Eclipse

Chinese New Year's in Steelhead 2012

2012-01-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

Lantern Festival in Steelhead Shanghai Bay:
The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Shanghai/134/128/31

Squirrel Appreciation Day in Steelhead Boomtown:
Squirrel Appreciation Day is an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate your tree climbing, nut gathering neighborhood squirrels. It's held in mid-winter when food sources are scarce for squirrels and other wildlife. Sure, squirrels spent all fall gathering and "squirreling " away food. But, their supplies may not be enough. And, the variety of food is limited. So, give them an extra special treat today to supplement their winter diets.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Boomtown/118/249/30

Year of the Dragon in Steelhead Shanghai:

History of Chinese New Years: Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in dragon years are innovative, brave, and passionate.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Shanghai/56/142/28

Be there or I'll eat you and stomp on your house.

creepy vintage ads for your viewing pleasure

2011-12-26T23:55:00.000-08:00

My adventures in the aether brought about these lovely little adverts.

I would be humiliated too.

We have the youngest customers in the business... just like the cigarette company!

They also say the best things in life are free too.

This one brings a whole new meaning to the word 'wrong.'

Words have failed me.

They should just call them 'manties.'

Oooh Shiny

2011-12-12T02:16:00.000-08:00

Look carefully.

Did you see it? besides the MOST AWESOME ORRORY is the WORKING drawbridge. I have seen bridges, but this is the first drawbridge with rope that I have seen on the grid.

What has Lunar been up to?

2011-11-14T02:38:00.000-08:00

First of all I beg your pardon for my English or lack thereof, its very late for me but I am so happy to be building again. Since moving back to Idaho from Washington State my human fell into the deepest depression one could have. The only sanity in that time was Steelhead and for that both myself and the human are quite grateful.

From between meetings, classes and general RL mayhem rush before January 3rd when my time in SL will be quartered I have begun a mad dash to finish ten projects at once.

The Mad Rush - The need to finish Vista House was greatest priority as a team of K-12 educators came to Steelhead and had a tour of three places, St. Helens, Vista House & Multnomah Falls and the dock in Port Harbor. They were impressed with the recreations, the scenery and the build altogether. *I can breathe easy now.

More on the remake of Vista House to come.

There is one thing I am particularly proud of... its the rebuild of Port Harbor. Even among my own citizens I get asked the question, "I didn't know you did anything to Port Harbor." *sighs

- The Casbah was finished (Earlier post on the entirety of that particular build)
- The entire docks on the northeast side of the sim was torn apart and recreated, west... hell everything's being redone.
- The narrows into the bay was widened significantly
- The textures were darkened to give it a 'pirate' dark wharf feel
- Remaking all the lamps and rental poles

The list goes on... pictures are better ne?

Entrance from Harborside to Port Harbor

Landing point to Port Harbor

I am perhaps the worlds WORST texture creator. I used to have minions for this task but I am forced to do this on my own. I spent three hours on this texture, pathetic. But the sign looks pretty.

This is the new landing point into
Port Harbor, right smack on the docks facing this second lovely sign.

My worst critic once mocked me for such a small narrow gateway from the north of Port Harbor to the bay. I admit my fault for lack of foresight but I took this opportunity to remedy this.

Bridge not yet named.

View from The Casbah

View with The Casbah

I had no inspiration from any RL bridgework for this, but it spans over 60 meters high, the narrows over 64 meters wide and if you look closely... its... a...drawbridge. Soon to be working. Part of the mechanics are already in place and the rest are going to be scripted. Both sides will independently rise at certain intervals during the day.

But Lunar... how will you power this?

Two words... hydro... teslatron.

In 2010 for an RFL display Tensai created the Hydro Teslatron from a RL tribute to Nikola Tesla and his research in hydroelectric power, we're happy to finally find a home for it in Steelhead. (http://www.lestercreative.com/falls_view.htm)

The hydro Teslatron is the first... and ONLY recreation in SL with fully working and spinning turbines creating electricity for the new bridge. (Note: Someone had taken pictures of the RFL teslatron and laid claim as its creator. The post is now down but I hate to have someone take credit for Tensai's work)

So we have a hydro electric powered working drawbridge in Port Harbor. This is unique to Steelhead, never to be sold or used in another place.

Hydro Teslatron

The new skyline of Port Harbor
Can you find Lunar in this picture?

Shanghai rebuild.

I decided the Port Harbor pier scheme must extend to the other port city, Shanghai. Though that is still in progress my focus in Shanghai was a huge bare spot of land recently vacated by the Dragonlands. Almost a quarter of the sim was vacated at once. *sighs* The tiered design of the land remains though not in the severity as it had been before.

What is to come?

- An entire new dock
- Broken aqueducts
- An entire rebuild of the sun pagoda in prim/sculpt/mesh
- Fix the ground texture that has bugged me since I opened it.
- Underground opium dens underneath rentable parcels
- and.. alot more.

In the background I rezzed Shiabozai Temple, a build I created for RFL 2010. If you would like to visit the temple before I take it back into inventory it will be up there for the next few days after this post. The temple is a recreation of an existing temple in China stands higher than Mt St Helens and is over a thousand prims and was created before the introduction of big prims.

New lamposts for Shanghai/Port Harbor

Standing taller than Mt St Helens.

Shiabozai Temple as seen from underneath the aqueducts.

Guess what building is going to feel my wrath next?

Don't hide Pagoda, I can see you.

The current Sun Temple stands at over seventy meters dead center of Shanghai. It will be rebuilt entirely from the ground up to include sculpts and mesh as well as prims. Prim is not dead in SL and I aim to prove that.

Another thing of note, the 'broken' aqueducts are something new in Shanghai. They will, to add ambiance, remain broken and span from Main Steelhead through to the east sim edge of Shanghai. Do they look familiar to you? They should, they were part of my design for RFL 2011. All the changes you see in Shanghai were done over a single night, give me a week I'll have a great deal more accomplished.

The technology has changed and so must we. Earlier in the year St Helens was slated clean and we started over creating a truly secluded forest feel to an already frontier themed township. We are ever changing, Steelhead has never remained stagnant. What has been done can be done better and Tensai and I are very content to bring you more.

The only thing I want for Christmas is TO LEARN MESH.
Then I truly shall be dangerous.

Sun Pagoda, broken aqueducts and Shiabozai Temple.

That's the update for the madness, please visit Port Harbor to see the changes and keep visiting here to hear my rantings.

Gracias y buenas noches.

- Lunar

Inspired by RL - The Casbah - Steelhead Port Harbor

2011-11-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Music, dance and general culture of the exotic East. What will the ships bring to Port Harbor?

Only time will tell...

Casbah in Steelhead Port Harbor

I was commissioned by Mrs. Peterman (Nabila Nadir) to create a moorish style build on a grandiose scale that encompasses the feel of the orient for The Casbah. She wanted to put on a historic styled oriental dances with historical information on the bellydancing displays of the orient and a few rentable rooms as well as a small dock for boats.

If you haven't gone to see one of her shows, it simply is a must. The hazy air thick with opium, the pillows scattered about brilliantly colored floors as the dancers put on an excellent show. The shows start at 9pm SLT after the town hall meeting.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/steelhead%20port%20harbor////

Every view of the building is simply a treat for the eyes, working together with Mrs. Peterman we came up with various pictures that served as inspiration for The Casbah. The entire building was created by myself, the rich lush textures were created by Mrs. Peterman to create this unique standing building in Port Harbor.

The view looking up from ground level.
The Moorish style lamp created by Mrs. Peterman.

Closer detail of the textures and lamp.

RL moorish styled lamp.

RL moorish interior.

Street entrance to The Casbah.

Partial inspiration I used for the exterior of The Casbah.

RL Casbah Interior

It created for a beautiful showcase build in Steelhead City. Please visit the Casbah and look around, or come to one of its amazing dances.

Steelhead to Celebrate Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos

2011-10-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

Day of the Dead Celebration
Steelhead Nevermoor

The day of the dead is a mexican holiday focusing on gathering of friends and family to pray and remember those who have passed on. Although the holiday is the 1st and 2nd of November Steelhead will celebrating this Friday October 28th in Steelhead Nevermoor.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Nevermoor/105/128/26

Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. If you would like to place a basket of food or offerings for your loved ones you can do so from now to when the dance begins Friday at 7pm. We have also set down candles you can touch and say a name for a loved one to honor them.

To learn more please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead
or: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html

The candles have been laid out for those who want to
celebrate with us. Just touch a candle and say the name
of those you wish to honour.

Welcome Bad Bella

2011-10-24T02:13:00.000-07:00

Tensai and I have been loosely working on an in world store in between our management of Steelhead and all the building that entails and... everything else. A few months ago we finally set up a small storefront in Nevermoor of all the randomness in our inventory we could pawn off to the general public.

Why Bad Bella? My sister has the cutest spawn known to man and boy does she know it. She's a darling one moment and a little monster the next. Every time we call my sister her daughter is always getting into trouble and she always yells 'BAD BELLA!' on the phone. When she grows up she's going to hate her aunt and uncle. (insert mad cackle)

The build itself is actually my first attempt at a cathedral. With all I've created I'm sure people are staring wondering 'he's never made a cathedral?' The answer is no I haven't. I've held off making anything of that structure style, I refer to the flying buttresses and intricate archways of the old secular period. So I freehanded that build based on a few reference materials. Also something I just don't do, I build based on existing structures or use variations of several. I will do a post on the cathedral by itself as it incorporates some unique style of building I haven't used before. Right now I'm trying to 'pimp' my store.

So this is a sampling of stuff we've made for the store thus far.

This little guy is only 1L

Wait is that a hat?
YES IT IS OMGWTFBBQ!
Let's see more!

Wow Tensai's av looks great!

That's not Tensai.... that's me. As much as I love my wife she's so hyper I can't get her to sit still for two minutes, this includes her SL avatar as well. And that's the reason why people have been seeing me in female form lately. You were checking her out weren't you? Yes you were don't lie.

So there it is. The store has its own blog if you wish to visit here it is: http://badbella.blogspot.com/

Seuss Inspired set

2011-09-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

This friday night dance we celebrated the life of Dr Seuss by building a Seuss inspired scene using cell shade technique in SecondLife. This set was done over a year or so ago but we like to bring it out every now and then.

Created by TotalLunar Eclipse & Tensai Hilra.

St Helens Eruption Photograhs - In SecondLife

2011-08-12T23:12:00.000-07:00

For the 'Welcome Home' party after remodeling the sim we simply blew it up. Every year since Steelhead St Helens has been part of the community we blow its top on the anniversary of its eruption, May 18th, 1980.

These are more photos of the same frame in different windlight settings.

St Helens Photographs

2011-08-07T01:29:00.001-07:00

Playing with various windlight settings in lovely St Helens.

