Kat2 Kit's Memorial Service

On Thursday May 21, Kat2 Kit, known as Matt Shapoff in real life, passed away. About a week later on Wednesday May 27, a memorial service was held for him at his art studio. "The little panda," as his friends in Second Life called him with his avatar of choice was that of a tiny panda, had been involved with many activities here on the Grid, and over time had come to know a number of people. This included yours truly, whom had written about him twice a few years ago.

 Dropping in early at Kat2's studio at Montauk New York (128/157/24), which in addition to his cyanotype blue artwork now had a picture of him as a memorial, Petlove Petshop, whom he had worked with as part of Pooky Amsterdam's crew at "The 1st Question" game show, was already there. She described herself as "just mainly working on films" lately, and was interested in hearing how the Newser and I were doing.

It wasn't too long before others arrived. Alexa Steuart, upon seeing Kat's studio and picture, emoted *sighs and wishes Kat was ....* Jillian Skinstad commented, "Me too. I still haven't accepted it. Does anyone know what happened?" Petlove told, "I heard he was doing some chore around the house and just... went. (I) haven't heard exactly what, don't know."

RJ Kikuchiyo told the group he would be streaming a video of the memorial service live over Livestream,  "Cynthia, Matt' s beloved, will be able to watch from out there. ... Matt was fond of it being used as a tool inworld, too." He asked the group if anyone else had done a memorial service in Second Life. Alexa nodded, "I have been to way too many wakes in Second Life." It was mentioned Linden Lab used to have a memorial sim, and the Sunweaver's remembrance of Artistic Fimicloud just days before. RJ told, "years ago now, I started a monument to our fallen avatar friends on mainland Linden land - they've allowed me to continue updating it."

It was about this time Pooky Amsterdam showed up. She greeted the group, followed by, "It's a sad thing to have lost Kat." "Gone but never forgotten..." Petlove commented, "I have one of his cyanotypes on cloth of a snap from a 'Fritos' commercial we made under the glass on my desk." A few minutes later, RacerX Gullwing of the Giant Snail Races showed up. Then came a surprise, "Look who's here! It's Hydra." Hydra Shaftoe, Pooky's cohost on the game show, appeared. I hadn't heard from him since he left. Pooky commented, "Hydra said that everyone needs a little panda in their life."

Pooky Amsterdam then read aloud a poem, which she also texted, "Epitaph on a Friend"

An honest man here lies at rest,
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd,
Few heads with knowledge so inform'd;
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

Robert Burns

 After that, people began telling stories about Kat, both in voice and in chat. Jillian commented, "I met Matt when I first came to SL to teach." Blitzckreed Levenque remarked, "Nobody else could get the mood up like him."

Panacea Luminos gave the following story, " 'I'm at requesting access to LISound New York to phototgraph the Montak Lighthouse RJ has built. I am a long island artist and have been collborating with RJ on real life 19th century prints I create using cynaotype and dyan dyke process non-silver processes.' Yes..RJ was our connector (smile). Attached was his artists statement, and that was interesting. But back in 2009 what really caught my fancy was this: 'I will be having a real life art exhibition in East Hampton this July, I would like to have a computer logged into Second Life during the Opening, with the avatar restricted to just investigating the Montauk Lighthouse.' And so it began. He opened my mind to some amazing possibilties in SL. He will be missed."

Alexa brought up, "I remember him from his dome on novi and building the train around his property. and being involved in tossing buses at him and pet and emmo on novi." Petshop responded, "That's right (giggle). He was truly an original." "Bus tossing at Kat good times," Alexa mused. Petlove looked to RJ, "RJ, you built the garage from 'Ferris Bheuler's Day Off' that time. If it hadn't been for Matt, I never would have seen that in SL." Jillian commented, "Matt was always dragging me some place. He always had a way of making things fun, interesting and inventive." "Kat was a FUN panda!" RJ reminisced. Pooky spoke, "He was a fun person & so full of life, it's too much, he is gone." RacerX Gullwing added, "Yeah, he was a great guy."

At this point, Pooky Amsterdam rezzed a ball with a panda picture, "The round panda ball is full of stuff of Kat and please take a copy too." To someone, she commented, "Oh emm gee, the alligators! He fought you as Mr Potato Head with light sabers to turn you into french fries." "Too funny." Petlove remarked. RJ added, "I can say that he would be very happy that you all  came today." Drusilla Poliatevska spoke, "It's clear he will be running around in our heads until we go."

