tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53643801114611848642024-03-05T08:59:38.474-08:00Mainland MattersExplorations of the Mainland Continents in Second LifeZiki Questihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00655751928259820128noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-11510645311679006512017-02-09T18:27:00.000-08:002017-02-09T18:27:01.508-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu9yYqfzVKXBijsS6qMEjqRS1lmxO7ujn-S3Le5Ca_0e9EDwmDweA-6s9OxZSmRIQBaSPs5YfyH-FXJnRGNyc4Bs0pfwcNNkh5ACSk8IueCKaKsgnDF2zckh8zjC8wYF0B2dYmQ861drT/s1600/amazing-paths-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu9yYqfzVKXBijsS6qMEjqRS1lmxO7ujn-S3Le5Ca_0e9EDwmDweA-6s9OxZSmRIQBaSPs5YfyH-FXJnRGNyc4Bs0pfwcNNkh5ACSk8IueCKaKsgnDF2zckh8zjC8wYF0B2dYmQ861drT/s1600/amazing-paths-4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-31543062416227746292017-01-15T19:05:00.000-08:002017-01-15T19:05:22.009-08:00Shareta Osumai Tea Garden<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In my recent <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/12/oh-what-id-give-for-moment-or-two.html">blog post</a> about bridges, I featured Molly Linden's <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hoshigarei/155/192/59">elegant bridge,</a> which connects two Japanese-styled Linden homes areas near Hoshigarei. If you cross that bridge, and wander West, you'll arrive at the the bright red gates of the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shareta%20Osumai%20Garden/104/243/46">Shareta Osumai Tea Garden</a>. A strikingly lovely <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Department_of_Public_Works">LDPW </a>build, the garden comprises an entire sim; two if you count the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shareta%20Osumai/105/198/117">connecting infohub</a> directly to the North. Let's enter through the shoji gates and spend a pleasant afternoon looking around, shall we?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1gAAqrHLjrwr6f6rOp5T36fYjkJ3nuf7HgbHJsR9nE2qYqZVZnyWdieMwAfeH71lo3bi2jiz6wUN-pMIP4dMHfDA_T_x1dUYdQ507dkCoBO4tUldpRxtGVfYRVVztyfFg_6r9APO0F_f/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1gAAqrHLjrwr6f6rOp5T36fYjkJ3nuf7HgbHJsR9nE2qYqZVZnyWdieMwAfeH71lo3bi2jiz6wUN-pMIP4dMHfDA_T_x1dUYdQ507dkCoBO4tUldpRxtGVfYRVVztyfFg_6r9APO0F_f/s1600/garden.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Perhaps the most striking feature of the garden is the five-story tea house, pictured above. Nearby, you can catch a (very slow) rickshaw pulled by a mole for a leisurely ride, or wander the many paths through the garden on foot. You might spot the hedge dragon, pictured below, or sit and meditate at the edge of the Zen rock garden. See how many different mole statues you can find among the plantings, and you might even find three mole coins just waiting for a lucky toss into a nearby pond!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once you are finished visiting the garden, follow the river North, and climb a series of winding wooden staircases up to a group of five large buildings perched at the top of a mountain (pictured below). These buildings are all part of the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shareta%20Osumai/105/198/117">Shareta Osumai Infohub</a>, and contain a number of freebies, including parasols, fans, cricket cages, eleven different decorative masks, and boxes containing textures for use in Japanese-themed Linden homes. Make sure to spend some time exploring each of the five buildings, as they all contain different surprises. The mole temple (last photo, below) was my very favorite. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What I found really fascinating about this location (and thanks to Gem Preiz for the original tip!) is that there are at least two duplicates. According to the <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Premium_Continents">Second Life wiki</a>, there are four premium Linden Homes continents: Premium East (also known as Nascera), and Premium South 1, 2 and 3. The Gardens and Infohub I have described above exist in Premium East, the same continent where you can find <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/02/here-there-be-dragons.html">Cape Ekim</a>, <a href="http://secondlife.com/destinations/premium/racersgulch">Racer's Gulch</a>, and the <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Premium_Wilderness">Wilderness Sims</a>. However, you can also find the very same Shareta Osumai Tea Garden on <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mitami/180/123/50">Premium South 2</a> and on <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shareta%20Heights%20Garden/177/170/44">Premium South 3</a>, with related Infohubs to the North of each. Similarly, Molly Linden's wonderful bridge is duplicated on both Premium South 2 and 3 as well. Choose any of these three expansive gardens, and you're sure to enjoy your visit. Let me know if you found those lucky coins!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-35588603103264711332017-01-10T19:34:00.000-08:002017-01-10T19:40:39.451-08:00River's Bend Airstrip<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Down a narrow canyon in Sansara, daring Second Life pilots can navigate small planes through the mountains and over a small river to land at <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enceladus/76/131/40">River's Bend Airstrip</a> in Enceladus. The airstrip is tucked away in a tree-lined valley, and the parcel advertises that it is "best approached with a bush plane and a sense of adventure!" Rezzing is enabled with a 30 minute auto-return, so you can either land your plane at the airstrip, or pop by to explore first, then rez a plane and take off through the canyon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Owner <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/xi.larnia/#about_tab">Xi Larnia</a> commented, "I built the airstrip back in April after seeing the area abandoned for
some time. I finally put a ticket in and 'won' it on an auction. The
build only took a couple of days, but I knew I wanted to build a rundown
looking air strip. There are far too many modern and square airstrips and airports in SL." River's Bend provides some welcome variety for those among us who love to explore by air. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Xi continued, "As somebody who loves to fly small 'bush' planes from East River out
over the Snowlands, I wanted a place that would be a technical place
to land. Difficult, but not impossible. My big
inspiration was the end of the small film <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j8VhEWLFdE">'Wings Over The Rockies' </a>with
Harrison Ford, in which he lands his small DHC-2 Beaver (around 6 minutes into the 10-minute film) onto a small dirt
field that is not flat, but slopes upwards." There are some fun details everywhere, including an abandoned house uphill from the helipad, rabbits in the grass, and even a crashed plane in the river.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I will say this," concluded Xi, "Rivers Bend seems to have touched a nerve. People really seem to love it. I built it for myself, but I am just glad other people enjoy it too." Make sure you stop by during SL's night cycle, when the fog rolls in through the canyon, and can get as thick as waist deep! I didn't find a tip jap on the parcel, but if you enjoy your visit to River's Bend, there is a guest book in the main office, so please drop Xi a note to say hello. The River's Bend Airstrip group description is as follows, "RBA is not for the faint-hearted, it's not even for the strong-hearted,
it's for the absolutely mad-hearted. Who else would want to fly down to
the water's edge in a narrow canyon just so they could hit a small dirt
strip in the middle or nowhere for no reason other to say they did it. Nobody
in their right mind would come to River's Bend, and that may be the
point to this beat up, dirty, and out of the way little airport. You
only go there because you want to go there...and these are the pilots
who do." So the question is, will you be one of those pilots?</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-31955819536222647852016-12-31T19:43:00.002-08:002016-12-31T19:43:53.185-08:00SS Galaxy - A Museum In Second Life<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">According to the ship's <a href="http://www.ssgalaxy.net/">website</a>, the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Galaxy%20AFT/62/43/21">SS Galaxy - The Queen of the Sagittarian Sea</a> - was quite the attraction in her heyday: "With over 650 meters in length, 110 meters beam, and
8 decks of living and leisure space, the SS Galaxy is the
largest single-build and the most exciting attraction in
Second Life today." An impressive build that spans a full three sims, the Galaxy was created in 2007 and once featured a <a href="http://www.ssgalaxy.net/the-galaxy-team">full staff</a>, over 100 rooms available for rental, a shopping mall, a variety of activities and regularly scheduled events, and even "cruises". (While the ship does not move, the staff would set up monthly "<a href="http://www.ssgalaxy.net/port-of-call">Port of Call</a>" excursions via teleport exchanges.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the Galaxy is no longer a working vessel with on-board rentals and scheduled events. In May of 2015, for a variety of reasons, it shut down, but in August of that same year, Linden Lab stepped in and reopened the cruise ship as a museum of sorts. A team of Lindens and Moles created a "Preservation Society" and added some new attractions for visitors: a water slide (see final picture, below), swan boats, a hot air balloon tour, a bowling alley, and even a <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Galaxy%20AFT/165/124/23">working movie theatre</a>. Large wall maps located throughout the ship will give specific and direct landmarks to the various attractions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many of the original areas have been carefully preserved, such as the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Galaxy%20FORWARD/134/218/49">Wedding Chapel and Reception Hall</a>, pictured above, or the charming <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Galaxy%20FORWARD/149/168/25">Bamboo Garden Japanese Restaurant</a>, pictured below. There are a couple of art galleries to visit, and a nicely-appointed spa area. See if you can spot Bob the Boulder, a place where the sea floor actually juts up into the ship!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Located right off of the Blake Sea, the SS Galaxy is easy to reach by boat from the Mainland. Although there are no rezzing areas on the ship itself, a tiny <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Scuttle/205/60/22">nearby island</a> offers a free sailboat rezzer. You can also sit around a fire on the island and watch the hourly fireworks over the Galaxy, float around in Galaxy life preservers, or play 7Seas fishing from the island dock. Or, head back over to the Galaxy to explore some more! (I highly recommend the water slide, myself.) With a ship that spans three full sims, you're sure to find some fun onboard. Enjoy!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-66086872322561349422016-12-26T19:23:00.002-08:002016-12-31T10:40:25.359-08:00"What're You Doing New Year's?"<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">THE "PRIM DROP" IS UPON US</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bay City's New Year's event set for 31st December</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTGYNoTGuqeYEof3jGNg9_1qjTRjxbTUSNAFT4KEb7ATlmjjENG00xTQg8BuBbU3xI3gRfQd1mecVsOet8DxRQjd3Yk06VsmuEX0ft61DrJ7ztVvHmw4SbzdtdyakLOOE5bMJrDriz889/s1600/Prim+Drop+Poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTGYNoTGuqeYEof3jGNg9_1qjTRjxbTUSNAFT4KEb7ATlmjjENG00xTQg8BuBbU3xI3gRfQd1mecVsOet8DxRQjd3Yk06VsmuEX0ft61DrJ7ztVvHmw4SbzdtdyakLOOE5bMJrDriz889/s1600/Prim+Drop+Poster.png" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Guest post by <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/marianne.mccann/#about_tab">Marianne McCann</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BAY CITY, SL (26th December, 201<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6</span>) — Citizens of Bay City, Second Life's® city by the bay, will be marking the end of the year in fine fashion, attending the annual "Prim Drop" in the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/North%20Channel/118/128/28">Bay City Fairgrounds</a> in North Channel on the evening of the 31st of December. The party will include an hour-long set of DJed tunes presented by Marianne McCann, as well as fireworks and other festive fun. Food and drink will also be provided for all attendees.<br /><br />The event is presented as an outdoor, high-class, wintertime soirée, and black tie attire and/or full dress is requested. All Second Life® Residents are welcome to attend and ring in the New Year with the Bay City community.<br /><br />This will also be the last event within Bay City this year for donating to <a href="http://www.childsplaycharity.org/">Child's Play Charity</a>. Child's Play is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that offers online communities such as ours an opportunity to help seriously ill children around the globe during their hospital stays with the purchase of games and gaming equipment. <br /><br />As of the 24th of December, Bay City has raised L$151,408 for Child's Play Charity through their annual silent auction and tree lighting concert, as well as other local events.<br /><br />Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab® and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest group for Residents of Bay City.<br /><br />For more information, please contact:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Marianne McCann<br />Bay City Alliance<br />marianne.mccann@gmail.com</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-68205568210661768312016-12-23T09:34:00.001-08:002016-12-23T09:56:41.088-08:00"Santa Baby, Hurry Down The Chimney Tonight"<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back in October, I blogged about a fabulous <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/10/dont-you-know-that-house-is-haunted.html">haunted house and spooky cave</a> designed by the talented <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/darkdharma.daguerre/#about_tab">DarkDharma Daguerre</a>. I was delighted to find that she has also created an incredibly detailed<a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Porvoo/217/133/128"> North Pole Village & Santa's Workshop</a> in the Snowlands of Sansara. According to DarkDharma, "This first existed back in
