by Shellie Sands
On Sunday, 24 May, POL Arida brought together again a collection of SL performers doing exclusively original tunes. The event took place at Rasta Fairy Beach and was hosted by the incredible Harrie Skellerup once again. Each performer played a 30-minute set over the course of 5 hours. This showcase differed from the first one in April, but it was equally as unique in talent.
Kicking off the show were The Born Again Pagans (Madame Anoufhaz and hexx Triskaidekaphobia). This was a surprisingly refreshing band whose music was mellow with a hint of reggae on a couple of songs. They definitely have a sound quite different than one might expect from a band who call themselves Pagans. The band recently released their first album on 9 April 2009. I look forward to catching them around the grid some time.
AMFORTE Clarity was up next performing her original tune "Nothing Concrete." AMFORTE impressed me as sounding a bit like Alannis Morrisset but softer and a little less cynical. Very sweet with a lovely personality, she uses her music as a vehicle for pouring out her self doubt and this is evident in every song. Typically AMFORTE does orginals and some covers. I recommend catching a show if you can.
Lexie Luan is an awesome performer who really plays to the crowd. Her powerful, melodic voice will really capture your attention. A native Philadephian, and personal friend of mine, Lexie has been performing most of her life. Lexie is a talent not to miss!
Following Lexie was Bara Jonson, an upbeat Swedish performer with a strong, resonant voice and fantastic guitar strumming (and some excellent whistling talent too). I've heard him before and really like him. Soon to be a papa and proud of it, Bara will not disappoint--check him out!
POL Arida himself was next and delivered with his usual intense style sprinkled with sadness. Performing some of his best originals, including "One" and "Home," his set closer was "The Last Song Ever." This was, unfortunately, true as POL is taking a wee break and will be greatly missed by the SL music community. Best wishes POL during your hiatus. We look forward eagerly to your return to the SL music scene!
Up next was the fabulous Zorch Boomhauer serenading us with his raspy and sexy voice. Zorch has a terrific stage presence and sings from the heart.
Rich DeSoto took command of the stage next. Rich has a pleasantly surprising sweet tenor voice. His music blends country with folk and his songs are light and upbeat. Ad libbing using the members of audience was a special touch during one of his songs. Some of you may have heard Rich before singing his very funny "Avatar Girl."
Juel Resistance was beautiful as always performing her customary mellow folk-like music. Stream issues (welcome to SL Sunday!) interrupted her set, but this was quickly rectified and we didn't miss much. Try to catch Juel, she is truly delightful.
AcousticEnergy Nitely followed Juel. His name says it all. Strong emotion is captured in every song. A very moving performer, he spoke some of the truest words I ever heard about SL, "some of us have long distance relationships that are difficult to manage, but one day we'll meet and share and feel our tears." This somewhat profound statement was followed by the song "I Can't Wait to See my Joy Upon Your Smile." I was very impressed as a first time listener and highly recommend him. I look forward to seeing Acoustic in the future.
Dann Numbers joined this second presentation of The O R I G I N A L S having appeared at the first one. Enthusiastically performing his bluesy tunes he once again put on an awesome show!
All of the featured performers can be heard regularly on IndieSpectrum Radio, owned and managed by Fox Reinsch (www.indiespectrum.com). Many thanks to POL, Harrie, and all the performers, and a special thanks to hexx Triskaidekaphobia and jsmn Yao of RastaFairy Beach for hosting this fabulous showcase.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The O R I G I N A L S II
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Growth is out there... really
Much noise was made of Linden Lab's blog post about a month ago, describing how well the SL economy was doing. Especially when considering the worldwide economic downturn. This column is for those who wonder why LL is gloating while your business is not going all that well.
The first and smartest thing I could say is that no matter how the whole picture looks like, some people will be left out in any economic growth cycle. In the 1995-2001 period, the world economy grew importantly. Yet, poverty was not abolished because that never really happened.
Those of you who feel the frustration of being unable to profit from your SL businesses may wonder if the Lindens are lying when telling us that everything is just fine.
First of all, let's separate the land issue from all others. LL did well even when the SL economy was doing badly in 2007. They kept rolling out new continents and the land was snapped up quickly enough for them to increase revenue from tier payments. Only from October 2008 to March 2009 did they see land ownership go down... Given this situation, LL still has a much more important revenue flow from land than it did a couple of years ago.
With that said, the Lindens are still right to pretend that the economy is doing well. The overall state of the grid has made it possible for residents to be more present than ever, as we can see with figures that often reach 80 000 people online. Also, downtime has gone done seriously.
These most crucial numbers give credibility to the "it's going well" theory:
- The value of transactions reached a record of US$120 million in the first quarter of 2009;
- In a survey, 61% of residents said they were either very or somewhat optimistic;
- 68% of residents are either increasing or maintaining their investment in SL business.
So, what's the problem if your business is not doing well? I hate to do this, but I bet that many of you control your own fate. I recently talked to a guy who got back into SL business this year after a year of hiatus. He noticed that competition is fierce nowadays, while it was not before.
This means that strategic mistakes will not be forgiven by the market. When I visit stores in SL, I often find big flaws, from product quality to traffic targeting, that can be optimized. The people who cannot even get shoppers to visit should wonder what they are not doing well.
If you make clothing, you have to find your niche despite the presence of powerhouses such as Armidi, Curious Kitties, Ivalde, Truth, Mischief Fashions and Nicky Ree. This is no easy task, and any mistake will cost you traffic and sales.
Did you come up with a hit? Then, expect your competition to look at what you do and find a way to make a competing product.
In services, rivals will make a pitch to try convincing your customers that they can do better. I've done it, I've seen it people try it. You may not have seen that a couple of years ago.
I can compare this situation to journalism. In the field, we say that the truth is out there. You have to go get it. The growth of the SL economy is there. And you have to go get it... while expecting rivals to make an effort of their own.
Disappearing Lifesaver
It seems that there is a move by the lindens to do away with camping in sl.
Perhaps not deliberately but as an offshoot of the traffic issue and bots.
Now, you know I love freebies and you have to figure that I love camping.
I started camping as a newbie 2 years ago. I thought it was great to be getting some lindens for sitting, or even better for dancing.
There was one place I loved. It was in a New York sim with a camp master where you could just sit at a lovely pond quietly in the midnight mode and earn lindens for that enjoyment and sleep at the same time..
To my favorite I make a daily visit, of course, I will not mention the name but I feel as if I have a job there. The owner is so pleasant and caring to inform us of changes occurring.
It is not like that everywhere. Some owners just use the avatars for gain and pay very little for our presence. I have found one that charges to join the group.
They do not know us and we do not know them. 
I have lived with both. Actually I do not need to camp. I am addicted to the idea so I still do it. I have that feeling that it is great to get lindens for so little, But I use the money I earn for good. Much of it is for someone else who needs it. Some goes to help newbies, some to charities, some for shopping, ( but not that much since I love those freebies too) and a lot for tips.
I am not clear on what the problem is with traffic being “bloated”.
It puts some sims in the top of search and I guess there must be money involved somehow.
I wonder what the newbies will do for money.
Of course I have met those owners who have no love for the camps. It just causes trouble they say.
I know I will miss it if it disappears but I will be fine.
Some of my friends will not and that is a worry.
One newbie told me of two really good camps that have gone down in the past week. They are scrambling to find new ones. Well, we can only hope.
Gemma Cleanslate
SHANGRI-LA IN SECOND LIFE?
I arrived on a sun-drenched beach to start my journey through Reflections Plaza, a residential paradise. As I looked round there were people chatting, sunning themselves by a tiny inland lake fed by a sparkling waterfall.
Nearby was an open-air dance floor with tables and parasols and a Seven Seas fishing post, for the sporting types in Second Life. I noticed a fishing buoy nearby that controls the fish population, but thought I’d go for a dive in my SCUBA gear to have a look, anyway.
Beautiful! I recommend it. I was all alone just listening to the sound of my breathing apparatus as I swam around. I found a little channel out to the ocean but decided to stay near the shore for safety’s sake. I could feel the heat through the water and decided to take in some sun and stripped off to my swimming shorts and lay on an inflatable raft.I nearly fell asleep, it was so calm. But I could hear the sound of voices in the distance and decided to go for a walk. A nearby Gazebo housed information panels about Dove Estates and, being nosey, I went to have a look round. Palm trees stretched alongside a decking path between the houses gave shade as I walked along. The path led me between the houses which are for rent. I popped into one to have a look.
The one I sneaked into was really well designed. Each 2-storey house has its own parcel with a radio, blinds, working fireplaces, fans, security and code locking doors all controlled by a central system. There are enough prims available to make a very snug beach home.
Upstairs is an open-plan bedroom that leads out onto a spacious balcony, the lounge goes right to the roof and is heated by a remotely controlled fire, using the central management system and the adjacent room leading out to a large veranda had controllable down lighters. The veranda was large enough to take tables and chairs to enable you to enjoy a barbecue as the sun went down. Five of these houses overlooked the beach.
I walked back towards the dance floor and found a beautiful little lake fed by a waterfall, with two fountains. I clambered up the rocks to see what was on the other side. There were more houses in a grassy area, looking completely different to the beach front but just as beautiful. I flew up about them to have a better look and saw just how well these dozens of house had been planned to form a lovely living area for people. Surrounded by the sea but set on two very different landscapes separated by a thin hilly ridge.
These other houses were of a slightly different design to the beach ones, but very well laid out with two rooms upstairs. They had the same central control system as the ones by the beach. The interior design was of wood panelling and stone features and an inglenook fireplace in the same stone. Very attractive it was, too. The stone patio at the back led to a spacious garden.
While I took in the view, I noticed an area hidden away in the corner. Wondering what it was, I went over to take a closer look. Covered by a canopy of shining white parasols was a wedding area.
Cleverly split into two sections, one for the ceremony and one for the celebrations that would follow was a complete wedding “temple”. There was space for the wedding with an rostrum for the minister and plush seating for the guests and witnesses to what can be the most important day in a couple’s lives.
A short walk will bring the to the reception area complete with a table for the cake and champagne and dining tables with a dance floor to one side. Superb.
I found an information panel about the services that were available at Sunset Weddings at Reflections Plaza 42, 15. Planning a wedding? Well that’s the place to go, I can assure you.
As I made my way home, I thought to myself that here was an excellent place to live in Second Life. Beautiful surroundings, houses of the highest standard and the sparkling seas, what more could you want? Especially if you have just got married!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Reflections%20Plaza/87/98/27
Kim Trefusis
Remembering Three Residents Who Passed Away
By Bixyl Shuftan
Death is the last thing on the minds of most people when they log onto Second Life. Unfortunately, people behind the avatars can expire, and the previous week brought three reminders that our virtual friends can one day be beyond our mortal reach.
Last week, Julie Apocalypse passed away after a long struggle with cancer. She was best known in Second Life for becoming the Queen of Bohemia in Tiny Empires. Besides a memorial being built for her, a service was held in her honor by dozens of her friends. Mojo Fiddlesticks and Raymond Goalpost headed the service. Mojo told those planning to attend Julie’s real-life funeral that it was requested purple be worn, “I am attending for each and every one of you.”
Raymond gave the following speech, “Thanks for everyone’s patience with the move. We have all gathered here today to remember Julie Apocalypse. She passed away on May 17th, 2009, leaving behind family, friends, and her legacy which has touched many of us here in SL. I know that people are perceived in many different ways, depending on circumstances, and I wish to share with you my thoughts about Julie and then allow others to speak as well.”
“I have only known Julie though the game we played called Tiny Empires. From what I know of Julie, it was one of her passions. Julie was always eager to teach, to coach, and to help players, no matter what kingdom they were from. She was competitive, but fair. She relished running Bohemia and being online at all hours to not miss the next Trader or Festival. She was dedicated to leading and guiding all of us Bohemians, which in a way she saw as her children. She was witty and had a great sense of humor. And she was a stickler for proper spelling and use of language.”
“Many of us didn’t really know how sick Julie was ‘till we heard of her passing. Unfortunately, I knew along with several others which she had sworn to secrecy. And sometimes it was a burden to bear, but something you do for a friend. After Julie moved in with her daughter to become closer to her family, she was online much less often. She would still visit from time to time, but her visits would be short due to the amount of pain she was in. She was always trying to protect her Bohemian children from the truth and she put up one hell of a strong fight.”
“It was during one of these last visits to Second Life when I spoke to her. It really summed up for me what she felt about the spirit of Bohemia. Julie had come online to give us our tax amnesties, etc., and she TPed me to the castle so that I could liege her in preparation for my ascension to lead Bohemia. So I TPed, and in one of those great SL quirks my avatar appeared naked to me! Too embarrassed to ask Julie if I was naked, I acted normal chatting with her as I checked my clothes in my inventory and saw that yes, I was fully clothed, so not to worry. So we carried on, discussing her health and small talk, then lieged, and she told me she must go, due to her back being so sore.”
“I bid her goodbye and TPed to my home and was almost instantly asked, “WHY ARE YOU NAKED?” Naturally I turned a deep shade of red and meekly IMed Julie, “Um ... Julie? ... was I naked when I was with you?” And she just said to me, “Why yes you were. I thought about saying something but ... what the heck ... this is BOHEMIA.” We had a good laugh about that, and I know that as she logged out of SL she had a smile on her face. ... And that is what’s important. Making special memories, laughing each day, and having experiences we can smile about.”
“I know that only scratches the surface of Julie’s personality, but she will be forever remembered by me for who she was and what she stood for.”
“I also have a message from Steelcobra Calamari who could not be here today, and asked me to speak for them:”
“ ‘Hello all, friends, friends and family of Julie, Bohemia. Sorry I could not be there as at this time I am just getting off work (wishes he could fire his RL boss). Well, just want to say ... Julie was one who inspired, motivated, and was always determined. She was a guiding soul to those that knew her. Willingly and selflessly helped those in need. She also had much humor as well. She always insisted that I should be a ‘misfortune teller’ and open up my own psychic office.’ She will be missed on the physical. But know that she will continue to love us and smile on us in Spirit.’ ”
Raymond concluded, and Mojo spoke next, “I used to take pleasure in talking in innuendoes ... that were sometimes so near to the bone. And Julie never told me off. (laughter) Her only exception was that she thought the word ‘arse’ should be permitted. ... lag sorry. When she became ill, she refused to let me tell anyone anything. She refused to believe what the nurses told her in January this year. ... She spoke to me on the phone, and her main worry was that we were missing tax amnesties.”
Mojo paused for a while, then resumed speaking, “Sorry about that. SL always picks its moments. Even right at the beginning, on Boxing Day evening when she collapsed, her first words were, ‘ I need to get to the computer so I can give the permissions.’ She made her daughter ring me. The last time I spoke to Julie ... she admitted that it was terminal and she was not having treatment. She told me she had 6 to 12 months to live. What she forgot to say was that three months had already passed. She forgot on purpose, to protect me.”
“When I started Tiny Empires, there were no kingdoms. Someone bought me a TE HUD. I loved the game and moved the first time someone bribed me. I had no idea what I was doing. (laughter) Then Julie lieged me. I moved about 3 or 4 times ... daily ... and she said ‘Hi’ ... within minutes she had given me more advice and help than the last 4 lieges had in total. And she explained to me that she lived about 1 real-life mile away from my house. That was our bond. She taught me everything as well.”
“People think that I knew Julie more than them. Okay, she sometimes confided in me about Bohemia, and I was her right hand man. But she didn’t know me more than you ... nor did I know her more than you do. She loved each and every one of us, individually, for our minds, our souls, she loved all good people and stood for everything good. She never complained. She was an inspiration. She told me on the phone Bohemians were her children. Everyone she encountered on SL were close to her heart. But she was an intelligent woman, and she kept me at arm’s length because we met online. She was private, but loved wholeheartedly. Yes, her family knows how much we all meant to her. And that is why they have invited me to attend next week.”
“She cried, and said she didn’t want to abdicate, but that she needed to for the good of the kingdom. Raymond was chosen by me because he believes in the Bohemia as created by Julie. And Julie never questioned my decision. She trusted my choice because she knew I didn’t wasn't to ascend as I am not online as often as I would need to be.”
“She nearly died at Christmas when she first collapsed. And a few weeks later, she got an infection which sent her delirious and put her in the hospital. The nurses were going to let her go. Her daughter begged for antibiotics. She came home two days later, and came straight online as she had not been so for a whole week. She told the room, ‘ I have a trapped a nerve in my arm and can’t type.’ Then she IMed me, and said, “ I nearly died. They brought me back from the brink of death.’ ‘ !! ‘ I said, ‘ and you told the room you have a sore arm!! Are you insane?! Please tell them. It sounds like you are being blasé.’ She said, ‘ no, I don’t want to worry them. And I don’t want sympathy.’ “
“Because she lobed us, and did not want us to feel pain. Also, she would not want any of us to sit online 24/7 and become ill. She wants people to see their real-life families, etc., and stop and smell the roses, and she wants us to remember her for what she stood for.”
With the end of her speech, her fellow mourners spoke one after another, “God bless Queen Julie.”
Special thanks to Lomgren Smalls for providing the transcript and picture.
Artistic’s friends talked about their late friend, her life online, her art, about how the “little pink fox” refused to admit defeat.Artistic’s memorial at Park Galleries remains, at Park (234, 41, 78). Her work can continue to be viewed there. There is also a landmark to her treehouse home in Second Life, Sunweaver Air (42,116, 21), which continues to be maintained and has a number of pictures of her around the place. Most are various screenshots of her life online, but one there was one picture of Artistic’s avatar lying curled on the ground while an angellike being with a face much like her real-life one rose into the air. She also has a place in Second Life named after her, Fimi Falls, in Hope Gardens in the Colorado sim at (189, 44, 25).
“Peaceful journey, little warrior.”
Lohti Aeon’s profile description didn’t have much. A few groups, a picture of his virtual self, a single location. A man of few words, his 1st life tab simply stated, “I'm a 19-year-old soldier who spends his spare time on his computer, after balancing out school, family crises, work, and other mumbo-jumbo.”In real life, he was Specialist Jacob D. Borton of the US Army. Described as a “shy video gamer” in his high school years, he joined the Army and was sent to Iraq. He was described as reserved, but not afraid to come to the aid of someone he felt was being pushed around, “He wouldn’t say much unless there was some injustice being done, and then he would speak up.”
Borton met his end not at the hands of Islamofacist terrorists or their booby traps, but by one of his own comrades. He was one of the five soldiers killed at the combat stress clinic at Camp Liberty on May 11, 2009 by a sergeant sent there whom left the building and returned with a gun. Borton is described as putting himself between the shooter and another man, trying to talk the assailant into putting his gun down. He was 20 years old.
It was this week in which news of Borton's death finally reached his friends in Second Life. In response, space has been purchased at the War Memorial Annex in Ileina Cova for a memorial plaque in honor of the fallen soldier whom like the rest of us had a virtual presence here.
Bixyl Shuftan
Friday, May 29, 2009
KRISTAN'S CLUB GRAND OPENING!
GLANCE International Agency presents...
