Self-serving New Year Post (2010-2011 edition)

It’s time to do what I did last year and review my virtual life over the past year, maybe make some predictions, and make some resolutions.

2010: Mistletoe In Review

January 2010 opened with me in OpenLife Grid and mostly out of Second Life (or so I thought). I had big plans to open up a region of my own in OL within a month or so, a Wild West RP sim called Mistletoe Creek. But frustration with OL was getting the better of me. Ultimately I decided to stick it out and try to open the new sim, figuring if it doesn’t work then at least I gave it my best shot. Meanwhile disgruntled former OLers were contacting me anonymously, and I called them out.

I also don’t want you to worry about me being “harassed”. I know you were fretting over it, which is why you protect your own identity. I mean, that harassment must be brutal. I for one never knew that digitized text could be such a dangerous thing, but then I’m green to many of the ways of the world. But at any rate, it should please you to know that nobody has harassed me. This cult of OLG supporters you all seem so worried about hasn’t said one word in opposition to me, even in my angriest rant. They must be scared of a 130-pound elf. I’m such a badass after all. Rawr. Fear the elf. FEAR HER.

Today’s gig Under the Bridge!

Had a fantastically fun time today at our live gig in Lionheart! There were a couple hiccups, like at one point when I just forgot how Baj’s Reel went for a second, so we started over. And there were a few trips over lyrics here and there. All in all, though, we kicked ass. Xavion says he looks forward to having us back again.

After dinner, I did a little building for a while and almost lost track of time; fortunately Kero sent out an announcement about my fill-in shift which succeeded in reminding me about it. Also fortunately, I had a playlist ready to go. Pretty low turnout and I actually ended up losing money, but I don’t care. I had a nice night out, got to help Grizzy out, and had some fun and interesting conversation with Kero. After tipping the venue and Kero, I gave a bit more to the Love 146 jar. (By the way, those interested: Love146 Serendipity now has over 12k lindens to her name!)

Tomorrow we’re having Funky Feats at the pub, which is going to be fun (if past Funky Feats days are any indication).

Cat Agus Cu’s LIVE debut in OpenLife!

Today (the 19th) marks our first performance in OpenLife, and we hope you’ll be able to join us! We’re doing a half-hour mini-concert for Virtually Live Events’ Seasonal Party at 10PM GMT (which is 5PM Eastern, or 2PM Pacific). Himself and I will sing Christmas songs for the event, so likely several you’ve never heard from us before!

If you can’t make it inworld, you can go to this site at the time of our performance to hear us online. We’ll have our tip jar if you’re feeling generous, or you can support us via PayPal:

The event is to help support Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders). We hope we “see” you at Virtually Live: Virtual Life, Real Music! Read more about them here

No outpouring? Good.

I’ve gotten a handful of really thoughtful IMs from folks who have enjoyed Cat Agus Cu over the months, mostly expressing sadness that we’re retiring from playing in SL but simultaneously expressing sympathy for our doing so.

Part of my ego was hoping for an outpouring of outrage and gnashing of teeth at our decision, but the truth is I prefer this. We have a handful of really devoted and appreciative fans, who see us as people and not as a product, and that’s truly a thing to be thankful for.

It’s also a confirmation that we made the right decision.

Now just for the record, the band itself is not dissolving. Someone asked if we might ever play in SL just for fun, and I can’t predict the future so I said it’s not outside the realm of possibility. We’re also talking about putting a little something together in the way of a recording for Christmas, but haven’t committed to it.

Also, a friend asked why I didn’t make an announcement yet that I’m cancelling plans for the fall festival. It’s because I never made an announcement that there’s going to BE one, except to a group that doesn’t even exist anymore. Furthermore there can be a fall festival. Someone else just has to make it happen is all; I’ve burned bright and vivid and then burnt out, like the fireworks we just got. I’m still convinced the grid will NOT spin off its axis for my having done so.

No Nay Never No More Will We Play the Wild Rover

So, I dunno.

After tonight there’s a part of me that seriously wonders what the hell the point is. Not of life in general, I’m past that stage; not SL, I’ve made peace with the fact that there is no point. No, what I’m talking about is playing music in SL.

Though the more I think about it, the more I think we just won’t play gigs at the Dragon anymore. This one tonight, I planned the whole week around. We were going to have someone from a Big Famous Pub come and listen tonight, and we wanted to get a great crowd to show their support.

One person. ONE PERSON shows up. And I’m glad she did so, and I’m glad for her kind and sympathetic words. The person we planned this damn thing around never showed, wasn’t even online at the time. And I mean I know, people have their RLs, people have their commitments, and on Friday night people have tons of events to spread themselves out over. Still. Talk about discouraging.

It keeps happening lately. I have an idea, I put all this time and effort and love into planning it, and for what?

So, I’m not going to do it anymore.

SL was never meant to be a burdensome unpaid job. I love NF and I love DonPaul, but I’m tired of being the duct tape that holds a (dwindling) handful of people together. Someone else can do it for a while. That goes for this damn festival, too.

