Memorial Service for Jimmy Branagh

 

Saying goodbye to a friend for the last time is never easy. And earlier this month, the residents of the Steamlands and a few other places did just that. Jimmy Branagh, known best as a child avatar or "urchin" in the Steamlands, had been declared missing after evidence came to light he had most likely passed away. At the Babbage Town Hall on Saturday February 12, a memorial service was held for him. Various residents gave touching words about him in what was almost certainly the final farewell to him.

Read the story in People.

Memorial Service for Jimmy Branagh Today, 1PM

 
From Edward Pearse:

In light of recent news, I am holding a memorial service for Jimmy Branagh, and others who we think have gone but have been unable to confirm. Those "Lost at Sea"

Please join me at the Babbage Town Hall on Saturday 12th of Feb at 1:00pm SLT.

If you'd like to share a story about Jimmy or someone please let me know and I will try and sort out an order.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Babbage%20Square/157/179/111
 

Jimmy Branagh of Steamlands Declared Missing

 
Seldom does the Newser report on unconfirmed stories. But in this case, there's enough evidence to say there's a solid chance a noted personality in the Steamlands is gone. 

Jimmy Branagh, while in a number of groups such as the Goonies and one Trek roleplay was usually seen around the Steamlands in his child avatar. In Steelhead, he managed to become the new sheriff. Sadly, his adventures are likely at an end. Fuzzball Ortega posted details in the Steelhead groups on Facebook and Discord.

Recently found out that the person behind Jimmy Branagh's avatar had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma last year. I sent out a group notice with a notecard from Tenk regarding it. He recently found an obituary from last month that fit with certain things Tenk was aware of. Jimmy's last log in was December 23rd. Jimmy was VERY careful in keeping his First Life and Second Life separate. It has yet to be confirmed, so New Babbage, and Steelhead, considers him "Lost At Sea".

Again, I must stress, it hasn't been confirmed. I'm going to be one of many that's hoping to see Jimmy log in, with a "Hoy, Boss" and rolling a bottle of his home brewed alcohol. For now, "Lost at sea". Edward Pearse is planning something for this weekend, I believe. Tenk has an area set up in New Babbage for people to place Messages in bottles, paper boats, and such. Tenk wants to stay away from the usual New Babbage ceremony when someone passes away. I think the candles I placed in Steelhead are enough for now. His lot will stay as is.

As Fuzzball stated, it can't be truly confirmed that Jimmy has passed on. But Tenk had little hope that he was still alive. It certainly looks like Steelhead and New Babbage have lost a good friend. 

Image credit: Fuzzball Ortega
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

Announcement: May's Aether Salon - Secret Societies!

Due to complications, the Salon will NOT be on the third Sunday of May but the fourth, the 22nd, instead.

Secret Societies have existed since the dawn of Man, and all throughout history.  For this month's Aether Salon, Jimmy Branagh explores the whys and wherefores of some of the most famous of these secretive and often malevolent organizations.

Please arrive a tad early to receive your gift, and instructions.

New Babbage

Discussion of Victorian Medicine and Surgery At The Aether Salon

 Medical practice as the world knows it developed in the 19th Century. Things people in all but the most isolated areas take for granted such as anesthesic drugs and doctors washing their hands and instruments before surgery came about at this time. The development of these practices, and other details of medicine and surgery during the Victorian Era, was the subject of this month's Aether Salon discussion, on Sunday April 27 in New Babbage at 2PM SL time. Normally on the third Sunday of the month, as Easter fell on it's normal time it was delayed a week.

 Jimmy Branagh, whom normally roleplays a young "scamp" in Steelhead and other places in the Steamlands, though given credit for developing a "mechanical musical liver" led the discussion. Before the use of ether for surgery, the only way for the patient to deal with pain was a "mug of rum and a stick to bite on." And although disinfecting one's hands before surgery was proposed by one doctor in 1847, his "observations conflicted with the established scientific and medical opinions of the time, and his ideas were rejected by the medical community." It would be years later, after the acceptance of germ theory, in which doctors would start washing their hands before surgery.

The high point of the discussion was when Jimmy performed a demonstration of an amputation before the use of knockout drugs, in which the only thing the doctor could do, besides getting assistants or restraints to hold the patient down, was to do the job as quickly as possible, using a knife to cut through muscle, "it's much like ... cutting through a moderate sized ham," then a bone saw. A skilled doctor could get the job done in under a minute. Jimmy stated the subject, securely restrained, was "drunk ... with luck he will sleep through the entire procedure and be none the worse for wear."

