Designing Worlds discovers the mystery of the stolen books in New Babbage

12/11/12  at 5:50 PM
Now available on the web - our seasonal New Babbage show! 

There's a coal shortage in snow-covered New Babbage, as Saffia and Elrik pay one of their periodic visits to the steampunk city. But they're just visiting some of the libraries there ... what could possibly go wong?

An Unexpected Encounter in New Babbage
Before long, Saffia and Elrik, aided by the Assistant Maceholder Victor Mornington and Librarian Bookworm Heinrichs - accompanied, of course, by a hapless Mr Biggins - are dragged into an adventure involving stolen books, seasonal curses and a highly dangerous book, fit to be mentioned in the same breath as the Necronomicon and the Book of Al Azarine ...

Uncle Tingly's Christmas Tales for New Babbage Young 'Uns, secure in its case

Uncle Tingly book designed and created by Edward Pearse
Bells
, Bookstand (and chains) designed and created by Beq Janus

Designing Worlds pays a seasonal visit to New Babbage - what could possibly go wrong?

12/10/12  at 8:11 AM
Join us at 2pm SLT today, Monday 10th December, for the new episode of Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams when we'll be taking a seasonal trip to New Babbage. A rather chilly one too, if all the reports we've heard about the coal shortage are true!

New Babbage in the Snow, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Now, our trips to that industrial steampunk city have not been entirely without incident in the past - what with murders, dangerous dark mermaids, mendacious Santas and purloined diamonds ... to say nothing of Elrik being mistaken for Sherlock Holmes, or that time we discovered the dark secrets under the lost Asylum ...

But really, we're visiting libraries this time! What could possibly go wrong?

Although we might wonder why it's necessary to keep a certain children's book chained up in a locked desk ...

Uncle Tingly's Christmas Tales for New Babbage Young 'Uns, secure in its case

So join us, at 2pm today, to unlock the true terror of Uncle Tingly's Christmas Tales for New Babbage Young 'Uns ... if you dare.

Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in at 2pm SLT on Monday for the live show on http://treet.tv/live – where you can now chat with other audience members and even some of the participants during the show – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds – our very own version of the iPlayer!  

Uncle Tingly book designed and created by Edward Pearse  
Bookstand (and chains) designed and created by Beq Janus

Piermont Landing is Proud To Present

11/17/12  at 4:54 AM


Come One Come All To  The 4th Annual Formal Uniform Dress Ball 
In Honor of Fleet Week 2012 
Saturday November 17th 
6pm to 9pm SLT .

A Taste of Halloween in darkly beautiful Venexia – with Designing Worlds

10/29/12  at 7:17 AM
Venexia
Venexia
 Join us at 2pm SLT today, Monday 29th October, for the new episode of Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams as we visit the darkly beautiful region of Venexia for a really gorgeous Halloween show special.

Venexia is an adult roleplay sim with a vampire theme. It's set in a time when La Serenissima, the beautiful Venice that inspired this region, was at the height of its power and, some would suggest, its decadence. This stunningly lovely region, created by Baal Zobel and Kora Zenovka, certainly promises both power and decadence, and the enthusiastic patrons have evolved a rich and complex roleplay, befitting the surroundings.

The canals of Venexia
The canals of Venexia
Visitors can join in or, if they wish to remain out of character, can simply visit (although we'd recommend you adapt a suitable costume to allow you to discreetly blend with your surroundings).

In the company of the Contessa Seabreeze (who is, under another name, an old friend of the show!), Nena Easterwood and Amberlyssa Marie Bauerhoff, we explore some of the beautiful locations and discuss some of the roles and traditions that are practised in Venexia.


Vampire Ball in Venexia
Vampire Ball in Venexia
All this - and a Vampire Ball to attend; very appropriate for Halloween! It makes for a very dark and very beautiful show. So do come and join us at 2pm!

Venexia skyline
 Venexia skyline

 Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in at 2pm SLT on Monday for the live show on http://treet.tv/live – where you can now chat with other audience members and even some of the participants during the show – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds – our very own version of the iPlayer!


Venexia in the mist
Venexia in the mist

All photographs by Wildstar Beaumont

A Skull-Rattling Armada Halloween Party

10/25/12  at 10:41 AM
AHOY!  By direct order of Commander Vernden Jervil, Armadans and their friends will gather on The Sovereign in Armada Breakaway this Saturday, October 27th from 9pm to 11pm slt.
Sredni Eel of Avatar Bizarre will join us to play a mix of Pirate, Steampunk, Halloween and New Wave music.

Furthermore, it is requested that you arrive in costume. The sillier, the better.  (Our commander is quite fond of Silly Stuff.)  If ever there was a time to dig that mutant star goat costume out of your closet, this would be the night!

PS:  FREE RUM!

Before getting silly, you are highly encouraged to attend the 5th Annual Masquerade Ball at Piermont Landing  in New Babbage (prizes for the best dressed!) from 6pm to 9m slt.

Vintage Halloween Costume Party at the Java Jive

10/24/12  at 11:04 AM
DJ Misha brings her own brand of wonderful and sometimes wacky Jazz to Seraph City every Tuesday evening – tonight, since we are so close to Halloween, we’re making it a Vintage Costume Party!

