Letter from Amelia
22 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
Dear Brianna,
It was good to see you last week, it’s been way too long. I had such a great time riding the ferris wheel and just chatting at Caledon South End.
Bri and Amelia at Caledon Southend's ferris wheel
Why did I never know until then about your fear of heights? You were several shades of pale when we rose to the top, but you were such a good sport about it. Next time, I’ll let you pick the activity. Now that I’m living in Winterfell, we’ll be able to spend more time together. Oh, did I tell you? I’ve started the Caledon Quest, and I think you should do it too. Let’s check our schedules and see if we can do it together, shall we? That would be great fun!
I was sorry to hear that Nitely Publishing has been put on hold for another month or two. It seems that our typists rule our lives. I do understand that your typist needs to focus on some potential RL changes. I hope that you will be able to publish at least one edition of the Caledon Observer before summer.
Thank you for helping me with my move to Winterfell. I know, it’s not Caledon, but at least we’re close. I greatly appreciate the loan of furniture and gardening items until I decide how I want my place to look. I think Mr Nitely is right, you should have gone into interior decorating. I took your advice and shopped at Zoezoe Xue’s place for some landscaping items, then wandered into her Avian Retreat area; that’s quite a nice set up she has going on. Please give her my regards the next time you see her.
My dear friend, I must end this correspondence as there is so much on my calendar for today. I hope this finds you well.
Amelia
Announcing: Nitely Publishing
20 Jan 2012 1 Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Caledon, Penzance, publishing, Second Life, Steampunk
Nitely Publishing - Caledon Penzance
They say time flies when you’re having fun, so I must have been having the time of my life recently. Over the past few days, maybe a week now, I’ve been extremely busy setting up my new shop. After being in SL for over a year at this point, I decided it was time to find a way to leave my mark. The only question was “what to do?” I don’t build well, nor do I script at all. Thank heavens for my dear friends that do these things, and have come to my rescue on countless occasions when I’ve made a mistake on any of these attempts.
I sat at my desk, overlooking a beautiful sunset off Cape Wrath, and pondered my future, when one has so little building talents. I willed myself to think positively. It was as if a light turned on! I like finding new places and having adventures; I simply adore chatting with people, and I enjoy writing; so, why not start a publishing business?? Write about adventures and upcoming events!?! Not just mine, but those of others…. A plan comes together.
After a few days of searching, I found the perfect location in Caledon Penzance. While I’m not sure if this will be the permanent structure, it’s a start. Next came the interior decorating, my favorite part, as I so believe the things around you have a great influence on your thought process and peace of mind. It had to be comfortable, but not too much like home. The office part is at the front by the window, while near the back of the room, is an interview area for guests. Setting up the old printing press in the upstairs work space was no small task, but it is now intact, and cranking out test copies. Within the next day or so, I hope to churn out my first creation. No, I’m not telling you what it is..not yet 
Stay tuned… Brianna
Touching Real Lives with Second Life
20 Jan 2012 1 Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Military, Second Life, US Veteran
Brianna’s typist temporarily hijacked her blog, but promises to give it back soon.
“My family doesn’t “get” Second Life.” I’m sure many of you have heard that, and possibly even have that issue in your own family. There’s no “end state” or way to “win” in Second Life like other MMORPGs…well, at least not for most of us.
My husband is a banker, and as such, he feels it’s his duty to ensure my checkbook is balanced…to the penny. He also has no interest in understanding my penchant for Second Life. For those of you who know where I’m coming from, I’m sure you can imagine our first conversation concerning spending real USD for virtual property. I remember proudly showing him my SL interior decorating skills, which made him inquire as to why I haven’t put the same detail in our RL home. ”Babe, when I can have our house look this good for $7, I’m there” *insert playful smile* Two days ago, he asked about the slight increase in my SL spending (which isn’t much, by the way; my tradeoff was giving up my designer coffees ((well, most of ‘em)) to fund this form of entertainment).
