SL Video: "Aki & Dixmix -- Sound & Vision -- at SL19B"

 

 

(click here if the video does not play)

 

 From Akiko Kinoshi on June 27, "Video recorded in Second Life by Chrix* on Saturday, June 25 2022 ........ ....... Music by Dixmix Source ....... Particle Show by Akiko Kinoshi ....... ....... Event host: Violet Boa ....... Venue: SLB Dazzle -- Event Region ...... Thanks everyone for joining us today !!! (Especially my Boo  ) Delain and Kurk -- thank you so, so much for your guidance and particles !! Blaise -- Akipelago Master Scripter -- thanks for enabling all the super-cool effects!! AND -- Thank you Lindens and Moles -- you guys rock !!!"

Cartoon of The Day: Why The Cow

 

Taken at the BBB Exhibit at the SL19B. Gary Larson of "The Far Side" would write that he probably had so many cartoons involving cows because there seemed to be something intrinsically funny about them. And certain expressions of ours just add to it. I guess if you're looking for comedy gold, sometimes it's better instead of shooting for the moon to jump over it.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cartoon of The Day: Beauty Mud

 

Taken at the SL19B. That's really lag making it take a while before the avatar skin fully rezzes. But it sure resembles something else in real life. 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Bay City's SL19B Exhibit In Flames

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Bay City's Marianne McCann recently contacted the Newser, pointing out a few photos she took in her "My Second Life" feed. It appears for Bay City, it's time at "The Birthday" had a firey end.

It seems before it was scheduled to be taken down, Bay City's Second Life Nineteenth Birthday exhibit was the scene of a "disaster," going up in flames, "Was this an accident, or sabotage?"

There was something stuck in the flames, "Could this giant gear be a clue?"

Marianne would only add an investigation was ongoing, not sure when the results would be announced.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

The SLB Exhibits Come Down

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Monday July 11 and Tuesday July 12 were the "takedown" days of the Second Life Nineteenth Birthday exhibits. By the second day, many were gone, and the exhibit sims were full of empty area with just grass between the roads and sidewalks, which were now empty aside from the occasional exhibitor. 

In both the Second Life Birthday and Second Life Birthday Exhibitor groups, there were expressions of sadness that the time for the exhibits was coming to an end. But there was also a sense that there was quite a bit of good work done, and a job well done by all.

"... cleaned my parcel up and had to stand there for a moment.  Thank you, all you moles that made it happen and as smoothly as it went.  A lot of really good exhibits this year."

"Good night, SL19B friends. See you next time (if not before)!"

Bixyl Shuftan
 

The SL19B Sims Close to The Public

After being open for almost a month, the sims of the Second Life Birthday are now closed to regular visitors (baring a last minute glitch). While the last night the area is open usually is the scene of some impromptu music and dance parties, this time that wasn't the case. There were plenty of people checking out the "Shop and Hop" sims, but no DJs playing music that I could see.

For today and tomorrow is the "Takedown" or teardown when the exhibitors take down their builds. And then on Wednesday, only the Lindens and Moles will be able to access the sims as they close down, at least until next spring for the SL20B. 

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Two "Shop and Hop" Gifts

 

Besides the freebies at the "Tapestry of Time" at the Second Life Birthday, there's also plenty of gifts at the stores in the "Shop and Hop." We can't write about them all. But there were a couple mildly interesting ones that yours truly thought some readers would like, a pet and a hoverboard.

(Note, the Shop and Hop ends Sunday Night)

Read more in Design.
 

Reflections On The SL19B

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The Second Life Nineteenth Birthday is almost history. Each Birthday celebration of the virtual world has a number of things going on. It offers a chance for exhibitors to show what they have, often to showcase a community, organization or business. It allows DJs to show their stuff. And it offers the Lab a chance to talk to the residents, and perhaps answer a question or two.

Each one is also usually remembered for different things. The SL15B was noted for being the last of the resident-run Birthdays. the SL16B was the first one with Linden Lab back in charge, and also noted for it's 1950s theme. The SL18B was overshadowed by the recent passing of Linden Lab CEO Ebbe Altberg. For this year, the celebrations are probably best known for the Steampunk theme, and to a lesser extend the announcement and release of the "Premium Plus" option for Second Life accounts.

