Amore Italiano “Go Watch, Buy or Be Bought!” Friday, February 11th, 2022

      

On February 11, 2022, One Light Team for Relay is hosting a “Charity Valentine Auction” and anticipates dozens of participants all over the grid to bid, buy or even watch.  Events are planned for now up unit the Auction. Our goal for “Relay For Life” is to raise $500,000.00 USD this year to help fight cancer with the American Cancer Society.

Win a Date with Josh, or any one of the 90 other participants in the Charity Auction.  Join the Valentine Hunt around the Mainland with 10 pantie prizes, each pantie will have a short love story with a clue. collect all 10 and get in our Grand Prize Raffle

To get started, hop on over to “That’s Amore Café”. There you will find directions for the hunt, or head off to one of the four Auctions board: Romance…. Friendship….. Fantasy furies & Alternative Lifestyle.  You’ll find Josh on both the FRIENDSHIP and the ROMANCE Boards AUCTION BOARDS ARE OPEN NOW!  And May the Best Bidder WIN!

SURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enchanted%20Isles/120/179/4003

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TRANSGENDERS IN TRANSITION: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE - JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

What can I say?  I like people.  I like talking to people...and I like hearing their stories.  It is interesting how much you can learn just by listening.  It is said that God gave us two ears and one mouth in order that we might listen twice as much as we speak. Would that more people would do so.     
It was a Friday night a few weeks back.  I was in one of my favorite SL haunts, and I struck up a conversation with another patron at the bar. Over the next hour, Mercedes shared with me her story.  A story of introspection, identifying how she sees herself, embracing that identity, and then sharing that identity with the important people in her life. Mercedes is Transgender, or a “Trans”, as she calls it.  Assigned male at birth in RL, Mercedes identifies as female, in RL and in SL.
Transgender is a term used to describe people whose gender or sense of personal identity does not match the sex they were born with. In other words, a transgender person may have been born as a male but identifies as a female or vice versa.  Research suggests that 1.4 million adults identify as transgender in the United States. About 0.7% of adults 18-24 identify as transgender, and 0.5% of adults 65 and older identify as transgender.

After conferring with my editor, we decided that Mercedes’ story could serve to inform and enlighten SL Enquirer readers about life as a transgender, and possibly shed some light and support understanding this often-misunderstood population.
Josh Bellic (JB):  Mercedes, I believe you have an interesting story to tell, and I appreciate your willingness to share it with our SL Readers.  To start off, can you tell us, when did you first decide to go Trans?
Mercedes (M):  Not sure exactly Josh, but I am pretty sure it was about 15 years ago.
JB:  I imagine it must have been a fairly lengthy process to arrive at such a momentous decision, no? So, what was it that caused you to make that decision?
M:  Well Josh, I have always been female in my mind.  I just finally just reached a point in my life where I had the opportunity to complete the process.  Modern hormones and medicine are amazing these days. They really are.
JB:  And what of your family and friends?  How did they react when they heard the news?  Did your family support you in this?
M:  Well, most of them were shocked, but a few were not..  You’re gonna have to accept that you will lose friends in the process, but to me they were not that good of friends, to begin with.  My family is mostly accepting....distant family members remain... well.. ...distant  lol 
JB:  And what about “crossdressers”?   Are they the same as “Trans”?
M:  No. That is not correct.  I know some straight males that just enjoy dressing up.  They see themselves as males, whereas I and other true transgenders, identify as female.
JB:  How do you feel about all the guys playing females here in SL?  Anecdotal wisdom suggests that up to half the women avies here are men in RL
M: I don’t mind.  That’s what SL is all about – a "Second Life".  Where else can you see what life would be like as the opposite gender?  Just don't trick anyone that you’re "close" to.  That’s not fair to them.
JB:  And what about the “T-Girls” in SL?  - attractive female avis with male genitalia.  What is THAT all about? Are these folks legit Trans also?
M:  I find most are male.  TG people work so hard in RL to hide our history (bulge) so, in my option, a real TG is not going to show off their parts whether all out or a bulge, the point is to be seen and accepted as female.  I have no bulge clothes, and in any nude-only places, I am seen as female.  I don't advertise in my profile but all my friends know about me and for sure if we are dating, I don't hide or trick, I just don't advertise as I feel it’s no one’s business but my own. Sorry, I got sidetracked....but to answer your question...I don’t judge anyone here, if someone wants to flaunt their privates, more power to them.  If you don't like it, don't look.  :)
JB:  Do you feel subtle or not-so-subtle discrimination here, or in RL? 
M:  SL is very accepting, more so here than RL actually.  It provides a platform where I get a lot of questions asked that one may feel uncomfortable asking in RL.
JB:  How far along in the transformation process are you?
M:  This is a complicated question...as far as Male to female,  I’m happy where I’m at.  But regardless of your gender, you are always making improvements on your Physique and look.  So when I look in the mirror I’m happy but always saying "I gotta fix that", and off to the gym I go (5X a week btw ..lol)
JB:  I remember reading an interview with a RL trans.   She was saying how lonely she was.  Men won't date her, because they see her as really a man;  lesbian women won't date her because she is not “really” a woman.  It must be terribly lonely. She can’t seem to make it all work.

