Happy Birthday to Me! Thanks Everyone!

Today is my RL birthday and I logged in to Kathy sending me this image she had Cindy make, then she passed some other gifts and I set them out with some gifts Soni also sent me. Kathy, Cindy and I took this pic early today and since then I've had so many well wishes I wanted to say a big THANKS to everyone!

The Inspiring Orientation

Visit The Inspiring Orientation at Harpers, Bryn Oh's camming tube here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Harpers/128/128/21

This is an older installation of Bryn's but still very cool to see.  It's set in Harper's welcome center /orientation center, along with some works from other great artists including Glyph Graves. This exhibit is set out to help motivate people into learning to cam well, as the only way to see it is to lock on and cam down into a tube/tunnel and continue traveling along from scene to scene with the camera.  Pretty cool... check it out.

Visit The Green Mire for Some Great MadPea Fun!

Visit The Green Mire by MadPea here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Grantville/128/128/22
Visit their official http://madpea.blogspot.com/

This is one of my most favorite MadPea games yet.  While finding the last er.. "object" (not wanting to give it all away here) I thought I might loose my mind and felt very permanoob and inadequate until I realized most the ppl around had not even figured out as much as I had in as much time.  So yes, it was not the instant gratification that I often desire of my SL, but it was probably that much more gratifying when I was finally successful in completion of the "game" or whatever you want to call what this is.  It's not a hunt, it's all on one sim, you do have to do some searching and figuring a few things out, but this one is way more up my alley.  It was mysterious and challenging, and a bit thrilling if using the sim windlights in ultra, and I just really liked it a lot.  I will give a few spoiler photos here but won't say any more ..... except go play, it's way fun.

Linden Labs Confirms the New Next Generation Virtal World In the Works

It's all over the virtual news how LL has confirmed they are working on a new virtual world that is not just like SL and won't even be compatible.  I'm not 100% sure what this means for all my inventory or for builders and scriptors who have put a lot of time and money into SL and love it. But it sounds like we will find out. And we are to be assured SL is not going away or being neglected by any means.   I am not going to repeat the information as I don't have it first hand, but I'm going to list a few great sources here who have done a good job detailing the information made public and considering some of what it might mean for us.  (The photo is a stock photo of Ebbe Alterberg/Linden, LL CEO)


New World Notes here: http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2014/06/linden-lab-building-second-life-2.html#more
(Always a most informative blog, and one of my long time favorites)

Joy Yardly's Second Life here: http://joyardley.wordpress.com/
(Be sure to read the replys notably those of Ebbe Altberg/Ebbe Linden himself indicating SL will be around for a long time, and they will continue to invest in and make continued improvements) Note not just the most recent, but several prior recent good posts on the subjects.

Daniel Voyager's Blog here: http://danielvoyager.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/linden-lab-working-on-the-next-generation-virtual-world/
(Remember he's Ebbe's RL son, and has always seemed to be "in the know" for a long time.)


And some more interesting discussion in the responses over at Hypergrid Business here: http://www.hypergridbusiness.com/2014/06/is-linden-lab-abandoning-second-life/

SL11B-Happy Birthday Second Life-Opens June 22-29

Visit SL11B here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL11B%20Spellbound/128/128/2
I stopped in to SL11B for some lag free press day photos for my blog here.  The Second Life community birthday celebrations are always great.  Check out the official blog site for all the details, various tp locations,  and the performance schedule: http://slcommunitycelebration.com/

The theme this year takes inspiration from a quote by the British Prime minister, Winston Churchill: "The empires of the future are the empires of the mind"

 The grand opening is today at 12pm SLT  Sunday June 22nd 2014 over at the “SL11B” regions!


There is always a lot to see and do and is great fun for an explorer like me, plus is a sample of a variety of SL, with fun gifts and entertaining performances.  See you there!

nostos deer and Teleport -Explore Second Life

Here are a couple of fun sims  to explore if you like.

Visit nostos deer and "Little Hopper" here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/nostos%20deer/128/128/31  This is a nice large photographic nature sim.

Visit Friends Life at Teleport here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Teleport/128/128/25
At Friends Life you will feel a little small, but there are a ton of cool games to play with friends.

