Monday, December 22, 2014

Comment moderation now on

... since my last post attracted spam.

I'm not going to name or otherwise publicise the creature responsible, but I would like to ask: have these people no shame?  No feelings of even the most basic human decency?

Yes, I know I am resorting to clichés, there.  These phrases become clichés because they express everybody's feelings about despicable things like this.

Do the people who post these things tell their mothers what they do for a living?  "Yes, mum, I got in to work, spammed a memorial post... it was a good day."

Sunday, December 21, 2014

In Memoriam: Alastair Whybrow

Received very sad news last night - Mr Alastair Whybrow's RL self is no longer with us.  He had been fighting cancer and absent from SL for some time now... my good wishes went out to him, of course, but there is so little that good wishes can do.

Mr Whybrow's name has featured in this blog before... in SL, he was one of the niche creators who only seem to exist in this oddball medium we inhabit.  His speciality was jewelry, crafted in the most exact, delicate and painstaking manner, wielding prims with the same exactitude as a real-world jeweller.  I have, of course, some examples of his work - not, I regret to say, the most gigantically impressive creations, involving well over a thousand prims - but enough, I hope, to remember him by.

He was a presence, too, in Caledon, ready in chat with opinions and witticisms; his shop "Sparkle of Sound" was a landmark in Caledon Southend... and he encouraged and advised me on my own minor commercial ventures.

In RL, he was close enough, geographically, to my typist that we shared reminiscences of local characters and local events, over many a long conversation.  We shared ideas, and stories... and I regret very deeply that we won't be doing that any more.

Godspeed, Mr Whybrow.  You are missed... a gentleman, and a creator, and one of the good people in SL.  I will close with a quotation which, I think, he might have found apt: "He’s in Arthur’s bosom, if ever man went to Arthur’s bosom."  And I will treasure my memories of him.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Guardian at the Gate

As previously noted, I have a little stall at the Halloween Festival over in Mieville Shelley.  (The event as a whole is well worth a visit.  Particularly if you are into pumpkin orange, there's a lot of that about.  But I digress.)

Since I'm not around all the time, or anything like as much as I'd prefer to be, I have left the day-to-day running of the place in safe hands.  Or, I thought, in safe hands... those of a gadget of mine, the amazing Hieratic Skull.  This thing sits on the stall, and you can talk to it, and it will respond.

Oh, yes.  It will respond.  Here's an example.

[14:55] Hieratic Skull whispers: Speak, O perplexed one, and hear the wisdom of the Hieratic Skull.
[14:55] Glorf Bulmer: Anybody stopped by yet?
[14:55] Hieratic Skull: Thus the Hieratic Skull imparts the sage counsel of the aeons.
[14:55] Hieratic Skull: The wise one holds no money while the osprey is on the ground.
[14:55] Hieratic Skull: Such is my answer; give heed and comprehend!
[14:56] Glorf Bulmer: Oh, thanks.


So there we are.  It would be a safe pair of hands... if the Hieratic Skull (object description "It's incomprehensible, so it must be oracular!") actually had any hands.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Renaissance Hunt IV: the climax!

The last set of gifties from the Hunt.  Dear readers, you just have time, still, to pop over and grab the ones that take your fancy.

Let us ascend together, then, the very pinnacles of excitement and achievement...

Starting with a plain box from number 72, All Things Beautiful.  As you might surmise, it's a texture pack.  Assorted fabric textures, the sort of thing that turns out very useful, once you take it out of the plain box.

A less plain box, but still a texture pack, from 73, Surface by c. loon.

Definitely not a plain box, this "Baelish Renaissance Cabinet" from number 74, Kismet, comes with scripted opening doors and a selection of little knick-knacks to put on it.  Nice stuff.

75, Bibliotheque de Coeur, gives us "Shakespeare Recites".  Click upon the Bard, and he will do Sonnet XXIX at you, one line per click.  Which is a darn sight more lyrical than you'd get if you clicked on me, let me tell you that right now.

Elizabethan leather panelled fireplace from 76, Timeless Décor.  The decorative panels are pretty cool, actually. Metaphorically cool, since physically they're quite near the fire.  You know what I mean.

Myrddin's Emporium at 77 actually gives us quite a batch of stuff, including a very neat Skeleton Clock (a clock where you can see the works, no actual bones are involved), a compass, and a sextant.  Pride of place in my view, though, goes to this fun little vehicle, the HMS Sea Cycle.  I'm sure it's just the sort of thing Shakespeare would have nipped across the Thames on, when he wanted a bite to eat or something.

"Sonnet" chaise longue, footstool, rug and picture of Romeo and Juliet from 78, The Willowinds.  It says "Cog and Fleur" on the box for some reason, not sure why.  Anyway.  Another chunk of nice furniture.  The chaise longue has couples animations, but unfortunately Tali was busy at Oxbridge at the time.

