By Bixyl Shuftan
This year's Second Life Birthday had a lot of exhibits. Some were by familiar names. Others by the less well known.
At SLB Breathtaking (207/65/23) is the Safe Waters Foundation's exhibit.
Residents are invited to "dive into the waters."
And see what lies hidden underneath.
So why have a gateway? Well, without new residents, eventually Second Life will end.
At the end were a number of freebies, intended for new residents.
Tempest Rosca
Moya Patrick at SLB Astonish (240/172/23)
The Burners had an exhibit at SLB Astound (88/204/23)
At one end was the Thunderdome, which hosted some impromtu events.
Elicio Ember at SLB Astonish (157/149/23)
Bay City's exhibit is at SLB Captivate (152/72/23), "Do you wonder what life in a throughly-modern, mid-century city might be like for a Steamlander? Bay City’s build invites you to explore some lovely vistas of their Mainland community, and learn what Bay City has in store for you!"
So why are those dressed in Steampunk/Victorian asked to leave some items at the door?
It seems in the past there was a "Cold War" between Bay City and Caledon that was mostly in fun ... mostly, "It was all in good fun mind you, with contingents from both sides spying on the other, the occasional moment of naked aggression here and there, and even a failed delivery of boxes containing refrigerated fruit that MAY have exploded across Caledon one night. We remain on good terms with our neighbor, but also vigilant. PS: Honestly, I didn't even know it even WAS a rocket launcher."
Upstairs was a display of upplaying life in a late-1940s/1950s city would be like in comparison to a Victorian/Steampunk one. The downside of nuclear power never came around until after the Age of Diesel was over.
Next to Bay City was the Caledon exhibit, or rather, the Caledon Catgirl Brigade's Exhibit, at SLB Captivate (154/98/23).
The exhibit's story finds the Caledon Catgirl Brigade lost in time and space. When the "Robokitty-Mini" rolled out of its construction berth to be guided to its new home, little did the crew know how far they would be traveling. They find themselves above the alien landscape of Pyrespark, a volcanically active planet inhabited by a society of mechanical beings--clanks, automata, robots, etc.
In this interactive story, the player follows clues to see who could have pulled the ship through time and space, and talk to the planet's inhabitants to see where they could be.
The Confederation of Democratic Simulator's exhibit is at SLB Amaze (164/63/23).
There's a giant music and jewelry box, and information about the community.
"Time In The Past by Van Loopen & Oema"
DeniseUnicorn Toonie of the Sunweaver community has a "Crystal Steampunk" exhibit at SLB Enchant (152/187/24)
And there's the Newser's exhibit at SLB Imagination (187/52/23).
Like other Newser SLB exhibits, it has a fedora hat somewhere.
A Steampunk "heavy lift helicopter," the build was made by Silvia Ametza, with the help of NC Summer, with AmieeLou Destiny doing scripting. Some of the controls looked a bit "Dieselpunk,"
A telescope for those always on the lookout for a story.
Next to the Newser build was one made in the same style by Kimble Coles, at SLB Imagination (154/51/23).
A windmill over a power plant, it looked like there were steam engines to power things when the wind wasn't blowing.
Kimble had help from Sylvia, NC Summer, and AmieeLou Destiny, so the similar style.
The exhibits will remain up until July 5. July 6 is when the takedown begins, and the grounds will be closed to most. Some will be taken down right away. Others will remain up until the last minute for those with access to photograph or otherwise enjoy one more time.
Bixyl Shuftan
