"Posh on the Beach" begins it's second year on the Grid with live music and a wonderful beach town feel! Fri, Nov 26th

 

Smooth Hammerer, a Second Life resident since 2007 has been coding, scripting, and creating sims for many projects, and his latest creation " Posh Estates" by Hammerhead Studios is a joint venture with his inworld partner and wife Hlaðgerðr Jarnsiða. Smooth is an accomplished coder with a real-life background in Information Technology that he brings to his SL world. He also is a Semi-professional photographer. Hlaðgerðr Jarnsiða, or better known as Lags is Smooth Hammerer's partner and his PA at Posh Estates. She is a professional show dancer with the popular and exciting Debauche troupe and an avid and keen builder, loving to tinker with building and furniture making. A fiery redhead all the way from Scotland who is very proud of her Norse heritage, as her name suggests, and was heavily into Norse RP, where she found her love of building and making within SL. The couple has been together for 6 years and collaborated on a number of projects. The "Posh on the Beach" project is focused on a small beach town with a boardwalk pier and beach club that hosts a number of real-life artists and performers that sing and play a range of popular, jazz and rhythm and blues music. The venue also hosts a number of Dj's and Smooth will often rekindle his college Dj sounds and eclectic blend of music.

The venue calendar is published on-site and also in a google calendar. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=poshonthebeach%40gmail.com&ctz=America%2FLos_Angeles Posh one the beach also has a number of luxury beach homes for rent that have beach-facing views and private beach and water access and are located on a lovely tree-lined street. The small-town feel includes a pub with original artwork on the walls, and a town center that houses information kiosks, and also a brick path to the beach where there are public areas to chill with friends and meet new people. Posh often hosts private events such as weddings and group retreats and is a wonderful place to host your holiday or year-end party! There is a club that is accessible through the custom phonebooth teleporters that has a spa and gym and outstanding view with a small dance floor and lounge area to kick back and spend time with that perfect friend or companion. You can access the Posh sim from here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rambling%20Rose/139/238/27 Hammerhead studios is a creative work in progress where Lager and Smooth have begun to create a unique brand of sporty swimwear and furniture with the Hammerhead brand. The goal is to create socially immersive products that have quality and appeal, whether a swimsuit or ottoman care is taken in the creation of every product. Make sure to come to visit Posh and enjoy the many facets the small town has to offer!

TELEPORT: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rambling%20Rose/139/238/27

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Grand Opening of the Bellisserian Embassy to Corsica on November 19, 2021

 

All Second Life residents are cordially invited to the Grand Opening of the first permanent Bellisserian Embassy to open on the Mainland, the Bellisserian Embassy - Corsica! The opening ceremony, which will include the handing over of the embassy keys by Abnor Mole to the new Hon. Ambassador, Jack Vincent, will take place at 12pm - 1pm SLT and will be followed by a formal ball. The organizers would like for everyone in attendance to dress in formal attire and encourage, although it is not required, to dress as a favorite celebrity (living or not, real or fantasy). Remember to be creative and have fun! The embassy in Corsica opened on the 13th in the Timescape region on the Circuit de Corse highway. His Excellency Jack Vincent has homes in both Bellisseria and Corsica. The embassy in Heterocera is under construction and its location will be announced shortly, together with the date of the formal opening ceremony. So what purpose do the Bellisserian Embassies serve you may ask yourself? These embassies are sanctioned by the Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy, the group that created the popular Bellisserian Passports which introduce residents to interesting parts of the Mainland in a fun way that includes the collecting of unique stamps at each location. These embassies, and the Honorary Ambassadors who serve on their behalf, advocate for Bellisserian residents with the residents of six other continents on the Mainland and also with the residents of the continent which their embassy is located on, creating a community connection between the two. The BBB is currently recruiting Bellisserian Honorary Ambassadors to the Mainland continents of Satori, Nautilus, Gaeta, and Jeogeot. We will be opening embassies on each continent soon, Ambassadors to Corsica, Heterocera and Sansara having already been chosen. The first to open will take place November 19, 2021, on Corsica. Hon. Ambassadors will be organizing official events at least once every two months. This might, for example, include dances, parties and ‘meet & greets’ in the Embassy Function Room, or an accompanied tour of the continent, etc.

