Tinkeratrix :: Ilsa Munro

One of my favourite people in Second Life now has a blog....

May I introduce my Tinkeratrix friend Ilsa Munro. She's a duchess, she builds, and does so with style, humour, and in spite of what she'll tell you, great aplomb as well.

From Ilsa's first blog post....

"I've been repeatedly informed that having a blog is a necessary step on the whole "getting the word out there" part of running a SL (tm) business so here I am catching the tail end of this particular trend. My problem is that I'm truly awful at self-promotion. It took forever for me to work up the nerve to post in the various forums in which I occasionally participate.

Two things have prompted me into action - or a reduced level of inaction. First, a friend basically told me to "shut up and do something about it" and since this is free it's the obvious choice :)

Second I can comfort my sense of modesty with the almost certain knowledge that almost no one will read this and as such it hardly makes a difference how self-aggrandizing it seems to me as I write it.

That of course leaves me with the question of exactly what to write.

A few of you might know that I build aircraft, so naturally I've decided that I'll - ahem - blog about fashion.

What's that you say? SL Fashion is already covered at great and extensive length by everyone and thier cross eyed cat?

Oh... Well then aircraft it is I suppose."

The lovely (and very dangerous) Avatara Zenovka

TimeForce 10 portrait

Thank you from Sumie Kawashima's family

Original Group Notice sent to Independent State of Caledon group from: Diamanda Gustafson, resent to Royal Caledon Air Force (RCAF) group from: Zoe Connolly....

The family of Sumie Kawashima wishes to express their heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of support and love they have received from the Second Life community, and Caledon in particular.

"The multiple in-world memorials and remembrances have touched our hearts and is a testament to how much she was loved in Caledon and in real life. Sumie was laid to rest last week beside her mother in a small private ceremony. Thank you all for the love you showed our little Sumi. Peace, Sebastian (Sumie's fiance)"

"Thank you for taking care of my daughter in this virtual world. She went back to her mother, and we miss her. The honors you have given her here are also honors here, in the real world. Second Life and Caledon saved my daughter from herself, and for that I am eternally thankful. Signed, Sumie's father (name withheld by request)"

Mourning a Death, Celebrating a Life

Please indulge me this lengthy post for Sumie....

On Saturday 20 December 2008 at 09:00 SL time, pilots of the Royal Caledon Air Force mourned the RealLife loss of our fellow pilot Sumie Kawashima.

(Group photographs were not available due to the "Snapshot-Crashes" I encountered during the ceremony. Thanks to SimplyAmy Iwish for providing part of this chatlog)