You could be a movie star, a detective, a gangster, a superhero, or anything you can dream of as long as it fits the eras from the 1920′s through 1940′s.

And I’ll throw in a $L500 prize to the costume I think best suits the theme!

Save the date!  Tuesday, October 30th, 2012, 5pm to 7pm slt.

More Fun Noir! Hear the special bonus radio play from The Blackened Mirror on the web!

10/21/12  at 6:40 AM
Episode 1.4 of The Blackened Mirror won’t be out until next Friday – but we have more Fun Noir for the weekend.

Now there’s a chance to hear Death in Velvet on the web!  

Death in Velvet is a radio play, broadcast in four parts, taken from a short story by David Abbot, the writer of The Blackened Mirror.

Harland Quinn - Private Investigator
It’s a Harland Quinn story, set in the noir environment of Seraph City, and it’s a taste of the classic detective fiction of the nineteen thirties. It comes with two special guest stars, Peter Jurasik, the well known American actor (Londo Mollari in Babylon 5, Sid the Snitch in Hill Street Blues) and Juliet Cesario (Belldandy in Oh! My Goddess).

 And, of course, it also stares Scott Simpson as Harland Quinn. You can read more about Scott’s other work as an actor here.

Once again a dame walks into Quinn’s office … and this can mean only one thing – trouble!

Death in Velvet - Part 1

You can hear Part 1 here ... but if you want to hear Peter Jurasik in Part 2 – well, that’s where the Fun Noir starts with a little quiz, all about The Blackened Mirror.

Episodes 3 and 4 of Death in Velvet will be available shortly. Watch this space!

Peter Jurasik joins The Blackened Mirror for a one-off special radio play and party!

10/13/12  at 8:13 AM
Death in Velvet event at the Java Jive

Peter Jurasik, the well known American actor (Londo Mollari in Babylon 5, Sid the Snitch in Hill Street Blues) will be making a special appearance in a special spin off of The Blackened Mirror virtual TV series, to be broadcast on Sunday 14th October 2012.  

Death in Velvet is a radio play, based on a short story by David Abbot, writer of The Blackened Mirror. It relates one of the adventures of Harland Quinn, Private Investigator (and the central character of The Blackened Mirror) , and is set in the dieselpunk location of Seraph City. Once again a dame walks into Quinn’s office ... and this can mean only one thing - trouble!

“I’m delighted that Peter has agreed to appear,” says Scott Simpson, who plays Harland Quinn. "Peter is an old friend. It's quite amazing that technology has progressed to the point where we can work together again without actually living in the same city!"“

"I worked on a film years ago called Tron that was all about people exploring a virtual world,” says Peter Jurasik. “And now here is a series that is actually being created in a virtual world. Remarkable, when you think about it."

The Java Jive in Seraph City
The Java Jive in Seraph City

The radio play will be broadcast as part of a special celebration for Second Life fans of The Blackened Mirror. The event will be a party at the Java Jive – a popular club in Seraph City in Second Life. As well as music from popular DJ Victor Mornington, three instalments of the radio play will be broadcast during the course of the party, between 4pm – 6pm Pacific Standard Time.

 So – is that the whole story? Not quite, says Saffia Widdershins, the show’s producer.

“The Blackened Mirror is more than a TV series or a web series,” she explains. “It can be accessed via a range of social media – and games are an important part of it. We call this ‘fun noir’. There’s a game for Death in Velvet too – you’ll hear Parts 1 to 3 ... but the solution is in Part 4 – and we’re asking our listeners to guess what that solution is going to be!”

The Blackened Mirror
The Blackened Mirror

Although Death in Velvet will first be broadcast inworld, there will be a chance for people to hear the show on the web too. But, once again, to hear the episodes, you will have to be prepared to join in the challenges.

“There will be fun noir here too,” said Saffia. “Each episode will be on a hidden web page, and you will need to solve the clues to unlock the episodes!”

The Federal Bureau of Amusement

10/3/12  at 1:20 PM

A forgotten aspect of the FDR's New Deal program, the FBA was created in 1934 to administer the equal and fair allotment of fun and good times to those who had been down in the dumps for awhile, culminating in the Great Cookout of 1936, the Wireless Bingo Program, and the Raging Kegger of '39.  It still exists, providing bowling, skeeball, arcade games, rollerskating and mini-golf in its snazzy headquarters.
The Rather Impressive Front Doors
By direct presidential order from Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Federal Bureau of Amusement was ordered to relocate to the metropolis of Seraph City.  Postal Autogyros were employed to lift up the building and its stores of amusitanium-sulfide to transfer to its new location in Seraph City , not far from the overhead rail and a golf ball's throw from the upscale Sonatta Morales retail store.  Come explore, try out a few games, and win one for the gipper, or your honey, or yourself.
Bowling Beauty!

Two full levels of Mini-Golf.
For a better score, wear knickers and a jaunty cap.
After working up an appetite, do try the lunch counter! Ceejay recommends the BLT sandwich (heavy on the B, just enough T and only a trace of L) with a chocolate cone for dessert.  Yummy!
The newest social gathering point in Seraph City!
Mind that Laughing Sailor in the background, he's hysterical.

