Journey Across the SL14B on Day One

By Gemma Cleanslate

Sunday was a good day in the sl14b regions. It was very crowded at the stages, and at the builds. So lag was present. I took a couple of pod rides just to read the description of the build and hopped off at a couple places to look more closely at them.

I stopped by the Cake Stage to see the party going on . There were some interesting avatars enjoying the dj. Mikati Slade , the builder of the stage, was there checking out the party also.

I spent some time in two parcels that were very meaningful to me. The first was a memorial to Ladyslipper Constantine.

              

 LS as she is known passed away last year in September and is fondly remembered by all who knew her. She was also active in the Virtual Ability Group, Burn2, White Tiger Mentors, and so much more. The Drum, “ DRUM's goal is to bring the world to you via the power of drumming” was her love as she was profoundly deaf. Her unselfish help to so many in sl is well known. She served as a volunteer in many roles at the previous slbs and they are recalled here in the peaceful corner.

 

The memorial is a build of Darkstone Aeon and BB Woodford. It is lovely and reminds us so of Lady. Pictures of her real life and Second Life and all her SL Birthday badges surround a sweet little pool.  It is a restful pause in the clamor of the event. She was a good friend and I still miss her.   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL14B%20Enchant/217/247/22

But, over in Astound I found another beautiful tribute area to Lady. This one by Dream Wrexan and Darrk Gothly as co-builders..

Here you can see the memorial service that was held at Virtual Ability and pictures of Lady in her different roles.  

 It is lovely and shows how much Lady is missed. Her favorite flower and the reason for her name rises from a fountain. It is so fitting. Play the drums for her  if you visit.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL14B%20Astound/43/185/22

 There is another memorial in Spellbound. I spent some time there too remembering my first years in Second Life when I was determined to learn how to do something with a prim. This parcel is dedicated to the creator of the Ivory Tower. Lumiere Noir who passed away in 2015 gave the Ivory Tower to Second Life to help all newcomers understand the power of the prim.

 Here Kennylex Luckless has built a history of the Ivory Tower and a history of Lumiere. There is a quote from Lumiere that embodies his work,” I seem to be hardwired to teach and explain. When I learn something or figure out a thing my first and most natural response is to try to pass it on to others.”  

Wander through and learn about someone who is also missed in second life for his generosity of spirit and kindness to all. The Ivory Tower is still in sl and if you have never  been there pick up a landmark at the door and go visit. Here is the landing point for the memorial.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL14B%20Spellbound/197/186/22

Gemma Cleanslate 

9/11 Memorials in Second Life

By Bixyl Shuftan

Twelve years after the worst terrorist attack on American soil, Americans and friends of continue to reflect every September 11th. Second Life didn't exist yet then the attack took place, except as a very early alpha version closed to the public. But once the Grid began getting a sizable population, it would be a matter of time before memorials were set up. They went up as early as 2004 (Link).

Over time, there have been numerous memorials. One of the largest was the September 11th Memorial by Liam Kanno (Youtube link). One that got the attention of CNN was the World Trade Center Memorial in the New York City Block sim, built by Cheri Bing whom in real life was a resident of Brooklyn (link).

These and others have disappeared over time, vanished into the virtual nether as real life dragged the sim owners out of the Grid or the sim had a change of managers. The World Trade Center that once stood on the New York NYC sim was  no longer there when Second Life Newser looked earlier this week. But there are still a number of memorials large and small on the Grid.

The largest and most popular memorial currently in Second Life is the 9/11 Firefighters Stairclimb Tribute at Areo Pines Park. The build consists of several fire trucks, and a huge transparent build of the World Trade Center Towers. Visitors are encouraged to take and wear a fireman's jacket and gear, and make the climb up the 110 story building. There is also a Sept 11 documentary playing. More about the memorial can be read in this 2011 article. One can also read about stairclimbs in real life at  http://9-11stairclimb.com/ , or donate to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: http://firehero.org/donate/.

The Stairclimb tribute is at Equus (82, 232, 22) 

One place of remembrance is set in a sim with a  name not usually associated with reflection: Stagg Island. There, walls of marble show the names of the fallen. There are also two beams of light shooting into the sky, which look quite striking when viewed in midnight, in which lights illuminate the walls and the waterfalls underneath the memorial. A bell to ring for those who perished is available to pick up.

The 9/11 Memorial entry is at Stagg Island (10, 150, 37). From there, touch a teleporter in front of you to get to the location.

