This week we are talking to Fly Kugin, who plays both her own mesmerizing violin compositions, as well as cover tunes, in Second Life.

Music is a huge part of Fly’s life; in the physical world Fly works as a professional musician and music teacher in Istanbul, Turkey. In SL, she reports that she performs “solo shows, dual streams, benefit shows for non-profits all around the grid and recently produced an exhibition of {my} own real life art in SL.”

Initially, Fly was unaware of the possibilities for musical performances in SL. She tells us: “I explored Second Life for about four years and participated in social and cultural activities to improve my English. Then I realized... Why am I not bringing my profession of music to Second Life?”

Fly’s performances in SL were even more prolific over the last year, given the circumstances. She played several live shows per week throughout 2020. She was eager to bring her art to people across the world, saying “sharing these feelings with people around the world gives me great energy and happiness.”

Fly adds, “the effects of music on human psychology have been scientifically proven. That's why I can clearly say that Second Life is a great platform to touch people in profound ways.”

There is actually a chance to witness her perform tomorrow at the Musical Concert for Virtual Ability, which takes place from 12:30PM to 3:00PM. The opportunities to experience art, culture, and music in SL are truly limitless and we encourage all to come explore!

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Shot at The Rose Theatre

This week we are taking a look at several anime themed regions that are bursting with fun and colorful odes to Japanese culture.

Anime, a Japanese style of animation, has become popular throughout the world. It can be found in graphic novels, film, television, and of course, Second Life! There has been a massive following of anime devotees inworld for years, and there is now an anime category in the Destination Guide.

Taikou, created by Hiro Hamada, is a small Japanese town with a market and arcade. Hiro tells us, “I'm deeply inspired by Japanese architecture and culture, so I enjoy creating builds, backdrops, decor, and even food. Whenever I'm back in Japan I take a bunch of photos of the scenery so I have references of what to make in SL. I want everyone to be able to feel the joy of Japan. I've made a lot of great friends in SL that I never would have been able to meet anywhere else.” Hiro’s travels add a great degree of authenticity to this region, which shows the unlimited possibilities when elements of the physical world and imagination collide in the virtual realm.

For those who would like an anime style avatar, Waifu Factory cannot be missed. Here you can find many brands: UTILIZATOR, ABC apparel, Wretch, Ayashi, MelonBunny, Pirocius, and more. From bodies to eyes and even animations, the detail that many Residents put into their avatars is breathtaking.

SU-SHI City is great for photos, with rows of cherry blossoms that are characteristic of Japan. Owner Marcus BlueSky says, “We began with just an ancient town, but then wanted to add more details and now we can finally present an ancient village, a town, and a modern city. Visitors use the place for their blogs, product pictures, and even want to live and run shops here.”

Other visually stunning anime regions include Tonarino, which includes Nekomachi Street. This urban cat city feels like a whimsical daydream and is sure to make anyone smile. Additionally, Hikari and UMIMOTO Marina offer relaxing spaces with impressive attention to detail.

These regions are open to everyone and feel like a museum, cartoon, and vacation all in one. Teleport over today and discover your inner anime character.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Escape to the inviting environment and soothing sounds of Cann!bal, a tropical paradise that has been in development for over 10 years in Second Life. 

Now on its own estate and spanning four adjacent regions, Cann!bal has been a work of love by Chotaire Seelowe. 

Here’s a description of the inspiration for Cann!bal in Chotaire’s own words:

“I've always loved beaches in real life, so when I came to SL in 2006, I randomly started searching for terms like "Hawaii" or "Bora Bora" and  found "Bora Bora Isles," a Polynesian beach that was actually built by the owner. I realized that it is a rare sight to find an estate where the owner actually created the content and didn't just buy it from random stores. It impressed me. And I had this feeling, if I only tried hard enough, I could even make something more realistic, something even better.

Never in my life have I enjoyed programming, but I realized to create something really unique I would have to learn scripting as well. That's how I became a scripter. I got my own region for Cannibal Island to showcase all of this and become my own landlord. 

Then, when mesh got introduced into SL, I had to accept that one person can't do it all, so I started showcasing other people's builds too. This is how I got in touch with other creators and we started to cooperate. I still work for many of them. Today Cann!bal Island still pretty much looks like it did in 2011, except that due to weekly updates everything is much more polished and always makes use of the latest technology offered by Linden Lab.”

Chotaire clearly loves the challenge of invention that Second Life offers and appreciates being able to create environments that can then be seen by other Residents, and experiences that will stay with them for a long time to come.

Take the teleport to Cann!bal Island and see it for yourself -- you might even lose yourself in its lush environment or perhaps in one of its many dance clubs!

Video Production Credits: Draxtor Despres

Cann!bal

Take unbelievable photos on a total of 4 breathtaking virtual beach regions. Enjoy a multitude of exciting tropical activities, or just watch as their dynamic region windlight day cycles control the region-wide lights. This estate has been under development for more than 10 years and offers countless attractions seen nowhere else on the grid.

Visit in Second Life

This week we are being whisked away to The Outer Garden, a resplendent winter garden that appears to be frozen in time.

Creator Bisou Dexler, a professional photographer from Japan, says that “Second Life is the one and only place where I can visualize and share the fantastic drawings overflowing from my brain and feel the beauty born from it.” (Check out their Flickr group for inspiration!)

The Outer Garden’s design, like countless other things, was influenced by the profound emotional impact that COVID had on all of our lives. Bisou, in a moment that is relatable to many, was struck by constant grief in the news and headlines. Bisou describes one particularly striking story: “A documentary was broadcast in which a young man, who was unable to go inside the hospital to see his mother, climbed up to the window of the mother's room on the second floor to look at her. I have never felt love and prayer so heartily, and that's when I found hope in my Second Life build…”

The Outer Garden feels like a sacred place conducive to experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions. It welcomes those who wish for a temporary escape as well as those seeking a cathartic reckoning. Bisou tells us that “my inspirations come from the beautiful creations made by my partner aki69, conversations with SL friends, and my emotions, which respond to happiness and sadness in my real life. Being able to express my imagination in Second Life, which is difficult to do in the real world, has had a profound healing effect on me!”