Live at the Java Jive: Gigi Jasper and Steveeolio!

10/2/12  at 8:00 AM

Tuesday, October 2nd, from 6-8pm slt, we are happy to present Gigi Jasper and Steveeolio, live!
Throw on your prohibition-era glad rags and dancing shoes, and brace yourself to be knocked on your ear by some of the best*live* Jazz on the grid. The Java Jive is in Seraph City, Second Life’s premier Dieselpunk sim. (Though, if you wish, come as you are – vintage clothing is encouraged but not mandatory!)
Gigi Jasper has always been a bit of a ‘closet’ singer, and while the shoe collection is always great to be with, shoes just don’t appreciate her repertoire like her friends and fans do. Ms. Jasper has an eclectic range reflecting the diversity of her influences. Gigi’s forte is vintage Jazz. Her sound is Peggy Lee-esque but with a seductive tone you are unlikely to find elsewhere. Join Gigi to experience her sultry, yet vulnerable sound that makes her performances truly unique.
Steveeolio (AKA Steve Hayden) is a Real-Life musician and Second Life entertainer who is a unique treat for the Jazz connoisseur. His vocals are simple, yet haunting and his guitar playing is simply sublime. Steve’s quirky sense of humour, combined with his sweet guitar stylings and hypnotizing vocals make his sets a must have experience in Second Life entertainment.

The Java Jive in Seraph City

Girl Genius Discussion Series

10/1/12  at 7:33 AM



The Alexandrian Free Library is proud to present a monthly discussion of...

Girl Genius, the Adventures of Agatha Heterodyne!
This year-long series begins at the very beginning of "Miss Agatha's" saga, as depicted in Phil and Kaja Foglio's Gaslamp Fantasy Comic, and discusses a new volume of the story each month.

Adventure! Romance! MAD SCIENCE!

Discussions will take place at the Winterfell Library, in Rosehaven, Winterfell's community center, the second Sunday of the month at 1:30pm SLT.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterfell%20Anodyne/129/23/22


Schedule:


October 14 2012
Volume 1

Nov 11 2012
Volume 2

Dec 9 2012
Volume 3

Jan13 2013
Volume 4

Feb 10 2013
Volume 5

Mar 10 2013
Volume 6

April 14 2013
Volume 7

May 12 2013
Volume 8

June 9 2013
Volume 9

July 14 2013
Volume 10

Aug 11 2013
Volume 11

Sept 8 2013
Volume 12

Oct 12 2013
Vol 13

Nov 10 2013
Vol 14

Tonight Please Join Us @ Piermont Landing !!

9/29/12  at 1:58 AM

To Night Saturday September 29th
 @ 6pm SLT  Piermont Landing Kicks off It's
5th Season ..
The Home of  Steam 
The City of New Babbage in Second Life ..
All are Welcome !! 

Second Life H.P. Lovecraft Community Presents Lovecraft Festival

9/19/12  at 2:10 PM

HP Lovecraft Festival
Fans of the early 20th Century American Science Fiction and Horror writer H.P. Lovecraft are joining together in Second Life in a multiple-community festival to celebrate the writer and to provide a variety of Lovecraft activities and adventures to Second Life residents.

The 2012 SL H.P. Lovecraft Festival runs from September 22-30. The heart of the festival is the carnival located in the Staccato sim in the Lovecraft community of Sheffield. The carnival contains a market at which vendors will sell a variety of Lovecraft, Early 20th Century and Science Fiction wares. The big top on the carnival grounds will host weird and wonderful events.

At the carnival, there will be ticket booths that provide festival information and that will transport the attendees to the various host sims that are taking part in the festival. A different Lovecraft experience awaits at each location! There will be several ticket booths on the carnival grounds as well as in each host sim. There will also be a festival wide hunt that will send participants searching high and low across the host sims for eldritch relics.

Attendees can find more information and the event schedule at any of ticket booths on the carnival grounds in the Staccato sim (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Staccato/229/160/22) starting on Saturday, September 22 .

If you would like more information about the 2012 SL HP Lovecraft Festival, please send a notecard to Nosfera Ravenheart (nosfera.osterham) in Second Life.

You’ll find Fun Noir in Episode 2 of The Blackened Mirror!

9/17/12  at 3:47 AM
Now that Episode 2 of The Blackened Mirror is out – the fun (noir) continues – and viewers can explore different mysteries inworld and out.

At the safe house
At the safe house

We’re suggesting that you look into two areas …
  1. Our special webquest on hidden web pages
  2. Some secrets in the life of Harland Quinn, private investigator, which can be explored inworld
How can you find out more? Well, start with the TV show – there is a key clue there at the Java Jive – one that will take you across the grid.

The car that is the inworld prize from Episode 2 (but not in the location where you need to look!)
The car that is the inworld prize from Episode 2 (but not in the location where you need to look!
The car that is the inworld prize from Episode 2 (but not in the location where you need to look!)[/caption] Don’t forget to follow Dolores’s Twitter stream too – and Millie will have information for you on her Live Journal. You’ll find details of how to get to that elsewhere on this website! What are you looking for?  

