A Victorian Aesthetic

A new update for Through the filter of a Victorian Aesthetic has been posted.



More photos and details can be found here.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's programme Four Corners last night had a special on Virtual Worlds.



More details and thoughts over at Victorian Aesthetic.

It doesn't seem that long since I put in an update but obviously it has been. SL has been rather a busy place. I've got a few photos to put up so please excuse the size of the post.

I am also in the process of transferring this blog to a new home at Blogger (yes I have been seduced by the dark side). Through the filter of a Victorian Aesthetic. It's primarily so I don't have to keep signing in and out of LJ with my other account. Not that I been using either one terribly much of late. *Ahem*

These are primarily highlights of events. There have been other events and discussions of a more personal nature, some of which I'd rather not put up here.

Back in mid February, Steelhead's Friday night dance was themed "Best In Red".

And yes those are my wings closest to the frame. There are some who would say it was a chance for the real me to come out.

The next day Caledon had it's Romance Ball. As Valentine's Day was falling on a Wednesday it was felt better to have a weekend event where more people could make it.


Unsurprisingly lots of red and white in the fashions for the evening.


Myself and Lady Amber.


With Miss Figaro


The ever charming Miss Cornelia Rothschild, wearing what appeared to be a electric illuminated gown


With whom I had a splendid time.


My dear friend Miss McAllister

Sometime later I was feeling in a somewhat reflective mood and managed to capture this image. If I had the foresight to compose myself better I think it would be a far better image.

Moon over Carntaigh

The following week was the Duchess of Carntaigh's Shakespeare Ball.

Myself and the delightful Miss Lobo


Who had a most impressive wingspan


And the lovely Miss McAllister


Her Grace of Loch Avie in an almost immodest gown.


Your truly picking up the prize for Best Dressed male at Steelhead's Chinese New Year celebrations.

The following week Steelhead was planning of having a Scottish theme for it's Friday night dance. I was rather disappointed with the fit of a kilt I had purchased from the Tartan shop, so rather than fiddle about trying to adjust the whole thing I decided to make my own.
Having been alerted to the existence of Ged Larson Looprez generator through Miss Zelmanov's exceptional Journal, I purchased a copy of the Personal Edition and set about making the kilt, then made a Montrose doublet and generally did the whole thing. Of the end result the only thing I wasn't really happy with were the shoes but I was using ones someone else made. Something to add to my list it seems. Due to my happiness with the end result I have now purchased the Commercial Edition and will soon be adding kilts to my range of men's outfits.


Myself in the finished outfit dancing with Miss Lumina


Some more of the colourful tartans from Steelhead.


Possibly my favourite photo of the night

I also wore the outfit to Caledon's Heritage Ball the following night. Sadly I was rather distracted that night and have very few photos of the event. I did finally get to meet Miss Ellison, the Ball's hostess, of whom I had heard so much.


With Miss Bryndal Ellison

Steelhead has been referred to by it's locals as the "Weird Wild West". You can probably see why. It's former Sheriff was a demon, one of the Managers is an 8' tall albino (who is also a were-tiger), his partner is a strange woman with a penchant for chickens, there are two Nekos and an assortment of other strange inhabitants.

You're never really sure who or what your likely to bump into.

Last weekend, Steelhead had an SF theme for there Friday night dance. This was one of better attended nights I've been to.


Aerial shot


Miss McAllister looking almost witchbalde


Miss Lunina showing her great... personality


Qlippothic Projects. Steelhead's resident mechanical golem. (I mentioned weird right?)


Finn & Addison


Miss Emilly as a green alien thingie


Your truly in a Star Wars inspired outfit


Mrs Peterman revealing her inner (?) nerd.


meQal & Melissa

And lastly as I had not been able to attend the pirate night, and due to there apparently being a severe lagg storm on the night there were bery few photos of anyone in pirate gear, though Mrs Peterman managed to get a few.
I thought it rather sad that there seemed to be no photos of the lady who won best Piratess on the night. So after a bit of searching we managed to find a nice pirate ship and set off to take some photos.


Cap'n Christine at the helm


Surveying the deck


BOOM!


Though we all know were Pirates will eventually end up. Unless they can bribe their way out of it.

In addition to all this there's been a business venture that arrived and dissapaited in a few days over a difference of opinion, but may well have turned into a land deal, some new friends, some new places and an increase into the items I need to finish for Pearse'd & Cut. Too many ideas and not enough time.

Last I gave you Star Trek's Borg as steampunk. It seems someone has thought of another famous SF universe in the same manner.