Everybody feels and expresses things in different ways. The virtual world of Second Life can be a great place to process emotions in a safe space. Bisou says “beauty comforts people, so does sharing sadness. I was healed by creating gardens in order to express myself in this virtual world. I hope my gardens also become a place to alleviate the visitors' sorrow.” 

Visit The Outer Garden today to experience your own unique interpretation of this surreal daydream.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

The Outer Garden

The Outer Garden is a place where love is hiding. The landing point, "The White Garden", is filled with happiness where the romantic atmosphere and pale lights surround you, which would make your time with friends and lover special. Also, the mirror standing at the landing point will take you to some other gardens, where you can enjoy walking and taking pictures. You will have a sweet time in this brilliant season, the RoseGarden, and pale lights.

Visit in Second Life

Fearless Nation is a nonprofit that provides education and peer-to-peer support for Residents navigating through the challenges of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Founder and Executive Director of Fearless Nation, Anya Ibor (also known as Colleen M. Crary in the physical world) holds a PhD in Psychology and has been using Second Life as a means to educate people about PTSD for over 12 years. Equally important to Anya is her advocacy for PTSD victims by sharing her extensive research.

The Fearless Nation destination has an extensive interactive library on the subject matter, including literary works and informational slideshows. There are also little areas where Residents can reflect on their feelings including an area to cope with grief and a remembrance place. An eucomenical temple on a hill, set within a secluded garden lets followers of any religion (or none for that matter) reflect on loss, gather strength, and meet others in quiet contemplation.

Relaxation can be acquired in the Yoga area on the beach, with informational panels to educate on the use of aromatherapy, and a mud bath with a nice cold shower to round off that section of the island.

Want to conquer your anxiety through non-verbal making of art? Pottery and sewing stations are available in the arts center.

An art exhibit about trauma, recovery, and resilience brings together prominent Second Life artists like Bryn Oh, along with the collective who participated in the award-winning “The Freedom Project” as well as artists from the physical realm, past and present, like Käthe Kollwitz and Joe Coleman.

At the end of a long day, you can watch your avatar fall asleep in the cozy sleep room, while your analog alter ego turns off the light as well.

Group meetings and other events surrounding PTSD support are starting soon, so join their inworld group and chime in by sharing your ideas for topics to discuss. 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres
Parts of this video were shot at Bryn Oh’s Lobbycam

Fearless Nation PTSD Support

Fearless Nation PTSD Support is an RL 501c3 Nonprofit Organization for people with PTSD, their families, partners, children, and communities. They provide education, support, and advocacy. Since 2009 they've had a virtual online community that spans distance, with a small carbon footprint bringing people together for peer support, education, and advocacy for people with PTSD.

Visit in Second Life

This week we invite you to take a fantastical journey to the regions created by Resident Natalie Starlight.

United by thematic elements that draw from fairy tales, the fantasy genre, and her boundless imagination, these regions are visually sumptuous and will truly make you feel as if you have been transported to a different world.

The Lost Unicorn Gallery, shown in the video, features a beautiful elven castle full of amazing fantasy artwork. There are monthly shows and events for different artists, as well as rotational exhibits. Check out the official website for more information on the latest featured artist, cottage rentals, and photos.

Finian’s Dream, based on old Celtic Ireland, is a mysterious mountainside village. Walk into the fog to explore the castle, tavern, and rolling green hills.

There is also Storybook, which has a more whimsical aesthetic. Frolic amongst the flowers and glistening trees! This region welcomes all avatars but is a particularly wonderful place to visit for elves, faeries, fauns, satyrs, fae and the like.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Finian's Dream

A mystical and beautiful land, based on old Celtic Ireland. Come discover the secrets of the forest as you explore the misty woods, stop by the tavern, see the countryside, and visit a castle. The region was designed by Noralie78.

Visit in Second Life

This week we are taking a stroll through Craggy Island, a peaceful and picturesque island off the coast of Ireland.

Created by Mishi Masala and Zucker Zabelin, Craggy Island in Second Life is not intended to be an ‘actual’ depiction of the fictional island that featured in the Channel 4 British sitcom Father Ted, but instead it draws more inspiration from the rugged landscape of the west coast of Ireland. 

As creator Zucker Zabelin tells us, "its fields and rocky outcrops (the ‘crags’ that make the island ‘craggy’) are dotted with occasional weather-beaten ruins of stone walls.” Zucker tried to visualize a harsh climate with spartan living conditions which have driven away most of the former inhabitants of Craggy Island. “It is now mostly populated by farm animals and the few hardy souls that still live there,” he says, “braving the elements and eking out a precarious living.”

Mishi Masala and Zucker Zabelin also added a lighthouse, which warns passing ships to steer clear of the dangerous coastline. “The shipwreck off Craggy Island attests to the perils awaiting any vessels that may foolishly venture too close to the coast, “Zucker continues, “but for all of that, Craggy Island is blessed with spectacular photogenic views - and of course the Craic.”

There you have it. Now enjoy a quiet stroll through Craggy Island, and if you snap some images, share them in their Flickr group.

Video Production Credits: Draxtor Despres
 

Craggy Island - A wee bit of Ireland

A peaceful and picturesque island off the coast of Ireland. Come to explore, come to unwind, come for the craic! Céad míle fáilte.

Visit in Second Life

This week we are raising awareness for the COVID-19 information center on Inspiration Island.

Lissena, who also goes by Wisdomseeker, guides us through the colorful and comforting realm of Inspiration Island, which she created with many other volunteers to promote wellness in a fun and accessible way. In this region you can also find Whole Brain Health, which Lissena describes as “the virtual arm of our nonprofit Ageless Mind Project. Our mission is to give people the tools to stay sharp, active, and healthy, based on research coming from neuroscience, gerontology, positive psychology, and creativity.”

The COVID display in the courtyard was built by Lady Brielle, a medical librarian who maintains the text as new data becomes available. Lady Brielle has been a tireless essential worker throughout the pandemic, and her work has not gone unnoticed. Lady Brielle tells us that “our outreach work in Second Life has been recognized by the National Library of Medicine and won an award in Research by the Hospital Libraries Section of the Medical Library Association.” 

