This May Actually Show Promise.....

Linden Lab has announced their new CEO. Rod Humble, formerly of EA Games and Sony Entertainment.

As he's quoted in saying, "Joining Linden Lab is a very exciting opportunity, I have a long standing interest in the how the boundaries of society and economics change as communications evolve in new ways. Second Life is unique: it sits at the intersection of virtual worlds, avatars, and human contact. The Residents and developers of Second Life have built something very special, I am honored to join the talented team at Linden Lab to help expand this new frontier."

Full announcement here:
http://lindenlab.com/pressroom/releases/12_23_10

A Similar Campaign Worked For Betty White.....

Man VS Second Life Parts One And Two

Welcome To Steelhead Nevermoor

For those who missed the news, Steelhead Nevermoor, our seventh sim, is in place north of Harborside. Currently going through final touches, but visit and see what's been done. Some of the elements from TotalLunar Eclipse's Alice build from the Relay For Life sims are being used there.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Nevermoor/128/128/27

Coming Soon To A Book Store Near You....

Available January 2011. The Industrial Revolution has escalated into all-out warfare. It has been eighteen years since the Heterodyne Boys, benevolent adventurers and inventors, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Today, Europe is ruled by the Sparks, dynasties of mad scientists ruling over--and terrorizing--the hapless population with their bizarre inventions and unchecked power, while the downtrodden dream of the Hetrodynes' return.

At Transylvania Polygnostic University, a pretty, young student named Agatha Clay seems to have nothing but bad luck. Incapable of building anything that actually works, but dedicated to her studies, Agatha seems destined for a lackluster career as a minor lab assistant. But when the University is overthrown by the ruthless tyrant Baron Klaus Wulfenbach, Agatha finds herself a prisoner aboard his massive airship Castle Wulfenbach--and it begins to look like she might carry a spark of Mad Science after all.

From Phil and Kaja Foglio, creators of the Hugo, Eagle, and Eisner Award-nominated webcomic Girl Genius, comes Agatha H and the Airship City, a gaslamp fantasy filled to bursting with Adventure! Romance! and Mad Science!




Wait a minute......is there another Baron Klaus Wulfenbach that I don't know about? The one I've met is anything but ruthless, and I wouldn't call him a tyrant.

Anyway, I'm sure it'll be a good read.

And Now.....Popcorn

Available...........Now

Abney Park's newest CD is available on the website. Here they are performing one of the songs from the CD, "End Of Days"

Almost Didn't Catch This Upcoming CD Release

New Abney Park CD, being released Friday, October 15th at midnight. Digital download to follow sometime after. If you haven't bookmarked their page, the aether destination is http://www.abneypark.com/

The Warrior's Way

This looks interesting.

They're Remaking True Grit

Whole lot of remakes and reimaginings going on in Hollywood. The Coen Brothers are doing their take on True Grit. Based on the novel by Charles Portis, best remembered as the 1969 film starring John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn.

This new version has Jeff Bridges in the Cogburn role, with Matt Damon as LeBeouf, and Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross. I like Bridges' look in the trailer. With it being the Coen Brothers, I'll hold off judgement until I see the film. I think, though, that Hailee Steinfeld will be the one who'll make this film worth seeing, and be the talk of the town.

Steelhead Nevermoor, Now PreBooking

Steelhead Nevermoor - Gothic Forest Nouveau



Seventh region of Steelhead City.



Gothic forest meets fantasy with nouveau elements settled in the deep woods. Victorian, fantasy, gothic themed sim with residential and commercial lots avaliable. All homes/buildings must be ok'd by management so please ask first. Hobbit homes, elven, tree homes... yes.



Check the town hall for avaliability. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/118/41/28



Contact TotalLunar Eclipse to prebook your land. Coming in October/November

One Thing Can Be Agreed On The 1978 Animated Version of Lord Of The Rings

Leonard Rosenman did a pretty decent job with the soundtrack.

Oh, Yea, I Forgot To Share This Pic......

Flop Dog, the official snack food for the Steelhead Town Meetings.

Hey, Check Out My Trophies.....

Pretty cool, huh?

Relay For Life Awards

Awards were presented during the Relay For Life wrap up party. Here's the list, from what was announced during the end of Relay weekend and what was announced during the wrap up party

Steelhead, Caledon, New Babbage, Armada, and friends are clearly marked......probably missed a few, though.....

