A "Bat-Tacular" Birthday Party

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 It was recently my birthday. Usually I don't write about it as I don't consider it too big a deal. It's been some time since I've had a cake. In real life, maybe a little pizza with a few friends, either on the day or a weekend near it. Second Life is often where I have my fun on my birthday. Being at a dance party with friends, especially longtime friends and music, it's a happy time that I can look back on with a smile.

But this year, my wife Charlee decided to do a little something special for me. It started off with her updating my mesh bat avatar, which usually gets worn only this time of year and a few Best in Wings events. She would also update hers. 

It was Thursday, and she had a set at the Happy Vixen. 

 

It went well with a crowd of "Charlee's Angels" as her fans sometimes call themselves showing up. 

We planned on heading to Scorn for the set of our friends DJ Juana and hostess Noc. But the venue was different this time, a "Bat Venue." And getting there, I had a surprise. 

Charlee had gotten together with Scorn's owner, Gwen Winchester, and they decided to not just throw a birthday party, but since I loved Halloween and thought bats were a cool critter, they had a bat theme to it.

 

 And the two of us in our "bat-tacular" looks were dancing away. 

A closer look of Juana and Noc.

And there were some cool decorations. 

 

 

People were soon dropping in, and in all kinds of costumes. There were plenty of bats, but also a naga. 

DJ Scratch Musikat and his love Muertos, who is his hostess at his Happy Vixen sets on Friday, were there, him in a witch outfit. 

We ended up with a couple mice, Zee and Brandi Steussel ... okay, a mouse and a dragonmouse. 

Mato, the manager of Club Zero Gravity, showed up.

My friend Foxy came as a dark fennec.

Someone couldn't affoard a costume, so he came in a barrel.

 

Others showed up as well, including Gwen and her husband Atterius, and others I don't have the space to mention.

It was truly a great combination Halloween and birthday party (Charlee insists it was just a birthday party with a bat theme added). There were plenty of bat and vampire jokes, along with other Halloween ones. After DJ Juana was finished at 10PM, Gwen took over the DJing.

In the back was a "Be My Boo" photo stand that Charlee and I tried out.

from Charlee

Thank you everyone, and thank you my sweet Charlee for a birthday I'll never, never forget.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

"A Child’s Journey Through Cancer: The Musical"

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday October 6, I went to a stage play held as one of the events at the "I Pink I Can" fundraiser, "A Child’s Journey Through Cancer: The Musical." It was held at 1PM SL time.

 

 

 Our show is the story of a child’s journey through cancer told in music and dance. It takes us through the fear, joy and hope experienced in a cancer journey.

 

"Thank you everyone for coming today. And welcome to our presentation of 'A Child's Journey Through Cancer' told in music and dance. This show was conceived and choreographed by our littlest Roo, Patty Flow, with musical assistance from Kayla Flow. Our cast includes members of the Roos With A Dream RFL team, our good friend, and Cure Chaser, Sienna Thor, our creator friend Brooklyn Ansar-Elfing, the violin of Roo Aragain Siochana  and the singing voice of Cure Chaser MrMikie String."

 

 The first act was of kids having fun in the park, with the music being Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." 

 

Those in the audience approved, "Yay Patty!!" "They are so cute!" "I also want that  jungle gym in back"

 

But then came Act 2, with the music "The Luna Sequence" by Whitewash Currents playing, "Act 2 opens with our heroine in the doctor’s office with her mother and the doctor. The mood is somber as they await the diagnosis, while her friends wait outside fearing the worst. ... Fear gives way to rage... It’s cancer!" 

The audience had a number of comments, "Oh no! My sweet little girl." "The words cancer and children should never be linked together." "I love this play, but I'll be a wreck after it." "It always brings me to tears." "A story of far too many people and must be stopped." "Very much so." "This is such a powerful show." "I'd comment for what I really think of cancer, but there are children present." "They think it too Bain, I'm sure of it." "And their parents."

 

The narrator would add, "But the doctor explains that due to the hard work of dedicated researchers, many funded by the American Cancer Society, there are treatments available and there is hope for a normal life again."

 

Then came Act Three, with the girl in a hospital ward, with her mother beside her, her treatments leaving her bald and wearing a bandana, "In Act 3 our heroine has been through treatment and is now in the hospital nervously awaiting word on the results." The audience had a few comments, "Chemo and radiation, kiss me goodbye." " Hope our little girl's hair grow back soon."

