25

The Steamlands Sims at RFL

2009-07-19T23:59:00.001-04:00

Relay weekend is now over. One thing about spending a lot of time of the track itself is not having a chance to truly enjoy the sims, so I returned later on to see the Steamlands sims in particular now that it was quiet and more lag-free. First, is the build for Steelhead, with its quiet Crescent Lake, Oregon build...
New Babbage's "Exposition" build...The Vicereine's "Metropolis" build...The Mars build...And Caledon's...

Preparing to Relay

2009-07-17T23:59:00.000-04:00

It is that time of year, and the Steelhead Salmons team's site at the SL RFL is a spectacular build by Lunar recreating the Pacific Northwest. A place of calm with a mountain and a central lake that you can swim (or be mer) and fish in, you can explore its forests or visit its re-creations of Oregon's Vista House. In Steelhead style, we held our Friday night dance there to kick off our RFL activities...See you all tomorrow at the Relay!

Under Boomtown

2009-07-16T23:58:00.000-04:00

Lunar has been hard at work in Boomtown, working on its tunnels and restoring its gardens. I caught up with him underground. If you explore, you will find this cozy resting place to be able to relax a bit yourself!

Town Meeting: Steelhead Shanghai Now Prebooking

2009-07-15T23:59:00.000-04:00

At last night's town meeting, Lunar announced the prebooking for the next Steelhead sim: Steelhead Shanghai. A steampunk port town with an Asian feel and an enforced theme, it promises to be something truly unique. If that sounds interesting to you, contact TotalLunar Eclipse and book a lot for yourself!
To read more about the Steelhead Shanghai announcement and other town meeting hijinks and goings-on, please click HERE.Also, Hotspur O'Toole announced that he will be leaving SL for an indefinite amount of time. I looked over from my lighthouse roof and saw him there at Polymath. I wish you well and return to Steelhead soon sir!

A Bit of a Change

2009-07-14T23:41:00.000-04:00

As Tensai managed to break the moon, Steelhead's resident moon elf and manager is, well...human...

New Babbage Town Meeting

2009-07-11T20:37:00.000-04:00

I attended New Babbage's town meeting today. It is always interesting to see how another community ticks...

Caledon Project: Day 9, Caledon Brigadoon

2009-07-09T23:38:00.000-04:00

Journal Entry, Day 9, Caledon Brigadoon
Upon my arrival in Caledon Brigadoon, I looked at the almost lavendar stones of the walkways and smiled. It'll be a while before I'm on an island, I thought. I looked out over the central valley, knowing that once a month a lovely little village appears and then disappears into the mist once more. I walked over one of the hills and landed in what I could best describe as "critter glen", as it was filled with deer, badgers and...snakes. I had best move on...

Surveying the Rubble

2009-07-09T14:04:00.003-04:00

Yes, I am the little Ollipog pitcher plant standing next to Lunar as Mr Cato Quan puts out the fire at Lunar's home. It seems that Dr Alter, Steelhead's resident evil tiny kitty, had a bit of a fit while in werecat form the night before and a brass chicken was involved. Despite the protestations of her minion, who proclaimed her innocence, there are moments that I think I just do not want to know. Only in Steelhead.

Caledon Project: Day 8, Caledon Strathspey

2009-07-08T23:16:00.001-04:00

Journal Entry, Day 8, Caledon Strathspey
Owned by His Grace Aberdon Enigma, the first things I thought upon arriving at Caledon Strathspey was "Please, surprise me. Have something worth my seeing here, please." It is a small island duchy, so perhaps that was an unfair thought to think at first...and then...I really was pleasantly surprised. Strathspey is barren and rocky with fields of wildflower grass. I imagined just hearing my footsteps, the waves and the wind as I came upon fantastic castle ruins. For an explorer like myself, I found Strathspey enchanting not only because of how spare it was, but because it felt like a place all could visit.

Steelhead Town Meeting: July 7

2009-07-08T14:30:00.003-04:00

As you can see from the photo, Tensai was in her Dangerkitty form. She says it was an adverse reaction from DNA and catfood testing. For more goings-on and events in Steelhead, click HERE to read highlights from last night's meeting.