Most Inventive Campsite (Fundraising)

Awarded to the most unique and creative way of fund raising at your team campsite during the July Relay. This requires more than a simple vendor board. Must include some Relay For Life and / or American Cancer Society Mission information at your campsite. This is more than a Relay For Life / American Cancer Society sign.

1st Place
BOSL

2nd Place
NY Healthscape & DVI

Relay Raiders

Team Caledon

Best Theme Decorated Campsite
Awarded for all-round design interpretation of the Wishing On A Cure, the Relay For Life of Second Life 2010 Theme. Must include some Relay For Life and / or American Cancer Society Mission information at your campsite. This is more than a Relay For Life / American Cancer Society sign.

1st Place
BOSL

2nd Place
RELAY for HOPE

3rd Place
Harmony of Hope

NY Healthscape & DVI

Designer Sim Area
Awarded for the design that captures the essence, the reality and scale of the real or imaginary worlds they represent, and truly give us a world to call our own for a brief and unforgettable moment in time.
For over-all atmosphere, ambiance and detail
For the clever way they took difficult requirements and made them into a center piece
For the tasteful and enlightening way of incorporating cancer awareness into a theme
For the best storytelling of Wishing On A Cure…Relay for Life theme

1st Place
Helena Kiama

2nd Place
Uni Ninetails

3rd Place
TotalLunar Eclipse

Alix Stones

Tari Lander

New Team Participation (Relay Day)
Awarded to the new team for 2010 that displays organization and participation during the July Relay Day event. This award is not about how much money is raised, but how well the team participates in their planned activities as well as the Relay activities, including walking the track. Must include some Relay For Life and / or American Cancer Society Mission information at your campsite. This is more than a Relay For Life / American Cancer Society sign.

1st Place
Global Hearts United

2nd Place
Teams Fighting For a Cure

3rd Place
Radical Hope For Life

Returning Team Participation (Relay Day)

Awarded to a Returning team that displays organization and participation during the Relay Day event. This award is not about how much money is raised, but how well the team participates in their planned activities as well as the Relay activities,including walking the track. Must include some RFL / ACS Mission information at campsite

1st Place
Purple Tears

2nd Place
Relay Rockers

3rd Place
Team Caledon

Spirit of Relay (Individual)
Awarded to the Individual that embodies the “Spirit of the Relay”. It is not representative of simply the amount raised. This award takes into consideration the "spirit" of the individual, how they embraced Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society Mission, the enthusiasm displayed, as well as participation in Relay activities and embodying the Wishing On A Cure - the 2010 Relay For Life of Second Life theme. This award is open to all who are on a Relay Team or Relay Committee.

Ember Farina

Spirit of Relay (Team)
Awarded to the team that embodies the “Spirit of the Relay”. "Spirit of the Relay" includes an overall performance of the team from Kick Off to Relay Day. It is not representative of simply the amount raised. This award takes into consideration the "spirit" of the team, how they embraced Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society Mission, the enthusiasm displayed, as well as participation in Relay activities and embodying the Wishing On A Cure - the 2010 Relay For Life of Second Life theme

Spirit of Relay

and

Relay Wizards for Spunky

Top Individual Convio (Website) Fundraising
Awarded to Individual who raises the most via the Convio website (outside of SL, US dollar donation)

1st Place
Blynn Heron

2nd Place
Sabine McGettigan

3rd Place
Sunshine Zhangsun

Top Team Convio (Website) Fundraising
Awarded to Team who raises the most via the Convio website (outside of SL, US dollar donation)

1st Place
Circle of Life

2nd Place
NY Health Scape

3rd Place
New Babbage RFL

Convio Challenge Winner (two week period during June, there was a challenge to raise the most funds during that time)

Fuzzball Ortega

Following are the banner awards for the 2010 Second Life Relay for Life. The teams at each level have been alphabetized and the amounts raised removed.

Diamond 1,000,000.00 - 4,999,999
Cure Chasers
Eternal Beacon
Friends Fighting Cancer
Goreans in the Relay For Life
Harmony of Hope
New Babbage RFL
Passionate Redheads
RELAY for HOPE
Relay Raiders
Relay Rockers
Spirit of Relay
Team Caledon
Team Independence
Team OD
The All-Stars

Platinum 500,000.00 - 999,999
Dream To Live
Global Hearts United
In Loving Memory
Relay Wizards For SpUnKy
Rezzed TV Relayers
Sail For Life
Steelhead Salmons
The Fringe