On the web
You’ll find a web quest.

As you answer the questions in this quiz, you will need to find hidden web pages. To find them , you will need to type the name in the web bar with this prefix: www.theblackenedmirror.com/episode_002_quiz/ and then your answer, followed by .jpg

 For example, if the answer to a question was Edgar Allen Poe, you would enter www.theblackenedmirror.com/episode_002_quiz/edgar_allen_poe.jpg

 If it was The Blackened Mirror, you would write: www.theblackenedmirror.com/episode_002_quiz/the_blackened_mirror.jpg

 If it was the writer M.R.James, you would enter www.theblackenedmirror.com/episode_002_quiz/m_r_james.jpg

 If the answer is correct, you will find a web page that will give you the next clue. if you have answered wrongly, the page will not be found.

When you have answered all the questions, you will discover an important - and secret - piece of information about a key character in The Blackened Mirror. And we hope you will have had some fun too!

In Second Life There is a very important clue in the episode - something that Harland Quinn reacts too strongly when he comes across it in the Java Jive. Just a little thing ... but it gets him asking questions. Look closely, and you will find a clue to the location you need to explaore - to find some surprising information - and a rather nice prize!


And here is the prize - which goes with some surprising information ...
And here is the prize - which goes with some surprising information ...
Ready to start? Let’s take a peek at the beginning of the web quiz ...

Don't miss The Blackened Mirror Episode 2: Ducking and Jiving!

9/16/12  at 2:34 AM
In the new episode of The Blackened Mirror, Harland Quinn, who thinks he knows an easy buck when he sees one, takes Miss Alleyn and her associate to a well-known local nightclub in search of Miss Alleyn’s missing crystal. Once there, however, things don’t go according to plan…

 Watch the episode to get the first clues that will help you discover more about Quinn and maybe more about his past ...!

And in this episode we meet two new characters - Ceejay and Millie. You can find out more about them (and the other characters) on the special section of the website. Did you also know that you can find out more about the people who play them - and about the rest of the cast and crew too?

You'll be able to find clues on the web - and also within the world of Second Life. Watch this space – and explore this web-site – for more clues …

The Blackened Mirror is a co-production of Prim Perfect Publications and Treet.TV, first broadcast as part of the Happy Hunting! show.

A Darkling Hunt, Perfumed Cutlasses and a Blackened Mirror - all on today's Happy Hunting!

9/14/12  at 4:51 AM
Join us for today’s Happy Hunting! in the treet.tv studios in Garden of Dreams at 3pm, Friday 14th September, to learn about the great hunts that are going on across the grid – and to see the second episode of our exciting new segment – The Blackened Mirror!

The Darkling Hunt Cinders Vale, our host, will be talking to our guests in the studio Spooky Mistwallow who is organising The Darkling Hunt - an exciting gridwide hunt especially for petites. If you have wanted to try being a petite - this may be a good way to start.

Then Cinders will be talking to Elizabeth Tinsley and Glitch Axelrad who are organising The Perfumed Cutlass Hunt, a special new mini-hunt from Mad Pea Productions.

The Perfumed Cutlass Hunt
This is the first of a series of exciting mini-hunts from the excellent Mad Pea team, and Elizabeth and Glitch will be talking all about this new concept - as well as about the Hunt itself (arrr! Pirates!)

Rosamoo Mendelsohn of Hunt SL, our new hunt reporter, will be on hand with all the latest hunt news, and some examples of the wonderful items she’s found.

And there will be the new episode of our exciting new mini-series – The Blackened Mirror; a show within the show which will combine elements of narrative and hunting in a fascinating multimedia experience.

 It’s an online series of short episodes, following the adventures of a cynical private investigator, Harland Quinn, who has a broken down office in a Depression-era city. Quinn, who thinks he knows an easy buck when he sees one, takes Miss Alleyn and her associate to a well-known local nightclub in search of Miss Alleyn's missing crystal. Once there, however, things don't go according to plan...

The Blackened Mirror
 You’ll be able to watch the show as part of the Happy Hunting! TV show or in its own dedicated channel on treet.tv or You Tube (or on the website). But that’s only the start of The Blackened Mirror, because it’s is more than just a virtual world TV show; you’ll be able to find more information and win prizes by following a series of games and puzzles within the virtual world of Second Life or through a variety of social media across the internet.

Happy Hunting! So join us at 3pm today in the studio for the broadcast. Bring along your hunter friends too. We will be glad to have you all join us for the show.

Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in at 3pm SLT on Friday for the live show on http://treet.tv/live – where you can now chat with other audience members and even some of the participants during the show – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/happy-hunting.

The Blackened Mirror: the fun (noir) starts here …

9/4/12  at 1:10 AM
Now that Episode 1 of The Blackened Mirror is out - the fun (noir) can start - and viewers can begin to explore different mysteries.

