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GridPlay Productions focuses on grid-wide roleplay tools and services for SecondLife residents with over 10 years of experience in LSL and PHP scripting. We also like to do websites for SL residents using the latest website technology.
Visit our website at gridplay.net and see all that we offer. https://gridplay.net/
People come to second life for different reasons. Some view it as a game. Some want to make friends or find love. Some people want to be able to just hang out, explore and live the life that they cannot do in their real life. That is the beauty of a virtual world, you can do that. In the journey of Second Life, people have the opportunity to explore the lifestyle of BDSM.
One place in SL, Triskelion Academy, and Black Moon Acres Community, aims to change the way people learn the truths about the lifestyle of BDSM in a safe community. They have done so by developing a curriculum with a team of staff, mentors, and leaders who are, themselves, members in the lifestyle.
I had the chance to sit down with Faxi, a mentor and one of the founding leaders to revisit and reflect on this program and celebrate the milestones we have achieved over the past 3 years.
ELY: WOW! Can you believe it has been 3 years already? I can still remember my first time stumbling into my first class that you were teaching. All I remember was that so many people were there. **Giggles** What made you want to start a program like this?
FAXI: So, I started Triskelion in April 2019 for a couple of reasons. I had experiences in real life where I had seen people getting hurt or making poor decisions. A lot of time, it was due to a need for more education. In SecondLife, I was looking for a worthwhile project as I always needed something to keep me busy.
I looked for Sims with BDSM education. I found some, but all of the programs taught the Doms separately from the subs. While good programs, I wanted a program that the Doms and subs learned together. I felt that it was good for Doms to learn things about the submissive and vice versa. That is when a couple of good friends started Triskelion.
ELY: Over time, the program kept growing, and changing. How did you get to where you are now? What sets Triskelion apart from the other BDSM Schools that are out there?
FAXI: Our school has continually evolved by placing a strong emphasis on listening to our students, which has proven to be a paramount factor in implementing changes. Additionally, we have learned through a great deal of trial and error. Our team of dedicated staff shares a common purpose and drive to offer authentic, personal experiences that enrich the learning process. The diversity of our staff members has also been instrumental in our growth.
What distinguishes our school from others is our unique approach to teaching BDSM. Our program caters to both Dominants and submissives, creating a rich, collaborative learning environment where individuals can learn from one another in the same class. We believe in teaching practical knowledge based on real-life experiences, enabling our students to acquire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the different types of dynamics within BDSM.
ELY: Being on the team, here at Triskelion myself, I can see how valuable it is to learn from all the leadership and students we have here. What is something that you have found to be valuable from being a Triskelion and having this community?
I have found value in learning from other people and the varying perspective and experiences that other people bring to the community. There is continually so much to learn. While everyone has experienced so much and people do not always agree, everyone is respectful and helps one another learn and grow as individuals in their own journey. You can see that each member of the leadership team, as well as the staff, wants to assist people in learning and want to help people learn the lifestyle in a safe manner. It is amazing that, although they express the challenges that SL brings to the community, they still help others learn in a respectful way how they may have been shown in an unhealthy manner, and they are non-judgemental.
ELY: I know that you have so many things for the school to do, with the classes and study times. Since the change and growth of the community, what activities can someone do on the sim? And is it only open to the school and community members?
Triskelion Academy within the community of Black Moon Acres Community, an adult land that embraces and accepts the BDSM lifestyle, in addition to other areas of everyday life. For example, the community has regular events, dances, discussions, G&S Fishing and other G&S Activities, horseback riding, and gaming, just to name a few activities. Mainly, Triskelion and Black Moon Acres want to know that the BDSM lifestyle is not any different than any other way of life.
ELY: For anyone interested in attending, how often do sessions run?
Sessions are 24 classes long (split up into 30-40 minute parts long) and graduation occurs once students complete the classes and assignments. Although the academy is based on the students completing them at their own pace, they do ask that students complete them within a couple of session times. Overall, Triskelion does understand what RL happens and works with each student.
ELY: Is there anything else you would like to say?
