The Cats that ate Babbage - A Designing Worlds Seasonal Special - now on the web!

12/31/15  at 1:18 PM
Giant Cats in New Babbage, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont


The latest episode of Designing Worlds – a seasonal tale of steampunk and KittyCatS – is now on the web.

The citizens of New Babbage are preparing for Christmas and a special carol concert. But mysterious monsters are lurking out there on the streets …

Giant Cats in New Babbage, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Can Saffia and Elrik come to the rescue – with the aid of Mr Biggins and various other old friends?

With many thanks to Callie Cline, Dennis Lagan and KittyCatS for their help in making this programme.  

Giant Cats in New Babbage, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont
 
Cast:
Miss Bookworm Heinrichs
Miss Garnet Psaltery
Miss Saffia Widdershins
Mr Jebediah Biggins
Mr Emerson Lighthouse
Mr Elrik Merlin
Master Timothy Sootworth
Mr Mavromichali Szondi

and the KittyCatS and citizens of New Babbage


Giant Cats in New Babbage, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont


Things Go Bump in New Babbage in a Designing Worlds' Halloween Special!

10/26/15  at 12:04 PM
From "The Tollkeeper"
Join Designing Worlds at 2pm today, Monday 26th October at our studio in Garden of Dreams, for our Halloween Special as things go bump in New Babbage.

Well, not so much Bump! as Boom!

Now, explosions may not cause much panic in New Babbage, but when it causes two of New Babbage's finest sandhogs (one of whom is the redoubtable Mr Jebediah Biggins) to disappear into the darkest recesses of the catacombs, a rescue mission is rapidly under way.

From "The Tollkeeper"


But the catacombs are, of course, never the safest of places to go ...

This is a special Tale of New Babbage, written by Mr Emerson Lighthouse and read by the New Babbagers themselves: Mr Emerson Lighthouse, Miss Bookworm Heinreichs, Miss Garnet Psaltery. Mr Mavromichaeli Szondi and, of course, Mr Biggins. Mr Elrik Merlin and Miss Saffia Widdershins also take part.

 It is promising to be a spooky show, so make sure you join us, at 2pm today!

From "The Tollkeeper"


Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on SLartist or on Treet – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds, on the SLArtist.com channel, the Aview TV Designing Worlds channel – or on the Designing Worlds blog.

Cake Against Cancer – Today’s the Day for Cake, Dance and Parties for Macmillan Cancer Support UK

9/25/15  at 7:54 AM

Cake Against Cancer at Prim Perfect Head Offices

The cakes are set out at Prim Perfect’s Head Offices and Meshopotamia (and what a really gorgeous three (count them, THREE) tables full of cake we have this year!

And this is because today is the Biggest Coffee Morning in the World, organised by Macmillan Cancer Support UK.

Come along to our Virtual Coffee Morning and you can buy cakes for 50 Lindens. Sometimes, you will get a slice of virtual cake – but you will always get a recipe so that you can bake these delicious cakes in the real world too. And your money goes to support Macmillan’s vital work to support cancer patients and their carers (as you can read below, the personal story of one longterm Second Life resident).

 But that’s not all – because we are having a series of special events for our special Cake Against Cancer too!


The Night Theater performs on LEA2 at 12 noon SLT

Firstly, the Night Theater invite you to a very special Coffee Day event at 12 noon SLT in an enchantingly coffee themed woodland grove on LEA2.

Then, at 1pm, the music moves to Prim Perfect’s Head Offices, where from 1 – 3pm, Elrik Merlin will be spinning the tunes, followed by Victor Mornington from 3pm – 5pm SLT.

It’s going to be a great day to support a vital charity.


Cakes are available at Meshopotamia too

About Macmillan Cancer Support – a personal story

Last year, I was contacted by a long term resident of Caledon, Mr Alastair Whybrow, who found Macmillan Cancer Support invaluable. He gave me permission to quote from our conversation.

