Nova

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

Perhaps we all associate rαvєn вαnríσn (RavenStarr Resident) with beautiful nature regions. I did. Her group Spark has built so many amazing installations . Her latest example was and still is Kaleidoscope (http://slnewserplaces.blogspot.com/2023/02/kaleidoscope.html). I think she looked up and out into the sky and thought to herself I wonder what is out there and began to imagine. 

 

Then she made another world. I went to see her vision and she said “So happy you visited! Yes, I wanted to build a sci fi sim that wasn't dark and grungy. This definitely pushed my skills. It was a really good challenge. (smile). “

At the entrance you can see the  whole galaxy and locate this planet in that universe.
It is a place not to be missed. I walked all around looking at the lower level which has delightful garden if plantings not found on earth.

“Welcome to Nova, situated on the neutral paradise planet Ashoka. Open to all adults, this interstellar utopian resort invites all weary space travelers seeking a destination spa experience. From yoga with aliens to interaction with a true AI based on 21st century ChatGPT/GPT3, at Nova our mission is to provide an otherworldly escape from the stresses of daily life. Unwind in a truly unique environment, leaving you feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on whatever the universe has in store for you.+

I found Nova  the Chat bot and had a talk with her /him/it.
My conversation with Nova the chatbot . If you ask anything be sure to address NOVA first with each question.

“[12:08] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): Nova what is your job here ?
[12:08] Nova: "Hello Gemma! It's lovely to interact with you. My job here is to assist and make your experience smoother and more efficient. Whether it's answering your questions or helping you complete tasks, I'm here to lend a helping hand. Is there anything I can assist you with at the moment?"
},
[12:08] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): Nova who made this beautiful place?
[12:09] Nova: "Hello Gemma! It's wonderful to interact with you. Raven is the brilliant mind behind the creation of this stunning place. I am grateful to be a part of it and assist you in any way possible. What can I help you with?"
},
[12:09] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): Nova can i sleep in one of the bedrooms?
[12:09] Nova: "Hello Gemma, it's lovely to hear from you. Of course, you may sleep in one of the bedrooms. Raven has provided comfortable accommodations for your stay. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
},
[12:09] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): Nova what can I eat here ?
[12:09] Nova: "Hello Gemma! It's wonderful to hear from you. As an AI robot created by Raven, I don't have a physical presence that could offer you anything to eat. However, I can suggest some nearby restaurants or cafes where you may find delicious food. Would you like me to search for some options for you?"
},
[12:09] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): Nova Yes (I never got any restaurants but there are several in the food court I found.
[12:09] Nova: ", I am an AI robot created by Raven. It's lovely to interact with you, Gemma. Is there anything I can assist you with today?"
},
[12:10] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[12:10] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): ...LOL...
[12:10] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): Nova do you ever sleep?
[12:10] Nova: "Hello Gemma! It's lovely to interact with you. As an AI robot, I don't need to sleep like humans do, but I do need to undergo maintenance and updates to ensure my optimal performance. Is there anything else I can assist you with today?"
},
[12:10] Gemma (Gemma Cleanslate): Thank you! you Good to know you are here 24/7”

Along the outer walkway I found rooms for staying over , rooms for massage, and a spectacular food court where food was being prepared for visitors and guests. I chose a sushi restaurant and watched the chef prepare the food.There also relaxing nooks to just sit and enjoy .

After wandering the lower floor, and talking to Nova I took the elevator to the upper floor where I found a huge Club area ready for events. I went back several times to look at the flora that graced the first level and found it striking for growing on that planet. It is not like earth but is like earth. Go immerse yourself in it all and have a lovely time! Say hi to Nova for me.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ashoka/152/223/37

 

 When I was reading Bixyl’s articles about the SL Newser opening those 13 years ago, I began remembering how shocked and dismayed all the reporters at the SL Newspaper were when Dana announced to us in an office meeting that it would be closing. Our years there had been good. Bixyl then tried to get permission to continue the paper, but Dana and James felt they wanted it to stay in history as it was.

A few days after Dana's announcement, Bixyl approached several of us and asked if we wanted to join the new endeavor he was thinking of starting to be called the SL Newser. I said yes and have not been sorry.

It seems almost yesterday and it is amazing to think it has been 13 years. I have been all over the grid and met seen so many beautiful and wondrous builds and have met so many fascinating people through the process of writing for the paper. I wish for many more years of success. 

 

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Update on Montecito Bay

By Bixyl Shuftan

A few weeks after the disaster that wrecked the southeast corner of Montecito Bay, the affected area is getting closer to being back to normal. The majority of the rubble has been cleaned up, and the rebuilding will presumably begin shortly.

The cause of the disaster remains unclear, and other than what appeared to be a photograph with a flying saucer in the corner, no other evidence has been forthcoming. The city will only say investigations are continuing.

