The Newser Anniversary Party

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 Monday June 5 was the anniversary of the founding of the Second Life Newser. A couple days before that, on Saturday June 3 at Noon SL time, there was a party to celebrate.

 

 

I was there, taking a break from the "Ruby Avatar Challenge" that took effect the night before.  

For the first hour of the event, the tunes were provided by Charlee Shuftan (Charlee Amethyst).

 

 

For the second hour, DJ Grease (Grease Coakes) played the music, some of which won't be heard again until his session at the upcoming SL20B.

Among those there was Newser reporter Gemma Cleanslate, one of the original team in 2010.

There was Minty Melody (DJ Minty) of Furry Fashion.

There was Cynthia Farshore, a leading member of the Relay's Team Sunbeamers whose efforts helped make this season the team's best.

There was DeniseUnicorn Toonie, who was recently approved to be an exhibitor at the SL20B.

There was Herman Bergson, the professor of Gemma's Philosophy class

There was Miyuki Naidoo, a longtime hostess of the Happy Vixen.

The "Bell Hammies," who frequently appear in Gemma's articles, also made an appearance.

Nydia Tungsten, the club owner, was also there (still in her Relay avatar challenge appearance). Club manager Snowy (Skylark Lefavre) was unable to make the event due to real-life. At one point, there were twenty-five people at the club, not including a few who had to leave earlier or showed up after.

The initial 250 Linden prize was boosted to 3050 by Nydia Tungsten. The result of the "Come As You Are" contest was a four-way tie between Varestenia Varriale, Kylee Gracemount Frost (JD013) and Gemma Cleanslate.

 

It's been a busy, but fun, thirteen years. Here's to more.

Bixyl Shuftan

"The Man" Statue Turns 20

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By Bixyl Shuftan

July 19 was a day to celebrate in the sim of Natoma. One of the oldest objects in Second Life, "The Man" statue, would be turning twenty years old that day.

So with Second Life having celebrated it's nineteenth anniversary last month, how could anything here be twenty, some might ask. The answer is the virtual world was in alpha and then beta for a time before it's official opening. So there are a few items, and residents, older than the official opening of June 20 2003.

A look at the statues age shows when it was created. It was made by Oldjohn Linden. It ended up in the hands of Avi Arrow, the late manager of the Ivory Tower of Primitives.

"The Man" statue is one of the only surviving objects from the original "Linden Town" area that was developed in Second Life during the earliest Alpha stage of it's development.

 

At times, The Man has served as a shrine where miscellaneous offerings were left, and a celebration of the creativity SL was founded upon.

The Ivory Tower itself was decorated for the occasion.

  

 

Nearby, a place had been set up for a party, with DJ GoSpeed Racer playing the music.

Avatars of all kinds took part.

Including a large gryphon, "Summon all the griffons!"

There were a few Lindens and Moles present, such as Oatmeal Linden. "'Oatmeal? Oh, emm, gee, what a cute name!" The Linden just smiled, "I'm not even a year old in this avie."

Wendi Linden was also there, "Nice to have some Lindens visit us for today's occasion (smile)"

And there was Abnor Mole, looking a bit bookish.

Someone came by in a huuuuuuge mega-macro avatar.

It was someone named Fop (Kingforri Resident).

The avatar was well over a hundred meters tall, "Here comes Fop, the fop. What's a fop? It's a fop, or a pizza bat."

One thing that came up was how many longrime residents were around here, "Is less than a week from his 18th SL birthday himself." "Look at all the other oldbies"

The gryphon soon changed to a Chickenzilla, "Now Psyra is a giant cock." "The feathered kind." "I want to speak to this so-called Colonel!"

Eventually came the end of GoSpeed's two hour set with the playing of "Man Or Astroman - Mystery Science Theater 3000 End Theme." Then the place fell apart around us!

"Wheeee! Explosion of the ancients!"

"Well, that was a rememberable ending!" "What a fun day!"

"Yeah nice ending." "That was cool"

"Ok, now rebuild it."

Someone had the idea of a group photo.

"Everyone to the Man statue! group photo!"

"Great shot Ancient Mole!" "Let's do it again in another 20!" "Thank you so much for organizing the party." Kennylex Luckless would say, "Marianne McCann was big big help." "Sorry Marianne missed this today." "Happy 20th Birthday Man statue!"

Someone would rezz a huge corkscrew.

Then rezz a hollow ball, invite people inside, then drop it inside and let it roll down.