For Steelhead

2011-07-20T07:40:00.001-07:00

As I have said before, I am merely a caretaker of a great community.

The community and tis united feel were there before Tensai and I arrived. Then it wasn’t the city you see now, it was a small rural western town with barns and tumbleweed and casino’s. Back then the sheriff was a demon, the deputy a lycan and Miss Lumi sold furniture. Steelhead is around five years of age it is even older than that as it had a different name.

But as all good things she grew and the community grew with her. We’ve loved, we’ve lost, we’ve even fought but we’re still together. The spirit of its community is one of the strongest on the grid, small as we may be in consideration to other lands our sense of community is stronger than anywhere else I have ever seen. We are a town rich in diverse culture and walks of life, we have openly embraced differences but most of all we’ve been there for one another.

Each one of you makes up the community you need not have land to do so. Managing Steelhead I’ve seen some come and go but we have an extremely high retention rate. RL happens, but those who’ve had to give up homes in Steelhead never leave Steelhead. That should tell you something about the community, about the place we call home and the people we immerse ourselves with. Someone last night said they wandered into Steelhead one day to buy something and never left. As I always say, Steelhead may be beautiful but her people are lovely. This holds true even after five years.

Steelhead has always been there for me. We were given a precious thing to take care of, it will remain if the grid fails… we’re just tasked with finding another place for it should that happen. Mindy said it best last night, that even if all we had was a single building we’d still be Steelhead. Last night so many people told me ‘welcome home.’ And I couldn’t help but be overjoyed.

To those who would help out in saving St Helens, I thank you. Words fail to describe the depth of my gratitude at this moment. I don’t want anyone overextending themselves, we have much land available… spreading the word out helps greatly. Let’s invite more neighbors, let’s welcome them home.

We have much work to do. Let’s get to it.

- Lunar

125 Grand Central Avenue - Steelhead Capital City

2010-10-09T23:35:00.000-07:00

Brownstone Number Two

125 Grand Central Avenue Storefront

I am unsure what the building is called I just saw the photo and grabbed it as a build idea and it translated to the bottom photo. Seen on the corner of Grand Central Avenue and Harbor View Way in Main Steelhead City

For the archives of RL to SL photos I've created visit: http://rltosl.blogspot.com/

Nevermoor

2010-10-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

I've been working on Nevermoor and the builds that will be going down. I've had some interesting questions so I'll answer them here, and on the ning.

What buildings are you making for it? Quite frankly none, Nevermoor will be mostly deep forest. The only builds it will have are the angelic statues and some delicate structures you see below.

Where is the coastline? Quite frankly there is none. Despite the catchy name the region are moors... low lying wetlands. There will be water in the form of various wetland ponds but there is no 'ocean' so to speak. This region is in hint of the RL Olympic forests of Washington State. The only water is simside, somewhere down the line we're adding a sim above Port Harbor that will neighbor Nevermoor but that's the extent of development I have for this area of Steelhead... for now that is.

Steelhead Nevermoor

2010-09-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Now this one I'm really excited about doing. For all my years being in Steelhead and watching her grow this is the first fantasy inspired region I am going to create.

For those familiar with our RFL 2010 'Alice' build we will be using some of the items created for that in this forest fantasy. Weeping angels, the brick walls, the art nouveau statues and a few other hand picked ideas. If this theme works we'll see another region.

"As you pass the twisted metal gates you enter another world beyond the towering city skyline into dense forest and moss covered cobble pathways. Winding through the dense forest, sun beams break through the canopy casting glow to the lush green forest floor of the olympic forests.

Dark forest fantasy gothica meets art nouveau elements inspired by 2010 designer sim 'Alice' by Tensai & Lunar. Name inspired by 'The Raven' by Edgar Allen Poe Steelhead Nevermoor will be the seventh Steelhead Territory coming in October/November.

Residential and commercial lots avaliable. All homes/buildings must be ok'd by management so please ask first. Please drop a notecard on TotalLunar Eclipse with the lot number you're interested in. Lots are zoned red for commercial and green for residential."

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/118/37/28

Sleepless....

2010-08-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

The train ride was far too long.

Tensai was sleeping soundly, a bump on the rails caused her head to tilt to the side resting on Lunar's shoulder.

He looked down at his wife letting her sleep for awhile longer until the sun began to peek over the horizon. Leaning forward he narrowed his eyes looking out over the distance. Gently nudging Tensai he whispered, “We’re almost there.”

“Huh?” She wearily rubbed her eyes before suddenly raising her arms stretching, elbowing Lunar in the nose. At his exclamation she snickered, “Sorry.”

“You’re a hazard woman.” He muttered holding his sore nose.

The train pulled up to the station and soon the pair was standing in the familiar grounds before the red brick of the Steelhead Station as the early morning sun began to rise. Although he was relieved to finally be home Lunar knew there was an overwhelming stack of paperwork waiting for him at the office.

“Welcome back Sir and the missus of course.” The conductor tipped his hat to Tensai.

“Builder be praised we’re home.” Tensai yawned loudly, “I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“And blow up your own basement.” Lunar muttered helping the porter with the last of the luggage. The sheer amount of luggage made an interestingly big pile around him that reminded Lunar of a fort.

Tensai looked around to their trunks, “I’ll send for Messenger.” She clicked a button on her wrist communicator and stared at Lunar, “You seem tense.”

“I should go see what waits for me.” He muttered glancing towards the direction to town hall.

“Go, it’s been on your mind for awhile now.” She understood his need to get to work. He’d been having strange dreams for the past several weeks and had been growing increasingly tense… even though their business out of town was tense enough the dreams hadn’t been doing him any favors. She gave him a pat on the shoulder, “I’m sure a scamp will show up too, so don’t worry about the trunks alright?”

Lunar nodded, patting her head blankly as he walked past her down the road towards city hall. He had been staring at his feet the whole time he was walking in contemplation of the odd dreams he had been having.

They were all the same dream. It would start with him walking in the darkness towards the light of his sacred life tree. The tree would shine brilliantly as it always has… but on the branches of the tree sat his two large snow owls, Artemis and Archimedes.

In other circumstances one would overlook this fact. But animals understood the significance of the life tree. No animal would near a life’s tree, it was a sacred oath to those who spoke with the earth and they respected this oath.

His father had once told him the significance of the sacred tree. Every elf that did not forget to speak or turn away from the language of the earth had one. It was unfortunate that his tree was not planted the day of his birth by his parents but far later in his life, he himself had planted it after traveling to the abandoned forests of Ithill and found the seed of the sacred trees in the grove of Ithill for her children.

In his dreams his owls were on his tree and staring down at him, as though they had been waiting for him for a long time. This troubled him, it caused more stress on him, he’d already had his share of stress from where he had been and didn’t need to have anymore thrown on him. Half dragging his feet he walked into Town Hall and stopped at the elevator fishing through his pockets for the key to take him to his office.

"You've been gone awhile."

Lunar turned to see Fuzzball standing behind him, his yellow eyes slightly glowing due to lack of sunlight of the early morning hours. Fuzz rarely slept, his wolf’s blood was strongest at night. “It was two weeks too long.”

"Held up the fort while you've been gone."

"The city is not in flames so I'm sure you did amazingly well."

Fuzz snorted, "There were a few close calls though." After the two of them chuckled a bit he stopped laughing, "Some things... happened while you were gone."

Lunar raised a brow at the seriousness of his friends expression, "From your face I prefer a fire or explosion."

Fuzz shook his head gravely then nodded to the elevator behind him, "It's in my reports and you’re going to want to take a good look at them with a clear head."

"Meaning..."

"Meaning go to bed." Fuzz folded his arms authoratively.

"Do I look that bad?" Lunar grinned.

"You look like shit. City won't blow up in eight hours." Fuzz took a step to the side from the main doors hoping he'd take the hint. He'd never seen the elf so tired before, even after that building spree that kept him awake for over a week straight. Whatever happened that caused Lunar to up and leave the city so urgently after that black owl came with that letter really set him on edge. He didn’t want to outright ask, maybe Lunar would tell him later.

Lunar pushed himself forward off the wall and decided he'd take Fuzz' advice, "Maybe you're right."

"Of course I am, now get." He watched the tall elf actually listen to him. "Wait." He stopped Lunar, the elf turned his head and stared at him with tired green blue eyes, "The writing on the walls, read my report first before reacting."

Lunar raised a brow at the odd caution before turning around and waving his hand, "Night." He soon came across the thing Fuzz told him about. Frowning he put a hand over the words and found these to be fresh, the tar sticking to his skin. Whatever this was even set Fuzz on edge, he best get some rest before he really dealt with this.

Wiping the tar off his hands he made the several mile trek home by foot passing a few more of the same ‘graffiti’ lining the walls of some more buildings. He narrowed his eyes at it and kept walking, this he would deal with in due time.

Yawning he arrived at the gates of his estate and wearily blinked his eyes.

A splattering of feathers on the ground caused him to still.

Slowly he looked up and his eyes widened at the sight of hundreds upon hundreds of snowy owls sitting on his roof all staring down at him, "What's going on?"

To read more of the 'Steal Head' storyline visit: http://steelheadsl.ning.com/profiles/blogs/steal-head-story-so-far-part

Out of Town.

2010-08-08T03:06:00.001-07:00

All projects for now have been put on hold, even the redesign of the Shanghai streets until after a family emergency is dealt with.

:( I really wanted to build too.

- Lunar

Hope Fountain - Relay for Life 2010

2010-07-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

I think one of our most powerful visuals was the hope fountain found on the red side of the track. It had an outline of stages dealing with grief.

Alice in Wonderland RFL 2010

2010-07-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

What I find interesting is the fact that everyone interpreted every element differently. I thought it was perhaps too metaphorical in its representations but... I am very glad the outcome. Would I have done anything different, no.

- Lunar

Alice in Wonderland RFL 2010

2010-07-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

As much as I wanted to take photos of our build... oddly there was not much time left. A great deal of these photos came from Fuzzball, Tawny, nameless folks who just dropped some on me and a few from Tensai.

We're rightfully tired here after not sleeping for most of the night.

Treet TV
http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds

Random posts:
Chimera Cosmos
http://ldinstl.blogspot.com/2010/07/hydro-teslatron-by-tensai-hilra.html
http://ldinstl.blogspot.com/2010/07/top-of-white-queen-palace-towards-red.html

DrFran Does SL
http://drfranbabcock.wordpress.com/2010/07/18/hydro-teslatron/#comment-472

A Victorian Aesthetic
http://victorianaesthetic.blogspot.com/2010/07/builds-of-2010-rfl.html

A Caledon Journey
http://rhianonjameson.blogspot.com/2010/07/rfl-2010-lunar-tensais-alice-build.html

Eladrienne's Other Life
http://elinsl.blogspot.com/2010/07/rfl-day-2-dancing-at-alice.html

The making of dreamland...