2006-2008 as a much smaller Santa's Workshop with no village. Then, in
2009, the land in Porvoo was purchased where the build became the North
Pole Village & Santa's Workshop. Due to my ever-present desire to
improve on things, the build has always gotten bigger and better every
year! I have been honored to be featured in Linden Lab's Destination
Guide for the past few years."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She continued by explaining, "North Pole Village and Santa's Workshop is an immersive holiday experience designed after fairy tales, folk lore and stories about the North Pole and Santa.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"</span> Comprising almost the entire sim of Porvoo, the Village contains everything from a North Pole Post Office to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the "Bett<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">er Watch Out!"</span></span> coal mine to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">an Elf Command Center, pictured below. Make sure to enter every shop<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> in the village, as each contains <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wonderful, creati<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ve and hu<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rous </span></span></span>surprises.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJzAe350xrOh5n_AYdK8xTcLV-1jEOKKKaOrXvFTAMjfoqquPkQU1F7WBzQW1YFl3CMDXV4VI7Zx7zY-bOjUHlrvCVQIh0MXrsI57D-vsCiJHoZJfz_67RvA18nYE-Qy5rvYHA14gs9OH/s1600/control+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJzAe350xrOh5n_AYdK8xTcLV-1jEOKKKaOrXvFTAMjfoqquPkQU1F7WBzQW1YFl3CMDXV4VI7Zx7zY-bOjUHlrvCVQIh0MXrsI57D-vsCiJHoZJfz_67RvA18nYE-Qy5rvYHA14gs9OH/s1600/control+room.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Santa's</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">W</span>orkshop itself, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">visitors</span> can explore various rooms and spot elves <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">baking</span> cookies, making toys, creating cho<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">colate marvels (pictured below), and even sleeping in their own Elf Dorm. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jump on the Cl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">aus' bed, kiss a special someone under the m<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">istletoe, and s</span></span></span>ee if you can find the entrance to the sec<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ret Snowflake R<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oom below the workshop, where you can find the first of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fifteen </span>presents located throughout the parcel. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">DarkDharma mention<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ed, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"As
with all the past holiday seasons, I will be featuring a 'hunt for the
holiday presents' that will be hidden by the elves all around the
village and in the workshop!" You can pick up instructions and a HUD right inside the Village gate. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZGAaKJhm7k3dmZsYCOztOWrwRjaYVlVb1PV6RXN5JLG3ULnUdg9eKs-FtFmaGdVPv5LW8C3jGIIkwNEqG-4Tn54PQtsdzbaLZl4TPcr2UKHEeZwcPQ47-wyrSg2aYwf5aoxD9tsdT5K8/s1600/chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZGAaKJhm7k3dmZsYCOztOWrwRjaYVlVb1PV6RXN5JLG3ULnUdg9eKs-FtFmaGdVPv5LW8C3jGIIkwNEqG-4Tn54PQtsdzbaLZl4TPcr2UKHEeZwcPQ47-wyrSg2aYwf5aoxD9tsdT5K8/s1600/chocolate.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once you go back outside, don<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'t miss the North Pole Aviat<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ion area, where you can visit Santa's reindeer and also help Santa with a test run of his sleigh. All of the reinde<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">er (as well as man<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y other items throughout the sim) are a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">vailable for <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">purchase. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right outside the ga<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t</span>es of the vil<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lage, you c<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">an enter and explore the C<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rystal Ice Cave, picture below. There are several surprises <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">waiting inside! Make sure to have local sounds turned on throughout your visit.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is full of strange coincidences lately. I pulled up the 1953 song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFMyF9fDKzE">Santa Baby</a>" as music to explore this parcel by, not realizing that it was by Eartha Kitt and that it was the A-side to her B-side hit, "Under the Bridges of Paris", which I featured in my <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/12/oh-what-id-give-for-moment-or-two.html">last blog post</a>. In any case, it makes a perfect soundtrack as you wander through the North Pole Village and Santa's Workshop. In lieu of tips, visitors are asked that if they enjoyed their experience, to please make a donation to the children's charity <a href="http://feed-a-smile.blogspot.com/">Feed A Smile</a> at the landing point. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
DarkDharma concluded by saying, "I've incorporated many childhood imaginings into the build to make it
in every way possible a delightful experience that takes visitors away
to another place and time where they are invited to enter the magic and
B*E*L*I*E*V*E!"</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-45121069546296838982016-12-20T05:25:00.001-08:002016-12-20T05:27:31.217-08:00"Oh, What I'd Give For A Moment Or Two..."<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The title above is from a song called <i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">S</span>ous <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">L</span>es <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">P</span>onts <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">D</span>e <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">P</span>aris (Under The Bridges <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of</span> Paris</span>).</i> There are some amazing bridges in First Life, including those over the Seine in Paris. I loved this <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/07/europe/paris-love-locks-trnd/">recent article</a> about <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">at beautiful city</span></span> auctioning off <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the</span> infamous Love Locks taken from the </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ponts des Arts bridge (among others). From grand architec<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tural feats like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco to the wooden covered bridges that <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">span</span> the creeks in my area of Pennsylvania, bridges are often more than just practical ways of getting f<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rom o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ne point to another. They inspire songs, movies, and books, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">where they often show up as meeting places, or <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">symbolize</span> important life transitions. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's been a long few weeks since my last post, during which First Life has thrown me several unexpected curve-balls that have meant less time available to go inworld, and even less time for blogging. However, throughout the turmoil, the images of bridges kept coming into my head, so I thought I'd do a quick post on some of my Mainland favorites. I<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> hope you enjoy these Secon<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d Life marvels as much as I do. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lovely bridge pictured above is <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lordshore/111/86/43">located in Lordshore</a> on the southern continent of Jeogeot. Built by Garden Mole, it is situated adjacent to a scenic overlook and picnic area off of Route 9. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In stark contrast to the industrial geometry of the Lordshore Bridge is <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hoshigarei/155/192/59">Molly Linden's elegant bridge</a> to the Linden Homes Japanese sims in Hoshigarai, pictured below. The soft red brick is echoed in the walks that run throughout those sims, and ties together the landscape perfectly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Periwinkle/67/126/36">very cool drawbridge</a> (pictured below, both open and closed) on the old continent of Sansara, connecting the Second Life Railroad tracks in Periwinkle to those in Purple. Created by <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/athos.murphy/#about_tab">Athos Murphy</a> in 2004, this bridge is the only one featured here that was not created by either a Linden or an LDPW Mole. The LM actually places you at a landing point which is a train station; just follow the tracks East from there and you'll soon reach the drawbridge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The graceful <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Straits%20of%20Shermerville/194/127/48">bridge over Straits of Shermerville</a>, pictured below, was created by Michael Linden. It connects <a href="https://twitter.com/novaalbionnews">Nova Albion</a>, the urban area next door to Bay City, with the vast suburbia that is <a href="http://secondlife.wikia.com/wiki/Shermerville_Island">Shermerville</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over on the old Teen Grid you can spot <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nailsworth/171/101/37">Xenon Linden's bridge</a> in Nailsworth, pictured below. And on Sansara, in the sim of Hooper, you can find an almost <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hooper/248/131/4">identical bridge</a> by Ben Linden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wrote a <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/09/drop-puck-its-time-to-go.html">post here</a> about Chamonix City and the Global Online H<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ockey Ass<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o</span>ciation (GOHA), but I had never pho<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tographed the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Braggiani/14/214/61">rather impressive bridge</a> that links the Mainland proper in Braggiani to the community sims <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that comprise Chamonix City. </span></span>Built by Abnor Mole, the bridge (pictured below) serves as the entrance to th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ose six sims, and hovers <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">high above</span> an out<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d</span>oor hockey ri<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nk. Halfway across, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">visitors can bo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ard a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hot air balloon for a tour of the City. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'll close with one of my favorite bridges, pictured below, about which I blogged <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/04/i-am-little-jack-frost-but-i-am-warm.html">here</a>. The <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Durango/227/44/98">Bridge of Light</a> in Durango, located in the Snowlands of Sansara, was built by Garden Mole, and the more traditional bridge above it was built by Eric Linden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you know of any interesting bridges on the Mainland? If you do, I'd love it if you'd comment below with a LM so I can check them out. Meanwhile, enjoy the inimitable Ms. Eartha Kitt singing about bridges in Paris while you explore!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fs3J--izU8"><i>Under the Bridges of Paris</i></a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>My darling why I sing this song <br />
Is easy to explain. <br />
It tells what happens all along <br />
The bridges of the Seine. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The vagabonds go there at night <br />
To sleep all their troubles away, <br />
But when the moon is shining bright <br />
My heart wants to sing it this way. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How would you like to be <br />
Down by the Seine with me <br />
Oh what I'd give for a moment or two <br />
Under the bridges of Paris with you. </b></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-48985183813359469842016-12-02T20:37:00.000-08:002016-12-02T20:39:16.258-08:00Horizons - Retro Futurism Comes To The Mainland<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A great deal has already
been written about the brand new <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Horizons">Horizons sims</a> and related experiences (including the official introduction by the Lab <a href="https://community.secondlife.com/t5/Featured-News/Introducing-the-Horizons-Experience/ba-p/3081426">here</a>),
but since they are technically a part of the Mainland, I couldn't just