Gold 250,000 - 499,999
BOSL Relay Team
Circle of Life
Designers in Seclusion
Giant Snail Relay
Justice League Unlimited/League of Heroes
Knights Foundation of SL
Madness Legends
Midian City Cancer Crushers
Ministry of Dance
Relay Hope
Spinners for Life
The Quest For A Cure
Time For A Cure
Silver 100,000 - 249,999
AVENUE of Life
DarkStar
EIMA - Elegance and Privilege
GLANCE Runway For Life
Grotto Club
Hockey Players for Life
IFT Sci-Fi Alliance
Isis Isles
Mountain Poetry Gallery Walkers
Nation of Adam ondi Ahman
NY Healthscape & DVI
PHC For Life
Purple Tears
Radical Hope For Life
RFL Warriors
Team Young Adults
Touched By Angels
United Federation Starfleet
Walking Tall For A Cure

Bronze 1,000.00 - 99,999
A.D. Designs Team
Armada Fights Back
Benelux For RFL 2010
Best Friends For Life
Bikers For A Cure
Blues For A Cure
BT Cares
Buccaneers
Catalyst of Fantasy
Club At Last
Dare To Dream
DarkenMoon
Diva Darlings For RFL
Dreamin' In Purple
Fighting For The Future
Friends For Life
Gems & Kisses-We Love Life
Graves Inc. Red Carpet Relay
Infomaniac Racers
Jewelers of SL
Kids Fighting Cancer
Lanterns for Life
Life is KEWL
Mieville Steam Punks
MRA/GLC
Mu Trade Federation
Nightfire Ent & Marketing
No Salvation Revenants for Life
Northern Light
October Alchemy
People Huggers
R.A.W.R.
Racer's For Relay
REDECapEuComVc
Relay Rangers
Remembering Angel
RFL Team Eternal Passion
RockNGames Radio
Roma Pro Vita
Sidhes Fairies
SiX Radio
SL Fishers 4 Life
slapt.me
Spirit Chasers 1
Tau Kappa Tau Sorority
Team Amber
Team Gaia
Team KAT Hillcrest
Team Mustang
Team Texas Aggies
Team Veliz
Team VIO
The Guild of Gloom
The Village Players
Twisted Lizard
United For A Cure
Ventrue For Life
VirtualTimes Relay For Life
Waking Dawn

Fun Awards That Were Handed Out
THE EBBIE AWARDS
(Because the Event Board project was new in 2010, it was decided to recognize some individuals with an Ebbie Award. )

1. The Driving Force Award Presented to the individual who kept the project going with the teams with funny, wacky, and very helpful reminders

.. and the Ebby goes to:
Rob Chandrayaan

2. The Exploding Inbox Award awarded to the individual who's team had the most events in the inbox, not just because they had the most events, but also because they were a regular user of the inbox (and waste basket) processes to ensure timely and accurate Event Board displayers.

.. and the Ebby goes to:
Synergy Devonshire of the Relay Raiders

3. Way to Make it Last Longetivity Award Goes to those individuals who rezzed an event board displayer as early as possible, and kept it rezzed throughout the season...

.. and the Ebby goes to:
3rd Place: Adzer Thorne
2nd Place: RacerX Gullwing
1st Place: Cadence Semyorka

4. That's the Spirit! Award Goes to the individuals who kept the most Event Board Displayers rezzed throughout the Relay season.

.. and the Ebby goes to:
3rd Place: Blynn Heron
2nd Place: Tathi Pessoa ( additional kudos for the reaching out to the portuguese-language community in SL)
1st Place: Fuzzball Ortega

The 2010 Wacky, Silly, Fun, Remember When Awards!

1. We Can DOOO It!! Season Kick-off'er Award goes to:

That Gumbo Cookin', Saints Lovin' Track Marchin' Relayer -Panza Eilde
and
I Gotcher Back .. Tell me what you need Relayer: Frolic Mills

2. The oh SOOO Fun.. Trend-Setter Award..and still going.. and going.. and.... going.. and.. going... goes to:

the 'buy these bunnies!!' Pusher.... Bailey Dazy

3. The 'I can do this in my Sleep' Zombie Award goes to:

Ember Farina

4. Pretty HILARIOUS and VERY Courageous Cash Raisers Award goes to:

The Musicians in Bikinis Daring Dunkers Trio
Zanco Guardian, Damian Carbenell, CraigLyons Writer

Three guys who donned bikini's and let their fans come dunk them for cash .. picture taking WAS allowed.. This trio raised just under 100,000L for RFL in a total of 3 hours on the dunk tank.