Triskelion Academy is a community that continues to learn, reflect and adapt to the lifestyles needs, including always learning and attending RL workshops, as well as listening to the students and the team as a whole. Each staff member has experience and/or has been through the academy. We believe that each opinion should be heard. We take it to the team and the leadership to be discussed and worked through. Questions, please talk with a member of our leadership team.
Additional Information:
SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Black%20Moon%20Acres/137/231/1534
Discord: https://discord.gg/5bypSG7UQf
Preferred Contact: Faxi (Faxi2016)
If you own a fashion label, or you are a designer, then a fashion event is a good opportunity to show other people what you are all about. It is the chance to sell what clothing and accessories you have designed (or have to offer). A fashion event on any scale is also ideal for raising your brand or profile. To make sure your event runs smoothly, here are a few things you may wish to consider:
The Purpose of Your Event
Firstly, think carefully about why you are holding a fashion event. Are you trying to build your brand name and reputation? Or, are you trying to show off the latest seasons trends and styles? All fashion events must have a purpose. Without this vision or purpose, your event is not going to have direction. This could well mean that you end up wasting money on creating and marketing a fashion event that gets you nothing in return.
Where It Will Be Held
Once you have established for certain what the purpose of your fashion event will be, it is then time to start looking at private venues. When you are searching for venues, you need to look at what is on offer, and at what cost. You also must think about suitability versus your list of requirements. For example, is the venue large enough for you to accommodate a large get-together? Or, is the venue you are keen on betting for small (more intimate) fashion events and gatherings? Does the venue have rooms or space for you to construct a catwalk, runway, or similar, should you wish to show some of the latest designs or creations?
The Time of Year
You have a purpose for your fashion event, and you have started sourcing suitable venues. Next, you need to think about timing. Do you want to hold a spring/summer event? Or, must you look at holding one in the autumn? The time of year you choose for your event will largely depend on what you are trying to achieve. For example, if you are trying to increase brand awareness and reputation, you may be able to do this with a show at any time of the year. However, if you are looking to promote next season's trends, you will have to do this at least a few months in advance.
Theme, Look, and Style
Your event must trigger guests, and it must be memorable. If it is weak or gentle, it will not have the impact that you require. With this in mind, you should always focus on the theme, look, and style you want to create. For example, will you go for an edgy design or look? Or, are you going for a softer theme and background that allows the clothing or accessories to do all of the talking?
Budget and Preparations
All events have a cost attached to them, whether you are investing 20 or 100 guests. You must, therefore, begin setting a budget. This budget together with preparations is going to allow you to bring your vision to life. Without a budget and focus on preparations, you could find you are overspending, and then restricting your spending for other projects later down the line.
Well. A terrifically creative, emotive, and aesthetically pleasing picture to be fair. But yes, The Basilica nightclub presents a photo competition in which the winner wins an amazing 10 000 lindens first prize. There are many smaller prizes up for grabs too, from limited edition to The Basilica halter tops and t-shirts to access to the club’s exclusive VIP balcony boxes.
To win, participants need to teleport to the club, take a photo in or around the building and submit it to The Basilica Flickr group with a title that contains the words ‘@ The Basilica’. The photos will be judged on aesthetic appeal - shape form, light, contrast, and composition; creativity - how is the building or its surrounds incorporated in the picture; emotive content - how the pic make one feel and how well it represents The Basilica brand. When asked to describe the essence of the club’s brand, co-owner, Trynn Mildor says that it lives at the intersection of the following words: awe-inspiring, sexy, dynamic, cutting-edge, creative, unusual, gritty, hard-core, and innovative. “The Basilica is the house of music, the music we will focus on live along the axes of these words. We choose DJs that move people, emotionally and physically, that are cutting-edge innovators in their genres, that imbue their songs with sexy, that push the limits, that inspire awe just as the venue does! DJs who dare, and definitely aren’t business as usual.” She stresses the importance of the picture representing the brand well as it will be central to the club’s marketing efforts over the three months following the competition’s runtime. Contestants, therefore, need to note that the winning entry may well be featured on marketing material, as well as on the club’s other platforms including Discord and Facebook. "We are looking for something unusual that makes one feel something ... that moves you the way amazing music does, " concludes, Emily Silkstone, the other half of the owner duo. The competition ends on 9 March 2023 @10am SLT and the winners will be announced on 11 March 2023 - the day of the epic opening.