Caledon Project, Day 7: Caledon Cavendish

2009-07-07T23:38:00.001-04:00

Journal Entry, Day 7, Caledon Cavendish
Caledon Cavendish is owned by Her Grace Eleanor Anderton. There is a very lovely manor home and stable. I believe I might start categorizing some of these duchies as truly "private estate" duchies--not much to see there and not necessarily "public-friendly" places. No different than a large estate on Caledon's "regular" sims, but with it being a duchy...what do you do? For instance, there is a beautiful quiet spot there...but is the public able to sit there? As I mentioned in my last journal entry, these are the kinds of questions I've been wrestling with so far. If anything, I believe that the AV limits on these sims have severely limited the public's ability to interact on these sims as the owners are unable to hold large-scale events as they were able to in the past. Lots to think about...

New Release: Seaside Summer Dress

2009-07-07T12:56:00.005-04:00

Inspired by a favorite painting by Tissot, the Seaside is a beautiful flirty summer dress perfect for soirees or leisurely strolls. A slim silhouette, it comes with a sheer jacket with lace cuffs and sculpted bows, as well as a fluttery train and cascades of ruffles that flatter your every move.

It is available in Sky, Rose, Aubergine and Canary, as well as all four colors at E.Laval shops in Caledon Regency and Steelhead City.

Inspiration for the Seaside Dress

2009-07-07T12:50:00.000-04:00

The Seaside dress was inspired by this painting--"The Galley of the HMS Calcutta (Portsmouth)" by James-Jacques Tissot, c. 1887...

Caledon Project, Day 6: Caledon Dundee

2009-07-06T23:59:00.001-04:00

Journal Entry, Day 6, Caledon Dundee

Upon arriving at Dundee, I felt something that I've felt at some of the more "private"-feeling duchies before--Should I be here? May I walk around? Where to start? I often felt like that in some of the Firth and Southern duchies when they opened. This is my first time visiting, but I found that feeling a bit unsettling and wonder if others visiting Caledon duchies like those feel that way as well. Are they truly open to the public? It doesn't always feel like it. I was amused by the kitty and the pig though...

Happy July 4th!

2009-07-04T08:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Independence Day!

Caledon Project Resuming 7/6

2009-07-03T07:54:00.000-04:00

The Caledon Project series will resume on Monday, July 6 with a visit to the duchy of Caledon Dundee.

Steelhead Goes Tiny for the Dogfights!

2009-07-01T23:59:00.000-04:00

Tinies took to the air in Steelhead for two dogfights held in Port Harbor!Many, like Miss Krystine Qinan here, had never flown before and had a great time learning how. I was so tickled to see folks flying who had not done it before!Some of us posed for a photo on the runway after the 1 pm SLT dogfight...
The later one, held at 7, was also very popular and is was a lot of fun seeing Steelheaders as their tiny selves...
But the big surprise was Mrs Peterman, who despite an appendectomy the evening before, came inworld anyway to cheer us all on. Feel better and get well soon!
I'd like to thank Cornelius, Zoe, Phin and Lunar for helping me to organize it! It was tremendously fun. Thank you!

Town Meeting: 6/30/09

2009-06-30T23:40:00.000-04:00

I love Steelhead's town meetings. There really is something about a whole community coming together once a week like this.

To read about upcoming events and goings-on in Steelhead, click HERE.

Caledon Project: Day Five, Caledon Primverness

2009-06-30T11:42:00.000-04:00

Her Grace CoyoteAngel Dimsum has been, to me, one of the more "reclusive" of Caledon's peerage. One of the original "First Four" duchesses, she is a private soul, but do not let that fool you. She has a fantastic sense of humor, loves to help the Caledon community and is generous to a fault. For two years, she has walked with me around the SL RFL track and also forgave yours truly for accidentally running her over with a mining cart once *coughs* Her duchy, Caledon Primverness and Lovelace Over the Sea, with its structures tucked in among the quiet, wild beauty below and with its floating airships above, is well worth the visit. You might even discover her burning tree--a vestige of the burning that took place across many of Caledon's sims in protest of the openspace policy that caused a lot of pain within the Caledon community--forcing some of the longtime duchy owners to decide to go elsewhere. To many longtime Caledon residents like me, that was quite a blow to our community to see it being uprooted so, but it is nice to see that many--like her--are still here.

