Luskwood and Trotsdale's Anniversary Celebrations

By Bixyl Shuftan

Luskwood is the oldest known furry community in Second Life, probably the oldest community still around. It was founded in September 2003, just a few months after the virtual world was officially opened. They've been pioneers in many ways, including the first line of furry avatars, and the founders and been around longer than practically all of the Lindens. Trotsdale is Second Life's best known and largest pony community, fans of the "My Little Pony" cartoon. The community's current sims came about in September 2011 shortly after the collapse of the original ones. Luskwood has celebrated its anniversary in October, and beginning last year Trotsdale began having it's anniversary at the same time.

LW14B/TD6B/DL5B Celebration
It's anniversary time!
Luskwood has been around 14 years!
Oldest community in Second Life.
Trotsdale is having its 6th anniversary and Derpyland their 5th as the oldest running Pony Sims.

On Saturday October 21, both communities had their anniversary events. Like last year, Trotsdale would go first. But instead of one hour of music, the ponies had four. Derpyland, one of the other pony sims, used to celebrate it's own anniversary up to it's fourth a year ago. But it was decided this year to combine their efforts and expand the Trotsdale event. At 12 Noon SL time, DJ Cassandra started up the music, and it was party time on a disco dance floor that a distance away was obscured a bit by a Halloweenish dark mist.

Contrary to what one might expect, there was little music from the cartoons. Instead there was trance, 80s rock, and other kinds of tunes. There was a 'sploder in the room. Unlike most around Second Life, no one had to contribute a Linden to it to be eligible for a prize, so it was a few free Linden dollars given out to several residents every time it went off about every ten minutes. There was no tip jar next to the DJ booth. If anyone wanted to pay a tip, it was suggested they instead put a few Lindens into the sim payment fund board nearby. Later in the Trotsdale events, there was a "Caption This" game in which people were invited to make up captions to various pictures.

There were a number of people I recognized. Some I knew from Luskwood, such as Death Berger, and the popular Michi Lumin. Michi wasn't in the black stovepipe hat with goggles and black pants with purple suspenders I had kept seeing her in, but a burgundy dress and her hair dyed a shade of burgundy as well. During the event, she would briefly change to a pony form which had a smaller version of the hat. One person I recognized from a year earlier at Luskwood was Tiger Kitchensink, or "Pumpkin Spice Soprano" as she calls herself now. Some neighbors of mine from the Sunweaver/Angel Estates, such as Skylark Lefavre, were also there.

At 1PM, Cassandra handed the DJ booth to DC (Death Berger) to play for an hour. At 2PM, DJ Crayzee spun the tunes until 3PM. Finally came DJ Cera, who played for the last scheduled hour. As Cera played her last tune, people began heading over to Luskwood for it's events. Once the hour was up, Skylark offered to DJ for those who remained behind, and the ponies were happy to let her play some music for a little while longer.

The Luskwood half of the celebrations that day, the LW14B, began at the Retroskunk Cafe, located in northern Tehama southeast of the Lusk sim, at 4PM SL time. Shannon O'Herlihy was the singer at this event at the open-air venue, which had some fallen autumn leaves on the wood deck, on which a mix of furs, ponies, and human avatars listened to. Mounted to the side was a poster of the event, the Luskwood symbol in grey in the middle of a triangle with some lines from a document of some kind, some words blacked out, and stamped "Classified" in onr corner. In this conspiracy/secrecy theme, some had taglines such as Michi's "Double Agent," and Shannon was refered to in one or two of Luskwood's announcements as "Agent 0014."

We're very lucky to once again have Shannon O'Herlihy performing for the Luskwood birthday celebration! Shannon will be onstage performing her gorgeous music at the RetroSkunk Cafe in Tehama (landmark included) from 4-5 PM SLT today, to be followed by Keeba Tammas at the Amphitheater at 5.

Shannon sang for a while, then at 5PM the people headed over to the Luskwood Amphitheater in Perry. This location would see the most of the celebration time, two hours. From 5 to 6PM, Keeba Tammas and her Tiny Maniacs played for the crowd. This live band of a human and several tinies got cheers from the crowd, "My face is hurting from smiling too hard.  I love this!" "~*~ W00T!! It's KEEBA! W00t! W00T! KEEEEEBAAAAA!!!~*~" Some of the tinies were in costume, including a ghost, skeleton, "rattle dose bones!", and vamp. Keeba herself was wearing a "Bride of Frankenstein" hairdoo and a bloodied dress.