ignore them here, now could I? Of course not! So, what exactly is Horizons? Teaser billboards featuring the image below starting popping up in Bay City and other places a few months back, and our resident Lindens and Moles were all busy with some reportedly huge, super-sekrit project. Well, that project turned out to be huge indeed — a new planned community comprised of thirty-six (!) residential sims surrounding a six-sim adventure experience.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ3uKvDNulDL9A-FoitT-F2JWdNX4bTzsIkiD8Pb7sIFby_MAuEVos8lkS6l9Qe2oWxJiEMIX8bxH-VoB01nH6eGfNnf29O1NXde1yqLaA3j1OGp6HIVmMmWxzNTY6_8V7doNdzp6eGU3/s1600/sign35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ3uKvDNulDL9A-FoitT-F2JWdNX4bTzsIkiD8Pb7sIFby_MAuEVos8lkS6l9Qe2oWxJiEMIX8bxH-VoB01nH6eGfNnf29O1NXde1yqLaA3j1OGp6HIVmMmWxzNTY6_8V7doNdzp6eGU3/s1600/sign35.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Located just north of the continent of <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Zindra">Zindra</a>, all Horizons sims are adult-rated with a double-prim allowance. The residential areas are split into 1024 square meter parcels with a unique feature — they come with a "mailbox" controller which allows the owner to rez one of six houses (see examples pictured below — all of which reminded me, in a good way, of "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jetsons">The Jetsons</a>"), and these houses do NOT count against your land's prim allowance! In addition, the homes come with "resource packs" containing items you can use in your house and on your land. Similar to what happened when Bay City was introduced, Horizons parcels began to be auctioned off by the Lab in mid-November. When you visit the residential sims today, you'll find a mix of parcels up for auction and parcels for sale by owner. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In addition to the private parcels, two large community centers and four infohubs provide areas for residents to socialize, learn about how to buy land or use the mailbox controllers, or allow them to enter the other part of Horizons, the experience area. If you are curious about the residential areas, you can start your explorations at the community center at Themis, <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Horizons%20Themis/65/122/25">located here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Horizons Experience is literally central to this new venture. The residential sims completely surround the six experience sims, <a href="http://secondlife.com/destination/horizons">the entrance</a> of which can be seen below. One can choose to enter as a player or as an observer, although the same dangers apply to both. If you choose to "play" the experience, you will receive a HUD at the entrance which will guide you through five quests and a variety of terrains. You can return to the entrance to claim any prizes you've gathered along the way. Each quest must be completed before you can progress on to the next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The first region in the Horizons experience is pictured below. As a Wild West landscape populated by robots, I can't help but be reminded of HBO's incredibly popular current series, <a href="http://www.hbo.com/westworld">Westworld</a>, but at least in Horizons you can distinguish the robots from the avatars! Whether you choose to enjoy the gaming aspect of the experience, or you decide to become a "homesteader" and help to start the new Horizons community as a resident, or if you just want to visit to enjoy the gorgeous handiwork of the LDPW moles, I'm sure you'll find, like I did, that Horizons is a true treasure and a welcome addition to the wild frontier that is Second Life Mainland. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-83363318622858326932016-11-30T19:56:00.000-08:002016-11-30T19:56:05.419-08:00The Mare Secundus<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Mare Secundus is a vast, inland sea which can be found in northern Sansara, spanning at least ten sims. It contains a number of interesting islands worth exploring, where adventurers can wonder at an ancient lighthouse, visit several observatories (one with a telescope and moveable observation window in the roof), climb over the ruins of buildings and primordial tree stumps, or even commune with a flock of flamingos under what appears to be one of the last remaining giant trees. Let's start our explorations in the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Okinu/15/191/25">observatory at Okinu</a>, the gold-domed building pictured below. Go inside, where comfortable cushions have been provided for you to relax and watch a model of the solar system moving across the inside of the dome. Then, venture outside and over towards the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Okinu/31/239/38">large rocket ship</a>, also pictured below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You will need to touch the lever outside in order to extend the walkway to the ship's door. Once inside, take a seat, and hang on! In a few, brief moments, you'll land on a strange moon, pictured below. Look around for evidence that the LDPW moles were here before you; they left a marker for future explorers to find. The moon is dotted with otherworldly flora and fauna, but watch out for the latter, because some of the creatures appear to be hungry! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One might also spot a mysterious monument with an eye in the center, partially visible under the arched rock pictured above. A similar monument can be found on an <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elderbridge/89/98/22">island in Elderbridge,</a> back on the surface. The Elderbridge island also contains a small beach, a picnic area, and a zone in which you can rez vehicles or boats for further exploration. In fact, there are at least nine rez zones in the Mare Secundus: three on piers (<a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elderbridge/84/63/22">Elderbridge</a>, <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Thurston/48/163/22">Thurston</a>, and <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Zolezzi/65/89/22">Zolezzi</a>), and six underwater (<a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Margery/95/178/20">Margery</a>, <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mandrake/213/211/20">Mandrake</a>, <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Leipzig/227/223/20">Leipzig</a>, <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hepurn/149/52/20">Hepurn</a>, <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zaharik/70/55/1">Zaharik</a>, and <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Henshaw/140/211/22">Henshaw</a>). The one in Zaharik is actually inside and underwater cavern!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In fact, the entire Mare Secundus is a diver's paradise. Most of the sea floor is dotted with sunken ships, <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zaharik/131/111/1">mysterious ruins</a>, and more of those primordial tree trunks, indicating perhaps that some long-ago disaster (or global warming??) sunk an ancient civilization below the waves. The <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Leipzig/210/137/4">glowing rock</a> in what looks like a sea floor crash site (pictured above) gives some credence to the disaster scenario. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In addition to ruins, glowing rocks and giant clam beds, intrepid underwater explorers will also encounter three hippo statues, <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Thurston/175/155/3">two of which are in Thurston</a> and are pictured above. As I mentioned in <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/03/bay-city-hairy-hippo-fun-land.html">this blog post</a> about Hairy Hippo Fun land in Bay City, hippos are the <a href="http://secondlife.wikia.com/wiki/Hippo">unofficial mascot</a> of Second Life, and can be found in many locations all over the Grid.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T</span>here is even a hippo easter egg in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">SL </span>browsers (press CTRL, ALT, SHIFT then hit the H key). From the sea floor to the mysterious moon high overhead, and everywhere in between, the Mare Secundus is a wonderful place <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for a visit<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...</span>or five! </span>So take some time, bring along a spare wetsuit, and see what you can discover there. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Careful observers might even <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">uncover</span> the meaning behind the name of the sea itself. Happy exploring!</span></span> </span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-62003042422794179422016-11-25T07:34:00.000-08:002016-11-25T07:34:34.468-08:00A Little Piece of Art<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the far north of Sansara, in Maryport near the old Linden Village, is <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maryport/190/79/56">A Little Piece of Art.</a> This small, friendly cafe (second picture, below) is located along the side of the road, and contains cats, coffee, and freebies for passing travelers. An informational notecard at the entrance provides a list of blogs (including, to my delight, this one!) and landmarks for further <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">m</span>ainland explorations. <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/artistik.oluja/#about_tab">Artistik Oluja (Art Oluja)</a>, owner of the cafe and curator of the gallery onsite, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">states that</span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"'A Little Piece of Art'
started as a space to appreciate mainland exploration and settled at
Maryport on Sansara in August of this year. The cafe is a hangout
for friendly, positive users, old and new, who enjoy exploring mainland,
especially those who enjoy a little wordplay and corny snacks<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!"</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The parcel is situated between the road and the sea, and overlooking the ocean is the brightly colored Pixel Gallery, pictured above. There are five levels to the gallery, which contains a mixture of the curator's private collections and some of her own pieces for sale. The third level of the gallery contains some free pieces by Art, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a couple art-related gachas</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and a bench with a wonderful view of the waterfall. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fourth level down incl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">u<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">des seating and </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a </span>viewing room of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Art's</span> machinimas, which<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> she rotates periodically. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lowest</span> level leads outside, where between the waterfall and the sea one can find places for quiet meditation or yoga.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"The pixel gallery was inspired by my love for the good old blocky prim," commented Art. "But more importantly, I enjoy displaying the works of creative people who not only have unique ideas but also happen to be supportive and encouraging towards other user's creative experiments. I hope SL folks exploring mainland are comfortably curious here, and find it is a positive space where they can be inspired and encouraged by other artists, just like I have been!"</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-83460878373503833542016-11-24T06:24:00.001-08:002016-11-24T20:12:53.435-08:00Bay City Institute for Anomalous Research<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tucked into a tiny corner in Tanelorn, the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bay%20City%20-%20Tanelorn/29/90/27">Bay City Institute for Anomalous Research</a> is a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n enchanting</span> find.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>Described as a place for "discovering, researching, and preserving diverse cynosure," the Institute is run by <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/cc.columbo/#about_tab">Professor CC Columbo</a>, Director, and Professor <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/geohistoria.farshore/#about_tab">Geohistoria Farshore</a>, Researcher. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Professor Columbo spoke of his colleague <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Professor Farshore</span> as someone who spends his time "looking for exhibits, exploring the Grid, and having adventures. He's from Caledon." The parcel overlooks both the West Channel and the unnamed sea to the south of Bay City, allowing for surreptitious deliveries <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of artifacts by boat as needed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wandering inside the main building, pictured below, one encounters a great number of strange and unusual artifacts. According to Professor Columb<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o, </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"the exhibits will be rotated and brief stories will, with any luck, be written about each piece. This is a work in progress." Statues of Bast rub elbows with dinosaur skulls and medieval suits of armor, and there is even a strange, glowing, very futuristic-looking box sitting near the back door. What could be inside?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Professor Columbo's office is located in the round folly on the south side of the parcel, pictured below. The professor commented about the office, "It is where
Geohistoria <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Farshore and I keep up with the administration of things and
plan explorations." </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The office inside the folly is a delightful jumble of books and packing crates and even an adult phoenix in purple-feathered glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Professor Columbo is the first life brother of Bay City's own <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/uccello.poultry/#about_tab">Uccello Galway (Uccello Poultry)</a>. He commented, "Uccie and I speak often about the time bubble that was created when I moved our family graveyard from
next to her <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bay%20City%20-%20Dennis/243/136/26">Bay City Arboretum of Atypical Vegetation</a>. It was the same Faerie magic that moved the
Institute from Dennis to Tanelorn, mostly intact and oddly expanded.
