Zyx Loves the Arboretum

Zyx Flux, the Chief Gardener at the Bay City Arboretum of Rather Atypical Vegetation (SLurl), explores a lot on her days off but it isn't unusual to find her hanging out at work anyway. That she lives in the barn behind the main building might explain it.

She tells me that she's very happy with the current exhibits, recently refreshed in a fit of activity that involved lots of blood, sweat, and dirt.

Another Topless Tuesday

Click to embiggen or see it on Flickr.

Happy Topless Tuesday. Yes, I know it has been a while since I have done one of these.
Tweaked in Pixelmator.

Topless Tuesday in a Blizzard

This is what I'm looking at outside today:

About 15" of snow in southeast Maine by Noon today, a bit more than an inch an hour. More is on the way in the next 12 hours. I really don't like snow. Nope.

This is what I want to be looking at today:

Click to embiggen or see it on Flickr here.

I want to be somewhere tropical with warm ocean water, a nice breeze, and a comfy tub to soak in when I feel like it. Being topless in the snow isn't nearly as much fun, I imagine. Happy Topless Tuesday!!

Mole Day 2015

BAY CITY, SL (26th January, 2015) - It’s nearly that time of year again when we look for furry little shadows. You do have your shadows enabled, no? It's not about groundhogs -- it's about the Moles of the Linden Department of Public Works!

Initially honored in 2010 by Residents of Bay City, Mole Day is set aside to show appreciation for The Moles and their many contributions to Bay City and the rest of the Second Life™ Grid.

This year’s annual Mole Day will again take place at the Bay City Fairgrounds (SLurl) February 2nd commencing at 5:00 p.m. SLT. The event will feature DJ GoSpeed Racer of KONA stream followed by Marky Helstein performing live at 6:00 p.m. SLT.

"Moles" are members of The Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW). The LDPW is a program focused on improvements related to the experience of living on, or visiting the Linden Mainland. The LDPW organizes teams of Resident builders, artists, and scripters (the Moles!) to create new content on Linden Lab's behalf and to the benefit of all. These Residents have the last name “Mole.”

Moles essentially build all of the grid’s infrastructure: the public roads and railways, items in our coastal waterways and protected lands, and even larger scale projects like the Linden Homes regions, premium content and experiences, and much more.

Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab® and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest group for Residents of Bay City.

For more information, or to participate in the event, please contact Marianne McCann.

# # #

Civic Regulation

A friend of mine bought some land in Zindra recently and one lot was an attractive beach front piece. With a good ground texture plus access to the ocean and a Linden road this seemed like a really good place to buy. However it suffers from Mainland diversity. Sure, I'm a champion of Mainland and the craziness which it generates, but I have to admit that my land is surrounded by nice neighbors with good taste in what they put on their land. Not so with the land heretofore mentioned.

On one side, as pictured above, is a sex club (Zindra, remember) with excessively large Full Bright signs, some in neon. The structure itself is fairly tasteful. The interior is very poorly put together, but you don't have to go look. If I drop my draw distance from 128m to 64m most of the building would disappear from this vantage point, but that's not a solution. It gets worse to the south.

That land across the road is a series of unfinished sky platforms and terrible fireworks 24/7 regardless of the day cycle. The latter I could live with. Not the sky platforms. They are more disruptive to the experience than are the bright signs on the other lot.

Mainland needs some regulation and I strongly feel that this would improve the Resident experience and possibly save Mainland, bringing in more revenue for The Lab. It has been done before. That his how Zindra was created. The Lab came along and told people "If you have adult activities such as sex clubs, shops with pornographic images, or other such content, you need to move to this new continent." To aid the mandatory move, The Lab swapped out land anywhere in SL with new land in Zindra. Early adopters and volunteers to go first got some favorable swaps. Others were simply forced.

A similar move could be done to separate residential and commercial land. I don't want my home next to a huge department store and I sure don't want my scenic landscaping next to Full Bright signs advertising boobs. Mind you, I like boobs, but sometimes it is better to conceal to reveal. To paraphrase the real estate mantra, "Atmosphere! Atmosphere! Atmosphere!" Harmonious districting of land would let those who wish to have attractive homes cluster together and set all the commercial properties together so shoppers and clubbers wouldn't have to wander all over for their needs.

First Topless Tuesday of 2015

Click to embiggen or see on Flickr!

A Pretty Picture

Very long story very short: The Real Life home care I've been doing for my mother has turned into Hospice care; from daily needs long term to just being comfortable and happy for what time is left. If I'm in-world at all, I'm probably AFK or logged in as a "getaway" alt for just a few minutes relaxation.

And now, a pretty picture!

Click to Embiggen. Taken at Barneys Bay (find it on a Map).

