Scenes From Valentines Day at the Isle of View

By Bixyl Shuftan

February 14 was Valentines Day. And while the day would have many themed parties across Second Life, it was "Hug a Linden/Dunk a Linden" at the Isle of View. This was a chance for the residents to interact with some of the Lindens, either get a hug, or dunk one into the water.

The Isle of View was a four sim area in the shape of a heart. Although residents could set their viewers at any time of day, it's default time was a permanent sunset with a dark pink sky. The light would also give everything on the ground a pinkish hue.

Many who were there went dressed for the event. And so did I in a Cupid look made with an old Luskwood mouse "Bunkie."

 There were a number of people there, Lindens, moles, and regular residents.

There were some Lindens in dunking booths

And when someone hit the target, it was a free bath, "Nuuuuuuuuu..."

And some were at hugging booths, such as Izzy Linden.

Squishy Mole was there, "From below."

 Garth Linden looked more ready for war than love with him sporting a huge gun.

Cupid Linden, who volunteered for the dunking booth.

Signal Linden had what looked like computer-generated zig-zag patterns on his avatar.

Xiola Linden was there in a pair of wings. No bow and arrow, though.

Silent Mole, who's not afraid of mice.

Strawberry Singh was there. In this picture she was trying to hug a friend. She had trouble getting one for herself, so I handed her a copy.



Strawberry recorded the time she was there, so you can see my avatar going about the place time to time in it.

Evie Linden also offered a hug. Unfortunetly, much of her head was missing.

Maraki Mole, in an elderly lady avatar, and Coyot Linden.

 When I first saw Maraki, she looked like she'd fallen onto the ground, "Help, I've fallen, and I can't get up."

Tommy Linden was also there. But with that t-shirt, the women weren't too eager to hug him.

Bender Linden was looking a little "crabby."

And there was April Linden, the bunny among the Lindens.

It was a fun Valentines Day meetup with the Lidnens.

Bixyl Shuftan

Valentines Day At The Isle of View

By Deaflegacy Darkbloom,

The air was light.  It was full of laughter.  There were a lot of people.

What is that all about? It's simple.

It's Valentines Day and as the special event unfolded, more people are coming to Second Life to be a part of it.

At the Isle of View, there were joy in the air.  They were having fun.  There were hugging booths and Dunk the Linden booths.  It was meant to be fun and it was fun!

At one point, the sim at the Isle of Viewing was so full no one can get in unless someone leaves.  I considered myself lucky to get in and wow, there was a lot of fun.

I took one look around the Isle of Viewing and I have had to take a deep breath.  There was so much love that I won't be surprised if there were more on the Valentine's Day.

There was a fountain at the Isle of Viewing that I really liked.  I did take some pictures of it and hope you like it too.

Same can be said about the dance at the Virtual Ability dance room.  Not only were there lovers, there were friends.

They were there for one reason only.

Love.

There is no ending to the love as it poured out on that day and it won't be any end to it on February 14 as love pours out on Second Life.

Virtual Abilty had their own stories.  The dance was awesome.  Friends and lovers came in.  

Now this is exactly the type of love I was just talking about.

Fun, love, friendship, romance, list goes on.

I believe that I did learn something new while at the Isle of Viewing and Virtual Ability.  That is that love is what it counts the most.  All it really matter is love.  On this special day, that's when it comes in the most.  I can't speak for anyone else, but I can say that love is something to look forward to, especially on a special day like Valentine Day's.

 

Deaflegacy Darkbloom

Relay Wizards' "Dunk the Emperor"

By DrFran Babcock

There are a few things that you need to know in order for this article to make any sense to you. We will make things easier by explaining:

Relay for Life in Second Life™

Relay for Life in Second Life™ (RFLinSL) began in 2005, headed by Jade Lily, with one team of 315 avatars participating in the event across six sims. Last year, under the leadership of Nikki Mathieson and Co-Chairs: Dwen Dooley and Serina Juran, 200 teams walked 40 sims to raise a whopping $393,000 real dollars for the American Cancer Society. The 2014 Relay is already underway and culminates in the actual 24 hour walk on July 19^th-20^th. (http://relayforlifeofsecondlife.org )

Tiny Empires

Many consider this HUD-based in-world game to be a scourge, but just as many are entranced by the idea of rising up from a wanderer to a king or queen, and collecting gold, acres, and other prizes. The interesting thing about Tiny Empires is how many people have made friends and found social outlet in this game.

The game is the scripting coup of Ultralite Soliel, the self-appointed Emperor of the Tiny Empire. He is a witty and delightful scripter, and a very good sport, as you shall see. (http://tinyempires.com )

Dunk The Empy!

