SL15B: Another Whole Week To Go

By Gemma Cleanslate

Another excursion in the SL15B regions took me to some builds that are linked together in memories. My first stop was to the Virtual Ability site erected by Eme Capalini where I ran into Gentle Heron also admiring the build. There are pictures of members with their own stories and involvement in Second Life .

Pictures of the numerous activities you will find in Virtual Ability sim tell the story of their involvement. I was happy to see my late friend Ladyslipper and a poignant reminder of her full SL life there . The notecards are in the pictures .

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL15B%20Spellbound/107/252/23

While there I was invited to visit Friends of Virtual Ability. The landmarks were at the parcel. My tp took me to the Non Profits parcel.

“Nonprofit Commons connects communities for social good through education, networking, and collaboration. Like a crystal’s lattice structure, it is immensely strong, reflective, transparent, and a conductor of electricity and information.“

Here you see all that the Non Profits do in Second Life. If you have never been to their Commons in SL put it on your list. While at this parcel you can watch a video of their mission.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL15B%20Incredible/80/81/23

Leaving there I visited another Friend, Whole Brain Health, Reflections on Our Evolution. “Whole Brain Health’s home is Inspiration Island. We offer holistic brain training based on 5 pillars of well-being. “ I have toured the home site and highly recommend anyone to go over to visit. While on this parcel make sure you get to see the three levels that show their history in Second Life and the work they do. There is a handy teleport to aid you .

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL15B%20Electrify/91/200/23

I dropped down at the Etopia- eco communities parcel which is new to me and I plan to visit and discover Etopia in Second Life. The build is representative of the sustainable communities and has maps of their regions and loads of information from the “people” manning the parcel.

Pick up a free bamboo bike while you are there. Go visit this interesting build.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL15B%20Spectacular/164/174/23

The Crystal Cathedral is the lovely build of the Community Virtual Library. This offers you information on the resources available to anyone in the virtual worlds. Relax in the building and check out the missive connections on the website links. Great place to take a break  and just sit and rummage among the books and catalogs..
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL15B%20Stupendous/193/248/23

While you are at the Cathedral turn around and see the build of London City featuring the royal wedding(s) !

Remember the Big Hunt! As you move around look for the magnifying glass that indicates a participant and look for those little crystals.

Gemma Cleanslate

More SL14B Exhibits

By Bixyl Shuftan

At Midnight on Sunday June 25, the official events of the Second Life Birthday came to a close. But the sims remain up for another week. So people have more time to see the exhibits.And here are a few more examples of what we found.

One from my old friends, 10 and Marcthur Goosson was their Watermill Cottage.

 The cottage was very well designed, and is among their goods for sale.

The exhibit by M and M Creations is at SL14B Wonderous (26/233/22)

These glowing weeping willows looked pretty at night.

 The Global Online Hockey Association exhibit

 This exhibit had a lot of anime pictures.

 The Confederation of Democratic Simulators exhibit.

Sometimes called the CDS, the Confederation bills itself as Second Life's longest functioning representative democracy (old SL wiki, CDS blog).

An exhibit called "Mischievous Subversion."

"to the carnivalesquq protest. Where authority is playfully mocked and subverted. Where mischievous roleplaying promotes dialogue and laughter."

The Berlin 1920s Project exhibit.

About once a day, Jo Yardley, the owner of the Project, would hold a "happy hour" at the exhibit.

 I asked Jo Yardley about the "Come As You Were" party in which she attended, saying I had documented some pictures and dialogue. Her response was, "I deny everything." "Heh, so you deny setting a trap for Torley Linden?" I asked. Jo had a chuckle, "Ha, no I do not deny that. Torley put it in his own flickr, hehehe. ... It was more Torley bait though, I didn't lock him in a cage" One supporter commented, "Frau Yardley doesn't need traps - she faces everything head on!" Jo commented, "We trap people in Berlin, but not with traps. We just lure them and then make them want to stay. ... Can't get rid of Berliners, I try." "Kill us with kindness and cheap bier!" another supporter commented.

That's it for now of the SL14B exhibits. We'll try to have some more pictures up soon.

Bixyl Shuftan

Thanksgiving at Areo Pines Park

By Bixyl Shuftan

Areo Pines Park and Recreation Area has been holding special events every month this fall. September had a somber event, a Stairclimb tribute to the New York firefighters of Sept. 11th. For October, it was Halloween, with a number of spooky happenings across the several sims. And this November, it's Thanksgiving's turn, with the Areo Pines Sixth Annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow.

"All Nations and Tribes Welcome!" proclaimed a notecard passed around before the event, "Suggested Attire: Colonial, Pilgrim, Native American, North American Wildlife Avatar, etc. Turkeys and other fowl attend at their own risk! Warning:   This party has been too much fun in the past, so please celebrate and party responsibly!"

The Pow Wow began with a big party on Friday November 16th. Arriving on the scene, most everyone was dressed up either in Indian or Pilgrim outfits, and dancing around a large bonfire. People were having a good time, cracking "paleface" jokes, with the DJ in a chief's headdress. All around, a number of teepees and Indian lodges had been set up. There were also vendors nearby where one could get an Indian or Pilgrim outfit. And of course a table set up with a huge Thanksgiving feast for anyone seated.