Parts of the site disappear into the time stream and/or the Nevernever
and other parts appear. Little critters come and go. Uccie's alt <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/zyx.flux/#about_tab">Zyx Flux</a>, the source of the
Faerie Magic, rezzes the critters and helps with landscaping." (Take a moment to explore the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bay%20City%20-%20Dennis/244/148/26">Arboretum</a> as well - it is a wonderful and quirky place with a similar feel to the Institute.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although the parcel is
only 784 square meters, it feels deceivingly larger. Every bit of space
is well used, with many places to sit and enjoy a moment of quiet contemplation. When I asked about the aforementioned graveyard, Professor Columbo told me, "You'll see a statue of a cherub to the
northwest after you arrive. It's the one that was in the Dennis
cemetery, and it is a memorial for Lydia Rose. That's my RL daughter. She passed away
many years ago before she was three years old. I have always had a
memorial marker out for her, at minimum. At one time a quarter of the
Nangrim sim (which Uccie and I owned) was named for her.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I like to think of the Institute (and the Arboretum,
since it was my idea to have that in Dennis) as a way that Lydia and I
explore together and have adventures." The Bay City Institute for Anomalous Research sparks the imagination and will rekindle anyone's love for adventuring. Why not visit today?</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-91619288034645513962016-11-22T05:03:00.000-08:002016-11-22T05:56:06.868-08:00Bay City Tree Lighting and Charity Auction<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">by guest reporter extraordinaire, Marianne McCann</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bay City Alliance will host its 7th annual holiday Tree Lighting event on Saturday, 3rd December 2016 from 1-4 pm SL. The event will be held at the <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/North%20Channel/128/128/24/">Bay City Fairgrounds</a>, in North Channel and will feature DJ GoSpeed of KONA Stream, and live performers Christov Kohnke and Zachh Cale. The event will also feature ice-skating, dancing, refreshments and a lot of fun for everyone, as well as the annual lighting of our Christmas tree.<br /><br />Once again, Bay City will host a silent auction to support <a href="http://www.childsplaycharity.org/">Child's Play Charity</a>. Bay City is a Silver Sponsor of Child's Play Charity, having raised over US$2,000.00 to support the work of the charity. <b>We are asking Second Life™ designers and artists to participate by providing fun, interesting, unique, or other transferrable items (or a no-copy object that the auction winner can give to you to redeem their prize, if the item(s) have to be no transfer). Please contact Marianne McCann to participate. Items need to be in by November 28th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></b><br /><br />The auction will end at the conclusion of the event. All proceeds from the silent auction and from donation bins at the venue will go to Child's Play Charity. Child's Play is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization which offers online communities such as ours an opportunity to help seriously ill children around the globe during their hospital stays with the purchase of games and gaming equipment. <br /><br />Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab® and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest group for Residents of Bay City.<br /><br />For more information, or to participate in the event, please contact Marianne McCann inworld or at </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">marianne.mccann@gmail.com.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-69653053487506096142016-11-15T18:11:00.002-08:002016-11-15T18:11:58.363-08:00And We Walked!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Sunday, November 13, 2016, a group of adventurers set out on a walk <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">via</span> the train tracks in southern Heterocera. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The walk was a lot of fun and w<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as withou<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t incident</span></span>, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">except for </span>a few <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of us</span> falling off or <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">through</span> the tracks <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in Lutra<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. (Who does one report holes in the tracks to anyway? The moles? <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The SLRR group?) </span></span></span></span>Ziki and I had not told anyone where we were headed, and the group seemed surprised and delighted to end up at the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poecila/196/125/64">D-Lab train station</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> in Poecila.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But by far the most delightful surprise was the fact that D-Lab owner <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/dazai.voom/#about_tab">Dazai Voom</a> had created a group gift especially for <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">us! I had told him we'd be walking along the SLRR tracks, so for the gift he designed a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> steam train engine-shaped pipe, with smoke coming out of the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">chimney (see <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">picture at left</span>). <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A huge thank you to Dazai for his creativity and generosity<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">! The pipe is still available in the group gift area <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poecila/75/160/4006">main shop </a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poecila/75/160/4006">a</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poecila/75/160/4006">nd sky </a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poecila/75/160/4006">garden</a>. You simply need to join the D-Lab group to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pick up <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">your very own pipe! D-Lab, about which I <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/06/you-dont-have-to-pick-up-your-toys-okay.html">wrote here</a>, is a delightful place, and well worth a visit in any case.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you'd like to join us for further adventures, please visit our home, Cael Ys<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tafell, and click the group joiner <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">near</span> the blue sign (see below). We will post notices about future walks there, and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">group chat is a good way to stay connected while walking! We'd love to have a really <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">large group join us next time<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and who knows what mischief we might get into and what new adventures we might find! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Un<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">til then, keep exploring, and keep walking!</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-14327898567314368622016-11-04T11:25:00.000-07:002016-11-04T11:25:07.668-07:00Prim Mining at ANWR<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the great day of Primsmas (which is to say, yesterday, when the Lab <a href="https://community.secondlife.com/t5/Featured-News/Go-Premium-for-50-Off-amp-Enjoy-Our-Newest-Perks-Plus-an/ba-p/3078355?utm_source=FeaturedPremium&utm_medium=Story&utm_term=SocialCM">announced</a> a 1.5x increase in Mainland land impact/prim allowance), I did <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/kinnaird/snapshots/581bbca7b713f7236b000001">celebrate by visiting</a> the Temple of the Prim, about which I blogged <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-temple-of-prim.html">here</a>. But then it occurred to me that I'd never written about the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ANWR/102/168/40">prim rig in ANWR</a>, that magnificent mining apparatus in the center of the ANWR channel, pictured below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD40bO2xhu3sbiy_IiANJi5eAUPZwxbCGezgMe6U6E1263UdxCOH-pfbJKMjb0Lw2KkKtYQjskDddnnUIRk0FAaNpowA7kKI1b6Bd9eJn8pCCrx6ZxOwCkI5ymZdffUMhpHxYLjC5CBB7/s1600/ANWR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD40bO2xhu3sbiy_IiANJi5eAUPZwxbCGezgMe6U6E1263UdxCOH-pfbJKMjb0Lw2KkKtYQjskDddnnUIRk0FAaNpowA7kKI1b6Bd9eJn8pCCrx6ZxOwCkI5ymZdffUMhpHxYLjC5CBB7/s1600/ANWR.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">According to the <a href="http://secondlife.wikia.com/wiki/ANWR">Second Life Wikia</a>, "ANWR is one of the sims added on March 22, 2005 as part of Heterocera. Along with Cyclops, Suduffco and Sandra,
it forms the narrow strip of ocean that connects the main continent and
the northern continent. The name is a reference to the <a class="external text exitstitial" href="http://arctic.fws.gov/" rel="nofollow">Arctic National Wildlife Refuge</a>." <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ANWR channel is a</span> transcontinental waterway, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">allowing boat travel between San<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sara and Het<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e</span>rocera, and there <i>is</i> a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> lot of traffic through there<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. In addition to watching the passing boats, one can stand on the rig itself and catch a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Yava_Script_Pods">Yavapo</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Yava_Script_Pods">d </a>in the form o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f a hot air balloon, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hop on </span>a very modern-lo<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oking <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/SLGI_Trains">SLGI train</a>, or even <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ride a </span>tugboat to Callet<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the best part about <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ANWR is the rig itself. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Go below the main pla<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tform and you'll find the actual drill, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pictured</span> above, pulling up prims from the depths <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of the Linden <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ocean. And below the rig, along the ocean floor, a prim pipeline runs the entire length from Sansara to Heterocera. One can only imagine the increased production effort the recent prim increase will demand!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So take a visit to the ANWR rig and see for yourself. Marvel at the seemingly limitless supply of prims being mined for YOUR pleasure! Hop on one of the previously-mentioned tours and explore the nearby continents. Or, near the helicopter landing on the upper level of the rig, you can pick up two free sailboats for future travels through the channel. And above all, enjoy the prims!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-68640781468448609942016-10-29T09:25:00.001-07:002016-10-29T10:01:55.419-07:00Sanctuary<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've visited Satori a lot lately, but there is still so much more there to see! On the east coast of that continent, between Route 8 and the sea, you'll come across a place called <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Afanasyev/135/159/23">Sanctuary</a>. Spanning three sims — Afanasyav, Blue Quill, and Rideau — Sanctuary offers a variety of landscapes to explore. Let's start in <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Afanasyev/135/159/23">Sanctuary by the Sea</a>. One arrives on a boardwalk which serves to connect several buildings on the hillside with a series of small piers, pictured below. On each pier sits a unique structure; one is a a seaside bar, one a small cafe, and one even boasts a tiny rooftop movie theatre.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From this area, we will venture north along the coast, and then inland...but be careful! Once leaving the seaside, visitors will notice that their health meters activate (that small heart in the location bar at the top of your viewer). This means, of course, that you can be "killed" here, so watch out for snakes and 'gators in the swamp! The 'gator pictured below seems pretty harmless, but one never knows what might happen when you hear <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tqxzWdKKu8">banjo music playing in a swamp</a>... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">According to owner <a href="https://roxifiranelli.com/">Roxi Firanelli</a>, "Sanctuary started out as a small piece of oceanfront therapy. Over
the last six years it has grown to encompass almost three connecting regions. As I would pick up surrounding parcels, I would
theme them — the forest, the swamp, the meadow, the roadside — mainly
because I just liked to have different looks. Then along came my friend
<a href="https://darthkline.wordpress.com/">Darth Kline</a>, who is a master landscaper and visionary. He took the designing
to a new level, and since I'm lazy and he's good at it, I let him! He's built whole forests, farms, towns, wharfs and even replicated
Dangernon...the ancient citywide build that DRD did for the Fantasy
Faire. There is usually some part of the land that is in construction
and we love it that way." </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki4eMDAXZEtFxsycq7JIinbijA1Z65e-VWEv-RtMCM6e2vSpA3EQnvDbzJJLDHOFmayRP5oJRriOj9byV-SZXJr0Fbm57LgjvpqpPGkPbVJ9XR-dY6E7lMaZsOnhNKJPI4hqR1uHar5aj/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki4eMDAXZEtFxsycq7JIinbijA1Z65e-VWEv-RtMCM6e2vSpA3EQnvDbzJJLDHOFmayRP5oJRriOj9byV-SZXJr0Fbm57LgjvpqpPGkPbVJ9XR-dY6E7lMaZsOnhNKJPI4hqR1uHar5aj/s1600/house.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are a number of beautifully furnished homes on the property, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">like the one pictured above, </span>plus there are lakes, beach areas, a delightful tea house hidden among the rocks, a large open air pavilion, a school bus abandoned in a stream, and numerous other scenic spots perfect for a photo shoot. One of my favorite parts of the parcel is a small shipwreck off the coast, pictured below. It reminds me (on a much smaller scale) of the <a href="http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ss-ayerfield">S.S. Ayerfield</a> in Sidney, Australia — an abandoned ship, built in 1911, which is now a floating forest of mangrove trees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">According to Roxi, "There is a small community
