Brideswell Manor in Caledon Rothesay

Join us today, Monday (not tomorrow) at 2.30pm in our studio in Northpoint for our final show of the season, when we visit Elrik’s home on Brideswell Manor on Caledon Rothesay.

The show is coming out a day early, due to Christmas scheduling constraints, but it will be shown again tomorrow at the usual time – with the bonus that Elrik, Saffia, Matelisse and Aisling will all be in the audience – and we’re planning on making it a Christmas party!

Today we’ll be at the Manor and exploring the grounds of Caledon Rothesay, as well as meeting two of Elrik’s neighbours – Eleanor Anderton and Gabrielle Riel (the head of Radio Riel), who will be telling us all about their Christmas plans – and beyond! And we’ll be seeing – and hearing about – an mazing steampunk Christmas Carol from Iason Hassanov. In fact, in the course of the show, we’ll be hearing about three different Christmas Carols!

A Steampunk Christmas Carol in Caledon Rothesay

The show starts at 2pm SLT, but you should be in our Northpoint studios by 1.30pm to make sure of getting a seat. Or you can watch on the Treet live stream. And there will be gifts for all those who attend in person.

Recently Caledon Oxbridge played host to the Caledon Winter’s Night Ball on a floating iceberg created specially for the event.  Nearly obscured by all the revelers was the stunning blue and white build by Martini Discovolante, including this incredible ice carousel.

Two rings of winter animals were carved from ice and positioned around a central pavilion.  Each animal had a unique sitting pose such as reclining on the great bear to grasping the antlers of the noble stag.   A touch of the large snowflake hanging within the pavilion set the animals slowly in motion around the circle.

When my ride ended, I lingered a few minutes more to appreciate the rest of the build.  Above the snowy surface was a tower which looked like a frozen waterfall and must have given quite a view to the couple I saw dancing there during the ball.  Most of the revelers were dancing on the skating pond.  Once the crowds went their separate ways, the pond was peaceful and clear.  I put on a free pair of skates, traced a few figures on the ice, and warmed myself at the small wooden hut afterward.

As is the nature of ice itself, this build is ephemeral and may disappear at any time.  If you’re lucky and quick, you may still have a chance to see this magical build above Caledon Oxbridge before it sublimes.

The Primgraph - Issue 9: Cover

Issue 9 of The Primgraph is now available – and this Christmas issue is probably our most exciting yet!

We have an interview with Desmond Shang, the Guvnah of Caledon, where he talks openly about the development of his latest major project – Blue Mars Caledonia.  What does this mean for Caledon in Second Life?  The Guvnah explains … but you’ll find another clue to his belief in Caledon (and Caledonia’s) potential for the future in the wonderful Caledon Christmas Carol, written by Miss Scotti Lyle.

For those who love their Christmas to be a little spooky, there’s a wonderfully poignant tale from Miss Riven Homewood, with a very special Caledon ghost story.

The Primgraph Issue 9: Feature article

By now you may have guessed that we’ve returned to Caledon to celebrate Christmas!  It’s an unusually hard Christmas in terms of the weather this year – even that great strip of open water, the Firth, is freezing fast.  Our intrepid Reporters and Photographers have ventured out to explore the Islands in the Firth; Miss Therese Carfango brings back a report of those diverse and isolated landmasses, while Miss Scotti Lyle has an interview with Her Excellency the Lyonesse of Caledon, The ViceReine Kamiliah Hauptman.

The Primgraph Issue 9: inside pages

Ranging further afield, Miss Ceejay Writer has a report on the diverse celebrations of the season planned throughout the Steamlands, while Mr Jvstin Tomorrow has ventured further back in time to discover how the season will be celebrated in the lovely baroque region of the Duché de Coeur, a region fast in the grip of the Little Ice Age.  And Frau Annechen Lowey is on hand to give her invariably helpful advice on the etiquette of the Steamlands, this time concerning the vexing issue of the gift exchange.

The Primgraph Issue 9: Feature article

In pursuance of the exchanging of gifts, Miss Kittie Munroe has produced an advertising feature showing a selection of gifts that will delighted your friends and acquaintances (or that, alternatively, you can show to your friends and acquaintances with a very strong hint).  And if you are reading this publication in one of its aethernet forms – Calameo or pdf – you will find helpful links that will transported you to the stores in question in the whisk of an elegantly tailored skirt, or trouser leg.

