Cartoon of the Day

 

Taken at the Blake Sea at a Safe Waters Foundation meeting. Among the mermaids and mermen there was this tiny, wearing a large hat. So it didn't take long to come up with the pun.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cartoon of the Day: Shopping Mermaid

 Taken at the SL18B. The problem with being a mermaid is your lower half is designed for going about at sea, not on dry land. While some in Second Life just float around, perhaps explaining it as some kind of mermaid magic, realistically they'd be like this lady I saw at the SL18B freebie shop, crawling about on the ground. Where's a scooter when you need one?

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Fanci's Deep Mer Mall

   

For Second Life residents interested in the more aquitic side of virtual life, one place aimed at them is the Fanci's Deep Mer Mall.

"When we opened the sim, there were to be three parts, all mermaid based - because the sim was built in honor of Fanci," Grace (GraceSWF Wrigglesworth), the head of the Safe Waters Foundation explained, "The three areas were  Residential Area, Mer Mall and the Safe Waters Foundation headquarters - sort of a full service concept. Our residential lands are always sold out. When a parcel becomes available - it rents within days. Safe Waters Foundation manages the area for the owners, and has grown to be quite a good resource. We've expanded into what we call aquatics because divers like our areas - as well as all sorts of creatures."

While the mall is made to look like "an old ruin," the build is "modern, high tech, great for fun and exploring." There's a teleport system that can take people to other places in the vicinity such as the "the Chat Pavilion, Cuddle Area, Free Merfolk tail, (and the) entrance to the mermall and residential areas."

Of the shops in the mall, "We have two of the top Mermaid AO makers at the mall already. Kami Hitoe is there,  and Tala AO. The aquatic clocks are one of my favorite shops. Tir Na Nog is there. They have lovely mer tails."

For a limited time offer, a special pricing offer is available for anyone interesting in getting a booth: two months for the price of one. The offer is valid until May 15, 2021 or until all the booths are rented (whichever happens first).

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/230/192/2

Bixyl Shuftan
  

Mermaid Retreat in Trouble, Saved For Another Month

On Sunday over group chat in the Safe Waters Foundation, there was chatter among the merfolk of an underawater place in trouble, "We have a mer sim in trouble, and want us mers to come together to help out. ... It's short of L(inden dollars), by about 8K or so. ... The Mermaid Retreat ... great mer sim. So I am reaching out to see if anyone could help them."

"The owner Lady Scarlet (Luckxe Resident) is here," the person would continue, "taking donation and applying ot the land instantly." Someone else asked if help had been requested. The answer was, "Yes, she is just a bundle of nerves. (I) won't go into it, but she is one and this place means a lot, but went from sad to now almost crying form people wanting to help."

People did help. About forty minutes after the chat started, "WE SAVED IT FOR A MONTH!!!!!!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!"

The place itself is an underwater area with a few small rocky island on the surface. There are luminous underwater plants, and a large dancing area with a DJ booth. The description of the place is, "An island of tranquility and relaxation for the mind and body. Come and get lost with a sense of mythical mystery of merfolk and bonding with each other in a dreamlike state." A notecard describes the location as raising "awareness for a different charity every month," having group discussion, and a number of events and parties. Those wanting a party or wedding at the place are free to ask. The location is owned by Vivienne Koisera (Vivien0Koisera Resident) and Lady Scarlett Momobami (Luckxe Resident).

Flicker page: https://www.flickr.com/groups/themermaidretreat/

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frozen%20Field/74/48/2

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Splash - A Celebration of Mer Life in SL

Please join us August 16th to the 23rd to celebrate summer with our under the sea Splash! event for merfolk and their friends.

We have a full week of fun events and activities, including noted DJs, spoken word and dance performances, sporting events, shopping, and more!

Splash! starts

Sunday, August 16th, 2 pm SLT
DJ Elrik Merlin, of Radio Riel, opening with a watery interlude of dance and music.

Sunday, August 16th, 6-7 pm
DJ Ktadhn Vesuvino and Caledonia Skytower who steer a unique course for a journey of music and poetry, featuring the Sea in all her alluring, fierce glory. from 6-7 pm SLT.  "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;"  (John Masefield - "Sea Fever")

Monday, August 17th, 10 am SLT

Join us for a Kelpy jumping competition under the sea for a chance to take home ribbons, a trophy and gift cards to Elite Equestrian! The Jump competition will be held at 10 am SLT.  Winners to the first 6 places receive a unique trophy + gift cards.($1,000L gift card to 1st, 500L gift card  to 2nd, 200L gift card  to 3rd, 100L gift card to places 4-6.)