5. Funniest Game Show Host Award goes to:

That Family Feud Host who kept everyone laughing: JR Shepherd

6. The Wacky on the Tracky Awards

1. Look OUT!! You're Going the Wrong Way! Award goes to: StingRay9798 Raymaker
2. WHOA! Bright Light! Bright Light! Shiny Scalp Ahead Award goes to: Fuzzball Ortega
3. That's Some Stylish Cruisin'! Award goes to Nathaniel Lorefield and his RFL Trolley

Next year's Relay For Life of Second Life theme is Seasons Of Hope.

Musical Interlude III

I should just rename this to "Songs I Like".....anyway.....

Dame Shirley Bassey (sung the themes to "Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever", and "Moonraker") takes a song originally sung by Pink, and gives it a James Bond style rendition.

Musical Interlude II

If your "Get Up And Go" has got up and went, here's something to get it back, again.

Double Dedication.....

For my sister, Angelica, and also to the Steelhead SWAT Team

In Memory Of A RL Friend.

As in RL, RFL of SL has a luminaria ceremony. This year, the names of the people that many of us relay for appeared on a marquee, sent in via email. Was really happy to see David's name up there, although it took a while to rez....

Steelhead Salmon's Raised More Than L$400000 For RFL

And, as promised, in human form, I'll be bald for one year. Werewolf form, I'll still have the fur......I ain't lookin' like I'm a Lycan from a Harry Potter film......

L$566800 to be precise

I Really Shouldn't Have....

I'm low on lindens due to Relay For Life (more tips on Friday night events going to the RFL kiosk than my tip jar, but HEY, it's for a good cause), but at Caledon's Relay For Life auction......I couldn't resist.




Tried flying it........for now, I think it's best to just leave it on the ground for displaying purposes.....and I hope the Baron doesn't notice the scratches and scorched areas on top of the Europan Consulate......

We're in the final week of Relay For Life of Second Life. We at Steelhead have outdone ourselves, more than doubling what we raised last year. Caledon and Babbage have raised a lot more, but considering that Steelhead is still a smaller community, one has to admit, we've done an outstanding job. As of this writing (and I'll give a new total next week after Relay), the combined communities of Caledon, Steelhead, Babbage, and Armada have raised a total of L$2573157, part of the L$43341002 raised by everyone involved in Relay For Life. Always best to look at the big picture.

Moving Up A Few Years, To The Pulp Noir

A group is doing a web series based on Buck Rogers. This looks to be more in the vein of the original source material (not that there's anything wrong with the series from the early 80's)

Here's the teaser



And here's a clip with Bobby Rice as Buck, two stars from the 80's series, Gil Gerard as Buck's dad and Erin Gray as his mother.



You can find the official site at http://buckrogersbegins.com/

*Actually, I think the Buck Rogers series was from the late 70's, but you get the general idea*

And All Of Second Life Rejoiced

Those who've been under a prim rock, Mark Kingdon has stepped down as CEO of Linden Lab. Phillip Rosedale, founder of Linden Lab, has returned as interim CEO of LL, with CFO Bob Komin being promoted to COO.

Now, let's see if Second Life changes for the better.

Why I Relay

Coming up on the final four weeks of Relay For Life of Second Life. Everyone involved each has their reason for doing this. This post is to give mine.

Relay For Life is something that I'm very passionate about.....perhaps at times, too passionate. I still remember watching the cancer take over my supervisor and friend of 27 years, David Wunder. It started out as simple prostate cancer, but quickly spread before the doctor's could do anything. He dropped from 250 to 135 in weight. At times, got around with a cane, in most cases, a wheelchair. Despite what the cancer was doing to him, his mind was still sharp as a tack. He knew every part on a Brunswick pinsetter, the part number of each part, where it was located in inventory, what page number in the parts catalog it was on. He knew every member of Doc Savage's crew, their descriptions, their quirks, and every villain Doc faced. He had every book featuring Perry Rhodan. He was a fan of Elfquest and Groo the Wanderer. A HUGE fan of the Myth Adventures series (people kept asking me what was a D-Hopper and why David was blaming me for losing ours). During the time that Hal Jordan, aka The Green Lantern, had taken the mantle of The Spectre, David was pissed and referred to him as "Not The Spectre" (I guess DC listened to him). In July of '08, David lost the battle, passing away in his sleep. The one thing I remember most about his fight with cancer, was how he got up every day, regardless of the cancer, and continued to live life to it's fullest, despite the fact that each day it became more and more difficult.

