Our Emperor Needs A Face

Michael the First, Emperor of Bay City, also known as Emperor Michael, also known as Michael the Moleman, also known as Your Highness, has so far shown that his heart is in the right place with his statements and proclamations.

Since his crowning he has called for the abolishment of security orbs and ban lines, he ordered the installation of public safety shelters, he reached out to the city workers Xiola and Strawberry, he shared his worry about the Arch District, he expressed his care about the Bellisseria community and he loudly requested (nearly demanded) to receive a Bellisseria content pack.

I have yet to meet a citizen of our Fine City that doesn't have feelings about Emperor Michael I. Most have met this scruffy man with his feathered hat, scribbling his lists, listening to upset citizens, selling prim boxes, smelling like an open sewer.

Despite him being well known he manages to evade the equipment to make snapshots. Even distant methods to make a snapshots have so far been unsuccessful.
No idea how he does that.

Since so many have seen him, since we have in our Fine City so many talented creators, I call upon the citizens to send me an artist impression of Emperor Michael the First.

Your sketch/ painting/ drawing will be used for future publications about Emperor Michael the First in your favourite newspaper, the Bay City Post.

Since it is quite hard to motivate volunteers to do something I (Vick) will personally donate L$10.000 to Child's Play (through our local Bay Resident) in the name of the artist that makes the best impression of Emperor Michael the First.

Send me your artwork! vickforcella (at) gmail -dot- com

If your artwork is chosen you will receive eternal bragging rights and will become absolutely famous, since it will appear here in your newspaper with almost each publication about Michael I.
Small print. If you send your artwork you know the above and agree with it.

Send in your artwork! Give Michael I a face.

Reporter Vick Forcella

20200708

Proclamation Emperor Michael I, Re: Bellisseria Content

==

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

date: June 5th
 
contact: vickforcella (at) gmail (dot) com
 
==

PROCLAMATION

== 

"
Citizens of our Fine City!

Time and time again the city workers (Lindens and Moles) surface parts of the continent of Bellisseria. 
As the land comes upwards and the water flows away new and old residents can find new places to live or have their vacation houses there.

The new continent looks amazing! Not as good as Bay City, off course, but it is very pleasing to the eye.

I brings back the memory of the moles running around surfaced new continents planting, laying roads, build buildings. Making the planes, the hills and mountains, the lakes, the seas and oceans more pleasing to the eye, laying foundations for future development by residents.

The moles made available, for each new developed land, packs of goodies so that residents can continue work in the style of the moles. In rare occasions we found new items in the Library, hidden deep in our inventory. Next to roads we find free-to-copy items, making some of us right-click addicts.

We found plants and trees, wallpapers and textures, a complete vortex, lamps, houses, stones, squids and fish, flies and butterflies. Even a beach ball!

The content is used to improve our private homes. Decorate our land. Help us with building. Some of the best scripts can be found inside Library objects. Jump on the trampoline, or push a domino.

Bellisseria is different.

Nothing has been made available!

People want to use the new plants, the grass, the rocks, the sheds, the sandcastles. To decorate the homes and lands outside Bellisseria. It is made available to the residents of Bellisseria, to enjoy, to look at.
But the people outside Bellisseria suffer.
To use similar decorations they must spend a fortune. Trees, grass and rocks don't come cheep! We use the sculpty rocks, the primmy library trees and grass. We light our houses and sewers with the lanterns found next to the road.
I call upon the city workers, Lindens and Moles, to make available decorational objects from Bellisseria for everybody to use!
To improve the lands outside Bellisseria, to improve our Fine City!
If you encounter a city worker, ask them for Bellisserian Goodies. You deserve it.

This is what I proclaim, this is what loyal citizens in my name will do!
"

Signed,

"Michael I, Emperor of Bay City"

==

Disclaimer: The bay City Post is not responsible for statements made by Emperor Michael. We publish the proclamations as a service towards the citizens of our Fine City.

Reporter Vick Forcella

20200605

  

Bay City Post, Edition 86

Welcome to the eightysixth edition of the Bay City Post!

Keeping you updated on the best city on the grid!

Your reporters have risked life and limb to make this edition of the Bay City Post. Many others have contributed with making pictures and granting us the privilege to use them. Thank you!