that lives here and calls this home, whether it's up on a platform or
down in one of the houses. Sanctuary has always been open to anyone,
and anyone is welcome to join the group and call it home, if for no
reason but to be able to open a box and get dressed in private. Darth
and I are bloggers and <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/jarath.goldrozen/#about_tab">Jarath</a> is a profile photographer, so we set up
scenes on a regular basis and sometimes like them so much we incorporate
it into the land." If you enjoy your visit to Sanctuary, let Roxi, Darth and Jarath know — the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rideau/23/201/58">guitar-playing 'gator</a> in Rideau is also a tip jar. Have fun exploring!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-70288464597973130252016-10-25T05:07:00.000-07:002016-10-25T05:07:08.506-07:00Moonlight Teahouse<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tuli/141/251/33">The Moonlight Teahouse</a> is a peaceful Japanese teahouse perched on the edge of a high cliff on the north coast of Satori. Visitors arrive on a high parapet (see fourth picture, below), and after passing under the red arch, will soon encounter an area for Tai Chi where participants can look out over the rolling sea as they play. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Extending from the parapets, steep stairs set into the rocky cliffside will lead you up to the teahouse and surrounding gardens. The teahouse itself is flanked by two different Zen rock gardens (see photo, above). According to The <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/lifelists/the-tranquil-zen-garden-of-kyoto-11696765/">Smithsonian</a>, "Zen rock gardens, or <i>karesansui</i> (translated as 'dry-mountain-water'), originated in medieval Japan and are renowned for their simplicity and serenity."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The serenity continues along paths behind the teahouse, which wander through gardens (pictured above) filled with brightly-colored flowers and over a bubbling stream before circling back around to the teahouse itself. The structure (pictured below)<a href="https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/POST-Kuromatsu-Shoin-Japanese-House/1342518"> is from POST</a>, and allows for repose or restful meditation while feeling the cool ocean breeze through the open windows.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5bjSnpddHVIrgW_dw7TdiuomXi1gvCZoGEc0tqBRQ9F0ZLFFGzF9rifo5Mst-jVGP8P9FrWAujUHy9icxu32x2Ctipkm8E-_BxFtFGxoE8PdYzcwKx_WF4zVpprveKWEVqkz20ZZbF_x/s1600/teahouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5bjSnpddHVIrgW_dw7TdiuomXi1gvCZoGEc0tqBRQ9F0ZLFFGzF9rifo5Mst-jVGP8P9FrWAujUHy9icxu32x2Ctipkm8E-_BxFtFGxoE8PdYzcwKx_WF4zVpprveKWEVqkz20ZZbF_x/s1600/teahouse.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://my.secondlife.com/myron.byron/#about_tab">Myron Byron</a> built Moonlight Teahouse as a gift for his partner, Sara (Saraphen Resident). He states, "I've
been building for years, but not many have seen my work. Nothing is on
the market. I've done a lot; furniture, statues, jewelry, hair, clothes,
props, machinima, poses, all kinds of buildings from baroque palaces to
hangars and modern grunge, etc. Moonlight Teahouse is the first of my
builds made available to the general public and, to my surprise,
received a lot of traffic thanks to unexpected exposure in Destinations
Editors' Picks (from late Sept to late Nov 2013). It was built with midnight (WL) setting in mind. I hope
you enjoy your visit!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLpd7liDOi00YbUvUEXO48iyaq2TXRjB_vbXdWcGvvlVkd7M8qSOeE5bb7_GIeuf5QZzqQHIFxgNbODknqlszUBs2mr4I-2awUKoTvewfltgO1jvruBWJ6leThQU_hlnc3kKGZKdF8xkD/s1600/harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLpd7liDOi00YbUvUEXO48iyaq2TXRjB_vbXdWcGvvlVkd7M8qSOeE5bb7_GIeuf5QZzqQHIFxgNbODknqlszUBs2mr4I-2awUKoTvewfltgO1jvruBWJ6leThQU_hlnc3kKGZKdF8xkD/s1600/harbor.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can port directly to <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tuli/141/251/33">Moonlight Teahouse</a>, or for the more adventurous, approach it by sea. Located in the sim Tuli along the Coastal Waterway, the parcel can be reached by boat from either Nautilus or the Blake Sea, or from other points along the Satori coast. Providing a tranquil oasis along a busy coastline, the teahouse and gardens are well worth a visit.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-55636762813182545432016-10-21T21:20:00.001-07:002016-10-22T19:35:23.917-07:00"And I Would Walk 500 Miles..."<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A question: would any of you lovely readers be interested in taking periodic group walks across the Mainland? Ziki and are planning to organize just such a walk in November, and we hope to have YOU join us<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">! <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plan on fun and silliness as we explore the vast<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> expanses of the Secon<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d Life </span></span>Mainland toget<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">her<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">! </span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first walk will <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">be held<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> on</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday, November 13 <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">from</span> 2-2:30 PM SLT.</span></i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We </span>will</span> start on Rte. 5 in front of <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cisthene/178/103/32">Cael Ystafell</a>, our home on Heterocera, and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">walk</span> along the tracks of the Second Life Railroad, ending at a super sekrit location for fun and merriment<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_s-vn1WC6cnkWBkL6dvG1hiPImHx7ncup3SugDVdnzw2ChkJ37b1_OON4W0phHqZrABOn0IeV0KTwjgioSsiuniObej8R15P2AlgPVZLTnrnuxzs7pVSCfF8jb1UtpNwFfv-d3C5t0q7m/s1600/walking+the+tracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_s-vn1WC6cnkWBkL6dvG1hiPImHx7ncup3SugDVdnzw2ChkJ37b1_OON4W0phHqZrABOn0IeV0KTwjgioSsiuniObej8R15P2AlgPVZLTnrnuxzs7pVSCfF8jb1UtpNwFfv-d3C5t0q7m/s1600/walking+the+tracks.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was a little girl, my grandmother often took me for walks on the nearby railroad tracks. We'd walk, chat, stop to pick blueberries and have picnics. I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">have several sets of railroad tracks near my home in first life, and I still enjoy those kinds of walks.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> So, while there are many <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mainland</span> roads <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we could explore in the future, I decided to take advantage of the tracks near our house, and start there!</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> If you'd like to walk with us, please <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/kinnaird">contact me inworld</a> or by email at kinnaird.fiachra@gmail.com...or just show up! We'll have a group joiner for any future adventures set up at the starting point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">W</span>e'd love to have LOTS of people joining in on the fun - <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">imagine</span> a whole gaggle of avatars walking the SLRR rails<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">! To get you in the mood, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__tJhI8ZuUc">here's a clip</a> from one of my favorite che<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">esy 80's movies, "Benny and Joon," set to The Proclaimers "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". We hope to see you in November!</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-16377335084173510142016-10-16T11:30:00.000-07:002016-10-16T14:09:09.681-07:00"I'll Sing You This October Song"<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's October in Bay City, and there's plenty of spooky fun to find as you walk along the city streets, whistling The Incredible String Band's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smdwMokVGMM">October Song</a>. When you first enter the City from the East, crossing the bridge from nearby <a href="https://twitter.com/novaalbionnews">Nova Albion</a>, you'll spy the <a href="http://secondlife.com/destination/channel-island-mental-hospital">Channel Island Asylum</a> sitting on a hill in South Channel. From the Destination Guide: "For years, Channel Island Mental Hospital was the home of the mentally deranged of Bay City and beyond. Now abandoned, the asylum is said to be the home of strange goings-on after dark. Bring a friend — and stay together." Are you brave enough to visit?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLdo1XRV_hnnlyDpPPWm33IwU-TcR5Wy0Icl_D0d3Nrwgwng-VZDLLij2xLsb6zeXTSccQfNTme3bDyQa7Pr-eIBXC1ERQMjEp7AGO3fqX_dzz4MeLy_k5NTpiqjq8__B9Bgo89pabrKT/s1600/asylum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLdo1XRV_hnnlyDpPPWm33IwU-TcR5Wy0Icl_D0d3Nrwgwng-VZDLLij2xLsb6zeXTSccQfNTme3bDyQa7Pr-eIBXC1ERQMjEp7AGO3fqX_dzz4MeLy_k5NTpiqjq8__B9Bgo89pabrKT/s1600/asylum.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Alternatively, you could venture across the street to visit the <a href="http://secondlife.com/destination/bay-city-halloween-hay-maze-2016">Haunted Hay Maze</a>, located in the Bay City Fairgrounds on North Channel. According to Bay City's "unofficial Mayori", <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/marianne.mccann#about_tab">Marianne McCann</a>, the City has been "doing these since 2011. It is fun for all, not too scary, but still with a few spooks and good things. The LDPW has helped with the set up. I went harder this year with the maze. Last year, folks said it was too easy." The Haunted Hay Maze is always a lot of fun, with places to pose for spooky photos and prizes to find throughout the maze. Come down and give it a try!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvbIlRK0g4z-VBfkxJzIv6TzQlgnYxkeODCCMKSrS6is3PqYsD_XwfWQwdM2G5Isn6RV1aUAGvtgAe55vJl6Si72RRz7vpzr4aWM-SiQfcfaFGlAsK1jwgDpj4VwUqRGoeHeg0Gi3NbWT/s1600/entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvbIlRK0g4z-VBfkxJzIv6TzQlgnYxkeODCCMKSrS6is3PqYsD_XwfWQwdM2G5Isn6RV1aUAGvtgAe55vJl6Si72RRz7vpzr4aWM-SiQfcfaFGlAsK1jwgDpj4VwUqRGoeHeg0Gi3NbWT/s1600/entrance.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the other side of Bay City, on the island separating Eastside from Westside, sits the crumbling grandeur of <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Falmouth/170/188/31">Hotel Falmouth</a>. If the fountain of blood outside doesn't scare you away, enter to explore this once-grand hotel, now said to be haunted. Sit down for a drink at the bar with some really creepy teddy bears, or head to the elevators and pick a floor at random. Like at the hay maze, clicking around throughout the hotel may score you some delightfully creepy prizes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj_pPf7tnH_vh3lnfBZ230_oOGNRSCM3lTdsucb3Ih1RWDa0tmymCKV81zZf7kXgii3IXJ6B55yKmOG2LGOZIQ81fmmiHipao_33L1sKOhTgS_IdLhyphenhyphenHpOJn63wkNvmfgFXl_zOwSSRRY/s1600/hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj_pPf7tnH_vh3lnfBZ230_oOGNRSCM3lTdsucb3Ih1RWDa0tmymCKV81zZf7kXgii3IXJ6B55yKmOG2LGOZIQ81fmmiHipao_33L1sKOhTgS_IdLhyphenhyphenHpOJn63wkNvmfgFXl_zOwSSRRY/s1600/hotel.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, for those of you who prefer non-spooky October celebrations, the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bay%20City%20-%20Argos/126/239/25">Bay City Brewery</a> is hosting the annual Bay City Oktoberfest party on Sunday, October 23rd, 2016, from 2:00 - 4:00 PM SLT. Grab your lederhosen and come on down to join us for seasonal music with DJ <a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/gospeed_racer/">GoSpeed Racer</a> of <a href="http://www.konastream.com/">Kona Stream</a>, and of course, for lots of BEER! Happ<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">y October from Bay City!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5I2XgEnC8FD1IqJVh6jCIg6dxm_0SZWMTxPyjqo-sKygkXFjOHMSBkuXWpLibouV6FnRcZ-ZNAFqzmXsdGmbE0tid3N4PMXPzzDTxmVNYj0vWKr5NHNaAhJ9j432_hLDSAfXuG_nVqRz/s1600/Oktoberfest+Poster+2016+%2528Texture%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5I2XgEnC8FD1IqJVh6jCIg6dxm_0SZWMTxPyjqo-sKygkXFjOHMSBkuXWpLibouV6FnRcZ-ZNAFqzmXsdGmbE0tid3N4PMXPzzDTxmVNYj0vWKr5NHNaAhJ9j432_hLDSAfXuG_nVqRz/s1600/Oktoberfest+Poster+2016+%2528Texture%2529.png" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-26904912672372858892016-10-13T11:17:00.000-07:002016-10-13T19:09:17.707-07:00"Don't You Know That House Is Haunted?"<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ah, how I love October. That crisp Autumn air, that pumpkin flavoring in...well, everything, and things that go bump in the night. But don't be afraid! Take my hand and let's explore together one of the spookier places on the Mainland,<a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Benten/87/221/29"> DarkDharma HaUnTeD MaNoR and HaUnTeD FoReSt</a> in Benten. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As you approach, you are
instructed to turn off your music and turn on sounds, and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you are given a warning</span> that
damage is enabled in the graveyard and forest behind the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mansion</span>. I found that it was enabled in some
parts of the house too, so just watch out! Let's peek inside, shall we?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlmm_tuItmm1mQdvIlz_2OTDCCWDoiQ3fbIffHZqG-CaLYASBeau5WPt-7t6yLphjB4BTGE-E1l3eWILLIv8gHcmQrZHhbhyphenhyphenlk3v4HO2kFtUJlULeETqRw4z-ORRURP6HaBFn8Odigh2U/s1600/boneyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlmm_tuItmm1mQdvIlz_2OTDCCWDoiQ3fbIffHZqG-CaLYASBeau5WPt-7t6yLphjB4BTGE-E1l3eWILLIv8gHcmQrZHhbhyphenhyphenlk3v4HO2kFtUJlULeETqRw4z-ORRURP6HaBFn8Odigh2U/s1600/boneyard.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Inside the mansion are sixteen rooms decorated with exquisitely ghoulish detail, so make sure to explore every nook and cranny! A notecard obtained at the front gate also mentions prizes: </span>"Click
around everywhere to find the 10 GHOULS who hold the HAUNTED PRIZES.
