Skin Burn!

Following is a Press Release (italics and links added) from Burn2 for the "Skin Burn" -- the last celebration for Burn2 this year and a chance to be naked (if you wish) with a lot of other people.

Burn2 is still going. Don't think it is over.

Burning Man’s Ten Principles calls for Radical Self Expression. As part of that Self Expression, Burning Culture includes nudity and decorated nudity. For BURN2 we see it as an opportunity to celebrate Burning Culture while watching The Man burn under low lag conditions! We do this by showing up with Avatars in just a skin, no prim attachments or scripts at all, so we have minimal Avatar Rendering Cost (ARC) slowing down the Virtual Playa server. First tried in 2010, this event was an instant hit. We're bringing it back again to the Virtual Playa with the Skin Burn on November 12th! ! Below you will find the information for this years skin burn. To get to Silver Seed one must be in the Skinburn Group and have activated the tag. Hope to see you all there. If you have any questions please contact Ladyslipper Constantine or Gemma Cleanslate.

Date: November 12, 2011

Times: DJ music will be playing from 11am - 3pm SLT. The Man will burn at 12:30 pm, slt.

Place: Silver Seed sim

Details: Everyone must be checked in first for low ARC and low script count at a place off sim. Once they pass the checks, they will be invited to the skin group and given the LM to Silver Seed. Check-ins will be from 10:30am - Noon SLT and will then close. Free art skins will be available at the check in for those who don't have one.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sonyo/36/240/401

An Open Secret

A couple times now I've posted about Las Arenas Rosadas (SLurl), one of the most beautiful tropical regions in all Second Life, but what I've been keeping secret is that it is part of an archipelago of islands that are just as beautiful. The secret seems to be out, though, as each time I visit more people seem to be there, especially on a wee-sized sand islet that I love for relaxing or cuddling with my wife, Angela.

That would be Las Olas Azules (SLurl), a teeny little bit of sand and rocks and a few trees, but truly fabulous. You can sit in the trees or there is a nice set of couples cuddles (sometimes more than one).

Looking Northeast toward Las Arenas Rosadas, just over the horizon if you have more than a 128m draw distance. Keeping that low when I visit adds to the sense of isolation.

The South-Southwest view here shows part of Las Rocas and Las Islas (to the right).

Las Rocas (SLurl), less isolated due to it's situation between two commerce regions but still gorgeous, is more of a hub for folks to gather with it's enormous natural rock formations and plenty of places to poke around.

Part of the rock formations on Las Rocas with several platforms with seating and the beach has a cuddle bed under a cabana. It's hard to find a bad view no matter where you are at.

My only disappointment? No seascaping. If you scuba or mermaid (yes, it can be a verb) there is nothing to see. And if you just want to swim you have to bring your own AO. Still, one would visit these regions for the views above sea level, not for what you might find below.

Las Lagunas (SLurl; not pictured), one of the two regions with shops, is also beautiful. The shops are lovely and if I had some money I'm sure I would soon be without money. Visit there with a friend and make a day of it then head out to one of the remote islands for some quiet time. You might see me there.

Graphics maxed, I'm resting in the tree on Las Olas Azules.

Blackspot Shipyard

For various reasons a few folks know but that I won't mention here yet (though I am willing to tease, it seems), I'm shopping for a Tall Ship in Second Life. During my search I came across a group of fabulous sims centered on the Blackspot Shipyard (SLurl). The ships I found are fabulous, but I found myself busy exploring the landscape and infrastructure, clearly amongst the finest anywhere in Our World. Teeny nitpicks aside (like the occasional mismatched texture or a prim face with poorly set repeats), the build is fantastic. This isn't just a nice landscape with structures set out and some furniture plopped down. This is an adapted ecosystem.

The structures are organic as if the builders had to contend with an intractable landscape, suiting the construction to the terrain. It really looks like a 18th century pirate outpost. Well, like the way I imagine one to look as I've never actually seen one. The rich, dark textures lend extra authenticity to the build, but you really need to see it in person to see what I mean. Until you go, here are some pictures.

You may have noticed the pirate in these pix. It's me in my Grendels Pirate Boxbot Avie.

Lots of scenic views from the ships. Each is for sale, costing upwards of L$9000 each but are highly detailed and wonderfully laid out. Arrrgghh ... I'm a fierce sea-farin' soul. Fear my paper cuts!

There's a shop with wonderful pre-fabs in that thar castle, which itself is also for sale.

This looks like a wonderful place for role play, but every time I've visited I was pretty much the only person there. The About Land stats showed very little traffic, which is a shame.

Guy Fawkes Day

Angela, my loving wife, found this great Guy Fawkes mask on the SL Marketplace for FREE (Web)! You can also get it at Sirius Solo's store (SLurl or check his Profile Picks). Get ready now for your celebration of Guy Fawkes Day.

What? You haven't heard of it? There's a whole history to it (check here on the Web, to start), but essentially it is the story of a man fed up with what he believed to be an intolerant and unjust government so he tried to destroy it with spectacular violence. He failed, but since then he has come to represent oppressed people everywhere. Or so those who adopt him as an icon believe. Read about it and make up your own mind.

But really ... you haven't seen the excellent movie V for Vendetta (Web)? Well, you have time.

Haunted House Adieu

Until Next Year

The Menagerie Isle 2011 Haunted House was swallowed up in a mystical vortex today, an eerie voice in the wind saying "Until Next Year!!!!"

Many thanks to the hundreds of folks who visited this year. I hope you had a fabulous time. Since many were first day residents I don't think they'll see this blog just yet, but I hope they know that they are appreciated. Also, thanks to Angela Seale (my wife) for spot checking the build and helping with security. Threshin Barnett lent the big sea dragon to me for the pirate area. Lots of folks IMd with comments, all positive, thank goodness, and I give them my thanks, too.

Tons of thanks to Janeforyou Barbara, Menagerie Isle's owner and Head Ranchero. Stupid me, it never occurred to me in all the years I've used her land for my project that I should have had her put out a tip jar. Well, with any luck she sold some horses or whatever critters she is raising now (Robots? Come see them here). She's an absolute dear and one of the most generous people in all Second Life. She deserves good things.

Soon I'll sort through the 40-something photos I took before the tear down and post the best on this blog. But I'm already thinking about next year and saving my L$ for what could be my best Halloween attraction yet. I hope to see you then :)