St. Lucia Day in Caledon

Otenth was throwing a St. Lucia Day holiday party in Caledon. I hadn't seen Dia in a while and wanted to hang out with her. I warned her that I was coming as my squirrel self, but I was ready with my St. Lucia outfit on--candle wreath and all...

Otenth and Rudolfo Woodget were great hosts (as always) and it was a nice time with traditional carols and klezmer music as folks did a circle dance. I had a great time and it was nice to be with old friends...

Gun Bunny on Duty

I had not visited Caledon in a long time. I was strolling by the Guvnah's Mansion and saw that there was a little guard booth for us Gun Bunnies.

Duty called!

Dancing at the Blue Mermaid

It has been a long time since I have been half-dressed in Caledon. Probably not since the infamous "shirtless o'clock rave" days in its past. I was somehow convinced by both Capt. Starling Alecto and Lunar to join them in Caledon by the Sea, at the Blue Mermaid. On Wednesdays, Hypatiaa Callisto's freewheeling club and lounge is lively and fun with an anything goes vibe. I came towards the end of DJ Magdalena Kamenev's lovely tribute set to Lena Horne, but the stream afterwards was also nice. I love bossa nova and one of my faves "Corcovado" played. This being me, I somehow ended up on the table...Lunar does not seem to mind!

Caledon in Blue Mars

Well, I suppose I can finally talk about this now...

Desmond Shang has announced Caledonia, Caledon's "colony" in Blue Mars. Reactions about the upcoming 4 million sq m Caledonia have ranged from "What?!" to "Oooo" to "Whatever." Its preview will be available in a few days. As Caledon is one of SL's significant "showcase" regions and he is one of its most well-known land owners, this is a big deal.

I've been a part of this project since May and for me, it has been interesting to see the evolution of a brand new virtual world. I've been exploring Blue Mars in general due to the fact that checking out other virtual worlds is what I like to do. I will not sit here and tout it as the end all to be all, because as I have said in previous posts, it still has quite a long way to go until it's truly ready for primetime. In the meantime though, it is the possibility of what it can do that is intriguing.

Will Blue Mars be a SL killer? No. I don't think so. SL has more danger of killing themselves off due to their company's practices and general perception than another virtual world popping up. And I seriously doubt SL is going to go anywhere for quite a while. Its draw--as it was for me and for others who are content creators--is still the ability for anyone to be able to make something using its built-in tools. I've always loved SL and still believe in its possibilities as well. Those who like SL will continue to be in SL, or they might be like me and check out both worlds. Right now, the two worlds are like apples and oranges and it's still way too early to guess at an impact one way or the other. In the meantime, can't blame a person for checking out the other options out there.

Watching the Clouds

There are times when I am happy just to sit with Phin at our place in Caledon Mayfair and just watch the clouds go by...

Enjoying the Lighthouse in Mayfair

Due to RL extenuating circumstances regarding Phin's job, we have decided to enjoy the pretty waterfront parcel in Caledon Mayfair as much as possible for however long he can continue to have it. It made me think about what is important, and when one has to choose between what's best for their RL vs. SL, RL must always come first. So if he needs to let go of this in the future, that bridge'll be crossed when we get to it. In the meantime, sipping wine and watching the sunset over the Caledon Firth is the moment we'll enjoy for now.

Walpurgisnacht: Caledon

Headed over to Caledon Kittiwick for the Europan Consulate's 2nd Walpurgisnacht celebration...
And like last year I had a great time dancing with and talking to Lunar. He is one of my truly best friends in SL now thanks to last year's dance. If anything, I was just trying not to accidentally gore him with my horns...

