Bellisseria For Life

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

The Relay for Life season is in full swing. And there have been various Relay events. Some are large such as the recent SL Living Expo. And there have been plenty of smaller events by the various teams. This week, the Linden Home continent of Bellisseria is getting it's own Relay event: Bellisseria For Life, or "Belli For Life" for short. It's taking place in the Bellisseria Fairgrounds.

Games is the theme of this year's Bellisseria For Life. Some of the displays were fun parodies, such as this Monopoly take on the "Game of Homes" joke Bellissarians make when giving up one Linden Home in hopes of getting a better one.

I decided to dust off my alt Rezzdammit to check things out.

There was a huge squid on display with a fishing pole, for any aspiring fisherman to pose with and take pictures. 

 

 There was something for the Korean show "Squid Games" as well.

Gorden Ramsey meets GTA.

 

 There were tributes to many classic games, from Minecraft to Pac Man.

 

An AT-AT becomes a zip-line anchor.

There was also a stage for music events. At times when I was busy, I'd notice close to two dozen there on the map. But when Rezz was around, it was a small audience with the "Bell Hammies" on stage with DJ Stella.

It was a tiny crowd (no pun intended), but a happy one just the same.

The dance floor doubled as a "Bellisquaria" game board. 

And at one point, the attention went to the rare Gacha steampunk hat I'd given Rezz years ago. 

 

[14:15] Becca Ordinary: love that hat Rezz
[14:15] The Bellisseria Hamster (JessycaJayne Resident): yush great hat!
[14:15] RezzDammit Resident: Hyuk hyuk, thankies
[14:16] The Bellisseria Hamster (JessycaJayne Resident): so funny
[14:16] RezzDammit Resident: Ah gotts et frum ah friend, he sez since eys wuz et th' steem-lahnds so much, it fits me, hyuk
[14:16] Becca Ordinary: hahahaha
[14:16] The Bellisseria Hamster (JessycaJayne Resident): steampunk is awesome 🙂

But not all of the games were show pieces. Many were playable, like these tabletop games.

And there was this miniature golf game. 

This Tetris game had a rather low-tech "screen" made up of light bulbs that went on and off. 

Eventually Rezz would head back home and I would appear to look around, such as this Minesweeper and pool table.

There was also a classic hammer and bell game. Can you whack hard enough to ring it?

Charlee would join me, and we would play a few games of bowling (she would win two to one).

From Gemma Cleanslate

Also there were games of laser tag and a few others. Gemma Cleanslate says there will be trophies given out to top players of some of the games.

Bellisseria for Life continues to March 10. So if you're in a gaming mood, come on by

Bixyl Shuftan

Valentine's Day - Love in the Air at Love & Harmony Jazz Romantic

 

By Dancerina Starlight

 

Despite one's position about Valentine's Day, it is clear the history of what we know as Love and Friendship Day, dates back to Ancient Rome.  And while Valentine's Day is now known for kissing, Valentine's Day gifts, and hard-to-get dinner reservations, the origins of the holiday are far less romantic.  Yet, how beautiful and super cool that resilient and relentless humans can aesthetically make lemonade from lemons.  Looking at a half full glass of lemonade versus a half filled glass with lemons, is a great perspective to have. Collectively, we have beat the odds and have set aside one day for the "unbeatable" state called LOVE!

We know that "in honor of one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and, through, later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. Regions known and unknown observe this day in reds and pinks; and even some purple and elegant blacks.

Here in Second Life, many regions coordinated events for such a special day. One named is Love & Harmony Jazz Romantic, owned and operated by Mrs. Orchide Delmar.

Each year Love & Harmony attracts the most in-love guests and members of its VIP tiered Clubs this time of the year. Approximately sixty-five (65) SL residents celebrated with Love & Harmony Jazz Romantic, from sun-up to sundown. Some engaged in semi private dinners, which started on Saturday February 10th through Wednesday February 14th. As couples wine, dined, and danced, Cupid was shooting his arrows of love over Love & Harmony all day.  Esteemed guests brought themselves and their sweethearts and others found love.  

As on a daily basis and any events, Mrs. Orchid Delmar sets the atmosphere accordingly. This year she was not shy about demonstrating her passion for Valentine's Day. The ballroom was decorated in shades of red and pink; accentuated with gold trimmings. Her expressed image of two pink hearts was hard to miss and this captured guests' attention. Guests repeatedly acknowledged the displayed symbolism of love and harmony.

As Mrs. Delmar remained among guests, she thanked them for coming and reminded them of the true meaning of love. Her expressed words are best defined in the unknown authored Valentine's Day poem.

As Mrs. Delmar remained among guests, she thanked them for coming and reminded them of the true meaning of love. Her expressed words are best defined in the unknown authored Valentine's Day poem.

Five little hearts, all in a row. The first one said, "I love you so!" The second one said, "Will you be my Valentine?" The third one said, "I will, if you'll be mine!" The fourth one said, "I'll always be your friend!" The fifth one said, "I'll be friends until the very end!"

As we ponder these words, let us remember that love is shared everyday of our lives, and we see it in each other in different ways.