[2008/12/20 9:06] Zoe Connolly: welcome everyone....
[2008/12/20 9:06] Zoe Connolly: we gather today to honor the life and second life of a dear young woman....
[2008/12/20 9:07] Zoe Connolly: who was taken from us at the RL age of 26
[2008/12/20 9:07] Zoe Connolly: in many ways.....she was like the spunky little daughter I never had
[2008/12/20 9:08] Zoe Connolly: She would show me her creations and we'd chat about our dreams
[2008/12/20 9:08] Zoe Connolly: and we shared those dreams together here in the RCAF
[2008/12/20 9:09] Zoe Connolly: in her short life, I hope that our time with her was a positive thing
[2008/12/20 9:10] Zoe Connolly: I know it was positive for me
[2008/12/20 9:11] Zoe Connolly: She would often tell me how I was an inspiration for her
[2008/12/20 9:11] Zoe Connolly: but she was an inspiration to me....
[2008/12/20 9:11] Zoe Connolly: because at various times when I wanted to give up...
[2008/12/20 9:12] Zoe Connolly: she was one of my group who urged me on
[2008/12/20 9:12] Zoe Connolly wipes a few tears
[2008/12/20 9:12] Zoe Connolly: if someone would like to say something please do....
[2008/12/20 9:13] Zoe Connolly: my hands are shaking ;)
[2008/12/20 9:13] Sin Trenton: Well, if I may? :)
[2008/12/20 9:13] Zoe Connolly: please do
[2008/12/20 9:13] Sin Trenton: You know. Sumie.. was red.
[2008/12/20 9:13] SimplyAmy Iwish: /bows her head in remembrance
[2008/12/20 9:14] Sin Trenton: Red is the colour of passion and life, it is the colour of blood and hearts
[2008/12/20 9:14] Sin Trenton: it is also the colour she favoured for her planes.
[2008/12/20 9:14] Zoe Connolly nods and smiles
[2008/12/20 9:14] Sin Trenton: Sumie was truly alive, active, tasting life and building was a joy to her. It was a picture of what life can be and should be, a journey full of discovery.
[9:15] Sin Trenton: We are all still shocked I think, that her journey was cut so short.
[9:15] Sin Trenton: But there is an old saying in the country where I come from
[9:16] Sin Trenton: From the Havamal, the sayings of the Vikings. "Friends pass, world passes, but one thing never passes. Word over your deeds."
[9:17] Sin Trenton: And that is how Sumie still is with us, because we remember what she was, what she did and she is still up there with us.
[9:17] Sin Trenton: I don't know about you, but next time I am flying, laggy, sim border crossings, kicking and cursing, as is our lives in SL.. But where we still hang on, because here IS Life
[9:18] Sin Trenton: I will wear something red.
[9:18] Sin Trenton smiles: Because that is the colour of Life and the colour of Sumie
[9:18] Sin Trenton: Sumie, thanks for having met you
[9:18] Sin Trenton steps back
[9:19] Zoe Connolly: anyone else have a few words?
[2008/12/20 9:19] Denver Hax: if i may?
[2008/12/20 9:19] Zoe Connolly: please go ahead Denver
[2008/12/20 9:19] Denver Hax: I will always smile when I think of Sumie, she always made me smile - Blue Skies Sumie
[2008/12/20 9:19] Vickster Kuhn smiles
[2008/12/20 9:19] Denver Hax steps back
[2008/12/20 9:19] Zoe Connolly: yes indeed ;)
[2008/12/20 9:20] SimplyAmy Iwish smiles
[2008/12/20 9:20] Vickster Kuhn: if i may?
[2008/12/20 9:20] Zoe Connolly: please go ahead Vicks
[2008/12/20 9:21] Vickster Kuhn: just a quote, from her profile..... "The inability to open up to hope is what blocks trust, and blocked trust is the reason for blighted dreams." - Elizabeth Gilbert
[2008/12/20 9:21] Sin Trenton smiles and nods
[2008/12/20 9:21] Crosshaven Barbosa: well said
[2008/12/20 9:21] Zoe Connolly: that does sum up her attitude very well
[2008/12/20 9:22] Zoe Connolly: I remember when we chased some Air Pirates across the Firth
[2008/12/20 9:22] SimplyAmy Iwish: Sumie will live on in our hearts and always be our co pilot in the skies
[2008/12/20 9:23] SimplyAmy Iwish nods to Zoe remembering the event
[2008/12/20 9:23] Zoe Connolly: and this little gal with a rifle covered for me when I interrogated a villain
[2008/12/20 9:23] Zoe Connolly smiles
[2008/12/20 9:23] Aether Inglewood smiles
[2008/12/20 9:23] Aether Inglewood: Ever the pirate hunter
[2008/12/20 9:23] Zoe Connolly: yes!
[2008/12/20 9:23] SimplyAmy Iwish: one of my fondest memories as well
[2008/12/20 9:24] Zoe Connolly: or I'd come inworld during lunch hour and see her here tinkering
[2008/12/20 9:24] Zoe Connolly: anyone else with a few words to share?
[2008/12/20 9:25] Zoe Connolly: we're here to celebrate her life as well as mourn....
[2008/12/20 9:26] Zoe Connolly: I've planted a Weeping Cherry Tree in remembrance of her
[2008/12/20 9:26] SimplyAmy Iwish: Just a note that I'm not well with words and still not sure quite what to say as you all have but i offer up my Tribute not in words but in actions and a plane in her honor
[2008/12/20 9:26] Zoe Connolly: courtesy of Annabelle Fanshaw
[2008/12/20 9:26] Annabelle Fanshaw: least I could do
[2008/12/20 9:26] Zoe Connolly: that's wonderful Amy
[2008/12/20 9:27] SimplyAmy Iwish: i like to think she would like to be remembered in that way
[2008/12/20 9:27] Zoe Connolly: As long as this aerodrome is here, Sumie's Tree will remain
[2008/12/20 9:28] SimplyAmy Iwish: pardon me a moment
[2008/12/20 9:28] Zoe Connolly: her Bell Of Hope is attached under a tree branch
[2008/12/20 9:30] Zoe Connolly: Sumie represents what RCAF is all about
[2008/12/20 9:30] Zoe Connolly: an open-source group where we can all contribute and build a real community
[2008/12/20 9:31] Vickster Kuhn: this is really nice... i'm sure she's pleased with it....
[2008/12/20 9:31] Vickster Kuhn wipes away a tear
[2008/12/20 9:31] Zoe Connolly: I'm just here to say, "Yes that's cool! GO with that!...which is what I always told Sumie ;)
[2008/12/20 9:32] Aether Inglewood smiles
[2008/12/20 9:32] SimplyAmy Iwish: so true Zoe
[2008/12/20 9:33] Zoe Connolly: A moment of silence while we all reflect ( 2 Minutes )