This Friday, May 29th, KRISTANS Club will make its grand opening with top models, electro DJs and fun contests... From 1 PM SLT to 9 PM SLT, Top Designers of SL will offer special fashion gifts for you for a total of 16,000L$... !
Style Sponsors of this party include [KA] Designs by Kira Ahn, Muze by Muze Rayna, Ibizarre by Anyusha Lilienthal, Zanzo by Theodore and Drusus DuCasse, Skin Flicks by Mavis McGettigan, New Dana's Delights by Dana Vanmoer, La Besace by Myralda Minelli, So Many Styles by Irie Campese. Show up at the party, participate to our hourly contests and WIN gifts certificates from these top brands!
Edward Kristan is an avid music lover in both lives, always on the look for the greatest vibes and the glamorous events. He built KRISTANS club with the spirit of a fashionable and funky place where everybody is welcome to party.
This event is produced by GLANCE International Agency, SL's Premier fashion PR Agency. GIA Fashion PR Agency is known for its first class parties and extensive experience in fashion marketing and event coordination.
Music will be provided by the talented DJs from Total Fusion Company for 8 hours of traumatic music set!
Book your calendar... This event is not to be missed!
Commercial and/or Residential Is, Lucid Dreams (29, 198, 33)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
BNT estates
Today I was asked to take some pictures for the Land Expo being held in June, the pictures were for BNTs display and I happily stepped up as many know I love taking pictures and I know there are some lovely places on the estate.
I did not expect the quality I found though and some places were breath-taking.
Like Cypreana and Coppice - I was truly amazed at the beauty that has been created.
Take a look at the images or go and see the places for yourself - pictures can never do some of these sims justice.
Dana
NEW BUSINESS HORIZONS WINS GOLD FROM SECOND LIFE CREATOR LINDEN LABS
Second Life business park and conferences developer, New Business Horizons (http://www.nbhorizons.com ), is today being awarded the prestigious accolade of Gold Solution Provider by Second Life creator Linden Labs. After a rigorous vetting programme, NBH joins just 30 other businesses worldwide in receiving the new award, launched today by Linden Labs.
New Business Horizons (NBH) runs the Blue Horizon business park in the online virtual world of Second Life, where it provides managed offices, conference facilities and other business centre services for a wide variety of clients including Universal Music Group (UMG), the Institute of Travel & Meetings (ITM) and Macmillan Cancer Support. Its work for UMG, whose artists include Amy Winehouse, Elton John, Gwen Stefani and U2, includes the building of a bespoke business complex and conference centre straddling four Second Life islands.
NBH and its 30 peers were selected as Gold Solution Providers from a pool of more than 250, in a scheme which recognises them as "particularly well qualified" in providing virtual world services for enterprises and educational institutions.
"Innovative enterprises, military organizations, government agencies and educational institutions are actively using virtual worlds for distance learning, training and simulation," says Tom Hale, Chief Product Officer at Linden Lab. "The Gold Solution Provider Program makes it easy to find experienced partners that can deliver high-quality experiences for a wide range of Second Life projects."
NBH founder and chief executive Alan Haymes comments: "Our aim has always been to make Second Life as accessible and successful as possible for our clients, whether they're smaller businesses seeking serviced offices or global enterprises requiring major developments. Becoming a Gold Solution Provider is a powerful recognition - by the owner of Second Life itself - of our work's quality. It tells enterprises and institutions that we have the official thumbs up."
The award comes just a few months after NBH scooped the prestigious 'Best Use of Technology' award from the Docklands Business Club and the East London Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
For once it looks like Linden Lab have listened to the residents!
Good News: Homestead Pricing to be Grandfathered if purchased before July 1st, 2009
Update to July 1st Homestead Pricing Plan
So, given that things seem to have stabilized in the Second Life economy and that Linden Lab's business remains strong and our revenues are healthy, we are able to forego the planned Homestead price increase in July for one year, but only for Homesteads purchased (or reactivated, see below) before July 1, 2009. In other words, any Homesteads purchased before July 1, 2009 will have their monthly fees Grandfathered at USD$95 per month until July 1, 2010. This includes any Homesteads that you currently own at the time of this post.
In addition, if you reactivate a Homestead that you abandoned (not converted) after January 1, 2009, we'll waive the setup fee to re-instate it. All Homesteads purchased on or after July 1, 2009 will be at the USD$125 monthly rate as originally planned. This offer is only open to Homesteads bought before the July 1st 2009 date so if you want to take advantage of the lower USD$95 per month rate, you will need to have purchased or re-enabled your Homestead before the end of June.
Victory for those that fought for the grandfathered system! at least for the first year.
Read the full post HERE
THE O R I G I N A L S
On Sunday, April 26th, WAMtv presented the O R I G I N A L S. Brainchild of POL Arida, the O R I G I N A L S consist of SL live musicians performing exclusively original compositions. The event took place in North Norway and was graciously hosted by Harrie Skellerup of Pixel Hill Presents. POL, with the help of others, put it all together strictly for fun and exposing the SL community to some of the best talent in-world. Simulcasted on Indie Spectrum radio, the event was attended, at one count, by 57+ avatars--a wonder we didn't crash the sim!
Chicken? Dinner ??
The other day my friend, Vickijo, said “I have to go get my eggs before they hatch”.
Ok I said, thinking she was talking about real life. After a while she told me that she had to take the chickens to the orphanage.
Oh my, I thought what is going on here?
Well would you believe there is a chicken orphanage in sl???
Oh yes !
I went there to see. LOL !!
I found a skybox filled with tiny chicks scurrying about in pens and out of pens! So cute! They were imploring me to go get food for them at a certain place, (an advertisement, I think). But, when I touched them they displayed a health chart showing they did not need food. 
It is an amazing thought that there is a chicken orphanage in sl.
I think you can adopt one if you like. I never knew chickens were so important in sl.
I took at look at the vendor (in another location) which offers a set of chickens that grow and eat and reproduce.
To bring your chicks with you there is a carrying crate that is advertised as very comfortable inside to protect your chicks.
Eggs are available so you can start from the beginning.
Choosing your chick's colour is a option too along with healthy food.
If you figure it out let me know! What next !! Indulge 244, 128, 2001.
Gemma Cleanslate
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
RFL Star Trek Party for Charity
By Bixyl Shuftan
On Sunday May 24 at 11 AM SL time, a Star Trek themed party was held for charity. The event was held by the Relay for Life group Relay Wizards, with all Lindens raised going to cancer research. Around the place were various things to do. One could watch a movie (“Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home”). One could grab a free uniform and Klingon translator. Trek uniforms were not requested attire, but the majority wore them anyway.
One could look at an exhibit of an “original series” starship bridge, with some various Trek foods on a counter. One could dance to the music provided by DJs, Natasiaa Nightfire from 11 AM to 1:30 PM SL time, and Jameslarken Supply after 1:30 PM.
But the most visible attraction, and the most fun for the majority of visitors, were the kissing booths. They were manned by various Second Life celebrities, getting the name “SLeberty Kissing Booths.”
Among the noted people at the booths were Hamlet Au, Pooky Amsterdam, and SecondLie Scribe. And numerous people, human and otherwise, went up to give the brave redshirts and science officers smooches for charity. One booth had a Klingon guy, “Can you human females survive a kiss from a Klingon?” And there was no shortage of ladies trying, even if he did forget to gargle with mouthwash after his lunch of raw meat.
And yes, a certain reporter got into the act. Guess the ladies just love a “foxy guy.” ;-)
The party was organized by Amber DeCuir, Haley Saloman, and Shawna Montgomery., and was held at the Chatrez sim at (96, 31, 24) in the Tiny Empires Kingdom of Avalon.
Bixyl Shuftan
Monday, May 25, 2009
War Memorial & War History Museum Annex
By Bixyl Shuftan
I was recently shown a link to a You-Tube of a VE Day ceremony at a memorial area in Second Life, the War Memorial & War History Museum Annex. Taking place on May 8, 2009, on the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, there were a number of people there, including Fanny Starr whom gave a speech through her daughter’s avatar, Explorer Dastardly.
Going to the memorial, there are a number of signs of statements against war from the Bible to modern speakers such as Isaac Asimov. There are also lone helmets on pedestals and in the middle of the memorial a symbolic torch, “All Mankind is one author and is one volume.” There are also a couple sets of free clothes plus a free t-shirt, and a Betty Grable avatar up for sale.
The memorial’s biggest feature is the wall, made up of many bricks on three sides of the land. A notecard explained why the wall was made, “It became clear that many expressed the fact they personally knew someone who either served their country, was killed or maimed in warfare or killed during a terrorist attack or act of war. And it also became clear that the wars mentioned covered a span of over a century and were all over the world. We then decided a way to memorialize these people should be incorporated within the War History Complex of the TLE Interactive World History Museum. This is how the War Memorial Wall was born.“
People going to the Memorial can purchase bricks for 180 Lindens, the cash going to the upkeep of this and other museum areas. Those who can’t afford 180L are asked to contact Anmarerlice Mayo, Spicy Koba, or Kitvel Silberberg for help in getting a plaque. Upon getting a brick space, the resident then gets a notecard in which one fills whom the brick will be dedicated to, and then drops into a mailbox. The plaque will appear within 24-48 hours. One can “pay tribute to those who served and are thankfully still alive, those who were killed during war or acts of war, or those who were killed during terrorist attacks. This applies to all religions, creeds, nationalities, and beliefs. This is NOT a political wall. This is Tribute to those who served and still do serve.”
Dozens of bricks have already been memorialized in honor of veterans from the United States, Britain, Canada, and other countries, and civilian targets of terrorists and Nazi Germany. There is still plenty of space to fill.
Next to the Memorial is the Military Strategy and Vehicles Annex, which shows a number of military war machines, mostly modern ones. The detail on some is very good, and one can get into the Hummer near the gate, though can’t drive it away.
The War Memorial and History Annex is part of the TLE (The Learning Experience) Interactive World History Museum. It is located at Ileina Cove (101, 194, 21). For those wishing to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to freedom, this is one place they can pause and reflect.
The You-Tube showing the VE ceremony is located at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1qUrI0T0Ug&feature=channel
“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” - Isaiah
“History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.” - Ronald Reagan
Bixyl Shuftan
The Syncopation Factor and Life Between Two Worlds
One of the great things about Live Music in Second Life is that occasionally you run across a musician that really makes an impact on the music scene. Australian Dexter Ihnen (Dexter Morph) in real life is one such person. I finally got a chance to chat and find more about why hes one of the most popular Musicians in Second Life.
Delinda Dyrssen: Dexter lets start with something Ive been wondering since I first heard of you... “The Funkalicious one!” Where did that come from?
Dexter Ihnen: Ha ha - It's so long ago now I almost find it hard to lock down the moment. But it was in the first couple of months when someone first said it at an event and it got repeated until well, it became a kind of a tag that I happily accepted, being that Soul and Funk have been and are such a big part of my music. So The Funkalicious One is a kind of a parody on Buddha - The Compassionate one - having studied and practiced Eastern philosophy most of my life - the parallel was just too funny to deny ;)
Delinda Dyrssen: You do have a message .. a certain spirit you convey in your music. Can you tell me more about this?
Dexter Ihnen: Of course..... How long do we have .... No seriously, it's important to me as an artist to know what it is you have to say and why. An artist needs to know their intent - in fact that goes for all of us, but before an artist can truly come from their center and reach others I believe that that is vital, so, I endeavor to 'lift' my spirit in order to lift others when I perform. Lifting oneself up is paramount to realizing dreams - rather than be disappointed in what we think we haven't got - be grateful for what we have and dream about the rest. In the making of that dream into the material world there is an alchemic quality that we need to apply to our inner life and that is what I endeavor to convey. The evolution of mankind actually depends on that in my view :)
Delinda Dyrssen: Well must admit.. I know I get an uplifting feeling when I listen to your music.. and thats just here in the virtual world.. I can imagine what it would be like in Real life. You also have an interesting take on the real life Music Industry. What are your thoughts on this?
Dexter Ihnen: Once again - thats a huge subject with me but I can summarize; Until the advent of CD roms and the Internet the Mainstream Music Industry had all the cards and they played them very tight to their chest. I saw and experienced a lot of what I call 'Art Crime' in that period ( the wasting of the talent and financial greed around Elvis Presley is a good example - and that's what really killed him if you ask me) Anyway, now things are vastly different and it is no wonder that the major labels have been and are really scared - kind of karma if you will. Artists don't need them anymore. That said, I have (through my presence and success in SL ) recently signed to a great Publishing company who embody a new approach to music sales and artist relationship. I have a lot of hope for the future being that I can see great evolution along with the freedom that the Internet brings including and especially at this time - programs like Second Life.
Delinda Dyrssen: Yes the Internet seems to have leveled the playing field a bit hasn't it. I know you have done support work with some very well known artists like Dizzy Gillespie to AC DC and Midnight Oil.. Tell me what is the biggest difference between playing out there in the real world and playing here in Second Life? And Why do you do it?
Dexter Ihnen: The Biggest difference? Well, to perform in SL you don't have to risk having a car end up on your hood on the way the gig where you may well have to lug your gear in through the rain, then wrestle with tech difficulties and managers etc., then wait for a month to get paid by them. LOL No really, Performing in SL is simply unique - the interaction between artist and listener is quite remarkable and has made a primo multi-tasker out of this longterm space-case :) The support and feedback in SL is unlike 1st life in that it is clearly visible or graphically visible - however as you play dealing with that can be tricky, if you read while you sing you can get caught in the trap of singing what you are reading. But all in all Second Life is what I call a whole new room in the house of entertainment and I'm happy to be part of the furniture :)
Playing live with artists like AC/DC, Crowded House etc. and the plethora of other Australian greats I've been able to share the bill with is something that always was and always will be the root of what we call Rock & Roll - or showbiz if you like. The smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd - it's the physical experience that is it's own unshakable uniqueness about it.
Delinda Dyrssen: You have a very unique sound.. I think described as a funky plucking of the guitar strings .. a very unusual and great sounding style of it. Tell me more about how this came about and how you would describe it?
Dexter Ihnen: Well I call it 'Ricky Tick'. It's a play on 'pick' and also a tribute to 'Steely Dan' ( of which I am a huge fan - Ricky don't loose that number ) From a distance and unamplified that is what it sounds like too - a friend was walking into a gig of mine once and heard me playing unamplified ( and so - no bass ) and he said what he heard was all this kind of snapping and clicking lol . It's a style I formulated on the roads in Europe when I traveled there over a 2 year period. I lived rough on the roads and busked as well as picked grapes in major French vineyards. I wanted to encompass some of the elements of music that I had been listening to for some years rather than just strum the same old way. I used mainly the influences of 4 bass players to achieve the sound. Also, fusion Jazz and Latin rhythms played a big part in the syncopation factor and counter melodies.
Delinda Dyrssen: I love it and yes I do notice a bit of a latin rhythm in some of your tracks. So what is in the works currently for you (Dexter Morph in RL) and Dexter Ihnen here on Second Life?
Dexter Ihnen: Dexter Morph now :) and that's due to my life between the two worlds - also my life-long penchant for change and evolution. Well, the year so far has been really big in that I have been commissioned to produce a CD for a band here ( that is nearly done now ) and I am also in the early stages of doing my first serious single including video. Later in the year a longterm project of a major album production of my own music will also be completed and released as soon as possible after the single has run it's course. Besides that, It's gigs and more gigs. I have also been asked to lecture in a Steiner School and teach Production and Engineering - studio craft. So, there is a LOT going on. Besides all that I get up for a two hour training session most mornings now - just to maintain energy and build focus. I find it hard to function on this level without that.
Delinda Dyrssen: Wow.. I guess the physical aspect is important isn't it. How can one find your music to purchase it? And what group can they join on SL to find out about upcoming virtual performances?
Dexter Ihnen: Ok in SL my group is 'Planet Dex' - so notices come out across that, as well as 8 others usually. Most events will be in the listings also but Planet Dex is the sure fire way to hear. In 1st Life, one can buy my CDs from my website www.dexonyx.com on the audio page. Or email me directly at dexter@dexonyx.com or go to iTunes and look up both Dexter Morph and Dexter Morph. Better still, come down under and I'll give you a freebie ;)
Delinda Dyrssen: Well a trip down under may just be in order!..one last question.. As a successful RL and SL Musician.. What advice can you give to a anyone out there thinking about performing in SL?
Dexter Ihnen: Just do it! It can be tricky to get the hang of it initially but people here are very understanding and I myself am very supportive of anyone who has the gumption to get up and sing or play music - it's good for the soul :)
By Delinda Dyrssen
Sunday, May 24, 2009
"Memorial Rockin' 24 for Relay" Raises an Amazing 505,247 Lindens !
by Mystique Sassoon
This year's "Memorial Rockin' 24 for Relay" event kicked off Friday
evening at 6pm and proved more than successful raising an incredible
505,247 lindens for Relay for Life! The event is the heart-project of
one of Second Life's most notorious DJ's - Bcreative Wilde - who,
along with Nevar Lobo, organized this year's fundraiser. Wiccan
Sojourner, of Bewitched Designs, hosted the event. This was the 3rd
year for this specific fundraiser...but this year's was unique in that
it wasn't one single Relay for Life team participating -- instead,
Bcreative opened this year's event to numerous teams. And with 11
teams participating, each filling scheduled time slots and joining
Bcreative, Nevar, and friends raising an incredible amount of money to
benefit the Relay for Life cause.
Beating last year's record of 25 hours, Bcreative DJ'd for 26 hours
straight with no sleep - taking requests and dedicating songs to those
who have won, remembering those who lost, and those who are still
fighting cancer. She kept the tunes spinning the entire 26 hours. As
the evening began to wind down, Nevar Lobo agreed to wear a gown
should the donations reach a half a million. In no short order, the
amount reached the mark. The entire crowd was filled with emotion and
good cheer as the kiosk shot up to the 500,000 lindens mark. And true
to his word, Nevar donned a lovely gown, donated by the Spaciva
Ivanova - captain of the Roma Pro Vita team, and danced the remaining
hour in the regal gown as donations continued to climb to 505,247
lindens.
Heartfelt thanks goes out to all who donated and made the event such a
success. The 11 Relay for Life teams, whose participation and
dedication were evident in bringing in the donations, were: Spirit
Chasers, Charmed Menagerie, Pink Panthurs, Roma Pro Vita, Justice
League, Passionate Redheads, Goreans in Relay, Madness Legends,
All-Stars, Relay Wizards for Spunky, and Cure Chasers. A special
thanks also went out to Wiccan Sojourner for hosting the event, and to
Nevar Lobo, Amethyst Starostin, Wiccan Sojourner, Raven Naimarc, Neill
McCullough, and members of the Roma Pro Vita team who took turns
staying up most of the 26 hours to help keep Bcreative awake.
Yes, this year's "Memorial Rockin' 24 for Relay" was a huge
success.... AND... it speaks volumes about the hearts of our Second
Life residents - who came together... and gave of their time, money,
and heart... for this cause.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
NDD tonite !