Unfortunately for the audience, the subject didn't stay unconscious, and the place was filled with horrible, blood-curling screams, combined with the sprays of blood, staining Jimmy's hands, making the demonstration a bit too realistic for some, "Grossest thing, ever." Once the demonstration was over, one observer remarked, "Jimmy, you have a sick mind. I am proud to be your friend."

Edited and unedited transcripts of the discussion are available on the Aether Salon blog. More and better detailed pictures of the surgery can be seen on the New Babbage Municipal Gallery.

Bixyl Shuftan

Jobias Barthelmess Announced as Winner of Steelhead Elections

It was last week on August 6 in which the Steampunk community of Steelhead held their mayoral elections. Yesterday at the Steelhead town hall, interim mayor Jimmy Branagh announced the results. Three candidates had run for the office, TotalLunar Eclipse the incumbent, and two challengers, Willow Leafstorm and Jobias Barthelmess. Jobias, whom was involved in an attempted shooting of Steelhead's Sheriff Fuzzball Ortega, was a much criticized candidate at public meetings. Even he himself during the debate admitted he wasn't the most popular of those running.

So imagine the surprise when it was announced at the August 13th town hall meeting that Jobias had won the elections! Timmy, who gave the announcement, was described as worried, "he sounded odd." This led to a lengthy debate among the people at the meeting, and whether or not the votes should be screened for accounts less than a couple weeks old.

Lunar reminded the crowd that while Jobias has been accused of many plots, he had never been convicted of them. When talk turned to tarring and feathering him, Lunar tried to calm them down, "Killing or maiming him would earn you jail time, there is still a law here." He asked that if people insisted on plotting that he be left out of it.

Speaking to Lunar after the meeting, he commented of the results, "I am quite frankly shocked. I have served under another mayor before I will try and keep neutral on my feelings." Willow, who was also there, had this to say, "Yes, I have a statement. There is no way that man, Jobless Brothelmess is taking office on my watch. He is a scoundrel and a criminal. My duty is to protect Steelhead."

As of now, there is no official statement from Jobias. Details are still coming in about this upset election in Steelhead.

(Editor's note: the election results are part of a community roleplay, so expect more twists and turns)

Bixyl Shuftan

Steelhead Votes For Mayor

 Following Steelhead's weekly town meeting on Tuesday, Interum Mayor Jimmy Branagh declared the polls open. And getting to the place, voting was simple enough, pick up the paper, read the attatched applications of the three candidates for additional information, write down your name and choice of mayor in the respective areas, and drop the paper in the box.

Earlier that day, Jimmy had given his endorsment: for Lunar.

'ello people of Steelhead.  Oy've enjoyed bein' th' Mayor an' awl but tomorrow th' polls open ta select a new permanent toipe Mayor. So make sure ya get yer butt ta th' polls befoe Friday at 9:00 PM when they close.  An' no funny votin' neither. Think Oy won't foind out? As wot will loikely be me foinal official act Oy officially throw me support behoind an' endorse Mr. Lunar ta get back his Mayor's job an' he can be all cushy an' stuff.

Anyone technically a citizen of Steelhead may vote, not just those living there. But Lunar's concern was about the safety and security of the ballots, "Safe secure voting my arse, its a cardboard box!" Someone else thought even the tape holding the box together looked loose.

I saw a number of people drop in. This included one self-described "timelord" who knew who was going to win, but couldn't say who it was. Jobias Barthelmess (the man in black in the second picture) was there when I showed up, but soon left.

Second Life Newser will not endorse a candidate, but will note that aside from Jobias, the campaign has been a remarkably civil one with a general agreement on most issues and willingess to listen and compromise. And the two leading candidates are remaining friends without an ill word with one another. A remarkable feat for an election that this reporter seldom reads about, let alone encounters. 

The polls will be open until Friday, and the winner announced at the next Steelhead community meeting next Tuesday.

Bixyl Shuftan

Steelhead's Mayoral Elections: The Debate

Last Friday, August 2nd, the Steelhead community held it's debate for this week's election for mayor. The three candidates, incumbent TotalLunar Eclipse, leading challenger Willow Leafstorm, and the long shot runner Jobias Barthelmess, were present. The interim mayor fielded a number of questions to them in front of an audience, and the candidates gave their responses. So, what issues would a Steampunk-themed community noted for it's diverse population of elves, fae, nekos, and more living alongside humans, and it's resident population of mad scientists, have to debate? Second Life Newser was there to get the story.

Read more about the debate in Events.