Caledon Project: Day Four--Caledon Victoria City

2009-06-29T23:59:00.001-04:00

All roads lead to Rome, they say. Well, in Caledon they all seem to start here in Caledon Victoria City. I know they did for me. For many,Vic City is their first exposure to Caledon. I remember that when I arrived there after putting "Victorian" into Search, I was awed by the buildings and intrigued by the shops and Guvnah's Mansion. While in the central yard, I met Miss Babs Zuta, whose RL aunt introduced her to SL. She told me that she liked how the buildings seemed so real and how she loved the clothing here. She was charming and as she is a relatively new resident and told me that she likes purple, she should find a gift from my shop delivered to her soon. I do hope that she enjoys it and wears it during her own Victorian explorations...

Tinies Dogfighting in Steelhead!

2009-06-27T23:59:00.001-04:00

Oh, the huge manatees! As you can see, my flying was a bit rusty!

In conjunction with the "Summer of Flight" aviation exhibit at the Steelhead Public Library organized by Miss Riven Homewood and Mr Nichus Bermann, planes of all eras are out on display at the Ballroom and there will be a Tinies Dogfight in Steelhead Port Harbor on Wednesday, July 1!

The main dogfight will be at 7 pm SLT, but there will be an overseas-friendly one at 1pm SLT as well. Free tiny aircraft by Cornelius Fanshaw will be provided and everyone is welcome. Just bring your bravery and your tiny self!

Caledon Project to Resume Soon

2009-06-27T23:50:00.000-04:00

The Caledon Project series will resume on Monday, June 29 with a visit to Caledon's "capital", Caledon Victoria City.

Hustle & Bustle in Steelhead

2009-06-24T23:59:00.000-04:00

Sheriff Fuzz found Lunar and me sitting on the curb outside of the Hotel after setting up the aviation display in conjunction with the Library's exhibit. We must have been looking rather forlorn as he said something about us loitering. I suggested that if we were panhandling, that would have been a problem, and we promptly asked him for a few lindens. You can guess what his answer was...
We ended up on the pier docks in the Tackle Company shop at the Steelhead Navy's Recruitment Center in Port Harbor. I really enjoyed building the Cannery Row-inspired structures and Lunar speaks more on that HERE. I was creating a "Made in Steelhead" crate that can be placed around. If you'd like your own free copy of it, do visit the Offices...And in preparation for the tinies dogfight event in Port Harbor on July 1, Lunar created a rather fantastic floating runway. Zoe joined Lunar, Tensai and me as it was being constructed...

Steelhead Town Meeting: June 23

2009-06-23T23:59:00.001-04:00

At the Steelhead town meeting, I announced the tinies dogfight on July 1 in Port Harbor. I believe it will be a lot of fun. There will be free tiny aircraft (By Cornelius Fanshaw) provided and should be a lot of fun. For more Steelhead events and goings-on in the meeting, please click HERE.Phin and his sister Zoe, have been quite a help with the dogfight and I showed him the site where the runway will be located.

Caledon Project: Chat with Laird Brideswell of Rothesay

2009-06-20T17:38:00.026-04:00

Elrik Merlin, Laird Brideswell, is an old friend of mine from my days as a Radio Riel hostess. I sat down with him in the spacious study of his Rothesay mansion for a chat. He discovered Caledon in June 2007 in search of airships and ended up with the Nautilus (by TracyLynne Carpenter)—that is currently moored over his home. “I had also picked up a little pedal airship and using that, I circumnavigated Caledon by following the coastline for a few days and loved the place,” he said. He acquired his first land in Wellsian in Sept. 2007, after a chance meeting with Mr Podruly Peccable at the Guvnah’s Mansion.

