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18 Years and counting...Got SL News? Get it Published! Contact Lanai Jarrico at lanaijarrico@gmail.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Mind Over Matter: A Psychic Medium’s Business Tips posted by Sumi Portola


No matter what stage of business you’re in, there are always moments where we silently find ourselves wishing for answers from a higher power. We hope for ways to clear negative thoughts and energy from our lives as we move forward to make big decisions and big moves. Well, 4th generation Psychic Medium, Color & Energy Expert, Author and Reiki Practitioner, Linda Lauren, has some tips, strategies, and daily practices for learning to trust your instincts and most importantly, thrive.

Being a fourth-generation psychic medium, how has this role impacted your day to day?
The fact that I had available to me a network of female family members spanning generations who were skilled in spiritual guidance, made all the difference in the world.  My mother, especially, was instrumental in revealing to me the ways I could embrace my psychic awareness in everyday life.  As a result, I am able to intuit a better course of action in my approach as I move through day to day.  This has been a blessing because it has allowed me to accomplish more in one day than I might have in a week.  It has opened me to grow in areas I might otherwise have missed.

When starting out, did you take business advice from your mom? 
Oh, I definitely took business advice from my mom. She was instrumental in helping me to set up my first real office.  She had insight into the way I might operate it and cost-effective approaches to how I structured my business.  Her advice was invaluable.  I discuss the extent of her involvement in my memoir, Medium Rare.

What is one thing you’ve learned in business that you would pass along to someone just starting out?
A lot of people tend to look at their business strictly from the standpoint of checks and balances.  But before you can truly get to the point of understanding your business, my suggestion is to add meditation to your daily schedule.  
Meditation creates structure.  When you meditate you learn to respond to life, embracing reason, rather than reacting, which is through emotion.  That single most act can assure success and good health just by the awareness it affords us when we meditate faithfully.  To me, it’s like washing your face or brushing your teeth: it’s something you don’t skip! So, even if it’s for 10-20 minutes a day, the potential for positive energy is in every breath.

Are there any specific signs or energy that you say a female entrepreneur should specifically try to listen to as she starts her business?
I feel it is very helpful to listen to what your gut is telling you.  Put yourself into a quiet place, address any situation via a question, place your hand on your midriff, and “listen” to what your body, mind and spirit are indicating.  It is a way to learn to tap into what I refer to as your “center,” which is a place where we make our most important decisions.  If something feels “off,” this will be a good gauge to help you discern the best cause of action.
How have you learned to listen to your business intuition?
I make it a policy to meditate on each business issue as it comes along so that I can discover the best way to work.  Yes, there it is again: meditation.  I consider it a business practice that is the foundation for everything I do.  However, I also use color to work with the energy available to me in business.  I have long worked with color to help people in business pursuits. I can attest that certain colors reflect positive action when they are embraced.  Embracing them can be in the form of the clothes or jewelry we wear, the colors we surround ourselves with, and the intention we wish to convey.  For instance, one of my executive clients often focuses on the color blue when she is in business meetings.  If affords her a clear understanding of what is being said and she is able to achieve desired results. 
We’re loving the idea of your Vibe Spray. Can you explain what it is?
The Vibe Spray™ was designed to clear negativity from a space and replace it with positive energy.  I use this product everywhere, and so do my clients.  It is part of my office procedure.  I spray it when I first open my doors, when I close, and after each client.  Many of my clients use it for when they travel to spray in their hotel rooms, meeting room, and other areas.  It is designed to replace the use of smudging with smoke.  It has a lovely rose top- scent and it incorporates essential oils, sea salt and other ingredients of a proprietary nature.  I came up with the recipe via my family and have gone back generations in my research in developing the product.
What drew you to go beyond your reading sessions and develop a product that we can use everyday?
Public demand propelled me to extend my work to products.  We make or carry everything from bracelets, color/energy candles and mediation pieces, to The Vibe Spray and Himalayan salt lamps. These tools are essential to growing within your spirit in business.  They create positive awareness that moves us forward. I have also create a website that allows people easy access to the products I develop, as well as the information and advice I provide as a blogger for Huffington Post and Medium.com.