At one point, Alexa commented, "Time for a river dance." RJ agreed, "Let's do something silly!!" And then everyone was dancing away, "I know this message of RANDOM is brought to you by one starry eyed panda!" Someone tried to wear an attachment, and ended up dancing while wearing a schooner, "wearing a sailboat (laughter)." A copy of the boat was placed in the water nearby, which had red Asian style sails, one with an image of a panda. A huge picture of Kat on his bicycle was also placed on the ground. On a nearby house, there were numerous pictures of him set up .

RJ told the group, "I should also mention that Kat2 Kitt's last prims are held on (the) mainland prim preserve near the lighthouse memorial, a link to the workshop where the 2015 booth was being worked on is on the gallery at the top of the montauk lights." RJ gave the link as Slapdoogle (170/35/3001), "RJ Kikuchiyo: and of course there is a memorial rock - in Linden's Blake Sea - Crow's Nest, where his name will be held (permanently)."

Then they got out a trampoline, and the bulk of the people started jumping up and down on it,  "Avatar tossed salad!" "Weeeee!" "Serious air!" "Woo hoo!" "How many can get on the trampoline?" Petlove, whom was still on the ground, chuckled "That's really funny to see you all doing that." Drusilla commented, "This is a fitting thing to be doing something very bizarre." Alexa mused, "Kat would love this. .. Take a movie, HOOOOOOOO!!!" Petlove did just that, "had to film a little bit of that (giggle)." A short clip of it would be placed at the end of an episode of "Happy Hunting" (link), "That thing was a perfect ending."

It was about this time that everyone began to say their goodbyes. Petlove had taken pictures of her own and posted on her Flickr (link). Pooky Amsterdam's message was the most poetic, "I'm going to go too, but say not good bye, say fare thee well. And we are faring always with Kat in our hearts."

And so Kat's friends went their separate ways. Second Life would go on. We would go on. But the fellow known in real life for his artistic blues and in Second Life for his panda antics would not be forgotten.

"Thank you Matt Kat2 wherever you are."




(Click here if the video fails to play - need to subscribe)


 Petlove's Flickr

SL Newser "Remembering Kat2 Kit"


Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From The VWBPE Education Conference

From April 9 to April 12, the annual VWPBE (Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education) conference took place in Second Life. Over four days across six sims, presenters and pannels gave various talks and discussions, and there were also a few exhibits.

 At 1PM SL time on Wednesday April 9, the conference began at the auditorium at the corners of VWBPE Central 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The opening keynote was given by none other than Philip Rosedale, the former Philip Linden.

Gentle Heron doing the chat transcription for Philip.

To see what Philip Rosedale had to say, one can check out reviews made by Daniel Voyager and Inara Pey, or check out the following video made by Mal Burns:



(Click Here if the video fails to load)

On Friday at 1PM, there would be another important speaker: Ebbe Linden.

Ebbe, wearing one of the starter avatars for new residents planned for release in the near future, addressed a packed crowd. He spoke about the Terms of Service issue, and numerous other topics.

 Among those there was Pathfinder Lester, the former Pathfinder Linden

 Jo Yardley and Daniel Voyager was also there (Daniel's owl avatar had a hard time appearing in my viewer that day)

Pete and Xiola Linden were also there.

There's a summary of Ebbe's speech from Daniel Voyager, a review by Jo Yardley, and a full transcript from Inara Pey. There's also video by Mal Burns:



(Click here if the video fails to load)

Following Ebbe's speech, and the crowd leaving, I met up briefly with Draxtor Despress.

I also met  up with Nigma Sterling whom help organize things for the conference.

The following day, Saturday April 12 from about 9AM to 11 AM SL time, there was the "Connecting the Past, Present, and Future" discussion, with Botgirl Questi, Will Burns/Aeonix Aeon, Jerry Beaubois/Tab Scott, and Kevin Freenan/ Phelan Corrimal made up the panel on stage.

 With a little time on my hands, finally, I went about exploring the location.

I 

I came across a few exhibits, such as this one.

This volcano exhibit was certainly "what's cooking."

 I came across a discussion mixed with a tour of some exhibits, "The Programer and the Nurse."

 There were several simulated paitents set up, for visitors to practice on.

Finally came the Closing Ceremony at 6PM SL time.

Among those speaking were Pooky Amsterdam, and Dirk McKenan. Pooky delivered the closing line, "Goodnight Mr Rosedale, whereever you are."

 Following the last speaking event was the Closing Party, with Selene Jashan playing the music.