Information on COVID-19 is displayed in Spanish, American Sign Language, and  English. The creators of Inspiration Island took a multidisciplinary approach to presenting information so that as many people as possible can be positively impacted by visiting. In addition to medical data there are stories submitted by other Residents about their personal experiences of social distancing to remind us that what we’re feeling is totally natural, and we’re not the only ones who feel that way. There are also many activities to facilitate mental stimulation and help people feel connected.

Lissena wants us to know that even the scary parts of sickness are addressed here: “Once a month Rob, a member of the Collective in Germany, hosts a Death Café -- something he is trained to do professionally outside SL -- conversations that help make death less {of} a forbidden subject. Amazingly, we laugh a lot there.”

This vibrant region is the labor of love of a devoted community. Marly Milena, a volunteer, explains that she provides “programs focused on creative expression on Inspiration Island. I have introduced a way of working with arts-based processes, called Symbolic Modeling (SymMod for short). We use the building tools so people can make art in SL, and then we guide them in exploring meanings, new ideas, feelings, etc.”

Thuja Hynes, the associate director of the project, builds educational exhibits and tours. Two of her current projects are called Simply Impossible and Hero Walk. Francisco Koolhoven, media director, creates unique, invaluable tools for the project. There are also many weekly events. Faust hosts the Positive Change Circle at Whole Brain Health on Sundays, and Arisia Vita plays piano in the gazebo every Monday and Wednesday. Priceless contributions are also provided by community members Catseye Tennen, Ghaelen D'Lareh, and Marylou Goldrosen.

Second Life is proud to host a space that incorporates elements of education, creativity, and community, and Inspiration Island is a living example of the positive it can bring. Lissena feels that the activities found here “give you insight into yourself, encourage your creativity and your sense of purpose and reduce loneliness, which is really important.” It is open to people from all walks of life, so stop by for a visit today.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

COVID-19 Resources @ Health Hacienda

Healthcare PRO Brielle MacXaris curates this comprehensive resource about health issues, respected options, and the latest research. Interactive and engaging materials in English and Spanish. Share your pandemic experience, and take the new Vaccination Survey!

Visit in Second Life

Endless summer awaits at Rainbow Reef, a surfing destination with everything you need to relax.

Creators Love Repine and Ghost Mannequin know Second Life pretty well, having been Residents for about 15 years. Love tells us, “My motivation to create in SL has always been around beach {regions}. Building an environment based on movement, ambience and sound, a place where people can really immerse themselves in a true beach experience. A place to call home and a bolthole to escape.” 

Trade in skyscrapers for palm trees and hop into a wetsuit. Regarding the beach theme, Love adds, “I’ve been lucky to have had some amazing sims like Laguna Beach Club, Mojo Beach and now Rainbow Reef, that have attracted amazing people, which at the end of the day completes the circle.” A solar panel on one end of the beach gives it a modern touch.

A casual bar appears to be made of locally repurposed wood, providing a dance floor right on the water. Music was another factor that had to be just right, as Love mentions, “At Rainbow Reef we have hooked up with Dublab, an L.A.-based radio station that plays an eclectic mix of music which streams across the {region} 24/7 and brings in an extra dimension.” A cabana nearby would be a great spot to catch your breath after catching some waves, and the string lights make it great for day or night.

Regions that honor the beauty of nature and offer a virtual way to interact with it are great for virtual vacations when life doesn’t make it easy to take a day off. Love adds, “Recently at the height of the pandemic when people were restricted with travel, working from home, and often isolated in {the physical world}, Second Life gave people that channel to reach out and still feel connected.” 

However, Love feels that this magical draw to connection is not unique to the last two years, citing it as “just one example of why people have consistently used Second Life and will continue to do so, creating wonderful experiences for others, and for themselves, to spend time in.” Plus, don’t miss your chance to grab a pic with an adorable stray beach cat.

As you can see in the video, Rainbow Reef is a melting pot of Residents ready to kick off their shoes and live in the moment. As a reminder that at any given moment in SL you can meet someone from another part of the world, one of the Residents in the video is Jetcat Despres, hailing from Japan. Drax tells us that “we had to use translators to communicate but we all felt very connected and had a sense of presence, as Love mentions above. However the ingenious decision of LL early on to create a sense of family via last names was awesome. I had forgotten about this amazing aspect of the SL Metaverse!”

Who knows, maybe you’ll run into a long lost virtual relative as well! Find out by visiting Rainbow Reef today.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Rainbow Reef

Come and surf the waves at Rainbow Reef! Hang out at the beach club and taste the cold beers or soak up the sunshine. Rainbow Reef is the surfing beach you have been looking for!

Visit in Second Life

Ready for adventure? The Citadel in Second Life offers roleplay and SciFi enthusiasts a place to call home.

Citadel, the Legion Chronicles, has gone through many transformations since 2009, but at the heart has always been a role-play destination for lovers of science fiction. 

Aywin Dragonblood started off her metaverse journey on the teen grid in Second Life, learning how to dabble in the art of roleplay. Moving on to the adult grid, she taught herself how to build with prims, mesh, script, texture, and also design websites, all by getting tips from friends in Second Life and tinkering with things on her own. 

Adding writing to her many talents, Aywin shares “The Citadel that exists today uses lore I spent 9 years writing. It started on a piece of paper, then a notebook, then a computer. Creating the story of a vast galaxy that had fallen into chaos, then rebuilt itself into this scattered and vastly different galaxy in which each world had to adapt on its own, was a lot of fun.”

As to why Aywin created the Citadel, she says “I wanted a place that is a fun, inviting place to roleplay. A place where we all worked together for our passion of SciFi. I wanted The Citadel to operate like a small mom and pop business. I or my admins greet each person when we can and work with newcomers one on one if needed.” 

