Becky Nosferatu on The NuYu Moddtacular Gacha Event

By Bixyl Shuftan

While November is still a month away, Montecito Bay is gearing up for an event taking place then. This is the NuYu Modtacular Gacha event. The community has publicized it some as the deadline to sign up to take part as a merchant is October 15. But even if no one else signs up, already a number of people have.

I had a few words with Becky Nosferatu, one of the two people in charge of organizing the NuYu Modtacular. At the time, she was setting up store tents on the boardwalk while in her dragon avatar. Asking her just exactly what the event is, she answered, "The Gacha event is going to focus around modders and mod makers. Like any gacha event, it's got a theme; modders. Mod makers or mod part makers are the focus. It's a month long event that folks will be able to shop for exclusive mods."

So where did the idea for the event come from? Becky answered, "I've been to various different gacha events in the past; Arcade, Gacha Guild, etc. They all seemed to just focus on little toys or shirts or something simple. But there's always that one modder that stood out, and it was a shame to not see anything specific for them. Modding is a big part of any avatar on Second Life. If you have an avatar, you don't want it right out of the box, you want to customize it for yourself. So, I figured, why not have a gacha event specifically for modders?"

Asking how many signed up to take part so far, the answer was, "The deadline is October 15th, but twelve people have for sure signed up. Even if that's all we get, I'm still pretty excited that I'm not the only one that wants it. The event will be taking place on Montecito Bay's boardwalk on the west side of the sim, "Even if we get more folks to join, we have plenty of room for folks to check out what's here." Among those taking part, "not counting myself or Braelynn who runs Bullseye/Caboodle, we have Maehem from ProjectMAEHEM Industries and Okaie's Creator, Kaie Kaur. We have a good few other bigger names, and some smaller names too."

The gacha will have some events with music players, "That will be our DJs here at Montecito Bay. MoffettMephit, Sheba (Metaluna) and Em (Emorald Resident) here, are some examples. It should also be noted however, that Sheba is a special case, as she's from All Fur Radio, who graciously has decided to sponsor this event." Some of the events will most likely be taking place at her Flying Pickle Lounge, "She has been the main advertiser for the radio itself, so I'm going to assume it will be there, or here on the pier. We haven't actually talked about where the events take place yet. I suppose that will be up to Em, here, as she runs the entertainment side of things."

Becky stated there would also be auctions, "I'd also like to add that we are doing special auction-only mods. A few folks have already joined up for that, so towards the end of the month, we'll raffle the auctioned mods. Like any other auction, whoever pledged the most Lindens will get the mod, which is one of a kind!"

"We're still taking applications until October 15th. If you're a content creator and want to join the NuYu Modtacular event, please follow this link:"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/164hrsApj4YK0JOS4vmKtjnwkWpMsOCybLtFRZpxDllQ/edit?usp=sharing

For those wanting more information, contact Becky Nosferatu, or Braelynn Darkstone, who is the other manager for the event.

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release:Making Strides ABC Key Dates and Overview

Fight Breast Cancer with Strides Campaigns

It’s almost October - have you considered fighting breast cancer through your Second Life? The American Cancer Society is the global leader in the fight against all cancers, including breast cancer; and new fundraising tools are now available for anyone and everyone to show their support.

Fundraising tools are free and can be found on the Second Life Marketplace or by going to the Strides office on the American Cancer Society island.

The Strides Campaigns season is filling up with activities in several communities across the grid, but there can never be too many ways to fight breast cancer until we find the cure! Donations help fund initiatives including the Reach To Recovery program, a peer to peer program that matches trained breast cancer survivors with those recently diagnosed; raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and screenings; and funding research for better treatments and earlier diagnosis.

Therefore, we’re inviting as many communities across Second Life to take action now!

If you would like to plan your own breast cancer fundraiser, you’re encouraged to work within your community or group in Second Life to organize your own Strides Campaign. Make sure to let the American Cancer Society know about it by completing the ACS Calendar Event Submission Form so we can share it with others.
ACS in SL Event Calendar Submission Form: http://bit.ly/2mZ4RXz

All Strides Campaigns must use the official Strides fundraising tools that are provided by the American Cancer Society. Fundraising campaigns may include events, hunts, shows, sales, or simply putting out a donation kiosk at your club or store throughout the month of October.