2010-07-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

First of all we had no idea what we were going to build. Tensai and myself came up with some sort of conceptual design over dinner at Denny's at three in the morning.

We picked elements out of the story we wanted, the chessboard, the red and white towers... the Teslatron was something completely out of the blue. We had intended a water fountain and I came across this oddity and she went with it.

We began approximately a week before the relay, before that the only things that were even worked on were the flower lamps, and I even say that loosely. I made metal flowers.

Procrastinators, not really we're sim owners and community leaders, to find the time to rip away from that is pretty difficult.

I found some conceptual design from artwork, books, movies for Alice and went from there.

We translated this gateway:

To this gateway:

Here is the Teslatron in its infancy.

The beginnings of the chessboard and sundial:

The weeping angels are symbolic in their own rite but my wife being a Dr. Who fan...

Shibaozhai Temple in its first day. I had no idea what to make for the red tower, I knew I wanted a pagoda, then just researched every 'red pagoda' I could find until I came across the temple. Then it was love at first sight.

Our super secret building facility. I am so grateful for those who let us build there.

I knew I wanted the white tower to be the Mannheim Water Tower for several reasons, one of which was it was already built and time was sadly against us. Then I rezzed the tower I built and I believe Seattle could hear me smack my head against the desk. The damn thing was too small. So in the span of four hours I had to rebuild it from scratch. Here's the scale or lack thereof from the temple to the old tower to the new one.

A beautiful view.

Certainly the most interesting thing we've created that's for certain. I am completely enamored with the builds, the concept, the style and I am looking forward to reintegrating that back into Steelhead.

- Lunar aka the mad builder

2010-05-06T19:36:00.001-07:00

All RP posts will be placed here.

Keeps some confusion as Eclipse is for Steelhad and Building :)

L. Frank Baum Dance Photos

2010-05-04T23:26:00.000-07:00

I don't think I ever posted photos of the dance platform for the Frank Baum Event.

I give you... Emerald City.

changes?

2010-05-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

The annoying bird was grating on his nerves. It’s chirping was not melodic at all, more like a honk instead.

He opened a single eye and glared at the offending creature that was directly outside his window that had no lyrical sense. The bird seemed to understand its annoyance to him and quieted, fluffing out its feathers and nestling itself on the branch.

Lunar closed his eye and began to fall into a light slumber when a rather loud knock on the window caused him to snap his eyes open fully awake. Sighing, knowing that sleeping was utterly futile he stood up almost rolling ungracefully in a heap on the ground. As soon as his feet touched the ground he winced at the frozen ground.

Yawning he ran his fingers through his hair cursing at the snag. His hair was a complete mess from the fitful sleep he had. For the past couple of nights he had been plagued by odd dreams, perhaps they would be considered nightmares. He was in a forest and the moon was at its lowest peak a giant celestial body in the night sky. He heard his father’s voice but could not make out what the man was saying, it came from everywhere and nowhere. Then the rays of the moonlight began to burn on his skin growing stronger and stronger until it blinded him, and he awoke frightened and in a cold sweat.

Shaking his head he walked down the hall sidestepping a mechanical trinket that was sweeping the floor. Tensai Messenger was standing at the bottom of the stairs, her internal gears seemingly running louder today as her eyes were closed. She must be in self repair. He thought to himself walking around another set of brass machine that had a delicate metal arm and a wet rag on the end washing the windows. He sat at in the kitchen bar on a stool in front of an empty place setting and merely waited resting an elbow on the table and his chin on a fist. They were late today it seems.

A small bot was busy at the stove flipping over an egg omelet before tossing it in the air onto the plate in front of him splattering egg bits on him. A tiny spider looking bot slowly crawled its way towards him carrying a cup of tea on its back. It sat itself on the ground and its legs detracted into its body before switching off.

She really needed to make him a toast bot.

Lunar ate quietly wondering where the little scientist of his wife was, she had been working on something, fell asleep at her workbench before he dragged her to bed and must have woken up before him. It was odd she never woke up before noon even if she had a breakthrough invention.
Reading the Sentinel he skimmed over the news frowning at the news of the departure of a resident. Mentally wishing them well on their next adventure he flipped the paper to its side and opened it up fully to read the funny articles. He heard stomping of boots coming up the stairs from the basement and sipped his tea preparing for the chaos that would more than likely ensue.
“HOLY SHIT LUNAR I AM A GENIUS!!”

“You’re rather up early my dear.” He muttered taking another sip of coffee.

He lowered his paper to see her bouncing around in small circles holding a large glass container with odd gears inside it over her head. “What is that supposed to do?”

“This is…” She stared at him for a moment, dropped the glass container not caring as it shattered all over the ground and pointed at him, “What the hell happened to you!?!”

2010-04-09T22:29:00.001-07:00

2010-04-09T22:25:00.000-07:00

Taxes made easier!

2010-04-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Last Phase of Construction

2010-04-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

One belltower and school warehouse.

YAY I'm done... with this section at least.

NO! part two

2010-04-01T10:27:00.001-07:00

I really wish I was making these up. Alas, I am not.

We all know how she got pregnant.

I believe she is a plumber.

NO!

2010-03-30T02:07:00.001-07:00

This little gem was found at a skin shop. For someone over a thousand days old one would have hoped that she would not look like a train wreck. I shall let you be the judge of that.

It only got worse. The AO she was using made her sway around like a drunk person, perhaps she was drunk. That would account for the jeans she could not bother to wear and gravity was taking its toll on the pants.

You know, she reminds me of something... of someone...

And this was it.

Mad Building - Stage Two

2010-03-22T00:53:00.001-07:00

Stage two... the new Curiosity Shoppe.

Mad Building - Stage one

2010-03-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

I rebuilt an entire block of buildings.

Phase one consisted of Grand Central Avenue. I just plopped the entire street down at once.

Oh and by the way, this was done while I was working full time.

More mad building.

2010-03-09T01:37:00.000-08:00

Sometimes my build inspirations come from other sources beside RL buildings.

I found this lovely sketch.

And from that came this building.

Some Interesting Buildings

2010-03-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

I found these on my hard drive, search for inspiration builds for SL.

Enjoy!

YAY

2010-02-11T21:49:00.000-08:00

Failed Romance Novel Cover Contest

2010-02-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

This image is completely borrowed from the Great Longmire which is, by the way, pure_genius_work. So we're expanding on the ridicule this month.

1) Find a romance Novel or pose for your own!

2) Change its absurd title to something more appropriate and laugh worthy.

3) Submit it to TotalLunar Eclipse by February 25th.

4) We'll laugh insanely, top three get PRIZES!

Submit textures in 512x512 size
Please make sure your textures are full perm
Please make sure you put the texture on a notecard and put your full name on it so I know who its coming from.
Contest is open to anyone, so spread the word.
Maximum of two entries per person.

Questions brought up.
Q: Can it be romance novel on bugs or non humans? Yes

An Example:

Why is it men can't seem to keep their shirts on the covers of these novels... good question.

Happy UN Rezz day party.

2010-02-06T19:07:00.000-08:00

With missing a few rezz days in a row we decided to shanghai the barn dance party and extend the Alice in Wonderland theme to another friday night dance.

Happy Un Rezz Day Party!

Tensai created a whimsical entrance to the party, and down the rabbit hole you go, drink the potion and enter the dance floor. Unfortunately my computer ate a few photos, I'll upload more later. The scene will stay up through the weekend

Mt St Helens

2010-01-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

While doing research for Steelhead St Helens there was a great deal of information concerning the erpution. The romanesque building in the middle of St Helens is going to have alot of information about the real eruption of the once beautiful Mt St Helens.

Here are a few photos I have found.

Look closely at the date of the next photo, then see the lack of snow and glaciers.

Mt St Helens was considered one of the most picturesque mountain peaks.

I have personally traveled to Mt St Helens a few years back, nothing can really describe seeing an entire mountain half missing. If in the area I encourage you to visit.

Sheer Madness

2010-01-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

This is my mini-map.
And its showing all of Steelhead, all six sims.
For those who are not aware, the blue represents objects on those sims I own.

Mad builder...

2010-01-03T23:07:00.000-08:00

So I have time to breathe now, after opening two sims in four months I need a break. I respect Desmond Shang greatly for having the ability to do them so quickly but... unlike him I am the only builder. But I did achieve my goal, two sims in one year.

My human finds himself the day manager at his office, he is a tax professional so he hit the ground running for tax season on January 2nd. As far as myself, Lunar, is concerned I will be taking a break from the rapid succession of building and building and terraforming with... yes you guessed it... more building and building and terraforming.

The next four months I will dedicate myself to doing projects I left behind in favour of sim opening. I will put any thought of sim expansion out of mind entirely and focus on things that need to be addressed.

Mt Hood - Now that Tensai has figured out how to take the USGS survey and turn it into a .raw I will be using this to reshape Mt Hood into its RL self. This began last night already and is my current project.

Port Harbor - The entire pier will have a rework done to it, with Tensai's mastery of sculptie making we will be tearing the pier apart and pretty much starting over. Infuse that with a re-theme of the pier docks to be more... pirate/industrial and it will give it a new updated look. I am working with builders already to get this project started as soon as I am ready for it.

I am not above thinking all my builds are perfect and must never be fixed or moved or updated. The more I build the better I get and the more I want to mess with things I perhaps shouldn't be messing with but I just itch to fix things.

The Town Hall - This one may not happen for some time but I really really really really want to rebuild this. Techniques changed, again sculpties can be implemented to reduce prim count and wouldn't it be fun to blow it up?

I know I am going to regret saying this but... I want to remake the ballroom. /me runs for cover.

Am I going mad? Perhaps... but I at least I am not going angry.

- The Elf.

2009-12-29T01:57:00.001-08:00

In Honor of Eladrienne Laval for watching 'Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail' for the first time...

St Helens

2009-12-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

That's not a RL pic.

Welcome to Steelhead St Helens.

Ideas I'm using in regards to St Helens

2009-11-28T02:04:00.001-08:00

The collection of photos here are ideas I've started gathering for St Helens through the SL grid, the net, my own backyard, various historical photos etc... I'd like to credit where things were found but alas... I forgot to write things down.

These set of photos come from Rustica, I TP'd there and got mauled by a bear and was promptly sent back home, but I returned and took a good look around. The one thing I was wondering was HOW DID THE DESIGNER FIND ME IN RL? I swear this looks like my backyard. I live in a forest away from civilization (but not away from the Internet thank the Internet gods) and this looks very similar to where I live. The SLURL is a few posts down, I suggest to find it and wander and get mauled by a bear.

Thankfully the designer sells the sim textures as well as the trees of which I will be using to high extent.

This is the bear that mauled me.