Lastly, are you able to make any predictions about what’s next for females in business this year?
Women will continue to raise their voices in unison and solidarity.  We will most likely see more businesses springing up that are headed by women.  The written word will be a consideration, too, as the plight of women takes center-stage.

Linda Lauren can be found hanging out at her Island ETU Abbracciare and her Meditation Gardens.  Come visit!

Monday, February 20, 2017

Best Country Venues in SL – Camury Reporting


The Second Life world is filled with amazing and extraordinary places, and many of them become favorites for those who enjoy exploring. Some of these wonderful places represent perfect virtual replicas of places that exist in real life and certainly deserve our visit.
See below 5 lovely places for you to visit in Second Life.

Machu Picchu
The mysterious city of Machu Picchu is one of the biggest attractions in all of South America. The ruins are above the clouds at 7,979 feet above sea level. Built around the middle of the 15th century, it is the main conquest of the Inca Empire. In Second Life you can visit and see the virtual replica of Machu Picchu and explore the stairways, temples, aqueducts and observation points scattered over a mountainous landscape resembling a maze. Machu Picchu is suitable for adventurers or those who enjoy culture and history.



Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep gorge carved by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona in the United States. This formation is part of the Grand Canyon National Park and you can experience the graphic replica of this wonderful work of nature in Second Life. Many visitors, however, do not know everything the place can offer them, such as the distinct and inspiring landscapes and the many outdoor adventures for those who love adrenaline. Take a balloon at the entrance of the park and explore the cliffs of this tourist spot. The Grand Canyon it’s the owner of such a grandiose beauty that it inspires its visitors. It is not by chance that he was elected one of the seven natural wonders of the world.



Great Wall Of China
The Great Wall of China is a military architecture structure built during the Imperial China, and is also considered one of the seven wonders of the world. The Great Wall consists of several walls, built during several dynasties over approximately two millennia. If, in the past, its function was essentially defensive, at the present it is a symbol of China and a sought after tourist attraction. You can get to know the graphic representation, have fun and explore this great work in Second Life. Do not forget to visit the Pandas Bears.

Venice
Venice is a city in the northeastern of Italy, located on the marshy Venice Lagoon, which stretches along the coast between the mouths of the Po and Piave rivers. Venice is famous for the beauty of its architecture and works of art. A part of the city is considered World Heritage, along with its lagoon. Take a gondola and stroll through the replica of this beautiful city in Second Life. Explore the canals, the magnificent squares and bridges and even stop for coffee or wine while enjoying the view of the lagoon.

Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a 324 meter high iron structure, built in the 19th century and located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. The Tower has become a world icon of France and one of the most recognized and visited structures in the world. In Second Life, you can explore the virtual replica of this magnificent structure and visit the square and surrounding buildings. If you are more into a bit of adrenaline, you should climb up to the top of the tower and enjoy jumping parachutes. There is nothing better than exploring and getting to know the beautiful landscapes and monuments that graphic designers create in Second Life.

For those who enjoy beaches, waterfalls, snow, pyramids ... for all tastes there’s always some interesting place to meet. Adventure yourself!

PETIT CHAT: HEALING MY HEART-NEW JEWELLERY SET @ PRETTY THINGS SHOWROOM



Petit Chat has joined Pretty Things Showroom this month. We created an exclusive jewellery set.

Rather than doing a bleeding heart set, we prefered to be positive and we did a healing heart set. Yes… Bleeding heart was sad, but we did put a strap on it, and now it’s recovering … Because time heals everything. Of course scars remain, but there is a saying : “if it doesnt kill me, then it makes me stronger”. So we are made of our scars too. They are a part of what constitute us.