Encouraging participants to use the destination to host events, shows, concerts, parties, businesses, and more, Aywin has created an engaging community worth joining. 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Citadel - The Legion Chronicles

The Citadel is a Sci-Fi / Fantasy roleplay destination with a unique and vivid storyline that gives so much possibility for players to really explore and create their own unique characters. They have deep and lasting events that can take place over several days. Each event with its own story fills in part of the bigger story of the Citadel. The RP at the Citadel is meant to be easy for players to jump right in. For more information, visit citadellegionchron.wixsite.com/citadel

Visit in Second Life

This Halloween, explore the creepy 13th Cloud Hotel, a destitute and broken-down asylum in Second Life.

The mysterious 13th Cloud Hotel is a collaboration between friends Lil Brat and Roxksie on the RoxkStudios region. 

Lil shares her inspiration for this haunted exhibit, “I wanted to try a floating asylum idea I had a few years ago, and we went for it. I love reading about all the spooky aspects of world history, in this case, asylums. 

Roxksie found the project to be a perfect addition to her art region, “Lil approached me knowing that I make art installations in Second Life while owning and managing an art region so I offered her some space. Once the first part had been installed, I mentioned the idea of creating a maze with the hope of making something interactive to explore. This installation is a vehicle for telling the story of times gone past. The older medieval practices that doctors would perform on patients thinking that it could or would cure them of illnesses. Instead of understanding the science of what causes illnesses, they would use things like electric shock to “cure” the ailment or leeches.”

When asked what Second Life means to them, Roxksie shared that since joining SL at age 18 back in 2006 “... the world has become an addition to my real life, where I can do the things that I cannot afford to do offline such as take a weekend to sit on a tropical beach (I live in the UK so there isn’t a lot of tropical beaches to go to). In recent years I have learned to use Second Life as a medium for expressionism which is an addition to my offline real-world artwork. I enjoy creating fantastical immersive art displays and creations that others can interact with and explore.” You can see more of Roxksie’s interactive art on the Roxkstudios region.

Lil Brat also shares her feelings towards this virtual world, “Second Life means a lot to me. It’s a place where you can play with and show your creativity, hang out with friends and explore. There is so much to do and see and it really is an amazing place. Some of my best friends I met in Second Life.” Lil Brat’s other work can be seen at her Dollhouse Forest.

After completing work on the 13th Cloud Hotel, Lil and Roxksie invited friends Squizzle, Echo, and Monki to assist in the 2nd installment of the asylum, called The 700's Labyrinth. This is the horror maze where inmates from the asylum were released into a final realm. Explore if you dare! 

Halloween is the perfect season to do all of the above in our virtual universe: create, express yourself, hang with friends, supplement RL with tropical surroundings and, if you dare, creep people out by visiting an old spooky asylum, in the clouds!

Additional help for 13th Cloud Hotel was provided by Ramisaa Gothly (Scripting Assistance with the Asylum), Solace Tigerpaw (maker of the famous TeaCup Carousel), and Finn Zeddmore (Narrative ideas)

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

The 13th Cloud Hotel

Welcome to the Asylum! Explore the tale of the destitute remains of a broken-down madhouse. Once a place for care with doctors, the patients broke loose from their medication and ruined this establishment. You are invited to explore these ghastly terrors. Produced by the Doll's House & SLRandom ArtCrew on the RoxkStudios region.

Visit in Second Life

Wander into Lost Lagoon, home to whimsical waterfalls and just the place for you to relax and get away from it all.

Ever walked around Second Life and found yourself lost in contemplation? The Lost Lagoon is one of those spots where you can indulge in some solitude while exploring all the hidden gems it has to offer. Make sure to turn up your sounds to hear the relaxing waves. 

Alternatively, it can also be a place to meet or rather randomly bump into fellow explorers and strike up a conversation with someone who may come from a very different corner of the physical world than you.

The island is what you make it, just as you do with your avatar. The video proves that humans, furries, and the occasional teddy bear, can all hang out and play together. 

As you explore, find a big hall with an astrology map serving as its roof on top of one of the hills on the island. Imagine the soft sounds of the old piano, slightly out of tune perhaps. Travel downhill to the beach, where strange artifacts from the distant past are overgrown with flowers and weeds alike. Walk the connected wooden walkways that safeguard the visitor from falling into the swampy water - but beware of possible alligators!

Built by Mark Knight and administered by Jana Guyot, Lost Lagoon is a quintessential Second Life destination that brings beauty and a sense of calm. Lose yourself in the serenity of this little island.

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Lost Lagoon

Lost Lagoon is an isolated paradise in the South Seas. This beautiful jewel of a destination is a great place to explore, get in touch with nature, relax and cuddle. Everyone is welcome to find their piece of paradise at the Lost Lagoon.

Visit in Second Life

Creator Jenaia Morane describes Braided Lives as “a multimedia, multiplatform initiative designed to bring people from around the planet together to create, collaborate, and build community.” It currently features a music installation called Songs for Ukraine.

Jenaia has been a Resident for over 14 years, telling us, “the most important lesson I’ve learned is that people are people wherever and however they choose to appear, and virtual reality has a lot to teach us about what it means to be human.”

As a response to the overwhelming emotions that many of us feel these days as a result of chaotic global events and uncertainty about the future, Jenaia applied those values to Braided Lives. As one of countless people who saw the devastation of the Ukrainian invasion and felt a frustrating sense of powerlessness, Jenaia realized “What I am, however, is a storyteller who has learned that sharing our stories through song is one of the best ways to open hearts and keep hope and courage alive in the world.”

Jenaia goes into great detail on the various goals of the Songs for Ukraine project:

• Entertain, Educate, and Inspire: “Bring people from around the world together to enjoy live music that supports and celebrates Ukraine. The concerts are held in recreations of places in Ukraine - e.g., the subways where people are living to escape the Russian bombs. These spaces are meant to give attendees a sense of what the Ukrainians are experiencing, including the hope and courage they’re displaying through their music. (Each live concert is broadcast in both SL and on the web so that anyone, anywhere with an internet connection can enjoy them. They are also recorded and archived so those unable to attend the live shows can listen later.)”
• Support and Educate: “Though we do not collect money, the “Songs for Ukraine” concerts provide information on more than 14 organizations that are offering aid to Ukraine. We also share poetry by Ukrainian poets and are starting to interview and post the work of Ukrainian artists and musicians.”
• Build Bridges: “To be effective, the work being done in virtual spaces needs to become readily available, easily accessible, and seen as relevant to the rest of the world. This is where music has a vital role to play: it crosses any and all boundaries, opens hearts, and reminds us that what we have in common far outweighs our differences.”