Steampunk Star Wars

"Pardon, gentlepersons...a moment of your time? Allow us to introduce ourselves...we are the Borg. No...no relation to the Icelandic singer, I assure you.

If you would be so kind, please lower your shields and surrender your ships into our care...perhaps just past afternoon tea, if that's acceptable. With your kind observance, we will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your enlightened, but yet somewhat...if you'll pardon the expression...'excitable' culture will adapt to service us.

Oh, and for the record, kind gentle sirs...resistance is futile, and we assure you that we are quite capable in this endeavour, so you mightn't go to very much bother with defense preparations and other such nonsensical behavior. Sincerely, your humble servants--The Borg, Esquire."


I laughed very hard.

Most of you out there will have probably known of an internet friend who passes away. Someone whom you never met but who you spoke to, argued with, laughed with and generally had some form of conversation with. You may not have known them other than a name on a board or you have have shared things with them about your real life.

And when that person is not longer there are postings and comments about them and how they'll be missed. I'd known a guy off the Serenity Oz boards who I knew simply as Choccy. I'd met him briefly when he cam down from Sydney once when a group fo the Browncoats got together for a drink. He died of cancer not long after and I believe there's still a dedication thread that has been "stickied" to the top of the discussion groups.

But today was something very different. Today we learnt that the player behind the SecondLife avatar Shucks Valkyrie had died from a heart attack there was an impromptu memorial service held in the cemetery of the Tombstone, Arizona sim, his most recent place to be.



I've never attended a virtual funeral service before. It was odd yet it worked. The sim manager said some words of remembrance and then someone started the words to Amazing Grace. Each line was delivered in chat, completely unprompted, yet there was no duplicating of lines as it was taken up by mourners. Someone even kicked in with a recorded audio version of it.

I only met Shucks a handful of times but he was always having fun and making others laugh. He will be missed.

It has been an interesting week for me around the place.

Most recently I had been given a commission to design a new badge for the incoming Sheriff of Steelhead City. I am told that the previous incumbent needs to take his with him as it has been enchanted to prevent him from turning into a demon. I think it's enchantment is wearing off.

So I had finally finished and I attended the weekly town meeting not only to present the new Sheriff with his badge but to also discuss the new "vision" for Steelhead after the old management have passed things on. I'm interested in opening a store here.


The town meeting.


Miss Emilly looking very purple.


The Presentation box


Inside


The badge itself


Some of the colourfull citizens of Steelhead pose for a photo after the meeting

Then later in the week saw another of Prim & Proper's Rose Hunts. All rosebushes cost L$100 but you don't know what you've got until after you pay for it. I think I made up for having missed the last two by indulging in some retail therapy.


The rose frenzy. Not the place for hay fever sufferers.


Miss Midnight Bohemia picks up a few bargains

In addition to several pairs of shoes, some hats a cloak and a few things as upcoming gifts for some lady friends, I managed to scoop the pool as it were.


My new destrier


And my new hackney carriage. I was having a little trouble working out why I couldn't get the breaks off the carriage to get it rolling. I have since worked out it is a left-hand-drive vehicle. These strange American idiosyncrasies.

Mr Somme, another connoisseur of things military pointed my in the direction of a weapons smith who produced and extremely fine looking sabre



As I was about to leave the rose hunt Mr Abel and Miss McAllister mentioned they were on there way to the opening meeting of the new Tombstone group and would I care to join them? I had by this time changed into my British uniform but they suggested I could claim a position of official observer :-)


The Tombstone hall

I also had a quick visit to Avilion, one of the most beautiful creations I have seen.

Friday night SLT saw the first Imbolc Ball to be held in Caledon. Hosted by Lady Amber Palowakski it saw a remarkable turn out in numbers including the not-so-much-reclusive-as-far-too-busy Desmond Shang.

The theme for the Ball was the old Celtic first day of Spring white white being the preferred colour for clothing. Not owning any white and having honestly forgotten about this until virtually the last minute, I don the uniform once again.



The Caledon Imbolc Ball.
Next to me is Miss Rosmairta Kilara.


Miss Eva Bellambi was my first dance partner for the evening.


Followed by The Honourable Kate Nicholas


The lovely Miss Figaro


And my next door neighbour from the Caledon Moors, Miss Vargas


I also managed to dance with Miss Cornelia, one of Caledon's clockwork constructions. For a machine weighing more than 200 pounds she certainly is light on her feet.


During the evening our benevolent Dictator unveiled the possible expansion plans for the Caledon Island (subject to demand). Much speculation ensued.