He said: “I’ve had a great deal of involvement with the MacMillan organisation lately, and they’ve been absolutely marvellous, so I’m heartened to think that my friends here have managed to give something back in return … I’m not overdramatising but it is not a small thing. The role and capabilities of the MacMillan organisation are easy to underestimate, as I myself did. They continue to surprise me with the realistic, practical help that can be given and are almost entirely responsible for my own course of pain management, which has involved a course of radio at Mount Vernon, amongst other things. And from my point of view, I’ve found it to be no exaggeration that the sheer goodwill from others really has helped, even when hospitals, tests and medications fall short. It really has been quite sobering, and moving, to experience for oneself how much difference it makes to one’s own attitude simply knowing that others are out there caring in their own way.

Macmillan Coffee Morning logo
“MacMillan have done things that have surprised me. Clinical dosage (thanks to them my painkillers are now starting to work), organising treatment (especially where the NHS is dragging its heels) and help with benefits – not to mention their counselling … The amazing thing to me is that they ARE a charity! I’m not entirely sure how the organisation itself slots into the NHS but they seem to work with it as a semi-autonomous part of it. And yes, the NHS is paying for these things but it’s MacMillan who got it all organised so quickly, even down to helping me organise the transport; there’s no way I can drive to Mount Vernon like this. Their main role administratively seems to be pointing one in the right direction but things are so complicated that that on its own is a big help, and there are people who can’t handle admin very well, they’re happy to stand over your shoulder … Another factor which some’d find helpful is state benefits. MacM are very au fait with what’s available and how to get it. If a hospital visit’s costing £10 in taxis each time, that becomes very helpful.

“They look at the whole picture of how cancer affects not just you but your family too. They’re happy to speak to your family individually, according to what everyone wants. They don’t just leave you to pass on bad news. I’m lucky in that my family and I discuss everything without holding back, but it’s a comfort to know that McM are there as impartial ears.”

He also added: “What I would be glad to see is more men having themselves examined as a precaution – especially men over 50. Prostate cancer is cunning and can lurk for years before ballooning out. If my own example can persuade one person to get themselves diagnosed in time, then I’ll be very pleased.”

Mr Whybrow passed away earlier this year, supported throughout by Macmillan. Please join us today to help make it possible for them to support more people.

Cakes will be on sale at the Prim Perfect Head Offices until the end of Friday, October 3rd. Or you can simply make a donation directly through our Just Giving page, or directly to Macmillan Cancer Support.    

Cake Against Cancer is today!

Designing Worlds discovers why you should Never Cry Dunsany!

6/15/15  at 8:43 AM

From "Never Cry Dunsany"
Join us at 2pm today, Monday 15th June for our latest episode of Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams, when we'll be showing a wholly new kind of episode.

Last week we travelled to New Babbage to look at the literary output associated with the famous steampunk city. This week we'll be focusing on one of those stories - Never Cry Dunsany, by Emerson Lighthouse (and others) - told by a combination of New Babbagers, and Elrik and Saffia. It's a scary tale ... one that was hinted at in last week's show!
From "Never Cry Dunsany" - the inner story
The story has been adapted especially for television by Emerson, with assistance from the cast and it is accompanied by photographs captured by cast members. The sections of the story are read by Garnet Psaltery, Emerson Lighthouse, Bookworm Heinrichs, Victor Mornington, Saffia Widdershins, Elrik Merlin and Mavromichali Szondi.

So do join us at 2pm SLT today for a rather different episode of Designing Worlds. With added Biggins!

From "Never Cry Dunsany"

Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on SLartist or on Treet – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds, on the SLArtist.com channel, the AviewTV Designing Worlds channel – or on the Designing Worlds blog.