What cool technology have you heard about recently? Science and technology move so quickly today that there are probably many things happening that you don’t know about. So join us in GeekSpeak on Saturday at noon SLT to share all the newest inventions and research. Find out which new discovery makes others feel most hopeful and happy about the future.
What breakthroughs should we know about? What interesting research have you heard about? Medical, space, historical, all subjects considered. Tell us in GeekSpeak. Bring all your friends!
IM Vulcan Viper, who teaches a meditation class every Wednesday in the GeekSpeak auditorium, if you have ideas for new subjects.
Mandahlyn, Videographer/CEO and Udiyah, COO of the Simply Raw Podcast is sponsoring an AUDITION Casting to acquire individuals (men and women) to create commercials to insert between our various podcast segments. Watch the voice video link for detailed information about the Audition details. Also simply go to our YouTube Channel and add a LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and COMMENT on any video to qualify to participate in the Audition. https://www.youtube.com/@SIMPLYRAWNEWS1/featured
WATCH our AUDITION VOICE VIDEO: https://video214.com/play/qxF9nANVQzhtWAUgbyY4pg/s/dark AUDITION SLURL Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LifeStyles%20Island/187/172/2049
The 6th annual FOCUS Photography Fair is happening February 24 through March 10 on the FOCUS Magazine and Art Galleries sim. With close to 40 vendors, you will see the latest in metaverse photography. The Photography Fair is always a great time because there are more than just vendors. There will be workshops, events, and guided tours, and renowned artists will be present and accessible to you.
The Photography Fair is the brainchild of Angela Thespian, who has been interested in SL photography from day one. The magazine she publishes, FOCUS, is a preeminent photography publication. But FOCUS is more than just the magazine. She told me, “The underlying philosophy of FOCUS overall is to connect people to their communities. None of us is alone, and that has been a point to make especially clear over the past few pandemic years. Also, we celebrate the arts as well as artists at FOCUS. In terms of the FOCUS Photography Fair, we have extended that mission to other creative makers and designers who have amazing products meant for photographers but can't seem to connect with them. So, at the fair, we not only provide pertinent tech and tools for our photography community, we support those who are making photography (or synthography as it is beginning to be called) better and more advanced.”
Vendors include Lunamare, Image Photography, SLDomina, Animare & PhotoPro, Specter Skies, Upside Down Poses, Props & Creations, FAC Creations, Ammonite Gallery, Kondor Art Center, Wicked J Poses, Seetra Poses, Rebel Poses, Timeless HUDs, SALMAGUNDI, Bradman Photography, New Life Gallery, Elven Falls Art Collective, Poses by Debaucherous Bourne, Teddy Bear Boutique, Rubedo, Sassy Sweet Poses, Poses with Attitude, BellePoses, studiOneiro, Simply Dvyne Photography & Poses, Figment of Your Imagination, Hexposed, Duvels Poses and Tattoos, The Last Pose, Huitzlan, One Moon Poses & More, Fireheart, Mysteria, {Amore Poses}, Chronotis Animations, Starlight Poses, The Woolshed, Poly Place, and SL Art Walk.
With so many vendors, it's really the first fair ever to be geared directly toward photographers’ needs in SL. The Photography Fair offers our photographers all the tools that photographers need and want to facilitate and inspire their creativity! From tools to props to backdrops, to poses — YOU WILL FIND IT HERE!
There are helpful workshops scheduled throughout the fair. For example, workshops are being held Sunday, February 26th at 12 pm SLT and March 5th at 12 pm SLT on Environmental Enhancement Project photography, and a "Night Sky Environment Editor - Journey to the Cosmos," a theme specially for the Focus Photography Fair. Then there are guided tours of the latest gadgets in metaverse photography, music events starring Max Kleene and Grace Loudon, and much, much more. The Fair opens its doors Friday, January 24 at 6pm with music and dancing.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elven%20Falls/188/200/3991
** WEB PAGES **
Conference Information: http://vwbpe.org
Registration: http://vwb.pe/register
Sponsors: https://www.vwbpe.org/our-sponsors/vwbpe-2023-sponsors
Rockcliffe Gateway to Second Life®: http://urockcliffe.com/reg/second-life/
Let’s imagine that in 10 years time, robots have taken over the earth. Humans are either extinct or kept as pets. What will the new robotic society look like?