Ghouls can be found from first floor to top of the house! Be careful!
These ghouls will get pushy and come after you, just click on them and
they will surrender the prize. But BEWARE there are other evil dangers
that lurk all around!" I also found at least one prize hiding in the forest.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCIucUk-Y74Y9PVn4WE_qJQWFTfRqzKutxd3RY4sAn5jp4wUqxd5wTg2p0wfJrYDDg3pJIdhvjKPZC64Zhfw4jFlXJ5cLUhHOsJ916zA9kqhGBlZ5_Hqn1Dz580To7hauaE9M628SOK5d/s1600/entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCIucUk-Y74Y9PVn4WE_qJQWFTfRqzKutxd3RY4sAn5jp4wUqxd5wTg2p0wfJrYDDg3pJIdhvjKPZC64Zhfw4jFlXJ5cLUhHOsJ916zA9kqhGBlZ5_Hqn1Dz580To7hauaE9M628SOK5d/s1600/entrance.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once you make it out alive (and hopefully you will!), return to the road by the front gate and turn right. In front of you, at the end of the road, you'll spy the two flickering eyes of the guardian of the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Benten/138/179/27">DarkDharma Caverns</a> (pictured below). No visit to Benten is complete without venturing into these caves through the terrifying mouth of their guardian. I spoke with the creator of these spooky<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> marvels, <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/darkdharma.daguerre/#about_tab">DarkDharma Daguerre</a>, who had this to say: "</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What
separates DarkDharma Haunted Manor from other similar sites? The total
immersion in the theme, from the specialized sky settings and
specialized outside and inside soundtracks to all the little details
everywhere. When I was new in Second Life back in 2004, I would go to
other attractions of all kinds, and was always disappointed to go inside
the buildings and find empty rooms. When I created my first haunted
manor in '05, I was sure to make it different and fill up the rooms!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>What are my favorite features of my haunted manor? I love how the soundtrack and the setting I've created all meld together to really pull you into the spooky, haunted mood. I've had many people tell me they were really scared and got goosebumps from going through my house. When I hear that, it makes it all worthwhile! MUWAHAHAHAHA!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoQTm93Q8Akm7cfLYaq8AsNDImncBzUKU6xz38kzz15VekeUVbYQjiIv0P3GOefWASohjO3jqU3rCWDCVrLMcn0HMDq8ogmiTYy7luUTGXg9_LcMROjph3HRpiWBgrlmrt7GucqDaRYOG/s1600/cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoQTm93Q8Akm7cfLYaq8AsNDImncBzUKU6xz38kzz15VekeUVbYQjiIv0P3GOefWASohjO3jqU3rCWDCVrLMcn0HMDq8ogmiTYy7luUTGXg9_LcMROjph3HRpiWBgrlmrt7GucqDaRYOG/s1600/cave.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So come visit, if you dare! But before you do, listen to the tale of the "Skeleton In The Closet" by Louis Armstrong. Sure sounds like he's visited someplace similar!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Boy, don't you go in there<br />Come outta there, boy<br />Don't you know that house is haunted?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's an old deserted mansion on an old forgotten road<br />Where the better ghosts and goblins always hang out<br />One night they threw a party in a manner a la mode<br />And they cordially invited all the gang out"</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-12302473416918130072016-10-12T20:28:00.000-07:002016-10-12T20:30:01.866-07:00(Queen) of the Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I mentioned in my last post, the road network on Satori is unusual, to say the least. From the Satori wiki page: <i>"Originally the roads were supposed to connect, but due to mistakes when
the land was divided as the regions were brought online many of the
routes end in abrupt dead ends. A system of false tunnels and billboards
at dead ends will offer teleports when touched to allow travelers to
easily keep exploring the road network without having to backtrack or
search the map for where the road picks up again." </i>I'm just going to highlight a few of the fun and interesting things you'll find on a road trip through Satori, going in no logical order. And off we go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's start with the tunnels. Every once in awhile, you'll come across a dead end disguised as a tunnel. The one pictured above is <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bietschhorn/30/52/55">located in Bietschhorn</a>, and if you click on the lights on either side of the entrance, it will transport you to a corresponding tunnel in Finsteraarhorn, skipping the sim in between. Only problem is that you'll lose your car during the port, but since you'll land in a rez zone, it really isn't a big deal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Billboard<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s, like those pictured above, </span>are another <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">de<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">vice used <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">by the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">fabulous</span> <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Department_of_Public_Works">LDPW moles</a> as a way out of a dead end. Th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ese two are <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">located out<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">side of</span></span> the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ellingson/190/243/85">Dead End Diner</a> in Ellingson, and offer to take travelers to either <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a tunnel in Arag<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">onese, or to the<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> charmingly rustic Old Wagon Ro<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ad, which is only two sims <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in leng<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">th. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In several locations, the road ends near water. There is a beautifully landscaped <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Davros/90/75/26">Japanese dance area</a> in Davros, located at the junction of Route 8 and Route 8C. From there, if you choose to travel on Route 8C, you'll shortly arrive at a body of water where you'll see a boat launch and a free sailboat rezzer. If you sail across the water to the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Valeyard/81/164/27">other end of the road in Valeyard</a>, you'll spy a ramshackle structure (pictured above) where a large hole gives evidence to the notion that someone didn't notice that the road was ending!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If, however, you set out at the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Davros/90/75/26">Japanese dance area</a> and continue on down Route 8, you'll start to notice a series of signs warning you that the bridge ahead is out. (Along with the <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/04/i-am-little-jack-frost-but-i-am-warm.html">bridge made of light</a> in the Sansara Snowlands, this is probably one of my favorite areas on any Mainland road.) As you approach the missing bridge, you'll spy a Road Closed sign which offers "Alternate Transportation." Click on that sign, and a huge bullseye appears, along with instructions on how to position your vehicle to have it catapulted across the water. Are you brave enough to try it? Just remember that you are also being thrown across a sim crossing, so anything could happen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The subtle, playful humor of the LDPW moles can be found at every dead end on Satori. Above, <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sababurg/21/135/92">"competing" billboards</a> at the end of the Old Wagon Road in Sababurg send you either to Ogilvie, or back to the Dead End Diner in Ellingson. You can find a list of all of Satori's rez zones <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Satori_Network">here</a>. No matter where you start, or whether you travel by foot, bike, or car, you'll have fun exploring the roads — and the dead ends — on the continent. Take a trip through Satori, and be King (or Queen!) of the Road!</span></div>
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<div><p> </p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-37980368926813199912016-10-11T19:28:00.002-07:002016-10-11T19:31:14.582-07:00Road Trip Through Richfield<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Forgive me, dear readers, for it's been a long time since my last blog post. Both my First and Second Lives have been way too busy, so I figured it was high time to grab my girl, pack a quick bag or two, and go on a ROAD TRIP! Today, travel with us to Satori, also called Maebaleia, or the Japanese Continent. The main road is Route 8 (pictured below with its interesting topiary-styled trees) which breaks off onto 8A, 8B, and 8C. There is also a very small stretch of road in the middle of the continent called the Old Wagon Road. There are rez zones <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Satori_Network">(listed here)</a> all along the road where you can rez a vehicle; Ziki and I started near the southern end of Satori, <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Richfield/119/39/65">in Richfield</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7zFj8d-iC-LPJ1-7bCg8s70CY1jg7D1qwhb1p2Seel4x9A0ixDeAjZOIxOEu4Cjgp2LHpDvuJ_Wh52XUzChI_k316g2Suc8fGH_tNCiVSujOBzHn1lXcWP_fEnS76y_o2fbJcyFixlmB/s1600/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7zFj8d-iC-LPJ1-7bCg8s70CY1jg7D1qwhb1p2Seel4x9A0ixDeAjZOIxOEu4Cjgp2LHpDvuJ_Wh52XUzChI_k316g2Suc8fGH_tNCiVSujOBzHn1lXcWP_fEnS76y_o2fbJcyFixlmB/s1600/car.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Venturing south, we found ourselves at a <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Richfield/119/39/65">small carnival</a>, pictured below, and got out to explore.The owner of the carnival, <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/gracie.dotterkelch/#about_tab">Gracie Dotterkelch</a>, was nearby, and stopped to speak to us as we peered into the haunted house and tried out the carnival games. When we mentioned that we'd arrived by car, she said, "I'm on a new exploration; the mainland is a whole new adventure for me. Roads and water that actually go somewhere! I'm learning to drive after all these years and seeing if I can find my way home!" She laughed and continued, "I think in that regard, I'm a noob again. I didn't ever before really experience the mainland and its charm."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gracie showed us the haunted forest next to the carnival (pictured below), which is a great find for spooky October adventures! But visit soon, because Gracie mentioned that after Halloween, she will "dabble with making it a winter park." Ziki and I waved goodbye, then headed back north on Route 8 to investigate some woodlands we had passed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the junction of Routes 8 and 8A, we found a lovely, wooded parcel called "<a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Richfield/127/126/74">The Back 40</a>." We wandered in the lane, past two garden gnomes with strong opinions, and discovered a peaceful oasis filled with wildlife, a rocky waterfall, a pond, a camping area, and a beautiful carpet of bluebells. Owner <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/dick.spad/#about_tab">Dick Spad</a> welcomed us, and mentioned that he had tried to make the parcel into a little roadside park. "Since then," he commented, "I was inspired to create a full sim that looked like this, and I called it <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Habitat%20Springs/234/21/22">Countryside</a>. But I still love this, my very first parcel of land, and I hope people will visit, relax and enjoy themselves here."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ziki and I took advantage of that invitation to camp out under the stars, enjoying the crisp Fall air, the smell of wood smoke and the sounds of the forest. In the morning, we drove northeast to the other end of Route 8A and stopped for breakfast at the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ellingson/190/243/85">Dead End Diner</a>, pictured below. The dead ends of Satori (and how the LDPW moles worked around them!) are worth a post of their own, and we also spotted an interesting sim behind the diner, so our travels through Satori will continue! Until next time, my friends! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-27430247729300109182016-09-19T11:56:00.000-07:002016-09-23T18:23:31.492-07:00Oh, To Be Young Again!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago, I created an alt, mainly in order to grab the name <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/kinnairdfiachra/#about_tab">kinnairdfiachra</a>. Through this process, I discovered that the Lab has gone back to non-mesh for starter avatars (although the mesh ones are still in the Library), that the orientation seemed much longer than I remembered, and that lag is so much less of an issue without a huge inventory! Wandering around as the new, lag-free me, I decided to explore a few of the long-established help centers for new residents, and found myself at <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kuula/38/149/29">New Citizens Incorporated (NCI)</a>. Located in Kuula on Sansara, in the shadow of <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/03/red-hot-mama-youre-one-i-need.html">Mt. G'al</a> and Mt. Lagmore (pictured below), NCI is a community which offers help, education and support for those new to Second Life.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdGlTzaF4Jop-3zkyi44rGLEOHuyCbbzOR-81YSf_v3urBZ-D-Wlg_7GcqnrSFUkajLl1LvfZNkq_TW8ZiGcBrU-1xViSldC1Slg_eBWRVMpkfsJpHtIU4odvH8yRA8bQaMnsXHmpAXpg/s1600/mt+lagmore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdGlTzaF4Jop-3zkyi44rGLEOHuyCbbzOR-81YSf_v3urBZ-D-Wlg_7GcqnrSFUkajLl1LvfZNkq_TW8ZiGcBrU-1xViSldC1Slg_eBWRVMpkfsJpHtIU4odvH8yRA8bQaMnsXHmpAXpg/s1600/mt+lagmore.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I reached out to land officer <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/rowan.carroll/#about_tab">Rowan Carroll</a>, who happened to be on the sim, and she told me, "<a href="http://secondlife.com/destination/1691">NCI is in the Destination Guide</a> as a Help area. We teach classes and have events throughout the week. There are always official helpers here and regular residents often help out as well. Every campus has a large board with our class and event schedule." Rowan serves as both Advertising Coordinator and Freebie Coordinator, and she teaches two classes each week: "Freebie Shopping with
Rowan" on Tuesdays and "Managing Your