A group of us were privileged to see the launch of dana’s newest designs, an incredible array of wedding gowns, bridesmaid’s dresses, tiaras and fabulous prim bouquets. Beautiful laces, amazing taffetas, incredible details and skirts that can’t be adequately described floated down the runway. Fabulous necklines, beautifully detailed sleeves, and amazing bodices brought ohhhs and ahhhs from the crowd, but the skirts.. oh my….fabulous prim creations that floated and swirled, with amazing under layers and over layers had us all enthralled. No doubt ladies are already scheming on how to get their SL sweetheart to pop the question, so that they can purchase one of these fairy-tale gowns. More images in our Fashion Section !!!!
Join me tonight
AVENUE Models is proud to debut the exclusive wedding collection of New Dana's Delights, NDD. A skillful and well-tailored line of colourful wedding fashion, NDD launches it's new wedding line of gowns, bridesmaid dresses, tiaras and bouquets this Saturday.
Just in time for this summer's wedding blitz, this is a show not to be missed by all soon to be brides on the grid. Please join AVENUE Models Livia Mastroianni, Ivyana Szondi, Nezsy Herstein, Laury Sands, Mavi Beck and Haruka Kish as they glide down the aisle-like runway in the incredible fashions of New Dana's Delights.
When:
Saturday, May 23, 2009 1pm SLT
Where:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Royal%20Properties/177/180/1001
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New Dana's Delights is the collection of masterful designs by creator Dana Vanmoer. More known for her work with SL-Newspaper, it may come as a surprise to know Dana is a skillful designer in RL. Making the natural shift as a designer in SL, Dana finds relaxation and fun in her talent and has to this point kept her sl-work separate.
NDD caters to the ladies, from business wear, casuals, and evening wear to her new line of wedding gowns and accessories. The feminine ladies suits have been the most popular of Dana's main line up to this point, but she suspects the wedding collection will soon eclipse it. With the support of close friends and partner James, Dana has successfully opened 4 stores around the grid.
For more information please visit Dana's mainstore or blog, both listed below.
http://newdanasdelights.blogspot.com/
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ian%20Bernard/101/153/37
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AVENUE Models is SL's premier modeling agency with the most magnificent and professional setup for top supermodels.
AVENUE Inc, is the umbrella company for AVENUE Models, AVENUE Studio, AVENUE Models Academy and AVENUE Magazine. AVENUE was founded by Rusch Raymaker, CEO, and by her side is a team of highly professional and qualified fashion, creative and marketing professionals striving to continuously take the world of fashion to another level.
For more information please contact Jesika Contepomi, Vice President of Marketing for AVENUE Inc.
Email: jesika@avenuesl.com
Website: http://www.avenuesl.com
Protestors Question Blondin Linden on Adult Content Plans
By Bixyl Shuftan
When the Revolting Adults held their first protest about Linden Lab’s upcoming plans for Adult Content Filtering, the Linden they questioned professed not to know much about the issue. He told them Blondin Linden would know more. So the group decided to meet at his place in the Hanley sim during his office hours, Wednesday May 20th at 3:30 PM SL time.
On the day of the protest, I tried porting over with the Landmark I had, and nothing. I tried a few more times without success, then looked at the map. The Hanley sim appeared empty, but there were a few people at the edge to the north and south. I ported near the edge of the sim to the north and headed south. I was unable to cross the sim boundary, and it appeared that there was no sim to the south, even though the map told us otherwise. But with the map showing the place was empty, what was going on? That was the question asked when other protesters gathered at the spot. Some suggested some kind of Linden trickery to keep the protest out, “LET US IN!” “... ignoring a jira ticket with over three thousand votes is one thing but, locking us out of office hours?”
Finally one of the protesters told everyone she’d been IMed by someone on the inside, saying there were about 40 people in the sim. Apparently it was limited to that number. I continued to try to port in via the map, and finally I made it in. Once inside, I saw where the people were, and headed there.
Arriving at 3:45 PM, something must have annoyed Blondin Linden just before I got within chat range as he yelled, “LOG OFF NOW!” Whatever happened, that was the only outburst I heard from him, the rest of the time answering questions. I got around the obstacles, and joined the mix of avatars questioning Blondin Linden.
These are not all the questions asked, only those answered. Only two of the questions that I asked Blondin, and one from protest leader Xantarius Cain, got a reply.
Is the estimated "end of June" time still on course for Ursula moves?
ANSWER: End of June is still on track from what I hear. That's when it'll all begin.
Will we be able to access Ursula with 1.22 viewer?
ANSWER: That is a good question and I am not 100%. I need to check. Good question though.
Here is a question, what is the line Linden has set for "Adult" content, and is it really only the extremes of sl's mature content?
ANSWER: Depends on what you consider extreme. The definitions are almost done.
Are the Lindens committed to tweaking the search restrictions indefinitely if needed until they function as intended and will there be a publicly announced plan on how people can get the exceptions that were promised for people who had legitimate use for otherwise adult terms?
ANSWER: We are committed to tweaking them. If you've noticed a bunch of words have been removed based on resident feedback.
Blondin, would giant phallic attacks be permitted in such an event if held on Ursula? :) ANSWER: Griefing is griefing no matter if its on PG, Mature or Adult.
Thanks Blondin - Follow up Question - Jack and Cyn don't seem to be singing from the same song sheet when it comes to land transfers. Cyn suggests pre-speculation and acquisition prior to move is valid. Jack says checks will be made into past content. Which is right?
ANSWER: They both are. Checks into past content will be a last resort if we feel that someone is truly trying to game the system. It's a last resort.
How will object name and descriptions which are set to show in search effect your parcel? For instance in a situation where a mature parcel with appropriate name and land description also has an object using adult language visible in search, will that prevent the parcel from being visible to mature viewers?
ANSWER: I read this quickly so forgive me if I misunderstood. Objects actually ON a parcel wont be filtered if they use adult words.
Question: I do have the concern, that with such guidelines in place, and the reliance on ARs to control it, the system might be too easily abused to report people for alleged adult content violations. Given that I have several friends now who have been suspended for nothing because it seems like there was no one investigating the reports ... how much security is provided against the abuse of the system or to prevent cases where people report activities thinking that they violate the rules but that are not doing thins actually?
ANSWER: Well, you bring up a good point about abusing the abuse reports. There are A LOT of AR's submitted each and everyday and each one gets special attention. I've seen it in action. The Resident team doesn't act unless they feel confident that something has actually happened that needs further investigation. And on that note, AR's do have to be kept secret to protect the residents’ privacy.
Oh end of June? So The Aporncalypse happens at the same time as the Homestead price increase?
ANSWER: It's bad timing - I know. But the two have nothing to do with each other.
Bixyl Shuftan: Blondin, can you tell us what will happen to landowners and businessmen/women who decline to rate their land?
ANSWER: I'm assuming you mean Private estate owners as they are the only ones who have to flag regions. In reality, not to much unless they get AR'ed. Then the Resi team will come in, look around and decide what to do. Most like, it'll be a few IM's asking the owner to flag.
Oh Blondin, what's the score with the viewer? I heard if you check Adult you can't see any PG or M results. Are they going to fix that or is it intended?
ANSWER: Seems to work for my RC viewer. There are check boxes for ADULT< MATURE AND PG. Check any and all that you want to see
I heard all furries are going to be rated as Adult from now on. Can you comment on this baseless rumour?
ANSWER: In no shape, way or form, are furries going to be generally classified as Adult.
Not flittering objects seems like a loophole that will be exploited. I follow the rules, but my competition uses objects to advertise, but get around the rating system. How will LL deal with objects in search that don't match the parcel rating?
ANSWER: Abuse Reports.
And it was answered on the JIRA because that was a big concern for fear of griefers being able to search bomb places.
ANSWER: I believe this is the correct reason.
Come on guys, give up with the sign on page thing already. It's a stupid way to announce something.
ANSWER: It has proven to get a lot of attention and it will be something we utilize in the future about commenting this to a wider audience.
Question - does that include returning protest posters from private land ?
ANSWER: Are you talking about the signs I returned? The sign on my land? The signs that were causing lag? Didn't I leave one out for good faith?
Blondin, I repeat my question... Are we Europeans having support for enter the mature section? Because we Europeans don't have the age verification system.
ANSWER: I know that laws in Europe are a bit different, but there are many Europeans who are already verified. Off the top of my head Lord Sullivan is verified.
Bixyl Shuftan: Blondin, can you tell us if age-verification will be designed to protect the anonymity of users?
ANSWER: No one is forcing you to use Aristotle. That is just one way. You can do it by having a payment relationship with Linden and your identities will not be any less secure.
They said from the start that this isn't about preventing people selling sex beds on mature land, you just can't advertise a sex bed in classifieds as sex is filtered?
ANSWER: Correct.
Blondin: The draft 'definitions' are fairly vague and subjective - you have mentioned getting final ones soon - are these much tighter or basically the same as the draft that is currently there (the one that has any photorealistic nudity as being adult) ie: all good quality skins = adult.
ANSWER: The format will look the same but we've taken the chance to explain a bit about photo realistic. THe word will still be in there, but no, it doesn't apply to the selling of skins.
Blondin, will traffic scores still affect search rankings?
ANSWER: I don't know.
Question - Many people have bought mainland parcels in the same region to provide prims to support their core business - however 2/3rds of land may not look adult will we be left with a turkey when only a 1/3rd is allowed to move for free?
ANSWER: I believe that all holds can be combined and moved over. If only a section of your land is ADULT, you can move it all, not just that portion.
What about assurances I wont get stuck wiith my (hopefully still) popular club in a sim with another equally popular club?
ANSWER: We will be very conscious of our placements.
Blondin, pardon me, but that's disingenuous. You can sell a product, but not advertise it? Come on.
ANSWER: If you rely on those key words, ie if that's the market you want to focus your advertising on, then you should be on adult land. Apply for a move.
The more I sit in on this, the more it becomes clear that no matter how much the userbase protests these changes, the userbase who pours money into LL's pockets daily, these changes are still going to happen despite the fact that only a vocal minority wants them. Talk about bad customer service.
ANSWER: But if you notice, we've changed a lot of what we originally had in mind based on resident feedback.
Blondin, does linden labs have any intention of opening up additional lines of communication or conversation on this matter? Will we see any more brown bags or forum conversations or are we reduced to the just office hours?
ANSWER: The Brownbags are over. But we'll be opening another forum thread which I'll be actively back on once the update blog goes out.
Blondin, where in the TOS or Community Standards will it be stated that adult content is OK on private land, and that these changes apply only to BUSINESSES?
ANSWER: the TOS will be changed to reflect all these changes around adult content.
Blondin: You skipped my question a second time. How many sims are you going to auction?
ANSWER: I don't know. Depends on how many are left after the swap I suppose.
Blondin, what about others who =can't= for whatever reason, but who DO want to? because here in Italy we don't have the "buy linden" service.
ANSWER: A support ticket would be the best bet.
Q: (it was missed last time I was here, and has been so far today, so I'll just ask it one more time before giving up)...Regarding groups, if/when they also get adult flagged for keyword use, what about the thousands of Residents who are NPIOF or unverified who are already existing members of said groups? Do they remain in the group, get auto-ejected? Possible repercussions?
Answer: I don't know what will happen to those members.
Xantarius Cain: Hi Blondin: Linden Lab has previously stated that private sim owners will not be affected much (other than having search terms for those sims filtered if the residents performing the search is not age-verified). TWO QUESTIONS: (a) Will private sims be required to rate themselves as "adult" if they contain adult material? (b) Will adults who have not been age-verified be locked out of these private "adult" sims? IF YES to both, private sims will be affected more than previously thought. IF NO, this presents a HUGE hole in the age-verification security that LL is building. Please explain.
Answer: yes to A and yes to B.
Haha, Blondin has been lowering the avatar limit on his sim to reduce the number of people shouting at him in this meeting.
ANSWER: Not true. I never shy away!
Well they did remove ponyplay from the filter, because the ponyplayers argued that there doesn't have to be anything sexual about ponyplay. T**s are still inherently sexual for some reason, though.
ANSWER: Google T**s.
It was after answering that question at 4:42 PM than Blondin told us, “Ok, That’s it for me tonight. I’ll be back next week!” Responses from the audience varied. Some were satisfied with Blondin’s answers, thanking him. Others were not, complaining of canned replies, skipping their questions, or of giving replies that weren’t true. One resigned resident commented, “I guess we’ll have to be satisfied with a gilded cage.”
Shortly afterward, I heard from Revolting Adults that the JIRA ticket concerning adult content they had been asking people to sign hit 4000 votes.
Bixyl Shuftan
Friday, May 22, 2009
SLOOP - THE TREE HOUSE
I dare say this has a price: we don’t have the time to build all that knowledge into a solid subjective structure, an inner house, a solid place, full of surprises, hidden corners, basements and attics and secret passages.
The fleeting contact we establish with all the info we absorb creates in us the false illusion of knowledge.
Those of us who are old enough not to have been cyber kids, can tell the difference.
We are fascinated with everything that’s new and State of the Art technology, but we miss the kind of time we used to spend trying to figure out everything the world has to feeds us.
So we feel our inner self is getting stuffed with knowledge, but it’s not getting deeper, it’s getting thinner.
The Spanish writer Manuel Vincent says that people are afraid to seek refuge within themselves, because that inner construction is “shaky”. So it doesn’t makes us feel safe, but quite the contrary.
And that is a shame, because being able to seek refuge within ourselves is a fantastic relief against adversity.
Like those “cabins” we made under the bed, with blankets and a flashlight.
Or the wonderful tree houses, where we felt safe, masters of the fortress, and open to fantasy.When we loose our innocence, we loose the safety those tree houses gave us.
“When we stop playing –says Vincent-, we remain unprotected, alone in the wilderness, far from the world of dreams, having to face real enemies”.
Full of hope, he points out that there are privileged human beings that are still capable, no matter what age they are, to build that tree house inside their soul and make themselves strong and invincible against adversity.
There are many ways to do that, as long as we build it strong and keep in there some strong feelings, some strong knowledge, and keep out aggression and barbarity and inhumanity.
And, as you might have guessed by now… let me tell you: Second Life is one hell of a tree house.
The one that made us feel so strong when we where kids, the one place we felt safe to dream in.
Lets play.
Lets take care of our tree house. It’s a chance to have that magic place when we are too grown up to go climbing real trees.
Covadonga Writer
Memorial to a Friend
The other day, a friend of mine told me the following:
“Yesterday evening, when I got home from work, I found out that a friend on here finally lost her battle with cancer. Julie Apocalypse, who was the Queen of Bohemia in Tiny Empires until her battle depleted her enough that she had someone else take her place.”
He went on to say he had built a memorial to his friend, at Bohemia Castle. I ported there, and found a small crowd around the structure, her portrait on a shrine with candles with flowers and butterflies all around, in the middle of a grove of white blossom trees.
The following day, I thought of the place and decided to port there again. Once there, I found the builder, sitting alone among the marble seats in front of the memorial, thinking of his friend whom now had departed. He looked my way, spoke a few words, then apologized for not having much to say.
Some might say he already has spoken plenty.
The memorial to Julie Apocalypse is at Insula Inferi Hills (143, 218, 22), at Bohemia-by-the-sea
Bixyl Shuftan
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Fashion Designers Challenge PHOTO CONTEST
Do you want a chance to win a HUGE prize bag containing the amazing extraordinairy designs created for the Fashion Designers Challenge? Then join our Flickr Photo contest today!
Click here to visit a list of quick tp’s to the designers stores to get your FDC creation(s)! (http://
If you are not sure what FDC outfit to wear on the photo contest, take a free copy of FDC Photo Book on XStreet SL: https://www.xstreetsl.com/
How to enter:
1. Take some photos of yourself wearing your favorite FDC outfit by any of the designers, or a combination of more designers. Show us how you wear it and try to really make the photo show the theme of the challenge! (i.e. a jungle styled dress would be awesome shot in a jungle etc.)
2. Photoshopping is allowed, be creative!
3. In order to take part in this contest, you must have a flickr account.
4.Join the FDC flickr group here: FDC flickr group and submit a maximum of 3 photos. Please start the description of the photo with [FDC photo contest] In your description, you must include what item you are wearing in the description of the photo. Any picture that fails to identify which item they are using will be disqualified. (http://www.flickr.com/groups/
5. Submit your photos before May 31 2009, the contest is closing that day!
6. Voting system: There will be three prize winners in this contest. The grand prize winner wins it ALL, thats right, the WHOLE collection of FDC’s participating designers (see list of prizes below). Second place wins 10 designs of any of the FDC designers by choice, third place wins 5 designs of any of the FDC designers by choice!
How will we define the winners? We won’t! YOU WILL! Every photo submission on flickr, will be judged by the public by a points system. Each flickr user can give their favorite photo’s points, following this system:
best photo: 3 points
2nd best: 2 points
3rd best: 1 point
The photo with the most votes wins! Each flickr user can only cast their votes ONCE to keep things fair. * Ofcourse you’re not expected to vote for your own entry!* Every designer participating in the FDC can moderate in the flickr group, so we will keep a close eye on things going fair.
The contest is ending May 31st when the prize winners will be notified and announced!
Have fun and we can’t wait to see your photo’s!
FDC Designers & Organization
Prize list { updated May 21}: (prize list is a list of confirmed prizes to date, check back to see any additions made on this link: http://
FDC Wild Jaquar Dress – Sam’s Secret Boutique – Samsara Nishi
FDC Regency Jane gown – SYSY’s – SySy Chapman
FDC Janine gown – *Bliss Couture* – Amuty DeCuir
FDC Eternal winter bracelet & necklace – :: Eyecandy :: – Candy Cerveau
FDC Peacocks lovegown & headpiece – Stitch by Stitch – Sevenstar Amat
FDC Frenzy Stiletto’s *Fatpacks ALL shoes!* – FO – Felicity Overlord
FDC The lawrk – Sprawl – Pushbutton Skolnick
FDC London dress – Addoro – Mew Denimore
FDC Anguish jewelry set – Eolande – Eolande Elvejhem
FDC Apprentice outfit – Sn@tch – Ivey Deschanel
FDC Vintage pearl collection – AV – Alexandar Vargas
FDC Elekim dress – Anubis Style – Anubis Hartunian
FDC Indi sunflower dress – INDI Designs – Jamie Holmer
FDC Midsummer Amusements dress – Clio pret a porter – Clio Cardiff
FDC Harmonicus Rose gown – Nardcotix – Nardya Rousselot
FDC Ares (Aries) god of war complete set – Bewitched – Wiccan Sojourner
FDC Midsummer Amusements jewelry – Dark Mouse – Mouse Mimistrobell
FDC Missy skin Odile Make up – SPIRIT Skins – SavannahAnn McMillan
FDC Aibell gown – Storin – Annah Whitfield
FDC FDC dress – Naive – Leah McCullough
FDC King Neptune (male) formal outfit – IEVL – Nyte Vargas
FDC Janine hairstyles (all colors!) – HoH – Sheltered Heart
Breezes Thoughts on Skybeam
Yep My dear friends, I am up a tree 
ahhh our Community Center 
Lobo estates is where we have many a fun dance So many members I wish to acknowledge I can fill the pages with you all, where to begin I cannot imagine you are all at the top of my list. There is no where on the earth or Second Life any more wonderful than right here at SkyBeam
This, my friends, is the Mall at SkyBeam Muse Oh I do love these shops and you will too. oh i also meant to tell you, we have riding horses all through all the sims and you can spend forever going from sim to sim to see some awesome builds and I know you will love your experience. Invite your friends and make yourself at homeWednesday, May 20, 2009
Interview with Ichie Kamachi
By Bixyl Shuftan
I first saw Ichie Kamachi at Mystery during one of her live music performances at Mystery. A great singer with a beautiful tone, the audience applauded every song. Later on, I had a chance to meet up with her (accompanied by her close friend Greek Miklos), and ask about how she became a singer in Second Life and other details of her musical career here.