If you want to fight breast cancer, but aren’t able to organize your own campaign, you can get involved with existing campaigns listed in the ACS in SL Events Calendar.
ACS in SL Events Calendar: http://bit.ly/2n4bk3b

There’s also plenty of ways to get involved in events throughout the month. Check out the events below:

KEY STRIDES DATES

Out Shop Breast Cancer:
Starting Oct. 1 and running the entire month, this event will take shoppers across the grid, exploring and shopping at stores in support of Strides. Store-owners will use American Cancer Society breast cancer vendor kiosks to feature special products in their stores. A directory of participating stores will be available at the Strides office on ACS Island as well as on the Making Strides Second Life website at https://makingstridessecondlife.org.

Pink Powerfest
Oct. 19 to Oct. 26:
Pink Power Fest is an 8-day event that runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 26. Kicking off the Fest will be the 5th Annual Strides Walk-a-thon. Each day after the kick off will have scheduled events to celebrate the power of pink, as in pink ribbon & the fight against Breast Cancer.  Entertainment will include Live Performers, Tribute Bands and DJs from across the grid, all hosted by volunteer hosts & hostesses. There will be Raffles, Gachas, & Vendors around the Fest as well with all donations & proceeds going to the American Cancer Society fight against Breast Cancer. Capping the Fest will be the Harvest of Hope Gala on Oct. 26, honoring all Survivors & Caregivers, and remembering those we have lost. Everyone is invited to attend.

5th Annual Strides Walk-a-thon
Oct.19
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. SLT
It’s that time again to put your best foot forward. It’s time to register for the 5th Annual Strides Walk-a-thon. This year’s walk will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 19 and be Pink Power Fest. Walkers will start the official laps at 10 am. They will be able to walk as many lap as they can until 6p.m. SLT.  For more information or to get involved, visit https://makingstridessecondlife.org/strides-walk-2019/

MSABC Gala
Oct. 26
Noon to 6 p.m. SLT
The annual gala event will be noon to 5 p.m. SLT on Oct. 26 and celebrate breast cancer patients, survivors and pay homage to loved ones that are no longer with us. This is a chance to meet new people,  reconnect with old friends, and share stories with others about your personal connection to breast cancer. This is a formal attire event with special live performances. Donations are encouraged throughout the event.

Do you want to hold a fundraising event for Strides? It’s easy and fun to get involved! For more information on guidelines for the event, visit https://makingstridessecondlife.org/fundraising/

Second Life Marketplace - Request Official Strides Fundraising Tools
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/ACS-Strides-Fundraising-Tool-Requestor/18049230?id=18049230&slug=ACS-Strides-Fundraising-Tool-Requestor

Making Strides Office - American Cancer Society Campus
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society/193/202/22

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Montecito Bay. Exactly how this wolf ended up with the shirt, who knows. But one can imagine a few possibilities.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Car Event at Bellisseria Fairgrounds

There's a car event of some kind at the Bellisserian Fairgrounds today. The track set isn't good for anything more than drag racing, so not sure what kind of race it will be. But there will be music by the looks of the dance floor and stage. The event is from. 10 AM to 4PM SL time

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whiskey%20Bay/173/11/23

SL Video: "Popstars in Secondlife"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Aeon jojorera on Nov 2019, inspired by K/DA Pop/Stars, "SecondLife Dance Movie Movie shooting by mooncat, Edited by jojorera, AKALI as KURISU, KAI’SA as Poohta, AHRI as mooncat, EVELYNN as jojorera"

Lab Gab Episode Three: Kess Crystal

On Wednesday September 25, the third episode of "Lab Gab" took place at 3PM SL time. On the show, Strawberry and Xiola Linden interviewed Kess Crystal. Kess writes a blog, "The Glamour Sauce," as well as running the Blogger and Vlogger Network (BVN), "a group and website built specifically for networking and education purposes. ... strives to provide bloggers and vloggers with the most pertinent, up-to-date, and interactive information available."

If you can't see the video above, click on the link Here.

Eye On The Blog: "What's Next For Linden Lab?"

Earlier this week, Linden Lab posted on the official blog "What's Next For Linden Lab," which was a rundown of improvements and changes to Second Life, and Sansar, in addition to some upcoming developments.



The Lab touted their success with Animesh mentioning there were over 1300 animesh items in Marketplace (I found almost 1600). They also mentioned Bakes On Mesh, with a youtube to learn more about it.



