Tudor Rose

By Becky Shamen

We found this sim to be very captivating, for three main reasons. The first thing that got our attention was the incredibly detailed architecture. We made many return trips here, with the excuse that there was one more building to be seen, or more of the interior of one we had. Even as we write this article, there is need to pause and return for added detail and inspiration.

When Sha began SL, she would dance at Escort Oasis, most nights. There were up to 50 people in the club. She could listen to the music stream, had voice and could watch media, all without any lag. Why is it, with four more years of developing technology, are we now reduced to rubbing two sticks together, to get a fire?

The other reason for needing so many visits is another of the items that made this place so captivating. In four years of exploring Second life, this sim broke the record, for having the lowest frames per second of any sim we have been to. The rate varied, but on one visit our meter read .08FPS. Needless to say, I had to log off and try again later. On our last visit, the viewer went crazy and we could only escape by pulling the plug on the computer and doing a complete restart.

The third thing that made this exploration interesting has to do with history. This sim represents the late 16th century, London, England. The shops and homes are all two story, Tudor style buildings. Towering over them, like twin mountains, are the cathedral and castle. It is clear that, in this time period, a very few ruled over the population and controled their lives and resources. Over and over, we found ourselves thinking, this would not have been a time or place that we would want to live in. This inspired an internet search on the life and times of Queen Elizabeth, which proved to be as entertaining as the visits to the sim.


Contrary to popular belief, the idea of hell and what it is like was developed by early Christians and reached it's peak in the dark ages of Europe. Introducing these ideas created fears, which helped win converts and give leaders more authority over the ignorant masses. These ideas did not come from scripture. They reached their peak through poets, like Dante, with his book, "The Inferno". With fear pushed to the limit, mankind revolted and protestantism and the Renaissance were the result. When Elizabeth was queen, in the mid-renaissance, Europe was still a fearful place. Countries feared each other and Protestants and Cathilics treatment of contrary beliefs was anything but Christian. That a single woman could not only survive, but also rule her country and guide it on a relatively middle path is as miraculous as modern history gets.

A guru once told us that individuals that cause us the most grief are the source of our greatest growth. Will this laggy sim be as inspiring to you as it was to us? There's only one way to find out. Visit Tudor Rose, land of Elizabeth I.

Becky "Sha" Shamen

Steamed Custard

By Becky Shamen

While he was still dressed for the part, we sent Josh to yet another Steampunk location. Starting 2000 meters up, in the middle of a tangled nexus, where map and compass are useless, you might think our explorer would require some time to get his bearings. Not so. Like some kind of Dr. Who, he made a bee line for the most unusual feature on the sim, breedable penguins. Really? Have we now seen everything?

Perhaps not. Turning about, shaking his head, with a big grin, Josh spots a shop with clothing and vehicles and heads for it. True to the period, the vendor display pictures are all in sepia tones. It will be a hard sell, for one accustomed to HD colored ads, but Josh needs a wardrobe and loves unusual vehicles, so scrolls through the entire catalog. The clothing didn't measure up to Blak Opal's, but they had some great vehicles, two of which were only $1 each, so guess who added to his garage.

At the next area, a female robot, carrying a tray of drinks, offered refreshments and conversation. He had read that there were robots here, so this seemed quite natural. Shortly thereafter, he found a shop that sells that model and a host of others, either avatar or autonomous styles, including classics like R2D2, Buck Roger's "Twiki" (bidibidibidi) and the one from Space Family Robinson (danger Will Robinson...).

There were also some nice park areas and a multi-level freebie shop. All of this, so far, was in the sky, on interconnected floating platforms. Having seen a sign announcing land for rent, Josh jumped off to go have a look at ground level.