Bixyl Shuftan: So how did you hear about Second Life?
Ichie Kamachi: I was with some other freinds in a forum and we were on There.com. Some of them migrated here and convinced us to check it out. I’ve been here ever since.
Bixyl Shuftan: How was your time as a newcomer here?
Ichie Kamachi: I was very very sheltered for the first few months. Our friends owned a sim. I never left there, except to shop. And only when someone TP'd me there. So the first ... oh 4 months was like that. I finally started to get out more places, but I was basically a newbie for a long time, didn't know how to do much but dance, sit, and chat. (laugh) But it's the people I started to meet that kept me here. Second Life is full of amazing people.
Bixyl Shuftan: What gave you the idea of becoming a singer here?
Ichie Kamachi: I have a friend I met here. His name is Detritus Rau, awesome guitarist. He wanted to perform live here, but he doesn't sing and he found out I could. He planted the bug. First it was he'd send his backing tracks and I'd play my voice over them and he'd use that and play over then in his shows. Then I spoke to some other friends who are in the music business in real life, and they helped me get set up to sing live here.
Bixyl Shuftan: How did your first sessions go?
Ichie Kamachi: Very well. the very first time. Detritus IMed that he was playing and TPed me there. When I got there he said, “Okay, this is your two song warning: I signed you up to sing.”
“What are you going to do?” I thought to myself, “people are waiting... for you. So you get up and do it.”
But I've been very very blessed, very well received here in Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: Do you also sing in real-life?
Ichie Kamachi: Not any more. I grew up mostly in Hawaii, and they have a strong music community there. I used to do some singing with some of the entertainers there. But now, only in my bedroom. :)
Bixyl Shuftan: How many performances do you do a week?
Ichie Kamachi: Anywhere from about 8-14 or so. A lot of them regular shows, like the Queen of Hearts Club on the Mystery Sim. I'm there every other Wednesday at 4 PM SL time. :) We always get an awesome group of people there, one of my favorite places to perform. And Tygeria LOVES the naughty song :) It has been going over really big in Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: Besides singing, I notice on your profile you also write.
Ichie Kamachi: (laughs) Yes. I'm what I refer to as a "dabbler." I do a lot of things, passably I would like to think. But until now, nothing ... very well. Writing has gone on hold for a while, though people keep asking. So I need to finish the rewrites and post it somewhere.
Bixyl Shuftan: Going back to music, what would be your favorite kinds of songs to perform?
Ichie Kamachi: Oh anything I love. But, I really love the old stuff: jazz, ballroom, blues ... stuff even before my time. *winks* (laugh)
Bixyl Shuftan: heh ;-)
Ichie Kamachi: I'm starting to like the obscure songs, and lesser known artists.
Ichie crashed at this point in the interview, but soon returned and went back to the subject.
Ichie Kamachi: My favorite song changes all the time. Right now, it's songbird. Which is a good thing since that is my first single I'm bringing out.
Bixyl Shuftan: Oh? Could you give some details?
Ichie Kamachi: Well, my fans have been asking for MP3's and CD's for months now, and it was pretty daunting. But we are working with some great people who have the resources we need. So the custom backing should be done this weekend and hopefully the single will be out for sale within 2 weeks. Then we'll be working on a full CD. Probably romantic jazz and ballroom, but that's not firm yet.
People are waiting, although right now I have about half a dozen Second Life DJ's who play my songs in their sets when they work. I love my fans. They are not only very loyal, but many of them have gone out of their way to help push my "career." And I've gotten many new fans from the DJ's playing my songs at the different clubs.
Bixyl Shuftan: Have there been any particularly memorable performances, such as something unexpected being pulled by the audience or host?
Ichie Kamachi: Hmmm, let's see ... Not really performances, but it's when people are touched by what I do. I had one young girl who was coming to all my shows, and I wondered why since I was doing mostly the jazz back then. She told me one day that her sister was older and a singer and she remembers sitting at her feet listening to her practice the same songs. But all her family is gone now.
Then another lady who loves when I do Bobby McGee. Her late hubby was a producer on Janis' last album. They are both gone, but it brings back good memories for her. That's why I do this. That's where I get the most satisfaction. It still astounds me when people say I make them cry. As long as people enjoy it, it makes me happy to do it. I also do a lot of benefits, my way of giving back.
Bixyl Shuftan: What charities have you performed at?
Ichie Kamachi: Oh so many. Cancer and autism are my two big ones. So are Relay for Life events. Blues for Autism I did last month. That was awesome. People don’t realize I do more than jazz. I've only done some for the Australian bush fires and some smaller charities too, and Make-a-Wish Foundation, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Children of Ireland, American Cancer Society, and another cancer one in Europe. I forget the name. But almost any charity that can show they are legitimate, I try and make room for.
Bixyl Shuftan: Bringing up something that maybe I should have brought up earlier, I notice that Greek has been by your side the whole time. What can you tell of him?
Ichie Kamachi: (laughs) Greek is an amazing man. :) He holds my heart but he has also been my strongest supporter. He does a bit of everything.
Greek Miklos: Thank you Love, but I am nothing more than just a simple poet and wordsmith.
Ichie Kamachi: He helps find me shows, greets my fans, helps me wade through the legal gobbly gook ... I don’t know what I'd do without him. And yes he is an amazing poet.
Greek Miklos: *blushes*
Ichie Kamachi: :) And modest (laughs)
Bixyl Shuftan: *chuckle* Do you have any future plans with your singing career, or anything else?
Ichie Kamachi: I am always looking toward the future, like I mentioned. Right now, trying to get these recordings out. After that who knows. :) I'm always open to offers and suggestions, especially those that are win-win for every one. :)
Greek Miklos: Just not the kind we have made to each other ... the offers I mean.
Ichie Kamachi: Yes of course Love :) ... We do get some of those too. (laugh)
Greek Miklos: But we are so happy together.
Ichie Kamachi: Yes we are. :)
Bixyl Shuftan: Anything else that you'd like to add?
Ichie Kamachi: Hmmm ... Anything, Love?
Greek Miklos: I am happy that the Second Life community has been so receptive to Ichie
Ichie Kamachi: I am grateful, yes! To my fans and friends, without them, I wouldn't be where I am. I know it sounds cliche, but it's very true. Your fans can make or break you in Second Life especially. I never forget that, and love to see them return again and again. They all become good friends.
Greek Miklos: And don't forget the great venue owners who have given Ichie a chance to show what she can do.
Ichie Kamachi: Yes, I love my venues.
Greek Miklos: They are some great people.
Ichie Kamachi: Like family. And most of them I'd bend over backward to help, and have. Like the Queen of Hearts Anniversary. I was totally booked for this weekend, but slid them in. I didn't want to miss something so important.
It was then that the interview ended, we wished each other well, and we went our seperate ways.
Ichie Kamiche keeps a schedule of her events in her profile.
“If you are looking for a voice that is sultry, sensuous, and as smooth as butter to set a truely romantic tone to your night, look no further. With a heart as big as her voice, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.”
Bixyl Shuftan
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
LL Launches Land Expo
Second Life Land Expo 2009
In Second Life, land is what gives your content presence, boundaries, and a sense of permanence. It creates both a shared space for exploration and a place to call home. And in the last six years, Second Life's land mass has grown from 11 regions up to a total of 27,483 regions (at last count)!
Land in Second Life is often reminiscent of the untamed Wild West, and in true frontier style many land owners have found great opportunity settling in Second Life. They’ve discovered that land enhances their business, community, and friendships, and creates a space for collaboration in creative and innovative ways.
In an effort to share these best practices and support the growth of innovative uses of virtual land, Linden Lab is proud to announce the inaugural Second Life Land Expo!
Find out more in the complete post by M Linden HERE
Fortune Telling in Second Life
By Bixyl Shuftan
Xymbers Slade has a rather unusual occupation in Second Life: fortune teller. Customers can get tarot readings from him at his SL home & office. I recently had a chance to talk with him about his unusual occupation. Arriving at Wyvernhome, the bottom floor was like a dragon’s lair, with it’s pile of gold and other treasures. The office had a feel of the arcane, with it’s pentagrams, crystal, mystical looking candles and other props. Xymbers greeted me in a sorceress avatar, and we both took seats for the interview.
Bixyl Shuftan: Are you also a fortune teller in real life?
Xymbers Slade: Yeah, it's what I do to make ends meet. Do what you can in this economy. I have an Associates in Liberal Arts, which is totally useless. Fortunately I have a pretty decent family that helps with bills. I pay what I can.
Bixyl Shuftan: And how did you get the idea to do fortune telling in Second Life?
Xymbers Slade: It's what I know. I have no talent for building or scripting. So I brought what I did have a talent for :)
Bixyl Shuftan: Was it difficult to make the transition? Anything that required a bit of effort to do here?
Xymbers Slade: Nah. I've been reading since 1996. Not difficult at all. Maybe the initial expenditure for a classified ad. Sort of get the party started. First step's always the hardest.
Bixyl Shuftan: How many people stop by to get their fortunes told?
Xymbers Slade: I usually get about 20 hits a week on the classified, maybe a quarter of those stop in for readings. It's a niche market, but I do it well enough that people willingly pay about 5000-7000 $L a reading sometimes. So I can make the 8000 $L rent on this place every month.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds good. Have you had some especially interesting readings?
Xymbers Slade: Two where I foresaw death, both turned out eerily accurate. Another where I thought I saw someone attempting a kidnapping... with my insight we were able to get the guy to show his hand before he acted.
Bixyl Shuftan: Now that sounds interesting. You helped foil a criminal?
Xymbers Slade: ... It was yet another one of those domestic situations you always hear about in the news and the people were using the children as pawns. I wouldn't call it a criminal foiling. The potential to foil, yes. The guy knew he'd been goaded into acting foolishly and backed off. At least, that was last I knew. That's all I'll say.
Bixyl Shuftan: What can you tell the readers of how a session of fortune telling generally goes?
Xymbers Slade: Mostly all I need is where you're from (so I know where to focus; just state is fine, or country outside the US), and hair and eye color so I have a basic idea of what you might be suggested by in the cards. Then it's whether you want a 5, 10, or 19 card reading, I shuffle for about a minute in real-life, and display the cards above me here.
Bixyl Shuftan: Yes I see. I notice some are upside down.
Xymbers Slade: Yeah, I read "reversed" cards ... some people don't. Cards have different meanings if they're upside down. The real trick is finding someone you're comfortable with. Ask the same question of 20 readers, you'll usually get 20 answers.
Xymbers Slade: Everyone has their own decks and their own interpretations. What the upside down Devil there in that sample spread means to me in that position will be different than what someone else sees it as.
Bixyl Shuftan: Are some people difficult to get a reading off of?
Xymbers Slade: Yeah. I can't read drunk people, or people impaired under drugs or anything. You have to be clean and sober for me to read you, and I WILL sense if you're not, which makes the reading even harder than normal (and if I draw the Wheel of Fortune in the reading, God help us both :P ) I have done this for so long I've really developed my empathy almost to a truly amazing degree. It helps with connecting to people for readings here through the Internet. Sometimes I'll get colored lines or images in my head of a particular person.
Bixyl Shuftan: For those readers who know little about tarot cards, could you give a few examples of the meanings of the cards?
Xymbers Slade: The scripted deck I use on the wall behind me has a random "fate" option, so I'll do a sample 5 card draw using that and say what those cards mean, whatever shows up. Fate often turns 'em upside down, I'll just give both meanings rather than the reversed ones.
Xymbers then shuffled the cards, and five reappeared on the board.
Xymbers Slade: First card that appeared ... the Chariot ... my card of speed ... usually to me showing people going fast from point A to Z without paying attention to points B-Y... if you don't pay attention, you're going to hit a rock and that chariot is going to flip. So in other words, slow down.
Second card that showed up ... 5 of Cups, my "Mountains out of Dust Particles" card ... people are focusing too much on a "woe is me" aspect ... if they don't pull their heads out of their a**es, bypass 'em and move on.
8 of Wands as the third card, my "River" card --- if you jump into a situation feet first, you're going to be swept downstream with little to no control."
Justice, which I HATE drawing in a reading, it's my card of "destiny", saying "This is what's going to happen, sit back, take it, and f**k you while you're at it." Drawn with cards representing stagnation, or a lot of chaos and chance, leads to frustrating situations people don't deserve.
Final card that popped up, 6 of Swords, my card of moving forward (or backsliding, if it's upside down)... slow and steady progress despite obstacles. Any progress is good progress.
I often focus on the negative in a reading. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. When I do see something positive, I worry a little. Tarot's supposed to be about exposing problems and situations that need to be changed and fixed. If it's positive, you don't need to change it.
So I can be pretty pessimistic in my readings. But on the other hand I don't sugar coat and if I say "dude, you're fucked, take it a day at a time"... yeah, I'll say it.
Er, if I have to say that, I will. I have in the past.
Bixyl Shuftan: How do people generally react to their readings?
Xymbers Slade: Mostly awed that what I say rings true to them. Tarot is generalizing, they take what the cards poke at and put it into a context in their head about things. But for the most part they're either awed that I was pointing in directions they needed to hear about or didn't think about, or we don't hit it off so well and the person walks off. Love hate relationship. I'm used to it. You have to take the bad with the good, some people I simply can't read, and others I've read once and I'd rather not read them again, either because they didn't listen the first time or some other silly reason that makes me reluctant to deal with them again. I can't read myself, for example. I have two or three readers I go to on here for my own readings.
Bixyl Shuftan: To your knowledge, how many fortune tellers are there in Second Life?
Xymbers Slade: I know of three that I go to, and I'm sure there are dozens more, both professional and personal. It's a hobby for a lot of people, it just turned into something I can do for money. Anything I make here goes right back into Second Life. The exchange rate is just not good enough to make me cash out unless I suddenly get an influx of people paying me five-figure $L costs. My best ever was 12500 --- they wanted to pay me in real life dollars and I said "Give me a price, I'll convert it to $L."
Xymbers then offered me a tarot reading, to which I agreed. The teller had a couple questions, “Where are you from so I know where to focus? Just state is all I need. ... And what do you look like so I know what you're represented by in my cards? Hair and eye color is all I need unless you want to reveal more.” After I answered them, Xymbers began shuffling a deck, “... one minute ... Want 5, 10 or 19 cards?” I answered, “Five sounds about right.”
The five cards displayed on the board behind Xymbers earlier went away, and five more appeared in their place, face down. The fortune teller drew them one at a time, “First card up ... Earth ... current situations ... “ the card was then flipped, “Queen of Cups, which I am not seeing as an actual person ... more of a mindset. This is suggesting to me that people's minds are far more open than they seem (even to them) --- so the power of words and suggestions will work far better than actions in the short run.”
Xymbers moved to the second card, “Card 2 ... Air ... next major influence ... “ and this was flipped, “10 of Swords, my card of grief and pain ... the picture on the card is self explaining, really... a major plot or plan or idea goes belly up, or a lot of little minor things beat the odds and all come together to form a major clusterf**k. A definite "What ELSE can go wrong" sort of thing.” Xymbers paused, “But I am seeing it as short-lived. It happens, it needs to be dealt with, it is, and people move on.”
And then the teller turned to, “Card 3 ... Fire ... next major obstacle ... “ and with the card overturning, “Temperance, my card of patience and of waiting for the right moment. This is suggesting waiting for something is not the way to go. You need to jump on your plans now before they fall flat on their face. If you have major things going on, kick up the time table by a month or two. Patience may be a virtue, but action will get results directly here rather than waiting for the opportunities to come back to you.”
Next was, “Card 4 ... Water... my ‘truth behind the scenes card’ ... “ and it two was overturned, “2 of Pentacles, my ‘juggling of situations’ card ... it's also my ‘happy on outside, not on inside’ card; I am seeing this as more a ‘You know there's better stuff out there but you feel blocked or frustrated that you can't get it all.’ You have your own stuff to juggle as is. You don't need to add any more. Else all those things at once turn into those 10 Swords.”
Xymbers then turned to the last tarot, “Final card ... Spirit ... final results if things don't change ... and I have absolutely NO clue who this is.” It was overturned to reveal, “The Empress, a strong woman in a strong position of power. It looks like she's just sitting here though, resting. She's not taking any action for or against. If you go to her for help you might get help, you might get beheaded. It's a crapshoot with her. But she's not evil, so that's a good thing. As an Empress she'd be much older than you, probably a good 15+ years. Definitely has the age and wisdom thing going for her. I was almost tempted to say it was Rita. But I don't get the sense that it is.” Xymbers meant Rita Mariner, the frisky Sunweaver group leader.
The teller continued, “Whomever she is, she holds more cards than she knows, but I don't see this Empress using them. She's got 'em, but doesn't know she's got 'em, and won't lose anything by losing 'em. I don't think anyone would dare oppose her, though. She's in a position of power, and everyone knows it.”
Xymbers concluded, “So, other than that, that's what I'm seeing here ... that 10 of Swords stands out to me as the strongest card here ... that it's got more to share. But I don't know what that could be.”
It was then Xymbers Slade had to take leave, and ported away to some other business in Second Life. How accurate was the reading? Time will tell.
Xymbers Slade also conducts work from a website: http://www.liveperson.com/the-silent-strider.
“We fortune tellers make pennies on the dollar. I make about $1000 in real life every ... 2, maybe 3 months. But it's my only way to make money and support what I can of myself, so I do what I can to avoid homelessness and the like.”
Bixyl Shuftan
Monday, May 18, 2009
Don't let your virtual creations DIE - WILL your WORK day
Dear fellow photographers of Second Life:
About two weeks ago, virtual artist Vanfarel Kupfer died. Had he not left copies of most of his work (no trans, no mod) with his virtual girl friend, Native Aeon, his only legacy would be what is currently rezzed today.
Avatars in Second Life devote thousands of hours to creating content, and all that work is LOST when they die. Yes, even if they backed up that work by giving it to an alt. Even if they gave their account password to someone. When you die and unless you have taken appropriate measures, no one, not even Linden Lab, can legally access your work. It is simply lost forever.
I have been in communication with Linden Lab regarding the correct procedure for "willing" one's artwork - or for that matter, any assets - in SL. Legally, the correct and ONLY procedure boils down to this: support.secondlife.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=441...
In a nutshell, I propose that we establish one day a year, May 18, to encouraging content creators to "Will your Work."
The goal would be to celebrate Van's art while at the same time encouraging people to either give copies of their work to one or more avatars (not their alts) whom they trust, or add them to their Real Life will.