The Lab went on to say they were getting their Environmental Enhancement Viewer "into shape." For those who don't know what the EEP is, it's "a series of new customizations in the environment rendering system that will allow for the creation and sharing of advanced environment settings, including up to four different sky layers which can be set independently. " (link to video)

Of the migration of Second Life's data to cloud servers, the Lab stated progress was continuing, saying they were trying to make the move as "invisible" as they could, "Your inventory data has been in the cloud for quite some time, and the maps website moved a little while ago."

The Lab told readers to, "Stay tuned for updates on when to expect the return of Last Names, availability of a new mobile app beta, changes to Premium options, improvements to Events, Search, the Destination Guide, and much more." 

Something else the Lab discussed were "New Growth and Community Initiatives." Among them was an upcoming "Second Life Blogger Network." "This new initiative will promote high-quality independent blog content to the Second Life community." The Lab stated there would be more details on it soon.

The Lab also told residents to expect some Halloween fun in October, "Residents can expect a mix of new events, freebies and other spooky surprises." Among the events, a Halloween-themed Swaginator hunt.

Also mentioned were the "New Video and Ad Campaigns." These included the Second Life Destinations Youtubes, the "Made in Second Life" videos, and the "Lab Gab" show by Strawberry and Xiola Linden. 

And the Lab has been doing new video tutorials, featuring Strawberry Linden. These include "How to Get Started in Second Life,"  "Shopping and Buying Linden Dollars," and "Customizing Your Avatar Shape." 

And of course, Linden Lab had a few things to say about their other virtual world, Sansar.

"Sansar introduces new features including improved avatar editing, experience points and titles, and new core worlds. We also have first-of-their-kind partnerships with several established music and entertainment companies. Now with a rich backstory and new quests, Sansar has come a long way since it debuted in beta in 2017 and is worth a second look!" 

A press release mentioned musical performances in Sansar on Wednesday September 25 and Thursday September 26.  

For more information, click on the blog post here.

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: HFOT September 2019 Benefit

Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2019’s September benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life! 

Frets Nirvana, the premier guitar artist in the virtual world Second Life and the US Military Veterans Group announce the 2019 September benefit in Second Life for the Veterans Support Organization Home For Our Troops. 

Frets Nirvana states:  “HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans are multiple amputees, paraplegic, quadriplegic or suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Since its inception in 2004, over 90 cents of every dollar spent by Homes for Our Troop has gone to directly support Veterans. DURING THAT TIME HFOT HAS BUILT OVER 274 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR WOUNDED VETERANS.”

In 2018 the community in Second Life sent over $13,000 to Homes For Our Troops, thanks to may kind hearts and great Second Life performers.  HFOT built 34 homes for extremely wounded veterans in 2018.  We hope to help them exceed that in 2019!

Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle.  The September concert on August 25, 2019 is scheduled from 4pm to 9 PM PST.  Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Austin Moores, Cryptic Harmony, Chillee Hernandoz and Stayaway Joe.

Sponsored by Frets Nirvana and the U.S. Military Veteran’s Group of Second Life.  To learn more about Homes for Our Troops visit https://www.hfotusa.org

Announcement: This Week in The Science Circle - "Unanswered Questions"

Saturday September 28
10AM to 11:30 AM

Monthly panel discussion
With this week as subject “What is the biggest/most significant unanswered question in your field right now?”

Panel participants:

1. Nikolai Mnev, Mathematics
2. William Wall, will answer Astronomy Questions from the Audience
3. Rob Knop, Astronomy; Tension in the Hubble constant

Host scientific debates: Matthew Burr

For more information, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32 

Announcement: BURN2 2019: Metamorphoses, Oct 11-10

BURN2 2019:  Metamorphoses
Opening 5:00pm SLT, Friday, 11 October 2019
Ending Midnight SLT, Sunday, 20 October 2019 

SLURL:​ ​http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/174/32/25

As is tradition every year, artists and creatives are invited to get their plots and create homes and art installations in this virtual temporary city on six sims. This year’s theme, ​Metamorphoses​, presents interesting interpretation opportunities within the framework of the ​Ten Principles of Burning Man​ and build guidelines​.