Afterwards I adjourned to Steelhead for some more relaxed dancing and had the good fortune to meet Miss Elaine Peterman, the owner of the Saloon in Sigil (another Western frontier town). The locals in Steelhead were in fine form with much witty banter and teasing remarks flowing freely. It felt just like home :-)

Not long before I was due to retire I heard word that a remarkable event might be near. Unconfirmed rumour were of sightings of a mermaid near the lake at Unity City. Racing to Chadbourne Innovations I acquired myself some equipment suitable for undersea viewing.




First sigting of the mythic creature.

Sadly some rather boisterous locals scared the creature off. Though I eventually caught up with her again at Empress Isle.

The island boasts a variety of ancient artifacts, many of which are beyond my understanding in their historic origin.





Finally however after sitting very still and making very quiet noises I was able to get the creature to come close enough to touch.



It's odd that a being that looks so much like us can be so different.

More adventures later.

Found this while wandering through a sim with a "Doctor's office".

Love it.

In December 2005 Secondlife had 100,000 people playing it and Caledon didn't exist. By August of 2006 it had hit 500,000 with October seeing it hit the first 1,000,000 (and me as one of them). By December the total number of registered users hat hit 2,000,000 and Caledon now took up some 14 sims by itself (with two more on the way). This week it hit 3,000,000.

In an effort to try and bring some of the burgeoning new population of Caledon together many of the more socially outgoing have begun a programme of The Caledon Season inspired the 19th century social season of the Victorians.

Today (or yesterday for SLT) was the first ball of the season.


The Palatial grounds of the Guvnah's Mansion in Victoria city

I managed to indulge my passion for dancing and quite enjoyed myself.


Myself and Lady Meg


With The Honourable Kate Nicholas


With Miss Orr a recent acquaintance I made in Steelhead


With Her Grace the Duchess of Carntaigh


Miss Cornelia and Mr. Hassanov two of Caledon's mechanical denizens.

One of the drawbacks with having the ladies out looking so gorgeous is that all thos flexiprims cause lag. It was an effort simply to cross the room at times :-) That and, as you can see from the photos, you tend to get enveloped by the ladies' skirts. Which may not necessarily be a bad thing...

I chatted with many people, have discussed the desire for an organised Military Unit for Caledon though some are hoping for Highland Regiments and other for Cavalry. I'm working on uniforms for both. Mr. Somme is quite im patient for me to finish the Cuirassier uniform for the Cavalry and Mr. Wormser is quite keen on another kilt.

I was also told about a device made by Natalia Zelmanov that supposedly helps with flex prims. Miss Doyle suggested this may help with my quest to create a kilt and is better and cheaper than a product we had been discussing some time ago. I've picked up a copy but have yet to have a chance to try it. Her blog also has quite a few tip on SL in general which I'll be going back through and reading. Looks very promising.

I also spent some time with Elda Luna who seems to be going through bouts of insomnia. A rather strange person she's about the height of an 8 year old with vampire features, ears and a clockwork construction. She loves tinkering and can be a great deal of fun.


Elda

I need to work on some more building. The Cavalry need boots.

A Gentleman's Duel hold the presence of excellent looking annimation but it's the annimation of giant steam powered robots!

(Oh and something worth fighting for. Watch the trailer you'll see what I mean).

Looks fanstatic.

Most people will draw a blank when you mention the Théâtre de l'Opéra. Of course if you say the Paris Opera house they know immediately.

A rather enterprising person has begun the creation of SL's very own Théâtre de l'Opéra.









No run-ins with any strange masked figures though I did have the pleasure of a beautiful young lady singing "Think of me fondly" while I was there.

*sigh*

I'm rather partial to dancing and have been complimented on my rythmic skills by many. As such I present for your pleasure some recent highlights of the dance season.


Myself and the Duchess of Loch Avie at the New Year's Eve dance.


With the delightful Miss Christensen at the Snowflake Ball.


And with the stunning Miss McAllister at Steelhead City's weekly dance.

The Caledon Victorian Expedition should do what it can to obtain one of these for the remainder of the Expedition.



http://etheremporium.pbwiki.com/Neverwas%20Haul

The beast in action.

Dedication ceremony

Dedication part 2

I've been interested in "old things" since I was very young. A fascination with a box of shirt collars that belonged to my Grandfather; trying to understand my father's joke about why wouldn't the robber go into the wash house (because there was a copper in there); my other grandfather's collection of old coins and some jewellery belonging to his grandfather.

