Moments in the memory...
General Discussion
First, Milord, don't apologize for your poor english- or I'll have to do the same!and this foreign accent is part of your ( and hopefully my) charms:-)Secondly, I thank you for opening the doors on the secret gardens of the past, full of nostalgia, more than melodrama...Though SL is rather a place to be active in than nostalgic about, many of us can't help but cherish the days gone by, our bewildered but awkward starts, false starts, mishapps, errors ( let's forget the sordid surprises). And our joys: meeting wonderful people ( I remember vividly the "when and where" of each new encounter, which led to present friendships that mean so much to me), exploring stunning land- or cityscapes, living a dream life.I came in SL at first just to have a look , and then to take a vacation from the RL and enjoy it selfishly.But I soon discovered, as time went by, that this sometimes exhilarating three-dimensonal metaverse, exists only through the labor of love of fully dedicated people who build and manage day by day this magic world, not only for their own pleasure, but mainly for others to enjoy it with them. I would then have felt so guilty if I had not tried to do anything in return, I HAD to do something, but what? I'm not a builder , even less a scripter, not an artist, I'm not in the least a computer freak, I never RPed in my life before...It all began with the Royal Courts for me a few months after my rezz day, soon after the beginning of our Romance with Lady Candace: I was looking for a place in SL to settle in for good, a place that Candace ( who still needed to be convinced:-), would accept to settle too.I was exploring this big wide world over , and nothing fitting. Typing for location names in Research, aimlessly.One day, it occured to me to type " Provence", since I love this french region so much in RL.I found one, teleported...and landed on the Piazza between Tatiana' s Tea Room and Skye's Varriale Designs shop. Oooooohhhh! the old graceful palais, the sunrays and shadows on the cobblestoned pavement, the little shops and the old market carts full of fruits, rugs, dresses... and THE FOUNTAIN! Ohhhh The gorgeous period furniture ! and as I went along, the Canal du Midi, the huge castle, the tiny streets, and then the greenery of the country side, and the seashore, near the Queen's Hamlet...and Ooohhh the change of seasons...I WAS HOME!I introduced Candace to this new world, and she explored it by herself, and fell in love with it too.We rented Villa Ravello, but did not intend at first to take part in the Duchy's RP. We ( mainly me, I should say) were not attracted. I was even reluctant to dress in 18th century clothes , with these fluffy lace cravats and frilly lace cuffs, worn on flowery coats, not to speak about the powdered wigs:-).A few days passed, visiting the Duchy coast to coast, marvelling at everything as we marvelled at each other.We met residents once in a while, in period clothes, who greeted us so politely and nicely. I decided I could no longer "spoil" the landscape in my 21st century clothes, and made up my mind, in respect for our hosts and neighbors, to buy and wear some Period outfits.(They were bought at Trasgo's, who later became such a good friend).And it went on, little by little: my first friend in the Duchy de Coeur ( MariaLouisa...), followed by so many others...The discovery of the Royal Courts NING, this goldmine of information about who does what and what's happening...I was getting involved more and more, taking part in the events, having so much fun...forgetting about my former prejudices about clothing, I tried to become a lacy,flowery and frilly baroque fashion victim ( less than West Lyvingstone, though, The Prince of Fashionistas can't be beaten
and less than the more than perfect Myron Byron).Next step was to add my own touch to the community: What can you build, if you're not a builder?I thought that fencing, as we learned through the " cloak and dagger" movies, was so much a part of the baroque culture, along with horseriding and hunting ( in place of nowadays sports), that it could be a good RPing idea to revive it in the Duchy. But why only in the Duchy? According to me, it had to be opened to all the Royal Courts Communities!I knew it was a hazardous experience, and could maybe not raise a great interest : I used some tricks to attract attention, and launched the first meeting, and it was such a JOY to see many courtiers coming and enjoying it:)It feels SO GOOD when people respond and enjoy what you intended for them!... Then we had the first tournament in Orange Nassau, a success...and the story will go on as long as people will enjoy fencing ar attending and chatting together during or between games!SORRY, I've been so lengthy! but my conclusion is: Look at me, I'm a good-to-nothing-in-SL fellow, who can't use one tenth of the devices and tools of sl: but I scratched my head until I found something that I could handle for the pleasure and entertainment and togetherness of our communities.So many of you have done more, much more than me: but to those who did not, I feel like saying, try something,invent something, for YOU CAN'T IMAGINE the Joy it is to share it with the whole community!And believe me, if I made it, Everybody can make it!ENJOY the Royal Courts, my Friends!
))