So, I relay in his memory, and the hope that one day, nobody has to fight so hard to enjoy each day.

A Glimpse Of Things To Come

Awesome Piece Of Music

Two Steps From Hell is a group known for creating music to use in movie trailers. Their piece "Freedom Fighters" was used in the teaser trailer for JJ Abrams' Star Trek revamp, "Protectors of the Earth" was used in the trailer to Inkheart, and recently, their "Am I Not Human" can be heard in the trailer to Tron Legacy.

Recently, they released an album available to the general public, "Invincible". You can find it on Amazon.com, iTunes, and CDBaby. It includes the above pieces and this really amazing composition.

Amazing that they only do music for movie trailers, a score like this would be brilliant for a full length motion picture.

*edit* I forgot to mention, the name of the piece is called "To Glory"

Speaking Of Cracks In Time And Space.........

This...........could be a problem......

Why Steelhead City Relays

As of this writing, we've got about five full weeks of fundraising for Relay For Life before the big Relay Weekend (and I've seen the map of the track layout, the lag may hopefully be at a minimum this time around......please note, I said "may").

While I was unable to be in world due to a thunderstorm killing the cable modem.....but didn't kill the computer, which is plugged in the same area (so, let's consider myself lucky), an incident happened in world. I won't go into details about this incident, just that it was very immature, and a jab against Steelhead. So, I think it's time that everyone knows, as the title of this blog says, Why Steelhead Relays.

First off, two years ago we got involved with Relay For Life. NOT because other Steamlands were involved. We had personal reasons for getting involved. For me, it was a supervisor and friend of 27 years who was losing his battle with cancer, and yet he got up each day and tried his damnedest to live life to it's fullest. He passed away two weeks before the Relay weekend of '08. For other Steelheaders, it was for the memory of someone who lost their lives due to cancer. For someone who was currently fighting cancer. For someone who fought and beat it. For someone who was a caregiver for a cancer patient. And, like many involved in RFL, a Steelheader was a cancer patient, a survivor, or a caregiver.

Yes, there are awards given for top fundraisers, for best campsite builds, for best designer areas. But it's just a fun thing. There is no seroius competition between teams. The money goes to the same place, everyone involved should be satisfied that they helped achieve that goal. Bottom line, it's a fight against cancer, not each other.

Steelhead is involved in this, not for glory, not for raising more money than another team, not because we want to show off our building skills, but we are involved to be part of a great group of individuals from all over The Grid and for the satisfaction in knowing that we did our best to help raise the money for cancer research. In the end, that's the most important thing about all of this.

In the end, we're all on the same team, and the end goal is the same....least it's supposed to be, if all teams were on the same page

And No Daleks Jumping Out...

A Wonderful Machinama

From Sam Lowry. Hamlet Au posted this on New World Notes. I think it should be shared. Anyone who feels that there is so much more to Second Life should post this on their blogs, Facebook, or whatnots. We should always be reminded that there is more to Second Life than money, sex, and drama.

Oh, and here's his first Breathe video

R U There trailer

So If They Force Me To Do A Waltz Type Formal Dance

It's gonna be done MY way, and it may sound something like this....

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

New hairstyle. Old hairstyle has been worn for four years (RL time), time for a new look. Also looking into getting a new skin, may wait on that. Current skin is old, I'm not able to get rid of the goatee if I wanted to go for a clean shaven look (which I think makes it pretty old by SL standards).

When You Enter My House, Whatever You Do.....

Don't Blink

Blink and you're dead.

Don't turn your back, don't look away.

And don't blink.

Cowboy Movie With Some Steampunk Elements

And no, it isn't about the Lycan sheriff of Steelhead City......although that would make an awesome film.........(Typist starts taking notes for a future script)





This is the typist's favorite comic book character. Only gripe is the origin on how Hex's face got scarred. It was an Apache chief who burnt Hex's face when he thought that Hex killed his son......but I guess they had to change it to make Turnbull out to be the ultimate baddie, as well as keeping the film running under a certain time.

Musical Interlude

I play this song at Steelhead dances. Sort of makes me think of Steelhead. Actual video to the song can be found on YouTube, this has the lyrics to the song.

Sponsored By Butterfinger.....

Just two words, Charisma Carpenter.....adding a third, HOT!!!!

Seraph City. Welcome To Dieselpunk (speaking OOC)

Dieselpunk is roughly set between the 1920's and 1950's, although I'd say 1945, which was the dawn of the Atomic Age, but I think that's up to the individual. It's the world you find in pulp novels. Characters like The Shadow, The Avenger, Doc Savage, to name but a few. Also, the film "Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow" is another good example. It's a good follow up to Steampunk.