 

 

And the nurse delivers some good news, and everyone cheers, the narrator adding, "And, of course, the ringing of the bell!" The audience cheered as well, "I heard a BELL!" "I did too!" *looks over at the bell she was given upon completing radiation therapy.* "Bless the survivors and God keep the survivors and caregivers in your arms."

And in Act Four, the kids were dancing around at the playground once again, to the music "The Impossible Dream," " In the final act, our story of hope concludes to the sounds of our good friend MrMikie String singing about achieving impossible dreams... like ridding the world of cancer by daring to take on the task." There were cheers from the audience, "She's got her hair back!!"

Then the cast came out and took a bow, Patty saying, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my cast and especially those that stepped up to the plate at the last minute following our set back of loosing some of our regular cast to real-life. Some without any experience worked with us as a team last evening and saved today's show for your enjoyment," The audience cheered more, "Oh wow! that will be wonderful!" "Everyone did a super job." •*★¨`•  Aρρlɑuѕɛ  •¨`★*•.* *sniffle* "Amazing"

 

One of the cast would say, "Thank you everyone for coming." One of the audience would respond, "Thank you so much, Patty, for reminding us there is hope." "Patty...I will always love this show. Thank YOU ♥" "Makes me so proud to be part of this community" "I have heard that Patty is working on another performance! I cant wait to see it!" "Oh wow! that will be wonderful!" "Just wait and see, you will love it." "This moment in time..was so inspiring." "Such a wonderful play, darlin."

Patty was touched by the comments, "Makes me so proud to be part of this community." Ealwen would add, "Thank you everyone for coming to see us we are honored and humbled." "Thank you all of you for what you do!"

There were a few more comments and hugs, and I had to depart after giving my own compliments. And so went the play dedicated to all children who had to suffer through that dreaded disease, the doctors doing their best to help them, and the researchers bringing us closer to the day children will no longer have to worry about the word "cancer."

 

 Bixyl Shuftan

Reader Submitted Pictures: Firestorm Anniversary Party

 

On Saturday September 7, the Firestorm team celebrated their anniversary with a party. While the Newser couldn't be there, Panterapolnocy sent the Newser a number of pictures. 

It should be reminded that at the scene of the party, some free gifts were left. It is unknown how much longer they will be there.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Firestorm%20Dow%20Forest/237/238/3903

Pictures from Panterapolnocy

Abnor Mole's Speech for Bellisseria Mole Day

 

On Friday August 30 at 10 AM, Abnor Mole gave a speech to a crowd in Bellisseria. This would be the opening event of the Mole Day Celebration Weekend. While no one at the Newser could be there, the speech would be offered in a notecard in the Bellisseria group.

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

Hello everyone! Thank you for coming.

As many of you know, today is the beginning of a major holiday weekend in the US… Labor day… a day to recognize the contributions of everyday working people and their contributions to society. And I think most of you already know this, but a group of moles is referred to as a ‘labour’ of moles… so, it is quite appropriate since that is exactly what LDPW Moles do. While most of you are here to play, we are here to work; toiling away building things not for ourselves but for all of you.

It is something we have been doing since 2008. Creating everything from the roads that span across the mainland to games like Paleoquest and Linden Realms… and if you haven’t played those in a while I highly suggest trying them out again. Even though they are nearly 10 years old at this point they are still quite fun. And if you have payment info and have used it (and if you live in Bellisseria you are Premium or Premium plus, so you have) you can even get a few L$ for playing.

Then there are the season regions like Isle of View for Valentines… (say it out loud if you haven’t gotten that particular pun yet)... Winter Wonderland, and the Halloween Ride, which should be coming back in the not too distant future like it does every year. That one still impresses me. It too is a little long in the tooth, but it is still one of the best Halloween experiences in SL I have ever seen.

Then comes the big one… Bellisseria. What started out as a facelift for the old Linden Homes morphed into something huge. Because you all loved it and appreciated it soooooo much, it morphed into something so far beyond its original scope it boggles the mind. Over 3000 regions and counting, 12 themes and more on the way. Roads, bridges, railroads and waterways that connect most of the original continents with a new continent all its own… all built with you in mind by a huge team of people working hand in hand to make it happen and bring features and amenities for you all to enjoy as an individual and as a community. An area so huge that you can sail, fly or drive from practically one end of Second Life to the other. I’ve done it! The bad news is it will take you all day, but the good news is, it… will… take… you… ALL… DAY. ;D

We appreciate every thank you we get from all of you of course, but what really warms our hearts the most is when we see you using and enjoying it. As any of you who have built things know, nothing is as disheartening as when you build something or plan something and you put all of your heart and soul into it… and nobody comes… Or they come, look around, say “meh” and leave. Like when you give someone this handmade gift that you worked on for a whole year and they put it down and leave it untouched.