[2008/12/20 9:35] Zoe Connolly: Clear Skies, Sumie....Always and forever
[2008/12/20 9:35] Vickster Kuhn: yes.... clear skies.....
[2008/12/20 9:35] Annabelle Fanshaw: yes
[2008/12/20 9:36] Sin Trenton: Always and in all ways, Sumie
[2008/12/20 9:37] SimplyAmy Iwish: /wipes the tears from her eyes
[2008/12/20 9:38] Thadicus Caligari: a fitting personal remembrance for all of us.
[2008/12/20 9:38] Zoe Connolly: thank you all so much for attending.....you're all welcome to stay and chat if you wish
[2008/12/20 9:38] Zoe Connolly: Amy did you rez your airship?
[2008/12/20 9:38] Annabelle Fanshaw: thanks for arranging this Zoe
[2008/12/20 9:39] Zoe Connolly: you're most welcome
[2008/12/20 9:39] Sin Trenton nods: Thank you, Zoe
[2008/12/20 9:39] SimplyAmy Iwish: yes thank you zoe
[2008/12/20 9:39] Zoe Connolly: RCAF needed this for some sense of closure
[2008/12/20 9:39] SimplyAmy Iwish gave you Sumie Tribute.
[2008/12/20 9:40] Thadicus Caligari: it will take awhile for that but this helps. Thank you
[2008/12/20 9:40] Zoe Connolly: yes indeed
[2008/12/20 9:40] Sin Trenton: Indeed it does.
[2008/12/20 9:41] Zoe Connolly: tomorrow we'll dogfight in honor of Sumie
[2008/12/20 9:41] Sin Trenton: I'm afraid I am completely lagged out, and RL duties are waiting, but thank you everyone. Fair skies, and see you upstairs.
[2008/12/20 9:41] Zoe Connolly: see you soon, Sin
[2008/12/20 9:41] Zoe Connolly: tc
[2008/12/20 9:41] Cornelius Fanshaw: Goodbye Sin
[2008/12/20 9:41] Denver Hax: bye Cap'n
[2008/12/20 9:41] SimplyAmy Iwish salutes
[2008/12/20 9:42] Thadicus Caligari: Good Day Sir
[2008/12/20 9:42] SimplyAmy Iwish: fair skies Sin
[2008/12/20 9:42] Avery Robbiani: Take care, Sin.
[2008/12/20 9:42] Sin Trenton: You too, my friends
[2008/12/20 9:42] Aether Inglewood sniffs "I was fine until Taps"
[2008/12/20 9:43] Zoe Connolly sighs sadly
[2008/12/20 9:43] Aether Inglewood: I'm thinking of heading to Prop Spinners and raising a glass or two in her honor
[2008/12/20 9:43] Zoe Connolly: that's a great idea Aether!
[2008/12/20 9:43] GoSpeed Racer: I second that Aether
[2008/12/20 9:43] Crosshaven Barbosa: yeah
[2008/12/20 9:43] SimplyAmy Iwish: i must attend to rl errand
[2008/12/20 9:43] Zoe Connolly: she'd love that
[2008/12/20 9:44] SimplyAmy Iwish: i will drop by if still there when i return in a few
[2008/12/20 9:44] Vickster Kuhn: yes... i'm sure she'd kick our butts for moping around anyway
[2008/12/20 9:44] SimplyAmy Iwish: i shall fly off in her honor though
[2008/12/20 9:44] Zoe Connolly: you're right Vicks
[2008/12/20 9:44] Zoe Connolly: it's time to celebrate her life with dance and drink ;)

Sumie Kawashima - Caledon and RCAF loses a dear lady

I'm shocked and saddened to hear that a dear friend in SecondLife has passed away in RealLife. I'll miss you Sumie :(

May you fly in the heavens and show God your latest new airplane....

Group Notice From: Gabrielle Riel

Sumie Kawashima passed away in RL Friday evening, Dec 12 of complications from a bone infection. Sumie's rezday was Aug 13, 2007, & she became a Caledon resident soon thereafter. A designer, builder, and test pilot of various aircraft, she founded Kawashima Aero. Sumie was a Group Captain in the Royal Caledon Air Force, head of the Risen Demons, and demon-protectress of the Tamrannoch Sanitorium. Her friends will sorely miss her. Memorial service will be announced at a later date. Boing boing, Sumie.

