Fantasy & Folktales

It's beginning to look like Christmas!

A little snow, a big ice skating rink, snowmen and snowflakes, and Santa's cozy little cottage, and you just might find yourself smack in the middle of a most wonderful winter wonderland!  You can find this and much more at one of Second Life's premium "Christmas sites", a beautiful place called Winterland Classic Christmas, located on a sim of the same name.  You might even be able to see if your name is on Santa's "good list"!

Then a reading of one of Hans Christian Anderson's tales.

Episode 10

Part one:

Winterland Classic Christmas
The Original Winterland!

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Winterland Classic Christmas/116/229/33


Part two:

Han Christian Anderson's story of "Thumbelina", read by me, in a story-telling manner.

Music used in this podcast:

Part 1
"String Quartet" a sweet classical piece by Franz Joseph Haydn

Part 2
"Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) Overture", another classical piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This episode is approximately 29 minutes long.

Romantic Steampunk?

Mix Victorian era, Industrial Revolution, with a touch of fantasic science and imagination, and you just might find the magic of Caledon in Second Life. Steampunk at it's romantic best can be found on the many islands that make up this 19th century Victorian era based community.  Whether you explore this land in a steam-engine train, or a mechanized hot air balloon, you are sure to find fantasy and wonder at every bend.... in Caledon!

Then a reading of one of the tales by the Brothers Grimm.

Episode 8

Part one:

Caledon
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon Victoria City/128/128/0

Part two:

The Brothers Grimms' Tale of "Snow White & Rose Red" read by me, in a story-telling manner, special request of Salem

Music used in this podcast:

Part 1
"Water Music Suite, , a classical piece composed by George Frideric Handel.

Part 2
"Bolero", another classical piece by Maurice Ravel.

This episode is approximately 21 minutes long.

Ahoy Maties!

An adventure with pirates, wenches and mermaids is what you'll find at the role-playing sims of the Beek Haven Pirate Waters.  Battling pirates, in their big battle ships, fight in the open waters in open competition every week.  Shops full of clothing, swords and other pirate related goods can be found in the same area as the the tavern where all the pirates hang out at, The Keep tavern.

Then a reading of one of tales by the Brothers Grimm.

Episode 8

Part one:

Beek Haven Pirate Waters
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Beek%20Haven/43/32/22

Part two:

The Brothers Grimms' Tale of "Ashputtle" read by me, in a story-telling manner.

Music used in this podcast:

Part 1
"Symphony 94 in G Major, "The Surprise", a classical piece composed by Franz Joseph Hayden.

Part 2
"Concerto for Piano & Orchestra, No. 21 in C Major, another classical piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This episode is approximately 22 minutes long.

Here there be dragons!

In a land far, far away.... well, not exactly so far away, but in this virtual world of Second Life, you might feel you are going far, far away to experience mystical and magical lands such as Isle of Wyrms. Here you will maybe see dragons and mystical creatures as you have not seen in all your days before! The lands are green and lush and capture such beauty, you just might now believe your eyes. I share a bit of the wonder I find of the Isle of Wyrms in this episode of Fantasy & Folktales.

Then a reading of one of tales by the Brothers Grimm.

Episode 7

Part one:

Isle of Wyrms
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Limbo/27/30/38

Part two:

The Brothers Grimms' Tale of "Hansel & Gretel" read by me, in a story-telling manner.

Music used in this podcast: "Symphonie No. 9 in E Minor, "From the New World": II. Largo". A classical piece composed by Antonin Dvorák.

This episode is approximately 25 minutes long.

Paradise in Second Life!

Whether you go exploring or grid-hunting, or lucky chair hopping, it is easy to find fun places to shop in, and discover "lands" you never knew existed. Utilizing the Search function in Second Life and checking out the Showcase is certain to keep you hopping all over the grid for many hours at a time.

There are many paradises in Second Life, and this show two are mentioned that are both fun and beautiful.

Then a very special reading of one of tales by the Brothers Grimm, by request.

Episode 6

Part one:

Prim & Pixel Paradise

    SLURL:   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Celaeno/15/87/27
    BLOG:    http://slstrut.blogspot.com/
    FLICKR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/beads/

Wicked Paradise
SLURL:     http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wicked%20Paradise/83/60/21

Part two:

The Brothers Grimms' Tale of "Little The Red Cap" read by me, in a story-telling manner. 

Music used in this podcast:  "Aquarium" by David Kempers

This episode is approximately 16 minutes long.

Haunted houses, mazes, and treasures in pumpkins!

As October hastens down the track of time passing, and November saunters onto the horizon brightly, there may be a few things, yet, to be explored in Second Life that could very well chill your blood, and cause you to shriek.  Try your patience and stout heart to exploring the haunted house and corn maze on Seattle sim, or maybe test your courage at Devil's Labyrinth, Haunted Castle Maze on Rivata.

And, when you are done being frightened out of your wits, perhaps you will test your skills of treasure hunting on the grid wide Pumpkin Hunt, Oct. 31- Nov 2.
A starting point:  'Solange! Fashions/The Silk Raven at
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dream%20On%20Bay/89/126/33

Then a very special reading of one of Edgar Allan Poe's poems, by request.