This month here was one special publication,

EversNight! Be Prepared!

In this edition we have for you,

Our Chief of Police, Thomas Hooker, had a busy month and you can find out why in the

Police and Fire Blotter

It's something in the water, sometimes has a deeper meaning,

Saint Patrick's Day In BayCity

Explorer Dakota Schwade is mesmerized,

Bay City Cruis'n

A for-noob-special to answer,

Where Is Everybody?

The one that knows more then anyone, Qie Niangao, rides with the

Fair Winds

Historian Marianne McCann presents,

The Road To Bay City

(open the link)

Did you smell the charred prims? Here is why,

Bay City Impressions:Ever's Night

The explorer Dakota Schwade answers one question and poses a new one,

Where Could Dakota Be?

A repost of an emotional article to give an incomplete answer to an easy question, Who is Ever Dreamscape? (This post is made for future reference) (Skip it if you fear it will draw tears, it will)

About: Ever Dreamscape

Epilogue

Previous edition is available here. 

Last month Dakota Schwade visited Ukiyo. You can find a subway there.

The owner of that place, Joji BlueBird, has requested to give landmarks of interesting places where the subway can go to so that it can become a hub for visitors.

Give the subway a trial and give Joji your landmarks and description.

One of the places I discovered from riding the subway in Ukiyo is the BayCity Space Program. I never knew we had that. Read all about it on the community forum. JonathonSpires is the science person behind the space program. One day soon Bay City will fly to the moon and claim ownership.

Last month we reported that Torley no longer works for Linden Lab. Our investigations have revealed that our inspirational inspirer is now (again) working for Sansar that has been taken over by Wookey Projects Inc. We wish him all the very best and hope, no, expect that he remains a supporter of our Fine City. We will remain confident that Sansar will fulfill it's promise.

Due to the reported mesh leakage, that is wreaking havoc around the world, the Eurovision song contest will not go through this year. Despite that, Iceland would have had our votes! Thank you Torley for your prediction.

The Bellisseria Community (now in hibernation) has reported a new website and initiative to cater for the Bellisserian community. It's name Bellisseria Life. Give it a visit.

It has come to the attention of Emperor Michael that a lot of community efforts of Bellisseria appear to fail after a short while. He expresses his support to all community initiatives to unite Bellisserians so they can party just as wild as the residents of our Fine City. He also requests sewers and public shelters for him to (hide) reside at.

Perhaps Bellisseria is just too big to unite everyone, perhaps people should unite by region or build type. The campers, the boaters, the Edwardians, the loggers etc.

Editor Vick Forcella

200406

(advertising)

Got Junk?

Got Fires?

Arch District

A small update on Michael The First, Emperor of Bay City.

Our Emperor is in a bit of panic. Though he has found safe residence in the sewers and shelters of our Fine City he has spend much of his life as a mole man in the sewers of the city of Nova Albion. At this very moment Salazar Jack is building in the Arch area, Grignano of Nova Albion. Our emperor has fears that his old friends, the mole people, will loose their sewers as a place to live.

Image Pygar Bu

Despite the perception of an outgoing person our Emperor can be shy when it comes to things like this.

If you know Salazar, please share the worry of our Emperor. Perhaps Salazar can protect the mole people by protecting the sewers and build shelters just like so many of the residents of our Fine City have done.

Thank you.

Reporter Vick Forcella

200106

Words From Emperor Michael I, Re: Xiola

It must have been ten, eleven years ago a city worker appeared at the sewer I was living it. Her name was Lexie and she gave me some food. We chatted a bit, not much but enough for me to like her. Ever so often she dropped by and left me some, sometimes we chatted, never much but always in a kind spirit.

One day my namesake, Michael (rodent city worker), followed her. He was less kind to me, wanted me out of the sewers and gone. Despite that he had some prims with him for me to use. A nice gesture from a city worker. I used the prims for another sewer where I felt I was being more secure.

One day Lexie took with her Xiola. Must have been 2011. Lexie didn't look good, she was not feeling well, I could see that. She told that Xiola was going to assist her with her responsibilities around the city.

Shortly after that Lexie disappeared, or to be more accurate, Lexie never showed up any more.

Xiola visited my new and better hidden sewer and I asked where Lexie was. Xiola didn't reply, she smiled, gave me some food and left again.