Second Life Yearbook Photo Challenge

Strawberry Singh is back with blogger memes and I had a few minutes to kill, so ...

"Share an image of your Second Life avatar smiling for a yearbook photo" (orignal post here).

I decided to re-create my high school senior yearbook photo but thought "maybe I should't post a blank image." Since 5th grade my picture never appeared in school publications because I always refused to participate. Starting in 8th grade we all had to have our photos taken for security reasons. Sure, years after I was kidnapped,* they wanted a photo. Locking the school door after the fire started, I guess, or something like that. We all needed photos.

In my senior year we were all to go to a studio in town for those really nice formal sittings that seniors get, but since I wasn't going to do that I had to line up with the 11th graders and let the visiting photographer snap a pic and try to talk me into getting those cheesy portrait packs to give copies to friends and relatives. Didn't happen. It is very rare I even appear in the family photo album. One of the reasons I got a camera was so I could be behind it.

The funny part is, my senior picture got lost. The guy couldn't handle the concept of separating it from the juniors sets and managed to separate me all the way to the cutting room floor. So what I re-created for here is more or less what I looked like at the time. Set your Way Back Machines® for 2006.

Click to embiggen or see on Flickr.

You can't see it from here, but my hair was down to my butt. I wore the cheapest eyeglass frames possible, no makeup, and the only clean hoodie I had. In Real Life it was a zip-up bright green one whereas all my usual ones were dark colors. Sorry, but this one is blue. One of my many Disney t-shirts capped the outfit. Jewelry? I owned one necklace and no earrings. Since people could grab you by the necklace, I almost never wore it.

The photographer often commented "I'm glad you unzipped your jacket" while constantly leering at my chest and trying to take a few shots with my torso showing. One of his really nice Broncolor lights met an untimely death "by accident" while I was zipping my hoodie on my way off the auditorium stage where the pix were being taken. Oops. Maybe the most expensive leering he's done, I'm sure. At least he didn't cop a feel or I would have heard what a Mamiya 645 sounded like when hitting the hardwood.

Second Life should have a yearbook because every Profile photo is a special statement. Sometime when you are bored, perv some profiles and I think you'l agree.

*Read through the blog a bit and you'll learn about this.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Santa wishes everyone in Bay City and all of Second Life a Merry Christmas!

I had fun posting pix of the jolly elf in Our Fair City to the Bay City Post Twitter account (@BayCityPost) through the last month and I hope you enjoyed seeing his travels.

Santa, Ever, and That Poem

While I was walking back from the Real Life pharmacy it seems that I missed another visit by Santa to Bay City but a reporter for The Post was hot on the jolly old elf's trail and posted the appearance (original here) at Ever Dreamscape's memorial in Bay City - Dennis (SLurl), giving the big guy some private time.

Readers of this blog probably remember that Christmas 2013 was Ever's last with her friends and family in Our World and in Real Life so they probably can imagine that this holiday season is that much less festive without her. It was also last year that Ever let me post a copy of her special adaptation of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore. I ran across it the other day and thought of sending a copy to the Bay City Alliance group (and still might) but after talking with a few people I thought it would be okay to freshen Ever's work a little to reflect the changes in Second Life over the last year. So here goes ...

A Visit from St. Ebbe 

Twas the night before Christmas and all thro' the lot,
Not a creature on radar not even a bot.
The stockings were rezzed by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Ebbe soon would be there.
The moles were nestled all snug in their dens,
While visions of mesh danc'd in their heads.

 My alt, who was ruthed, and I in bald cap,
Were just logging off for a long restart's nap.
When out on the sculpty lawn there arose such a clatter,
I stood from my totally G-rated bed (“honest”) to see who was griefing with pixellated matter!

Away to the teleport I flew like a flash,
Clicked on my mini map, and waited to crash.
I turned up my draw distance and opened an AR,
With graphics on high I could really cam far.
When what to my V3.67891-2a did soon rez,
But a sleigh full of prims and eight noobs (one wearing a fez)

With a prim-endowed driver, probably named Luv4Debbie,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Ebbe.
More rabid than vampires his coursers they came,
And he gestured, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now! dasher101 now! dancer22 now! prancertheromancer13 and hotchickvixen24
"On! cometcutie92 on! cupid4U69 on! donder95 and blitzenishawt;

"To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
"Now animate! Animate! Animate all!"
So up to the skybox the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of premium gifts — and St. Ebbe too:
And then in a frame, I heard on the roof
The freebie clicky heels of each little goof.
As I opened my pan zoom, and was camming around,
Down the teleport St. Ebbe rezzed with a bound:

A new shopping bag was rezzed on his head,
And he look'd like a newbie confused and full of dread:
He was skinny and tall, sliders raised to the max,
And I activated my laugh gesture, then waited for rez of my new mesh slacks;
A wink of his eye, wow he must have a face animation
Made me wonder if I 'd be better off gaming on Playstation.

