Interholiday Round-up

Many Tardis products which rely on rezzer positioning are broken in Second Life. 

Apparently they work by virtue of a fault in LL sim technology.  A parameter which was necessary for a myriad of extended functions but which shouldn't be possible. A blessing in the guise of a bug. 

The gridwide upgrade this month caught and fixed it, slamming and damning folks such as Novatech, makers of Horizons systems.  Several TARDIS brands including, Bad Wolf Corp, New London Systems, Hands of Omega, and Cheshyr's own Novatech were hampered by this fix. 

Basically anyone rezzing an affected product will be subject to the land properties set at 0,0 on that sim.  If you're subject to a no rez restriction, there will be complications.  For some a portion of the build does not rez.  For me, depending on the build, the main portion rezzes in position and other linked parts rez offset or way out of position, with the false alert in chat that I've rezzed too close to a property border.   I spoke with the owner in the southeast corner of Hydrangea.  The land there is a rental and it wouldn't be fair to them or their renter to change the settings.

Not everyone will notice it of course. Sim owners, protected land and so on shouldn't get in the way of precision rezzing.

According to the JIRA for this break, there is a new LSL parameter which will be added in a scheduled deployment in January. Novatech and those who utilize the Horizons system for their products will apply in upgrades.  

I can't imagine Horizons being unique.  Rez Foo and Rez Faux users may want to check for updates when the time comes.  Meanwhile, my elaborate Smith grade control room won't be happening.  I look forward to its return. It's still my favorite.

https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/SVC-7265

Mesh. 

I can't make fun of Mesh anymore.  If anything I'm fair, and with Phoenix' latest update, most of the grid now has a choice over whether to use a V1 or V3 type interface and see full content.  Imprudence still holds back lag the best (even Emerald - Phoenix' predecessor - was a memory hog for Windows users), therefore I continue to use that.  I hope whatever they need to clear to move forward with multiple attachments and mesh rendering gets resolved sooner than later.  In the meantime I'll hold my tongue about your invisible torso and that woodgrain donut on your arm.  IMHO viewable or not, if you have to let some clothier redefine your body to such a degree, you're neither you and those aren't just clothes anymore. Note if your face is covered by a rogue prim, it's likely that I won't acknowledge you. It's just rude to appear that way; at least my friends know how I'm viewing them and haven't obscured their faces.


New Toulouse had a dusting last weekend.  It reminded me of how New Orleans often experienced frozen ponds and puddles in winter, spending time before 1st grade chopping at the white spots in the ice with our heels until the bell rang.  One year though we had a serioso blizzard (before I started going to school) which allowed me to experience snow for the first time.  Dad was stuck home and we made a snowman in the parking lot.  Before that I had no idea snow was cold or wet.  It all looked like soap flakes on TV.  Probably were...

Unfortunately the beauty I've enjoyed - although not enough - is coming to an end on Skybeam.  The snows will thaw to an early spring following New Year's.  Not quite the Imbolc I looked forward to with the coldest month not yet upon us, but it's not my estate.  I'll change the tree from snowy branches to bare at that time - too soon for blooms before Ostara.  After going to college in SoCal I resolved never to live where the seasons were not defined.  It was just too disconcerting.

On the plus side, I'll be DJing at Bacchus on the Beach on New Year's Eve, then going to The Stardust Diner to host the East Coast Countdown as usual.  DJ GoSpeed Racer will be playing the tunes.  I haven't had a party in some time, so it will be nice to have one again.  This has been a perrenial since 2003 in Cybertown.

An Open Letter to Steven Moffat

Dear Steven Moffat,

Thanks to you, I'm watching Doctor Who. I watched Eleventh Hour and my mouth was ajar the whole time. Here was just a television show which was easily worthy of a cinematic release. Some 32 years since I first heard of Doctor Who, I was finally brought into the fold.  This means that Matt Smith is my Doctor. As with many of my contemporaries, I started collecting DVDs for Series 1-4 to bring myself up to date. It made your taking over as head writer seem all the more a blessing.

