Reconnecting with Creativity: Embracing the Messiness to Rediscover Your True Self. Moonite1687 Shares...

 

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." 

– Thomas Merton

Being in touch with oneself creatively is essential for personal growth and emotional well-being. Creativity allows us to explore our inner worlds, express our deepest thoughts and feelings, and connect with others on a profound level. It serves as a form of self-discovery, helping us understand who we are and what we value.

After being disconnected from this very real portion of my person, I realized how crippling being this disjointed has been for me. I have tried to stuff myself in boxes that are very rigid and structured because I was made to doubt my past decisions to live freely and in technicolor, to live outside of the lines and be expressive. In turn, I forced myself to detach from my emotions as a form of therapy, which is at the core of creativity, which is at the core of being human.

In Second Life in particular, I have written for BUSTed, a now-defunct magazine that focused on the genesis of prim breasts and how it added aesthetic value to the female avatar user and their in-world appearance. It was my foray into the field of magazine journalism and an introduction to a creative outlet; however, I sold myself short chasing the money, seeing writing as a means to an end rather than as a developing passion, so I ran in an attempt to distance myself from the field only to find myself being reeled back.

After the passage of time, I found the Best of Second Life (BOSL) publication, which was a further delving into my creative self as the standards were greater, thus pushing me to my creative limits, breaking a cap I had looming overhead.

I am thankful.

Next, the SL Enquirer takes center stage in my professional life, serving an identical purpose to BOSL as it pushed me even further into the creative sphere. I found myself growing as a writer, a creative writer, as I made mistakes, messes, if you will, that are necessary in the creative space as it leads to a greater sense of self-expression.

Once more, my internal shadow reared its ugly head, standing on my path and forcing me to run again, and again, and again.

I finally decided to stop living inside the confines of self-imposed walls that are supported by societal buttresses. I have decided to break free of these shackles and reacquaint myself with the creative being that dwells in my soul.



I am extending a hand, reaching out and beckoning this creative light to come out of the darkness and shine all over the pages on which I choose to spell my emotions, my opinions, my research as I continue to use the written medium as my outlet until I have found this is not enough.

And you, readership, I invite along this journey to reconnect with your creative self as well. Shed that stale skin you were forced to live in and love your imagination and your humanity—the fuel for the creative fire that burns inside all of us. Embrace the messiness, the imperfections because in these conditions lies the beauty that is within every visionary that has put brush to canvas, hand to clay, or pen to paper.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: God is a DJ – and playing at The Basilica

 

The central dome flashes pink than green, and the stately Corinthian columns are awash with pulsing light. Pink. Green. Pink. Green. Here we live life between 120 and 150 beats per minute. The marble floor reflects the sea of writhing sweaty bodies, while the high clerestory windows instil a sense of reverence in its grandeur. This is The Basilica, a club in SL like no other. The Basilica is a club that focuses on electronic dance music (EDM) but loves all forms of music. “Music is the human condition in stereo,” says co-owner, Trynn Mildor, “it reflects the best of what we are, and often the darkest too”. DJ and talent scout for the club, DJ Kryx, puts it a little less subtly: “Music is like being f%^*ed in the earhole, even when it’s bad it’s good”. At this club, music is treated with almost religious fervour and ranges from the snarling sounds of synthpop to the melodic mix of liquid drum and bass. With music at its heart, The Basilica sets the scene for many different interactions. Apart from the lively dance floor in the nave, the outer aisles offer space for socialising. Here the IMs are as hot and as throbbing as the sexiness on the dancefloor. “Music is a universal language, it’s the perfect backdrop for new friendships, saucy hookups and perhaps even love, “says Emily Silkstone the other half of the owner duo. Situated high in the decorative apses of the lovely building, high above the pulsing crowd, are balcony boxes that are for rent for private parties. Each box seats eight people and has furniture with delightful animations. It is a different vantage point, offering a more designated space without being taken out of the sturm and drang that is the club. “We chose this setting, and the name because music and togetherness have the power to feed the soul, to heal, to restore,” says Trynn of the venue and the name of the club. In fact, researchers have found there is an inextricable link between music and religion as music is one of the most common triggers of religious experience. “Like faith, or religion, music is a transcending experience – it taps into a metaphysical state of being, it lights up centres of the brain that we do not access easily with our conscious minds. So, we believe it to be quite apt.” The club will host its epic opening on 11 March 2023, join the group to stay up to date with the latest news. Leading up to the epic opening of The Basilica, the club is launching a Flickr competition in which a whopping 10 000 lindens are up for grabs. Participants are invited to photograph themselves anywhere at the venue and post their pictures to The Basilica’s Flickr page. Only one post per person is allowed. The winner’s picture will be displayed at the epic opening, and officially announced.

