“Official Guide to Second Life” Launch Party!
0 Comments Published by Sherpa Voyager February 22nd, 2008 in Announcements, FunCome one, come all!
As you may know, Seeker Gray and I are co-authors of chapter three (The Grand Tour) in Wiley Publishing’s new Official Guide to Second Life, and thanks to the magic of Kim Anubis and The Magicians, we’re going to have a fabulous launch party on February 28th at 6:30 pm SLT.
Gentle readers, do come and meet us in person! Seeker Gray and I will be there, along with Celebrity Trollope, Wednesday Grimm, and many of the other talented authors who have come together to make this a truly terrific book. We’ll be giving out lots of prizes, including some copies of the book itself, and there are rumors of a snowball fight as well … (um, now that I think of it, don’t tell Seeker about that last part, okay? He’s so disinclined to do anything that isn’t strictly “proper” …)
Here’s the official invitation:
Michael Rymaszewski, Richard Platel (Wednesday Grimm), Seeker Gray, Sherpa Voyager, Jim Rossignol, and Celebrity Trollop, authors of Wiley’s Second Life: The Official Guide, Second Edition, will answer audience questions in Second Life on February 28, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. SLT/PST. Along with primary seating at The Magicians Colonnade at Abracadabra, there’s balcony seating in the neighboring sim, Seifert Surface’s xyz. For an ideal view of the stage, guests in the balconies will be offered free scripted opera glasses.
We’ll be giving away a real-life copy of Second Life: The Official Guide, Second Edition from Wiley, in-world copies that open a sample chapter, jackets and coffee, and a few surprises. Instant message Chimera Malaprop or Art Laxness for a teleport offer.
The Magicians Colonnade is a Tinies-accessible build. Abracadabra will be set to night and winter (no pesky flowing water) for the comfort and safety of undead guests, but it’s requested that they refrain from eating other guests during the event. Dragons are welcome in the rear of the courtyard.
So do join us, dear readers, for an evening of fun, books, and surprises! IM Chimera Malaprop or Art Laxness for a teleport offer, and we’ll see you there!
(This Second Life review was brought to you by SecondSeeker.com)
Okay, for those of you who feel that we at Second Seeker have been leaning too far in the direction of art and spirituality of late, take hope! Today I visited the Avnet Technology Museum, a small timeline-driven display that will warm the cockles of any geek’s heart!
The museum, as its name makes clear, is part of the Avnet Technology complex – which is, essentially, a building with meeting rooms, a patio, and the museum itself; it feels uncannily like the interior of any high-tech office space I’ve ever seen in real life. Avnet is itself a distribution channel for “semiconductors, connectors, passive and electromechanical components, and RF & microwave devices; enterprise networking and computer equipment, and embedded subsystems from leading manufacturers. Serving customers in 70 countries, Avnet markets, inventories, and adds value to these products.” Whew!
But the museum itself isn’t half bad.
Continue reading ‘Avnet Technology Museum’
Political is Personal
1 Comment Published by GraceMcConachie February 4th, 2008 in Education, Art Galleries, Vaster Issues
My friend Sherpa asked me to review an “art installation” for her. She didn’t tell me what it contained or what it was about and I had never done such a review before. I hesitated for a few days, afraid I would have nothing to say. What do I know about art? What I ended up writing is below. Perhaps it is not a typical review. It’s more a gut reaction to the work, written as I walked through it. I can offer you my impressions, nothing more. The rest you will have to see for yourself.
I will say this - it is a powerful, sickening, guilt-inducing exhibition. Even for someone like me who has been against the war from the beginning. Even for someone like me who does not live a particularly greedy or consumptive lifestyle. When you go (and you should) take your time, be free of RL distractions, and reflect. And when you are done, if you don’t feel sick deep in your soul - well, you probably aren’t human. Or at least not one I’d like to meet.
The first thing I noticed at the Political is Personal exhibit was a small info sign explaining the exhibit. I followed their advice about turning off name tags (although I was the only person there on a Sunday morning) and I walked.
Basilica Cardinale Cathedral (Church Supplies)
0 Comments Published by Sherpa Voyager January 21st, 2008 in Spiritual, Architecture, Vaster IssuesSherpa grew up in a cathedral city in France, so when she heard about the Basilica Cardinale Cathedral, she couldn’t resist a visit.