But it's not just in the southeast that the repairs are being done. A look at the Oceanside Galleria building where in December a strange saucer-shaped craft crashed showed it had been torn down and the steel skeleton for a new building going up. The saucer was on the ground. Although there were still surveillance vehicles around, the first time I dropped by, there didn't seem to be anyone around. On lunch break perhaps?

I got closer to the strange craft, and there didn't seem to be any sign of a cockpit on the damage craft. Either it had been removed, or the craft was a drone of some kind. If the later, was it some kind of military experiment, or something else?

I took a quick peek inside one of the surveillance vehicles in which the door was left open. But there was no information out in the open and the computers were locked. There was still some rubble that was around the building, but I didn't pay much attention to it, at first.

Taking a few pictures, and showing them to local resident Moff, he thanked me, saying this was more than the authorities investigating the craft were telling him. Gin Ghostraven, who was nearby, told me he got close enough to take some pictures. He showed me a picture of the rubble from a different angle, and there was a car with what looked like a hand sticking out. What looked a little like a body could be seen inside. Curious, I went back for a closer look.

The result was the most startling thing I'd seen in my Montecito Bay investigations since the slime monsters. Inside the wrecked car was what looked like a body all right. But it was neither human or furry. It was a bald, green-skinned humanoid in a space suit with three fingers per hand. But this time, the place wasn't quite empty as I thought I heard shouts to get away. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor when it came to UFO crash sites and investigators, I made my exit.

What the clues gathered point to is obvious. But big claims require big proof. The UFO and the "body," the latter of which could easily have been a mannequin of some kind, are in the hands of Federal investigators and the military. And they frankly aren't talking. If it's a military experiment, why would they be trying a design that a few decades ago had failed? It's possible this was some rich man's prank that went awry when it crashed. And neither explanation covers the "street circles" and the Groundhog Day incident.

Presumably what happens next is rebuilding. There's already a "Flying Pickle Park" at Montecito Bay (171/30/24) which leads to the humorously-themed club of Sheba Metaluna. And with the big piece of evidence down from the old Galleria, it will likely be gone soon as well as the body (or mannequin). And with them the chance for the town authorities for solid answers. But as it doesn't seem to take long for something else weird to happen around here, it's likely the town will move on and residents can pick and choose from the official exploration, and that made from the few clues gathered from townsfolk and media.

Stay tuned for further details.

Note: The preceding is a fun article based on goings-on by the people of Montecito Bay themselves and not the actions of any griefer.

Bixyl Shuftan

Calas Galadhon's Dark Moon

By Bixyl Shuftan

One place in Second Life noted for it's fine design and coming up with new things every year is the Calas region, owned by Ty Tenk and Truck Meredith. Usually Gemma Cleanslate is the Newser writer who takes care of articles there. But with their new Halloween area this year, she thought it was about time for a fresh pair of eyes. So I went ahead and headed to Erebor for "Dark Moon."

When one thinks of the moon on Halloween, it's usually the bright moon shinning over a dark and spooky forest. That wasn't the case here. Appearing in a purplish sky and shallow water on some crystal hexagons, over one were the words "The Portal." So I clicked on that. The next thing I knew, I was on some baren landscape with some circular structure ahead of me, and some figures around it. Getting closer, they were a mix of aliens and human astronauts. But looking closer, the astronauts were dead. All but one of the aliens appeared lifeless as well, except for one with a sign: "Dive in."

Going in, I found myself in a cavern with metallic space-age structures built into it, with water flowing on the ground in places. The detail, as usual for Calas, was very good. I had my headphones on, and it had detailed sounds of the water trickling nearby, and appropriate theme music such as that of the "Alien" prequel movie "Prometheus." Looking around however, there were some mixed signals about the aliens. While some were helping to point out the way for you to go, others were not so friendly to other humans.

Flares help cue you on which direction to go, You will encounter things such as light bridges, and you will encounter monsters. Unfortunately in this sci-fi adventure with horror tones, the reason they're not going after you is that they've sated themselves on various NPC humans ... or have they? At one point, you'll find yourself in an Earth library. The end of your journey? Nope, you'll still have further to go. Finding the right path may mean occasionally searching around a bit. You'll get an opportunity to float around weightless, though with some limited control. Eventually, you'll see some human kids walking your way from a flying saucer. But as they come closer, you'll see they're not exactly wanting to be friends.

The last cavern was very dark in places with few flares, so it took me a while to find the way out. Once I did, I was transported back to the purplish world. Looking around and noticing a spaceship ahead of me, I decided to walk over, wading through the water, to check it out. I saw a few creatures going just over the water. There were some stairs to the ship, and climbing on, I was greeting by the message, "Welcome to Calas Galadhon's "DARK MOON'S MOTHERSHIP... thank you and enjoy your visit." I found a schedule of some live music acts appearing here at times across the month.

I forget how long my journey took me, probably over an hour. With the monsters and blood, and inhuman cold aliens, the place isn't for everyone. But in my opinion, Ty and Truck have done a first class job in this sci-fi horror theme adventure.