RCAF celebrates 1 year!

I'm proud to announce that the Royal Caledon Air Force celebrates our first anniversary today, October 24th. A year ago it all began!

RCAF was created prior to the Opening of the Caledon Penzance sim and The Connolly Aerodrome on November 4th, 2007.

An official celebration for both anniversaries is currently in the planning stages.

Many thanks to all the pilots and supporters of the RCAF and the aerodrome.

You make logging into SL a pleasure ;)

~ Zoe Connolly

The Rusty Prop

The Rusty Prop is a new unofficial haunt of the Royal Caledon Air Force located on Aether Isle in Caledon SteamSkyCity. The new pub is owned by pilot Mishi Rossini.

Flickr: Royal Caledon Air Force (RCAF)

Royal Caledon Air Force - Caledon Wiki

Royal Caledon Air Force







Flickr: Royal Caledon Air Force (RCAF)

Middlesea Fleet Captain OToole visits Babbage Air Station

While on a regular inspection of my new Babbage Air Station in Port Babbage, I had the pleasure of a visit from Post Captain Hotspur Otoole of the Middlesea Fleet. We exchanged greetings and chatted about weapons systems, ship christenings and such.

Due to the sensitive nature of our conversations about new weaponry I cannot reveal more and a film of a new vessel is now considered classified TOP SECRET.

"It's sad to lose a friend..."

It's sad to lose a friend over something like a dispute over sim-theme.

So sad in fact that I refuse to do it. I refuse to lose a friend in this manner.

Therefore let me say this now and forever: Hotspur Otoole is my friend and will remain such. We will agree to disagree on a few matters and be done with it. We can play in different sandboxes if we want and on occasion (It is my hope) we can sometimes engage in huge fun-filled battles together. But by all means let's all have fun, play, dance, lift a mug, and shout our Hooo's! There is no time for divisions to fester in our community.

In a comment on his blog I wrote: "I say we 'Bury The Hatchet' have a drink at Dia's Loft in Harborside and move on with our lives."

Let us all drink a toast to ourselves and Caledon!

Long Live Middlesea Fleet! Long Live Royal Caledon Air Force! Long Live Guvnah Shang!....And Long Live Caledon!

Royal Caledon Air Force News :: There *is* still a pulse

A very special thank you to all my friends who have come forward with messages of support for me, the RCAF, and The Connolly Telegraph. Many times in life - and in Second Life one feels they are alone in the world, isolated, separate - and in a weak tearful moment I felt a profound emptiness, sadness, and despair.

I am truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I've received in the past 24 hours. Because of you...I've decided to place my plan for RCAF disbandment on hold for a few weeks while I re-evaluate my position and consider the advice I've been given.

Please be patient as I may take a few days and perhaps a few weeks for a deep-think. Stay tuned dear friends. RCAF is NOT dead, yet!

Diamanda's RL Birthday Bash

Diamanda Gustafson celebrates her RL birthday in SL....

tiana creations: partnered

tiana creations: partnered

Tiana wakes up earlier than I do, so she posted about this first. I'll just add a few notes....

We will not have a wedding as we feel a partnership and display of our names on each others profiles says it all. Instead, Tiana and I have decided to have a party in celebration. We'll work out the details soon.

Although many have come close, Tiana has captured my heart like no other. She is the most wonderful girl I've ever met in SL. Talented, creative, loving, giving, and patient with her busy girlfriend. I've been very happy to know Tiana since the day we first met inworld and we would both be delighted if our friends could share in celebration with a dance party/rave.

tiana creations: partnered

» What’s in your name? M is for Myg

Myg had a great post where she asks "What’s in your name?"

Good question.

Okay, here goes...

"Zoe Connolly"

Hmmm, why did I choose this name way back on January 21, 2007 (That's a rezday party hint by the way. And we soooo need a Rezday Party Planning Committee in the SL Bloggers Group)

Anywho...

1st: I wanted a name with an exotic letter like Q, X, or Z. I chose Z for a few reasons. First off, I love the "Z" sound. Even if having a Z name gets you on the bottom of all "Friends Lists", Z names are cool.

2nd: The name "Zoe" is Greek in origin and means "life" and this is Second Life....so....there ya go!

3rd: I love the word Zoetrope, which in the SL context seems to fit well...A zoetrope is a Victorian Era device that produces an illusion of action from a rapid succession of static pictures. If I could do it over again my name would be Zoetrope Connolly. Much more unique and quite fitting as a name for an avatar in the Victorian sims.