The Relay Wizards for Spunky are celebrating their seventh year of participation in RFLinSL. Teams hold events in world to raise Lindens for the cause. Captain, Shawna Montgomery is not only a fierce advocate of fundraising for cancer support, but is a Queen of the Kingdom of Avalon in Second Life™. She has played Tiny Empires since its earliest days, and is on a first name basis with Emperor Soleil. One of her co-captain, HALEY Salomon, is the Queen of another Kingdom, Green Acres, and gave money to many of her peers to moisten the Emperor, because her aim was not that true. She did consent to being dunked after it was all over, demonstrating her good nature.

Thus, she was able to convince Emperor Soleil to volunteer for being dunked in a dunk tank by anyone who paid a Relay for Life official vendor for three balls and three chances to throw the Empy in the drink.

Residents were invited to the event that was held in the Kingdom of Avalon. One of the beautiful things about Second Life™ is the sense of community exhibited by so many people. We come together for a common cause without competition and ill will. Members of competing Tiny Empires kingdoms showed up to take a shot at the confident and overly haughty Emperor. The Emperor scoffed at all attempts of dunking him, until he ended up soaked a few times.

Most attendees winced as Ultralite Soleil’s royal robes had to come off, because they were soaked, and then his banana hammock bathing suit was revealed. Some went as far as becoming horrified at the sight. The Empy took it all in stride, and vowed to give gold bars to all who succeeded in dunking him.

Residents danced, threw balls at the Emperor, and laughed and had a very good time. Best of all the event raised almost 15, 000 Lindens for Relay and the American Cancer Society.

All’s Well That Ends Well

It’s hard not to get emotional about this simple, yet complex coming together of people to raise money for the worthy cause of cancer research. The power of groups to change the world is a small miracle.

If you are interested in becoming part of this ever-growing movement to beat back cancer, then perhaps you want to join a team, form a team, or just drop some Lindens in a Relay for Life donation kiosk.

The Relay Wizards for Spunky team will be holding more events up until the big walk/run. Watch for an amazing art auction containing works from the likes of Bryn Oh and Littleone Aries.

Go Relay!

DrFran Babcock

Sundeamers at New Bastogne

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday afternoon, April 8, 2013, the "Sundreamers" Relay For Life team hosted a cancer fundraising event at New Bastogne. The sim is one of three for the WW2 Combat RP, where residents fight one another in tanks and planes in addition to small arms on several teams on two sides: Allied and Axis. Visitors are limited only to a small shopping area until they have joined the roleplay group for all players. Rules of protocol normally restrict how the two sides can interact other than shooting at one another, but on special events they can freely mingle.

Such a special event took place last weekend, this time a Relay For Life event. New Bastogne has no team of it's own. The team that was there were the Sundreamers, the team made up mostly of residents of the Sunweaver Estates, and one of two teams made up of former members of the old "Passionate Redheads" team.


Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and has been active in Second Life since 2006. Since then, RFL in SL has raised over US$1.6 million to help fight cancer!  Join us today in New Bastogne at 4PM SLT (PDT) for today's Relay for Life Event! This is a multi-team event, so if you wish to participate, feel free to join in. We will have dunk Tanks, where you get knocked down using WWII AA guns, theme music, fly WWII aircraft. Vendors. Costumes. Come have fun!


Dropping in, I was greeted by one of the Luftwaffe sergeants, and the Sundreamer leader, Rita Mariner. The purple kani was wearing a US Army uniform with a general's helmet. Most of the German teams were grouped together and chatting, but some were talking to visitors along with a few Allied players. Some residents were exploring the area. The church got complements on it's appearance and design. All the while, music of the era played from an old time music station from Portsmouth Virginia.

 German leader and RP administrator, Vickster Khun, was among those chatting with visitors, dressed in a dress instead of a uniform. Visitors were invited to take planes up, and at one point one of the Germans took up a Heinkel two-engine bomber to give them something to shoot at. There were also tanks set up on the end up the airfield as ground targets.

Becky Shamen was the first volunteer for the dunk tank, and she sat over it, in a bunnygirl avatar in a swimsuit and cap. There was a wire mesh around the tank, and the seat on one end of a beam that had a target on the other. Some distance away, the Sundreamer's RFL kiosk had been placed next to one of the 88 artillery guns. For a suggested donation of a hundred Lindens, people could take shots at her. Some did, but the first residents took some time to zero in and hit the target, sending Becky to a bath. Eventually Rita did, and got her with only a few shots. Then Vixie Valiant came in and took a seat on the gun when it was her turn. The vixen hit the target on the first shot, with reactions of surprise from those nearby, "Damn!" "One shot! ... I'm going hunting with you." "Nice going!" one GI commented, "We're gonna draft you for th' Allies!"

In was then Vixie's turn to sit on the dunk tank. And with that, the Sunweaver chat got more lively,"someone shoot that annoying vixen!." A few more Sundreamers came on to try to knock her in, and they were taking fewer shots than with Becky. Eventually, it was soon Rita's turn. And more residents came on to try to knock their landlord into the drink, who taunted, "No wonder the Germans lost, you can't hit anything." Just for fun, more weapons were brought in to knock her down, such as a small tank, and a Nebelwerfer infantry rocket launcher.