Before leaving for the day, I would see someone rezz a firestorm tornado.
 

Coming back later, I see a party hat had been placed onto the statue, owned by Kenny Luckless. 

 

It was quite a celebration for this old icon of the earliest days of Second Life.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Various New Year's Happenings

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By Bixyl Shuftan

2021 was coming to an end. In real life, it had been a rough year with the Pandemic and shortages, and because of Covid people were staying home instead of going to real-life parties. But in Second Life, people were free to go to celebrations. 

Among the events was that by Chanel Harvey. She had an event that I hoped over at 1:30 PM SL time.

There were several people there. On one screen was some live footage of fireworks somewhere in the world where the ball dropped.

Chantal was partying in a robot avatar.

I would also stop by Safra Nitely's party. Unfortunately, most of the pictures I took there were glitched. The only one that wasn't was a map of the world showing where it was Midnight in the world.

I would then join the Burners, such as Mia Wallace, at the "Boomday" event. 

Come and BURN the year away! There will also be a COVID germ burn. We're gonna obliterate that Omicron variant, and if you come, YOU will participate in getting that started! Fire syringes for one and all! What's more, there will be skydiving, drunk hockey, Thunderdome, drive-by shooting gallery, ice skating, aaaaaaaannnnnd fireworks!

People were invited to get a syringe ...

And set the nearby effigies of Covid viruses on fire.

The numbers representing the old year caught fire as well.

The germs finally caught fire.

And the numbers representing the old year were all burnt and collapsed.

The viruses were collapsing as well.

One black unicorn, proudly dressed in Christmas lights. 

Virtual Ability at Cape Heron would also have a New Year's party.

New Year's Eve! Stepin will be DJing from 7pm - 10pm SLT. There will also be fireworks at 10pm, midnight, and possibly other times throughout the day. It's all happening in the Nest, so stop in for a while. Happy New Year!

Furry Fashion would have a New Years Bash with a twist, it's "Abudction Point Event" with DJ Roswell Kepler.

It's the night we've all been waiting for! Abduction Point! We're ready to not only be beamed up but be transported to another dimension! Our incredible DJ Roswell Kepler has an out of this world LIVE mix, and prizes, prizes and more prizes including Spotify giftcards up for grabs! The contest is for Come As You Are (CAYA)  Get over to our New Years Eve celebration asap! Let's get probed together. 5-8p-slt!Your transport beam is waiting.

The Mieville community would have their "New Year's Eve Block Party."

 Among those there was the Mayor's Assistant Wyvern Dryke aka "Wyvvy the Snugglefox," or "flox" as he's often called there, dancing away dressed in Christmas lights.

On Friday nights, I'm usually at Cutlass and the Happy Vixen. On New Years Night, they were closed. Instead, Nydia Tungsten hosted the White Vixen Enterprises staff party at her Mouse Hole Manor.

Today is our annual New Years eve party ALL staff is invite to join us for great music and cash Prizes we will be kicking off with a preshow at  4 pm SLT and we will be going until after midnight, Bring your friends and loved ones and have a great time! ALL clubs will be dark tonight. This will be happening at Mouse hole manor SEE YOU THERE!

There were avatars of various sizes there.

"Total cash prizes tonight was a little over 20,000L's done all for my staff, they work so hard they deserve some recognition and some relaxation. Not including tips for the volunteers."

While some of the Sunweavers went to Nydia's party others went to Caledon Downs where Cynthia Farshore was holding a New Years bash at the Goblin Cave.

As there is no Cutlass tonight you are invited to the yearly Duchy of Downs New Years Eve Party at the Goblin Cave! Party starting at 8 PM and will last till at least 1 AM. Music will be provided by Her Grace Cynthia Farshore.

At Midnight on Eastern Standard Time (9PM SL time), fireworks would go off, both on the inside.

And on the outside (pictures from Cynthia Farshore).

"Happfy newg yeer efferboggy! (Hic)" One girl gurgled after overdoing it on the champagne. Another was more somber, "May this year be better than the last two. I'm sick of losing people." "One can only hope," a friend responded. 

One of the big events was the Prim Drop at Bay City. This was the scene earlier in the day before the event, and all it's lag.

The party started at 11 PM SL time. Due to the lag, no shots of the main crowd.

At 11:59, the prim began to lower.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6 ..."

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ..."

"Happy New Year!!!"

And so, Second Life had rung in a new year. Hopefully it will be a good one, both in reality and virtual reality.

Bixyl Shuftan