TELEPORT:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dark%20Rose/73/51/38

https://flickr/g/3getji https://discord.gg/KC6cu4U9 https://discord.gg/KC6cu4U9

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HIGHLAND RETREAT: A RETREAT FOR BODY AND MIND IN A PHOTOGRAPHER’S PARADISE. JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING...

As I was perusing the Internet the other day, I came upon a description of a place called “Highland Retreat” The description read:

"Highland Retreat" is a small, idyllic Scottish island that invites you to relax. With picturesque landscapes, lush hills, and scenic bays, the island offers a peaceful environment to unwind and rejuvenate. The highlight of the island is the cozy cottage, which is perfectly integrated into the surroundings and gives the feeling of being in a different time. A perfect place for nature enthusiasts, those seeking tranquility, and keen photographers.

Well…it sounded pretty idyllic, but could it really live up to the hype?  Only one way to find out.   And I decided to go check it out for myself.  There I met Clifton Howlett and Coralile, the builders and owners of Highland Heights.  They were feverishly getting ready for their Grand Opening, scheduled for January 22, 2023.

During one of their infrequent breaks to stop and enjoy the serenity of their creation, I was fortunate enough to convince them to sit a spell and tell me about this dream-come-true sim.

Josh (Thonas1 Bellic) JB:    So tell me, guys. Where did you get the idea for Highland Retreat? Is there some history here?

Coralile (CL): Well, Clif had the initial idea.  I liked the idea, as I had visited RL Scotland three years ago and I fell in love with the place

Clifton Howlett (CH):   I was in a creative mood and wanted to create a new SIM and since I really like the landscapes in Scotland, I wanted to take some inspiration from that and design something calming, serene, and tranquil.  We both enjoy the creative side of SL, which is reflected in our photography, so it was important to us to build an environment that would inspire people and work as a great backdrop for photography enthusiasts. 

JB:       Just what is it that sets Highland Retreat apart from the many other Sims out there with a similar theme?

CH:  You are right, Josh.  There are many amazing locations across SL that have similar themes, but the uniqueness of each SIM comes from the individuals who create them.  Our vision was for something relaxing with wide views and little details for visitors to discover, and we have poured a lot of passion into creating this and hope visitors will appreciate our imagination.

CL:  I don’t think there is a sim with quite the same idea.  This is not a club.  It’s more a photogenic and relaxing sim where you can sit and enjoy the environment and the calm atmosphere of the place. To further the mood, we only play Scottish music here and it is just a really nice place to come and chill.

JB:      Who do you hope to attract to your build? What special group of people might Highland Retreat appeal to?

CH: We hope to see all kinds of visitors, from explorers to artists, to people who just want a soothing location to either be with current friends or to make new ones. All we ask if that all visitors are respectful of others.

JB:    Do you have any special events planned?

CL:  At present all we have scheduled is our Grand Opening this Sunday, January 17, 2023.  After we have had time to evaluate people’s reactions, then we may look at adding additional events.

CH:  True.  The purpose of the Grand Opening is to let the world of SecondLife know we are open and receiving visitors.  But generally, this place is designed to appeal to people who are interested in quiet contemplation, more than they are interested in blockbuster “events”, so to speak.  But we will see.