I found this windmill somewhere online, I don't really know what it has to do with anything but I like it. I especially like how it seems to have been built over the bottom building. Upon further note, it looks like a lumberyard down there. If someone moving in wants to build this then KUDOS!

This is a nice little distressed wood cabin. It looks as though it has gotten a beat down with the rain.

This is a great looking farmhouse. I like the distressed shingles, the shape is something I rarely see in SL, and some nice looking rusted machinery laying about is always good.

My brain fried so I can't remember the name of the sim where this is located, Verdigis? Well this is a small area with a store called Dirty Rat that has some interesting items, and the texture store is called Distressed textures... like the name says all the textures are weathered and distressed. The building style I like, and it keeps in theme with the western atmosphere I want to keep.

This lift is just novel! Well done.

Here's a great style house using different materials. The best part about most of the houses in SL... you can mod them. (depends on the maker) Don't be afraid to try a different texture. As a builder I sold houses Mod/Copy/no transfer that way the consumer could change textures. But a word of warning, make sure if you do that you keep a copy of the original build. I have turned a house into a rug before.

Here's a closeup of a great distressed texture house. This is just perfect, absolutely perfect.

Here's a backyard home that has seen better days. Around this area I am used to seeing grand Victorian styled homes built in the late 19th century with these little run down homes in the somewhere along the property more than likely where the groundskeepers lived.

I just like this.

A note on Victorian Homes.

I am not against the idea of Victorian styled homes in St helens at all but as the history around that region goes it was a meager settlement area. I just would like to see distressed textures or muted tones, Romanesque style is acceptable as well.

These series of houses are homes found in the Oregon area around the turn of the century.

And lastly I wanted to talk to you about steam.

To include an element of steampunk it would be prudent for the settler to know about the geographic of the area. There are other ways to create steam than burning coal or lighting your arch nemesis' house on fire, the mountain has its charm in more ways than its beautiful peak.

Mt. St. Helens is in fact a volcano, and with that comes these little things below... hot springs. Some of these are too sulfuric to be healthy but the best part of it is the steam it produces because of its extreme temperatures.

Free steam?!?! NO WAY.. YES WAY!

If you're so inclined for using steam to power your house/boat/bath/death ray you may want to consider moving to Mt. St. Helens for this abundant natural resource.

hint

2009-11-28T01:03:00.001-08:00

Hint hint hint hint hint...

Generosity.

2009-11-24T19:31:00.000-08:00

"Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on."

The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

- Exerts from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

I have never known generosity in my life as I have known now. I donate alot of my time and effort as a member of clergy, but when my church turned its back on me it was a very lone road with alot of people that look up to you.

Salvation came in the form of people I've never met, agencies of when I am in better situation I will never forget, and the citizens of a city of whom I am friends with but have never seen their faces...

It is said at the very worst you will see your true friends, well I've seen mine.

My very deepest thanks,

TotalLunar Eclipse

Rustica - Pine tree pack

2009-11-22T21:11:00.000-08:00

Rustica is a creator of furniture but I wanted to talk about some of their trees. I visited a rally race way where I was mauled by bears and hit by various falling logs but the scenery is exactly what I am looking for when I had St Helens in mind.

The Pine Forest Collection comes no mod and no transfer but the pack has small/medium/large sized trees as well as burned, dark, dead, light, weeping fir and various tree stumps as well as foliage for the underbrush.

If you go to the landmark then down the stairs and immediately to your left you will see the pine forest collection. I am very impressed with the way these turned out.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rustica/130/116/58

Steelhead Mt. St. Helens

2009-11-17T21:24:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Mt. St. Helens, a Frontier Western Steampunk Community in the Steelhead Estates.
Sixth sim in the Steelhead Estates, Mt. St. Helens is a community that encompasses the last of the frontier wilderness of the Oregon Territories.

Nestled in a quiet valley is Mt. St. Helens, overshadowed by a massive beautiful mountain and picturesque Spirit Lake surrounded by acres and acres of trees and wilderness. Away from the busy urban area’s of the capital city Mt. St. Helens is a more undeveloped than its sister sims.

In agreeing to reside or set office or storefront in Mt St Helens you will agree to the following terms:By entering into Steelhead and any of its sistering cities you are immediately agreeing to the theme of the cities and any buildings placed must stay in that theme as well as abiding to the city’s seasonal changes, group ownership rights, auto return etc…

The city will be a rugged wilderness, unpaved roads and full of trees. No upscale Victorian houses unless the colors are muted down or aged or there is cracked paint. The builds are to be constructed of materials found in the 1800's, wood and brick, plaster is ok because it was used as facades and for columns and statues. Absolutely no modern builds or gorean... period. Plywood is allowed on the ground for four days, beyond that it must be textured. There is no height restrictions but please keep the builds in theme, remember there were no skyscrapers in the woods back then.

Steampunk is very much allowed as long as you throw a western influence into the build. (Remember this is a volcanic area, think... geothermal) You’re required to have trees on the properties, unless you’re an industry. Please make sure the trees are indigenous to the area. If you’ve clearcutted for pasture then make it believable such as stumps or stacked lumber. We want to showcase the more rugged nature of the wilderness in the Pacific Northwest, we don’t have dry cracked ground or dry air with tumbleweeds passing by this is the Oregon Territories.

Industry such as logging, slaughterhouses, cattle ranching, shipfitting, and whaling are very welcome. Industry builds are allowed to spit out tons of smoke in the air as well as dump pollutants into the water (This was the era before the EPA). There are specific zoned area’s for industry colored red on the map. If you want to rezone a green lot please consult with Lunar as it is possible to expand industrial zones.

The city is on a higher plateau dipping into a valley surrounded by part of Mt. Hood, Mt Garlic, and Shanghai Ridge as well as Mt St Helens itself. The waterways are the Columbia River that waterfalls down to Bootmown at the border as well as Spirit Lake as well as a number of smaller creeks.

I reserve the right to inspect all buildings that are placed, and even reserve the right to refuse buildings management feels is not in theme.

Thank you for your interest,TotalLunar Eclipse - Steelhead Estates Management

Fish.

2009-11-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

I actually made this for our embassy in Steeltopia, it was a display of the various fish found in Steelhead. Someone IM'd me and really wanted it. So here it is.

Long live the fish.

- Lunar

Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe

2009-10-22T02:49:00.000-07:00

With all the city related things we do we rarely have time to put out our own merchandise but alas... we have three new things brought to you by Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe.

Created for a library showcase I decided to sell this little building, comes both high prim version and low prim (not shown). 500L gets them both.

Also can be used as a heavy paperweight as well as lawn decor.

This is something we've tried to get on the market for awhile now. Electric Victorian Bug Zapper. What fun this will be watching bugs get zapped. Also makes a great lighting fixture for the house/trailer/mad lab/Mars.

Random pulsating light written by Miss Tensai Hilra along with particle sparks for that extra 'evil' effect.

A gift

2009-10-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

Someone heard I wasn't feeling well and left me mouse tail soup.

Its so... appetizing.

BrickCon

2009-10-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

Holy grainy picture Batman.

What is it? Is it a bird... a plane...

No, its Seattle's BrickCon 2009

Click here for lots more photos... and yes that's an airship made of Lego's.

King and Queen of Corn

2009-09-25T01:03:00.000-07:00

Congrats to the Portlands for being the corniest at the Corn Maze Festival!

Steampunk Build Contest

2009-09-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

There will be three categories this year in our Fair Group, we're looking for steampunk driven creatures and it doesnt matter if its a brass box that moos and spits out steam we want everyone to have fun with this.

Three Categories:

Livestock, Poultry, Exotic or 'other'

No bigger than 10 x 5 for each category. No more than 30 prims for each entry. Please only one entry per category per participant or group. Anyone can enter you dont have to be a landowner or citizen. Setup starts September 20th (landmark to come shortly) no later than 23rd. Judging will be done before the dance. Winners annoucned during Harbest Moon Festival

Cash Prizes, Ribbons, and bragging rites to follow.

IM me in world if you are interested in creating a steampunk animal or need more information.

Wrangler Cup Horse Race!

2009-09-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

Steelhead was host to the First Annual Wrangler Cup Horse Race sponsored by Doc Wranglers in Steelhead Harborside... the very finest in menswear.

Shameless advertising aside we set out in creating a three sim wide loop around Harborside, Capital City and Boomtown. Entrants ranged from riding horses to unicycle and elephant.

Results:
1st Place and winner of the Wrangler Cup... Velesjaeger Munster
2nd Place contestant... Annechen Lowey

It was so much fun to watch we went ahead for a second run.

1st Place.... Maev Ceawilin
2nd Place... Valentine Eastwood

Our first place winner resting after the first run.

Martini Portland riding Puffalump the most impressive Elephant. Winner of the elephant competition. (didn't actually have an elephant competition but he deserves a prize for entering this fine beasty)

Eladrienne Laval riding her trusty Shetland steed.

Visit us against next year for Steelhead Days Harvest Festival and the SECOND annual Wrangler Cup Horse Race Competition.

2009-09-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is TotalLunar Eclipse,

And I am one of millions of hard working people that are uninsured.

Thank you,
TotalLunar Eclipse

Angry Prim

2009-09-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Glares at the prim, "Stay in that corner until you realize what you've done."

Steelhead Harvest Days

2009-09-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

Friday 4th - 7pm SLT - Trout Festival in Steelhead Captial CitySleeping with the Fishies, no cement shoes included.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/204/131/2

Saturday 12th - 6pm SLT - Wrangler Horse Race Contest in Steelhead Harborside brought to you by Doc Wranglers <-- shameless advertising. Bring your horses, ostrich, cow, other riding... animals and participate for the much coveted Wrangler Cup.Anyone can participate, bring your fun!Participants at the starting line at 6pm.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Harborside/174/213/27

Saturday 12th - 7pm SLT - Americana Festival in Steelhead Harborside Big Foot, Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, Huck Finn, Fuzzball...

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Harborside/174/213/27

Friday 18th - 7pm SLT - Corn Maze Festival in Steelhead Boomtown
Come find your way through the corn maze to the dance. So wear your best corn outfit or corn colored outfit and get lost in the maze. King and Queen of Corn will be crowned that evening.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Boomtown/118/246/28

Friday 25th - 7pm SLT - Harvest Moon Festival at the Grand Ballroom in Steelhead Captial City In the Steelhead Ballroom. Formal event ending the Steelhead Harvest Festival and announcing the winners of various contests we're holding in Steelhead for the Harvest Festival.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/80/134/24

Contests!

TARTAN VOTING CONTEST
RULES:
Anyone can enter - they don't have to be a landowner or citizen to enter One Entry per person (even if anonymous), IM TotalLunar Eclipse for entry form.
Must have our Steelhead colors in them (black, yellow, blue)
"For all those tartan guru's, we're doing a dress, tartan style."
Texture size should be 512x512
Texture must be submitted full perms.
Must be submitted before September 18th - anything after will not be considered.
All submissions will be put up in the hotel for judging and voting (date to be announced)
Winners announced during the Harvest Moon Festival

STEAMPUNK BUILDING CONTEST - BLUE RIBBON STATE FAIR
There will be three categories this year. We're looking for Steampunk driven creatures even if its a metal box that moos submit it!