Anyway, I told him I used the extra money to start a business for Brianna, and the rest was for donations to a few charities. He looks at me, eyebrows raised, and asks if these are real charities or fake ones…? Okay, maybe I deserved that question, since the few initial interactions he watched Brianna partake in, in the past, consisted of a Barbie-like doll, dressed to the nines, out on a dance floor. I’ve never explained to him about the diversity of Second Life.
“Yes, the money goes to real charities.” I watch his eyes squint as he processes the concept.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit, that I really don’t give alot of thought to what Brianna donates to; if I believe in the cause, and have been fairly generous with Brianna’s allowance, we donate. However, an event tonight made me feel really good about one of my choices. Brianna was busy taking pictures when a notice came in, and, barely glancing at it, I almost hit the discard button.
This one was a plea for help…for a real person..with a real life problem. A veteran. I immediately opened group chat to follow along with the conversation. Now, I’m not going to give out details here, as that’s the group’s business, but I do want to recognize the work done by Second Life’s US Military Veterans group.
In my little over a year’s time in SL, I’ve always been at the max group limit. Groups come and go, as Brianna evolves her character, based upon her needs, she drops and joins groups. However, the US Military Veterans Group has been a constant, and will remain as such. Never have I seen a group of people in SL who work as hard as this group to effect RL change for an individual, whether it’s a vet suffering from PTSD, a retiree who didn’t get their check and wonders how s/he’s going to pay the bills, helping out someone who’s simply lonely (nothing “simple” about that), or passing out info of use to the group, such as upcoming legislation, updates to Veterans benefits, etc…these guys are always there to help.
They are not a role-play group, so don’t assume you can pull the wool over their eyes with your best RP swagger to join. But, if you’re a Real Life veteran, family member, or supporter, check them out. Maybe you don’t need their help, but maybe, possibly, someone in the group could use yours. Who knows? You could be the person that touches someone’s Real Life in a positive way.
You can find the group’s headquarters at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Patriot%20Island/21/162/26
US Military Veterans Group sim "Patriot Island"
Bri’s typist, USAF, Retired
Happy 2012!
05 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: 52 Weeks of Color Challenge, Caledon
Brianna at the Steampunk Christmas dance
Oh my dear blog, how I’ve missed you. Like an errant lover, I’ve shamefully neglected you over the past few months. I know, the wonderful holiday parties in Caledon were no excuse, but you must admit it’s easy to lose oneself in the dancing, the stimulating conversation, oh simply the gaiety of it all! And, how can any female pass up an opportunity to dress up during the social season? My greatest regret is that my dear typist only has a regular laptop, and cannot run the high graphics to photograph all the beautiful women and dashing gentlemen at the events.
Along with the festivities, I had many moments to reflect back to the things I am thankful for. I have the greatest circle of friends that one could ever wish for, and a modest, but warmly appointed home in the best SL community ever, otherwise known as Caledon, that I share with a caring SL role-play spouse. Also, during this season, I renewed two lost friendships. What more could one need (besides a better computer) ?
Oh dearest blog, I intend to share more with you, and my readers, this year. My triumphs and my tears, will be here for all to see. As I traverse the vast universe of SL, you will be my journal of the sometimes frivolous and the probable foolhardy adventures I seek.
My first order of business will be to decide which photograph I wish to submit in Luna Jubilee’s 52 Weeks of Color Challenge. Some very lovely entries have already been posted to the Challenge Flickr page.
Till later,
Brianna
Unnecessary Rudeness?
01 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Caledon, drama, help, manners, rudeness, Second Life
Upon logging into SL today, one of typist’s group windows became active. She noticed a heated debate as one of the conversants appeared to be going out of her way to pick a fight. After several warnings by group regulars to her went unheeded, the conversant was muted by several people. Upon realizing she was being ignored, it appeared she decided to get her act together and finally learned to play nice; however, by that time, no one in the chat group was speaking to her or replying to her questions.