Also on May 18 and for one week, and working with his beloved Native Aeon, Vanfarel Kupfer's work will be exhibited at four locations: his former home sim, EnLuminaria, the Crescent Moon Gallery, the Blackwater Gallery, and Chakryn Forest. Understandably, Native is still very much in mourning over her loss, and when I asked her how I could help, she stated that her greatest wish is that Vanfarel's work become known throughout the grid. So be it.
I am asking all my fellow bloggers, photographers, community leaders and more to join me in writing about and promoting May 18th - on Monday, May 18th - as Will your Work day, to generate awareness of this important objective. If you speak more than one language, please help us to get this message out to your fellow residents in their native language. Won't you please help?
Feel free to create your own artwork. Help us to get the word out with your powerful images.
Here's to enduring great virtual content!
Bettina Tizzy
Source:http://www.flickr.com/groups/willyourwork/
ARA Best Home Fundraiser and Contest
Do you enjoy decorating your home? Have you put a lot of effort into its design and appearance? Are you curious to see how your home compares with others in Second Life?
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Mystery’s 3 Year Aniversary
By Bixyl Shuftan
It was three years ago that the Mystery sim was created in Second Life. And to celebrate, the Heart of Mystery Group is holding a three day 3rd Anniversary event-filled weekend from Friday May the 15th to Sunday the 17th to celebrate, filled with dancing and live music from Mystery’s own singers and some talent from outside.
The fun began on Friday May 15th at 11 AM SL time with the “Color’s of Love” party, with people wearing red, white, pink, or a combination. At 1 PM, Lexie Luan sang live on the top of the Queen of Hearts riverboat, followed at 3 PM by Ichie Kamachi with her graceful notes. The audience danced away to the live songs, occasionally getting a few Linden coins dropped onto them from above.
Saturday, the event started at 11:00 with a dance party on top of the Queen of Hearts, with Debi Latte singing on the stage, starting with “All of Me.” Mystery’s leader Tygeria Mirabeau wore a revealing dress that kept with her “Queen of Hearts” theme with all the hearts placed on it. The largest part was an animated cape which had a heart pattern that flowed like water. Tyg joked that Debi looked “delicious,” and the joke led to her starting a raffle with the prize being the winner getting to bite her (the results will be in a later edition of Mystery’s magazine). The party did have a hiccup when several people crashed at once, and rerezzing took a while with some people remaining gray for a noticeably long time on a number of residents' viewers. But the party went on with Debi’s gentle voice singing away.
At 12:00, the party went downstairs to the riverboat’s ballroom. The “Come As You Are” contest with Tygeria herself as DJ offered 500 for the best male and female each. Plus there was the exploder which got into the hundreds at times. It was quite a party, even if SL was acting up at first, though soon things settled down as we danced to “Queen of Hearts” and other songs. The winners were Anny Sweetwater for the women. Danilindo Wulluf was runner up for the men, with a certain reporter ending up with the top prize.
At 3 PM, it was back to the top of the riverboat. Kiaranne Flanagan sang while playing her guitar. This time the lag that hit the party before was largely gone. So everyone was more free to concentrate on Kiaranne’s music, which had Tygeria reaching for tissues at one point. The singing and dancing went on for a few minutes past the planned ending at 4 PM.
Sunday May the 15th will be offering three musicians singing live. At 2 PM SL time will be Mystery’s own Lyn Carlberg. At 3PM, Dallas Horsefly will be singing live. And last but not least will be Kim Seifert at 4 PM to conclude the anniversary party for the Mystery sim and the Queen of Hearts riverboat club.
Mystery is in the sim of the same name, with the “Queen of Hearts” club in the southeast.
Bixyl Shuftan
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Bid4aCure Team Launches Diabetes Fund Raising Campaign in Second Life
By Nazz Lane
The campaign is an annual fund raising event in support of a cure for diabetes and it launches in second life in June. The 2009 campaign is sponsored by the Bid4aCure team and they’ve planned for several fund raising events during the month. This will be the third year that the team will conduct its fund raising activities in second life. Last year, they were responsible for raising over 1,000,000 Lindens that were donated to both the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes UK . In this year’s campaign, they’ve raised their target knowing that the difficult economic times will require more work on their part. They remain committed to topping the amount raised in 2008.
I had an opportunity to meet with the three members of the planning team. I arrived at the teams work space and was greeted by Adrian Harbinger, who had initiated contact with my editor at the SL Newspaper and had arranged for the interview.
“Welcome Nazz ... Nazz, this is Jocelyn, Argus, and MacKenzie. I am going to defer to them for this interview since they are the ones spear heading the effort. Thank you again for giving Bid4aCure coverage” He said. We exchanged pleasantries and he then teleported away to his next appointment.
Having fully rezzed into the site, I shifted my camera view to the three ladies who had also greeted my arrival. “It’s very nice to meet each of you. I'm assuming each of you is involved given the group name tags you are wearing. Who is the spokesperson going to be?” I asked
Both MacKenzie and Argus replied, “Jocelyn!”
“Can you tell me how the team is organized?
“I started Bid4aCure and we're on our third year of fund raising. Argus and her RL husband and SL partner Farrokh Vavoom helped me my first year and were the date auctioneers. Mackenzie joined us last year and she worked extremely hard to help us round up the live music community. Mack and Argus have worked so hard and helped so much that I invited them to help me run it this year.” Ms Sands replied, and then she added, “We have a team of people that are working with us. Mack, Argus and I have known each other for two years now.”
“We're a pretty closely knit group … we support each other all the time.” Ms Rasmuson added.
“Is there a group people can join?” I asked
“Yes, we have a Bid4aCure group for the people who are working on the team and involved in events, reporting, and sponsorship … and we have a new website this year... the bid4acure site is still a little under construction.” She replied.
“What were the reasons why you'd started the fundraising activity Jocelyn?
“It was because two of my closest friends at the time have diabetes, Tracy Stardust and Judristen Ames.” She replied.
“I became involved because my brother has it.” Ms Rasmuson commented.
“The formal launch is scheduled for when?”
“Our kickoff will be on Sunday, the 7th of June at Nightclub Echo Echo. The start time is 5 pm SL time and we have several other events scheduled as well. On June 14th we’re having a goods and services auction at both 11 am and at 2 pm SL time. We’re looking for a location for that event. Then on June 27th, there’s an all day benefit concert at the G.O.A.T., beginning at noon. The last is a date auction on June 28th. We’re looking for a location for that one to, but we are planning to start at 2 pm SL time.“ She said and then added. “It’s our signature event … the date auction and the event that raises the most money.”
“The date auction is great.” Ms Collingwood said.
“Have you set a target for the fundraising?” I asked
“We want to try to double last year, but with the economy the way it is ... we’re being cautious.” Jocelyn replied.
“We simply want to better last year’s goal.” Miss Collingwood said.
“Last year you’d given the funds raised to the both the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes UK, will you do so again this year?”
“I personally am in touch with both organizations each year. I speak with the Bridgewater, New Jersey office of the American Diabetes Association and also I call the Diabetes UK organization … so both are advised that it's that time again.” Ms Sands said.
“Do you have any closing thoughts? I asked.
“Yes, one for your readers ... we realize that the economy is bad ... diabetes is a serious illness, affecting millions world-wide, every little bit helps and we really appreciate any and all donations.” Ms Sands said.
Fashion Designers Challenge
FDC # 21 - Nyte Vargas and Sofi Sullivan
Nyte Vargas was challenged by Wiccan Sojourner to: "I challenge someone to create a formal suit: trousers, fancy blouse, and jacket/coat." - Wiccan Sojourner
Sofi Sulivan was challenged by Nyte Vargas to: "Make a skin based upon a mythological being associated with a planet." - Nyte Vargas
FDC # 22 - Samsara Nishi
Samsara Nishi was challenged by Anubis Hartunian to: Create "a dress that makes you think of the Jungle and its dangers, giving the same emotions as being in the wild jungle." Anubis Hartunian
You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
kisses,
Friday, May 15, 2009
Relaxation
Whenever I see a holiday coming I run over to Corner of Revolving Time to see what I can find.
Many renowned creators and builders share their wares free of charge for those who come to the sim. I went there for Cinco de Mayo décor and found the owner Vickijo Rivera busy at work.
There was so much going on there!
We talked about all her new plans. The last time I was there the Corner was still a work in progress as she moved it to the new Relaxation sim.
Vickijo and her business partner and co owner of the sim, JohnJR Romano, look on this place as a place for the whole community. The free plants and décor are all there, but now, below the Corner there is a cave filled with more freebies, makeovers for new avatars, both men and women, and a section of wonderful clocks for sale.
I saw some lovely customized eyes for sale too.
The whole month of May is dedicated to the Relaxation sim opening with a big week of events. Right now R & R Zyngo is holding Grand Opening events, and are giving away 25k in freeplay !
The Razor Mall is having a huge sale this week also.
ClubRLC.com Network, has a special price for streaming that sl DJ’s will be interested in Vickijo took me for a tour and showed me the new 7seas fishing areas where there will be custom fishes from many venues with some special fishing poles created by 7seas designer, Migizi North.
Right now there is a photo contest set up outside the Corner globe with a wonderful photo booth set up for the members use.
We wandered through the camping area for visitors where they can chose to play “Truth or Dare “. Newbies may join the group and chose to set The Corner as their home.
Don’t miss the Fantasy area which hovers above the sim . I love the singing bowls there and it is truly relaxing.
Put these dates on your calendar: May 17 to May 23. This will be events week for the opening of the sim,
There are many contests and giveaways planned. I got a peek at the free customized van decorated with the new Corner logo created just for that week.(one of the enticing freebies).
You do not want to pass this one up! The names of those designers who have contributed to the week are so numerous and I know you will want to participate. All around the sim you will find teleports to make your travel easier . You will be adding to your sl experience by visiting the refreshing sim. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Relaxation/90/166/42
You can find out more HERE
Gemma Cleanslate
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Grand Opening of +grasp+ and free gifts for members of +grasp+
Join us May 17, Sunday, beginning at 8 AM SLT, as designer Asalt Eames, owner of *Sweetaholic, unveils his newest casual collection for his new store +grasp+. There will be awesome gifts that are only available to members of the +grasp+ group, so you must join the group before coming down to the Grand Opening in order to pick up your free gift! The clothing line +grasp+ will show another side to the talented *Sweetaholic designer. If you have ever been to *Sweetaholic and set eyes on the kimonos that are made by Asalt, you will know they are some of the most beautiful kimonos ever made in SL. Asalt's clothing lines consist of very detailed, realistic pieces. He is a graphics designer in real life who loves fashion and uses the fantastic platform of SL to express his originality and to do something he loves. Asalt's deep love of fashion shows through the intricate detailing on his pieces and the time he takes creating each of them.
Asalt launched his *Sweetaholic Kimono line in November 2007, very soon after he first rezzed here in SL. *Sweetaholic is now well known amongst the Japanese community in SL, so now seemed a perfect time for Asalt to branch out into a new casual line, thus +grasp+ was born. Asalt uses high quality, cutting edge prim texture work on his designs which helps set him apart from other designers. +grasp+ gives Asalt the opportunity to expand his customer base and show the spectrum of his skills as a talented designer.
"What sets Asalt apart from other designers," you may ask. "Why should I attend this," some might wonder. Much like in real life fashion is always changing and +grasp+ is one of the newest stores to hit SL and it will be a part of the next level of change for SL fashion. If you love clothing that is made specifically to give your avatar the look of realism +grasp+ is for you. The revolution of SL fashion begins here!
Venue: grasp 100,175,225
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/
For more information regarding +grasp+, please contact Asalt Eames. Media wanting to interview or setup appointment with Asalt please contact Annette Wilder-Wilder Public Relations Firm Inc™ Owner.Sweetaholic blog:
http://sweetaholickimono.
Media may also contact Wilder PR by e-mail:
wilderprinc@gmail.com
To learn more about Wilder PR visit our website:
http://www.
You can find more information on Sweetaholic HERE also
FASHION DESIGNERS CHALLENGE
FDC # 17 - Mew Denimore
Mew Denimore was challenged by Annah Whitfield to: "Ok, I am soooo scared with the challenge that will receive. But I had to do mine, so I hope the one who receive mine won't kill me! So I decided to challenge you to do an outfit inspired by one of the most beautiful palaces in Portugal! It is the Palacio da Pena, which translate into english would be something like "Feather Palace". Besides being one of my favourites, I also choose it because of all his collours and the shapes! Without no more words, I'll leave you with some pictures! I hope you can get inspired by this :)) <3>" - Annah Whitfield
FDC # 18 - SySy Chapman
SySy Chapman was challenged by Neferia Abel to: "Regency dress - The high waisted graceful styles of early 19th century are known as the Empire style. think Jane Austen,Pride & Prejudice" - Neferia Abel
You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
Read all about Fashion Designers Challenge on FDC blog
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
New releases from AZUL
Risky by name and nature this dress comes in 8 colours including the lavender and red shown here. 
This halter strapped dress features ties on the back of the neck with long flowing pleats split on one side. long black gloves are also included.
Visit AZUL at joia azul
Fashion Designers Challenge
FDC # 15 - Annah Whitfield and SavannahAnn McMillan
Annah Whitfield was challenged by Mew Denimore to: "- I think it will be interesting to release a particular "spring outfit"..but not using usually meaning of the spring..but transform it into a "dark theme"..maintain the classic spring's elements (like flower, butterfly..), buy make it into "darkness elements"..i'm thinking about a "dark fairy".." - Mew Denimore
SavannahAnn McMillan was challenged by herself to: "Challenge...to create a skin that would look good with one of the feathered style outfits recently released by Alexander 
McQueen without resorting to the usual smoky eyes and nude lips. Here's the website with the video of the catwalk show illustrating the outfits being referenced... http://www.alexandermcqueen.
" - SavannahAnn McMillan
FDC # 16 - Neferia Abel
Neferia Abel was challenged by Jamie Holmer to: "Create an outfit inspired by this picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Interview with Xantarius Cain
With Linden Labs’ plans to move adult content to it’s own area in Second Life away from the rest of the Metaverse, opposition to “adult content filtering” quickly came about and is starting to organize. Among those spreading the word and trying to get people against these plans is Xantaruis Cain. Recently, I had a chance to talk with him at his gun shop, which had both a notecard giver for his group’s proposal, and a package with items such as protest signs.
Bixyl Shuftan: So, you're been trying to help organize the protest against Linden Lab's "adult content" plans?
Xantarius Cain: Yes. That's correct. We're in the process of organizing a series of protests. Right now, we're putting together a notecard of questions for the G-Team, which is apparently tasked with handling the adult content changes. And, of course, we're putting together a small information packet to be distributed by the signs we'd like to ask our supporters to carry at the protest(s).
Bixyl Shuftan: Why do you feel Linden Labs’ plans are bad for Second Life?
Xantarius Cain: As I see it, there are a few reasons why this move is bad for Second Life. First, this change alters the essence, for me, of what SL was supposed to be about. Linden Labs’ goal of creating a world where they as a company intervened as little as possible, allowing the residents to decide how to create and run the world, has already been eroded. This will continue down the same path as eliminating casinos, for example.
Second, Linden Lab has not been clear as to why this is necessary. I've heard claims that there is a small percentage of users who would like to have content filters put into place. But this small group seems to have a lot of power, which seems more than strange. What I believe is that Linden Lab (feels they need to) do this in order to make Second Life, which has a reputation in the mainstream media for being mostly about sex and sex clubs, more appealing to government organizations and universities. I see a few reasons why this alone is a terrible idea. Linden Lab has always maintained that they believe virtual worlds will be the future of the Web. I tend to agree. The problem is that they have not done their research. They fail to understand why the Web was a success.
Simply put: the web was not filtered. Although nations attempted to control it, it was out of their control. This is not the case with Second Life. The steps Linden Lab proposes will most-certainly hurt the product (Second Life) in the long run. The aim of the company should be, as it once appeared to be, to set Second Life as the standard (via OpenSIM, etc) for virtual worlds. If they impose artificial limits on how the residents can use the service, it will NEVER be a standard. Some other corporation or nonprofit group will enter the market, splintering the user base. This hurts Linden Lab, and Second Life.
Third, this WILL CHANGE the behavior of the Residents in Second Life, and that's very bad if you value the idea that behavior in the virtual world should be organic, not some artificial thing that comes about as a result of what users can and cannot do. This is because they are anonymous. Taking this anonymity away from them by requiring that they "age-verify" themselves so that they can gain access to adult areas of the world will completely alter their behavior. They may be less likely to agree to age verification, and will thus have no access to the content they wish to view...
Now, some will say, "What about those who would engage in illegal behavior? If you aren't doing anything illegal, you have nothing to worry about." Not true. You have a lot to worry about. If someone is breaking the law, and Linden Lab, or the U.S. FBI, or whatever legal organization, needs to find you, they can. Your IP can be paired with your avatar. Your ISP will honor a warrant to trace the IP to you. This is how it works right now. But age verification gives Linden Lab all the power. They no longer require a government's involvement to find out who you are. They will have that information. No warrant. Nothing. Just them and your information. Many will have a problem with this and will opt out. And this hurts Second Life by basically removing a whole class of people from the game.
To put it simply, Second Life was about a Libertarian society. It will soon be about something else. And that's sad. :-(
I also think this is a slippery slope...what's next? Guns? Violence? Will I have to move my store eventually?
Bixyl Shuftan: Good points. For those who don’t know, what forms are the protests taking?
Xantarius Cain: The protests ... we're focusing on gathering a group of people (using the "Revolting Adults" in-world group) to head to some of the Office Hour events held by various Linden Lab employees. It will likely be several protests over several weeks.
Bixyl Shuftan: Was there a date set for the protest yet?
Xantarius Cain: The first will be either this week or next, but nothing solid yet. We're still working out the details.
Bixyl Shuftan: How many do you think will participate in the protests?
Xantarius Cain: that's the big question, isn't it? (laughs) I have a theory that most people prefer to complain and do nothing. Electoral politics in my own country tell me this is true, but I think we have a real shot at getting a good group of people who are in the group (Revolting Adults) to join in on the protests, since it was founded for this purpose and they joined in order to get information about protests.
Bixyl Shuftan: How hopeful are you that the protests will cause Linden Labs to change direction?
Xantarius Cain: I'm hopeful that we can get Linden Lab to change direction on *some* of the proposed changes, at least. But a complete reversal? We might be fighting a losing battle...but I like that sort of battle. At the very least, Linden Lab will NOT say that they did not hear from anyone on this. They will NOT say that the majority of Residents wanted it. And they will NOT say that they didn't steamroll over the wishes of the Residents.
I'd also like to note that no Linden Lab employee has been assigned to the JIRA ticket that was opened for this. That has caused many to feel that LL doesn't care what they think. My guess: They probably don't care *enough* to change their minds because they see government and university money in their future.
Bixyl Shuftan: Do you feel if Linden Labs goes through as planned, people who have been here for a while will start to leave?