Coming soon, I think the land's already down, now it's just a matter of time for the build to be put in place, is Seraph City. A sim set in the world of Dieselpunk. I just recently joined their Ning, http://seraphcity.ning.com/, and quite a few residents we've seen around Caledon, Babbage, Steelhead, and other places are involved in Seraph City.

I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone about the new place in detail, I'm in the Relay For Life frame of mind at present, but I'm hoping that they're allowing Caledon, Steelhead, New Babbage, and other related Steamlands to be part of the history. Residents reading Western pulp novels like "Sheriff Ortega In Griefer Flats" or "Sheriff Ortega And The Vampire Lord" (although, in all fairness, that particular adventure involved my sister, not me......I need to talk with these publishers). Talk of some of the history that's happened in these different places (See,what happened yesterday in Caledon, happened about 80 years ago in Seraph City)

Mind you, I'm still very partial to the Steamlands, and would never leave for anything in the world. But, I wouldn't mind visiting Seraph City every now and then. Hopefully, the folks at Seraph City will accept this......because if I rarely listen to Lunar and Tensai, what makes anyone think I'll listen to others? (insert canned laughter here)

So, yes, it is true, Fuzzball Ortega lives well into the 20th Century. I'm searching for gray hair to wear when I'm in Seraph City (yes, I need to have a different look, it's only fitting and respectful). I may have a few clothes in my inventory that I can wear and not appear out of place.

The days as a lawman are behind him. He still lives in Steelhead City, but does travel a bit. Has done work in politics, served as an advisor to several political figures, and currently, is known as The Ambassador.

Like I said, I'll be sticking to the Steamlands for the majority of the time, it's home, you never leave home, but there will be occasional visits. Interesting to see where their imagination will take them.

Brilliantly done....

PIXELS by PATRICK JEAN. - une vidéo Art et Création @ Yahoo! Video

A Bit Of An Explanation

Not about the plain look of the blog (I'm debating on a new look, wanting a change, hadn't decided on the final look, yet)

This is in regards to Relay For Life and the "Designer Sims".

During the big weekend in July, everyone involved in relay run a track, taking up around 34 sims or so, which includes campsites for the teams, that they build whatever. It could be something in regards to the American Cancer Society (or it's affiliates around the world), it could be in lines with the theme of the year (last year's theme was "one World One Hope", this year's theme is "Wishing On A Cure"), or it could be anything you want, long as it's PG.

A Designer Sim, was an entire sim that an individual, group of individuals, or teams can build on, keeping with the theme of the relay or of the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer, etc. Great examples include Vicerine Kamillah's "Metropolis" build, Babbages "Mars Colony", and the Anatomica build (which by the way, you can still visit. It's on a sky platform above the American Cancer Society Island).

There have been some changes made this year. The Designer Sim is now a Designer Area (I think that's what they're calling it.....well, I'm calling it that), taking up half a sim, instead of an entire sim. According to Serra Anansi (co-chair of the Sim/Track Design team with Charlene Trudeau as chairperson), the plan is for the Designer Area to be on one half of a sim, and campsites to be on the other, with a track running down the middle. Bit of a bummer, but the hope is that it would cut down on lag.

Despite the bummin' part, Lunar and Tensai applied for a Designer Area. As part of the application, they included several landmarks of their builds, all around Steelhead. They also included a landmark to the Alice In Wonderland platform that we've had dances at. That particular build was what floored the design committee. Instead of half a sim, basically Lunar and Tensai are getting a whole.

Now, here's where the explanation needs to be pointed out

1) Despite Lunar and Tensai being on the Steelhead Salmons RFL Team, the Design Area is their project. They are the ones who are going to be working on it. Everyone in Steelhead is excited about it, but it's their names that'll be on the area.

2) Another way of looking at it is that Lunar will be getting half a sim for a designer area, and Tensai will be getting a designer area, and the two will be connected.

3) Both halves may not be on the same sim. One half may be on Sim A, the other half will be on Sim B, and they'll overlap one another.

4) I think Lunar and Tensai know that they probably won't get this lucky next year, and will probably have to settle for half a sim.......Although, the Entertainment Sims are full sims, away from the track.......just pointing that out.

Now that leaves the Salmons to find builders for our campsites. Lumina's already volunteered, need to find a few more so that she's not working alone.

