HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE ANNOUNCED

Preparations are underway for the holiday party and "open house" here at the tavern. I have sent out the necessary announcements, and I am now knee-deep in creating Christmas decorations and a grand tree for Grayson Hall, the banquet room on the top floor. Now if only I can find a way to STAY in SL and revel in all the creativity here!

EVENT INFO: Thurday, December 4, from 3pm-6pm at THE BLUE WHALE tavern in Antiquity Citadel.

A CHANGE OF SEASONS

What an amazing few weeks it has been!

And who could have anticipated it, indeed? What began as a price increase dictated from the halls of Linden Labs has led to a profound change in all of Antiquity. Many landowners decided to release some of their holdings, and thus the land of Antiquity has diminished in size by perhaps forty or fifty percent--or that is what it seems. The lovely Antiquity Shouls, within which I was operating The Blue Whale since August 14, no longer exists. Drake Moyer has moved much of his holdings there to what was once Antiquity Forest, and has re-named it Antiquity Citadel. The sim is now dominated by a majestic and beautiful castle, and a high wall surrounds virtually the entire sim. On the southern edge of the sim is a small port, accessible through a wide break in the wall--and there now sits the newly opened tavern.

I could not have selected a better spot myself. The duke was generous in allowing me such an advantageous position, as travelers disembarking at the port are bound to see my tavern and perhaps step in for rest and refreshment.

And the best news of all, to which I owe the duke a great debt of gratitude, is that I have built an entirely new tavern. It is my first attempt at building an entire structure, and I could not be more pleased with it....unless perhaps I had a hundred more prims to work with! I will follow this post soon with more details.

But for the moment, more images will serve...

THE WORK CONTINUETH

Further modifications necessitate additional photographic updates. Here the reader may see what, for the moment, is the final appearance of the new entry that now graces the front of the tavern.


I have also acquired an amazing Visual Receiver that displays a wide variety of moving images, some of which are clearly from an origin beyond our time and place--and understanding. I am truly dazzled by what modern engineering can achieve in this age of industrial wizardy.

As you will see in this image, I have removed one of the tavern's tables, to allow more room for visitors who wish to take advantage of the new dance ball I installed, a gift some weeks ago from the generous Mr. Merk Thor.

A NEW FACE FOR THE TAVERN

With the fresh paint hardly dry, I was gripped this week with the urge to enhance the entrance to the tavern. Perhaps I felt it needed a bit of charm added, to make it a more inviting doorway through which passersby would be compelled to pass. This picture marks only one phase of the addition, I must admit. I am a perfectionist at heart, and thus never satisfied, hence I continued to modify and tweak well into the night. Pleasantly, it does give me cause to be in residence longer, whenever such work beckons, and thus I am able to meet more visitors to the tavern--always a pleasant event.

NOTES ON A SATISFYING REVELRY

It behooves the prudent tradesman to note the kindness of patrons who elevate his station. As such, I have resolved to remember -- to the best of my ability -- the friendly souls who honored me with their presence at The Blue Whale’s grand opening reception on the thirteenth of September. Gratitude is but one of the many emotions I felt at the size of the crowd who deemed my tavern worthy of a visit that day. Joy, humility and excitement would not be out of place on the day’s list of feelings. And yes, pride would be there among them.

My concern over the intrusion of Hurricane Ike into the proceedings proved unwarranted. The storm was still quite strong during the event--indeed throughout the day--but its effect proved insignificant.

I need not dwell too much on the specifics of the afternoon at the tavern, as most can assume what transpires at a reception. The accompanying images convey a good sense of the merriment. There was much socializing, a good bit of dancing, and plenty to drink and eat. We saw the fall of night, and the rise of the dawn, so how can it be deemed anything other than a complete success?

Among the revelers were Merryman Mondegreen, Titanas Vella, Renate Marchionne, Scattered Sideways (my gracious hostess), Brother Easterwood and okwaho Euler. Also in attendance were Merk Thor, Quintas Beaumont, Rafeal Fabre, Tiernan Quandry, Merryann Munster, Malibu DuPont, Elspeth Woolley, Baht McMahon, Raine Milena, Sanpierre Juran, Cenci Criss, Avariel Falcon, Varlenn Morgath, ferre Howlett, Alexandra Lowenhart and Kris Electricteeth. I commend my hostess for keeping a record of the visitors. Preoccupied with keeping the guests served and making a photographic record, I had not even thought of writing down names!

I also must commend those guests who were so willing to set aside past differences and merely enjoy the day in peace. I did not hear any talk of prior victories and defeats, nor did I hear uncomfortable boasting. It was merely a time of relaxation and sheer fun, and I am grateful to all who participated.

With the success of this, my first attempt at a tavern social event, I have resolved to organize other such gatherings on a somewhat regular basis, to the extent the my other obligations will allow.

IN SPITE OF IKE!