Will robots live together peacefully, or will they have wars like us? Will they have belief systems and political parties? Will they build telescopes and spaceships and discover the stars? Or will they do nothing that is not obviously practical?
Will they form robot families and friendships or be solitary? Will they be able to change their nature to suit their ideas of the perfect society, as we cannot?
Will their society eventually fail? Maybe humans will have to clean up the scraps after the age of the bots.
Join us at GeekSpeak on Saturday at noon SLT to discuss the coming robot society. No robots are allowed, so bring all your friends!
Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB): So, tell me, Trynn and Emi? Just what is the Basilica all about?
Trynn.Mildor (TM): It is about feeding the soul -
through music, through connection, through togetherness. It is about the thrill
of the dance, about losing yourself in the beat. Because when we are swept away
by the dance we become united, unified. We belong.
Emilysilkstone (ES):
Why do people
come to SL? To escape from reality for a bit, to chill, to relax, to meet
friends. We want to give them a good time because we think everyone deserves
to have fun here. And a club is just perfect for this: bringing people
together, listening to music, dancing, chatting ... you can do it all at the
Basilica.
JB: What a phenomenal build. Did the two of you do this all yourself, or did you
have help, and what did they do?
TM: Oh no this is the work of Marcus Inkpen -
we are more um ... putterers together of
things. - including ideas and people.
But we are in love with the building - the reflective floors, the high-arched vaults, and the majestic apses. we think are the perfect setting for a
sacred experience like music and human engagement.
ES: Well, I'd say "we threw stuff together
and called it a club". The real artists are the creators of course. I'm
the greatest admirer of all those amazing people creating amazing things in SL.
And it's an honor to use them in our sim. We started with a central theme, a
central story, then handed over to our imagination ... And this is the result.
JB: Why did you choose this setting?
TM: Well, we chose this beautiful building by
Marcus firstly for a selfish reason - we love it. But also, we chose it as a sort
of recognition that it can stand as a sort of metaphor for our devotion to
music. Like faith, music is transcendent in nature. It lifts your spirits, it
reaches the deep recesses of your mind that sometimes stay dormant. It even has the potential to remind us of the
vastness of the universe and how small we are in it.
ES: When I saw this Basilica for the first
time, my jaw dropped. I've never seen such an amazing building. And yeah, my
first thought was ... let's use it for a music club haha. I've seen RL
(techno-)parties in churches and I was at Tomorrowland last summer, so yeah,
this kind of scenery really adds to the experience. And I like it big haha. But
don't put that in your article.
TM: There isn’t anyone across the Myers-Briggs
personality spectrum that we don’t want to attract! We think everyone deserves human connection.
So, we hope for the passionate, the adventurous, the experimental, and the
spontaneous but ... we hope to add some of those elements to those who do
naturally or currently feel those things. Even those who aren't huge fans of
EDM will find pleasure in the vibe, the awe-inspiring sense of the place, and
the hot AVs dancing or hanging out.
ES: Well, personally I like almost everything!
From techno to classical, from oldies to French stuff. But it will be a
journey, taking off with EDM, techno, house, but also things like a dark wave ...
ok ask Trynn hahahaha. And about our guests, well my doctor once said I have a
big heart, so yes, there's room for everyone.
JB: As you know, there is no shortage of adult
entertainment sims in SL. What is the
“Basilica” difference and why should people come here for entertainment, vice
go elsewhere?
