Second Life Book Club Islands to Vanish Friday July 11

 

 Remember the Second Life Book Club, hosted by Draxor Despres, that went on for years but ended in November 2024?  Unfortunately, the islands, or archipelago, it took place on, will soon be going away, this Friday, July 11. Draxtor went to take one last look at them, this video of the first island airing last night. 

 

More videos will appear on Draxtor's channel (here).

 

SL Video: "Second Life Works In A Browser"

 

 

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 From Draxtor Despres, "Dear Lord Philip of the Rosendale I praise thee (and thy team) that I am allowed to LIVE TO SEE THE DAY !!! It works! IT WORKS VERY WELL!!!!"

SL Video: The Drax Files Made in SL Episode 2: Giant Snail Races

 

 

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From Draxtor on October 31 (some profanity) , " The Giant Snail Races - hosted by RacerX Gullwing - have been going on since October 2004. So why have I not produced a comprehensive deep dive into the wonderful madness of their world until NOW? Well, I am ashamed and I hope I can redeem myself with this one ... And may Ozzy, Zappa and Richard Simmons have mercy on my avatar's soul! +++++++++++++++ Video production and music by yours truly with the help of the fine folks mentioned in the credit sequence. ++++++++++++++ For further SL human/avatar interest type mini documentary viewing:

• The Drax Files World Makers (2013-2019) = https://bit.ly/draxfiles 
•  
• Made in SL (2019-2024) = https://bit.ly/madeinSL + https://bit.ly/lovemadeinSL"

 

Second Life Book Club to End.

 

 

After some years, the Second Life Book Club, hosted by Draxtor Despres, will be coming to a close. Last night, Draxtor announced the news.  The final show will be November 9 at 3PM SL time.

 

 Alright folks, most everybody should know by now but the SL Book Club is closing its doors. I HOPE LL will not take down the 4 islands, fingers crossed. One last hang is the GRAND FINALE on 11/09 = https://youtube.com/live/adWq3kTmtbA = keep an eye on the blog as well https://draxtor.substack.com/ + the group will be changed to DRAX DOCUMENTARY NEWS soonish

 

In group chat, Draxtor would go on say the reason for no longer hosting the show was economic. He simply couldn't go on doing so for free, not just upkeep for the sims, but time and money helping the authors prepare for the show, including thousands of Lindens for custom avatars, now that he was no longer being supported by Linden Lab. 

 

But this wasn't the end of Draxtor's endevors. He would go back to doing documentaries about Second Life.

SL Video: "The Drax Files Made in SL - Episode 1: Caledonia Skytower"

 

 

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From Draxtor Despres on Aug 24, his first episode of the new Drax Files, interviews Caledonia Skytower, known for her work at the Seanchai Library, but also other places, "There you go folks, I admit it: I have been snoring under a mesh rock for a long time, so it took me some 17+ years to tackle the creative energy emanating from one Caledonia Skytower and wrap it all up in this first episode of the new documentary series. Of course I only scratched the surface of her prolific SL adventures, and so I give you her story through my lens, in 12 minutes, based on many hours of conversations and research. ... Oh and on a personal note: thrilled to be back in the documentary saddle, albeit at a slower pace. Feels good!"

 

SL Video: "Happy Birthday Second Life (Part 5)"

 

 

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 From Draxtor Despres on July 14, "It is that time of year again where we celebrate the fact that Second Life - due to the ingenuity of its residents - has outlived many a Metaverses. Well, I don't personally find joy in punching down on worlds that came and went so let me be clear: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SECOND LIFE! YOU ARE MY ONE AND ONLY (even if others were to exist .... and they don't ... change my mind?) Join me if you see me and let's wander the grounds of SL21B ! ! !"

SL Video: "Happy Birthday Second Life (SL21B - Random Walking Around The Celebratory Grounds)"

 

 

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From Draxtor Despress on Sunday July 23, when he explores some SLB exhibits with "Shyla the Super Gecko" (KriJon Resident), "It is that time of year again where we celebrate the fact that Second Life - due to the ingenuity of its residents - has outlived many a Metaverses.

"Well, I don't personally find joy in punching down on worlds that came and went so let me be clear: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SECOND LIFE! YOU ARE MY ONE AND ONLY (even if others were to exist .... and they don't ... change my mind?)"