Not a chat or IM, he went straight to his work,
And rezzed freebie crap all over; wow what a jerk,
And after his avatar had seemingly froze
He walked into a wall, then up the teleport he rose.
He sat on his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
But I then heard him shout, ere he drove off the sim,
"Happy Second Life to all, don't leave for Skyrim!"

Best of the season to everyone from The Poultry Report. Treasure your family and friends as they are they best gift you can ever receive in any world.

Linden Portal Park in Winter

Hot on the heels of a spectacular re-dressing of the Linden Portal Park for Halloween, The Lab has let it snow, let it snow, let it snow (SLurl). The whole region has been draped in the cold stuff and accented with some of the best decorations from Resident creators and some great stuff from the Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW) Moles. The latter's wicked sense of humor can be found everywhere you look, too.

Of course The Grid Hunt area was snowy, but the current snow fall hit every corner off the region. Check out these pictures:

The Cornfield section has some humor keeping with the in-world game's theme.

I can't decide if these mice are building a snowman or decapitating one. Mice are all over the region and they have these mysterious little crowns. Makes you wonder.

Even the un-named area got hit by the snow storm. This is probably for an up-coming game experience the Moles are working on, but it has been here since the big portal park upgrade that made it a hub for a number of activities, not just Linden Realms. Looking at this do you get the idea that the Moles have a violent streak?

The Gnome Village has turned into a gingerbread wonderland but I enjoyed the warm fire in the cave after eating the roof off of a building (Sorry, Michael).

 Speaking of Wonderlands ... the Halloween area is gone, obviously, but the Winder Wonderland area is still blocked off. With a little Resident magic (a firm Page Up smack and a bit of Up Arrow) I was able to get a sneak(y) peak at what lies beyond the fence.

Two doors on this cottage so I expect something like the Halloween fun ... one entrance for a fun experience and one for a fun experience with Occulus Rift.

I took more pictures (click to embiggen these or see them on Flickr), but decided just these few should do for now and I encourage you to head out and explore now!

Bay City Charity Auction

Readers of this blog may recall that around the time of the American Thanksgiving holiday I posted a press release for Bay City's annual tree lighting event and charity auction (see here). The party will take place on Saturday, 6th December 2014 from 1-4 pm SLT at the Bay City Fairgrounds, in North Channel (SLurl) and will feature DJ GoSpeed Racer and live performer Christov Kohnke. Additional activities will include ice-skating, dancing, refreshments and lots of other fun.

Did you see the word auction up there? Here are the items that you can bid to win!

You can visit the fairgrounds (SLurl) anytime starting NOW to see the prizes and bidding should start shortly.

Death in the Forest

One of the great mysteries in Second Life, one that rivals even the search for Magellan Linden, is they mystery of Salazar Jack and the Forest of Kahruvel (SLurl). Readers of this blog should know that I've been involved for part of this years-long story (see here). As oft happens in November, the mystery deepened recently as clues from Salazar have appeared on Twitter while photos and individualized messages  have been delivered in-world from what appears to be a tree. While patrolling the area today an experience I had last year happened again. I met Death.

Photos are more or less in chronological order.

Death was examining the columns in the area, unaccompanied by the wizard Merlin, as he was last year. This time, however, I was not alone. Kennylex Luckless was there to see Death, as well, as was Jack Meredith.

[08:09] Uccie Galway shouts: Kenny! Look out!!

[08:09] Kennylex Luckless shouts: OMG!

Kenny has just fallen, landed on Death, and bounced out of the frame.

[08:10] Kennylex Luckless shouts: I think I did land on a Grim Rapper when I did fell.

[08:10] Kennylex Luckless shouts: Ir is it reaper.

[08:10] Uccie Galway shouts: Are you okay, Kenny?

[08:10] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ shouts: MC Bᴏɴᴇs ɪɴ ᴅᴀ ʜᴀᴜs.

[08:11] Kennylex Luckless shouts: Yes, but I did step in water!

Jack Meredith shows up.

[08:11] Jack Meredith: hi kenny

[08:11] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Hᴏᴡ ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ?

[08:11] Uccie Galway: Be careful, Jack!

Me, Jack, Kenny, and DEATH.

[08:12] Uccie Galway: Death, why do you visit the forest today?

[08:13] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: I wanted ᴀ walk. And to check on this obelisk.

[08:13] Uccie Galway: Have you any news about the search for Salazar jack?

[08:14] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Hᴇ ɪs ɴᴏᴛ ʀɪɢʜᴛ.