JB:    What are some of the areas that guests might enjoy during a visit to Highland Retreat?

CH:  Oh, this fully depends on the mood of the visitors. If they want a bit of alone time there are many small places to hide individually. But there are also places for people to meet and gather together to enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. 

CL:  We have built an interesting house on the property. I particularly like that the house is a mix of rustic and modern.  Beautifully decorated, this house is well worth the time for a visit. People will enjoy visiting and perhaps sitting and enjoying the environment.  We also have a lovely and rather rustic beach for guests to enjoy.     

JB:   And how about the future?  Do you have any changes or additions in mind?

CH:  The only thing constant in SecondLife – and Real Life for that matter – is change. There are always changes, everything evolves and I don’t want to keep things static for too long.  I like to create and as we say in German “Der Weg ist das Ziel”.  Or, “The journey is the destination!”

CL:  Well…we are only just starting out, so we really haven’t talked about changes yet.  Our focus has been on getting it ready as you see today. We will look at making changes after we first out how much appeal this kind of sim has with our visitors.

JB:    Is this space available for use by others?

CH:  All are welcome to use our Sim.   People are encouraged to invite their friends.  We have a “party area” for use by small gatherings, weddings, partnering, renewal of vows, or what have you. - All are welcome and can temporarily rezz things as needed  

JB:    There must have been several challenges in building a Sim of this nature. What has been your greatest challenge in building Highland Retreat?

CH:  It has been challenging to take the thoughts that served as our inspiration, and turn them into a realistic representation of that inspiration. It was difficult to pull solid visuals out of my fuzzy mind.

CL:  My greatest challenge has been due to our pursuit of excellence.  We want everything to be perfect.  I hope we achieved that goal, and the people will truly enjoy what we created.

JB:    I understand you are limited to 20 People.  What’s that all about?

CH:   It’s just a homestead so it’s limited by SL, but this works in our visitors' favor!  When you spend a long time staging the perfect photo, the positioning, lighting, etc,  the last thing people need is people getting in the way of the shot.  We are aiming to provide quality over quantity.

JB:    Is there anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?

CL:  I’m just happy to see you all. Be Happy, be nice and have fun! And we look forward to seeing many of you at our Grand Opening on the 22 of January.

So, there you have it.   Want to get away from the wild and frenetic pace of other places?  Places with big crowds – and even bigger lag?  Then come check out Highland Retreat…refreshment for the soul and allow you to express your “Inner Artist”.  Say high to Clif or Cora.

Tell ‘em Josh sent ya...

Be there!  Aloha!

JB

Additional Information

SURL:     http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mundo%20Virtual/106/198/25  

FLICKR:  https://www.flickr.com/groups/escape_to_imagination/

Grand Opening: https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AM0TTHMK9uYUSsY&cid=4DC8178B39B432B5&id=4DC8178B39B432B5%21203702&parId=4DC8178B39B432B5%2189709&o=OneUp

 

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Explore Lavender Bay - The Landscape is inspired by Italian Tuscany

 

Photogenic Sim invites you to explore, meet friends, relax and take photos.

The landscape is inspired by Italian Tuscany.

TELEPORT:

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MissLaura/49/127/22

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THE APRIL ISSUE of PLAYDOLL'S MAGAZINE is OUT!

 

PLAYDOLL'S MAGAZINE is the preeminent and authentic men's interest periodical in Second Life. The series has won six SL awards and has been published every single month since its inception into the metaverse in 2007. The longevity and consistency of the periodical make it the reader's choice that attracts sponsors and modeling talent alike because people trust the lasting power of the organization. Become a Playdoll's VIP at our historic mansion, pick up your complimentary copy of the latest issue, and explore our sim on the well-appointed premises on Relaxation!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Relaxation/56/231/21

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The SANDBOX Alpha is Now Open! Explore, Create and Earn! Join today for Free with the potential to earn $$$

 

As a virtual world gamer, you know creating a presence early on in the Alpha stage is the best way to gain notoriety further along in a new metaverse space!  Create your account today and be part of a new virtual world platform that could potentially make you some serious $$$ in the future as it grows! 