Stop 79 is Spyralle, for whom I have a lot of time.  This decorative Alhambra Rug comes in two versions, one mesh and slightly ripply, one plain prim.  The mesh version is shown here - it is only very slightly ripply, just enough to add to the illusion of reality.  Despite their screamingly psychedelic multi-coloured fractal designs, Spyralle can (and do) do subtlety rather well.

At this stage, I decided to do the last two texture packs in one shot.  Stop 80 is Texture Junction and stop 81 is Timeless Textures.  Both are worthy of your attention and your discerning patronage.  It's just that shots of boxes are not really all that interesting.

At which point we come full circle to the Renaissance Faire once more, and the final prizes... err, another anonymous looking box full of textures, and a model of the "Merchant of Venice" gondola whose full-size version we saw in an earlier instalment.  The textures will be handy, the model decorative, and that makes them both worth while.

And with that, we are pretty much done.   Thanks are extended, as always, to the gallant Perryn Peterson and his valiant crew of helpers and organizers, to the merchants and designers who have contributed their efforts so generously, and to the fellow travellers on the Hunt without whom it wouldn't be half so much fun!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Renaissance Hunt 4: the Mountain Rose Village mini-hunt

This one is stop number 71, except - as with the last Silk Road hunt - it's actually a mini-hunt involving some eighteen stops around three different locations.  They certainly push the boat out for this one.

It's not unlike the Silk Road mini-hunt, too, in that it includes sets of themed clothing, sets of furniture, and a whomping great building to put them in.  The designers have certainly not stinted on quantity - it's all rather traditional SL, no super-sophisticated complex mesh designs or any such like that.  The theme is quite determinedly Shakespearean; also, there were no giant spiders in this one, which came as something of a relief to me.

So let's have a look at, well, a representative sample of the goodies from this one stop.

We start off with one of the clothing sets.  This offers three different age ranges of two outfits (one male, one female).  I'm wearing the grown-up version of "Gertrude"  (Hamlet's mother, as I'm sure I don't need to tell you cultured people).  The gentlemen get something a bit less classy, I'm afraid, the Gravedigger from the same play.

"Titania's Wreath" headdress.  Not pictured, "Puck's Wreath" for the gents.

A selection from our first big pile of furniture, suitable for the entrance hall and library of the Capulets' mansion from "Romeo and Juliet"

Next pair of outfits.  I'm wearing Viola's costume when she's in male drag as Cesario in "Twelfth Night".  Not pictured: Sebastian's outfit for the gents.

Pair of decorative basins - one for Juliet and one for her parents, apparently.

Another set of furniture, a fireplace and group of musical instruments suitable for a ballroom.

Next outfit pair... err, um.  This is Ariel for the ladies, and that outfit may well appeal to the gentlemen as well.  Bit draughty for me, really.  The corresponding male look is for Prospero, and I bet that's warmer.

 Renaissance benches and wall sconce. One with male sits, one with female, one long one with room for both.   As you see, traditional SL prim design, but nothing wrong with that!

Dining in style at the Capulets' table.

Next outfit pair.  Seen here, Juliet.  Gentlemen's equivalent is Romeo.  I don't think that surprises anyone, though I swear I can hear Tybalt and Mercutio pouting.

Next up, a pair of accessories.  I'm holding Juliet's Dagger, which comes with a "stabbing yourself" animation (or, as I remarked to Tali, more of a de-animation, really).  The gents need not feel left out, they can play with Romeo's Poison Bottle instead.  Fun for all the family.

Speaking of which, here's a chunk of the Capulets' bedroom furniture, including a bed which, like Commander Data in that old Star Trek episode, is fully functional in all respects.  Use your imagination.  Demonstrations will not be given here, this is still Not That Sort Of Blog.

Titania's Bed.  Comes with cuddles only.  Find a friendly catlady to practice them with.  I did.

The Forum from Julius Caesar.

We stick with Caesar for the next outfit pair; gents get the Dictator himself, ladies get his wife Calpurnia.  This is pretty nice, actually, especially for traditional SL prim work.  I've got mesh outfits that don't look that good.

More furniture.  Juliet's bedroom.  Bed is not scripted for naughtiness.  Now I can hear Romeo pouting too.

Last outfit pair; Titania for the ladies and Puck for the gentlemen.  Oberon doesn't seem to be getting much of a look-in.  Never mind.  We could be worse off, we could have Bottom.

Finally, somewhere to put all that furniture; the Capulets' House in all its glory.  There's balconies round the back, in case you fancy re-enacting a certain scene.
 
So there we are.  The Mountain Rose Village mini-hunt.  Main Hunt resumes (and very likely concludes) with our next.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Renaissance Hunt 4: and yet again...

Shortish one this time, as I am recruiting my forces for the big mini-hunt at #71, and then the push to the end.  Couple more posts ought to do it.  I hope.
Starting off with some fetching headgear (an Antique Burgonet, in fact) from stop 61, Chimeric Arts.

