Spotlight on SmacemanSpiff Grau- Mixing Business and Pleasure with Humor

Second Life is a virtual melting pot of people from all walks of life. In this unique global community, everyone has a story to tell no matter if they are in the virtual world for business or pleasure. Through the years The SL Enquirer has interviewed countless avatars and toured thousands of locations to learn more about the people behind the creativity and their virtual lifestyles.. For many, the attraction to friends and partners is based on the similarities in their likes and needs. Real-life looks and personal detail seem to fall into the background. The best part is we all meet each other from the inside out. Individual personalities are more important than looks. Not to say an attractive avatar can be a plus for those who want to enhance the fantasy and role play side of the grid.  Meet SmacemanSpiff Grau, winner of The Spotlight Feature Drawing at Terry’s Place  Sunday Showcase. He is an 11 year veteran of Second Life who has seen and done a lot and embraces the community in business as well as leisure activities with a good sense of humor.  SLE met up with Smace to get a glimpse at how he views Second Life and what he does.

Interview with SmacemanSpiff “Smace” Grau

SLE: Hi Smace it’s a pleasure to meet you. How did you discover Second Life?

Smace: Hi! Thanks for the opportunity! Second Life, for me, was initially a way for me to escape. I was going through a rough patch in life and had heard of SL as an online world with the creation and social aspects. I figured it could be a good distraction for me. I didn’t know much more than that and had no idea what to expect, so I signed up to see what it was all about!

SLE: I bet it was an eye-opening initial experience!  I’ve come across a lot of creative names but yours stands because it looks like a misspelling of “Spaceman” but according to the trusty Urban Dictionary, Smace means having an unusually small face and an average-sized head like a Keebler Elf. I had a good laugh with that one.   What inspired your name? 

Smace: Ha!! Well, those elves make some really good cookies, especially the ones with the fudge stripes… but no, it did not come from the vertically challenged bakers. It was a typo from trying to register Spaceman Spiff, the alter ego of Calvin from the syndicated comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. I love that kid and his tiger. It ended up being a good mistake to add some originality to the name. Excuse me for a minute while I go measure my face to head ratio…

SLE: So I was right! LOL! Would you say Second Life is an extension of your real life or just a game? 

Smace: It is definitely an extension of my real life. Even my partner in SL is my partner in real life, sharing a desk and sitting 3 feet from me. The person I am in SL is pretty much the same as on the other side of the screen, minus a few grey hairs and with a better wardrobe.

SLE: That has to feel great to find someone who enjoys Second Life as much as you do and omg yes the wardrobe here makes my rl character jealous!  Someone once said Second Life is just a chatroom with sh*t to do. I have to agree.  What type of activities do you get involved in on the grid?

Smace: Music started out as a big draw for me, and still is. It is fun to hear new music and I do enjoy fun banter with people. I also love to see new sims that people are building, especially the ones that use custom-made or modified objects pieced together. I am amazed at the creativity and attention to detail. Also, shopping, because… shopping.  

SLE: Absolutely! After 16 years, the creativity in SL still amazes me. With over 11 years of virtual world experience under your belt, what events have stood out the most to you?

Smace: Well, there was that one day when I met my wife… that was kind of a big one… 

SLE: Aww that's sweet! So,  you have a small shop in-world that features some of your creations like migrating Canadian Geese, neon signs, go-karts, a rocket blaster, and even a Zamboni. I mean who wouldn’t want one of those? Just the name alone is pretty funny. I personally like the wood signs Lol. You also have a marketplace shop that features even more things. Can you share with our readers how you would describe your products and what inspires them?

Smace: I’m the type of person that likes to figure out how things work, which is also how a lot of things in my life end up broken. As far as inspiration, a lot of it comes from my wife who says "you know what would be fun" or "can you make me a...". The rest comes from me asking myself the same questions. I try to make things that are fun and interactive with a little bit of whimsy. Everything that I make and sell at Spiffy has made me smile at some point. I like to push all the buttons and see what they do, which is why I try to add all the buttons to my products. I’m not a professional creator by any means, but I really enjoy the building process and hope that I can make things that other people will enjoy, too. Every project introduces new challenges, which is kind of like a game to me. I’m not sure if I’m winning yet, but it sure is fun!

