Friday, April 20, 2007

Oh, hullo

*taps microphone*

Is this thing on? Oh, good.

Such a cliched way of opening a blog, n'est ce pas? But I frequently fall back upon the "done before", having the reactionary tastes I do. In fact, it is with utmost trepidation that I start a blog at all. I was dragged somewhat kicking and whimpering into the 20th century, I am not sure I am ready for the 21st. Might I have the 18th, if I can choose?

Now then. I am Miss "Virrginia Tombola" within the confines of the Second Life game, and as I would like to preserve such anonymity, I shall remain such here as well. Blogs seem to be quite the thing in the "land" of Caledon (a Steampunk simulation which is my second home in many ways). If I can discover how to link to my fellow Caledonian's blogs, I shall. Suffice to say they are all far, far more wittier and au courant than I could ever hope to be.

As for this blog and mnyself, I don't expect to see much traffic, for I haven't really anything interesting to say. Removing the "editor's voice" of the prospective reader, then, I shall post what blatherings I feel like. Sadly, this may seem a tad commercial at times, for much of my time in Second Life is spent creating toys that I share with others via the time honoured method of hawking them shamelessly. On the other hand, it is far more likely I shall post daily for a week or two, then give up the enterprise entirely, leaving this blog thingee to languish like a once favourite stuffed animal on the top shelf of my bookcase (pauses a moment to pet "Mrs. Lambkins" out of a sense of guilt).

But you aren't really there, nor are you reading this, are you?

So.

Today finds me having just put down the money (a little over 12,000 Linden dollars) for two new plots in the new Caledon simulation of Steam City. It will be wonderfully "SteamPunk"--a flying fortress right out of Girl Genius comics, and I with a little shop next to the aircraft hangar. I plan on being able to fly my Steam Ornithopter right out that lovely gaping door over the vast blue beneath. Hopefully, scripting skills permitting, I shall have demo Ornithopters that visitors can "rez" out there in the hangar. I do want to make sure silly visitors do not clutter the place up with all those demos, though. That sort of thing makes for letters from one's hangar mates (if that is the term).

(Edit: I've learnt how to insert pictures in the middle of a blog entry! Ha! Soon I shall rule the world...not that I want to, mind you. A bit of a bother. Ah, but the Ornithopter Picture)





I ought then be making lots of Steamy Devices. But that isn't what I've been up to at all. This week has found me busy making avatar bodies instead. To wit, I found myself with the inexplicable desire to make Centaurs. In fact, I have spent a bit of time with four hooves in the last week. It's rather fun, though I must admit, poor Pudding (my faithful Roan from AKK stables) has been a bit neglected. Well, why should she have all the fun of galloping?

Here's some pictures (one must have pictures on a blog, correct?). It was hardly easy, and without the scripting help of Professor Alphonso Avalanche and Mr. Ged Larsen, the poor beasties would have still been stumbling about in odd logic loops (how was I supposed to know that "State Running" encompases standing still?). Duchess Kamilah Hauptmann generously provided her calm, patient advice on how to use animations, in addition to crafting the animations for the human half. Me? Well, I just fiddled until it looked and worked right.

(Sorry if NONE of that made any sense to you non-Second Life players. But no one is reading this--almost forgot that!)

Right. Pictures (A bit scandalous, the clothing of the "for sale" avatars. But centaurs are not known for their modesty. Unless they are Victorian Centaurs :))









8 comments:

Trev said...

Hey, great start, keep it up! I'm a big fan of Second Life and I'm blown away that there is actually a steam punk sim! Is there still land available there? Incidentally, I only recently started a blog here as well. Keep it up!

Virrginia Tombola said...

Hullo Mr Cletus! Oh dear, a comment before I stomped on most of my typos. Welcome, nonetheless.

All the way from India, my. I ought put up some pictures of my friend Miss Paravane's outfits (who is a Real Life NRI). Of course, I suppose you can see Real Indian Outfits via the time honoured method of looking outside :)

Virrginia Tombola said...

Hullo Trev!

Yes, the largest SteamPunk sim is Caledon--actually it is over 11 sims that are adjacent to each other. I have a shop in Port Caledon, a Tree House in Caledon Tanglewood (a bit of a Victorian Fantasy), and Steam City will be opening in the next few weeks.

You also would love New Babbage, which is a rather "gritty" Steampunk feel.

Current Population: 2 said...

Dearest Virrginia,

It is good to see that the feverish chroniclings of your erstwhile travel companions has encouraged you to take up your pen and stride forth into blogdom. I look forward to reading you entries and will prod you as and when necessary to end=sure you Keep Up The Good Work.

Love

Fuschia

Edward Pearse said...

One wonders if Victorian Centaurs ride side-saddle...

Eva Bellambi said...

I am reading as well, Ms Tombola. I enjoyed your first entries very much so do keep up the good work. I shall happily add your blog to my list of favorites.
Welcome to this part of the æther!

Gnarlihotep Abel said...

Welcome and salutations- an excellent start, the work is very nice- I have long been an admirer of your building skills; I hope to see the centaur work in-world soon. Please allow me to add you to my list of trusted corespondants, and I look forward to more.

Virrginia Tombola said...

Your Grace, Mr. Pearse, Mr. Abel,

Welcome to my humble ramble repository! I do love all of your blogs (I *ought* have them linked by now), and do hope my prattlings are not found amiss amongst such august company.