Winter Burn Aurora

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Winter Burn Aurora opened at 5 Friday and will be open until after the Effigy burn and dancing on Sunday at 12:00 . Be sure to visit to see the spectacular builds , and attend the fun parties on the ice at the glowing stage by Ben Tenk. Saturday the stage event begins at 10 am slt.

Outside the gate before you enter check the gifting table. Also near by you can learn more about Burning Man and Burn2 , a regional in Second Life. Then enter the majestic entrance and see the Burn Effigy in the distance. Inside Cuga Ragal has some fun sleds to rezz and slide on around the regions, or stop and grab an art car to travel.

There is a massive skating pond where you will also find the lovely crystal stage for parties. The pond winds over the playa which is usually dust. All the builds fit the winter scene but with twists, There is a lovely half globe containing a winter lounge with comfortable seating around a fire where visitors can warm up and have a hot drink and converse. Under another half globe I found a steaming hot tub so it is not all cold thought I suggest one dress for the frigid weather outside. I saw a few avatars that looked like they were on a sunny beach and shivered. Get there early to enjoy the skating and more.


Burning Man- Deep Hole

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/147/31/24

 

Gemma Cleanslate

(Editors Note, this article was supposed to be up Friday, but somehow I missed it until later, our apologies for the delay)

The Linden Snowball Fight

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 

Friday December 15 was the day of December's Linden Snowball Fight. The event would take place twice, the first was scheduled from 8 to 9 AM SL time, and the other from 12 to 1 PM. "Scheduled" is the key word here as people continued tossing snowballs after the scrap was officially over. 

Instead of a free-for-all, this time the event was a "capture the flag" game with two teams, red and green, with an option not to be on either one. In previous years, the snowballs just splatted, tossed one into the air, or temporarily froze someone. But for this snowball scrap, getting hit three times would send you back to the start. 

 

And since journalists are supposed to be neutral, or at least bash both sides equally, yours truly was on "Team Neither."

 

 Squeaky Mole was among those there, looking festive.

 

 

Looks like Blinky Mole was "hot dogging" it.

 

I think I did okay, giving as good as I got. Yes, I nailed a few Lindens and Moles. But wasn't really able to get a good picture of it. 

Team Red won game two. I wasn't around for game one, so not sure which side won that.

It was quite the snowball scrap to remember. If past years are any guide, expect another Linden Snowball fight in a few months in early 2024 before winter ends. But in the meantime, the snowball arena remains up at Linden Lab's Winter Wonderland for anyone to head over and toss a few snowballs.

Bixyl Shuftan

Christmas Scenes

By Bixyl Shuftan

Christmas is a big time in Second Life, and much of it we already covered. But some things didn't quite make it yet. At the Wedcot area, Zada Bury and I watched a Disney-style Christmas parade. 

It would be a reoccurring theme at the Sunweaver clubs, such as Cutlass.

 

 And the Happy Vixen.

 

 I had some fun at the Christmas Expo. I just wish I had spent a little more time there.

The fun included the ball at the end. 

The sims would remain up for a while. I came across Gil Ottared skating.

At Bay City, there was a boat parade in the middle of the month, followed by a party at the Fairgrounds in North Channel. At one point, people were asked to pose for a picture. 

Sunaswami's party, which I was invited to.

Dancerina invited me over at a party in the PBC skating pond. I showed up as a Christmas mouse, a favorite look of mine in the holiday.

Caledon would have it's own parties.

Nearby Wooburn had one as well.

And Europa Wuffenbach

A week before Christmas on December 18, the Happy Vixen would hold a yearly tradition, the "Twisted Christmas" party with club owner Nydia Tungsten playing a selection of Xmas parody songs from mild to wild to oh-em-gee!

Caledon's Christmas parties would continue that week.

I would take part in the Linden Snowball Fight on the 19th. 

But took more pictures than my short article would allow.

Throwing whales in a snowball fight?

Dion Mole, trying to get everyone to put down their snowballs and warm up with some hot coco. 

Tuesday the 20th, a party with tines at Caledon.

 

 Shockwave and Cynthia at the playing of the Caledonian anthem at the end.

Club Zero Gravity would have it's Christmas event on Wednesday the 21st.

Thursday the 22nd might have been "Cute and Fluffy" at the Happy Vixen, but DJ Snowy was sporting an obvious Christmas look.

Thanks to a real-life grinch, the Christmas party at Club Cutlass on Friday the 23rd turned in to a six-hour fundraiser.

On Christmas Eve, Saturday Dec 24, I spent a little time at Safra Nitely's Christmas party.

 

 

 Saffra had quite a winter scene around the dance area.

Christmas Day would have a party at Furry Fashion.

And would end the holiday at a party at the Deathlands. While perhaps a post-apocalyptic area isn't exactly what one thinks of as a place to celebrate Christmas, it can happen.

 

 And so, it was the passing of the Christmas season in Second Life. It was a time for shopping, but also to meet up with friends and have fun. And of course to take a moment for the reason of the season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Dickens Project And Party At The Bellisseria Fairgrounds

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

The first minute you enter the Square at the Dickens Project, you know you are in a different time and space.  Pick up the map and wonderful TP hud in poster near the Gazebo. 

This will take you to places you will want to visit with much ease.

The Gazebo has a few offices and stores around it . Visit them. On the walls of two stores are wonderful free outfits to help you get into the era that is being celebrated here , one for men, one for women. You will feel much more comfortable clothed for the era and they are very smart.

To tour the nearby area before you use the hud take a leisurely coach ride and view the environs near by. It will take you by important places from Dickens books.

Every year it is a pleasure to see what is old and new in the project. This year there is a whole new region exposing the coal mining of the day. Find Sultan the horse  and take a tour of the mines themselves and then walk nearby to see the housing and other building associated with life then. 

If you want to attend an event during the week here is a schedule to check  https://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/dickens-events-calendar.html

If you have time explore the buildings surrounding the Christmas Past Square. I found two galleries , one with people who have played Scrooge across the ages, and one with posters from familiar remakes of the story in cartoon and film. On the way back if you walk stop into some of the homes along the way to experience some of the decor of the past.There is plenty of food almost everywhere you go!

I made it to an area I had missed in past years I guess,  a fascinating display and education of horses of the Victorian age . Find a tp at the stable near the homes. If you use the hud it is on there. There are so many locales for you to visit. I will leave some for you to find. This is a wonderful project and I hope it continues for many years. There is much to learn here  thanks to the Seanchai Library and the whole staff under the direction of Caledonia Skytower.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Dickens%20Project/125/118/22

Saturday I went to a holiday ball at the Bellisseria Fairgrounds. 

It was elegant and so well attended by many in formal dress dancing to the music of  FAR (fwdfwd Farslider) DJ while I was there .

The whole event was arranged by Giselle Lacombe.  I told her how lovely everything was and she explained the she had done it all with  help from Christhiana  of Needful Prims. She was really shocked by the response at the ball and I heard her exclaim later, ”When I had this crazy idea to do  this, I never thought it would turn out like this! You all are incredible.” It was lovely !

I think this will be my last article before Christmas so I want  to say Happy Holidays to all the readers of the SL Newser . If you are stuck where you are, rely on memories of past Christmas days that were so enjoyable and look forward to a better time coming. Our lives here in second life are safe!  I am telling Santa to grant you all your wishes!

Gemma Cleanslate