SLE: I still haven’t mastered placing pictures flush to my building walls and it drives my manager crazy, but I definitely can see how trying new things and nurturing your creativity can be exciting.  Aside from getting inspiration from your wife, Do you create custom products for customers?

Smace: I have not been asked for any custom products, but I’m always up for a challenge!

SLE: I always wanted a rolled-up newspaper with a beat-down animation in case I need to attack a griefer. Are you up for that challenge? Anyway,  I can tell you have a sense of humor. It’s almost a must in Second Life with all the weird and wonderful things it has to offer. Besides creating interesting products, what other things do you like to do in Second Life?

Smace: I like to play. Dressing up in costumes for parties, playing with toys, shooting snowballs, exploring new places, taking silly pictures, dancing all the dumb dances… I love using the space as a playground amplified by ridiculousness. Rando and I have built and been managing a farm on a homestead we call Walsh County. When you add go-karts, it’s endless laughter among the rows of wheat.

SLE:  lol, I’m trying to picture that. Too funny! Do you have any advice you would give a Noob just starting out in Second Life with no direction?

Smace: Whatever your reason for being here, roleplay, creating, meeting people, dating, exploring… remember that the characters you interact with have a real person behind the pixels. We all have a story and a life. Have fun. Make it your own Second Life, but not at the expense of others. 

SLE: That’s great advice.  Congratulations on winning the Spotlight Feature drawing at Terry’s Place. Thank you for taking some time out of your day. It was a pleasure to chat with you. Before we go, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Smace: No, thank YOU for taking the time to do this! This has been great and I really appreciate it! I don’t have much else, other than to suggest looking up your name in the Urban Dictionary before agreeing to an interview with The SL Enquirer.

Additional Information:

Walsh County

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Campton/46/53/23

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rivuline/241/249/2001 

Marketplace: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/212961 

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14680384@N24/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_zDEqLyjbaXO_VBMeXuDzw?view_as=subscriber 

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Spotlight on Bayside Maternity Center

 

Family roleplaying is very popular in Second Life, just like in real life. It sets the stage for future relationships and is there for each other through challenging times. We all need a family to rely on. They are an essential source of encouragement and affection.

Bayside Maternity Center is the embodiment of building families in Second Life. They offer a unique blend of round-the-clock expertise and patient-centered care. Dr. Lelani Rayne and her team of nurses and doctors hold the highest standard in avatar healthcare and are available to help new patients every step of the way. From health insurance, maternity care, pediatrics, urgent care, and many other medical needs. The SL Enquirer is excited to be a sponsor of this well-thought-out medical facility. We sat down with the owner, Dr. Lelani Rayne to learn more about Bayside Maternity Center and what it has to offer the residents of Second Life.

Interview with Dr. Lelani Rayne

SLE: We thank you for taking the time to sit with us for this interview, with your company Bayside Maternity Center you have a lot going on. Can you tell our readers how your company started and the direction you would like to see it go?

Dr. Lelani Rayne: Thank You so much for taking the time out to interview me. My clinic started in a basement of a mansion I had, I wanted to provide a place where everyone could receive maternity services, regardless of sex, species, or income. The clinic grew quickly so I purchased my first clinic and saw about 5 patients for two months. That too grew even bigger and I needed a bigger clinic. Now I have so many patients a full staff of Drs, nurses, receptionists, and technicians. I am currently of services for maternity, general medicine, pediatrics as well as BeYou patients. The direction I'm headed is to have multiple locations within SL to offer the same as well as more services.

SLE: That’s great that you offer your services to anyone and everyone who wants to experience having a family in Second Life. Your center offers many different services from Maternity to Urgent Care. Can you explain to our readers the different types of care they can expect for each service?

Dr. Lelani Rayne: When a maternity package is selected, you will receive several weeks of exams, blood work, ultrasounds, prenatal care, assistance with the different HUDs, and Pregnancy bodies. General medicine will offer, physicals, blood work, x-rays, and any prescription that can be filled in our fully functional on-site pharmacy.