Visit Imagination, Closed on Mondays at Guana Cay by ARNICAR India here: http://maps.secondlifhttp://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Guana%20Cay/128/128/21
They have a nice quote with the cool scenic place, "Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.                          
         ~ George Bernard Shaw ~"

Time Out and Dreambook-Explore

Visit Time Out  at Timeline here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Timeline/128/128/23
Visit  Dreambook here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/timeline2/128/128/22

Mina Pelazzi owns these two side by side areas and both are a lot of fun.  TIME OUT, "Take Time Out and Relax!" has been on the destination guide for a while and after you enjoy the beautiful scenery, cool places to pose,  explore the haunted house area then cross the bridge to DREAMBOOK, "Add a Page to the Book of Dreams", where one enters a bit of fantasy in a gorgeous nature area.  You can ride in paper boats, fly paper airplanes around the sim, hang out inside the giant books, fly kites, dance under the stars and so much more.  Well worth visiting.

Happy Father's Day, Second Lifers

Second Life is a great place to enjoy a 2nd family and for some it can be a very real family experience, a chosen family that supports each other and enjoys each other's company.  While I personally have never exactly gone so far as to claim a Second Life family, I certainly understand it  as I have some dear long time SL friends.  My RL sister is also in SL and we chat a lot inworld.  Anyway, I could not figure out a way to honor Second Life fathers so decided just to re post a couple of SL things I've come across that people might enjoy.  Happy Father's Day to all the First and Second Life Fathers out there.

This fun Love Factory cork board is offered for just 10L (great deal)  inworld or on the SL marketplace here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/LoveFactory-Photo-Corkboard-Fathers-Day-Box/2377796?id=2377796&slug=LoveFactory-Photo-Corkboard-Fathers-Day-Box

This looks like a fun item that you can "buy as a gift" for that special dad.

There are also a variety of special father's day cards and small gifts inworld and on the marketplace. Check out this page: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/products/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search%5Bcategory_id%5D=&search%5Bmaturity_level%5D=G&search%5Bkeywords%5D=father%27s+day for foods, decorations, cards, and even a cute sign someone can hold.  As always SL offers a lot to chose from.

If you are looking for a SL event to attend with dad, you might consider taking him out dancing to some jazz at Phat Cats with a whole dad dedicated to that special SL dad.

Art in Hats Opening June 14th

(The press release is mostly as follows)

                                          ART IN HATS 2014

       WITH THE RIGHT HAT NOTHING ELSE MATTERS! -
 
  OPENING SATURDAY June 14th at 2 PM SLT feat. Morlita Quan
 

After the great success for the premiere last year ART in HATS – HATS in ART the art and fashion event is back and this this year on a higher scale as full sim event:

More than 80 artists worked together for the largest and most exciting hat event that Second Life ever has seen. Enjoy more than 100 hats, headpieces and images taken with them.

Highlights:

FOTO CONTEST for all visitors. Create your own hat design!

FASHION SHOW June 21st at 2 PM SLT
This is a slightly different show - Everyone is a star!

HAT AUCTION of One-of-a-Kind pieces in favor of Feed A Smile

THE MAD HATTERY CLASSICS - Get great designs for only 10 Linden!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Art and fashion meet in hats. Good hats are art to wear and subsequently many artists love to create fantastic hats. Fashion designers often show an explosion of creativity in hats. Hats turn to fashion with the styling.

The basic idea of the exhibition is to bring designers, artists and photographers together in an art exhibition / sales event by presenting hats built by artists and fashion designers in combination with photos. The photos are meant to be an art shot.

Hats and images are to be sold or are given as freebies. One of a kind pieces are sold in an auction.

WHO IS ATTENDING?

Artists, fashion designers, builders has been invited to submit their hat creations. Fashion- and art-photographers has been invited to submit their scenery taken with a hat.

PARTICIPANT ARTISTS AND BRANDS:

