a virtual moment

 

FB always sends memory photos into my IN box... I usually just hit delete. I am not someone who lives in the past.  However... it got me thinking... I have been creating in SL(Second Life ) now for 18 plus years.  I have in that time travelled through a variety of learning experiences.  

Second Life is a virtual world  With the pictures I have taken over the years .. I  have a record of how the technology has grown, how I have represented myself over the years with different avatars/looks, the friends I've made, those who have come and the many who have gone on to other "experiences' or have left the world as we know it.

I am not a young person anymore, I am not sugar coating anything... I married was widowed, and continued on my life "path"   - I grew up ... gained life experiences, cried, loved, lost, and continued on.... SL provided me with a constant source of ideas for expressing my thoughts/feelings/ideas.  it is a platform that was build for the users to utilize and tho' many saw it only as a game, there are many of us who actually live a part of our everyday lives in the virtual world.

Through all of it.. I got to know myself better.  Technology has been a big part of my life.  that said, I am not a big fan of how Ai  is taking over everywhere .. I believe as good as technology is, it should not and cannot replace humanity.. 

I am seeing a world where instead of thinking for one's self, taking time for self education, experiencing the human world around us... there is a dependence on technology that is my mind is unhealthy...It is just a thought.

I live by - Nothing in life is forever - the only constant is change....

But sharing/caring and self discovery is not a technology... it is something personal and life changing, when we believe in our own worth and capabillities.

I have aged, in SL I can stay young, youthful and be whatever  I want to be at any given moment... but the reality is, I will always be just a  human being living each moment the best way I can.  My visual signs of age, are like badges of honor... I earned the...  I lived each day being Me... and I will leave this earth.. still being ME.

Is anyone else out there.. of similiar thought(s)?

Where ever you are, what ever you are going through.. you are not alone... 

We are all ONE under the moon/stars/sun.

the morning of new beginnings

 

sometimes in life, we just can't be alone... it was meant to be.  it happens, then the moment is gone.. and there is no more.

shucking the corn, this is what I found. it was adorable, somehow, nature had decide this one cob of corn needed a "friend"  I steam the corn in the microwave.. wait for it to cool down a bit and then open it up and eat, it without butter, it is so sweet when done this way.  Unfortunately in pulling the husks apart it separated them, but I wanted a picture of "true love" before....enjoying the succulent kernels.

Cheers - have a great day.

new again... do you remember

Virtual Lesson # 1 - never forget your roots.  I recently had occassion to  travecl back in time in a virtual world.  A friend from another grid asked me for something that would need to come from my avatar in Second Life.  It had been awhile since I've been in SL, but wanting to be helpful, I wandered back into SL, with Xsa, for those of you who have followed my blogs since the dark ages, you will remember was a model for a designer back in 2007.
The FREE DOVE by Palomma Casanoca

This is an amazing shop, and  she is working with a wonderful group of Designers, you will find items in the shop that you will want.  These Designers are helping out and providing clothes for the newcomers into a virtual environment.  For old timers. if you find yourself wandering the aisles, please tip the store... 

There are rules to follow, reasonable ones, in fact, they are good to practice throughout all of your time in virtual worlds

What was also fun to learn, was that there is a hunt within the Free Dove, it will give new players teh opportuniity to try a hunt, work their cameras, move, walk around .... learning something new is always fun, when it is made into a game.

black romper  shorts - Stars Fashion
dirty princess  -bitchy princess
VEXTRA.co strapless nights babydoll - pretty but comes in only one size
M&M  outfit, Xsa loved, but had a hard time with the standard mesh sizes, she is a curvy lady.  Ladies you have nothing to loose an everything to gain, the  offerings by these designers are some of the nicest we've seen over the years.

All Hairstyles are by Emo-Tions, which we are happy to report, are represented at the Free Dovev.

*NB there is a hunt going on from March 1st - 31stas seen advertised when we visited the M&M STYLE-FEMALE CLOTHES

warning if your AV is into lucky boards, there is a good selection at M&M Style we had to drag Xsa away.  We got her to leave by promising her another outing soon.

