Montecito Bay's New Community Pool

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

It's been some time since I dropped by Montecito Bay for an event. Real life has kept me from the times they have parties. But the other day, I had the chance when they had a special occasion, the opening of their new Community Pool.

 

by Becky Nosferatu

The pool wasn't just a basin, but had a circular track, developed by Becky Nosferatu. She would announce her project in May.

 

 ...this project I have building for months now. Something that has taken blood, sweat and tears from me, which has been one of the biggest nightmare I've ever had building. I see why creators make super simple, boring small pools. ... This will be open for public around mid-July. We still have a few things we have to work with, IE: more floaties for the lazy river as well as the swimmer, which will take an Experience to cause you to swim, and it will be feral friendly.

 

Finally on July 19, she announced it was ready:

 

The Community Pool, the FOUR HOUR PARTY to commemorate it's grand opening has begin! Join us for live tunes, chill off in the pool and we hope to see you all here! There will be prizes and gifts, hope to see you here! 

 

The pool was in the Crux sim next to Montecito Bay. Montecito Island, Crux (120, 121, 2001). I passed a front desk, placed for show, and a small avatar shop where I saw some landwalker shark avies. 

 

 And into the pool area, a fancy one with an "island" in the middle, and slides and other attractions all around.

 

 I noticed a food stand, though with everyone at the pool, only someone's pet kitty was behind the counter. 

 

 Becky was there, sporting a "gummy" shark avatar of her design. After I arrived, I heard her say to someone, "You are HORRIBLY overdressed for a pool." I don't know if she meant me or not. 

 

 Playing the tunes was Moffettmephit, aka DJ "Magic" Moff. He would play some beach music, and some tunes appropriate for a party around a pool, "Walk, Don't Run." 

 

With all the sharks, nobody requested the "Jaws" theme. 

 

 I would hear Becky say, "In case you guys missed it, the swimmer is active! Just walk over to the sign by the entrance that says 'Wanna swim' then just make your AOs are turned off and jump in!" But when I looked, a pool noodle fight had broken out, "One of you turds is about to get smacked in the mouth!"

 

 And Emmy found herself the target of a vicious shark attack. 

 

 There were some four-footed or feral avies. Some were dancing (which can't really be shown on still pictures).

 

One lady just avoided the bustle in the main area and soaked in a smaller side pool.

 

"If you wanna just chill here and lay down you're welcome." And some would just enjoy Becky's pool ride, hopping in and coasting along. 

 

 

 "Now we're sharkin' it up."

 

 It was good chaotic fun. 

 

Crux (120, 121, 2001)

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

New Brighton

By Gemma Cleanslate

I have been spending some of my free time at a region that I was introduced to about two months ago by a friend. I can’t imagine that I missed this lovely region all  this time . I found out it has been here for 10 years.New Brighton is fashioned after the Brighton Beach area in the UK. The Pier is there looking very familiar to those who have visited the town or have seen pictures .  The homes along the streets are charming and can be rented. 

There is a theater on the pier that I visited for a dance performance by a group called The New Brighton Belles. It was very entertaining as the dancers changed their  attire to fit the decor.The Belles made interesting entrances such as in a space ship.  The very dapper owner of the sim, Bernard Herzog,   joined them for one snappy dance number. I also visited a performance on the beach . A live singer, Mimi Carpenter gave a lovely performance. There are numerous events during the week and more in the planning. 

Lately I have been roaming the entire region looking for pumpkins that I am collecting to win a contest ( I came in second).  I feel as if I know every part of the sim intimately since the pumpkins reappear again in the same place after a while and I go look for them, collecting points.

There are so many places to have fun, especially if you join the group. I rezzed a little motor bike and whizzed around, trying not to crash or be hit by falling rocks on the road down from the top of the hill. There is swimming near the pier, you can find snorkling gear on the other stone pier. Down on the beach there is a hot-air balloon. Grab a hud and take off , but don’t drift too far! Or, you can sit and relax and enjoy the view of the pier from a distance. 

The food truck has many offerings , pizza, kebob, gyro, with a beer or a coke to wash it all down. There is a little sign that warns “Fast Food is Fattening.” Take a walk down the road way after that and visit the shops . There is a great game room with fun machines, a gallery with photos of activities  on the beach area. 

There are photos of the very lovely Tower of Peace that Bernard built for Yoko Ono’s sim back in 2008. Down near the end of the shops there is the i360 gallery. There you find a  display the real life sculpture works of the owner. Right now he told me he is working on a David  Bowie head.

  There is a lot to explore from one end of the island to the other . Go visit and see! Bring your camera.    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New%20Brighton/127/114/35

Gemma Cleanslate

Serena Long Cay

By Gemma Cleanslate

I really needed some quiet and solitude after the Burn2 was over.It has been several weeks of busy busy busy.  So I went looking for a place to relax and found it! There is a delightful sim, Serena Long Cay, made just for relaxing and looking at the sea. 

The place seems to be the philosophy of the owner, Franx Markstein. He looks at Second Life in a different way. He has tried the parties and  other activities of Second Life and says,”I like come here and to have something that engages my mind and makes me forget the stress of real life, I tried to do all what is possible to do for me, for my skills, now it was time for a place to relax myself, not very demanding in the management and where people can relax too.“ The name he gives to the area is Otium, from the Latin meaning leisure. And so it is. 

There are beaches with relaxing chairs where you can sit and gaze at the ocean. I found a boat and went for  a ride along the shore line. I walked the beach and took a snorkling tour of the glassy waters, then rested and enjoyed the sun on my face.  I  encountered others just hanging out talking. I ran across a greedy game almost hidden behind the cliffs.  Climbing the hills I found a lovely drop in place where there was  refreshing watermelon on the counter and sat down for a while to enjoy. Another person, Drem, came in to play the pinball machine there.  

 Just looking out on the sim is relaxing and I really enjoyed my time recovering from the business of the past weeks. I ran into an old friend, Purplebutterfly Lykin who is a fellow blogger and there doing a travel series. I recommend getting over there and making a landmark so when you are feeling the necessity for a few minutes alone , or with a friend to relax and enjoy , this is a good place to go. 

Now feeling refreshed I am off on new adventures! Bu , I have the landmark in my favorite places! Thanks Franz!! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Serena%20Long%20Cay/112/176/22

Gemma Cleanslate