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Timescape/197/83/68 BBB Gazette: https://lastditch.typepad.com/bbbgazette/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/613878819990956

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SPOTLIGHT ON LIAM YOUNGBLOOD - AN UP AND COMING MUSICIAN IN SECOND LIFE

 

Second Life is a virtual land of opportunities for people from all over the world to engage in special interest activities and even step out of their comfort zone and try new things. You can find everyday people getting involved in businesses as well as entertainment. Some second life members showcase their talents and others are just beginning.

Liam Youngblood is one of those people who has found his circle of friends and feels blessed to be able to get involved in the entertainment industry in Second Life. He loves meeting new friends and was encouraged to enter the weekly drawing at the Sunday Showcase at Terry’s place.  He won the spotlight feature! At first, he was surprised and unsure what to say. He was assured no matter who you are in Second Life, everyone has a story. Here’s Liam’s.

Interview with Liam Youngblood

SLE: Where are you from and how did you discover Second Life?

Liam: I am from the USA. I currently live in Iowa. SLT+2. I found my way to SL through a google search, after having frequent issues with The Sim 4 and wanting to find a similar game. I'm an avid baseball fan, managing a fantasy team in Out Of The Park (OOTP). The MLB season had also ended, leaving me with free time.

SLE: I think many virtual world gamers have heard of the SIMS or have even played it. That is how I started! Aside from the interests you mentioned,  I see that you are very involved with Breedables in Second Life. What do you do in-world?

Liam: I work for BioBreeds as a Chat Moderator, in a Customer Service Representative role. As the holiday approaches you can find me as the Chief Elf with BioBreeds Special Events. I am a Manager at The Breedables Farm (TBF) owned by ƤЄƦƝίℒℒЄ ӇДℒЄ (pernille80). It is a breedables sim that provides rentals amongst other things. I am also an assistant & backup auctioneer at the TBF Auction House, as well as Moon's Myst owned by Tяemaуne ๖ζ͜͡   Ecliρse (tremayne.barbosa) & ℒʋɲɑriɑ ๖ζ͜͡  Ecliρse (lunaria.eclipse).

BioBreeds

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/BioBreeds/72/181/32

The Breedables Farm (TBF)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Breedables/128/128/23

Moon's Myst

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ecliptic/157/42/78

SLE: Wow it looks like you do a lot in the breedable community. We see you a lot at Terry’s Open Mic, normally people don’t want to go there. :) Jk. We love it there! What other places do you like to visit and perform?

Liam: The safest possible answer would be simply too many to mention! I have had the opportunity to perform at several welcoming venues with Holly and Winter. Each venue tends to have a vibe that is unique to itself causing the performance to take on a life of its own. A normal weekly schedule might involve. An early Sunday morning at Spirit of the Outback (SOTO) with the addition of Paul Nowles, where I'm often dressed up like Angus Young, in Aussie fashion. Starting off the work week with friends at either Night Owl, where I'm also given the chance to perform on stage in support of Lyric Serendipity or at ღ ŞŧíииĄ -Şкẏ ღ  (xstinnax)'s Meadow, a natural laid back environment and venue where I can play my tree stump guitar from {Why Not?}. A treasured birthday present. Tuesday morning at Cafe Musique followed by an afternoon at Lakeside Pavilion, which always makes for a grand event with space for the overflow crowd. Midweek can vary, recently having had the opportunity to perform at a new venue called glow, staffed by many supportive friends. Thursdays performing as a member of Holly's Hooligan's at The Warehouse. A venue, with the surrounding community, where I recently placed my Youngbloods storefront. Ending the workweek at The Blue's Cove, who provided me with my first opportunity to sing live, in second life, with their Open Mic. I also find myself frequently supported by and attending, Love Kats, Bugatti's, Swamp Water Bluz, SheWorthy Pub, Southern Nights, Zack's Road House, The Black Diamond, The Sapphire Beach Club, Crabby's & Synful Sync. My live solo career is currently aided by The Elf Bar. The NOT Bad Management Calendar can provide a more extensive list and provide locations. Found @ https://tinyurl.com/u3nx4h28

Holly's Hooligans consists of Doner Daxter on bass, Ivar Frost (ivarfrost) on drums, Kring Mavendorf on lead guitar with Lιαм Mαɗɗσx ƘιƖƖαмαя (liammaddox) on rhythm guitar.

{Why Not?}

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Amadoris/141/65/21

SLE: I love all the name-dropping you did! Kudos to all the performers and venue owners out there that get the attention they deserve! Can you tell us about NOT Bad Management?

