A Dance ... with Dragons

Great Balls of Fire!!  It started out as another beautiful day at the Petit Trianon; sun shining, birds singing, absolutely perfect for the All Hallows' Costume Dance.

The guests started to arrive; some on broomsticks, others just appearing out of nowhere.  This being Second Life their chosen means of transportation didn't raise much of fuss (well except maybe for that HUGE spider that scurried in ... not sure where that creature was hiding her invitation and I certainly wasn't about to approach her to ask!).  The costumes were fabulous ...

My Chateau Reno

Though I've had abundant experience with real-life home renovations, my Second Life renovation record is rather spotty.  When it comes to virtual homes I'd generally rather build them myself than buy them, especially because I know I just can't stop myself from remodeling my new purchase.

It was the same way back in my days of TheSims2.  I'd download a brand-new abode and spend the next week (or two or three) ripping it apart and putting it back together.  On the bright side, that destruction/construction cycle taught me a lot about architecture & 3D construction.  I'd actually recommend it to anyone interested in honing their own skills.

This year with spring just around the corner, I was anxious to add a few new rentals to my Duché de Coeur regions. Being long on ambition but short on time, I decided that a purchase was in order and after much consideration selected a chateau from Never Totally Dead.

Horse Tales: New Carriages come to the Coeurs

Toni & Axel meet at the Petit Trianon

New horses & touring carriages have arrived in the Duché de Coeur and Skye & I couldn't be happier to have this popular mode of travel back up & running through our estates!

It was a snowy winter morning back in December when we made the shocking discovery.

Dastardly horse thieves, working under the cover of night, had made off with all of our trained carriage horses.  May they be perpetually cursed with hoof & mouth disease (the thieves not the horses)!

The stables were empty; the carriages themselves taken.

Flat Ebbe: The Age of Enlightenment

It only seems appropriate that I take Flat Ebbe back to my home in 18th-Century France.  I know that he's been run off his feet this week as a result of Strawberry Singh's Flat Ebbe Linden Meme and so I figured that a quick tour through the Age of Enlightenment might make for a bit of a respite and perhaps some, well, enlightenment.

After touring the French Gardens outside the Petit Trianon, we paused for refreshments in The French Pavilion while I pondered the advice that I could/would/should offer this new Linden Lab CEO.

It's not like I'm a stranger to offering advice, solicited or not, to CEOs.  My real life (RL) resume is pitted with examples but as I said in  Adventures w Flat Rod: Rod Humble Crept into My Life with regard to Second Life (SL): I'm just one among the many and for the most part I'm very content with our at-arm's-length relationship.

Shared Seas Sailboat Race

Way too much fun was had at the April running of the Shared Seas Sailboat Race!

The competitors loaded up their boats with lucky charms & brave passengers before setting sail on the challenging course that threaded its way through the Duché de Coeur & Rocca Sorrentina.

It was a bit of a wonder that Fortune smiled on everyone and they all made it to the finish line, a bit soggy but mostly intact.  

Perhaps the Navigator Challenge is having a beneficial effect on our Shared Seas Sailors as not a shipwreck or lost vessel was to be reported.

There were, however, rumours of some rather aggressive sailing maneuvers conducted by my sister, Skye.  Something about her attempting to drive Mercury onto the rocks?
I'm not going to ask too many questions about that.

Last Dance with Rodvik

Warning!! Given Rodvik's recent departure from Second Life, the title of this post might imply some melodramatic musings when it's actually a response to Strawberry Singh's latest Monday Meme, Dance in Second Life Challenge.

SL Sailing Pro Tips: A Lighthearted Look at Second Life Sailing

Now that Port Trianon is open and the Shared Seas of the Duché de Coeur & Rocca Sorrentina have become a reality I've set my sights on becoming a Second Life sailor.  It hasn't been easy and though I've had to swim for my life more times than I care to count I have learned a few things along the way. Calling them "Pro Tips" may be a bit of a stretch (though it does have a nice ring to it!) but they may help novice SL sailors figure out their port from their starboard.  Have a look & see what you think!