When the act was over, they got off stage and the tinies did a "tiny riverdance," with the sounds of stepping feet. Someone wasn't so sure if the structure could take even their small feet, "I'm not sure this balcony can handle riverdancing." But after the footwork, there was something missing, "Ohoh morton, someone stole your blue suede shoe." "Look, they gone." "We hafta buy him sum new wuns."

Woot, we're playing at 6pm for Luskwood's 14th birthday, and Trotsdale's 6th!  It's a bit laggy due to all the folks but hope you can make it.

At 6PM, the live music duo Jaycatt Nico and Frogg Marlowe got on stage. But they weren't in their usual feline and amphibian avatars. Instead, they looked like shaggy monsters, Jaycat the pianist as a white creature, and Frogg the guitarist as a black one with a huge mouth that looked more like he was eating the guitar than playing it: Specimens E92 and E30. "I am doing things for SCENICE!" Jaycatt tried to explain. Frogg responds, "No, things are being done TO you for SCIENCE!" "They said I'd get a cookie," Jaycat stated as his reason for volunteering, "when the testing starts, I hopes there is no needles."

Keeba, who was still around and listening, exclaimed, "no one said there would be testing! I was told there would be no math!" Michi gave an uncharacteristically sinister laugh, "Just a little pin prick. Keeba. there'll be no more... aaaa-aa-aah." "You can't test on my band! NO ANIMAL TESTING!" But not all of the tinies were alarmed, "Wot awesome monster up dere." Despite their very different forms, Jaycatt and Frogg would go on to play the good music they're known for.

At 7PM, it was time for the last act of the celebration. The crowd headed to a "Restricted Area" somewhere in Perry. The place was a mock-up of the legendary "Area 51" government facility that the authorities continue to refuse to acknowledge whether it exists or not. Nearby was a flying saucer abducting a cow and a smaller building in which an alien was on an examination table. There were a few other aliens about, including one next to a "take me with you" sign wearing a tinfoil hat. And there were "No Trespassing" and "Photography Prohibited" signs which were ignored by the crowd.

Haley Maruti, the busty squirrelgirl DJ, spun the tunes for the event, next to an alien with his own DJ headphones, "Dig through the ditches and burn all the witches and eat a big bowl of Count Chocula!" The floor was packed, and occasionally a 'sploder like the one for the Trotsdale parties would rain down a few Lindens on a few partiers. There was also a bomb, presumably defused, hanging from the ceiling. Behind the DJ booth was a mounted shark's head, not something normally associated with a military facility.

Besides Michi, Liam Roark was there, but he was becoming less active due to sleepiness. Others I recognized included Hagalaz Nilsson, Fury Rosewood, Tengu Yamabushi, and Ardy Lay. Cynthia Farshore, a friend of the Newser, came by, "Just left another place that was steampunk having a 7th annual Halloween ball, and (it) had half the size of this. ... Glad I made it here to see this first hand, was really busy tonight, first DJed a club, then ran over to another to dance, then drop in here" People danced to the music, chatted about things like what happened to the Munsters, or looked at photos of Luskwood's early years on the back wall.

The event had no set ending time, but as it went on and on, people began heading to bed. Eventually, Halley had to hang up her headphones, "Gonna need to pass out soon, but goodness this was a fun time tonight." Michi kept up the music a little longer. But unlike some previous anniversary celebrations, she couldn't stay up past Midnight. Well before that time, she told everyone she had to log off, saying she had to make a trip tomorrow. And with the popular but tired skunkgirl gone, the crowd soon dwindled to a few. The party was pretty much over.

But for those who missed the event, don't fret too much. Luskwook is sure to have some goings-on at Halloween. And next year marks Luskwood's fifteenth anniversary  And Second Life's oldest community will have it's pride on the line to make their celebration grander than ever.

"Happy Birthday Luskwood!"

Bixyl Shuftan

Shady Fox's Memorial Events

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday January 16, Shady Fox passed away from cancer. Shady had been a personality known in a number of places, notably the Giant Snail Races as part of the team and Raglan Shire as a DJ. He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in early October, and his last Facebook post was a few weeks later. He departed with family by his side. The news of Shady's death was marked by sadness in Second Life, people spontaneously gathering at Raglan Shire to discuss their now late friend and to set up a makeshift memorial. Plans were soon made for a memorial service the next weekend, on Sunday January 24 at 12 PM SL time.