If you have been following cryptocurrency and NFT news, you know that the potential for earning millions is not just a fantasy, it can become a reality!  Sign-up is free! Explore and learn how to create NFT's and you might just create something valuable!

Click here to create your avatar!

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Winter is Coming! Come warm up at the Winter Cafe!

 

The warmth of the Winter Cafe can be seen in the friends you will meet, the beverages you will drink, the comfy chairs you will sit in and the fireplace you can cuddle up to. Grab a friend, a love, a game, or a book, and come relax and enjoy the warmth.

TELEPORT:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lorena%20White/105/83/2803

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Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in Second Life!

Happy thanksgiving 2021 to you and yours :) Welcome to the 18th annual Macy's Thanksgiving parade tribute in fabulous New York City! 

The parade has won many awards and is the only totally interactive parade in Second Life.  It is approx 1+  hours long and has 103 floats and balloons to date. It runs 24/7 so be sure to come back if you miss any of it and bring your friends :) great photo ops for all

Please remove all unnecessary huds and trackers laggy attachments etc. 

The parade runs down the main route (5th ave)  (if you can't see the balloons (pan your cam up)

To ride the floats and balloons right-click on one and choose to sit or ride -- it has many couples rides also :) any floats with pose balls you can also choose where to sit by hitting on that ball.

Note:  if you are on a float that does not disappear at the end of the ride please stand and get off the ride

The parade is best viewed at midday or noontime 

There is a slight pause from the end to the beginning of the next start of the parade to allow all to see from the beginning and tp friends to join you.

Tips 

The best way to get a great experience riding the floats is to go to the start of the parade and take the 4 1/2 min. Ride to the end, then fly back to the start again or pick another that is already out. The best view of the parade is from the sidewalk at the little shop on the corner.

If your graphics can handle it turn up your draw distance far enough to see the beginning and end of the parade route

Other Things to do:

• Macy's building 
• Visit Santa Clause get freebee presents
• Central park
• Relax in the stone park 
• Dance in the romantic gazebo
• Rockefeller center
• Ice skating
• Back street
• Folies bar
• Have a bit of holiday cheer!

Good eats  

La vie en rose romantic dinner for two (side street Macy's building}

Starbucks  - Dunkin doughnuts  - burger king

Have a great time at the parade and happy holidays to you all :)

If you had fun here and care to, there are donation boxes along the parade route. Any amount will be appreciated greatly to help me continue to bring you these holiday parades and events each year :)  Thank you in advance for your generous donations :)

If you have any questions or problems please im Frannydj dean

Many thanks to those for helping bring the parade to you this year!

Scripters: 

Grue ling

Bitlygirl

Herman bergson

Frankx  lefavre

Builders

Cyberwymn graycloud

Dougie bing

And many thanks to all my loyal fans that come back each year for the parade and have made it a longstanding Second Life Thanksgiving tradition :)

Sim and parade designed and built by frannydj dean 

TELEPORT NOW! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Steamy%20Shores/68/205/700

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You are invited to Mieville's Thanksgiving Market 2021 November 24th- November 28th

We have more than 30 wagons for you to browse products:  Think of early Christmas shopping and yummy stuff for Turkey Day!

