On Saturday January 30th at 11AM, Bay City held it's "Mole Day" party. Every year, Bay City takes a day to honor the moles of the Department of Public Works, the workers of Linden Lab whom built Bay City and various other projects over the years.
In the past, the event was held on February 2, Groundhog Day, every year. But this time the date was set on the weekend a few days before. People were invited to the North Channel Fairgrounds and grab a Mole Day T-shirt, or just come as they were.
For the first hour, the music was provided live by singer Maximillion Kleene. Those wishing to send money his way had to send it to his cow-shaped tip jar, or "tip his cow."
And a number of the moles showed up. Some such as Frost Mole hardly looked the part of the short furry avatars with helmets moles often are shown as.
Dyna Mole was looking dynamite on the dance floor.
We had an "Ancient Mole," though I didn't look to see how old he was.
And yes, there was a "Garden Mole."
Leading Bay City resident, Marianne McCann, was also there.
At 12 Noon, DJ GoSpeed Racer took over the stage, playing various tunes. This included "I Am A Mole" by "The Southlanders." GoSpeed commented, "I play it once a year just for this occasion." Garden Mole mused, "My mum used to sing it to me when I were a little kid, ohhh way back in the day."
When GoSpeed was playing "Jump in the Line" by Harry Belafonte, Marianne shouted "Conga time!" And begining with the DJ, they began jumping in the line, with Kenny Luckless just behind her. "Kenny is so soft an fluffy!" she commented.
One Linden showed up briefly, Shaman Linden. But as soon as some of us noticed her, she had to leave, "I'm going to get going. Thanks for the fun afternoon!"
There were a couple people whom attempted some minor trolling, but the crowd just laughed them off.
After the event, Marianne would tell me, "Pretty successful, I would say. We maxed out at 51 avatars, including one Linden and several Moles. Things went pretty smoothly throughout, aside from a couple minor trolling incidents. ... On the plus side, the crowd knows how to handle 'em."
And so another Mole Day came and went in Bay City. But there will be other big events there later in the year, such as their anniversary parade in May.
It
is a party that the artist, Moya Patrick, had been throwing once a
year for artists and Internet users. It's also a costume party so
people can have a chance to get together in costumes. The theme this
year is “Media” and people who have been invited are the part of
the group, Virtual Ability. I'm a part of the Virtual Ability and as
I arrived at the party, it was in full swing.
Cheeky
Baby was the DJ, rocking the party on with the tunes. Gentle Heron
was there as well, enjoying the party as I can see. Practically
everyone were there and when asked if the party was awesome, they
said yes. The artist, Moya Patrick, was there, filming the party as
it went on. Moya
Patrick had built a reproduction of the Place Messenger, where the
Cyber Nice Carnival is, and he would ask a group to join with the
avatars. This year, it's Virtual Ability, a group for people with
disabilities.
As
people came out in their costumes, we cannot help but to stand back
and admire their costumes. Gentle Heron came as a vulture, and Moya
Patrick came in a full-bodied red costume that hid his face with
little white wings on his back. One woman decorated the wheels of her wheelchair with British flag emblems.
When
Moya Patrick invited members of Virtual Ability to join the party, he
did something wonderful. He gave the members a chance to come on out
and have fun at the costume party. That's what they did. They came
out, in costumes, and with big smiles. From what I can see, they
actually ended up having a really good time. So good, when the party
ended, some people stayed behind. That should describe how much fun
we have had during the party.
When
I came to the party, I wasn't expecting much. Sure, I did come in a
costume. Sure, I did come happy because I got a chance to wear a
costume. Sure, I did come, not sure what's going to happen. But all
that were forgotten as I started to dance at the party. It's not
just a regular party anymore. It's not just a costume party either.
It's a party so amazing that even the lag could not diminish it. As
people dance at the party, it would become the unforgettable as Mayo
Patrick filmed us dancing. The film would be shown on the big
screens during the carnival. But it's not just film that's going on.
Photos are being taken at the party and Mayo Patrick does plan on
keeping the pictures.
Moya
Patrick made something come to life, something out of Second Life, something that thrills people beyond words, something that people
would come in costumes and still be who they are. This goes beyond
wonder. It even goes beyond the word 'fantastic'. There is simply no
possible word to describe the awe of the party itself. It is enough
for people to come and dance for two hours, and manage to leave
happy. For that, I have Moya Patrick to thank. Here are the links:
On Sunday January 16, Shady Fox passed away from cancer. Shady had been a personality known in a number of places, notably the Giant Snail Races as part of the team and Raglan Shire as a DJ. He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in early October, and his last Facebook post was a few weeks later. He departed with family by his side. The news of Shady's death was marked by sadness in Second Life, people spontaneously gathering at Raglan Shire to discuss their now late friend and to set up a makeshift memorial. Plans were soon made for a memorial service the next weekend, on Sunday January 24 at 12 PM SL time.
