Moderator: SC Moderators
For those who missed the group notice, the typist behind Kendra Bancroft passed away. Details here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maddie_Blaustein and discussion here: http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/off-to ... post518819
Some have asked if we will hold a memorial of some sort. If you are interested in that, please contact me.
I'd be very much interested in such a memorial. One thing about Kendra the folks who weren't here since the start might not get... while I (and the other inhabitants of Neualtenburg-as-it-was at the time) might have had disagreements with her, I don't think anyone had less than full respect for her.
The world is a poorer place without her, although I am pleased to know who she 'really' was, if only in death. And surprised that I had tangentially been familiar with her RL work!
I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news today.
Please feel free to notify the Caledon community regarding any memorial for her as well; she had many friends and I am sure many of us would like to attend anything honouring her memory in Neufreistadt.
Des
This is sad, the CDS and N'stadt owe a great deal to her. She shall be missed.
Please send out a notice if there will be some sort of service (even if it is not hosted by us).
RS
We ought to do something. Part of what makes communities communities is that they mark these sorts of events. I remember reading in Rheingold's Virtual Community about a memorial service on the WELL. Is there much protocol for this sort of thing? I wonder what sort of "festivities" (as my stepmother put it) she would have wanted.
I'm at an utter loss to say anything at this point... somehow, that notice of her departure doesn't feel "real" for me. Kendra's still so vividly alive in my memory that it'll be hard to forget she won't log in any more.
The very least I can offer to do is to do a little "remembering" of what Kendra meant for the CDS — both her creativity and talent, but also her social skills. I'm available to hold that between 3-5 PM tomorrow (Thursday, Dec 18), but not at the Church; Kendra wasn't a "church person". Altenburg was her joy and love, and even if the space is now mostly empty, it reflects best what Kendra means for us: a gaping hole, now she's gone.
"I'm not building a game. I'm building a new country."
-- Philip "Linden" Rosedale, interview to Wired, 2004-05-08
PGP Fingerprint: CE8A 6006 B611 850F 1275 72BA D93E AA3D C4B3 E1CB
Let's meet in Altenburg at 3 then. Gwyn, we'll look to you to start off, and invite all who wish to say something to join in. I'll send the appropriate notices.
Remembrance gathering at Altstadt starting at 3 pm today. Backup location will be posted there, if we have overload problems.
All right, I might be a little late, but will try to be on as early as possible!
"I'm not building a game. I'm building a new country."
-- Philip "Linden" Rosedale, interview to Wired, 2004-05-08
PGP Fingerprint: CE8A 6006 B611 850F 1275 72BA D93E AA3D C4B3 E1CB
This is so sad. I was very shocked when I saw the news come through yesterday.
I would love to come to the memorial today but I have only limited access to the internet at the moment. I'll say here what I would have said if I could come to Altenstadt today.
I met Kendra early on in my time in Neualtenburg (as it then was) and she recruited me to the Social Democratic Faction! I remember her with affection and a great deal of respect. She was a very talented, creative individual as seen by her many contributions to the architecture of what is now Neufreistadt. After the parting of the ways Kendra continued to create and be innovative and nurturing in Port Neualtenburg; I am sure there are many there who will miss her guidance and mentoring.
I'll never forget, at the time that there was a big row involving Ulrika, Kendra actually thought I was Ulrika's alt! 
I thought that was hilarious and still do!
We're all the poorer for Kendra's passing. Let's all hold our loved ones a little closer today and feel the loss of our friend. There are many reminders of Kendra all around us, and will be for some time to come. In that sense she will always be with us.
I am sorry I missed the memorial. I did not make it there because I have not been able to be in SL much over the last couple of weeks.
I wish Kendra would have continued to be more a part of our community. I found it sad that she preferred to no longer be. At least she did continue to have a stand at the Oktoberfest celebrations in Neufreistadt. I do believe during the time since I came to the CDS we were always kind and welcoming toward her. I know I was helpful to her a couple of times. Certainly I will always associate the Altenburg name with her.
Kendra, may you rest in peace.
In the past few days, I have to admit that I've been roaming the 'net in search of the insane amount of work that Kendra left everywhere. The quantity of information is staggering, specially, of course, the non-SL related things.
Kendra is part of our history, and I feel that at some point, someone will definitely write her official biography, or turn her life into a documentary. She was an extraordinary person for a million reasons. I feel, however, that whoever picks the task of documenting her life will probably miss how important she was to Second Life overall, and to our little community in particular. The best I could do was to write a short biography of the key elements I remember about her on the Second Life Wikia (the old SL History wiki), which I encourage you to update and correct. We can only be proud that in her many roles — as voice actress, as illustrator, as political activist in the transgender community, as creative editor for tabloids, and who knows what else she did — she actually had some spare time left to dedicate so much time to SL and to Neufreistadt.
