My answers to the Bubbly's quest

I would have been an entirely hopeless hobbit as I managed to get lost as usual. I just have no sense of direction whatsoever. So I found the sign, see left, and if I remember Mr Underhill met Strider at the pub. I don't remember the name of the landlord though, I've always been to scared of the ringwraiths to pay attention.

Lord of the Rings (LOTR) is a book that is part of my childhood, too. I think I read the entire series in a week when I was 12. For whatever 'flaws' the books have, they still manage to speak to people across the generations and throughout their lives. As a child, these were magic tales that I could share with my dad. Something, like Dr Who, that was a collective thing like old fashioned storytelling.

As adults you see different things, I can see that the books are written about the death of the old world at the end of WWI, when the old social structures were destroyed and the upper classes lost their dominance. They also deal with the interim period between the wars, and the rebuilding of new social structures, the shift of power to new hands, and eventually the final battles against evil. Then as the old Elvish and wizard ways slip away, the world is given to men and women to take care of. The future might be uncertain, but at least it is and end to the death and destruction. Good has triumphed over evil.

The books are also about companionship and the personal qualities that strong personal relationships feature. Apparently, Tolkein was one of 4 friends before the First World War, they were inseparable. They were all sent to fight in the trenches and only Tolkein came back. The books are also about them.

Very sad, moving, thought-provoking books, and like all good books ones that you learn from.
Personally, I'm grateful to Tolkein for his books, he gave not only England a mythology that we have lost, but the world.

Annie

This place is a fictional place that captured my imagination the first time I read this story when I was young, and still now holds me in its spell.

Voted the best book of the 20th century this trilogy was made into a wonderful film by Peter Jackson.

To find this place you have to search for it and TP from the search engine as the owner of the sim doesn't allow lm's to be created.

If you know where the House of Elrond is located you will soon find this location , from there fly round till you find the place where the hobbits broke their journey and met a very interesting companion.

Take a picture of the sign outside this place.

What was the name of the stranger they met here?
Who is the owner of this establishment?
Under what name was Frodo travelling?

Happy hunting

Tis the Season

This month we celebrate a great holiday. All across Second Life we see evidence of the celebrations. It is time for us to join in this traditional cultural event.

It is important that you dress appropriately for your quest, so suit up in the seasons apparel of your choosing.

When you arrive to your destination (after giving yourself time to rez), you will need to read the sign that will guide you on your journey. The locals are said to be quite mad and will be most interesting to converse with so bring back stories of your travels.

You may want to complete the entire treat that this place offers, but for this quest you must provide a photo of a cherub or the Master. The photo should be posted here along with the story of your quest. Extra credit goes to anyone who completes the Hunt!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/PixelTrix/159/107/22

Uluru and cultural sensitivity

Uluru, ('formerly' Ayers Rocks), is a well-known indigenous sacred site that has attracted media attention. It must have been presumed that the 'virtual' Ayers Rock in Second Life would be free from the restrictions that have been placed on Uluru. This article below shows that this is far from the case, and interestingly SL restrictions have taken account of cheats like camming around and over. I have to say I'm rather impressed.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/25/uluru_kerfuffle/

British gardening culture

I thought I'd add a fun object for you all.

These two little objects are often found in British gardens, particularly in the suburbs, and a very representative of British gardening culture. They have become less popular in recent years, because they are widely seen as being in poor taste.

• However, do you think these objects originate in the UK?
• Have you seen them in other countries or heard stories about them?
• Do you think that there might be common stories told about these objects?

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Holymoly/94/86/25

MissAnnie

An ancient quest

You are looking for somewhere that was an essential part of ancient Roman culture. You may already be aware of the cultural significance of this social meeting which has been the setting of many film scenes. This soft object is often found where there is a water, and they have been in constant use from ancient times to the present day. My questions for this location are:

What kinds of activity do you think took place here?
What advantages do you think the advantages of this ancient Roman place might be?
How do modern facilities impact this culture?

http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROMA/215/25/22

If you need a hint you can find a notecard that will help you inside the location.

MissAnnie

Who's who

If you'd like to chat to anyone else who is taking part in the cultural treasure hunt, here's a list of people involved.

• Ophrys Fleurie - Project Mentor
  
• MissAnnie Ducatillon - Project Mentor
  
• Jezzie McCellan
  
• Bubbly Coakes
• Marta Troglodyte
• Alilia Fizzle
  

Visiting Locations and How to post to the blog

How to visit Locations

You should see a SLurl associated with most locations for quests in the blog. A Slurl is a Second Life URL. This acts in the same as a URL when you double click on it. Double clicking will open up a new window in your browser with a Second Life related window. Choose the Teleport button to visit the site.

Please note: if you have Second Life open already then the SLurl link information will be transferred to your Map button. If you open this you will see the co-ordinates are there. Click Teleport to complete the process.


How to post to the blog

Choose New Post from the top right hand side of the blue banner. It should be located between your email address and the Help link. This will bring you to a window like this one for you to write to.

To include a picture choose the button that looks like a picture on the left hand side of the top formatting menu. It is shown marked in black below. If you need further help visit the Blogger help page on adding pictures.

Task 2 - hunting for objects

Choose a maximum of 5 locations in the blog that you'd like to explore.

• Visit each location and take a snapshot of the object you think has been described.
• Now you need to post your snapshots to the blog.
• With each snapshot, write a message to the person that created that entry and
  
• Say why you think the object has cultural significance for the person.
  
• Comment on the choice of object in relation to culture, e.g. would this have the same cultural significance for you personally.
  
• How is it different to your understanding?
• Are there any shared associations?
• Ask further questions to clarify any queries you might have.
• Have fun!

Task 1: A sl quest

Here's a sl quest for you:

I spent several years of my life living in Scandinavia and revisited for eight successive summer holidays after I left. There are some things that are very symbolic and meaningful for me there. At this SLURL you should find a couple of them – one animate and one inanimate.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wonderful%20Denmark/133/138/22


1. For the animate one - go to the slurl and visit the Djursland shop on the east side of the main square. In the shop select the brochure with the picture of the polar bear on the front . ‘Dyreparken’ on the linked webpage should lead you to the animal that for me represents all things Scandinavian. It’s one of my all time favourite animals – a reserved creature with a big nose. You might know of a location where you can take a snapshot of one in sl – I don’t; but do get me a snapshot if you can find one.

2. For the inanimate one – head out west from the main square to the edge of the town -best to fly as it's a long walk- and see one of the familiar giants of the Scandinavian landscape: sometimes solitary, sometimes in pairs and sometimes in groups. Post me a snapshot?

Ophrys Fleury

Task 1 - choosing things for people to find...

Find a location in SL that represents either your own culture (e.g. nationality) or a Second Culture (one which you have an affinity with e.g. historical, another nationality, neko or other SL culture).

• Choose an object to describe in the blog for others to find.
  
• Take a SLURL by clicking the Map button and choosing Copy SLURL to Clipboard.
• Create a new entry in the blog, and write a description of that object without saying what its called. Paste the SLURL into the entry. You might need to leave a little description of the location to help people choose where to visit.