Xantarius Cain: That's a tough question. I do not think that those who are not affected will leave, no. They might complain. They might be upset. But it will be the principle of it (as it is for me). I do think that people will be much more inclined to leave if a competitor creates a virtual world that is similar to Second Life but more (1) democratic and (2) libertarian. There are others who are leaving now. They won't give Linden Lab their personal information (age-verify). I shouldn't say *now*... what I mean is that they have already said that they will leave.
Bixyl Shuftan: Anything else to add?
Xantarius Cain: I think I've added most of what I would say at that part. I would add this: Like anything else in life, if you are unhappy with something, you stand up against it. Failure to do so will tell those in power that you either (1) support them, or (2) do not care. Either way, they'll move forward and you'll live with their decisions.
And so the interview ended, with Xantarius going back to his business.
Bixyl Shuftan
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Clever ideas - Designer Showcase Network
DSN as its known or Designer Showcase Network is one of those ideas where you think 'Why hasn't someone come up with this before?'
What is it? how does it work?
The Designer Showcase Network connects content creators with potential customers. Subscribers of the network receive a randomly selected promotional sample each day. This takes the pressure out of visiting shops and grabbing freebies, and potential customers can check out the sample at their leisure in the comfort of their own place. The aim is to bring targeted potential customers to a store, thus generating more sales.
For subscribers its very very simply - find a kiosk like the one you see here outside my main store - and click it, you will be asked via menu which channels/categories you are interested in, simply select and sit back and wait for your free samples. Do that multiple times for different channels.
It really cannot be simpler.
If you are a designer and wish to offer a sample to the subscribers then you will need a starter kit available from XstreetSL or the Clever Things shop in Takalo, you do have to pay for it but for now its a one off fee and its not really much considering the advertising possibilities, setting it up took me about 10 minutes but only because I needed to make a new AD to put into it. I decided it would be a good test with my new main store redesigned and wedding line just starting. I will let you know if it helps sales - since the line has not been launched anywhere else yet. (oops did I just launch it?)
Actually I am impressed with the system and the professionalism of the designers, I hope it works. For more info you can read the website HERE or try it out yourself by clicking any you see around the grid.
Dana Vanmoer
FASHION DESIGNERS CHALLENGE
FDC # 13 - Nardya Rousselot
Nardya Rousselot was challenged by Amutey Decuir to: "extravagant, crazy, eye popping." - Amutey Decuir
FDC # 14 - Shir Dryke
Shir Dryke was challenged by Sofi Sullivan to: "Imagine a world where the waitress becomes the epitome of success and power. Please preapre an Evening Gown based on Diner Waitress uniforms of the 1930's, 40's, or 50's." - Sofi Sullivan
You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
RL RAIDER - back home
Continued from 10/05/09
When I came to, I was lying on a couch, and the woman I had seen was holding a wet towel to my forehead. She looked into my eyes, and smiled.
-What took you so long?- she asked.
-Where am I? –I said, but I already knew the answer.
-Home –she said-. Home.
And for the next two hours we had the strangest possible conversation anyone – in SL as well as in RL- could possibly have.
I told her about the gut feeling that started all this. And how I managed to leave SL and how I ended up in the Real World.
The woman took a deep breath and went to the bar.
-I know, she said-. I am a journalist too. I know the feeling. You get that from me, and…I need a drink –she said-. I usually don’t drink anything stronger than a Coke, but… well, this is different. Do you… are you… able to drink?
-No. Thanks. I just like a little Champagne once in a while. I picked up the habit here, in RL.
-Oh yes, I have read about it. OMG. You are having strange symptoms. Like if you were becoming….
-Human? Yes. I also thought so. It scares the hell out of me.
She asked Lina to bring me a glass of Champagne.
-It scares the hell out of me also. The whole thing –she said-. When you first vanished from the screen, I thought it was some kind of a tremendous SL glitch. So I contacted Linden Lab and they were as puzzled as Adam on Mother’s Day. The account was there, I was able to log in, but YOU were not there. They said they looked all over the grid. And then they found the SL Newspaper article and were even more puzzled. So for a long while the only information we could gather was from reading your articles. I was worried, and very much confused. And then I had to come to terms with the truth: you really were “out here”, trying to figure out your existence –and ours-, and very much on your own, because there was no way I could reach you. And the Lindens were of no help at all. Like most of the time, by the way.
-Well, thank God for John Smith.
-Oh, yes. Thank God. But… Who the heck is that guy???? No way I buy his name is John Smith.
-I don’t know, but he certainly knows his way around this World. And he has been very helpful.
-Yes. He has. You wrote about it. But… he must know more than he admits. Why did he end up sending you here?
-He didn’t tell. He said I had to find out by myself.
She poured herself another shot of whisky, and gulped it down like a cowboy.
-OMG. So it’s I who has to tell you the whole truth. Like… Santa is Dad, and there is no Easter Bunny…
-I don’t have a Dad. And I swear I have seen the Easter Bunny and was quite real to me –I answered, feeling a very strange uneasiness.
-Ha ha, yes, sweetie. In Second Life. Forget it. There’s no easy way to say to say what I have to say, though I’m guessing, deep down, you already know.
-What?
-You… are me. I am you. Whichever suits you best.
-OMG – I actually sighed, warm breath and all-. OMG. OMG.
-OH yes. You can say OMG again.
-And how…??? I mean… how….
-I made you –she said-. Here, in what you call “out here”, what we call Real Life, or “The World”, we have this computer game called Second Life. And we log in and we make ourselves an “avatar”, and we play around with it. With “her”. With you.. You.. I mean.. What I am sure now is … I can no longer call it a game.
-You mean… I don’t really exist? Second Life is just… a game?????
-I wish!! Oh, sorry. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just…this is so disturbing. You should never have been able to take a leap from there to here. It’s not logical, it’s not normal, it’s not… right.
-Yeah. You are telling me…
And suddenly we both were laughing our guts out. And our laughter sounded just the same, as, by the way, did our voices.
-So…- I said-, is it possible for me to go to the place where this so called Linden Lab is, and go talk to somebody?
-Oh no. They were worried enough about having you running around loose out here. They are scared. What if other avatars feel like doing the same?
-That’s not possible. I will never tell anyone the secret place in the Grid that works as a portal. I gave my word to the Slelf.
-Yes… but the fact is … now we know there’s a bridge. And others will try to find it. It’s in our nature. And you must have understood, by now, that the nature of avatars… is our nature. You all have someone on this side, “pulling your strings”.
-Well… that’s relative – I said-. You didn’t “make” me look for this Real World, did you?
-Well… I think not.
-And I think I would also like to have some of that lasagna you are going to have for dinner.
She smiled.
-Of course –she said-. But after dinner we are going to chat some more about ourselves, and about our worlds, and then we are going to find a way to send you right back to SL. OK? Before you keep getting more human and end up taking my place here. Don’t take it the wrong way… but you are so pretty. And SO tall.
-Hahaha. Right. Yes, I really would like to go back. I miss my boyfriend. I miss my friends. I miss HOME.
The rest of what we talked about, it’s confidential. I imagine you will understand.
By midnight, we both sat in front of the Mac. She logged in. She told me to open the Map and type the exact coordinates to the place from which I had taken the leap.
We looked at each other and hugged for a few minutes. A twenty prim tear fell off my left eye.
-Take care of my RL-I said-.
-And you take good care of my SL, OK? -she said-. I love you.
-Yes. I know. And I love you too.
We both pushed the ENTER key at the same time.
So, I am back home. In Second Life. And I must report to the newspaper. And I have to call my boyfriend. And I need to take a shower with our delicious dry water, and change my clothes and my hair. The Real World is a dusty place. I really need to click on my chimera and dance ‘till I crash. And now that I know the way… I can always go back to check what those crazy real people are up to. (Always in trouble: when I left they were dealing with a major money crisis and with a new virus that causes “influenza”, whatever that means). It has been a wonderful adventure, and I did confirm the rumors: we were all created out there. I am living proof. So take it for granted: SL started with a “BIT” BANG.
Covadonga Writer
No longer on assignment: back home.
FASHION DESIGNERS CHALLENGE
FDC # 11 - Sioxie Legend and Tuli Asturias
Sioxie Legend was challenged by SySy Chapman to: "The Challenge: Miss Jackson if you're nasty!!!! I couldn't resist to put up this challenge, being a HUGE fan of Janet, i thought it was fun to have someone create something typical Janet Jackson! This can be anything, you can make it as how YOU see Janet, in a bad or good way, but the style should be really MISS JACKSON! It can be a showoutfit, or a casual one, a redcarpet or performance one, Ironic and funny or serious and adoring JJ aswell, i want to see YOUR view of Janet. (a note: the infamous superbowl nipplegate outfit is in the makes by myself LMAo so that one is a no no!) For the rest, feel free to come up with anything you want, as long as its inspired on some good old JJ vibes!!! Get the point???? ...... GOOD! Let's Dance! (<>http://www.janet-online.com ;)" - SySy Chapman
Tuli Asturias was challenged by herself to: "I am often daydreaming about what people would look like 100 years from now. How would fashion and lifestyle be, will our idea of what beautiful is have changed dramatically?
One thing is for sure, we will have had to change a lot in order to keep our planet from being destroyed.
It will dominate how we look, how we build our homes, how we consume, and probably also what kind of clothing and beauty products we use. In effect, in order to preserve our planet, we are forced to return to a lifestyle very close to nature, back to our roots as it were. However, we'll still want to look good, so I challenge you to think and envision a young woman, 100 years from now, in a world highly technologically advanced, yet in harmony with our planet. Show us what beauty enhancement she'd apply to her face and/or skin." - Tuli Asturias
FDC # 12 - Tatianna Faulkesn and Aleri Darkes
Tatianna Faulkes was challenged by herself to: "- 80's prom queen back from the dead" - Tatianna Faulkes
Aleri Darkes was challenged by herself to: "If Paris Hilton were transported back into medieval times, how would she change a hairstyle of that time period. " - Aleri Darkes
You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
Read all about Fashion Designers Challenge on FDC blog
Monday, May 11, 2009
Chain-Messages
By Bixyl Shuftan
I was recently chatting with some friends, when one told me he had gotten an IM warning him of trouble. He then copy-pasted it onto his chat for the rest of us to read:
I have an important warning for you in case you haven't heard : There have been some scripted attacks using the pretend "gift" tactic. Once you rez it if you have land rights you are in trouble, it can destroy your home, steal items, and if worn turn you into a walking advert and dummy gift giver. The worst attacks required a sim rollback to fix, so please be careful....It's called "Life Shop AO.”
This was not the only time I heard that message. Over the next few days, I got it several times in IMs and group postings.
Many of us, inclined to be helpful, go ahead and forward such warnings without much thought. But is this a good idea?
These remind me of the “chain-mails” in email. Some are warnings, others stories of inspiration. But many find them more than a bit annoying, especially when asked to forward them on. Also, many of them turn out not to be true or are inflated claims. With a visit to a fact-check websites like snopes.com, or even a Google or Yahoo search, people who decide to verify a chain-mail’s message find they are often not true.
So before just up and forwarding a chain-message, perhaps it would be better if one would do some research first. Maybe an Internet search will reveal on a SL-oriented forum or blog the facts behind it. If this turns up nothing, there is also the option of asking people what they might know. One group-poster instead of simply passing the message on decided to tell the others “There’s a rumor going on about a ‘Life Shop AO’ ...” and had the message on as an attachment for those who wanted to read it.
And indeed, the chain-message turned out to be almost entirely untrue. The most it did was the “walking advert,” described in this post on the SL forums.
Joppa: ok, false alarm. all this thing does is give out a Landmark, possible giving itself out as well.. but that's it.
Toy_LaFollette: tyvm, may I quote that?
Joppa: surely ..it's also an actual AO with animations in it
Toy_LaFollette: good news TY
Still, it’s a good idea to be a little careful about accepting unknown items from people we don’t know. I haven’t personally witnessed anything like this AO, though have seen pranks involving giant mudkips doing things to the recipient’s avatar unmentionable in a family newspaper.
Bixyl Shuftan
Fashion Designers Challenge 5/12
FDC # 9 - Clio Cardiff and Mouse Mimistrobell
Clio Cardiff was challenged by Samsara Nishi to: "Whenever we are too stressed, laugh is always a good way to dismiss the stress out! I guess the clown is the most primitive and universal profession that uses laugh as the main tool to make his work happen. I cut & pasted this from wikipedia: "Clowns are found in cultures of any time and place, because they meet some deeply rooted needs in humanity: violation of taboos, the mockery of sacred and profane authorities and symbols, reversal of language and action." - I challenge you to create a fancy and elegant clown costume. With just some few changes, your creation should adapt itself to at least those 2 different situations: a professional clown wearing it to perform his job; and also to a fancy fashionista wearing it to go to a red capet party. I wish you will have fun creating it !! " - Samsara Nishi
Mouse Mimistrobell was challenged by Eolande Elvehjem to: "Make a necklace, earrings and bracelet set inspired by Shakespeare's "A MidSummer Night's Dream"" - Eolande Elvehjem
FDC # 10 - Sevenstar Amat an
d Felicity Overlord
Sevenstar Amat was challenged by Indyra Seigo to: "I'd like to see someone create an ensemble inspired by a peacock :). Can be a pants suit, cocktail dress, gown or even men's attire. " - Indyra Seigo
Felicity Overlord was challenged by Nyte Vargas to: "We want some shoes that can bring out the feeling in the following statement... "I live within the Darkness, dance among the shadows waiting and watching those of the light. I feel their emotion, their desires and feed in a frenzy. " " - Nyte Vargas
You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
Read all about Fashion Designers Challenge on FDC blog
Sunday, May 10, 2009
RL RAIDER
Will Cova ever manage to get home to SL?
Is it even possible?
Many said it was impossible to cross from SL to that strange place called RL but our intrepid reporter did it, now can we bring her home safe?
Read on in the penultimate report in the EXTRA EXTRA section
Mr Virtual world marries
Liam Netizen Married Alexia SpeizerAt the Casablanca hotel with 'Father' Frolic Mills presiding over the ceremony.
Fashion Designers Challenge 4/12
FDC # 7 - Leah McCullough
Leah McCullough was challenged by Nardya Rousselot to: "Create an avant-garde look that has a victorian twist to it. Something that can be worn in modern day red carpet events that has a vintage feel to it." - Nardya RousselotWiccan Sojourner was challenged by Nyte Vargas to: "Create an outfit inspired from the zodiac sign Aries." - Nyte Vargas
Tigerlily Koi was challenged by herself to: "A vintage, pin-up girl hairstyle." - Tigerlily Koi
It is interesting note that, even though her original self-challenge was a girl hairstyle, Tiger addapted it to have the team final look harmonized.
You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
Read all about Fashion Designers Challenge on FDC blog
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Taser Drops Lawsuit Against Linden Lab
On May 5th, Taser International Inc. dropped the lawsuit it had filed against Linden Lab last month, filing a Notice of Voluntary Case Dismissal. Taser had filed the suit on April 17th, against Linden Lab and various smaller parties, including SL businesses, citing trademark infringement over virtual replicas of it’s nonlethal weapons sold without it’s permission.
It was not explained why the suit was dropped, although some virtual goods within Second Life had their descriptions altered, stating they were not endorsed by Taser. Taser had dropped the case before Linden Lab had given any answer to them, and they could choose to file the suit again at another time.
Sources: Patent Arcade, Virtual Worlds News
FASHION DESIGNERS CHALLENGE
FDC # 3 - Pushbutton Skolnick
Pushbutton Skolnick was challenged by Danielle Harrop to: "sheath dress and cropped or bolero jacket with wrist-lenght gloves, seamed hose...a 1940's daywear look. If you feel adverturous, a pill box hat would make the outfit perfect... " - Danielle Harrop
Photo:
FDC # 4 - Danielle Harrop
Danielle Harrop was challenged by Shir Dryke to: "I'd like to propose a theme "Mecha Angel" for free interpretation:)" - Shir Dryke
Photo:
Temporary Store: You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
Photos by Tillie Ariantho.
Read all about Fashion Designers Challenge on FDC blog
http://fashiondesignerschallenge.wordpress.com/
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Road%20to%20Oz/157/137/25
The changes to Second Life announced ...
more on the changes
The changes to Second Life announced by Linden Labs regarding "adult", "mature" and "pg" content at first glance seem not unreasonable, although one might wonder why a world that consists of nothing but adults needs enforced pg areas, but generally some sort of zoning is not unreasonable, if one owns a nice quiet cafe or club then you might well be a little disturbed to find a large, rowdy prison or BDSM club as your next door neighbour. So the initial proposal did not concern me overly.
The Adult designation applies to Second Life® Regions that host conduct or display content that is sexually explicit or intensely violent, or depicts illicit drug use. Any Region must be designated Adult and therefore require account verification, if it advertises or publicly promotes the following:
- Representations of intensely violent acts, whether or not photo-realistic (for example, depicting death, torture, dismemberment or other severe bodily harm)
- Photo-realistic nudity
- Expressly sexually themed content, spaces or activities (whether or not photo-realistic)
Linden Lab will enforce these rules. However, we can't monitor all ephemeral content and conduct within Second Life.
_________________________
Firehorse Rearwind
FASHION DESIGNERS CHALLENGE
FDC # 5 - Ina Centaur
Ina Centaur was challenged by herself to: " my challenge is to create an outfit in ttp://www.seregel.com/titles1.
FDC # 6 - Jamie Holmer
Jamie Holmer was challenged by Sioxie Legend to: "Make an outfit from Van Gough's Starry Night or Sunflowers - do not use 
his paintings directly but rather use them as an inspiration. I would love to see an entire set of clothing made this way - shirt, vest, dress, pants - an ensemble if you will. Tip: Liberal use of the smudge brush will get you where you need to go as far as the "painterly" look :D" - Sioxie Legend
Photos by Tillie Ariantho.
The COSMOSIS Experience by Thoth Jantzen
By Nazz Lane
On April 19th, an exhibition titled “The COSMOSIS Experience” opened at the Coliseum West (NMC Campus) in Second Life. The exhibit features the work of Thoth Jantzen, builder and artist who is well known for his previous exhibit "Kaleidoscopium" in which he created an immersive environment that delivered to viewers a highly pleasurable visual and musical experience. Given the opportunity by his NMC sponsors, Mr. Jantzen has filled six floors of the current exhibit space with works that will enthrall visitors similarly. The exhibit runs through the end of May.
Through a mutual friend I had arranged for a meeting with Thoth. We met at the exhibit, talked and toured and as we did where I took the opportunity to ask him several questions.
Nazz: You've been in SL now for two and half years ... what has kept you here?
Thoth: A lot of things. First and foremost, I see SL as a really robust medium in which people from different places can interact very effectively … and I do like to meet new people, especially those who share interests I have. I’ve met a lot of interesting people I’d never have had a chance to meet in RL, and been involved in events that I couldn't be involved in RL. Also, I like being able to express myself in ways I can’t otherwise ... and I do think VR environments like SL will be more and more important over time … for communicating, interacting, business, education ... and I want to be involved and adept at using it.
Nazz: Do you draw inspiration from SL in creating your art?