At one point however, about half us were flying up in the air and away, one girl screaming, "Hellllpppp!!! I am being attacked psychedelicness!"

 But we made our way back and the party resumed. This time with Greenlantern Excelsior around.

It was a fun end for the Virtual World Best Practices in Education conference after all.

Some pictures from Gemma Cleanslate

Bixyl Shuftan

Weekend at the SL9B

I had spent more time covering "The Birthday" then enjoying it. But I had some chances. Saturday, I spent some time exploring the exhibits with a friend, seeing Raglan Shire's 'shroom exhibit with it's pirate flag and sundial showing featured events every month, Virtual Norway with it's cabin, and others. The one that got my friend's attention the most was Marianne McCaan's "A History of Prims." She noticed the bottom prim had a creation date that predated Second Life's official birthday, as well as being labeled as being created by "nobody," and wondered what it took to get it here.

Cube, 2002: On January 25th, 2002 (If you inspect this cube, you'll see that date), an unknown Linden rezzed this cube. It is the oldest known prim in Second Life.Torus: As second Life grew, so did the options. The Torus is one of the most complex of the basic prims, with 1024 Vertices. Another prim type, the Spiral, was removed early in Second Life's history.
[12:04]  Flexi Cylinder: Flexible prims, aka "flexiprims" were introduced to Second Life in 2006. The hair industry was never the same again.
[12:04]  Sculpted Apple: A sculpted prim, or "Sculpy," is a prim whose shape is formed form is taken from a sculpty texture. They were introduced to Second Life by Qarl Linden in 2007.
[12:04]  Glowing Sphere: While not a prim function itself, the "glow" property became a common function for prims starting in 2007.
[12:04]  Mesh Duck 2012: After many fits and starts, mesh objects were added to the grid in 2011. While they remain controversial in some circles, many have learned to love the mesh.

Later that evening came a live stage act: Lauren Weyland in a special episode of the gender-bending comedian's stand-up comedy act "Lauren Live" in the afternoon. The blonde with the falsetto voice had to clean up her normally R-rated routine a bit to stay within the G standards of the event.

Sunday was the last day of the SL9B, at least with events. I logged on a little earlier than usual that day to catch Holocluck Henely DJing a party in the Egypt area, at the border of Shindig/KittyCats SL9B Party Time. And a party time it was as I joined in the dancing, along with Dr Fran Babcock, Tindallia Soothsayer, and Grease Coakes. Not everyone was dancing, one guy in Viking horns just watched from a lawnchair nearby.  Holocluck earlier had joked he might not get invited back to DJ in Egypt, "being of Jewish descent," and at the party razzed a package of matzoh crackers for anyone to snack on. Hopefully Egypt's new President from the Muslim Brotherhood didn't take notice.

Looking around some more, I found some interesting places. Among them was one I had dropped by last year as well, 1920s Berlin. Dropping by the beer hall, the hosts greeted me "Herr Fox," and offered a choice of drinks, "bier," "tee," schnapps, whisky, and other drinks. I had German coffee, or "kaffee" as they called it. While I was there was probably one example of the questions they get from visitors, someone thought the place was a speakeasy, asking if Germany had Prohibition in the 1920s. Actually, the USA was pretty much alone in it of the countries in the Western world at the time. Let alone Germany, noted for it's "Oktoberfest" in the south.

At 4PM at SL9B Negen was a special show of "the 1st Question," Hosted by Pooky Amsterdam and Hydra Shaftoe. On stage were three media personalities. Saffia Widdershins of Prim Perfect/Designing Worlds was fairly well known here, especially as she was one of the volunteers here at the SL9B. Also here were Beau Hindman (Beauturkey Basset) of Massively.com, a website covering MOORPGs, and David Abbot (Da5id Abbot) whom was with the Egypt hunt, which Pooky called a "kick-asp story."

The "tiny act" before the show was a bit different, as they were wearing "outline avatars" of which only the edges could be seen. Hydra's avatar looked odd for him, so he might have suffered from lag more than most. The show had its share of chuckles, Mr. Hindman's "word-up" being "Schnarf - the sound a dog makes when it sneezes." He had some trouble pronouncing it, though, Hydra saying "You sound like a depressed bulldog." Saffia might have been the crowd favorite, but in the end it was a victory for Massivvely. Mr. Hindman won first place. Earlier, he had joked, "Why did you stick me with two geniuses?" Pooky commented after his win "you just joined the two geniuses."