Liam: Owned and Operated by Kaysie Michigan. Featuring 4 of the best performers in SL. HσƖƖყ GιƖҽʂ (hollygiless.heartsong), Aaron Cabott Jones (aaroncabottjones), Acoustic Energy (acousticenergy.nitely), ll ƜIƝƬƐɌ ll (11winter11). Working to bring happiness and pleasure into Second Life with each show.

SLE: These are all great performers you mentioned and we do go to their shows when we are able. In fact, I recently saw you performing with Winter and also at Terry’s Open mic. You are a busy one. What is Liam Youngblood’s Clubhouse, can you tell us a little about that?

Liam: Liam Youngblood's Clubhouse is my recently created group. It will be the start of a personal community, where I can provide news, updates, and upcoming events. It will also give me the opportunity to connect and grow with those individuals who have an interest in knowing more about me or the communities and causes I support.

Liam Youngblood's Clubhouse

secondlife:///app/group/534717db-18d0-c8ab-9c44-df6bc2136772/about

Youngbloods (In World HQ)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Thunder/150/101/25

SLE: We can help with that :) How would you describe your style?

Liam: It is a common desire to be placed in a sub-group for easy comparison. But the reality is many of us are a diverse blend. I'd like to be seen as a supportive individual who would care more about the collective, than personal gain. Growing from a communal strength. I desire each day to be a benefit. Some days I'm more successful, due to opportunities given or energy mustered. From a musical and creative standpoint, I'd simply say, raw and direct.

SLE: I like that… a collective gain approach. It is true that it gives people the drive to improve.  What genre of music do you like to perform?

Liam: I believe my sound would best be referred to as Indie Folk. My guitar hero being John Frusciante whose solo work is often classified as Avante Garde, I have yet to reach that talent level. Singer/Songwriter could also be a quality label, performing songs from artists such as Jason Isbell, The White Buffalo & Benjamin Tod.

SLE: When taking a shower, what is the go-to song you belt out that you don’t want anyone knowing you either know the words to or sing it?

Liam: John 5's cover of Michael Jackson's Beat it. This is a beautiful song from another guitar hero of mine and makes for a multi-layered joke, as it's also an instrumental track. In seriousness, my secret song is Something To Dance For/TTYLXOX Mash-Up by Zendaya & Bella Thorne.

SLE:  Have you ever written your own music, and can you tell our readers what instruments you either have trained in or currently play?

Liam: I have written several songs in my lifetime. I do have a project I'd like to work on in the future. Writing songs through the eyes of Liam. I play several instruments which include guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and dobro. I have also taught others to play these instruments at some point in my life. Solo work I focus on acoustic guitar aided at times by a foot tambourine and harmonica. While in bands I tend to move to the bass, as many musicians I've worked with focus on guitar.

SLE: Your avatar is rather different for a performer, can you tell us why you decided on that particular one?

Liam: It's the unique way the world works and the journey therein. I did not set out to live this life, but am happy I have. It came about 4+ years ago, as my parents were searching for a child they could trust. Within 2 months of existence, BioBreeds found me, their staff befriended me, and my life truly began. There has been no looking back.

* Image was taken by Cathy Kærann (catherine.kira) who owns Kaerann's Studio Entertainment. 

SLE: As long as you are happy that is what matters. You obviously know a lot of performers, Winter and Holly for example. Have you ever, or do you ever plan on dual streaming or would you like to. Or is there someone else you would like to dual-stream with?

Liam: There are no current plans. I am still in the early stages of establishing my live music, and working with the technical side of bringing RL to SL. I'm rarely one to turn down opportunities given, and there would be interest when the time is right. Matching styles, finding common songs that allow both artists to add their signature sound surely can be no easy feat. I believe a project like that would be best suited for a charity event. As for other artists, Jack Dryden's music has a folk quality which I believe my sound could easily blend with, in a pleasing manner. Aufwie Mysterious plays with unique energy and Indie Folk quality I enjoy, I could envision a future project with promising results.