It’s not too late to get your own plot!
The plot sale continues! But don’t wait too long - the build period ends on the 9th of October. If you are an artist or builder (or a dusty camper!) then come, get a plot and create your own story of transformations, changes...metamorphoses - or a comfy little camp to relax and enjoy the dust, tunes and art everywhere. Where to get your own plot? The location is below, and don’t forget to tap the sign for the URL to the ​Metamorphoses 2019 Plot Owner Questionnaire​, which helps us find the best possible placement for your camp: ​Burn2 Metamorphoses Plot Kiosks

Life has begun to stir on the virtual playa, with trucks hauling in the prims needed for infrastructure and various builds. Interesting creations are sprouting up out of the dust. We can’t wait until the event opens on the 11th of October, when music, dancing and fire can begin, and a community comes together once again.

Or Apply for the Plottery
If you find you are unable to afford a plot, but you want a place to call your home on the playa, you can sign up for the Burn2 Plot Lottery​. In keeping with our gifting tradition, we have a limited number of 512 square meter plots with a maximum LI of 156.

You Could Create a Small Art Display
The community is invited to contribute small art to be displayed in across the six sims. Just fill out the ​Metamorphoses Small Art Plot Application​ to add your bit of creativity to the event!

No Such Thing as Bystanders at Metamorphoses
The moment you step onto the dusty playa, you are not a mere spectator, you’re part of the spectacle: Welcome Home!

SHARE the News and Plan to Come!
We look forward to welcoming Home Burners and community. ​Experience Burn2 once again, walk through the gate, and if you are a virgin Burner, ring the bell! Follow the Lamplighters on their twice-daily processions; visit the Rangers, view the Man and meditate in the Temple. Wander, explore, climb, interact. Visit three official stages and many performance camps with music to soothe, inspire, excite and incite to dance. You will be surrounded by art, music, fire and welcoming Burners!​ See the (continuously updated) BURN2 Calendar at ​https://www.burn2.org/event-calendar/​ for the week’s event schedule.

Want more information? Connect with us through our networks::
Website:​ https://burn2.org
Twitter: ​https://twitter.com/BURN2BURNER
Facebook Page:​ ​https://www.facebook.com/BURN2BURNERS
Regional Page:​ ​http://regionals.burningman.com/regionals/cyberspace/second-life/

 BURN2 Inworld Contacts:  BURN2 Communications: iSkye Silverweb ​communications@burn2.org​ or contact inworld BURNING MAN Regional Contact: ​sl@burningman.org

Facebook Announces Upcoming Virtual World "Horizons"

 By Bixyl Shuftan

Today, Facebook announced it was in the process of making it's own virtual world: Horizons.

Today at OC6, we unveiled Facebook Horizon, a new social VR world coming to Oculus Quest and the Rift Platform in 2020. A culmination of what we’ve learned so far about virtual spaces and communities, Horizon is the first step into an ever-expanding world of connection and exploration where anything becomes possible.

... Starting with a bustling town square where people will meet and mingle, the Horizon experience then expands to an interconnected world where people can explore new places, play games, build communities, and even create their own new experiences.

With the announcement there was a youtube of a spokes-avatar showing off the place.



"Beyond our world, there's another world. And it's right here, on my face!"

"Horizon's filled with possibilities. We can play stuff, make stuff, fly stuff. ... Horizons isn't about rules or limits ... It's about getting out there and trying new things, making your mark, making friends ... And you can even build a world of your own. In Horizon, the world is your lobster. ... So come join us, a never-ending, ever-changing world beyond your world."

Horizons will be playable with Facebook's Oculus VR headset and controllers. It was not specifically stated that the virtual world would be playable without a VR rig.

Judging from the pictures, while there's things to do, including able to build things, and places to go, the Horizons is still very much in beta. The most obvious example of this is the legs for the avatars haven't been designed yet, so they just float over the ground instead of walking.

As part of their announcement, Facebook announced they would be closing Facebook Spaces and Oculus Rooms in one month, October 25.

The announcement stated Horizon would be open to play, in beta, "early next year" in 2020. There was a link for people to sign up for access to the currently closed beta.

Hat tip and image credit: Ryan Schultz

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Someone had a gelatin cube avatar, and decided to get around a friend. It does look like someone likes jello a lot.

By Bixyl Shuftan

News And Commentary: Patent Troll Sues Linden Labs

By Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich)

News broke recently over on yahoo!finance that a known patent troll, Worlds Incorporated, has filed a patent dispute lawsuit with Linden Labs for their extremely broad patent on a “System and Method for Enabling Users to Interact in a Virtual Space.”

In fact they have used this same patent to files a suit against Blizzard all the way back in 2012. In 2013, they were counter sued by Activision when they went after them.