SLE: That is a full-service medical roleplay facility. You also stated that you offer Medical Insurance. Can you explain how that works in Second Life for residents?

Dr. Lelani Rayne: Yes! Medical insurance can be purchased for and paid monthly, 6 months, or annually and it will cover several services at the patient's request, such as Vision Health checkups & Immunizations 

SLE: That's the first time I’ve heard of insurance in SL. The maternity packages seem to be one of the most popular that you have. You offer many different levels of it, can you explain more to our readers what each package will offer and what kind of service they can expect with each?

Dr. Lelani Rayne: Yes! Maternity is the biggest. I offer three packages Standard, which covers short term pregnancies, Deluxe covers slightly longer, and VIP will cover up to a 9 month RL pregnancy. They can expect to receive:

~ FULL CHECKUPS FOR MOM 

• Blood work, Urinalysis, Blood Pressure check, Glucose, and Fetal Heart rate

• Sonograms 

• Congratulations Package Gift

• Customized birth Certificate.

• Delivery in a luxury style suite or clinic water birth

• The birth announcement in The SL Enquirer (optional for privacy)

SLE: There are many pregnancy / Belly HUDs in Second Life, which are compatible with your maternity center? Do you need a specific product to experience pregnancy and delivery with your services? Which HUD would you recommend and why?

Dr. Lelani Rayne: No. We work with all HUDs and pregnancy bodies. I'm a personal fan of the Lovemomma body because it is very user-friendly.

SLE: Huds and pregnancy bodies can be intimidating, thank you for sharing which is most user-friendly. I see that you offer Lamaze classes, do you find this a popular class for new mothers and fathers to join and learn what to expect before the arrival of their little one or two or three for that matter :)

Dr. Lelani Rayne: Yes, it's popular, it gives parents the opportunity to know what to expect during labor and delivery. It also answers lots of questions new moms and dads may have.

SLE: Since your company inception can you tell us how the clientele growth has been? Do you find that you have more mothers during specific months or times? 

Dr. Lelani Rayne: Clientele has grown in a major way. Went from getting 1-2 new patients every 2 weeks to 1 new patient a week, to now getting 31-33 new patients a day. 

SLE: That's some major growth! We are excited to sponsor Bayside Maternity Clinic and post the birth announcements in The SL Enquirer as part of your packages and look forward to working with you. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Dr. Lelani Rayne: I'm appreciative and grateful for being able to provide affordable care for my patients and patients to come. :-) I want to thank the SLE for working with Me and my team. I look forward to more growth! 

Additional Information:

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Windsor/152/218/23

URL: https://baysidemedicalclinic.wixsite.com/baysidemedicalclinic

Bayside Medical Clinic Group: secondlife:///app/group/5f995adf-28b8-4ca5-fa3e-2bdfea9eac22/about

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalonee.vyper.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baysidematernityclinic.sl/

Preferred Contact: 亗Đℜ.ℒ (lalonee.bellic)

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SINGH AUTOMOTIVE - NEW RELEASE: SUV

 

SIngh Automotive is proud to release its newest SUV.

This vehicle is made for RP, or simple mainland driving, with many added features

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Beliayev/192/105/70

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CYBERSEX 101 – A NOOB GUIDE TO “LOVE ON THE GRID” – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

OK...SOOO...you are new to SL.  You came to meet people. To build…maybe as an outlet for your artistic expression…You were here about a day and a half when you learned about an entirely different side of the Grid. The Naughty side, as it were.  Of course, you are interested…curious maybe, and like everything else, you want to see what this is all about.  Whether you were introduced to cybersex at the hands of a caring mentor, or if your first experience was at a group orgy, chances are you have questions about it all, and how you can maximize your enjoyment, and that of your partners, in this thing called cybersex.  Questions like “How do I know if she or he is interested? Are there any “Green Light” Phrases?” or “What is it about working the animations? Is there anything special to know about that?”  And then the ever-present “To voice, or not to voice?  That is the question.”

In keeping with the SL Enquirer’s continuing mission to inform our readers, over the next several weeks we will publish a three-part series on how to be the best cyberlover you can. 