Walking through the region feels like an episodic journey through space and time, as each section has a unique aesthetic and feels insulated in a comforting manner. The air of serenity makes it easy to relax, and art pieces are perfectly balanced with the natural beauty of the outdoors. Eventually Residents happen upon a seating area on an enclosed square of sand, reminiscent of a zen garden. Just past that, a literal approach to the concept of a word tree that provokes visitors to think about familiar concepts in a new light.

Jenaia’s endeavor to foster resilience, hope, and connection features banners with inspiring quotes at the entrance and multiple stages for speaking and/or performing. There is also ample room for quiet contemplation, as one can see at a memorial for Ebbe Altberg, who many Residents remember as the CEO of Linden Lab until his passing last year. The poem “Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep” encourages the reader to live in the present moment and not be focused on the past or weighed down by grief for those lost.

All are welcome to visit Braided Lives. In a world that teaches us to be constantly moving, allow yourself to rest. You deserve it, maybe more than you know.

Video Production Credits: Draxtor Despres
Musicians in order of appearance: Cylindrian Rutabaga, Frogg Marlowe, and Raspbury Rearwin.

Braided Lives

Braided Lives is a multi-platform initiative designed to bring people from all walks of life together to tell their stories and collaborate on the creation of a more equitable and sustainable future. The concept was born in response to the isolation, stress, anger, and frustration that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial tensions. For more info, visit braidedlives.com

Visit in Second Life

Nord Storm is a vast steampunk roleplaying experience featuring an abandoned laboratory, a sacred cathedral, retro gadgets, and more in a wintery mountain town.
 

For those unfamiliar, steampunk is a retrofuturistic subgenre of science fiction, and it has a sizable devotion in Second Life with many steampunk regions to explore. Nord Storm is a huge region with architecture and technology bearing the distinct aesthetic of what would be considered futuristic through a 19th-century lens. 

Upon arrival, you are greeted with the message: “Here you can fight monsters, solve puzzles, upgrade avatar skills, craft, cook your own food, earn experience coins, play team games, fish, compete with other residents in skills, and much more... The game is available to all users.” Sounds like enough activity to fill up what’s left of 2020!

You first enter Nord Storm at an open air train station. In order to participate in the game component of the experience, you can receive a HUD from a machine nearby. The HUD has a built-in collision-based combat system. To hunt ghosts, you don't have to wear a combat system, but if you want your avatar to be able to deal damage to them, the combat system will allow you to do so.

You are free to explore on foot, but who wouldn’t want to use the time machine? All you have to do is launch the portal by reclining in the car seat. Click on the monitor to select one of the many locations in this world.

Be sure to keep an eye out for places marked with gold coins. When you sit at the designated earning spot, coins will be credited once a minute and can be used to purchase different items that enhance gameplay in the shop. You can also redeem prizes in the factory once you accrue enough experience points.

More details, pictures, and maps can be found at the official Nord Storm website.

For those more interested in admiring the architecture and environment than the gaming aspect, there is no pressure to conform to any specific gameplay rules. Everybody is welcome to visit the church, peruse the library, enjoy a quiet moment in the garden, or take a ride in the steampunk train.

If you’d like to adorn your avatar in steampunk attire, the marketplace has outfits and accessories for all levels of commitment. This region takes winter wonderland to the next level with the highly detailed levels of interactivity, gorgeous terrain, and hidden treats. Let Nord Storm whisk you away today.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Nord Storm World

Nord Storm is a huge world full of steampunk adventures. The HUD that the user puts on for the game makes the avatar close to reality. Crafting, stats, leveling avatar levels, combat system, mazes and quests, team games, extraction of ingredients, and its own financial system. All this and much more you will find in the world of Nord Storm.

Visit in Second Life

This week we are traveling around the globe and through time through the extensive David Rumsey map collection.

David Rumsey, President of Cartography Associates, has been an avid collector of maps since the early 1980s. According to his website, the collection “contains more than 150,000 maps... Items range in date from about 1550 to the present.” The digitization of archival materials has made historical content more accessible, and Rumsey had the keen foresight to create an interactive experience with these maps in Second Life.

Rumsey states, “We built the 4 {regions} in 2008 and have continued to update them since then. One of the things that fascinated me early on was the potential to “walk” on the historic maps and fly around them in SL.” Just getting from map to map feels like an adventure; they vary in size and are not only on display but a central component of the region’s structure. The degree to which atlases inform the design gives the region a dream within a dream feel. Rumsey informs us that “The Yosemite map which forms the floor of the site was built with a full elevation model so that it is accurate and in scale. The map is the first truly accurate map of the Yosemite Valley made by U.S. Army topographers in 1883.” 

The video shows a long map of the Tokaido road: Rumsey says that it was made in 1687 and was drawn by hand! “In real life it is a scroll that unrolls to be over 30 feet long. It shows the route from Tokyo (then called Edo) along the coast to Osaka.”

These maps are a visual history of how countries and territories have changed over time.Rumsey’s website even mentions that “close inspection of the {American} maps often reveals the growth and decline of towns, mining excavations, the unfolding of the railroads, and the "discovery" of the American West by European explorers.”

David Rumsey has donated his entire physical map collection to Stanford University, where it is housed at the David Rumsey Map Center in the Stanford Library and open to the public. Visit the virtual collection today to let out your inner navigator! And don’t forget to pin your hometown on the large world map so others can see that Residents from all over have been here.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

David Rumsey Maps

Discover antique maps in a unique, experiential way and explore a 3D recreation of Yosemite in 1883.

Visit in Second Life

This week we’re taking a broader look at the possibilities within Second Life for expression, metamorphosis, and a unique type of freedom from our current circumstances in the physical world. There is no denying that we are social animals, and while we are in this period of indefinite isolation, connecting with others in a dynamic environment can be very rewarding.
 