Thoth: Uh oh ... an artsy question ... I just knew it. Well… yes, in a sense… I don’t see why people feel a need to recreate what can be done better in RL here in SL … there are so many other possibilities ... something new that can't be replicated in RL things that can be done better here than in RL, or that cannot be done at all, or not easily. Also, I have a hard time seeing myself as an artist. I see myself more as a builder. There are people WAY more talented than I am here … I just happen to look at things a bit differently ... and as it happens, sometimes do things differently with interesting results. And in the case of the media-active art, really, it's a partnership, in many ways, between me, SL, and the videos ... the 'art' sort of emerges from the pieces I put together and how I do it. I work within or around SL's restrictions to do what I do.
Nazz: What sorts of things in SL are restrictive to meeting your artistic vision?
Thoth: Some restrictions could be, for example, texturing ... not being able to orient the different image repeats on a prim face in interesting ways, for example ... and some of the ways you can or can't manipulate prims … and the side effects of certain manipulations.
Nazz: Do you create your own textures?
Thoth: Sometimes, but here ... I use a transparent alpha texture...so when the video isn't playing, they are invisible. The images you see are created by the video and the structure of the object and the way the textures are aligned.
Nazz: Do they react to the music?
Thoth: Well, in the sense that the video is coordinated with the music they do. the patterns made are create by 'rules' or 'parameters' enforced by the structure and texturing of the objects, and the video itself … it's sort of an example of emergent complexity and how things change with time as well.
Nazz: How long have you been working to pull this exhibit together?
Thoth: Well the pieces in the exhibit are the result of work I’ve been doing the past year or so ... some made specifically for it. In fact, that was originally going to be 'it'. But Larry and Tayzia from NMC came to my other place once… it's quite large and varied and gave me permission to 'go nuts' here. So I did. The last exhibit area has a lot of my first and oldest things … some are still favorites.
Nazz: You choose the music specifically for each?
Thoth: No, I have a selection of videos I like to show … but almost any good video looks great. Also, there's a controller here where visitors can play their own videos.
Nazz: So the video's play and the prims are arranged for a kaleidoscope effect?
Thoth: Yes ... both the structure and texture orientation.
Nazz: Do you use a math model for that?
Thoth: Nope. I just work by eye, mostly ... and some understanding of geometry.
Nazz: What do you see on the horizon for yourself in SL?
Thoth: That's hard to say, Nazz. We have a lot of projects in the works ... what I really want to do is see VR's like SL used creatively and effectively. Projects like Open Habitat I see as more important than this in some ways, but this sort of also points to ways to do things differently. I have a couple of objectives. Sometimes I hit with all of them ... sometimes I miss. It depends on the person.
Nazz: What are your objectives?
Thoth: Well, three, basically … one, to show that with looking at things a little bit differently, you can do really interesting/beautiful things that haven't been done before. Two, to illustrate a principle I think is very important , e.g. how emergent complexity and structure creates so much of the beauty in this world, with the laws of nature themselves emerging from the qualities and relationships of the things that make it up at a fundamental level … and three, to make people go, 'whoa!' once in a while. The third and first seem to be fairly easy people to get. The second takes a bit more time ... but it is apparent to some who look long enough … like RL, I guess, in that sense.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Grand Re-Opening of Caliber
Join us as we celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of Caliber in it's new store! Two days packed with fun...treasure hunt, live music, DJs and lots of new items.
Caliber is a unique concept in excellence for all. Within the store falls amazing designs for multiple uses ranging from fantasy to modern wear that both men and women alike will enjoy, fine furniture in Victorian, elven, and Moroccan themes and some of the most detailed period medical supplies in SL.
Aurelius Draken & Nyre Gray, a couple off-line as well as in cyberspace, came to Second Life in winter of 2006. After initially exploring a bit, like many others they rented a property and set about building the home of their dreams. In the process, Aurelius discovered that no one sold the sort of bookcases he wanted for the library, and Nyre couldn't find the sort of dresses she desired, so both began teaching themselves how to build. In February of 2007 they decided to share the things they were creating, and Caliber was born.
Initially Caliber was mostly about clothing; Nyre's dresses were in considerable demand for their femininity and custom-tested fitting. Every dress went through the 'dance-test' to make sure all the prims moved right and had the right positioning even in motion. Little by little, Aurelius' library offerings started to expand into furniture, and people started putting in special requests for things they couldn't find elsewhere in Second Life. That's was the origin of what is now Second Life's most extensive line of medical and herbal products, as well as the Celtic and Persian furniture lines.
Since those early days, Caliber's direction has been driven by the needs of it's customers, fulfilling their visions and enhancing their virtual experiences with beautiful clothing and furnishings. Caliber's ethos demands strict attention to detail. uniqueness, and quality, and beauty remains their goal.
Come see Caliber... come into the light.
Schedule includes :
May 9th and 10th : treasure hunt and great prizes
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rivendell%20West/150/134/34
May 9th :
A Special Concert by Labgraal at 1pm slt
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rivendell%20West/150/134/34
A Special Concert by Kim Seifert at 4pm slt
A Special Concert by Srv4u Conacher at 5pm slt
Dancing in the Club with DJ Magdalena Kamenev at 6pm SLT
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rivendell/21/33/51
FASHION DESIGNERS CHALLENGE
Ivey Deschanel was challenged by Sevenstar Amat to: "Design a classical suit with pants and jacket for ladies" - Sevenstar Amat
Eolande Elvehjem was challenged by Alexandar Vargas to: "I challenge you to create a piece that is impossible to own in real life, something unique, something surreal that even the art community will look at as art. It must be something that can be worn, it has to be done using prim work. sculpted is ok, just not all sculpted. The piece has to be designed according to this poem." - Alexandar Vargas
TEAM 2: Amutey DeCuir and Sheltered Heart
Amutey DeCuir was challenged by Ivey Deschanel to: "Glam 70s...glitter, feathers, spacey wild colors and patterns ala early 70s Ziggy Stardust, New York Dolls, T-Rex" - Ivey Deschanel
Sheltered Heart was challenged by herself to: "A soft medieval style... long with maybe traditional accessories (beads, netting or jewels) but still modern wearable." - Sheltered Heart
Temporary Store: You can visit Road to Oz (157, 137, 25) inworld if you wanna see all of them together (and, of course, if you wanna buy them).
Photos by Tillie Ariantho.
Read all about Fashion Designers Challenge on FDC blog
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Dutch Delights has moved!
Get a month rent free in the fabulous mall built just outside of the club at the heart of the sim
Simply the best designs and lingerie from the Up and coming designer Angelita Capalini...
Dutch Delights Club and Mall is the Brainchild of Angelita Capalini the up and coming designer and soon to be Avenue Model......
The mall is managed by her husband Spruce Canning Great deals, great events. great company what more do you need
Oh yes - SHOPPING!
12 high grade stores for your delight, only 100L$ for 30 prims a week
Find out more HERE
New "adult" content filtering
Right now there are groups dedicated to objecting to the changes (the I AM adult content group is probably the largest of these), there is a Jira ticket, demanding that LL halt all of the proposed changes ( jira ticket ). there is a google group for organising and discussing in world protests (google group for residents). Make your voice heard, because it is my belief that trying to ghetto-ise "adult" and "mature" content is the thin end of the the wedge - and if adult themes and adult sexuality are likely to offend or corrupt minors, then perhaps those minors should not be integrated into a world which was designed to be "adult" (it is in the TOS - when you sign up you agree that you are over the age of consent and it is worth looking at the TOS - some of it is very interesting).
So - there you are, under their own TOS LL say that users might provide "adult" (one assumes that anything that is inappropriate or objectionable for viewing by a minor is, by default, "adult") content on the teen grid, but yet they still want to sanatise the main grid for whatever purposes (again, I say this has to do with improving their public image so they can attract publicly funded bodies onto Second Life).
Firehorse Rearwind
PAINT SECOND LIFE PURPLE
Second Life – On June 1st, AVs, parcels and sims will be awash in purple, thanks to efforts by volunteers from the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life”. Throughout Second Life, people desiring to show their support for those fighting cancer will take part in painting SL purple.
“We’re using the power of purple to show support to cancer survivors, their caregivers; and to mobilize the community of Second Life,” said Fayandria Foley of Second Life. “Paint Second Life Purple Day is a time to celebrate those facing and fighting cancer and to show them they are not alone. This is a way everyone can support the fight against cancer, without costing even one linden. It’s not about the money – though that is very important – it’s about showing our support.”
The Volunteers of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Second Life invites EVERYONE to join the fun and to spread hope in Second Life. Whether you are a sim - owner, a club owner, or a retail business owner, there is a way for you to participate in painting Second Life purple on June 1:
• Decorate your parcel or sim with a purple display.
• Hold a contest for Best in / of Purple.
• Display a purple yard sign in your front yard.
• Decorate your front entrance, your fence, or your door with purple.
• Wear purple clothing.
• Turn your town landmarks purple.
June 1st, join us in painting SL purple to show YOUR support of all who are fighting cancer.
Find out about this weeks events in the RFL section
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Robots!!!
What a fun time I had over the weekend. I have been looking for new places to explore and someone gave me a landmark for Museum of Robots.
Sunday I had some time to go check it out and I hope you will go there too!
It is an amazing collection of all sorts of Robots, some in real life photos and some that have been built in second life.
As you enter the front door you will find a wonderful exhibit of the art of Eric Joyner with accompanying audio background descriptions.
The sculpture of Clayton Bailey stands nearby also with audio explaining how he made them from bits and pieces from garage sales.
Outside you will see the entries for the 2008 robot contest.
At the far corner you will find a terrific machine that lets you select parts for your own robot avatar and then paint it!.
The museum also has a theatre dedicated to Isaac Azimov where films are shown every Friday.
There is a schedule posted on the wall. When you go have make sure you have time to see the whole museum. It is quite large and very interesting so you will have to spend time listening and looking inside and out. Kubrick 97, 160, 27
Burning Ember - Something Unemotionally Poignant This Way Comes
A column by FoxM Ember
Like many of us, I live one of my real-life vocational fantasies vicariously through the second life “me.” Fox writes speculative fiction for SL-Newspaper. John is a healthcare company executive (please don’t hate me because I wear a suit) who wishes he could spend all day writing speculative fiction in his tee shirt and boxer shorts (instead of the aforementioned suit) for a living. John and Fox are the same in more ways than they are different, so I am always in large part Fox in my real life, and always in large part John in my second......................
Continued in the EXTRA EXTRA section
SLOOP - “IN THE NAME OF HELL/ WHO ARE YOU /WHO ARE YOU?”
Avatars and Archetypes. Part II The first part of this column was posted a few days ago and I took the liberty of speculating with the idea of being able to cast an objective look on our avatar –and /or our alts- from a Jungian point of view. The fact that Second Life is so obviously projective made me think we could easily “make” archetypal versions of our personality. And the first archetype I mentioned was the Shadow. And please, if you think this is worth reading, check the column I just mentioned. Lets just remember the Shadow is the personification of that part of human, psychic possibility, that we deny in ourselves and project onto others. The goal of personality integration is to integrate the rejected, the darker side of our life into our total experience. That side is not “bad” by default, it can also be our most creative and free side of our potential. Just asking: anyone has made an alt of the opposite sex just for the fun of it? Well, you are welcome to watch it closely. It’s such a big chunk of yourself. Jung’s main archetypes are not “types” in the way each person may be classified as one or the other. We each have all basic archetypes within us. And we have seen three of the four main forms or archetypes. The fourth one is the SELF. For Jung, the Self is the spirit that connects everything and is part of the Universe. It is the coherent whole that unifies both consciousness and unconsciousness. It may be found elsewhere in concepts as Nirvana, or other philosophical or religious theories that speak of harmony. Jung described the creation of the Self as a process of individuation, the work of a lifetime, the “becoming the person you were meant to be”, where after being able to identify all the archetypes you can, then be able to become you own original self, bringing together all the aspects of your personality as one, and being in charge of them, making you whole again, yet a lot more genuine and free. So, bottom line: I found the idea of our avatar and alts being parts of our split selves, very interesting –to say the least-. And as those avatars have probably been “constructed” in a very unconscious and playful way… seems like a good idea to take a good look at them and see what we can learn from the virtual version of “who the hell we are”. Second Life may help us to –literally- pull ourselves together. Covadonga Writer.
The second most prevalent archetype is that of the SOUL. “Anima” is the male name of the soul, “Animus” is the female name. This is our inner opposite. Guys meet their Anima, gals meet their Animus. The Anima may appear in so many different ways, as an exotic dancing girl or as an old hag. The Animus may appear as an exotic and sensual young man or as an old grouch. A good example
taken from the modern myth department is Lois Lane. Clark Kent is the inferior shadow side of Superman, but Lois Lane is not interested in Clark. She is infatuated with Superman, her Animus, the masculine completion of her personality. (We are not talking about gender issues here: if you are a gay man you will be looking for your Animus and if you are a gay woman, you will be looking for your Anima).
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Interview with SL Musician ZDiva Sorbet
By Nazz Lane
A friend had introduced us shortly after I’d heard her perform for the first time. She’d wowed the audience that evening with a marvelous voice and a professional stage presence. Normally a solo artist, she’d appeared that day in a dual stream performance with her SL Partner Diesel Karillion. We chatted briefly after the show and discussed dates and time for a meeting. We both had busy schedule and it was a few weeks before we did so. We met in my office at this newspaper headquarters.
“Hello there! Don’t mind the get up, I’m doing a 70's disco gig at 6pm and I’m totally Gloria Gaynor’ed out.” She said as she arrived.
I commented that she hadn’t rezzed for me yet and she replied, “Trust me. I’m a walking disco ball, which is all good. Give the people what they want. I was a ferret for April fool's day. The venue owners wanted different. So I sat on my tip jar all night as a ferret and sang.”
“Isn't that what show business is all about.” I commented.
“Absolutely!” She exclaimed then added, “My mom was a lounge singer, and as a kid I grew up in bars with her band ... she would wear all the bling in the world, the costume jewelry to match. She said it was all a show, from sound to visuals. I think I’m channeling that.”
“When did you start performing?” I asked, and then quickly added for clarification, “In both RL and SL.”
“In RL ... around age ten, but not professionally. I come from a very musical family ... I took piano and cello since I was a kid and did recitals. Mom is a voice coach sang a lot with her and my brother at church things. I learned at her knee, than started doing my own gigs around town, mostly weddings, piano bars, tagging along with a piano player I know. It's a fun thing for me, really. Meet a lot of great people … SL is the same. I’ve only been singing in SL since July.”
“What bought you into SL?”
“A pal of mine who was singing here asked me to come in and I showed up ...Voila! It wasn't too much prodding needed. I'm a computer nerd by trade, I do websites in RL and the whole program fascinated me and the live music scene that he was talking about. How I loved it right from the get-go, I go listen more than I sing in SL ... enjoy the theatrics of it all ... the talent ... the diversity. “
“Is there one memory and venue here in SL that stands out for you?”
“Actually yes … While there are many that I'm endeared to for giving me my start in SL, namely Jade's Jazz Island and Heavens Tears. The one venue that stands out in my mind ... is on a SIM called Bosporus because I got to sing on a suspension bridge over a bay dancing my tail off on top of an old cab ... everyone around me having a great time. It was just so breathtaking. I thought to myself while I was singing ... can this get any better.”
“Do you write some of your songs?”
“I wish I did. I play instruments, and I sing, but songwriting is not one of my skills. I guess I can't have everything. One of the things I wish I could do for myself. I have to be happy with the idea that not all musicians can write their own music. Seeing jazz singer Diana Krall in concert this summer ... she sings all standards, other people's music, and she's okay with that. It has to work for me as I can't do it myself.”
“Is there one genre you prefer to perform?”
“If I had to answer… I'd say Broadway. However, there isn't much of an audience in SL, that I’ve come across anyway, that wants to hear a lot of it. I grew up listening to Broadway stuff... When I was living in NY, I'd make a trip to the city and catch the shows.”
“Where do you see yourself in six months to a year from now?”
“In RL, no place different … Just more oratorio under my belt and a nicer resume for soloist work around town. In SL, that’s hard to say. I have this weird fear... of over exposing myself. Like the people in my fan groups would tire of hearing my voice. I think I'm pretty lucky to be doing as well as I am in SL as it is. I can't really hope for much more. People, their tastes change … and the SL music scene is seeing new faces and hearing new voices day by day. So I may be lost in the mix. I hope I won’t.”
“If a new SL musician came to you for advice, what would you tell them?”
“New SL musicians come to me all the time and I love it. I've helped three of them in the last two months alone. Not sure why they come to me ... but they do and I’m more than happy to get them started. They ask questions about music, equipment, booking gigs, getting your name out there … but I do impart one piece of advice to all of them … don't let it stop being fun. I think that's paramount. When you lose sight of the happiness and joy that you can bring to people and it turns into drudgery … something you feel you have to do and it no longer is a fun thing … step back and regroup.”
Monday, May 04, 2009
Interview with Lomgrem Smalls
If you’ve ever been at Luskwood (or the Cutlass Club), you may have noticed a resident so small, it’s hard to find him without looking for his nametag. This would be Lomgren Smalls. Having long been known for his six-inch high avie, and to a lesser extend occasional custom work on micro (and mega) avatars, he has made a little real-life news recently. I recently had a chance to talk with him.
Bixyl Shuftan: Where did you first hear about Second Life?
Lomgren Smalls: Well, I had heard about it several years ago, back when I hadn't even thought of joining. Probably a good three, four years, maybe more than that. I think it was probably during 2006, because that was my first year being at the El Goonish Shive forums at Keenspot (El Goonish Shive is an online comic).
Bixyl Shuftan: So what got you to take a look?
Lomgren Smalls: Well, I joined the Trillian Astra alpha back in early Jan 2007, or maybe Dec 2006. Trillian Astra is ... an IM client aggregator of sorts. It allows you to connect to multiple IM Networks. AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, etc. One of the first people to add me as a friend on the Astra network was a furry on here already, and finally convinced me to go ahead and try Second Life.
Thus, my born date is late January 2007 ... but when I tried it ... it was so laggy that my avatar never loaded. So I gave up on it again. I finally decided to try again on March 3rd, 2007. Made it in, things loaded, and from there, met new friends, etc, and haven't left.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like things went well once you started.
Lomgren Smalls: *chuckles* As well as can be expected with SL.
Bixyl Shuftan: When did you first start building, and how did it lead to your work on avatars?
Lomgren Smalls: Heh. I started building and learning right from the start. My very first stop was Luskwood, on the recommendation of my friend from Trillian Astra. After a couple of days, I visited the Ivory Tower of Prims to learn about building. I remember thinking at the time that it'd be cool if I could build, but I never expected to be able to do this well at the time. I was building silly, simple little things at first for practice, like tables, chairs, the usual. And then I got it into my head to build something steampunk. So, me being the crazy kitty I am, I started on it as a major project, building in Perry. This actually took only a week for me to do, even back then ... and my first actual month in SL hadn't quite finished yet. Here's a pic, just check the date
Bixyl Shuftan: Thanks.
