A Few Words in Support of New London

Since they rebranded to become a sim of London landmarks and lore, New London has earned critical acclaim and a boom of visitors.  This has meant less income as malls, flats and shops were replaced with more exhibits and replicas.  While it's brought in a lot of appreciative visitors, the result of a link on the SL launch page predominantly brings in - to be blunt - penniless noobs, often in the form of minors with fabricated stats.  I've watched their staff keep on top of griefers while remaining gracious hosts and always happy to lend a helping hand. Meanwhile donation bins placed throughout the sim sit untouched.

Add to this scenario the LSL teleport fiasco last winter, which was a kick in the head for every immersive rezzer product (a TARDIS system falls into that category), so much so that Cheshyr Ponchartrain of Novatech had to give up Abbotts within a few short months.

No doubt the draw has waned on Whovians who no longer come to the sim with regularity because New London is no longer specifically a Doctor Who sim. 

A certain fool cannot goat gloat and take credit for this situation. The only thing we can credit him for is someone griefing the sim after reading one of his silly fabrications borne of hate (much of what he writes about New London is the result of imagination).  That's the sort of people he genuinely attracts when you take away financial dependence & Middle Americans with a fascination for anyone with a Scottish accent (emphasis on "anyone").  Solly Cholly.

Being that most tourists and Whovians are less inclined to part with their Lindens for nothing in return to add to their inventory (except for maybe a Sploder), I've decided to help my friends by offering a series of modestly priced Doctor Who fanboy shirts.  These will be from original, hand-drawn art and all purchases from these shirts will route to New London's tier avatar.  The first of this series comes out later this week.

It's a start for what I believe to be a good cause.  Hope you will consider collecting these as more come out.  Those who know New London for what it truly is rather than buy into vituperative contrivances and have enjoyed its sense of community and the work everyone there puts into it for visitors to have a positive experience, I hope you will oblige them with even a small contribution on your next visit.

In the meantime financial setbacks haven't slowed them down as an active community.  New London has launched a mayoral race to parallel that of the real city.  Naturally I'm running and have surprisingly advanced to the finals (along with Harold Saxon), but my platform is too honest and altruistic.  I don't stand a chance against those other crooks! :P

Last but not least, the performance I had planned for New London Fest may happen a  bit sooner.  Look for news about our show.  I've already gotten space wolf Mayo lined up for drums. He kicks ass! Quadrupeds make great percussionists.  And Jayne will be on several instruments and have free reign of lights.  I need a second male as backup though for a handful of songs.  I wonder whether Mayo can sing in tune?

It's time to get the ball rolling on more RFL events.  Look out for them, continuing with this Wednesday's Time & Space party with me as DJ. It's also on my birthday.

Choosing team spot for RFL MayDay Weekend this May 5-6

SL9non-B

Couldn't they at least have made it to the tenth?

No, entering one's place in the Destination Guide doesn't count as a celebration.  The point was our all getting together to celebrate SL.  It was a key place to find new residents for communities and get to know a cross-section of the grid's cyberculture.  Not to mention cake.  And bears.

Rodvik you've turned out to be a soulless cad who doesn't realize how essential SLB was for EVERYBODY'S survival and retention. It brought out the best of Second Life and put it all together.  If sims dont get fresh visitors and residents they close, and then what?  Things can always get worse on the main grid. I get the feeling you're less interested in customer retention and preserving Second life than you are in recreating SL into a gaming slum.  Why is that?  A *lot* of people don't like what you're doing - and not doing - with our money.

New London Mayoral Rally Script

New Londonners!

Campaign Promise #1

Petition to have SLT changed to GMT, which of course is useless in the summer during BST but what the hey.

Campaign Promise #2

You and I know we can't get rid of Harold.

We thought he'd stay in limbo with Rassilon, but they don't call him The Master for nothing. He's been a fixture in New London since before his escape from limbo and even fancies himself as a mayoral hopeful!

Can you imagine?

To his credit, he has a provocative presence if not a voracious appetite.

If I am elected Mayor of New London, I propose redirecting funds for healthcare into a steady supply of roast chicken - and beef roasts on Sundays - to Harold.  Some have called this a frivolous act, a waste of funding... but they've never seen how hungry Harold can get.

Trust me: if we don't do this, we WILL be a health crisis!  There's just so many noobs we get into New London and we need to keep some alive.

Which leads me to my next topic...


Campaign Promise #3

A wise alien once said that strangers are just friends you haven't made yet.  That being said, I want to say a word for the Tennoobs.

Yes you heard me.

These confused and disorientated souls should not be underestimated. They are the future of our society - at the very least a potential source of Sploder winnings.  They merely need direction in their lives.

If I am elected mayor, Tennoobs will be given free clothes and Sploder training.


Campaign Promise #4

We all know that there is only one Doctor, and he is the last of the Timelords.  So tell me: why are there dozens of "The Doctor" running around?

I say let's select which to keep, then send the rest on to Geoffrey for lab experiments. And surplus to Harold.


Campaign Promise #5

One of the rampant problems we face in New London are poor TARDIS operators. They land police boxes on robots, wolves, and little old ladies. Despite piloting a time machine they miss the concept "there is a time & place for everything" and materialise police boxes in offices, in doorways, on dancefloors in clubs, and so on...

If I am elected mayor, I will work closely with New London's R&D team to devise a means to redirect TARDIS materialisations from dodgy locales and bad moments.

Perhaps we could call it a "reTARDISiser"

What do you think?


Campaign Promise #6

Along those same lines, if I am elected Mayor of New London, I will arrange to have a forcefield in place during 7Seas Fishing over the Thames pier between 11am to noon SLT each and every Sunday!

There have been far too many fisher fatalities of late, and they've become a valuable source of income for the city!


Campaign Promise #7

If I am elected Mayor of New London, renters will never be short of their own prim allowances!

New London R&D are ready - on my word - to install a Spatial Inhibitor so that any plywood prims rezzed in public areas by those other than staff or renters - are instantly returned.

Campaign Promise #8

A guy posing stand in the photo studio.

I don't know about you, but not even my avatar body can move the way Kat does!


Campaign Promise #9

If I am elected Mayor of New London, FREE bacon sandwiches and tea will be served during my events.

This of course a vain and gratuitous request as that is teatime where I live.  However I'm sure you will agree that anytime is a good time for bacon and tea!  For those who do not eat bacon, there will be smoked salmon sammies.


Campaign Promise #10

I cannot think of a tenth campaign proposal.  I'm sure one will come to me at come point, and no doubt it will involve cheerleaders...