Harland Quinn: Private Investigator
We're suggesting that you look into three areas ...
  1. The location of Quinn's office
  2. The hidden web pages
  3. The destination that Quinn and his companions are heading for at the end of the episode
You'll be able to explore these things both in Second Life and on the web. How? Well, start with the TV show - there are two key clues there - one to the city, and one to the name of the destination. A search on the web too might be useful - Google is definitely your friend here! Harland Quinn, Private Investigator has left a paper trail ...

Dolores Dufaux, Quinn's loyal secretary
Don't forget to follow Dolores's Twitter stream too - she'll have information for you. You'll find details of how to get to that elsewhere on the Blackened Mirror website - where you can find out more about all the characters.

What are you looking for?

On the web
You'll find information about Quinn's home city and some of the places and people there. People that Quinn mentions, like old Tom Lowry. You can find news stories about Quinn too - and if you start following the clues, you'll find a hidden PI licence, some Blackened Mirror-inspired cocktails ... and even a chance to be name-checked as a character in The Blackened Mirror yourself.

 In Second Life
You'll find links to much of the web materials (you may need to find those first, to discover Quinn's location). Then there is a hunt - you can follow a day in the life of Quinn from location to location, learning more about him and the city he lives in. Some of this might be useful later on ...

Ready to start? Let's take a peek at A Day in the Life of Harland Quinn (Part 1) ...

Seraph City: Local PI Busted for Bar Brawl

8/31/12  at 4:44 AM
by Herb Franklin

Altercation at the Java Jive, Seraph City
  Seraph City Police Department  officers last night arrested two men following a violent altercation at the Java Jive that resulted in extensive damage to the popular night club.

  Peter Sanderson remains hospitalized from injuries sustained in a fight  with local Private Investigator Harland Quinn. 

It remains unclear who threw the first punch
  Witnesses report that the two were arguing loudly moments before but it remains unclear who threw the first punch. 

   SCPD Sergeant Norman Hawke said both men would be charged with assault and disturbing the peace.  Doctors say Sanderson is likely to make a near-full recovery.

Quinn in custody
   It isn't the first time a fight has broken out at the Java Jive. Despite the damage, owner Ceejay Writer said residents could be sure that the Jive is "open as usual, with all the fine service and music they've come to expect... The club's sturdy as an ox and built to take whatever comes."

   Miss Writer had no kind words about either of the men arrested. "I've just about had it with replacing vases.  That was real china! From China! And you can tell Quinn - never mind. I'll tell him myself, soon enough."
8/29/12  at 7:13 AM
American Precisionists

EXHIBITION: AUGUST 28 THROUGH NOVEMBER 1
An Exhibition curated by Gstone Turas
Gstone Turas
Artists Charles Demuth and Charles Sheeler share much more than a first name and birth year.  Contemporaries, both were born in Pennsylvania; the center of  American steel production in the 19th and 20th centuries.  It was Pennsylvania steel that built the Empire State Building, the gates of the Panama Canal,  railroads, and heavy machinery of this dynamic era.
 
The works in this exhibition are reminders of a time when America took pride in and celebrated its accomplishments as the builder of the modern age. Mass production was the engine of progress.
 
 
This exhibition is purely for FAIR USE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
DONATIONS ARE WELCOME
 
ABOUT FIRST BANK BUILDING GALLERY IN SERAPH CITY
First Bank Gallery in Seraph City is devoted to American Art from the first 1/2 of the 20th Century. In addition to First Bank Gallery, many Second Life residents and visitors have enjoyed the other art exhibits curated by Gstone Turas in the 1920s Berlin Project Sim at her Galerie Glitzern und Schicksal, and Swing Street Gallery in Swing Times Sim.
 
Gstone's mission is to use historical art as an opportunity to not just entertain, but to educate people about  world history during the period 1920 to 1950.  "It's a way to foster understanding across international borders using virtual world tools", she says.

One of Our Biggins is Missing

8/23/12  at 12:02 PM
Entering the popular New Babbage establishment known as The Gangplank, your glance around would show you two Babbage sandhogs sharing some pints off in the corner. Were you able to get close enough to listen to their conversation--unlikely, as sandhogs are a notoriously taciturn lot--you would hear this:

"Ya hear about ol' Biggins?"

"No! Wot's 'e got 'imself into this time?"

"No one knows! Clean disappeared, 'e 'as."

"Pah--not like 'e 'asn't done that afore."

"True. But even when 'e were taken by the dark mer for a time, 'e were able to send messages to 'is old mum. You know 'ow 'e doesn't like 'er to worry. But now? Not a sightin', not a word."

"Huh."

"An' wot's more... afore 'e disappeared, 'e were seen wit' a right smart-lookin' young woman."

"Prob'ly that Ms. Widdershins. You know 'ow she gets 'im in trouble alla time."

"No, no--no one knew who this one was. No one'd seen 'er afore. Some think 'e's left Babbage completely."

"Huh. Well, I'll keep an eye out for 'im. But if 'e 'as actually left Babbage, I 'ope 'e ends up someplace as is less trouble for 'im."

"Aye. Well, I've finished me pint. Must be off."

"See ya tomorrow, then."

And if you had heard such, you would, hopefully, resolve to keep an eye out yourself for Mr. Biggins--whether in New Babbage or around the Aethernet--so you could alleviate the worries of his dear old mum.