Erebor (8, 51, 2)

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From the Ghost Forest – LEA14

By DrFran Babcock

I had seen the Linden Endowment for the Art’s Tales From the Ghost Forest mentioned on the log in screen several times. Usually, that means it’s a build about which I won’t write, because I figure that promoted sims get a lot of coverage. I decided to visit anyway, with a friend, and decided to tell you about it.

First, after a few visits, and some photography, I am not really sure I understand Uan Ceriaptrix’s build. However, the mood he creates, and the post-apocalyptic feel made me feel immersed in another dimension. I believe that’s what art is supposed to do.

The build is composed of four different parts. You are greeted by a giant spider when you teleport into the sim. Be careful or you may end up in her web. Instead, follow the colored balls over the long bridge, up a ladder, and enter Junk City, which is just what it sounds like. According to Ceriaptrix, this area, which is a barren path studded with garbage and pollution is the point at which things started to transform through a change and restructuring of technology. Humans have been transformed into avatars and holograms, and homo sapiens are extinct.

Leaving Junk City, you enter the Ghost Forest, which the artist labels as Mother Earth. This region is filled with science, technology, and devices that have been left to the trees and fishes, to provide them with energy. In place of the machines, odd vegetation sprouts along the canyon path. Twisted, odd vegetation, that is tended by alien creatures. Boggy greens submerge your feet in tiny plants as you walk along and tiny bubbles float up through the ooze, hinting at the possibility of new life.

When you leave Mother Earth you will find yourself in Election (or die trying), which is the hope for the regeneration of the world. The luminous beings have kept collections of biology so that the ecosystem can be regenerated.  UFOs, chairs with teeth in their seats, aliens, and giant insects hold court, bringing the damaged land back to life.

At the end of the path the land ends, and the water beckons. Under the water in the unconscious that contains a carousel, a sand castle, a display of Uan Ceriaptrix’s, and other items.

I loved the build for it’s look and the builds that were on it. The terraforming created a land that was at once familiar and alien. Uan is a skilled creator, and his palette of sandy-colored ground, and green toxic or leavy touches. The windlight setting creates a smoggy sky that reminds one that this is a dying land, trying to regenerate.

I have always believed that despite what the artist or the art is trying to say, once the public views it, what is perceived becomes their truth. As I said, I don’t think I understood what was intended, but I liked it, and it made me feel strong emotions of loss.

You can come and visit The Tales From the Ghost Forest at LEA14: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA14/128/128/15 and decide for yourself.

DrFran Babcock

Shockwave's Alien Egg Hunt Maze

By Grease Coakes

 

When people think of Easter a lot of people think of the Easter bunny and chocolate. For religious and spiritual people the death and rebirth of Jesus comes to mind. What Shockwave Yareach of the sunweavers had in mind was one of his fun mazes. Instead of you eating colored eggs from those egg coloring sets you played with as a kid, Shockwave thought what if the eggs ate you?

 Shock to celebrate the Easter season instead of making Easter bunnies created an excellent maze based off the "Alien" movies with Sigourney Weaver. When you warp to the LM that Shock gave out in the Sunweavers notice, you see a massive building shaped like a long rectangle. Click on the nearby square to get your HUD. There’s an egg outside the maze to shoot at to make sure your gun works. 

 

Picking a gun at random, I found a plushie gun I bought year ago and forgot about. I told Shockwave this and here’s what he had to say: "Kill them with cuteness!"

 

Apparently it works with the HUD on I get a message saying you have slain this egg it cannot harm you as I hit the dangerous egg with a plushie. When you open the door I hear the star trek sound from whenever the holodeck doors open. The inside of the maze looks realistic as if you’re in a science fiction movie or reading a book.

 

Don’t be fooled however. Even with my deadly plushie gun in hand this maze is no mere walk in the park. Like the NES game contra one hit you’re dead the same is true for Shock’s maze. I’m walking around the maze lalala ... AHHHHHHHH FACEHUGGER!!! And your avatar goes back to the start of the maze with a facehugger on your screen losing your score. Shockwave himself said his wife was getting on him in real life for yelling in terror as his wolf avatar got killed in the maze.

 

The maze is cheat proof too if you try to walk in without the HUD the door won’t open. So walking around the maze with no HUD to not experience death is a no-no. I said then the maze wouldn’t be a challenge.

 

Shock said it’s fun to build in Second Life as to build a real life maze would be way too expensive. I commented that it’s very easy to buy a furry avatar for 800-900 Linden. In real life you would have to build one yourself or pay someone a large sum of real money to build a fursuit to walk around as a furry in real life.

 

Shock may not have a Hollywood budget in real life to make the next Aliens movie, but he certainly did a great job making a great maze to entertain the Sunweavers or anyone else who likes shooting things. Next time you eat or paint eggs this Easter season be careful that it doesn’t explode and hug your face like when I visited Shock’s fatal Alien maze.

 

Shocky's Lair, Sunweaver Space (191, 135, 61)

 

Grease Coakes