Tuesday, August 18th, 12 noon SLT

Join us for a jousting lesson with Duchess Atrasalus of Tamriel Isles, Knight of Dragon's Lair, member of the Medieval Games Alliance.  Her Grace Atrasalus will teach the ins and outs of jousting, all are welcome and free for use Kelpies will be available for all merfolk and 2-leggers.  Joust class is at 12 noon SLT.

Wednesday, August 19th, 7 pm SLT

Please join us for our second Kelpy jumping competition under the sea for a chance to take home ribbons, a trophy and gift cards to Elite Equestrian! The Jump competition will be held at 7 pm SLT. Winners to the first 6 places receive a unique trophy + gift cards.($1,000L gift card to 1st, 500L gift card  to 2nd, 200L gift card  to 3rd, 100L gift card to places 4-6.)

Thursday, August 20th, 12 noon SLT
Formal joust: put your jousting lessons to the test with a formal joust competition, beginning at 12 noon SLT. Duchess Atrasalus of Tamriel Isles will be presiding, please join us for this unique event!  Free for use Kelpies will be available for all merfolk and 2-leggers. 

Friday, August 21st, 11 am  SLT

DJ Ktahdn provides sea-themed music from various sources. Instrumental and vocal, sailors and swimmers, and maybe even a poem or two. Our course will be adjusted on the fly, as we dance.

Friday, August 21st, 6 pm SLT

Tales of Enchantment from the Sea: Reader Willow Moonfire will read two traditional Celtic legends from Scotland and Ireland, The Soul Cages, and The Seal Catcher and The Selkies.

Saturday, August 22nd, 4 pm SLT

Idle Rogue's Guerilla Burlesque appearing life at Splash! with an underwater dance production featuring performances by Aubreya Joszepe, Dax Dover, Gloriana Maertens, Harlequin Lock, Meegan Danitz, and Melina Aurotharius.

Saturday, August 22nd, 5-7pm SLT

DJ Caledonia Skytower takes us under the sea from 5-7 pm with a danceable mix of watery tunes: "Above, Below, or Beside the Waves! Whether you're on fins, claws, or tentacles.  Join us at Splash! for a broad spectrum of music from rock, to country, to contemporary electronic: Rod Stewart, Christopher Cross, Styx, Metric, Pt green, Christine Anu, DNCE and more!"

Sunday, August 23rd,

Seanchai Library, among the oldest spoken word program on the Second Life grid, presents an hour of tales spun in the watery depths: mer people, and creatures of myth and legend.

What else? During the week, visit the Splash! event to ride the Kelpie -Go-Round and receive an adorable merfolk gift (new every day!), practice over the jump course or jousting list with our free Ride With Me! Kelpies, shop at selected merchants, win unique raffle prizes, find trivia treasure hunt objects to create a special mer crown, plus new product releases, and an art exhibit of mer life in SL.

NOTE: The event space is on an Adult region. While none of our programming explicitly contains "adult" content, there may be adult themes and bare skin. Topless is fine, but we do ask genitals be kept covered or tucked away.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20Of%20Joy/244/12/7

Final Trip to the 2016 Fantasy Faire

Last week, Grey Lupindo wrote about the Relay for Life's Fantasy Faire, of which the final official events were yesterday. She continued to check out the sims and their events. Among them was a merfolk spot, connected to the Safe Waters Foundation. Other locations were truly reflections of places in tales of Fantasy, buildings seemingly made out of clouds and mists. And there were the art and statues up on display, and the castles up for sale, allowing one to take a little bit of Fantasy to their own place in Second Life.

Read Grey's story in Events.

SL Video: "Maia - The Little Mermaid "

(Click here if the video fails to load)

From Maia Athena, "Finally managed to complete my mermaid look!" *glee*

Avatar Review: The Anthroxtacy Shark

Second Life offers many kinds of nonhuman avatars for going about the land of Second Life. But what about the water? There is of course traditional mermaid avatars. But there's more than that. One other kind of aquatic avatar out in Second Life is the Anthroxacty shark. Although it's maker is no longer active in Second Life, there is a place where not only can one still get the avatar, but get it for free.

Read the review in Design.

Grace Wrigglesworth and the Safe Waters Foundation

Yours truly recently had a chance to interview Grace Wrigglesworth, the head of the Safe Waters Foundation. To those who don't know, Safe Waters is the largest organization of merfolk groups, fans of mermaid, merman, and similar avatars such as sirens and anthro sharks. We talked some about how she came to Second Life and how the Foundation started.

Read more in People.

The Secret Life of SL Mermaids

Besides the better known vampires, furries, and tinies, there is one avatar made with aquatic environments in mind: the merfolk. Reporter Any1 Gynoid took a closer look, and was so inspired by these avatars, she became a mermaid herself.

It's life "under the sea." Read Any1's story in People.