So we wanted to bring positivity and hope to all those sensitive hearts in the world who have been harmed one day. Some of them already know that after the rain always comes a beautiful sunshine. But some others do not know yet. So this jewellery set is here to bring hope, or just remind there is always hope.

Each "Healing heart" jewellery set includes a necklace and a pair of earrings. They are 100 % original mesh and texture. 

The set is materials enabled of course, and there are 5 metal colors to choose from + 1 big fatpack that will save you money if you love them all.

More details on our website (http://petitchatsl.fr/).

The event runs till March the 6th.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

A MODICUM OF COLOR: An in depth interview with SL Artist Ilyra Chardin - Dean Lawson Reporting




 

 
Ilyra Chardin is a real life and Second Life artist. In a previous interview I had a chance to discuss Ilyra's Second Life images, this time Ilyra treated me to a tour of her art installation “A Modicum of Color”.
 
 
Dean : Hi, thanks for taking the time to meet with me, is the name “A Modicum of Color” intended to be ironic?
 
Ilyra : Well, no.  there are tiny bits of color here and there … like the flowers over by the barn ... or the red or blue sailboats ... tiny bits of color here and there.  that was the intention
 

 
Dean : We both seem to be dressed for this installation, with grey clothes ... Did you build the objects in the installation or did you modify objects to reduce the color?
 
Ilyra : A little of both.  i uploaded tons of new textures.  and i also built some things from scratch.  I didn't do any mesh for this installation, but I am currently working on brand new - original - and I hope unique - meshes for the next installation, which is planned for sometime in March.
 

 
Dean : What inspired you to create an installation that is primarily black and white?
 
Ilyra : The primary reason was to create a 3 dimensional environment that highlighted pockets of color.  I thought a predominately black, white and grey build would create a dreamlike environment.  I also thought it would be soothing ... I thought, too, that anyone coming to pose here would stand out - their av and their clothing - if they wore colorful clothes
 
Dean : You mentioned that there was a problem with the color of the sky as seen through your viewer, for people to get the best effect of your installation is there a windlight setting they should choose incase it doesn't automatically adjust when they arrive at the installation?
 
Ilyra : Phototools B/W Light 02 … let me show the garden of flowers that i had mentioned … this was one of the first things that I envisioned and built - the flowers with parts of color.  I later made the flowerr painters and had them painting sections of the flowers.
 

 
Dean : It's very nice, why didn't you give color to all the flowers?
 
Ilyra : i really wanted to show the transition from greyscale to a colorful world ... and really highlight it by coloring just pieces of the flowers
 
Dean : What’s next on our tour?
 
Ilyra : This is Art in the Park - a gallery with other artists - some of my work - that is in theme - in tandem with A Modicum of Color … Sandi is a close friend ... she shot that on the sim as I was building it.
 

 
To find out more about Art in the Park or Ilyra Chardin you can visit her blog or visit the art installation “A Modicum Of Color"
 
 


Dean Lawson
 

Friday, February 17, 2017

VIKING VUE: An In Depth Interview with Second Life Artist Sapphire Viking - Dean Lawson Reporting




 

Sapphire Viking is an artist whose whimsical work celebrates the raw nature of mutable female emotions. Sometimes fantastical, other times dark.  Her paintings and drawings reflects personal experiences expressed through metaphors of color and femininity. I had the good fortune to interview Sapphire and talk to her about her work.
 
 
Dean : How did you first learn about Second Life and what appeals to you about living in the virtual universe?
 
Sapphire : I was traveling and read an article about Second Life in the in-flight magazine.  That was 10 years ago and I don't remember where I was going.  But I am glad that I remembered to go home and check out this new virtual world. The most appealing thing to me about SL is the wealth of imagination, the totally uninhibited creativity.  It is ever changing with magical surprises. I am thrilled to meet people from all over the world and see how similar we human beings are.  I love that I can go sailing in the morning, fly home in a helicopter,  work on my own art gallery,  then go dancing at 5 clubs in the same night.  I guess you could say SL appeals to my restless nature and need to explore.
 