CATEGORIES:
Livestock, Poultry, and Exotic 'Other' animals
RULES:
No bigger than 10x5 square meters on all categories (Even the poultry)
No more than 30 prims for each entry
Please one entry per category per participant or group of participants
Anyone can enter you don’t have to be a landowner or citizen to enter
Cash Prizes, Ribbons and bragging rights.
Set our your submission starting September 19th no later than September 23rd, please IM TotalLunar Eclipse for your assigned stall.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/85/104/2502

Inspired by Real Life

2009-08-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

RL: Two Pagoda
Guilin, China

SL Pagoda
Steelhead, Shanghai

Dreams into Reality

2009-08-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

It began with an idea that turned into reality.

Shanghai was an afterthought, an idea I came up with one night to create an asian inspired themed city. Mt St Helens was put on hold and all efforts were turned twoards something I was unsure would even go well among the steamlanders.

The Shanghai slums, a row of rickety housing lined up along the waterfront.

The famous Shanghai Pagoda modeled after a RL pagoda.

BlakOpal Designs dry dock.

It was an idea, a dream turned to reality.

The Steelhead Shanghai Concept

2009-08-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

An Oriental Steampunk Community:

As we expand Steelhead I realized just how many concepts we could do based on the Pacific Northwest, what we had did not scratch the surface. I have always had a deep revere and great love for the asian influences, their buildings styles, their religions and the difference in culture.

'Chinatowns' were prominent in the early American history especially after the 1840's and gold strike. Entire cities of asian influence sprang up including with it the famous opium dens among the western culture. The term 'shanghai' came from big port towns such as Portland, Oregon where people would be 'shanghai'd' and sold to passing vessels as slaves and women would be sent back to the mother country as prostitutes.

Its a vastly different theme than Steelhead is used to, but one that plays beautifully into our Pacific Northwest enviroment.

Shanghai Pagoda Lighthouse (still under construction)

Small Shrine House

Shanghai Project Housing

Steelhead Shanghai

2009-07-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

Steampunk Oriental community

Fifth sim in Steelhead Estates Shanghai is a community built up by the oriental railroad workers of the old country. The town is darker than the rest of its beautiful neighboring cities, an ever present fog rolls under the streets over the water, junk boats litter the bay as a few merchants with heavily loaded small boats push their way through the water. Some boats are packed with fresh fruit to sell, others have more... nefarious dealings.

There are warehouses, boat dry docks and the sounds of heavy machinery. The streets are narrow and the buildings tall and intimidating, casting a dark shadow to the ground below. Some people are strolling about while others keep in the the shadows. In the air there is smells of spices and foods prepared as well as something else that tickles the senses... is that opium?

This is Shanghai, my dream, your dream...

Strict building theme tightly enforced.

Message: TotalLunar Eclipse if you are interested.

Relay for Life 2009

2009-07-20T02:26:00.000-07:00

I found out the other night they had awards in different categories for builds in RFL. To be honest I think that's adding a contest where there should be none.

Steelhead Team Salmons presents: Crescent Lake Oregon

Using various pieces and concepts from each sim I recreated Crescent Lake, Oregon. I wanted my focus to be in the beauty of nature and landscaping and even the sounds of the woods rather than focusing on a building. It was a place of solitude and nature, the lake wrapped around a mountain that was fed by a cascading waterfall.

The waterwheel from Boomtown was brought in that feeds into a small duck pond surrounded by cosmos.

A side entrance is surrounded by mountains and redwoods.

Thank you to Steelhead for all the work and effort you put in by showing your support. I do it for my mother, I do it for those in the community who have to fight this, to those who have to support others who have cancer, to those who have lost and remember their loved ones, or those that just want to help however they can to make a difference.

I am so very proud of you all for everything you've done to make this year's RFL how it was, to Tanarian and Annechen for cat herding the group, for Fuzz who is our captain next year, to SteelCobra for tagging along with us and everyone who gave a little, or a lot, donated items for sale, or bravely walked despite the lag no matter if it was 20 laps or half a sim.

You are truly my inspiration.

Go Fish!

- Lunar

Babbage Town Hall Style Meeting

2009-07-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

This was the first time I have ever been able to sit down with another community and truly watch the interaction. I am unable most of the time due to building and Steelhead duties but I did attend the New Babbage meeting. (Meeting Notes here)

It is always good to see other communities on an outsiders perspective. I found that they are a citizenry of talented builders, scripters, RP'ers and more.

Thank you for inviting me to the fray... and yes I refrained from yelling 'Hoo!'

Inspired by Real Life

2009-07-02T10:11:00.001-07:00

Real Life:

Bridge...

I am actually unsure where this lovely thing is in RL. I saw a photo of it, loved it and built it. If you have seen this bridge or know its whereabouts please contact TotalLunar Eclipse.

Second Life:
Archway Bridge & Archways in Steelhead, Port Harbor

Inspired by Real Life

2009-06-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

Real Life:
Vista House
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Second Life:
Vista House & Multonomah Falls

Columbia River, Steelhead Boomtown

Inspired by Real Life

2009-06-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

Real Life:
Cannery Row, Monterrey CA

Second Life:
Offices of Commodore Nabila Peterman & Recruitment Center for Steelhead Naval Services
Columbia River Tackle Company, Steelhead Port Harbor

Thank you to Eladrienne Laval for building this.

Inspired by Real Life

2009-06-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

The damn dam was blown up, making way for this RL inspired scene.

Real Life:
Footbridge
Columbia River Highway, Oregon

Second Life:
Multonomah Falls Benson Footbridge
Steelhead Boomtown

Make him over hunt...

2009-06-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

There has been much ado about the Make Him Over Hunt going on in SL. Men's clothing and particulars is something at often times been difficult to find specific items, such as skins and non victorian clothing.

For more info Hotspur's blog pointed me to two websites:

http://makehimover.blogspot.com/ <-- Make him over
http://huntlocations.blogspot.com/2009/06/make-him-over.html <-- help finding the symbols

I found some interesting things... and people during the hunt.

If only you could have seen his NAME and his AO.

Somehow I don't think I want this hair.

She was a busy girl with her... bag of bread.

Meme: Pets

2009-06-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Maybe we need another pass it along blog that everyone can join in on. Eladrienne calls it a 'meme.'

Subject matter: Pets

We have two cats. Neko and Neeka

Behold... Neko!

Other names commonly used: KING, Nekoyoukai (cat demon), and the name sometimes given to me Fat & Lazy.

And this is Neeka, notice the lowercase 'L' on her forehead.

Whale in training, sometimes mistaken for an area rug, beach ball with fur, and fat seal.

Snake in the grass...

2009-06-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

This little bugger was found earlier today hidding amongst the hostas in the front garden. I know snakes are our friends but when my mom leapt on me and screamed then left the house in a panic I had to hunt down and relocate our little friend here. He is now happy across the street amongst the overgrown blackberries and tall grass.

2009-06-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

If I am not online more than likely I am working on this old house.

We're surrounded by blackberries and forest which is quite nice but that railing... must go...

Petunia

2009-05-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Found her!

And here I thought ostriches were flightless... silly me.

A gift... for my wife.

2009-05-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

I realized in the time I have spent learning my craft never once did I create something for Tensai. I have given buildings as gifts but my wife has never been a recipient, until now that is.

The theme was Alice in Wonderland and the style was M.C. Esher, dali and a few other abstract artists that I studied before I began work on something that I would never have built before. Usually I have a guide, like a building's RL counterpart to go by so I am quite pleased with the outcome of this eclectic abstract work of art.

I give you my rendition of Alice in Wonderland... or Tensai in Secondlife.

One of the scenes that really stood out to me about the Di$ney remake of the film was toward the end when all the playing cards leapt upwards, but you'll find no playing card men here.

The book was read not too long ago by Shalmendo over broadcast and I was once again impressed with the abstract nature of the story not the movie remake. Also as I am a gamer we all remember American McGee's Alice and its more true to the story darker nature.

I really wanted to put some dancing pose balls up in the ceiling but the spires of the atrium are so high it would be like splitting the dance up and it just so happened someone had a spare teacup that fit into the scenery so well.

I was hoping someone would come dressed as the caterpillar but alas...

Though I did make a water fall where the water wasn't really falling but going up instead. Would it then be considered a waterfall if the water truly isn't falling?

I couldn't help but add in some Steelhead trout wherever possible. Here the trout is jumping out of the teacup spiraling into the abyss.

It isn't the photo itself but the little critter behind Tensai that is smiling, our very own dancing Cheshire Cat.

We had in attendance a few red queens but this is the one that most impressed me. The red 'queen' was nearly impossible not to ignore, like a massive accident you were morbidly drawn into staring at Martini Portland and his feathered crown.

Red Queen indeed!

Steelhead's best asset is its people and community hands down.

The blocks were interesting to create, a few of them actually move around in a random slow pattern so it was hard to spot. Though if you look closely at the blocks that are hovering precariously close to the cards it spells something out.

Aishiteru.

It means 'I love you.'

The set will stay up through the weekend before I must reclaim its prims and carefully pack her away in storage on Monday.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/98/125/2050

What I see when I leave Steelhead

2009-05-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Eladrienne was right... whenever I go outside I find the most interesting 'colorful' people.

From the back I was admiring her jacket, when she turned around I had to cover Elle's eyes.

I knew that misery loves company but I had no idea that this sort of thing came in packs of three. I actually spent about two minutes trying to get all three of them in one shot which was a feat itself with their rather large... Elle calls them 'watermelon' backsides. The ringleader of the three is in the middle, the only reason I knew she was pregnant not because of the annoyingly green text but because she kept belting it out as well like an off key tenor.

I did not know they made jeans that could withstand that much pound per square inch without ripping but I'm sure the fabric was screaming in pain.

2009-05-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

I didn't create Steelhead, someone else did.

I just helped her reach her potential and will continue doing so for as long as the grid holds out.

As we overlooked the city he commented on how much the city grew from its humble roots, we spoke of our communities as a whole and the people who lived in them and before he left he said one thing that caught me.

"You've done a good job considering."

"Considering what?" I wondered what he was going on about considering he was the owner of a very popular community like themed as our own.

"You take in strays."

Steelhead. I love this town, I didn't always. When I first lived here the manager was cruel, mean and had a personal agenda that began with herself and ended with herself. But aside from that the few people that I met here were unlike any I saw anywhere else. We were hired to rebuild a few of the older dated buildings and we agreed. The time had come where we felt we should go. Our store packed away, our time machine in boxes we were to bid farewell to Steelhead.