M:  Yeah.  It takes a special breed of a person to get past all that.  Once they get to know me though, things change.  Appearance is only skin deep. 

JB:  So, Mercedes.  You have been here almost 14 years?  What is the attraction to SecondLife, and what is it that keeps you coming back night after night?

M:  My attraction was simple boredom.  I wish I could say something more exotic, but I can’t.   I keep coming back because it is fun.  There is always lots to do and you meet people and create relationships with people from all around the world.

JB:  Is there anything else about your experience you would like to share with our readers?

M: Just be yourself, enjoy your SL as you wish.  Just know that everyone enjoys their SL the way they wish and there is no reason to be judgmental of others.

So, there you have it, folks.  Yet another fascinating resident, contributing to the variety of lifestyles that make up the fabric of Life on the Grid

Aloha!

JB

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AIRSHOW OVER THE CANYON: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING:

The day is sunny, and it feels sooo good to get out of the house.  You head on over to the Grand Canyon, reveling in the solitude of the most majestic region on the entire grid. There you are, communing with nature…

Suddenly and without warning, you are almost knocked off your mule by an ear-splitting roar! You look up just in time to see, disappearing over the lip of the canyon, a high-performance jet aircraft screaming through the sky!

Yes folks, you have stumbled into – (cue the timpani drums) – AN AIRSHOW!

Grand Canyon SL recently hosted a good old-fashioned Air Show, complete with wing walkers, bi-planes, people in sharp looking flight suits, and over a dozen high performance jet aircraft.

After the last roar of engines had rolled off down the canyon. After the show was over and the last planes had departed for their home field.  After the bleachers were clear of spectators with only empty popcorn boxes and soda cups to show they were ever there….I was able to catch up to an exhausted Lis (lisisme.dubrovna), owner of Grand Canyon SL,  and 5(johnnynumberfive), lead for the Hawks Aerobatic Team. They graciously agreed to chat with me.

Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) JB:    Let’s start with you, Johnny. How did you first get interested in Air Shows?

5 (johnnynumberfive) J5: As a young kid around 6 years I got a ride in an old Papua New Guinea mission plane the 'Andrew Stuart' which incidentally is now in a museum.  From early years I remember cutting out planes from the back of 'Corn Flakes' packets and later upscaling them and building them from balsa.  Later in my 20's, I, along with a bunch of work mates took up hang gliding, which later progressed to a job as a hang-gliding instructor.  So, for as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with planes.

However, in 1991 I attended the 70th Anniversary Richmond Air Base Show and for the first time saw real fighter jets up close and was inspired by our own Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Roulettes Aerobatics team. 

