OD DESIGNS -An in depth interview with Ortho Vargas - Dean Lawson reporting

Rocking in the virtual world

 

Are you looking for rock and roll or any contemporary musical instruments or paraphernalia? With a wide range of instruments and stage accessories there’s a good chance that OD Designs has what you’re looking for. I had a chance to discuss the inspiration behind the craftsmanship of OD Designs with owner Ortho Vargas.

 

Dean : Could you tell me about the origins of OD Designs?

 

Ortho Vargas : Almost 11 years ago I came to SL on the recommendation of a hacker friend of mine to "check out the VR".  I poked around off and on for a few months, then discovered that it was possible to build and script objects.  I built a guitar just to see if I could.  I still have that first model, its pretty rough :)   I get it out once in a while for a chuckle.  RL I am a programmer, craftsman, and musician.  Building musical instruments in SL was a natural melding of everything I enjoyed.  Its been a great ride so far.

 

 

Dean :  I visited the store and saw that some of the instruments are very realistic. Does your store sell RL brands and models such as Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster guitars?

 

Ortho Vargas : OD has endorsements from RL companies to reproduce a copy of their guitars to name .... BC Rich guitars, Dean Guitars, Turner Guitars, Washburn Guitars, Schecter Guitars & Basses, Traben Basses,  Breedlove Guitars

 

 

Dean : Do the instruments come with animations? If so could you elaborate on the different type of animations?

 

Ortho Vargas : All instruments come with a hud so you can play then straight from the box so to speak.  OD also has 3 'add-on' guitar huds with a lot more animations than the standard (approx 70+ mocap animations) hud to allow for a more professional look when playing.  Also OD has a vocal hud which again has 50+ Mocap animations to mix and match for that professional singing look.

 

 

Dean : What is the extent of the inventory at OD Designs?

 

Ortho Vargas : OD produces a range of instruments, mainly guitars ranging from your hard rock electrics to the more classical acoustics with a few 'specials thrown in to keep things exciting'.  Other products include horns, keyboards, and many more.  OD also has the only harmonica driven by hud animations in SL.

 

OD has no less than 11 different D4 fully mesh Drum Sets one of which is the special 'cow bell' for those moments when you just need a bit extra cow.

 

At the back of the store is a full stage set up so people can view the optional extras for stage equipment, Lights, Pyro's, Lasers (not just for Dr Evil) along with a Particle Lab that allows people to create their own added effects.  Plus some speakers of which there are exploding ones

 

 

Dean :  Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about OD Designs?

 

Ortho Vargas : OD has 3 stage area's so we can hold full festival set ups if needed along with allowing people to come play whether they are just starting out or a fully established group.  There is a LIVE stage area where we invite live artists to sing or play instruments.

 

For every new release we have a party (in 2 time zones) which allows people to view and get the new release at a discount along with the possibility of actually winning one.

 

There is a monthly 'OD ROCKER' or 'OD ROCKER BABE' who if they are lucky enough to be chosen they get some gifts, a page on the OD calendar and invited to select events around SL.

 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/OD%20Designs/64/86/22

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In memory of Courtesan DeCuir

As the various events for The Relay for Life for 2012 get ready to kick off I would like to share this story with you.

In 2007 one Courtesan DeCuir arrived in Second Life. Courtesan DeCuir who had been a prior cancer survivor took Relay for Life very seriously. One year she did a tribute as her music Idol “Martina McBride” during Relay for Life to help those who were in need and another time we heard Courtesan speak once more through Martina McBride in the words of her release “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”.

Now it's forced smiles and baggy shirts

To hide what the cancer took from her

But she just wants to feel like a woman again

She said, "I don't think I can do this anymore"

He took her in his arms and said “That's what my love is for”

In her time in SL, Courtesan met and eventually married Ortho Vargas. Courtesans’ impact on Ortho was immediate. She mentioned to her friends that her greatest moment was when he took a picture of her hair and with that image he created the REDHEAD.

On the very last day of Relay for Life 2011, Courtesan DeCuir passed away from a brief illness. Her loss has transcended friendship and family.

The team at JCS decided to dedicate the ‘Devoted to a Cure’ logo for the 2012 Relay for Life to her.

The BASS GUITAR is the BC RICH READHEAD. The original graphic in the guitar is of Courtesans hair.

The Four Strings signify the four years Courtesan blessed us with her presence. 2007 to 2011. Each year symbolizing a year. The wings signify her Transition and Ascension into heaven. At the very top behind the neck of the Guitar you will see a heart; the shadows mean that she continues to reach out to everyone. You will also notice two streaks of water; the first streak is to remind us of the tears shed when we learned she had passed away. The Second streak is for the tears shed on the day of her memorial. Behind the wings are linked music notes. These represent the harmony Ortho and Courtesan shared with one another and to remind us of the music that brought them together.

The connected circles you see are really a C and an O = Courtesan and Ortho.

And finally the last partially filled in circle is called the circle of life. JCS believe that it takes a lifetime to really get to know someone, especially when that person accepts your hand and agrees to share that lifetime with you. They also feel that Courtesan was taken away too soon. So they left this circle partially unfinished to remind us all, just how precious life truly is.

Please, if you have the means, give to Relay for Life. No one is promised tomorrow. Only with your help can we give hope to those that are still trying to complete their Circle of Life.

Dedicated to Courtesan DeCuir by

Johnathan Hiess, Jenna Coppola, Tari Ember and the Entire JCS Family

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