A Busy Valentines Weekend

 

 Things were busy this weekend with the back to back Valentines Day events organized by Linden Lab, the "Love Train" and the "Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden." There were also a few other V-Day events the Newser was able to catch. 

 

 There were a few shenanigans going on, which we'll get into once there's a little more time to write down what was seen. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

 

Reminder: Special Love Train & Isle of View Linden Events Today, Tomorrow

 

Just a reminder. Linden Lab's Lindens and Moles will be hosting Valentine's Day themed events today and tomorrow. 

 

Today, Friday Feb 13

 

Love Train "To Death Do Us Part" - 11:30AM  to 12:30 PM SL time

 

WelcomeHubLindenHomes (88/53/26) 

 

Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden "To Death Do Us Part"  - 1 to 3 PM SL time

 

Isle of View 2 (84/79/107) 

 

Saturday, February 14

 

Love Train  - 11:30AM  to 12:30 PM SL time

 

WelcomeHubLindenHomes (88/53/26) 

 

Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden  - 1 to 3 PM SL time

 

Isle of View 2 (84/79/107) 

 

EOTB: Linden Lab Spotlights Valentines Day Happenings

 

A few days ago, Linden Lab posted about several Valentine's Day themed events, places, and things in Second Life. Some are currently taking place/accessible. Others have yet to happen.

 

Among them is the "Valentine Shop and Hop" shopping event.  There's also a new list of choices for last names available for a limited time for the season (more on this later). 

 

The Isle of View, Linden Lab's Valentine's Day themed area, a pinkish four sim large heart-shaped island, is back up. Before the main event, couples can go there for a romantic time, one can stop by the small store to get a treat for their loved one, or the curious can just wander about. 

 

On Saturday February 14, the Isle of View will hold a special event, "Hug or Dunk A Linden (or Mole)." It will go on from 1 to 3 PM SL time.

 

For fans of the "Love Train," it's back. This time for both Friday February 13 and Saturday February 14. 

 

Maybe this has to do with Friday the 13th being considered an unlucky day by the superstitious, but on this day the Lab will be holding a darker take on Valentines Day called "Til Death Do Us Part." There will be events at both the Love Train and the Isle of View. 

 

And the Lab reminded people to check out Romance-themed places in it's Destination Guide.  

To read the Linden blog in full, Click Here.  

 Bixyl Shuftan

 

Linden Valentines Day Events

 

 Valentines Day is tomorrow, and while no doubt there will be many clubs and other places having events with the theme, Linden Lab is offering two of their own. 

 

The first one takes place on Bellisseria's railroad, the "Valentine's Love Train," also called the "Love Train Trollies." The trains start at the WelcomeHubLindenHomes sim, ending at Kersplash, and go from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM SL time.

 

 Our special Bellisseria Valentine's Event returns this year. "Love Train Trolleys" operated by our own LDPW Moles depart from the station on the Welcome Hub every few minutes on February 14th from 11:30am - 12:30pm PT. The 30 minute ride ends with a teleporter that will take residents directly to Dunk & Hug a Linden or Mole, but residents can hop on at any point as the trolleys go by! Learn more about it from Patch Linden's forum post with a map of the route.

 

 https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/WelcomeHubLindenHomes/88/53/26

 

The second one is a long-lasting Linden Lab tradition, the "Hug a Linden, Dunk a Linden." You get to hung one of Linden Labs finest, have one take a plunge in a tank of water, or both. This takes place from 1 to 3PM SL time at two locations on the four sim Isle of View. 

Are you feeling “some kind of way” about the Lindens or Moles? Show your love (or friendly aggression) for the makers of Second Life at our annual Dunk & Hug a Linden or Mole Event, held this year on February 14th from 1pm to 3pm PT at the Isle of View. Come early for some fun conversations and plenty of soaked Lindens! 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20View%202/84/79/107

 

Keep an eye out for more Valentines themed fun.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

