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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CLUB FRICTION: SL'S HOTTEST ADULT ENTERTAINMENT VENUE – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

My guest today is Zeehra Cordeaux, owner and operator of Friction, SL’s hottest and most unique Adult entertainment club. Friction caters to the most discerning adults in a fun and engaging atmosphere.  Guests initially come to Friction as customers, but find that after only a couple of visits, they leave as family.  When I first arrived at Friction and started exploring the many rooms and spaces there, I could tell this was NOT your average Adult club. Friction has accommodations for both text-based and voice-based interactions, as well as state-of-the-art animations in a comfortable and relaxed environment.  I caught up with Zeehra while she was tending bar.  She still had a few minutes before the anticipated afternoon rush of patrons, so we sat comfortably as I asked her a few questions…

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB:      So tell me, Zeehra? What sets FRICTION apart from the many other adult clubs out there?

Zeehra Cordeaux (ZC):   - Friction is an adult entertainment club and what makes it so special is the welcoming, professional vibe that our guests feel when they enter our premises. We pride ourselves in maintaining the social aspect of Friction as well as the adult areas. Our staff are very carefully hand-picked to fit into our theme and our vision which is extremely important to us. Friction is designed to provide a "safe place" or an extra home away from home, so to speak, a family for both our staff and our guests. We often hear that people come to us for the strippers but they stay for the vibe which is why we have the slogan "...can you feel it?".

JB:    Where did you get the idea for FRICTION? Is there some history here?

ZC:   - It's a bit of a bizarre story really. Before Friction came to be I was working at a few other clubs for a while and there was one in particular that ended up giving me the nudge that I needed to start planning my own club. During the interview to get hired, I was told that I didn't have to do anything that I wasn't comfortable with doing.  However, AFTER I was hired, I was pressured and expected to do things against my will.  I brought this up with the management and I got the response that "Oh no, you DO have to do THAT. Otherwise, I don't think you are even fit to work in this business". Needless to say, I then quit and decided to open up my own place and shape it into what Friction is today. A safe place for everyone to enjoy without punishments or forced anything, where we can always say no without question if we feel uncomfortable in any way.

JB:    How big a staff do you maintain here, and who are the true movers and shakers that keep FRICTION up and running, so to speak?

ZC   -At the moment we have roughly 40 employees working for us. We hire both males and females which also means that we cater to everyone’s needs and desires. There is a lot of work involved in running a business in Second Life and quite frankly, we wouldn't have been able to do it to the extent that we have if it wasn't for our wonderful staff. They are the hearts and souls of Friction and the ones that are carrying out our vision and they do it perfectly. We are very proud of each and every one of them and we feel so privileged that they have chosen us as their employers. We all work together as a team with a "one for all and all for one" kind of mindset.

 JB:    As I was touring your extensive facilities the other night, I saw a couple of things I didn’t quite understand. What is a “miepon”?  Also, you have an area dedicated to  “Textopia?  What is that all about?

ZC:   - Miepons are a really fun addition to any club really. They are little tokens that one can purchase from so-called miepon machines that contain an action of some sort. These tokens can be handed over to the dancers as they are on stage in order to have them perform the action. It can be any kind of action really, anything from sounding like a mating turtle for 30 seconds to a 2-minute lovense control link. Of course, our dancers can choose to say no if they don't want to perform said action but that very rarely happens as they are so much fun. People really enjoy them.

- The place you visited was temporarily named "Textopia" but was renamed the "TexXxt Club". This is an area that caters to text roleplay only and will bypass anything that has to do with voice. We wanted an area for those who enjoy Second Life how it used to be before the voice option took over extensively.

JB:    I see you have a fairly well-stocked “Gift Shop” as well, for purchasing those special presents for yourself or those “hard to buy for” folks on your gift list.  How’s business there? 

ZC:   - The "Gift Shop" is quite a success actually. It contains many fun things that people previously didn't realize that they needed, much like most other material things in life, such as attachments that allow you to interact with others in fun or naughty ways, furniture, and some HUD's like Stepford Wife Implant, and Mama Alpha. We are big supporters of our affiliates in the shop and we own many of their items ourselves which is why we can wholeheartedly recommend them to others.