Typist didn’t think anymore of it, and eventually TP’d me to the chat circle near Caledon Oxbridge University to see who may be there to chat with. While there, I met a fairly new female avie (21 days old) who was looking for land in Caledon to buy. Being new, she still was trying to grasp the whole parcel size and prim count idea. I brought her to my parcel in Caledon Cape Wrath to see what a 1024 looked like, and to see the neighboring 2048 parcel. Typist asked in ISC chat if there was any known land for sale that wasn’t in Guv’nah Shang’s picks so she could help this new person find something to her liking. The only response was crickets. That didn’t really bother typist much, as she assumed that at that hour, many weren’t monitoring ISC chat, or were busy AFK.
She TP’d me and the new avatar around, showing her the few for sale parcels that she was aware of. Assuming it might be easier for the new avatar to find land, typist asked in ISC chat if anyone had the power to to invite the new avie to the group. That way, this new person could ask her own questions. One person came up in private IM and asked for the new person’s name, so he could do the invite. BUT, typist didn’t answer fast enough for his liking. He started a countdown of “3,2,1 BYE”. Typist was expecting a response in group chat and didn’t notice that a new IM window had opened on the far end of IM tabs, as her screen was pretty full with profiles (looking for land sales in other’s picks), the map and whatnot. What did amaze her was from the time the respondent asked for the name, and the end of his “3, 2, 1, BYE” countdown was 1 minute…60 seconds. Typist then went back into group chat and again asked if anyone could do an invite; this time someone else responded and the new avatar was successfully made a member of ISC.
While Brianna went about her SL day, visiting friends and new places, typist continued to mull over the encountered rudeness. First off, let it be known that typist has taken her share of b/witch pills and has not always been the nicest person in SL. Not intentionally, but she does understand that sometimes, people are just cranky or get into some odd mood. After all, it is SL, and is easier to vent here than elsewhere. But after losing a good friendship due to her “rude mood” one day, and realizing that no amount of apologizing will ever mend that rift, this typist knows what she’s talking about. Was 60 seconds too long for someone to wait for a response? What if typist was distracted by a phone, doorbell or other RL event? Or, possibly, as in this case, had too much on her screen and was monitoring group chat for the response, not expecting a private IM tab to open. **sigh**
While SL is a great deal of fun, it helps to keep in mind that there is human, with some type of feelings, behind the avatars here, and that sometimes, RL can interfere at any given moment. Role play drama is one thing, but unnecessary rudeness is never appreciated. If my typist had kept that in mind, she might still have another wonderful friendship here.
Brianna
Home At Last
27 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Cape Wrath, Love, Port Caledon, SL
I’m feeling pretty happy today. Two weeks ago, I had highly considered selling my Cape Wrath parcel and moving to Caledon Tanglewood. Since then, my dearest Mr Nitely and I have patched things up and I have decided not to sell the Cape Wrath property or move to Tanglewood. As he put it, “this is our home.” In honor of our renewed commitment, I have redecorated our cottage and what was a dining room is now a Victorian man-cave, complete with maps, rolltop desk and an old chaise where he can lie down without removing his boots. To celebrate, we went dancing at Port Caledon.
Tomorrow is Another Day
13 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Caledon, Life, Love
Sleep will not come…
I pace within my cottage, stopping only to stare out the window, eyes fixated on the dancing moonlight as it glints upon the vast sea of blue in front of me. During the day, the Caledon Ferry passed by my cottage, almost mocking me…taunting me. ”See me… see how I am not stagnant? Not only do I move, but I move with purpose, while you move aimlessly.” I sigh, and as I admit that many hours will pass before I find sleep, I sit at my desk, take my quill, and find the next empty page in my journal.
I think back to my last conversation with Amelia. How I am so thankful that I held my tongue rather than say “I told you so” as she lamented about her short lived love affair. How smug I was! Twas not so long after that conversation that my own partnership with my dear Mr Nitely was dissolved… even though it was my own doing, it still stings when I think about it.