The first part of the events took place at Athen Shire. Arriving a few minutes before Noon, the place was packed. The messages were given out over Voice, so there was no chat to copy-paste. But there was a notecard available which had a few messages.
I'm trying my best, I told you that I always would.
I miss you.
I don't have your good advice, I have memories, and I'm trying to make them work.
I don't have my friend Shady. It's making me sick thinking about it.
I miss you.
Please be happy. I love you Shady
utterly Wizardly
I would count over 160 avatars in the two sims involved.
The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. Richard Bach
DrFran Babcock, who's been taking a hiatus from Second Life, took a brief break from her break to pay her respects.
With the large amount of avatars, some people would crash (including me once). The stream address was given out to help people save a little strain on their viewers.
I keep seeing Shady turn his back when, after Fox's memorial he says "I don't think I can handle anymore losses. I think maybe it's time to leave SL and Raglan. So many have gone." I beg him to stay. Tell him it's not the empty chairs that are important. It's the memories we keep alive of those who sat in them. Then I begged him not to go. That I couldn't handle losing another friend. Would I have said something different if I knew then what I know now? I don't think so. Even though death isn't a tragedy to God, but a celebration, for those left behind it hurts and we cry. We know we will see him again. But, for most it will be a long time. So, we cry. We have the best chance of knowing he is with us here in Second Life. Where he is going is also a virtual Life. I can't imagine him not sneaking in here to see how we are doing. To listen to us carol at Wootmas. To listen to us talk about about the funny things he did when we were down. To be the Biggie Fox in Tiny Land, with the biggest tiny heart of all. Wootmas will never be the same for those of us here then. It will be more special, because it is when Shady went Home.
With the lag from all those avatars, most cut back on the number of attatchments they had. Though someone had a breedable pet they named after Shady as their own little memorial to him.
I never knew Shady as long as many, but he always made me feel safe and secure and like i was not intruding, which i feel like i often am(even when im not).
He would come sit and play the frog song while he did stuff. and you were always welcome to come sit and do nothing on his lands and in da cube.
it might not sound like much but to me it meant alot. He gave alot without making much of a deal about, sort of by just being around. you felt in a good place when he was around.
i cant express well my thoughts into words here, but Shady will always be important to me.
Eventually, the first part of the service was done, and people began to leave to another part of the Shire.
Who can fill the sandbox make it sound real cool make the joy jump out your legs down at the swimmin ool
The Shady Fox can
Who can take a sad face lookin like a clown put his arm around you and turn it upside down
The Shady Fox can
Who can fill your heart up Although he's gone today because he is a part of you that never goes away
The Shady Fox can.
The Shady fox can cus you have to look no further than inside of you.
Always within me Russ, you inspire and watch my days. I hope that people see you shining out of all of us.
-Talisman Takaaki "Squirrel"
The ceremony continued at Heron Shire.
Yes within our hearts we shall remember as we hold on to you
Yes within our hearts so special so dear a void that will be there but filled with memories
Yes within our hearts you shall remain always loved always there So look deep within
Because of the huge number of avatars, some watched the ceremony from the shore at Morning Shire.
I come here not to mourn your death but to celebrate your life
You take with you on your journey a part of each and everyone of us
In return we keep a part of you within our Hearts
Luskwood founders Liam Roark, Eltee Statosky, and Michi Lumin were among those there.
During this part of the service, Raglan Shire's estate owner, Zayn Till, officially dedicated Shady Fox's permanent memorial: an ever-burning purple flame.
At one point, those attending were asked to rezz a purple or black balloon on the ground, and touch it to set it floating in the air.
With the second part of the service over, it was time for the memorial concert. So we went to a platform 3000 meters in the air, presumably where Shady previously performed.
"Last train to Awesome Town" prim words above the stage would say.
Shady was known as the "Baconator," sometimes sporting a shirt "Bacon makes everything better." And in one corner, there was a pile of the "meat candy" that would send any lover of the food into bliss.
In the back of the stage, a line of "Cybermen," a race of Borg-like aliens from "Dr. Who."
As the first performers warmed up, the crowd gathered.
Keeba Tammas and her band of tinies would be the first to perform, starting off at 2PM SL time.
The audience was a mass of tiny, furred, normal human, feral, and other avatars.
At one point, one of the band was being a prankster, releasing a bunch of banana peel articles.
It took two tinies to handle the band's huge base violin, but four hands could do things just two couldn't.