In SL I naturally gravitated toward aviation and joined the USNSL Blue Angels.  So in early 2017 when a combat friend of mine mentioned starting our own team it was a 'no brainer' :) 

JB:  Tell me Lis. How did you come up with the idea of hosting an Air Show?

Lis (lisisme.dubrovna) LD:  Johnny was looking for a venue and contacted me and at first it was only supposed to be The Hawks but word got around and then other teams wanted to fly at the Grand Canyon. It's a scenic place for an airshow. They were all absolutely amazing.

JB:  How extensive were your preparations for this event? I understand you had to move mountains, literally, to pull this off. 

LD:  I contacted LL to take down my Mt Everest sim which is north of the Grand Canyon, so that the skies would be clear. I had great cooperation from an agent at Linden Labs. It is unusual for them to take down a sim for a day but he went there and saw that Mt Everest would obstruct the view of the planes in the sky. I am only sad they did not do more to promote such a magnificent and skilled event.

I removed some high prim items from 3 sims to help with lag. I opened 3 sims and many parcels for rent so that they could rez their planes. I did a sim restart before and after each team. I video filmed the entire event and I'll soon edit and put it on YouTube. I'll send out the URL in Grand Canyon Group notices.

JB:  How long did it take to build the runway and the bleachers for the fans?

LD:  At first, I created a black megaprim for the runway but then Johnnynumberfive had a runway and bleachers in inventory. I had to clear the land below and join all pilots to my Grand Canyon group as Entertainers. I was "Ground Control" lol.

JB:  How many people does it take to put on an airshow?

J5:  Wow the million-dollar question!  How long is a half-stretched rubber band? :)  Most teams consist of 6 pilots - 4 in the diamond team and 2 in the solo team.  But if you include those that do stuff for the teams to keep them flying...Lukeflywalker Fittinger EmCee's, Jimi Xi provides helmets, plane manufacturers like Shana and TBM, photographers, and then show hosts all play an integral part, but it’s our fans that do the most just by providing the motivation

JB:  Can you share a few words about each of the groups that performed?

J5:  There are many other teams in SL and all present a quality and unique experience for their audience.  Anemone Wing Walkers hark back to early circus style barn storming, Team Phoenix is an older team and presents a strictly choreographed and tidy formation display.  The USNSL Blue Angels strive for excellence in discipline, much like the RL USN Blue Angels, and the Hawks, although not the newest kid now are still testing the boundaries in maneuvers, themes, light and sound.

JB:    Do these four teams fly together often?

J5:  SL attracts a wide variety of people and from time zones all over the world so it's challenging to get everyone together.  However, the common love of aviation is a compelling reason to get out of bed at crazy times of the night for these shows.  Typically, its only once or twice a year for larger events involving 4 or more teams but smaller 1 or 2 team events more often.

JB:  How much practice goes into an airshow?

J5:  I can't speak for the other teams but generally once or twice a week for official practices of about 2 hours, and then informal practices when time permits.  It generally takes about 3-6 months to perfect a new maneuver to show worthy quality, depending on its complexity.

JB:  What was your favorite part of this year’s Air Show?

J5:  Being back on the runway after a successful show was nice, I have to say.  It was rough up there with the lag, but I have to say the best thing by far is seeing all the teams do great and seeing the audience enjoy the show.

LD:  They were all utterly amazing but I have to admit I was stunned by "The Mirror" performed by the Hawks solo team at the end of the show.

JB:  I can hardly wait to see this again.  When is your next Airshow?

LD:  I hope we can do a big one like this twice a year so maybe we can look forward to a January 2021 Show.