I try not to become too attached, too close and too friendly with city workers (Lindens). They can come and go without any warning. It's part of their work to do city work. I am sure they enjoy their work, they even come and visit outside working hours.

Xiola visited less often as Lexie did. I'm ok with that because I could see the things she did. She changed things, enabling people to connect in various ways. Bringing a smile to people. She could sense what was going on and took responsibility to change things, things we will never know the scope of. 

She'll be the first to correct me and tell it's a team effort.

One day while she was visiting she jokingly told me I could become Emperor if I wanted it hard enough. We had a good laugh about that joke.

She trusted me enough to tell me she had seen me before she became a city worker. She moved here around 2006 to become a city worker in 2011.

Recently Strawberry became a city worker. No mystery about her life before she started this job. We never met. The sewer where I lived was very secret until the floods and now that I am Emperor I can use the provided shelters I have requested to be build by the citizens of My Empire. Strawberry never found me. I should reach out to her one day.

Today I learned Xiola will stop her work as city worker. Perhaps she will remain here in her secret 2006 identity. I don't know. What I do know I am now able to formally say goodbye. Something that I could not do when Lexie left.

Xiola, thank you for you being there. Helping out and making things possible. Making an unexpected extra step to help people. This isn't a farewell, this is a goodbye.

Goodbye Xiola!

--Michael I, Emperor of Bay City

Reporter Vick Forcella

191219

For more information about Xiola, read this blog entry from Ciaran Laval

Edit: You can see and hear the announcement from Xiola in this video. The announcement starts at about 14'55'' Her last day at the lab will be Jan 3rd.

Editor Vick Forcella

Proclamation Emperor Michael I, Re: Shelters

==

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

date: November 4th

contact: vickforcella (at) gmail (dot) com

==

PROCLAMATION

==

"

Citizens of our Fine City!

Again we were hit by events out of our control! 

Last month it was flooding. This month it was a total breakdown of the world as we know it.

We were fortunate that after a while things went back to normal.

The flooding, where most of my belongings were washed away, showed me, we are not prepared. The outages revealed we have become lazy, used that everything goes as expected.

During my non-Emperor days the least we had was a Grid Crash Protection Box where we would go in when things went bad.

There are better solutions!

I herewith call upon my citizens to install public shelters!

Sufficient food and drink rations should be there for at least a week and there must be some room for my stuff.

Ask the Civil Defence of our Fine City how to best set them up. Have shields outside so that the public knows, here lives someone that cares for our lives. The access must be easy, unobstructed and open for all. 

If there are enough public shelters, our world will become more safe for everybody!

This is what I proclaim, this is what loyal citizens in my name will do!

"

Signed,

"Michael I, Emperor of Bay City"

==

Disclaimer: The bay City Post is not responsible for statements made by Emperor Michael. We publish the proclamations as a service towards the citizens of our Fine City.

Reporter Vick Forcella

191104

Bay City Post, Edition 80

WELCOME to the eightieth issue of the Bay City Post.

Keeping you updated on the best city on the Grid!

Your reporters could be found everywhere in our world, to investigate and report about our Fine City and everything that could have an impact on it.

Bay City Post Halloween Contest

Win an amazing award!

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest didn't happen. The Bay City Brewery was hit by heavy rainfall diluting the beer making it undrinkable. Instead of the Oktoberfest residents were invited to Iva's place in Bay City to enjoy the fellowship, frivolity, and dance with nice people, and drink French wine imported from Jeogeot.

Police and Fire Blotter

Life and times at the police- and fire-stations, not as boring as some might suspect

Emperor Michael

Emperor Michael has a firm believe that since his last proclamation the amount of ban lines has reduced drastically. We could not find any evidence to justify that believe but we won't tell him that. Whenever he speaks to someone he speaks about the improvements he made to our Fine City.

There are reports that the sewer system where he lives was flooded last month and that most of his belongings were lost in the void to the South of the city.

We could not verify this as we have no idea where he lives nor do we know of any flooding.