JB:    What types of Events do you have here? 

ZC:   - We currently have three weekly events that run for the whole day. There is Wicked Wednesday where all our menu services are 50% off. We also have something called Fuzzy Friday which is a fairly new and fun one. This is where all the staff that aims to work that day dress up as furries or nekos, both for a bit of a change in scenery but also to show some extra appreciation to the lovely furry guests that visit us. Last but not least we have SUN-Day Fun-Day where we are operating from our beach. It's almost like going on holiday once a week to enjoy some sun and a tropical environment. On Sundays, we are all down at the beach instead of up in the clubs. Another important thing to add is that all our events run for 24 hours to make sure that everyone can part-take no matter which time zone they are in. Additionally, we host themed events when people want to celebrate their rezz-days or birthdays as well as being available to cater to requested events that someone might want to see at Friction.

JB:    I saw you have plenty of games and play areas…both in the Arcade…and in the Dungeon.   What are some of the other areas that guests might enjoy during a visit to FRICTION?

ZC:   - In the Arcade one can enjoy many different and classic video games such as Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat. We also have mud-wrestling, Greedy Fruit slot machines, Buzz Roulette, and a section for gaming with Lovense. 

- We have three "playrooms", all in different styles, such as the dungeon that you saw. These rooms are for private time between guests and staff and contain many fun things to enjoy.

- We have a Lounge where people can sit around and chat, cuddle, get to know each other, or play games such as Cheesy and Hand & Foot. It's a very casual and relaxing area and one of the things that Friction was likely first with implementing.

- We have three different clubs. The Red Club where the vocal ladies dance, the Blue Club where the vocal gentlemen dance, and a new Purple Club which is for those who write only.

- Another fun area is The Secret Key which is for our Elite VIPs only. An area where they can hang out and get to know the staff away from the rest of the club.

- Last but not least we have an amazing nude beach which is a roleplay/fun area for everyone to enjoy freely. It contains several different games such as playable Volley-Ball and coconut-cracking. There are many secluded areas where one could enjoy a nice,  romantic date with a loved one, or a group of friends. There is also a stage down there for the one day every week that we utilize the beach for work, which is Sunday as I mentioned before.

JB:    How might someone learn “What’s Happening at FRICTION?”

ZC:   - The best way to stay up to date with any happenings that involve Friction would be to join our Discord server. It is free to join, however, you need to become part of our free VIP group in Second Life in order to be able to see all the different channels in Discord.

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

ZC:   - I would like to take a moment to shed some light on a very honorable organization called Echovets. Friction has recently become supporter of this organization which is a whole sim made up for war veterans that are in need of support in any way. They exist in "the real world" as well which is what this Second Life group is based on. It is a place for veterans to meet up and support and comfort each other without actually meeting up. A safe haven where they can be themselves and get help with any issues that are lingering after being stationed in a war zone. Take a moment to look them up, show them some support, or even drop them a little donation. They are worth it.

Soooo…there you have it, Folks.  For the Best in Adult Entertainment to be found anywhere on the Grid, hop on over to Friction.  You’ll be glad you did.  And when you do, tell ‘em Josh sent ya,

Be there! Aloha

JB

- Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/friction/ 

- Discord: https://discord.gg/rxBA58yjCu 

- SLurl: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Loveless%20Atoll/112/55/1001

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HELLO TO HOLLYWOOD: WAARHEID, SL's SECOND FULL-LENGTH MOVIE OPENS TO CRITICAL ACCLAIM – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC), REPORTING.

SecondLife is a Virtual World, created entirely by its residents.  Some residents express their creativity by building lands and homes; others by creating clothing designs and fashions that rival anything found on the runways of Milan.  Still, others express their creativity through interpersonal relationships or images, or music.  

Every once in a long while, someone comes along who combines all those forms of creativity into a full-length motion picture that rivals many of the animated feature films to come out of Hollywood.