He has never taken the ducal title. “‘Laird’ simply means 'Landowner'. Despite having a larger house than I did in Wellsian, that's all I am really. I have no particular pretensions to aristocracy,” he explained. “I think the Landed Gentry all predate me. I am more like the ‘nouveau riche’ steampunk quasi-industrialist I suppose.” I gently teased him about being a man of his own fortune.

On changes in Caledon:
“I think we were thrown by the openspace region controversy and that destabilised us and started trends that have continued, notably people moving away and leaving--and now perhaps even leaving SL altogether,” he said. “I still regard that as the major example of the Lindens shooting themselves in both feet that I've experienced since I've been inworld. I think we are still finding a dynamic equilibrium, but we've been shaken up.”

On factors and "destabilisers":
First, the openspace sim issue. Second, the RL recession, which he believes has made a lot of people are downsizing and cutting back on significant expenditures, and third--a sense of "moving on" in the air. He suspects that the rate of moving within Caledon is up quite a bit, but also people are going off and doing their own thing.

On the turnover in Rothesay itself:
"We are still in flux. I am the only original resident of Rothesay. I had offered to take 1/4 of it as a favor in case there weren't four Dukes to consolidate [into a full sim]. Otenth (former Duke of Murdann), came to me and suggested that I might like to buy out his interest, thus I inherited his Rothesay stake. Rather an expensive exercise all told, as I could have picked up an open region for nothing, but I am happy here...I am simply sad to see my neighbours changing and I hope we'll stabilise soon. All the people who have had a quadrant here have been lovely, but it would be nice to have a stable community.”

On his responsibility to the Caledon community as a duchy landowner:
“When I got Wellsian what I signed up for was not simply land, but an agreement to participate--by which I mean more than simply keeping to the Covenant and building and living in a way which keeps to our 'light roleplay' way of living here,” he said. “I felt that it was about maintaining Caledon' s standards and Des' vision. Doing the ‘right’ things in keeping with established standards of behaviour and giving back to my friends and neighbours and the community at large. I have primarily done that through the broadcast medium. When I am driving Radio Riel's Main stream, I am conscious of broadcasting to an audience that includes Caledon, even though it's a lot more than that now.”

He told me about receiving a letter around Christmas 2007 about how following Caledon’s approaches to etiquette and interpersonal behavior, we could actually positively impact our first lives. “We were kinder and more polite to people and would try to foster a positive attitude in some way about how we interact with people,” he said. “I definitely think SL in general, and Caledon in particular, has had a positive impact on my RL. I suppose I think one thing that it's my ‘duty’as a Caledonian to help to maintain and encourage that attitude, so newer residents experience the same benefits in both worlds as I have done.

“When I came here, we had something special, unique. I think we still have, though perhaps circumstances have battered it a bit. I would like us to keep that specialness and help to maintain it and pass on to newer residents the same feeling of belonging, support and atmosphere that I had when I came here,” he said. “Inevitably because I have gotten a lot more busy--inworld and out--since I arrived, I am not as closely involved with the daily life of Caledon as I was originally. These days I am more a part of its 'entertainment life' I suppose, but I'm still trying to do that. I’m still trying to be supportive to people who ask me things or turn up on my doorstep. I’m still trying to be polite and to contribute positively to the discussions.”

Laird Brideswell felt that there was something very important that others should know. “The kinds of people I meet and interact with here are some of the people I've met in my life who are closest to where I feel I am: Intelligent, creative, interesting, well-read, educated.... all the things I think of myself as being,” he said. “Here in Caledon, I have generally found myself among people of like mind. I don't always agree with them on certain issues of course, but they are people I can have an intelligent discussion with, and people from whom I more often than not learn a great deal. And I hope people say the same about me. As a result I would like to help perpetuate that.”