Back on terra firma, we find the land office, some homes and more breedable penquin areas. Having seen everything, Josh returns home to Sunweaver Bay to open and test drive his new rides. Since Josh and Sha do most of their exploring late at night, they seldom meet residents, so can't say much about the social scene. We can say; there was no lag and there were lots of new, unique, interesting things to see. It is an enjoyable, entertaining adventure. We give it thumbs up and recommend it to our readers.

 http://slurl.com/secondlife/Custard%20Developments/197/202/2000

Becky "Sha" Shamen

Virtual Gettysburg

By Bixyl Shuftan

For a brief time in Second Life, one can find a replica of the site of one of the decisive battles of the American Civil War: Gettysburg.

 A look at the Destination Guide's "Featured Events" page showed plenty of Christmas and Winter events and locations, but there was one entry that stood out: Virtual Gettysburg 1863.

Virtual Gettysburg 1863 is an American Civil War museum featuring a reproduction of the Gettysburg battlefield. Learn about the events of July 1st-3rd, 1863, often seen as the turning point of the war. 

The SURL given took me too a small map of the battlefield, which had a group joiner/notecard giver and a teleporter. There was also a balloon rezzer. Clicking on the latter would make it appear, and getting on it one would get a tour, seeing locations like the peach orchid, the wheatfield, "Devils Den," and others. It wasn't completely to scale. The area was only about a third of the size of the real battlefield. There were a few roads one could walk down. There were only a few items to show the area had been a battlefield, besides the markers, a couple cannon, a dead horse, and the teleport markers, which looked like memorial stones.

Welcome to Virtual Gettysburg 1863! This is a historical museum devoted to the American Civil War, featuring a reproduction of part of the Gettysburg battlefield. This is not primarily a role-playing or reenactment group, though feel free to ask if you have RP ideas. This is both a temporary exhibition and a work in progress. (Everything in SL is a work in progress)

Going about on foot, as this was a platform high above the sim surface, one would appear to float a foot or more over the surface at times, or sink into the ground. Staying on the road would usually help, usually.

The battlefield's most notable location was a farmhouse which acted as the hospital. Near the front door on the outside was a bloodstained medical kit. Inside, exhibits on the first floor described the limited medical technology that was available to help the twenty thousand wounded in "the immediate aftermath of battle ... one of nightmarish, overwhelming, and often unrelieved agony. ... the houses, the barns, the sheds, and the open barnyards were crowded with moaning and wailing human beings. And still, an unceasing procession of stretchers and ambulances (horse drawn wagons) was coming in from all sides to augment the number of the sufferers." The exhibit continued upstairs, with a chart of common ailments suffered by soldiers during the battle, and more scenes described, as well as some pictures and Walt Whitman's poem "The Wound Dresser."

Besides the battlefield, there was an art gallery and a museum area. Teleporting to the museum, there was another map of the field, with a number of exhibits, such as maps and photos around in a circle, describing the strategic situation at the time of the battle, the course of the battle, and the aftermath. Gettysburg is often described as the "high water mark" of the Confederacy as never again would it be able to launch an invasion into the North. But the war would drag on for two more agonizing years.

The exhibit is not scheduled to stay up for long. It is scheduled to be up only for a few more days, with Dec 31st as the last day. Near the entrance, there was a donation board accepting funds."We are still seeking a permanent home for the build," the notecard stated. The exhibit was built by Trodden Miles and Dakota Tebaldi.

From the museum area, there was also a teleport to a room, where one could see an animated film of the Gettysburg Address, given a few months after the battle in honor of those who fell.

"That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Balloon and field: Sunset Isle (98, 23, 3965) , Museum: Sunset Isle (128, 115, 3901)

*Update* A look at the group had the following post: "Thanks to all of your generous donations, we've been able to cut a deal to save the build! We've rented the airspace above an RP sim and we'll be reopening there early next month. Location TBA very soon!"