However I have to say that the executive producing thing has taken its toll on your storytelling.  We'll never see another The Doctor Dances or Blink (personally I felt The Girl in the Fireplace was what you'd call rubbish, so I don't count that among your gems).  There's something inspired about those great stories, a go-for-it spirit, an surge of energy behind what made them possible.  Even series 5 was one big inspired story arc, the likes I hadn't seen since Back to the Future trilogy or Buster Keaton's The Cameraman.  I don't know if it's having to divide cleverness and plot between Doctor Who and Sherlock, but as marvelous as individual stories have been throughout series 6, the big one with River Song which you orchestrated was forced and contrived.  An organized religious order after The Doctor?  Yeah right.  Sex between humans in the TARDIS imbue offspring with TimeLord DNA?  900+ years you'd think by now he'd have switched gears and lured people in for centuries just to rebuild his race.  It's a bit crazy that he didn't know, unless it was made clear that the TARDIS intentionally caused Melody's enhancement, which hasn't been implied in any way. And still there's the question of how The Silence knew in the first place that Amy was carrying a part Timelord fetus? How did they know conception in the TARDIS would cause this if The Doctor himself didn't?

Can't say divvying up mental resources hasn't told on Sherlock.  After a great start, Pretty in Pink had a copout ending.  Suddenly Sherlock stopped what he was doing like someone holding up a shiney before a crow.  No one who doesn't care what people think about them would stop to play ego footsie without bluffing, and he wasn't bluffing.  That's too gullible for a walking analytical machine.  It was a kink in the chain for the series IMHO.

Anyway, wrap it up.  Cut the crap.  No contrived endings. Bring back Wilf before Bernard Cribbins can no longer do the role.  Let his best friend back in 2009 know he's okay.  Forget a multi-Doctor reunion and stick The Doctor in that parallel universe to contend with a deadly and corrupt and overzealous Torchwood and half-human David Tennant, Pete, and Rose (there you have it: a sort of not quite tenth Doctor that won't slam The Doctor's own timeline). 

Of course you won't be doing these, even if they serve as closure to the fans and that we see this as one all-encompassing show and deserving of some crossable barriers.

Oh and please PLEASE ask BBCAmerica to stop the hell altering the opening sequence.  It's bad enough they take 25% off specials and two parter episodes that they have to further insult our intelligence with namby pamby content.

Thanks and here's to some real juicy storytelling for series 7 and 8! Make it worth the wait for a double series for the 50th. Hopefully - if the planet still exists in 2014 - we're back to starting on Easter.

Fishstock on Borrowed Time

The 7Seas Fall Fishing Festival was idyllic.  Just a bunch of people with a common pasttime sharing laughs and creativity.  People in boats, hanging from fishing lines, perched on amazing builds... No politics,  no ego beyond pride in a job well done.  Looks like most everyone wanted most everyone's custom catches too :).

For me the added perspective of having "worked" while meeting some of the more hardcore fishers and now marathon fishing with them along with friends and long lost acquaintances.

Spent the first couple of days at 7Seas' build - a giant pile of books and art supplies - catching their myriad of exclusive stuff and scoring free bait.

 Then making Hall of Fame. At the beach Dat and I would rib eachother that one would get there ahead of the other.  We decided to time it so we both made it at the same time.  Our announcements came within about a minute of eachother in a highly populated area. *heh*

As always the creativity of people is a neverending source of amusement, with people happily collecting from several creators at once while others collected theirs in another part of the three sims.  It was neat seeing people collecting Daleks and wearing Angry Turkey shirts, mismatched pajamas, etc.

 full house on friday for a series of mini-contests

We had one more official day on Monday, then borrowed time.  These festivals last basically until Linden Labs reclaims its rental sims.  In past years this meant a few days.  Last year's Fishiversary lasted to Wednesday.  They've gotten more efficient though.  Today logging in at lunch my place was returned. Some places were still there, others partially returned, still others gone.  Fishers were riding boats looking for survivors in the waters, others huddled on Celeste's remaining pillars waiting for the inevitable.  A free boat I was riding on to survey the area derezzed as I rode it.  It was like the universe was being sucked into an unseen black hole.

salvage manifested into funny fishing vehicles

But no harm done. We're all in group chat, and I'll see some at Bacchus on the Beach when I DJ or fish there, at other locations when I'm off and have time to kill, or happen to hear of an impromptu contest at Grey Nacht's estate.  Many new customs will find permanent homes at regular fishing locations (in fact, tonight I need to add the two new Daleks to Retro Metro before DJing).  And there's next spring's Fishiversary to look forward to.

