Where Has the Magic Gone Dear Diary?

Magic a video by Kara 2 on Flickr.


9-22-13

Dear Diary,

So, I guess it's been quite some time since I wrote to you here.  Did you know that today Sept 22. is actually Dear Diary Day?  Yep, it is.  You have a special day! Anyway, it reminded me to write to you again.  And of course you know whenever I write to you I must be melancholy about something. And I am. 
 
My SL bipolar surfaces once in a while. This time it's because this summer I've been sometimes feeling like I'm losing a little bit of the SL magic.  Everyone knows I'm huge on getting high on SL magic and that I don't mind not knowing how to make or do everything in great detail because then I retain some of the excitement and amazement of it all and know there is always something more I can do or learn if I want to.  But, I have been in SL many hours now and I DO know how a few things work and have seen a lot.  Also, I tend to be a little more first life during the summer months when it's more fun to be outside, so maybe it's really just a little bit of the summertime blues. 
 
I have lately been thinking about the SL magic and discussing it with some friends who have also been feeling the loss of a little SL magic.  You know the magic, everyone does.  It's that tingly feeling of seeing a well made sim in SL, a first dance with someone special, an exceptional store with quality merchandise, being given a gift by someone special, knowing someone came in to SL just to see you for the day, listening to some great live music or a DJ that plays some of your favorite tunes in a great setting with friends around, most any first experiences really.  The magic is still around, but it's just a little harder to feel.  I know I will never really lose my SL magic entirely. I have much to learn yet, I enjoy making magic times with friends, and I also enjoy helping new avatars.  I think helping and spending time with new SL residents can bring back some of the magic for old timers if they have the patience for this.  New avatars often are excited to see and learn even basic things and watching and helping them reminds me of some of my "firsts".  I'm glad to help bring some magic to them.  I've been thinking people who have been in SL from 6 months to a year may have it the best.  They have enough skills to get around and do things but still have a lot to see and learn and be amazed about.
 
Part of the blues may be because I am not working on a big SL project at the moment and have been slow picking up something new.  I do tend to go from one big project to the next normally.  I've decided to forgo a big annual Halloween sim, like I ran the past few years, in part due to my mood but also partly because there are some amazing haunted sims, carnivals, and zombie areas right now that I think I'd rather visit. 
 
Part of the SL blues could also in part be because one of my long time good SL friends has gone first life.  Normally I'd think it was just a break but she sort of took a trial run break already, and after briefly coming back I guess the leaving is sticking.  Another of my besties has been out a few weeks ill and said it was an eye opener and won't be back like before and only plans to pop in for a brief hello from time to time. And yet another SL couple had relationship problems and while I couldn't take sides it seems due to their breakup I'm sort of losing them both to an extent.  Another hooked up tight with his girlfriend leaving less time for hanging out or chatting with me.  This happens in SL all the time, things, people, places change and come and go all the time, but I really never thought I'd lose these who have spent a lot of hours in SL with me.  Even with RL and Skype contact it looks like I just happened to have some closer losses all at the same time lately.  As far as those leaving SL, I see this more often with newer residents, not long timers like these who I really do consider real friends.  
 
On the other hand I have a huge huge list of great contacts on my friends list to learn more about and also I've met a new group of friends lately who seem to be quality people, who have some amazing skills and great personalities, and who have brought in some magic for me recently.  So as the old saying goes,  "When one door closes another opens" I guess.  This won't take the place of my other friends but will help to fill in some holes I'm feeling right now.   In thinking this through I guess SL will always hold some magic for me to enjoy.  So out goes the SL blues... maybe it was just the summertime blues after all. 
 
Until next time Dear Diary, enjoy your special day!
 
KT

Explore The Celestial Realm for Some Beautiful Fall Scenery

celestial realm_001, a photo by Kara 2 on Flickr.

The Trace, Celestial Realm has been updated for fall and I ran into several people I know when I was there also taking pics.  The place looks great and is a nice relaxing place to take a little break.  Check it out here:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Celestial%20Realm/128/128/18
The Trace is owned by Kylie Jaxxon. 

 

Explore Alien Adventure: A Sensational Galactic Ride Through the Universe

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MJ%20Island/175/124/624

Grab the above link for a quick fun little explore and automated ride with ET leading flying bikes around a wooded area and on up into space.  The sim is owned by MJ Entertainment, group by Queen B, bubbles naire.  My friend Enigmatic Deir and I checked this one out together.  Enjoy this entertaining little diversion and be careful at the final landing....hehe.

BOSL Fashion Week Is Upon Us!