But as you know that never happened. We were never asked, the title of management was given to us without our knowledge and we decided to see where it took us. That was around February of 07'. We started everything over, every prim was replaced, every building remade all the streets repaved. The face of Steelhead changed, I changed it purposefully.

We broke away from the western cities that disliked us, ridiculed us and even shunned us as we were not 'true RP.' To date I am not allowed in some cities because I chose to be an elf and not human. I am the least prejudice person I know, as a man of the cloth I have an order to uphold but before that I just never did. Steelhead would become a haven for all, tinies, furries, werewolves, elves, demons, etc.

It became a city of healing. There was so much pain in the world, people who felt abandoned, people abandoned, hearts broken and those that just wanted to talk because they had a bad day. I don't speak in real life, I am just a quiet writer that was dragged into this world by his wife. I am a priest as well but have no calling in my church any longer. So they spoke, I listened, they wanted to be accepted, I welcomed them home... before I knew it Steelhead was healing me more than I healed it so it seems. My time here is time invested, it is not a game to me but a place I come to help others. I never took a linden for what we did. Why should I, its a game and a fun one at that.

I love this city, I love her people. I love you, every single one of you. I spend time on my knees for those who ask for blessings or for those who I feel need a little more of a push from day to day.

I know we are not of like minds, we disagree from time to time but that is 'human' in relative terms. I have always wanted to instill tolerance for each other, an acceptance where in RL people are cruel and unforgiving and unkind. I used to be such a person and have tried so hard to rid myself of those emotions that darken our spirits.

We are all here for different reasons, we're here to find love, we're here to play, we're here because we have no where else to be. Whatever reason exists I have heard it all and felt the anguish and pain others have felt in RL. I hoped that I could create a place in SL where others feel welcomed, they feel loved, they are heard.

With the economy going into uncertainty I foresaw a lot of anguish. People came begging to me for tax refunds, please oh please I am begging you... work this year was so emotionally painful it left me feeling like an empty shell. My own life began caving in on me, I found out the only best friend I had in RL died, I lost my cat of whom raised me, I am ignoring something that may very well kill me, my mother has cancer, my father is dying...

We all have our problems. It is nice to know we can come into a place where we can get away, or help others, or have a release of life. To me I am glad that I am heard, and I am honoured that I am among so many precious souls. I am sad when you fight, happy when you are content and proud when I hear how you've grown.

To the man who told me I took in 'strays'... fine... they're my strays and I am so very proud of each and every one of them.

Long live the fish.

The damn dam

2009-05-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

"So, how's things been?" Tensai waltzed into the office obviously in a good mood fluttering about the room like a drunken butterfly before plopping down on the overstuffed couch and kicking her shoes off.

I waited three seconds because I knew if I started talking she would interrupt me and go through a long list of the things she had been doing with the explorers on the frontier edge. I narrowed my eyes at her smiling face and opened my mouth, "There has been...."

"You're not going to believe the time I had! We actually FOUND A SAMPLE!"

There it was.

I calmly folded my arms and waited as she recapped her entire week with the adventurers and how they found a mine with a tiny few samples of the reddish crystal we've uncovered in the abandoned mines in Boomtown at some obscure area in the lower regions of Oregon beyond our territorial borders. She stood up and waved her arms about for emphasis so I could understand the magnitude of what she was trying to explain to me before she exhausted herself in her own speech, reached into the pocket of her dress and tossed a reddish clear stone on my desk again plopping on the couch as though the whole recap drained her of energy. "That's all we found, I need you to read it." She commanded rather than asked.

I picked up the stone and examined it carefully before closing my eyes and entering into the stone's natural life force. Thankfully it was an uncut and unprocessed mineral. Interesting, the mineral gave off astral... or its own energy source it was faint but there. "Earthquakes."

"What?"

I opened my eyes, "We have had earthquakes."

"Who cares, I need you to possess that rock!"

"The mines are flooded as we speak."

She sat up and stared at me, "The dam." I nodded and she stood up pounding her fist on my table rather hard. I saved a potted fern from her little fist and found it a safer location away from my wife.

"I have felt the earthquakes not from Mt. Hood but neighboring St. Helens." I gave her the file put together by Fuzzball's accounts and Mrs. Peterman's detailed observations on the rising water levels.

"That mountain would never blow." She muttered under her breath as she scanned the reports. "Can't you make the rocks hold together?"

"My level of possession is hindered, they're processed."

Her eyes scanned the work order for materials I sent to Cobra. She smiled and looked over the paper, "You bought me extra dynamite for my birthday... how very sweet of you."

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks and coughed standing up, "We're needed in Boomtown."

Mrs. Peterman put up a few more saw horses to keep people from getting too close to the already unstable dam.

There was another massive crack that formed within two days, the iron tubes that released the overflow were not working correctly.

"This is bad." Tensai muttered looking down at her watch, "We have to put up a retaining wall before we can begin work on the dam but... " She pulled at her bangs frustratingly before swearing a bit under her breath. "Cobra better get here with the supplies we need or I'll box his ears.."

I stood away from her not liking that particular threat.

2009-05-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

"Lunar, we have a problem."

Words rarely spoken by the Lycan. Feather quill dropped on the counter.

"I saw it when I was making my rounds, I went right up to it and there it is... there's a hole in the dam."

Fingers steepled as I rested my elbows on the counter closing my eyes. Tensai was away that day not to be expected for a few days gathering information on the crystals in the mines at neighboring cities. "Lets see it."

There was a long drought the summer previous but once winter hit we had more rain than we knew what to do with. Approximately two moons ago there was a flood of water so great it surged over the sea walls of Steelhead Docks and not even the books in the Library were safe.

Mrs. Peterman stopped by with measuring equipment and we all noticed the water in the Columbia River was a foot higher than supposed to be. The dam was originally built before we took claim to the lands by the native tribes of LL who sold it to us. Tensai had often wondered about its structure, adding her own iron works to help the surge but it had never been really replaced. Perhaps our overlook in the matter was catching up to us.

The first thing on my mind was the mines underground. The sound of water as I descended the ladders was not promising. Mrs. Peterman raised the lantern so she could see down the dark tunnel, the only thing I could see was water. "We're closing the mines."

"That's a good idea." She whispered.

Until further notice no one is to venture down into the mines, anyone in Boomtown with cellars or have mine access please board up the access vents make sure there is nothing of value down there. Anyone found trespassing down there will be severely berated by Tensai and her ear tugging abilities.

We are aware of the problem and will be taking surveys as to the damage being done. *Puts his hard hat on and grabs a hammer* Time to build.

New Kitten

2009-05-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

Now that I have her I wonder what I should name her?

Some mad building...

2009-04-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say that I finished yet another thing on my ever growing list of stuff I need to finish. I am three months behind in projects and Mrs Peterman ever so sweetly kept reminding me of my promise to her to build her a store. Peterman LTD is nestled in the middle as shown.

Takes a quill pen and crosses out two things from a three page list.

2009-04-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

The quiet revere of the morning was disturbed by a loud CRASH from a little cottage of house Eclipse sending all the birds collectively flying through the air.

"Tensai stop trying to kill him!" She had that crazed look in her eyes again while holding a wicked looking saw blade in one hand and a drill in the other.

"Aww come on I just wanted to touch it."

Chronos' eyes widened as he backed away from her pressing himself as close to the wall as he could. "What exactly do you want to touch!?!"

She smiled gleefully, "Your horn silly!"

"Horn or horns?" Chronos turned bright red especially with the lovely lady holding such... torturous looking tools.

"The ones on your head idiot." Lunar growled and stood between Chronos and Tensai causing her to frown and pout at him. He took a step towards her and she realized she had no room behind her as she backed into a wall. Lunar inwardly smiled as she brushed prettily dropping the torture tools. Turning around he addressed the other, "It's not as bad as you think, you're a demon I thought you enjoyed pain."

Chronos turned more shades of red and he wondered if he struck an area of 'divulging too much information.'

"I just wanted to see what they are made out of and why they're huge compared to last time." She pleaded then pointed to her own forehead, "And to see those too, and your wings because they got bigger and how the hell can you make them disappear like that, and your ears you didn't have them that long before.... and to see how much electricity you can take... and mfff.." She could say no more as Lunar covered her mouth.

Chronos once again went wide eyed.

"Astral, she wants to check your astral energy." He amended for her.

"And how much voltage can go through him!" She cried out and was silenced by Lunar's hand over her mouth again.

....

"You're wife is crazier than before."

"Well no, she is just as crazy as she was before you weren't as interesting as you are now." Lunar sat down beside the demon on the pier. "Remember she thought you were a jaeger."

"How did she take the news?"

"She is content that I have a blood relative though she questions I'm sure and is angry probably that I lied about you and sent you with her father who she has not seen in a few millennium. How did Doktor Timeless react when you were complete?" He watched the demon fidget with his hands and he wondered how his Time Lord father in law reacted to being host of another creature that could manipulate time in a more... darker nature.

"He was... worried."

"I thought he would be more understanding than that. Especially as to how you bound your astral." He pointed to his own neck that had a collar similar to the one around Chronos' neck.

"It makes you look like a subjugated minion. I thought you owned these lands?"

"Not all of them, and I have my reasons." He stood glancing up at the skies that were now free from the odd attack that was attempted earlier that evening. Chronos simply flew up and the invading army turned tail and ran, it was quite disappointing really.

"In the true relationship of master and servant that was really written, not the pathetic attempt I have come across so much in my travels it is the master who must provide, care and satisfy the whims of the servant. In every nation the leader must sacrifice his own personal life for that of his subjects... now tell me... who is the real master?" Lunar walked a bit then realized something looking over his shoulder to the demon, "And while you are here, don't eat my owls."

Chronos sighed heavily.

2009-04-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

Someone once told me, 'I would have been spared the pain but I would have missed the dance.' It is entirely true. Someone else told me, 'With great love comes the possibility of great loss... love anyway.'

Her ashes came home not to long ago, a box simply labeled 'Cuddy.'

But she is more than a box of ashes of her corporeal self, she was so much more than that to me. I will remember her, and make her memory immortal. She was my guardian for so long, I owe it to her.

I believe I want to share our story.

I acquired her through an ad in a newspaper, 'free kittens.' Who would give a kitten away for free? I had been around enough pedigree animals that the concept was foreign. Against the wishes of those I lived with I went, and saw a tiny kitten whose ears had just unfolded.

I was in love.

She couldn't eat or drink so she was bottle fed, I had to take particular care of the teeny kitten because she was too young to eat and didnt know how to properly clean herself.

Here she is asking for food, her collar says 'feed me.'

She was often the inspiration to some of my writing, always making sure one of my characters had a tabby cat around the house.