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 28 of those experts. Altogether, these individuals have amassed over three and a half CENTURIES of residency in SecondLife, totaling 376 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 One of our series, our panel of experts was asked to identify some of the more noteworthy mistakes that noobs make during cybersex.

In Part two, we will look at what our seasoned experts believe makes for a particularly good cybersexual encounter,

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

Before you enter into the wild and confusing and exciting world of cybersex, you should ask yourself “why do you even want to have sex in SL?” If you're doing it because you want to change your RL, make sure your "target" has the same kind of ideas. Most don't.  Along with that... What do you expect from it? Is it just porn for you? Or to help you “get off”? Or maybe you've never really had sex at all and are just trying to fill that gap.  I once had a counselor who works with individuals with disabilities tell me that  “For people with some disabilities, [cyber]sex may be the ONLY sex they will ever get to experience”   Do you care about this person you're hoping to have sex with, or is it totally casual? And do they feel the same way?  Be sure you can address these questions before proceeding.

Part One:  What are some of the more noteworthy “Noob Mistakes” during Cybersex?

There were several answers to this question that were repeated time and again by our “sexperts”. Most often cited was the poor quality of the dialogue that often accompanies a noob’s initial dive into cybersex. Fully 48% of those responding identified this as a top concern

·         “It's okay to reach out and contact people you're interested in, start a chat first, but don't just offer friendship without a word said, and send a random TP offer to some remote sex beach.”

One writer summed it up nicely when she said:

·         “Learn how to emote! This is where you get creative and describe what is going on or even add something to it to heighten the experience makes all the difference in the world. Don't just keep typing harder, faster, or deeper. You can only get so hard or go so fast. You can only go so deep. [Repeating this over and over] just makes you look stupid.”

Other comments included:

·         “You must establish with the quality your intention and that of the couple, it is for fun, it is for porn sex, it is for love? That will help you avoid problems that may end up breaking your heart.

"I have noticed…the lack of quality roleplay and immersion. A lot of the RP would be rapid, machine-gun fire posts, without waiting for a reply like: mmm…so good….ahhh…Noob: nice p***sy”

Some noted the sparseness of supporting emotes:

   “Don’t just watch the animations. There needs to be a conversation. Narrate the scene. playoff of each other”

·         “Don’t use shorthand texting abbreviations. You could come off like an uneducated dumbass or she may think the guy behind the profile has the maturity level of a 14-year-old.”

·         “Take your time, learn to emote.  Do not be a paragraph writer.  "Lays you on your back.  Spreads your legs… pushing into you" works better for you and your partner than writing a book.”

On the other hand, sometimes there is too much text.

·         “No excessive emoting, it is supposed to be about your thoughts and what you would be doing in RL, not a paragraph from ‘50 Shades of Grey’.”

·         “Don't ‘godmod’ - don't tell me what I am doing or feeling or saying.  Let me respond for me, and you respond for you.  Nothing is as annoying as being told you are screaming out in ecstasy when you just emoted biting your lip in silence.”

·         “Don't ignore what your partner is emoting.  So many people who are new to this start writing what they are doing and forget that it is a two-way street.  Write...and then READ and respond.  Make it a give and take.”

Additionally, 26% of the respondents addressed the importance of having a hi-quality Avatar.

·         “First of all, you should make sure your avie is totally mesh, no one likes being with a noob especially if your body doesn't look good.  That sounds a little mean but it is so true.”

·         “I recommend investing some time and effort into your avatar and strive to bring a unique look to your avatar that defines you. There's still a lot of avatars running around with system avatars that look like they were made with scissors and paste and 2006 fell on their spiky heads.”

·         “Avoid having an ugly avatar - get a mesh body (yes, there are free ones for that). If you're a guy, do NOT get yourself a "freenis" (=a free penis) - they look ugly!”

·         “Don't just put on your new c**k and run out to play.  Learn to use it.  Color it.  Position it.  Get to know the hud, so that your use of it is not the focus of the interaction.”

A full 20% of the respondents noted that how you initiate cybersex is of crucial importance.

Never ever (!!!!!) just approach a person and just say “Ur Hawt”, Wanna f**k?" or “nice tits” as your opening sentence'" The approach.  "Wanna F**k" is not going to get you any further in SL than in RL. 

