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

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