Cartoon of The Day: Energy Drink Kick

 

 Taken at the Happy Vixen. There was a rave going, and I wondered about what could potentially get someone into these colors.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Glow In The Dark Lion

 

 Taken at Club Lion. While there, I noticed one guy who looked like some glow in the dark paints blew up on his head and jacket. He explained he was usually a dark lion, and was funning around.

 

Still makes one wonder how something like this could have happened.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Colorful Shirt

 

 

 Taken at the Bellisseria Fairgrounds. Rainbow shirts are sometimes worn by younger residents. Older ones, not so much. We can sometimes think of reasons other than "Pride Month" for them. 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

People of The Year Runner-Up: Supporters of Ukraine

 

When Russian dictator Vladimir Putin ordered his country's forces to invade the Ukraine on February 23 2022, the result was an international outcry. Thousands across the world protested in various ways. 

 

In Second Life, there were protests against the invasion in the Moscow sim, plus calls to support Ukrainian merchants. People would also start raising or waving Ukrainian flags, and flagmakers would respond by making the blue and gold banners available for free.  

 

There would also be at least one fundraiser to raise money for the country. The fate of one Ukrainian content creator who ended up in occupied territory was also of concern. Linden Lab itself would come to make a statement in support of Ukraine. The Newser office itself would sport a blue and gold flag. And then there were the numerous people wearing blue and gold clothes, or sticking a blue and gold cloth in their belt or some other wearing of the colors of the Ukraine.  

 

Not as many wear or show the blue and gold today. But there are still some places that do, such as one venue yours truly stopped at last week. 

There are those who call this support of "Nazism," referring to Russian dictator Putin's claims that the invasion was carried out to "denazify" the country. The sources of their information are Russian news websites that have no choice but to state propaganda to support the invasion or the few in the West who for some reason have come to believe this misinformation. But most in America and Europe aren't buying it.

So the Newser collectively gives "Persons of The Year - Runner-Up" to those who in some way showed their support for the country of Ukraine as it continues to resist Putin's invasion.

 

Also nominated were Lisa Buttmonkey (Cottonheaded Ninnymuggins) and Ian Witt (Brian Ninnymuggins) of "The Dirty Grid" which recently closed after over a decade, the Relay for Life in Second Life volunteers, and the Moles. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor

SL Newser

Cartoon of the Day: Multicolored

 

 

 Taken at the Happy Vixen.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 Saturday, November 12

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Autumn Leaf Colors

    Presentation by Dr. Phil Youngblood

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/autumn/

 

   The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    Basics of Dynamic Equilibrium

    Dr. Michael J. Shaw

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/basics-of-dynamic-equilibrium/

 

 The Science Circle (72,129,30)

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

More Reactions By Residents To The Invasion of The Ukraine

 
It's been over two weeks into the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, which has turned into a slow but bloody advance with two million (as of now) women and children fleeing the country as refugees. There has been plenty of reaction to it from around the world, as well as within Second Life. Earlier, the Newser reported on a demonstration, as well as flagmakers giving away Ukrainian flags.  The latter has certainly encouraged the country's blue and gold banner being seen across various places inworld. Linden Lab itself has also stepped in, saying Second Life residents from the Ukraine would get a break from paying tier and premium accounts for at least 30 days (which will likely be extended unless the war ends soon).

There have also been efforts beyond symbolic support. On Saturday March 5, there was a "Peace Rally in Support of the People of Ukraine" at Exposure Park in Lono Ku. From 2 to 11 PM SL time, eight DJs performed for the crowd. "Ukraine facepaint" was available at a booth at one side of the concert area. Donations were made to a kiosk showing the schedule and had a picture of a child waving the blue and gold flag, stepping on toy tanks. I was invited over by Nance Clowes, whom was encouraging the people to donate, "We wanna send (DJ) Rapa home with a happy 500k smile. ... So much Love pouring in for Ukrainians who have lost it all. YOU are giving them Hope back." "Not just for the childs," the DJ spoke, "for all Ukraine. All is suffer, child, woman, men, pets, all."

In the end, they more than met the half million goal. A total of 533,972 Linden dollars was raised. "You did great, and keep it going!!! Peace for Ukraine!" After the event, I had a few words with organizer, MrZogs Resident, who told me the donations were planned to be split between the Red Cross and UNICIF. "What a journey," he told me, "from a idea on Sunday morning to this. Only one artist said no and we had many wanting to get scheduled in."

They also encouraged people to donate off Second Life, pointing out the UNICEF USA and Red Cross websites.

At the Relay for Life's Home and Garden Expo, there was a shop for Ukranian artist Tara Aers at  Hope 8 (166,55,23). There was one noteworthy discussion in Home and Garden chat that I overheard. Some wondered if there should be an official statement of support. Others weren't so sure, wanting to keep international conflicts and politics out and concentrate on fighting cancer. But there was a general agreement that individuals could show support in small ways. I've seen various people wearing blue and gold shirts and other clothes and items, such as ribbons and cloth. One of the shops at "The Guild" shopping event is also Ukrainian owned.