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Genus head give away Dec.. 2025=2026

 

These are the two heads that caused such a stir over the 2025 Xmas holiday events. Genus offered a free male and or Free female Generation 2026 head to already members of their registered group. No string, no gimmicks... The only condition was that you were a member in good standing in their Genus Group. You had to be already registered in their database  .. as a member.

You can imagine the pandemonium ... from the day it opened till they day the event closed, you could barely get on the sim.  The first few days,  there was no way, it was pure bedlam,. Eventually I got both heads, the male was easier to obtain... I worked on putting together a look with the male while I kept trying for the female.  One needed determination and perseverance.

What I am showing you, is  how the avatars looked within 24 hours of my getting them. I was impressed with the Hud that came with the head.. It supplied me with everything I needed, to get the look you see.  I am not the best at doing these upgrades, heads/bodies etc. I always look for "how to" videos from the people who do the videos and blog on "what's new in SL" etc.

To this end, I am a big fan of blogger, Naria Panthar    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0EuX0qwDX6__lYj1Kj6msA

It is true, I have been doing this in SL for a long time now.. close to 19 years. However, when it comes to these new heads, the skins and such, I am always a novice, learning. Avatars have come a long way since I began in 2007.

To simplify the process,  I have found it is easier to start from the beginning, I have tried to take short cuts.. it is a frustration.  When we begin from the start when building your new persona... it is easier and less complicated.

Since I am mostly female in SL. using male alts only for photography assignments etc,  doing up my first male was a real challenge. So for the male it was easy once I discovered which male body I could best work with... then it was a matter of making sure the head was compatible with the body (skins)

The event is over now .. if you got a new head, congratulations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UZtkae52uU&list=PL_RE17H3yqeosdmAmI6H-vX-BTKnov4OF

The package you receive has everything you need to get you started... beside where you get the free head, they had a gift board out where you could get extra skins etc.

Note that the Genus uses its own skins, the skins sold for the Evo X, Lelutka heads are not compatible with this head.

If you missed out on the free heads, after seeing how easy it was to put these looks together.. consider having a look at their heads, and if there is a free head on their gift board.  Unless you are a working blogger or photographer, chances are once you have your avatar character built, except for makeup changes, you will likely not change your head   once you get the look you want.

Good luck, have fun,

This is the link to Genus http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Genus%20Project%20Mainstore/101/128/35

Always be humble.  If you work on things with the attitude of asking a favour, people around you will advise you what they have noticed.  There's something in fact you are not aware of that you do.  (Perfect Liberty 2023.5 )

Testing Dec. 27.2022

After being dormant for years. I am checking this out to see of it still functions.

Trowzer Boa getting ready for the new year.

IWz- Hauntings

Thank you for your patience, we here at Virtual Art & Lifestyles, have been swamped with other responsibilities since the start of the new year. But here we are.  The witching month of October
found us smack dab in the middle of multiple events Inworldz... it was not easy to stay away from not participating.  What an amazing lot of creators, designers and builders.

Some things just never change.  We found ourselves at Trails End the other night. Dick and Rusty sure know how to throw a party.

Dick the sly devil pulled in markers and got the band from..you know where... to leave the underworld and come to jam for us. They were "hot"

Last week DJ Kira was blowing us away with her usual style of kick ass blues, that left us weak at the knees.  The mood at the club these days is raunchier then ever.  If you've not been by in awhile, then maybe, just maybe, you need to drop in .. see if you can find the clues...

A little grainy, but hey, the guy doesn't stand still, this is a new jock in town, fresh from the other planet we know so well.  Somehow he has been dubbed, Rooster.. ..hey I don't know why, you'll have to ask around.  Meet DJ BlueLou McGrady, you will find him at the Loft-Blues on Mondays, and on Friday and Saturdays at Rocking the Blues.   He gets around.  check the bottom of his shoes.. Seriously, he's good, and you won't be disappointed in the entertainment and music when you check him out.