TM: Well The basilica is not only a dance club,
or only a hookup place - it's an amalgamation of the two things. But that just
makes sense if you think about real life. I mean, most of us have fallen in
lust at clubs millions of times over. Because music can be sex ... and sex can be
music. And a tad of lovense in the furniture will only add excitement into the
mix. The Basilica has a certain
energy to it, a pulse. You feel it the moment you look up at those ornate
windows and the apses, and then that first wave of neon brushes over you, and
you feel you are somewhere special. There
are other little things too, like the couple standing poses discreetly placed
around the floors and the exclusive balcony boxes that can be rented out for private parties. But at the
heart of it is our love for music - we are true devotees - it translates into everything, from the DJs
we pick to the themed events we'll be having.
ES: Oh, our unique selling points are many: first of all, our scenery: the fantastic Basilica, but also the buildings next to it: we have a cozy coffee house, a warehouse for illegal raves, a nice square for open-air concerts ... We'll bring the experience to social media, we'll even live stream to YouTube. We'll have Twitch DJ's in-world. And we'll implement artificial intelligence, so you can interact with NPC's. Fun Fun FUN!
ES: Oh, did you spot me on a Monday early
morning here? Guess I didn't have coffee yet.
TM: (Laugh) Those are only for my own stress
relief and amusement. When they are shot, they explode and there is great
satisfaction in that... I sometimes forget them and they spawn across the sim
giving visitors shock. Their days will
be unfortunately numbered once the club is open.
JB: Do you plan any special events here, and if
so, how might people learn about them?
TM: Oh yes!
We will definitely host themed events - both Emily and I are fiends for
fashion and dressing up. The best way to stay abreast of upcoming events is to
join the SL group: the Basilica @ Dark Rose, or to visit Emily's coffee shop -
the hostess there is always up to speed with the latest gossip.
ES: Yes. not only parties, but also fashion
shows, car shows on the square in front of the Basilica, and even chess games
with famous YouTubers. We're aiming for the next Eurovision song contest - ok,
now I’m kidding.
JB: Tell me about the Fire Station? Do you have some ideas for that?
TM: The Basilica for all its grandeur is
situated among some old factories and warehouses, some tenements, and a skanky
hotel. One sees this often in urban
development where a beautiful old building, often with historical value, gets
engulfed by industrial plants and such. however, luckily these buildings are quite beautiful in their own right. They
have a gritty sort of glamor to them. We are hoping to make them available as a venue for hire and to host some parties in them - maybe old-school style raves
could be amazing in there.
ES: Well, we value safety and security, and as
the Basilica is an old building, we rezzed a fire station as well. We had to.
Insurance ordered us to do it. So, we're safe now.
JB: And how about the future? Do you have any improvements or changes in
mind for the weeks and months ahead?
TM: We are very mindful of feedback, sometimes
you have to trial and error things, live with them for a bit to see if they
work or not. So definitely we will be ready to adjust if we must. But we
believe the bigger picture for the sim is quite feasible, and that the bigger
picture slots together like pieces of a puzzle. For example, Emily's is a
dainty little coffee shop with a marvelous view of the ocean; and there are
plans underway for an acoustic lounge on the beach with mismatched beach chairs
and gently crashing waves. Also, down
the line we would like to offer accommodations, those gorgeous old tenements
are just asking to be lived in.
JB: Is there anything else you would like to
share with our readers?
ES: Yessss, Second Life is an amazing world. I
think it's still the best virtual place around. And I hope to see all those
amazing SL-peeps at the Basilica. And not only on Sundays. Well, you know what
I mean. xox
TM: We want everyone to come on
this journey with us. Friends, family, frenemies, future friends … everything
we do is transparent. We want people to share in the milestones, the
successes and the mistakes. And when we fail at some things, we’ll
fail forward. It’s sort of like launching a new tech platform in beta, we’ll
throw all we have at it and make adjustments as we learn until it is the best
possible user experience around.
So, there you have it folks. The Basilica is a feast for the eyes AND the ears. Grab the LM below and hop on over and check it out. You’ll be glad you did.
Tell ‘em
Josh sent ya.
Be there!
Aloha
SURL: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dark%20Rose/67/18/24
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14850893@N21/pool/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1thebasilica
Discord: https://discord.gg/KC6cu4U9
DJ booking: https:appointmentthing.com/thebasilica
SL Group:
The Basilica @ Darkrose
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