SL Video: "Zada's Adventures - Valentines Day 2024 ... Love-Train Tide & Isle of View"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Zada Bury on March 9, "Annual event happening Second Life ™ ... the "Hug and Dunk a Linden" event at the Valentines Day (Hint: That is the 14th February). Read more about the this years event here ... at "show more". As like last year, this one was start with a "Love Train" ride and also the other activities was following the 'classic" (but good!) plot from the last year. In this year, the starting point was at the "Bellisseria Welcome Hub" and all trains was follow the same lane. I was this time not that early there, but I wasn't have problems to enter the Sim. I am not sure, if the Lindens was change the Sim to an 'Event Sim', which could carry 170 people ... or just turned up a regular Sim up to 100 people, as like an island-Sim. The way, how smooth it was running for me, I would guess on an event-Sim. At the begin there was surely some known faces, but less contacts. From the Lindens, I was foremost recognize Wendi ... she was look perfect fitting in and seems to rezzing the trains. Beside was also a larger number of Moles. The trolleys was appear to run this year on an automatic mode, while last year the Mole was operate them. The one, I jumped on was have at least no operator. The half of the ride, the 'Drivers of SL'-group was done at the last weekends Grid Drive. The full ride was take around 40 minutes for me and there was not really unexpected happenings. About the automatic operation ... and the more or less people on a trolley ... the speed was for some a bit different (more people causes a more lag on Sim-crossings and on the Sim, so the individual Trolley was been more slow). At some point it was come to a "clashing" of out trolley with an other one and we was continue "merged", but as the trains was phantom, nothing bad happening. At the end of the train-ride was a TP to the "Isla of View" set up. Sadly that was end in a crash about a disconnect for me. The "Isle of View" was also unchanged ... and still good. There was a lot know and unknown faces ... err ... avatars ... to see. I was feel, this year, more Lindens was there, than the last year. This year was no spanking of Patch Linden ... but I was hugging with some of the Lindens, I seen for a while now - and even if I am not such fan of the "hugging" stuff. Oatmeal was this year also fun to pose with ... surely beside others, too."

The "Love Train" And "Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden/Spank A Linden"

 

Valentines Day in Second Life has a number of events, including the one that the Lab has had for several years: "Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden." But this time was a little different. They also had the "Love Train" event on the tracks of western Bellisseria. And Hug & Dunk A Linden had a special, and unplanned, twist as well

 

Read more in Events.

 

 

Spank You Very Much, Patch Linden

 

 

Yours truly went to the Love Train and "Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden" events yesterday, Valentine's Day, and saw a number of things. But what stood out was Patch Linden going a bit beyond the other Lindens and Moles. He got talked into wearing a "spanker." And the result was a number of residents, and a lady Mole giving him some swats that brought the Grid's most famous nezumi to his knees. 

Thanks Patch for giving us residents a few chuckles. 

Valentines Day

 

 

It's Valentine's Day, the day for couples to celebrate for love, and for the single but hopeful to look for a date (and for the permanently single to spent time in shooting game marathons). Be sure to be on the lookout for special events around the grid, such as the "Love Train" at Bellisseria, and the "Hug a Linden/Dunk a Linden" at the Isle of View. Clubs such as the Happy Vixen have themed events today, bu by all means be on the lookout for others.

And be wary of cupids who may want to shoot arrows in your behinds.

"Love Train" And Other Valentines Events Planned By Linden Lab

 

 

 Besides the Valentine's "Shop and Hop," Linden Lab posted about a few other Valentines'-themed events last week. Among them a new one, the "Love Train." 

On Tuesday, February 14 starting at 12pm SLT, join us on the Love Train!  

 

The Moles will be running trolleys all along the Eastern Loop of the Bellisseria Railway. The primary departure point is Muehlenbach Station, but residents can hop on from any station as the trolleys go by. The trolleys will run in both directions along the route, stopping in Allrutti Station just outside of Newbank for residents to disembark.

 

 The Lab didn't say how big the train was, though a trolley ride some weeks ago was about to hold about twenty avatars. Residents were invited to rezz their own trains for the occasion, though were asked to keep any decorations in theme with the holiday and keep things PG (and keep out political messages).

The Isle of View is back. It's a nice romantic setting for a guy to take a girl to. On Tuesday February 14 is the main event of the place, "Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden."

Are you feeling “some kind of way” about the Lindens or Moles? Show your love (or friendly aggression) for the makers of Second Life at our annual Dunk & Hug a Linden or Mole Event, held this year on February 14th from 1pm to 3pm PT at the Isle of View. Come early for some fun conversations and plenty of soaked Lindens! 

 

A few pictures of last year's Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden can be found here (along with other V-Day happenings).

SL Video: "Dunk and Hug a Linden Event 2021 in Second Life"

 

 Taken at Isle of View by Strawberry Linden on Friday Feb 12.

 

One Billion Rising, Hug A Linden, Today

Today is Valentines Day, and the day two events take place in Second Life. The bigger one is the One Billion Rising demonstration inworld in support of women's rights worldwide. The event takes place until Midnight tonight at four sims, OBR Dance, OBR Rise, OBR Resist, and OBR Unite.



(Click here if the video fails to play)


On February 14th, men and women in Second Life will join people across the world to Rise to protest violence against women, as a show of unity, individual strength, and the need for change. The Second Life event will feature a four-region stage where 200 people can come together to dance, surrounded by an area of art installations, an arena for poetry, a stage for dance performances, informational exhibits and free gifts. For more information, visit onebillionrisingsl.wordpress.com.