Coming soon – a taste of Fun Noir

8/16/12  at 12:00 PM
Harland Quinn - Private Investigator
Harland Quinn - Private Investigator
Coming soon ... a new show from treet.tv - and a new type of interactive entertainment that spans virtual worlds and social media - which draws on the genres of film noir, steampunk with an added dash of classic Lovecraftian horror.  

The Blackened Mirror is an online series of short episodes, following the adventures of a cynical private investigator, Harland Quinn, who has a broken down office in a Depression-era city. Until one day a mysterious woman walks through his office door with her odd companion ... and then things get progressively stranger.

The mysterious visitors
The mysterious visitors

You'll be able to watch the show as part of the Happy Hunting! TV show. And after it's been aired there, it will be available on its own YouTube channel, or you'll be able to download it from the iTunes store. Or, of course, you'll be able to watch it here on this website.

But that's only the start of The Blackened Mirror, because it's is more than just a virtual world TV show; you'll be able to find more information and win prizes by following a series of games and puzzles within the virtual world of Second Life or through a variety of social media across the internet.

Perhaps you can see why we're calling it Fun Noir ...


The adventure begins ...
The adventure begins ...
 You'll find clues on related web-sites, or on social media streams (so maybe you'll want to follow Dolores' Twitter stream, for example, or Millie's Live Journal). These clues will lead you to more information about the characters and the plot ... and if you are following the game within Second Life, it will also lead to prizes to keep, too!

In short, The Blackened Mirror is a media experience like no other.

Check out the web-site (there will be clues here too) - and watch out for the trailer to the show - coming shortly on this week's Happy Hunting! show (shown on Friday 17th August at 3pm on treet.tv)- and this website shortly after!

The Blackened Mirror
The Blackened Mirror

New Babbage's Air Kraken Festival

8/9/12  at 6:03 AM

-Festival Merchandise Cart: An open air market cart at the Port Babbage docks filled with festival themed wares, food and games for festival goers to take and purchase. 

-Air Kraken Exhibit:  An exciting and intriguing natural history exhibit by Kimika Ying focusing on air kraken at Melnik Air Park behind Portside Books in Port Babbage.  

-Air Kraken Target Practice:  Located on the docks of Port Babbage.  Come safely test your shooting skills against the miniature-airship towed air kraken drones.  

-Iron Bay Chef:  We know that New Babbage has its share of mad scientists cooking away in their labs, but what are they cooking in their kitchens?  Get ready for a special event that promises to reveal who is hungry for power and who is just hungry!
Start digging through your recipe books, Babbagers, for that extra tasty dish. You know the one - just the thought of it makes your mouth water, but it is probably only considered edible in our part of the world. The catch is this: it must incorporate a secret ingredient, to be revealed below.
Submit your recipes to Blackberry Harvey and Junie Ginsburg inword by notecard so they can prepare your dish in their test kitchens and then confer about the results.  After all recipes have been prepared, all dishes have been tasted (by some lucky volunteers) and critiques have been written, these judges will determine WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT IRON BAY CHEF!
Your secret ingredient is... AIR KRAKEN!
This event will be executed as part of the Second Annual Air Kraken Festival, running from August 11 through the 25th.  Submit your recipe by noon on the 24th so that winners can be announced during the festival closing event. (We cook very quickly.)
Ready?  Get crackin'!

The winning dishes will go on the menus at The Cocoajava and The Gangplank.
(PRIZES:  L$1000, L$750, L$500)

-SuperVillain Try Outs:  Now is the time for those of you with a maniacal laugh, tyrannical motives and an aptitude for making minions to step into the spotlight.  The contest is going to be held entirely on the BAR ( http://cityofnewbabbage.com/
reader/ ).

There will be three posts/events for hopefuls to compete in:
1-Monologuing:  Take this opportunity to toot your own horn.  Tell us what makes you deserve the SuperVillain title.  What are your plans for taking over?  Why should we all bow and accept your greatness?

2-Fashion Show: Presentation is key.  Show others who is in charge by how you dress.  Submit at least one picture of your attire, accessories, and any other finery you wish to use to display your power.  (Maximum number of pictures per participant is three.)

3-How to Get One's Way (Dealing with Hecklers/Bribery):  There will be hecklers in the life of a SuperVillain.  There will also be all of the weak-minded fools who you will bend to your will through bribery (possibly the contest judges, one may never know).  Explain in detail how you intend to inspire the masses and deal with naysayers (including your competition).

There will likely be cash prizes involved, but the grand prize is the title of this year's SuperVillain! Mwahahahaha! *cough*

-Black Ink and Bold Tales Writing Contest:  At the core of each Air Kraken is a well of deepest blackest ink. Pick up your quill, dip into the source and pen your poem or tale of adventure.  All creative writings about these legendary beasts of the skies are welcome.  

No minimum word-count, but please, no longer than 1,500 words.  Submissions will be accepted the entire two weeks of the Air Kraken Festival, either by notecard to Ceejay Writer, or email to ceejay@cocoajava.com. After the festival, a panel of judges will choose the winners in these categories:   Truly Terrifying Tale (horror), You're Kraken Me Up (humor), Surprise from the Skies (cleverest) and Misunderstood Monsters (Pro-Kraken viewpoints), as well as one overall winner, the Tantamount Tall Tentacle Tale. 