My guest today is SL-renowned author and filmmaker, Huckleberry Hax.  I caught up with Mr. Hax at his home, where he graciously agreed to share with our SL Enquirer audience a behind-the-scenes look into the making of his second full-length feature film, WAARHEID. 

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB: What made you decide to make a movie in SL

Huckleberry Hax (HH):  WAARHEID is actually my second feature-length movie. I released my first - STÖMOL - in July 2020 and it went on to come second place in the SUPERNOVA digital animation film festival. There was a bit of a twist ending to that movie and quite a few people asked me for a sequel. I wasn't planning on creating one initially, but I quickly changed my mind. The broader answer to your question, though, is that I love creating stories. I've written a number of novels set in Second Life, so a movie that used it as a platform for animation seemed like a great idea to me. Also, I'd been playing around with virtual photography for a number of years and wanted to see if I could apply what I'd learned through that to a movie format.

JB: Without giving too much away, what is WAARHEID about?

HH:   WAARHEID's a science fiction movie set in a time when the climate has collapsed, and knowledge and information is tightly controlled by the ruling conglomerate government. One of the mechanisms for this control is through 'official history' - a fiction created by the Cong to obscure from people the reality of what has happened to the planet. In the previous movie, a guy called Epi Stömol snatched a couple of young coders who were able to access old media files rendered obsolete by the Cong's 'digital hygiene' policy. He also betrayed Erika Janssen AKA Waarheid - the 'Truth Hunter.' Now she wants her revenge.

JB:Interesting premise for a movie.  I can’t wait to read the novel. ☺  So tell us, how long did this project take?

HH:We started filming in August 2020 and the final touches were made to the film about a week before release in December 2022 - so, 28 months all in.

JB: Who were some of your chief collaborators in this project?

HH: I was assisted throughout by Caitlin Tobias, my assistant director. She also plays the main character of Waarheid. The movie co-stars AvaJean Westland, who played Totuus - a hacker for an underground history movement. My other actors included Strawberry Singh, Ylva, Boudicca Amat, Lydia Lindemann, and Mich Michabo. The movie also features original music from my long-term RL buddy, G J Hicks. My friend, Dizi, designed three of the avatars in the movie (Epi Stömol, Belletristik, and the 'Rachel' avatar she uses for her own brief role). Then there's a huge list of other people, including short parts, movie extras, and the sim/installation owners who made their spaces available to me to film in. And let's not forget all the content creators whose content was used in some way - that list would be endless!

JB: I guess that list would be pretty lengthy at that.  Making a Full-length Movie is quite an undertaking.   Have you, or any of your crew, had experience in the Film industry before this project?

HH: AvaJean is an actor in RL who's had many TV roles, but other than that no. The main thing I bring to this is my history of storytelling and, um, watching movies!

JB: Do you have another movie in mind?  A Sequel, perhaps?

HH:    There are no plans for a sequel to WAARHEID at the moment, no. I do have a new machinima project in mind that I hope to start work on later this year, though it will be a mini-series rather than a movie. I want to try out something different!

JB: What an amazingly complex project, requiring graphic artists, voice actors, multiple characters, scriptwriters, Recording artists, the whole bit.  How were you able to assemble such a diverse crew of specialists to help produce this Movie?

HH: Mostly these are friends of mine in my SL and RL. It's really just a question of getting to know people's strengths and talents, how they might be used (for example, what roles they might be suited to) and what comfort zones they might be nudged just a little outside of where needed. For the role of Totuus, we needed someone new so I put out a casting call on my blog back in May 2021 and we were delighted to audition AvaJean and then offer the role to her.

JB: Did you receive any support or assistance from Linden Labs on this project?

HH: Yes. Lindens were really happy with the movie when I showed them a preview copy back in October last year. They offered to host an inworld premiere at the Film Threat cinema, which was attended by over 100 people on 15 December - it was an amazing evening! They also did a lot of promotion of the film, including via their social media and an episode of LabGab where Cait, AvaJean, and I were interviewed by Strawberry.