*Second Update* Virtial Gettysburg now has a new home at Redemptions (98, 23, 3965)

Bixyl Shuftan

More Skating and Winter Fun: Areo Pines Park and Holiday Village

 By Gemma Cleanslate

On to another favorite venue for more winter fun than you have time for. Aero Pines has the winter festival taking place all month.  These sims are always seasonally decorated and hosting superb events for that season. I recommend you begin your visit at the Holiday store where you find some superb outfits for skating both male and female, and lots of free ones too. Right outside is the massive skating pond, always in use. The media viewer is showing the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker on a huge screen overlooking the skating pond. You have your choice of skate balls for solo and couples. Or you can join the ballet dancing in front of the screen.

Nearby there is a sleigh rezzer that will take you on a tour of the sims. Keep an eye out for some loose reindeer that seem to have once been attached to a sleigh but are now roaming the roads. If you have a horse take a ride. If not you can rezz one at the stables. Try the winter balloon ride or then many other special activities listed on the notecard in the posters. Save lots of time! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Equus/40/194/22

Next favorite ... seems I have lots of favorites! But there are some wonderful winter sims. This is another place I visit all year long. Christmas at Winter Holiday Village. I was lucky that this year I made it to a skating party on the ice where Mr. and Mrs. Claus were not only present but dancing to the music of the live DJ. This skating place is such a pleasure to use. It winds around, around penguin laden islands, under bridges, past polar bears,  through a cave tunnel  and back to the beginning. 

There is a carriage ride here also. You will be driven in a golden carriage through the woods and around trails . The festive shops are fun to roam through with wonderful bargains for your holiday decor and clothing too. Many visitors are always around enjoying everything that Maired Fitzgerald plans. There are a myriad of events every day until the end of December with singers and special  events. I was able to attend the Annual Yule Ball also with the fantastic Ceci Dover performing Christmas tunes with a backup of dancers . Be sure not to miss this fabulous sim.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Holiday%20Village/100/138/21

Gemma Cleanslate

LPP Neo: A Place of Floods and Mystery

By Becky Shamen

This location seems to be a real paradox. On the one hand, it is one of the newest sims around, and yet it looks like a civilization, left in ruin by waves of rising sea levels. The Destination Guide gives only a brief description.

"From the fallen lighthouse to the marooned submarine and flooded railway, this house of steampunk style survives amidst a drowned region that is well worth exploring."

At first sight, our eyes tell us that almost all of the three connected sims are covered in water, leaving little else to be seen. Soon, our sixth sense begins to draw us in deeper. Perhaps the water is telling us that there is a great mystery to be found and solved, hidden from our eyes, just beneath the surface. We will need to focus our eyes and look for subtle clues.

A picture is worth a thousand words. This article has been richly illustrated, to assist your preparations in your quest for the truth.

When given a map view, in Destination Guide, we see only the three sims of LPP, Studio4D and Club Zain. When we spot this local map, titled "Water Lost World Project", we have to ask where the lost sim is. Calling the phantom real estate "Endless" doesn't fit either. Endless implies always was, always will be. What premature pralaya has removed all but the idea of this, so called, Endless sim?

When we arrived, on a dock in LPP, there was a submarine moored before us. Before it could be examined, it sank beneath the water. Our original plan included using a boat or sub, to explore the area, but further research revealed this U-boat occupies the only channel, deep enough for a ship, and it is blocked at both ends and too narrow to turn around in. It is truly marooned, but still has some life left to it.

Near by, we find the remains of a fallen light house. It's beacon still shines and rotates, telling us to look around, to learn more of the story. The scene hints at how the land became covered by water. Only a fool would blame this on global warming. Melting ice caps would take years to cover the island with water and allow residents time to build higher. A tsunami could destroy buildings, but the ground water would all drain off in a day. If real life geology can be applied to SL, we must conclude that this sim has been the victim of an earthquake, which has lowered the land (subducted), perhaps by 10 meters, leaving only the hill tops.

If you keep to the paths, between the sparse attractions on these sims, you'll keep your powder dry. Stray a bit and you'll wish you had worn hip boots or a wet suit. There are almost no shopping places here. The main shop has clothing for women and a black ops suit or two for men, but the prices are high, so even Sha would avoid going there. This shop, for Cyber Dolls, has some unique and well textured outfits. It's worth a look, even if you don't buy.