Rez Day Roundup

Last year, I had a big blow-out party for my RezDay. This year, I kept things much simpler, preferring to talk and spend time with my friends. I did attend one party though, Lady Amber's Imbolc Ball in Caledon, celebrating the coming of Spring...
Pucky came inworld just for me and I did my happy dance around him as his wicker man blazed behind us...Later, Phin and I tangoed...And right before my Rez Day ended at midnight SLT, Lunar thawed out the snow in Steelhead and brought green grass and "Spring"! Yay! This has been a wonderful day. You know how I feel about simple pleasures inworld and these were all wonderful. Thank you everyone!

SOLD! Caledon Mayfair Parcel Rights Available

This property has been sold. Thank you!

I am selling the parcel rights to my lovely little lot and original Caledon land in charming Caledon Mayfair...

The lot is at #5 Lemon Street and Green, next to the rail tracks and down the way from the Connolly Aerodrome and Penzance. The neighbors in Mayfair are friendly and quiet and it has been quite a nice place to have a small shop in Victorian/19th c setting.

I am selling it for $7364L, which is the 7364L original price I purchased the land rights for from the Guvnah and it has 70 days rent included. You will continue to pay tier (375L/wk) to him. It is a 1024 lot with 234 prims available and if you would like to have the shop building, I will be more than happy to include it. It was a wonderful Caledon starter property for me and I hope it will be for the next resident as well! Click HERE if you would like to visit and see the property.

Please feel free to contact me inworld via IM or notecard if you are interested. Thank you!

I've Got an Exhibit on Victorian Fashion! Yay!

Tomorrow is the opening of my exhibit "The Past Reimagined: Victorian Fashion and the Designs of Eladrienne Laval" at the Whitehorn Memorial Library in Caledon Victoria City from 1-3 SLT. You will get to see the process of how I work--from source images and sketches to the final product. It made me realize I've made a lot of pieces since I've started. The exhibit's just a fraction of them! With the help of head librarian JJ Drinkwater, I also put together an exhibit about Paris' first "couturier" Charles Frederick Worth, who elevated dressmaking to an art form...With library curator Siri Woodget's help, I put together an exhibit about one of Worth's patrons, Boston socialite Isabella Stewart Gardner, who was independent and bold and did things her way...
Here I am in the reproduction dress I created that uses a texture from the actual fabric. There will be a contest and a lucky winner will get to walk away with this dress tomorrow...
And yes, I did a tiny version! I don't know if most folks know that I have a history degree and was a graphic designer for years. I've found that really helps with the pieces I make and I always feel like I am still learning how to do something new. I love what I do. The exhibit runs until March 1, but I hope to see you all there tomorrow!

SL Simple Pleasures: Sailing

I read Hotspur's post and it made me want to go sailing myself, especially as the recent announcement could truly affect that pasttime. The Firth of Caledon--the central openspace water sims there--has always been one of my favorite places to sail and I think that with all of the uncertainty, I will take his suggestion and go to the sims that compose the SL Sailing Federation too--just in case. Tonight, I took out my Trudeau Trucordia yawl, the "Serendipity". Whether it is my literally tiny tako or one of my larger ships like that one, there's something to be said for the calm that comes from sailing inworld. I hope that is something that won't change...

RP/Themed Communities Discussion

I logged in early today to attend a discussion on RP/Themed Communities in SL, hosted by Nokia. It was mainly conducted in voice and I listened in, but the text chat was just as interesting as the attendees, who represented some of the most well-known themed areas on the grid. Those of us from Steelhead and Caledon 19th c sims were well-represented...There was a contigency from The Wastelands, whose leader NeoBokrug Elytis also attended. From Caledon, there is Duchess Gabi on the left and Her Lyonesse, the Duchess Kamilah to his left...
Representatives from the Hogwarts Harry Potter-themed sims...
Members of the military sims Ordo Invictus...
And here is Baron Wulfenbach, wearing my custom Europan-style ensemble. The event was held on Lunar's incredible build of his airship...
Sure, I could sit here and talk about it being some corporate pick-our-brains marketing event blahblahblah, but you know, for me it was extremely interesting having such a diverse group of RPers and themed sim citizens all in the same place like that. There should be more discussions like this among the themed sims, given that we actually have a good deal in common.