Strawberry Linden will be doing her "Lab Gab" show from the four sims of the event, touring them with Kess Crystal.

Join our host, Strawberry Linden, as she tours One Billion Rising with Kess Crystal. On February 14th, men and women in Second Life will join people across the world and Rise to protest violence against women, as a show of unity, individual strength, and the need for change. The Second Life event will feature a four-region stage where 200 people can come together to dance, surrounded by an area of art installations, an arena for poetry, a stage for dance performances, informational exhibits and free gifts. Kess Crystal will be giving Strawberry a tour of the four regions. 

The show starts at 8AM SL time, and can be viewed on Youtube.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/OBR%20Dance/77/176/24/

Also going on is the "Hug a Linden" Linden event at the Isle of View

Party with us at the Isle of View on February 14th from 12pm to 2pm (Pacific). Meet your Valentine, enjoy music, and don’t miss the Dunk-a-Linden and Hug-a-Linden booths! 

Head to the Isle of View via Portal Park or head to http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20View%202/84/79/107

Update: the event with the Lindens takes place from 12 to 2 PM SL time

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From The "Hug-A-Linden/Dunk-A-Linden"

Valentines Day had a number of events across Second Life. The One Billion Rising women's rights demonstration was probably the most attended happening. Another big draw was Linden Lab's official event of the holiday, the "Hug-A-Linden/Dunk-A-Linden." At the Isle of View for two hours, residents could interact with a number of Lindens and Moles. They could just chat and take pictures, or they could try out the hugging and dunking booths.

See the pictures in Events.

Reminder: One Billion Rising, Hug A Linden Today

Today, two big events are taking place in Second Life. One is the One Billion Rising. Part of a worldwide demonstration in support of womens' rights, the event is taking place all day until Midnight SL time tonight. It is at four sims, OBR Dance, OBR Rise, OBR Resist, and OBR Unite.

"We're really excited to be supporting the world-wide event of One Billion Rising with our special 24 hour event in Second Life," Saffia Widdershins, whom is one of the women at the event, told me, "It's an event that men and women from around the world can attend, even if they can't attend a local event in the real world. One Billion Rising in Second LIfe has now been running since 2013 and this year we are once again occupying 4 regions, with amazing art works, a huge central stage, and separate theatres for poetry and dance events.

"This year, we are particularly celebrate the two Nobel Peace Prize winners for 2018, Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, who were awarded the Prize “for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”. We're doing this with a special pavilion in their honour, with information about their inspiring work. And this year's Rose Challenge is also a celebration of their work.

"All around the four regions of One Billion Rising, our region designers have set out lovely white rose bushes (kindly donated by Lilith Heart of Heart Botanicals). You might find them spread across the corner parks, the landscaped spaces between the art installations and the central stage, and in the #MeToo Forest. We are asking you to travel around the regions and count the number of white rose bushes (not white roses) that you find. Then post that number by clicking on the mailbox that you will find at each of the landing areas at OBR Dance, OBR Unite, OBR Rise and OBR Resist. A box will open where you can post your number – your name will be automatically recorded."



(Click here if the video does not play)

* * * * *

Also today is the Linden Lab Valentines Day event, "Hug a Linden, Dunk a Linden." You can get there by heading to Isle of View 2 (84/79/107), or from it's entrance in Portal Park, which is now open.

The Lindens themselves will be there from 10am-12pm SL time, at both the hugging booths and dunking booths. But before and after regular residents can have some fun of their own their themselves. But people can ride the swan boats, walk around the sims, or buy a gift for a friend any time.

See you at the events.

Bixyl Shuftan

"Hug-A-Linden/Dunk-A-Linden" Valentines Day Event Announced

February is best known for Valentines Day. And Second Life will be having a number of events related to the romance-themed holiday. Linden Lab has it's own Valentine event every year, and recently announced it on the official blog: the "Hug-A-Linden/Dunk-A-Linden" event.


Isle of View has returned with its forested walks, love nooks, and romantic swan boat rides. Love is in the air, and pink sunbeams are the perfect spot to profess your true feels to your belle or beau. Enjoy a scenic glide across the pink and purple waters, the twinkling rain of fireworks (and not just the kind you expect when you sneak that first kiss!), or stroll through the twining paths to hugging booths for picture-perfect moments.