The first part of the events took place at Athen Shire. Arriving a few minutes before Noon, the place was packed. The messages were given out over Voice, so there was no chat to copy-paste. But there was a notecard available which had a few messages.

I'm trying my best, I told you that I always would.

I miss you.

I don't have your good advice, I have memories, and I'm trying to make them work.

I don't have my friend Shady. It's making me sick thinking about it.

I miss you.

Please be happy. I love you Shady

utterly Wizardly

I would count over 160 avatars in the two sims involved.

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.

Richard Bach

DrFran Babcock, who's been taking a hiatus from Second Life, took a brief break from her break to pay her respects.

With the large amount of avatars, some people would crash (including me once). The stream address was given out to help people save a little strain on their viewers.

I keep seeing Shady turn his back when, after Fox's memorial he says
"I don't think I can handle anymore losses. I think maybe it's time to
leave SL and Raglan. So many have gone." I beg him to stay. Tell him it's
not the empty chairs that are important. It's the memories we keep alive
of those who sat in them.
Then I begged him not to go. That I couldn't handle losing another friend.
Would I have said something different if I knew then what I know now?
I don't think so. Even though death isn't a tragedy to God, but a celebration,
for those left behind it hurts and we cry.
We know we will see him again. But, for most it will be a long time.
So, we cry.
We have the best chance of knowing he is with us here in Second Life.
Where he is going is also a virtual Life. I can't imagine him not
sneaking in here to see how we are doing. To listen to us carol at Wootmas.
To listen to us talk about about the funny things he did when we were down.
To be the Biggie Fox in Tiny Land, with the biggest tiny heart of all.
Wootmas will never be the same for those of us here then. It will be
more special, because it is when Shady went Home.

With the lag from all those avatars, most cut back on the number of attatchments they had. Though someone had a breedable pet they named after Shady as their own little memorial to him.

I never knew Shady as long as many, but he always made me feel safe and secure and like i was not intruding, which i feel like i often am(even when im not).

He would come sit and play the frog song while he did stuff. and you were always welcome to come sit and do nothing on his lands and in da cube.

it might not sound like much but to me it meant alot. He gave alot without making much of a deal about, sort of by just being around. you felt in a good place when he was around.

i cant express well my thoughts into words here, but Shady will always be important to me.

Eventually, the first part of the service was done, and people began to leave to another part of the Shire.

Who can fill the sandbox
make it sound real cool
make the joy jump out your legs
down at the swimmin ool

The Shady Fox can

Who can take a sad face
lookin like a clown
put his arm around you
and turn it upside down

The Shady Fox can

Who can fill your heart up
Although he's gone today
because he is a part of you
that never goes away

The Shady Fox can.

The Shady fox can
cus you have to look
no further than inside of you.


Always within me Russ, you inspire and watch my days.
I hope that people see you shining out of all of us.

-Talisman Takaaki
"Squirrel"

The ceremony continued at Heron Shire.

Yes within our hearts
we shall remember as
we hold on to you
                      
Yes within our hearts
so special so dear a
void that will be there
but filled with memories
                        
Yes within our hearts
you shall remain
always loved always there
So look deep within

Because of the huge number of avatars, some watched the ceremony from the shore at Morning Shire.

I come here not to mourn
your death but to 
celebrate your
life

You take with you on 
your journey a part 
of each and everyone of
us

In return we keep a
part of you within our
Hearts

Luskwood founders Liam Roark, Eltee Statosky, and Michi Lumin were among those there.

During this part of the service, Raglan Shire's estate owner, Zayn Till, officially dedicated Shady Fox's permanent memorial: an ever-burning purple flame.

At one point, those attending were asked to rezz a purple or black balloon on the ground, and touch it to set it floating in the air.

With the second part of the service over, it was time for the memorial concert. So we went to a platform 3000 meters in the air, presumably where Shady previously performed.

"Last train to Awesome Town" prim words above the stage would say.

 Shady was known as the "Baconator," sometimes sporting a shirt "Bacon makes everything better." And in one corner, there was a pile of the "meat candy" that would send any lover of the food into bliss.