·         “Like in RL, most people want a little seduction.  If all we wanted was to jump on a pose ball, we would make an alt of the opposite sex and never bother engaging with others.”

One contributor identified a major problem upfront:

·         “Asking for Sex. That's the number one mistake.  No one worthy of your time wants to be asked to have sex.  The trick is to engage in conversation in a way that makes them think they want to get to know you better.  Then invite them to join you on a chair or sofa to be comfortable during conversation.  And from there you might stroke their hair or their shoulder.  Perhaps you kiss their mouth when the moment feels right and see how they react.  If they are into it and kiss back... you have permission to go further.   if they simply Smile and do not kiss back... disengage and find someone else.”

And finally,

·         “Always cuddle before and after - don't be a cad.”

Other challenges noted were too numerous to fully cover here, but they included things like how often to change poses or not. Once your partner has the camera properly positioned, hopping from pose to pose every 10 or 15 seconds can be irritating.  Some have suggested no more than 4 or five poses should be used during an entire encounter. Pay attention to details…placement of appendages…not poking thru bellies or outback of heads.

So, there you have it, folks – some of the more common mistakes noobs (and more experienced residents) can make while cybering.  Confusing?  Yeah.  It certainly can be.  But with a little practice and attention to detail, you too can become the Don Juan (or Donna Juan) of Cyber.

Stay tuned for the next two parts in this series, where we will continue our discussion about what makes for great cyber, as our sexperts share from their experience gained in this important aspect of life on the grid.

Be There.  Aloha!

JB

 

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GeekSpeak subject for Saturday 15th January at noon SLT: Are you enjoying Veganuary?

Veganuary – a month living as a vegan!  Many people are doing it.  Are you?  Or are you doing Dry January – a month without alcohol?  Or both?

Should we all learn how to live as vegans?  Is it immoral to live in any other way?  Or do we need to be vegans because of climate change and the increasing population?  Will meat be priced out of existence in the future?  Will anyone still eat animals 100 years from now?  Or are vegans just a moralistic pest?

Will science come to our rescue with lab-produced meat?  Or will we add things like seaweed or insects (not vegan) to our menu?  Or the McPlant?  Or will we live on pills produced by our personal AI?

Come and discuss the future of food this Saturday at noon SLT.  Bring a spoon!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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Buddha Garden - Opening New SIM!

 

We look forward to seeing you at the opening of the new sim created by Gian.

Welcome to "Buddha Garden"!

Landmark:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ahimsa/57/85/24

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Kuroshima - Asian Inspired Tropical Paradise Now Open

A Tropical and Underwater sim for your enjoyment. LGBTQ Friendly. Open to a mature audience. This sim features the main Island, cave, underwater, and Party Area. LGBTQ Friendly.

 Note: this is an adult sim, no child avatars are allowed. 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kuroshima/42/203/23

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January 16th - Zak Claxton & TwoStep Spiritweaver LIVE at Terry's Sunday Showcase

 Join us on Sunday, January 16th beginning at 4 pm SLT for Terry's Sunday Showcase, sponsored by the SL Enquirer!  This week's special guest is Zak Claxton! With over 20 years as a professional gigging musician and recording artist based in Los Angeles, Zak is an entertaining and exciting singer/songwriter, always pleasing his fans.

Using his acoustic guitar, voice, and the occasional harmonica, Zak brings high energy to his original music, as well as occasional covers by artists ranging from the '60s to the '10s. His influences include Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, the Who, the Beatles, and many more.

Zak has spent quite a few years as one of SL's most enjoyable live music performers, and his self-titled debut solo album is available on the Frothy Music label. Purchase it in-world or at iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere.

Next up at 5 pm SLT, Terry's Sunday Showcase continues with a special LIVE performance from Twostep Spiritweaver! A talented acoustic singer/songwriter, Twostep was born and raised in North Carolina but has called Texas home for the last 30 plus years.

Musically, he has been influenced by The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and so many others.

You can find Twostep around the Second Life grid performing at some of the finest venues around, spending a lot of his time performing for charities that are near and dear to him, including cancer research and cures, as well as Feed A Smile.

