Search the Community

This week we are transported to Silent Night, a glittering winter park available until January 10th. Creator Nessa Nova of Unicorn Landscaping became a Resident about nine years ago and says that shortly after, “I rented a parcel and taught myself how to terraform. It is now my main business in Second Life.” As you wander from section to section, it is clear that a skilled hand created Silent Night, as it feels like a portrait of winter’s tranquility. Among the natural cycle of the seasons, winter is often seen as symbolizing the absence of life, but Silent Night is a reminder that stillness can be an opportunity to observe the vibrance around you. This brumal landscape is the latest of Nova’s many creations in SL. It feels like a movie set, with visitors starting at a train station before following a path through the snow and glowing trees to a cafe, an ice skating rink, a carousel, and more. The atmosphere feels at once unique and familiar, like a communal reverie. Of her aptitude for creation, Nova informs us that “Coming from a family of painters and artists, the love of art is in my blood. Though instead of using an easel, paint and a brush, Second Life’s digital world is my atelier, and a [region] is my canvas. I start with an idea, a picture in my head, a colour or a feeling. Sometimes I progress as I go, but most of the time the world I intend to create already exists in my mind and I can mentally walk through it when I envision it.” Nova explains that Silent Night, which is a satellite of the Lost Unicorn Group, is not just about celebrating the holidays but also “to remind us to remain hopeful in these dark times.” As a bonus level of interactivity, Nova adds: “Natalie Starlight, curator of the Lost Unicorn Gallery, is organizing a photography contest. Pictures of the Silent Night [region] can be submitted to the Lost Unicorn Flickr Gallery until January 3rd. After January 10th Silent Night will be gone forever. (Unless someone decides to buy the [region] as is.)” This sounds like the perfect opportunity to show off all the free gifts you picked up at the Winter Shop & Hop. Throw on that new scarf and take in the wintry elegance of Silent Night before the snow melts! Video Production Credits: Draxtor Despres Silent Night Come visit Silent NIght by Lost Unicorn Landscaping, a winter region like no other! Made with great attention to detail, like every other Lost Unicorn region. Immerse yourself in this winter wonderland and celebrate Christmas with your loved ones! Visit in Second Life

This week we are listening to five inspiring stories as Residents share how they celebrate the holidays in Second Life. Isabelle Cheren, a video artist and blogger, speaks highly of SL Residents’ adaptability to the current social isolation in the physical world. Given the depth of connections people can have with each other in the virtual world, she thinks people may be more inclined to give it a try. Having grown up in Australia, Cheren says the winter holiday spirit of SL “feels like those films I used to watch when I was a young girl because… we never had any of this, the snow, that Christmas tree, all those things.” She also has the advantage of living with her friend, prominent SL YouTuber Yorkie, so they certainly never run out of ideas for inworld adventures and activities. Squid and Timberwolf, a couple who met in SL this year, are proof that love can be found even in the darkest of times. Squid is a student in Derry, Northern Ireland, and Timberwolf lives in Central New York. They have been together for 6 months and getting a place together inworld has been a breeze. Squid says that SL has given them “a sort of proximity that we don’t have physically with each other,” which is so valuable in long distance relationships, especially now. Rosie Gray lives in the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (CDS), one of the oldest communities in SL. It comprises six interconnected sims of varying themes that are governed by one administration. Gray affirms that “snow is greatly anticipated” in the CDS: Residents happily engage with the technical aspects of changing the terrain textures to make way for skiing, ice skating, and the magic of winter. Their commitment truly pays off, with Gray adding, “you can absolutely feel presence here.” iSkye Silverweb and Slatan Dryke are another long distance couple in SL. With Silverweb in Wisconsin and Dryke in Italy, one look at their avatars shows that their bond is undeniable. They are Dinkies, which is a type of Tiny. Of their anthropomorphic feline figures, Silverweb says “they’re really cute, [with] round tummies,” and like many others, their favorite activity is ice skating. They are also both active in Virtual Ability, a community gateway for Residents with disabilities. Silverweb, who is deaf, says that “in SL there is the freedom of being able to express who you are in the choices you make with your avatar.” Game Wylder, Todd Squall, and Lain Southpaw from Club Furzona emphasize that the winter holidays in their region are all about uniting different people from different backgrounds. Furzona is a community-based, cyberpunk themed region with a constant rotation of events, music, and games. The large outdoor area has been transformed into a winter themed space, and Furzona welcomes all, not just furries. The concert at the end is by Fly Kugin, a violinist from Istanbul, Turkey. It takes place in her region, White Mask. We hope that you all have a safe and relaxing break for the winter holidays, and remember that each season has its ups and downs. Spring will be in the air before we know it, so for now, let’s enjoy our ugly sweaters and unleash our inner snow bunnies upon the gorgeous winter regions forged by the love and creativity of SL Residents. Video Productions Credits: Draxtor Despres

???Club Soho Presents: ??? : November 19th : 3rd DAY !! :❄Winter Wonderland: November 17th - November 19th❄Dress up in Winter Attire: Snowbunny❄Come get your party on at Club Soho! ❄Get your winter on and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. We are throwing an ALL WEEKEND WINTER EVENT!!! Let's see those fun winter outfits and join us in a Winter Wonderland!!! FB•https://www.facebook.com/groups/230944613757182/ Live•http://www.clublifesl.com/soho/club-soho-stream/ Pics•https://www.flickr.com/photos/148974335@N03/ Info•www.clublifesl.com/soho/ Twitter @ClubSOHOSL cƖυв & ѕнσρριηg ɗιѕтяιcт: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/City of Gold/151/137/22

???Club Soho Presents: ??? : November 19th : 3rd DAY !! :❄Winter Wonderland: November 17th - November 19th❄Dress up in Winter Attire: Snowbunny❄Come get your party on at Club Soho! ❄Get your winter on and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. We are throwing an ALL WEEKEND WINTER EVENT!!! Let's see those fun winter outfits and join us in a Winter Wonderland!!! FB•https://www.facebook.com/groups/230944613757182/ Live•http://www.clublifesl.com/soho/club-soho-stream/ Pics•https://www.flickr.com/photos/148974335@N03/ Info•www.clublifesl.com/soho/ Twitter @ClubSOHOSL cƖυв & ѕнσρριηg ɗιѕтяιcт: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/City of Gold/151/137/22