Wolfington

Kenny amazes himself

Bellisseria trailer-park

Jeogeot colonials have discovered free areas in the new continent Bellisseria. They flocked en-mass to the zone and dropped their trailers and campers there to claim that land as their own. Even Sylvia was found there dancing around a campfire. (red)

Off to the Races (and backagain)

Qie runs but is caught by himself

Second Life Blogger Network

Linden Lab, one of the organizations responsible for maintaining our Fine City and sewer system has started a new initiative named the Second Life Blogger Network. We are deeply surprised that they didn't contact us yet to ask us to participate.

We intend to participate on that network to lift the standard, to make it better and have them be better informed.

Our creative department is actively working on one missing item being a Logo for your most favorite newspaper. Once that is available and approved by our approval department we will proceed to help the Second Life Blogger Network with our vast knowledge.

We welcome the introduction of a new cryptic abbreviation: SLBN. As if we don't have enough (AIWDHE).

Bay City Cruis'n

Dakota Schwade finds herself at a beatnik place

Thomas Hooker freed of accusations

Despite strong evidence that our chief of police, Thomas Hooker, is involved in illegal activities the ethics bureau could not find any wrongdoing. The car that suddenly was bought was funded with undisclosed gifts from undisclosed gift-givers but none was deemed illegal enough to be deemed illegal. A monitoring program was set up to eradicate any future accusations. So do not accuse our chief of police, else you could fall victim of that program.

Molewatch Special Feature:The Road To Bay City Part 2: Enter The Residents

Marianne remembers, lag in the city

Green Water
From various parts of our Fine City come reports that canals have turned green. It is yet unknown what the cause is. Pollution from the Bay City Brewery could not be excluded.

Flooding In Old Town

Old Town is a mess

Hallowe'en Hay Maze
As we speak work has started to erect the Hallowe'en Hay Maze on the Bay City Fairgrounds.You can expect the most scary event in Second Life and surrounding worlds. While visiting fire and/or smoking is strictly prohibited. After the destruction of last year the fairgrounds are a no-go zone for cows.

Epilogue

Previous edition

Character statement

The characters used in this newspaper have an outstanding reputation. The characters "K" and "S" have been awarded as the most reputable characters.
Do not trust any other characters you might encounter, most noteworthy are the characters in the subway and other means of public transport.

If you know of a character that we have used that isn't up to standard please inform our character defamation department for corrective action. Also, don't trust digits, ever.
-Thank you

Editor Vick Forcella

191007 

(red) Some found parts of the article about the Bellisserian campsite offensive, therefore it has been changed. I am not able to retract the notecards that have been spread in-world.

-Vick Forcella

Proclamation Emperor Michael I Re:Privacy

==

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

date: June 20

contact: vickforcella (at) gmail (dot) com

==

PROCLAMATION

==

"Explorers in this world face the greatest dangers! Merchants, trades people and shipping companies suffer great losses!

Ban lines and security orbs, used to conceal things that the world has no interest in, swallow complete vehicles, occupants and valuable cargo to spew it out far away in random counties that are unprepared for falling debris, causing lethal deaths.

With the trust and authority given to me by all the citizens of Bay City (except a few that are sharpening cheep steel, booh to them) I herewith proclaim

that each one that encounters ill configured- lands or -security orbs is 
to identify the owner and write the experience on the sticky note on it's profile.

When you meet that person face-to-face

you shall remind that person with the horrible experience you had to go through, in a reasonably loud voice, and

that those ban lines and security orbs do not serve a real purpose.

You can reference good written articles about this subject.

Thought it is suggested to use a pillory or similar public shaming methods I do not support those. The ban lines by themselves can be seen as a pillory of shame for perversions unseen.

This is what I proclaim, this is what loyal citizens in my name will do!"

signed,

“Michael I, Emperor of Bay City"

==

Disclaimer: The bay City Post is not responsible for statements made by Emperor Michael. We publish the proclamations as a service towards the citizens of our Fine City.

Reporter Vick Forcella

190902

Emperor Michael, Update

Some of you are wondering what has happened June 22nd when Michael the Moleman proclaimed himself being Emperor.

My investigation has revealed that before the ceremony started beer was handed out. Some unnamed supporters had brought crates of beer and many crates were used before the ceremony even started.

Michael crowned himself with the feathered hat he always was wearing. Most of the attendants missed it all, they were singing or had passed out.