BOSL Fashion Week is finally here again and I always look forward to these impressive events that not only showcase some of SL's best fashion but also the premiere artist builds, sets and effects. Fashionistas come out in groves dressed to impress and this is always a great opportunity to enjoy a show and get some good shopping ideas, socialize at the fun after parties, and mingle with friends in some very cool settings.   Be sure to join the BOSL readers group for current details and links at times of shows, visit the BOSL galleria or follow the blog.  (More details below)

The Best of Seconf Life CEO/owner, Mr. Frolic Mills announced, "Today we pay tribute to a wonderful artist. A woman of great talent that helped shape our virtual  If you open Squinternet Larnia's profile, you will see that she still has "Winner of BOSL Award 2011" - and I well remember when she opened an IM to me that day and said, "OMG Frolic I am so happy, I am crying" He said, Squinter, if you are watching, this is for you. We love you and celebrate your accomplishments today. We won't forget.

 She lived her life with perseverance and commitment, loved tightly, with fierce passion, fought when needed and forgave when expected and sometimes when it was least expected.  Boulevard Model Management models chose to commemorate Squinternet by mixing and matching her designs to give back to Donna Flora their unique interpretations of the design line.

The music provided was downloaded from Donna Flora's YouTube page by DJAFI specifically for this event.  (see more info. at the bottom of this post and linked prior recent post)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 – 10:00 a.m. SLT: TRIBUTE TO SQUINTERNET LARNIA/DONNA FLORA. PARIS – Stage by: Regi Yifu
The opening show yesterday showcased the late Donna Flora's gorgeous products in a London set.  Of course all the regulars showed up for a large crowd to enjoy this beautiful and sentimental show. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 – 2:00 p.m. SLT: OUTRAGEOUS COUTURE: BLVD MODELS SHOW THE LATEST FASHION TRENDS…. Mix and Match (sorry I missed this one)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 – 10:00 a.m. SLT: ACCESSORIZE ME! PART I….KittyCats Provided by Callie Cline.
Today's show was in a rainy set complete with free umbrellas for the attendees, many of whom popped them out creating even more ambiance to this already amazing set.  The pics can show all but hardly give the feel for how fun it was.  I was late in so took some last minute shots including one of myself.  The cats of course were some of the fun accessories by KittyCats, Callie Cline.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the shows and you can find the official blog information, specific show details and schedule at this link here:   http://fashionfeed.thebestofsl.com/2013/09/about-donna-flora/

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 – 4:00 p.m. SLT – ACCESSORIZE ME! PART II
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 – 4:00 PM SLT — CASUAL CHIC IS THE NAME OF THE GAME
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th – 4:00 pm SLT – LAZURI JEWELRY SPECTACULAR
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – 4:00 p.m. SLT – GABRIEL AND INKWELL
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – 4:00 p.m. SLT – CHARMED BREEDABLE FASHIONS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 – 10:00 a.m. SLT – THE DIVA SHOW!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21  – 2:00 pm SLT – TRIBUTE TO ELIE SAAB
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – 10:00 am SLT – BRIDAL EXTRAVAGAN-ZA
************************************************************************************************


(More on Donna Flora)











I went to visit the Donna Flora Memorial Gardens after the BOSL Fashion Week showcasing her products.  Visit this  beautiful and serene memorial with a simple tp down from a central location teleporter in the store. You can find the direct link and more about Donna Flora/Squinternet Larnia in my recent blog post located here:   http://karasecondlife.blogspot.com/2013/09/love-donna-flora-rest-in-peace.html
 

Lest We Forget 9-11 Tribute at Moon Spirit Rising

9-11_006, a photo by Kara 2 on Flickr.
Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Toffey/128/128/21

Event info. states:
"9/11/13 September 11, Tribute at Moon Spirit Rising with DJ Sunflower 5:00 to 7:00 PM SLT
Please join us for a special set with DJ Sunflower our favorite New Yorker. As we pay tribute with all those angels we lost on that fateful day 9/11/01
Patriot Day where red white and blue. Come see the wonderful tribute display we have put together,.
God Bless America and God Bless us all." sic  The place is decorated nicely for this memorial tribute and there is a box full of free related goodies for guests to pick up. 

I'm glad people in SL are doing memorials .. it was a sad day in history and I remember most things RL about this day 9-11-2001.  It was a terrible tragedy but people united in support.   