Come support live music with friends, laughter, and a whole lot of fun...ONLY at Terry's Place!!!

__________________________________________________________________________

Terry's Place, a hybrid live music venue and friendly neighborhood club where everyone knows your name! Now in its second year as well as home to some of the hottest DJs and live performers/musicians on the grid, there's a little something for everyone at Terry's when you just need to get away from it all. Dance as we spin tunes for all walks of life, show off your talents at Open Mic every Friday, or enjoy a live concert out in the park at Terry's Sunday Showcase!  With events now happening four nights a week, be yourself and escape the chains of real-life with friends, great music, and a whole lot of fun...ONLY at Terry's Place!

PUBLIC LANDMARK:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mystic%20River%20Cove/214/82/2501

VENUE SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/terrysplacesl

Flickr- https://www.flickr.com/photos/terrysplace

Discord- https://discord.gg/WAP9RrtdcV

VENUE CONTACT:
Ninja (ninjaantwoord resident)

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New Year - New Store

 

New main store at Salt & Pepper located in the middle of a desert at an oasis, offering high fashion, fetish fashion & accessories, by Salt Peppermint

Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Salt%20and%20Pepper/122/120/40

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Jail Event JANUARY round is now open!! January 10th-30th

 

JAIL EVENT BY POSESION PRODUCTIONS !! Jail Event opens its doors for the January round launching a new environment with a great selection of brands just for you. Come to Jail Event and enjoy all of the great creations our designers have for all of you! This round we have a great GROUP GIFT by R3HAB Don't miss what our fabulous designers made for you! The Best Brands for YOU! January 10th-30th Event Gallery: https://bit.ly/3qIxOTV Taxi: https://bit.ly/3EIu8Iu

WebSite: https://posesionproduction.wixsite.com/posesion Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/themenjailevent/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/themenjailevent/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/156889060@N02/

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THE MUSIC FACTORY: CRANKING OUT THE TUNES – JOSH (THOMAS1 BELLIC) REPORTING

Soooo…I was hopping around the Grid the other day, looking to see if anyone was having fun without me in SecondLife, and  I dropped square into THIS place.  According to the promo,  The Music Factory is billed as “SL's Premier Multi-Genre & Live Music Venue", owned and operated by veteran  SL'er, Wilson "Bluesdaddy" Camino”.  Here I met the friendly and outgoing Camino, as he was prepping for his next set.  Still, he managed to spare a few minutes to answer my questions.  He described The Music Factory as one of SL's hottest destinations. They are Multi-Genre and Newcomer Friendly, with DJs who play Blues, Jazz, Rock, R&B, Soul, and Pop. Confident in his own abilities as a DJ, Camino’s profile states “I have no doubt, there's no better Blues  DJ in SL**”

Josh (Thomas1 Belllic) (JB)    Hi Wilson.  Thanks for agreeing to chat with me.  Let me ask, how did you come up with the idea for “The Music Factory”?

Wilson Camino (WC):  I initially planned to stay working at The Fix, but when you've been an owner, working for someone else was unsatisfying, and since this isn't my first rodeo, (I previously owned The Blues Barn) and it was moderately successful, I decided the best move going forward was to carve out a place for the vision I had. I have my Muse, Mysti, and she and I went looking for a facility to start out this endeavor with, and we went to numerous places that sell buildings, we initially planned to do something with garage, but after we went to M-C Creations, we came across this building, although it was in its original form.

JB:  What is it that makes “The Music Factory” different from any other music venue out there?

WC:  First, we do have a heavy blues influence here, that's mainly my fault. It turns out we ended up with an excellent staff, one I'm very proud of, and individuals in our roster don't limit themselves to strictly one genre, they are all very talented and have the ability to mix genres. I take great pride in that, and we have Jazz Mondays, and each day of the week we sponsor different spins on what the days' music will bring.

JB:  Did you build this all by yourself, or do you have a partner or assistant who helps out?

WC:  The building and all the work on the grounds here and over the bowling alley were done by my good friend Magda 1851, who is the builder of the original building we bought to house the club. She's been brought into our group as well, and every revision we did since we opened, she's created, she's amazing and wonderful. I believe as things now sit, we are fully willing to embrace change if needed, but I don't believe we can make it any better here.