First things first; take my hard-earned advice and make an effort to get to know your sailboat, especially if you intend to do any racing.  Being a "last minute" person myself, I've suffered the embarrassment of backing over my competition at the starting-line when I really meant to move forward.  Fortunately, they're a forgiving bunch!

Public sailboats are available at the docks of Port Trianon & the beach of Rocca Sorrentina.

The green & brown sailboats from the Duché are for singles & groups; these are the ones used for racing. The blue sailboats are for couples that like to cuddle though they can also be used as a rather awkward single.

With the Duché boats make sure you "sit" to the right of the rudder otherwise the boat, thinking you are a passenger, will not follow your commands.

Port Trianon: Connecting the Shared Seas

Port Trianon: Midday

It's been a whirlwind three months since the Duché de Coeur & Rocca Sorrentina formalized their plans for a closer physical connection between their two realms.

We started with the addition of two, brand-new, sailable regions linking Rocca Sorrentina to the southern shores of Provence Coeur.  Then the real work commenced.

We were busy dredging harbours, forming islands and attending to all the little details that make this a magical Second Life destination.  A few minor bumps were experienced along the way; I managed to flatten both Provence Coeur Est & Provence Coeur Est2 with one keystroke (note to self: always look above sea level when using the terrain tool especially when it's set to high) but all-in-all the work progressed smoothly.

Duché de Coeur: Fabulous Fall 2013

We're enjoying another fabulous fall in the Duché de Coeur,

surrounded by blazing colour and ever-deepening piles of leaves.

 

The sunset sky takes on a golden hue,

seeming to reflect the richly coloured trees below.

Le Jardin Francais: Chateau Montebello

 

I'm excited to announce this brand-new, seaside rental, Chateau Montebello.

Situated between sea and garden on the eastern-most point of le Jardin Francais, this beautiful chateau has every amenity with its generous rooms and two large fireplaces.

Second Life Role-Play & The Queen of Everything

When graphic artist Mary Engelbreit first came out with "The Queen of Everything" I applied for the title.  Turns out I wasn't the only one that felt she was perfectly suited for the position as my older cousin (and part-time babysitter) quickly informed me.  Seems she thought her credentials were a tad better than mine.  She may have been bigger but I was determined.  In the end we decided that there was nothing wrong with having more than one QoE.  After all, good things are often made better when they are shared and there's a lot to be said for inclusiveness and equality.

Adventures w Flat Rod: Languedoc Coeur Chapel

Having serenaded Flat Rod in the Coeur Opera House and danced the minuet with him in the Ballroom (see Adventures w Flat Rod: Rod Humble Crept into my Life) I felt it was time for some quiet reflection so off we went to the Languedoc Coeur Chapel.

Adventures w Flat Rod: Rod Humble Crept into My Life

It's been a while since Rod Humble (aka Rodvik) crept into my life.  Years really.  Truth be told, I wasn't even aware of his arrival at first, that's how stealthy he was.

This oversight on my part only seems fitting as I'm certain that to this day he has no idea that I even exist, except perhaps in the collective sense as a user of one of "his" products.  I'm just one among the many and for the most part I'm very content with our at-arm's-length relationship.

Duché de Coeur: A Change is in the Air

A fresh breeze is blowing through the Duché de Coeur.

Cool, clean,

it brings the promise of renewal

and

the excitement of change.

 

We're accustomed to renewal in the Duché.  Over the past five years, we've prided ourselves on changing with the seasons and adapting to the times.  Even if those times did tend to reflect the late 1700's ;)

 

Now we've embarked on an exciting new challenge.  Land will be reshaped, rivers will be diverted and the carriage horses will be taught new routes.  Old haunts will be removed only to reappear, refreshed in their new locations.

 

Soon we will be officially inviting you to rediscover our beloved land.  Until then, you can still explore to your heart's content and have fun spying out some of the work in progress.

 

Don't mind the dust, that's just some Coeur magic in the air!

 

Update: Fresh Breeze Expected to become Hurricane  Time to get your water wings out ;)

 

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Find Tatiana Dokuchic on Google+

Photo: Nordic Wild by Head Like an Orange

Duché de Coeur: A Visit from Designing Worlds

On March 1, 2013, Saffia Widdershins & Elrik Merlin of Designing Worlds visited us in the Duché and subsequently created this wonderful travelogue.