Meanwhile we’ll be taking paid in full gigs, attended by audiences, elsewhere.

Just don’t call us Angus.

I have to kind of chuckle that a lot of people spell our band’s name “Cat Angus Cu”. I’m sure lots of the time it’s a typo; your hands just kind of make the word that feels more familiar. But just for the sake of clarification, we have neither a Scotsman nor a cow in our band. “Agus” is the Irish-gaelic word for “and” (often the only one I’ll recognize when I hear a song performed in Gaelic). “Cat”, thankfully, is the same word in both languages so it’s nice and easy to remember. “Cu” (which should have an accent over the “u”) actually means “hound”; the word for “dog” is “madra” but that doesn’t scan nearly as nicely. It lacks the brevity and alliteration.

Also, while I’m just talking about myself (in a blog? Perish the thought!) and the band, I wanted to mention why we don’t say we play “Celtic” music. I’m sure when people say “Celtic” in the case of our music what they mean is “Irish and Scottish”; in which case the word “Gaelic” may be more appropriate. “Celtic” refers to a group of languages, the speakers of which include not only Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; but also Cornwall (in England), Brittany (in France), Galicia (in Spain), Cape Breton (in maritime Canada), and other far-flung places as well.

Well, fair enough, you may say, but what I was referring to was the genre of music. And while it’s true that Irish Trad music often gets lumped into the same category, it’s still not correct. If you ever want a good glaring- and possibly yelling-at, go to a pub in Boston and compliment the seisun musicians on the “Celtic” music they’re playing. To most Trad musicians, Celtic means Enya or Lord of the Dance: new-age, synthesizers, modern compositions. Instead, compliment them on the Irish music. Not only is it more accurate, it sounds more appreciative as well.

Cat Agus Cu LIVE today at 5 PM!

Come and join Cat Agus Cu as we help introduce the new sim Fate’s Muse to the world. We’ll take the stage at 5PM SLT (8PM Eastern, 1AM GMT) for an hour of our usual jigs, reels, drinking songs, and ballads; we hope you can come along & join us!

About the venue: Fate’s Muse is a medieval/fantasy light-RP sim which is friendly to kid avatars though not necessarily PG (time and place!). Slavery is strictly forbidden, medieval/fantasy garb is highly encouraged though not required.

Cat Agus Cu LIVE today 1PM SLT

Come join us at a NEW venue, Lilly’s Irish Pub in Glendalough, today at 1 PM SLT (4PM Eastern, 9PM GMT)! If you’ve never heard Cat Agus Cu before, you’re in for a real treat. Come and hear Irish and Scottish traditional music, some jigs and reels, drinking songs, and some cry-in-your-ale ballads performed LIVE via stream at Lilly’s.

More about Cat Agus Cu here.

SLUrl to Lilly’s here.

About the Venue: Lilly’s is a casual modern-day small Irish pub. It’s got a big dance floor and some seating at tables, at the bar, and on couches. It’s in a Mature sim so “language” is OK. Voice is disabled for the sake of DJ’s and performers.

Cat Agus Cu LIVE today, noon SLT

Join Cat Agus Cu today as we help a friend with the Grand Opening of their new sim, Highland Decadance. Because it’s a kind of Scottish-heavy sim, we’re going to do a kind of Scottish-heavy set for them. Come and join us!

Highland Decadence Entry Point

If you can’t catch us inworld, have a listen at http://orange.neostreams.info:12958

About the venue: Highland Decadence is a mature medieval-style RP sim. Combat is suspended during OOC events (like live shows!). Garb is very much encouraged.

Yesterday’s Festival – or, the Swan Naiant

I’m reminded yet again that Mistletoe’s personal arms should feature a swan naiant (swimming).

What everyone saw yesterday (up until the Crash From Hell in the middle of Cat Agus Cu’s set…) was a smooth-running and fun festival. Some new people have gotten an interest in fencing and joined the local fencing team, the archery tournament went over as planned, people got refreshments and enjoyed them during 2 and a half great shows, I hope the merchants got visited… all in all, a really fine and enjoyable time.

A couple of my closest friends get to see a bit more of what goes on behind the scenes. I get tired and frazzled, I get a fear of every possible thing that can go wrong, but I pretty much have a handle on things.

Archimides, god love him, sees every panicked motion of the feet below the surface of the water, so to speak. In order for the swan to glide so gracefully and apparently effortlessly over the water, those webbed feet are paddling to beat Jesus. It’s exhausting, nerve-wracking, even tearful sometimes. I’m so grateful to have someone who sees that side of things–because I trust him enough to show him–and is as supportive and patient and helpful as I could ever hope for. The “wind beneath my wings” is such a god-awful maudlin cliche. Archimides is much more than a god-awful maudlin cliche to me; he’s truly my partner and best friend and the single most important asset on my side in both the planning and execution of this and other events.