J5:  The next one for the Hawks is September 20 at Jamaica for a much more "Jamaican' style casual show - right in my wheelhouse :D

JB:  Lis and Johnny, I’d like to thanks you for agreeing to chat with me this afternoon. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

LD:  Please come to the Grand Canyon and join the group so that I can inform you with notices of live singers and air shows and contests and events and additions I make to the sims. I have just added 'Experience' which is nothing more than a fast teleport (it does not take over control of your avi like many think). You will be amazed by the Love Tunnels. There is also a new Cuddle Cloud Tour (PG).

J5:  Ah so may 'ism's I could share here but I say just do it... give it your best shot...whatever it is...and if not, go support those that do.  We as humans are more skilled and experienced at pulling others down, albeit most often in good humor, but it’s so nice to see the support these teams give each other and the blessing they are to the wider community.

So there you have it, folks.  Just when you think you have seen everything, someone throws an Air Show at you, and you have to rethink what you believed was possible in this wonderful world of SecondLife.

Grand Canyon SURL:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Grand%20Canyon/106/177/111

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SAPPHIRE BEACH CLUB - A PARADISE IN PIXELS: JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING...

If you look in the dictionary for the phrase “Quality Entertainment”, you will most likely see a picture of Sapphire Beach Club (SBC).  Long known for presenting some of the best and hottest live entertainment on the Grid, SBC has recently reopened following a complete rebuild. The Sinclair family has done a bang-up job too.  I was recently given a sneak preview of some of the new areas designed to delight and entertain even the most discerning of SL Visitors, and believe me folks when I say this is one place you have to see for yourself!

Recently I was able to sit down with SBC co-owner, the lovely and gracious Claudine Sinclair, as she discussed the exciting changes of late.

Interview

Josh Bellic (JB):  Claudine, I recall visiting Sapphire Beach Club back in 2019, and was impressed with it then (http://www.slenquirer.com/2019/05/spotlight-on-sapphire-beach-club-gem-of.html )   How has Sapphire Beach Club changed and how is it different from the other Beach Clubs out there?

Claudine Sinclair Jewell (claudine.jewell): (SC): We are different from other places in that we have a variety of events and venues.  These are constantly changing, and we continually offer our guests new places where they can have fun. We have a welcoming attitude towards everybody in SL and of course we have an exceptional staff.  In fact, we have the most professional and best run team I can imagine. But the BEST way to find out about the Sapphire difference is to ask our guests :)

JB:    You mentioned your staff.  Can you share with me something about the key staff members here?

Claudine and John Sinclair own the Sim. Amber Sinclair is our Manager. Christine Sinclair is our Host Manager. Maggie Sinclair is our Assistant, Ace Sinclair is our Promoter and of course we work together with Live Artists, DJ's, Tribute Bands, Dancers. 

John, Claudine and Amber have worked together since May of 2019.  Christine and Ace joined in October of 2019.  Foxxy started hosting at Sapphire this year and Maggie joined our Team at the end of July 2020.  We are like a family and we are blessed with a supportive crew. I love them and I can't imagine my SL without them.

JB:    What changes have you made since the last build?

The whole Sim has changed and has a totally different layout now with many places for new Venues. We have always stressed LIVE events, and now we have MORE live events than at any time in the past.  

At our New Beach we have a Natural Pool with Waterfalls, a Grotto, a Tropical Beach Lounge, along with many other private beaches, cute little shops, and of course the big Tropical Hill / Skyhill. We will be adding Game Tables and Beach Loungers in the weeks ahead to make these places even more enjoyable for our guests.

JB:    What are the inspirations for your ideas? How do you come up with these themes?

We take inspiration from wherever it comes, and in whatever form.   Some ideas are inspired by people.  Others may be inspired by a movie theme, or perhaps from a song.  Just about anything can serve as our inspiration.

JB:    Is this a complete rebuild, or were they just major modifications to a few areas?

Oh yes.  We did a complete rebuild of the Sim – from the ground level up.  We have several brand-new concert venues, and we can accommodate anything from smaller, more intimate gatherings in a club, to full blown stadium events with room for hundreds of guests.