SLE: That’s understandable. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Liam: I have had the opportunity to support Together as One (TAO). TAO works with Children's Charities. There will be a TAO Christmas Dec 10-12th. Believe in the magic of Christmas is our tagline. This season's fundraiser will be for Feed a Smile. Together as One! We can feed so many children in need. There will also be the opportunity to provide reading materials to aid in their learning and development as growing human beings. It's a movement I'm strongly behind and believe in. I believe it's gaining ground. During the most recent fall festival, a meet and greet had been implemented. This allowed me and others to learn more about the artists who chose to donate their time and talents, connect with them on a more personal level, and I believe strengthen the community as a whole. I can't say enough good words about the individuals who devote their time, and community members who give their continued support.

 * Together As One (T.A.O.) *

 secondlife:///app/group/9daf20f8-059f-f10b-2fbb-190f76c74b46/about

Additional Information:

Common band members in support of HσƖƖყ GιƖҽʂ (hollygiless.heartsong) and ll ƜIƝƬƐɌ ll (11winter11) are OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul) on lead guitar, LαƝєуα Ɠяαcє ƘιƖƖαмαя (laneyagrace) on rhythm guitar, Ĺυηα (lunarose.amethyst) on keytar with Lιαм Mαɗɗσx ƘιƖƖαмαя (liammaddox) on bass. Tentatively calling ourselves 3LO.

Youngbloods @ The Warehouse http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Thunder/150/101/25 .

NOT Bad Management Calendar @ https://tinyurl.com/u3nx4h28 

Open Mic performer @ Terry's Place http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mystic%20River%20Cove/196/93/22 Friday's 8pm SLT .

Liam Youngblood's Clubhouse secondlife:///app/group/534717db-18d0-c8ab-9c44-df6bc2136772/about

Kaerann Studio Entertainment

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Exclusive%20Village/161/124/53

OD Designs

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/OD%20Designs/119/112/20

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Thunder/150/101/25

Group: secondlife:///app/group/534717db-18d0-c8ab-9c44-df6bc2136772/about

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073492196390

Preferred Contact:  Lιαм Mαɗɗσx ƘιƖƖαмαя (liammaddox)

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Grand Opening of Vegan HQ November 1st at 12.30 pm SLT

 

We are proud to bring Vegan HQ to the growing vegan community of Second Life. Set in a relaxing countryside environment perfect to explore on your own or with friends, Vegan HQ welcomes anyone interested or curious about leading a more compassionate lifestyle, whether it is for ethical, environmental, or health reasons. We also provide a fun and friendly hangout place for existing vegans who would like to meet like-minded people.

As well as having a chilled vibe and a good selection of playable games which we will change on a regular basis, we will hold regular events so be sure to join our group “SL vegans” to be kept up to date and join in the conversations. Vegan HQ also aims to provide reliable information and promote the benefit of living vegan in an inclusive way sharing experiences and knowledge between newcomers and more experienced members of the community. We hold weekly informal meetings to discuss various topics ranging from the health benefits of delicious vegan food, animal rights, and how to best be a voice for them or review books and recently published articles. We speak English, Dutch French, and German.

Our grand opening will take place to coincide with World Vegan Day on the 1st of November from 12 noon with an excellent lineup:

1.30PM SLT Les Chats Furieux

3.00PM SLT Raven SounDDoll

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Low%20Dryston/171/113/40

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GRAND OPENING OF ROLLING MEADOWS- An Upscale Residential Community

 

KTS Enterprises Opens Its Brand New Upscale Residential Community Surrounded by scenic cliffs and waterfalls, KTS Enterprises is now renting luxury homes and townhouses in its brand new community of Rolling Meadows. This Beautiful residential community is comprised of partially furnished 3,4, & 5 bedroom luxury homes overlooking the community, & upscale townhouses in a limited RP setting. You'll find amenities and security in this quiet community.

If realistic seasonal themes, stunning luxury homes, and upscale living off of the mainland are what you deserve, then Rolling Meadows is the ideal place for you and your family to call home. Grand Opening Move-In Special! Rent five weeks for the price of 4 including a generous prim allotment!

Community Amenities: An outdoor cafe, swimming pool, children's playground, movie theater, supermarket, 7Seas Fishing, diner, working bank, bowling alley, roller skating rink, laundromat, bakery, medical clinic, sit in fast-food restaurants, nail and hair salon with more amenities including BeYou on the way. We hope to see you soon at Rolling Meadows!

CONTACTS: Rebecca Kimber or Stokely Vermilion with any questions.