The Station, Grand Opening Party Monday 9-9-13

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Station/128/128/4

There is a brand new club, The Station, in Second Life with a Steampunk theme that is holding it's grand opening Monday Sept 9th, 2013.  I have been running around this sim totally impressed with the build by Enigmatic Deir that has amazing textures, great scripts and animations and fun finds throughout.  The sim not only has this great club, but it also has a dual theater that people can book for events for free, there's a variety of steampunk vehicles and many fun secret and not so secret areas to find that will be perfect for exploring, photography, and visiting with friends and couples. This is a great explore all the way around and the club is destined to be a hit.  Their press release and opening information is as follows:

"A new stream punk rock club is opening sept 9 @ 4-10pm slt.  Cj Rock Club at the Station . SL's most unique club is here with steam trains, casinos, 2 stages, a whole dead city & amp; floating city, Sling shot ride, and Rentals for u to enjoy, live here, play here, and Rock at CJS 
 Sponsored by Black Pearl.  Featuring  Black Pearls  signature designs, AVATARS, and models

           EVENT: COME AS YOU ARE
           DJ. CHRIS62 WITH HIS SEXY HOST VIPER
           1ST PLACE 1000LS GIFT CARD
           2 ND PLACE 500L  GIFT CARD
           3TH  PLACE 250L GiFT CARD
           1000ls cash prize
   
     
          COME AS YOU ARE
          DJ Mystic and host Tai afterthought  
           6-8 m 500ls cash prize
           500LS gift card
           250ls gift card
           100ls gift card
 
          COME AS YOU ARE
          DJ DOUBLE D AND HOST Gokulnath
          8-10 pm 500l cash prize
          500LS gift card
          250ls gift card
          100ls gift card"

                                                  (Sneak peek pic of the club area)

 

(Cammed out view of the sim area-some of the balloons have rooms and fun places to find)

(Chris62Graybeard will be running the club with a full experienced staff)

 

(Builder/sim owner, Egnimatic Deir) 

                                   Visitors tomorrow will receive the club jacket and t-shirt

 

The Freedom Project

The Freedom Project, a photo by Kara 2 on Flickr.
Press release states:
"THE FREEDOM PROJECT: A 2D/3D ART & FILM EVENT

(L$350,000 in sponsorship thus far)http://uwainsl.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/the-freedom-project-initiative-by-uwa.html
OVERVIEW
The Freedom Project is a 2D/3D Art & Film Event organized jointly by the University of Western Australia, along with members of the Virtual Ability group, and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses* group in Second Life. We are calling for artists and film makers from all over the world who self-identify as having a disability or a chronic illness, to create an artwork or a film/machinima on the theme of ‘Freedom’, showing how virtual worlds have in some way helped them or those around them.
Films and artwork can be submitted anytime between the 1st of September 2013 and the 28th of February 2014. Artwork should have no more than 200 prims, and films should be around 3-5 minutes (though no hard limits on film length will be enforced). Artwork will go on display immediately at the UWA Virtual Gallery, and films will be put on the UWA Second Life Blog (www.uwainsl.blogspot.com)
THEME
The theme is ‘FREEDOM’, and we would like to show artworks and films that represent how the virtual world has helped you or those around you.
WHY THIS THEME?
Along with your entry, we would like you (optionally) to tell us in 100-300 words how the virtual world has assisted you and/or those around you, has helped create community, or has helped you to transcend difficulties and challenges real life has posed. At the end of the event, some submissions will be selected by a panel to go into a journal to be available on the web and in print. We hope that the journal, along with all the artwork, machinima, and stories, will inspire others, and will demonstrate how virtual worlds can be used to help some people who may have had difficulties finding other means to express themselves, to believe in themselves more, or to connect with others.
IS THIS A COMPETITION?
No.  However as a token of our appreciation, the organizers are providing a L$10,000 award to 10 artworks or films (to be selected by a panel). The selected artists will also receive a printed copy of the online journal. If more funding is secured, we hope to extend this benefit to all artists selected for the journal. (Films/machinima will be depicted with stills and a link).
*If you are not creating an artwork or machinima, but do have an inspirational personal story to share on how the virtual world has helped you overcome some difficulties faced because of a disability or a chronic illness, do send it in as well. We will try and share your stories with as many people as we can
SPONSORS & PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
UWA would like to thank Gentle Heron and members of the executive team of Virtual Ability, Inc., as well as Dianne Elton and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses for their guidance, support and advice. Also many thanks to co-sponsors Eliza Wierwight, who also created the poster for this event, Tom Papas & Screen My Shorts Inc. (Sydney), West Australian artist, Len Zuks and Beverley Hill of UWA's Equity & Diversity Office. We thank Taralyn Gravois, who will be assisting with the filming and creation of video in support of the event. We thank AviewTV and LaPiscean Liberty, who will provide live streaming assistance for events and hosting of machinima submissions. We also thank Eleanor Medeir and The Sim Street Journal as well as Kit Guardian and Guardian 11:11 for their multifaceted commitment towards the event as well.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES INCLUDING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS BELOW
ESSENTIALS:
•    Artwork and film entries should reflect the theme ‘Freedom’, and should attempt to show how the virtual world has helped or how it could help.
•    We would appreciate an accompanying notecard with descriptions of how the virtual world has inspired something positive.
•    This event is open to all who identify as having a disability or a chronic illness (of any nature).
•    A maximum of 2 entries per artist for the art event with a 200 prim limit per artwork. (See details below.)
•    A maximum of 3 entries per artist for film/machinima (preferred length between 3-5 minutes).
•   Entries will be received beginning 1 September 2013 until 28 February 2014. (Note that the earlier work is submitted, the longer it will be on view.)
TO ENTER:
Place the artwork in the receiver (drop box) for the Freedom Project at the UWA Art Challenge platform, along with a completed Artist’s Notecard form.  (No perms required, but copy is appreciated if possible.) If you have problems with the receiver, you may give artwork directly to FreeWee Ling or Jayjay Zifanwe along with the notecard.
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ADDITIONAL HELP (HOW TO USE THE ENTRY RECEIVER)
If you have difficulties following the receiver box procedure, you give your entries directly to FreeWee Ling or Jayjay Zifanwe.Be sure to include your name in the filenames for both your art entry and your notecard.