At this point almost all of us have had to pass up a vacation or event we were looking forward to, and not everyone has access to partially reopened spaces. In Second Life we can safely explore nature, hear the push and pull of the tide, and feel present in a place we’ve always wanted to go to.

The phrase quarantine vacation might seem like an oxymoron, but it is definitely possible in SL. A luxury getaway to the Fashion Week of your choosing is only a few clicks away, and whether you’re in the audience or on the runway is up to you. Plus, this is the only place that we condone riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

What do you miss the most? Recreational sports, the endless row of bookshelves in your library, chatting with others at a gallery reception? All of these things and more are waiting for you in-world. Of course there are certain things about the physical world that cannot be replaced, but there are also aspects of the virtual world that can augment your experience in ways that are inimitable.

It is liberating to give a 3D visual form to parts of ourselves that have traditionally been abstract and interior. Whether it is something you have daydreamed about for years or an aspect of yourself that has always existed beneath the surface, there is no better place to set your thoughts free.

Head to the Destination Guide today for a new adventure. Don’t know where to start? Pro tip: the Editors’ Picks are always poppin’.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

This week we are visiting the stunning metropolis of Cravone City, inspired by the real life urban jungles of New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto.

Creator Bhad Craven has been an active Resident for several years, “making quirky home decor and accessories, detailed building components, and the occasional strange/unique/urban outfit under the Bad Unicorn brand.” 

Bhad joined SL when he was an art student and found that the platform was the perfect canvas for his burgeoning creative output. He tells us, “I eventually met Capone MacMoragh, who became a mentor to me after he discovered I was creating original 3D meshes for Bad Unicorn. He took me under his wing by giving me tips and tricks for learning 3D. I believe after many years of creating a wide range of items for Bad Unicorn, my photoshop and Maya skills have grown tremendously since I first joined SL. I have been lucky enough to work as a 3D artist in the real world as well as being able to fully support myself as a Second Life designer.”

Like Bad Unicorn, Capone’s brand, Scotch, is also informed by a modern, urban style. The two designers both found inspiration in the cultural megacenters of NYC, LA, and Toronto. In fact, Bhad came up with the idea for Cravone City in 2015. Given the enormity of his vision, “master builder Paradox Ivory was commissioned to design the place. Known for her work at The Apartments, Ms. Ivory breathed life into this unique city atmosphere that never skips a beat.”

Just like the real life places that inspired it, Cravone City is bustling with activity. Bhad says “whether users are looking for a new tattoo, a trip to the local bodega, a place to hang out, or just a ride on the subway, Cravone offers them a chance to flourish in this familiar, nostalgic virtual space -- a perfect backdrop for most.” Not to mention the shopping district: with stores like HEVO, Animosity Poses, Rossi, Shybird, and Radix, Cravone City has everything you need for a great adventure that you’ll be talking about for days.

Take a subway ride in Cravone City today and see the gorgeous city skyline for yourself!

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Cravone City

Inspired by New York, Cravone City is an urban region that is great for photography, roleplaying, and hanging out. Come explore the shops, cafes, and parks. With numerous streets and alleys, Cravone provides plenty of ways to get lost and find yourself again.

Visit in Second Life

This week we are visiting the southwestern splendor of Marfa, Texas.

Creator Valium Lavender, a proud Texan whose family has lived there for generations, had until now “never found the right way to capture my love for Texas in a {region} design.” That’s pretty understandable: given that its land mass is the second largest state in the U.S., there’s a lot of personality to convey. 

While movies might give one the impression that Texas is defined by cowboy hats, barbecues, and country music, Lavender painstakingly sculpted this region to give Residents a more three-dimensional experience of her home state. She tells us that “Marfa, Texas in RL is this obscure, funky art mecca out in the middle of nowhere. Artists like Donald Judd settled in Marfa because of the massive uncluttered land space and abundance of natural light.”

One of Marfa’s crowning features here is The Empty Chair Gallery, comprising photos taken by a variety of renowned SL photographers and Lavender’s ode to the town’s artistic spirit. Lavender says she “chose photos  that imparted a feeling surrounding an empty chair. I felt that the 'empty chair' in most cases created the emotion of being lonely, sad, or waiting, and wanting from the observer. At  times, the chair instilled a sense of happiness, knowing perhaps, that soon someone would occupy their empty chair.”

This is just the beginning, as Lavender tells us “I hope to expand Marfa by adding “Ballroom Marfa,” which is the hub of cultural activity in RL Marfa, with the showing of international artists, local artists, artisans, folklore and history.”

Retro gas stations, cacti, and old school trucks add to the charm. Builder help for this project came from Fred Hamilton (frecoi), Lotus Mastroianni and Sofie Janic. Walking around this region brings a feeling of peace and a sense of curiosity.

Visit the quirky and charming town of Marfa today.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

ValiumSL - Marfa

Marfa is a close re-creation of a small West Texas town known for its international art scene and mysterious lights. A replica of Donald Judd's art is located there as well as The Empty Chair Gallery.

Visit in Second Life

Explore Puerto Banana, an eclectic little fishing harbor, inspired by the wonderful creativity of Second Life Residents.

After being involved with other artistic venues and ventures in Second Life, Louna Perl and Boro decided they wanted to create their own space based around fun, creativity, and nice chance encounters with other Second Life residents. Louna shares, “We do think SL is a wonderful way to unleash creativity, whether you're extremely talented or simply a normal human being with ideas that have not been realized yet.” 

With no technical skills and an immense admiration for other Creators in Second Life, they dove right into creating Puerto Banana. Louna explains their process: “I'm a collector and I love pictures and paintings, but I also have a passion for objects. And in SL, there are absolutely fantastic creators of objects. From sculptures to simple tea cups, I'm often amazed by the details, the technical skills, beauty and inventiveness.”  

“We do try to mix the atmospheres in what remains a small place, with the harbor full of surprises, a small gallery and a warehouse where we can gather with a few people to listen to music streamed by music lovers, without dancing, just to lie on a couch or a comfy chair and chat about music.”