From "Never Cry Dunsany"

For more information about stories and novels related to New Babbage, see below:

Joe Gatch
Phineas Frakture was an avatar in New Babbage before jumping off to his own adventures!
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture: Steam Wars
Steam & Sorcery: a Transdimensional Adventure


Sheryl Nantus
This steampunk western was written by a little clockwork dragon at the CocoaJava Cafe in New Babbage. The book’s dedication page thanks the city of New Babbage.
Wild Cards and Iron Horses


Lori Alden Holuta
Books inspired by city of New Babbage while the author’s avatar resided there. The Brassbright concept came to life through a character bio that got well out of hand.
The Flight To Brassbright
The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day


New Babbage

P.S. Chambers
Captive Sky, Truant Heart is based on a New Babbage avatar named Sky. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
Captive Sky, Truant Heart (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 1)
Day of the Dragons: The Girl in the Corner… (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 2)


Andrew McCurdy
Emerson Lighthouse, a New Babbage avatar, appears in the story. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
A Drop of the Venom: Leviathan’s Bane (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 3)


Maxwell Grantly
Author’s avatar of a clockwork teddy bear features in one story, set in New Babbage. Other stories are also set in the city.
Runs Like Clockwork


Various Authors with New Babbage Avatars
Tales of New Babbage: The Steampunk City Volumes 1 – 3

Collections of former Flash Fiction contests: Dialogues Volumes 1-5, free in the R.F. Burton Library in New Babbage. Look to the left just as you enter the library.

Designing Worlds explores the Literary World of New Babbage - now on the web!

6/14/15  at 9:07 PM
The latest episode of Designing Worlds – when we learn about the surprising very real world literary output of the steampunk city of New Babbage– is now on the web.



In the show, we talk to three of the people closely involved with the development of New Babbage’s Literary output. We learn about the inspiration for this – the determination that what had been created in New Babbage would live beyond Second Life through publications in the real world. And we hear about some of the writers who have been involved not only in the creation of the three Tales from New Babbage books, but in other literary endeavours too.

 We discuss how roleplay can feed in to literature – and how it can hinder it! And we look at how the New Babbage website has become a centre for writing both individual and collaborative.

 And we talk to Ceejay Writer who – under her real world name of Lori Alden Holuta – is writing and publishing a series of books – The Brassbright Chronicles – inspired by the city of New Babbage.  


New Babbage


 If you are interested in learning more about the literature of New Babbage discussed in this show, here is a reading list compelled by Ceejay:    

Joe Gatch
Phineas Frakture was an avatar in New Babbage before jumping off to his own adventures!
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture: Steam Wars
 Steam & Sorcery: a Transdimensional Adventure    

Sheryl Nantus This steampunk western was written by a little clockwork dragon at the CocoaJava Cafe in New Babbage. The book’s dedication page thanks the city of New Babbage.
Wild Cards and Iron Horses    

Lori Alden Holuta
Books inspired by city of New Babbage while the author’s avatar resided there. The Brassbright concept came to life through a character bio that got well out of hand.
The Flight To Brassbright
 The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day      

 
New Babbage


P.S. Chambers 
 Captive Sky, Truant Heart is based on a New Babbage avatar named Sky. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
Captive Sky, Truant Heart (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 1)
 Day of the Dragons: The Girl in the Corner… (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 2)

 Andrew McCurdy Emerson Lighthouse, a New Babbage avatar, appears in the story. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
A Drop of the Venom: Leviathan’s Bane (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 3)

Maxwell Grantly Author’s avatar of a clockwork teddy bear features in one story, set in New Babbage. Other stories are also set in the city. Runs Like Clockwork      

 
New Babbage


Various Authors with New Babbage Avatars
Tales of New Babbage: The Steampunk City Volumes 1 – 3

Collections of former Flash Fiction contests:
Dialogues Volumes 1-5, free in the R.F. Burton Library in New Babbage.
Look to the left just as you enter the library.

Designing Worlds explores the Literary World of New Babbage

6/8/15  at 7:08 AM

New Babbage

 Join us at 2pm today, Monday 8th June for what might be an unexpected episode of Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams, when we’ll be learning about the surprising very real world literary output of the steampunk city of New Babbage - a city based in Second Life.

This is a rather different show for us as usually we get caught up in dangerous adventures when we visit the city. But this time we are able to three of the people closely involved with the development of New Babbage's Literary output. We learn about the inspiration for this - the determination that what had been created in New Babbage would live beyond Second Life through publications in the real world. And we hear about some of the writers who have been involved not only in the creation of the three Tales from New Babbage books, but in other literary endeavours too.