He continued: “I like to think that if you asked some of the figures in Caledon they would say that they feel I am a good citizen so to speak. I've tried to be a good Caledonian here and encourage the arts, the aesthetics that I came here for. Now, that is not to say that we do not develop and move on, but I am trying to maintain the Caledon I fell in love with back in mid-2007.”

Caledon Project, Day Three: Caledon Rothesay

2009-06-19T23:50:00.001-04:00

Journal Entry, 19 June, Caledon Rothesay
Ah, duchies. I am laughing as I cross the border from Mayfair because there seem to be so many now that I have honestly lost track. I will admit that I have not been to Caledon Rothesay, well...since it became Caledon Rothesay. The last time I was here it was for Gabi's farewell to Carntaigh and I do not wish to dredge up whatever sore feelings that go along with that and the general turnover that happened a few months back. I have heard that this sim's four duchies--with the exception of Laird Brideswell's lot--has changed hands many times over at this point. It made me chuckle as I thought about Miss Jameson's wondering if it was "cursed." Now that would make for an interesting parcel. I'm having rather dark thoughts about lost souls wandering about in dark estates, but I digress...

It is currently owned by Her Grace Kiralette Kelley who is using a portion of her parcel for RFL; Her Grace Eleanor Anderton, who has lovely gardens; and the Duke and Duchess Mahana. Very pretty, very large estates here. I particularly enjoyed Laird Brideswell's Nautilus, which I remembered from Wellsian, and the Stone Circle on the hill. It seems like a nice place to sit and enjoy the scenery...

Caledon Project Day Two: Caledon Mayfair

2009-06-18T23:50:00.000-04:00

Journal Entry, 17 June
Although I spend a lot of time at the lighthouse on the Firth with Phin, this is the first time that I have walked around the sim itself since selling my parcel here many months ago. It has an odd feeling of familiar, yet not. Like walking through memories. I used to spend so much time here and it was my first Caledon home. It is still very quiet...a sleepy residential sim with small shops. I always liked that about it. I came across Miss FrancesStevens Bravehart and had a conversation with her at the hub. She told me that she has been rezzing at that spot since she joined NCI. I asked her a question I will ask all that I come across: "What is compelling about Caledon to you?"

"The nice people," she told me. "I like to random tp and no matter yet where I go, I always come back here 'cause the folks I have met here are so helpful and friendly." Just before I walked away she added: "Oh, and another reason that I like being here is the sunset. Just standing here looking down the street...RL just washes away."

Caledon Project Day One: Caledon Penzance

2009-06-17T23:59:00.001-04:00

Journal, Day One, 17 June
Penzance. Still rather lag-heavy. Is it the textures here? I've never quite understood why. It has always been this way. One of Caledon's most striking in layout and look, I know folks who either truly like it or are baffled by it. For me, I think Penzance is special, but the verdict is still out. I set out from the home that I share with Phin--the last of Miss Gallindo's original rowhomes. The shops are still well-maintained, as I believe they are protected and can not be altered. The Gaiety Theater is so lovely, but I always thought it was underused. The gazebo/pavilion in the middle of the sim is an improvement to me as it used to be a bare expanse of cobblestone. Wait...the open plaza is still here, but a quarter of the sim is now a garden wonderland by Antique Artistry. I stopped by the Connolly Aerodrome and took in the view from high on the hill. If you have not, you should. I am rather excited about what I will see and who I may meet. On to Mayfair!

Steelhead Town Meeting: 6/16

2009-06-16T23:59:00.000-04:00

All of us gathered in Town Hall for the weekly meeting. For Steelhead events and to read more about what transpired during it, click HERE.

The Caledon Project

2009-06-16T13:46:00.006-04:00

Two years ago on June 14, I started this aethernet journal as a way of documenting my travels through the 19th century historic sims of Second Life. It all started with literally a stroll through the sims of Caledon.

I have been giving an idea a lot of thought lately. "Caledon has gotten too big..." "The community isn't what it used to be..." I have even heard the word "Caledonization" used before to describe a veering off-theme in terms of look. These are all things that I have heard folks say. These are things I have often thought myself. I used to be more involved there. I am a founding resident of one of its sims. I used to know the streets and landmarks of Caledon like the back of my virtual hand. My own friends have dispersed from the nation, but I keep having this feeling...Caledon is compelling, and I know it is.