Thank you, Mrs. Delmar, for creating a place called Love & Harmony.
 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Love%20and%20Harmony/134/162/21

https://www.facebook.com/LHSL22/
 
https://discord.gg/kWJkgKWAvM

Dancerina Starlight

 

Kowloon Locker Festival: A Virtual Spectacle of Creativity Second Life

 

By Klaus Bereznyak

 

With the event running until the 14th of February, there's still time to explore the unique celebration of tiny spaces and creativity that is the Kowloon Locker Festival. It's an eclectic collection of decorated lockers contributed by Second Life residents and showcasing some exceptional flights of imagination.

Easily found to the left of Kowloon's main gate landing point, the festival features around 30 lockers, each one modded according to the tastes, interests, and imagination of participants: from crowded rooms to fan tributes and minimalist spaces. Participation was open to any avatar from January 26th as explained on the Kowloon's Wall blog. On joining the group for a small fee, Magnum Yoshikawa, Kowloon's caretaker and "chief carpenter", gave each participant a simple locker as their canvas, and the challenge was to unleash their creativity however they felt inspired.

Surely invoking the joy of having a small space to personalize that many of us may have had at high school, the result is a fascinating array of lockers, each reflecting the diverse interests and talents of its maker. This is what SL is really good for (in my humble opinion) and the variety of themed designs, sculptures and imaginative interiors offers a glimpse into the vibrant creativity of the SL community.

Many of the lockers demonstrate not only the way avatars can step up when artistic freedom is offered but also the sense of humor we bring to our second lives. Some of the modifications include some impressive applications of scripting, likePyo Igaly's rocket locker, which gives visitors a surprising ride into the sky for a bird's-eye view of the exhibit.

The sim, Kowloon's Gate Reborn, is commonly referred to as just "Kowloon", and it will likely be familiar to long-term residents of the grid, having stood the test of time. It's a homage to a little-known classic PlayStation adventure game from the 1990s, which draws on the neon-drenched, shadowy aesthetic of Hong Kong's infamous Kowloon Walled City. It's quite possible to get lost in its immersive maze of narrow, overhung streets, lined with shops and dark alleys and shady characters. Life here goes on with events such as the Locker Festival as well as hunts and games organized throughout the year.

Art, technology, humor, in a setting that celebrates ancient and modern culture, it's all here, inspiring us with the potential for innovation and connection in virtual spaces. What would you put in your locker?

SLURL: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/kowloon/147/11/24
Blog: https://kowloonswall.wordpress.com/

Klaus Bereznyak

 

Hippiestock

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

I finally was able to find time to visit Hippiestock.It was live music day which was great! This a terrific event that has been in SL since 2011. It came out of the vision of Hippie Bowman and friends and is here in January every year since. Take a walk up to the barn on the west side of the region and read the History there. There is a road sign with direction.

This year the region was built by CK (Ceakay Ballyhoo). She said “This year's Hippiestock has been shaped by me as I have tried to recreate the Woodstock Festival area of 1969 in watercolour textures. Lots to see and find, including sim related items for sale or for free!

The sim is only around for the month of January.

Find out about the events here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=81f52f2267f7570b8ae8bf69791f297d2e6042cc5f7009e6840bf467c3dbb6a4@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles “

I arrived at the site while Hippie was strumming and singing songs from that original Woodstock and artists of the era. The décor is so reminiscent of the original farm. There are lots of places to just hang out and chat when there are no events taking place .

CK has also created a cute “tour” book from the eyes of the Elle who meets Hippiefrog and goes off to help him search a lost smile somewhere in the region.that you will find on the land next to teller of the story. Take some time to read it, It is so sweet and cute! It is also for sale on the hill at the barn.

You will land right next to her . Take a look at the picture of the original farm and the recreation that is posted at the landing point also. Visit while you have time. Check the goggle page for events. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Terrapin/31/247/22

I have to tell you that the Bellisseria continent 5th anniversary is coming ! It will be a fun event held beginning on April 24 with a whole week of events. So much has happened as this continent grew exponentially over those years. It is still growing! That is a shot of the continent map taken from my home recently. All are invited, not only residents, to celebrate. Initial information is found here. Put it on your calendar!

https://community.secondlife.com/forums/topic/507622-bellisserias-5th-anniversary-an-invitation-for-residents-to-participate/

Gemma Cleanslate

 

*Correction: earlier we slipped and put the wrong date for the anniversary. It's been corrected*

 

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

Reader Submitted: Rock Band Tribute Concert At Steelhead

 

On October 20th, The Johnathan Heiss Project held Scorpions Tribute Concert to promote Steelhead. 

They dedicated their time to help Steelhead out, and gave everyone a rocking good time. 

 

 

 

 

It was probably the biggest event to happen in all of Steelhead's history.

Steelhead Mayor Fuzzball Ortega (in a Trek Captain uniform), Genie Ortega (Trek officer's uniform), Zaida Gearbox, and Stereo Nacht

Deputy Mayor Zantyago Mannonen enjoying the show

More people showed up after these pictures were taken, and everyone enjoyed themselves, the event went smoothly, and Johnathan Heiss has shown an interest in returning to Steelhead for more events.

Just the start of more positive changes coming to Steelhead

Fuzzball Ortega