So what is a patent troll you might ask? Patent trolls are often not companies that offer their own services or goods. They are more of a “patent holding company” and they often collect and sit on patents just so they can go after legitimate companies in the future in the hopes of either settling with them or collecting royalty fees for the use of their intentionally broad patents.

In this case, Worlds Inc. maintains a very basic 3D chat client which you can read about here (but be warned this article is very NSFW and that’s not the avatar’s tail). It’s obvious that this service isn’t even looked after. What these patent trolls will do is gather the patent and release a barebones “service” or “product” so that they can prove later on in court that they have been sourcing this “product” or “service.” They are essentially opportunistic vultures who see an opportunity, wait for their prey to get fat (successful), and then strike when the time is right.

This is nothing new and happens all the time in the technology industry. Since it’s so common, the companies that these patent trolls go after tend to pay for good lawyers who take care of these things. Let’s hope that Linden Labs is able to do the same. It’s just a shame that it’s such a drain on resources for these companies.

Cyfir

Image Source: Engadget. 

Editor's Note: According to an article by Engadget, they sued NCSoft and had gone after Linden Lab in the past as well.

It seems among the things that the money coming from Linden Lab's price and fee hikes will be going to is paying lawyers to defend them against patent trolls.

More on the Bellisseria Park Area.

When the Newser looked at southern Bellisseria's expansion a week ago, the Linden Moles had made and opened a number of Linden Home campers. But there's much more in this new area.

For those people exploring around wanting a place to stop for a bit, there is the Campwich Lodge. One can relax on a couch, sit by the fireplace, or perhaps chat with someone else there about what the two of your have seen while exploring around.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Campwich%20Forest/113/112/25

Besides the camper homes, last week we also mentioned there were railroad tracks going through. There are a few railroad stations around the area, such as the one close by Campwich Lodge.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Campwich%20Forest/80/60/40

There are also a few large hills around the area, such as the one that Daniel Voyager named Tawakoni Hills. Set your viewer to maximum, wait a few minutes for everything to rezz, and there's quite a bit of scenery to see.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tawakoni/9/14/59

If you haven't been to the park area, by all means do so. If you were here when the campers were placed, come back and see what's changed. And the Moles are still laying rail track. So it should be interesting to see what comes next.

Hat Tip: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan

RFL Announcement: Carnival of Dreams and Screams,, Oct. 1 - 31st.

Moonshadow Rising Horde presents- Carnival of Dreams and Screams benefiting MSABC of SL Sim opening October 1st(maybe earlier) thru October 31st. Landmark coming soon!

p.s. October 5th @6pmslt Moonshadow Rising will have a kick off formal event. Landmark to come!

Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs and Furry Fashion Lounge

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, the Montecito Bay clubs, and the Furry Fashion Lounge


Cutlass: Best in 'O' and 'P', Flying Things, Multi-Colored

The Happy Vixen: Four-Footed, Werefolk, TBA, Wah Party, Sharknado, Leather, Cops and Robbers, Bunnies and Foxes, Undies, TBA


Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Montecito Bay: TBA

Furry Fashion Lounge: CAYA, Wasteland, Neons, Canines, Throwback Thursday, Rainbow, Pool Party, Genderbend, Late night, Insects 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.  

Announcement: NuYu Modatcular Gacha Event This November

The NuYu Modatcular Gacha Event is going to be held November 1st through the 31st, right on the boardwalk of the sim Montecito Bay!

The event organizers are Becky Nosferatu and Braelynn Darkstone, and graciously sponsored by All Fur Radio and Montecito Bay, this mod exclusive gacha event is going to rock your socks off, with a whole month worth of gachas, auctions and live entertainment! We hope you're excited, because we've been excited to bring you this event!

So stay tuned so you keep track of the progress that is NuYu Modtacular and we hope to see you in November!

You can track the event through our group, ///ontecito Bay VIP: secondlife:///app/group/985af03e-c430-c542-72ae-533b43dbaeee/about

Or join our discord: https://discord.gg/SWgBBsA

Landmark to Montecito Bay: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Montecito%20Bay/31/128/26

If you are a content creator and wish to create for this gacha event, please, follow the link provided:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/164hrsApj4YK0JOS4vmKtjnwkWpMsOCybLtFRZpxDllQ/edit?usp=sharing

And remember, you only have until October 15th to apply! We hope to see you soon!

Interview with Tealcie Annibles (Tealcie Resident) of SL Regional Search and Rescue.