We head North from LPP, along the flooded railway, to Studio4D. The sim is almost entirely covered with a shop that sells dance animations. We tried a few, but at more than twice the price of most, quickly headed for the last sim in the group. The largest structure on the Club Zain sim is called the Main Floor and seems to be built, on stilts, to accomodate for the water. Inside, it's like a mix of dance club and TV studio. It reminds one of the sort of place where shows like "Soul Train" or "American Band Stand" would be recorded.

Just North of the Main Floor building, there is another postdiluvian structure, called the Stadium. It has a large dance floor, made of clear glass, flanked by enough bleacher seating to accomodate all the people that have visited this site, since it's beginning. Music is provided by a state of the art DJ booth, with a crate of vinyl albums and more CD titles than Walmarts stocks. In the center of the dance floor, there is a group of blue and green prims, which, at first seem to be a senseless clutter. As we pan our camera around, we begin to see that there is some planning involved in their placement.

 

A Puzzle

Moving the camera up, for a birds-eye view, we can see these prims have been arranged to form a symbol which is communicating some kind of message. The prims are placed on three levels, which we can study, in an attempt to decipher the symbol. At ground level, 15 blue triangles, all pointing the same direction, are arranged into a large triangle, broken up by progressively smaller ones, all pointed in the same direction. We don't know, yet, which of three directions our attention is being pointed in. About one meter above the floor, three green triangles sit above the blue ones on the floor. This way of "highlighting" tells us to look in the direction of the DJ booth. Higher still, we find 12 green bullets, arranged in a circle, all pointed to it's center. Had they been spaced equally around the circle, they might suggest a clock face or time. These bullets have left a gap from 10:30 to 12:00, which could mean either the time has not arrived or has been cut short. We are being given a message about this DJ, or perhaps DJs in general. Either their time has yet to come or it has been cut short. We will need more clues, to get the whole story.

The thing is, everywhere you go, there are odd things, found strewn about, that could be another clue. In writing this article, we returned many times to see things that we had passed before, thinking them odd but unimportant, but now that the puzzle was being pieced together, they began to fit and fill in more detail. The return visits also turned up new things that hadn't been seen before. In SL, when you click on a door, it opens. We found two doors, one on the ground and the other on the base of the abandoned bridge. They should not have opened to anything, but when clicked gave the message that we were not allowed to enter. Knowing that there were no others on the sims, we used the cam to pan around to the backside of the doors and find a chair or pose ball to sit on and poof, we were inside forbidden areas and finding more clues. At the base of the bridge, this technique got us into the "Stray Sheep Diner". This is one of the most developed spots yet. It is very detailed and full of possible clues. It is difficult to understand why the doors are locked. We can only hope that entering doesn't get us banned.

We could tell you much more about this adventure, but our goal is to tempt readers into having adventures of their own. Test your Sherlock Holmes skills and solve the mystery of TPP neo.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/LPP%20NEO/183/88/22
 

 Becky "Sha" Shamen

A Wintery Favorite: Calas Galadhon Park

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

I have to be honest. With all the wonderful regions I visit for the winter activities and the Christmas decor one of my very favorites is the CALAS GALADHON PARK SIMS. This is not a sim, it is a  group of 11 spectacular sims that is always a pleasure to visit. But, the winter season is exceptional in its offerings. 

 

When you land you will find a teleport board to any of the sims you want to visit, and another board containing the rules of the sim with all its landmarks in the notecard. It will be easy to begin your winter adventures at the nearby skating area. I have not found many other skating experiences that are better than here since you are able to take a tour of three winter sims skating along the frozen waterways. Try it solo or with a companion. There are skate balls for you, or just take off under your own steam.  The scenery is delightful, and so realistic. 