Episode 5

Part one:

Haunted house and corn maze on Seattle sim
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seattle/166/163/29

Devil's Labyrinth, Haunted Castle Maze on Rivata
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rivata/151/47/86

Grid wide Pumpkin Hunt, Oct. 31- Nov 2
A starting point:  'Solange! Fashions/The Silk Raven at
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dream%20On%20Bay/89/126/33

Part two:
Edgar Allan Poe's Tale of "The Raven" read by me, in a story-telling manner. 

Music used in this podcast:

1. Intro & Outro - Excerpts from Brandon Sollins "Sweet"
2. Second Life segment & Poe's "The Raven" segment - Excerpts from Valerie Mih's "Rainfall"
   

This episode is approximately 17 minutes long.

Pastafarian Halloween Experience!

Prepare yourself for a frightening experience as you walk through the graveyard that is not so quiet. Ghosts and bats flying around, and strange noises and whispering voices will cause your hair to stand on end.  Warnings are given this place is not for the faint of heart; beware, traveler, for the frights you may experience here may last you for the rest of your "maybe short" life.

This episode shares the Pastafarian Halloween Experience, probably one of the more scary Halloween builds I've visited yet! Then it goes on with another reading of one of Edgar Allan Poe's tales.

Episode 4

Part one:
A small tour of Pastafarian Halloween Experience 2008, on the Linda sim. This is one of the scariest builds I've seen in Second Life, and certainly the most fun...if you like the sight of your own blood!
Just don't lose your head over it!!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Linda/124/195/299

Part two:
Edgar Allan Poe's Tale of "The Masque of the Red Death" read by me, in a story-telling manner. 

Music used in this podcast:

1. Intro & Outro - Excerpts from Brandon Sollins "Sweet"
2. Second Life segment & Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" segment - Excerpts from After Touch's "Sinphony"
   

This episode is approximately 23 minutes long.

Octoberville & Poe!!

Haunted mazes, ghosts jumping out to scare anyone passing by, pumpkin patches, and all sorts of ghouls and costumed characters are what can be found milling about the best Halloween attraction in Second Life you might ever experience.

This episode shares Octoberville, one of my favorite sites to go to and really get into the Halloween spirit. Then it goes on with another reading of one of Edgar Allan Poe's tales.

Episode 3

Part one:
A small tour of Octoberville 2008, on the PixelTrix sim, to whet your curiosity, or nudge you to go brave the scary sights they have created this year, at one of SL's premier Halloween builds.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/PixelTrix/138/86/23

Part two:
Edgar Allan Poe's Tale of "The Pit & The Pendulum" read by me, in a story-telling manner. 

Music used in this podcast:

1. Intro & Outro - Excerpts from Brandon Sollins "Sweet"
2. Second Life segment - 2012's "Don't Forget Yourself"
   
3. Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit & The Pendulum" Segment - Blazej Lindner's "Crossroads"

This episode is approximately 45 minutes long.

Halloween!!  It's coming!!

This is my favorite time of year, with all the scary decorated places, haunted graveyards, and dark, dank mansions that only ghosts and ghouls would dare inhabit.  This is the time of year that most everyone in Second Life demonstrates a wicked twist of dementia, and we all hurry to the many incredible builds to see what sort of gruesome tortures we can subject our poor avatars to.

This episode shares two Halloween related places and then goes on with a reading of one of Edgar Allan Poe's tales of gruesome deeds.

Episode 2

Part one:
Check out one of my favorite stores for some fabulous Halloween costumes, and decorations you can add to your home in Second Life.  "A Touch of Ireland" on the Cork Island
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cork/143/168/29

"Bentham Manor" is one of SL's popular haunted mansions, and scary Halloween build that you can spend hours on fighting off demons and zombies, and more.  You can find Bentham Manor open all year round on the Sevenfold sim.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sevenfold/197/132/169

Part two:
Edgar Allan Poe's Tale of "The Tell-Tale Heart" read by me, in a story-telling manner. 

Music used in this podcast:

1. Intro & Outro - Excerpts from Brandon Sollins "Sweet"
2. Second Life segment - Emissary's "2012"
   
3. Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" Segment - James Clarke's rendition of Bach's "Toccata & Fugue in D minor"

This episode is 23 minutes long.

Fantasy & Folktales

With this podcast, my hope is to re-awaken the wonder, the magic and the imagination that we once had when we were children.  Even if it only re-ignites that smoldering ember of creativity, perhaps this podcast will give you, the listener, a glimpse of our rich "story-telling past", as told by the Brothers Grimm. 
 
This podcast is also about the fantasy one can find, and create, in Second Life, but primarily the purpose of this show is to keep a bit of our folkloric history "alive".

The Grimms' Tales I will be reading in "Fantasy & Folktales" are unabridged, and true to the German translation as I could find.

Episode 1

Part one:
Intro as to what this podcast is about, and why I am producing it as my Second Life character.

Part two:
A short segment about the role-playing area called Avilion, located in the virtual world known as Second Life.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Avilion/4/130/45
This is one of the biggest and most popular Fantasy role-playing areas in Second Life, and where I make my SL home. 

Part three:
The Grimms' Tale of "Snow White" is read by me, in a story-telling manner. 

Music used in this podcast:

1. Intro & Outro - Excerpts from Brandon Sollins "Sweet"
2. Mid-Intro Segment - Brunswick Duo's rendition of "Handel's Sonata in B Flat"
3. Avilion Segment - Julia Ecklar's "Overture" from her "Divine Intervention" CD
4. The Brothers' Grimm's Snow White Segment - Jim Richmond's "Awakening"

This podcast is about 23 minutes long.