While the Isle of View's entrance from Portal Park remains closed, one can access it on the map at Isle of View 2 (84/79/107), which is also mentioned in the Destination Guide. The Isle's sun is frozen at sunset through the clouds, giving the place a pinkish hue. One can walk down the paths, with lots of heart-shaped builds, pink lanterns, cherry-blossom trees, fireworks, and more. Or one can go down the water in a swan boat, preferably with your special someone.

The Valentines Day event will take place at the two "Love Pavilion" areas, seen as dome-like structures from a distance. Until then, people can have fun at the hugging and dunking booths, or buy a gift for a friend at the gift kiosk.

In earlier times in Second Life's history, there would be a "Kiss a Linden" event every year. The last one would be in 2011, after which it along with a number of other yearly events were discontinued. The Teen Grid would hold "Hug a Linden" events, at least until it was merged with the Mainland at the end of 2010. The Isle of View would be gone for a few years, but it's yearly appearances returned in 2014. While the "Kiss a Linden" events were no more, the "Hug a Linden" events resumed in 2016, combined with "Dunk a Linden," on a larger Isle of View.

Source: Linden blog.

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From Valentines Day at the Isle of View

Valentines Day had many events across Second Life. But one gave a chance for the residents to meet a number of Lindens. At the Isle of View, they could get a hug from one of Linden Lab's finest. But there were also dunking booths available, which allowed those with less charitable feelings to the Lindens to take out their frustration. Bixyl Shuftan was there, and took a few pictures.

Read the story in Events.

Eye On The Blog: "Shop Your Heart Out" and "Hug or Dunk a Linden"

Linden Lab is coming out with two Valentines Day themed events this month. One is a shopping event. The other is the yearly tradition that takes place this time of year: the "Hug or Dunk a Linden" event.

Love is a complicated creature — inspiring poetry, prose, songs, and art since the beginning of time. The Isle of View celebrates this complex feeling once again with the hub of all things Cupid and hearts - the Isle of View!
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Come hug and dunk some Lindens
At the Isle of View!

On February 14th from 10am-12pm SLT, join us at the Isle of View for a chance to hug and dunk some Lindens. Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your one and only - when else are you going to get the chance to cozy up to a Linden or splash one into a cold tank of water? An opportunity like this comes around about once a year — so don’t miss out.

The event takes place at the Isle of View at Isle of View (84/79/107).

For those whom still have their gear from the "Tyrah and the Curse of the Magical Glytches" game, there's a special new glytch in theme with the holiday you can capture and keep.

While you are at the Isle of View - you can hunt for some limited special Glytches. What’s a Glytch, you might ask? Part of a grid-wide experience that launched last September - Glytches are collectible little creatures that you can capture with tools that you can upgrade with gems. Get started (if you don’t already have a weapon and hud) at portal park, then bring your hunting spirit to the Isle of View to capture these adorably cute little rascals.  

There's also a "Love Bug" glytch available in Premium kiosks, for those with Premium accounts.

For those who prefer to shop, there's the "Shop Your Heart Out" shopping event.

 Our annual Valentine’s Day shopping event is back! Discounts on clothings, hair, accessories, decor, and more, plus gifts from many of your favourite Merchants and brands are available from now through February 26th. Drop by the Gilded and Golden shopping regions to collect your gifts and get some great deals. Many of our participating Merchants are also putting items in their Marketplace for sale, so be sure to visit them.

To get the free gifts and deals, head to Gilded (104/135/52).

 For a few years early in Second Life history, at least as far back as 2008, "Kiss a Linden" events were held at the Isle of View sims, while in the Teen Grid "Hug a Linden" events took place. With the closing of the Teen Grid in January 2011, "Hug a Linden" events were closed, and the last "Kiss a Linden" would take place in Feb that year. The Lab would quietly do away with the event, which took some by surprise next year. No reason was given for the closure, although it was part of a trend at the time of the Lab having less interest in interacting with the Second Life community. After three years, the Isle of View would reappear in 2015. And in 2016, "Hug a Linden" was back as part of the "Hug a Linden/Dunk a Linden" event at a rebuilt and expanded four-sim Isle of View.

 For more information, check the Linden blog entry here. 

Scenes From "Hug A Linden" and "Dunk A Linden"

On February 14, Linden Lab hosted the "Hug a Linden" and "Dunk a Linden" events. For residents, this was a chance to meet up with the Lindens, either for a friendly hug or a dunk into a water tank. The Newser was there, and got a number of pictures.

See the pictures in Events.

An Event-Filled Valentines Day

Quite a bit happened yesterday, Valentines Day. At the Isle of View, the Lindens had their "Hug a Linden" and "Dunk a Linden" events. But more went on that day.

In the OBR sims was the "One Billion Rising," part of a worldwide demonstration in support of women's rights in all countries, not just those in the developed world.

