Rufferta Mainlander

I have a small parcel at the end of the Great Wall in Athetis that has 'return' turned off. Part of the reason is that the former owner left several historical objects, but mostly because those objects would have been returned if I had changed the settings. From time to time I've had to return stuff that folks have left on the parcel, but this morning I found that someone had added a pillar to my elevator. I'm assuming it was meant to be an improvement, but I don't know how to respond. There are supports to the elevator, but I had made them transparent. Maybe I should just scrap everything and start over. Tradition be darned.

When I first came to SL my computer wasn't really able to handle the visuals and I would have to wait a long time for things to come into focus, but I was intrigued enough I eventually bought a new computer so I could 'see'. Now my "new" computer is old and not really able to handle PBR. I have 'PBR Envy" because I've seen the beautiful pictures taken by folks who have better computers, and so I'm saving up to buy a new computer... And, not to get too far off the topic, here is a recipe for African Peanut Stew.

At the Bellisserian Mole Day Celebrations at the Fairgrounds. The "Moleseum" has a good display of Mole Builds - click the image to get a landmark. You will also get a brief description in Chat. There are also some gifts - touch the items near the Bear Display.

I collect odd lamps, so I went to check out the Monkey Lamp for sale at 50L Friday sale http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Consignment/107/127/26 Bronze Monkey Lamp - 2LI by ValiantCo $L50 (Although this has a switch on one leg, It apparently doesn't work. If I put it in my cottage I will have to add some kind of light source.) Also in store: Scratched Whale Statue - 1LI and State Console Table - Light - 2LI both for $50L If you like Moomin, I got this one from a Lucky Vendor for L$60/ Moomin nonnon 06 by Crazy.moemoe - 2 LI (Look on the front row, top left) [if for yeah!!] act2023 main shop, Ciel  (107, 176, 3981) - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ciel/106/178/3981 Note on photos: Shot (with monkey lamp on right) using current SL Viewer Shot (with monkey lamp on left) using Dec 23 FS (Pre PBR) Viewer Both on default settings

You might like some of AustinLiam's (AL Manufactury) builds. "Old Barn" was in my inventory, but he has a lot of more traditional houses.

I updated to the new SL viewer and the changes seem to have helped. One problem was that the interface windows were all so big I could hardly see the screen. I found the answer to shrinking them here. Fingers crossed.

You are quite right. I just compared the covenants for my new Belli Sakura parcel and the Mainland parcel I just bought. The Belli rules were quite detailed, even going so far as to discuss holiday decorations: *Decoration should not be placed out any earlier than 30 days in advance of any holiday or season represented and must be removed within 15 days of the holiday or season passing. The covenant for the Mainland parcel was much shorter and more general. I think in June they added "In addition, the following important mainland policies apply to protect your uninterrupted enjoyment of your land:" and referenced policies on Ad Farms, Land Cutting, and Misuse of Bots. So I SHOULD have said "If there were any Covenant Violations".... My apology.

Belli is beautiful, well-landscaped, a great value for the Lindens - and sometimes sorta boring. My alt, Rufferto, was temporarily homeless and she/we/I* decided to buy a small parcel on Route 8 in Jeogeot. The neighborhood is a mixture of the good, the bad, and the ugly, and an army of Lindens could not fix all the covenant violations there in a hundred years. There are low skyboxes and needlessly high builds, Sith towers and alpha-conflicted landscaping, 'privacy walls'., etc....but even with this, it was fascinating to see all the different ways that folks had expressed themselves with their builds. There are many beautiful places in Belli, but in some neighborhoods the only signs of individuality are the large outdoor pools. (And, sheesh, some of you are complaining that the walkways do not go all the way up to the front door..) She/we/I have lived in every type of housing in Belli, and plan to do so again, but for now I'll see what I can do on the Mainland. *Is there a proper pronoun for describing yourself and your alts?

Checking out the status of the builds along the west coast of Ranchlands.. Houses and landscaping look completed at the northern end, and south here at SSPParsons they are building on what used to be void ocean. So many beautiful new locations! I can't wait for the land rush.

I like the bits of "Mole Humor" in some of the old builds. For example, I recently re-visited Hairy Hippo Fun Land in Bay City, and I still laugh at a lot of the mole jokes like the shark fin soup and the 'flies' and the Hippo's Food Challenge. I think the Lollercoaster is actually based on a real life historic rollercoaster, and it still works! One thing that could possibly be changed though, is the 'test your strength' game. It was devised for simpler avatars, so when I tried to attach the mallets I lost my face and my clothing.... I know it is too much to ask right now, but perhaps for future Mole Builds there could be a small plaque with the date of the build and the names of the builders. And no, it doesn't need PBR.

I haven't been there recently, but I felt that Mont Saint Michel was a good replica.

I was at Japonica when I saw a notice about the Summer Goshuin Event August 1st to 14th, 2024. This is an event where you visit different shrines and temples in Second Life, and each one provides a texture stamp for you to collect in a stamp book or on a wall display. The stamp books, textures, and display board are all free, although I made a small donation at almost every site. The display board, even with all the textures, seems to be only 5LI. Itame Station http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Itame/68/142/99 Visiting all of the shrines and temples was fascinating, and the display board will make a nice reminder of my adventure. Oh, and the mosquito pig is from Schadenfreude at Japonica.