Not a harsh word passed between us; rather this was done after much contemplation regarding my role in Mr Nitely’s SLife. Although we had been together for almost a year, the last four months as partners, our relationship had changed. Even though I had a more prominent role in his SLife, I felt that I had become “less”.
My mind hearkens back to the days, months before, when we would spend a Saturday afternoon exploring the wonders of SL. Lately, there have been no afternoons together…no spontaneous laughter. On the rare occasions in which we were together, I felt his appearance was more of a “duty” than a desire. I didn’t want to be a “duty”, an “obligation”….no. I wanted more. I wanted to sometimes…dare I say it? I wanted to be a priority.
My cheeks grow hot with embarrassment as these words form in my journal. Any self respecting female avatar should be so lucky as to have a caring and decent man such as Mr Nitely in her SLife. Why couldn’t I be happy with what I had? But alas… I grew weary of waiting, and hoping that sometime, someday, I would again, if only for an hour, be a priority, instead of being the person he “got around to” when everything else was done.
Admitting emotional defeat, I put down the quill and look outside. No sign of the ferry to taunt me. I hope I may get a few precious hours of respite. As I lie here, I ponder on my flaws, of which there are many. I try to be kindhearted, but then there are times when selfishness overtakes me. I am a bit like Scarlett O’Hara in that respect. We mean well, deep down, but only kindhearted souls like Miss Melanie can see that.
As I find myself finally drifting off to sweet peace, I think to myself, tomorrow is another day…
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Into the embers
01 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Caledon, Life, Love, Steampunk
It’s 1 October… the leaves on my maple trees are beginning to change color now and the Steampunk Hunt has ended. These two facts in no way relate to each other; other than one is a beginning and the other is an ending. I’m sitting outside in the yard, drinking hot chocolate by the fire, in a somewhat melancholy mood. The lack of sunlight during autumn and winter does that to me, but possibly some of this is attributed to the conversation I just had with my good friend, Amelia.
Amelia called upon me to offer advice on furnishing her new home that she’s renting from Miss Poppy in Caledon Oxbridge Village. I must admit, her cottage is adorable, and for a moment, I considered buying one for our land at Caledon Cape Wrath, but that was a passing thought, as our weather-beaten cottage is home…home for me and dear Mr Nitely.
As usual, when two women get together, the talk soon turns to romance. I happily informed her that my Mr. Nitely had come home for a brief visit, but was called away again all too soon. While he was there, he commented upon my latest autumn landscaping efforts and suggested that I go into business. Thinking how many times I called upon my friend and most excellent professional SLandscaper, Zoezoe Xue, I gave a laugh. ”No?” he inquired. ”No, my dear. My pitiful landscaping attempts are not worthy, however…” ”What?” he probed. With a twinkle in my eye, I told him I really enjoyed interior decorating, as it was a creative way for me to expend energy whilst he was away. With a hearty laugh, he agreed, and offer to support me in any venture I choose. Could there really be a luckier wife in SL than I, to have such an understanding husband?
As I detailed this to Amelia, I noticed a pained look fleetingly cross her face. ”Whatever can be wrong?” I asked. She turned to me and with a quiver in her voice, informed me that, while she was most happy for me, her romantic relationship was over. Not knowing what to say, I simply hugged her. Now was not the time to remind her that I had tried to warn her earlier of the pitfalls of SLove and SLife. But she, headstrong and independent, thought she could handle it. When she was finally able to speak, she said they wanted different things, and there was no way to compromise regarding their differing opinions on certain aspects of SLife. The romance hadn’t been going on for very long, so as you can imagine, I was quite taken aback by the depth of her feelings for a man I felt she barely knew. “Brianna, it’s not about the length of time, but the quality of the time spent together” she reminded me.