Fishstock Weekend Almost Upon Us

An exciting day.  Putting the new Daleks together, designing the fishing spot (I have several drawn and a few half-built) for the 7Seas Fall Fishing Festival.

I finally got a stream URL for KONA that I can use and listen to.  Yes maybe you can hear them, but if I can't then what's the point I say!  As it is I can't hear my own Dieselpunk stream in Cartoon World (one of these days I'm going to have to badger Gabriel Riel for an alternate URL of that).  Anyway I'll have KONAstream at the FFF.

Remember tomorrow evening is the big Child's Play fundraiser.  During a range of time all 7Seas vendor purchases will go to charity.  So wait until then to buy bait.

Livingtree is nearby as is my favorite steampenguin, Geoffrey Xenobuilder.  The won't have to travel to fish for their Daleks :P

I'm sitting in a local coffee shop.  When I'm off from work I like someone to serve me breakfast. It's been some time since I've been able to put that into practice.  Every Thursday "The Breakfast Club" puts tables together and has a good time in here. I'm counting about 16 folks. This is the third time in about 2 years that I've had breakfast on a Thursday morning, and each time it's a lot of fun and involves all patrons.  The organizer hands out silly flyers, and today someone has a birthday.   I was invited to join their group.  Well if they're still doing this when I'm retired... 

Someone is doing stand-up now :P

Another just did poetry. 

Prayers for someone home from the hospital.

Think more like 20 now in their train of tables.

Most of them are retired seniors with a handful of middle-agers.  Gives them another something to look forward to during their week. For other motivation to do creative stuff or prepare a presentation.  How many neighborhoods have something like this?  Okay, Bay City without the jokes.

So sue me - I like fries with my eggs

My last acts of procrastination before making the textures.

Daleks, PJs, Commemorative Tee's... I thought about rods but don't know if I'm ready for that just yet.

The Breakfast Club has set the mood for my day.  A pleasant, warm friendly vibe.  Listening to BBC Radio - much to catch up to...

See you on the other side.

Another for the Drama Books

Over ten days after baiting and perving me just for taking the time to be a friend and listen to her problems, former contact tried to drum up drama by notecard.  The clichéd "I was drunk and don't know everything I said" bit.  However a subsequent note suggested she knew enough of what she said; her attempt to apologize was not unconditional.   It was hinted (in ways I cannot mention here without giving away their identity to anyone) that they didn't really get the enormity of their offense (her actions are prosecutable in the *ahem* least uncivilized states of this country) and that I'd be up for more grief because - let's face it - a mindset doesn't change that much between soused and sober states.  Nothing manifests which isn't there to begin with.

She doesn't read this blog or she'd have known not to go there with either drunken behavior or afficaciousness.  And despite having seen my SL8B exhibit, the fact that everybody in SL has their own story and that there's always someone living a darker life and come here for the light never occurs to her.  She may never realize this because she's too into herself to think about others enough to respect them or what they may be going through themselves. 

If anything, true colors come through during these times.  Lesson learned. Good riddance.

What a crazy weekend!

Toontown becomes more and more significant as Halloween draws near.  Sorry, you'll get that from a cartoonist/animator.  While I won't be making a new black cat this year, there will be hundreds of new kittens out in force next Monday morning, and I'll be around to help them.  Before that it's earning pumpkin heads on most of my toons while trick or treating the shops.  Difference being the jellybeans we get for  it are the local currency, and who knows what new accessories they have planned for the holidays?  Better save up now!

On Friday I restored my ongoing Steampunk fiction after extracting the posts from New Babbage's site. I've made it a general scifi-time warp story, which releases me from any restraints.  It's up to entry 10 at http://holosteampunk.blogspot.com

Saturday in New London is a fun party to host.  The staff and regulars are a wonderful and sincere people.  Whovians just want to have fun.  The Steampunk theme went over very well.  I should have it again in a few months... heat up the winter...

