Taken at the Happy Vixen "Anything but Clothing" party in June 2019
By Bixyl Shuftan
Your source of news about the people, places, things, and events across Second Life.
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Cartoon of the Day
Star Relay DJ Matt Carlton Sets Up Redbubble Store Page
I am a Non-Binary, Freelance Photographer that loves to shoot many
things, but has a fondness for wildlife and nature, especially weather.
As of this time, there are a total of eight items for sale. Most are wildlife stickers for less than two dollars. But there's also a print and one t-shirt that's normally $19.90.
Bixyl Shuftan
SL Video: " We Are One More Light"
From Nichole Malady about Relay for Life's team "One More Light's" campsite, and some builds nearby. The team raised 1,112,400 Lindens and ranked Emerald, coming in 11th of total money raised this season.
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Reader Submitted: Grave Situation
Sent by Andrea Jones, a scene from June 21 at a Halloween event, "Found a nice quiet gravestone off by itself to rest on." But it seems things won't be quiet for long
Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and Furry Fashion Lounge
Club Cutlass: Best in 'X,Y, and Z,' Latex and Leather, Fourth of July
Happy Vixen: Warriors, Topless Tuesday, Dog and Pony Show, Magic vs Tech, Patriotic, 4th of July (pts 1 and 2), Hybrids
Club Zero Gravity: TBA
Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Red and Black, Red White and Blue
Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Jesse
Montecito Bay: CAYA, After Dark
Furry Fashion Lounge: Canines, Formal, Sea Life, Creepy VS Cute, Neon, Late Night, Retro
Deathlands Fallout Shelter: DJ Wolfy, DJ Shapes
Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
The Hair Fair
Hair Fair is an annual event that combines the talents of Hair and Hair accessories creators from all over the grid into this one location for two weeks. The event donates a percentage of all purchases to Wigs for Kids. It started in 2006 and has always been a yearly favorite of Hair lovers and the Second Life community. The event runs from June 18th to July 4th, 2021. More info at hairfair.wordpress.com.
The charity, Wigs For Kids, helps out kids whom have lost their hair whose families have trouble getting them a hairpiece, “Children shouldn’t have to worry about how they look, especially when they’re in the middle of a health crisis. We want to give these kids the opportunity to feel good about themselves again.”
For more about Hair Fair, check out the website: https://hairfair.wordpress.com/
Hair Fair - Noirette (226/247/21)
Bixyl Shuftan
The Busy Season
So if you feel there's a particular topic that you feel needs covered, let us know. Or better yet, write something about it and send it over (bixylshuftan@gmail.com is the editor's email). Most submissions we get we can post with little to no editing.
Bixyl Shuftan
SL Newser
Monday, June 28, 2021
At The Relay And SL Birthday
Read Gemma's story in Events.
Scheduled SL18B Music Events End
Saturday June 26, and Sunday June 27 were the last days the Second Life Birthday would have scheduled music events. at 8AM SL time, DJ Tantari would play her "Journey into Sound" to a light but enthusiastic crowd.
The spirited vixen has been DJing for quite some time, known for narrating sessions with lyrics from the tunes. She's also done a tribute set for the Newser (link here).
The parties on Sunday June 27 would go all the way to Midnight. the 11 PM party had over 80 people.
I ended up crashing a few times. So this was about as good as a picture I could get of the crowd. Not everyone appeared in my viewer, and those who did were often gray or half rezzed. At the end of the set, volunteer Vee (Varian Altney) told the crowd, "Gentlebeings, not-so-gentle beings, others, and even humans, I'm sorry to report that the SLB Stages are now closed! On behalf of the Stage Crew and Greeters of SL18B, thank you all for coming and taking part in our celebration!" Zoren Manray, one of the exhibitors, joined in, "WOOT! Hope you had a happy birthday SL!!! Here's hoping many MANY more years!"
But while the scheduled events may be over, the exhibits are still around. They will be up until Tuesday July 6. Some residents prefer waiting until the music exhibits are over before heading to the SL Birthday sims so they'll have less lag to deal with.
One that caught my attention was "Purple Wing: The Wings of the Challengers," by Tina Grace (tinaimai Resident). One could board a Nieuport and fire at the Fokker Eindecker spinning around in the air. It's at SLB Pizzazz (211/101/23).