 

Draxtor Livestreaming Today, "Thank You Linden Lab For A Good Run"

 

 

 After about ten years, Draxtor Despres's work for Linden Lab is coming to a close. Today at 10 AM SL time, he will be livestreaming, "10 years of LL sponsored work is coming to an end today and I want to thank Brett, Strawberry & Ebbe (RIP) for embracing my very subjective way of storytelling ... Tune in to watch the BEST of 2014 - 2024 & learn more about NEXT STEPS in my attempt to get an honorary doctorate in amateur SL ethnography by the end of this stream, from any university who will take my Linden$ !"

 

Read more in Drax's blog. 

 

 

"Special Rezday Livestream - Draxtor is turning 17!"

 

 

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From Draxtor Despress on February 29, "On February 20th this year it has been 17 years. Of being STUCK in the virtual realm ... OR HAS IT? Where does the time go? Does it go into a prim and it is then stored somewhere on the mainland where only Philip Rosedale has access to it? Why does Drax still wear a Slink body? What about the turtleneck he sported in 2009, or the Pacman shirt he used to wear until Linden Lab Lawyers (LLL) made him burn it and distribute the ashes over the Blake Sea? Lots of questions and no answers shall be given on this special Rez Day live stream. BUT lots and lots of stories and videos and perhaps special guests, and friends, and maybe enemies (since I am naive enought to show the location where I am at), dropping in and out"

 

Possible adult language in the video (yours truly didn't see all two hours)

 

Linden Lab Spotlights Creations Park

 

 

Earlier this month, Linden Lab highlighted Creations Park, run by Barbie Alchemi with the help of Carlyle Chaparral, and the home of the Creations for Parkinsons group.

Dive into the heart of creativity and connection in Second Life with the latest addition to our Made in SL series, "Creations Park Made in Second Life." 

In this two-part feature, we highlight the inspiring stories of Barbie Alchemi and Carlyle Chaparral, two remarkable Residents who have transformed their virtual experiences into avenues of real-world impact and cultural enrichment. 

 In the first video made by Draxtor Despres about Creations, he talked to Barnie Alchemi, who described how her mother Fran Serenade was the inspiration to create the place. In Drax's second video, he talked to Carlyle, who talked about the Savoy Ballroom, and the history of it's real-life counterpart.

 

To check out Creations Park for yourself, Click Here - https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creations%20Park/92/167/36

 

SL Video: "Live from SL20B Part #2"

 

 

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 From Draxtor Despres on July 10, "Another impromptu walk and talk with Sjyla, "Draxtor goes around walking around the Second Life Twentieth Birthday grounds with Shyla (KriJon).

SL Video: "Live from SL20B Part #1"

 

 

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 From Draxtor Despres on July 4, "A little impromptu walk with Shyla." Draxtor goes around walking around the Second Life Twentieth Birthday grounds with Shyla (KriJon) and others, seeing exhibits such as the Giant Snail Races, Teegle, Moya, and more (Warning, some adult language).

SL Video: "Blast from the past: Mesh is coming to SL = DEAL WITH IT!"

 

 

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 From Draxtor Despres, re-released on June 30, "Intended as poking gentle fun at the anxiety over the advent of mesh, this little story we made back in August 2010. It was briefly on the official SL channel, then taken down because the backlash was significant! We never wanted to dismiss the legitimate fears of residents around mesh but in hindsight I completely understand that we came off as very cavalier about a major change in the structure of the world, one which would in fact impact merchants for a long time to come!"

SL Documentary: "Made in Second Life: The Movie"

 