The Primgraph Issue 9: The Quest for the Golden Prim

And we have Episode 4 of our exciting new web comic – The Quest for the Golden Prim. At last our heroine, Miss Annabella Scott, is able to keep her mysterious meeting with the Librarian – but what secrets will he have to share with her, and with the strange collection of academics and adventurers that he has summoned to the Secret Annexe?  And there are tensions within the group of those the Librarian has summoned: academic spats between Dr Wirefly and our old friend Crotty … and a darker animosity between our hero Ralph and the gallant stranger – Mordecai Watson – who proved so invaluable in rescuing Nan from the female pirates and their thugs.  And those dastardly pirates are making new plans … with the aid of the mysterious Gardener.  What will this mean for Nan’s dearest friend, Miss Wilhelmina (but more usually called Minnie) Rowbottom?

The Primgraph Issue 9: Magical music boxes

In addition, Miss Viv Trafalgar has interviewed the enormously talented Miss Canolli Capalini – and been somewhat distracted by her marvellous collection of music boxes.

I should, gentle readers, inform you that our Business Manager, Miss Eloisa Denimore, has been hard-pressed this month dealing with a series of extraordinary expenses claims from the reporters who have been sampling the Christmas delights so many of our talented creators have to offer for your delectation!  And, I believe, Miss Denimore has yet to consider the claims presented for mulled wine and mince pies …

Talking of Christmas food, their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Caledon Argylle have presented a fascinating article on Victorian Christmas food, while Miss Alesia Markstein has a very timely piece on the customs relating to the season.

The Primgraph Issue 9: Victorian Christmas Dinner

Mr Onyx Plutonian has a delightful account of the new balloon tour that will take you to visit all the libraries of Caledon; at this season the land looks enchanting pretty under its blanket of snow, but we would urge you to wrap up warmly!

We have more of our classic serial, The Mysteries of London, as well as News from around the Steamlands and other vintage sims.

So, with no shortage of fascinating articles and beautiful illustrations supplied by our brilliantly talented team, we welcome you to this ninth issue of The Primgraph.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How do I get my copy of The Primgraph?

The Primgraph Issue 9: Fashion article

Well, there are various ways to get The Primgraph!

Best of all, you can join our Subscribe-o-Matic group, which will deliever the magazine to you automatically when it is published. The Subscribe-o-Matic kiosks are located in historical and steampunk sims across Second Life (for example, you’ll find ones at all the Caledon infohubs). And if you can’t find one in your favourite sim, why not ask the owner to install one?

You will also find them at the Prim Perfect offices in Oliveto.

For a short time, it will be available through XStreet (just search on the site for Prim Perfect). This will deliver you a copy in the form of a Thinc book that you can rez and read inworld.  However, we will shortly be closing our XStreet Store and moving to another internet based porovider, as we are not prepared, for a magazine that is free at point of delivery, to pay the listing charge being asked of us by Linden Lab.

But if you prefer to read the magazine online but not inworld, there are choices too. Firstly, there’s the wonderful Calaméo system, which allows you to moves smoothly through the pages, giving you the feeling of reading a real magazine. You’ll find Issue 9 here – and please do leave a comment!

But, if you like to download your magazines to read as you commute to work, or in the bath, or wherever, you can also obtain a standard pdf for downloading and printing.

So, really, you have no excuse for not reading The Pimgraph. In fact, why aren’t you reading it now?

The Primgraph Issue 9: Balloon Tour of the Caledon Libraries

And don’t forget our Party!

There will be a Party to celebrate the launch of the new Primgraph at 10am SLT Saturday 19th December at the Primgraph offices in Caledon Glengarry!

The Party will begin with a special podcast made to celebrate the new episode of Quest for the Golden Prim – to be followed by dancing (dj’ed by Miss Gabrielle Riel) and general celebration!

The podcast will start at 10am SLT and the party will start immmediately after and run till 12 noon (when some participants may care the cross the Glengarry Sound to the Ball in Caledon Oxbridge.

It would be LOVELY to see as many Primgraph, Quest, Prim Perfect and Designing Worlds writers, readers and fans as possible at the party!

