Bayou Du Chat Noir

 

Fritter Enzyme is back at the Second Life Newser. In his first article coming back to the paper, he looks at Bayou Du Chat Noir. Run by Kitty Vinji and Kylie Quinn, the town is set next to a Louisiana swamp and there's both wilderness and buildings to see from the voodoo shop to the Love Shack club. So what did Fritter think?

See Fritter's article in Places.

“Bacon of Hope” Hunt at New Toulouse

Besides the Relay Weekend, Gemma Cleanslate has also been at New Toulouse in the past few days for their "Bacon of Hope" hunt. In the game, using a HUD, you look for plants of a particular kind of invasive species considered a threat to local ecology, which can be exchanged for bacon. At the end are some boxes of gifts. But one possible complication in the hunt for the flowers are the hippos that have somehow found their way into the swampland, and running into one could be bad.

Read Gemma's story in Events.

"Lundi Gras" Boat Parade at New Toulouse

Besides the "Samedi Gras" parade in the city streets, it seems the 1920s New Orleans themed community of New Toulouse held a "Lundi Gras" parade in the waters of the bayou. Several boats, rafts, and other things that floated took part in this aquatic version of the Mardi Grads parade. The proclaimed "King of the Carnival" King Blake proclaimed:

It is commanded that the residents of New Toulouse and all who visit her adhere to the following decree:
… that the residents and observers of the capital city shall embrace this evening’s riverine pageantry and put forth their great determination in attending the magnificent spectacle of maritime craft that shall sail upon the great Missedabracket River;
… that a local priest shall preside over the ceremony at its commencement for the blessing of the fleet and to ensure our entrusted fishers, trawlers, piscators, and those with rod and reel a safe and bountiful season;
… that those in gracious attendance shall show no tolerance and put forth their licentious efforts in the bountiful spirits, grandeur, and pleasures that await following the evening ceremony.

Nikita Weymann of the community newsletter "The Tattler" described the event:

This old bird has seen a lot of odd things floating in the waters of New Toulouse, but on Lundi Gras there was a new addition to the flood of Carnival activity: the Krewe du Canard held a little bayou regatta. The vessels were varied, ranging from Blake Palmer’s fishing boat, to Henri Godenot’s float-styled pirogue, to whatever sort of Jules Verne-type craft the Whitefalcons were piloting. Admiral Callidus Waydelich showed up in an inner tube; one would suspect the Mondragons had more impressive naval technology than that, especially after seeing that flying elephant float they made for Samedi Gras. 

The parade sailed along the river, amusing the spectators on the deck of the Mama Cree. Then the Duck Armada sailed back to its home pond, and the krewe members went to the Toulouse Caboose, where they proceeded to get polluted. DJ Q got them dancing, Doc Avalon got them drinking, and Lundi Gras may never be the same, especially if the boat parade becomes a regular Carnival event.

More pictures can be seen in Maggie Hawksby's Flickr page (here). 

Source: The Tattler

New Toulouse

Last Tuesday in Second Life was Mardi Gras in Second Life. One of the places holding a parade, as it has every year for a time, is New Toulouse. A residential and roleplay community, it reflects New Orleans in the 1920s. Fritter Enzyme took a look at the place once "Fat Tuesday" was over, and even when it's most famous event wasn't going on, found there was a great deal for visitors to see.

Read Fritter's review in Places.

New Toulouse Floods

By Bixyl Shuftan

Earlier this week, the sim of New Toulouse, made to look like New Orleans in the early 20th Century, experienced a rare event. The place was hit by a storm and a flood. The water level rose, making walking around a wet experience.

Dropping in on the sim on Sunday, on the streets, the water level had risen a few feet. This meant for a five to six foot tall avatar, they'd  be about waist deep in water. Buildings such as shops had less of a problem, the water level less then a foot. But they still made for a damp shopping experience. Fortunetly there were ways of getting about besides taking a bath. In some places, there were boats available for people to take a copy, rezz on the water, and get on and paddle away. in places there were items floating, such as crates and sections of tree trunk.

