Your source of news about the people, places, things, and events across Second Life.
Our reporter Grey Lupindo recently met up with Afsaneh Metaluna. A resident of Elf Circle in the Falathrim sim, she has proven to be a great storyteller, artist, and filmmaker in real-life. Now she brings those talents to Second Life.
About two years ago for Second Life Newspaper, I wrote about the Naruto roleplay at the Kohona "Hidden Leaf" Village in the Shinobi sim. It was an RP with a sizeable group, where they could practice combat in and out of the game, or just hang out in places on neutral ground. There was also a large martial arts shopping area that catered to both those in and out of the area.
TO all Konohanians. Konoha has a very proud and inventive mass of villagers, friends, lovers, dreamers, etc. For most of us, we have seen this Village go from amazing, to bad, to good, to worse, etc. This village has been open for nearly 5 years, and in SL time, that seems like a century. We think its time for a change in scenery. 
While most in Second Life were buzzing about the Emerald mess, some took the time to honor those who fought and died decades before. Tuesday August 24th marked the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the London Blitz. Residents gathered across three places on the Grid to remember those killed.
Well, this morning Emcee Widget, on her way to Burning Man in real life, took time to let us know that the Theme Camp Applications are available on the Burn2 Blog. She also closed the lottery location. All those who have paid 100L are in the lottery for a plot.
I know I don't walk so well , but hey I do love SL for keeping me dry even underwater.
Gemma Cleanslate's series on the Kids of Second Life comes to a close with our fifth and final story. Pygar Bu, a twelve year old angel, describes how he came to Second Life, a little on what he does here, and why he'll never grow up.
In the days following Linden Labs taking the Emerald Viewer down from its list of approved viewers, and the decision of Fractured Crystal to resign on Sunday August 22nd, the controversy has yet to die down.
Our series on the Kids of Second Life by Gemma Cleanslate reaches Part Four. Everest Piek describes how he came to Second Life, and some of his journey along the way, from his friends to his in-world family. And he talks about some of the projects he's gotten involved with.
Reporter Grey Lupindo came across a place in Second Life devoted to helping out horses in need in real life: the Horsenet Horse Rescue. Laura24 Kiranov tells about exactly what her organization does, and what it needs, both in real life and Second Life.
In part three of our series on the Kids of Second Life by Gemma Cleanslate, we have a few words with Patty Wylie. "Lil' Patty" describes a little about her life as a child here, a little on how she came to be one, and a little on what keeps her coming back.
On Monday evening at 7 PM SL time, I made an appearance on the “When Worlds Collide” talk show, hosted by Cypress Rosewood. Cypress is a musician in Second Life, playing his unique style in a tall elven avatar, but he also does this talk show once a week. His normal routine, first he plays another musician’s music or have the musician play it himself. Then he reads an article about Second Life or the Internet in general. And finally, interviewing his guests.
I can’t remember whose music was playing, but the article was from the “Guardian” about how computers and the Internet may be rewiring people’s brains. Then it was my turn. Cypress was polite and friendly as an interviewer, the questions ranging from how I got here, to how I got to be an online journalist, to some of what I’ve covered. All in all, I would say things went well despite my having “a voice for newspapers,” and I got to mention a few certain people and places (notably the reporters here).
Readers from Second Life Newspaper may remember Kim Trefusis, whom covered events in 2009. Like many reporters, he covered quite a number of places around the Grid. Although many of his articles are no longer available for viewing due to being in closed sections, there are still some available for view in the still-open main section of SL Newspaper.
In Part Two of Gemma Cleanslate's series on the Kid avatars of Second Life, we look at Sage Kostenbaum. Sage explains how she found out about child avatars and why she became one.
The Burn2 Blog is posting the Volunteer application . For those interested you can fill out the application checking the job(s) you would like to do and submit it. There are many positions to be filled and you will have fun whether you have lots of time or just a few hours to dedicate. You can check some of the duties by clicking on various departments. The playa is alive during the Burn2 with activities going on all the time and magnificent builds to view.
Nydia Tungsten, the co-owner of Club Zero Gravity, recently announced that Club Zero Gravity was teaming up with Illusions. Club Illusions is the new club in the Purrfection Estates, which Club Zero Gravity resides in.
The beach house is four rooms in size, and has a teleport to a three bedroom skybox high above, “the home is open if you would like to look around it, as is the the skybox, and you are welcome to do so.”
Illusions is at Purrfection Estates at (63, 38, 1505). Club Zero is at (224, 11, 3365)
I have a hard time with those who do not understand their desire to be kids in Second Life. Oh, I know it can be annoying sometimes to some to encounter one in an odd place and hear the cutesy stuff, but maybe if you play along you will understand. I would like you to hear from some of them their reasons for opting to be a kid. Maybe it will explain it to your mind and your heart. I have asked some kids to share their stories with you so that maybe you will get it too.
Yesterday, Friday August 20th, Terrence Linden finally gave Linden Lab's statement about "the difficult decision to discontinue Teen Second Life." Some of the information was a repeat of what Philip Linden has stated at SLCC, "supporting and developing for two separate grids has been a challenge for us, and has slowed progress on improvements that benefit all Residents." But there was also some new information, "Teen Second Life will be closing on December 31, 2010, and we plan to begin accepting 16-year-old Residents to the Main Grid on or before that date."
