Cartoon of the Day: DJ GoSpeed Racer

DJ GoSpeed Racer showing off her Mark-5 at the SL8B
(male avatar in racing outfit not included)
by Bixyl Shuftan

(for those who don't get the punchline, Click Here)

The SL8B Weekend

At the SL8B (Second Life Eighth Birthday) with a few friends. Marx Dudek (the "unique bunny") was DJing at the Bay City exhibit on Saturday June 25th. What made the event even better was some old friends I haven't seen much lately, and a couple I hadn't seen "in avatar" in a while, also dropped by. This included one soldier back from Afghanistan, and a lady hosting a monthly group in Second Life for those in chronic pain.

More on the SL8B Weekend in Events.

SL8B and a Tour of London

Today, Netera Landar reports on her trip to Second Life's London area, which started out as a trip to the Second Life Eighth Birthday celebrations. Talking with one of the people, she was given a tour of the sims there.

Read more in Places.

Goodbye SL8B

Well, the SL8B (Second Life Eighth Birthday) is officially over. The final events were last night, Sunday June 26. The good news, the exhibits will stay up until July 2, so those whom couldn't be at the event much or at all due to other commitments or the lag from the traffic have a few days to enjoy the sights. And there are plenty of them.

I heard a couple people whom would have nothing to do with the event, "I have no interest in seeing the Lindens pat themselves on the back." But most I talked to were at least somewhat interested. More than a few thought the show wasn't really about the Lindens, but those residents whom took the time to make SL what it is.

We at SL Newser still have a few more SL8B stories to tell over the next few days. If you the readers have a story of your own you'd like to tell, by all means let us know (send to bixylshuftan@gmail.com), and we'll publish it.

If you want to see more pictures, like Wildster Beaumont's sunset screenshot up above, check out the SL8B Flickr.

And so ends one of Second Life's major events. Stay tuned next month for the Relay for Life walk.

Bixyl Shuftan

Greeting and Gathering at SL8B

It has been great fun being a greeter at the SL8B. People arrive at the Welcome Center and we say hello and give out some gifts. We recommend areas to visit and where to attend the parties going on at the moment. Roaming is wonderful too. We stop and visit exploring avatars and give them gifts too. The stages are good places to meet new friends and see some wonderful shows. I witnessed a wonderful musical performance the other day about Beethoven. Wow!

The other day I went to a live concert with a wonderful singer performing. There were some obnoxious griefers there annoying everyone. But the veteran performer advised everyone to just enjoy the music and ignore it, and on she went with her music. Amazing how some people come with the purpose of interfering rather than enjoying. So many people put so much time into the preparations for these events, scheduling, advertizing, advising, and being available to assist . Instead of entering into the joy of the moment certain visitors try to disrupt and destroy. It causes wonder as to their motive.

There are diverse activites going on everyday. Thursday morning I found a writing group working on poetry and quick words. The best thing I have done so far was to join the Yokohama Marching Band as we marched through the air over the sims! My first time!

There are only so many hours left to join in the festivities. I hope you will save some time to roam the 20 sims and see the magical sights and events. Get there!

Gemma Cleanslate

A Few Scenes at The Birthday in SL8B

On Thursday June 23, I heard there would be a few Lindens about in the SL8B event. I never did find Rodvik, but I did find one other Linden, as well as a number of others out to have fun at the Cake Stage during "The Birthday," as well as checking out a few exhibits.

Read more in Events.

SL TV: "Designing Worlds" at the SL8B opening

The "Designing Worlds" show earlier this week was about SL8B, with Elrik Merlin interviewing the Greeters' team leader Honour McMillian.

Scenes from SL8B

Yep, that's Michael Linden. Normally, companies fear moles. But this little guy didn't give anyone a reason to worry. He happily danced along with everyone else at the birthday party at the cake auditorium yesterday, June 23, just after Noon SL time.

More pics will be up later today.

Scenes from SL8B

Haven't been able to spend as much time in the SL8B as planned. Thankfully Grey and Gemma have been able to. Among the things I have gotten a look at, this ferris wheel I took a ride in. Unfortunetly, panning out to get a better view, the computer crashed just after I took this shot.

Fortunetly, others took a number of shots. Among them was this "Sands of Creation" by Perefum Cao, taken by IcaruS. You never know what someone's going to make at a sandbox.

For other pictures, check out the SL8B Flickr, with as of this post 630 screenshots from 79 residents.

Debi Latte Performs at SL8B

I haven't seen as much of the SL8B as Gemma and Grey, and progress can be slow due to the lag from all those people. But I have seen a little. This includes when my friend singer Debi Late performed live at the Cake stage on 6 SL time Tuesday night June 21st.

There were a few dozen whom showed up, causing a bit of lag. But that didn't spoil things as long as we had the music stream on, and her velvet voice was there for all to hear. Her chaacteristic coffee cup tip jar was soon flowing at the brim. Unlike her performances at Mystery, however, it didn't linger on "naughty numbers."