The last song Keeba and her band would play was "That's What Friends Are For."
Keep smiling and keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
In good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for
It was probably best that Keeba chose this song to be last as some of the audience started getting sad with some crying. Keeba and the band then stepped down from their poses and invited people to come on stage for a kind of group hug, she and the band still singing.
[14:53] Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53] Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53] Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53] Monty Talbot: WELCOME HAGALAZ
[14:53] Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53] Xerxes Sismondi: Hi MOnty, hi everyone
[14:54] Monty Talbot: /SERXES
[14:54] Codeh (cody.hoch): /hugs Kath =D
[14:54] GertieGazoo Gazov shouts: LOVES YEW ALL N HUGS YEW ALL AND I AM SO THANKFUL FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YEW
[14:54] Peachy Sassoon: Hi everyone
[14:54] Monty Talbot: OOPS
[14:54] Peaches (peaches.latrell) shouts: sit with us on stage!
[14:54] Copper Mistral: ???? APPAWS! ????
[14:54] Peaches (peaches.latrell) shouts: group hug
[14:54] Morton Wheels shouts: Shady is in out hearts FOREVERRRRRRRRRRR
[14:54] karmagirl Avro: ya me too Liam
[14:55] karmagirl Avro: i told him! he goin to live on in our hearts forever! i said you have to know this shady, he said ya. :(
[14:55] Morton Wheels shouts: and he dont wanna see us cry
[14:55] karmagirl Avro: i told him before he passed this
[14:55] Reign ShadowWalker (reignshadow.walker): ^__^
[14:55] Copper Mistral: And so, by the way, I thank you
[14:55] karmagirl Avro: he knew and knows
[14:55] karmagirl Avro: we talked about death :( he knew
[14:55] Reign ShadowWalker (reignshadow.walker) hugs everyone
[14:55] karmagirl Avro: he said tell them how much this is helpin and has helped me
[14:55] karmagirl Avro: all the love, support, cards
[14:56] karmagirl Avro: he knew ;)
[14:56] karmagirl Avro: ok now im cryin
[14:56] Nariko Stormsong (azusasato): hugs karma
[14:56] Shadow Marlin: me too Karms -- dang it -- I thought I was done
[14:56] Rendal (rendal.constantineau): *hugs*
[14:56] Songbird Bunny Sorbet (songbird1028.sorbet): don't make me cry
[14:56] Stereo Nacht hugs 'Ti Karmagirl
[14:56] Shadow Marlin: hard to sing with tears in the voice
[14:56] Reign ShadowWalker (reignshadow.walker): It's ok to cry. o..o It means you care.
[14:57] Copper Mistral: YESH
At 3PM Frogg Marlowe took to the stage, singing with is guitar. His longtime partner, Jaycatt Nico, however, was not with him, "He had a vacation planned for over a year."
Other musicians who would perform as the day went on were Songbird Sorbet at 4PM, Shakespeare Shamrock at 5 PM, Shmoo Snook at 6PM, Shandy Stradling at 7PM, Caleb Kit at 8PM, and Copper Mistral at 9PM.
Not far away from Shady's permanent memorial was another memorial. In previous years at Raglan, ten
people considered to be part of the community had passed away. With
Shady Fox, the total now is eleven. Four others had gone missing, with
attempts to find out what happened revealing nothing.
And so, Raglan Shire and other friends of Shady Fox had their event in his honor. For more pictures, check out those by Wildstar Beaumont and Teal Freenote. One can also visit the memorial at Heron Shire (254, 82, 20).
Bixyl Shuftan
*Addition* Since the publication of this article, the video of the events was made available.
“We raise the curtain on Fantasy Dreams' beautiful production of Peter
Tchaikovsky's "SWAN LAKE" in just 30 minutes. Join us at TOTH's Chetz Szondi
Stage for this story of a handsome young prince and a beautiful girl turned into
a swan by an evil magician. The music and spectacle will sweep you away to
another realm!” was the invitation I received. I was able to attend the performance
Saturday and was enthralled. The very lovely theater was already filled but I
was able to find a seat on a comfortable sofa not far from the stage. The back
story of Swan Lake was posted as the ballet progressed on the curtain. If you
would like to read a synopsis this one at the Houston Ballet is very good. https://www.houstonballet.org/Ticketing-Schedule/Swan-Lake-Synopsis/
The performance was absolutely charming from beginning to end. The
company performing is Fantasy Dreams. Director and Choreographer is NESS
(donotgivemyself), who also danced the part of the Swan . She is loved by the
Prince danced by The Åłéҳ MĬŁŁĬġåń Beast (Riperok Resident). The choreography was
stunning for the company , the Swan
and the Prince and the evil knight , ღ..::Ąŋgєℓ::..ღ (Angelok555). The Director of decorations, staging and costumes is Urfin (Valtum), who did a grand set for the whole show,
gardens, lake, and a magnificent throne room. The costumes were charming and
reflected the station of the dancers.