[08:14] Uccie Galway: "Not Right" as in not well? Needs help?

[08:14] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: He is wrong.

[08:15] Uccie Galway: What is he wrong about?

[08:15] Kennylex Luckless: I think I miss what grim did say

[08:15] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Exɪsᴛᴇɴᴄᴇ.

[08:15] Kennylex Luckless: I may been a bit to far off.

[08:15] Uccie Galway: Can you help him return to this existence?

[08:16] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Hᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ sᴇᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪᴢᴀʀᴅ?

[08:16] Uccie Galway: Not for 12 moons now. Not since I last saw you.

[08:17] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Hᴇ ᴡᴀs ɢᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ. Bᴜᴛ ʜᴇ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴᴇᴅ.

[08:17] Jack Meredith: i look around a bit

[08:17] Uccie Galway: I expect Merlin to return soon.

[08:17] Uccie Galway: Take care, Jack.

[08:17] Jack Meredith: bye

[08:17] Kennylex Luckless: tc

[08:17] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Bᴇ sᴇᴇɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ.

[08:17] Jack Meredith: yes bye

[08:17] Uccie Galway: Yes. I spoke with Merlin last year. He was a bit addled. Or mysterious.

[08:18] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Hᴇ ʜᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʀɪɢʜᴛ sɪɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴᴄɪᴅᴇɴᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪs ᴄᴇʀᴇᴀʟ.

[08:18] Uccie Galway: Can the wizard help Salazar?

From a series of photos posted on My SL (here).

[08:19] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Sᴀʟᴀᴢᴀʀ Jᴀᴄᴋ ɪs ɴᴏᴛ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴍʏ ᴅᴏᴍɪɴɪᴏɴ, ᴀs sᴜᴄʜ I ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ sᴀʏ. Hᴇ ɪs ᴡʀᴏɴɢ.

[08:20] Uccie Galway: That tells me he is alive. Thank you.

[08:21] Dᴇᴀᴛʜ: Hᴇ ɪs ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ I ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ sᴇᴇ ʜɪᴍ. Hᴇ ɪs ᴡʀᴏɴɢ.

[08:22] Uccie Galway: Poof

At this point, Death disappeared, though traces of him lingered in the area for a brief time.

[08:22] Kennylex Luckless: o.0

[08:22] Kennylex Luckless: btw, I has a could and running nose-

[08:22] Uccie Galway: sorry to hear that, Kenny

[08:23] Kennylex Luckless: I need go away and rest, can you send post and updates so I can see what happens

[08:23] Uccie Galway: I will. I'm going to put my pix and chat with Death on my blog, too.

[08:23] Uccie Galway: Feel better, Friend.

[08:23] Uccie Galway: Eat pancakes. [

08:24] Kennylex Luckless: I blame Grim, I did land on him, I guess better to get a could and not death

[08:24] Kennylex Luckless: see laters

[08:24] Uccie Galway: Laters

With this incident we have learned several things. Death is aware of Salazar. Our friend is alive but something is amiss (which we rather figured). And if you bounce off of death, you catch a cold, at minimum.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Sure, its an American holiday today, but even if you ignore the fact that we are the last Super Power and you should observe our holidays, I'm sure you'll find a similar day in your culture's pantheon of observances.

One of the things I'm thankful for is my sense of humor. I'd be dead without it, though sometimes it makes others want to kill me. And I'm thankful for Second Life, where I can vent my insanity and run (albeit temporarily) from things in Real Life that .... well, you get the idea.

So, thanks to all of you for making my life here and there and everywhere better.

Lost My Geek Cred

Some think that I'm quite the geek. After all, I've got the shirt. A Second Life shirt, which is quite geeky.  Really, if you believe some press, if you aren't a pervert in SL you must be a geek. Not that the two are mutually exclusive, but that's another blog post. If that's not enough, I have a ton of gadgets, many of which get press time on this blog. I read mostly Sci-Fi/Fantasy, I watch Dr Who, and I play with Lego blocks.

Geek.

Then came along Strawberry Singh's "Geeks'n'Nerds" post on her blog and my Geek Cred was seriously challenged. I took the "How Geeky Are You" quiz she mentions and it seems I'm just a Semi-Geek:

Maybe you're just influenced by the trend, or maybe you just got it all perfectly balanced. You have some geeky traits, but they aren't as "hardcore" and they don't take over your life. You like some geeky things, but aren't nearly as obsessive about them as the uber-geeks. You actually get to enjoy both worlds.

I'm crushed. I mean, no I don't own a game console (unless you count a Wii that is never used), my phone isn't "rooted," I can't drink Mt Dew like when I was a kid, and the only code I know is Hammurabi's (Still waiting for a chance to use it).