Lomgren Smalls: The picture was after it had been refined a bit and I was trying to package it for possible sale. But the last part of the original that I have was built and finished on Apr 1, 2007. I have tweaked it since then.
Bixyl Shuftan: Looks good
Lomgren Smalls: So, I was building from the very beginning. It took me about 6 months in SL to learn enough to make the original base of this av. But the main thing about me and building ... I love a challenge, and seeing just what I can do.
Bixyl Shuftan: Yes, looking at you, it's obvious someone did quite a bit of work on how small one could make an avatar. How did this begin?
Lomgren Smalls: Well, back to the El Goonish Shive forums, it was there that my online persona became a 6 inch tall male anthrofeline, if you want to describe it formally. So, naturally, one of the things I wanted to try and do in SL was make myself, well, myself. One of the first things I got was the original NorthStar micro, with help, as a kit. It was actually twice my current height, about a foot tall. But I customized it and eventually learned enough to make it move. I then took what I learned with that and made my own. Including my own animation and such to get it to work.
Bixyl Shuftan: How long did it take before it was fully ready?
Lomgren Smalls: Well, probably 20 hours at least, but I keep tweaking it and such. That was figuring out the scripting and figuring out how to shrink the head and tail down properly. The rest was me using the NorthStar micro as a pattern and trying to figure out how to improve upon it.
Bixyl Shuftan: I take it your micro was a hit with everyone on first sight?
Lomgren Smalls whispers: Hehe. A lot of people liked it, and I still get questions on "where did you get that?" and "how did you get so small?"
Bixyl Shuftan: *chuckles* What have been some of the more unusual reactions to your micro?
Lomgren Smalls: *chuckles* Well, they've ranged from the innocent to the adult... so... I've seen a lot
Bixyl Shuftan: Those who've read the paper for a while will recall you've also done work on macro avatars, super-large ones.
Lomgren Smalls: Yes, I've done some work on megas before, mainly to see just what was possible. Most people were saying even a 30 meter av was impossible. But, me being a builder, I knew what link limits and root prims were, and how they affected things. So, I was able to design and piece together a statue-style mega avatar that was ... a lot larger than anyone expected was possible.
Bixyl Shuftan: If I recall corectly, you built a mega-vixen about 224 feet tall
Lomgren Smalls: It was actually for Halloween, because I was becoming known as a micro ... and I built the vixen for a friend, and I made a mega version of my own regular av, around 65.5 and 68 meters tall, respectively.
Bixyl Shuftan: Did the work take about as long as your micro?
Lomgren Smalls: The vixen was built over the weekend before Halloween 2007, quite literally. My avatar was finished the Monday before. I recall Halloween being on that Tuesday
Bixyl Shuftan: Yes, I remember seeing her a few days later at Luskwood. Needless to say, she left quite an impression. ;-)
Lomgren Smalls: *grins*
Bixyl Shuftan: How easy is it to move in the megas?
Lomgren Smalls: Not easy. You literally have to fly them around. And hover, making them appear to stand on the ground.
Bixyl Shuftan: Do they lag a lot?
Lomgren Smalls: Not really. They are made of normal prims.
Bixyl Shuftan: So what other work have you done since then?
Lomgren Smalls: I do all sorts of work. I build stuff other than avatars. Everything here on my property, for instance. I've also built stuff for friends, castles ... let's see. I've done commissions, for micros, other avs... one of them was for The Phantom Creeps robot used by Rob Zombie in a few of his videos. So, just in general, a little of everything. Most recently, I've been finishing up some work on a couple of micros that I can actually sell, Relay for Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: What can you tell the readers about those?
Lomgren Smalls: Well, they're going to be based a lot on my current outfit ... because this is my "Relay for Life" outfit. The main difference is that the head actually is built by me, instead of being a shrunken version of the Luskwood Cat. I also have a female version of the av in progress, just needs a little more work.
Bixyl Shuftan: I've seen another micro done by you. About how many macros and micros have you made for others?
Lomgren Smalls: Macros ... let's see ... maybe 2-3, if that. Micros ... closer to 8-10.
Bixyl Shuftan: Changing the subject, you recenly got a real life job through SL. How did you hear about it?
Lomgren Smalls: Well, I had been looking for a better job for a while. And my friends here in SL knew about it. So, through a couple of the online Second Life papers, they learned of an on-SL job fair being held by the state of Missouri. And they told me about it
Bixyl Shuftan: Yes, and your getting the job made a little real-life news as well. The articles stated your micro made quite an impression.
Lomgren Smalls: Yes. I know people probably think I'm crazy for going to a job fair as a micro, but to me, it makes sense. 1: it's who I am. 2: It shows what I am capable of doing. Of course, I was dressed for the occasion, wearing a dark gray tux.
Bixyl Shuftan: Have your new fellow employees spoken much about Second Life, considering how you got the job?
Lomgren Smalls: A bit, yes, as I've talked to them about it. They're happy with me working there, I'm happy working there, my boss/etc are happy with me.
Bixyl Shuftan: Great ... As I recall, you were also on local TV news.
Lomgren Smalls: Yes, a couple of times. Never expected to be on TV at all. *chuckles*
Bixyl Shuftan: Besides the RFL avatars, any future plans that you'd like to share?
Lomgren Smalls: Well, I plan on making non-RFL versions (of the avatar), and hopefully making a version 2.0 of the av someday in the future.
To those who haven’t come across them, articles about Lomgren getting his state government IT job can be found HERE , HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE (short story with video), and HERE (a longer video with Lom in the second half). Lomgren mentioned there were others, but they were mostly taken from the articles above.
Bixyl Shuftan
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Saturday, May 02, 2009
The Linden Prize goes to ... Studio Wikitecture and Virtual Ability
Studio Wikitecture and Virtual Ability are the winners of the 1st Linden Prize! Both projects will receive $10,000 USD--the largest award in the virtual world industry--in honor of their achievements. After 230 applications and two rounds of deliberations, the judges decided that these two projects were "like comparing Tuesdays and Oranges", so they will share the award!
Full story HERE
A protagonist: Poptart Lilliehook.
By AquilaDellaNotte Kondor
Poptart Lilliehook is an example of a self made woman in Second Life, one of the most important members of the fashion world in SL: Chief Marketing Officer of LeeZu! (formerly LeeZu Baxter Designs), Owner and CEO of Modavia Fashion Marketing, Chief Editor of the Modavia Fashion Directory, Modavia Supermodel, MAD Agency model, InStyle model ...Glance model ....Faces model... the list goes on... Poptart was recently nominated for the Runway Model of the Year award and is a favourite on the catwalk of many of the leading designers in SL. Poptart also recently announced that she will be launching a new venture, together with Payton Heron, which will take Modavia into an entirely new segment of the market. Modavia Productions came into being in April 2009 to fill the gap left by Runway Productions which closed its doors a short while ago. Modavia Productions will focus on industry events like the spring and fall New York Fashion Weeks, seasonal revues and special interest showcases. I met Poptart Lilliehook at the Modavia HQ in Second Life. She lives in the same sim, at the opposite side of the Modavia HQ. She accepted to have this meeting to answer a number of questions that every SL resident is probably curious about.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: Poptart, I think fashion is one of the most interesting activities in SL, what is your opinion?
Poptart Lilliehook: Yes there are a lot of very creative people here.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: I wish to know something about your professional history in SL, in the fashion world.
Poptart Lilliehook: Okay,.... well. I started as a model - working my way up through the agencies as many do. My first inspiration, when I was a new SL resident, was landing one day in the LBD - LeeZu Baxter Designs store, I suddenly found myself surrounded by all these amazing designs - like nothing I had ever seen in SL, or RL for that matter. LeeZu at the time had a leopard in her store, and I sat on her couch in the store and just stared. I never dreamt such clothes existed, and I decided there, sitting by this leopard, that I wanted to be a part of the fashion world. This was back in July or August 2007.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: I know you are a marketing consultant in RL…
Poptart Lilliehook: I have always approached SL in the same way as RL. I have the same belief system and the same values, here as in real life, so I knew I would have to put in the work to get anywhere in SL.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: Were you attracted by those wonderful clothes and creations, or by the people that work in this world?
Poptart Lilliehook: Both really, creative people are interesting, and stimulating.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: so you started as a model....
Poptart Lilliehook: I spent the next year developing a career as a model and studying the couture fashion market. I went to every show and every shop, read all I could find about this world.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: was it a planned career or just something that developed?
Poptart Lilliehook: I cannot really say it was planned when I joined SL, but shortly after discovering LBD I made a very conscious decision, to learn how the fashion market works in SL.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: so, LBD was very important for you…
Poptart Lilliehook: Yes, as you mentioned, I am a marketing professional in RL and it was intriguing for me to see how RL techniques and strategies worked in SL, I later got the marketing role at LeeZu Baxter Designs (now LeeZu!) which was a very exciting step for me.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: Poptart, this is a critical aspect in a virtual world, don't you think that this is a game, a fantastic world?
Poptart Lilliehook: No, I dont - people like LeeZu and many others, make their living here. SL supports them and their families, it is very very real in many ways. I am always conscious that there are real people behind the avatars, who can be disappointed or hurt. I know how terribly hard the designers work to put things in their shops, how they hope people will like their things.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: lots of people work in the fashion world in SL.
Poptart Lilliehook: ....how discouraged they can get sometimes. The models of course too put a lot of themselves into their work.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: there are also not very able people in this world, not all are good designers.
Poptart Lilliehook: Well SL is the same as RL, not everybody is the best of course.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: what are the characteristics to became an high level model, for you?
Poptart Lilliehook: Hard work and discipline, and a sense of style. If you've got those you can succeed, a lot of new models don't realize it is very hard work and a big time commitment.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: hard work, the principle rule, I understand. But what do you mean by discipline, in this case?
Poptart Lilliehook: Well you need to be on time and prepared for engagements - which means you need to be disciplined in planning your schedule and meticulous about fitting and styling so that you are completely ready to perform when you are called to. If like many of us you are doing 4 or 5 shows a week plus shoots and rehearsals .... it’s a lot to organize.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: a very hard work, do you work here, in SL, every day?
Poptart Lilliehook: I have my responsibilities with LeeZu! And the Modavia company to run - trust me discipline is an absolute requirement to keep everything pointing in the right direction. I am on-line pretty much every evening, and a lot of the weekend.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: do you participate still in catwalks now or work only as manager?
Poptart Lilliehook: No I am still very active - this last weekend I walked in the two LeLutka spring shows, the Sweetaholic kimono show and the Modavia show. I think it’s important to keep an active modelling career as it keeps me very immersed in the fashion scene. But I have a lot of wonderful people who help me with many things also, Modavia is a fashion marketing company in which the group slikk set is a very important component.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: Poptart, can you explain to me about the Modavia project?
Poptart Lilliehook: Modavia publishes the Modavia Fashion Directory each month which showcases the best of SL designers. Modavia has 30 models, and we use about 10 different photographers. The trick is to attract good people who want to work with us. We have a wonderful event every 2 months where we give away all the clothes that have been modelled in the Directory to 2 lucky subscribers - we call it the Modavia Designer Wardrobe Giveaway. Each winner walks away with about 40 couture outfits so it is a very exciting event. As a fashion marketing company we also provide consulting services to our designers, helping them with a broad range of issues.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: what are your projects for the future Poptart?
Poptart Lilliehook: Well, I want to definitely grow the Modavia brand and help to make LeeZu! even more successful. The aim of the Directory is to provide a platform for the best of design, the best of photography and the best of modeling in SL. And to take that platform to as many people in SL as we can - so if a new resident is wondering where to go to buy good quality fashion they can just look in our book - it is all there for them, in one place, the Directory is an invitation. We feature only the best designers, so it is a "guide" to residents, of where the best fashion can be found. Of course we do not have every one of the best designers - but we are growing our designer base every month.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: Your “mission” is to give only the best to SL residents, to create a culture of fashion, right?
Poptart Lilliehook: Every month a few more of the top designers are joining us. I hope to keep expanding this base to include as many good brands as I can.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: I have a complicated question Poptart: what relation is there between SL and RL fashion, are there already contacts through the two world, how will it be in the future?
Poptart Lilliehook: Oh there is a lot of contact already.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: really?
Poptart Lilliehook: Yes, we witnessed two important RL crossover fashion events take place. These took the form of simultaneous shows held in SL and at the Amsterdam International Fashion Week and the “In Quelle Trine Morbide” event which involved Italian designers here showcasing unique creations using antique lace textures provided by the Museo Napoleonico in Rome, the SL environment was shown on a giant screen at the RL venues. Also several of our designers here are also RL designers with large fashion brands in RL - example is VictoriaV. So I think we will see more and more crossover between the RL and SL fashion world in the future.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: but do u think that SL creations can became real life models?
Poptart Lilliehook: Yes of course .... How does an RL creation start? A sketch on a paper pad, a drawing from the mind of a designer. If an RL creation can start with a drawing why can’t it start with an avatar wearing a design..? It is all about demonstrating the concept and the creative vision.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: do u think there are RL stylists that can use SL models? Who trust in SL stylists?
Poptart Lilliehook: Well, we see architects in RL using SL builds to "sell" their concepts to clients, let clients walk around the building see what they like or don’t like, and transfer the learning to the real world. Again - why cannot fashion designers do the same?
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: yes, I understand this point.
Poptart Lilliehook: Use an SL model to demonstrate their design to their clients before creating the real garments in RL. Of course it has applications for any kind of design, SL provides a very valuable 3D sketch pad for design. But more importantly ... I think SL will increasingly be used by RL companies to promote their RL products.
Poptart Lilliehook: You mentioned Armani - this is perhaps a useful example - they saw the opportunities here but I think they perhaps underestimated the technical challenges of design and marketing in SL. My impression was that they found it harder to create quality merchandise here than they originally thought.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: for the technical difficulties of the platform you say?
Poptart Lilliehook: They perhaps needed to work more closely with designers who are already very experienced in SL.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: this is a point to discuss with them Poptart in the RL occasions. What do you think about Italian designers ?
Poptart Lilliehook: We all love them, so creative, so full of spirit…
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: do u know some of them?
Poptart Lilliehook: Italian designers in SL? Yes many of our designers in the Modavia Fashion Directory are Italian. Italian designers are among the most prolific creators in the industry here I think.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: there is a lot of creativity in Italy I think.
Poptart Lilliehook: Well, they certainly bring a lot of light to our lives in SL, a very very active community here.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: You are very kind Poptart to say this of my country.
Poptart Lilliehook: They work very collaboratively, it’s like an Italian "club", many Italian designers working together here, in SL. The BeStar Fashion Club, the Best of Italy, the SHOUTED collaboration. They like very much to work together.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: may you give a suggestion for all those young models that wish to improve their capability?
Poptart Lilliehook: To be unique above all else. Too many models with same faces, same hair. Find your own style, and stand out.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: this is a wonderful suggestion I think, for them.
Poptart Lilliehook: If you have any further questions let me know.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: do you know Italy Poptart? in RL I say.
Poptart Lilliehook: I have a Godson in Venice, I know Tuscany, Milan, and Rome of course.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: did you see it?
Poptart Lilliehook: Yes many times. I have some RL clients there. I’ve also had conferences there many times. I work for a global management consultancy so I get to travel to these cities quite often.
AquilaDellaNotte Kondor: Well. Thank you very much Poptart, for your time and for giving us your vision of this fantastic world of fashion. Good luck.
Originally published in Italian in Esseelle Movie Magazine by AquilaDellaNotte Kondor
translated by AquilaDellaNotte Kondor and republished with kind permission
Friday, May 01, 2009
Styles of edo Wedding Show with Morea Style
Styles of edo will be showing his men's formal wear together with wedding fashion from Morea Style!!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pegasos/213/127/24
Second Life Game Show - "The First Question"
While at the Conference on Virtual Journalism on April 6th, I ran into a Pooky Amsterdam, and we had a talk. She told me she hosted a show on SLCN.tv called “The 1st Question,” and invited me on Tuesday April 28th as a contestant. It’s not every day one gets a chance to be on a game show, so I agreed.
The show's website (click HERE to go there) on describes the show as “The fast-paced, fact-based, fun hour of science related merrymaking, audience participation, prizes, wit & wisdom.” It takes place every Tuesday at 7 PM SL time in the Studio Dome over Spendthrift Island. Pooky Amsterdam hosts the show with Hydra Shaftoe as co-host, with four contestants competing to win. The show is broadcast on SLCN on compatible viewers in SL, and is done in front of an audience of a few dozen. Old shows can be seen in the archives.
I was asked to show up by 5:30 PM SL time, and did so. “You’d be surprised how many show up at 5:31 or 5:32“ Pooky told me. The other three contestants were also involved with Second Life Media in some way. PaulLevinson Freenote, Paul Levinson in real life, is a science fiction writer publicizing his work in SL, appearing with book in hand and a monocle. Chantal Harvey is noted for her work with Machinima, as well as organizing the MaMachinima International Festival in February 2009. Jackson Vantelli is the head of Q-media, an SL magazine publisher. Last, or “closest to the audience” as Pooky put it, was me. We were each briefed on how the show went, and each of our sound systems looked at to keep problems away, or at least at a minimum. Co-host Hydra showed up not in his usual wolven avie, but a black jackal in Ancient Egyptian wear.
After the opening and our introductions, first, was a little science humor. What element on the Periodic table did we think best represented us? Paul Levinson answered Mercury, though when told it was “incorruptible” joked he might have to make another choice. Me, I commented iron as that’s what newspaper typeset is made out of, “then again, some wise-guys would also say it gets rusty.”
Next was “Yea Me or Nay Me,” a series of trivia questions with yes or no answers. Then came “Mind Wresting,” in which we would each ask a question to the other contestants. I gave an American Civil War history question. Then we had to answer the following question, “You are in charge of the first newspaper at the first inhabited planet discovered. What will the name of your newspaper be?” I mentioned how in one science-fiction story, some planets were named after the first thing spoken after landing, “The Wemadeit Viewscreen.” But Chantal explained hers so well, the audience loved it best.
Before the show, I thought Paul Levinson would be the winner. Instead, it was soon clear that Chantal was the one heading to victory. Me, I stuttered and stammered a little, and slight nerves may have cost me a question or two. But at least it was a friendly audience. At the end, Chantal emerged the clear winner with Paul Levinson a distant second. Jackson and I tied for third.
I had a few lucky guesses, but what stood out was one question in the “Yea Me or Nay Me.” Although I was using push-to-talk with voice, I still had the volume a little low to keep from interfering with the others. I heard one question as “Did Alfred Hitchcock have a blue button?” That confused me a little, and I answered no. To my surprise, the question was if he had a *belly* button, and as it was removed in a surgery, I got the credit.
Once the cameras were off, Chantal was briefly taken somewhere to get some prizes, and everyone was invited to port to a nearby location to party for a while. Pooky congratulated every one of the contestants, insisting it was a job well done by all.
As of the writing of this article, the recording of the show was being shown on the SLCN.tv main website (click HERE to go there). It should be available on “The 1st Question” website (click HERE) soon.
And no, I didn’t know I sounded like that.
Bixyl Shuftan
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