Recently, yours truly interviewed Tealcie Annibles (Tealcie Resident). Tealcie is the founder and leader of the SL Regional Search and Rescue group, which roleplays first responders at the scene of various disasters. I talked to her about how she got started in Second Life, and just what goes into planning and setting up these exercises.

Read the interview in People.

Five Fun Places in Second Life

Sometimes you see so many interesting places, you're not sure which one to focus on. Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich Resident) had this problem recently when he came across five noteworthy places in Second Life, and felt all of them would be enjoyed by the readers. So which one to write about? He decided to write about all five of them in one story.

Read Cyfir's article in Places.

Weekend in Review

Quite a bit happened in Second Life this weekend, including the following events. On Friday night (Saturday morning), the Australian club "The Pocket" was briefly opened for a special one night performance, which included singer OhMy Kidd. The Confederation of Democratic Simulators held five events on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as part of their fifteenth anniversary. Virtual Ability had a "Relog Party." The SL Regional Search And Rescue had an exercise in which a cruise liner had crashed into an oil rig.

Stay tuned for announcements this week for more exciting happenings.

RFL Announcement: Pink Power Fest

Pink Power Fest 2019 is just around the corner. We have over 30+ live performers, DJs, & Tribute Bands lined up to entertain you. We are still accepting donations for raffles during the Fest and we have some limited sponsorship opportunities as well as partnership and booster spots available. Contact Leala Spire for more info or if you would like to be a part of this POWERful event.

Cartoon of the Day: Sinking Pirate

Sometimes karma catches up to pirates in unexpected ways.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries

HI HO! LET THE HIGH STORIES BEGIN!
The Pirates have cleared away, bless'em, and on we go as the first of the "Spookables" kick in. Join us this week for stories LIVE in #secondlife, and on our properties in #kitely, live in voice.

Check out the stories and the storytellers at www.seanchailibrary.com

All stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT

*MONDAY, September 23rd, at 7pm:  Charles de Lint's MOONHEART continues with Gyro Muggins.  

*TUESDAY,September 24th, at 7pm:  THE SPOOKY CLASSICS with Caledonia Skytower. Ghostly stories from some of the classics of the genre. Each week features a different author associated with tales of the macabre, gothic, or just plain spooky. THIS WEEK: Charles Dickens

*WEDNESDAY,  September 25th, at 7pm: Lucy Maude Montgomery's ANNE OF GREEN GABLES continues with Faerie Maven-Pralou.

*THURSDAY, September 26th, at 7pm:  THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST with Shandon Loring. "Tonight my bravehearts, we begin our seasonal ventures abroad into exploring the obscure, exhuming Gothic tales, and more seasonal delights!"  (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI)

All sessions held at the Seanchai Library in Second Life unless otherwise indicated. Schedule subject to change. 

SL Video: "Repeat Hikari"

Repeat Hikari from Tizzy Canucci.

"Selected for Supernova Digital Animation Festival in Denver, September 2019, and included in competition section, for 15 selected artists.

"In Amelie Marcoud’s installation in Second Life on Marina Münter and Megan Prumier’s G.B.T.H. sim, stacked televisions repeated images in endless loops. This video works, reworks and repeats her theme.

"These televisions only exist on people’s screens. The looping images emphasise the equally looped animations of the trees and my ‘human’ avatar – animations that seem ‘natural’ while half-watched but become as mechanical as an a Victorian automaton when looked at with care. Little stoppages occur between the repetitions as the animations return to the beginning. These short loops, potentially saying the same thing infinitely, makes a storyline irrelevant.

"Location: Installation by Amelie Marcoud: HIKARI, was at The G.B.T.H. Project, curated by Marina Münter and Megan Prumier, until 25 July 2018. maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Starry%20Night/204/231/3186

Music: Apache Force by Little Glass Men
CC BY: freemusicarchive.org/music/Little_Glass_Men/Future_Shapes/Apache_Force "

Hat Tip: Hamlet Au

Games Made in SL: "StudioDire Tabletop Hall"

Remember Chuu Akamine when the Newser wrote about a Relay for Life event in June 2019 in which she was selling her dioramas to raise money for charity? She and her games are the focus of  Draxtor Despress' "Games Made in SL" this week.

We know that role-playing, fantasy, and gamified events like board games, adventures, and murder mysteries are popular in Second Life. The idea of playing a part in a story and interpreting the world around you through your character can be a great deal of fun, and therapeutic for many.