TELEPORT: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Loire/106/132/25

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KTS-Enterprise-Rolling-Meadows-108959338221926

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Haunted corn maze & Escape room

 

Sunshine Estate RP Community is hosting our haunted corn maze spreading over 1/4 region. No turn is safe, every corner is haunted. Do you dare enter? Or

Test your skills in the Spooky Escape cabin. You have 60 minutes to get out. can you? Take the teleport to our pumpkin patch in the center of town, Ride horses, take pictures, and pick out a pumpkin to carve! Touch the cabin door for your TP to the escape cabin, and the cave for our corn maze.

TELEPORT: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cole%20Manor/83/104/22

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067651243074

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AVIEPOLL – ADVICE FROM 8+ YEAR RESIDENTS IN SECOND LIFE ON WHAT KEEPS LIFE INTERESTING: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

OK.  So..You are in a slump.  You find that doing the regular circuit of clubs, night after night, week after week, year after year is becoming a bit repetitive.  Surrounding yourself with the same music...same people…same entertainment.  It is bound to become perhaps a bit “overly familiar”.  Now days, during a worldwide pandemic when your favorite sports teams, outdoor concert venues, movie theaters, and in many places even the familiarity and distraction of the workplace has been replaced by teleworking or worse…disbanded altogether…we may seek to engage with others in one of the only remaining “safe” avenues to do so.  SecondLife.  But after a while, even that can seem a bit tired if you let it.

So, with that thought in mind, I put on my intrepid SL Enquirer tag and hit the road, determined to learn the secrets to longevity here in the Virtual World’s most phenomenal platform – SecondLife.  The folks chatted with have established some serious creds here,  They have seen the best of times, and the worst  times.  They lived thru seeing many of their favorite clubs and venues rise to fame...and then disappear just as swiftly.  Places like Greenies, or Toby;s Blues and other favs were here and gone from our lives.  These folks have seen the advent of Mesh…they flirted with Sansar, and now are dealing with the challenges of Baked on Mesh as this most wonderful, most intriguing of social platforms continues to evolve.

So I set out to learn advice from 8+ year old avies about what keeps SecondLife interesting. The first person I met was Amy.  First rezzed on October 12, 2009, Amy has been here 10 years, 9 months

Josh Bellic (JB):  So tell me Amy.  What do you do to keep SL interesting after all these years?

Aɱɣ (amylee.zane): Well my activities in SL is a very busy schedule. I start my mornings with taking care of my SIM which is a motorcycle riding SIM, Then I am part of the SL Coast Guard and I am kept busy with water patrols for now and whatever they offer. Sometimes I go diving, sometimes sky diving and I just completed a medical first aid training. Then I role play as an Attorney on various SIM's. After a complete day I come to relax in a club like Fogbound, where I love to just unwind at the at the end of  my day, kick back and enjoy the people and music.

As I was perving profiles, the next guy just kinda jumped out at me, as having possibly one of the oldest Avis I have ever seen. This Gentleman prefers to remain anonymous, and requested I identify him only by his initials. DZ was rezzed on 21 November, 2004, and has been a SL resident for 15 years and 8 months.

JB: Greetings Sir.  I am a reporter for the SL Enquirer.  This week we are polling long-term residents of SL and asking about their experiences here. Would you be willing to participate?

DZ:  "Well...honestly...I would prefer to decline....I am not one for publicity...The paparazzi can become quite an invasive experience.  The next thing you know my girlfriend is harassed...then the drones over the backyard...Then when I am out on my yacht...they just pull up.

JB:  I understand. Sir. Although I am sure our readers would enjoy hearing a response from one as senior as yourself. 

DZ:  It really has not been so interesting lately. I am just not a very public person. You can blank my name...use my initials…and a shadowed version of a likeness of my face. And, the answer is simple....I find that to keep it interesting I need to want to make it interesting...and to surround myself with interesting people.....The real trick to it is to let your creativity flow and do that in a way that encompasses all the resource here you have available....And, I do not mean by standing around in clubs watching the people dance....You need to create a source of involvement. If you can do that...you can shape everything.

The next person I approached was a gent by the name of OldeSoul Eldemar (oldesoul).  Oldsoul was rezzed on May 19, 2012, and in 8 years, 2 months old.

JB:  Tell me please.  What do you do to keep SL interesting after all these years?