He gets stiff competition, from Little Q... don't know what has gotten into her, but she's been seen on stage at both RTB and the Loft.  Could be her pal Gaudin has something to do with it.. Gosh I have so much catching up to do.  (below Gaudin and his special lady friend)

and this ladies and gents is Kira's club.. Rocking the Blues... home of the Blues Tribe, she has a commercial area she has opened up .. where many of the Blues Tribe have  satellite shops.. ask her about it..  In fact.. ask Kira about all the new events, and venues now located on her sims.                                                        

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Now put on your m- I don't scare- T shirt, and follow China and her bud, Kelp Fish on a tour they took last night of the Haunted maze.  Unless things have changed in IWz, there is no point in my putting in  urls for you to chase down, you will have to go inworld and find them. I will give you contact names.

Kelp Fish trying to get to China, hmmm looks like he was in a hurry

below, he is waiting for her, with a few rowdy friends

meanwhile, she is patiently waiting for him.. we don't get to see her

being patient that often.. wow.. China, you must have been tired

This is a fun build .. it is called the Haunted Maze and part of the Halloween themed sim builds, It was the brain child of Melonie Romao and ORB Firestone.  HAUNTED MAZE by Melonie Romano & ORB Firestone

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http://places.inworldz.com/InWorldz%20Events%20Scenic%208/212/35/22

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NEWS BULLETIN.. JUST IN...

Rockin' the Blues, Thursday

Thu, Oct 27 2016 5:34:19 PM PDT

Greetings, Mortals! Join us tonight for your Halloween Trick or Treat Boos at Rockin' The Boos beginning at 6 PM Deadworld Time! We've done away with your usual DJ Stu and I, the Grim Reaper, will be spinning. Spend your last mortal nite on this earth with us down at the Bayou, for fun, friendship and Great Boos! Muuaahh!

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Halloween is fast approaching.  Do you need a costume for those Halloween parties?   We have several to choose from.  Lots of couple & single costumes.    Hugh Heifner & Playboy Bunny,  Angel & Devil,  his & her scarecrows,   peanut butter & jelly, mime, cheerleader, Crocodile Dundee, belly dancer and more.   We also have 50's sock hop outfits if you have a sock hop to go to Come check us out!  

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Winter Fest Toys for Tots 2016 - Call for Build Submissions

Thu, Oct 27 2016 9:02:09 AM PDT

We are accepting submissions for builds for Winter Fest 2016. 

This year's themes will be:

1. Winter 

2. Holidays

3. Sleigh Ride Around the World ( these builds should be about different countries and the winter activities they have or the winter season celebrations they may have. Show us how your country celebrates the winter season)

Deadline for Submissions: Nov 5th, 

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New outfit at Hawks Designs

Thu, Oct 27 2016 8:21:16 AM PDT

New item at Hawks, Krystal Strapped. This started as a shorts and strapped top outfit with open jacket and then I added the skirt and fishnet stockings. A goth look with the skirt and a very sexy casual outfit without the skirt. On the New Releases wall and in the vendor. Stop by and see all the new outfits.

Providing IWz with quality men and women's clothing for over 6 years. Casual, formal, role play, Western and lingerie.

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yes, he is still around.... check out his new play list and venues

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More then ever, this is a sim you should visit, there have been a lot of changes, Squanto Thorne, has been making changes with the help of Beck Howard, those of us who have had some time with Beck know of her passion for role play and making things happen,

Time has passed

The role play is happening.  Beck has been sending out notices, with some of the story lines, not a role player myself, from the note cards she has been sending out, there are few plots that have gotten my attention.

On the sim, they are very interested in recreating a period in the Americas where the native Indian was living off the land and sharing its wisdom and knowledge with travelers.

The politic of today, have robbed many people of a voice.

Media has played a part in the inequality.

Here in virtual, what Squanto has given us, is an opportunity to see, and learn just what life was like

prior to massive invatation and a horrific period in history.

Contact either Squanto or Beck for a tour of the site, if nothing else, get on their group list, and            keep in touch with what is happening there.

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China helps with the blog, Q is the narrator, together, we will try to drop in more often.