Caledon Spierling as seen in the new Primgraph. Photograph by PJ Trenton

Caledon Spierling as seen in The Primgraph. Photograph by Mr PJ Trenton

There will be a Party to celebrate the launch of the new Primgraph at 10am SLT today at the Primgraph offices in Caledon Glengarry!

The Party will begin with a special podcast made to celebrate the new episode of Quest for the Golden Prim – to be followed by dancing (dj’ed by Miss Gabrielle Riel) and general celebration!

The podcast will start at 10am SLT and the party will start immmediately after and run till 12 noon (when some participants may care the cross the Glengarry Sound to the Ball in Caledon Oxbridge.

It would be LOVELY to see as many Primgraph, Quest, Prim Perfect and Designing Worlds writers, readers and fans as possible at the party!

Caledonia in Blue Mars

A press release has been received from Desmond Shang of Caledon with some exciting news:

“For the first time ever, the micronation of Caledon will establish a Crown Colony on another world.  Within a few days, a preview of this colony will open to both Caledon citizens and the native Blue Mars population.  The colony has been named Caledonia, a largely forested temperate highland surrounded by the deep waters of this recently terraformed new world.”

Contact information:
Desmond Shang, Guvnah
Guvnah’s Mansion, Victoria City
Independent State of Caledon
Agni 909.1023

This exciting project has been underway for some time now, and Desmond has been working with a team of designers from Second Life Caledon since April 2009 to create an exciting and challenging environment for people who love the Caledonian experience.

“I see a lot of potential with Blue Mars,” says Desmond, “more than potential, actually; it already does a lot of things very, very well for a new platform.”

Residence in Caledonia, Blue Mars

And there is certainly a lot of land to explore … Caledonia is already a mini continent of about four million square meters, with forests, meadows, mountain ranges, and themed towns.  And like Caledon itself, the Guvnah is expecting its citizens to play an active part in developing the new colony.  It’s not hard to be a developer – there’s no need to be a member of a huge corporation.  Nor does one need to buy a fantastically expensive graphics package to access Blue Mars; Desmond and his team have been working with the free programme Google Sketchup, which he warmly recommends (and he suggests people watch this demonstration to see how easy it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqr3ZJ8Igc).  The tools, he says, are fairly accessible and intuitive.

“The common wisdom about Blue Mars seems to have been that it is ‘inaccessible except for developers, only high end content creators need apply as developers’ so far ~ but that has been the complete opposite of my experience,” he says.

Shops in Caledonia, Blue Mars

And he is eager to encourage merchants to come to Caledonia – where they will be able to sell pretty much anything they want, as long as they keep structures steampunky or Victorian themed.

He is also determined that this new development will be an opportunity for the Caledon in Second Life, and not a problem.

“Caledonia is our colony on Blue Mars, and the original Caledon isn’t going anywhere, of course,” he says. “Initially we may see some ‘cross over’ as high end content creators from Second Life are attracted to new, wide open markets. That would happen regardless of having a colony on Blue Mars or not.”

And he believes that both worlds will benefits from the Caledon/Caledonia presence.

“My hope is that wherever one of our ‘citizens’ goes they feel free, at home, and proud to be part of the spirited, whimsical empire that is bigger than all of us ~ and most especially more than I could ever dream to do on my own,” he says. “I’m sure the new people we meet on Blue Mars will wonder about Victoria City back on the main grid, as well, and consider travel and trade back and forth. All that interaction will stimulate commerce and a vibrant world for everyone, everywhere.”

A fuller version of this interview with Desmond Shang will be available in the new issue of The Primgraph – to be published shortly.

Access Blue Mars at: http://www.bluemarsonline.com/

You can see more about Caledonia at: http://sites.google.com/site/caledoniamars/

The Christmas Market at Wunderbar

Join us today at 2pm in our studio in Northpoint as we visit the wonderful region of Wunderbar – for a very European celebration of winter and Christmas.

Wunderbar is a region of eight sims with a decidedly European flavour, thanks to the careful efforts of the two owners, Ha Tenk and Poppet McGimsie. The feel of the environment is nineteenth century but, unlike the more usual regions that reflect the British or American ninteenth century, Wunderbar reflects the excitement and colour of the Austrian and German states – something reflected in the large number of German-speaking residents and in the traditions that have grown up in the community – for example for the or Christmas Market, and the regular waltzes held in the stunningly beautiful castle.