22769, Aliza Karu, Alpha Auer, AmandaMir, Amona Savira, Annough Lykin, Aurora Mycano, Awesome Fallen, AyaShula, Baoba, Barbara Wardell, Betty Tureaud, Bianca Xavorin, Bliensen + MaiTai, BSD Design,  Burk, Bode, ByrneDarkly Cazalet, Caitlin Tobias, Caoimhe Lionheart, CapCat Ragu, Cherry Manga, CHOP ZUEY, cold Frog, Couture Chapeau, Dido Haas, Elysium, Eupalinos Ugajin, Falbala Fairey, Finesmith, Freyja Merryman, Fuschia Nightfire, Fuzz Lennie, Gladys Ruby, Gypsy Couture, Hatters'n Hell, h.m.a.e.m., Hexe Jie, JessMcHope, Kikas Babenco, Kynne Llewellyn, !Lyrical B!zarre Templates!, LODE Headwear, Louly Loon, Lybra, Maloe Vansant, Melusina Parkin, MEB, Meilo Minotaur, Mina Nakamura, Miuccia Klaar, Moya, naminaeko, Natzuka Miliandrovic, Noke Yuitza, Paradox Messmer, Paris METRO Couture, Porcelain Decay, Rawr, Secret Rage, Shimmer, Sina Souza, Sonatta Morales, Sparkie Cyberstar, Spyralle, Stone's Works, Syra Hyun, [sYs] design, Telchar Elf, The Mad Hattery, Tik Merlin, Trill Zapatero, Vivienne Darcy, Wicca Merlin, Wizardoz Chome,  WuWai Chun, Xen's Hats, Zanze

WHEN IS THE EVENT?
Exhibition/Sale/ Auction will be open from June 14th until July 31st.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Boutou/80/65/22

ABOUT THE EVENT TEAM

Quan Lavender is blogger, curator of the Art India Gallery (currently on hiatus) and member of the LEA (Linden Endowment for the Arts) committee. (http://quanlavender.blogspot.de/)

Emma Portilo is well known as event organizer, stylist and journalist. (http://emmaportilo.wordpress.com/)

Many thanks to the Sim Sponsor PotPourri Markets - Chloe Seljan, known for yearly events like Pumpkin Town and Furry Fair (http://potpourrimarkets.blogspot.be/)

QUESTIONS?
Please contact Quan Lavender or Emma Portilo.

Oculus Rift Almost Scares This Man To Death

smh... really?  

Magic Man (+playlist)

I made a little machinima with a person who has brought some magic into my life.  He also makes magic over at The Station sim.. ... visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Station/128/128/4

Fashion for Life-Now Open!

Visit one of the 10 connected sims here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/FFL%20PARADE/128/128/21
Fashion for Life, June 7-20 to benefit American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.  For the official site with all the details and direct SLurls to all 10 sims, here: http://ffl.iheartsl.com/info/

FFL this year has a "wanderlust" theme with sims called Amble, Excursion, Journey, Meander, Parade, Preambulate, Prominade, Trek, Voyage, and Wander.   I visited today and found it easy to get in and maneuver.  I picked up a free "passport" at one of the 10 sim redemption centers and read about getting the passport "stamped" with a 50L relay for life souvenir purchased in each of the 10 sims for the option to redeem for one of the redemption center items. 


While traveling I found a huge airport, balloon area, space/scifi, Victorian/steampunk, huge airport, the RFL volunteer center and celebration stage area, many pretty park like areas, boardwalk seaside area, route 66 hometown, etc. etc. FFL has events and DJ's lined up for entertainment too.  I have to say, I enjoy these events as much for the builds and scenery as I do for the shopping and fundraiser.  Perambulate was especially beautiful and Amble was also super cool,  but they were all impressive in their unique ways. Be sure to visit for whatever reason, and remember the sales are for a good cause.

Water Water Water, Rain, and Ice: EXPLORE, H220 and TitaNawak

H220 Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/KSA%20Atlantis/128/128/22
Let it rain! Nuff said... go see it.. it's really good.

______________________________________________________________________________


TitaNawak at Dreamworld Volcano by Lecia Arado here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamworld%20Volcano/128/128/12


So this is another Titanic type sim in SL, but it's very well done complete with the stern, (or is it bow?) couples pose for photos and enjoyment and a great collection of SL artist pictures used as décor in the beautifully decorated rooms.  It's all set on a sinking angle which adds a different feel to the rooms.  Their profile reads: "TITANAWAK - France Le plus célèbre et élégant des bateaux perdu dans la mer et les  glaces.  Rencontre,aide,romance,art,boutique,jeux...
The most famous and stylish boat lost in the sea ice of a French island.
Meet,help,shop,games,music ...
Have Fun!"
 Thanks for the tip goes to my exploring friend Nicholas Wave. 

The Secret Store-Awesome Machinima Commercial in SL

This commercial was just too cool not to share. 