OldeSoul Eldemar:  Do you want a short answer or long?  I joined my RL wife in  SL, while caregiving as a way for us to stay together, thinking it would be much better than phone calls.  It was! It took a little exploring to find my "place" but working with Relay For Life as a Captain and fundraiser is very rewarding,  I have found that working as an event coordinator for events across the grid is a great way to meet folks and discover new worlds.

The next person to answer my question was the lovely Augi (augustlilac.luckstone).  Rezzed on February 4, 2010, Augi has been here for 10 years, 6 months.

Augi:  Can I say that I like having pixel sex with my BF? Can you print that? OK…let me restate “I like how creative some people can be with the animations - especially the adult furniture” How’s that?  I have been here over ten years and in that time I have made some GREAT friends. Some I may never hear from again and others I have had many years. One such friend I have is someone I met the first week 

I logged onto sl. We are still friends. I like the fact that I meet people from all over the world. People whom I would never even known existed being thousands of miles away. I occasionally hostess at a club and I model for HUSH magazine.  This is my fantasy world where I come to relax and get away from RL pressure

JB:  Thanks, Augi. And if I may add, your BF is one Lucky Bastard.

BellaRose (belladarkside) hails from Canada.  She was rezzed on October 10, 2011 and has been a resident for 8 years and 9 months.

JB:  Tell me please, Bella.  You have been here for more than 8 years.  What is it that keeps you coming back?

BellaRose (belladarkside): Well, I enjoy listening to good music.  That is my most interesting use of my time, and there is plenty pf good music here.  I am also very curious about the intricacies of avatar design.  I have followed with great interest the evolution to mesh, and now even the new Baked On Mesh – BOM.  I am an artist myself, so I can say absolutely that there are many really GREAT designers here in SL  I am really impressed.  One of the things I often like to do is go to designer-hosted events here.

Our final comments today come from Mr. Austin Welles.   This 13 year, 7 month resident was rezzed on Christmas Day, 2006

JB:  Austin, you have certainly see a lot in your 13+ years here.  What advise could you give to newer residents here who may be getting bored with their SL experience? How would you advise newer residents who are getting bored?

Austin Welles: I try not to take things too seriously. This is a place to imagine and experience. Live the moments of SL.  One never knows what might be around the next corner.

JB:  Anything else? 

AW: Oh yes.  You should take a break once in a while

JB: A Break?

AW: Yes…well…like a week here or there.  When you return you will find that the colors are always more vivid and the feelings renewed

So there you have it folks.  Feeling bored?  Then change things up.  Explore a new passion. Develop a new skill.  Live long...Love deeply…Laugh often.  These are the true keys to keeping your SL interesting.  Come to think of it, you might try these same things to kick up your RL as well.

Until next time, this is Josh Bellic…Signing off.  Aloha!

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Inside the St. Elizabeth’s University – Zack Wonder reporting

St. Elizabeth’s University is one of the seats of higher learning in Second Life (SL). Zack Wonder was invited to stroll the grounds with Tikinova Adonide (Tiki) who is the Senior Administrator at “St. E’s” as the University is often called. “Miss Elle Gedenspire and Miss Rae Summerisle founded St. Elizabeth’s five years ago,” she explained. “Elle is our media teacher and the president of the university and Rae contents herself building and running the sim. She makes things so pretty. As the Senior Admin, I run the daily operations. 

We have about 115 events each month, so I schedule and vet them all. I also do student admissions.” St. Elizabeth is a ladies’ college but has male staff as the Cardinal, renters, and lecturers. It is a role-play (RP) community for female avatars that look and play the part. “We make sure candidates look agreeable, and if someone has objectionable groups in the profiles, we will discuss that with them. For example, I would not have a student with curse words on her profile page, or a group about misogyny or racial supremacy. Students get a trial period before they get full status.” Admission requirements also state that the avatars applying must be over 60 days in age, and they should look 18 to 24 years of age. 

St. Elizabeth’s is tuition-free for the students. Donations are channeled to charitable causes such as the Harambee school  which has received 144,000 L$ so far.  “I also recruit staff,” Tiki continued. “Usually 1 or 2 people each week come to us asking to teach, so I have a process: they come to do some observations, they have an interview with me and submit a lesson plan. If I approve, they get a trial class.” She also told SL Enquirer that the staff is about a dozen strong, for the 45 to 50 active students at the University.

Tiki took Zack around, from the foyer to the classrooms, auditorium, and across the yard, to the Cathedral as well as the dance studio and the gym. Zack met a St. E’s student, Ailsa Stromfield, at the gym, for a brief interview.