Using Second Life Search, I found three other memorials. One was at Learning Virtuale. This was a small simple memorial with a flag and small builds representing the twin towers and Pentagon. Touching the tower gets a notecard and a number of freebies, including a handheld flag , a bell, a rosebush, and a shirt. Reading the notecard, "… Rez and touch the enclosed bell so it rings in honor the nearly 3,000 people who were lost on 9-11-2001 and the many that were lost in the subsequent war. The bell can be copied and modified for placing in multiple locations in various sizes …)

The Learning Virtuale 9/11 Memorial is at Serena Balmoral (238, 24, 21)

The second and larger of these new memorials was at McCoy Island. This was a social area in addition to being a memorial with a danceball set up, and there was some kind of sign for a "Monkey Spanker." But the majority of the place was for respectful reflection.

Songs like "This is How The World Ends," played over the radio. In the middle of the floor was a mat with numerous labels crossed out, leaving only "We the People." There were numerous pictures around of the disaster, reflective artwork,  and people connected to it. In the corner was a flagpole, of which the flag would periodically change from one country to another whom lost people in the attack. There was a free gift box, with a tattoo, jacket, swimwear, sunshades, and a poem. There was also a gift chair for "sale" for 0 L.

The McCoy Island 9-11 Memorial is at  McCoy Island (195, 131, 20)

Lastly at Que'ellar d'Uriza was another simple memorial. Consisting of just a stone gray wall, it was easy to miss looking at the area from a distance or while rezzing. At one end is a badge insignia of the Fire Department of New York along with the words, " In Memory of Those Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice on Sept 11, 2001. The wall had a list of those firefighters who perished that day, along with the "Fireman's Prayer."

The Que'ellar d'Uriza FDNY Memorial Wall is at  Melungtse (127, 11, 94)

The search for locations also revealed some groups, including some "Truther" conspiracy groups. That so much devastation that shook the whole country could come from just nineteen fanatical nobodies from a third world area is unbelievable to them. To them only an evil conspiracy from within our borders could have done this, nevermind their theories have been debunked again and again.  Other groups are simply for people who still mourn and remember to talk to one another, where they will always find sympathetic ears. One group was for avatars who first came online at Sept 11 for "people who are concerned with the proliferation of 9/11 awareness."


Over time, I've talkd to some Second Life residents from New York City, and the events of this horrible day will never go away for them. One was a blogger, but told me she could never write anything more than a short post. The memories were just too painful to go through.

Today is not a day for politics …
Today is not a day to lay blame …
Please let today be a day …
For us in Second Life …
To pull together as one …
And pay tribute to those that …
Lost their lives …
Their families …
The Heroes …
The Servicemen …
The many countries for their support.

"April"

Source: Second Life Newspaper, New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan

Black Hills Forest

By Grey Lupindo

       The Black Hills Forest, located at Le Dome (36, 111, 21), is a beautiful and fun place that celebrates many of the best sights found in America.  Set in a beautiful park-like setting, it features statutes, photographs, and memorials from places found all across America, from the Atlantic coast to the Black Hills of South Dakota.  There’s even a zoo with animals from around the world.

      The first amazing thing I learned about Black Hills Forest is that its creator is French.   Benoit Lednev lives in Paris in real-life.  Because of time and language issues, we were only able to talk for a few minutes.  I wasn’t able to learn what motivated him to create such a beautiful tribute to America.   But It's a great site, and Benoit said that he plans to expand the zoo even more.               

        It is fitting that one of the most visible landmarks on the sim is a replica of the Statute of Liberty, which was a gift from France to the United States in 1886.  The real-life statute, which is located in the New York Harbor, was designed by Frédéric Bartholdi.  In SL the Statute is located at Le Dome (34, 26, 21).   Benoit Lednev has displayed a number of photographs of the real statute in a building next to the replica.    Nearby you can pick up a free souvenir t-shirt, too.   As soon as I put it on, I felt like a tourist on vacation.

       The sea’s edge is the main landing spot for the Black Hills Forest when you teleport to Le Dome (36, 111, 21).  There is a replica of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Memorial at the landing point.    The RL memorial was built in 1925 at the Stacy Esplanade in Gloucester, Massachusetts.   The SL replica includes memorial plaques that contain information and the famous inscriptions found at the real-life statute.    

      From this point you can go northwest to the zoo or walk straight ahead to the gazebo.  Inside the gazebo are pictures of the site’s attractions.  Click on the one that interests you to be teleported there. 

        The zoo is a great place to relax and have fun.   There are animals from all over the world, including  a Red Panda from China, polar bears and penguins from the ice caps, parrots and monkey from the jungle, giraffes, lions and tigers from Africa, and my favorites, a wolf pack from the wilderness.  There’s a small aquarium, too.  Unlike their RL counterparts, the SL animals don’t have to be kept behind bars.   The toucans and parrots fly, and the monkeys scurry around and get into things.  You’ll even find one or two species that are extinct in RL but living here in SL.

           On one of my visits, a woman and a little girl were visiting the zoo.  Ray Ray (rayleigh.toxx) had brought 11-year-old Teresa Amulet (keira.amulet) to see the animals. They seemed to be having a great time.   