That is why I have decided to take a stroll through Caledon once more and look at it with a fresh eye. I'm putting on my travelling gear and will feature a different sim every day until I have been through them all. I will be starting from my home in Penzance and ending where it all began: Caledon I

The journey begins today.

1897 Historic Church Build in Harborside

2009-06-15T22:50:00.006-04:00

I originally needed the other two parcels in Harborside for extra prims, but I really wanted to create something on them like the Post Office that everyone could use and enjoy. I said I wanted to do good things for Steelhead and I meant it. As you cross the bridge to the other side of Harborside, I built a little building based upon the RL historic 1897 Antelope Community Church in Antelope, OR...
With the exception of the shingles and foundation stones, I created all of the textures for this from scratch. This one is called the Harborside Museum, as I hope to have small exhibits about the Pacific Northwest and historic preservation there in the future. I also hope that it'll be used for another special purpose as well--bringing folks together in a positive way. I love the concept of "purpose to be announced." In general though, here are some interesting historic preservation links, both U.S. national and Pacific Northwest. Enjoy:

National Trust for Historic Preservation
Washington State Dept. of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
Building Oregon: Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific NW (U. of Oregon Libraries)
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office

Steelhead Town Meeting: June 9

2009-06-10T14:25:00.002-04:00

We gathered for the weekly Steelhead town meeting in Town Hall. No chickenings or unusual antics to be reported...this time. For highlights of the meeting and upcoming Steelhead events, click HERE.

Primgraph Issue #6 Available

2009-06-08T18:00:00.005-04:00

The latest issue of the Primgraph is available, featuring the steampunk community of New Babbage and articles of much interest to residents of the historic sims and those who appreciate them. You may read it by clicking on the link HERE or the issue cover above.

Happy Rez Day Mrs P!

2009-06-07T23:59:00.001-04:00

It's a busy time in Steelhead for RL birthdays and rez days! Mrs Peterman (Nabila Nadir) threw a Rez Day bash on the boat moored at the pier in Steelhead Port Harbor, as she is turning three...
Now, I arrived a bit late due to being a bit under the weather in RL. Given my own tendencies to wear burlesque outfits upon occasion, I was feeling a bit overdressed at one point--as I was in a full naval uniform..especially when I saw the "Cookie Girls" Genie and Miss Weatherwax dancing with a rather scantily clad jager. I would have changed, but eh, it was no matter and we all were thoroughly enjoying ourselves!

Although, I will admit--in keeping with my earlier statement about occasionally being less than fully dressed myself--that *mutters in a low voice* I provided his spare garment...My...what was that doing in my inventory? I do believe Lunar tried to gouge his eyes out with a curious spoon-fork combination called a "spork", but being elven and possessing remarkable regenerative properties, found himself unable to do so effectively.

Fuzzday!

2009-06-05T23:59:00.000-04:00

Today was Sheriff Fuzz's RL birthday, so he had a steampunk pirates-themed party at the docks in Steelhead City...Our fave lycan spinning the tunes...

Steelhead Town Meeting: June 2

2009-06-03T23:59:00.001-04:00

Phin attended last night's town meeting with me. In response to his wondering about the availability of carrots or carrot cake, Lunar rezzed all the carrot that we could handle...If you'd like to read more about Steelhead events and what transpired at the meeting, please peruse it HERE.

Afterwards, Tensai stopped by the Post Office to help me move my rental pole. I liked her dark goth kitty look...

RFL Purple Day

2009-06-01T23:16:00.000-04:00

Today was Paint the Grid Purple Day for RFL, and all were asked to show support for it by wearing purple or decorating their lands/parcel in the color. I thought I'd stop by Dia's regular Monday night gig at Gearz in Boomtown.

I curled up on the nearby leather couch and enjoyed the company and music as I worked on some other projects. I've been a very busy brass kitty lately...