Today is the big day of the Grand Opening Reception, to start at noon, SLT. All my preparations are completed, and Scattered Sideways has graciously offered to be onhand as a co-host. My only concern is that Hurricane Ike, currently passing through my region, might deprive me of electricity at a crucial time. Let us say a few prayers and hope for the best!

THE MAN FROM THE SEA

Shortly after I arrived in Antiquity Shouls, it intrigued me to receive a communication from a distant cousin I had not seen since we played together as boys in Ireland, Mr. Tad Flanagan. He wrote of his plans to visit me during an upcoming trip to our shores. I would have certainly in short order dispatched a reply, conveying my welcome, had it not been that within mere days, while away from home, I received a message from the thoughtful Mr. Kris Electricteeth that Mr. Flanagan had appeared at the tavern asking for me! I hastened back to Antiquity Shouls, and was able to visit with the man briefly before an unnamed objective took him off into the night once again. He departed the way he had arrived, via a small submersible vessel awaiting him at the docks, the like of which I had never seen. In truth, so much time has passed since we were last in each other's presence, he may as well have been a complete stranger to me. Nonetheless, he intends to remain in Antiquity for some time to come, and thus I will continue to report on this mysterious cousin of mine, as events dictate. He is not one to convey an excess of verbiage, so there is still much I shall no doubt learn of him, his origins, and the nature of his business in Antiquity.

GRAND OPENING RECEPTION COMING SEPT. 13

Many visitors to The Blue Whale have inquired as to the date of my "grand opening". I have delayed in planning such an event, but today I have indeed confirmed a date for what I am calling a "Grand Opening Reception". It is to be held on Saturday, the 13th of September, from 12:00pm until 2:00pm (SLT). I shall reproduce here the text of my announcement:

"The imposing edifice once known as the Full and By Inn is at last newly redecorated and open for business as THE BLUE WHALE, under the capable management of new resident Mr. Flynn Bracken. If it is merriment and refreshment you seek, make a stop at the tavern on Saturday, the 13th of September between 12pm and 2pm (SLT) to meet Mr. Bracken and some of the many residents who are already making this fine establishment a frequent destination. Attire is comfortable and casual, so do wear what suits you. If you are fond of jigs, the tavern music is sure to set your feet to dancing. The menu of free drinks includes over a hundred and thirty intoxicating libations as well as some milder fare. And while you are in the tavern, help yourself to a free Blue Whale shirt. Everyone is welcome!"

AN ENCOURAGING BEGINNING

I have been quite pleased and indeed humbled by the number of fine and felicitous citizens who have stopped at the tavern since I opened its doors on the 18th of August, past. The good wishes have been plentiful as well, and thus, of the establishment's future I remain optimistic. It has been my good fortune to meet many officers, soldiers, sailors and pirates, and I am indebted to them for their help in educating me about the lay of the land. Antiquity has a thriving and complex society, to say the least, and it has been an interesting undertaking to learn just how all the many pieces fit together within the scope of this realm.

OPENING DAY

It was on Monday, August 18, that I informally removed the “Opening Soon” sign from the tavern’s front door and considered myself open for business. I need not relate what toil filled the preceeding four days, as any shopkeeper or merchant could surmise it was merely an endless series of decision-making and expenditures. It was not without its thrills and delights, however, as all that I envisioned--and much more--quickly came into being.

Many were the passersby who saw me working and stepped through the doors to take a look, or to bid me a hearty welcome. My gratitude to them is boundless, as I benefited greatly from the opinions, recommendations and compliments that were offered to me. There were many questions, of course, about when the "grand opening" would take place. I have yet to arrange one, though the idea does hold its appeal.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

We owe so much to providence! It was on August 14 that I first found myself in the delightful realm of Antiquity, an expansive Victorian sim. I was immediately charmed by the surroundings, and could not help but ponder whether there might be any residences available for rental. A few weeks in this seemingly restful place, I thought, might be a nice change of pace for me.

I happened upon a woman at a nearby shop and asked her if she by chance knew of any rental properties in the area. She said she did not know of any, but laughingly mentioned that I could rent the vacant tavern that stood just a few yards away, at the edge of a small harbor. I had not even though of such an undertaking, but instantly felt it was something to consider indeed.

I proceeded to explore the establishment, which had been abandoned, I later learned, by its previous tenant. All of its furnishings were still intact, which I must say is probably what prompted me to proceed with renting the place within just a few minutes. My thinking was that I would rent it for a week, and during that time investigate more fully the prospect of starting a business there.

Within a short time I learned that all of the tavern's contents still belonged to the previous tenant. My landlord, Duke Drake Moyer, let me know I could make use of anything I wished that was still in the tavern. However, I suspected that doing such a thing would be foolish, as the prior tavern keeper could turn up at any time and claim his goods. That would indeed have left me stranded. Additionally, anything that I do not own I cannot move! So within a few days I had cleared out his stock, top to bottom (the Duke returned them to their owner), and I started the process of making the space my own. Designing and creating is where the most joy can be found, in SL.

And thus, my first adventure as an SL merchant was underway.