Scenes From The "Hug-A-Linden/Dunk-A-Linden"

By Bixyl Shuftan

While not a holiday that gets people the day off usually, Valentines Day gets no shortage of attention. For couples, it's a chance to remind themselves of the love they have. For hopeful singles, it's a chance to win someone's heart. For those whom haven't had much luck finding a special someone though, it often sparks feelings of cynicism or is a reminder of sad memories. But there was something for all of them in Second Life

For this time of year, I sometimes wear the skunk avatar. But there's also the old Luskwood "Bunkie" mouse. The avatar was available on sale at Lusk about a decade ago, but when the designer vanished from Second Life, the vendors were all taken down.

Linden Lab had it's Valentines Day event at 10AM SL time, the "Hug a Linden/Dunk a Linden" event. But getting there wasn't so simple. The sim was packed and often there was no room to get in.

But eventually, I found my way in, and started walking to the dome where the event was taking place.

Getting there, the place had a number of people there.

There were both regular residents and Lindens.

RacerX Gullwing, the organizer of the Giant Snail Races, was there.

Kenny Luckless, whom I often run into at Bay City events, was also present.

I wasn't the only one with a Cupid look on.

The popular Xiola Linden had a turn in the hugging booths.

Patch Linden was in one as well

As was the ghostlike Constantine Linden.

Guendoline Linden was in an adorable teddy bear avatar.

Which made me wonder, if the other Lindens give out teddy bears, what would he (or she) give out?

Kona Linden, in an otter avatar, looked cuddly enough for the hugging booth. But instead he trotted about in a robotic suit of some kind.

He did try to hug one of the girls once, but as he forgot to step out of the suit first, it was "otter" chaos.

Steven Linden was in a feral horse avatar. So I guess if you heard anything from Linden Lab from him, it would be straight from the horse's mouth.

Abnor Mole was going about on a chicken.

Alotta and Squeaky Mole in a mouse avatar. From this angle though, Steven Linden looks like a horse's ... you-know-what.

Besides the hugging booths, there was also the dunking ones.

Some Lindens volunteered for the free bath.

Some were hesitant to toss tennis balls at Xiola Linden.

But they weren't "chicken" about giving Abnor Mole a dunking, "Nuuuuuuuuu!"

Lacie Linden up over the water. Xiola mentioned "No rules against Lindens dunking other Lindens," but I never did see her toss a ball at one.

Grumpity Linden at the moment she ends up in the drink.

When this furry was tossing tennis balls, they probably thought what the back of his jacket was saying.

Simon Linden was also up to get his suit wet.

After getting a number of pictures, I decided to head out so others could get to this still crowded place. But before leaving, I took one try at the hugging booth.

Simon Linden, "Thanks for making this such a fun world."

Bixyl Shuftan