Thinking of countless friends who have been victims of this phenomenon, I decide to hold my tongue and let her speak. Now was not the time for an “I told you so” lecture, but for an understanding shoulder to cry on. As with my other friends, the pain of goodbye runs deep. I know she cares deeply for her former…..and words escape me, as how I’m quite unsure how to label the man that was the other half of her relationship. I hate seeing her in this state, but I know that with time, she will become Amelia again.
As I sit here by the fire, I’m reminded of the nature of relationships. Some take their time to blossom, like spring flowers. Others, like the fire I’m watching, start off with a spark and burn bright hot – possibly doomed from the start as they burn themselves out with intensity. I swirl the last of the hot chocolate in my mug, and stare at the fire, wondering what the future holds.
{NOTE: Amelia has granted permission for me to write about her current state of affairs, as this topic effects so many SLives}
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Catching up
06 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Caledon, friends, Mielville Doyle, STEAM the Hunt 5, Steampunk, Victorian
I’ve been busy the past few days, walking here and there, searching high and low, as I participate in the Steam 5 hunt. What a great group of people I’ve encountered! Everyone from the merchants to the hunt organizers to the other participants have been nothing but extremely helpful and friendly.
As I was leaving The Awl & Sundry Coffee and Tea Shoppe, located in Mielville Doyle, I was most pleased to run into an old friend, Miss Amelia Chadwick, also taking part in the hunt. I eagerly invited her to my cottage at Caledon Cape Wrath for some tea and girl talk. With my husband oft away, it is quite comforting to entertain a friendly face; as it helps to bide my time while I patiently await his return from whatever business venture he is currently conducting. Amelia has just returned a few days ago from her trip to the Scottish Highlands and was just as eager to join me in resting our weary feet and share with me the details of her latest journey. If you’ve never conversed with her, Amelia is quite an animated character; I don’t believe she is able at all to talk without moving her hands & arms. Of course, I had to duck, cover and flinch a few times as she recounted her adventures, but I do believe that only adds to her charm. If nothing else, it makes her stories more memorable.
During our conversation, I suddenly felt I hadn’t been spending as much time with my friends as I should. I know I spent an extraordinary amount of time setting up the cottage on Cape Wrath, and I will admit, I do find a certain sense of satisfaction in decorating, down to the finest detail {when prim allowance permits} that some may, using an expression that Amelia learned on her time travel journeys, call “anal”. {{ I did not ask for an explanation, but I prefer to think that word may be a euphemism for “time consuming”.} In order to catch up with my old friends and to meet my neighbors, I have decided to hold an open house at Nitely Cottage. As soon I check a few social calendars, I’ll get back with you on the date and time. It will be nice to hold such an event, and best yet, it will be so nice to catch up with you.
Till the next time, Brianna
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How could I forget…?
01 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Brianna's Ramblings Tags: Caledon, STEAM the Hunt 5, Steampunk, Victorian
I awoke this morning with that nagging feeling that today was a most special day, but I simply couldn’t remember why. I decided a quick cuppa would revive my senses and made my way to my dining room. Feeling the chill of the morning air, I stoked the fire, then sat at my dining table, peering out my window into the horizon, savoring the magnificent view. As I sat there, mindlessly fingering the delicate rim of my blue and white Wedgewood teacup, I couldn’t help but wonder what was so significant about today. As I reached towards my serving tray to pour another cuppa, I glanced at my calendar. OH MY… I realized today was 1 September!
In a most unladylike motion, I bolted from my table and hastily donned fresh attire & a good pair of boots; something fashionable and yet comfortable for walking. Peering into my closet, I determined, that yes, there was room…room for all the goodies that I would soon be amassing. After one last sip of tea, I left my cottage and made my way to Mielville, where I will join so many other like me, hungry for today’s adventure, the long awaited STEAM: the Hunt! ’5′
I’ll promise to check in with you later, but for now, I’m searching for posters and cogs and goodies, oh my!!
Brianna