WHEN:  Wednesday, November 24 through Sunday, November 28

TELEPORT: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mieville%20Doyle/79/72/26

Many thanks for your support of HHL Hunts & Events.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Perryn Peterson

Producer, HHL Hunts & Events

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Pour Up Winery & Vineyard: A Second Life Destination to Visit During the Autumn Season - Rita MiChe Reporting

 As a long-time Second Life user, I am always on the lookout for new places to visit, especially now that we are in the midst of the lovely holiday season. We are fortunate to have such talented people from all around the world introducing us to fascinating themed locations created with meticulous attention to detail and realism. Places that provide opportunities for my character growth are always a bonus for me as a roleplayer. With fall here and the holidays approaching, if you're anything like me, you will be looking for places and events to enhance your holiday experiences with a significant other, family, and friends. This article will cover visiting Pour Up Winery & Vineyard, owned by Mach K Disick, as a single or group excursion.

This location caught my eye when scrolling through my Second Life Instagram feed. Pour Up Winery & Vineyard is a one-of-a-kind establishment. The place is quite engaging, and fortunately for us, it is currently free to the public. To begin, I must mention that the scenery is impressive. The landscaping gives real-life winery and vineyard realism as soon as you land. It was clear that the owner's primary purpose was to provide a realistic experience. I value this as someone who enjoys exploring, and I am sure many of you do as well.

 

Horseback rides, ziplines, sip, and paint, are just a few of the activities available at Pour Up Winery & Vineyard. They also added various roleplaying aspects, such as beYou and grape treading, into their activities. If you visit the vineyard, search for the Papi Wine, which is the house brand. If you are feeling fancy, you can also order a customized bottle. 

 

Pour Up Winery & Vineyard also hosts live music and events. This month, I attended a live performance from one of the top second life singers Virgil Flowers and a standup comedy show. Both events were accessible to the general public and featured a bar with finger food and refreshments for attendees to enjoy. It is also possible to book the space for a specific group. A socialite group to which I belong recently held an event there exclusively for our members.

Overall, I loved my time at Pour Up Winery & Vineyard. The location is ideal for date nights, group outings, and photo opportunities. The owner clearly took their time infusing reality into the vineyard to ensure that there was something for everyone to enjoy.

I am looking forward to returning to Pour Up Winery & Vineyard for upcoming events and hope to see you there! 

LM: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Veilwood/82/127/23

Group: secondlife:///app/group/93d97dfa-e811-2557-d9c1-ac585bc50930/about

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Pour-Up-Winery-108813901449359

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Experience the best winter moments in Astoria

 Astoria is a beautiful dreamy winter scene that returns every year in Second Life. We have an awesome snowboarding and ice skating area. Great places to hang out with friends and amazing walks where you can watch the polar bears, horses, rabbits, and more. Skates and snowboards are available for free. And guess what? Even the drinks and snacks are for free. Great area for amazing winter pictures!

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ironia/32/212/37

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TINh9v-yMGY&ab_channel=InWorldFilms

https://www.flickr.com/groups/14722116@N25

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Visit Blackwood Beach!

 

Lose yourself in the dunes of Blackwood and cool off in the cool ocean waters as your surf the incoming swells blowing in from across the Atlantic.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Blackwood%20Beach/247/250/21

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Featured on Editor's Pick: Meraki Moments

 

As you land on the dock and your eyes adjust to the view unfolding before you, you realize that this sim offers a scenic view and a break from the chaos. A steady concoction of landscapes inspired by off-the-beaten-path beauties of Real Life- Meraki Moment was set up as art imitating life itself. Keeping the explorers and photographers of SL in mind, Kanika decided to offer a place that would offer the best of both worlds. A little world above and below the water surrounding it, Meraki Moments gives you the tingle you feel like a traveler. From the Hakkaido Pond by the red trees to the underwater scene hidden behind it to the lush lavender fields with a glorious sunset for a backdrop, we invite you to explore this sim and the many wonders it has to offer. The sim also has a dedicated Flickr Group to share your pictures from the sim on and an inworld group you can join to rez your items to make your photographs stand out. Hope to see you there!