While going about, I came across a talk between Nikita Weyman, a menfolk, and Henri Godenot. Henri is the owner of the New Toulouse and New Toulhouse Bayou sims. The two were discussing something about a Kraken, or rather the lack of one. Henri insisted, "There are no Krakens in the Bayou!" He insisted "the weird noises over by the wrecked cargo ships are caused by settling. "

Henri stated the flood had been caused by a hurricane, "storm cane in on Saturday morning, and appears to be stationary." "The rain started Friday," Nikita told, "but the sky didn't get weird and all my stuff start blowing away until Saturday." She turned to the mayor, "I think my outhouse is floating out toward your houseboat, Mr. G."

Henri told me evacuation orders had been issued, but "People have been picking up stuff and throwing parties, the evacuation has been a complete failure. in fact I think there are more people here than before the storm." He mentioned there had been some incidents, "The water rises, stuff blows in, weird stuff happens. Like that Sushi Boat Accident by the Bridge." "Sushi boat accident?" I asked, "Sure, Sushi Boat accident, because  THERE ARE NO KRACKENS IN THE BAYOU!!"

More guests arrived and Niki wanted to swim elsewhere, so the rest of us took the conversation indoors. Henri stated hurricanes and floods typical are handled about once a year.It was mentioned a boatload of coffee sank, leading to a few jokes about wide-awake fish.

Before I left, Henri thought the flood would be around for at least two more days. Coming by on Thursday, the flood was gone, and the streets were dry again.

I never did find anything about a Kracken, though.

Bixyl Shuftan

Relay for Life: Mardi Gras in the Bayou

On the weekend of March 30-April 1st, the Relay for Life held its Mardi Gras Weekend. For three days, there were a number of events on a special French Quarter Sim. For Friday, the big event was the dance at the Bayou. From 5 to 7 PM was the Cure Chasers event, the cheerleading team for the Relay. At 7PM was the Team Relay for Hope with DJ Madona Milena.


We're still rockin' in da Bayou here at Mardi Gras. Team Relay For Hope is taking over the airwaves with the fabulous DJ Madonna Milena up next. Bring those dance shoes and your RELAY spirit.. and c'mon down. it's a fun time .. we gar own teee it!



Dropping in, people were dancing in the swamp near a shack on stilts. It didn't matter that some looked like they were going "splish-splash" in the marsh water, everyone was having a good time. "If any Cure Chasers need dry sneakers, instant-message me," spoke Sienna Thor, captain of the Cure Chasers, whom still had several girls there. Some of them were sporting comically huge top hats, white with pictures of the "Road Runner" cartoon character. In her latex outfit and boots, DJ Madonna looked better able to handle the waters of the swamp. Some had outfits more appropriate for a real Mardi Gras event. And of course there were plenty of beads worn around.

Later that weekend were other events. Saturday 10 AM had a parade with a number of floats involve, which were later parked for display. They would later be judged for a contest. The winner was the Lanterns for Life Green Lantern float. Other teams would have their events, among them Flying Tigers, Heroes for Life, Team Caledon, Starfleet, and others.

The sim was not a permanent one, but after the weekend would disappear, as if vanishing into the virtual swamp.

The weekend also marked a milestone in this year's Relay. The amount raised this season passed the 25 million Linden mark, or over 100,000 US Dollars. One team, Amaretto Ranch Breedables, has reached Emerald status, with over two million Lindens raised. The Steelhead Salmons earned their Silver trophy, with 120,000 Lindens raised. The Passionate Redheads, whom many of the writer's virtual neighbors are with, are a Bronze-ranked team, with just over 31,000 raised.

"Go Relay"

*Addition* Second Life Newser was later contacted by Kaiila Mahoney of "Goreans in RFL," saying they had raised 75,000 Lindens that weekend, 68,000 from their parade float. This would make them the top fundraising team for the Mardi Gras. They are the third ranked among the Relay teams, behind only Amaretto Horses and SL Music Races for a Cure.

Source: RFL in SL

Bixyl Shuftan