Another one that got my attention was "Where in SL Are Holocluck and Tindy?" It's at SLB Incredible (189/86/23).
It should be noted while the scheduled events are gone, some unsecheduled ones are possible. And on the last night the sims are scheduled to be open, Tuesday July 6, there's likely to be a DJ or two taking the stage for a few last tunes before the lights go out.
So visit the exhibits while they're still up.
Bisyl Shuftan
Reader Submitted: Last View of the Relay Track
From Wateru Kohime, the picture he took of his computer screen after the viewer logged off when the Relay track sims went offline on Friday June 25, "The sim has finally gone down and I've been logged out... This is the last view of RFL Knowledge from this year's Relay."
Announcement: This Week at the Seanchai Libraries
All events at Nowhereville (203/43/26) , unless otherwise noted.
Stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT
* * * * *--------->> COMING THIS WEEK
Stories told in open voice unless otherwise noted. All times SL/PT
**MONDAY, June 28th , at 7pm: Scott Westerfield's BEHEMOTH concludes with Gyro Muggins.
**TUESDAY, June 29th:
~ at Noon: RUSSELL EPONYM, Live! with music, and poetry in Ceiluradh Glen, live on stream. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
~ at 7pm: Ben Aaronovitch's WHAT ABIGAIL DID THAT SUMMER concludes with Corwyn Allen
**WEDNESDAY, June 30th at 7pm: Carl Hiaasen's SKINK concludes with Kayden Oconnell.
**THURSDAY, July 1st:
~ at 7pm: H. Beam Piper's LITTLE FUZZY, continues with Ktadhn Vesuvino, in Ceiluradh Glen, live on stream. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21
~ at 9pm: SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT, contemporary sci-fi-fantasy with Finn Zeddmore
**FRIDAY, July 2nd at 2:30pm: Terry Pratchett's UNSEEN ACADEMICALS continues with Caledonia Skytower at the Seanchai lanai-firecircle (90 minutes).
****
Do You Have A Story?
Have you seen a particularly well-detailed sim? Went to a great event? Found yourself in a hilarious "only in SL" predicament? We're very interested in what you the readers have to say. And on occasion, Second Life Newser will print an article or picture submitted to us by one of you, the readers. Send us a story or funny picture, and if we like it, we'll post it as a Reader Submitted. For pictures, jpg format is preferred.
Mail submissions to bixylshuftan(at)gmail.com.
PLEASE include your SL user name and tell us if you wish it to appear with your story.
SL-Newser reserves the right to post in the appropriate section and to investigate any names used in submitted stories (please ask permission before using anyones name or picture or use an alias for them).
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Cartoon of the Day
Taken at Club Zero Gravity on June 2019. Somehow, the lower part of my overcoat and pants glitched, turning white.
By Bixyl Shuftan
Lomgren Smalls, Second Life's Smallest Avatar, Back Inworld
It should be interesting to see what the Sunweaver's smallest resident comes up with.
Welcome back to Second Life and the Sunnies, Lomgren.
Bixyl Shuftan
Saturday, June 26, 2021
RFL Announcement: Rocking the Realm
From Oldesoul Eldemar - Rocking the Realm at the Flock n Feather ~ June 26th 5-7pm SLT
Fantasy Faire and Relay over, tomorrow the second Saturday and that means it's time to get back to ROCKING the REALM again! This week we are throwing down an ACTS kiosk for one last fundraiser for the Relay season, and to bring this full circle, I will be replaying my Fantasy Faire set.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rosehaven%20Reverie/109/137/23
Press Release: June 2021 Homes For Our Troops Benefit
Frets Nirvana and US Military Veterans Group announce 2021’s June benefit for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life for June 27, 2021!
Frets Nirvana, longtime supporter and contact for Homes For Our Troops in Second Life in conjunction with the US Military Veterans Group, announces the 2021 June benefit for the Veterans Support Organization Home For Our Troops at Veteran’s Isle .
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 313 SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOMES NATIONWIDE FOR EXTREMELY INJURED VETERANS.”
In 2020 the community in Second Life sent $15,750 to Homes For Our Troops, thanks to many kind hearts and great Second Life performers. THIS PUT SECOND LIFE’S DONATIONS EFFORTS IN THE TOP TEN OF HOME FOR OUR TROOPS DONORS IN 2020!