TELEPORT http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavender%20Star/4/245/21

https://www.flickr.com/groups/14760003@N24/

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ERIS ISLE- AN EXPLORER’S PARADISE: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) Reporting

One of the fun parts of writing for a major SL Publication like the SL Enquirer is that I get to see many of the BEST sims on the grid. And, true to form, Eris Isle is certainly among the Best of the Best. Whether you are looking for romance, adventure, fantasy, art, or just a really neat place to while away the hours while you get your daily dose of SecondLife, Eris Isle is THE place to be. I caught up with Pablo Nova and Co-Owner Karma Koppel the other day and they graciously agreed to answer a few questions about their pixeled creation.



JOSH BELLIC (JB): Hi there Pablo and Karma. Thanks for agreeing to take time out of the creative process and speak to me. So then, what can you tell me about the Eris Ise difference? What makes Eris distinctive among the hundreds of other sims out there?


Pablo Nova (PN): Eris Isle is in many ways like other sims. We offer photogenic experiences, DJ/live music events, art exhibitions, backdrops, romance settings, weddings, rentals, and many fun and beautiful places to explore. What makes us different is in our presentation. With a 30K prim sim, we decided to go 99% mesh. That gave us the resources to design the sim with a reasonably realistic natural look. It took weeks of carefully laying down landforms, rocks, cliff/mountain faces, beaches, grass (omg grass), bushes, shrubs, trees, and a few structures to ultimately create what Eris Isle is today. We spent hours upon hours exploring other sims and perusing the marketplace in an attempt to find the highest quality objects to make the best-looking sim possible. We think we at least achieved a unique look, something that you won't see elsewhere in Second Life. And, that's not even mentioning the things we built up in the sky!



JB: So, tell me guys. Where did the idea come from for Eris Isle? What was your inspiration?


PN: Eris Isle brings together all the things we love about SL. We wanted to build a community around those interests. We started off with a small parcel of land and kept talking about all the things we wanted to do. The ideas kept growing and we expanded into larger parcels of land until we quite impulsively acquired the sim. Our inspiration simply comes from our love of SL. Eris Isle is our way of giving back to the SL community.

JB: What sorts of things can people do at Eris Isle? What can they expect when they get to the Landing Area?

PN: Exploration and photography are the main activities of the sim. From the welcome area, one can go either right or left and ultimately make a full circle back to the welcome area. Along the way, they'll discover numerous fun things to do and see. If someone wants a quick overview, we do offer automated hot air balloon tours of the sim! While the ground level is meant for exploration and hanging out, we also offer a few things up in the sky including a vast backdrop collection and photographic studio area; a themed Cyberpunk venue called "The Compound"; automated wedding services; and an art gallery and ballroom. Altogether, Eris Isle has 3 venues and hosts DJs and musicians from all genres of music.




JB: I saw you have a place called “Seaside Shores”.... It looks like a throwback to the 1960s? What is Seaside Shores all about?


PN: I'm really glad you saw that. I think subconsciously I wanted something akin to a vintage artist commune look to the area.

JB: And what about “The Compound”? Now THAT looks like a scene straight out of a B-rated monster movie like Godzilla or Mothra.


PN: The idea was to mix older Japanese buildings with a few sci-fi or dystopian props to give it a darkish cyberpunk look. It is one of three venues at Eris Isle and is also a themed photogenic area for making videos or taking photos.

JB: I am loving “Backdrops”. In fact, I have already shared that with a couple of my photographer friends. What an AWESOME collection you have there. What is THAT all about?


PN: Backdrops are another aspect of being a photography sim. Eris Isle ground level and "The Compound" are all themed areas meant to attract SL artists to come and use the assets of the sim for their own creativity. The 100s of backdrops we offer is just us trying to offer visitors as many photographic opportunities as possible. We want you to stay on our sim! Also, backdrops are cool.

JB: Eris Isle truly does look like a photographer’s Paradise. Are either of you photographers in RL?


PN: I was an amateur photographer and digital photographic artist in a previous life time.



JB: Pablo and Karma…I see you are not only partners here, but RL partners as well. How did you happen to get involved in SecondLife together? Could you share some of that story as well?