Of Gachas and Addicts and Hoarders

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Country%20Club/163/128/3115
Neighboring sim: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Country%20Club/128/128/25
The Arcade official web site with gacha items, vendors, all info: http://thearcadesl.com/

My friend Kathy Nikolaidis has been hanging out at the Arcade Gacha sim pretty much since it re-opened Sunday June 1 with all new items.  She must have some extreme sorcery magic to get in and out of there at will because no one else can do that. I could not get within 3 sims of the place much less the official designated overflow area the first day.  Even now I can only hope to force my way in most likely bumping someone else out by ramming the invisible sim barrier at oh around 3am.  (mumbles under her breath ~more difficult than Hair Fair~ )  Kathy seems to only surface for air for CFL football games then runs back because she thinks she might have missed something. 


Thus begins another round of Second Life Hoarding cum gambling addiction frenzy cum Arcade Gacha.  Her first night in she bombarded me with a multitude of gifts which I thought was super generous of her only to later find out she was on a mission for all the "rare" items and apparently I was the beneficiary of the overflow of her attempts.  She was gifting me items faster than I could pop them up in my front yard and now it appears my beachy yard has vomited kawaii what with all the adorable little kittens, cats, dragons, gnomes, toys, pretty things, home décor etc etc.  Most of which is unpacked... you know.. the prim issue.

Tonight, day 3, I enter SL after work to this:
"Kathy Nikolaidis: guess where i am :)
Kara Trapdoor: lol gotcha?  game? date with the _____?  wait.. in reverse order .. hows that?
 Kathy Nikolaidis: gacha
Kara Trapdoor: hahahaha
Kara Trapdoor: omg
 Kara Trapdoor: you addict
Kathy Nikolaidis: and pfftt to answers b and c
 Kathy Nikolaidis: tyvm
 Kara Trapdoor: : )
 Kathy Nikolaidis: im almost bored of it lol
 Kara Trapdoor: all else is forgotten for gacha
 Kara Trapdoor: almost ROFL
 Kathy Nikolaidis: indeed
 Kathy Nikolaidis: well making sure i didnt miss anything
 Kathy Nikolaidis: what did you get?
Kara Trapdoor: yes.. be very very sure of that.. cuase you can NOT live w/out that one special thing you might have missed
 Kathy Nikolaidis: indeed
Kara Trapdoor: oh.. everything pretty much that you had not already gotten for me
Kathy Nikolaidis: i need all rare objects here
Kathy Nikolaidis: :)
Kara Trapdoor: naturally
 Kathy Nikolaidis: get the pool?
 Kara Trapdoor: yusss
Kathy Nikolaidis: love it !!
 Kara Trapdoor: say some more funny stuff you gacha girl and I'll just quote our whole conversations in my blog about this LOL
 Kathy Nikolaidis: hahaha
Kathy Nikolaidis: look at my fb pic :)
 Kara Trapdoor: :)
 Kara Trapdoor: oh

Kathy Nikolaidis: did you get the zip line thingee?
Kara Trapdoor: noooo i must run back to gacha.. I MISSED something important .. crap
Kathy Nikolaidis: indeed
 Kathy Nikolaidis: :)
Kathy Nikolaidis: want a tp? lolololol
Kara Trapdoor: yeah.. what the heck
 Kara Trapdoor: I ws just chillaxing in my pool anyway
Kara Trapdoor: tp?
 Kathy Nikolaidis: i tried you gotta go to a neighbouring sim
 Kara Trapdoor: what, again?
Kathy Nikolaidis: then bump your way in
Kara Trapdoor: ok ok
Kathy Nikolaidis: ikr
Kara Trapdoor: I know the routine
Kathy Nikolaidis: its crazzy
 Kathy Nikolaidis: hi 5

So I'm at the spill over sim trying to bump in and no can do, but she IM's me and says, did you get the zip line? I said no I can't get in, and she passed me a zip line, so I say ok now I can go home satisfied. She said, I'm already at your place and was going to drop some things here but your parcel is full... I'm like WHAT???.. I run home and sure enough I have ONE prim left after all the many gacha items on my yard..... ~sigh~  I debated going up to my like 5 sky platforms to see what I might put away, since I am working on a variety of things but we just decided to take a few pics so I could get this blogged. 

Then I go to check her facebook at this point  LOLZ... 3 out of 3 Yusss!
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.nikolaidis?fref=nf



After I left she sent me this pic of the tree house.  Dare I try to go back? ~sigh~






The Arcade Gacha has brought new meaning to the term "Second Life Hoarder" .


We are now both broke ... but happy... tp over and enjoy. 








Below is the SL hoarder video, yes again,  .. I'm not affiliated with this video at all but OM it could so be me.  So much for ever ever attempting to clean my inventory and get my count down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?