 

Naturally, with both role-playing and gaming experiences being popular in our virtual world, a blend of the two would find its way onto the Grid in the form of the well known ‘tabletop’ style of game play. 

 

ChuuAkamine has taken his love for the Sorcery! Gamebook by Steve Jackson, and his favorite map cartographer (Mike Schley) as inspiration for his own projects in Second Life - functional dioramas that work with the Tabletop system from Remnant Ashbourne of  /studioDire/.

 

These dioramas are interactive, engaging ways to allow tabletop style gameplay in the vein of Dungeons & Dragons within Second Life. ChuuAkamine has started business creating and selling these dioramas and miniatures for others to enjoy - Mini A Chuu.
To read the blogpost in full, Click Here.

Review of Lab Gab Episode Two With Reed Linden

Last week, the new Second Life show hosted by Xiola and Strawberry Linden, Lab Gab, had it's first guest: Reed Linden. As Second Life's Product Manager, Reed talked about a few things recently developed, and a few things in the works such as some upcoming changes to Marketplace.

Read the review in Design.

Announcement: CDS Events This Weekend

Our 15th Anniversary weekend (and other stuff too!)

Check the forum for all the events starting tomorrow. https://forums.slcds.info/viewforum.php?f=5 gets you there.

***Think Blue & White for the Anzere Ball.***

Friday Sept 20 from 2-4pm  is the "Anzerre Be-in." We will visit our original home, after viewing it from above. We began as a LL program to build community on that date. 1stt elections were in Jan. 2005. And here we still are!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Anzere/68/174/171

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 MoCA Exhibit Opening

When: Sat., Sept 21 10-11:30am

The NFS Museum of Contemporary Art opens 2 exhibits in honor of the CDA 15th Anniversary of its founding on Anzere sim. "Remembering" includes work from both the MoCA and Delia Lake's personal collection. The Citizen/Artists of CDS, on the Ground Floor) includes works by current and former CDS Citizens.

Where: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/186/135/181

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 The C.D.S. 15th Anniversary Anzere Ball

Time: Sat Sept 21, 12:00-2pm
Place: Schloss Neufreistadt Ballroom on Neufreistadt

It's our 15th Anzere-versary!

15 years ago the city of Neualtenburg was founded on the Anzere sim. 15 years later The Confederation of Democratic Simulators is the oldest democratic estate in SL.

Please join us at the The C.D.S. 15th Anniversary Anzere Ball. Music by DJ Callipygian

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neufreistadt/245/145/203

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CDS 15th Anniversary: Aesopics in "The Animals Sick of the Plague" (A Fable)

Time: Sunday Sept 22, 10:30 -11:30am
Where: The CN Amphitheatre
Hosted by Kyoko Furse-Barzane (samara.barzane)

Aesopica is a multi-talented group of performers whose work include Theatre, Carnival, Gladiators and Aesop's Fables. For the 15th Anniversary of The Confederation of Democratic Simulators, they will perform the fable, "The Animals Sick of the Plague." Come see a very special performance!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/200/205/43

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The last event in out "Anzere-versary" weekend will be a performance by the singer and guitarist, Noma Falta,


Sunday Sept 22, 12 - 1 PM

Multi-decorated trailblazing Musician and Vocalist of the SL music scene

" .....the sting of a Look, the caress of a word..
the pitch of a sigh..the timbre of breath
the contour of conversation,
revel in the melody of life.."
-Noma Falta 2008

Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Colonia%20Nova/62/162/37

RFL Announcement: Swashbuckler's For Life Formal Uniform Ball : Sat, Sept 21st

Off Season Special
  ** In the spirit of the beloved “Fleet Week”, The Swashbucklers cordially invite you to a Formal Uniform Ball to benefit the Relay for Life on Saturday 21 September 2019 from 1 until 3 pm SLT in the Cloisters Ballroom in Rosemont Woodlands. The musical program of classical, celtic and sea shanties will be provided by Tamlorn Carterhaugh Wood.  **

 Rosemont Woodlands (155,204,3502)

Announcement: Live at The Pocket for One Night Only!

This Friday September 20th at 11 PM Wread Writer returns to Second Life music with his new project 'The Rubber Gecko Band' bringing your favourite songs to life with a new three piece band. Lots of ukulele goodness and sweet harmonies.