JB: Interesting the parallels between Inversum, and SecondLife, especially when the protagonist was explaining why people would want to spend time there.  I like how you addressed what motivates people to visit Inversum…and as a parallel, SecondLife.

HH: And to some extent some of the things being said more broadly about the 'metaverse' in the present mainstream discourse. Though I was less trying to make any sort of specific statement about virtual worlds per se than I was using the Inversum as a metaphor for the narratives and mistruths we're sold by both government and big corporations (hence the 'government' of this world being a 'conglomerate' - it's a commercial organization taking on a governing role). An important tactic that one of the Cong characters in the movie uses to try to persuade Waarheid that his version of history is the more useful one is to claim that it will benefit the poor and the downtrodden - it's a common narrative element that gets wheeled out just before every election (and yet, somehow, after all these claims and promises, we still have people living in poverty...).

JB: You make an excellent point there.  So…What’s Next?  You mentioned a mini-series earlier. What future projects can we see coming from your team of creative minds?  

HH: My next project will be a five or six-part mini-series set in a hotel during the first UK lockdown - a murder mystery, in fact! SciFi will always be my first love (and SL is an amazing place to create SciFi machinima) but I want to try something different now that comes with its own set of new challenges.

Oh, and I also have a new novel coming out early this year - it's called 'Love is a Corrupted Data Stream' and this one *is* a SciFi story. It's set in a virtual world called Pink Dawn, where people upload their brain scans after they die in real life. I've been working on this novel on and off now for a little over two years, so I'm eager to get it finished and out there!

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

HH: Certainly.   For more information on this, and other projects we are working on, be sure and check out the following links:

People can watch the movie from this web page: https://huckleberryhax.wordpress.com/2022/12/18/waarheid-full-feature-2022/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/huckleberryhax

Website: https://huckleberryhax.wordpress.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HuckHax

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huckhax

So there ya have it folks. Huckleberry and company have really created something amazing here.  Do yourself a favor and check it out for yourself.  The movie is completely free to view. And stay tuned to the next amazing product to be coming soon to an SL Theater near you.

And tell ‘em Josh sent ya.

Be there.  Aloha!

JB

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DIRTY RYTHMS: YA CAN’T KEEP A GOOD SIM DOWN – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

This past week, in my sojourns around the Grid, I ran into a wonderful couple, Richh and Alexxxa Devin, the owner/proprietors of Dirty Rythms.  Many of you will remember DR from years past, as it has always been a mainstay of adult club venues in SL.   After a Decade of service to the SL Community, Richh and Alexxxa decided to close their Fan-Favorites club, while they were still immensely popular, preferring to direct their attention to other pursuits.  But, after two years with constant encouragement from their legion of fans and friends,  they decided to reopen DR in a completely new venue.   On their anniversary, Richh opened a new club, Alexxxa’s Place…and the rest of DR returned around it.

One of the things that have always been a trademark of Dirty Rythms in general, and the proprietors specifically, has been Richh’s phenomenal generosity towards his guests.  Whether it is the gifts he gives out every hour to randomly selected guests at their events or the way he salts the ‘Sploder with extra cash, so “everyone’s a winner”.  Or perhaps it is the monthly photo contest with one lucky winner each month walking away with the 3,000 Linden prize!   Richh and Alexxxa run a First-Class operation, completely free of charge to their many guests. 

I managed to corner Richh and Alexxxa between gigs, and they graciously consented to answer a few questions I posed.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB):    Hi Alexxxa and Richh!  Thanks for agreeing to chat with me.  Let me start off by asking how did you come up with the idea for “Dirty Rythms”?

Richh Devin (RD):   Dirty Rythms was always intended for the discriminating adults as an awesome spot for adult playtime as well as the hot spot for some of the best  DJs on the grid.

JB:    What an amazing build here.  Tell me, what is the basic Theme of the Dirty Rythms?