 

After that tour follow the sign for cross country to pick up a set of skiis and poles and take off on  a four sim cross country ski tour, solo or couple and get an eye full of wintry countryside, ice covered trees , bright berry bushes, cabins bright with fires glowing and so much more. The skis also work on their own so you can continue on your own.  All  around the sims are places to sit and chat. This is a great place to take a horse back ride too,  wonderful place to explore or just sit around. 

 

The owners,  Ty Tenk (tymus.tenk) and Truck (truck.meredith) maintain a peaceful environment all year round but especially in this season of the Christmas Holidays. It is  free of merchandise or dwellers so distractions are few. Here is the entrance to the parks where you can get all the information you need.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Calas%20Galadhon/137/233/22

 

But, the best place in the parks, (though it is outside the parks this year) to celebrate the season is at the Christmas Pavilion. When you arrive enter the carriage that awaits that will take you on a ride all around this special sim. Arrive at the Pavilion itself. It is a massive castle filled with goodies for you. Toy soldiers guard the doors of the Christmas tree room overflowing with gift boxes. Look around in here for your gifts from Ty and Tenk.  On the other side is the room where you can enjoy coffee, cakes, tea and sweets. In the middle is a massive hall where you can dance and listen to the music of the season. Events planned for the Pavilion are on the calendar at the entrance of the parks. 

 

Ty sent a message saying ”We hope you are enjoying winter at Calas and the 'One Christmas Night' build (smile). We have several pose sets out for your Xmas cards.  At the Christmas sim .. the couples skating poses  on the skating area, Single pose w/menu on the mother deer with the two fawns outside S/E corner of Paviion.  A single pose on the mother bear with cubs."  

 

Here is the entrance to One Christmas Night for you.  Check scripts  and climb into the carriage for a magical experience. This year the returning tradition of the One Christmas Night is separate from the other sims , so hang onto the landmark.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SilverMyst/182/253/23 .

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Discovery Amusement Park

By Becky Shamen


This area of the Pangea sim is a theme park, with six attractions, dealing with, so called, areas of scientific interest. The attractions and approximate times are, Orbitron - 2 min., Space Mountain - 2 min., Journey to the Center of the Earth - 2 min., Time Keeper - 20-25 min., Voyage of the Nautilus - 10 min. and the Hyperion Cafe - 20-30 min.


It is uncertain how we found this location. Going to the Destination Guide, for more information, turned up nothing, even when using the SLURL, used to TP there.

Orbitron

This area of the Pangea sim is a theme park, with six attractions, dealing with, so called, areas of scientific interest. The attractions and approximate times are,

This attraction, in the center of the theme park, is a merry-go-round, with multi-seat rockets, instead of horses. Sitting in it, a menu pops up, allowing ascending and descending options.

Space Mountain

Proceed to the boarding platform, click the blue box to rez a rail car and sit in it. It switches you to mouse-view and moves the car to firing position. Turns out, your car is the bullet, in a cannon, pointed at the moon.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Here, we board a rail car that seats six passengers. It automatically puts you in mouse-view, to give a real life feel to the ride. For the next 2 minutes, the car makes it's way through the twists and turns of a long tunnel, but we did not see any other features, as one would expect to find. It was a bit of a disappointment, but on the bright side, at least it was free.

Time Keeper

This attraction begins with entering a waiting room, with paintings on the walls and signs, informing you to turn media on and push start. This made us apprehensive, given that our limited computer usually warns of media plugin failure at this point. We were pleasantly surprised when a video began to play on the screen. We are introduced to our guide, Nine Eyes, a time traveling robot, with panoramic head cameras, who seemed nervous about the reliability of the time machine. The shows play every half hour and you have to wait for the doors to open. Inside the theater, there are rows of rails, instead of seats. We are surrounded by video screens, providing Nine Eye's panoramic view. The video was well produced and entertaining. You can tell, it was made professionally. At the end of the show, the doors opened and we headed for the next attraction.

Voyage of the Nautilus

For this one, you go down the stairs into a Nautilus submarine simulation. Beyond Captain Nemo's pipe organ, stools line the walls, each with it's own large port hole, to view the show outside.

