Monday, September 2, 2013

Avatar Fitness Club-Get Fit Virtually and Possibly in RL Too!


Fitness Center a video by Kara Trapdoor on Flickr.
Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Morrill3/128/128/24


I visited the new Avatar Fitness Club, officially called the Kevin J. Gamble Fitness Center,  today in SL, and asked a few friends, Bel, Soni, Kathy, and others to join me for a good workout.  The center is only a couple of days in Second Life, but has a lot of good traffic.   I was surprised to see that while it is on the destination guide, it's not run over with a lot of noobs, but rather had many avatar visitors who have been around for quite a while.  We enjoyed good conversations, a little flirting, and some earning of Lindens, as the bikes and treadmills operate like the old camping spots in that you earn cash L the longer you exercise on them sometimes. 

Other workout areas besides the popular bikes and treadmills include some great dual rock climbing walls, various workout mats that have great animations, free weights, group or individual aerobics, fitness balls, and much more.  The scale even works if that tells you anything about the quality of work put into the place.  Next door is the classy Littletown Natatorium with fun swimming and diving and a locker and changing area that has free male and female swim suits for the taking.   There is healthy educational information provided too in this fun environment.  There will be events coming up, so hop in their group, check out their Facebook,  and visit the sim.

Some of the info. on their welcome card states:  "........Club managers are Syzygy Merlin, Thynka Little, DFox Spitteler, and Extension Helix. The venue is a project of Cooperative Extension www.extension.org

Join the free club and try the cycles, treadmills, yoga, climbing wall, pool, weight room, aerobics, and member lounge. Check our Facebook page or SL Search for scheduled events. During some events, machines will offer L$ reward for time exercising, but not always.

"Research at Univ of Kansas, funded by the National Institutes of Health, indicates that a weight loss management program using a Second Life avatar can be as effective or even more so than attendance at a physical world clinic. This venue offers a social environment for changing habits and maintaining weight loss through regular exercise and nutrition education"."   Note the Cooperative Extension, is a service of the US Department of Agriculture. 

Saturday, August 31, 2013

UWA The Freedom project Sept 1 Opening

UWA The Freedom project by Kara 2
(photo ad by Eliza Wierwight)
UWA The Freedom project, a photo by Kara 2 on Flickr.

Visit UWA site for more details here: http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-freedom-project-event-launch-7pm.html

WHEN: 7PM SLT SUNDAY 1ST SEPT 
WHERE: UWA VIRTUAL ART GALLERY HERE

 

Friday, August 30, 2013

BOSL fashion week 2013, Sept 14-22

BOSL fashion week 2013 by Kara 2
(Official ad poster. I did not make it)
BOSL fashion week 2013, a photo by Kara 2 on Flickr.

ANNOUNCING BOSL INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK 2013!
Inspired by the most fashionable cities in the world, BOSL announces its most extravagant FASHION WEEK ever! 
The grand finale for BOSL FASHION WEEK 2013 will be a tribute to ELIE SAAB!  BOSL International Fashion Week starts September 14th and ends on the 21st.







 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Imagination

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Guana%20Cay/128/128/21

I found this awesome sim, Imagination by ARNICAR India.  It's a beautiful place with a lot of pose and animation spots that are great for photos, dates.  My friend Jasper joined me and I took pics of the sim so you can get an idea.  Don't miss the sail boat raft bed in the watery tree tunnel, descend into the water near the tree and find another special place, click on things to get the poses and use windlights, as they work great in here.

imagination_006 by Kara 2

imagination_002 by Kara 2

imagination_003 by Kara 2

 
imagination.jpg by Kara 2

(ARNICAR India-sim owner)

rogues sim pic by Kara 2
(another cool pic taken by a friend with a diff windlight)
imagination_007 by Kara 2
(Jasper and I checking out the sunset)
carnival_006 by Kara 2

"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

Imagination by Kara 2
(secret place... good luck finding it)

imagination_004 by Kara 2


Monday, August 26, 2013

Celestial Space Sphere Lost in Space White Party

Visit here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Get-Lost-in-Space-Celestial-Space-Sphere-Space-Skybox-Platform-Romantic-Getaway-Dancing-with-the-Stars/5194766
Lost in space by Kara 2

Foxie made a cool video of the event and you can watch it on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iNdVTG6XnM

My friend Mishey Mactavish made this super cool high quality space skybox.  Then she held a Lost in Space white party in it Saturday and a bunch of fun people showed up for it, so I took a few pics and figured it was well worth blogging here.  Check it out on Marketplace at the link above.
Lost in Space White Party by Kara 2

Lost in space white party.jpg by Kara 2

Lost in Space by Kara 2


Dreams Building Competitions, Fun, Education, and Support

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreams/128/128/2

boat floatilla2.jpg by Kara 2

Pixels Sideways told me about a cool builder's challenge event that had been going on that is also for a good cause. I was able to run over Saturday to have a look.  Pixels told me about the floatilla of boats created for a boat building challenge on the Dreams sims. The floatilla event took place Saturday with awards presented Sunday.  The Dreams sims are home to the Dreams Travelers, one of the oldest groups in SL -- founded in 2005.  They offer building classes, sandboxes and also fun build challenges.  They are also associated with ShockProof (stroke survivors) and Brigadoon Explorers (Aspergers/autism) and a group for ADD.   I stopped in for a look, watched Piexels and some others get some of the boats out and observed many unique and fun boats. 
boat floatilla_008 by Kara 2

boat floatilla_007 by Kara 2
THE CHALLENGE:  Build a boat that will work.  This does not have to be a traditional boat, but it needs to hold people and work like a boat.  The task was to build a 30 prim boat with a few other rules. 
boat floatilla_004 by Kara 2