The last event I attended was just across the sim, a discussion on Steampunk in Second Life. Hosting it were Annechen Lowey and Steelhead's KlausWuffenback Outlander (Baron Klaus Wuffenback). It was detailed and informative, touching upon Steelhead and other Steampunk-themed areas in Second Life, referring to the genere as "Yesterday's future, today." The only problem was between the lag and the mesh, most of the people didn't clear up properly on my viewer.

Unfortunately I could only record about a half hour of what went on before the lag proved too much for my computer, and it went through a terribly long crash. By the time I came back to the Grid, the lecture was over. So I took a break for a while, coming back for the fireworks at the Cake Stage. There would be a couple more impromptu events later on, Crap Mariner's filming at the SL9B train and his farewell video, but this was the end of this long and momentous event.

So went my weekend at the SL9B. One thing that I noticed was that while many of my friends whom were involved in SL media showed up, this wasn't so much the case with my current and past neighbors. A few told me they tried, but the lag killed the enjoyment, or they couldn't get in period, crashing upon entering. A few others apparently planned to, but missed it, "Over already?"  Some hadn't heard of it, "What's SL9B?"

Still, if only a fraction of those on the Grid attended, it was still a great party with lots to see, finding out about new communities on the Grid, such as Grey Lupindo did with the 99s, and just plain have fun.

There will be other mega-events on the Grid, such as the Relay for Life walk in July, and later this year Burn2. But the Second Life Birthday celebrations have a life of their own.

Keep an eye out for any SL9B pictures on my Flickr account.

See you next year.

Bixyl Shuftan

Will Wright Appears on Special Live 1st Question Game Show

On Friday February 3rd, 7:30 SL time, the noted Second Life game show "the 1st Question" held a special Friday show. Besides the unusual Friday showing, the show was different in other ways. Treet.tv was doing an unusual live broadcasting, the first of the game show since it ended regular live programing in July 2011. The popular co-host Hydra Shaftoe was taking a break from his retirement for a one-time appearance.

Then there were the contestants. One was Widget Whiteberry, the co-producer of the Second Life news & politics talk show Virtually Speaking. Another guest was an name in computing in Real-Life, Grady Booch, known as Alem Theas inworld. He is known for the "Booch Method" in software engineering. First in line left-to-right at the contestant seating was the man described as having "created the simulation game genre" - Will Wright. Beginning with Sim-City in 1989, he was behind a number of simulation games, including "the Sims" series and "Spore." In October 2011, he joined Linden Lab's Board of Directors. Showing a sense of humor, his in-world name was StupidFunWill Resident.

Pooky Amsterdam, who hosts the show, sent notices in her groups and the show's message list about an hour before the show began. To make sure the show wouldn't be too bugged, the number of people allowed in the Spindrift sim would be capped. Those who couldn't get in did have the option of an "overflow" location at the Garden of Dreams sim (Designing World), or watching it on the treet.tv website.

For those not familiar with the game show, it billed itself as "fast-paced fact-based fun of science related merrymaking, audience participation, prizes, wit, and wisdom." It was described more simply by one fan as "like having lunch with Albert Einstein." In the past, it ran for a full hour every Sunday, and was broadcasted live on Treet.tv. More recently, the show was cut to a half hour, and then done once a month on the first Sunday each month. But the show remains as popular as ever, attracting a packed audience during shows. Among the regulars are other noted Second Life residents such as comedian Lauren Weyland. Before each show as early arrivals wait for it to begin, the staff's tiny performers do a small skit to entertain them.

Following the tinies' tale of a mad scientist creating a monster, the audience was wondering if Linden Will Wright would end up the winner that evening. And he did make a good showing. On "Word-Up" when the contestants made up a word for the audience to pick the best one, Will Wright chose "Perplexinated," being both perplexed and fascinated by something and having a strange attraction to it. Grady Booch chose "Poligusted," being disgusted by politics.

Despite some good answers, Will Wright didn't get first place. He took second, while the computer technician Grady Booch ended up the Winner. He was given an undisclosed prize package. Although SL Newser hoped to talk to Will Wright after the show, he promptly teleported out of the studio. Pooky and Hydra talked with the audience for a while, some welcoming Hydra back even if it was for just one episode. Talk soon turned to more casual topics, including some joking around over gestures.

The show can be seen in the Treet.tv archives in a few days. The next episode of "the 1st Question" is scheduled for March 4, 2012.

For CNN's take on the show, Click Here for Any1 Gynoid's article.

*Addition* The archived show can be seen - Here.

Bixyl Shuftan