 

Hyperion Cafe

There are no signs in front of this attraction, announcing what it is. You won't see a ticket booth or even an entry door. above what looks like an alley, the front end of a steampunk zeppelin protrudes. Passing under, we are in what appears to be the lobby of a movie theater. To the left, there's a snack bar, big enough to serve a crowd, with coffee and snacks for sale. The signs say, we are in `Cafe Hyperion'. There are old movie posters on the walls and signs, reminding you to turn on and start media. Facing the main screen, there are rows of traditional seats and, in the balcony, there are cafe tables and chairs. The video was spectacular and confirmed the suspicion that this sim has a Disney connection. A Las Vegas style fountain serves as a projection screen for Christmas light show and songs, by characters from the new Disney movie, `Frozen'.

Returning home, with a Cheshire cat smile and both thumbs up, we report, Discovery is a `must see' and be sure to bring the mate and cubbies to this wonderful Christmas spectacular.

 

Pangea (242/147/22 )

 

Becky "Sha" Shamen

 

Ready for Winter

By Gemma Cleanslate

Many of the winter sims are not ready to change season yet. Yes, it is early but I know people are already looking for the winter activities in Second Life. Some regions are going to celebrate Thanksgiving before changing over, although I saw some snow lingering along the roadways in  places that I know will have lots of snow and ice soon. Here are a few that are ready!
      

 “We believe everyone should  be free to be themselves, to be the unique person they are .
so everyone is welcome here at Skate and Date..... “ This is from the welcome sign in Freyr at Winter Wonderland and train ride. Cute little penguins are circling the ice rink and offer you free skates in case you don’t have them already. Hop on the couples skating balls nearby and take a tour on the ice. Grab a seat and cuddle with your date or drop down near the fire to warm up. I spied a sled rezzer and took a quick ride around through the trees passing more penguins along the way. There is a train tour too. If you have your own train you can put it on the tracks as it is a slrr rail but you can rezz one there if not. Have fun!  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Freyr/154/65/50 .

 

 

“Welcome to our Winter Enchantment, made in loving tribute to our late friend Soraya Wardhani.....” Though a more somber greeting than at skate and Date I found it a lovely memorial thought as I surveyed this lovely skating venue. More penguins circled the skating pond . Free skates for both men and women and  singles and another sled rezzer await your pleasure. A fat jolly snowman offered me a cup of hot chocolate .  On the other side of the pond I found a ski lift and took a ride up to the top of the mountain where I took some free skis and boots and hopped on the ride down the mountain. It was a winding trail down the hillside that gave me a good look at it all, another place not to miss. Some of the decor is for sale .  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Xeriacle/46/73/21.

 

Winter scenes by Incendia Outdoors in Dizza offer wonderful skating , soft snowflakes falling and a peaceful lodge with fireplaces where you can lounge around alone or with friends and grab up for a run down. I found an igloo with snowball fighting walls set up with kids having fun and lots of snowballs so you can join in. The scenery is lovely with nature the object of the region. I found sheep hunting for morsels of grass , in another area moose looking warily at a horseback rider as she passed, and a found a  bear fishing in the open creek. Another lovely place to put on your list of winter venues.There is a carriage to ride in and a horse rezzer for you. At the entrance is a guest book where you can leave a comment or read those of former visitors. Dress for snow. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dizza/223/63/21

 

More to come!