At Midnight OhMy Kidd and Saraine Sands hit the stage with a set of their trademark hippie music with a haircut. Saraine's years of drumming experience make her a force to be reckoned with on her mini percussion kit, and a great backup for  OhMy Kidd as brings out his favourite guitars and songs.

Happening this Friday September 2oth from 11 PM PDT at The Pocket in  our original location at Fendahl.  We're on mainland, so arrive early, and don't forget to set your draw distance to 128 or below.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fendahl/202/45/22

Image from 2014

Goodbye Premium

When Linden Lab made the decision to raise the yearly price of Premium level accounts for Second Life residents in May, some predicted many people affected would downgrade their accounts. Recently, Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich)'s Premium account was up for renewal, and he had to make the decision to accept paying the higher rate or downgrade to basic. After some thought, he chose the later. In his latest article, he explains why, the price increase being just one of the reasons.

Read Cyfir's story in Extra.

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day

"Arrrrrrr! It be 'Talk Like A Pirate Day!' So all ye lanlubbers git ta speak in th' manner of th' Brotherhood of th' Coast.' Be on th' watch fer pirate-themed happenin's at various clubs 'cross Second Life."

Announcement: This Week in The Science Circle - "Virtual Worlds Teaching Manual" and "The Face of Dementia"

"Virtual Worlds Teaching Manual"
by Gregory Perrier 

Sept 19 , 10 AM to 11 AM SL time

Experience has shown that Virtual Worlds (VWs) can provide students a unique interactive educational experience that many students see as a fun way to learn. VWs go beyond just offering text to read or a video to watch. In VWs students interact with objects. For example, a student can study the diagram of an ear online or in a textbook; but in a VW the student can walk through the ear, a whole different experience. Studies have shown that students learn more from doing, than from reading or listening to a lecture, and VWs have the potential to provide this hands-on learning experience in a cost-effective manner.

Furthermore, teaching students to function in virtual environments provides them with skills that will be beneficial, if not critical, for success in the future job market.

The aim of this manual is to help educators incorporate VWs into their courses in ways that enhance student learning. It will guide one through getting started and show them how to use VWs to make classes more fun and interesting. It will help them avoid the common errors educators make in VWs and allow them to build on the successes of others. The advice presented here comes from work in the VW called Second Life (SL), but much of this advice applies to other VWs, such as Open Simulator and Kitely, as well as to virtual reality (VR).

For more information, Click Here

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chilbo/167/53/97

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"The Face of Dementia"
by Robert A. Hendrix, MD

Sept 21, 10 AM to 11 AM SL time

DEMENTIA affects approximately 50 million of the human population globally. This presentation will review:

General definition of DEMENTIA

distinctions:

Lewy body dementia vs Alzheimer’s disease dementia

Alcohol-Related Dementia (ARD)

Symptoms and diagnosis

Phases of dementia

Etiologies and associated conditions

– head trauma

– including metabolic disorders including:

diabetes

liver dysfunction

– sleep disorders

– depression

– cigarette smoking, oxidative stress and inflammation

– drug abuse

– commonly used medications associated with dementia,

– nutrition factors

Treatment & prognosis

Artistic depiction by patients with dementia

Risk factors and Prevention

 For more information, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Cartoon of the Day: "Gotta Go Fast!"

Taken at the Happy Vixen. Someone had this Sonic avatar and was zipping around. When going sufficiently fast, the legs would look like they did in the video game. As a character, Sonic loves going at top speed for it's own sake. But what if he suddenly had the universal incentive to try and go faster?

By Bixyl Shuftan

Linden Home Camping Area Appears in Bellisseria

Remember the Linden Home campers that were up on display at the Second Life Birthday this year? Well, some were finally made available for people to claim. A number of sims have been added to southern Bellisseria. But these are different than areas made earlier.

Some of the trailers looked unclaimed or ready to be moved into, either they actually were unclaimed (rare for a Linden Home), or someone did and hadn't moved in yet.

Others had signs that they were claimed. And there were a variety of camping homes available. There was even an electrical outlet pole next to each.

The scenery of the park area was well-detailed too, with dirt roads and railroads.  Of the latter, I found rail bridges, as well as railroad car rezz stations, water towers, and signal lights.

There were streams in some sims. In others, rivers. One sim had a large lake area. The Linden Moles are still at work in developing the new continent. And this new area is definitely worth a look, even if you have no intention of getting a Linden Home.

Bixyl Shuftan