Second Glances with Arabella

I was recently invited by a new friend to attend Bay City’s annual Mole Day Celebration—an event that not only honors the Linden Lab Moles who quietly (and tirelessly) build the interesting places where we live, play, and socialize—but also, this year, celebrated a singular individual who has spent the better part of two decades making Second Life just a little brighter for everyone she meets.

For those unfamiliar with it, Mole Day began years ago in Bay City—one of the earliest mainland projects undertaken by the Linden Department of Public Works—and has since grown into a beloved grid-wide tradition. It is more than a party (though it is very much that). It is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the contributions made by the Moles: skilled Resident builders, scripters, landscapers, and creators responsible for much of the grid’s foundational infrastructure and landmark content.

If you adore your Linden Home and the landscaping that makes your Bellisserian cottage feel like your own private corner of the continent, thank a Mole. If you have engineered a locomotive or driven a motorcar along the tidy roadways of Bellisseria, thank a Mole. If you have used your Premium Plus account to house-hop your way through every available model just to collect the free content packs—purely for research purposes, of course, as I may or may not have done—thank a Mole. In truth, nearly everything created in recent years for the shared enjoyment of residents by Linden Lab bears the quiet fingerprints of Mole work. Mole Day simply shines a spotlight on that reality.

And shine it does.

Residents from across the grid descend upon Bay City for the celebration—not just those who call it home—and they arrive ready to revel. I landed almost directly into the middle of a conga line comprised of residents and Moles alike, circling enthusiastically to the beat of the DJ. Gestures flew. Cheers echoed. The air hummed with that particular brand of organized chaos that only Second Life can produce. I spotted friends, acquaintances from social media whom I had never met in-world, and more than a few Moles and Lindens whose names have become familiar to me over the years—often because they built something I use daily. (“He built my house.” “She made my table lamps.”) It was, quite literally, a who’s who of the quiet creative forces who shape our virtual world gathered in one jubilant place.

This year, however, carried an added layer of meaning.

In a lovely conspiracy between the Moles, the Lindens, and the residents of Bay City, the celebration included the dedication of the local community center in honor of Marianne McCann—an individual whose presence has been synonymous with Bay City since its earliest days. Drawing inspiration from real-world recognitions of long public service, the building was formally renamed the Marianne McCann Community Center, complete with a commemorative plaque unveiled during the ceremony.

My friend DeeDee Fairelander, who kindly invited me to attend, offered remarks to the assembled crowd. “Speaking of special people and places,” she began, “anyone who has spent any time in Bay City knows one thing: there is a strong and vibrant community here. At the center of that community is Marianne McCann. She has been at the heart of Bay City since its inception. Bay City always has something going on—community events, weekly meetings, you name it—and Marianne is and has always been the glue that keeps it all together.”

Fairelander noted that McCann’s twentieth Second Life birthday—yes, her REZ DAY—was only days away. (For those keeping score, that is approximately 120 in “real life” years, given the commonly accepted exchange rate.) With the Lindens’ blessing and the assistance of the ever-gracious Abnor Mole, the renaming became official. As the plaque appeared and the crowd reacted with warmth and enthusiasm, it was clear this was more than symbolic—it was deeply felt.

As a first-time attendee of Mole Day, I can say without hesitation that the Moles were properly feted, the spirit of community was unmistakable, and Bay City once again demonstrated why it holds such a cherished place on the grid. I very much hope to return next year—to celebrate the builders, the dreamers, and the residents who, through steady devotion and a bit of whimsy, make our shared world better for us all.

Until next time.

~ Arabella

Post Notes: Bay City’s Marianne McCann Community Center: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Daley%20Bay/235/15/25

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