But that isn’t what you all have done. We see you living in the homes we built and placed with care. We watch as you sail by or drive your cars and trucks through the neighborhoods. That.. that right there is the biggest thank you we can receive, because we know you love and appreciate what we built and are using it every day as a part of your SL lives. Decorating your homes, having friends over, maybe driving to an airfield and flying across the grid.

Of course then you hit a bad crossing and everyone is like… “OMG! WHAT HAPPENED? DID I CRASH? WHO IS FLYING? JERRY? JERRY!?!?!!! OMG JERRY CRASHED!!! WE’RE GOING DOWN!!! AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!” and you crash into someone’s backyard in the ranch homes and their cow is staring are you. Jerry logs back in and you tp him there and it’s like “Um… Jerry? Where are your clothes?”

Yes, we complain about those things when they happen. Buggy region crossings… clothes not rendering… But years from now you’ll be with your friends and say, “Remember that time we crashed into that cow and Jerry lost all his clothes?” and one of them will say, “Yeah, that’s how we met Lexi.” and Lexi will say “That was my house and that cow was never the same after that. You still owe me a cow, Jerry.”

The point being, those things are what makes Second Life fun. It’s why we are here, to have those crazy fun experiences. But to have them you need a place for it to happen. And that is what we try to build for you. Not a place where we entertain you, but a place where you all can entertain yourselves and each other. And when we see you all doing just that, it is the most satisfying form of a thank you we can ever receive.

So on behalf of myself and the entire LDPW team I just want to end by saying…
It is our pleasure, and thank you. 

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

It was stated there would be a video of the event available later, but as of the writing of this, so far the Newser has not come across one.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Grand Re-Opening Party in Oahu

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday August 25, there was a grand re-opening party in the Oahu sim. The news was announced by Twstd Ruggles, who had owned the place years ago, and now was running it once more.

Aloha friends!!! I am happy to announce that Oahu Paradise Island is completed and open for all to come enjoy the many attractions and experiences we have set up for your paradise getaway experience.   Oahu (106,168,30)

The party had started with live music from Ichie Kamachi. Following her was a performance with Polynesian dancers. After them, a DJ would play some music. 

 

 

Twstd Ruggles had told me she had sold the place a few years ago, but the old owner had up and abandoned the place, and was contacted by Linden Lab, asking if she wanted it once more. She greeted people as they arrived, "Aloha, welcome to the Oahu!" 

 

Smoking Goat would talk some about Hawaiian dance, "Polynesian music and dance are integral parts of the culture and traditions of the Polynesian islands. They serve as artistic expressions that reflect the history, values, and daily life of the islanders. 

 

"Polynesian music is deeply rooted in social traditions and rituals. It primarily uses percussion instruments such as the pahu (a hollowed wooden drum), toere (a slit drum), fa’atete (a small drum), and ipu (gourds used for beating or rubbing). Choral singing often accompanies the instruments, creating harmonious and rhythmic melodies. Polynesian dances are diverse and vary in style depending on the islands and regions. Here are some of the most well-known dances:

Hula: A traditional Hawaiian dance characterized by smooth, flowing movements that tell stories through the dancers’ gestures.

Tamure: A dance from Tahiti known for its fast movements and footwork, emphasizing the strength and vigor of the dancers.

Otea: A spectacular dance from the island of Rurutu, featuring energetic and precise hand and foot movements, along with traditional costumes made from coconut fiber and pandanus leaves.

"The costumes used in Polynesian dances are made from natural materials such as plant fibers, flowers, shells, and feathers. Traditional attire reflects the strong connection Polynesians have with nature.

"Polynesian music and dance are not only forms of entertainment but also ways to convey cultural values, history, and myths. They are closely linked to religious ceremonies and social rituals, serving to celebrate life and significant events."

Smoking Goat would also say that there was a performance at the  Royal Opera Ballet, directed by Ina Garnier and Andy Loon, featuring Polynesian dance. 

Twstd would also tell me that the USS Arizona Memorial, located in the southeast part of the island, had been reworked with mesh. The Newser will get a picture later.

Charlee and I dropped by, and danced away to the music and had fun. People continued to arrive, and cheer at the island, how it looked, and it's return, "Three Cheers for Twstd! So glad that OAHU is BAAAAAACK! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!" And they enjoyed the party, "What better way to celebrate the return of Oahu?!"

The Oahu island is a public area, though some cottages are private homes. There are also some available for temporary rent for a vacation.

Bixyl Shuftan