This quaint little fishing harbor is not the only thing keeping them busy this summer together, and in collaboration with Gabryel Lamplight, they have started a new project called “Bears around the World” project. You can grab a bear and go on a photography adventure for a chance to win some prizes, but also have a lot of fun!

Take a stroll through this eclectic fishing harbor, participate in the bears around the world project and get your creative juices flowing!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Puerto Banana

Puerto Banana is a little fishing harbour with a core business based around fun, creativity, and nice encounters. An eclectic place inspired by the wonderful creativity of Second Life Residents. Sometimes there are featured art exhibits.

Visit in Second Life

Explore a more cryptic envisioning of fantasy at The Looking Glass, where enchantment and dark secrets abound.

Creators Marcus Inkpen and Sharni Azalee have been selling a wide range of items related to fantasy under The Looking Glass brand since 2011. Marcus tells us they were brought together by a mutual passion, saying “We were both into the darker Alice in Wonderland type whimsical fantasy stuff and we've been exploring that ever since.”

The Looking Glass is a large region that could take hours to explore. From the long bridge leading to a mysterious castle to the beautiful floating islands, the amount of detail in every component is reminiscent of many iconic works of fantasy that have been uniquely interpreted by Marcus and Sharni. Sharni says, “We have tried to make a region that is entwined with many genres so that everybody can find their ‘special spot’ there. {It’s} especially wonderful to see when people take the time to find the little hidden areas in the region.

If you are feeling a little stressed out, The Looking Glass is the perfect place to let your worries float away. Sharni tells us “SL for me is an escape from the pressures of r/l. I have a very stressful r/l job, so to be able to log into SL and relax and get lost in a creative bubble is a perfect balance. The friends I have met here from all over the world give me a wonderful reason to keep coming back.”

In addition to photogenic exploration, Marcus tells us that The Looking Glass hosts “regular events with live music, DJs and particle shows. Everything you could ask for! Sharni and I have also been involved in all of the Fantasy Faires since the beginning and we are looking forward to it every year.”

Come visit The Looking Glass today to experience a different side of fantasy in the virtual world.

Note: There is an art exhibit of Marcus' r/l alter ego J Matthew Root at http://jmrart.com, as well as a store of select merchandise in the basement that is also available on the Second Life Marketplace.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

The Looking Glass at Horizon Dream

The Looking Glass is the joint creation of Marcus Inkpen and Sharni Azalee. Beautiful art and designs populate this photogenic island, which aims to host and support the arts in Second Life through live music, particle shows and poetry readings.

Visit in Second Life

Come experience a perfect spring day at Whimberly, a photogenic oasis where visitors can hang out while admiring the beauty of nature.

Creator Staubi Reilig tells us, “Whimberly was created as a photogenic spot to give SL {Residents} the opportunity to use a {region} for their photos free of charge and without group membership fees.” One lap around Whimberly makes it clear that this place was definitely built with photography in mind; the landscape is absolutely stunning but in an unimposing manner that serves to complement a photo’s subject without distraction. Staubi adds, “The {region} quickly became a popular destination for spending time with my friends too… At regular intervals we switch the design from spring to autumn and vice versa.” So take advantage of the vast field of tall yellow flowers while you can, and be sure to come back later this year!

Whimberly’s layout has a sense of openness, which adds a sense of safety and tranquility. Explorers can find hidden nooks like a set of wooden chairs with a small campfire ablaze, or a comfy swing hanging from a tree. Staubi would like to give credit to Ethan Reilig, who "takes care of the terraforming and the details," as building in SL can be a team effort.

Something extra special about Whimberly is that it was built with user-friendliness in mind at the technical level. Staubi explains that, “When designing, it is important to me that everybody, regardless of the technical requirements, can admire the {region} and feel comfortable. For example, I always build with the windlight at "noon" and without the advanced lighting model switched on, so that I know how everything looks for someone who wanders through SL with low-graphic settings or for new users who don't even know how to adjust their settings.” We appreciate that! (For those interested, check out this video on Viewer Basics.)

Featured in the video is blogger Charlotte Chisolm, who tells us “Second Life is my creative outlet and enables me to explore and learn about photography and photo editing, which I use daily to relax from the grind of real life. SL is a wonderfully social and creative world in which one can become anything they want to be… Some of my closest friends were once random avatars I met while out exploring.”

Visit Whimberly today, whether alone or with friends, as this serene location is truly welcome to everybody. Who knows what you’ll discover?

Video Productions Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Whimberly

Come and explore the "forest" themed location called "Whimberly". Enjoy your stay, take lots of pictures, meet friends and above all have fun! To all the amazing Vloggers out there, you are allowed to take videos.

Visit in Second Life

Metro City is an urban metropolis that was crafted with the intention of being a safe and inclusive space for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Creator Aesu Morningstar, aka the mayor of Metro City, tells us “I came to SL almost 17 years ago and to this day, I've been a die hard fan. Second Life has been my single most used social media platform and is truly the most immersive platform of its kind out there. Second Life has been the first and only true Metaverse.”

Given Aesu’s extensive experience in SL, when Covid first entered our lives it was only natural to build a meeting place for people to get through these difficult times. Metro City unsurprisingly had a powerful and positive impact on countless Residents. Aesu states “I credit Second Life for helping me stay sane while I stayed home! Over the span of the pandemic, Second Life gave me hope and I was able to stay mentally healthy because I could continue to be social even though I was locked inside.”

Metro City has an inviting aesthetic that is clean and modern, and yet ambiguous enough for it to exist anywhere in the world. This speaks to Aesu’s focus on inclusivity on a global level: “Although we're primarily in the USA, we have visitors and regulars from all over the world spanning many different time zones. And thankfully we have translators so we can all communicate with ease.”

Chat with friends at a cafe or take a peaceful stroll through a tree-lined courtyard or park. Metro City offers the tranquility of a perfect fall afternoon. There is also a steady stream of events! To name a few: trivia and other game nights, live DJs and performers, regular photo contests, themed parties, pop-up events, shopping and more.

Aesu would also like to inform people that “We are home to many full time Residents who either live in our main social region or in one of our "Metro City Destination" regions… Our staff of experienced managers are on-call most of the day to help new Residents with almost anything they could need.”