Interest in what Premium Plus would offer before the event was fairly high. But once the details of what it would offer were out, reaction was somewhat mixed. The majority of people commenting on one thread in the official forums expressed their dislike or stated they had no plans on getting it. A few grumbled the Lab was being greedy. But some did say they would get it or were considering. And within a few hours of it's release, several hundred had upgraded to it (at least according to the Lab). While it's unknown how many more signed up by now, it's clear the Lab's move is getting it some extra money from their move. 

So what is the Lab doing with the money? Well, they demonstrated one thing in development: a new line of starter avatars. There's also that Linden Lab isn't truly independent, but was acquired a couple years ago. While one of the new owners has expressed his enthusiasm about Second Life, and he wants it to succeed, it's a sure thing the Waterfield Network wants some return on it's investment. 

One other detail was the sims getting a last-minute extension of time. We're happy of course that the Lab gave the sims a few more days. But they could have given the announcement with more time to spare, and in the public group before the scheduled closing.

And then there's the theme for this year's Second Life Birthday: Steampunk. Perhaps that was a tribute to some Second Life communities with that theme. But it's also a genre of fiction based on the Victorian Age, some of what's considered steampunk now written at the time. The era had it's share of problems, pollution, mistreatment of factory workers, poverty, women treated as second-class citizens, etc. But it was also an age of discovery and progress. New lands were explored. Inventions would make getting around faster, help heal the sick, and improve the lives of people in many ways (imagine life without electric lights and bathroom tissue). Life and society would change more in the more advanced countries at a much more rapid pace than at any time before in history. So many writers get inspiration from the era to write tales of adventures in these turbulent but optimistic times. 

Perhaps some of us will be inspired to read more of the fiction, read about the era, or perhaps spend more time in Second Life's steampunk communities, which would be an interesting legacy of the SL19B. 

And then there's the next Birthday, the SL20B, the Big Two-Oh, What the theme will be for our platinum anniversary will be, we have months to guess. But it will be an interesting one. In the meantime for the Newser, more time for us to write about the people, places, and events elsewhere in Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL19B Extended To Sunday July 10

 

For those who can't get enough of the Second Life Birthday, or whose real-life kept them from checking out the sims, some good news. In the Second Life Birthday Exhibitor group, Missy Mole (Mischievous Mole) announced that the time the sims would remain open was extended to Sunday July 10.

The regions will be open thru Sunday, July 10. You can come in and pick up your exhibits next Monday and Tuesday, July 11-12. We hope everyone had a great experience building for the Birthday. I loved seeing all the creativity that you brought to the exhibits! Time to start planning for next year :)

Have a great summer!

The ending date of the Shop and Hop, which was Sunday July 10 all along, remains unchanged.

It's unknown why Linden Lab waited until the last day of the scheduled time before making the announcement, or why there was no announcement in the regular Second Life Birthday group.  But in any event, we have a few extra days to enjoy the exhibits and do shopping hunts. And of course impromptu parties.

*Update* Just before 8 AM SL time, Linden Lab finally announced the news in the main SL Birthday group, Missy Mole giving the news.

Good news! If you haven't finished exploring the 225 exhibits that are part of the Birthday estate, you still have time! The Birthday region will remain accessible thru Sunday, July 10 to explore. Jump on a pod tour. It's a great way to cruise through the exhibits!

And don't forget to pick up all the gifts, both at the Tapestry of Time and at the SL19B Shop and Hop which is also open thru July 10.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Some More SL19B Exhibits

 

The Second Life Birthday is almost history. After the end, all that will be left of the exhibits are memories, videos, pictures, and articles such as this. If you're in a hurry and want to check out what else awaits you that we didn't cover earlier, we wrote about a few more.
 
Read more in Design.
 

Last Day For the SL19B: Update - Sims Up Until June 10

 

For those who have spent little to no time at the Second Life Birthday sims, or a regular who wants to see the area one more time, today is the last day to do so. Late tonight, the grounds will close to the public. 

If you're not sure where to start, pick a place listed on the Destination Guide at : https://secondlife.com/destinations/sl19b/sl19b_community . Or you can start at the Newser's exhibit  at SLB Imagination (187/52/23).  

*Update* The Lab extended the time the sims will be open to Sunday July 10.
 

Scene From The SL19B

 

Taken from the Epic Surf Center in SL19B Amaze, the exhibit builders took advantage of Environmental Enchancement to create this scene of a moon and planet rising over the night horizon.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Impromptu Parties At The SL19B

Although the official events at the Second Life Birthday ended on Sunday June 26, people could still throw together unscheduled ones. And over the weekend of July 2-3, they were doing so. Dropping by around 5PM at the Arboretum, I found a gathering, and some music from a DJ. Ancient Mole was among the people there, as well as volunteer Nancy Clowes. 