Most of us do our best to use courtesy in the way we talk and write, though there are complaints from some about pressure to make them go out of their way from potentially offending someone by the use of unnecessarily complex language. And it's not just speech, but even in whether or not someone gets a job because they're not of the "right" label that has little if anything to do with how the job is performed. I went to the Coffeeshop in the Breakers sim where the people asked themselves: "has political correctness gone too far?"
Press release on the 48 Hour Film Project for machinima, 2010.
The UWA_BOSL Theater in Second Life
Between news stories, Grey has been a little occupied with getting a new home. She got what she thought was a hot deal on some "new islands" on the estates where she lives. But as this picture shows, the islands were a little too new, or in her words about the deal, "it's hot hot hot!" Hopefully she's wearing some heat-resistant shoes.
Our reporter Breezes Babii is back with another fashion story. Today, she writes about the “Mad About Hats” store, of which her visits make her feel a little, mad about hats herself.
In the Trees sim, by a peir a US warship floats proudly, the CA-75 USS Helena. The ship isn’t owned by just anyone, but by a sailor who once served on it, Henry Borgnine, whom was stationed on the ship during the Korean War. Most of the building has been done by a vet of the Afghanistan Campaign, Bobcatt Neilsen. Together, they have planned, and built, and although not quite finished, the ship is already a spectacular sight.
Tellaq is really two stores, one for male avatars, and one on the opposite side of the small clearing between them for female. The men's’ building has a much larger selection of skins. Most of the skins are black, but there are some white, and one Asian. Both stores have a lucky chair, giving people an opportunity to win one of the skins for free.
The men's’ store was packed with skins, dozens of them, all over the walls and on panels on the ground. Each were given names, such as “Eddie,””Pier,” “Ronald,” and others. There were a few accessories for sale, such as gold chains and tattoos, but the store was almost all skins.
Checking the building for the females, it had much less of a variety, just about a dozen, “I think he needs to start looking after the women now. ... He could make a bomb if he concentrated on the girls.” To help fill the wall space, there were a number of accessories and clothes up for sale here, “not sure about the clothes up here. ... I think skins and tatts are his game.”
On Sunday August 8th from 3PM SL time to about 1 AM, a music benefit was held to raise funds for people affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The money was sent directly to the United Way, whom would them aid those in need. DJs performed from 3 to 5 PM and 10 PM to about Midnight SL time. Live musicians performed the rest of the times. The event took place at the Java Serenity sim.
Dropping in at 6 PM, Tribbs Nirvana was playing her guitar for the audience. She played songs such as “Starfish and Coffee.” She also made a few occasional comments, “so many people lost their livelihood and their income because of the spill ... BP and the government are no help ... keeping Americans alive and well.” She was followed by Grateful Stryker, whom also strummed his guitar for the crowd.
“Remember everyone, the devastation created by the BP oil leak put so many families out of their family business and have no assistance! ... Please donate to help them!”
Our reporters continue their exploring of Second Life. Today, we look at Gemma Cleanslate's trip to China Tang. This beautifully designed sim is so detailed, it took multiple builders to build it. Join Gemma as she finds a sample of what the sim has to offer.
Some of you remember Breezes Babi from Second Life Newspaper. Her "Breezes Thoughts" certainly were a fresh breeze. We're pleased to now post her articles here as well.
Luskwood is a popular place, though some see it as one where not a lot happens. That wasn’t the case on Saturday August 6, in which to celebrate the upgrade of their skunk avatar, the Luskies threw a big party.
If you have a yen for the latest styles in foot wear don’t miss the Shoe Fair going on in four sims. The fair is sponsored by N0Core, Slink, GOS and R2 Fashion.
Be sure to wear your lowest lag outfits and hair and perhaps go shoeless because you can then try on many of the demos before buying. I went to check it out for our readers and am sorry to say I spent a bundle of lindens!! People with shoe fetishes will love it! You can begin your shopping here until the 22nd of August.
To get to the Shoe Fair, go Here. The event takes place in Iridium, Osmium, Ruthenium, and Rhodium.
From Friday August 6PM SL time to Midnight on Saturday, “The Pocket” club hosted the “Jamm for Jeans” marathon live music event. “Jamm for Genes 2010 at The Pocket!” Delinda Dyrssen, the owner of the Australian club advertised, “Come on down for 30 hours of SL's best musicians and singers all performing for a common cause, Genes! here at The Pocket! ”
The day and a quarter event offered a variety of singers in Second Life. Besides Cellandra Zon, there were Truelie Telling, Lyn Carlberg, OhMy Kidd, and many more. There was also a wide variety of styles. At one point, OhMy played as part of a pop music band, The Kidds. ZeroOne Paz offered more relaxing, ambient, music with his xylophone. Alienspeaking, whom spoke in a voice that sounded like “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” had a strange series of odd tunes that one might describe as an acquired taste. Delinda commented, “Someone in Second Life once told me that a venue cant mix rock and roll next to ambiant or country or whatever ... but you know what, music is music. It’s all good!
On Saturday at 9PM SL time, “Jamm” finally reached the 200,000 Linden mark. The final tally at the end was 241,399 Lindens, with a last second 1000 L donation arriving just in time. Delinda felt the event had the potential to be higher, “definately see the economic impact. Three years ago I did a 36-hour non-stop and by now we had 400,000. That was Unday for thrombosis research. And AngelAid we did two 8 hour days. We hit over 1 million in 16 hours. That was three years ago, though. And this event always falls shortly after Relay for Life, and people are burned out.”