JB:  I see that in addition to the base Region, you also seem to have several Skyboxes.  What is up there? It seems like they are an important part of your operation here and part of what makes SBC unique among clubs.

We currently have one Full Region and quite a few Skyboxes.  The number of skyboxes changes with the season, or with the inspiration. In addition to our standard favorites, we create seasonally themed spaces as well.  We shift the landing point around from venue to venue, depending on the specific event at the time, so our guests don’t have to walk from a static landing point all over creation to wherever the event happens to be.  We drop them off right at the door to the event. 

We use skyboxes to mix it up and for themed parties a lot.......the current ones are ...

• The Universe: Our First skybox we created was “The Universe”. That theme turned out particularly cool as a skybox. 
• The Stadium: The Stadium skybox was built because we used to host tribute Events. The Tribute Bands mostly use bigger stages and need more space for guests. We built a Skybox especially for a Baby Metal Tribute, and we put the Stadium up so we have space for future Tribute Bands. 
• The third current venue is the Country Barn. We built that for our Country Event which lasted a weekend and it was so popular that we decided to keep it. Complete with a mechanical bull, you can almost smell the scent of fresh-cut hay bales in the loft and animals roaming the premises.

We also had a set up for a Dance Show so we have stools we can put out there. The stage we have there now is used for Live Singers. We have tentative plans to host another Tribute Show one day when we can work out the details. 

Skyboxes come and go all the time, and we change them with the season. We had one for Halloween; another one for Valentine’s Day.  John also built one with a Cat Tree theme, but they’re not rezzed anymore. We had a winter themed one as well, that filled an entire region.

JB:    Which area here is your personal favorite?

Claudine Sinclair: I’m undecided.  I like all the areas. I like the change so it never gets stale. 

Amber Sinclair: I love the beautiful natural pool at the bottom of the waterfalls.  There are some amazing “Kodak Moments” for the budding photographer, making this an ideal location for events.

John Sinclair: The Natural Pool with the Waterfalls is indeed a very special place. I also like the Grotto.  I think we can host a number of great events there. But in the final analysis, I really end up liking the entire Sim.  Wherever you go, it’s.

JB:    So, what’s next?  How can we learn about any big events coming up?

SC:  Certainly Josh.  We maintain a full calendar of all our events at:  https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=des7242006@gmail.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles.  Check it out for a full line up or all our activities

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

We appreciate every Visitor, Guest, Group or Social Media Member who takes time to come and visit us, and wish to thank you all so much for your continuous Support. We try to keep our place Drama free but it's not easy in SL. We have also had our share of weird experiences and we cannot make everyone happy but in the end we do it all for the people and the great community in SL. We are paying, planning and organizing so people can have a good time and an immersive experience at Sapphire BC while listening to the best Live Artists.  Check us out in person, or visit our Facebook pages at 

https://www.facebook.com/sapphirebeachclub.sl/photos

So there you have it, folks.  Sapphire Beach Club: A Paradise in Pixels.  Check it out.  You’ll be glad you did.

Be there!  Aloha!

JB

SURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Skyhill/130/212/28

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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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FURZONA II – FRACTURED – A MARVEL IN HIGH-TECH: BYJOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC)

I recently attended the Grand Opening of the hottest, most creative, and arguably the absolute finest club to be found anywhere on the grid in the past 16 years! Furzona – Fractured.  The first impression you get when you land at the arrival area for Furzona 2020, is one of space.  The sightlines extend off into the distance.  As you look out over the expanse, your eyes are drawn to the DJ platform at the far end of the massive dance floor.  Almost three stories tall from floor to ceiling with balconies and comfortable lounge areas, interspersed with expansive gaming areas. This sim is the result of a true team effort, using a software development approach, with Game as the designer, and Aki Norin as the builder, bringing the dream to (second)Life.