Eyes as deep as the ocean she carried intelligence beyond me, she carried me through the very best of times, the very worst of times. She saved my life, without her presence I would not be here.

She was upset when I brought home my wife. She literally turned her nose at me, flicked her tail and hissed at Tensai and would take long trips away for a few days. It took awhile to get her to warm up to my wife but in the end she was mother to both me and Tensai.

Thank you for the best 19 years.

You will be missed sorely, and I will always love you.

- Lunar

Boing!

2009-03-21T23:28:00.001-07:00

My mother says it, 'Boing.' Since then we just knew we had to tour the Boeing Flight Museum. We even ate space ice cream which was quite good.

In Loving Memory

2009-02-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

'Cuddy'

August 1990 - Feburary 28th 2009

My Beloved Companion.

Never to be Forgotten.

Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye

2009-02-25T21:06:00.000-08:00

Dunvegan Castle on Isle of Skye in Scotland.

I knew this would be a difficult task. By glances of some of the original plans it seems everytime a new cheiftan of the clan took over the castle another section was added. The east wing is at an odd angle to catch the early morning light... and by the turn of the century half its fortress walls had been taken down.

This was a commission from Her Ladyship Eva Bellambi, to restore the ruins of her family castle of Isle of Skye.

I first surveyed the land and cleared out the caved in walls so I was working with literally a clean slate of rock and mortar.

Here is a few weeks into the project and sevreal walls built as well minus the entrance.

Juggling Steelhead duties and my humans work during his busiest season the build went slowly, more slowly than I would have liked. But it gave me time to give more attention to detail, to researching the interiors of scottish casltes which was a first for me and of course having all custom textures done or tweaked by Miss Eladrienne Laval.

The end result was something I was truly content with and something Lady Eva liked as well.

So I give you, Dunvegan Castle on Isle of Skye.

For more detailed photos visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/wrencarling/LunarSCastle#

Eclipse

2009-02-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

"Go away."

"It'll be fun! I just need to test out my new composite, micro-lattice, high-index refraction array for my telescope. according to my notes it should amplify the infrared spectrum to un-heard of levels! see... the micro-lattice causes the light to deffract at the quantum level, thus making it possible to detect minute variances in the atomic spin of the sub-structure of the photons. this way I don't interferre with the quantum state of the wave, and the signalg integrity is preserved! isn't that great!?

I had no idea what she was speaking of, sometimes in the middle of her speaking about something... metal and technological and she'll go into a long winded description and my mind will simply phase out. I have tried to keep up and really listen and learn about the things she does and says and sometimes blows up but she's over 10,000 years my senior.

She prodded the covers with a the steel toed boot she was wearing digging slightly into my back, "Come on Lunar you love going outside and seeing the stars at night besides how am I to carry this stuff all by myself?!?"

Yes, make the elf carry the big equipment. "Woman just get one of your mechanical aids to do it."

"Awww that's no fun Lunar. Don't you worship the moon or something like that?"

"Not tonight, I'm sick."

"Bull, I know you can't get sick. I've slipped thousands of pathogens in your morning tea... so far you seem immune to them all." I heard her smile coyly, "well not thousands... hundreds maybee... and well some chemicals..."

"I know you did dear." Not sure how many times I told her I do not contract human illlnesses, yet she had to test that theory. I felt the bed shift as she sat down beside me. I heard her unroll a map or something but I stubbornly kept the covers over my head.

"According to my calculations, we are due for a total lunar eclipse, not you that is, your already here... oh wow, this time all the moons, planets and even the three closest stars are in perfect sync! I haven't seen this since... well I've never seen this! oooh! you need to help me get my telescope setup! My robot arm can't do it alone... aww pleeeeese lunar!?"

She started to shove my shoulder a few times whining like a kitten and I let out another sigh feeling my resolve slip away. Tensai was danm cute when she started to beg like that, or when she wanted to buy another bomb for her collection. How could I deny her? "Anaranë Alcarin." She stopped shoving when she heard me call her name in elven, I rarely speak the tongue unless I need to get her attention, "I just don't want you to see me."

There was a minute or two of silence before she stood up off the bed. I heard her walk a few steps and there was another minute of silence. Did she leave? The covers were yanked off me forcibly and I grabbed the nearest pillow to cover my face but it was too late.

I opened one eye to make sure she wasn't going to grab a pitchfork then the other when she was just standing there staring at me... the shocker was her hands were clasped together, there was a huge smile on her face and there was sort of a mad glee in her eyes.

"Oh Lunar look at you..."

I sat up and did just that. My skin was still tinted blue and my hair still glowed eerily. My eyes widened at her next words.

"... I have to prep the tanks!"

When I looked up she was gone but I could hear her boots on the wood floor running down into the labs. I never expected... that sort of reaction. Usually when this happened there was a great deal of pitchforks and angry mobs trying to run me out of town. I leapt out of bed and got dressed, I'd have to run again but for ENTIRELY other reasons.

"Luuuuunnnnnnaaaarrrr!"

We walk among you.

2009-02-08T00:36:00.000-08:00

An interesting bit of information about the owners of certain lands you may have heard about.

Wintefell Estates: Miss Serra Anansi - Elfkin.

New Babbage Estates: Mayor Mossenvo Tenk, Elfkin.

Steelhead Estates: Manager TotalLunar Eclipse, Elfkin.

Injured Spouse, Innocent Spouse and Community Property

2009-01-29T20:51:00.000-08:00

From the archives of IRS codes compiled by Lunar Eclipse for HR Block client #123

Innocent Spouse Relief: Publication 971 (rev April 2008)

When you file a joint income tax return, the law makes both you and your spouse responsible for the entire tax liability. This is called joint and several liability. This applies to not only tax due but to additional tax the IRS determines as well as credits of you and your spouse or former spouse.

In some cases a spouse or former spouse will be relieved of the tax, interest, and penalties on a joint return. The law changes for those living in community property states (later on that). There are three types of relief for an innocent spouse 1) innocent spouse relief 2) separation of liability relief 3) equitable relief. In order to see if you qualify for Innocent Spouse Relief log onto http://www.irs.gov/.

File Form 8857 to request relief within the first two years of your tax return in order for the IRS to begin process. The IRS will review the request for Innocent Spouse Claim and let you know if you qualify.

How to qualify?

- You must have filed a joint return which has an understated tax.

- The understated tax must be due to erroneous items of your spouse or former spouse.

- You must establish that at the time you signed the joint return you did not know and had no reason to know that there was an understated tax.

- Taking into account all of the facts and the circumstances it would be unfair to hold you liable for the understated tax.

Why would I be denied?

- The IRS proves that you and your spouse transferred assets to one another as part of a fraud scheme.

- The IRS proves that at the time you signed your joint return you had actual knowlege of any erroneous items giving rise to the deficiency that are allocable to your spouse.

- Your spouse transferred property to you in order to avoid tax or pentalty of tax.

The Innocent Spouse Relief was designed to protect the spouse that had no aware of their spouse's dealings. I have personally seen this twice in three years. To me in my professional opinion this has to do with taxes owed due to one spouse not disclosing to the other about the extra income and not reporting it, the IRS finds out and sends you a lovely little letter.

In the case of an IRS offset due to past debt garnishing refunds like student loans and back child support the form 8857 is not for you, see Injured Spouse.

I have been asked, 'can't I file married filing separate?' In the case of Married filing separately, you loose EIC, and you automatically become ineligible for almost all credits including education and child tax credits. Using form 8857 allows you to be eligible for the credits you would normally lose and keep that Married Filing Joint (MFJ) status but separating your liability. In the case of Community property... well... then it gets ugly. Lets read on.

Injured Spouse Allocation Form 8379 (Revised December 2007)

Form 8379 is filed by one spouse (the injured spouse) on a jointly filed tax return when the joint overpayment was or is expected to be applied (offset) to past due obligation of the other spouse. By filing 8379 the injured spouse may be able to get back his or her share of the joint return.

What is an debt that the IRS or federal goverment can offset from your tax return?

- Past Federal taxes owed

- Past State Income Taxes owed

- child or spousal support

- Student Loans

You can be eligible to file if you are not legally obligated to pay the past due amount, and you made and reported payments such as federal income tax withheld from wages, or estimated tax payments or claimed a refundable tax credit such as Earned Income Tax Credit etc.. Do not file form 8379 if you have filed Innocent Spouse Relief.

To determine if a debt is owed and whether an offset will occur contact the US Treasury department's Financial Management Service 1-800-304-3107.

You can file an 8379 with the 1040, or 1040x or by itself after the return has been sent. Make sure copies of all your w-2's and income documents are sent along with it.

How long will this take? 11 Weeks to 14 weeks when sent with the 1040, 8 weeks if sent after.

yes... that sucks.

What happens if you live in a community property state?

Community Property Publication 555 (Rev. May 2007)

Community property states for the simplest explanation means, states that have elected to pool both spouses resources together as 'community property.'

Who is a community property state? Arizone, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconson.

For the purposes of an offset even if you are not the injured party your return will be offset to satisfy the debt even if you are supplying the sole income. You can file a form 8379 Injured Spouse and have half the community income allocated back to you, but expect 11 weeks for the IRS to go through the process.

Each community state is different, California for the purposes of satisfying an offset will take 100% of the community refund to satisfy the debt even if you file an 8879. Texas either takes 50%, 75%, or 100% of the refund to satisfy the debt, Washington and the rest are a 50% 50% state.

So, for the person who asked 'What happens when my spouse has back child support that they take out of his refund?' This is your answer.

Bah ™

2009-01-23T23:54:00.000-08:00

I am not even bothering to cover her eyes to protect... something about innocent.

Somewhere out in the universe a star has been stolen from the skies and is now stuck to her mouth.

Some more mad building...

2009-01-13T15:40:00.000-08:00

I build... A LOT. A vast understatement, 60% of my time is spent building. I find great joy in it, some ask if I ever get tired or need a break... it actually is my release.

Normally I will list my big projects in here but I have been doing a series of smaller projects and have finished most of them before I start work on... the castle...

I created two little storefronts beside Pearse'd & Cut, both are now filled. One is E. Laval the other Poses by Greegar. They really add to the theme of Capital City which to me is that red brick. Ok I'm rambling I am content with the way they turned out.

I know they're steps but I rather like these steps. Found Main Steelhead off the docks. I may implement them in other areas because I like them!

Sheriff Fuzzball's house was several firsts for me and Steelhead. It was my first residential build and also the first Victorian styled home in Steelhead. The more I learned to build the more I kept looking at his house and wanting to remake it... I finally did. Two days I think it took?

Its a fine house with an equally fine cannon ball aimed at the station which of course I am going to rebuild but that's another post. If you would like a tour ask the Sheriff.

I realized how much time I didn't spend at home. I do not even think my home point is set to the house. Sadly I took the tree down and decided to go with a small cottage instead as the only pieces of furniture I had was a couch and a bed.