 

Gemma Cleanslate

More Winter Fun

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Lake Tahoe is ready for your skating pleasure . I stopped in the charming lodge and enjoyed the warmth of the fire then wandered out to check out the skating ball that lets you perform like a pro! The pond is not that large but enjoyable. Of course there are free skates in the little shop near by, and snow boards for sale .  For serious skiers there are some nice outfits for sale here too. I could not resist the color changing scarf. The tram ride up the ski slope passes over a bear so be careful .  I found people frolicking in the snow when I hopped off the tram. You have your choices of a sled or a tube that take you on an automatic trip down the hill.  Grey Lupindo has visited this region and wrote about it . Wonderful region! There are places in the sim where it has not snowed yet so you can wander around or just hang out and enjoy the scenery. I discovered there are more than one skating areas close by in the Grand Canyon area. Here is the entrance to Lake Tahoe.http://slnewserplaces.blogspot.com/2012/08/grand-canyon-national-park.html
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Grand%20Canyon%20North/33/207/22

 

My friend  Ev Lovevicker (everest.piek) gave me a call to tell me the North Pole is open! What a treat. ѕуℓνιє ѕιđєωαуѕ (sylvie.sideways) and her helpers have created a wonderful sleigh ride through the frosty woods of the region, passing by dancing skating bears, candy treats and cupcakes . Throw on the blanket you will be offered to keep warm . The Polar Express train is ready to leave with the conductor holding open the door for traveling children.The village center is sweet and a lovely place to visit. The sleigh will drop you there.  There is Santa’s cheerful lodge set for your visit. Outside the Chapel the representation of Bethlehem reminds us of the Christmas season .Don’t  miss Santa’s workshop where the elves are working feverishly and Santa waits to hear your wishes. Next to the church  there is a lovely little ice pond for your skating pleasure.  There will be events and Sunday Concerts and you are invited to join the group for notices.   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Streeter/114/114/41

 

Rainbow Illusion is hosting Toys for Tots at their Winter Wonderland. Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. There will be a benefit on December 10, 2:00-10:00 pm. There is a lovely pavilion set up for skating or dancing on the ice .You will find free skates and skis on the ice . Santa is sitting in his sleigh waiting for you . And here is a twist. Next to the skating pond I spotted a wonderful swimming pool under glass. So, bring your bikini and swim trunks along! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rainbow%20Illuzion/99/62/20

 

Living Tree has a wonderful skating area set up on the river that runs through the sim from north to south.  There are jumping areas and cones set up to wend your way. I found a great tobaggon rezzer so you can slide over the winter terrain. Kids will be able to make their way easily. Better jump the bridges if you are tall. This sim is designed for kids! There is a school there and you can visit the Texture Library and the pick up texture tutorials. But, right now it is winter in Living Tree. So have fun. Warm you hands at the barrels when you are cold. Pick up a notecard or two when you land then head for the river .   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Livingtree/121/124/25

 

You know I am a 7seas fisher so was happy to see there are several skating areas where you can fish and skate! Grey Nacht has a wonderful fishing hole , that you are warned not to fall into at Pala , http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pala/160/90/21 .  When you land you must tp to the ice fishing . It may be empty of fishers or full depending on the time.   Tribute City has also put up a delightful fishing and skating pond . Another great place to visit! 

 

Gemma Cleanslate 

Neo Victoria

By Becky Shamen

 In recent months, the Newser has had some great articles on Steampunk communities, like Caledon and Steelhead. Reviewing the Destination Guide, Josh discovered a collection of other Steampunk communities, ranging in size from two to thirteen sims. Names and addresses were gathered into a notecard and he began exploring each of them.

After touring the first four, beleaguered by lag and yearning to yawn, it began to look like his report would be titled "adventures in adversity." While it was true, he had noted a point or two of interest at each location, there are only so many ways to say, it was beautifully, ornately textured, but beyond my meager budget to buy. Such a list would not be something he, or Sha, would be willing to sign their name to.

Thank gods and faes, our next stop proved to be an adventure, worthy of a story of it's own. Landing in Neo Victoria, we find ourselves in the visitors center, where me must prepare for what lies below.

By it's own definition, Neo Victoria is, "Dark roleplay, Steampunk style - A small community of gifted artists, working together to bring their stories out of Second Life, into the world of the real."
Avatars of all types and species are permitted, as long as they are not "cartooney." An anthro coyote is OK, Wile E. Coyote is not.