As well as highlighting some of the Duché's most beautiful areas, this provides some wonderful insights into the history of the Duché, its development and its general philosophy.

Read more about it at Designing Worlds explores the beautiful Duchy of the Coeurs
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 Find Tatiana Dokuchic on Google+

Coeur Virtual Worlds

There's always something going on in the Duché de Coeur!

Featured Merchants, Events, Available Rentals, Bibliotheque notices, new products...

How do you keep up with all of that?

 How about checking out our new website?

Note in particular, you can instantly travel to a merchant or an available rental right from the website! 

Visit us at Coeur Virtual Worlds

Text & Illustration: Bedrich Panacek

Duché de Coeur: Cross Country Ice Skating

Winter at the Coeurs means sitting in front of a warm fire with friends after skating through the Coeur countryside!

 

This is a fabulous way to see the stunning landscape.  Starting at Lieu d'Idylle, you will travel through gorges, over lakes, around windmills, under and over bridges, through tunnels, and along canals, all while fighting the snow in your face.  Race with your friends!

 

The 10 region course is clearly marked with both logs and arrows.  At normal "Run" speed (CTRL-R), the course takes about 15 minutes to complete when there is no one else in the region.  If you just want to explore, feel free to jump the logs and visit other waterways.

 

Text & Illustration: Bedrich Panacek

Duché de Coeur: Opera Meets Couture Gala

TatianaDokuchic Varriale & Baharat Atlas

Arriving at the Opera Meets Couture Gala

photo by Ana

Wasn't that a party!

Hosted by the Duché de Coeur's Academie Royale de Musique and Maniera LLC, the First Annual Opera Meets Couture Fashion Show and Gala was a smashing success.  I don't think I've ever seen so many well turned out avatars enjoying themselves in one place before.

Jennie Devin custom designed the setting and it was "jaw dropping".  It was the first time any of those new-fangled automobiles were ever seen on my (usually) 18th century region of Provence Coeur ;)

Tamra Hayden started the evening with her stunning performance.  Truly one of the best things about SL is being able to attend a live-stream music event like this.

A selection of gowns from some of Second Life®‘s top designers were modelled and then sold with partial proceeds being donated to help support the Academie’s education and outreach efforts.

The gala was a blast with DJ Shintoryu Allen spinning the tunes and people staying to dance the night away.

My "red carpet worthy" dress by BlakOpal Designs.

For more great pics of the event taken by Ana see 1st Annual Opera Meets Couture Gala April 2012

Académie Royale de Musique: November 2011

The Académie Royale de Musique in conjunction with the Duché de Coeur is pleased to present the following events for November 2011. 

November 06: Elvera Lerner with a Julie Andrews Tribute
November 06: SaraMarie Philly
November 06: Adevina Citron
November 06: WaltKeys Faith

November 11: Adevina Citron
November 11: Chris Fredrikkson

November 12: Lauren Ilo
November 12: The Balladeer
November 12: Tukso Okey

November 13: Benski Korhonen

November 20: Lauren Ilo

November 26: SaraMarie Philly
November 26: Lauren Ilo
November 26: The Balladeer
November 26: Kitty Zeddmore
November 26: Benski Korhonen

November 27: Yuki Hutchinson

Please follow the links for detailed information including times & SL® locations

Académie Royale de Musique: October 2011

The Académie Royale de Musique in conjunction with the Duché de Coeur is pleased to present the following events for October 2011.

October 01: Unity Productions Presents-Come Away My Beloved

October 02: Unity Productions Presents-Come Away My Beloved

October 03: Yuki Hutchinson

October 07: Jazz Night w Spirited Emor

October 14: Ceci Dover

October 14: Joozz Magic

October 15: Tip Corbett speaks on Composers Scriabin & Ravel

October 16: Miriam Forsythe

October 22: WaltKeys Faith

October 23: Tip Corbett

The Harvest Festival will also be held from October 28th to October 30th with more information to follow. 

Follow the links for detailed information including times & SL® locations