SLE: What brought you to study here?

Ailsa: Well, to be honest, I discovered St. E’s by accident, but when I landed here was greeted warmly and never left. This was back in December [2019].

SLE: What made you so attached?

Ailsa: The staff and students are a great family, and there’s the bonus of real lessons too.

SLE: A sense of belonging?

Ailsa: Yep, a “belonging” is right. I have some great friends here, and there’s a lot of time and effort put in by others.

SLE: Can you tell what benefits you get with the lessons?

Ailsa: I can convert binary! Laughs… I’m not university educated, but it’s been interesting listening to art and media appreciation.

SLE: So, how do you see the students grasping the topics covered, if they come from a varied background?

Ailsa: There are some big brains here, some of the girls are real-life students and are well versed with the subjects. Its’ nice listening to them discuss the subjects.

Ailsa further explained that she wishes to stay on the classes for the time to come, and that even though she is from Europe, classes from 9 pm until midnight UK time work for her. She has had to be selective with activities, though, as sometimes committing to set hours for stage productions etc. left her feeling lacking in her effort compared to the US-based participants.

Sitting later in Tiki’s office, she continued explaining the benefits for avatars studying at St. Elizabeth’s. “Like most of the SL experience, St. E’s is about community, friendships, and support. People who come here have a great chance to make themselves better. First, there are our academic offerings. A class takes between 3 and 6 hours to prepare, for a 1-hour presentation - our students are very bright, so the teachers have to be experts and prepared, so the quality is high.” As if this was not convincing enough, she kept on: “…and then there are the cultural pursuits. We have a creative writing class, where students get instruction for a published RL author, writer's club, where students simply share what they've been working on, informally; poetry class (instruction), poetry readings (presentation), art appreciation class, and also a gallery on campus where to display [pieces of students’ creations]. Our own dance company recently won 1st place in the Paragon Dance Animations Contest.”

Later, we met together with Tiki and St. E’s Housemother, the Dean of Student Housing Pat Wheelwright on the University premises.

SLE: What's a "Housemother"?

Pat: I am responsible for the general well-being of the students, and I manage the dorms as well as supervise the Prefects (senior students who have extra duties). Prefects assist staff in matters of discipline, most of them have a dorm that they manage. I also DJ here, and do the coffee house once a month.

SLE: Do students have residence requirements, and are they expected to stay on campus outside classes?

Pat: Students have a dorm bed, for role-play (RP) purposes. Some of them also rent houses here, they are not required to stay on campus.

Tiki: They also often have houses elsewhere, but it's nice to have a dorm to belong to. It's a place to hang out on campus and be casual - it is no issue to get them to stay in the dorm, trust me. The girls like to come to school.

Pat: This place is more and more about community. Many of these girls are here, seeking that.

Since Pat and Tiki both are involved in the administrative and disciplinary aspect of running the University, SLE was curious about any disciplinary issues they might have encountered.

Pat: Yes, there are adult features - but only if you want them. You can enjoy St. E’s without.

Tiki: Everyone is adult here, so naturally there are romances.

Pat: We try to keep it as much like a RL college as possible - I had a student who asked if they could have a dorm with bondage toys in the dorm - I said "no" without any hesitation!  If it is RP acting out, that is different than someone who is just plain hard to get along with. We try to screen out people who we think might not be good for the community. If someone is disruptive, they are going to get booted out!

Tiki: We have a code book that dictates the rules. It tells students their rights and responsibilities.

Pat further explained that the University does not suspend students for trivial reasons, and only the President can ban a student permanently. St. Elizabeth’s has a school uniform that apparently the students wear gladly, out of the sense of community. Even though it is laid out as a Catholic University, expression of faith is not a requirement, and religious people as well as agnostics alike participate in the University life, including Mass. 

The campus is now two full sims and is looking to expand to twelve – with a sailing experience that spans eight of the sims. Students run their own newspaper, “The Chronicle” that focuses on community events and stories, including photo journals and creative stories. As the curriculum is varied, from humanities to science lectures, the students spend their time willingly in classes and doing homework, having a sense of academic advancement.  Having toured the premises and talked to staff and students, it became clear that the lofty goals of this establishment are being met, for the advancement of avatars in Second Life to the better.

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Valley%20of%20Lilies/136/96/31

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