RD: Theme: Music and Entertainment

Dirty Rythms has everything for discriminating adults. Hot playtime spots with the best gear in SL. Awesome beach hangouts, picture-perfect spots for the SL photographers, and party spots for you and your friends, featuring some of SL's hottest DJs. Your fantasies come true! 

JB: What makes the Dirty Rythms compound different from other Adult Sims out there?

Alexxxa Devin (alexxxa.mynx) (AD): Dirty Rythms has been built with much attention to detail.  Upon exploring the sim people will find the perfect spot for photographs, naughty play, or both!  Music on the sim is commercial free and there are screens set up in strategic spots all over the sim for guests to watch the commercial-free video playlist!

JB: Tell me about some of the various areas in Dirty Rythms?

AD: We have various venues for themed parties such as Tiki Cove, the Tiki Bar,  Tiki Country,  the Beachhouse, the Romantic Gazebo, Alexxxa's Place  Lounge & Discotheque, the Photo Studio and of course,  the Swingers Clubhouse!      On exploring the Clubhouse, you will find the best Red Room on the grid, IMHO! Using the Teleporters on the sim you can select the various venues available here. There are also some hidden private spots on the sim, which people will find when exploring.

JB: OK Alexxxa… tell me…and I promise to keep it just between you and me….(and our 70,000 readers each month)….what are some of your personal Favs here at Dirty Rhythms?

 As a DJ of course I love being at the events of some of the best DJs on the grid right here at Dirty Rythms.  And, of course, we have some of the best furniture and gear for naughty play all over the sim, something for everyone, which we have tested thoroughly! 

JB: Do you have accommodations for people who may want to live here?

Currently, there are no rentals at Dirty Rythms. However, we have some  people who have made Dirty Rythms their 'home base' where they log in like home

JB: As you know, there is no shortage of Adult entertainment sims here.  What is the “Dirty Rythms” difference and why should people come here for all their entertainment needs?

 AD: We take pride in Dirty Rythms being the adult sim with class. You will discover that once you visit us.  People are encouraged to come and get naughty and know that they can expect to be respected because NO means NO on our sim.  The BIG difference?  No long list of rules when you land!    Our welcoming notecard mentions RESPECT and if respect is used by all, a list of rules should not be required!

JB: What has been your greatest challenge in operating Dirty Rythms?

RD: With the ever-dwindling numbers of people on SL lately, attendance to events, etc has been an issue but numbers have been increasing lately.  

JB: I understand you host special events here.  How can people find out about those things?

AD: We advertise all events on the SL Events page, the Dirty Rythms groups notices, as well as on our Dirty Rythms Discord page!   DJ Alexxxa's SL  Group is also used for all Dirty Rythms events advertising!  For booking special events such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc, please contact   Alexxxa Mynx (Devin).

JB: And how about the future?  Do you have any improvements or changes in mind for the weeks and months ahead?

AD: For the future, in the new year there ARE some plans in the works.  Once ready for unveiling, those will be revealed in the Dirty Rythms Groups notices as well as in Alexxxa's Group notices and of course, Dirty Rythms Discord page.  

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

RD: We encourage all who read about us in the SL Enquirer to come and explore the sim and they will find their perfect spot for hanging out with their friends.   They are also very welcome to join us at the events as advertised on the board, on the events page, or on our Discord page.  Special events will also be advertised there!

So there you have it, folks.  If you are looking for a beautifully built sim, with wonderful events, adult entertainment options, and the most gracious hosts on the Grid, let me encourage you to drop on by and check ‘em out.   You’ll be glad you did.  And if you run into Richh or Alexxxa….Tell ‘em Josh sent ya!

BE there.  Aloha!