To submit art entries, visit the UWA 3D Gallery platform and drop your entry and notecard in the receiver. You do this by selecting the entry in your inventory (left mouse button) and then pressing CTRL. While holding down that key, drag the entry onto the prim of the receiver. When the cursor is over the poster (red outlines should appear around the receiver box), release your left mouse button and the item is received. Do this for BOTH your entry and your notecard.
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DETAILED RULES
1) Any artworks/objects can be submitted. They can be inanimate or have animation. They may contain scripts if you so choose. Maximum script time of 0.5ms, and anything that runs at over 0.05ms is to have an on/off on touch with time-out of 10 minutes max. (If you are unsure of your piece's script load, please contact one of the Challenge hosts to have it evaluated.) 200 prims/land impact maximum, INCLUDING temporary prims, or prims set to physics type “convex hull” or “none”. (Note that for purposes of this exhibition, we count actual prims OR land impact, whichever is higher.)
2) Please note that the use of local lights and sounds in your artwork may limit our ability to display it without interfering with other entries. We do not restrict their use, but we may have to put your work on a separate platform with a tp from the gallery floor.
3) Your art entry is not limited in size except to the extent that there is space on the sim to accommodate it without interfering with other exhibits or the normal operation of UWA programs. Media parcels may be defined under the same conditions. Please contact JayJay Zifanwe or FreeWee Ling if you have any special requirements for the installation of an artwork.
4) Note that by submitting an entry, you give permission to the University of Western Australia to place the objects anywhere on UWA owned land, and to have information you provide and images of the entries published in print and/or electronic form, and placed on UWA websites, and on websites promoting UWA or events held on the UWA SIMS, or to be filmed for machinima.
5) All work must be original.  Renderings of works by others, in part or in whole, whether or not they are under copyright, should be acknowledged and permissions secured when appropriate. This includes use of prefabricated parts, scripts, and textures. (A full accounting is not required, but you should acknowledge the fact if all parts of your work are not completely original.)
6) A valid entry is any object dropped onto the contest entry receiver that fits the theme and conforms to technical limits.
7) Do entries have to done without any assistance? No. Your submissions can be collaborations so long as the project leader or primary driving force behind the creation is clear. The extent of collaboration & assistance by others should be detailed in the notecard along with the submission, and credit given as appropriate
8) All entrants are encouraged to join the 'UWA 3D ART AND DESIGN CHALLENGE’ Group (not compulsory). To join, copy and paste the following link into local chat, then click to join the group: secondlife:///app/group/cad9c421-8b96-f9c1-fb40-dade48c43fe4/about
9) All questions should be directed to FreeWee LIng or JayJay Zifanwe.
*The Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses provide resources, support and guided relaxation sessions, for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, and other invisible illnesses.  They host general and research discussions once a week on Mondays at 6pm Pacific Standard Time, and guided relaxation sessions every day, twice a day, at 8am and 8pm (Pacific Standard Time), in the Centre to help people manage their illness.  This Centre is open to all and all are welcome, including anyone with an illness, their families and carers to meet here and help each other. The Centre is located in Curtin University in Second Life.http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bentley%20South/118/74/28"