Visit Metro City today for a huge dose of relaxation and good vibes.

Video Production Credits
Draxtor Despres

Metro City - LGBTQ+ Community

Metro City is a premier entertainment and residential community for the LGBTQ+ community. Featuring many places to hang out, meet new people, attend events, and live across multiple beautifully themed regions.

Visit in Second Life

Valiant Wrestling is a Second Life based furry wrestling federation that brings high octane live action wrestling to the grid every Wednesday.

Co-founded by CEOs Dylan Mattel and Charlie Covfefe, Valiant Wrestling offers plenty of fun and excitement at their weekly live events as well as a great community for longtime wrestling fans. Residents looking for a way to live out their wrestling fantasies in the safety of an online community, can find this form of wrestling roleplay both rewarding and interesting. CEO Charlie says, “I have a slight heart issue so I can not pursue a wrestling career IRL. But here in SL I can live out my dream!”

With over 20 furry wrestlers currently active in the federation, the fights include ring announcers, referees, and sometimes even agents that play a part in the proceedings. It is a fully immersive roleplay experience!

This whole endeavor is a team effort with photography, branding and public relations made possible by Ring of Fire Productions. 

Says Helios Eusebio, who creates all the custom posters and graphics: “We need new posters every week and new graphics whenever there's the possibility of a title change or new contender. And when you average 100+ photos of all the matches, that adds up to quite a bit!” 

The wrestling choreography is directed by a sophisticated HUD system, made by Team Wildfire with Kenia la Gatita Escarlata at the helm. And the colorful merch (nail extension for special furry paws, hats, shirts, banners and posters, ringside gestures, ice cream bars) is made by, among others, Lyra Phoenix, Revel McLochlan and Paradox H. Fade, and can be purchased on location. 

See a lot more of the action on their YouTube channel and Twitter and grab that teleport on Wednesday at 6pm SLT to be present at their next show!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Valiant Wrestling

Valiant is a wrestling federation with a world-class roster of diverse male and female furry wrestlers giving you a new wrestling experience in Second Life! Attend their events every Wednesday at 6pm PT.

Visit in Second Life

This week’s destination is an intriguing and timely recreation of a news studio buzzing with current forecasts in real time as well as a voting booth with instructions for each U.S. state.

The creator is a longtime Second Lifer named Duncan who also works in the political field. (His voice in the video is dubbed by voice actor Reverend Quar for privacy reasons.) Built with data pulled from FiveThirtyEight.com, this region runs a simulation of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election based on the latest state-level forecasts once every ten minutes or so.

A male avatar in a formal suit named Guy Simpleton serves as the host, announcing each state as its corresponding color is filled on the large map behind him, in the manner of the calling of states on election night. Duncan elaborates on the design of the board by saying, “Rather than do a geographic map, I made 1x1x1 cubes for each electoral vote in a state to give voters a better sense of the relative scale of the states as they're called. So Wyoming may be big on the map, but it's tiny in terms of the electoral vote total. The Eastern Seaboard gets really crowded because so many people live there.”

There are also some lighthearted elements to bring a humorous contrast to the table of pundits, such as a nerdy statistician based on Nate Silver (founder of FiveThirtyEight), and a talk show set with some celebrity guests.

This region is a well-rounded snapshot of the current U.S. political climate: protests on both sides taking place, a courthouse, as well as a voting booth outside of a post office scripted to outline local U.S. voting procedures.

Duncan has recently experienced some health issues that have prevented him from being as physically involved with this election as he would prefer, so he created the election simulator in an effort to present the facts in an impartial way so that people can make the decision they feel is right for them. “I see voting as a matter of thinking locally,” Duncan says, “building community and institutions that can be trusted."

Whether you’re there for a couple hours or 10 minutes, alone or with politically engaged folks from the U.S. and beyond, you will definitely leave with something to talk about. Visit the Election Simulator today!

2020 Election Simulator

Do you need to prepare yourself - mentally, spiritually, physically - for the tension of Election Night 2020? These randomized election simulations between Trump and Biden are based on the best available forecasts and set in a mock TV news studio.

Visit in Second Life

Video Production Credits:

Draxtor Despres

This week Drax spotlights Arietu Kyori, a 24-year-old communications student and Second Life designer in a special interview predominantly in Spanish.

Hailing from Mexico City, she is an extraordinary multitasker with an inventory housing about 500 avatars. She also views SL through an analytical lens, writing in a university thesis that “Second Life is all about being able to freely express yourself. Young people can show more facets of themselves than they can in the real world.”

One of the ways Arietu illustrates this point is through her brand, Hanzel, which specializes in skins and accessories. As one can see from her Flickr, Arietu has a colorful imagination and encourages others to explore the possibilities that exist in this unique environment.

Although she lives in a big, sprawling city, Arietu chooses to focus on family life at home with her parents and sister, as well as honing her design and English skills through interacting with a global community in SL. “I learned most of my English by making conversation in Second Life,” she says, “and in terms of using Blender and other tools to make 3D content for SL, I learned from others inworld and by watching YouTube tutorials.”

Arietu'swares have been covered by Seraphim, and you can shop from her catalog at events such as SoKawaii Sundays and several regular hunts. She also has her own small skybox store where she concentrates on selling niche products for fans of anime, like modified skins for the popular Kemono avatar, among other content. “In order to be successful in SL you have to find something that nobody else is offering and then you learn how to make those things. Anybody can do this!”

Arietu's parents fully support their daughter’s creative endeavors in SL (probably because her school work is diligently pursued), although as Arietu chuckles, her mother’s internet skills might need some brushing up: “My mother is still trying to figure out YouTube.”

Well, on behalf of Second Life, we’d like to let Arietu’s mom know that we would love to see you inworld. SL has great community gateway programs full of wonderful folks who would love to show you how things work, and you might even bump into an avatar or two sporting your daughter’s whimsical designs!

Video Production Credits:

Draxtor Despres

P.S. If you’d like to protect yourself with a matching SL facemask, you can get one at our brand new merchandise store.