PN: We met in SecondLife and within a couple of months made the move to RL. We've been living happily together for over 2 years and only recently got back into SL when we decided to start Eris Isle.

JB: I understand you sometimes host events here? Where might our readers go to see “What’s Happening” at Eris Isle?


PN: Yes, it has always been our intention to be an events-driven sim. There are a couple of places people can go to see what’s happening. You can check out the Eris Isle Facebook page at : https://www.facebook.com/eris.isle.3 Or, if you are more into the visual, you can go to the Eris Isle Flickr site at: https://www.flickr.com/people/erisisle/ Additionally, they can join Eris Isle Events, the name of our free SL group.

JB: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
PN: Eris Isle is a place of expansive beauty. If you haven't visited yet, please come and have a look and join our group to keep up-to-date with all of our events. We also want you to know that we are a safe space and do not discriminate or condone any type of violence or hate speech. We built Eris Isle to be a place of love. So, please come and spend some time with us!



So, there you have it, folks. Eris Isle is a place you do NOT want to miss. Rarely will you find such an eclectic assembly of romance, cyberpunk, photography, sea, and sand all wrapped up in one beautiful package. So much to see in a single visit. This will definitely make it onto your “favs” list.


But don’t take MY word for it – go see it for yourself.


Eris Isle! Be there! Aloha!!


J.B.

SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shijima/127/141/29

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GRAND CANYON – NOW MORE THAN EVER – A PARADISE IN PIXELS: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

The basic unit of color in a computer image is called a “pixel”.  SecondLife residents, using the medium of these pixels, have proven to be some of the most talented and most creative artists in the world.  Their creations are legendary in their beauty, as these “Pixel Masters” create whole new worlds for the rest of us to explore and enjoy.  And there are none more talented than those who take examples from the Real World and replicate them in cyberspace for our enlightenment and amusement. Arguably, one of the BEST examples of Real World landmarks being immortalized in pixel is the SL Grand Canyon.  I caught up with Lis Dubrovna, the creator of Grand Canyon, and managed to get her to share some about this wonderful place with our SL Enquirer readers.  This was no easy feat, mind you, as Lis is almost ALWAYS on the go, creating, redesigning, tweaking here and there, doing what she can to improve her four sims.

JOSH BELLIC (JB): Lis, what inspired you to build the Grand Canyon?

LISISME DUBROVNA (LD):  I went to visit the opening of the SkyWalk and tour the Grand Canyon in RL. I was very thrilled and impressed. Some years later I joined SL. I wanted to build a sim which would teach residents the skills needed in SL and also to offer an alternative to poorly done and immodest sims. I woke up one night at 5:00 am and wondered excitedly if anyone had built the Grand Canyon. I went to my computer and researched that no one had so then and there I bought a Full Sim. Little by little I added to that first sim and now there are 4 and they offer just about anything you can imagine. I made my sims free to all residents.

I thought LL would recognize the value and popularity of my sims and assist me with tier but they have not taken notice. I rely on donations and mostly on my RL job as a graphics artist to pay the $600.00 USD per month tier which Linden Labs require.

JB:  The Grand Canyon as you have built it is more than just a canyon.  You have many delightful areas scattered around the Park Grounds.  Share with us a couple of your favorites here?

LD:  On all the Grand Canyon sims I rent homes and the renters are such cool people. It's like a family. On Grand Canyon South I love my Falls Ballroom which is so very beautiful for couples and my art galleries at ISME where talent from across the grid can be shared.  There’s Mermaid Park and Salsa Salsa. I love the central area of Grand Canyon which offers free ridable horses and so many trails and other activities. Crater Lake and Zen at Grand Canyon North are romantic and fun. A new addition is Circe du soliel camp grounds at Crater Lake which has great animations and horse trails. And then there is the crowning jewel, Mt Everest. It is the Highest terraformed land mass in SL. I love watching the hikers find their way up the mountain. The latest addition is that we now have EXPERIENCE which allows fast teleporting all over the 4 sims. It is used as a teleport to the new LOVE TUNNELS. I hope people will begin to realize that saying yes to EXPERIENCE does not mean, in any way, that you hand over control of your avatar. It just gives you the ability to get from one place to another fast.