23 Veterans and their families received the keys to their forever homes in 2021 and the donations received in Second Life were part of that effort. Currently HFOT has 62 projects underway for extremely wounded veterans.
Home for Our Troops benefit concerts feature premier Second Life talent monthly at Veteran’s Isle. The June 27 concert for 2021 is scheduled from 4PM to 9PM PST. Featured artists will be DJ Waya Snowpaw, Melodee McDonell, ReggieSunset Rookswood, Max Kleene and Stephanniyah Sinatra.
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
The Relay Track Sims Are Gone
Sometime on Friday June 25, it was reported by one of the Relay for Life volunteers, Ruby Tuesday, that the Relay track sims, almost two weeks after the Relay Weekend, had finally shut down. While the sims can still be seen on the map, they cannot be entered. All that is left is the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society2 sims, which have been reconnected.
A few teams are still having events. Team ACTS is having one last one today. But the fundraising season is pretty much over. For the Sunbeamers, it's been a successful season with having achieved a million Linden dollars and Emerald level fundraising, and just the other day the team for it's Emerald award trophy. The Sunbeamers have a total of three awards this year.
And so, the sun has set on the time of the 2021 Relay track. But it lives on in the screenshots we took, and of course the memories. It's not the end for the Relayers as there's still Making Strides this fall, and in December the RFL Christmas Expo. But for some, there's just no substitute for the main season, and are already looking forward to February 2022.
Bixyl Shuftan
SL Video: "20th Anniversary Event - Panda Jenn's Pad"
(Click here if the video does not play)
From Panda Jenn (Pandajenn0 Resident) on June 8, "Footage of the 20th Anniversary event, held at Panda Jenn's Pad, on February 20th, 2021. We had an amazing turnout and one awesome DJ!"*
Friday, June 25, 2021
Later: Oberwolf Linden (Bradford Oberwager) Speaks
We'll have something on the interview soon. It's been a busy week.
The RFL Sunbeamers Camp for 2021
Read more in Places.
Creative Fiction: Second Life’s TV Commercial (2010)
The fictional story can be found in Extra.
So how do these two fictional commercials compare to the one that was made for real? Feel free to leave comments below.
Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Science Fair 2021"
Saturday June 26,
7 AM to 10 AM
The annual Science Fair is approaching again and this year the organization is in the hands of special events coordinator Shiloh Emmons.
For this year we have chosen the underwater location at the lighthouse, the temperate coastal and marine ecosystems (New England) of Linda Kelley.
| 7:00 AM | Karthik Prathaban | |
| 7:20 AM | Linda Kelley | |
| 7:40 AM | Stephen Gasior | |
| 8 AM – 9 AM | Earl Kiech | Classical concert at the Light house |
| 9:00 AM | Greg Bollella | |
| 9:20 AM | Phil Youngblood | |
| 9:40 AM | William Schmachtenberg |
For more information, Click Here.
Thursday, June 24, 2021
News and Commentary: Second Life Commercial
In the middle of the SL18B Lab Gab on June 21, between
when Oberwolf Linden was interviewed and when the leadership team was (more on that later), an advertisement appeared about here. This was the commercial that's been talked about since a still image appeared on the Second Life home page about two months ago two months ago, and there was more discussion a month ago when a video could (sometimes) be seen on the home page. It would first appear on it's own at Torric Rodas Newswire on June 22 before appearing on the Second Life Youtube yesterday June 23. It would also appear on the Viemo page of Levitate Media, the people Linden Lab worked with to do the commercial.
If you're traveling beyond this life, where the weight of tradition cannot follow, do not fear re-invention. The design is your liberation. Between the planes where our dreams are built, where the mind reigns and the light bends, and the children of creation dance in time. If you're traveling beyond this life, you are not alone. We are waiting.
Levitate would say the commercial won four Telly awards, two gold, People's Telly Award and Visual Effects, and two silver, Directing and Music Score. Evan Scott of Levitate Media was listed as the producer and Kanin Guntzleman the director.
I have yet to see a thread in the Second Life forums about "Children of Creation" as the ad has been called. Hamlet Au would say of it, "Overall, it's quite a bit better than I originally feared from the homepage imagery." But, "with its use of real world models, heavy post-production effects, and only a smattering of actual SL-based 3D content, it feels like something of a bait-and-switch: Anyone who excitedly creates an SL account after watching this is bound to be disappointed! Even more off, it doesn't actually show any of the actual creative building tools of Second Life, leaving the random viewer to wonder if the creation referred to is only about customizing avatars."