 
Dean : A lot of your work seems to feature female forms. Does all of your work revolve around representing the female form? If so, why?
 
Sapphire : Much of my work is autobiographical. The females represent different events in my life or an emotional state I am trying to express.  As I was growing up, I had a difficult time verbalizing my emotions because I did not feel safe to do so.  I found sanity by getting those feelings out through visual art.  On a pragmatic level, I find the female form to have many more options for expression and use of color.
 
 
Dean : The painting "Non Sine Soleiris" reminds me of the movie "Il Casanova" by Frederico Fellini, while "CRAWLING" reminds me of Japanese Anime. Could you tell me about your artistic influences?
 
Sapphire : My father was an artist and my mother always made sure I had supplies. I would go to my father's studio while he worked.  I remember the smell of musty old wood and oil paint.  He would sit me down with pens and paper or clay and tools and let me go to town.  When we were at his studio it was a peaceful, happy time and I still have that feeling when I work today.  The other artists who have influenced me are many.  I admire line work so some of the early influences were; Aubrey Beardsley, Alphonse Mucha, Egon Schiele, George Grosz and the artists of Mad Magazine. I also read about the women of the surrealist movement so for me Remedios Varo, Leonor Fini & Leonora Carrington.  Frida Kahlo, her vibrant colors and the way she opened herself up so fearlessly was a big influence.  Margaret Keene, when I was a little girl I was delighted to buy small cardboard prints of her paintings at the local drug store!  I do enjoy the art of anime and am also a fan of artists Takashi Murikami and Yoshitomo Nara.  Growing up in Los Angeles I was influenced by films and enjoyed watching the old classics.  I was fascinated by the elegant yet strong women portrayed in films, stars like Betty Davis, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell. I also find new artists that I enjoy on Instagram.   These days my favorite Instagram artist is a woman named Grace Passerottti.  In SL I love the work of Cica Ghost and can't wait for her newest installation. The way she uses the SL environment to express emotion is profound. 
 

 
Dean : The painting "The Gift" portrays a woman tied up in a ribbon, from her expression she doesn't seem too thrilled about it. The painting "The Bow" portrays a woman gagged by a bow, what are your views on bondage, and sado masochistic relationships? Do you explore this lifestyle in real life or Second Life or both?
 
Sapphire : When I was a child my house was filled with art history books.  I remember being fascinated with the Hieronymus Bosch masterpiece the Garden of Earthly Delights. Particularly the depiction of hell.  The drama and dynamics were thrilling to me. When I was a teen I was into punk rock and that was my first real life introduction to BDSM but I was too young to understand what it was. After my first serious relationship broke up, I felt it was due to the constant power struggle that is the demise of many "vanilla" relationships.  I already had an unexplored interest in BDSM and as I tend to do, jumped in feet first.  It changed my life.  While the physical side, the whips and chains are dramatic and look good in movies they are external. In my opinion, the basis of BDSM is a method of communication and understanding of roles. My RL experiences were another form of self-exploration and inspired many of the paintings that I display in my SL gallery.  I have been active in the Los Angeles BDSM scene on and off for about 15 years.  During that time, even though I am naturally dominant, I was trained as both a Domme and a sub.  Neither role is greater or less than and can not exist without the other. In SL I have been active in the Femdom scene for about 9 years.  My RL experience helps me when I meet those who come to the Femdom simply out of curiosity or a life long desire. Because of my RL experience in both roles, I have a good understanding of the dynamics and the big picture.
 
Dean: Is there anything you would like our readers to know about you or your work?
 
One day I was perving profiles and someone wrote in theirs, "Second Life is my art".  That really struck me and I started looking at SL differently.  I wanted to make it part of my art too. I felt that the colorful world of SL was a good fit for my aesthetic. I have been taking classes at Builder's Brewery in hopes of expanding my horizons within the SL environment. As I mentioned, I am inspired by the in-world installations of Cica Ghost as well as others that I have visited.  I would eventually like to create some type of installation.  I don't know how long it will take or what it will be exactly, but it is something I am formulating in the back of my mind. Thank you Dean, for your thoughtful questions and this opportunity to reach out to the Second Life community.
 
