August 2007

The opening reception for the Caledon Peace Society on Sunday, 26 August, turned out to be quite a nice event, although I was feeling a bit flustered with preparations. I finished the music playlist just a couple of hours before the event, and I had  last-minute decorating to do, including paring down some of the plants in the Garden of Peace on the upper level in order to free up prims for very simple refreshments. I had placed the informational signs that give information about Nobel Peace Laureates the evening before, so at least I wasn’t doing any scripting!

As it happened, I was in the Garden of Peace when the first guests arrived, and we spent the course of the event on that level, standing in a loose circle and having a fascinating conversation. Mr Drinkwater posed a question that proved most effective for prompting guests: “What peacemaker do you most admire?”

I am sorry to say that at the very end of the event the few of us left were orbited by someone who proceeded to do the same to anyone who came near—including the Duchess of Carntaigh, who then had the basis for banning him and his associate from the Independent State of Caledon. (IMing the individual did not bring satisfactory resolution, and the individuals were reported to have been engaged in similar behavior but a day or two prior in Loch Avie.)

In my distress at my initial orbiting (it happened twice), I quit SL, thus losing the accumulated chat from the afternoon before I had a chance to create a guest list. To all who attended, a most hearty thank you.

For those who have not yet visited, the Baroness Bertha von Suttner chapter of the Caledon Peace Society is adjacent the telehub in Caledon SteamSkyCity, and you are welcome to visit at any time. There is an informational display on the lower level, and a conservatory on the upper level in which I encourage you to take a moment to relax.

I did manage to snap a couple of shots, though photography doesn’t seem to be my strong suit. Bizarre Berry graced us with an angelic fountain, and other guests included Sir ZenMondo Wormser, Miss Soliel Snook, Colonel Exrex Somme, and Mr JJ Drinkwater. I am most sorry not to be able to identify everyone in my photos, nor to thank everyone who attended.

Of course the hue-and-cry has started already over in the comments on Identity Verification Comes to Second Life « Official Linden Blog. As an estate owner, I’m in the potential beta-tester pool, so I went ahead and tried it out. On the “My Account” page on secondlife.com, there was a new menu choice over on the right for age verification. It took me to a very simple form that asked for my name, address, and either my driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of my Social Security Number.

Although I provide those SSN digits when required to, I never use them voluntarily, and of course, the SSN is not supposed to be used for identification purposes. [ha!] So I gave them my driver’s license number, clicked “verify,” and within moments got a reply that I had been verified, along with a request to take a survey on my experience. Which I did, it taking me to a one-page surveymonkey survey.

See? Nothing so scary.Giving LL payment information should be of much higher concern, should one be nervous about such things.

Grotesk Island 95,179,86 - Trying out the Brussels Airlines HUD (b-places.com), and came to Grotesk Island. The landscaping (both physical and planting) leaves much to be desired, but the cathedral that’s still under construction is totally amazing. The flying butresses are beautiful.

Opening Reception for Caledon Peace Society
Sunday, August 26, 2007
12-3 PM SLT
Caledon SteamSkyCity/117/91

The Caledon Peace Society is established to provide a venue for discussion of issues of peace and conflict.

While many RL conflicts rage about us, and people of good will disagree about solutions to conflict and the use of force or violence, the Caledon Peace Society strives always to be a place where all who come in a spirit of listening and goodwill can find respect, fellowship, and resources.

This event will officially open the Baroness Bertha von Suttner chapter of the Caledon Peace Society. Come learn about the Baroness and other peacemakers, find links to internet resources on peace and conflict resolution, and visit with old and new friends.

There will be musical entertainment provided by Radio Riel, with a specially themed program at 1:00 PM.

The Peace Society is immediately adjacent to the telehub.

Second Life | Community: Events