Inara Pey would have some comments about it as well, " ... I think the advert as shown works pretty well; the images are
well-matched to the narration, and the overall impact is the idea of
liberation and freedom of expression. The intercuts of changing avatar
appearances particularly underscores this, as do more subtle elements ... " On the other hand, she called "If you're traveling beyond this life" a poor choice of words, comparing it to someone dying, "perhaps 'beyond this world' might have been a better choice of words."
Personally, I feel an ad campaign of some kind by Linden Lab is necessary if it wants to retain the numbers it gained during the Pandemic. I've also been hearing that young adults these days with an interest in virtual worlds are more likely to head to other places such as VRChat. But could the ad have been done better? As mentioned before, there's not much actual SL content used in the ad. It could have a similar effect that the CSI television show episode that took place in Second Life had in which TV viewers were given an idealized description: everyone talking in Voice and no lag. While it encourages users to check out the virtual world, it may be setting them up for a small disappointment.
How it will ultimately work? So far it has yet to appear on television or elsewhere on the Internet other than Youtube or Viemo. So we'll have to wait a while, days, weeks, perhaps months, before we find out.
Addition: Levitate Media (https://levitatemedia.com/) would later thank the Newser for it's coverage
Bixyl Shuftan
DJs At The SLB
There's a lot going on at the SL18B. There's the "Meet the Lindens" events. There are the numerous exhibits. And there's the music. On Monday, I stopped by two DJs playing music at the DJ stage. One was Grease Coakes.
DJ Grease played to a crowd at the DJ stage at 4AM SL time, a mix of humans, furs, a gryphon, and one glowing shape. He would later post his set on Mixcloud, "played for the amazing people who make up Second Life. Trance and video game remixes are meshed in tightly for an amazing two hour dj set. The theme of "Other Worlds" for SLB this year fits in nicely with this trance set. The picture is based upon Dragon Warrior Monsters 1. Thus the last song is a piano remix of the town theme from Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 DWM 1 and 2 is all about traveling to other worlds as you jump into an epic adventure!"
A few hours later at 10 AM was DJ Moff (MoffettMephit Resident) of Montecito Bay. He and Emmy (Emorald Resident) greeted me.
There was quite a crowd there, including the Relay's black unicorn Avariel Falcon and Squeaky Mole.
Moff compared his set to a spaceship run, "Welcome board Crux Space Flight 168 to Tech Noir! We've begun boarding for all classes, so please, step inside, buckle up....and leave the rest of this trip up to your Captain, Super Rockin' Magic Moff! We expect a VERY smooth, uneventful flight.....(famous last words....)"
"OMG Finally! we're approaching the Pacific Coast! ... It's been a long drive, but we're almost there. I hope we don't run into anything WEIRD though. ... I told ya I'll get ya to the SpacePort! OMG the Mole fell off! *throws a teleporter* We can't wait! The ship will depart soon! ... Alright, let's see if 88mph will do the trick! HANG ON! ... OMG I think it worked! I can see the space port!"
Before long, someone in an ostrich avatar came out. And then was going around riding a banana. As Moff put it, "Now THAT is properly weird!"
Eventually, the set would end, Moff saying, "This was fantastic! Thank you SLB18 crew for having me." Over the stream, he would say "Thank you all for having me! Happy Birthday Second Life!"
Check the schedule for more DJ events (here).
Bixyl Shuftan
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Cartoon of the Day: "Great Balls of Fire"
Taken at the Tsunami Club at Teddy Bear Beach at RFL Celebrate during the Hopefest. Nance Clowes told me about an event there, and Bow Shim was rocking away. At one point, someone requested "Great Balls of Fire." The musician obliged, with some special effects added.
By Bixyl Shuftan
More News Later
Yes, there is a LOT more going on with the Relay and the SLB than I've been writing. But yesterday was a busy day, and yours truly needs to rest up before writing more. Sorry about the wait.
Bixyl Shuftan
Relay Track Still Open, For Now
While the big news is the Second Life Birthday, the Relay has not quite dropped out of sight. Almost a week after the Flood Party, the Relay track remained open. Dropping by yesterday on Tuesday, the situation was much like it was on Thursday. Many of the camps and exhibits were gone. But some were still around. It's not just people in the builder's group. Sending an alt over, he could get in as well.