Plans are afoot to publish all entries in some form of anthology for everyone's enjoyment afterwards. Submission of your entry shall indicate your agreement to this project.

One Time Events:

-H.G. Wells/ Air Kraken Festival Opening Party:  Please join us Saturday, August 11th 6:30-9:00pm SLT at The Gangplank as we celebrate the opening of the 2nd Annual Air Kraken Festival, in honor of H.G. Wells.  All attire is welcome, but please feel free to break out your air kraken hunting gear or best Wellsian finery!  Victor Mornington will be our DJ.

-Closing Party:  Come celebrate the close of the festival on Saturday, August 25th at 7-9pm SLT on the roof of Portside Books in Port Babbage.  Dress in your best air pirate/air kraken fighting attire/festival attire.  Dance, drink and be merry as Blackberry Harvey spins tunes.

-Please contact Sky Melnik if you have any questions or ideas concerning the festival.

Armada Sings a Siren Song, Calling You Home

7/24/12  at 9:55 AM
Armada Breakaway
Photograph by Victor1st Mornington

Armada Breakaway is a floating steampunk pirate city in Second Life, scrapped together from the bones of old boats and swarming with brigands of all types and creeds.

Armada Breakaway is inspired by China Mieville novel, "The Scar." And you can become a part of our story. If you thrive in bracing ocean air (or ocean water, if you happen to be a mer), why not consider joining this close-knit community?

There is no land whatsoever in Armada, which makes for some creative living quarters. Residents live on boats, or airships moored above, or diving bells below. Exploring the city is a constant adventure, as there are no 'roads'. You'll learn how to scramble about as you get your sea legs. It's not such a harsh life, though. We have a thriving nightlife, pirate antics, a surprising array of shops, a coffee house, fine dining and special events. Armada is not far from New Babbage, and a sister city to Mondrago.

Come visit us.Wander about, explore, be surprised, say 'Ahoy!' to others you meet. If you think you'd like to make your home in Armada Breakaway, drop by our Welcome Center for rental information, or contact Vernden Jervil, Commodore of Armada.

Armada Breakaway
Photograph by Wildstar Beaumont

The Nevermoor Hedge Maze

7/21/12  at 10:05 PM

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” Asked Alice.
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” Replied the cat.
“I don’t much care where-“
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”

       -Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.



As you pass the twisted metal gates you enter another world beyond the skyline and Victorian homes of Steelhead, into dense forest and moss covered cobble pathways. Sunlight breaks through the thick canopy lighting an otherwise dark walkway through an otherworldly place where the ancient forest holds its own secrets.

A mesh of dark gothic Victorian visions of Poe and Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Steelhead Nevermoor is a darker fantasy forest theme from the rest of the city. If one cares for seclusion in the woods, you can find yourself… or lose yourself in Nevermoor. During remodeling, the Southwest entrance was converted into a hedge maze, adding to the mysteries of Nevermoor. In the end of the maze you can sit down and have tea at the hatter’s table as his special guest. There are twists and turns and nothing ever stays the same, as the hedges are moved periodically so you can return again and get lost all over again.

-          TotalLunar Eclipse – Steelhead Estates Co-owner and all around mad builder

New Babbage Relay for Life Auctions!

6/29/12  at 8:32 AM
It's that time of year, folks! New Babbage is offering up its best and brightest to provide you with services or items you never knew you wanted until now! The Person auction will occur at 5:00 SLT Saturday, June 30th, at Piermont Landing just before the Illusions Ball. The Thing auction will occur at 1:00 pm SLT Sunday, July 1st, also at Piermont Landing, and also just before a dance (DJed by Loki Eliot).

See the comments below for the semi-firm lineups for each auction. Hope to see you there!
 
 
The People Auction:
The People Auction:

Bookworm Hienrichs - New Babbage Wiki Work
Need ideas for your biography in the New Babbage Wiki? Want to gather your posts together into a complete story, but don't have the time? Bookworm Hienrichs will be your Wiki Worker! Just send her your requirements or half-baked ideas, and she'll flesh them out!


Blackberry Harvey - DJ Services
One two hour event personally DJed by me, subject and theme of your choice, date and time to be negotiated. Venue can be Huxley Hall, Wilde Hospital, CocoaJava Cafe, or any site provided the land owner is on hand to change the music stream. A 1500L value at my already discounted rates!


Junie Ginsburg - Portrait
Custom portrait taken by Ms. Ginsburg. See http://juniestintypes.blogspot.com/ for examples.


Tepic Harlequin - Urchin for a Day
Everyone knows there is an urchin City living alongside and among Babbage's streets, but not everyone knows much about it! We will give you an introduction into urchin life, where some of the hideouts are, what they do during the day (and night!), where free food can be found, and some of the underground routes around the City.

You will be kitted out in the best free urchin outfit that money can't buy, and shown round by Tepic and possibly others... if they can be found!