Join Saffia and Elrik as they try out the winter sports here, exploring the vast Kronenberg ( a huge mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds), and then the Kirche, the Market and finally the ballroom, modelled after Neuschwanstein, the most famous castle built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, where the residents and friends of Wunderbar gather for regular waltzing balls.

The Ballroom at Wunderbar

The show starts at 2pm SLT, but you should be in our Northpoint studios by 1.30pm to make sure of getting a seat. Or you can watch on the Treet live stream. And there will be gifts for all those who attend in person.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 cover

Christmas is upon us once again – with the stores of our virtual worlds being full of goods, and all manner of treats for enjoyment in our virtual homes.

With this in mind, for our Christmas issue we took a trip to a region that specialises in Winter – winter sports, winter fun, winter celebrations! This is Wolf Mountain, where skiing, skating, and a host of other fun activities can be enjoyed all year round. Our fearless team of reporters pulled on their winter jerseys, their snow boots and their woolly hats to explore….

Qwis Greenwood explores the region, and talks with the owner of the resort, Peach Fizz. Jvstin Tomorrow chooses his favourite spots to visit, while the intrepid Ceejay Writer tries her hand at winter sports. Scotti Lyle finds out all about Winter Weddings in the region (and pays a visit to a honeymoon cottage!). And Viv Trafalgar documents a winter walk as people discuss Christmas in Literature.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside pages

Our Designer of the Month is the very talented Xandi Mars; I met up with her, and had the pleasure of exploring the stunning home that she has created – a log cabin snug amidst the snow. Xandi was one of the pioneers of *Second Life*, and she has, in a fascinating interview, shared some stories of the “good old days”.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside page

Nika Dreamscape has been gathering together some gift ideas, and Kittie Munro has put together an advertising feature showing gifts from some of our favourite creators. And Qwis Greenwood’s advice for Newbies column has some advice on gift giving, and how to ensure that lovely parcel you want to give to your nearest and dearest will actually transfer safely!

Planning to give a Christmas party? Annechen Lowey has some invaluable advice on how to set up a successful dance machine that will keep your friends twirling, stomping or hopping for hours!

Raven Haalan has been investigating how to transform your garden for winter. In association with that, we’ve decided to start a new Where to Buy Page [http://primperfectblog.wordpress.com/where-to-buy/]. Here people will be able to find out about where they can buy some of the items featured in *Prim Perfect* – and can ask questions about where to find Homes and Gardens related products. More on this exciting new feature on our News from the Grid page!

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside pages

We have a real change with our Landscape of the Month – just in case you were suffering from a surfeit of Christmas! Regent Estates host a wonderful collection of motorbike regions around the theme of Route 66. Recently, they held an Essay Competition to discover the best description of the atmosphere of these sims and what they have to offer. There were some outstanding entries, and we decided to publish the winning one by Tekillya Mode.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside pages

We have a serious theme for our Pathfinders article this month. Gwen Carillon is the designer we focus on, and in her article she explains steps that content creators can take to protect themselves … and also what the next step should be if they find that they have been victims of content theft.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside page

Once again, we have news from the Step UP! campaign – but this time we are highlighting our next campaign: the Step UP! University – which will offer courses aimed both at newcomers to *Second Life*, and to creators who want to take action against copyright theft.

Coughran Mayo discusses what the launch of the Second Life Enterprise inititative could mean for non-profits.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside page

Then there’s all the latest from the *Designing Worlds* show, while our team of talented photographers bring you some of the most wintry seasonal eye candy in *Second Life*!

All this – with News from the Grid … and more!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So how can I get Prim Perfect?
If you prefer to read the magazine online but not inworld, there are choices. Firstly, there’s the wonderful Calaméo system, which allows you to moves smoothly through the pages, giving you the feeling of reading a real magazine. You’ll find Issue 22 here – and please do leave a comment!

But, if you like to download your magazines to read as you commute to work, or in the bath, or wherever, you can also obtain a standard pdf for downloading and printing.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside pages

For a short time, it will be available through XStreet (just search on the site for Prim Perfect). This will deliver you a copy in the form of a Thinc book that you can rez and read inworld.  However, we will shortly be closing our XStreet Store and moving to another internet based porovider, as we are not prepared, for a magazine that is free at point of delivery, to pay the listing charge being asked of us by Linden Lab.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside page

We also have subscribe-o-matic kiosks throughout Second Life (these are taking over from our older vendors) – so you can just click to subscribe.  You’ll be sent a copy of the latest issue, and then you’ll receive your issues regularly!