For one Ukrainian resident, however, the situation has become truly serious. New World Notes reported that Hana, the owner of Osmia, lives in one of the cities that came under attack, then occupation by Russian forces. She had gone from posting pictures of Second Life fashion on her Flickr to pictures and video of her hometown under attack and of the shelter she's taken refuge in to keep from getting killed from shelling and bombs, "The contrast is surreal and wrenching." To complicate matters, she's also six months pregnant. 

She would tell Hamlet Au, "Honestly, I don't know what to write to you. Children, families die, people disappear (they are found shot in their cars)... my city is surrounded. Now I don't know what this will lead to." Later, she would write, "my city is occupied. There are a lot of soldiers and equipment on the streets. We don’t go out because they can kill." Her access to Second Life has been cut off, and her Internet connection is sporadic." With her access to Linden dollars cut off, she suggested another way to help would be to donate to the National Bank of Ukraine to help fund it's armed forces.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Sources: Wikipedia, Associated Press, New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan
 

The Return of the Odd Ball

 

Even years after it first came to Second Life, the Odd Ball continues to wow and amaze people. Created by Tuna Oddfellow, a real-life magician, it's been described as a psychedelic experience without the side-effects by some. The event was on hiatus for a while. But Tuna recently brought it back.
 
Read, and see, more in Design.

Cartoon of The Day

From Book Island. This guy's outfit looks like a 60's "pie-dyed" job, though one can think of other reasons it got so colorful.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Rainbow Magellan Linden Statue at Costner Bay Island, "Squishy Pickle" at Houseboat Area

Going back to Costner Bay Island, the island in the Costner Bay, Whiskey Bay, and Ondine sims, I noticed some small changes such as a small outdoor workshop in one corner. But the most visible addition was an enormous statue of Magellan Linden, painted in rainbow colors, minus a green pickle it was holding.

The question of was the exploring Linden celebrating Pride Month . or had been zapped by unicorns was answered by taking a closeup, and seeing a "Second Pride" flag in his hand, the Second Life logo done in rainbow and on a white field. The statue was places by Abnor Mole, the flag by Naughty Mole.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ondine/172/183/23

The object in the statue's hand wasn't the only pickle in the vicinity. Going to the houseboat area next to Bellisseria's northeast, I came across a community center with a number of picnic tables around a wooden building. Taking a closer look, the building was named "The Squishy Pickle."

 There was a sign behind the counter "Menu: Pickle : 0L." With the lag, it looked for a moment like "U Pick : 0L." On the counters were a couple jars of pickles on sticks an avatar could click on, get one, and add/wear. There were also signs on the building of women with pickles and one picture of various Lindens and Moles with the pickles in hand.

So why is Linden Lab making a "big dill" over pickles at Bellisseria? Have they become fans of DJ Sheeba Metaluna and her "Flying Pickle Lounge"? Actually, there's a reason for the Lab's pickle joke, one that was explained in a chance encounter with one of the moles, the details which will be explained tomorrow.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Brodovima/104/67/25

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Club Cutlass. Another avatar and clothing combination that got me wondering how could something like this happen in real life.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen, another one from Lia (Female Winslet).

By Bixyl Shuftan

The Memorial Day Dance at Cutlass

Taken last night at Club Cutlass' Memorial Day dance. Several of the attendees, mostly veterans, showed up in uniform. One however came decked all out in red, white, and blue.

Interview with Tuna the Oddfellow of Second Life

Grease Coakes recently interviewed one of the more unique performers of Second Life: Tuna Oddfellow. At his Odd Ball, Tuna puts on quite a show with spectacular special effects. Grease had a chance to talk to him about his interesting past, and of course this one of a kind performance on the Grid.

Read Grease's article in People.

Farewell to Gracie Kendel's "Ce n'est pas une peinture"

Earlier this week, Gracie Kendel's "Ce n'est pas une peinture" was closed down. But a few days before the curtain closed, the artist held a party to celebrate it's success. So what is the creator of this and the "1000 Avatar Project" up to next?

Read more in Design.

The Art of Mikati Slade in Second Life

Grease Coakes recently met up with Second Life artist Mikati Slade, whose J-Pop influenced art with it's video game colors is quickly recognizable. Recently, her work has once again gotten attention at Burn2 as the designer of it's Guru Guru stage. Grease Coakes talked to her about the stage, and the influences of her style.

Read Grease's story in People.

Gracie Kendel's "Ce n’est pas une peinture"

Noted Second Life artist Gracie Kendel has been at work again. Known for her "1000 Avatar Project,"she's stepped away from avatar identity and taken another look at three dimensional art. Her sim-scale display, "Ce n’est pas une peinture," is finally up for show, just in time for the artist's rezzday party.

Read more in Design.

Cartoon of the Day

Xymbers likes to explore, but I don't think he planned for this kind of "trip"

Cartoon by Xymbers Slade

Colors from the Void

Before SL7B closed, Grey Lupindo met up with one of its artists, Solkide Auer, about his interactive art exhibit, “Colors in the Void.” She had a chance to speak with him about his work, and what else he’s done in Second Life.

For the story, go to People