Debi Late will perform live again on Sunday, at the Mystery sim at Noon SL time.

Bixyl Shuftan

Events this Week in Second Life from June 21 to June 27th

This week, Second Life officially celebrates it's eighth anniversary. Twenty sims packed with exhibits, and events. But for those who want a break from the hustle & bustle (ie lag), there's plenty else to see.

For a list of happenings, go to Events.

SL8 Fantasy and More

During the press preview of the SL8B regions, Grey Lupindo took advantage to scout the sims. She "saw so many great exhibits over the weekend that it was hard to pick which ones to write about first." But she picked a few, which she described in detail.

Read more in Places.

SL8B Begins!

"You’re invited! Second Life’s 8th birthday (SL8B) celebration begins on Monday, June 20th and runs through Saturday, July 2nd. This year, there are 21 SL8B regions that open at 10:00 am. on Monday, June 20. There will be more than 300 exhibitors 300 live performances, and all the cake you can eat. And, did someone mention the freebies on the Marketplace? Yep, there are already free SL8B bears for everyone. We’ve got a great line up planned and you won’t want to miss a thing!"

The region opens at 10AM SL time. And at 11 AM, Kim Linden will give a short opening address at the "Cake Stage." The stage shares the corners of four sims, SL8B Captivate, SL8B Stunning, SL8B Fascinate, and SL8B Pizzazz.

Gemma Cleanslate will be among the greeters at this major event in Second Life.

For more information on SL8B, one can check the SL8B Blog, including the Auditorium Schedule.

Ready to Mezmerize! A Preview of SL8B

Gemma Cleanslate was recently invited to take a preview trip to the Second Life Eighth Birthday area. What she found was "magnificent," both the sims and the builders involved whom took full opportunity to show what the residents of the Grid could do

Read more in Design.

SL Machinima: "The Magic of Second Life"

"The Magic of Second Life," by acclaimed machinima artist Phaylen Fairchild, captures the evolution, magic and imagination of SL from inception to its eight year anniversary (SL8B).

SL Machinima: "When Second Life Turns Eight"

When Second Life Turns Eight (SL8B)

On June 23, 2011, Second Life will be officially eight years old. Can you believe it? A hard-working team of Resident volunteers and Lindens have been busily preparing for the annual birthday bash—laying down the groundwork (literally) for you to celebrate.

The event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. SLT on Monday, June 20 and runs through Sunday, June 26 with a glittering assortment of musicians, speakers, artists, business leads, media mavens, merchants, social organizers, and other amazing Residents like you.

from Chantal Harvey

Coming Events: SL8B and Burn2

All of a sudden, I feel like I am caught in a time warp.

I am a greeter for the SL8B. That begins as you know on June 25. Building is underway, performers preparing, stage managers ready, greeters meeting , and the electricity is in every step. I spent some time in a machinima changing avatars and spinning on an avatar wheel. It was great fun and you will be able to view it soon.

In the midst of this, I had a notice to come to a meeting for Burn2, 2011! Wow.. I thought that was a long way off. Well, it is not until October, however work is beginning. Emcee Widget filled everyone in on the plans for this year's Burn2 Rites of Passage. It will be held October 1 through 9. There will be 8 sims to begin. However there is a plan this year to ask for “donation” of sims for 90 days. They will be moved to the 8 sims and then returned to the donors.

There are hopes that donations will also help provide more sims even up to 18. They will also taking donations for sims that will be purchased for 2000L. If you donate to he purchase of a sim it will be done in increments so that if the 2000L is not reached your donation amount will be returned to you . That means there can be more creative plots available to those who wish to participate. The information tent is open on Deep Hole so you can visit: Burning Man- Deep Hole (241, 89, 24).

Plots are ready for purchase or, for 100L you can enter a lottery for a plot. Right now is the time to look at the volunteer positions that are open . There are many fun jobs you can do . Here is a list of volunteer positions you can read about and on the page you will find a link to the application: http://www.burn2.org/open-jobs.

There will be more information coming as the build time starting in August approaches and I will keep you apprised. It is early yet but time passes so quickly in Second Life!

Burn On!!

Gemma Cleanslate

SL8B Waiting for the Magic

The excitement is electric. Builders who will be creating exhibits for the SL8B are clammering to be admitted to the group and sites. I listened in on a Second Life birthday group IM and could feel the anticipation to start placing builds. As Millay Freschi, one of the builders said, “I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone does with the theme..I love the magic and the inspirational perspective!! what could be better! We could use a little of that as a world.”

Poor people trying to give out the tags ... 300 to go! It will be an exciting week for sure, June 20-26. I will be a greeter for the event. I have attended the event for the last 3 years and am amazed at the level of creativity and fun that shows up. If you have not been there before save a lot of time! It is there for a week for a reason. There are so many sites to visit and interact with and look at with awe. I cannot wait!

Gemma Cleanslate