Among the places still up are three sims near the permanent American Cancer Society sim, RFL Strength, RFL Survivor, and Fiona Fei's colorful RFL Spirit. They were mostly intact with plenty to see, and the bears making grunting noises that were now audible with the music turned off. Some of the story pages in Survivor were taken down. But it was still a well done place with all the trees and plants.
It's unknown when the sims will finally come down. Maybe tomorrow, maybe today. Maybe by the time you the readers see this, the sims will already have closed. But if not, feel free to drop by and see what remains
Bixyl Shuftan
Reader Submitted: Mouse Car For A Mouse Girl
From Brandi Streusel, who got one of the free "Mouse" cars at the SL18B Shop and Hop. "Thank you for letting us know of such a wonderful car. I love mine!"
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Events This Week at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay Clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and Furry Fashion Lounge
Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs, The Fallout Shelter, and the Furry Fashion Lounge.
Club Cutlass: Best in 'W,' Denim Night, Filthy Rich
Happy Vixen: Dark, Sheer and Sexy, Ponies, Dragons and Slayers, Pajamas, Bearskin Rugs, Bottomless, Monochrome
Club Zero Gravity: TBA
Bouncing Bunny Beach Club: Skimpy, Pride
Xanadu: DJ Christine, DJ Blaze
Montecito Bay: CAYA, After Dark
Furry Fashion Lounge: Video Games, Elementals, Retro, Canines Vs Felines, Food, Late Night, CAYA
Deathlands Fallout Shelter: DJ Shapes, DJ Wolfy
Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'.
Reader Submitted: "Rough Sim Crossing"
From Deanna Shadow-Lancaster (Deanna Lancaster), and taken at RFL Comfort not long after the Relay Weekend, "Silver had some fun with sim crossings in the party truck. Ven was driving when that happened. Well, he was apparently driving at top speeds to see who would make it through without crashing. Whomever was left on won the pool and the money went into a kiosk."
"The Mouse," The SL18B Gift Car
Read more in Design.
Announcement: HFOT May 2021 Donations
Hello to all Homes For Our Troops supporters!
Jamie Crossman, HFOT’s Philanthropy Advisor commented on our May results.
"As always, thank you so much for all of your efforts on behalf of our special mission. Our Veterans are honored by your Patriotism. We've just completed another survey with our Veterans regarding the impact of their HFOT adapted homes and the numbers continue to be amazing. Another great example of how you are changing lives.
Before receiving their HFOT home, only 15% of Veterans and 14% of their caregivers/spouses were in possession of a college degree or trade certification. After living in their homes we are excited to report that now 71% of Veterans and 80% of spouses/caregivers have either obtained or are pursuing a college degree or trade certification. AMAZING! Why? Our homes are donated, there is no mortgage to our Veterans so they are able to reallocate this resource into education. Our Veterans are also safe, so caregivers/spouses have more opportunities to leave their home without worry!
These incredible achievements would not be possible without YOU!
Thanks so much, let's keep it going! There are still approximately 1,000 severely injured Veterans in need of an HFOT home. Our mission will not be complete until this number has been reduced to 0.
Together, WE can make this happen.
Enjoy your summer!
Jamie”
As we always do we want to take the time to thank the folks who put out a special effort in May. These are the folks that made it happen and there are many to thank.
First let’s give that applause to the performers and their managers.
We also had several DJ’s helping with the Liberty Fire Department Memorial benefit last month. Thank you:
Then let’s take note of those who sponsored special events in May to help our cause. There were several! Thank you:
And thank you to the following who have put donation kiosks throughout the grid and continue to help with our effort:
There are many more who have taken the time to place kiosks …to each and every one of you we say thank you.
Lastly I personally appreciate Bri McMahon and Sabryne Hotaling for all your help with our monthly event at Veteran’s Isle.
We also once again ask that you continue praying for our good friend Dahlea Milena of Veteran’s Isle, who is now fighting cancer. We pray she beats this and is back with us soon.
This year is shaping up to be the best we have ever had. We can do this ….let’s hit $25,000 for Homes For Our Troops #1 in 2021 and stay in the list of TOP TEN DONORS FOR HFOT!
Thank you for letting me a part of this.
Frets Nirvana
Notice trimmed before publishing