Since then it's become a wide-ranging interest in history but the Victorian era has always captured my heart. Men were expected to be MEN and women were expected to be Ladies. The hypocrisy and snobbery have not escaped my notice but I think in the same way that people of the SCA hold an idealised view of the mediaeval world I came to be what would be referred to as a Neo-Victorian.

Oddly the word Neo-Victorian, with it's like of Victorian aesthetics coupled with modern values, seems to be slowly being replaced by "steampunk". For those unfamiliar with the word steampunk was a sort of tongue-in-cheek label from the 80s applied to stories set in the Victorian era but using arcane or scientific devices.

Since then there has been some debate about what is and isn't steampunk, even people wanting to get really anal about it devising names like sandalpunk and dieselpunk. Really, for those wanting to create a new genre to put Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow into, there’s one already there: it's called PULP! One name I've become fond of but sadly hasn't seen widespread use is "Gaslamp Fantasy" as used by the creators of the Girl Genius webcomic.

But I digress.

For me steampunk is essentially Neo-Victorianism but with far more anachronism. It's something I enjoy and something I actively seek out. To this end I've decided to put together this journal that looks at aspects of Steampunk, Neo-Victorianism, SF, Horror and it's related bits and pieces.

It's partially as a result of my involvement with SecondLife that I've put together this blog. On a Yahoo group I frequent a post was made about a new sim opening in SecondLife (SL) that was steampunk themed. Yay, I thought. What the hell was SecondLife?

While not entirely ignorant of online gaming it was something I hadn't pursued with any interest. Not only did the traditional Computer games of shoot-'em-up or hack 'n' slash become boring very quickly, I wasn't going pay for something like this on top of my ISP bill. I don't pay for porn why should this be any different (and before you ask, yes there's a World of Warcraft inspired porn site so it's the same thing now anyway).

So, yes, SL. Some people dislike calling it a game because there's no win. Whatever. SL is probably best described as a huge version of The Sims where you only play one avatar and other people control the other ones you meet. You can build objects using tool functions, script objects to do things, interact with people via chat, form groups, buy land and a whole lot more. One of the things that seems to make SL different from other games is that it has an economy. Rather than wanting the über-sword so you can kill the mega-demon or whatever many of the SL "Residents" own virtual land and want to put a house/shop/secret base on it and furnish it. They also want to make their avatars look pretty, or at least interesting. So there's a thriving community where people who are willing to spend the time wrestling prims into shapes or write scripts or make textures to cover the prims can and do sell them to people who want them but don't know how or can’t be arsed. Using "Linden dollars" people buy and sell. However Lindens are translatable into Real Money^™. I think the going rate it roughly $L200 per USD at the moment. One woman recently claimed to have earnt her first US $million buying a selling virtual land within SL. I'm sure the IRS will be sticking it's nosae in here very soon.

Edward Pearse is my SL persona. When you sign up for names you can pick whatever first name you want but your last name has to be from a supplied list. This list apparently changes from time to time to stop surnames getting stale but when I signed up one it was with the purpose of seeking out the steampunk sim and becoming part of it. One of the names on the list at the time was Pearse. Being a fan of The Great Train Robbery I decided to go with Edward. I realise the movie character was spelt Pierce but still. Working from there I worked on his likeness drawing from both this


and this


to get


The area in question is called Caledon, which is (at current count) 14 sims linked together in a landmass (with two more on the way very soon). Caledon is a private sim in that all the land is own by one person who then leases it to individuals wanting to make a home or business there. I suppose a Monarchy works well for a steampunk flavoured sim. One thing I quickly noticed was that there was very limited fashion for men available in the Victorian style. Plenty of skirts and hats for the ladies but not much for gentlemen. Being somewhat knowledgeable about men's Victorian fashions I decided that this would be my little niche.

I've now discovered why. The clothing template does both male and female torso but it's geared towards the female form. You have to be careful with double rows of buttons if you don't want them to look funny on your male avatar. But I seem to have my admirers and have been making some good sales with the small inventory I have at the moment. I really need to sit down and do texturing rather than logging in to SL itself.

I've got a few clothing ideas that are variations of the traditional British redcoat uniform and I'm slowly coming to grips with prim clothing so there's boots and a female variant of the Volunteer Rifles uniform and trousers and kilts if I can work out the prims.

So there's plenty to keep me occupied. And as I wander the 'net looking for background information I'll often find things I haven't seen before. I'll share them here too. Not only does it mean I have my resourced collected in place, I also let people know about things they may not have been lucky enough to see.

Cheerio.