At any rate, that's exciting news for Lunar and Tensai. Can't wait until July 17th to see what they've got planned.

Movie Trailer Time

Looks pretty good

New Look Of The Alts. Part Two Point Five

Jobias with the original top hat. Yea, I think I'll keep this look for the gentleman.

New Look Of The Alts. Part Two

And now, Jobias' new look.

The old look, suit from Pearse'd & Cuts, monocle from Avalanche, Sputnik, and Lightfoot. Avatar skin was also brought from the same shop, upstairs, where Oolon keeps his Doctor Who merchandise (it's Anthony Ainley, who played The Master during the 80's on the original series)

And now his new look. Suit was found at the Relay For Life Clothing Fair. Monocle was part of an outfit that Ortega bought at the Clothing Fair. Cane was bought in Babbage, was part of his original outfit. Shoes are from Pearse'd & Cut, skin is still that of Anthony Ainley.

I have to admit, I think I prefer the original top hat over the top hat that came with the new outfit. But the new outfit, I think adds to the character of Jobias, who does have that feeling that he's above everyone else and is of a higher class.

New Look Of The Alts. Part One

The alts were created for reasons of storytelling, roleplaying, or just adding character to Steelhead (don't get me wrong, Steelhead has plenty of character, just nothing wrong with adding a bit more to it).

One of the alts is K1 Footman. His backstory, a construct created by the Time Lord Purdie Uggla.

This was his old look. I forgot who created the avatar body, but he was a very popular builder. It fit the steampunk look.

Here's his new look. The derby hat is from Doc Wranglers, the suit is from Pearse'd and Cuts, the red eyes are from a different avatar body that was bought, and the metallic looking skin is from Wunderlich's. I may get a top hat from Edward's shop as well.

A completely different look for the character. One that I think is a better style look. It also loads a lot faster. And, again in my opinion, is better suited for Steelhead as she is now seen (seeing as how the city is also a character of sorts)

Next up: With apologies to Edward Pearse, Jobias Barthelmess has a new suit. (But I made sure I stayed faithful to my friend, by making sure K1 got his outfit from Edward)

BAH......

Was taking part in an April Fool's Prank in a post I just deleted.


Decided it wasn't as funny as I had originally thought, so moved on.

Not one to take part in holidays anyway.......guess I'm just a Scrooge of sorts.







If I'm to be visited by spirits, I hope that it's Vodka, Whiskey, and a pint of Gin.

The Mechanical Kingdom

Disney's getting into Steampunk. Coming in April, available at Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks, is a pin set featuring seven of your favorite characters in Steampunk garb.

Rather than post images (Because I think Disney's lawyers are more dangerous to deal with than any other lawyers), I'll provide the link to the blog that has the images and some back story to it.

The Mechanical Kingdom

Nothing To Do With The Steamlands

I just thought this was funny

R.I.P. Lionel Jeffries

For fans of Victorian and Steampunk films, Lionel Jeffries should be a familiar name, or at least you're familiar with his works. He played Professor Cavor, discoverer of Cavorite, in the film adaptation of "The First Men In The Moon", he directed the classic film "The Amazing Mr. Blunden" (a childhood favorite of mine I used to watch around Christmas) and "The Water Babies", but most of us would remember him as Grandpa Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (even though there was a six month age difference between him and Dick Van Dyke, who played his son). Here's the condensed obituary from The London Guardian:

Lionel Jeffries, actor, screenwriter and director, born 10 June 1926; died 19 February 2010. As an actor Lionel Jeffries, who has died aged 83, was a master of comic unease. This was perhaps fuelled by the personal unease he felt in a sex-and-violence era which overtook the gentler sensibilities he sometimes brought to his acting. He was in a stream of British and Hollywood films. Some roles, such as Lieutenant McDaniel in Bhowani Junction (1956), the Hollywood version of John Masters's novel about India's struggle for independence, were serious dramatic parts; others, such as Dr Hatchet in Rank's Doctor at Large (1957), were slighter and more risible. He enhanced Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957), about the madcap girls' school, and was Grandpa Potts in the successful children's film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), alongside Dick Van Dyke. But he was far from comic as the splenetic Marquis of Queensberry, hounding Oscar Wilde to prison over his son's liaison with the homosexual playwright, in The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960). Three of Jeffries's scripts were made into films. The first was based on E Nesbit's novel The Railway Children, which Jeffries adapted in pursuit of his belief that there were more wise children than wise adults. When he took his script to Forbes, then head of production at Elstree, Forbes asked him who he visualised as the director. Jeffries replied: "I know it's a crazy idea and not on, but I've always secretly harboured a longing to direct it myself." The finished film impressed Forbes by its "great style and warmth" and was a financial and cult success, being shown year after year on television, especially at Christmas time. The Amazing Mr Blunden (1972), which he also directed, was a science-fiction film in which Diana Dors played against glamorous type as the repulsive Mrs Wickens. The film won him a gold medal for best screenplay at the International Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival in Paris in 1974. Wombling Free, which Rank made in 1977, was another children's favourite. He also directed the films Baxter! (1973), and The Water Babies (1979), after Charles Kingsley. He is survived by his wife Eileen and his children.