I didn't come across such a party on Sunday, but there's likely to be some today and sure to be some tomorrow. So be sure to keep an eye out for them. It's not every day someone gets to party with Linden Lab's finest.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL Video: "The ChangHigh Sisters of Light at SL19B The Arboretum"

 

(Click here if the video does not play)

From Damona Rau on June 25, "A wonderful show with great lighting effects."
 

The SL19B Greeters

 

From Gemma Cleanslate, a photoshoot of various greeters of the Second Life Nineteenth Birthday event, taken at a different time than the picture earlier in the week.
 

Reader Submitted: SL19B Greeters

 

From Mateo Firecracker (Mateo Firecaster), a screenshot of a number (but not all) greeters from the Second Life Nineteenth Birthday. 

Some SL19B Exhibits

 

The events of the Second Life Nineteenth Birthday may be over (at least the official ones). But the exhibits are still up. And there are a lot of them. Here we look at several, from the Safe Waters Foundation to Firestorm with it's freebies to the story-driven Caledon one, and more.
 
See the pictures in Places.
 

The (Official) SL19B Events Wind Down

 

Since Thursday June 16, the Second Life Nineteenth Birthday grounds have been the scene of many events from the Music Fest, to Meet the Lindens (and Moles), to various DJ parties. Last weekend, Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26 were the last official days of events. 

Among those whooping it up were those at DJ Tantari's set at 9AM on Saturday, "Oh won't you give me all of your Desire! I wanna take you higher. Let me take you HIGHER! .... They call me Miss MixVix for a reason. (grin)"

But the official events were not the only ones. I found a gathering at the Bellisseria Bureau or Bureaucracy exhibit.

And in the Burners exhibit had an impromptu party.

On the night of Sunday June 26, I had to be somewhere. So I sent an alt over when it was an hour before Midnight.

DJ Ninja had the honor of being the final official performer. Out on the dance floor, stage manager Vee was mixing it up with Grumpy Mole and Dion Mole.

As the hour went on, people talked about how much they enjoyed the Birthday, "I love Contraption, best steampunk stuff. We are all dancing and partying in Walton's creation right now." "I so gonna miss SL19B *cries*" "Just wait, SL20B is coming!" "Lets start SL20B tomorrow... one year paaaaaarty (big grin)" "Yesss looking forward to next year (smile)" "I don't think they ready for this to be over." "Haha! We are never ready for this to end!" "Second Life Birthday, the party doesn't end, it's just recharging for later."

Eventually came the last tune. And then it was done, the usual radio stream taking over. 

AT THIS TIME ALL STAGES ARE CLOSED!

Thank you to all the performers for the hours and talent given to the event and a BIG thank you to everyone who attended!  All of us coming together to have a great time is what Second Life is all about!

We can't wait to see you in 51 weeks when we do it all over again, even bigger for SL20B!

And so, people gave their goodbyes, "Ninja, perfect end to the party!" "Pleasure as always." "Thank you everyone it was amazing to perform and work here hugs thank you so much!!!!" "Thanks everyone  for everything you've done...Have a great night and day.." "Thank you Moles, Greeters, Volunteers and all I forgot for this AMAZING SL19B!!!!" "Thank you all looking forward to seeing everyone next year." "I had so much fun, Happy SLB!  YAY!!!" "Thank you staff, crew, moles, and everyone who made this place for us (smile)." "Hope to join the crew again next year!" "Good night guys! Thank you for everything!" "Take care everyone! To all the staff and moles, see you on the party!" "Thank you all for this awesome time (smile)."Dion Mole himself would say, "A big thank you to the Stage Crew, volunteers and all the performers!"

But this isn't the end of the Second Life Birthday. The sims will still be up until Tuesday July 5, so people can check out the numerous exhibits and get the gifts. The SL19B "Shop and Hop" is still going on. Plus there are still the impromptu parties that spring up, such as those in the last few hours before the sims are scheduled to close. 

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Reader Submitted: "Drivers' Greetings From the SL19B"

 

From Zada Bury and Zoren Manray, "He wasn't steam-powered."
 

Cartoon of the Day: Cloudy Name

 

From the SL19B entry area. For those who wonder where I get my ideas, sometimes they just appear in front of me. 

By Bixyl Shuftan