Delving through her past is also finding some precious things about the CDS' own past, since they're so interrelated. Recent pictures of the CDS abound and can be found everywhere, but I was quite frustrated not to find a single picture of Altenburg, her most beloved spot in Neufreistadt, and, as you know, totally demolished after the U-quake.
Well, I think I struck gold. I found an ancient machinima done by Kendra (allegedly in a single night) that was part of the promotional material for the (then) City of Neualtenburg. It was done in a hurry because it was presented by Satchmo Prototype at the State of Play III machinima contest in 2005 (http://dotank.nyls.edu/SOP/). Well, we didn't win, but at least we participated!
You can see it here:
For all of you keen in the history of the CDS, this is a very precious "documentary" showing a lot of buildings and places which are for many of you legendary and mythical. The movie is short and very fast-paced, so here is a description of what you're going to see:
The opening sequence still shows the Casino — it was demolished to make place for the Rathaus, a month after this video was shot. You can also see the old Ulrika Fachwerks (with textures done by Kendra) on the Marktplatz. Then some of the "Russian-style" political billboards which were the hallmark of Ulrika's SDF. Images of Ulrika's shop to the left of the Biergarten. The Golden Armoured Knight by Kendra. The Church with its golden spires, before the U-quake. The old shops on the Marktplatz. And then a lot of images from Altenburg — quite a lot of sequences shot there — and the unmistakeable Pendari Lorentz, who was at that time the tallest avatar I had met. Then the Church still with the organ. The channel running by the wall in Altenburg, which had so many secret passages beneath the water, and a nice cafe next to it. Photoshopped medieval pictures with Ulrika's face on them. An aerial view where the MoCA wasn't built yet (this was the time when the second MoCA had been demolished, and the third attempt not yet started — the current MoCA, done by Keltrien Baker, was the fourth MoCA building. Sleazy Writer found a picture which had the second MoCA). The first urban plan. The Ulrika Suspension Bridge. More aerial views, one of the corner next to the Church that was later demolished on one side to give the Marktplatz its current "L" shape (as a reference, Sudane's esplanade is on the short side of the L). Another sequence showing the entrance (walking backwards) into Altenburg, showing the old "tourist information system" on the left side of the entrance arch. Then Altenburg in all its glory: first, to the left, Kendra's shop. The building to the right was the Guild's HQ (with secret passages inside!), where there was only one meeting ever held. And — surprise! — we even get a glimpse of what would become the Neualtenburger Cabaret (to the right, next to the Guild HQ)! Images of the Biergarten before the first remodellation (most of you have seen the second one, before Moon led the effort towards the third remodellation). Tinies on the Marktplatz — these were the days when we had the Secret Tinies City below the Marktplatz — all wearing the Chicken Hat. Some images from Oktoberfest '04 (you can notice that to the left of the Church nothing has been built yet!). Some images of Kendra and Ulrika, and of Ulrika's shop. More images of the Biergarten. The first street signs, exhibiting a typical German style still found on many German streets. And something I had *completely* forgotten: the Altenburg Theatre, which was actually an improvised stage on what was a forge or similar medieval building. This building was later completely remodelled inside (with a "Berlin 1920" look done mostly by Kendra) and would become the Neualtenburger Cabaret instead. More images of the Marktplatz with the Casino. The old voting booths and signs for the elections. I don't know if the blonde in a dirndl was Garnet Psaltery or someone else; we looked so strange back in 2005!
Ah, so much history! Oh yes, we might just be around for four years, but we certainly went through a lot...
"I'm not building a game. I'm building a new country."
-- Philip "Linden" Rosedale, interview to Wired, 2004-05-08
PGP Fingerprint: CE8A 6006 B611 850F 1275 72BA D93E AA3D C4B3 E1CB
My condolences on the death of a friend. She must have been a wonderful person.
Timo
After the closing of the Port Neualtenburg Port, I keep waiting for Kendra's return not understanding. I keep hoping it is not true.
I will miss her, she was one of only 2 people who can keep me "inline" in second life.
Sayonara my friend *cries*
Gwyneth Llewelyn wrote:Well, I think I struck gold. I found an ancient machinima done by Kendra (allegedly in a single night) that was part of the promotional material for the (then) City of Neualtenburg. It was done in a hurry because it was presented by Satchmo Prototype at the State of Play III machinima contest in 2005 (http://dotank.nyls.edu/SOP/). Well, we didn't win, but at least we participated!
You can see it here:
Well that was definitely fun. But even more fun were these, also created by Kendra:
Mince Pie
Mince Pie II
Mince Pie III: The Distraction
Reconcilliation Day Ball
They document Kendra's "kidnapping" by the forces of Caledon and her rescue, apparently as part of a promotion for a cancer benefit. VERY amusing!
Cindy