"Touch It Lunar"

Get your minds out of the gutter...Dia and I were talking about her hurdy-gurdy in the corner!

I'm Back! And Better Than Before!

Well, my computer is now that I had it upgraded while I was away in the RL country for a week! I feel like I am too after spending time at my family's country house listening to the birds, playing guitar, talking to my grandmom and getting some general clarity on both RL and my SL as well. I needed that time to heal in a way and two things became clear that apply to both: Spend time with those you care about the most and do what brings you the most happiness. Let go of past hurts, move forward and focus on living in the moment...create the world in the way you want it to be.

Finally, I can see Windlight in its beauty, so the first images I took were of Laval Point...
It shrouded in fog...
And the water at Caledon Regency. It is the water that I could not wait to see the most! Beautiful! I gasped when it first switched over!
I had Phin to take me sailing as being on the Firth of Caledon and seeing it for the first time like this was spectacular. There really are so many beautiful things inworld. I want to go back to a lot of favorite places and see them all again now!
Sometimes, despite all of my excitement and love of travelling all over the grid, it is simple things like watching the sun set over the water with Phin that makes SL worthwhile...

Angel Groovin'

Pin popped in for a moment still looking super-cute from our visit to Raglan Galaxy the other night. I love his bunny AV and I met him at Forevre Tiny in Kittiwick...He left and I went over to the Rezzable Garden for Dia's DJ "Heaven" set and got my groove on!

Steelhead and Chickens

Yes...that's me in duckie slippers and PJs with lingerie pics all over them dancing at the pajama party-themed Friday night dance in Steelhead.

Here's some good news! At Tuesday's meeting Mrs. Peterman (Nabila Nadir) told us about a friend's little girl whose video about a book on raising chickens was in a contest on Scholastic. Steelheaders love chickens and "chickening"--ask Doc Mason about when he goes afk--and her video was totally cute. So it was fitting that Steelhead, Caledon and others rallied together to vote for her and our votes helped her pulled ahead and win. Definitely visit Mrs Peterman's blog HERE for more info and a link to the winning video! You can also read her thank you letter to all of us!

Egyptian Dancer Elle

Lord Greystoke, Gnarlihotep Abel, threw a fun hafla dance/party at his RFL Egyptian-themed build above Caledon Greystoke. Here I am at his Karnak Temple in my 1860s Egyptian dancer's outfit that I whipped up just before the party. You'll be able to find it in his bazaar there as well as my shops by Friday.

[SOLD] Caledon Regency Parcel Available!

SOLD!

I am selling the parcel rights to my beautiful 1536 waterside lot in Regency as I would like to relocate to another lot closer to the hub there.

It is at #10 Thornfield, Regency's main road, just at the bend. The neighbors in Regency are friendly, the architecture's pretty, and yes, you really can sail from there (I've done it!).

I am selling it for $18,432L which is the original price I purchased the land rights for from the Guvnah. You will continue to pay tier to him. It is a double prim lot with 702 prims available and if you would like to a copy of the pier with its Caledon bunting, I will be more than happy to give you one. Click HERE if you would like to visit and see the property.

Please contact me inworld if you are interested. Thank you!

Lazy Borky SLunday

Congrats to Zoe on the Connolly Aerodrome being named the #1 Wonder of Caledon!

Things inworld had gone a little borky, so I curled up with Phin on the hammock overlooking the residential part of Mayfair below. Usually when we're at the Aerodrome we are flying, but today seemed a perfect day to just lie there and talk. Do we look comfortable or what?

Dancing with Demons

The Europa Consulate held a Walpurgisnacht celebration in Kittiwick last night, so I donned my mask and demon wings and went. As the bonfire raged and the dark spirits danced behind us, I had a really really great time dancing and talking with Lunar. I think that the red skin and horns really work for him!