Inventory" on Sundays.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> When I asked Rowan how giving out freebies has changed over the years, she remarked, "Well, when the Lab introduced the mesh starter avatars we made
tutorials so that people could change their clothes. Because what is SL
but a giant place to play dress up! That change gave us a bit of a start, but we rolled with it, because what's the point of a good looking mesh
body if you aren't able to change clothing?" There are male and female changing rooms on sky platforms above the NCI welcome area, complete with pose stands, notecards about editing your appearance, and a huge tutorial sign with the title, "Aaaggghh! I keep wearing boxes!" A dash of help with a good dose of humor added in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">NCI Plaza </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">landing area, pictured above, sets of brightly-colored arrows on the ground lead you to different areas of the campus, providing a self-guided tour through tutorials. For those who don't know where to start, or would just prefer a more personal touch, there are always people around who are willing to help out and answer questions. The Plaza is busy with activity at all hours of the day and night. Other areas on the sim include a gatcha store, a large public sandbox, and building platforms like the one pictured below. For a quick overview of the area, grab one of the guided balloon tours near the sign that says "Balloon Rides."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next to the balloon rides, I found a photo booth, with changeable backdrops, poseballs for a group pose, and instructions on either side of the booth about how to take photographs inworld. There are even instructions about how to change the sun position, something I wish I had learned as a Noob! In addition to the photo booth, you can wander up the road to <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kuula/130/5/33">Ginger Lorakeet's Interactive Art Gallery</a>. Ginger runs NCI's benefit gatcha yardsale, and has created a building tutorial for the community. The new av I've dubbed "Kinn Too" poses below in her starter outfit "Carla", in both the photo booth (left), and in one of Ginger's interactive pieces (right). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"NCI is a family of volunteers who dedicate their Second Lives to helping residents, both old and new," concluded Rowan. "I love NCI! They helped me get started when I began my Second Life over 10 years ago. I learned to build here and used that knowledge to run a successful shoe store for about 6 years. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've talked to people from all walks of life, from all over, and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've made RL friends. It's amazing! I've learned so much about myself just being here." Come wander around and see for yourself how fun it can be to help out those new to Second Life, or just remember what it was like to be young and new yourself!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLmea2_5jmES09WPq2FPR_CyHHW8Fvq0O4PCribNe4G5BzDobmPPloLI8zTnUoEqQXjdQbUebSAVQvDrMkTK8rEb9vv8AxGm9AJKwsiFeFcA5BRVF1KlN2ZIoOCxr3nXTVnl7PiJXq6jD/s1600/collage+noob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLmea2_5jmES09WPq2FPR_CyHHW8Fvq0O4PCribNe4G5BzDobmPPloLI8zTnUoEqQXjdQbUebSAVQvDrMkTK8rEb9vv8AxGm9AJKwsiFeFcA5BRVF1KlN2ZIoOCxr3nXTVnl7PiJXq6jD/s1600/collage+noob.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-6742841270210481612016-09-09T08:02:00.001-07:002016-09-09T08:18:53.221-07:00"Drop the puck, it's time to go"<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, where I live in first life on the East Coast of the US, the temperature is supposed to reach 97 degrees F, with a heat index of 103. Schools are closing early due to the heat, and people are urged to stay inside as much as possible. A perfect day to visit the Snowlands of Sansara in here! Let's pull on our snow boots and start at the very Western edge of the continent, on a long, elegant <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Braggiani/14/214/61">bridge in Braggiani</a>. This bridge leads into the Winter sports paradise of <a href="http://secondlife.com/destination/chamonix-city">Chamonix City</a>. The
First Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France in 1924 at the base
of Mont Blanc. The name Chamonix City
is a tribute to that event<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">area </span></span>was founded in 2009 <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as part of t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he Lab's <a href="http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Community_Land_Partnership_Program">Community Partnership initiative</a>, a program which allows <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">groups of private sims to co<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nnect to the Mainland.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The bridge <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">will lead you to the sim Offsides<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, one of six sims named for h<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ockey <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">terms, the others being Neu<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tral Zone, Crosscheck, Empty Net, Blueliner and Breakaway. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A</span>s you cross the bridge and walk down into the town, you'll find a row o<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> shops leading to a town square with the <a href="http://www.globalonlinehockeyassociation.com/">Global Online Hockey Association<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> (</span>GOHA)</a> Hall of Fame in the center. According to the GOHA website, "GOHA exists not simply as a sporting event but a full-fledged community, offering many activities for residents to get together and be a part of social events as well as the competitive hockey seasons. GOHA members follow a Code of Conduct which helps to keep the entire community a friendly, fun place to be. Longtime friendships and even real life romances have formed out of the community<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Within the six sims of Chamonix City, in addition to hockey, you can enjoy all kinds of<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Winter sports: there is an ice skating pond, a luge<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, free bobsleds, </span>free snowboarding equipment, skiing and a ski jump. Check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEBMj8OuJYU">fun video tut</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEBMj8OuJYU">orial</a> for the ski jump, created by the folks over at the <a href="http://secondlife.com/destination/giant-snail-racing">Giant Snail Races</a>. And if you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">are here for the hockey, there is pl<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e</span>nty: two large, professional rinks offer hockey 24/7, all year round. With a busy ga<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">me schedule, you <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">are sure to see some exciting hockey act<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ion. Kiosks in each building will give you free <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hockey equipment and uniforms, and you can contact <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/kacey.rossini/#about_tab">Kacey Rossini</a>, hockey commissioner, for more informatio<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n on how to join a team and get involved. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5R_JcFG64PFhVAn8eb7Ms_l-vvlxVitr0qel8Dz6glfS_V2qxFmRIR4cjy12vCfrJvqKSaqwoUJb8IHTAvllkyZn3NgX3yNpc4K5_yk-bJlaYy4qvlikO0MktBjFbfpxmyA6HkGKJbhu/s1600/elliott+clarity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5R_JcFG64PFhVAn8eb7Ms_l-vvlxVitr0qel8Dz6glfS_V2qxFmRIR4cjy12vCfrJvqKSaqwoUJb8IHTAvllkyZn3NgX3yNpc4K5_yk-bJlaYy4qvlikO0MktBjFbfpxmyA6HkGKJbhu/s1600/elliott+clarity.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Above, Elliott Clarity plays for the Dragons</i></span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">According to Kacey, "this year GOHA will be in its tenth year and playing its 22nd season. We run eight teams, spread out over two divisions, allowing for both North American and European stand-alone leagues with the original two teams the Whales and the Wolves still going. GOHA has an active recruitment program with farm coaches taking players on the ice for the first time, teaching them the game, and then helping with their being placed onto teams. All equipment is free, and all rinks are open to the public - only closed for play during official league matches, but all are free to come and watch. We also have Rookie Farms and fun Scrimmages where you just turn up, pick sides, and have fun! There is even a huge banquet hall for end-of-season awards ceremonies." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the two <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">original</span> teams, the Whales, used to be <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">spon<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s</span>ored by Bay City, but according to Kacey, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">GOHA "lost touch with the Bay years ago." </span></span>/me looks over at my Bay City community and wonders if there might be any renewed interest there? Meanwhile, enjoy the loud and ro<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">wdy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP5g-Pjpg_I">Dropkick Murphy's</a>, urging you to get out on the ice and play!</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-166406538901703782016-09-06T18:20:00.003-07:002016-09-07T11:33:06.666-07:00The Interview - Xiola Linden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnAz-N5r2nhl0CGR3Ijw3H8VU8oJblDtzz-GQ89RoLm2bn5Whr2CmM8P-g0OSbnp9Rxycb3iMg_vKU89MjanWH1rJjigfTlcYlZD7FSl9FQbrEV_xVH_RT3nvzUivgDPVvzRKXSQQ29VT/s1600/XiolaLinden+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnAz-N5r2nhl0CGR3Ijw3H8VU8oJblDtzz-GQ89RoLm2bn5Whr2CmM8P-g0OSbnp9Rxycb3iMg_vKU89MjanWH1rJjigfTlcYlZD7FSl9FQbrEV_xVH_RT3nvzUivgDPVvzRKXSQQ29VT/s400/XiolaLinden+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lovely <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/xiola.linden/#about_tab">Xiola Linden</a> (pictured here in a portrait by <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/strawberry.singh/#about_tab">Strawberry Singh</a>) joins us today as part of the <i>Mainland Matters Interview Series</i>, which previously featured interviews with <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-interview-torley-linden.html">Torley Linden</a> and <a href="http://slmainlandmatters.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-interview-patch-linden_14.html">Patch Linden</a>. Xiola currently serves as Second Life's Lead Community Manager. She heads up community initiatives at Linden Lab — including this year's Official Second Life 13th Birthday Music Fest, meetups, and SL13B Gift Shop Hop. She also manages social media and juggles whatever else is thrown in her direction! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">X<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">iola</span></span> joined Linden Lab in 2011 and has spent most of her life immersed in the things that shape technology. She commented, "I am curious how tech — including VR — can be applied to benefit communities. This interest is in part what led me to become a Second Life Resident in 2006. In addition to spending lots of time in Second Life both personally and professionally, I am nearly as obsessed with tomatoes as Torley is with watermelons! I love to garden, cook, read, play video games, and to decorate my offline home in a strange blend of 50's retro and classic horror movie monsters."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For each of these interviews</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, I asked the Lindens to name five of their <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">favorite</span> Mainland destinations with a brief <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">descriptio<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n and LM, and then I asked them to tell me why Mainland matters to them. Xiola's replies <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">are below<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">:</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"In no particular order - here are 5 of my current fave mainland locations!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Olivia's Creepy Diner</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Seokcheon/72/112/50&source=gmail&ust=1473281262770000&usg=AFQjCNEpFCMVLQptimlJue8AEVMX8gZuVA" href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Seokcheon/72/112/50" target="_blank">http://maps.secondlife.com/<wbr></wbr>secondlife/Seokcheon/72/112/50</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtmhFgVnp6xOMvdPyKzn2IrFrCcrjDzk1EySBBHD2tcwNTBJazTSpZ9z4_ehnZa__Owc4Fo0lB5GdM4omk1m05zfc1nu58cs_wWlizMXXRUvRNMPcPZNism7kLIGAXNrydGd3-4boYSlB/s1600/olivia%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtmhFgVnp6xOMvdPyKzn2IrFrCcrjDzk1EySBBHD2tcwNTBJazTSpZ9z4_ehnZa__Owc4Fo0lB5GdM4omk1m05zfc1nu58cs_wWlizMXXRUvRNMPcPZNism7kLIGAXNrydGd3-4boYSlB/s1600/olivia%2527s.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The mix of retro Americana and horror films is right up my alley! I am a huge fan of vintage 50s style and spooky things. There is a
juxtaposition in that combination that I appreciate and that carries over into my offline life. Olivia's has also been around for awhile and I have some fond memories of the first time I found it and how much it spoke to my personal interests and aesthetics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Dark Dharma Haunted Manor</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Benten/87/221/30&source=gmail&ust=1473281262770000&usg=AFQjCNHXyowGzs5kPnggpKYn4KKYJnCxrA" href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Benten/87/221/30" target="_blank">http://maps.secondlife.com/<wbr></wbr>secondlife/Benten/87/221/30</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For as long as I can remember, I have always loved Halloween, and as a kid I
remember the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland leaving a pretty big
impression on my young mind. This place reminds me of that same feeling —
the mystery and thrill of things just beyond our sight and
comprehension. Things that go bump in the night, and walk the halls
after <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1797807039" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">midnight</span></span>!