Besides the dancing around, there were birchbark canoes at the riverbank. One could board one and take it around the rivers of the park. The part itself has been given an autumn look, with trees leaves having yellowed and reddened, patches of grass and stretches of trails covered with the leaves, and of course the sign of the leaves fluttering down to the ground. The natural scenery was quite beautiful.

For covering the trails, one could do it on foot, or on horseback. Not too far away was a horse rezzer. By mounting it, one received a HUD and a horse. To ride, one detaches one's AO, then wears (or adds) the HUD and steed. After pressing the synchronize button, you're ready to trot. But if you already have your own mount, such as an Amaretto, that's fine too.

The Pow Wow itself is scheduled to go on until the 25th, with Areo Pine's Annual Turkey Shoot sometime during the event. Cindy Bolero, the park's director, told me that it would be a good idea for people to come by and enjoy the autumn colors while they can. After the Pow Wow, a cold front's scheduled to arrive, and bringing snow just in time for the Christmas season.


Equus (18, 241, 22)

Bixyl Shuftan

Luskwood Turns Eight

From Friday October 14th, to Sunday October 16th, Luskwood, one of the oldest communities in Second Life, celebrated it’s eighth anniversary. At the Lusk Tree and nearby Perry Amphitheater, the residents celebrated with music events, and a couple gifts.

At eight years old, Luskwood is the oldest "Furry" community in Second Life, and among the oldest across Second Life reguardless of genere. Besides being the location of a social area that always seem to have at least a few people over even in odd hours, it's also the location of the first company of avatar makers, Luskwood Creatures. Because of it's longevity and strictly enforced rules against lewd behavior, Luskwood is often the first place in Second Life science fiction and fantasy fans head to after being told about it by friends. Due to it's close proximity to a newcomer entry area, it's also the unintentional first social area of many others as well. Although a few newcomers are a bit intimidated by the residents' non human appearances, all are welcomed except griefers.

Luskwood's celebrations began with what was likely their most noted event, an hour of the musical duo Jaycatt Nico and Frogg Marlowe, better known as “Jaycatt and Frogg” or just “F & J, “ playing on the stage near the big tree at 7PM SL time. From the stage, they played several songs, Jaycatt on the piano and Frogg on the guitar. From the seats, both their mostly human-looking regular crowd and the furred Luskwood locals cheered them on. Afterwards, they talked a little with the audience, Jaycatt jumping down from the stage. Founder Michi Lumin had a little something for him: a “LW8B” (Luskwood 8th Birthday) baseball hat and T-shirt.


Jaycatt Nico: Okies, love the hat. (smile)

Michi Lumin: We'll likely have stuff on and off all weekend, most of it tomorrow, but thanks as usual F & J. for. doing this for so long. (smile)

Jaycatt Nico: It's been a pleasure.

Reignick Deakins: Glad to hear you every time.

Ranlei Random (ranlei.jewell): F&J are part of what makes Luskwood family.

Maurice (maurice.mistwallow): Frogg and Jaycatt should make a sing along blog.

Jaycatt Nico: We love playing here, it's kind of an honor for me. Hehe. ... I normally don't look good in a hat, but this one does better than expected.

Ranlei Random (ranlei.jewell): It's a cool cat hat, so it looks cool on a cat.

Michi Lumin: We kinda made it at the last minute, (grin) people wanted something to wear, heh.


Following Jaycatt and Frogg, Burr Lehane DJed for a time at the Big Tree. On Saturday, live singer Keeba Tammas performed at the auditorium at Noon SL time followed by guitarist Shannon Oherlihy at 1PM. at 3PM, it was constant DJ music by local residents, such as Luskwood member Chippingham Millions. There would be one more music event on Sunday.

In the past, anniversary events at Luskwood would sometimes remain crowded to very late at night. Although late, the Friday and Saturday celebrations did not quite go as late as some. This was anticipated by founder Michi, “This year's birthday probably wont be as eye-exploding as the other years just because, well ... when we hit 10 years, *that'll* be a big one. (grin)”

Luskwood got some praise at the event, a Ranlei Jewell sayin, “I love Luskwood and everything about it. I rarely feel welcome in any one spot for long. So Luskwood’s a haven.” Michi responded, “We do appreciate it guys. We know Second Life is big and, people come through, come and go and stuff, I just hope we have helped some around the grid. And we'll keep doing this as long as we can. ... I think Second Life is growing again a bit; maybe not in population but I think the communities that are here are becoming more solid and meaningful. ... It goes in circles, communities are organisms, they consist of people, people come and go, it takes time for new people find their place in community, so it ‘breathes.’ ... Body count isn't everything though. And, time and place for different things. Sometimes folks are in the mood for head pounding action, sometimes not.” DJ Burr joked, “Sometimes they’re just in the mood for ... (pause) nevermind. (grin)” Ranlei added, “Fads come and fads go. Clubs grow and fade. But communities thrive.”

With the anniversary celebrations over, things at the Big Tree return more or less to normal, as a social area that can be a little quiet, but one is sure to find at least a small group even at odd hours.

“Even if you've got another place that's your home now, you’re always welcome to come back.” - Michi

Bixyl Shuftan