Which reminds me. New Londoners have encouraged me to take a look at their Guy Fawkes exhibit. They feel I'm a pefect candidate since I'm a "Fawkes Virgin."  That and they know if I'm not sure of something I'll ask, and if like it, they know I won't be bullshitting them :)

My friend Tindy had a rezday party hosted by the Giant Snail Races folks (Safra & RacerX w/DJ Baldi) which was held under the sea. Gave me a reason to wear flippers and Racer to blow up a big birthday cake.

Sunday was full of adventure.  First, after investing in some nice housing textures and running a few through Photoshop, I finished the modified shack (as well as reduced its primcount).

There was the biweekly partay by the river in New Toulouse Algiers, this time for Halloween.  With the big Estate sale going on, Gabrielle Riel was inspired to waive purchase fees for land in New Toulouse.  Apparently a 512 had opened up that morning, so I grabbed it for 1L and chucked in 2 weeks' worth into the meter.  And plopped down Maison Bleu. After FFF I'll be making stuff for it :) Some free, some extremely cheap. Maybe some art too.

So yes, I'm now a Talooster too :)

Weird Al's 52nd. Edward Pearse had the Radio Riel Clarendon dance hall decorated with stuff and offered free accordions and twinkie weiners (gak). A celebration wild horses - or delusional goats - couldn't keep me away from.  Realized how many wonderful people I missed from New Babbage.  Well, we'll always have the Clarendon...

After that it was time to go into Halloween Mode and put on this week's pallor for Bacchus on the Beach.  Yes, it's true we all got out instruments on Friday night and air-jammed to Dat's music.  We didn't this time around, but it was still fun.  Somehow I earned bait and a small Linden prize for fifth :)

Pondering my Halloween playlist and anticipating some CDs to come in from Amazon via 2-Day Air.  I think Halloween Party is plenty for a theme - let people interpret that any way they want. The best avatar is the best avatar :) Their unltimate moment of self-expression.  It kicks off on TARDIS sim at Greenwich Park from 1:45pm SLT next Saturday the 29th.

(PS: Pictures will be added this evening when I get home)

Even with virtual actions, being sick can make them tiring.

Always gets in the way of everything.  Not going to have that treehouse party.  Just the thought of virtual dancing is making me feel exhausted.

It won't stop me from DJing through the end of this month though.  It *appears* that I have Halloween Night on Bacchus.  I don't know how realistic it is with parties all over SL, and to be blunt I usually spend my Halloweens in Toontown Online (Seven wants to make another black cat, and that's the only day of the year anyone can).  I'll spend much of the day helping new black cats with their tasks, taking them through buildings invaded by robot lawyers to boost their gag potential, get in on the many beanfests scheduled (aka people throwing free money), and so on.  Sounds like I should take the night off, doesn't it?  Don't know yet...

Okay well, I'll be DJing in New London the next two weekends for sure.  With Guy Fawkes Day coming up - the same date as Día de los Muertos - I can see potential that weekend with common themes between the two.

While Snurky no longer does the track races (I usurped the computer for the last cross-country one they had, but for a special event), Giant Snail Races have I think gotten better as their own production.  Without Treet to back them up, there's more a sense of accountability reflected in Racer's hosting.  He's become nicer.  I think it was too easy to be too much of a goon with Wiz on hand as a straight man (sometimes he came off like a babysitter, and I'd sweat out very awkward moments where he tried to save face sitting next to the unpredictible RacerX, who'd mock, snark, and sometimes slur).  All that's changed.  The camera work is better as well. I think the change was a healthy one.. Sort of like the Tower card in Tarot. Next week promises a Halloween setting with the ever creepy sea of Richard Simmonseses.

On an ironic note, earlier this week I was sexually harassed by someone on my contact list.  Guess they didn't read my blog post about coming inworld under the influence. For all I know she missed her meds?  Anyway never come to me for a serious talk and pull the suicide card just to get attention or try to fake screw me. It will never work.  Since then they disappeared for two days, then came back in without a word in my direction.  Second never: Never commit such an offense then make believe it didn't happen. It's a crime, regardless of where it occurs. If you're not responsible enough for your actions to make amends, particularly with someone you've led on for months that you're their friend, then let Karma deal with you.  They're going off my friend's list today. They had plenty of time to be a rational adult and take action accordingly. Now, as I mentioned in my older post, I have blogged about it.