4th: Nearly every woman I've met in RL named Zoe was attractive, dynamic, unique, exotic, and intelligent. And at least in small part....eccentric. But in the interest of full disclosure...I *did* find this...."The real name meaning for - Zoe - Talentless chick. Prepared to use sex as a weapon." Heh! Yes there's anti-Zoe bigotry out there.

Now, about my last name....

I wanted a last name that reflects my RL English, Irish, and Scot ancestry. I can't recall the other choices, but the name Connolly seemed to fit well with Zoe.

Here are a few quotes from a famous Connolly...

Idleness is only a coarse name for my infinite capacity for living in the present.
Cyril Connolly

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.
Cyril Connolly

Always be nice to those younger than you, because they are the ones who will be writing about you.
Cyril Connolly

So there you have it, ladies and gentleman. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

-- Zoe Connolly

Second Life Bloggers Party/meetup

Our next Second Life Bloggers Party is Sunday the 19th of August @ 4:00 PM SL time.

Our hosts this time are JellyBean and HawksRock


Future Party Hosts...

September.......Myg and Alex
October............Vint Falken
November........Tiana Meriman
December.........Zoe Connolly

Quality Time and Societal Norms

My schedule is very busy with all the 19th Century sims I cover in my various blogs, and sometimes I don't have a chance to spend time with friends or have a romance. Tiana is both my good friend and....well....much more than that. I can say we've developed SL love and are exploring a relationship. Although we have plenty of friends and acquaintances, SL relationships are still quite new to both of us. And to be honest, I am a bit apprehensive seeing another woman while I spend my days in the 19th Century. I fear being an outcast at times. Perhaps I'm feeling a little of what 19th Century women must have felt in regard to their forbidden love - counter to societal norms.

All that said, I was pleased that we were able to have some quality time together throughout the weekend, and my time with Tiana was the most romantic experiences I've had yet in SL.

tiana creations: good girls can party just as well as the bad girls

tiana creations: good girls can party just as well as the bad girls

Tiana created another video Monday based on our antics of Sunday evening Monday morning. In the interest of peaceful co-existence between the sexes, we won't include any of our male-bashing conversation...

tiana creations: good girls can party just as well as the bad girls

Party at Nocturnal Shadows

My friends Silvy, Macey, Red, and Torr are almost finished building their new club Nocturnal Shadows. They tell me there are are few tweaks to make, so for now the place is open for private parties only. Sunday night's party was in honor of Frosty Sinatra, who was once our boss back in our Club 250 dance club days. You'll be seeing more from this club in the future.

My opinions and building projects: WARNING: blog to be deleted

My opinions and building projects: WARNING: blog to be deleted

"well after talking to several people, particularly zoe connolly. i know what i'm going to do with this blog. i'm gonna delete it!...."

Tiana and I had a long conversation on Wednesday morning and just for the record, I tried really very hard to convince Tiana to at least keep her blog around. My reasoning for this was so she could resume posting at a later time. There's no harm in changing gears with your blog and going in a different direction. Changing directions is the *one* constant I have with my own blog. But she is convinced that she needs to delete and start over.

What's important is that ultimately, Tiana's blog is Tiana's intellectual property and she has every right to delete her own work. She has decided to concentrate on a particular area of interest and wants the freedom that comes with starting a new blog....clean, from scratch, unencumbered by past expectations from herself or others.

I don't blame her. At times I've thought of doing that myself. I've made changes to this blog and my other blogs. Shifting focus, deleting, whatever will make sense to me in my real life and second life.

*Hugs and kisses Tiana.*

I look forward to your next project, babe...

My opinions and building projects: WARNING: blog to be deleted

Snapshots :: With Tiana, @ Phat cat's, In New Babbage

A horse is a horse, of course, of course

My friends Silvy and Macey purchased horses a while back and I expressed some interest in getting one myself. I mean why not? I already had 3 cars, 3 motorcycles, a BSG Vipor and Raptor, a bicycle, a skycycle...I obviously needed a horse. So saying goodbye to 2000 Linden dollars, I said hello to my new equine pal. I've decided my horse is male and I've picked out a name for him...Lagabit, aka Sir Lagalot.

Lag and Lagabit aside, I've decided on 2 more RL purchases. A new keyboard and a laptop cooling pad. I've had some embarassing contest losses due to my crappy laptop keyboard, trying to hit the correct keys while my 'puter is propped up at an angle to keep it cool.

I'll need practice, too. Actions like flying aircraft and driving cars are not the same as the more nuanced trotting and jumping in a steeplechase.