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From Draxtor Despress, which premiered at June 23 at Noon SL time at the SL20B Aboretumn stage, 'Made in SL: The Movie' is a special long-form documentary to celebrate the occasion of Second Life's 20th anniversary. Filmmaker and Linden Lab contractor @Draxtor Despres initially planned to produce a 10-minute short film, stringing together birthday wishes from as many Residents and Lindens as possible within that length. After an initial casting call, 17 Second Life Residents came forward, along with founder Philip Rosedale, as well as QA Engineer Mazidox Linden. Mr. Despres spent 3 months reviewing some 2 TB of personal archival material, searched the web for rare SL footage, and shot brand new footage around the grid. After the first round of interviews, the 10-minute short ballooned to 120 minutes on paper and eventually became a 47-minute film, a very personal love letter to a world that fosters community and creativity like no other. Among many past Second Life Residents visible in historical footage and b-roll, the narrative of the film is based on interviews with the following people: Amber Lyndhurst, Anjelikka, Arietu Kyor,i Ben Dunn, Bollycoco Dallas, Chantal Harvey, Chuu Hikari Akamine, Feorie Frimon, Katheryn Llewellyn, Marianne McCan,n Mazidox Linden, Michely Blogger Moon Adamant Mystic Flower Pearl Hyacinth Peasant Tater Philip Linden/Rosedale Streex Foxtrot Made in SL logo and poster art by Marianne McCann Enjoy a tribute to your world and to YOUR imagination. Can you spot Peter Gabriel, William Gibson, and Ben and Jerry’s Island?"

SL Video: "Made in Second Life: The Movie - Official Trailer"

 

 

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From Draxtor Despres for Linden Lab, "Official trailer to a special long-form documentary for Second Life's 20th anniversary, produced by @Draxtor Despres. 'Made in SL: The Movie' is a lag-free ride through the past, present, and future of Second Life, as told by a whole bunch of residents, a few Lindens, and one Philip 'Prim Hair' Rosedale. 

 

"The full documentary will premiere on Friday, June 23rd at 12pm PT at this link:    • Made in Second Li...   Watch it live with fellow Residents at the SL20B Arboretum: https://secondlife.com/destination/madeinsl-sl20b "

 

SL Video: "Comics Made in Second Life - Diavkha"

 

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 By Draxtor Despres for Linden Lab on May 9, "Meet Diavkha, a set designer and storyteller who has taken their passion for world-building to the next level by creating a unique and immersive series of comics using Second Life."

 

 Read more on the Linden blog (here).

SL Video: "Second Life Destinations - Battleship Yamato Memorial"

 

 

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 From Draxtor Despres for Second Life on May 2, "This virtual memorial site features 1:1 scaled models of the Japanese battleship YAMATO, which was commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy shortly after their attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, as well as the aircraft carrier AKAGI, which was originally built in the 1920s. The models were built by MASAKADO Allen. At the landing point, you can pick up a free airplane to fly around the region. Explore the biggest battleship in the world at this impressive 3D replica!"

 

 

SL Video: Second Life Destinations - Poland History House

 

 

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 From Draxtor Despres (And Linden Lab) on Monday April 11, "The Poland History House in Second Life is a historical project created as part of the 100th anniversary of Poland’s Independence celebrations which started in 2018. Creator Dex Euromat shares his Second Life journey and why he started this project.

 

EOTB: "Love Made in Second Life - Thundr"

 

 

 Linden Lab, with the help of Draxtor Despress, has been doing a few doing a few "Love Made in Second Life" posts for Valentine's Day season. A few days ago, they had something about the Thundr virtual dating app.

Thundr is a community project created by two friends who have been a part of Second Life since 2007 and wanted to offer a fun, safe, and easy-going dating experience for its Residents.

Since its public launch on February 10th, 2022, Thundr has quickly become a popular choice for virtual daters with almost 7000 activated users and 63000 matches. 

The app is built from scratch, offering unique features such as the ability to chat with gifs and emojis. User privacy and security are top priorities, with filters such as gender and age to help find the right match. In addition to its dating features, Thundr users can also use the app to advertise their businesses and activities with modern video ads. ...

Read the post in it's entirety in the Linden blog.

EOTB: "Love Made in Second Life - Meet Ajay and Syn"

 

 

A few days ago in the Linden blog, the Lab got into the Valentines Day spirit with doing a few "Love Made in Second Life" posts, starting with "Meet Ajay and Syn."

Ajay McDowwll and Synapse Zabelin met in Second Life, fell in love, moved together in the physical realm - he from Mississippi, she from Florida where they still are today-  got married and, spoiler alert: Ajay and Syn are still together today, after almost 16 years! The story begins on the original Help Island, where Syn volunteered when newbie Ajay dropped in. They struck up a friendship and the rest, as they say, is Second Life history! We asked them more about the history of their relationship. 

 To find out more, watch the Youtube by Drsxtor Despres, or read the post.