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?)"
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).
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).
This week's "Second Life Destinations" involves a gallery, and a certain gecko the Newser occasionally runs into at Virtual Ability. The Glinka Gallery is about several different forms of art, "fine art, photography, poetry, music, and dance." Of the poetry party, a video made by Draxtor Despres focuses of poetry, done by "Shyla the Super Gecko" (KriJon
Resident).
* * * * *
Shyla’s work is informed by her personal experiences and passions as a
person with a disability concerned about social justice issues. She
writes to express herself, especially during these times of limited
outdoor travel, and hopes to create material that others can relate to.
The Glinka Gallery, run by real world novelist and poet Wolfgang
Glinka, comprises four galleries dedicated to fine art, photography,
poetry, music, and dance by SL artists. The aesthetic is a fun blend of
modern and minimalist with surreal accents that make the space welcoming
and engaging.
Shyla’s work is in the Frank O’Hara
Building. Named after the notable writer, this building is dedicated to
poetry. Some of her work takes the form of Fibonacci poems, where the
number of words per line are determined by the mathematical sequence
which starts with 0 and 1 and the next number is found by adding up the
two numbers before it. This adds a visually alluring element to the
poetry, with pieces resembling diamonds, triangles, or hourglass shapes.
Second Life has provided an opportunity for virtual recreation as well.
You might catch Shyla hanging out with friends, going to concerts, or
even on the slopes, as she is an avid snowboarder.
Shyla would like us to know that there are plenty of places for fans
and budding poets to try out, adding, “The SL poetry community is
vibrant. There are daily opportunities to share work. An ability to be
vulnerable in an environment of trust and respect. Sabreman Carter hosts daily open mics. Circes’ New Poet Sanctuary and Hotel Chelsea’s Sunday Spoken Word feature amazing poets in SL.”
For more in-world poetry, Shyla suggests The Blue Angel Poets Dive (SL’s oldest continuously running open mic), and Poet’s Plunder run by Klannex Northmead. Northmead also maintains The Apple, a calendar of SL poetry events.
There was recently a discussion at Ethnographia Island
about the Capable Entrepreneurs Nurturing Talent, or CENT, an organization for the disabled to share or promote ideas. Krijon, aka "Shyla the Super Gecko," hosted the discussion. Since a number of disabled use Second Life to do things, the entrepreneurs among them can use the virtual world as the place to run a business. Deaflegacy was there to report on the event.
September 11 had many stories. But what about those of those whom were disabled whom were caught up in it. On the fifteenth anniversary of the attack, there was a discussion at Virtual Ability. Shyla (KriJon
Resident) might have shown up in a comical-looking gecko avatar, but her message was a serious one. Many times someone whom was disabled was referred to as "the man in the wheelchair" or some other phrase that left out the identity. But there was something else she found more troubling. The evacuation plans of many places fail to take into account the disabled. Deaflegacy was there, and reported about the discussion.