JB:   Are you a Blues musician in RL as well?

WC:  I knew this was going to come up, lol. I play guitar, I'm not in a band or anything. I don't know if it matters, I have 8 guitars, and I'm building up a collection. What I do have, is a stunning music collection, and I've been collecting music I loved since childhood, and it continues to reflect my sets in what I play.

JB:  You seem to be able to handle groups of varying sizes with a couple of dance floors.  Tell me about the layout here?

WC: Good question, at one time, this was just the building, and it had support columns, and obstructions galore, so I went and asked Magda to do a revision and she removed all the columns and removed gates that were across the stage. We operated with just the original building for a while, but the need to use the land behind the club led to the present configuration, and Magda redesigned the back of the building, (opened it up) and built it with the upper dance floor, the amphitheater seating area, and the fences around the premises. She also took on doing the grounds, front, back, and around the bowling alley. The idea was to offer a variety of settings for our VIP's, both inside, and outdoors.

JB:  What can visitors expect when they drop into The Music Factory? 

WC:  They should expect entertainment, friendly staff, and great conversation, we try as much as possible to have Hosts along with the DJs so guests can expect to be greeted and made welcome. Also, innovations- we have SL's first couples and singles dance balls shaped like guitars, there's a single neck I had made for singles, and a double-neck made for couples. I also had remote stands built for the dances and to keep things similar, they also feature the double-neck for couples and a single neck for single folks. I have subscribers for all the DJs so people don't have to use group space to keep up with their favorites, they can tap a Subscriber and keep up with all the news and schedules.

JB:   So, tell me, Wilson? Do you have any special events coming up? If so, what can guests expect there?

WC:  We have events every Saturday evening, we've done Ice skating, roller derby, costumes, and others and there's always a prize. this week, we are having a tin foil hat contest, lmao. They're all for fun, and they always generate a good crowd. We also have Formal Fridays, and everyone likes the excuse to dress up.

JB:  Tell us about your staff?   How many people does it take to keep an operation like this running?

WC:  I think, at least for my part, I have the best staff in SL. I co-own the club, I learned early on delegation is a wonderful thing. Aster,(my co-owner) and I strive to have a stable roster, unlike many other clubs, I pay a salary and tips, and everyone keeps 100% of what they make. It helps a lot, folks like stable too, and they come back looking for their favorite staff. Right now, we have 2 owners, a pair of host managers, and we are looking for others. At last count 15 DJ's, and 12 Hosts.

JB:  How can people find out what is happening here?  Where do you post your Schedule of Events?

WC:  We have event boards all over here, and right outside the front door there's one, we always update them as soon as possible. We also have a Facebook page, and were recently in the Destination Guide.

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

WC:  Folks, there's the old way of doing things, and our way. Come by and hang out a spell, you'll have a great time, and you'll have found a new home for your entertainment needs. We appreciate all our guests, and we welcome all newcomers to SL, and those just looking for something new. We are the home of' great times, great tunes, and great vibes for unstable minds". We also have plans to have charity kiosks and events here, For NAMI, Run For Life, and others in SL.

So there ya have it, Folks.  If ya’ll are looking for a place with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, a friendly, engaging staff, and some really kick-ass DJs, come check out The Music Factory at the SURL below.

Be There.  Aloha!

JB

SURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Warbunton/69/221/44

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GeekSpeak subject for Saturday 8th January at noon SLT: Should Elon Musk end World Hunger?

 

Recently Musk was asked to donate $6 billion to end world hunger.  Would that be possible?  Would there be no more starvation if a few billionaires gave some money?

If it can’t be solved in that way, how are we to end world hunger?  If new inventions guarantee free access to information for everyone, would that help?  Or how about efficient worldwide transport, to distribute the food properly?  Or how about a social change?  Should we all start thinking that it is unacceptable that anyone, anywhere, should die of starvation?

What technology are we hoping for?  Or maybe, what changes in the law?

How many years will it take to solve world hunger?  5, 20, 100?  Or will it never be solved? 

Join us at GeekSpeak, at noon SLT this Saturday.  Admission free, bring your kids!

IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/143/127/51

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