Orientation and shopping is in the sky. The two, ground level sims serve as home for members and a film lot for Machinima videos. If you are not a member, or out of character, you can visit ground level, but must get and wear the OOC (out of character) tag. To engage in roleplay, one must conform to the local story line. No cross story lines are allowed. As a means of learning the lifestyle, notecards are given as you walk down the dark halls that lead to the TP to ground level. Alternatively, there is a web site, giving more details and samples of their videos at www.NeoVictoria.net . They also have a web site for members only, which has community news and personal pages for each member.

Other factors that made Neo Victoria a great place to explore were, no doubt, the bi-product of using the sims for making videos. There are fewer mesh scenery objects, making it almost lag free. They also allow you to rez things there, with auto-return after 15 minutes. Using this, I rezzed my airship, for a birds eye view and saw the entire place, in far greater detail than was possible at other places visited.

Becky Shamen

Sha's Thoughts: Sunweaver Bay Time Travel

By Becky Shamen

 Sunweaver Bay's newest resident, Joshua Xavier, stands atop Sha Hill, surveying the many changes that have been added, since Becky Shamen first moved there, as one of it's first and longest residents. Like the Bay, Josh has evolved. His creation started as an experiment of Sha's, to prove that SL males could do as well as it's females, finding Love and Lindens Dollars. Like Sha, he is, alternately, human and furry. Having recently become his own man, with a seperate SL account, he will continue to share Sha's home and duties, as an explorer and writer for the Newser. While touring the Steampunk collective of Mieville, he found a shop called "Who's Who," on the Wells sim, and bought the multicolored scarf, worn by the fourth Doctor, Tom Baker. The making of this photo, to show off his new lion avi and outfit, served as the inspiration for writing about the evolution of Sunweaver Bay.

At one time, Sha had a castle on Sunweaver Air sim, connected to the West side of Sunweaver Space, within sight of Club Cutlass. After retiring from exotic dance and hearing rumors of the sim going away, she moved to low rent areas elsewhere, to cut down on expenses. With the creation of Sunweaver Bay, she returned to rent a lot and had her choice of locations. At that time, there was very little there, so she chose the hilltop at the west end of the bay, for it's panaroramic view. Then, as now, there were few neighbors, but the view has evolved considerably, to attract more renters.

Looking East from Sha's Place, we get a good sample of the scenic additions that have become a part of the sim, in the short time we have been a resident. On the right we see, at 11 floors and 88 meters tall, The Sunweaver Bay Apartments. Speaking of taking up lots of air space, check out H.M.A.S. Little Dove, which nearly cuts the sim in half, at the same altitude as the top of the apartments. Adding to the skyline, we see a Tesla tower and a lighthouse. At ground level, there are a variety of trees, bushes and flowers, and waterfalls in every direction. The bay now serves as a harbor for seagoing vessels, suggesting that this sim is the starting point for adventure. Now under construction, a monorail system will soon connect all the sims in Sunweaver Estates.

 

All of the improvements have indeed made Sunweaver Bay a very desireable place to live, but, for Sha and Josh, there was an unexpected draw back. Having a computer and router, which we are told is the minimum of what is needed for Second Life, made the sim too laggy for us. To resolve the conflict, without moving from her beloved home, Sha built a platform, 1000 meters above her lot and moved her house and furniture up, to enjoy lag-free living. 

 

Alas, at that altitude, she no longer had the beautiful scenic view from her windows. To compensate for the loss, she surrounded the platform with walls, with mountain scenery texture. That improved the view, but, explorer that she is, it gave her claustrophobia. Meanwhile, Josh was shopping on Marketplace for a free airship to explore with and found a zeppelin skybox, that would fit Sha's lot, for a mere L$5. The new abode provided an unexpected plus. The external view was replaced with an interior, that even Captain Nemo would approve of. Upon seeing it, the fire chief pronounced it the coolest home he had ever seen in SL. What's more, the new arrangement used less of Sha's prim allowance. With the previous house, there were only 10 prims left. Now she has 30 in reserve.

 

Becky "Sha" Shamen