One of my favorite <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'</span>ghost pictures<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'</span> of the Tulip Staircase also reminds
me of the apparitions you might encounter in the Dark Dharma Haunted
Manor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Lutra City Mysteries</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lutra/88/14/70&source=gmail&ust=1473281262770000&usg=AFQjCNEBE-9vc1TANxKrHvj1_Wvd1X-wQA" href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lutra/88/14/70" target="_blank">http://maps.secondlife.com/<wbr></wbr>secondlife/Lutra/88/14/70</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD_7ltf8akopgCgIkg4DuB8cJKugCSASWA0w9FvHR4L9hyphenhyphen1B12hC1jctX8HFhnypCPmpDoXOYx7E6sJQu1mfJfTbrmYQ3Rw1_IRrD9A3ETN4FYxvUyvIhqfDfJJhOkAjwP3d5nrYFNNjo/s1600/lutra+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD_7ltf8akopgCgIkg4DuB8cJKugCSASWA0w9FvHR4L9hyphenhyphen1B12hC1jctX8HFhnypCPmpDoXOYx7E6sJQu1mfJfTbrmYQ3Rw1_IRrD9A3ETN4FYxvUyvIhqfDfJJhOkAjwP3d5nrYFNNjo/s1600/lutra+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mysteries,
stories, and point and click fun — what's not to love here? While I
love games from board to console and computer, I have always had a soft
spot for those older hidden object and point and click style games. Some
of my favorite computer games were the Broken Sword series which
combined history, story-telling, and adventure that Lutra City Mysteries
reminds me of. It's fun to be a part of solving a mystery and
unraveling a tale as you go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Ivory Tower Library of Primitives</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Natoma/177/173/26&source=gmail&ust=1473281262770000&usg=AFQjCNEEHXMT7nqDg_0hR5Dv3WslgS6KpA" href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Natoma/177/173/26" target="_blank">http://maps.secondlife.com/<wbr></wbr>secondlife/Natoma/177/173/26</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1JqumSJVgY6kl1ADeRu13iXhF6DLQSe9ZhNczhvirrt0YspbIw4Eg0ZiSs1rQ9svoevkMOe5HafQtWaYDt-S-8DJ-lYupMrFk_Tow7sG2-GdR_V3TmUUMSTW0US7wLuiXl4Bgq7dI1rP/s1600/ivoy+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1JqumSJVgY6kl1ADeRu13iXhF6DLQSe9ZhNczhvirrt0YspbIw4Eg0ZiSs1rQ9svoevkMOe5HafQtWaYDt-S-8DJ-lYupMrFk_Tow7sG2-GdR_V3TmUUMSTW0US7wLuiXl4Bgq7dI1rP/s1600/ivoy+tower.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because
of its historical significance, I think this is a spot all Second Life
Residents should visit once they've been around for a bit. No matter if
you are 10 years old or 10 days old, walking around and discovering some
of the history here is a real treat that deepens your understanding of
Second Life and the journey from then until now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Weekly Old Time Radio Shows</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wyrd/110/147/402&source=gmail&ust=1473281262770000&usg=AFQjCNF4_1bsAH0W9T5ujrVWJDfdbwq_BQ" href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wyrd/110/147/402" target="_blank">http://maps.secondlife.com/<wbr></wbr>secondlife/Wyrd/110/147/402</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This
is a new spot to me, that I found when roaming around for this
interview. I really like the feel and ambiance of the space — even
though it's relatively cozy. Old time radio shows are something I enjoy
when I get the chance. One of my favorite parts in Fallout 4 is The
Silver Shroud quest, where you get to become the hero of a radio series.
It's really cool that the folks behind this space bring that radio
magic into a social and shared space for Residents to hang out and
enjoy. (Picture<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d above are <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/sarahsnow/#about_tab">Sarah Snow</a> and radio host <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/klopstick.sandalwood/#about_tab">Klopstick Sandlewood</a>.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">)</span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Why does mainland matter to me?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When
I first came to Second Life in 2006, I had no knowledge of the teleport
system, so I spent several days walking or flying around and marveling
at the variety and diversity of experiences I encountered. It wasn't
until I'd been here for awhile that my friend who invited me to Second
Life offered me a teleport. I was really grateful for having had that
chance to wander and discover how much Second Life had to offer.
Something like mainland, where you can appreciate the wide range of
interests, styles, aesthetics and embrace the kind of inspiration that
comes when people who may not otherwise find common interests end up
being neighbors. I feel that helps promote acceptance and understanding
of that which is 'other' or different from ourselves. Mainland is full
of surprises and so many stories from all different walks of life, and
to me that is one of its most compelling attributes!"</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5364380111461184864.post-52181826654128212672016-09-05T10:36:00.000-07:002016-09-05T11:17:23.928-07:00"C'mon Baby, Light My Fire"<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few days ago, I received a message from someone interested in roleplay at the <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bay%20City%20-%20Dennis/36/137/25">Bay City Firehouse #2</a>. Located in Dennis, conveniently next to the Municipal Swimming Pool, the firehouse is actually on the first parcel of Mainland I ever purchased. It used to be the site of the Stinky Pink, a motel owned by that notorious mischief-maker and firebug, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/everdreamscape">Ever Dreamscape</a>. I told part of Ever's story to Jude, the person who had messaged me, and explained that Bay City locations are more of a background for light RP than for the kind of RP usually expected by first responders across the Grid. Jude then offered, in jest, to do an "exposé" on the shocking state of the non-functional firehouse. In a way, I took him up on that offer, so please enjoy his guest post, below. —Kinn</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UhmGZnbo-HyOTsoUAD3G_fsudaFPRTU9b7kydYdqUytxsTdo_Swy-Wu08UymgurQG31CY5gsw1SBhlM0k18Wv1SJPTv6mB30Et5bL-2H2nxQSZFyRof2vODLxINqhXnm1YEVZ7qCL9Ff/s1600/firehouse+on+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UhmGZnbo-HyOTsoUAD3G_fsudaFPRTU9b7kydYdqUytxsTdo_Swy-Wu08UymgurQG31CY5gsw1SBhlM0k18Wv1SJPTv6mB30Et5bL-2H2nxQSZFyRof2vODLxINqhXnm1YEVZ7qCL9Ff/s1600/firehouse+on+fire.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"BCFD for Ever!" by guest reporter <a href="https://my.secondlife.com/clydeco/#about_tab">Jude Maxwell Kite</a><br /><br />"For those of us SL residents who are persona-donning RPers, the infamous Bay City would seem to be a proverbial playground for such matters. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With </span>street after street filled with bustling businesses<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and phantom trolley and b</span>us drivers <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who seem to </span>have no regard for public safety, Bay City has an appeal like no other. I mean, I live in Heterocera and I STILL think i spend most of my time somewhere in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">that</span> municipality. Which is exactly what brought me to the Bay City Fire Station #<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2 </span>a few days back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />"Being a family RPer with a 6 year old SL daughter, I found myself wanting to have a profession of sorts, something fun, exciting, and dangerous enough to make my daughter think I'm awesome. Firefighting reeks of such things. After some searching, I arrived at the Bay City fire station and was immediately surprised at the lack of traffic and lack of drivable <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">f</span>ire<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> t</span>rucks<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">S</span>omething wasn't meshing, but I contacted the owner anyway, and eagerly wait<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ed</span> to hear back about my chances of joining what I was sure was an elite group of fine firefighters. What I got instead was a surprise, a respect and a chance.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>The responder to my IM was none other than Kinn, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">author</span> of this very publication <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the editor of the <a href="http://baycitypostsl.blogspot.com/">Bay City Post</a>.</span> She informed a very surprised JMK that this station wasn't really a station<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">;</span> that is, it did not RP. The fire I had seen at the Y-Stay in a previous issue of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the Bay City Post</span> was set purposely. I was flabbergasted! I of course asked the rhyme and reason, and the re<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sp</span>on<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s</span>e I got was nothing short of amazing. Dare I say, it was the most heart warming story <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'</span>ever<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'</span>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkLQ255w5tdTlkgptA8D0PPycvm7yflfOcAEpyg88sx9vANhIN1Rde6vR-090Zoy0eDif_wUX-HM3jEeKx0AX6boLo9EA26JiwbBh5dJiyw0dwKyF_cQa8_MK4yMfjMhNLmR800lEtcd_/s1600/memorial+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkLQ255w5tdTlkgptA8D0PPycvm7yflfOcAEpyg88sx9vANhIN1Rde6vR-090Zoy0eDif_wUX-HM3jEeKx0AX6boLo9EA26JiwbBh5dJiyw0dwKyF_cQa8_MK4yMfjMhNLmR800lEtcd_/s1600/memorial+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Bay City was once graced by a lady named Ever. From all accounts, she was one of the nicest and loyal pyromaniacs ever to rez! A former Bay City <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">P</span>ost editor herself, she was seemingly <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">responsible</span>, or at least had a hand in, some of the most amazing stories to ever unfold in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">this</span> great city. When Kinn decided to make a fire station for Bay City, Ever said thank you by burning it to the ground<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Sadly, the fantastic person behind Ever in RL passed away about 2 years ago, a tragedy still felt to this day by the many people who cared about her. There is a <a href="http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bay%20City%20-%20Dennis/225/80/27">memorial for her</a>, pictured above, and the Bay City Municipal pool next to the fire station is named after her, in part. Her brilliantly-lived life started on April Fools Day, so on that day every year here in Bay City you'll see fires and mayhem and all that awesomeness — a tribute to a magnificent life cut too short. And even tho' you can't count on folks at the Bay City Fire Station to rush in and put it out, the station's presence in Bay City is 'For Ever' needed. I may not have found an SL job at a fire station, but I certainly gained a story that makes SL feel more like RL than ever."</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086774680221828622noreply@blogger.com2