      At one end of the zoo is a beautiful cafe where I was able to have some breakfast.   The setting is quiet, and the tables are set with beautiful dishes and a rose.  Orange trees grow here, too, so their juice is the freshest in SL. 

      After breakfast I left the zoo area and continued to explore.  I came across a replica of Mr. and Mrs. Frog Fishing.  The real-life statute was created by David Phillips in 2003 and is located at Boston Common Frog Pond.  Another interesting piece of art is the replica of the statute, “Menotomy Indian Hunter,” by Cyrus E. Dallin.   The original was created in 1911 and is located in a park near Arlington, Massachusetts.   Since the majority of us will never be able to visit these real-life statutes, the replicas are the next best way to experience them.  

       There are a few reminders of the worst times in America, too.  There is a memorial to the Salem Witch Trials, including a long row of headstones of men and women who were killed there.   The date was circa 1692.  In another area, photographs of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights workers are located in the building at the Black Hills display, locate near Le Dome (213, 165, 60).     

   

        As in real-life, the SL Black Hills has Mount Rushmore.  To get to this spot, you don’t have to travel for days to North Dakota either.   It’s located at Le Dome 213, 165, 60.  If you don't want to teleport, there's a chair lift you can ride to the Mount Rushmore site.   Catch the lift at Le Dome 246, 121, 21.    

  

         Inside the building at Mount Rushmore are photographs of many great Americans, from Alexander Graham Bell to Amelia Earhart.  Inventors, scientists, writers, and astronauts are featured, as well as a section that includes Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and other civil rights leaders.

        On the plaza there are benches where you can relax as you gaze at the four famous presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.  There are picnic tables nearby, too, but watch out for the mountain goats.

 

         Many other treats are waiting to be explored in this beautiful park.  A tea house sits near a small pond that you can float in.   Trails meander through trees and over streams.  The sim has places for couples, too.  Among them are a campfire near the lighthouse and a nearby beach cottage.  The best couple’s spot, however, is the eerily beautiful Dark Romance section, located at Le Dome (229,49,21).  Best to visit it with someone you love.

           Like his fellow Frenchmen so long ago, Benoit Lednev has given a beautiful gift to SL residents to enjoy.   

Grey Lupindo

Memorials to Veterans in Second Life

One can find just about anything in Second Life. And that includes tributes to those who died in defense of their country. Almost two years ago, Second Life Newser took a look at some of the memorials on the Grid. Sadly since then, some have faded away. This includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. But there are also some additions.

 Although known more for it's Relay for Life events, Southern Colorado has a small veterans memorial.

" 'My Angel, his name is Freedom - Choose him to be your king. He shall cut pathways east and west, and fend you with his wing.' - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Dedicated to all those who have given life or limb in the service of the Angel named Freedom."

The Southern Colorado is at Southern Colorado, (129, 41, 25)

Patriot Island is home to a community of veterans in Second Life. It's also home to a replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Patriot Island (165, 125, 28)

In the Thynk sim, there is "The Path of Freedom" memorial, "The Path to Freedom memorial was made in honor of all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and the millions that have been affected through the many wars that this country has had to face."

The memorial mentions well-known wars in American history, as well as the Indian Wars, the Cold War, and conflicts and operations in recent history (pictured just above), some well known, some which have become smaller historical footnotes.

"The Path of Freedom" is in Thynk (174, 35, 23)

 In the Arena sim, the Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial, a tribute to the soldiers who fell in Afghanistan. The wife of a veteran got the help of Jade Opel and Jester Knox in building the memorial. The name on the stone and the picture changes every few moments.

"My husband is in the Army and was stationed there for a year in 2005, and left Jan 24, 2007.  His first deployment, fortunately they only lost one soldier from their unit, but many others have died.  This is my way of honoring those that gave their lives for this country."

 "And as of 27 May 2012 there have been 4222 visitors,  I reset it by accident, I am actually amazed at that number and I am sorry I have not kept the memorial up to date, however RL has taken priority and it's toll on me, so I hope you will forgive me.  I haven't forgotten about any fallen hero, I have just been delayed.

"If you are also interested you may donate to the following places.Armed Forces Relief Trust (www.afrtrust.org).  The people help the families that have lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Family Fund (http://www.oeffamilyfund.org)  They help provide help to the families and also to help build a memorial on the lost soldiers behalf."

The memorial is in Arena, (70, 95, 46)

For those looking for a British memorial, there's one in the London area, the Tower Hill Memorial in Knightbridge.

"The Tower Hill Memorial is a replica of the real life Tower Hill Memorial, which is located in London. The Tower Hill Memorial commemorates military personnel from WW1. The memorial also includes a replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior."

The Tower Hill Memorial is in Knightbridge (95, 230, 21)

No doubt there are other memorials, so by all means don't stop looking, and honoring.

Bixyl Shuftan