To learn more about Sapphire Viking and her work click on the following link or visit her art gallery “Viking Vue” at the following SLURL
 
 



Dean Lawson
 

Thursday, February 16, 2017

GeekSpeak – Future of Law Enforcement


Where are police methods heading?  Should we be worried?  Already they can use microwaves, high-pitched and potentially dangerous sound and lasers to control crowds.  What will happen when they produce drones to spy on us and attack us?  Drones which may be disguised as birds.  When you go for a country walk will the raptors you see be after mice or after you?  Will the robins and sparrows outside your window be there for the food or are they police drones that are watching you?

Maybe when criminals use drones the police will attack with their own drones?  Or will they use animals to attack drones?  In Holland the police are already using eagles to destroy drones.  There are plenty of stories of dolphins that have been trained to kill.  Will future human wars be fought entirely by dolphins, eagles and robot drones?

Does all this scare you?  Or make you angry?  Or do you think it is all a good idea?  Come and share your views on future policing.  Watch out for raptors!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Danmu/141/128/51

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

EXISTENCE IN BALANCE: An in depth interview with Second Life Artist JenniferMay Carlucci- Dean Lawson Reporting...



According to her press release ; "JenniferMay Carlucci is inspired by the creation of our earth and the offering of our beautiful planet into the physical Universe. 'Existence in Balance' shows Earth being created and how we humans are part of this loving process. With nothing more than this intriguing concept she starts to explore and build up her vision. Building a visual route up along a growing Planet Earth, Jenn will drag you into a breathtaking experience. 

Experience by means of motion (dance), visualization (decor), sound (special compositions of music), feelings (use of particles) - beauty and purity. The ground level of the sim is used to create an environment from the moment that earth is created. Earth in its early state, moving towards growth, awareness of existence, and completion for life to exist on. From the moment on when life is eminent, Earth is situated within the known Universe, our Universe. Gloriously balanced between stars, planets, galaxies as we know it. Feeling this theme can speak to so many, she connects with many talented residents, offering them a platform to share their ideas and feelings about “Existence in Balance”, encouraging them to travel alongside with her on this extraordinary and amazing voyage. 'Existence in Balance' is offering the visitors a serene environment where they will be submerged in a breathtaking trip around the sim.”



Much like the press release, the LEA installation "Existence in Balance” is a flood of ideas that are unconventional and Avant Guard. I had the good fortune to chat with Jennifer May Carlucci, the artist behind the design and concept, as well as Falkon Wickentower, who helped with scripts and other technical aspects of this project.
Dean : Hi Jennifer, hi Falkon, thanks for inviting me … Would you like to begin by telling me about your installation? What inspired you to create?
Jennifer : I had an idea to create a virtual world about how earth was created already many years ago … just to let people see where we originate from … to show the beauty … It is the idea of our souls being created in the non physical world, where earth is created as well … I want to offer a visual experience of the whole process … so when this is done people will be able to travel around here … go through a wormhole into the existing world … and  from there into Universe
Falk : dont forget the musical side on the experience of the sim.
Jennifer : Also I made this compilation of the music you hear now especially for this project … at the opening we will have a big show with a combination of dance, particles and music about this subject … the music will tell the tale of creation.