There were other events, Creations for Parkinson's, Safra Nitely's place, and the Happy Vixen. But more will be written about these events later. It's been a big day, and time to rest and recharge before we get into details.

Bixyl Shuftan

"Hug a Linden" And "Dunk a Linden" at Isle of View on Valentines Day

Valentines Day is coming, and there will be many Valentine-themed events (and a few anti-valentine events for those who think of it as 'Happy Stick-It to Singles Day') across the Grid. Linden Lab will be having it's own events on the Isle of View: "Hug a Linden" And "Dunk a Linden." Both events will be taking place at once on Tuesday February 14 from 10AM-12 Noon SL time, and 2-4PM SL time.

Roses are redViolets are blueCome hug and dunk some LindensAt the Isle of View!

...  join us at the Isle of View for a chance to hug and dunk some Lindens. Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your one and only - when else are you going to get the chance to cozy up to a Linden or send one shrieking into the depths of a dunk tank? An opportunity like this comes around about once a year — so don’t miss out.

To read the blog post in full, Click Here.

For several years in it's earlier days, Linden Lab would hold "Kiss a Linden" events in the Isle of View and Isle of View 2 sims, sometimes called "Valentine Island," while holding "Hug a Linden" events in the Teen Grid. But Linden Lab would close the Teen Grid in January 2011, and February that year would see the last of the "Kiss a Linden" events, none being held next year in 2012. At the time, it was seen as part of a trend of Linden Lab distancing itself from the residents.

The Isle of View would be gone until 2014. But it wouldn't be until last year in February 2016 in which Linden Lab would start Valentines Day events with a new and larger four-sim Isle of View, bringing back "Hug a Linden," and adding a new event: "Dunk a Linden."

Happy Valentines Day.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle of View 2/84/79/107/

Bixyl Shuftan

Isle of View Rebuilt and Larger, "Hug a Linden" Event

The Isle of View, Valentines Day themed place on the Grid by Linden Lab, has gotten a makeover. Last week, the heart-shaped sim of the same name, plus the "Isle of View 2" duplicate island, were taken offline. This week, the Isle is back, bigger than ever. Instead of a one sim island and a duplicate, the place has been expanded to cover four sims.

As it turns out, there's some activities going on at the place, involving both Linden Lab and the Parkinson's charity "Team Fox," which for years has been collecting funds in Second Life through the "Creations for Parkinson's" In the latest official blog post by Xiola Linden, she states that not only do residents have a chance to donate money to the charity there via the purchase of gifts for friends, but Linden Lab promises to match the total raised from them, doubling the amount.

The Isle of View is the perfect place to discover that the truest hallmark of love is time spent with our loved ones. This year it’s bigger and better than before - with some rebooted classics and new festivities! ...Visit the Isle of View kiosks any time this month to send virtual roses and candy hearts to your Second Life friends and sweethearts. Nothing is better than giving, so the L$ proceeds from the sales of these gifts will go to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Visit the Isle of View to select and send your Valentine’s gifts. We’ll match the final total and double the donation love! How’s that for a sweet pairing?

On Friday February 12, some of the Lindens will be at the Isle for an event (Valentines Day February 14 falls on a Sunday). From 10AM to 12 Noon and 2PM and 4PM SL time, Various Lindens will sit at booths and dunking stools for the "Hug a Linden" and "Dunk a Linden" events."

We understand that love is sometimes complicated. You have got to work hard to make it work - and we’re not afraid of a little tough love. ... we'll be mixing things up with the return of Dunk-a-Linden and Hug-a-Linden booths! You may just meet your virtual Valentine while waiting for a chance to dunk or hug a Linden - and if you don’t - hey you still got to dunk or hug a Linden! It’s a win-win situation.

The Isle of View, the Valentines Day themed place on the Grid by Linden Lab, has had a bit of a history. For years, it was the scene of the annual "Kiss a Linden" event, where residents had a chance to pucker up with one of the Lindens. It last took place on 2011. But in 2012, it never took place, part of Linden Lab's lack of interest in interacting with the residents in those days which was reflected in no longer sponsoring some events and calling off others they used to hold. But in 2014, the Isle of View sims returned, although there would be no events by Linden Lab.

So why not bring back "Kiss a Linden," instead of taking the "Hug a Linden" from the Teen Grid when it was around until it's merger with the main one in 2011? One can only speculate. It's possible the Lab is a bit wary of embarassment if someone chose to prank them with a carnivorous alien (NWN article) or a donkey avatar, in which case, they would be quite literally kissing a resident's you-know-what.

For the Linden blog post in it's entirety, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan