A Baseball Story

OOC:

I’ve been doing a lot of writing, stories from virtual worlds as usual. But most of the stories I’ve been writing over the past year have been too long for this blog. And some of them aren’t about me or my travels through the centuries. So I’m looking into other ways to publish my stories. I’ll continue to post stories here and I’m posting some elsewhere, under my ghostwriter’s name. Here’s one we just published for the Opening Day Stories Project, sponsored by the Dankoville Story Group…

“How Dazzle Jarvis Got His Name”

https://georgeminer.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/how-dazzle-jarvis-got-his-name-2/

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Author’s Note

I’ve been mulling this over for months and today I finally changed the name of this journal.

For the last three-and-one-half years, it has been called, “Steaming Along: Danko Whitfield In The 19^th Century – The Wanderings Of A Steampunk Explorer.” I still love that title and will miss it. But my story has steamed along past the 19^th century so many times that I have wondered if the title was confusing. I could always lay claim to being based in the 19^th century, as a time traveller certainly must be based somewhere.  But some time back, the place I live in changed and I was moved to an earlier time.

I likely will be able to establish a second home back in the 19^th century very soon and so I could have propped up the old title until further notice…but…

Important parts of my entries on these pages have been taking place in other times and it appears this will continue for the foreseeable future… and the foreseeable past, for that matter. So I feel the time has finally come and the title must be broadened to reflect this and to avoid a possible new source of confusion.

In the short term at least, it appears I will be based in the 18^th, 19^th and 21^st centuries as well as spending quite a bit of time in the 20^th century. And there is a trip to the 26^th century in my future as well. Although that might actually be seen as my past. And then there are the trips to the Devokan Ages, I could only guesstimate what century I’m in with those travels.  At any rate, you can see the reason for my dilemma over the title.

And so this publication becomes, “The Further Adventures Of Danko Whitfield, Semi-Retired Time Traveller – Wandering The Centuries With A Steampunk Explorer.”

Steaming Along Is Three Years Old

I have been writing this (mostly) RP blog, Steaming Along: Danko Whitfield In The 19th Century, for three years now. So it’s a bit daunting for a new reader to know where to start. I’m thinking about creating a category or page called Danko’s Favorites to give a new visitor a place to jump in. For now, I thought I’d share with you here the ones I’ve picked out so far….

Journey To Ravens Reach

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/explorers-journal-journey-to-ravens-reach/

Confessions Of A Semi-Retired Time Traveller

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/confessions-of-a-semi-retired-time-traveller/

Reverie And Beyond

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/explorers-journal-reverie-and-beyond/

Family Holiday

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/family-holiday/

Crash Of The Day

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/crash-of-the-day/

New Land In Winterfell!

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/explorers-journal-new-land-in-winterfell/

Odd One

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/odd-one/

Steamlands Football League

https://steampunkexplorer.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/steamlands-football-league/

 

 

And here’s one about the early days of my virtual life from my other blog – Journey To The Center Of The Metaverse…

Getting Started

http://journeymetaverse.wordpress.com/2012/12/24/getting-started/

Personal Journal, Jan 6

Jan 6 Ebonshire 6p 31d fog

Looking out my window at Laird Aislinn on our docks. The ferry service is to resume shortly, he must be working on that.

I just got in, warmed my hands by the stove, sat at my writing table. Trying to ward off the urge to write. What a wonderful position to be in!

I’m too tired tonight and I know how late I will go if I start. I came here to read Ghaelen’s stories. We just met recently, though I have read her before. Dot introduced us and together the three of us hatched a plan for the storytellers and writers of Devokan to get together. Today was the first of our monthly gatherings. It was inspiring.

I really don’t need more inspiration right now! I could go on about why and all the story options that lay before me…but then I’d be doing what I’m trying not to do. I’m just going to lay them out here on this table and look at them. And pick them up and caress them. I will write them all! Another time.

But first, I will sit and read Ghaelen’s stories. And look out my window.

Lady Aislinn has joined Laird Aislinn on the dock. I love the ferry.

I love where I’m at right now.

Attention: RP Storytellers & Writers

Announcing an informal gathering of Myst/Uru-inspired storytellers and writers!

This gathering, the first of its kind, will take place on Kitely grid on Sunday, 6 January 2013, at 16:00 UTC in the world of Curiosity. http://www.kitely.com/virtual-world/Paislee-Myrtle/Curiosity
4pm UK Time
11am Eastern US Time
8am Pacific US Time

The purpose of the gathering is to give RP storytellers and writers a place to share ideas, news, information, gossip, tea, biscuits, thoughts on issues of interest or concern and possibly even to inspire collaboration. You need bring only your cheery self. If you are not so cheery, come anyway but be prepared to put up with a general cheeriness.

We plan to hold a regular gathering on the first Sunday of each month at this same time. We will vary the time from time to time just to throw you off…no, to accommodate others.

We hope these gatherings – yes, we are avoiding use of the word ‘meeting’ – will contribute to a sense of community among Myst/Uru-inspired storytellers. However, we do extend the invitation to RP writers of other genres as well.

Hope to see you there.

Dot Macchi
Ghaelen D’Lareh
Ruby O’Degee
Danko Whitfield

Society of Steamland Bloggers

As mentioned in an article here last month, we have started a group for bloggers of the Steamloands. The formal announcement went out yesterday. Here it is…

Bloggers of the Steamlands unite!

I am pleased to announce the formation of an inworld group in Second Life called, the Society of Steamland Bloggers.

The SSB is intended to serve the bloggers of the Steamland nations and tap their expertise as well. The idea is to bring bloggers together via an inworld group and through the use of a…blog! You will be invited to share your knowledge and ideas and ask your questions about blogging or about the Steamlands as well as announce new blogs and new posts. The group is intended for those who blog about the Steamlands or who blog about some other topic but live, work or play in the Steamlands.

My co-conspirator in this effort is Miss Abigail Raymaker. She has established a blog for the Society itself. You may find it here…

http://societyofsteamlandbloggers.blogspot.com/

We have just recently formed the group inworld and are now accepting members. We will soon send out group notices (and post these on the Society’s blog of course!) to get the ball rolling.

For more information about the group, see the above blog or contact Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Danko Whitfield or Editor, Miss Abigail Raymaker.

Respectfully submitted,

Danko Whitfield

Odds & Ends

Writing from Laudanum at the end of a foggy day in Winterfell. Most days seem that way lately. The phrase ‘a twilight mist’ comes to mind. That might make a nice title for a future article.

Speaking of writing, after forming the aforementioned group, Danko Whitfield’s Readers on Sunday, Monday brought on another group, the Society of Steamland Bloggers. The mission of this group will be to allow the keepers of journals in the Steamlands to share ideas, ask questions, announce new blogs or new posts. Miss Abigail Raymaker is working with me on this group and has established a blog for the group itself. Once we have things set up and ready to serve members we will make a formal announcement to the public. This should come within the next week or two. In the meantime, interested bloggers can go ahead and join the group. If you write about the Steamlands or if you blog about something else but live in the Steamlands, this is the group for you! Even inactive bloggers should join as you may be able to use your past experience to help others. This is my personal invitation to you to join us. Thanks.

I spent a day in New Toulouse last week with a full agenda. I started by checking on my house in Jardin and then headed up to Algiers for a pint at Le Vieux Canal Jazz Club, which as all my friends know is one of my favorite spots. I had a nice conversation with the head bartender, Jean Lafitte about his privateer days. The man can talk, I must say! Then it was off to Miz Gabi’s tea in Bourbon for the latest community news and discussion. Nice to see everyone as always. Following the meeting I conferred with Addison Greymyst, the New Toulouse Ambassador to Winterfell, and gave him a tour of Winterfell’s embassy in Bourbon.

Saturday I was at Lady Twilight’s town hall meeting in Winterfell Anodyne. Because of scheduling conflicts I had not been to one of these monthly sessions in some time. It was informative and fun as usual. The fun increased when Miss Serra broke out the rum. I propose we have rum at all future meetings!

A last minute schedule change Tuesday allowed me to attend Ambassador Greymyst’s tea at the New Toulouse embassy in Winterfell Absinthe. I caught the early show. It was well attended with quite a collection of notable Steamlanders on hand, including heads of state, Miss Serra of Winterfell and Miz Gabi of New Toulouse. The conversation was quite lively and most fun. There was something ‘different’ about Miss Eili McCullough. A new hair style perhaps? I was not alone in noticing. Miss Francesca Alva opined that it must be Miss Eili’s new hat. Yes, I think that was it.