Dean : I see two hands holding a globe, is this a representation of God?
Jennifer : no … it is the creation of earth … this symbolises the non physical world … I do not wish to give this a religious feel … the hands are molding earth and finally releasing the world ready to be into the physical universe
Falk : earth being shaped
Jennifer : here the visitor will start his voyage … here it is all pure and serene … my way of showing this is the cold and icey underwaterworld … the hearts here below represent love … there are 4 directions … reality, fantasy, spiritualism, and emotion … this level is called truth … as we are standing here and we each see and choose our own direction
Dean Lawson : Is truth a link between the four directions?
Jennifer : exactly … as you see there are 4 platforms shaped from hearts … they are below us … those are the directions 


Dean : So truth is where the visitor to your sim begins and then they choose the path of reality, fantasy, emotion and spiritualism?
Jennifer : yes .. they come in in a small area where some information is available ... from there they come here and then they can choose a path … that will be a tour ... they just sit on a pose ball and fly around ... from the direction they choose ... first a little in this area ... then they go thru a wormhole, leaving the nonphysical world ... thats a special scripted trick ... the wormhole is a long tube with several effects and textures … depending on the direction they choose … at the end they land in the physical world … in the direction they chose ... what they will see are floating islands with themes on that subject … these floating islands are located around a large floating island this will be the centre stage.


Dean : Could Falk elaborate on some of the scripting required in constructing the tour?
Falk :  sure ... the Tour is build with a scripting language embedded inside a system that ... provides poseballs ... the program lets us use animations … TP's … Poses ... information blocks … sounds ... and spoken texts ... the tour can be started by 1 or many together …  I would like to point out that this build is so serene that by example, new visitors like the lady Mycky that just about 15 minutes ago arrived here, isn't even flying around , but nicely relaxing in the reception chairs....
According to Jennifer the installation will be officially opened in the beginning of April, 2017. For more information on Second Life Artists JenniferMay Carlucci, Falkon Wickentower and the LEA installation "Existence in Balance” you can click on the links below or visit the installation at the following SLURL



Dean Lawson

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

SLE Valentine's Poetry Contest Winners




And here they are, our three winners for our 2017 Valentine's poetry contest...

Three very different poems.  Thank you to all of you who entered, we appreciate the support.

First Prize Winner:
Written by shortfoxwife in dedication to her husband and beautiful children.

I'm sure this is something you have heard, 
"Love is more than just a word."
When I think about what love means to me, 
Its not about what I hear, its what I see.
My smiling husband, full of pride,
As he gives our son a piggy back ride.
It's singing songs on some old back road,
Living for today, no fear of growing old.
It's painting a picture with my little girl, 
And staring in awe at her cute, bouncy curls.
That ecstatic moment when your man takes a knee,
Promising to love you for an eternity.
Watching movies, making love,
Saying your prayers to The Man up above.
Next time you're brightening someones day,

Remember it's your gestures, not just what you say.


Second Prize Winner-
POEM by Sizzelle

What cliche betrays the heart of the needy, the timid, and the weak?

The silence of the bold is the passion I seek

Heart shaped bubbles and chocolate truffles, empty calories won’t fill the soul

And, if a diamond ring makes your heart sing,

Then you’ve sold yourself for a drop of gold

Oh the impetuousness of youth they say

But the grey and the restless also play

Little games on clever phones

The lucky lovers roll their bones

They turn and turn until the grave

Then gladly go their separate ways

I will not settle for fear of silence

Or tolerate the video violence

The games … the films that you adore

In which you are hero and I am whore

I pity those players trapped by your rules

I pity those brainwashed media tools

Who propagate the Book of Lies

‘Till all we trust withers and dies

They sell the roots of their family tree

For fifteen minutes on TV

My love is mine and all I need

My love is mine in words and deeds

My love is secret and I will not share her name

… For money or for fame



Third Prize winner:
To you  - by Laurel B

It was instantaneous
You blew my mind
How did it even happen?
But there you were

You wandered away a few times
I should have known better
I couldn’t let go as much as I tried
The magnetism was too much

Time went by
I loved you more and more
I tried leaving you
But our friend said you needed me

Then you left
I knew she existed
But it was supposed to have been me
You said we were soulmates

You were supposed to rescue me
But you went off and married her
Then you came back
How could you?

Our love was intense
Our love was ferocious
But was it all a lie?
Was it even real?

We called it a day, it was inevitable
The colour to life has faded
I think of you everyday
My broken heart is yours forever


 
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