I'm 79. I don't visit SL to find love or friendship, as fortunately I live in a retirement community where I have a few friends and a lot of acquaintances. I visit SL to satisfy my need to explore, since I can no longer travel in RL. I also love to take photographs in SL for my hobby blog. Perhaps I also partake in part of the SL universal unconscious as I explore other people's dreams and view their art and listen to their conversations. As to converting my fellow RL'ers to explore Second Life I have had no success. Heck, one of my friends doesn't even have a cell phone. My community newsletter nixed my article on "Seniors and Videogames" so I'm writing a book on Minecraft for Seniors instead. I'm assuming the next generation will bring their computers and computer skills with them, so if SL is still around, perhaps LL needs to make sure that the platform is accessible to these folks when they. retire.

I was at Japonica when I saw a sign for the Summer Goshuin Event (August 1st to 14th, 2024 ). A Goshuin is a stamp used as proof of a visit to a shrine or temple.This website gives more information, and links to the Marketplace where you can get your own free stamp album. This is my avatar showing off the stamp she got at Itame Station

Over on the "Linden Lab Gone Dark Again?" thread, some of the posters were wondering if the reason the Lindens were quiet lately was because our beloved Second Life had been sold to either Elon Musk or Disney. I figured if it was the end of the world I might as well be dressed for it. The gown is a group gift from Sofia (group fee $L150). Not practical for any of my lives, but the five-year-old "let's dress up"child nside me is delighted.

I've had a lot of jobs over the years, but the one I think best prepared me for Second Life was a stint as an assistant in a psychiatric ward. I learned that there is a wide variation of what is seen as 'reality'. I'm retired now, but I have several volunteer jobs that keep me busy. Being in Second Life is sort of like having a 'secret identity' where I don't have to keep reminding myself "don't forget to act normal."

Thanks for the pointer to Burn2. I really enjoyed visiting the different camps, but when I ran into Huntress Catteneo's camp I couldn't resist putting on my Marshmallow Person avatar and coming back to take a group snapshot.

For all you hamsters and hamster fans. Hamsterfest at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Redlion/154/200/21 July 28th to to August 17th Schadenfreude is giving out free hamster figurines, hamster darumas, and Hammy Tengu Getas with a color change HUD designed for the ::BB:: dwarf hamster avatar. Note that the HUD gives you a choice of turning the PBR on or off.and at the event. Top Photo shows the Schadenfreude booth. Bottom shows my budget hamster avatar with some of the gifts from just this one booth.

Sometimes I get carried away. Spent all sorts of time in a sandbox trying to set up Le Poppycock's "Versions of April" Happy Wind pose. I used: An old cherry tree from inventory, (NO) Tiger Dress - ((NO ) No longer seems to be available), Alpha Tribe Body Lights and Face Light, Chantal Hair, and, from my ancient and deepest inventory, an old photo setting called "Places Babbage" and Tor's "Coral Reef"

Not everyone has your knowledge and experience. I tried a 'learn to fly' class once but ran into the control tower on my first take-off. I started out hopefully this morning in hopes of tracing your route. I tried out different flying machines in my inventory and chose the Amazing Bicycle Blimp. Then I couldn't find the 'Gulf of Admirals ' on the map so I aimed at northern Nautilus. Flew high to avoid bothering the sailing folk. There is sure a bunch of junk in the air, even at low altitude. Got logged out twice before I had even crossed two regions. No orbs, no banlines, just "You have been logged out of Second Life." Tried just flying with no attachments, but realized I need better directions.

At 50-Linden Friday Sale at Balaclava The Linton Chair 2LI 3 frame choices - light, medium, and dark 9 fabric choices - I tried to re-texture the first chair on the left. I just used an old 'tiger' texture, but texture maps are included so crafty people could customize them to match their decor. 15 sitting animations. I am using the Pre-PBR Firestorm viewer so I don't know if the chairs have PBR or not, but even if I could see PBR, not EVERYTHING needs to be PBR'd.

I was wandering around Bay City when I noticed this group near the VRI and REKLAME offices there and decided to join them. VRI and REKLAME are interesting organizations. (That's my avatar in the middle).

You are correct that many explorers spend money on good quality vehicles and everything that goes with them. I was thinking everyone was like me, using free sailboats, roller skates, and Hobo trains. My apology.

It is not only 'attract new users' but 'attract new users who will stay and spend money'. I first came to Second Life out of curiosity. If I have to be Bartled I guess I would be categorized as "Explorer", although I also like to build, landscape, decorate, socialize, and try on different costumes and personas. Part of why I pay for Premium is because I want to support the world. Problem is, Linden Lab probably doesn't make much of a profit on explorers, in fact, I sometimes think they are trying to discourage explorers by failing to provide more navigable waterways, airways, and roadways. It doesn't cost a lot to be an explorer, and I imagine it is costly for Linden Lab to have to turn the lights on every time someone who is just exploring enters a Region. On the other hand, residents who pay Premium to have a home or who buy land bring in tier- and Premium-payments. Residents who are interested in improving their avatar's appearance contribute a lot to the economy. Artists and content creators also help the income stream. I like the ideas (suggested in previous posts in this thread) of having expanded learning experiences for newcomers (and even us oldbies). An example: A doorway marked "How to Build" could lead newcomers to places like Builders Brewery or Happy Hippo. My son tells me that there are other 'virtual games' that provide 'home' spaces to players, so SL is not unique in this; however, the fact that it is a world where you do not have to be part of a larger 'game' to enjoy it is a plus.

I am at Crabbie's Fine Dining near Hairy Hippo Fun Land in Bay City. I'm hesitant to eat the Shark Fin Soup because the sharks still seem to be circling.