Its a lower prim cottage I may actually sell this and several variations. There is a lot of trees and I even have a pet bunny now who likes to run around and eat carrots.

If you have wandered the main city you already know our storefront is gone, it was hard to give up half the lot but we did. I took down the store bless its heart and erected a build that better suited the landscaping that Steelhead is turning out to be. Formally TensaiDesign now Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe based on a RL store in Seattle that sells oddities, that fits for her I think.

Here's a sample picture of a store I had in mind.

And the build that came out of it.

What else to build, the small fish shacks in Port Harbor, the two storefronts beside ours, revamp all the streets in Main Steelhead and Boomtown, rebuild station, rebuild this, that.... castle... sell some houses, elven village... no custom work no custom work...

Stay tuned for more MADNESS!

I would like to thank Eladrienne Laval for her work in helping me with texture tweaking and trying to keep me on a build schedule because god knows I need minions.

Look!

2009-01-05T21:32:00.000-08:00

Look what I found! Tensai can I keep it?

2009-01-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

I normally refuse to make resolutions, my life once meshed together with religion has become a long road of enlightenment so it was never a new year resolution but a new life resolve. This year though when health became a concern I did make a resolve:

I resolve not to take life for granted as we never know what tomorrow may bring.

The end of the turn of the calendar year has seen great loss, there are still those who suffer and saddened over the losses of loved ones. To you I pray for comfort and guidance.

There are those who have been afflicted with pain or loss of good health, to you I pray for strength especially on the road ahead and I am proud of the strength you already have.

There are some who feel lonely, lost and depressed. This is a time of year of great happiness but to every light there is a darkness. The brighter the light the greater the darkness will be somewhere else, mostly within. I pray that you feel the love around you, because it is there even though you do not see or feel it.

To those that are truly happy and content I pray for you that it shall continue and you can spread that happiness to those around you that you may be a beacon of light to your fellow neighbors.

We've loved, we've lost, we've cried, we've laughed... but it has always been together. I love you all.

Blessed be,

Lunar

No!

2008-12-30T02:41:00.001-08:00

Why is it EVERY TIME I am at TRU purchasing textures some 'colorful' (and I use that term quite loosely) steps right in front of my line of sight.

I cannot say I am the most fashion trendy individual as I am a fantasy creature and not human. But I keep my bits covered unless I am building of course and only the shirt comes off.

I do love a lady in silks, private quarters of course. But there are some silks that frankly remind me of tissue dispensers. This borders on the scale of that terminology though I am almost afraid to ask where he would tuck the tissues.

Bling kitty ears, a collar with a broken chain as though he escaped someones backyard to purchase Victorian textures, and even bling nipple piercings which makes even my human cringe and tattoos of frilly vines and roses.

The backside of this ensemble is frankly worse than the front. At first I thought he was into some odd form of pony play by the placement of the tail was not at the bottom of the spine but tucked away somewhere I will not disclose but I'm sure everyone will understand.

This next specimen appeared the last time I found myself at TRU. I believe at one time he may have been a furry but after experimenting with various pills and shots he mutated into some sort of... walking balloon with veins. I feared he would twitch and break a wall.

Ooc-ness

2008-12-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

This is roughly how I feel at the moment. Juggling SL, RL, then having to take classes and tax update courses and then the daunting task from not working to going full time. My caregiver is leaving town for a month so I will be taking the bus (woo hoo). With the economy in its terrible state I feel our season will be very stressful indeed.

My time in SL will be cut quite short after the second of January, I hate dropping the task of Steelhead on others but I will be relying on my councilors more than ever. Each one of them has tasks and duties to fulfill. I have a good team and can trust each of them to take care of the city in my absence.

I worry a great deal over Steelhead. I have been doing so for almost two years now. Every little thing, the building, the community, the workload has mostly been mine own to handle. I take great satisfaction in actually being needed as in my RL situation I am fairly worthless, my inability to work full time and my failing health have left me feeling sick and crippled.

So I see January to April not as stressful because of what I do but a personal relief that I am not completely debilitated. I actually like stress, as odd as it sounds. But with the economy in its miser sate this tax season will begin rather ... sad is the correct word I'll use.

I will also be volunteering in HR Block sim giving out free tax advice, if you have tax questions I will be glad to answer them. No need for SS#'s, just drop me a note card or email with your name, question and I'll take it to the board so we can research. Until January 15th there is little work to be done and everyone is dying for research. We're an odd bunch, getting excited over taxes but my favorite thing to do is call up the IRS and stump them as we have in the past or get into an argument with an agent over a definition. Hey we're paying them to take our money know that there are people that keep even the IRS on their toes.

To ease my life a little bit while I am working:

If you have a question or a parcel line needs to be moved or someone wants to buy land... please drop me a note card with your question. Don't IM me offline... my IM's cap daily. I answer as quickly as possible or get to the problem as quickly as possible. Don't IM me even if I am online, as I am probably answering a dozen note cards.

All technical questions are to be taken to Tensai. Technical? Your rental poles, the sim needs restarting... nerdy questions. Tensai has offlines go to her cell phone so you can send her an offline message if she is working.

Meetings are conducted by Fuzzball Ortega, if you have something you want to announce please IM or drop him a notecard preferably BEFORE the meeting. I normally frown upon 'during meeting' IM's and from this point on... they will be ignored until the next meeting.

All group invites can be handled by management, and councilors. Events listing, group notices are also handled by councilors as well. (Group notices: We will be going into some extreme detail on what will get sent and what will not get sent as far as notices are involved. All group notices for events OUTSIDE of Steelhead must be cleared by Lunar.)

If there are people that are being rowdy, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ITHILL do not turn a griefer into a confused TP mess! Contact Fuzzball or Tensai immediately. They are the only two that can engage a counter attack on greifers. Contact councilors if Tensai and Fuzz are not online (tensai can estate ban offline if needed). You as a landowner can ban people off your parcel. If I catch someone griefing a griefer... it won't be a pretty talk. 90% of the time its a noob that's confused so assess the situation or just call management.

If I can think of anything else I'll post it up here and then on Ning.. then at the meeting. So you have no excuse. BUAHAHAA

Tis the season...

2008-12-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to be jolly... tis the season to rack up a massive power bill with the steam company... tis the season for cheese.

What kind of cheese? Nay not the cheese samples given away at the stores.

This kind.....

Keep looking...

Disclaimer: cheesy....

My house has been invaded by mass produced cheese! See this evil snowman how he grins madly at my pain!

Even Hello Kitty has invaded my house! Well at least there are no pink flamingo... nevermind spoke far too early.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Steelhead/31/60/28

2008-12-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

Thing's I have witnessed in mainland.

Flying truck.

This thing brings back memories, not good ones mind you.

Was Rome built in a day?

2008-12-08T01:45:00.000-08:00

Some mad mad building!

It has been awhile since myself and Tensai joined forces to build together. This time the student became teacher... then the teacher got a boot to the head for being a know it all.

I give you, the Justice League Building... built in two days. All primwork done by Tensai & Lunar Eclipse, custom textures by Eladrienne Laval.

I decided instead of having a mural of Lady Justice a prim version of the lady would be more striking to her honour.

A photo of its RL concept, the Cincinnati Union Station.

Good for its intended use of holding meetings and having live entertainment.

Its a beautiful addition to the skyline of the pier. Though I have to wonder about having the Justice League being so close to Evil Tiny Kitty Labs....

OH WELL!

=^.^= <-- oblivious

2008-12-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

This is how I am feeling atm. So if you need anything please contact Tensai or drop me a notecard. I did not think my SL vacation would be spent RL sick.

no hot toddies please

the gods have demanded... a sacrifice

2008-12-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

Take me!

I shall be thine sacrifice for your nefarious ways o' Lords of the grid world o' Gods or Demons that is known to all as Lindens. Take mine prims, take mine shoe... or shove it up where the sunlight cannot enter as you have done in times prior!

This elven man of the moon shall be your object of torture! I surrender o' great ones to whatever you deem this lowly coward of immortal sins.

Just let my people move in!

Take this as a token of my willingness to comply to your demands.

*tosses some hair into the fire and takes a step back, tear streaming down a cheek*

Miss Mara, if you can get back into the grid you're very welcome to move in now.

one close call

2008-11-28T23:29:00.000-08:00

"Where the devil is it?" I muttered as I searched once again through the file drawer only to find it missing completely. I crawled on my hands and knees on the ground and sifted through the 'out' mail only to find it completely missing.

"I'm over here."

I stood up and glared at the man who sat at the corner of the room. His large violet eyes glowed in the dark corner of the room. Every time the fire cracked it would illuminate his all too familiar features. I was sure he was merely jesting nay that, he was actually answering the question as he is not familiar with the ways of the world and its sarcasm. "Chronos, it was rhetorical."

"Ahhh... I see." He leaned back in the seat and merely picked up a newspaper blinking when his long talons ripped into it. He set it aside and stood up abruptly feeling sheepish as his long wings knocked over an urn sending it crashing to the ground. "I can fix that!"

"Chronos, do not worry." I sat down and started to go through another file. "My office and house are big enough to handle your... appendages." I found an unnamed folder and started rifling through it.

"What about... the nuns?"

The way he said it caused me to stare at him. That was right, his last contract had been a nun... a rather young nun. So far Sister Katherine has given me the cold shoulder after yelling so loud my ears almost bled. But that had been the extent of the damage to my person. They were oddly... accepting. Perhaps the order knew of Chronos already.

Oh yes, file! No time to think its extremely important!

"Can I help you Lunar?"

"Yes, at this point I don't care for order, find me a file that says 'Port Harbor." We searched my office, my home office, my building platform and the new lands themselves with no avail. "This is not good." I put my hand on the pier railing and closed my eyes, "Thank the gods though."

"Why is that?" he stood beside me leaning his arms on the railing letting his shoulders rest from carrying his massive wings.

"The file contained not only receipts to the lands but the advertisements, covenant agreements, important notes and even build plans to this." I gestured the buildings and pier we were standing on and the mighty bridge not to far from our field of vision. "If I would have waited a day to build these things... they would be lost forever and you'd find me at the bottom of a bottle at the Saloon with ol' boB."

"So what happens now?"

"I'll get the citizens to send me copies of the receipts I sent them. Tensai has the copy of plans to the city and the pier and bridge, I can draw out some more plans for the building."

Still I let out a sigh of relief. The file was never found but I didn't lose the buildings and there are copies of everything else out there.

2008-11-27T14:02:00.000-08:00

From Tensai and Lunar Eclipse Happy Thanksgiving to all....

2008-11-25T02:58:00.000-08:00

HEY HOTSPUR I SEE YOUR ROCK!!!

Gah! Street is crooked!!!! Oh yes for those living in Harborside, Im shifting your street!