By Grey Lupindo
In August, 2010, my community of Syzygy decided to expand. We had been a large community surrounded by
water, and the expansion gave us more islands and even more water. Many of us liked to fly and to sail, and the
expansion would allow us to do both in style.
An island named
Corvus was created, and I was fortunate to be able to build my fantasy home
there. It was an exciting day when the
frozen land emerged from the sea. For
about two weeks, I watched the island go through an ice age, a volcanic era,
and finally a cool down phase. While this was happening on Corvus, other
islands were being built and land expanded on the original Syzygy. New
people moved into our community, too.
We had great parties, and many of us created temporary exhibits to showcase
our art and interests. It was a heady
time.
For over two years I lived in my dream wilderness home, the
Aspen Loft cabin from Stonewood Homes. I
filled the land with wild animals from many creators in SL, too. It was exactly what I wish I could have in
RL, which is the wonderful thing about SL.
Here I could walk among the
wolves and not worry about becoming their dinner.
Unfortunately, the
last year brought health, financial, and time challenges to many of the
residents of Syzygy. In January the community was faced with the
prospects of closing down totally unless some adjustments were made. One of the residents, Celtic Infinity, took
up the challenge of trying to keep as many of us together on Syzygy as she
could. With the help and assistance of Samantha
Glume, our long-time CEO, Celtic raced against the clock to protect and save our
island community.
For a while it didn’t
look like anything could be done. I
spent many hours last month looking for a different place to live. At first I thought I would take a long cruise
to get over the loss. But I soon
realized I couldn’t afford to do that.
So I began looking at other communities, and I was amazed at the
diversity on SL. There really is something
here for everyone, although for a long time I wasn’t sure there would be
anything for me.
I enjoy Steampunk, and there are a couple of great communities
in SL for that. But my wolves weren’t
going to be happy there. Too much
clanging of metal and hissing of steam vents.
I looked at renting a boat dock and living by the water. But the industrial ones were too scary, and
the resort ones were too hot.
I began looking at apartments in beautiful foreign cities, but
they didn’t seem like home. I looked at
apartments in cities more like home, and realized that I just don’t like
cities. No matter what country they are
in.
It was a sad Sunday morning when I logged into SL and found
that Corvus had totally disappeared. I
knew it was coming, and I had packed up all my things a few days before. But it was still a sad and empty without my
island. I missed the birds singing and peacefulness
that I felt when I walked through the woods and listened to the waterfall. Most of all, I missed my friends.
So I was very happy when Celtic told me that she and
Samantha had a plan to keep at least some of Syzygy alive. They are working on the details now. I’m not sure how much or who will remain
there. But as of today it appears that
I will be able to move back to the original Syzygy. My neighbors will be my very good friends-- Grjandomore
Greene, whom we call Gri, and Muse Nishi.
Gri and I were neighbors on Corvus, and he is a great person to share
land with. He never once complained
about my wolves howling or disturbing him.
Muse Nishi was the first person I became friends with in SL, many years
ago. She’s very creative and fun, and I’m
glad she will be a neighbor.
The island of Corvus was a wonderful place while it
lasted. I will always have happy memories of it. Until my new place on Syzygy is finalized, I
have rented a temporary apartment in a place that seems to be much more suited
to me—a tree house in a forest. I’ll let
you know how the wolves adjust to live among the branches.
Grey Lupindo
Calas Galadhon sims have been closed for a month while
the owners regrouped and rebuilt in some sims. Truck Meredith, one of the
owners, wrote this, “It is with great joy that we have reopened Calas Galadhon
for your pleasure. Please come by and see the sims in fall foliage. There
are 11 sims in the park with major reworking of Dimril Dale and Grey Havens.
There is a whale on Grey Havens that you and three friends can ride. There
are two dolphins on Belagaer that you can ride, and riding turtles. New
cabin on Dimril, have to walk through the woods to get to it. Also a new
riverboat on Gulf of Lune. Also new art exhibitions on Main
Street.”
Truck and Tymus Tenk are the owners of these regions. There are no
rentals or sales of anything in these sims. I had to go over to see what was new
or different. The sims are going into autumn, with the trees slowly changing
color, but there are still many delightful shrubs and trees in full bloom so
there is a mass of color everywhere. I rode my horse over the roads and trails
just to enjoy all the views. Everywhere I went I found avatars just hanging out
gazing at the views over meadows, hills, and waters. 
While you roam the sims you
come to spots made for just sitting and relaxing, with lovely immersive
music. There are dance balls and cuddle poses in spots where friends and
lovers can relax. But, don’t stay away because you have no one to go with. They
are just here for everyone’s enjoyment. Nature brought into Second Life just for the
inhabitants. There are rules and a TP list for you to help guide you along the
way. Pick them up at the entrance. There are donations kiosks about the
region and I hope you will be able to contribute to keep all the sims in
place. 