Additional Information: 

SURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dirty%20Rythms/95/132/22

Discord:  https://discord.gg/8rYSS2jv 

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/357924454650967

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CYBERSEX 101 – NOOB GUIDE TO LOVE ON THE GRID (PART 3): JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

What follows are the results of extensive research where we surveyed dozens of Subject Matter Experts on the topic.  We have distilled the collected wisdom from 33 of those experts. Altogether, these individuals have amassed over four CENTURIES of residency in SecondLife, totaling 435 years of experience! Let me encourage you to read and heed their guidance and suggestions as you navigate your own way through the pleasure and pitfalls of “love on the grid”

In Part 1 of our series, our panel of experts identified some of the more cringeworthy mistakes that noobs make during cyber sex.  You can read Part 1 by going to:

http://www.slenquirer.com/2022/01/cybersex-101-noob-guide-to-love-on-grid.html 

In Part 2, we looked at what our seasoned experts believe makes for a particularly good Cybersexual encounter,

http://www.slenquirer.com/2022/03/cybersex-101-part-2-noob-guide-to-love.html 

Finally, here in Part 3, we will wrap up our series with an open question to allow our seasoned experts to expand  on anything else they wanted to share about the topic

I asked our panel of experts “Is there anything else on the topic [of Cybersex] you would like to share?”

The answers from our panel basically fell into “The Three As”  

• Quality AVATAR, 

• Quality ATTITUDE 

• Quality ACTIONS.  

Let’s take a look at these one at a time. 

Quality Avi

Our panelists had a lot to say about the importance of a decent-looking Avatar.  In these days of Mesh and BOM, the experienced person looks to see that a potential sexual partner takes pride in how they look.  SL is largely a visual medium…so make sure the visuals are First Class  Specific comments included:

“The quality of your AVI matters, just like in RL. It is your first impression. Make it a good one. Oh and this is very important too...if you meet a really good-looking guy, all meshed up, etc…and only two or three months old, just be cautious.  Unless learning how to mesh up has been made easier to do, then it does take time to learn the ropes in SL...the good places to go to for shapes and skins, and clothes and hair.  When  a two-day-old "newbie" has a perfect avatar, you know it is not a "newbie" but an alt.”

“In SL, as in most things, you will get out of it what you put into it.  If you want to come in with a base avatar and pose hop, that is fine, but you will probably find the encounters less than exciting after the first few.  Put effort into it, and you will reap the rewards.  Your avatar, your approach, your seduction...all of it comes together to make the experience much more intense than what is just on the screen.  Like I said, as with most things in life, you get out of it exactly what you put into it.  Good luck, and happy F**king!”

“For the females, the better you look, the more IMs you will get --- but be picky.  Make sure that there is a click between you two.  Do you find him attractive?  Does he make you laugh?  Trust me, once you find yourself in bed with him better to find this out first, than doing a fake crash on the guy”

Quality Attitude

In SL, as well as in RL, great sex starts with a great attitude.  Some of our panelists had a lot to share on this particular item

“You must like it to be able to enjoy it.  If you like it is the best activity of SL (along with building things.)”

“There are many different types of people you meet. Somewhere out there is a person you can relate to. You can share your wants and needs with. Take your time exploring with others until you find the one that captures your whole being. It is well worth the wait. There are so many things you can explore here that you might never try in RL. Explore them and find your wants and desires it will make you a better person... The most important thing I have found is...ALWAYS be yourself...be true to yourself...Don’t change who you are for someone else. and always be honest with your feelings...You won’t go wrong that way. 😊”

“It's really about understanding people. We all are different and have different needs and attractions. For me, it really helps to know someone before having cyber sex with them. I enjoy getting to know the person and that makes the sexual experience much more titillating and fun. Learn all you can about SL and be respectful of the people in it.”

“The main thing is to relax and have fun. This is Second Life. It isn't here to replace your regular life. Don't get hung up and clingy with someone. Don't be too pushy either. Just keep everything relaxed. Having a fun interaction is all it is about, paying attention to the other person and connecting with them.”

“Don’t be “thirsty” .. don’t private message a bunch of girls at the same time with the same line.  You should really let people message you if they are interested.  Or maybe you could chat in local first.” 

“Watch what they say vs what they do...meaning actions vs words!  That is very,  very important.”

“It’s best to not have expectations...other than that...just have Fun.  After all, SL is supposed to be fun!!

And what is this “Emoting” thing everyone talks about?

