To my reckoning, there are about three elements essential to a successful SL venue. First, there needs to be a unifying theme that resonates with visitors: in-world need, lifestyle theme or a novel setting. Next there is provision of services. That would include music or dance venues, providing audio video content, and role-play or learning environments. Last, and most important of all, is how the venue management relates to its public. This typically means networking well, looking out for your peeps, and the ability to be genuine, friendly and charming under pressure. These are all attributes possessed in spades by Martain Wei, his community and sim. For this reason, October Country is one of things I like about my Second Life.
I found October Country, oddly, by perusing the search page one rainy Saturday afternoon. I was looking for something new and interesting to see in-world. I searched around and found an announcement for radio shows broadcast live. Hmmm... That sounds different. I teleported in to check things out...
As things rezzed I see that there were a dozen of more avis sitting on logs around a campfire. And then I noticed how very interesting everyone looked. There were furries, and goths and regular dudes all sitting in postures of peaceful thoughtfulness. As I clicked my audio on, I then understood their visages of rapt attention. I listened to a old-time radio drama. Sounded like something from the 1940s or 50s (forgive me Martian, I didn't get the piece title...). I listened for awhile and took in the spooky surroundings: a floating shade, gravestones, cobwebs.... enough to give you a proper chill! This was interesting, indeed, but we all know how ADD I get sometimes, so I decided to take a good look around.
As I explored this rest of the sim, I became quite impressed with the detail of the build. A well-designed harbor town sat snuggled at the base of a hill that sported a large Inn. Crates floated in the harbor where a shark swam round. The cobblestone streets twisted and turned on one another, and eventually I made my way up to the hilltop inn. Inside I found a convincingly built inn complete with a nicely appointed lobby. Adjacent to the that was a good sized tavern, and a modest vending area offering a few Goth-styled items. Upstairs were several locked guest rooms. (Yes: I am exceedingly nosy in Second Life). All in all, I thought - this is a really well-thought-out place! I kept the greeting card I received when entering the town, and decided I would come back to meet the person(s) behind this fetching build.
In the times I've been back to October Country I have continued to learn things that serve to continue to impress me. I met Martian Wei at a costume / dance contest (complete with Linden prizes) he was holding on a Wednesday night. Once again, my snapshots fired off wildly as the environs and collection of avis were so delightfully varied that it made my cybereyes pop. In the course of the evening, I made sure I introduced myself to Martian in a private IM with my compliments and impressions of the build. In what I have come to know is his typical humble and yet infinitely kind way, he thanked me warmly for the compliments and added "That's what keeps me going."
A couple of weeks and a handful of costume dance parties later, I learn that Martian has been experiencing some sort of technical difficulties. Well, that's not all that unusual in SL...the technology fails us all in one way or the other every now and again. Martian apologizes profusely in one group announcement about possibly needing to cancel an event, and possibly the radio shows that evening. (btw: the radio shows play there 24 x 7...). Then I see that he had been able to restage the events just a few minutes late... He is still, highly apologetic for the brief interruption. Clearly this is a true labor of love for him.
Then through the grapevine I learn that the technical difficulties Martian was experiencing were due to the fact that his RW home had burned to the ground a scat few days earlier and that he and his wife were living in a single room at a relative’s house. Martian's loyalty to his beloved community was such that he placed their needs equal with his RW own. In my life, I have rarely seen that kind of devotion to a community, and when it does present - that is a person for whom leadership is as fluid and natural as spring rain. His passion and effort is evident in every square meter of the sim, in the number and variety of audio dramas served-up free and in the enthusiasm that the October Country community has for Martian and the sim.
Other things to check-out October Country:
An active Blogsite, maintained by October Country community member, Jumoke Qinan
HP Lovecraft-based Role Playing on site in the Village of Innsmouth
Twice (or thrice or more...) weekly costume and dance parties, with $L prizes
Country Shop, Hotel and Library
October Country: a great place for rainy afternoons, and where it's always Halloween...
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