Preparing To Relay

On March 13, 2010, Relay For Life of Second Life officially gets underway. From then, until the weekend of July 17th, teams from all over The Grid will have fundraisers to help raise money to benefit cancer research.

Steelhead begins it's third year as part of RFLofSL with our team The Steelhead Salmons. Special thanks to Tanarian Davies who got us involved. This year, marks my first year as team captain. Club Gearz will be the Steelhead Salmon's headquarters. Lunar built a nice looking warehouse build next to Gearz to use for our yard sale (something I'm not very familiar with, but good thing the Salmon's co-captain, Annechen Lowey, knows all about that). After RFL, I'll have crates and barrels added so the Scamps and others can have some fun. An added item to all teams is an events board, which will give you information on all the teams fundraising.

The new build

A look inside the new build, the old Gearzton Foundry Warehouse.

Another shot from inside the warehouse. Few more details Lunar wants to add, but it should serve several purposes for Steelhead (RFL, roleplaying, storytelling, etc.)

The Events Board. Click on one of the squares to get info on different fundraising by other teams. The top banner gives you links to different websites regarding Relay for Life, The American Cancer Society, and various other tidbits regarding cancer research.

Despite some aggravation (mostly at the lag during the big weekend in July), we're always happy to have been a part of this, and we say, "I'm ready to do this when it starts up next year." It's one of the rare times I talk with people outside of the Steamlands, and I've met plenty of folks who would make excellant citizens of Steelhead City, Caledon, and various other places.

The team members of the Steelhead Salmons are as follows: Fuzzball Ortega (me), Team Captain; Annechen Lowey, Co-Captain; Angelica Trescothick, CeAire Decosta, Christine McAllister, Hotspur O'Toole, Riven Homewood, Tanarian Davies, Tensai Hilra, and TotalLunar Eclipse. In actuality, I consider the Salmons as the "Planning Committee", working out ideas for events, and what to do for the big weekend. All of Steelhead are the team members. The spirit and enthusiasm that each citizen has is what makes it all rewarding.

Until there is a cure, we relay. Lag be damned.

The Grid's Oldest User Generated Content

Originally created in Linden World by resident Steller Sunshine, back in 2002 (according to Hamlet Au on his New World Notes, she was the first Alpha user and created this overnight), it made the move to the Grid in 2003. It's located in Welsh, at this location. The Beanstalk is a game. Without using flight, you're supposed to jump from leaf to leaf, trying to reach the top.

The photo is a wide shot of the area, that little dot you see near the Easter Island style head is me, in an extremely rare trip to the mainland, looking at the stalk.

The Players Are Set, But The Storyteller Is Slow.....

(Thank you to an old friend who's posting reminded me that I'm behind.....and I swiped his idea. He can sue me later)

To the west and north of the Land Of Freedom, the Lycan sat in his home. He looked at the badge, a gift from the good people of the land he had sworn to protect, knowing that soon, the darkness would arrive, knowing full well that he could do nothing to prevent it's coming.

While elsewhere, the Nemesis sat in his lair as he plotted and planned. He looked at his watch and gave an evil grin. Soon it will be time for his return, and they may laugh at first, but afterwards, they will shiver.

In an unknown time, at an undisclosed section of space, the Lord of Time meditated in his Time Chamber, patiently waiting for the play to commence.

Back in the Age of Steam, the drunken madman leaned against the train station, bottle in hand, babbling of days that were long gone, as if they were happening now.

And the Mechanical Man sat, deactivated, unaware of events happening around him, nor of the big changes that lay in store for him.

While in the realm that many call "Reality", the Storyteller looked over this very entry that he had typed, and then cracked his knuckles.....

Right. First to finish the story with Wolfgang, then to continue on.

And thus, the story will soon continue........