In the back of the stage, a line of "Cybermen," a race of Borg-like aliens from "Dr. Who."

As the first performers warmed up, the crowd gathered.

Keeba Tammas and her band of tinies would be the first to perform, starting off at 2PM SL time.

 The audience was a mass of tiny, furred, normal  human, feral, and other avatars.

At one point, one of the band was being a prankster, releasing a bunch of banana peel articles.

It took two tinies to handle the band's huge base violin, but four hands could do things just two couldn't.

The last song Keeba and her band would play was "That's What Friends Are For."

Keep smiling and keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
In good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

It was probably best that Keeba chose this song to be last as some of the audience started getting sad with some crying. Keeba and the band then stepped down from their poses and invited people to come on stage for a kind of group hug, she and the band still singing.

[14:53]  Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53]  Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53]  Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53]  Monty Talbot: WELCOME HAGALAZ
[14:53]  Tormento Sansome: Applause!!
[14:53]  Xerxes Sismondi: Hi MOnty, hi everyone
[14:54]  Monty Talbot: /SERXES
[14:54]  Codeh (cody.hoch): /hugs Kath =D
[14:54]  GertieGazoo Gazov shouts: LOVES YEW ALL N HUGS YEW ALL AND I AM SO THANKFUL FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YEW
[14:54]  Peachy Sassoon: Hi everyone
[14:54]  Monty Talbot: OOPS
[14:54]  Peaches (peaches.latrell) shouts: sit with us on stage!
[14:54]  Copper Mistral: ????  APPAWS! ????
[14:54]  Peaches (peaches.latrell) shouts: group hug
[14:54]  Morton Wheels shouts: Shady is in out hearts FOREVERRRRRRRRRRR
[14:54]  karmagirl Avro: ya me too Liam
[14:55]  karmagirl Avro: i told him! he goin to live on in our hearts forever! i said you have to know this shady, he said ya. :(
[14:55]  Morton Wheels shouts: and he dont wanna see us cry
[14:55]  karmagirl Avro: i told him before he passed this
[14:55]  Reign ShadowWalker (reignshadow.walker): ^__^
[14:55]  Copper Mistral: And so, by the way, I thank you
[14:55]  karmagirl Avro: he knew and knows
[14:55]  karmagirl Avro: we talked about death :( he knew
[14:55]  Reign ShadowWalker (reignshadow.walker) hugs everyone
[14:55]  karmagirl Avro: he said tell them how much this is helpin and has helped me
[14:55]  karmagirl Avro: all the love, support, cards
[14:56]  karmagirl Avro: he knew ;)
[14:56]  karmagirl Avro: ok now im cryin
[14:56]     Nariko Stormsong (azusasato): hugs karma
[14:56]  Shadow Marlin: me too Karms -- dang it -- I thought I was done
[14:56]  Rendal (rendal.constantineau): *hugs*
[14:56]  Songbird Bunny Sorbet (songbird1028.sorbet): don't make me cry
[14:56]  Stereo Nacht hugs 'Ti Karmagirl
[14:56]  Shadow Marlin: hard to sing with tears in the voice
[14:56]  Reign ShadowWalker (reignshadow.walker): It's ok to cry. o..o It means you care.
[14:57]  Copper Mistral: YESH

At 3PM Frogg Marlowe took to the stage, singing with is guitar. His longtime partner, Jaycatt Nico, however, was not with him, "He had a vacation planned for over a year."

Other musicians who would perform as the day went on were Songbird Sorbet at 4PM, Shakespeare Shamrock at 5 PM, Shmoo Snook at 6PM, Shandy Stradling at 7PM, Caleb Kit at 8PM, and Copper Mistral at 9PM.

Not far away from Shady's permanent memorial was another memorial. In previous years at Raglan, ten people considered to be part of the community had passed away. With Shady Fox, the total now is eleven. Four others had gone missing, with attempts to find out what happened revealing nothing.

 And so, Raglan Shire and other friends of Shady Fox had their event in his honor. For more pictures, check out those by Wildstar Beaumont and Teal Freenote. One can also visit the memorial at Heron Shire (254, 82, 20).

Bixyl Shuftan



*Addition* Since the publication of this article, the video of the events was made available.

(Click here if the video fails to play)