After about a couple hours, the event wound down. One of the Luftwaffe leaders, Jessicabelle Dayafter, suggested future events could be arranged. This time there could be drones that visitors could shoot down. And Rita soon agreed to an event next month.


Sunnies:  The Relay for Life Event yesterday was alot of fun. A lot of real estate was torn up as the gunners each took their turns blasting away at the victims on the Dunk Tank, until they hit them.  Planes were buzzing around and bombing and strafing the targets.  We are planning a second event, May 7th Tuesday, 4-6 pm slt. New Bastogne sim, WWII theme.


In the meantime, the Sundreamers and other teams continue to hold Relay events. And of course New Bastogne is always open to new players whom are team oriented and fight fairly.

For more Relay events, check their website at http://rflofsl.intuitwebsites.com/ .

Bixyl Shuftan

“Jail and Bail” at the "Back to the 50’s Weekend" for RFL

This weekend had the “Back to the 50’s Weekend” event for the Relay for LIfe. In the sim were numerous attractions, from a fair with a ferris wheel and a dunking booth to a “Sock Hop” dance club to a drive-in movie with an Elvis double-feature, and more. At various points along the streets were rezzers for scooters, which could be one of a few different colors.

In one corner of the place was a small police station. It was run by a few police, whom kept various residents in the slammer for various reasons. An announcement was made:


Here's a great way to earn extra Linden for your teams kiosks! Have your friends and significant other, arrested and thrown into the Back to the 50's jail. If the person arrested does NOT want to go to jail, he/she will have the option at the time of arrest of paying 500L for a get out of jail free card which will be paid directly to your team's kiosk. Otherwise, the arrested has to raise 1000L bail while spending time in the Back to the 50's Jail.


The announcement was slightly inaccurate as bail could be set higher. Those interested in having someone arrested had to contact Shayla Juran or Blossum Bluebird. All bail money of course went to the Relay, and onto the American Cancer Society.

On Saturday, the Passionate Redheads got the following announcement: “Daan has been arrested for having ‘Greaser Hair!’ You can come and take photos and contribute to his bail as a birthday present. The bail money was quickly raised, and it wasn’t long before he was back out, and at the drive-in with fellow Redheads.

For Sunday, someone else had been arrested. The following announcement came from Vixie Valiant:


Ok, you wanted it, and it's happened, I am in jail for the Relay for Life! Come and donate to bail me out, or maybe I'll stay longer if we raise enough. :) I need to raise $2000L, so here's your chance to see me locked up and help a good cause!



Daaneth put it another way, “Vixie has been arrested for being too cute! Come bail her out.” Other Redheads had different ideas, “Crime was claiming to be cute. False testimony, and all that. (grin).” “I only need 400L to get free.” “Heh, where do I go to donate 2L?” “Is beating up skunks among the charges?”

Getting to the jail, Vixie was in the modern cell, behind glass with just a bench and toilet. In front of her was a brony that looked cute and harmless, except for wearing a satchel full of dynamite. Other Redheads soon came by to put up bail, yours truly among those contributing. And before long, the police declared they had all of it. “I’m free!” “Put her back in!” A couple of Redhead girls had very little clothing on, but the cops made no effort to arrest them for indecent exposure. Maybe the men were happy to see them after a hard day of work, or perhaps too interested in their donuts. This wasn't the first time Vixie had been arrested, last year being held for chicken rustling.

There were other happenings at the sim. A 50’s “Sock Hop” club held various dances, one of the DJ at one point ending up in the slammer himself, supposedly for playing music from the wrong decade. There was also a dunking booth. Relay organizer Poppy Zabelin at one point volunteered to go up there, wearing a rubber ducky float. And a long line of people showed up. Perhaps nervous of the crowd, Poppy offered, “I am donating 50L for every miss!” It didn’t work very good, as she kept falling, falling, and falling, “However much I bribe people, they still keep dunking me!” “It’s their way of showing love.”

Late in the evening, activity slowed down in most places but one. The 50’s drive-in movie had an Elvis double-feature of Blue Hawaii and Via Las Vegas. Among the cars there were a pink Cadilac, a hot rod, and a Delorian complete with flux-capacitor and “Mr. Fusion.” One Redhead commented she had to rezz the car made famous in “Back to the Future” outside on the street, “It was real heck trying to steer it in here.” There were a few jokes made as the movie went on, “Oooo, spanked by young Elvis. She doesn’t know how lucky she is.” “Elvis is dead.” “No, Elvis is alive, living in secret with Michael Jackson.” “Aren’t they in-laws? Would they even get along?”

It was a fun weekend for the Relay for Life. Several people have asked about later “Jail and Bail” events. Plus next weekend is a “Bid me Human” at the “Little Dove” zeppelin club.

Bixyl Shuftan