Another inworld option is to buy from our inworld vendors (located at various stores). Sometimes we have had problems with these, but you can help! If you see a vendor still selling an earlier issue, contact primperfect@gmail.com, and we’ll send someone to update it.

Prim Perfect: Issue 22 - December 2009 inside page

Or you can have it delivered to you each month as a Thinc Book, by joining the Prim Perfect Readers group inworld. It costs nothing to join and, apart from delivering the magazine each month, we won’t overload you with chat or messages!

In addition to delivering the Thinc Book version of the magazine, you’ll also get a link to the online Calaméo version of the magazine, so you’ll be able to access that too.

How to Join Prim Perfect Readers

• Inworld, open Search.
• Search Groups for Prim Perfect Readers.
• Click to join

So … enjoy! And let us know what you think of our new edition!

This week, we were back in the designing Worlds studio for a fascinating ahow all about the games that people play within Second Life – games like Tiny Empires, Bloodlines or the animal breeding games. You can now see the show on the web – here, and available in both standard and high quality on the Treet.tv archive website. And you can also download the show from the iTunes store (just search on Designing Worlds) to watch at your leisure. You can even put it on your iPod to carry around with you (or watch at the gym!).

We were joined on the show by three people who could tell us something about these games – by MoLoveMoFun Hammerer, who is deeply involved in the game of Tiny Empires – and indeed is Pharaoh of the Kingdom of Egypt within the game, by Jadebelgie Wylie who is a Clan Queen in the vampire game, Bloodlines, and by Candy Cerveau who is one of the people behind the latest and soon to be released animal breeding and rearing game – Ozimal’s bunnies.

All of them told us about the games that have captured their interests and enthusiasm – and we had some of the amazing bunnies joining us in the studio too!

Ozimals

Join us today at 2pm in our studio in Northpoint as the Designing Worlds show explores some of the games that people play within the Second Life world.

Tiny Empires website

Perhaps you’re a player, or perhaps you’ve heard of such things as Tiny Empires, Bloodlines or the games where people breed special animals (such as chickens, turtles or bunnies). Or perhaps you’ve never even realised that within Second Life there are a series of fascinating games followed by thosusands of players …

Today’s Designing Worlds show offers you the chance to find out more!

We’ll be joined by three people who can tell us something about these games – MoLoveMoFun Hammerer, who is deeply involved in the game of Tiny Empires – and indeed is Pharaoh of the Kingdom of Egypt within the game, by Jadebelgie Wylie who is a Clan Queen in the vampire game, Bloodlines, and by Candy Cerveau who is one of the people behind the latest and soon to be released animal breeding and rearing game – Ozimals bunnies.

Bloodlines website

All of them will be telling us about the games that have captured their interests and enthusiasm – and we’ll have some of the amazing bunnies joining us in the studio too!

The show starts at 2pm SLT, but you should be in our Northpoint studios by 1.30pm to make sure of getting a seat – as this is likely to be a popular show!. Or you can watch on the Treet live stream. And there will be gifts for all those who attend in person. There may even be some Turkey sandwiches from our Thanksgiving show!

This week, Saffia & Elrik visited the amazing Frank Lloyd Wright Museum on Usonia (a name that will definitely have resonance for fans of the great American architect!). You can now see the show on the web – here, and available in both standard and high quality on the Treet.tv archive website. And you can also download the show from the iTunes store (just search on Designing Worlds) to watch at your leisure. You can even put it on your iPod to carry around with you (or watch at the gym!).

Join us as we explore not only the museum – with its wealth of material on the life and work of the man who was arguably America’s greatest architect, including a detailed exhibition on the Meyer May house. Because as well as the displays within the main museum, there are re-creations of some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s best known buildings, such as the Jacobs House and, of course, the Falling Water house, all of which we show you, with the help of CEO Frey Bravin, Assistant Director Rosalie Oldrich and Education Director Barbara Collazo.

Frank Lloyd Wright Museum: Photo by PJ Trenton

The show, of course, can only show you a little of the information about this wonderful innovative and immersive experience. So we would urge you to log into Second Life and explore the amazing Frank Lloyd Wright experience on Usonia for yourselves!