Who to avoid, who to run from, who to go for in times of trouble, all basic information if you are to survive the mean streets of New Babbage - when you are too small to look over most of the walls! This and more will be part and parcel of this highly valuable package tour.

This is a unisex prize, in the world of the urchin, it doesn't matter who you are, if you are young, and new to the City, the resident urchins see it as their duty to give you a helping hand - also helping with any supplies, money or tradable goods you might have brought...

There will be much walking, some running, and possibly some wild chasing about!

On the practicality part, the introduction will be at the mutual agreeable time between the purchaser and Tepic (and other urchins as available), and may possibly be split over several days depending on that bugbear rl... Time zones, Tepic is European based, so mid-day sl time is a good starting point. Though it is listed as a day, it is expected to cover several hours of fun and games. not a full 24!


Mumsy Abigail Sharp - Dance
Feeling brave? Bid for a dance (at a future date) with Mumsy Abigail Sharp herself!


Victor Mornington - The Voice
My Voice to read a short story live on microphone or on a stream feed...


Saffia Widdershins
Buy Saffia, and choose between: 1) An exclusive shopping trip, with Saffia taking you around the grid to stores you may never have heard of; 2) An tour of exploration, finding beautiful, out-of-the-way places; 3) A home makeover by Saffia and her team, with the option of appearing on Designing Worlds.


Jimmy Branagh - Custom Bust
Ever wanted to be immortal? Cast in stone for all the world to admire through the centuries? Good luck with that!
But, Jimmy Branagh has a solution for you! He will create a Romanesque-style bust of YOU in mesh for all of SL to worship in the years to come. The high bidder at auction will receive an authentic likeness of themselves (within reason, of course) such as an Augustus or Victoria would be proud to display, and enough copies to blanket the Steamlands.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints this item is limited to humans only.


Mosseveno Tenk - Custom Building
Mr. Tenk will come to your house and build custom fitted mesh windows to replace your old ones.


Mr. Biggins - Adventure!
Buying Biggins will win you (and, if you want, your build) an appearance in our next Designing Worlds Babbage show.


Tentative:
Rowan Derryth - Exclusive Salon
 
 
The Thing Auction:
Bookworm Hienrichs - Picture
Own this striking image of the Grand Canyon, taken during one of Miss Hienrichs's rambles through the American Southwest. This will be yours exclusively--it may be displayed elsewhere, but never sold.


Penny Dreadful - Flying Chronometre
Certified, one-of-a-kind "Flying Chronometre"


Nathaniel Lorefield - Buildings
Two Victorian shopfront buildings are available. Shop 1 is 42 prims, shop 2 is 34 prims. Both are two-story edifices, with substructures to sink into the ground. Perfect for combining work and a place to live!


Nymlet - Steampunk DJ set
A extraordinary set for your club, or to bring with you when you are out playing. Featuring a nice wood-panneled DJ boot with double gramophone spinners (also a version without them for less primusage) A amazing Teslain-ducted spinning gear dance floor AND a Gramophone radio with over 50 preset stations and the ability to put your own streams in.


Rogue Dalton - Steampunk Doll
Exclusive RFL Steampunk doll from Rogue's Posh Emporium.


Obscura Benoir - Spinning Wheel
Bid to own the fabulous spinning wheel recently created by Obscura Benoir. Take care of your surplus coal by spinning it into gold!


Skusting Dagger - Picture
The Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge Number 79 is an excellent representative type of the Hudson River Railroad Barge, and she survives in original condition. She is a rarity based not only upon her historical significance and social impact, but also upon her pristine state of preservation.


Nightshade Sixpence - Skybox
Ever lose track of time when you're working in your skybox? With this amazing giant pocketwatch, now you'll never have to root around for a clock or watch while you work inside its comfort and privacy!


Stereo Nacht - Tickets
The Wulfenbach Consulate is holding a limited-attendance dinner with Baron Klaus Wulfenbach. Two tickets are available for New Babbage citizens to attend! Be ready for delicious food and stimulating conversation--and don't be surprised if something... mysterious happens along the way.


Dr. Obolensky - Angel of New Babbage Jet Pack of Awesomeness
Tired of flying without any good means? Think your entrances and exits need more style and drama? The ANBJPA comes with: Wings that extend for flight, an accurate clock so that people behind you will always know what time it is, fancy fire and smoke from not one or two, but *three* exhausts! And of course, this one-of-a-kind version has fancy textures, a gear halo, lighting effects, and best of all, an angelic choir to announce take-offs! You know you want it.


Macknight Culdesac - Airlift and Platform
This elevator travels through the air using four small propellers. The controls are quite easily mastered; simple choose your destination from a menu. The owner of the elevator can assign destination names and elevations. As with most elevators, motion is limited to the vertical.

Included with the Air Lift is an Air Platform. (Without a destination, the Air Lift would be rather pointless, don't you think?) This Air Platform is suspended aloft by the force of four large steam-driven propellers.

Also included with the Air Lift and the Air Platform is a calling station, rather similar in size and shape to a manhole cover. Touching this calls the Air Lift to the nearest defined stopping level.


Tentative:
Amadeus Hammerer
PJ Trenton - Picture