Also, the group seems to have some great ideas and supports education and other good causes.  Here is a little more info about the group overall that I grabbed from their note card:

"WELCOME TO DREAMS AND THE DREAM TRAVELERS COMMUNITY
Dreams was started in Luo in July of 2005, after having a home for a number of months in Manua.
The Sojourner (Soj) , Rick Kent, Amalthea Blanc and a few others  started Dreams in Luo to accomplish a number of dreams:
1.  To provide a base for creative interaction among people in SL.
2.  To provide an area for teaching, holding discussions, and holding events.
3.  To provide a support base for people who encounter strokes (brain attacks) in their own lives or in the lives of their loved ones.
Not everyone dreams the same.  Some people need a bit of isolation, others need to play off of each other.   Dreams is here to provide that variety.  Most of all, it is here to provide support, learning, and fun.
The Dream Travelers are the dreaming force on this land.  They are Seekers, Spinners, and Weavers. They are Travelers and even when they dont carry the distinction over their heads, they will shift and turn as the mists of dreams do.  Things that are attempted but don't work out are the stuff of new dreams.  But, oh, when they do reach fruition, what a wonderful time it is!!
The most important thing here is to find a way to take what is in each one of us and to explore it.. turning it inside out and back again... and then to pursue something that we have thought to be beyond us, having a place among friends to do that.
Dreams is also the activity base for  􀀃, a group of stroke-survivors, family members, and others interested in stroke/brain attacks. 
In addition, we host the  Brigadoon Explorers who are individuals who have or are interested in Asperger Syndrome and autism. 
Contact Ariel Miranda to find out about the weekly meetings (Wednesdays at 5 pm PST).
Our newest group, the ADD/ADHD Support Group 2.0 are  for those who have or are interested in ADD/ADHD.  They meet twice weekly' 1 pm on Mondays and 6 pm  on Tuesdays.  For more information contact Sophia Krell or Aerial Karu. 
EDUCATION AT DREAMS
Education is a strong part of Dreams. Learning happens in a variety of ways, which aids learners of all types.
Formal classes given by teachers with different styles cover topics like simple build projects to scripting to building techniques to creating your own textures or avatars. 
Informal learning happens in the sandbox or after class as people ask questions and get answers about topics related to the Second Life experience or just life in general.
Discussions and support groups help participants gain a better understanding of themselves or others, as well as get support from other people who may be going through similar situations.
Learning is an important part of improving ourselves, regardless of where we're starting out. Some may be recovering from strokes or other brain injuries, finding that the challenges of Second Life help them regain functioning plus new skills. Others may be homebound or in search of new outlets. Learning Second Life, building, scripting or other things broadens horizons.
What will YOU learn?
For more information on Dreams, please contact Golda Stein or Dorie Bernstein."

boat floatilla_006 by Kara 2

Next month they have another challenge:
"OCTOPUS’S GARDEN
DREAMS BUILDING COMPETITION
September 2013
Octopus’s Garden was the second song ever written by Ringo Starr.  He got the idea when he was on a boat and the boat’s captain told Starr that octopuses travel along the sea bed picking up stones and shiny objects which to build gardens.  Use this as a spring board to build your imaginative undersea garden. 
As with our garden build, this month’s contest is going to be viewed from the inside of the build.  The building sites are connected with a path so guests can walk, or swim from one garden into the next by predetermined walkways.
Hints for building underwater:  The easiest way is to go into the advance menu, then Rendering Types, Water, and uncheck it.  There is still fog, so go to Rendering Features and Fog and uncheck it.  Remember to look at your build with both of those checked before considering the build is finished.
Use a lot of phantom (object tab of edit).  Swimming around a build and getting hung up on fish or plants detracts from the enjoyment of your build. 
Snorkel gear and swim hud will be available at the entrance to the gardens.  Please remember that this is a general sim and bikinis are not permitted.
THE CHALLENGE:  To design and build an underwater garden.
August 29, 1 pm SLT Competition Starts
August 29, 6 pm SLT Seminar/class on building under the water  􀀀
September 15, 1 pm SLT Building Phase Ends
September 15, 5 pm SLT Voting Begins
September 22, 1 pm SLT Voting Ends
September 22, 5 pm SLT Awards
RULES AND REGULATIONS
PRIM COUNT:  130 (Land Impact)
BUILD SIZE:  20 BY 20 meters..." and more info info.  Stop by the sim for details.


Sunday, August 25, 2013

My.Secondlife.com

Let me point out My.Secondlife.com as I think many people are not utilizing this SL feature enough and I really enjoy it.  To see my profile feed there, check it out here: https://my.secondlife.com/kara.trapdoor

This can in part be viewed from each persons inworld profile when you click the "web" tab at the top in Firestorm.  You can even manage it to an extent from inworld, but it's best to get in there from the site, adjust your profile and preferences for it, and use it to it's fullest there.

 I like to see what people are saying, as you can post little bits of info., and comment on other's from in there similar to a Twitter stream.  Sometimes there is late breaking news about SL, LL, sims, events, sales, etc, that seem to circulate in there first.  I also like to see photos people post from inworld and you can adjust things so it automatically also gives the direct link and name of a sim, so if you like to explore this is great too. You can also send public or private messages to people from there.  This can be nice if you can't get into SL some places or times, or if messages cap, or if you want to save messages to reply later, etc.

The reason I'm blogging it is that I notice some people use it a LOT and other don't use it at all, and I'm wondering if that is because some people are not fully aware of it's advantages.  So, I'm just saying, it's pretty cool.