By the way, I have now confirmed a report I received earlier that Amb. Greymyst’s evening affair in Absinthe was interrupted by a Zombie attack! My, my, my. Zombies in Winterfell! Is anywhere safe?

While I was away tending to business in the first world, quite a bit of correspondence arrived here. I have been sifting through the mail as quickly as I can. The other day I discovered a letter that had been sent by my brother, Levon. He writes that he has received a satchel from Uncle Manuel containing letters from our late parents. Levon did not say what was in these letters but did say he will journey to Winterfell to deliver the satchel to me. I have not seen my brother in some time. He did visit me in Cape Wrath once shortly after I bought the property. It will be good to see Levon again. As children and as young men just starting out, we were very close. The years and our travels intervened but whenever we do reunite we pick right up again and I quite enjoy our time together. He is a good man and has a fine sense of humor. I so look forward to his visit. When he came to Wrath I was new to Winterfell and Caledon. Now I will be able to give him the grand tour and introduce him to some of my friends.

One last thought about writing… There is so much involved in writing one simple article. Finding the inspiration, putting it on paper, organizing it, rewriting it, tweaking it, tweaking it some more and some more and… I said to my editor just the other day – and she agreed with this by the way – “Maybe the great writers do ‘finish’ a piece, maybe not. I know I never do. I just ‘surrender’ at some point.” Like here.

Join The Group!

I have just established an ‘inworld’ group for readers of my articles here and in other publications. Anyone can join the group which is called:

Danko Whitfield’s Readers

It will be used to send notices to members when I have published a new article or series of articles here and elsewhere. And you can wear the fun group tag, Steaming Along.

My blog has become rather popular and I am quite flattered by this. I have so many readers now that sending them individual notes about a new piece has become impossible. Hence, the formation of the above group. There are, of course, other means to keep abreast of the latest writing on this site, for example you could ‘subscribe’ to this blog.

Thank you for the kindness of your readership.

Editor’s Note: You can join Danko Whitfield’s Readers in Second Life, Kitely, InWorldz, OSgrid and Avination.

I Write Like…

During a recent trip to the 21^st century I was made aware of a website called “I Write Like.” This site invites you to input good sized excerpts from your personal writing and analyzes which writer of note your style most resembles. Why I bothered I do not know. Vanity may have played into it though one would hope not. Possibly it was simply my sense of fun.

I entered the text of my Letter from New Toulouse which appears on these pages and “clicked” the button. The result came most quickly proclaiming that I write like David Foster Wallace. Interesting.

As I was about to move on to other things it occurred to me to enter another of my writings for analysis. I selected my entry, Day of Change and was told that I write like James Joyce. This was a bit much to take and caused me to laugh quite loudly.

But why stop there? I continued to “cut and paste” several other essays I have penned and published here. The first eight that were entered were met with the names of eight different authors. It does cause one to wonder if perhaps they suffer from some sort of multiple personality disorder. On the ninth try finally an author’s name was repeated by the analyzer. I submitted a total of ten manuscripts which I have published previously on these pages. Should you be interested, here are the results. They are listed in the order in which they were analyzed, rather than their order of appearance here.

Letter from New Toulouse – David Foster Wallace

Day of Change – James Joyce

Winterfell, The First Days – Douglas Adams

Journey to Ravens Reach – Ursala K. LeGuin

Letter from Austral – Arthur C. Clarke

Date With A Beauty – Raymond Chandler

Whitfield Talks of Franklin’s Civic Strategy – Kurt Vonegut

The Five W’s – Gertrude Stein

An Introduction – Douglas Adams

Explorer’s Journal: Austral – Arthur C. Clarke

Now that you know that my work has been compared to so many great authors you may wish to go back and read my entries again. Ha!

Should you decide to visit the I Write Like website and try this process yourself I would suggest you do as I did and enter only the body of your text, skipping its title. I also deleted notations such as the date or time if they appeared in the original text. I only submitted the actual narrative of each entry. However, I must warn you that at this point the entire exercise seems like a tremendous waste of time.

Before I close, let me just enter the article you are reading here and see whose writing this most resembles. I shall not include the list of titles and authors above.

Just one moment…

I write like H.P. Lovecraft.