“I think a whole article could be dedicated to the subject of emoting. The problem is many don’t know how or don’t want to learn. Responding, "mmmmmmm", or "MMMhMMM!"  to everything I say, is not emoting. Describe how I look, and how you feel when I touch you or when you touch me. That is emoting. Another big mistake is, telling your partner what they are doing, feeling, or experiencing. That practice is almost as bad as telling me to [climax], 3 seconds after you [enter me]” 

“Build the tension. and never approach someone and say your cute let’s f**k!”

One of the most often quoted pieces of advice here is: 

“Always remember that there is a real person behind the avatar. Just because we CAN be anonymous doesn’t mean we need to ACT like idiots. Be kind to people. There is a human behind every keyboard........ not everyone is here just to f**k.”

Quality Actions

So….you have yourself a Quality Avi and you have a Quality Attitude.  Finally, you need to tie these together with Quality Actions.

“Don’t rush. Take your time. Look around and pay attention to how things are done here: I can't tell you how many times some noob on his first day in SL, dressed in a freebie avatar, has come to me and said "I want sex with you" or things like that.  But that’s the point... they need to KNOW they don’t know how things are done here.”

Choose your setting carefully.  Cheesy animations that leave you with whiplash as you rocket through the positions are no fun for anyone.

“Script makers of all those sex beds and couches still haven't figured out creating real-life physics and dynamics for avatars to where movements are lined up realistically and automatically. We still see avatars in love-making positions merging body parts into each other: legs into torsos, arms, elbows, hands into heads and eyeballs, cocks into butt cheeks or thighs. Sexual intercourse is hit or miss where it often doesn't even look like sexual parts actually fit into each other. Especially when a man has an oversized appendage and it pops out of the tummy of a woman. The sex AOs is still a frustrating mess.”

“For many, the idea of cyber sex is just the act, but unless you are devoid of rational thought, you will quickly realize that the experience is and will be as good as the effort you put into it. As in all things, strike the right mood by going somewhere romantic, like the Grand Canyon Sims, where private areas abound and make the whole evening special. Don't forget that women appreciate intimacy more than just going for the goal line. Do not assume that everyone in SL is just here for the sex.  A nice date and foreplay are a plus.”

“Do not expect a person to orgasm, male or female or trans, almost immediately upon sexual activity. Foreplay should be fun. Dancing can be a great foreplay start to cybersex/, oh you might want something by role-playing, RP.”

 Regarding Voice and/or Camera

Some people like to introduce voice immediately into the process.  Others do not

“NO, I do not want to hear your bassy sex voice, your deep breathing, or your lisp. I don't want to hear your stupid sex chat in any way, shape, or form.  It totally ruins the immersion for me because people   rarely sound as expected.”  

Some people like the idea of seeing the RL behind the Avi.  Many do not.  Tread carefully here, and be sure you are both in full agreement 

“NO, I am not camming for you. I do not want you to record me, nor do I wish to see your bearded face, your acne, your bird chest, your weird-looking penis, your crooked teeth or frazzled hair - I don't even want to see a picture of you - Camming is a serious invasion of my privacy and crosses all of my boundaries by a mile.”

“Insisting with Cam or Voice after I said NO the first time will get you blocked. especially if you have the insolence of suggesting that I hide from those around me or similar nonsense -- EXCUSE ME? I hide enough as it is. I have nothing to prove and am not taking any risks for you, STRANGER. “   

One particularly observant commentator said:

“The guy has to like shopping...if he complains about it, then that is a red flag as well.”

What about “toys”

“Watching and hearing, and now being able to connect with toys makes SL even more special, adding parts to be able to rub one another make cuddling and sex more real. 

And a final word of advice from our panelists  

“Don't get 'caught' by RL. RL is the innocent and doesn't deserve to have to go through the trauma of finding a loved one masturbating with a cartoon girlfriend.”

So there you have it, folks.  Let me encourage you to go back and check out Parts I and II of this three-part series.  Go forward and “Be all you can be” in SecondLife.

See ya ‘round the grid.

Aloha

JB

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