Then this perfectly charming Tudor Knot Formal Garden from Pierre Ceriano at number 62.

More gardening - a Meditation Garden and separate Slab Bench from 63, Keshiki Garden Centre.

"Sabine" Tawny shoes - boots, really, I guess - from Lindy Modern and Retro Shoes at number 64.  I'm not sure that shot does them justice.  They're rather nice.  The "Robert" Rawhide for the gentlemen is probably just as nice, but isn't pictured.

DaVinci Wings from 65, {Eclectic Muse}.


"Eros" cropped cardigan from 66, ***baci village***.  Front and back views so you can see Eros on the back and Shakespeare on the front.  There's also a less cropped, but equally decorative, one for the gents.

"The Sword in the Stone" from 67, Lunar Seasonal Designs.  Amusing hovertext does not show in this snapshot.

Gold Kindarth crown from 68, Rainy Fey Creations.  ObDisclaimer about Rainy Fey being run by a personal friend.  This is still a stylish accessory, no matter whose friends are involved.

"Ophelia" (worn) and "Hamlet" (pictured) mesh outfits from stop 69, Miss Darcy.  The Ophelia dress is actually a very nice piece of mesh work, with proper folds and shadows and everything.  Nice one, there.  I didn't try Hamlet on, but there's no denying I was tempted.

And, last in this section, a Throne Chair (with multiple sits) from Casa de Bebe.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Renaissance Hunt 4: and again...

Covering stops 41 through 60, and thus more than half way....

"Shakesbearan" from Hermione's Heavenly Sweet Boutique.  Shakespeare as a teddy bear!  Cute.

"Madonna" from 42, Dragon Magick Wares.  A big decorative Renaissance artwork slab.
 

Jazzy Jester Cap from 43, Eclectic Stars.  We seem to be doing OK for jester headgear, this hunt.  Which is fine by me.

The Bard's Desk from 44, ~Swan~.  Not to be confused with the Bard's other desk, which we saw in an earlier post.  Shakespeare was a man of means, he had two desks!  This one has a variety of fun sitting animations in it.  You can see me there in my "I am studying Shakespeare" pose.
 

 Antique chairs and side table from 45, Steaming Ahead.  The chairs come in male and female versions, which refers to the sits - prim and proper for female, less so for male.  So it goes.

Peasant garb from 46, Rag Dollz.  Box (pictured) contains stuff for both male and female versions.  I should probably take those shoes off and go barefoot as well as ragged.

"Merchant of Venice" gondola from GRSP at number 47.  Gets up a fair turn of speed, too.  Note peasant Glorf at the oars while the non-peasant catlady lounges indolently on soft cushions.

"The Shrew's Cupboard" from stop 48, Kittycat's Creations.  This one is fun!  It dispenses drinkable wine goblets, and throwable, breakable plates.  I'm not sure what that says about Katherine's and Petruchio's home life after the play ended, but by jingo it's entertaining.

"A Night with the Frog Prince" from 49, An Lema.  Decorative furniture-cum-storytelling scene, with a range of sits and a notecard telling the tale of the Frog Prince.  You are not, so far as I can see, required to kiss the frog.  For this relief, much thanks.
 

Mesh outfits from stop 50, e'sensual.  Ladies get A Midsummer Night's Dream, pictured here.  Gents get Henry V, not pictured, or indeed tried.  Might be interesting, though.

Texture pack from 51, Lilart Creations.

Rug from 52, Arkenstone Fantasy Furniture.  Rugs is good.  I approve of rugs.

"Juliette" bronze statue (actually a flat standee) from 53, Buccaneer's Restorations.  Could be a useful decorators' piece.

As could these Gypsy Tents from stop 54, Cherie.  I have a vague feeling I've seen these, or something quite like these, deployed before, but I can't quite place where.  Might have been Fantasy Faire.  There was lots of good sim decoration at Fantasy Faire.  Might have been somewhere else, too.  Or I might just be imagining the whole thing.

Renaissance pendant from 55, Elemental Jewelry.


Stop 56 is L+N Signature Designs, who have featured in Hunts many a time before, often with eccentric and fantastical vehicle designs.  Which is what this Bison Tank is.  It lumbers around impressively and fires its machineguns and cannon even more impressively.  Everyone should have a highly detailed and heavily armed steampunk mecha-bison vehicle!  And, through the magic of Renaissance Hunt, you can.
Texture pack from stop 57, McMinnar's Oddments.  You can see what's in this one, and it might be kind of cool, at that.


Stop 58 is Gacha's Bubbles, and a nice piece of framed artwork from them.


Drinks-dispensing Renaissance Rose Soda Tray from 59, Orchid Petals Designs.  Not sure how Shakespearean fizzy pop is.  But then the heavily armed mecha-bison is not very Shakespearean either, and you don't see me complaining about that, do you?

Finally, for this post, mesh music stand and separate mesh music sheet from 60, Port Royal.  And very excellent and decorative it is too.