JB:  Besides the Grand Canyon, you built another of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, that you just mentioned - Mount Everest.  Tell us more about that project?

LD:  Mt Everest was built with pixels recycled from digging out the Grand Canyon. Seriously, I love the ocean and scuba diving but I really love hiking and snowboarding and mountains. To build Mt Everest was a dream come true. I discovered a secret for raising land to over 500 meters in SL and hence Mt Everest is the highest terraformed land mass in SL. It has a gorgeous Tibetan village with dance and activities. The water falls coming from above at the Buddhist temple are very beautiful. The Temple offers Buddhist teaching scrolls and a meditation room. The music is calming and lovely. You can climb all the way to the top by way of trails and ladders and zip lines. There are secret love caves at the top. I love having built 2 of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world.

JB:  I know there are several different rides in the Grand Canyon.  Tell us what is available, and which is your personal favorite?

LD:  My favorite is our famous hot air balloon ride which has given rides to over 600,000 people. It is a way to relax and chat with a friend and get to know them better as you are carried on the wind to all the best places on my sims. There is also a hot air balloon ride at Mt Everest. I have a horse giver near the lodge and many trails. Another favorite is at the canyon bottom near the lodge and it is a rock slide avalanche. People love it although it is a little frightening. The Water Slide is well loved. The Hang gliders and para gliding are also fun. I have a submarine ride at Mermaid Park which shows off the beauty of that underwater park. There are so many fun things at the Games area. You need many days exploring to find all the activities I offer. 

JB:  How many visitors have you had to Grand Canyon properties over the years?

LD:  That is hard to say because I have not really kept track. I know the balloon ride has given over 600,000 rides so I can assume that all 4 sims in their 11 years have hosted well over a million visitors. I have a group and the members are called Grand Canyon Scouts. There are 11,500 Group members, which is quite large for SL. 

JB:  What are some of the unexpected headaches that come with running 4 sims. 

LD:  The unexpected headache is "be careful what you wish for". I always wanted to build a place people would have fun at and be loyal to and enjoy AND I didn't want to make them have to pay any fees. The people who come here are terrific and love the sims but the sims are so loved that I can't bring myself to tear them down even though they are draining my bank account. 

JB:  Did you do this all yourself?  Or does it take help to run a place of this magnitude?  Tell us about your support Staff.

LD:  I pretty much did it all myself and continue to. In the early years Tiger Zepp helped add fun things to the GC sim. Willie Frangilli and Wanli Resident have been loyal Estate Managers for many years. There have also been a few other helpers along the way who have brought their talent to help improve the sims. This past year WakiZashi Yoshikawa has been an Estate Manager and he is super creative and reliable and kind hearted and given so much unselfish attention to the sims. Waki is my partner and I doubt anyone could find a more honorable, trustworthy, Skilled programmer in all of SL. He is starting a line of mesh jewelry called Zashi and he has a shop on GC South.

JB:  What can we expect next to come from the creative mind of Lisisme Dubrovna?

LD:  I just finished the Love Tunnels and caves and created Experience on the sims. Recently I brought 2 statues I cast in bronze in RL as mesh statues to my art gallery in SL. They are unique in the techniques I used. I have a terrific permanent exposition by Igor Ballyhoo at Gallery One. I added a corral full of horses at Grand Canyon and a free horse. I added Cirque du soliel camp ground to Crater Lake. I'm sure I'll find a new project soon. I always do. 

So there you have it folks.  If you have never seen the Grand Canyon SL, you are truly missing out.  If you have been here before, I urge you to come back and see what’s new.  

Yep.  The Grand Canyon: Now more than Ever…

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Grand%20Canyon/106/193/111

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