There were no representatives of the different regions so Michael his crowning lacks any legal basis, but don't tell him that.

The Bay City Police Department "escorted" people away after the event.

In short, the proclamation was a party and everybody had fun.

The Bay City Sanitary Division (BCSD) was quite unhappy about the event. They had to clean up all the mess. Thanks to the beverage container deposit legislation that is in place in our fine city they were able to collect many bottles and receive a wallet with many L$ thanks to the deposit returns.

Ever since Michael proclaimed himself Emperor he walks around our fine city in a different way.

He is always standing upright and expects being spoken to as Emperor Michael.

He often visits bars and restaurants and expects to walk away without paying as he is Emperor. He avoids the Toxic Taco, he mumbled something about the food, "yuck", and "she never stops yapping". No idea what he means with that.

He often has a pen and paper in his hands. He writes things down and later throws away the paper. I retrieved one of those "lists". Some incomprehensible scribblings, some childish drawings.

I have noticed that people that meet him spontaneously address him as Emperor and talk to him about all sort of problems. He glows when that happens.

It is still unclear to me where Emperor Michael has his home. It could be Nova Albion, as he is often found there early in the morning and at night, or Bay City as our fine city has plenty of places where he could stay/hide.

Despite looking odd Emperor Michael is a nice guy. When you meet him, say Hi.

What the future brings? Only the Emperor knows.

Reporter Vick Forcella

190805

Police and Fire Blotter

June 7th

Police responded to a noise complaint regarding a hawk in a tree that the called thought was in distress. When police arrived, the hawk was quiet and enjoying dinner.

June 12th

A landlord/tenant dispute involving "assault with frozen food" was reported. BCFD paramedics were heard saying "At least it wasn't anything from the Toxic Taco".

June 17th

A driver stuck a tree in a private driveway, pulled forward and struck a parked vehicle, backed up and struck a second vehicle, tried again and struck a third vehicle, then pulled forward and struck the first vehicle a second time. Several bottles were found in the vehicle from the Bay City Brewery. The suspect was arrested for driving under the influence.

June 22nd

A large crowd gathered on North Channel after pamphlets were posted all over town. During the gathering, Michael the Moleman proclaimed himself Emperor. The BCPD was on hand to perform crowd control. After several hours, revellers were escorted out of the area despite the protest of wanting more of the "Free beer." The Chief of Police advised the new Emperor that maybe next time to wait until after his speech to open the bar.

June 24th

Police were called to assist when an announcement about new homes was interrupted by a heckler from the audience. Officers arrived in time to see a mole tackle the heckler and drag him away to an unknown location. The responding officers refused to take chase, citing officer safety and the mole tunnels being scary places for mortals to wander.

Reporter Thomas Hooker

190701

Michael, Emperor of Bay City!

The Bay City Post has received this press release,

==

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
date: June 20
contact: vickforcella (at) gmail (dot) com

Proclamation!!

"At the peremptory request of a large majority of the citizens of Bay City, I, Michael The Moleman, formerly of Barcola, Miramare, Sistiana and Grignano, and now for the past eleven years and one month of Bay City, declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these United Regions, and in virtue of the authority thereby in me vested, do hereby order and direct the representatives of the different regions to assemble at the Bay City Fairgrounds at North Channel of this city on the 22nd day of June next, then and there to make such alterations in the existing laws of these regions as may ameliorate the evils under which the country is laboring, and thereby cause confidence to exist, both at home and abroad, in our stability and integrity."

signed,

“Michael I, Emperor of Bay City"

==

This was also released and spread across Bay City as a pamphlet.

The Bay City Post was not able to publish this before June the 22nd.

BCFB

On June the 22nd there has been a crowd at the Bay City Fairground and we assume that Michael the Moleman was the cause of that gathering. Though the Bay City Police Force was at hand we are unsure what has happened there and I call upon attendants to report this to me. There was beer involved?

I reached out to Michael. As expected he didn't say much except he now demands to be spoken to as Emperor Michael The First.

City officials refused to comment on the situation. Even the Mayori (tinm) waved away our reporters as she walked to the community centre. During the Bay City Alliance meeting the attendants were baffled, stunned.
Sylvia Templeton Broek (Sylvia Tamalyn): so.... now we address all complaints to the new emporer?
Engineer Argon (ArgontheDevil Ormega): looks up how to build a guilllotine
Mitch Merricks: If the emporer needs new cloths, I know a place
Sylvia Templeton Broek (Sylvia Tamalyn): "i got a lotta problems with you people, and now you are gonna hear about it!"