And then there are the people.  The electronic energy of the room is magnified by the bodies of the dancers, Club staff, and other onlookers. While the bulk of the group is on the dance floor itself, others wander around the club grounds, exploring this monument to Imagination, descending the grand staircase, admiring the artwork, or exploring the many kiosks that line the entry area with items found nowhere else on the entire grid.

It was there, tucked away in the corner of the room, I found Game Wylder, one of the true Visionaries behind Furzona.  

JOSH BELLIC (JB): Hi there, Game.  What an amazing new place you have here.  In what ways is Furzona II different from its predecessor?  What makes this place truly unique among sims?

GAME WYLDER (GW): The difference between V1 (our anniversary build) and V2 (Fracture), is mostly our expansion. We wanted to expand the entire venue, expanding upon not only the physical form, but also the concept of the club. We wanted to re-incorporate EVERY aspect of the original build in the new one. We didn't just want to build it bigger, but Better. We wanted to take the six months of research and development into a massive overhaul of the entire experience.

JB:  Fracture is obviously much larger than the original Furzona. In fact, with few exceptions, it is probably larger than most every club out there today.  What is the capacity of Club Fracture?

GW:  Since we used to share the sim with other parcels, it used to be under 100 patrons, but now, we can go as high as 110. We've fit up to 90 people in the previous club, but it felt claustrophobic. Now, we can stuff 100 people in here with it still feeling spacious.

JB:  Are Mesh builds really that much better? What advantage does a “Full Mesh Build” have over a Prim- build?

GW:  Prims are good, but when making complex structures, Mesh is the way to go. We can make way more dynamic builds when we do it straight from Blender. The biggest advantage is the optimization when the club is empty, a moderate machine should be able to run up to 90 FPS. We wanted to make sure Furzona can run on almost any machine.

JB:  This is the first I have heard of Furzona II.  How long has Fracture been in development?

GW: It's been in development for about 2 months, we've kept it a very close secret between managers. We wanted to take our time on this project. The last build felt somewhat rushed, whereas this one feels extremely flushed out and optimized.

JB:  I see signs around the place that talk about “Red versus Blue”?  What is that concept as it applies to your club here?

GW: Furzona has always been a Red and Blue themed club. So, we like to play on the Red vs Blue theme, that is prevalent in most games like Halo.

JB:  You have an area on the upper level called the Wall of Gratitude.  What is that all about?

GW:  We recently started up a Patreon for any people who wish to support the club ( http://www.Patreon.com/clubfurzona.  We had a lot of people approach us, and ask us how they could donate, so we decided to setup a way for them to do it proper. The Wall of Gratitude is a wall designed for those who support us at the $5 tier.

JB:  Tell us about some of the events you plan for Fracture?

GW:  We will continue to do our weekly events.  Our next event after Fracture is the GYC pride event on the 26th.  GYC is one of the Adult Furry Clubs on the Grid, it stands for Gay Yiff Club lol. It's the #1 Furry club in SL. So, we wanted to work with GYC to do a LGBTQ+ Pride event, and we're hosting that next week. Outside of that, we are planning seasonal events, like a summer event, some video game themed events, and community events!

JB:  Are you already thinking about your next grand Project?  And what might that be?

GW:  One step at a time, we wanted to put all our focus on Fracture before thinking about the next big thing. Rest assured, now that Fracture is open, we have begun planning for our next big thing.

JB:  Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about Fracture? The floor is yours, Sir.

GW:  We wanted to thank all of our staff and patrons for supporting us through these past 6 months. We couldn't have made it without your support. Fracture is our gift to all of those who have supported us. We wanted to re-design the club to feel more like a home to all of you. So please, enjoy.

So, there you go, Folks.  If the clubs you are used to visiting have become kinda cold and stale, then you need to TP your pixeled buttocks on over to FURZONA FRACTURED for the HOTTEST tunes, the HOTTEST lightshows, and the HOTTEST  DJs on the grid!    See ya there!  Aloha!

Josh 

SURL:   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Furzona/64/71/2013

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