The audience showed its appreciation
throughout the entire performance. The music of Tchaikovsky delighted the
audience also from beginning to end.
I am always touched by the story and its tragic ending.
On the evening of December 31 2015, ScentualLust announced in the Luskwood Community group (and presumably Trotstale's as well) that the Ponyland sim would be closing.
Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum I smell a skunk in the auditorium!
We're gonna close the sim, just you wait and see... What a perfect way to ring in 2016 ?
Fe fi fum fory, I have wrote my own story.
The end! Of Ponyland...cause nothing can stop the smooze. Happy new year everypony! Come celebrate it and say farewell to Ponyland.
Chatting with ScentualLust, she told me the sim was indeed closing tim for the place, "Farewell time, we made it many months longer than anticipated. I had half a dozen ponies IM me saying how the sim made them cry from childhood nostalgia. Michi Lumin's heading over later. Her and I were the sims only admins, it was just my labor of love for G1. And all the thanks goes to her and OldVamp (he did the builds) for making it happen." I asked where the idea for the sim came from. Scentual answered, "It was a secret I was keeping so none of the other pony sim owners would jump on either a G1 sim, or naming their sim Ponyland (which is where Firefly's Adventure and My Little Pony Tales takes place). I sent Vamp pics of the builds I wanted, and he built a majority of the sim before I bought the sim itself to place the builds in."
Scentual had only planned for the sim to be online for a short time, "I planned on three months. But donations from people like JeanetteDJennet and LeatherTail kept it going, combined with Lindens I had saved up since my rez day. Many nights of Primtionary, etc. $30L here and there can add up. (smile) ... I had a list of intentions, a party in the skating rink, a party in the sky (which you were at), a party in the ice cream shop, and a party in Dream Castle. There was a whole skating "conga" line at the skating rink party. Limited edition MLP roller blades and inline skates were created for it, complete with an AO. This is the kinda stuff that makes it worth it to run a place like this." Amehana Arashi (Amehana Ishtari) commented, "You have no idea how cathartic it was for me to explore it."
Anticipating I would write about it, Scentual added, "I'd want to say to anyone reading that article, that if they missed out on this sim, they can still watch the G1 material it was based on. Firefly's Adventure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kknbjwYWwaU&list=PLfp_59rbOG-gDt_c0VZO4qlu306Kg3XTF and My Little Pony Tales: http://yp1.yayponies.no/prevgen.php ." Her plans for the future? She told me, "I'm going to work on the Trotsdale Museum of Pony Past, which is an attraction ran by DC the cyberPony in Trotsdale. We'll get Ponyland added in there, DC got quite the handful of pictures for us to hang in there, and I even got a video archive of the sim thanks to Flutter Riff (who has also helped with scenery and a lot of ground work here)."
I hung around the place long enough to take a few pictures. As New Years Eve was a busy night for me, I was elsewhere when Scentual messaged me when the sim finally had closed, " Michi Lumin got the last words in the Ponyland farewell party, 'My heart will gooo oooon and oooooooon!' Everyone at the party made a gesture of going down with the sim. It was touching." Scentual then sent me a picture, the last that would ever be taken from the sim, "This was the auto screen grab as the sim went down, a wonderful final snapshot of what was."
When asked if she had anything else to say, "I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for Michi Lumin providing a solid role model as a sim owner. Watching her carefully led me to running Derpyland (which is a sim that Dashy and Cera founded) and having it go from not only being an overnight sensation, but turning into a self sustaining pony sim for over 3 years and counting. In a world where your average SecondLife sim only lasts a few months, one would think looking to Luskwood would be common scents since they're the oldest running community in Second Life. I'm a big believer in divine luminous wisdom and experience. And I attribute a lot of those qualities to what lead Ponyland to 9 months of sim life, instead of 3. With no specific community group, and no rentals...it has very much surprised me." Scentual would later remind me Derpyland was the second oldest of the pony sims, Trotsdale being around first.
And so, the sim had it's final curtain call. But it won't be forgotten
as there will be an exhibit on the place should all go as planned. And
of course there's the memories of those who had fun there.
Bixyl Shuftan
*Addition* I had accidentally left out a couple paragraphs of the interview when the article first went up. When discovered, the error was corrected.
*Second Addition* The Newser was asked to note Derpyland is the second oldest of the pony sims, with Trotsdale, run by Michi Lumin, being the oldest.