It is indeed a beautiful building, a Gothic cathedral without the cruciform. There is a certain hush here, a sense of silence, and one finds oneself walking slowly, breathing deeply, taking in the atmosphere.
And then, of course, there is the opportunity for prayer.
No matter what one’s spiritual beliefs and practices, there really is a depth here that anyone can touch, a sense of transcendence, of being in the presence of something greater than oneself.
Sherpa being Sherpa being Sherpa, of course, there was a streak of exhibitionism that had to come to the fore once I saw the lectern …
On the way out, make sure that you stop and light a candle or two for … well, for whatever matters to you. Peace on earth might not be a bad idea.
At the back of the nave there is indeed a shop where you can purchase church supplies, if you are so inclined. And one might be put off a bit by the fact that the church is brought to you by Cardinal Sin. But really, come to the Basilica Cardinale Cathedral for some quiet, contemplative, and peace-inspiring moments.
(This Second Life review was brought to you by SecondSeeker.com)
Well, there’s a great deal here, more than can possibly be included in one review, but I’m going to take a stab at doing at least an overview! Because this is an area that really shouldn’t be missed, containing excellent information for those new to Second Life, and a wonderful journey for older residents alike!
It’s difficult to even know where to begin, but the reader/scholar/information seeker in me answered that question: at the library, of course!
I’m giving you just a glimpse of it, for I’ve been promised a tour and I’d rather give one to you, readers, as well. So let’s move along … there certainly is a lot to do, visit, and learn here!
Iraq War Memorial
0 Comments Published by Sherpa Voyager January 11th, 2008 in Something Completely Different, Vaster Issues, InsightJanka Werribee’s Iraq War Memorial should be a must-visit for everyone in Second Life — and in the real world, too. No matter how you feel about the politics of the US occupation of Iraq, the loss of life it represents is stunning –– and it’s palpable in this memorial.
The memorial is a simple, small, open structure that seems empty when you arrive. Some words are floating in the air before you: “touch here to start.” (Actually, don’t touch there to start, I tried it and got very frustrated: you need to touch the structure itself.)
You’re given the necessary statistics: In March of 2003 the United States invaded Iraq and continues to occupy it to this day. Janka further shares her own statistics: drops of blood falling each represent an Iraqui life lost unnecessarily in the invasion and occupation, while the white lights (she calls them “fading stars”) that soon begin to appear represent American soldiers killed in the conflict.
Arrival01
0 Comments Published by Sherpa Voyager January 1st, 2008 in Something Completely Different, FunOkay, so it’s an odd name for a sim. A very odd name for a sim. But perhaps it’s the very oddness of this one that I found so appealing … And, besides, what better name for our first post of 2008?
Enter Arrival01 and you enter a flat, endless-looking almost post-apocalyptic landscape inhabited only by steampunk-type creations. It’s a Rezzable sim with amazing creations by Madcow Cosmos, and is a lot of fun to explore!
Black Swan: Follow the Path
0 Comments Published by Sherpa Voyager December 29th, 2007 in Something Completely Different, Art GalleriesLibrarian Judi Newall (don’t you love librarians? I do!) turned me on to Black Swan, a site that’s a cross between an art gallery and an Indiana Jones-style quest adventure, and well worth a visit. Though Seeker Gray and I agree that this particular visit earns the subtitle of Brave Sherpa! Wait until you see why …
The entrance is pure Indiana Jones, complete with swinging double-bladed hook pendulum. That’s when I first got the idea that this wasn’t going to be just another stroll around yet another art gallery.
I must be feeling lonely lately. More and more I find myself attracted to places that would be better visited with — well, someone else. And Melissa’s Rose Garden is no exception.
I’ve recently become aware of a very small installation that certainly fits with today’s Christian holiday. Jeanni Nishi has put together a tiny immersive called Christmas Overkill
This is a small place but well worth stopping by and having one last dose of Christmas Overkill.
Wake, Sherpa and I all wish you a Merry Christmas – for those who celebrate it – or whatever winter holiday is more to your taste, faith, or persuasion!