No official statement was given. After the meeting fires broke out behind the Community Center and the Bay City Fire Brigade went to work to save the day.

Emperor Michael The First seems to trust me. If you have questions or remarks please contact the editor of the Bay City Post.

Reporter Vick Forcella

190701

Mole Man Has A Name

Last week I discovered some more about the scruffy man with a hat that has feathers on it. I discovered, with your help, he is one of the mole people.

This time I was able to have a talk with him for myself. I could not take a picture because he didn't want that and a secret picture was out of the question.

I expected to find him near Sylvia's Toxic Taco but I found him near The Pen on the street-corner. He rezzed prims and tried to sell them to passer byers. I was also offered a nice and useless collection of prims, I denied his offer to buy them.

He is indeed stately. He walks tall and appears to be in control all the time. His suit is odd to say the least. It's a military outfit that appears to be right out of 1850, with gold coloured epaulettes. The hat he is wearing has feathers on it. He smells earthy. You can't miss it when you see him.

I invited him in, into The Pen for a coffee. He looked nervous and stated
I didn't build that, I will not enter
An odd reaction.

So, to break the ice a bit I offered him espresso which he did accept. I bought two in The Pen and went outside.

Standing on the street-corner I tried to have a conversation, coffee in hand.

He nodded when I asked him if he was one of the mole people. No answer when I asked where his home currently is but he waved his arm in the East direction.

His face froze when I asked why he is one of the mole people.
None of your business 
he stated in a loud voice and straightened his back.

Odd man. He doesn't speak much but when he does it's loud and sounds like a statement.

In my attempt to have a conversation I talked about the history of our Fine City, he smiled, or was it a grin?

Suddenly, without any reason, he stepped back and stated loudly
It's all wrong! Look at it! Wrong!
He pointed at the pavement.
No materials! No Mesh! Crooked as a bygeorge! 
And dirty! Never been cleaned.

Confused I looked at him, thought I had done something wrong.

Shyly I asked for his name and what he has done in the past.

I am Michael! I build this all!
He waved his arms pointing at everything around then turned around.

Just in time I was able to rescue the porcelain coffee cup that was about to fall on the pavement. In the distraction I could see him walk away in big steps and leave with the trolley.

Confused I looked at the trolley disappear in the distance.

I went back to The Pen to return the cups and wrote this report.

Reporter Vick Forcella

190602

Mole People

Last time I asked for your assistance.

I asked for information about a scruffy man that walks stately and that wears a hat with feathers.

I received various reports about this man. Sightings and some had more information.

Apparently he identifies himself as one of the Mole People. Unfortunately I do not know his name yet, I was unable to have a talk with him despite hanging out at various corners in our Fine City.

When we hear about moles in our Fair City we immediately think of the moles that helped build our city. Perhaps the mole people are the moles, perhaps not.

If you talk with experts you will find out that the mole people live in every large city. They are homeless and live down below in sewer systems. They are shy and only come out in the evenings and nights. Because they live under ground they are pale, their eyes have adapted to darkness.

They are not accepted by normal people as they are different. Not only are they pale, they can be deformed, have shapes that make normal people shrug.

Some think they are monsters that eat rodents and attack normal people. There are graffiti warnings on walls "Beware of the mole people!". At some places there are signs that say "We exist. - The MolePeople".

They exist

Underground they are safe. I do not believe the mole people are dangerous as long as they are not disturbed. They are just extremely shy and will try to avoid any contact with people in the above world.

Because they live so near they know everything that goes on in the normal world. They have TV, see us and hear us.

It is very rare that one of the mole people comes out of hiding during day time. That is why I am very curious who this man is.

Thank you all for your help so far.

Please keep on the lookout and send me more information about this man.

Also. The LDPW WIKI speaks of a bit of graffiti that appeared in the original city regions long ago and it's not the graffiti I have shown here. I wonder where that might be and whether that graffiti is still there. Help me out guys. Let me know.

 Reporter Vick Forcella

190504