New Babbage

We discuss how roleplay can feed in to literature - and how it can hinder it! And we look at how the New Babbage website has become a centre for writing both individual and collaborative.

And we talk to Ceejay Writer who - under her real world name of Lori Alden Holuta - is writing and publishing a series of books - The Brassbright Chronicles - inspired by the city of New Babbage. Ceejay explains how the Brassbright concept came to life through a character bio that got well out of hand!

It makes for a fascinating show - and we may even catch a fleeting glimpse of Mr Biggins! So do join us at 2pm SLT today.


New Babbage


 Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on SLartist or on Treet – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds, on the SLArtist.com channel, the AviewTV Designing Worlds channel – or on the Designing Worlds blog.

 If you are interested in learning more about the literature of New Babbage discussed in this show, here is a reading list compelled by Ceejay:  
 
Joe Gatch
Phineas Frakture was an avatar in New Babbage before jumping off to his own adventures!
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture: Steam Wars
Steam & Sorcery: a Transdimensional Adventure

Sheryl Nantus
This steampunk western was written by a little clockwork dragon at the CocoaJava Cafe in New Babbage. The book’s dedication page thanks the city of New Babbage.
Wild Cards and Iron Horses

Lori Alden Holuta
Books inspired by city of New Babbage while the author’s avatar resided there. The Brassbright concept came to life through a character bio that got well out of hand.
The Flight To Brassbright
The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day

P.S. Chambers
Captive Sky, Truant Heart is based on a New Babbage avatar named Sky. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
Captive Sky, Truant Heart (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 1)
Day of the Dragons: The Girl in the Corner… (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 2)

Andrew McCurdy
Emerson Lighthouse, a New Babbage avatar, appears in the story. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
A Drop of the Venom: Leviathan’s Bane (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 3)

Maxwell Grantly
Author’s avatar of a clockwork teddy bear features in one story, set in New Babbage.  Other stories are also set in the city.
Runs Like Clockwork

Various Authors with New Babbage Avatars
Tales of New Babbage: The Steampunk City Volumes 1 – 3
Collections of former Flash Fiction contests: Dialogues Volumes 1-5, free in the R.F. Burton Library in New Babbage. Look to the left just as you enter the library.


New Babbage

Biggins in Love - A Designing Worlds Valentine Special

2/9/15  at 6:15 AM

Winter in New Babbage -photograph by Wildstar Beaumont

Join us at 2pm today, Monday 9th February for the new episode of Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams, for a special Valentine episode that show sees us returning to New Babbage in a show that we were originally intending for our Christmas special. But we had a change of heart when we realised that this is a very romantic tale …

 It all begins with the annual delivery of presents for the urchins of New Babbage from The Primgraph magazine. Miss Widdershins delivers the presents while Mr Merlin decides to visit Mr Jon Weatherwax's new Mayfair Theatre.

What could possibly go wrong?

It's surprising what you can discover beneath the streets of New Babbage ...

It comes complete with, of course, the estimable Mr Jebediah Biggins (twin brother to Mr Obadiah Biggins, star of The Blackened Mirror) and the stalwart Assistant Maceholder, Mr Victor Mornington – and also features an appearance by those wonderful avatar horses, pulling the most beautiful troika from Ladies’ Pleasure, and driven by its creator, Miss H0ney Heart.

Many thanks to Mr Mavromichali Szondi, and to Miss Beq Janus for awesome design work beneath the streets.

Cast (in order of appearance):
Miss Saffia Widdershins ... Herself
Mr Victor Mornington ... Himself
Mr Elrik Merlin ... Himself
Mr Jon Weatherwax ... Himself
Aurora ... Miss Garnet Psaltery
Mr Biggins ... Himself
Troika driver ... Miss H0ney Heart
Horses .... Dancer Ingelwood, Cherry Lastchance and Kalypso Whitesong

This is a New Babbage special for Valentine's Day - so do join us, at 2pm today.

 Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on SLartist or on Treet – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds, on the SLArtist.com channel, the Aview TV Designing Worlds channel – or on the Designing Worlds blog.