A Tea and a Tour

Taking President's Day week off with my daughter for her winter recess, I tried to find some activities to keep her occupied.  Our library's Children's Room always has some notices posted about local events for kids, and I found one about a children's tea and a tour of Walt Whitman's birthplace in West Hills.  I was able to make a reservation for Holly and her friend, and the two girls met there Monday where they had tea (actually apple juice) in a delightful setting with a bunch of other registered girls.  Afterwards, they were taken on a tour of the historic home.

Although the famous poet's birthplace consists of two floors of a few small rooms, the girls found the tour guide's information abou the time period very absorbing.  Holly was so impressed that, after we got home, she pretended to light fireplaces and get water out of a well.  I read her a children's biography of Walt Whitman I had taken out of the library, and she learned of his involvement with the Civil War and listened to some of his poems.

It turned out to be a fun and educational experience for both girls.

Introducing Dulcie's Destinations

I recently started a new blog called "Dulcie's Destinations" that will feature articles about a variety of travel and entertatinment places in Second Life.  This blog will not replace "Rainbow Notes."  I hope to keep both blogs up on a regular basis and also increase their readership. 

In "Rainbow Notes," I will continue to write about my rl and sl pursuits including my writing, reading, library activities, and other activities that I  hope will be of interest to readers.  However, all Second Life travel-related articles will be on the new blog (along with some previous articles I've reprinted from "Rainbow Notes," "Eye on the Grind," and "RezLibris Magazine."

But exploring a virtual world or even taking a trip in real life is not the only way one can travel.  Reading is a wonderful journey in itself.  Lately, as I've been exploring the ebook offerings from our library's Overdrive service, I've read a great new author, Ernest Cline, whose "Ready Player One" just happens to be about a virtual world.  I won't give away any of the plot, but I would highly recommend this book to any SL resident or anyone else interested in virtual worlds, the 80's, or just wants a good read.  Don't look for any x-rated scenes in this book, though.  There is a romance, but the book is mostly an adventure and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you travel with Wade Watts through the OASIS to find the "Easter Egg" hidden inside its virtual world that can bring great fortune but also death to those who seek it. I also found that many of Wade's observations about virtual relationships are right on target. 

My next ebook is already lined up (actually I've been waiting on a long list for it).  It is also by a new author, Deborah Harkness, and deals with witches and vampires instead of avatars, and it is also the first book of a trilogy.  I might review "Discovery of Witches" in my next column, but, in either case, I think I will enjoy the journey.